Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark one)

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2013

 

OR

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                   to                  

 

Commission File Number 1-15839

 

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

95-4803544

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA

 

90405

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(310) 255-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:  (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer x

 

Accelerated Filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o No x

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding at May 1, 2013 was 1,117,541,849.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Cautionary Statement

3

 

 

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012

4

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012

5

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012

6

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012

7

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2013

8

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

9

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

21

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

34

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

35

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

35

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

35

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

36

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

36

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

36

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

37

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

38

 

 

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains, or incorporates by reference, certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements consist of any statement other than a recitation of historical fact and include, but are not limited to: (1) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, cash flow or other financial items; (2) statements of our plans and objectives, including those relating to product releases; (3) statements of future financial or operating performance; and (4) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Activision Blizzard, Inc. (“Activision Blizzard”) generally uses words such as “outlook,” “forecast,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “to be,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “estimate,” “future,” “positioned,” “potential,” “project,” “remain,” “scheduled,” “set to,” “subject to,” “upcoming” and other similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risk, reflect management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about our business, and are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Our actual results could differ materially. Risks and uncertainties that may affect our future results include, but are not limited to, sales levels of Activision Blizzard’s titles, increasing concentration of titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, Activision Blizzard’s ability to predict consumer preferences, including interest in specific genres such as first-person action and massively multiplayer online games and preferences among competing hardware platforms, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, changing business models including digital delivery of content, competition including from used games and other forms of entertainment, possible declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, adoption rate and availability of new hardware (including peripherals) and related software, particularly during the expected console transition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, litigation risks and associated costs, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, licensees, licensors, vendors, and third-party developers, including the ability to attract, retain and develop key personnel and developers that can create high quality “hit” titles, counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities and potential challenges associated with geographic expansion, and the other  factors  identified in “Risk Factors” included in Part II, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as amended. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon information available to us as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although these forward-looking statements are believed to be true when made, they may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

 

Activision Blizzard Inc.’s names, abbreviations thereof, logos, and product and service designators are all either the registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names of Activision Blizzard. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.

 

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions, except share data)

 

 

 

At March 31,

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

4,299

 

$

3,959

 

Short-term investments

 

319

 

416

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $244 and $332 at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

 

237

 

707

 

Inventories, net

 

159

 

209

 

Software development

 

143

 

164

 

Intellectual property licenses

 

11

 

11

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

409

 

487

 

Other current assets

 

226

 

321

 

Total current assets

 

5,803

 

6,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term investments

 

9

 

8

 

Software development

 

160

 

129

 

Intellectual property licenses

 

10

 

30

 

Property and equipment, net

 

133

 

141

 

Other assets

 

10

 

11

 

Intangible assets, net

 

64

 

68

 

Trademark and trade names

 

433

 

433

 

Goodwill

 

7,103

 

7,106

 

Total assets

 

$

13,725

 

$

14,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

186

 

$

343

 

Deferred revenues

 

1,125

 

1,657

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

588

 

652

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,899

 

2,652

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

83

 

25

 

Other liabilities

 

208

 

206

 

Total liabilities

 

2,190

 

2,883

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.000001 par value, 2,400,000,000 shares authorized, 1,116,913,935 and 1,111,606,087 shares issued at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

9,498

 

9,450

 

Retained earnings

 

2,132

 

1,893

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(95

)

(26

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

11,535

 

11,317

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

13,725

 

$

14,200

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

$

990

 

$

874

 

Subscription, licensing, and other revenues

 

334

 

298

 

Total net revenues

 

1,324

 

1,172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales – product costs

 

260

 

257

 

Cost of sales – online subscriptions

 

57

 

69

 

Cost of sales – software royalties and amortization

 

61

 

31

 

Cost of sales – intellectual property licenses

 

38

 

7

 

Product development

 

125

 

114

 

Sales and marketing

 

107

 

79

 

General and administrative

 

89

 

102

 

Total costs and expenses

 

737

 

659

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

587

 

513

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income (expense), net

 

2

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

 

589

 

514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

133

 

130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

456

 

$

384

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.34

 

Diluted

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

1,113

 

1,120

 

Diluted

 

1,120

 

1,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per common share

 

$

0.19

 

$

0.18

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

456

 

$

384

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(70

)

38

 

Unrealized gains on investments, net of deferred income taxes of $0 million and $1 million for March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively

 

1

 

1

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(69

)

$

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

387

 

$

423

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

456

 

$

384

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

140

 

65

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

24

 

23

 

Amortization and write-off of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses (1)

 

83

 

30

 

Stock-based compensation expense (2)

 

27

 

21

 

Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises

 

(4

)

(2

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

465

 

553

 

Inventories, net

 

47

 

 

Software development and intellectual property licenses

 

(73

)

(67

)

Other assets

 

91

 

174

 

Deferred revenues

 

(511

)

(576

)

Accounts payable

 

(149

)

(215

)

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

(271

)

(237

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

325

 

153

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments

 

113

 

115

 

Purchases of available-for-sale investments

 

(26

)

(187

)

Capital expenditures

 

(17

)

(9

)

Decrease in restricted cash

 

10

 

4

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

80

 

(77

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock to employees

 

33

 

15

 

Tax payment related to net share settlements of restricted stock rights

 

(14

)

(2

)

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

(261

)

Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises

 

4

 

2

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

23

 

(246

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(88

)

54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

340

 

(116

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

3,959

 

3,165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

4,299

 

$

3,049

 

 


(1)  Excludes deferral and amortization of stock-based compensation expense.

(2)  Includes the net effects of capitalization, deferral, and amortization of stock-based compensation expense.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

Shareholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Income (Loss)

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

 

1,112

 

$

 

$

9,450

 

$

1,893

 

$

(26

)

$

11,317

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

456

 

 

456

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

(69

)

(69

)

Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options

 

3

 

 

33

 

 

 

33

 

Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock rights

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability

 

(1

)

 

(14

)

 

 

(14

)

Tax benefit associated with employee stock options

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock rights

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

27

 

Dividends ($0.19 per common share) (See Note 11)

 

 

 

 

(217

)

 

(217

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2013

 

1,117

 

$

 

$

9,498

 

$

2,132

 

$

(95

)

$

11,535

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1.     Description of business and basis of consolidation and presentation

 

Description of Business

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a worldwide online, personal computer (“PC”), video game console, handheld, and mobile game publisher. The terms “Activision Blizzard,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” are used to refer collectively to Activision Blizzard, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  We maintain significant operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea and China.

 

Activision Blizzard is the result of the 2008 business combination (“Business Combination”) by and among Activision, Inc., Sego Merger Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Activision, Inc., Vivendi S.A. (“Vivendi”), VGAC LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivendi, and Vivendi Games, Inc. (“Vivendi Games”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of VGAC LLC.  In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, Activision, Inc. was renamed Activision Blizzard, Inc.

 

The common stock of Activision Blizzard is traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol “ATVI.” Vivendi S.A. (“Vivendi”) owned approximately 61% of Activision Blizzard’s outstanding common stock at March 31, 2013.

 

Based upon our current organizational structure, we have three operating segments as follows:

 

Activision Publishing, Inc.

 

Activision Publishing, Inc. (“Activision”) is a leading international developer and publisher of interactive software products and content. Activision develops games based on both internally-developed and licensed intellectual property. Activision markets and sells games we develop and through our affiliate label program, games developed by certain third-party publishers. We sell games both through retail channels and by digital download. Activision currently offers games that operate on the Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (“Sony”) PlayStation 3 (“PS3”), Nintendo Co. Ltd. (“Nintendo”) Wii (“Wii”) and Nintendo Wii U (“Wii U”), and Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”) Xbox 360 (“Xbox 360”) console systems; the Nintendo Dual Screen (“DS”) and Nintendo 3DS (“3DS”) handheld game systems; the PC; and other handheld and mobile devices.

 

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

 

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (“Blizzard”) is a leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online role-playing game (“MMORPG”) category in terms of both subscriber base and revenues generated through its World of Warcraft® franchise, which it develops, hosts and supports.  Blizzard also develops, markets and sells role-playing action and strategy PC-based computer games, including games in the multiple-award winning Diablo® and StarCraft® franchises. In addition, Blizzard maintains a proprietary online-game related service, Battle.net®. Blizzard distributes its products and generates revenues worldwide through various means, including: subscriptions; sales of prepaid subscription cards; revenue from value-added services such as realm transfers, faction changes, and other character customizations within the World of Warcraft gameplay; retail sales of physical “boxed” products; online download sales of PC products; and licensing of software to third-party or related party companies that distribute World of Warcraft, Diablo III, and StarCraft II products.

 

Activision Blizzard Distribution

 

Activision Blizzard Distribution (“Distribution”) consists of operations in Europe that provide warehousing, logistical and sales distribution services to third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software, our own publishing operations, and manufacturers of interactive entertainment hardware.

 

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Basis of Consolidation and Presentation

 

Activision Blizzard prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim reporting. As permitted under those rules and regulations, certain notes or other information that are normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted if they substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the annual audited consolidated financial statements. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as amended. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for the fair statement of our financial position and results of operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been included in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation.

 

The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date, but before the financial statements are issued, to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosures.

 

2.     Inventories, net

 

Our inventories, net consist of the following (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

At March 31, 2013

 

At December 31, 2012

 

Finished goods

 

$

119

 

$

151

 

Purchased parts and components

 

40

 

58

 

Inventories, net

 

$

159

 

$

209

 

 

3.     Intangible assets, net

 

Intangible assets, net consist of the following (amounts in millions):

 

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At March 31, 2013

 

 

 

Estimated

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

useful

 

carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Net carrying

 

 

 

lives

 

amount

 

amortization

 

amount

 

Acquired definite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

License agreements and other

 

3 - 10 years

 

$

98

 

$

(89

)

$

9

 

Internally-developed franchises

 

11 - 12 years

 

309

 

(254

)

55

 

Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision trademark

 

Indefinite

 

386

 

 

386

 

Acquired trade names

 

Indefinite

 

47

 

 

47

 

Total

 

 

 

$

840

 

$

(343

)

$

497

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2012

 

 

Estimated

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

useful

 

carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Net carrying

 

 

 

lives

 

amount

 

amortization

 

amount

 

Acquired definite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

License agreements and other

 

3 - 10 years

 

$

98

 

$

(88

)

$

10

 

Internally-developed franchises

 

11 - 12 years

 

309

 

(251

)

58

 

Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision trademark

 

Indefinite

 

386

 

 

386

 

Acquired trade names

 

Indefinite

 

47

 

 

47

 

Total

 

 

 

$

840

 

$

(339

)

$

501

 

 

Amortization expense of intangible assets was $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

At March 31, 2013, future amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is estimated as follows (amounts in millions):

 

2013 (remaining nine months)

 

$

21

 

2014

 

19

 

2015

 

10

 

2016

 

6

 

2017

 

4

 

Thereafter

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

64

 

 

4.     Income taxes

 

The income tax expense of $133 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 reflected an effective tax rate of 22.6%, which is lower than the effective tax rate of 25.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The lower rate is due to the recognition of the retroactive reinstatement of the federal research and development (“R&D”) tax credit for the tax year ended December 31, 2012, which was enacted in the first quarter of 2013. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law by the President of the United States. Under the provisions of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, the R&D tax credit that had expired on December 31, 2011 was retroactively reinstated to January 1, 2012 and is now scheduled to expire on December 31, 2013. The Company recorded a benefit of $12 million related to the R&D tax credit for the tax year ended December 31, 2012 as a discrete item in the first quarter of 2013.

 

The effective tax rate of 22.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2013 differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0%, primarily due to foreign income taxes levied at relatively lower rates, geographic mix in profitability, recognition of federal and California R&D credits, and the federal domestic production deduction.

 

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The overall effective income tax rate for the year could be different from the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and will be dependent, in part, on our profitability for the remainder of the year. In addition, our effective income tax rates for the remainder of 2013 and future periods will depend on a variety of factors, such as changes in the mix of income by tax jurisdiction, applicable accounting rules, applicable tax laws and regulations, rulings and interpretations thereof, developments in tax audits and other matters, and variations in the estimated and actual level of annual pre-tax income or loss.  Further, the effective tax rate could fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis and could be adversely affected by the extent that income (loss) before income tax expenses (benefit) is lower than anticipated in foreign regions where taxes are levied at relatively lower statutory rates and/or higher than anticipated in the United States where taxes are levied at relatively higher statutory rates.

 

The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining Activision Blizzard’s federal tax returns for the 2008 and 2009 tax years and Vivendi Games’s tax returns for the 2005 through 2008 tax years. While Vivendi Games’s results for the period January 1, 2008 through July 9, 2008 are included in the consolidated federal and certain foreign, state and local income tax returns filed by Vivendi or its affiliates, Vivendi Games’s results for the period July 10, 2008 through December 31, 2008 are included in the consolidated federal and certain foreign, state and local income tax returns filed by Activision Blizzard. The Company also has several state and non-U.S. audits pending. Although the final resolution of the Company’s global tax disputes is uncertain, based on current information, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations. However, an unfavorable resolution of the Company’s global tax disputes could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations in the period in which the matters are ultimately resolved.

 

5.     Software development and intellectual property licenses

 

The following table summarizes the components of our capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

At

 

At

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Internally developed software costs

 

$

152

 

$

159

 

Payments made to third-party software developers

 

151

 

134

 

Total software development costs

 

$

303

 

$

293

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intellectual property licenses

 

$

21

 

$

41

 

 

Amortization, write-offs and impairments of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses are comprised of the following (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses

 

$

62

 

$

31

 

Write-offs and impairments

 

26

 

2

 

 

6.                 Fair value measurements

 

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis

 

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) literature regarding fair value measurements for financial and non-financial assets and liabilities establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of “observable inputs” and minimize the use of “unobservable inputs.” The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

 

·                  Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

·                  Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; and

 

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·                  Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

 

The table below segregates all financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (which means they are so measured at least annually) into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2013 Using

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prices in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markets for

 

Other

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

As of

 

Identical

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Assets

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

Balance Sheet

 

 

 

2013

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

Classification

 

Recurring fair value measurements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

 

$

4,185

 

$

4,185

 

$

 

$

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

U.S. treasuries and government agency securities

 

300

 

300

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

Corporate bonds

 

11

 

11

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

Auction rate securities (“ARS”)

 

9

 

 

 

9

 

Long-term investments

 

Total recurring fair value measurements

 

$

4,505

 

$

4,496

 

$

 

$

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2012 Using

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prices in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markets for

 

Other

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

As of

 

Identical

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

Assets

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

Balance Sheet

 

 

 

2012

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

Classification

 

Recurring fair value measurements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

 

$

3,511

 

$

3,511

 

$

 

$

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

U.S. treasuries and government agency securities

 

387

 

387

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

Corporate bonds

 

11

 

11

 

 

 

Short-term investments

 

ARS

 

8

 

 

 

8

 

Long-term investments

 

Total recurring fair value measurements

 

$

3,917

 

$

3,909

 

$

 

$

8

 

 

 

 

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of our financial assets classified as Level 3 by major categories (amounts in millions) at March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively:

 

 

 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

financial

 

 

 

 

 

assets at

 

 

 

ARS

 

fair

 

 

 

(a)

 

value

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

 

$

8

 

$

8

 

Total unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income

 

1

 

1

 

Balance at March 31, 2013

 

$

9

 

$

9

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

financial

 

 

 

 

 

assets at

 

 

 

ARS

 

fair

 

 

 

(a)

 

value

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

 

$

16

 

$

16

 

Total unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income

 

1

 

1

 

Balance at March 31, 2012

 

$

17

 

$

17

 

 


(a)         Fair value measurements have been estimated using an income-approach model (specifically, discounted cash-flow analysis). When estimating the fair value, we consider both observable market data and non-observable factors, including credit quality, duration, insurance wraps, collateral composition, maximum rate formulas, comparable trading instruments, and the likelihood of redemption. Significant assumptions used in the analysis include estimates for interest rates, spreads, cash flow timing and amounts, and holding periods of the securities. At March 31, 2013, assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), all of which were ARS, represent less than 1% of our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges

 

We transact business in various currencies other than the U.S. dollar and have significant international sales and expenses denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, subjecting us to currency exchange rate risks. To mitigate our risk from foreign currency fluctuations we periodically enter into currency derivative contracts, principally forward contracts with maturities of twelve months or less, with Vivendi as our principal counterparty. We do not hold or purchase any foreign currency contracts for trading or speculative purposes and we do not designate these forward contracts as hedging instruments.  Accordingly, we report the fair value of these contracts in our condensed consolidated balance sheet within “Other current assets” or “Other current liabilities” and with changes in fair value recorded in our condensed consolidated statement of operations within “Investment and other income (expense), net” and “General and administrative expense.” The fair value of foreign currency contracts is estimated based on the prevailing exchange rates of the various hedged currencies as of the end of the period and was not material as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

Fair Value Measurements on a Non-Recurring Basis

 

We measure the fair value of certain assets on a non-recurring basis, generally annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.  For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, there were no impairment charges related to assets that are measured on a non-recurring basis.

 

7.     Operating segments and geographic region

 

Our operating segments are consistent with our internal organizational structure, the manner in which our operations are reviewed and managed by our Chief Executive Officer, who is our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), the manner in which we assess operating performance and allocate resources, and the availability of separate financial information. Currently, we operate under three operating segments: Activision, Blizzard and Distribution (see Note 1 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). We do not aggregate operating segments.

 

The CODM reviews segment performance exclusive of the impact of the change in deferred net revenues and related cost of sales with respect to certain of our online-enabled games, stock-based compensation expense, and amortization of intangible assets as a result of purchase price accounting. The CODM does not review any information regarding total assets on an operating segment basis, and accordingly, no disclosure is made with respect thereto. Information on the operating segments and reconciliations of total net revenues and total segment operating income to consolidated net revenues from external customers and consolidated income before income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below (amounts in millions):

 

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Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

before income tax expense

 

Activision

 

$

423

 

$

271

 

$

112

 

$

 

Blizzard

 

330

 

251

 

135

 

89

 

Distribution

 

51

 

65

 

 

1

 

Operating segments total

 

804

 

587

 

247

 

90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues / consolidated income before income tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales

 

520

 

585

 

369

 

447

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

(26

)

(21

)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

(3

)

(3

)

Consolidated net revenues / operating income

 

$

1,324

 

$

1,172

 

587

 

513

 

Investment and other income (expense), net

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

1

 

Consolidated income before income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

$

589

 

$

514

 

 

Geographic information for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is based on the location of the selling entity.  Net revenues from external customers by geographic region were as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Net revenues by geographic region:

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

738

 

$

601

 

Europe

 

487

 

485

 

Asia Pacific

 

99

 

86

 

Total consolidated net revenues

 

$

1,324

 

$

1,172

 

 

Net revenues by platform were as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Net revenues by platform:

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

$

749

 

$

688

 

Online subscriptions(1)

 

275

 

256

 

Other(2)

 

156

 

116

 

PC

 

93

 

47

 

Total platform net revenues

 

1,273

 

1,107

 

Distribution

 

51

 

65

 

Total consolidated net revenues

 

$

1,324

 

$

1,172

 

 


(1)                                 Revenue from online subscriptions consists of revenue from all World of Warcraft products, including subscriptions, boxed products, expansion packs, licensing royalties, value-added services, and revenues from Call of Duty® Elite memberships.

 

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(2)                                 Revenue from other includes revenues from handheld and mobile devices, as well as non-platform specific game related revenues such as standalone sales of toys and accessories products from the Skylanders franchise and other physical merchandise and accessories.

 

Long-lived assets by geographic region at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

At March 31, 2013

 

At December 31, 2012

 

Long-lived assets* by geographic region:

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

89

 

$

90

 

Europe

 

35

 

40

 

Asia Pacific

 

9

 

11

 

Total long-lived assets by geographic region

 

$

133

 

$

141

 

 


*The only long-lived assets that we classify by region are our long term tangible fixed assets, which only include property, plant and equipment assets; all other long term assets are not allocated by location.

 

We did not have any single external customer that accounted for 10% or more of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

8.     Goodwill

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment for the three months ended March 31, 2013 are as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

Activision

 

Blizzard

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

 

$

6,928

 

$

178

 

$

7,106

 

Tax benefit credited to goodwill

 

(2

)

 

(2

)

Foreign exchange

 

(1

)

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2013

 

$

6,925

 

$

178

 

$

7,103

 

 

The tax benefit credited to goodwill represents the tax deduction resulting from the exercise of stock options that were outstanding and vested at the consummation of the Business Combination and included in the purchase price of the Company, to the extent that the tax deduction did not exceed the fair value of those options. Conversely, to the extent that the tax deduction did exceed the fair value of those options, the tax benefit is credited to additional paid-in capital.

 

9.     Computation of basic/diluted earnings per common share

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (amounts in millions, except per share data):

 

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Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net income

 

$

456

 

$

384

 

Less: Distributed earnings to unvested stock-based awards that participate in earnings

 

(5

)

(4

)

Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to unvested stock-based awards that participate in earnings

 

(5

)

(3

)

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share - net income available to common shareholders

 

446

 

377

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

1,113

 

1,120

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of potential dilutive common shares under the treasury stock method: Employee stock options

 

7

 

7

 

Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average common shares outstanding plus dilutive effect of employee stock options

 

1,120

 

1,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

$

0.40

 

$

0.33

 

 

Our unvested restricted stock rights, which consist of restricted stock units, restricted stock awards, and performance shares, are considered participating securities, as these securities have non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents during the contractual period of the award. Since the unvested restricted stock rights are considered participating securities, we are required to use the two-class method in our computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share. For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we had outstanding unvested restricted stock rights with respect to 26 million and 19 million shares of common stock on a weighted-average basis, respectively.

 

Potential common shares are not included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per common share calculation when inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive. Therefore, options to acquire 14 million and 20 million shares of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

10.  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 2013 and 2012, were as follows (amounts in millions):

 

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For the three months ended March 31, 2013

 

 

 

Foreign currency

 

Unrealized gain

 

 

 

 

 

translation

 

on available-for-

 

 

 

 

 

adjustments

 

sale securities

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

 

$

(26

)

$

 

$

(26

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

(70

)

1

 

(69

)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2013

 

$

(96

)

$

1

 

$

(95

)

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Foreign currency

 

Unrealized gain

 

 

 

 

 

translation

 

on available-for-

 

 

 

 

 

adjustments

 

sale securities

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

 

$

(72

)

$

 

$

(72

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

38

 

1

 

39

 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2012

 

$

(34

)

$

1

 

$

(33

)

 

Income taxes were not provided for foreign currency translation items as these are considered indefinite investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries.

 

11. Capital transactions

 

Repurchase Program

 

On February 2, 2012, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which we were authorized to repurchase up to $1 billion of our common stock, on terms and conditions to be determined by the Company, during the period between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013.  There were no repurchases pursuant to this stock repurchase program during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

On February 3, 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which we were authorized to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of our common stock, on terms and conditions to be determined by the Company, until March 31, 2012.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we repurchased 22 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $261 million pursuant to this stock repurchase program.

 

Dividend

 

On February 7, 2013, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.19 per common share payable on May 15, 2013 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2013.  As such, we have included $217 million of dividends payable in “Accrued expense and other liabilities” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2013.

 

On February 9, 2012, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.18 per common share to be paid on May 16, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 21, 2012. On May 16, 2012, we made an aggregate cash dividend payment of $201 million to such shareholders. On June 1, 2012, the Company made dividend equivalent payments of $3 million related to that cash dividend to the holders of restricted stock units.

 

12.  Commitments and contingencies

 

At March 31, 2013, we did not have any significant changes to our commitments since December 31, 2012.  See Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as amended, for more information regarding our commitments.

 

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Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims. FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 450 governs the disclosure of loss contingencies and accrual of loss contingencies in respect to litigation and other claims. The Company records an accrual for a potential loss when it is probable that a loss will occur and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. When the reasonable estimate of the potential loss is within a range of amounts, the minimum of the range of potential loss is accrued, unless a higher amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range. Moreover, even if an accrual is not required, the Company provides additional disclosure related to litigation and other claims when it is reasonably possible (i.e., more than remote) that the outcomes of such litigation and other claims include potential material adverse impacts on the Company.

 

The outcomes of legal proceedings and other claims are subject to significant uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company’s control. There is significant judgment required in the analysis of these matters, including the probability determination and whether a potential exposure can be reasonably estimated. In making these determinations, the Company, in consultation with outside counsel, examines the relevant facts and circumstances on a quarterly basis assuming, as applicable, a combination of settlement and litigated outcomes and strategies. Moreover, legal matters are inherently unpredictable and the timing of development of factors on which reasonable judgments and estimates can be based can be slow. As such, there can be no assurance that the final outcome of any legal matter will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

 

We are party to routine claims, suits, investigations, audits and other proceedings arising from the ordinary course of business, including with respect to intellectual property rights, contractual claims, labor and employment matters, regulatory matters, tax matters, unclaimed property matters, compliance matters, and collection matters. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, such routine claims and lawsuits are not significant and we do not expect them to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

 

13.       Related party transactions

 

Treasury

 

Our foreign currency risk management program seeks to reduce risks arising from foreign currency fluctuations. We use derivative financial instruments, primarily forward contracts, with Vivendi as our principal counterparty. The gross notional amount of outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts was $171 million and $355 million at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Unrealized and realized gains and losses were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

Other

 

Activision Blizzard has entered into various transactions and agreements, including cash management services, investor agreement, music royalty agreements, and music distribution agreements, with Vivendi and its subsidiaries and other affiliates.  None of these services, transactions and agreements with Vivendi and its affiliates is material, either individually or in the aggregate, to the condensed consolidated financial statements as a whole.

 

14.       Recently issued accounting pronouncements

 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment

 

In July 2012, the FASB issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. This update gives an entity the option to first consider certain qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. This update is effective for the indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Balance sheet offsetting disclosures

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on the disclosure of financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either offset or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement and should be applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

In February 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standards update requiring new disclosures about reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income. These disclosures may be presented on the face of the statements or in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance and provided the required disclosures in Note 10 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Accounting for cumulative translation adjustments

 

In February 2013, the FASB issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to the release of cumulative translation adjustments into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity. This update will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. We are currently evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements from the adoption of this guidance.

 

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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Business Overview

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a worldwide online, personal computer (“PC”), video game console, handheld, and mobile game publisher. The terms “Activision Blizzard,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” are used to refer collectively to Activision Blizzard, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Based upon our organizational structure, we conduct our business through three operating segments as follows:

 

Activision Publishing, Inc.

 

Activision Publishing, Inc. (“Activision”) is a leading international developer and publisher of interactive software products and content. Activision develops games based on both internally-developed and licensed intellectual property. Activision markets and sells games we develop and through our affiliate label program, games developed by certain third-party publishers. We sell games both through retail channels and by digital download. Activision currently offers games that operate on the Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (“Sony”) PlayStation 3 (“PS3”), Nintendo Co. Ltd. (“Nintendo”) Wii (“Wii”) and Nintendo Wii U (“Wii U”), and Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”) Xbox 360 (“Xbox 360”) console systems; the Nintendo Dual Screen (“DS”) and Nintendo 3DS (“3DS”) handheld game systems; the PC; and other handheld and mobile devices.

 

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

 

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (“Blizzard”) is a leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online role-playing game (“MMORPG”) category in terms of both subscriber base and revenues generated through its World of Warcraft® franchise, which it develops, hosts and supports.  Blizzard also develops, markets and sells role-playing action and strategy PC-based computer games, including games in the multiple-award winning Diablo® and StarCraft® franchises. In addition, Blizzard maintains a proprietary online-game related service, Battle.net®. Blizzard distributes its products and generates revenues worldwide through various means, including: subscriptions; sales of prepaid subscription cards; revenue from value-added services such as realm transfers, faction changes, and other character customizations within World of Warcraft gameplay; retail sales of physical “boxed” products; online download sales of PC products; and licensing of software to third-party or related party companies that distribute World of Warcraft, Diablo III and StarCraft II products.

 

Activision Blizzard Distribution

 

Activision Blizzard Distribution (“Distribution”) consists of operations in Europe that provide warehousing, logistical and sales distribution services to third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software, our own publishing operations, and manufacturers of interactive entertainment hardware.

 

Business Highlights

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, Activision Blizzard had net revenues of $1.3 billion, as compared to net revenues of $1.2 billion for the same period in 2012, and earnings per diluted share of $0.40, as compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.33 for the same period in 2012.

 

According to The NPD Group, for U.S. data, Gfk Chart-Track, for Europe data, and internal estimates, for the first quarter of 2013:

 

·                  In North America and Europe combined, Activision Publishing was the #1 publisher overall for the quarter, including accessory packs and figures, with the #1 and #2 best-selling franchises — Skylanders and Call of Duty;

·                  Skylanders Giants™ (including accessory packs and figures) was the #1 best-selling game overall in dollars in both North America and Europe;

·                  In North America and Europe combined, Call of Duty®: Black Ops II was the #2 best-selling title in dollars; and

·                  Activision Blizzard had two top-10 PC titles, with Blizzard Entertainment’s StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm™ and Diablo III, in both North America and Europe.

 

Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2013, Activision Publishing released, among other titles, the first downloadable map pack, Call of Duty: Black Ops II Revolution (“Revolution”), on the Xbox 360 on January 29, 2013, and on other platforms on February 28, 2013, and The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct on Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii U on March 19, 2013.

 

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On March 12, 2013, Blizzard released StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, the first expansion to Blizzard’s real-time strategy PC game StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty®.  As of the end of its first two days of sales, Heart of the Swarm had sold through approximately 1.1 million copies worldwide, including both retail and digital sales.

 

Activision Blizzard Recent and Upcoming Product Releases

 

We have announced and expect to release the following titles and games, among other titles:

 

·                  On February 5, 2013, Activision announced Skylanders SWAP Force™, the newest installment in the popular Skylanders franchise.

 

·                  On March 22, 2013, Blizzard announced Hearthstone ™: Heroes of Warcraft ™, a new cross-platform free-to-play game for the PC and mobile devices.

 

·                  On April 16, 2013, Activision released the second downloadable map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops II Uprising (“Uprising”) for the Xbox 360. We expect to release Uprising on other platforms later in the second quarter of 2013.

 

·                  On April 29, 2013, Blizzard announced that it will release Diablo III for the PS3 later this year. As announced previously, Blizzard also plans to adapt the game for the PlayStation®4, Sony’s next-generation console system.

 

·                  On May 1, 2013, Activision announced that it will release its new Call of Duty game, Call of Duty: Ghosts on November 5, 2013.

 

Management’s Overview of Business Trends

 

We provide our products through both retail channels and digital online delivery methods. Many of our video games that are available through retailers as physical “boxed” software products, such as DVDs, are also available by direct digital download over the Internet (both from websites that we own and from others owned by third parties).  In addition, we offer players downloadable content as add-ons to our products (e.g., new multi-player content packs), generally for a one-time fee. We also offer subscription-based services for World of Warcraft, which are digitally delivered and hosted by Blizzard’s proprietary online-game related service, Battle.net.  Digital revenues have become an increasingly important part of our business, and we continue to focus on and develop products that can be delivered via digital online channels.

 

Net revenues from digital online channels represented 28% of the total consolidated net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to 27% for the same period in 2012. On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes the impact of the change in deferred net revenues, net revenues from digital online channels represented 53% of the total consolidated net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to 51% for the same period in 2012. The increases in non-GAAP digital online channels were primarily due to the stronger current quarter release of Revolution, as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare® 3 Content Collection #1, and the release of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm.

 

Please refer to the reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures later in this document for further discussions of retail and digital online channels.

 

Conditions in the retail channels of the video games industry have remained challenging during the first three months of 2013.  In the U.S. and Europe, retail sales of video games were flat as compared to the same period in 2012, according to The NPD Group and Gfk Chart-Track.  In addition, in the first three months of 2013, the video game industry was benefited by the addition of an extra week as compared to the first three months of 2012, and with Easter sales falling into the first quarter of 2013 as opposed to the second quarter of 2012.

 

Despite the challenges in the retail channels, the industry’s top five titles (including accessory packs and figures) grew 24% for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012. This has resulted in the further concentration of revenues in the top titles, particularly for high-definition platforms, which experienced year-over-year growth with a higher number of premier releases during the period as compared to the first three months of 2012. The Company’s results have been more favorable as compared to the overall trends in retail because of our greater focus on premier top titles and a more focused overall slate of titles.

 

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Consolidated Statements of Operations Data

 

The following table sets forth consolidated statements of operations data for the periods indicated in dollars and as a percentage of total net revenues (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

$

990

 

75

%

$

874

 

75

%

Subscription, licensing, and other revenues

 

334

 

25

 

298

 

25

 

Total net revenues

 

1,324

 

100

 

1,172

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales — product costs

 

260

 

20

 

257

 

22

 

Cost of sales — online subscriptions

 

57

 

4

 

69

 

5

 

Cost of sales — software royalties and amortization

 

61

 

5

 

31

 

3

 

Cost of sales — intellectual property licenses

 

38

 

3

 

7

 

 

Product development

 

125

 

9

 

114

 

10

 

Sales and marketing

 

107

 

8

 

79

 

7

 

General and administrative

 

89

 

7

 

102

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

737

 

56

 

659

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

587

 

44

 

513

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income (expense), net

 

2

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

 

589

 

44

 

514

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

133

 

10

 

130

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

456

 

34

%

$

384

 

33

%

 

Operating Segment Results

 

Our operating segments are consistent with our internal organizational structure, the manner in which our operations are reviewed and managed by our Chief Executive Officer, who is our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), the manner in which we assess operating performance and allocate resources, and the availability of separate financial information. We do not aggregate operating segments.

 

The CODM reviews segment performance exclusive of the impact of the change in deferred net revenues and related cost of sales with respect to certain of our online-enabled games, stock-based compensation expense, and amortization of intangible assets as a result of purchase price accounting. The CODM does not review any information regarding total assets on an operating segment basis, and accordingly, no disclosure is made with respect thereto.  Information on the operating segments and reconciliations of total net revenues and total segment operating income to consolidated net revenues from external customers and consolidated income before income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the table below (amounts in millions):

 

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Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision

 

$

423

 

$

271

 

$

152

 

Blizzard

 

330

 

251

 

79

 

Distribution

 

51

 

65

 

(14

)

Operating segment net revenue total

 

804

 

587

 

217

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net effect from deferral of net revenues

 

520

 

585

 

 

 

Consolidated net revenues

 

$

1,324

 

$

1,172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision

 

$

112

 

$

 

$

112

 

Blizzard

 

135

 

89

 

46

 

Distribution

 

 

1

 

(1

)

Operating segment income from operations total

 

247

 

90

 

157

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to consolidated operating income and consolidated income before income tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales

 

369

 

447

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

(26

)

(21

)

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

(3

)

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated operating income

 

587

 

513

 

 

 

Investment and other income (expense), net

 

2

 

1

 

 

 

Consolidated income before income tax expense

 

$

589

 

$

514

 

 

 

 

Segment Net Revenues

 

Activision

 

Activision’s net revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to stronger performances of the Call of Duty and Skylanders franchises, including catalog sales of titles from both franchises.  Revolution generated higher revenues than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Content Collection #1, due to our renewed focus on downloadable map packs, sold a la carte or as part of a season pass.  Compared to the same period in the prior year, the stronger performance of Call of Duty: Black Ops II, as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and stronger sales of Skylanders Giants and Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure® toys and accessories, as compared to Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure alone in the prior year, also contributed to the increase.

 

Blizzard

 

Blizzard’s net revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to the release of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm on March 12, 2013, and revenues from sales of Diablo III, which was released in May 2012.  The increase was partially offset by lower value-added services revenues and lower World of Warcraft subscription revenues resulting from a lower number of subscribers.

 

At March 31, 2013, the worldwide subscriber* base for World of Warcraft was 8.3 million, compared to a subscriber base of 9.6 million at December 31, 2012, and 10.2 million at March 31, 2012. The subscriber decline was primarily attributable to the East, with a smaller relative decrease in the West (where the “East” includes China, Taiwan, and South Korea, and the “West” includes North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America). Subscribership has declined since the September 2012 release of the latest expansion pack, World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria®, with casual players in the East playing less. In general, the average revenue per subscriber is lower in the East than in the West. Looking forward, our objective is to deliver new game content for World of Warcraft in all regions to further appeal to the gaming community.

 


*

World of Warcraft subscribers include individuals who have paid a subscription fee or have an active prepaid card to play World of Warcraft, those who have purchased the game and are within their free month of access, and Internet Game Room players who have accessed the game over the last thirty days. The above definition excludes all players under free promotional subscriptions, expired or cancelled subscriptions, and those who have expired prepaid cards. Subscribers in licensees’ territories are defined along the same rules.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Distribution

 

Distribution’s net revenues decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, which was largely due to the continued weakness in video games retail sales, particularly in the United Kingdom.

 

Segment Income from Operations

 

Activision

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, Activision’s operating income increased, as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily driven by higher net revenues as previously described and lower product development costs because of higher capitalization of product development costs and a more focused slate from our value business.  The increase was partially offset by higher costs of sales (consistent with higher net revenues), higher intellectual property expenses related to a write-down of capitalized costs, and higher sales and marketing expense in connection with the Skylanders franchise and the reveal of Destiny™, Bungie’s next big action game universe.

 

Blizzard

 

Blizzard’s operating income increased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily as a result of the increase in net revenues previously described. The increase was partially offset by higher cost of sales (consistent with higher net revenues), higher software development costs, as more costs were capitalized in the first quarter of 2012 due to the releases of Diablo III in May 2012 and World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria in September 2012, and marketing efforts for the release of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

The analysis of revenues by distribution channel is presented both on a GAAP (including the impact from change in deferred revenues) and non-GAAP (excluding the impact from change in deferred revenues) basis. We use this non-GAAP measure internally when evaluating our operating performance, when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods, and when assessing the performance of our management team. We believe this is appropriate because this non-GAAP measure enables an analysis of performance based on the timing of actual transactions with our customers, which is consistent with the way the Company is measured by investment analysts and industry data sources, and facilitates comparison of operating performance between periods. In addition, excluding the impact from change in deferred net revenue provides a much more timely indication of trends in our sales and other operating results. While we believe that this non-GAAP measure is useful in evaluating our business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as more important than, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, this non-GAAP financial measure may not be the same as any non-GAAP measure presented by another company. This non-GAAP financial measure has limitations in that it does not reflect all of the items associated with our GAAP revenues. We compensate for the limitations resulting from the exclusion of the change in deferred revenues by considering the impact of that item separately and by considering our GAAP, as well as non-GAAP, revenues.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP net revenues by distribution channel for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (amounts in millions):

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

(Decrease)

 

GAAP net revenues by distribution channel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

$

896

 

$

793

 

$

103

 

Digital online channels(1)

 

377

 

314

 

63

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

1,273

 

1,107

 

166

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution

 

51

 

65

 

(14

)

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

 

1,324

 

1,172

 

152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in deferred net revenues(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

(572

)

(569

)

 

 

Digital online channels(1)

 

52

 

(16

)

 

 

Total changes in deferred net revenues

 

(520

)

(585

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP net revenues by distribution channel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail channels

 

324

 

224

 

100

 

Digital online channels(1)

 

429

 

298

 

131

 

Total Activision and Blizzard

 

753

 

522

 

231

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution

 

51

 

65

 

(14

)

Total non-GAAP net revenues (3)

 

$

804

 

$

587

 

$

217

 

 


(1) We currently define revenues from digital online channels as revenues from subscriptions and memberships, licensing royalties, value-added services, downloadable content, and digitally distributed products.

(2) We have determined that some of our games’ online functionality represents an essential component of gameplay and as a result, represents a more-than-inconsequential separate deliverable. As such, we are required to recognize the revenues of these game titles over the estimated service periods, which may range from a minimum of five months to a maximum of less than a year. In the table above, we present the amount of net revenues for each period as a result of this accounting treatment.

(3) Total non-GAAP net revenues presented also represents our total operating segment net revenues.

 

The increase in GAAP net revenues from retail channels for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, was primarily due to stronger sales of Call of Duty: Black Ops II, as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, revenues from Diablo III, which was released in May 2012, stronger sales of Skylanders Giants and Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure (including toys and accessories), as compared to sales from only Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure (as the initial title in the franchise) in the prior year, revenues from World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, which was released in September 2012, and revenues from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, which was released in March 2013. The increase was partially reduced by the deferral of revenues from the current quarter release of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm.

 

The increase in non-GAAP net revenues from retail channels for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, was primarily due to revenues from the release of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm in March 2013, stronger sales of Call of Duty: Black Ops II, as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and stronger sales of Skylanders Giants and Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure (including toys and accessories), as compared to sales from only Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure (as the initial title in the franchise) in the prior year, and catalog sales of Diablo III, which was released in May 2012.

 

The increase in GAAP net revenues from digital online channels for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, was primarily due to revenues from World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, which was released in September 2012, stronger sales of Call of Duty: Black Ops II, as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the stronger revenues from the current quarter release of Revolution than revenues from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Content Collection #1 released in the first quarter of 2012, Diablo III, which was released in May 2012, and revenues from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm released in March 2013. The increase in GAAP net revenues from digital online channels for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was partially reduced by the deferral of revenues from the current quarter releases of Revolution and StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm.

 

The increase in non-GAAP net revenues from digital online channels for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, was primarily due to the stronger revenues from the current quarter release of Revolution than revenues from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Content Collection #1 released in the first quarter of 2012, and revenues from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. The increase was partially offset by lower revenues from value-added services and subscriptions from our World of Warcraft franchise.

 

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Consolidated Results

 

Net Revenues by Geographic Region

 

The following table details our consolidated net revenues by geographic region for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

(Decrease)

 

Geographic region net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

738

 

$

601

 

$

137

 

Europe

 

487

 

485

 

2

 

Asia Pacific

 

99

 

86

 

13

 

Consolidated net revenues

 

$

1,324

 

$

1,172

 

$

152

 

 

The increase / (decrease) in deferred revenues recognized by geographic region for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

Increase /

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

(Decrease)

 

Increase/(decrease) in deferred revenues recognized by geographic region:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

$

315

 

$

331

 

$

(16

)

Europe

 

169

 

225

 

(56

)

Asia Pacific

 

36

 

29

 

7

 

Total impact on consolidated net revenues

 

$

520

 

$

585

 

$

(65

)

 

As previously discussed, the Company’s net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013 were positively impacted by the revenues from higher Call of Duty catalog and downloadable map pack sales, higher Skylanders catalog sales than the same period in 2012, revenues from Diablo III, which was released in May 2012, and revenues from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, which was released in March 2013. These positive impacts were partially offset by the lower recognition of revenues from catalog sales from our value business as compared to same period in 2012.  Additionally, in Europe, the positive impact was partially offset by year-over-year revenue decreases from our distribution segment, and in the Asia Pacific region, the positive impact was partially offset by lower World of Warcraft revenues resulting from a lower number of subscribers.

 

In the North America and Europe regions, the decrease in deferred revenues recognized was primarily attributable to the revenues deferred from the current quarter releases of Revolution and StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, partially offset by the recognition of revenues deferred from Call of Duty titles, as well as Diablo III and World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, which were released in 2012.

 

In the Asia Pacific region, the increase in deferred revenues recognized was primarily attributable to the recognition of revenues deferred from Diablo III and the World of Warcraft franchise (primarily related to value-added services) partially offset by higher revenues deferred from the current quarter release of Star Craft II: Heart of the Swarm.

 

Net Revenues by Platform

 

The following tables detail our net revenues by platform and as a percentage of total consolidated net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (amounts in millions):

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Three months

 

% of total(3)

 

Three months

 

% of total(3)

 

 

 

 

 

ended

 

consolidated

 

ended

 

consolidated

 

Increase

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

 

net revenues

 

March 31, 2012

 

net revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Platform net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online subscriptions(1)

 

$

275

 

21

%

$

256

 

22

%

$

19

 

PC

 

93

 

7

 

47

 

4

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sony PlayStation 3

 

343

 

26

 

302

 

26

 

41

 

Microsoft Xbox 360

 

383

 

29

 

335

 

29

 

48

 

Nintendo Wii and Wii U

 

23

 

2

 

51

 

4

 

(28

)

Total console

 

749

 

57

 

688

 

59

 

61

 

Other(2)

 

156

 

12

 

116

 

10

 

40

 

Total platform net revenues

 

1,273

 

96

 

1,107

 

94

 

166

 

Distribution

 

51

 

4

 

65

 

6

 

(14

)

Total consolidated net revenues

 

$

1,324

 

100

%

$

1,172

 

100

%

$

152

 

 

The increase / (decrease) in deferred revenues recognized by platform for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

(Decrease)

 

Increase/(decrease) in deferred revenues recognized by platform:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online subscriptions(1)

 

$

47

 

$

6

 

$

41

 

PC

 

(28

)

22

 

(50

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sony PlayStation 3

 

249

 

263

 

(14

)

Microsoft Xbox 360

 

247

 

277

 

(30

)

Nintendo Wii and Wii U

 

5

 

14

 

(9

)

Total console

 

501

 

554

 

(53

)

Other(2)

 

 

3

 

(3

)

Total impact on consolidated net revenues

 

$

520

 

$

585

 

$

(65

)

 


(1) Revenue from online subscriptions consists of revenue from all World of Warcraft products, including subscriptions, boxed products, expansion packs, licensing royalties, and value-added services, and revenues from Call of Duty Elite memberships.

 

(2) Revenue from other includes revenues from handheld and mobile devices, as well as non-platform specific game related revenues such as standalone sales of toys and accessories products from the Skylanders franchise and other physical merchandise and accessories.

 

(3) The percentages of total are presented as calculated. Therefore the sum of these percentages, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding.

 

Net revenues from online subscriptions increased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to the recognition of deferred revenues from World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, which was released in September 2012. The increase was partially offset by lower value-added services revenues and lower World of Warcraft subscriptions resulting from a lower number of subscribers, and lower revenues from Call of Duty Elite memberships related to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.  In conjunction with the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops II, all of the Call of Duty Elite service features for that game were made available for free; this free service does not include downloadable map packs, which are sold separately, either a la carte as individual map packs or as part of a discounted season pass bundle.

 

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Net revenues from PC increased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, due to revenues from Diablo III, which was released in May 2012, and revenues from the current quarter release of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. The increase was partially offset by the higher revenues being deferred as a result of the release of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm in March 2013.

 

Net revenues from PS3 and Xbox 360 increased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to higher revenues from Call of Duty: Black Ops II, as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, as well as higher revenues from the current quarter release of The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct. The increase was partially offset by the higher deferral of revenues from the current quarter release of Revolution, as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Content Collection #1, which was released in the first quarter of 2012, and the stronger performance of Call of Duty: Black Ops II in the first quarter of 2013, as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in the same period in 2012.

 

Net revenues from other increased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to higher sales of toys and accessories products from Skylanders Giants than from Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure.

 

Net revenues from Nintendo Wii and Wii U decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to overall weaker catalog sales and fewer comparable releases.

 

Costs and Expenses

 

Cost of Sales

 

The following tables detail the components of cost of sales in dollars and as a percentage of total consolidated net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

consolidated

 

Three months ended

 

consolidated

 

Increase

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

 

net revenues

 

March 31, 2012

 

net revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product costs

 

$

260

 

20

%

$

257

 

22

%

$

3

 

Online subscriptions

 

57

 

4

 

69

 

5

 

(12

)

Software royalties and amortization

 

61

 

5

 

31

 

3

 

30

 

Intellectual property licenses

 

38

 

3

 

7

 

 

31

 

 

Total cost of sales increased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, consistent with higher net revenues.

 

Cost of sales — product costs increased slightly for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to higher net revenues. The increase was partially offset by lower product costs as a result of lower revenues from our distribution segment year-over-year. Further, revenues from digital online channels have lower product costs than revenues from retail channels. The increasing mix of revenues from our digital online channels year-over-year contributed to our higher margins (or lower product costs as a percent of consolidated net revenues).

 

The decrease in cost of sales — online subscriptions year-over-year was primarily due to cost reduction efforts in 2012 that benefited the current period. The increase in cost of sales — software royalties and amortization was consistent with higher net revenues year-over-year. Cost of sales — intellectual property licenses increased year-over-year primarily due to a write-down of capitalized costs.

 

Product Development (amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

consolidated

 

 

 

consolidated

 

Increase

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

 

net revenues

 

March 31, 2012

 

net revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

$

125

 

9

%

$

114

 

10

%

$

11

 

 

Product development costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to higher bonus accruals, reflective of the release of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and higher stock option expense. The increase was partially offset by our more focused slate of titles from our value business.

 

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Sales and Marketing (amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

consolidated

 

 

 

consolidated

 

Increase

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

 

net revenues

 

March 31, 2012

 

net revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

$

107

 

8

%

$

79

 

7

%

$

28

 

 

Sales and marketing expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to increased media and advertising costs related to the reveal of Destiny, marketing support for the release of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, and continued investments in our Skylanders franchise.

 

General and Administrative (amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

consolidated

 

 

 

consolidated

 

Increase

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

 

net revenues

 

March 31, 2012

 

net revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

$

89

 

7

%

$

102

 

9

%

$

(13

)

 

General and administrative expenses decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to lower legal expenses (including legal-related accruals, settlements, and fees), lower bonuses, and benefits from foreign exchange rate movements.

 

Investment and other income (expense), net (amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

consolidated

 

 

 

consolidated

 

Increase

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

 

net revenues

 

March 31, 2012

 

net revenues

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

$

2

 

%

$

1

 

%

$

1

 

 

Investment and other income (expense), net did not significantly change for the three months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Income Tax Expense (amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

% of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax

 

 

 

Pre-tax

 

Increase

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

 

income

 

March 31, 2012

 

income

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

$

133

 

22.6

%

$

130

 

25.3

%

$

3

 

 

The income tax expense of $133 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 reflected an effective tax rate of 22.6%, which is lower than the effective tax rate of 25.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The lower rate is due to the recognition of the retroactive reinstatement of the federal research and development (“R&D”) tax credit for the tax year December 31, 2012 enacted in the first quarter of 2013.  On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law by the President of the United States. Under the provisions of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, the R&D tax credit that had expired December 31, 2011, was retroactively reinstated to January 1, 2012 and is now scheduled to expire on December 31, 2013. The Company recorded a benefit of $12 million related to the R&D tax credit for the tax year ended December 31, 2012 as a discrete item in the first quarter of 2013.

 

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The effective tax rate of 22.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2013 differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0%, primarily due to foreign income taxes levied at relatively lower rates, geographic mix in profitability, recognition of federal and California research and development credits, and the federal domestic production deduction.

 

The overall effective income tax rate for the year could be different from the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and will be dependent, in part, on our profitability for the remainder of the year. In addition, our effective income tax rates for the remainder of 2013 and future periods will depend on a variety of factors, such as changes in the mix of income by tax jurisdiction, applicable accounting rules, applicable tax laws and regulations, rulings and interpretations thereof, developments in tax audits and other matters, and variations in the estimated and actual level of annual pre-tax income or loss.  Further, the effective tax rate could fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis and could be adversely affected by the extent that income (loss) before income tax expenses (benefit) is lower than anticipated in foreign regions where taxes are levied at relatively lower statutory rates and/or higher than anticipated in the United States where taxes are levied at relatively higher statutory rates.

 

The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining Activision Blizzard’s federal tax returns for the 2008 and 2009 tax years and Vivendi Games’s tax returns for the 2005 through 2008 tax years. While Vivendi Games’s results for the period January 1, 2008 through July 9, 2008 are included in the consolidated federal and certain foreign, state and local income tax returns filed by Vivendi or its affiliates, Vivendi Games’s results for the period July 10, 2008 through December 31, 2008 are included in the consolidated federal and certain foreign, state and local income tax returns filed by Activision Blizzard. The Company also has several state and non-U.S. audits pending. Although the final resolution of the Company’s global tax disputes is uncertain, based on current information, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations. However, an unfavorable resolution of the Company’s global tax disputes could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations in the period in which the matters are ultimately resolved.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources of Liquidity (amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

At March 31, 2013

 

At December 31, 2012

 

(Decrease)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

4,299

 

$

3,959

 

$

340

 

Short-term investments

 

319

 

416

 

(97

)

 

 

$

4,618

 

$

4,375

 

$

243

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of total assets

 

34

%

31

%

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

Increase

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by operating activities

 

$

325

 

$

153

 

$

172

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

 

80

 

(77

)

157

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

 

23

 

(246

)

269

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

 

(88

)

54

 

(142

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

340

 

$

(116

)

$

456

 

 

Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities

 

The primary drivers of cash flows provided by operating activities included: the collection of customer receivables generated by the sale of our products and digital and subscription revenues, partially offset by payments to vendors for the manufacturing, distribution and marketing of our products; and payments to third-party developers and intellectual property holders, for tax liabilities, and to our workforce. A significant operating use of our cash relates to our continued focus on customer service for our subscribers and investment in software development.

 

Cash flows provided by operating activities increased for the three months ended March 31, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily attributable to higher net income and higher non-cash expenses in the current period, such as the amortization and write-down of software development costs and intellectual property licenses and deferred incomes taxes.

 

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Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities

 

The primary drivers of cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities have typically included capital expenditures, acquisitions and the net effect of purchases and sales/maturities of short-term investments.

 

Cash flows related to investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2013 mainly reflected the purchase of $26 million of short-term investments, capital expenditures of $17 million for property and equipment, and the receipt of $113 million in proceeds from the maturities of investments, the majority of which consisted of U.S. treasury and other government-sponsored agency debt securities. Cash flows provided by investing activities were higher when comparing the three months ended March 31, 2013 to the same period in 2012, primarily due to lower disbursements for purchases of short-term investments.

 

Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities

 

The primary drivers of cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities have historically related to transactions involving our common stock, including the issuance of shares of common stock to employees, payment of dividends and the repurchase of our common stock. We have not historically utilized debt financing as a source of cash flows although we may do so in the future.

 

Cash flows provided by financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2013 reflect the proceeds from the issuance of shares of our common stock to employees in connection with stock option exercises of $33 million and were partially offset by the payment of $14 million in taxes relating to the vesting of employees’ restricted stock rights. Cash flows provided by financing activities were higher for the three months ended March 31, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to the lack of share repurchases in the current period.

 

Other Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, investments, and cash flows provided by operating activities. With our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $4.6 billion at March 31, 2013 and expected cash flows provided by operating activities, we believe that we have sufficient liquidity to meet daily operations in the foreseeable future. We also believe that we have sufficient working capital ($3.9 billion at March 31, 2013) to finance our operational requirements for at least the next twelve months, including purchases of inventory and equipment; the development, production, marketing and sale of new products; the provision of customer service for our subscribers; the acquisition of intellectual property rights for future products from third parties; and the funding of dividends.

 

As of March 31, 2013, the amount of cash and cash equivalents held outside of the U.S. by our foreign subsidiaries was $2.7 billion, compared with $2.6 billion as of December 31, 2012. If these funds are needed in the future for our operations in the U.S., we would accrue and pay the required U.S. taxes to repatriate these funds. However, our intent is to permanently reinvest these funds outside of the U.S. and our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to fund our U.S. operations.

 

We are considering, or may consider during 2013, substantial stock repurchases, dividends, acquisitions, licensing or other non-ordinary course transactions, and significant debt financings relating thereto.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

For the year ending December 31, 2013, we anticipate total capital expenditures of approximately $85 million, primarily for property and equipment. Capital expenditures are expected to be primarily for computer hardware and software purchases. Through the first three months of 2013, we made aggregate capital expenditures of $17 million.

 

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

 

At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Activision Blizzard had no significant relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial parties, often referred to as “structured finance” or “special purpose” entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes, that have or are reasonably likely to have a material future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operation, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.

 

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Financial Disclosure

 

We maintain internal control over financial reporting, which generally includes those controls relating to the preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). We also are focused on our “disclosure controls and procedures,” which as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), are generally those controls and procedures designed to ensure that financial and non-financial information required to be disclosed in our reports filed with the SEC is reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is communicated to management, including our principal executive and financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Our Disclosure Committee, which operates under the Board-approved Disclosure Committee Charter and Disclosure Controls & Procedures Policy, includes senior management representatives and assists executive management in its oversight of the accuracy and timeliness of our disclosures, as well as in implementing and evaluating our overall disclosure process. As part of our disclosure process, senior finance and operational representatives from all of our corporate divisions and business units prepare quarterly reports regarding their current quarter operational performance, future trends, subsequent events, internal controls, changes in internal controls and other accounting and disclosure relevant information. These quarterly reports are reviewed by certain key corporate finance executives. These corporate finance representatives also conduct quarterly interviews on a rotating basis with the preparers of selected quarterly reports. The results of the quarterly reports and related interviews are reviewed by the Disclosure Committee. Finance representatives also conduct reviews with our senior management team, our legal counsel and other appropriate personnel involved in the disclosure process, as appropriate. Additionally, senior finance and operational representatives provide internal certifications regarding the accuracy of information they provide that is utilized in the preparation of our periodic public reports filed with the SEC. Financial results and other financial information also are reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. As required by applicable regulatory requirements, the principal executive and financial officers review and make various certifications regarding the accuracy of our periodic public reports filed with the SEC, our disclosure controls and procedures, and our internal control over financial reporting. With the assistance of the Disclosure Committee, we will continue to assess and monitor, and make refinements to, our disclosure controls and procedures, and our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions upon which we rely are reasonable based upon information available to us at the time that these estimates, judgments and assumptions are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. To the extent there are material differences between these estimates, judgments or assumptions and actual results, our financial statements will be affected. The accounting policies that reflect our more significant estimates, judgments and assumptions and which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:

 

·                  Revenue Recognition including Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables

·                  Allowances for Returns, Price Protection, Doubtful Accounts, and Inventory Obsolescence

·                  Software Development Costs and Intellectual Property Licenses

·                  Income Taxes

·                  Fair Value Estimates (including Assessment of Impairment of Assets)

·                  Stock-Based Compensation

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, there were no significant changes to the above critical accounting policies and estimates. Refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as amended, for a more complete discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment

 

In July 2012, the FASB issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. This update gives an entity the option to first consider certain qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. This update is effective for the indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Balance sheet offsetting disclosures

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on the disclosure of financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either offset or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement and should be applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

In February 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standards update requiring new disclosures about reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income. These disclosures may be presented on the face of the statements or in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance and provided the required disclosures in Note 10 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Accounting for cumulative translation adjustments

 

In February 2013, the FASB issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to the release of cumulative translation adjustments into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity. This update will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. We are currently evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements from the adoption of this guidance.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Market risk is the potential loss arising from fluctuations in market rates and prices.  Our market risk exposures primarily include fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and market prices.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

We transact business in many different foreign currencies and may be exposed to financial market risk resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Revenues and related expenses generated from our international operations are generally denominated in their respective local currencies. Primary currencies include Euros, British pounds, Australian dollars, South Korean won and Swedish krona. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency-denominated transactions results in reduced revenues, operating expenses, and net income from our international operations. Similarly, our revenues, operating expenses, and net income will increase for our international operations if the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies. Currency volatility is monitored throughout the year. To mitigate our foreign currency exchange rate exposure resulting from our foreign currency-denominated monetary assets, liabilities and earnings, we periodically enter into currency derivative contracts, principally forward contracts with maturities of twelve months or less. Vivendi is our principal counterparty and the risks of counterparty non-performance associated with these contracts are not considered to be material. We expect to continue to use economic hedge programs in the future to reduce foreign exchange-related volatility if it is determined that such hedging activities are appropriate to reduce risk. We do not hold or purchase any foreign currency contracts for trading or speculative purposes. All foreign currency economic hedging transactions are backed, in amount and by maturity, by an identified economic underlying item. Our foreign exchange forward contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are accounted for as derivatives whereby the fair value of the contracts are reported as “Other current assets” or “Other current liabilities” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets, and the associated gains and losses from changes in fair value are reported in “General and administrative expense” and “Investment and other income (expense), net” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

The gross notional amount of outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts was $171 million and $355 million at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Unrealized and realized gains and losses were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

In the absence of the hedging activities described above, as of March 31, 2013, a hypothetical adverse foreign currency exchange rate movement of 10% would have resulted in potential declines of our net income of approximately $27 million. This sensitivity analysis assumes a parallel adverse shift of all foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar; however, all foreign currency exchange rates do not always move in such manner and actual results may differ materially.

 

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Interest Rate Risk

 

Our exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio. We do not use derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk in our investment portfolio. Our investment portfolio consists primarily of debt instruments with high credit quality and relatively short average maturities and money market funds that invest in securities issued by governments with highly rated sovereign debt. Because short-term securities mature relatively quickly and must be reinvested at the then-current market rates, interest income on a portfolio consisting of cash, cash equivalents or short-term securities is more subject to market fluctuations than a portfolio of longer term securities. Conversely, the fair value of such a portfolio is less sensitive to market fluctuations than a portfolio of longer-term securities. At March 31, 2013, our $4.3 billion of cash and cash equivalents were comprised primarily of money market funds. At March 31, 2013, our $319 million of short-term investments included $300 million of U.S. treasury and government-sponsored agency debt securities, $8 million of restricted cash, and $11 million of corporate bonds. We also had $9 million in auction rate securities at fair value classified as long-term investments at March 31, 2013. The Company has determined that, based on the composition of our investment portfolio as of March 31, 2013, there was no material interest rate risk exposure to the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as of that date.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Definition and Limitations of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

 

Our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are designed to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in our periodic reports. Inherent limitations to any system of disclosure controls and procedures include, but are not limited to, the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of such controls by one or more persons. In addition, we have designed our system of controls based on certain assumptions, which we believe are reasonable, about the likelihood of future events, and our system of controls may therefore not achieve its desired objectives under all possible future events.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

 

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures at March 31, 2013, the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, at March 31, 2013, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

 

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims. FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 450 governs the disclosure of loss contingencies and accrual of loss contingencies in respect of litigation and other claims. The Company records an accrual for a potential loss when it is probable that a loss will occur and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. When the reasonable estimate of the potential loss is within a range of amounts, the minimum of the range of potential loss is accrued, unless a higher amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range. Moreover, even if an accrual is not required, the Company provides additional disclosure related to litigation and other claims when it is reasonably possible (i.e., more than remote) that the outcomes of such litigation and other claims include potential material adverse impacts on the Company.

 

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The outcomes of legal proceedings and other claims are subject to significant uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company’s control. There is significant judgment required in the analysis of these matters, including the probability determination and whether a potential exposure can be reasonably estimated. In making these determinations, the Company, in consultation with outside counsel, examines the relevant facts and circumstances on a quarterly basis assuming, as applicable, a combination of settlement and litigated outcomes and strategies. Moreover, legal matters are inherently unpredictable and the timing of development of factors on which reasonable judgments and estimates can be based can be slow. As such, there can be no assurance that the final outcome of any legal matter will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

 

We are party to routine claims, suits, investigations, audits and other proceedings arising from the ordinary course of business, including with respect to intellectual property rights, contractual claims, labor and employment matters, regulatory matters, tax matters, unclaimed property matters, compliance matters, and collection matters. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, such routine claims and lawsuits are not significant and we do not expect them to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

 

Item 1A.   Risk Factors

 

The reader should carefully consider, in connection with the other information in this report, the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A: Risk Factors” of the Company’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended. These factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those stated in forward-looking statements contained in this document and elsewhere.

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities

 

The following table provides the number of shares purchased and average price paid per share during the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the total number of shares purchased as part of our publicly announced repurchase programs, and the approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under our stock repurchase program at March 31, 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total number of

 

Approximate dollar value

 

 

 

Total number

 

Average

 

shares purchased as part

 

of shares that may

 

 

 

of shares

 

price paid

 

of publicly announced

 

yet be purchased under

 

Period

 

purchased (1)

 

per share ($)

 

plans or programs

 

the plans or programs ($) (2)

 

January 1, 2013—January 31, 2013

 

 

$

 

 

$

945,772,518

 

February 1, 2013—February 28, 2013

 

45,006

 

14.37

 

 

945,772,518

 

March 1, 2013—March 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

945,772,518

 

Total

 

45,006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)

Included in this column are transactions under the Company’s equity compensation plans involving the delivery to the Company of an aggregate of 45,006 shares of our common stock, with an average value of $14.37 per share as of the date of delivery, to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards to our employees.

 

 

(2)

On February 2, 2012, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which we were authorized to repurchase up to $1 billion of our common stock, on terms and conditions to be determined by the Company, during the period between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013. There were no repurchases pursuant to this stock repurchase program during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are hereby incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date:  May 8, 2013

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

/s/ DENNIS DURKIN

 

/s/ STEPHEN WEREB

Dennis Durkin

 

Stephen Wereb

Chief Financial Officer and

 

Chief Accounting Officer and

Principal Financial Officer of

 

Principal Accounting Officer of

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

 

37



Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

 

Exhibit

 

 

 

 

3

.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Activision Blizzard, Inc., dated July 9, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K, filed July 15, 2008).

 

 

 

 

3

.2

 

Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Activision Blizzard, Inc., dated August 15, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K, filed August 15, 2008).

 

 

 

 

3

.3

 

Amended and Restated By-Laws of Activision Blizzard, Inc., as amended and restated as of February 2, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K, filed February 5, 2010).

 

 

 

 

10

.1*

 

Employment Agreement, dated as of January 9, 2012, between Humam Sakhnini and the Company.

 

 

 

 

10

.2*

 

Notice of Stock Option Award, dated as of March 6, 2012, to Humam Sakhnini.

 

 

 

 

10

.3*

 

Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award, dated as of March 6, 2012, to Humam Sakhnini.

 

 

 

 

10

.4*

 

Notice of Performance-Vesting Share Unit Award, dated as of March 6, 2012, to Humam Sakhnini.

 

 

 

 

10

.5*

 

Notice of Stock Option Award for grants to unaffiliated directors issued pursuant to the Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

 

10

.6*

 

Notice of Stock Option Award for grants to persons other than directors issued pursuant to the Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

 

10

.7*

 

Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for grants to unaffiliated directors upon their initial election to the board or upon their tenth continuous year of service on the board issued pursuant to the Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

 

10

.8*

 

Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for grants to affiliated non-employee directors and to unaffiliated directors upon their re-election to the board (other than in connection with 10 years of continuous service) pursuant to the Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

 

10

.9*

 

Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for grants to persons other than directors pursuant to the Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

 

10

.10*

 

Notice of Restricted Share Award for grants to persons other than directors pursuant to the Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

 

31

.1

 

Certification of Robert A. Kotick pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

31

.2

 

Certification of Dennis Durkin pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

32

.1

 

Certification of Robert A. Kotick pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

32

.2

 

Certification of Dennis Durkin pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

101

.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document.

 

 

 

 

101

.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

 

38



Table of Contents

 

101

.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

 

101

.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

 

101

.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

 

101

.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 


*                                         Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement in which a director or executive officer of the Company participates.

 

Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2013; and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

39


 

Exhibit 10.1

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into this 9th of January 2012, between Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Employer” or “Company” or “Activision Blizzard” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Activision Blizzard Group”), and Humam Sakhnini (“you”).

 

R E C I T A L

 

The Employer desires to employ you, and you desire to be so employed by the Employer, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

A G R E E M E N T

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises set forth in this Agreement, the Employer and you hereby agree as follows:

 

1.         Term of Employment

 

(a)        The term of your employment under this Agreement (the “Term”) shall commence on February 1, 2012 (the “Effective Date”) and shall end on March 31, 2015 (the “Expiration Date”) (or such earlier date on which your employment is terminated under Section 9).  Except as set forth in Section 11(s), upon the Expiration Date (or such earlier date on which your employment is terminated) all obligations and rights under this Agreement shall immediately lapse.

 

(b)        You and the Employer each agree to provide the other with at least six (6) months notice of any intent not to continue your employment following the Expiration Date.   If your employment continues beyond the Expiration Date, you shall be an at-will employee whose employment may be terminated by either party to this Agreement at any time for any reason.

 

2.         Compensation

 

(a)        Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, in full consideration for all rights and services provided by you under this Agreement, during the Term you shall receive only the compensation set forth in this Section 2.

 

(b)        Commencing on the Effective Date, you shall receive an annual base salary (“Base Salary”) of $600,000.00, which shall be paid in accordance with the Employer’s payroll policies.  Your Base Salary shall be reviewed periodically and may be increased by an amount determined by the Employer, in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

(c)        You will be eligible to receive an annual discretionary bonus (the “Annual Bonus”).  Your target Annual Bonus for each calendar year will be seventy-five percent (75%) of your Base Salary.  In all instances, the actual amount of the Annual Bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Employer, in its sole and absolute discretion, and may be based on, among other things, your base salary and target bonus prior to the Term, the portion of the year falling

 

Page 1



 

in the Term, your overall performance and the performance of the Employer, Activision Blizzard and the Activision Blizzard Group.  The Annual Bonus, if any, will be paid at the same time bonuses for that year are generally paid to other executives, but in no event earlier than the first day of the first month, or later than the 15th day of the third month, of the year following the year to which the Annual Bonus relates.  Except as otherwise set forth herein, you must remain continuously employed by the Activision Blizzard Group through the date on which an Annual Bonus, if any, is paid to be eligible to receive such Annual Bonus.

 

(d)      Subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Activision Blizzard (the “Compensation Committee”), Activision Blizzard will grant to you a non-qualified stock option to purchase 75,000 shares of Activision Blizzard’s common stock (the “Option”), 75,000 restricted share units which represent the conditional right to receive shares of Activision Blizzard’s common stock (the “RSUs,”), and 75,000 performance-vesting restricted share units which represent the right to receive shares of Activision Blizzard’s common stock (the “Performance Share Units”, and collectively with the Option and RSUs, the “Equity Awards”).

 

(i)                                  One-third of the Option will vest each of March 30, 2013, March 30, 2014, and March 30, 2015, subject to your remaining employed by the Activision Blizzard Group through the applicable vesting date.

 

(ii)                              One-third of the RSUs will vest each of March 30, 2013, March 30, 2014, and March 30, 2015, subject to your remaining employed by the Activision Blizzard Group through such vesting date.

 

(iii)         One-third of the Performance Share Units will vest, as determined by the Compensation Committee, each of March 30, 2013, March 30, 2014, and March 30, 2015, subject to the following conditions and your remaining employed by the Activision Blizzard Group through each vesting date:  (1) one-third of the Performance Share Units will vest if, and only if, the Compensation Committee determines that non-GAAP operating income for Activision Blizzard (the “Original Business Unit”) is greater than or equal to the non-GAAP annual operating plan operating income objective for the Original Business Unit as established by the Board of Directors, (the “Performance Objective”) for fiscal year 2012; (2) one-third of the Performance Share Units will vest if, and only if, the Compensation Committee determines that the Performance Objective is met for fiscal year 2013; and (3) one-third of the Performance Share Units will vest if, and only if, the Compensation Committee determines that the Performance Objective is met for fiscal year 2014.

 

You acknowledge that the grant of Equity Awards pursuant to this Section 2(d) is expressly conditioned upon approval by the Compensation Committee, and that the Compensation Committee has discretion to approve or disapprove the grants and/or to determine and make modifications to the terms of the grants.  The Equity Awards shall be subject to all terms of the equity incentive plan pursuant to which they are granted (the “Incentive Plan”) and Activision Blizzard’s standard forms of award agreement (as modified to the extent necessary to reflect the provisions of Section 10).  In the event of a conflict between this Agreement and the terms of the Incentive Plan or award agreements, the Incentive Plan or the award agreements, as applicable,

 

Page 2



 

shall govern.  These Equity Awards, if and when approved by the Compensation Committee, shall be in addition to any previous equity incentive awards made to you.

 

3.         Title; Location

 

During the Term, you shall serve as Chief Strategy and Talent Officer.  However, you agree that after the Term shall have commenced and following discussion with the Chief Operating Officer of Activision Blizzard about a change, you may instead be assigned to serve in such other C-level executive position at the Activision Blizzard corporate level, as the Chief Operating Officer of Activision Blizzard shall determine.  Your principal place of business initially shall be the Employer’s headquarters in Santa Monica, California; provided, however, that you acknowledge and agree that you may be required to travel from time to time for business reasons

 

4.         Duties

 

You shall report directly to the Chief Operating Officer of Activision Blizzard (or such other executive of the Activision Blizzard Group as may be determined from time to time by it in its sole and absolute discretion) and shall have such duties commensurate with your position as may be assigned to you from time to time by the Chief Operating Officer of Activision Blizzard (or, as applicable, such other executive designated by the Employer).  You are also required to read, review and observe all of the Activision Blizzard Group’s policies, procedures, rules and regulations in effect from time to time during the Term that apply to employees of the Employer, including, without limitation, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, as amended from time to time.  You shall devote your full-time working time to the performance of your duties hereunder, shall faithfully serve the Employer, shall in all respects conform to and comply with the lawful directions and instructions given to you by the Chief Operating Officer of Activision Blizzard (or such other executive of the Activision Blizzard Group as may be determined from time to time by the Employer in its sole and absolute discretion) and shall use your best efforts to promote and serve the interests of the Activision Blizzard Group.  Further, you shall at all times place the Employer’s interests above your own, not take any actions that would conflict with the Employer’s interests and shall perform all your duties for the Employer with the highest duty of care.  Further, you shall not, directly or indirectly, render services of any kind to any other person or organization, whether on your own behalf or on behalf of others, without the consent of the Chief Operating Officer of Activision Blizzard or otherwise engage in activities that would interfere with your faithful and diligent performance of your duties hereunder; provided, however, that you may serve on civic or charitable boards or engage in charitable activities without remuneration if doing so is not inconsistent with, or adverse to, your employment hereunder.

 

5.         Expenses

 

To the extent you incur necessary and reasonable travel or other business expenses in the course of your employment, you shall be reimbursed for such expenses, upon presentation of written documentation in accordance with the Employer’s policies in effect from time to time.

 

6.         Other Benefits

 

(a)        You shall be eligible to participate in all health, welfare, retirement, pension, life insurance, disability, perquisite and similar plans, programs and arrangements generally

 

Page 3



 

available to executives of the Employer from time to time during the Term, subject to the then-prevailing terms, conditions and eligibility requirements of each such plan, program, or arrangement.  In addition to the foregoing benefits, Employer will provide you during the Term, at Employer’s expense, with a supplemental term life insurance policy with a face amount of $2,000,000.00 through a carrier of Employer’s choice (the “Target Face Amount”), subject to your insurability.  If it is determined that you are insurable at a higher cost than a healthy individual of like age, the face amount of such insurance coverage will be reduced to the maximum face amount of coverage that may be obtained for the cost of coverage of the Target Face Amount for such healthy individual.

 

(b)        You expressly agree and acknowledge that, after the Expiration Date (or such earlier date on which your employment is terminated), you shall not be entitled to any additional benefits, except as specifically provided in this Agreement and the benefit plans in which you participate during the Term, and subject in each case to the then-prevailing terms and conditions of each such plan.

 

7.         Vacation and Paid Holidays

 

(a)        You will generally be entitled to paid vacation days in accordance with the normal vacation policies of the Employer in effect from time to time; provided, however, that you will be entitled to accrue no less than twenty (20) paid vacation days per year unless your vacation balance exceeds the Employer’s then-current maximum.

 

(b)        You shall be entitled to all paid holidays allowed by the Employer to its full-time employees in the United States.

 

8.         Protection of the Employer’s Interests

 

(a)        Duty of Loyalty.  During the Term, you will owe a “Duty of Loyalty” to the Employer, which includes, but is not limited to, you not competing in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, as a principal, employee, agent, owner, or otherwise, with any entity in the Activision Blizzard Group; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 8(a) will limit your right to own up to five percent (5%) of any of the debt or equity securities of any business organization that is then required to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(b)        Property of the Activision Blizzard Group.  All rights worldwide with respect to any and all intellectual or other property of any nature produced, created or suggested by you, whether on your own time or not, alone or with others, during the term of your employment or resulting from your services which (i) relate in any manner at the time of conception or reduction to practice to the actual or demonstrably anticipated business of the Activision Blizzard Group, (ii) result from or are suggested by any task assigned to you or any work performed by you on behalf of the Activision Blizzard Group, (iii) were created using the time or resources of the Activision Blizzard Group, or (iv) are based on any property owned or idea conceived by the Activision Blizzard Group, shall be deemed to be a work made for hire and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Activision Blizzard Group.  You agree to execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Employer, at the Employer’s request, such further documents, including copyright and patent assignments, as the Employer finds appropriate to evidence the Activision Blizzard Group’s rights in such property.  Your agreement to assign to the Activision Blizzard Group any of your rights as set forth in this Section 8(b) shall not apply

 

Page 4



 

to any invention that qualifies fully under the provisions of California Labor Code Section 2870, where no equipment, supplies, facility or trade secret information of the Activision Blizzard Group was used, where the invention was developed entirely upon your own time, where the invention does not relate to the Activision Blizzard Group’s business, and where the invention does not result from any work performed by you for the Activision Blizzard Group.

 

(c)        Covenant Not to Shop.  Other than during the final six (6) months of the Term, you shall not negotiate for employment with any entity or person outside of the Activision Blizzard Group.  During the search process and thereafter you shall remain strictly subject to your continuing obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, your Duty of Loyalty, compliance with the Activision Blizzard Group’s policies and your confidentiality obligations.

 

(d)       Confidentiality.  You acknowledge, and the Employer agrees, that during your employment you will have access to and become informed of confidential and proprietary information concerning the Activision Blizzard Group.  During your employment and at all times following the termination of your employment, confidential or proprietary information of any entity in the Activision Blizzard Group shall not be used by you or disclosed or made available by you to any person except as required in the course of your employment with the Activision Blizzard Group.  Upon the termination of your employment (or at any time on the Employer’s request), you shall return to the Activision Blizzard Group all such information that exists, whether in electronic, written, or other form (and all copies or extracts thereof) under your control and shall not retain such information in any form, including without limitation on any devices, disks or other media.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you acknowledge signing and delivering to the Employer the Employee Proprietary Information Agreement attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “Proprietary Information Agreement”) as of the Effective Date and you agree that all terms and conditions contained in such agreement, and all of your obligations and commitments provided for in such agreement, shall be deemed, and hereby are, incorporated into this Agreement as if set forth in full herein.

 

(e)        Return of Property and Resignation from Office.  You acknowledge that, upon termination of your employment for any reason whatsoever (or at any time on the Employer’s request), you will promptly deliver to the Activision Blizzard Group or surrender to the Activision Blizzard Group’s representative all property of any entity in the Activision Blizzard Group, including, without limitation, all documents and other materials (and all copies thereof) relating to the Activision Blizzard Group’s business, all identification and access cards, all contact lists and third party business cards however and wherever preserved, and any equipment provided by any entity in the Activision Blizzard Group, including, without limitation, computers, telephones, personal digital assistants, memory cards and similar devices that you possess or have in your custody or under your control. You will cooperate with the Activision Blizzard Group by participating in interviews to share any knowledge you may have regarding the Activision Blizzard Group’s intellectual or other property with personnel designated by the Activision Blizzard Group.  You also agree to resign from any office held by you within the Activision Blizzard Group immediately upon termination of your employment for any reason whatsoever (or at any time on the Employer’s request) and you irrevocably appoint any person designated as the Activision Blizzard Group’s representative at that time as your delegate to effect such resignation.

 

(f)        Covenant Not to Solicit.

 

Page 5



 

(i)           During your employment, you shall not, at any time or for any reason, either alone or jointly, with or on behalf of others, whether as principal, partner, agent, representative, equity holder, director, employee, consultant or otherwise, directly or indirectly: (a)  offer employment to, or solicit the employment or engagement of, or otherwise entice away from the employment or engagement of the Activision Blizzard Group, either for your own account or for any other person, firm or company, any person employed or otherwise engaged by any entity in the Activision Blizzard Group, whether or not such person would commit any breach of a contract by reason of his or her leaving the service of the Activision Blizzard Group; or (b) solicit, induce or entice any client, customer, contractor, licensor, agent, supplier, partner or other business relationship of any entity in the Activision Blizzard Group to terminate, discontinue, renegotiate or otherwise cease or modify its relationship with the Activision Blizzard Group.

 

(ii)          For a period of two (2) years following the termination of your employment for any reason whatsoever, you shall not, at any time or for any reason, either alone or jointly, with or on behalf of others, whether as principal, partner, agent, representative, equity holder, director, employee, consultant or otherwise, directly or indirectly solicit the employment or engagement of, either for your own account or for any other person, firm or company, any person employed or otherwise engaged by any entity in the Activision Blizzard Group (or any person who was employed or otherwise engaged by the Activision Blizzard Group during your final ninety (90) days of employment), whether or not such person would commit any breach of a contract by reason of his or her leaving the service of the Activision Blizzard Group.

 

(iii)         During your employment and at all times following the termination of your employment for any reason whatsoever, you shall not, at any time or for any reason, use the confidential, trade secret information of the Activision Blizzard Group or any other unlawful means to directly or indirectly solicit, induce or entice any client, customer, contractor, licensor, agent, supplier, partner or other business relationship of any entity in the Activision Blizzard Group to terminate, discontinue, renegotiate or otherwise cease or modify its relationship with the Activision Blizzard Group.

 

(iv)         You expressly acknowledge and agree that the restrictions contained in this Section 8(f) are reasonably tailored to protect the Activision Blizzard Group’s confidential information and trade secrets and to ensure that you do not violate your Duty of Loyalty or any other fiduciary duty to the Employer, and are reasonable in all circumstances in scope, duration and all other respects. The provisions of this Section 8(f) shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.

 

Page 6



 

9.         Termination of Employment

 

(a)        By the Employer for Cause.

 

(i)                                  At any time during the Term, the Employer may terminate your employment for “Cause,” which shall mean a good-faith determination by the Employer that you (i) engaged in misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of your duties or willfully and continuously failed or refused to perform any duties reasonably requested in the course of your employment; (ii) engaged in fraud, dishonesty, or any other conduct that causes or has the potential to cause, harm to any entity in the Activision Blizzard Group, including its business or reputation; (iii) violated any lawful directives or policies of the Activision Blizzard Group or any applicable laws, rules or regulations; (iv) materially breached this Agreement; (v) materially breached any proprietary information or confidentiality agreement with any entity in the Activision Blizzard Group; (vi) were convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a felony or crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude; or (vii) breached your fiduciary duties to the Activision Blizzard Group.

 

(ii)                              In the case of any termination for Cause that is curable without any residual damage (financial or otherwise) to the Employer or any entity in the Activision Blizzard Group., the Employer shall give you at least thirty (30) days written notice of its intent to terminate your employment; provided, that in no event shall any termination pursuant to clause (vi) of the definition of Cause be deemed curable.  The notice shall specify (x) the effective date of your termination and (y) the particular acts or circumstances that constitute Cause for such termination.  You shall be given the opportunity within fifteen (15) days after receiving the notice to explain why Cause does not exist or to cure any basis for Cause (other than a termination pursuant to clause (vi) of the definition thereof).  Within fifteen (15) days after any such explanation or cure, the Employer will make its final determination regarding whether Cause exists and deliver such determination to you in writing.  If the final decision is that Cause exists and no cure has occurred, your employment with the Employer shall be terminated for Cause as of the date of termination specified in the original notice.  If the final decision is that Cause does not exist or a cure has occurred, your employment with the Employer shall not be terminated for Cause at that time.

 

(iii)                          If your employment terminates for any reason other than a termination by the Employer for Cause, at a time when the Employer had Cause to terminate you (or would have had Cause if it then knew all relevant facts) under clauses (i), (ii), (v), (vi) or (vii) of the definition of Cause, your termination shall be treated as a termination by the Employer for Cause.

 

(b)        By the Employer Without Cause.  The Employer may terminate your employment without Cause at any time during the Term and such termination shall not be deemed a breach by the Employer of any term of this Agreement or any other duty or

 

Page 7



 

obligation, expressed or implied, which the Employer may owe to you pursuant to any principle or provision of law.

 

(c)        By You If Your Principal Place of Business Is Relocated Without Your Consent.  At any time during the Term, you may terminate your employment if, without your written agreement or other voluntary action on your part, the Employer reassigns your principal place of business to a location that is more than fifty (50) miles from your principal place of business as of the Effective Date and that materially and adversely affects your commute; provided, however, that you must (i) provide the Employer with written notice of your intent to terminate your employment under this Section 9(c) and a description of the event you believe gives you the right to do so within thirty (30) days after the initial existence of the event and (ii) the Employer shall have ninety (90) days after you provide the notice described above to cure any such default (the “Cure Period”).  You will have five (5) days following the end of the Cure Period to terminate your employment, after which your ability to terminate your employment under this Section 9(c) will no longer exist.

 

(d)       Death.  In the event of your death during the Term, your employment shall terminate immediately as of the date of your death.

 

(e)        Disability.  In the event that you are or become “disabled,” the Employer shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, have the right to terminate your employment.  For purposes of this Agreement, “disabled” shall mean that either (i) you have a physical or mental impairment that renders you unable to perform the duties required of you under this Agreement, even with the Employer providing you a reasonable accommodation, as determined by a physician selected by the Employer in its sole discretion or (ii) you are receiving benefits under any long-term disability plan of the Employer then in effect.  You shall cooperate and make yourself available for any medical examination requested by the Employer with respect to any determination of whether you are disabled within ten (10) days of such a request.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent provided by the Employer’s policies and practices then in effect, you shall not receive any Base Salary during any period in which you are disabled; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 9(e) shall impact any right you may have to any payments under the Employer’s short-term and long-term disability plans, if any.

 

10.       Termination of Obligations and Severance Payments

 

(a)        General.  Upon the termination of your employment pursuant to Section 9, your rights and the Employer’s obligations to you under this Agreement shall immediately terminate except as provided in this Section 10 and Section 11(s), and you (or your heirs or estate, as applicable) shall be entitled to receive any amounts or benefits set forth below (subject in all cases to Sections 10(f), 11(q) and 11(r)).  The payments and benefits provided pursuant to this Section 10 are (x) in lieu of any severance or income continuation protection under any plan of the Activision Blizzard Group that may now or hereafter exist and (y) deemed to satisfy and be in full and final settlement of all obligations of the Activision Blizzard Group to you under this Agreement.  You shall have no further right to receive any other compensation benefits following your termination of employment for any reason except as set forth in this Section 10.

 

For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Page 8



 

Basic Severance” shall mean payment of (1) any Base Salary earned but unpaid as of the Termination Date; (2) any business expenses incurred but not reimbursed under Section 5 as of the Termination Date; and (3) payment in lieu of any vacation accrued under Section 7 but unused as of the Termination Date.

 

Bonus Severance” shall mean payment of:

 

(i)           an amount equal to the Annual Bonus that the Employer determines, in its sole discretion, you would have received in accordance with Section 2(c) for any year that ended prior to the Termination Date had you remained employed through the date such bonus would have been otherwise been paid; and

 

(ii)          an amount equal to the Annual Bonus that the Employer determines, in its sole discretion, you would have received in accordance with Section 2(c) for the year in which your Termination Date occurs had you had remained employed through the date such bonus would have been paid, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number corresponding to the calendar month in which the Termination Date occurs and the denominator of which is 12, where, for purposes of calculating the amount of such bonus, any goals will be measured by actual performance.

 

Termination Date” shall mean the effective date of your termination of employment pursuant to Sections 9(a)-(e).

 

(b)        Death.  In the event your employment is terminated under Section 9(d):

 

(i)                                  Basic Severance.  Your heirs or estate, as the case may be, shall receive payment of the Basic Severance in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date unless a different payment date is prescribed by an applicable compensation, incentive or benefit plan, in which case payment shall be made in accordance with such plan;

 

(ii)          Lump Sum Payment of Two Times Base Salary.  Your heirs or estate, as the case may be, shall receive payment of an amount equal to two (2) times the Base Salary (at the rate in effect as of the Termination Date) in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date; provided, however, that this amount shall be reduced by any payments to which you become entitled upon death under any Employer-sponsored plan other than the $2,000,000 life insurance policy;

 

(iii)                          Bonus Severance.  Your heirs or estate, as the case may be, shall receive payment of the Bonus Severance in a lump sum no later than the 15th day of the third month of the year following the year to which the underlying amount relates; and

 

(iv)         Impact on Equity Awards.  All outstanding Equity Awards shall cease to vest.  All vested RSUs and Performance Share Units shall be paid in accordance with their terms.  Any vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (x) one (1) year after the

 

Page 9



 

Termination Date or (y) the original expiration date of the Option.  Any Equity Awards that are not vested as of your Termination Date will be cancelled immediately.

 

(c)        Termination by the Employer Without Cause, by You if Your Principal Place of Business Is Relocated Without Your Consent or by the Employer if You Become Disabled.  In the event the Employer terminates your employment under Section 9(b), you terminate your employment under Section 9(c) or the Employer terminates your employment under Section 9(e):

 

(i)           Basic Severance.  You or your legal representative, as the case may be, shall receive payment of the Basic Severance in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date unless a different payment date is prescribed by an applicable compensation, incentive or benefit plan, in which case payment shall be made in accordance with such plan;

 

(ii)          Salary Continuation.  You or your legal representative, as the case may be, shall receive the payment of an amount equal to the Base Salary (at the rate in effect on the Termination Date) that you would have received had you remained employed through the Expiration Date (the “Salary Continuation Period”), which amount shall be paid in equal installments commencing on the first payroll date following the 60th day following the Termination Date in accordance with the Employer’s payroll practices as in effect from time to time, provided that the first such payment shall include any installments relating to the 60 day period following the Termination Date; provided, however, that, to the extent doing so will not result in the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A (“Section 409A”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Code”), this amount shall be reduced by any payments which you have received or to which you become entitled under any Employer-sponsored long-term disability plan;

 

(iii)         Bonus Severance.  You or your legal representative, as the case may be, shall receive payment of the Bonus Severance in a lump sum no later than the 15th day of the third month of the year following the year to which the underlying amount relates;

 

(iv)                          Impact on Equity Awards.  All outstanding Equity Awards shall cease to vest.  All vested RSUs and Performance Share Units shall be paid in accordance with their terms.  Any vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (x) thirty (30) days after the Termination Date and (y) the original expiration date of the Option.  Any Equity Awards that are not vested as of your Termination Date will be cancelled immediately; and

 

(v)                              Severance Conditioned Upon Release.  Payments and benefits described in Sections 10(c)(ii) and 10(c)(iii) are conditioned upon your or your legal representative’s execution of a waiver and release in a form prepared by the Employer and that release becoming effective and irrevocable in its

 

Page 10



 

entirety within 60 days of the Termination Date.  Unless otherwise provided by the Employer, if the release referenced above does not become effective and irrevocable on or prior to the 60th day following the Termination Date, you shall not be entitled to any payments under this Section 10(c) other than the Basic Severance.

 

(d)       Termination by the Employer For Cause.  In the event your employment is terminated by the Employer under Section 9(a), then:

 

(i)                                  Basic Severance.  You shall receive payment of the Basic Severance in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date unless a different payment date is prescribed by an applicable compensation, incentive or benefit plan, in which case payment shall be made in accordance with such plan; and

 

(ii)          Impact on Equity Awards.  All outstanding Equity Awards shall cease to vest and, whether or not vested, shall no longer be exercisable and shall be cancelled immediately.

 

(e)        Termination on the Expiration Date.   In the event your employment terminates on the Expiration Date, then:

 

(i)           Basic Severance.  You shall receive payment of the Basic Severance in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date unless a different payment date is prescribed by an applicable compensation, incentive or benefit plan, in which case payment shall be made in accordance with such plan;

 

(ii)                              Bonus Severance.  You shall receive payment of the Bonus Severance in a lump sum no later than the 15th day of the third month of the year following the year to which the underlying amount relates; and

 

(iii)                          Impact on Equity Awards.  All outstanding Equity Awards shall cease to vest.  All vested RSUs and Performance Share Units shall be paid in accordance with their terms.  Any vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (x) thirty (30) days after the Termination Date and (y) the original expiration date of the Option.  Any Equity Awards that are not vested as of the Expiration Date will be cancelled immediately.

 

(f)        Breach of Post-termination Obligations or Subsequent Employment.

 

(i)                                  Breach of Post-termination Obligations. In the event that you breach any of your obligations under Section 8, the Employer’s obligation, if any, to make payments and provide benefits under Section 10 (other than payment of the Basic Severance) shall immediately and permanently cease and you shall not be entitled to any such payments or benefits.

 

(ii)                              Subsequent Employment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if, at any time during the Salary Continuation Period,

 

Page 11



 

you obtain subsequent employment and/or provide services of any kind for compensation, whether as principal, owner, partner, agent, shareholder, director, employee, consultant, advisor or otherwise, to any person, company, venture or other person or business entity, you must promptly notify the Employer and payments under Section 10(c)(ii) shall be refunded by you to the Employer (to the extent already paid) and shall be offset (to the extent payable in the future) by the amount of Base Compensation (as defined below) earned by, paid to, or granted to you during or with respect to the Salary Continuation Period.  “Base Compensation” shall mean the amount of your base salary or, if applicable, wages you earn (or are paid or granted) during or with respect to any subsequent employment or services arrangement; provided, however, such base salary or wages shall be deemed, in all cases, to equal no less than 35% of the total compensation (including, without limitation, any and all amounts of salary, bonus and all other kinds of cash or in-kind or equity-based compensation) you earn, are paid, or are granted during or with respect to such subsequent employment or services arrangement and which are paid to you, vest or otherwise accrue with respect to services performed by you, during or with respect to the Salary Continuation Period.

 

11.       General Provisions

 

(a)        Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Proprietary Information Agreement supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements and statements, whether written or oral, concerning the terms of your employment with the Activision Blizzard Group, and no amendment or modification of these agreements shall be binding unless it is set forth in a writing signed by both the Employer and you.  To the extent that this Agreement conflicts with any of the Employer’s policies, procedures, rules or regulations, this Agreement shall supersede the other policies, procedures, rules or regulations.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you acknowledge that this Agreement supersedes your prior written employment agreement with the Activision Blizzard Group, dated May 26, 2009, and such agreement is hereby terminated and of no further force and effect.

 

(b)        Use of Employee’s Name and Likeness.  You hereby irrevocably grant the Activision Blizzard Group the right, but not the obligation, to use your name or likeness in any product made by the Activision Blizzard Group or for any publicity or advertising purpose in any medium now known or hereafter existing.

 

(c)        Assignment.  This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable by you without the prior written consent of the Employer.    The Employer may assign this Agreement or all or any part of its rights and obligations under this Agreement at any time to any member of the Activision Blizzard Group or to a successor to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Employer and following such assignment all references to the Employer shall be deemed to refer to such assignee and the Employer shall thereafter have no obligation under this Agreement.

 

(d)       No Conflict with Prior Agreements.  You represent to the Employer that neither your commencement of employment under this Agreement nor the performance of your

 

Page 12



 

duties under this Agreement conflicts or will conflict with any contractual or legal commitment on your part to any third party, nor does it or will it violate or interfere with any rights of any third party.  If you have acquired any confidential or proprietary information in the course of your prior employment or otherwise in connection with your provision of services to any entity outside the Activision Blizzard Group, during the Term you will fully comply with any duties to such entity then-applicable to you not to disclose or otherwise use such information.

 

(e)        Successors.  This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Employer and its successors and assigns, including successors by merger and operation of law.  This Agreement shall also be binding on and inure to the benefit of you and your heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives.

 

(f)        Waiver.  No waiver by you or the Employer at any time of any breach by the other party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be implied from any course of dealing between or among the parties hereto or from any failure by any party hereto to assert its rights hereunder on any occasion or series of occasions.

 

(g)        Expiration.  This Agreement does not constitute a commitment of the Employer with regard to your employment, express or implied, other than to the extent expressly provided for herein.  Upon the Expiration Date, or, if earlier, the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9, neither the Employer nor you shall have any obligation to the other with respect to your continued employment.

 

(h)        Taxation.  The Employer may withhold from any payments made under the Agreement all federal, state, city or other applicable taxes or amounts as shall be required or permitted pursuant to any law, governmental regulation or ruling or agreement with you.

 

(i)         Immigration.  In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment under this Agreement is conditioned upon satisfactory proof of your identity and legal ability to work in the United States.

 

(j)         Choice of Law.  Except to the extent governed by federal law, this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California or whatever other state in which you were last employed by the Employer, without regard to conflict of law principles.

 

(k)        Arbitration.

 

(i)                                  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any dispute or controversy between the Employer and you will be settled by final and binding arbitration by a single arbitrator to be held in the city in which you were last employed by the Employer, unless the Employer and you agree otherwise, in accordance with the JAMS rules for resolution of employment disputes then in effect, except as provided in this Section 11(k).  The arbitrator the parties select will have the authority to grant any party all remedies otherwise available by law, but will not have the power to grant any remedy that would not be available in a state or federal court

 

Page 13



 

in the jurisdiction in which the arbitration is being held.  Either party may seek court intervention in a dispute for interim equitable relief in a court of competent subject matter jurisdiction located within the city in which you were last employed by the Employer, but the resort to interim equitable relief will be pending and in aid of arbitration only, and in such cases the trial on the merits of the action will occur in front of, and will be decided by, the arbitrator, who will have the same ability to order legal or equitable remedies as could a court of general jurisdiction.  The arbitrator will have the authority to hear and rule on dispositive motions (such as motions for summary adjudication or summary judgment) and has the exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability or formation of this agreement to arbitrate claims, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this agreement is void or voidable.    This agreement to arbitrate applies to all claims that the Employer may have against you or that you may have against the Employer or the Employer’s current and former officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents, and/or all entities affiliated with the Employer, as well as the current and former officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents of those affiliates. This arbitration obligation shall not prohibit the Employer or you from filing a claim with an administrative agency, nor does it apply to claims for workers’ compensation or unemployment benefits, claims for benefits under an employee welfare or pension plan that specifies a different dispute resolution procedure, or claims which, by law, cannot be compelled to binding arbitration via private agreement.

 

(ii)          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the rules of JAMS, the arbitration shall provide (a) for written discovery and depositions as provided under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and (b) for a written decision by the arbitrator that includes the essential findings and conclusions upon which the decision is based which must be issued no later than thirty (30) days after a dispositive motion is heard or an arbitration hearing has completed.  The Employer will pay the fees and administrative costs charged by the arbitrator and JAMS; provided, however, that if you initiate the arbitration, you must initiate it by paying to JAMS an amount equal to the filing fee for the state court of general jurisdiction in the state in which you were last employed by the Employer.

 

(iii)         Either party will have the same amount of time to file any claim against any other party as it would have if the claim had been filed in state or federal court in the city in which you were last employed by the Employer.  In conducting the arbitration, the arbitrator shall follow the Federal Rules of Evidence (including but not limited to all applicable privileges).

 

(iv)                          The arbitrator must be experienced in employment law.  He or she will be selected by the mutual agreement of the parties.  If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, the parties will alternately strike names from a list provided by JAMS until only one name remains.  If a JAMS arbitrator is not available to conduct an arbitration in the city in which you last worked

 

Page 14



 

for the Employer, then another similar arbitration service provider will be selected by the mutual agreement of the parties (and all references to JAMS in this Section 11(k) will be deemed to be references to that arbitration service provider).

 

(v)                              The decision of the arbitrator will be final, conclusive and binding on the parties to the arbitration.  The prevailing party in the arbitration, as determined by the arbitrator, shall be entitled to recover his or its reasonable attorneys’ fees, experts’ fees and costs, including the costs or fees charged by the arbitrator and JAMS, in addition to such other relief as may be granted, under the standards provided by law for awarding such fees and costs applicable to the claims asserted.  Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s decision in any court having jurisdiction.

 

(vi)                          You understand that your and the Employer’s agreement to arbitrate all disputes means that both you and the Employer are waiving your right to file a court action, except for requests for injunctive relief pending arbitration.  You also understand that both you and the Employer are giving up any right to a jury trial.

 

(l)         Severability.  It is expressly agreed by the parties that each of the provisions included in Section 8(f) is separate, distinct, and severable from the other and remaining provisions of Section 8(f), and that the invalidity or unenforceability of any Section 8(f) provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision or provisions of this Agreement.  If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under, or would require the commission of any act contrary to, existing or future laws effective during the Term, such provisions shall be fully severable, the Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement.  Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a legal and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

 

(m)       Services Unique.  You recognize that the services being performed by you under this Agreement are of a special, unique, unusual, extraordinary and intellectual character giving them a peculiar value, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated for in damages in the event of a breach of this Agreement by you.

 

(n)        Injunctive Relief.  In the event of a breach of or threatened breach of the provisions of this Agreement regarding the exclusivity of your services and the provisions of Section 8, you agree that any remedy at law would be inadequate.  Accordingly, you agree that the Employer is entitled to obtain injunctive relief for such breaches or threatened breaches in any court of competent jurisdiction.  The injunctive relief provided for in Section 11(k)(i) and this Section 11(n) is in addition to, and is not in limitation of, any and all other remedies at law or in equity otherwise available to the applicable party.  The parties agree to waive the requirement of posting a bond in connection with a court or arbitrator’s issuance of an injunction.

 

Page 15



 

(o)        Remedies Cumulative.  The remedies in this Agreement are not exclusive, and the parties shall have the right to pursue any other legal or equitable remedies to enforce the terms of this Agreement.

 

(p)        Headings.  The headings set forth herein are included solely for the purpose of identification and shall not be used for the purpose of construing the meaning of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(q)        Section 409A.  To the extent applicable, it is intended that the Agreement comply with the provisions of Section 409A.  The Agreement will be administered and interpreted in a manner consistent with this intent, and any provision that would cause the Agreement to fail to satisfy Section 409A will have no force and effect until amended to comply therewith (which amendment may be retroactive to the extent permitted by Section 409A).  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, to the extent any payment under this Agreement is subject to Section 409A, you shall not be considered to have terminated employment with the Employer for purposes of the Agreement and no payments shall be due to you under the Agreement which are payable upon your termination of employment unless you would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” from the Employer within the meaning of Section 409A.  To the extent required in order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Agreement during the six-month period immediately following your termination of employment shall instead be paid on the first business day after the date that is six months following your termination of employment (or upon your death, if earlier).  In addition, for purposes of the Agreement, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided to you pursuant to the Employment Agreement shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A.  With respect to expenses eligible for reimbursement under the terms of the Agreement, (i) the amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement in any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in another taxable year and (ii) any reimbursements of such expenses shall be made no later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the related expenses were incurred, except, in each case, to the extent that the right to reimbursement does not provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A; provided, however that with respect to any reimbursements for any taxes to which you become entitled under the terms of the Agreement, the payment of such reimbursements shall be made by the Employer no later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which you remit the related taxes.

 

(r)        Section 280G and Section 162(m).  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that you receive any payments or distributions, whether payable, distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, that constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and the net after-tax amount of the parachute payment is less than the net after-tax amount if the aggregate payment to be made to you were three times your “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code), less $1.00, then the aggregate of the amounts constituting the parachute payment shall be reduced to an amount that will equal three times your base amount, less $1.00.  To the extent the aggregate of the amounts constituting the parachute payments are required to be so reduced, the amounts provided under Section 10 of this Agreement shall be reduced (if necessary, to zero) with amounts that are payable first reduced first; provided, however, that, in all events the payments provided under Section 10 of this Agreement which are not subject to Section 409A

 

Page 16



 

shall be reduced first.  Similarly, you agree that no payments or distributions, whether payable, distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, shall be made to you if the Employer reasonably anticipates that Section 162(m) of the Code would prevent the Employer from receiving a deduction for such payment.  If, however, any payment is not made pursuant to the previous sentence, the Employer shall make such payment as soon as practicable in the first calendar year that it reasonably determines that it can do so and still receive a deduction for such payment.  The determinations to be made with respect to this Section 11(r) shall be made by a certified public accounting firm designated by the Employer.

 

(s)        Survivability.  The provisions of Sections 8, 10, 11(b), 11(c), 11(e), 11(f), 11(h), 11(i), 11(k), 11(l), 11(m), 11(n), 11(o), 11(q), 11(r), this 11(s) and Section 12 (as well as the Proprietary Information Agreement) shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

(t)        Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(u)        Legal Counsel.  You acknowledge that you have been given the opportunity to consult with legal counsel or any other advisor of your own choosing regarding this Agreement.  You understand and agree that any attorney retained by the Employer, the Activision Blizzard Group or any member of management who has discussed any term or condition of this Agreement with you or your advisor is only acting on behalf of the Employer and not on your behalf.

 

(v)        Right to Negotiate.  You hereby acknowledge that you have been given the opportunity to participate in the negotiation of the terms of this Agreement.  You acknowledge and confirm that you have read this Agreement and fully understand its terms and contents.

 

(w)       No Broker.  You have given no indication, representation or commitment of any nature to any broker, finder, agent or other third party to the effect that any fees or commissions of any nature are, or under any circumstances might be, payable by the Activision Blizzard Group in connection with your employment under this Agreement.

 

12.       Indemnification

 

The Employer agrees that it shall indemnify and hold you harmless to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law from and against any and all third-party liabilities, costs and claims, and all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by you in connection therewith by reason of the fact that you are or were employed by the Activision Blizzard Group, including, without limitation, all costs and expenses actually and reasonably incurred by you in defense of litigation arising out of your employment hereunder.

 

13.       Notices

 

All notices which either party is required or may desire to give the other shall be in writing and given either personally or by depositing the same in the United States mail addressed to the party to be given notice as follows:

 

Page 17



 

To the Employer:

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

3100 Ocean Park Boulevard

Santa Monica, California 90405

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To You:

Humam Sakhnini

334 Oceano Drive.

Los Angeles AFB, CA 90049

 

 

 

Either party may by written notice designate a different address for giving of notices.  The date of mailing of any such notices shall be deemed to be the date on which such notice is given.

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

 

Employer

 

Employee

 

 

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Chris B. Walther

 

/s/ Human Sakhnini

 

Chris B. Walther

 

Humam Sakhnini

 

Chief Legal Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

  1/9/12

 

Date:

  Jan 5, 2012

 

Page 18



 

Exhibit A

 

Proprietary Information Agreement

 

Page 19


Exhibit 10.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION AWARD

 

You have been awarded an option to purchase Common Shares of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Company”), as follows:

 

·                  Your name:  Humam Sakhnini

 

·                  Total number of Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Option awarded:  75,000

 

·                  Exercise Price:  US$11.73 per Share

 

·                  Date of Grant:  March 6, 2012

 

·                  Expiration Date:  March 6, 2022

 

·                  Grant ID:  08007552

 

·                  Your Award of the Stock Option is governed by the terms and conditions set forth in:

 

·                  this Notice of Stock Option Award;

 

·                  the Stock Option Award Terms attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Award Terms”); and

 

·                  the Company’s Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, the receipt of a copy of which you hereby acknowledge.

 

·                  Your Stock Option Award has been made in connection with your employment agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates as a material inducement to your entering into or renewing employment with such entity pursuant to such agreement, and is also governed by any applicable terms and conditions set forth in such agreement.

 

·                  Schedule for Vesting:  Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Stock Option awarded to you will vest and become exercisable as follows, provided you remain continuously employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates through each such date:

 

Schedule for Vesting

 

Date of Vesting

 

No. of Shares
Vesting at Vesting
Date

 

Cumulative No. of
Shares Vested at
Vesting Date

 

March 30, 2013

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

March 30, 2014

 

25,000

 

50,000

 

March 30, 2015

 

25,000

 

75,000

 

 



 

·                  The Stock Option is not intended to be an “incentive stock option,” as such term is defined in Section 422 of the Code.

 

·                  Please sign and return to the Company this Notice of Stock Option Award, which bears an original signature on behalf of the Company.  You are urged to do so promptly.

 

·                  Please return the signed Notice of Stock Option Award to the Company at:

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.
3100 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Attn:  Stock Plan Administration

 

You should retain the enclosed duplicate copy of this Notice of Stock Option Award for your records.

 

Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Terms.

 

 

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Chris B. Watlther

 

 

Chris B. Walther

 

 

Chief Legal Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

April 11, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Human Sakhinin

 

 

Humam Sakhnini

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

April 12, 2012

 

 

 

2



 

EXHIBIT A

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

STOCK OPTION AWARD TERMS

 

1.                                      Definitions.

 

(a)                                 For purposes of these Award Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Award” means the award described on the Grant Notice.

 

“Cause” (i) shall have the meaning given to such term in any employment agreement or offer letter between the Holder and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time or (ii) if the Holder is not party to any agreement or offer letter with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any such agreement or offer letter does not contain a definition of “cause,” shall mean that the Holder (A) engaged in misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties or willfully and continuously failed or refused to perform any duties reasonably requested in the course of his or her employment; (B) engaged in fraud, dishonesty, or any other improper conduct that causes, or in the sole and absolute discretion of the Company has the potential to cause, harm to the Company Group, including the business reputation or financial condition of any member of the Company Group; (C) violated any lawful directives or policies of the Company Group or any applicable laws, rules or regulations; (D) materially breached his or her employment agreement, proprietary information agreement or any other agreement with the Company Group; (E) committed, was indicted on charges related to, convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a felony or crime involving dishonesty, moral turpitude or which could reflect negatively upon the Company Group of otherwise impede its operations; or (F) breached his or her fiduciary duties to the Company Group.

 

“Common Shares” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.000001 per share, of the Company or any security into which such Common Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 8 hereof.

 

“Company” means Activision Blizzard, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

“Company Group” means the Company or any of its subsidiaries or other affiliates.

 

“Company-Sponsored Equity Account” means an account that is created with the Equity Account Administrator in connection with the administration of the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Date of Grant” means the Date of Grant of the Award set forth on the Grant Notice.

 



 

“Disability” (A) shall have the meaning given to such term in, or otherwise be determined in accordance with, any employment agreement or offer letter between the Holder and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time or (B) if the Holder is not party to any agreement or offer letter with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any such agreement or offer letter does not contain a definition of “disability” or otherwise provide a method for determining whether the Holder is disabled, shall have the meaning ascribed thereto under the Company’s long-term disability plan in effect from time to time, as interpreted under such plan (with such interpretation to be final, conclusive and binding for purposes of these Award Terms).

 

“Employment Violation means any material breach by the Holder of his or her employment agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates for so long as the terms of such employment agreement shall apply to the Holder (with any breach of the post-termination obligations contained therein deemed to be material for purposes of these Award Terms).

 

“Equity Account Administrator” means the brokerage firm utilized by the Company from time to time to create and administer accounts for participants in the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Exercise Price” means the Exercise Price set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

“Expiration Date” means the Expiration Date set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

“Grant Notice” means the Notice of Stock Option Award to which these Award Terms are attached as Exhibit A.

 

“Holder” means the recipient of the Award named on the Grant Notice.

 

“Look-back Period” means, with respect to any Employment Violation by the Holder, the period beginning on the date which is 12 months prior to the date of such Employment Violation by the Holder and ending on the date of computation of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation.

 

“Option” means the Stock Option to purchase Common Shares awarded to the Holder on the terms and conditions described in the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

“Plan” means the Amended and Restated Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

“Recapture Amount” means, with respect to any Employment Violation by the Holder, the gross gain realized or unrealized by the Holder upon all exercises of the Stock Option during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation, which gain shall be calculated as the sum of:

 

(i)                                     if the Holder has exercised any portion of the Stock Option during such Look-back Period and sold any of the Shares acquired on exercise thereafter, an amount equal to the product of (A) the sales price per Share sold minus the Exercise Price times (B) the number of Shares as to which the Stock Option was exercised and which were sold at such sales price; plus

 

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(ii)                                  if the Holder has exercised any portion of the Stock Option during such Look-back Period and not sold any of the Shares acquired on exercise thereafter, an amount equal to the product of (A) the greatest of the following: (1) the Market Value per Share of Common Shares on the date of exercise, (2) the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the Company’s written notice of its exercise of its rights under Section 11 hereof, or (3) the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of computation, minus the Exercise Price, times (B) the number of Shares as to which the Stock Option was exercised and which were not sold.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Shares means the Common Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Option.

 

“Term Sheet” means the Corporate Governance Term Sheet approved by the Delaware Court of Chancery in connection with the settlement of In re Activision, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Litigation, C.D. Cal. Case No. CV06-4771 MRP (JTLx); In re Activision Shareholder Derivative Litigation, L.A.S.C. Case No. SC090343.

 

“Withholding Taxes” means any taxes, including, but not limited to, social security and Medicare taxes and federal, state and local income taxes, required to be withheld under any applicable law.

 

(b)                                 Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.

 

2.                                      Expiration.  The Stock Option shall expire on the Expiration Date and, after such expiration, shall no longer be exercisable.

 

3.                                      Vesting and Exercise.

 

(a)                                 Vesting Schedule.  Except as otherwise set forth in these Award Terms, the Stock Option shall vest, and thereupon become exercisable, in accordance with the “Schedule for Vesting” set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

(b)                                 Exercisable Only by the Holder.  Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or Section 10 hereof, the Stock Option may be exercised during the Holder’s lifetime only by the Holder or, in the event of the Holder’s legal incapacity to do so, by the Holder’s guardian or legal representative acting on behalf of the Holder in a fiduciary capacity under state law and/or court supervision.

 

(c)                                  Procedure for Exercise.  The Stock Option may be exercised by the Holder as to all or any of the Shares as to which the Stock Option has vested (i) by following the procedures for exercise established by the Equity Account Administrator and posted on the Equity Account Administrator’s website from time to time or (ii) with the Company’s consent,

 

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by giving the Company written notice of exercise, in such form as may be prescribed by the Company from time to time, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased.

 

(d)                                 Payment of Exercise Price.  To be valid, any exercise of the Stock Option must be accompanied by full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares being purchased.  The Company shall determine the method or methods the Holder may use to make such payment, which may include any of the following:  (i) by bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds, (ii) if securities of the Company of the same class as the Shares are then traded or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or a national quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, to the Equity Account Administrator (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage firm as may be requested by the person exercising the Stock Option) to sell some or all of the Shares being purchased upon such exercise and to thereafter deliver promptly to the Company from the proceeds of such sale an amount in cash equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares being purchased, (iii) by tendering previously owned shares (valued at their Market Value per Share as of the date of tender), (iv) through the withholding of Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise, or (v) any combination of (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above or any other manner permitted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(e)                                  No Fractional Shares.  In no event may the Stock Option be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

 

(f)                                   No Adjustment for Dividends or Other Rights.  No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date as of which the issuance or transfer of Shares to the person entitled thereto has been evidenced on the books and records of the Company pursuant to clause (ii) of Section 3(g) hereof following exercise of the Stock Option.

 

(g)                                  Issuance and Delivery of Shares.  As soon as practicable (and, in any event, within 30 days) after the valid exercise of the Stock Option, the Company shall (i) effect the issuance or transfer of the Shares purchased upon such exercise, (ii) cause the issuance or transfer of such Shares to be evidenced on the books and records of the Company, and (iii) cause such Shares to be delivered to a Company-Sponsored Equity Account in the name of the person entitled to such Shares (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage account as may be requested by such person); provided, however, that, in the event such Shares are subject to a legend as set forth in Section 14 hereof, the Company shall instead cause a certificate evidencing such Shares and bearing such legend to be delivered to the person entitled thereto.

 

(h)                                 Partial Exercise.  If the Stock Option shall have been exercised with respect to less than all of the Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Option, the Company shall make a notation in its books and records to reflect the partial exercise of the Stock Option and the number of Shares that thereafter remain available for purchase upon exercise of the Stock Option.

 

4.                                      Termination of Employment.

 

(a)                                 Cause.  In the event that the Holder’s employment is terminated by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates for Cause, as of the date of such termination of

 

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employment the Stock Option shall (i) cease to vest, if not then fully vested, (ii) no longer be exercisable, whether or not vested, and (iii) be immediately cancelled.

 

(b)                                 Death or Disability. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that the Holder dies while employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or the Holder’s employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is terminated due to the Holder’s Disability, the Stock Option shall (i) cease to vest as of the date of the Holder’s death or the first date of the Holder’s Disability (as determined by the Committee), as the case may be, and (ii) to the extent vested as of the date of the Holder’s death or the first date of the Holder’s Disability, as the case may be, remain exercisable in accordance with these Award Terms until the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of the date of the Holder’s death or termination of employment, as the case may be, and (B) the Expiration Date, after which the Stock Option shall no longer be exercisable and shall be immediately cancelled.  To the extent not vested as of the date of the Holder’s death or the first date of the Holder’s Disability, as the case may be, the Stock Option shall be immediately cancelled and shall no longer be exercisable.

 

(c)                                  Other.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that the Holder’s employment is terminated for any reason not addressed by Section 4(a) or 4(b) hereof, the Stock Option shall (i) cease to vest as of the date of such termination of employment and (ii) to the extent vested as of the date of such termination of employment, be exercisable in accordance with these Award Terms until the earlier of (A) the 30th day after the date of such termination of employment and (B) the Expiration Date, after which the Stock Option shall no longer be exercisable and shall be immediately cancelled.  To the extent not vested as of the date of such termination of service, the Stock Option shall be immediately cancelled and shall no longer be exercisable.

 

5.                                      Tax Withholding.  The Company shall have the right to require the Holder to satisfy any Withholding Taxes resulting from the exercise (in whole or in part) of the Stock Option, the issuance or transfer of any Shares upon exercise of the Stock Option or otherwise in connection with the Award at the time such Withholding Taxes become due.  The Company shall determine the method or methods the Holder may use to satisfy any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 5, which may include any of the following:  (a) by delivery to the Company of a bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds; (b) if securities of the Company of the same class as the Shares are then traded or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or a national quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, to the Equity Account Administrator (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage firm as may be requested by the person exercising the Stock Option) to sell some or all of the Shares being purchased upon such exercise and to thereafter deliver promptly to the Company from the proceeds of such sale an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount of such Withholding Taxes; (c) by tendering previously owned shares (valued at their Market Value per Share as of the date of tender); (d) through the withholding of Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise; or (e) by any combination of (a), (b), (c) or (d) above.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall have the right to withhold from the Holder’s compensation any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 5 and (ii) the Company shall have no obligation to deliver any Shares upon exercise of the Stock Option unless and until all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 5 have been satisfied.

 

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6.                                      Reservation of Shares.  The Company shall at all times reserve for issuance or delivery upon exercise of the Stock Option such number of Common Shares as shall be required for issuance or delivery upon exercise thereof.

 

7.                                      Committee Discretion.  Except as may otherwise be provided in the Plan, the Committee shall have sole discretion to (a) interpret any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, (b) make any determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and the Award, and (c) waive any conditions or rights of the Company under the Award, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, any decision or determination to be made by the Committee pursuant to these Award Terms, including whether to grant or withhold any consent, shall be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the terms of the Plan.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award prospectively or retroactively; however, no such amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of the Holder taken as a whole without the Holder’s consent.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award (i) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in Section 8 hereof) affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or the financial statements of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, (ii) in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles and interpretations thereof, or (iii) to prevent the Award from becoming subject to Section 409A.

 

8.                                      Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, the Committee will make or provide for such adjustments to the Award as are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of the Holder that would otherwise result from (a) any stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any change of control, merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, or issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.  Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for the Award such alternative consideration (including, without limitation, cash or other equity awards), if any, as it may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of the Award.

 

9.                                      Registration and Listing.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Stock Option may not be exercised, and the Stock Option and Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Option may not be purchased, sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered in any way, unless such transaction is in compliance with (a) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any comparable federal securities law, and all applicable state securities laws, (b) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which securities of the Company of the same class as the Shares are then traded or quoted, (c) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (d) any policy or procedure the Company has adopted with respect to the trading of its securities, in each case as in effect on the date of the intended transaction.  The Company is under no obligation to register, qualify or list, or maintain the registration, qualification or listing of, the Stock Option or Shares with the SEC, any state securities commission or any securities exchange, securities association, market system

 

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or quotation system to effect such compliance.  The Holder shall make such representations and furnish such information as may be appropriate to permit the Company, in light of the then existence or non-existence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the Stock Option or Shares, to issue or transfer the Stock Option or Shares in compliance with the provisions of that or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws.  The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to register the issuance or resale of the Stock Option or Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any comparable federal securities law or applicable state securities law.

 

10.                               Transferability.  Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or this Section 10, the Stock Option shall not be transferable by the Holder other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, with the Company’s consent, the Holder may transfer all or part of the Stock Option for estate planning purposes or pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that any transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms and shall execute an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Company in connection with such transfer; and provided further that the Holder will remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

11.                               Employment Violation.  The terms of this Section 11 shall apply to the Stock Option if the Holder is or becomes subject to an employment agreement with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.  In the event of an Employment Violation, the Company shall have the right to require (i) the termination and cancellation of the Stock Option, whether vested or unvested, and (ii) payment by the Holder to the Company of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation; provided, however, that, in lieu of payment by the Holder to the Company of the Recapture Amount, the Holder, in his or her discretion, may tender to the Company the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Stock Option during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation and the Holder shall not be entitled to receive any consideration from the Company in exchange therefor.  Any such termination of the Stock Option and payment of the Recapture Amount, as the case may be, shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other right or remedy available to the Company arising out of or in connection with such Employment Violation, including, without limitation, the right to terminate the Holder’s employment if not already terminated and to seek injunctive relief and additional monetary damages.

 

12.                               Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures.

 

(a)                                 The Holder is responsible for complying with (a) any federal, state and local taxation laws applicable to the Holder in connection with the Award, (b) any federal and state securities laws applicable to the Holder in connection with the Award, (c) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which securities of the Company of the same class as the Shares are then traded or quoted, (d) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (e) any policy or procedure the Company maintains or may adopt with respect to the trading of its securities.

 

(b)                                 The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Term Sheet, and any Company policies or procedures adopted in connection with the Company’s implementation

 

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of the Term Sheet, including, without limitation, any policy requiring or permitting the Company to recover any gains realized by the Holder in connection with the Award.

 

13.                               Section 409A.  As the Exercise Price is equal to the fair market value of a Share on the Date of Grant, payments contemplated with respect to the Award are intended to be exempt from Section 409A, and all provisions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall guarantee that the Award is not subject to taxes or penalties under Section 409A and (ii) if any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms would, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Company, result or likely result in the imposition on the Holder or any other person of taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, without the consent of the Holder, in the manner that the Committee may reasonably and in good faith determine to be necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition of such taxes, interest or penalties; provided, however, that this Section 13 does not create an obligation on the part of the Committee or the Company to make any such modification.

 

14.                               Legend.  The Company may, if determined by it based on the advice of counsel to be appropriate, cause any certificate evidencing Shares to bear a legend substantially as follows:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT.”

 

15.                               No Right to Continued Employment.  Nothing contained in the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be construed to confer upon the Holder any right to be continued in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or derogate from any right of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge the Holder at any time, with or without Cause.

 

16.                               No Rights as Stockholder.  No holder of the Stock Option shall, by virtue of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, be entitled to any right of a stockholder of the Company, either at law or in equity, and the rights of any such holder are limited to those expressed, and are not enforceable against the Company except to the extent set forth, in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

17.                               Severability.  In the event that one or more of the provisions of these Award Terms shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.

 

18.                               Governing Law.  To the extent that federal law does not otherwise control, the validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

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19.                               Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and the Holder and, to the extent applicable, the Holder’s permitted assigns under Section 3(b) hereof and the Holder’s estate or beneficiary(ies) as determined by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

20.                               Notices.  Any notice or other document which the Holder or the Company may be required or permitted to deliver to the other pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed as follows: (a) if to the Company, at its office at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90405, Attn: Stock Plan Administration, or such other address as the Company by notice to the Holder may designate in writing from time to time; and (b) if to the Holder, at the address shown in any employment agreement or offer letter between the Holder and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time or such other address as the Holder by notice to the Company may designate in writing from time to time.  Notices shall be effective upon receipt.

 

21.                               Conflict with Employment Agreement or Plan.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between the Holder and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time and the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, as the case may be, shall control.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between the Holder and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

22.                               Deemed Agreement.  By accepting the Award, the Holder is deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD

 

 

You have been awarded Restricted Share Units of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Company”), as follows:

 

·                 Your name:  Humam Sakhnini

 

·                 Total number of Restricted Share Units awarded:  75,000

 

·                 Date of Grant:  March 6, 2012

 

·                 Grant ID:  08007564

 

·                 Your Award of Restricted Share Units is governed by the terms and conditions set forth in:

 

·                 this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award;

 

·                 the Restricted Share Unit Award Terms attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Award Terms”); and

 

·                 the Company’s Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, the receipt of a copy of which you hereby acknowledge.

 

·                 Your Award of Restricted Share Units has been made in connection with your employment agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates as a material inducement to your entering into or renewing employment with such entity pursuant to such agreement, and is also governed by any applicable terms and conditions set forth in such agreement.

 

·                 Schedule for Vesting:

 

Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units awarded to you will vest as follows, provided you remain continuously employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates through each such date:

 

Schedule for Vesting

Date of Vesting

 

No. of Restricted
Share Units Vesting at
Vesting Date

 

Cumulative No. of
Restricted Share Units
Vested at Vesting Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 30, 2013

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

March 30, 2014

 

25,000

 

50,000

 

March 30, 2015

 

25,000

 

75,000

 

 



 

·                 Please sign and return to the Company this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award, which bears an original signature on behalf of the Company.  You are urged to do so promptly.

 

·                 Please return the signed Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to the Company at:

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.
3100 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Attn:  Stock Plan Administration

 

You should retain the enclosed duplicate copy of this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for your records.

 

Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Terms.

 

 

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ Chris B. Watlther

 

 

 

Chris B. Walther

 

 

 

Chief Legal Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

April 11, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ Human Sakhinin

 

 

Humam Sakhnini

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

  April 12, 2012

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD TERMS

 

 

1.                                    Definitions.

 

(a)                               For purposes of these Award Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Award” means the award described on the Grant Notice.

 

“Cause” (i) shall have the meaning given to such term in any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time or (ii) if Grantee is not party to any agreement or offer letter with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any such agreement or offer letter does not contain a definition of “cause,” shall mean that Grantee (A) engaged in misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties or willfully and continuously failed or refused to perform any duties reasonably requested in the course of his or her employment; (B) engaged in fraud, dishonesty, or any other improper conduct that causes, or in the sole and absolute discretion of the Company has the potential to cause, harm to the Company Group, including the business reputation or financial condition of any member of the Company Group; (C) violated any lawful directives or policies of the Company Group or any applicable laws, rules or regulations; (D) materially breached his or her employment agreement, proprietary information agreement or any other agreement with the Company Group; (E) committed, was indicted on charges related to, convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a felony or crime involving dishonesty, moral turpitude or which could reflect negatively upon the Company Group of otherwise impede its operations; or (F) breached his or her fiduciary duties to the Company Group.

 

“Common Shares” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.000001 per share, of the Company or any security into which such Common Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 9 hereof.

 

“Company” means Activision Blizzard, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

“Company Group” means the Company or any of its subsidiaries or other affiliates.

 

“Company-Sponsored Equity Account” means an account that is created with the Equity Account Administrator in connection with the administration of the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 



 

“Date of Grant” means the Date of Grant of the Award set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

“Employment Violation” means any material breach by Grantee of his or her employment agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates for so long as the terms of such employment agreement shall apply to Grantee (with any breach of the post-termination obligations contained therein deemed to be material for purposes of these Award Terms).

 

“Equity Account Administrator” means the brokerage firm utilized by the Company from time to time to create and administer accounts for participants in the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Grantee” means the recipient of the Award named on the Grant Notice.

 

“Grant Notice” means the Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to which these Award Terms are attached as Exhibit A.

 

“Look-back Period” means, with respect to any Employment Violation by Grantee, the period beginning on the date which is 12 months prior to the date of such Employment Violation by Grantee and ending on the date of computation of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation.

 

“Plan” means the Amended and Restated Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

“Recapture Amount” means, with respect to any Employment Violation by Grantee, the gross gain realized or unrealized by Grantee upon all vesting of Restricted Share Units or delivery or transfer of Vested Shares during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation, which gain shall be calculated as the sum of:

 

(i)                                  if Grantee has received any Vested Shares during such Look-back Period and sold such Vested Shares, an amount equal to the product of (A) the sales price per Vested Share times (B) the number of such Vested Shares sold at such sales price; plus

 

(ii)                              if Grantee has received any Vested Shares during such Look-back Period and not sold such Vested Shares, an amount equal to the product of (A) the greatest of the following: (1) the Market Value per Share of Common Shares on the date such Vested Shares were issued or transferred to Grantee, (2) the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the Company’s written notice of its exercise of its rights under Section 12 hereof, or (3) the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of computation, times (B) the number of such Vested Shares which were not sold.

 

“Restricted Share Units” means units subject to the Award, which represent the conditional right to receive Common Shares in accordance with the Grant Notice and these

 

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Award Terms, unless and until such units become vested or are forfeited to the Company in accordance with the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Term Sheet” means the Corporate Governance Term Sheet approved by the Delaware Court of Chancery in connection with the settlement of In re Activision, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Litigation, C.D. Cal. Case No. CV06-4771 MRP (JTLx); In re Activision Shareholder Derivative Litigation, L.A.S.C. Case No. SC090343.

 

“Vested Shares” means Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units becomes entitled upon vesting thereof in accordance with Section 2 or 3 hereof.

 

“Withholding Taxes” means any taxes, including, but not limited to, social security and Medicare taxes and federal, state and local income taxes, required to be withheld under any applicable law.

 

(b)                              Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.

 

2.                                    Vesting.  Except as otherwise set forth in these Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units shall vest in accordance with the “Schedule for Vesting” set forth on the Grant Notice.  Each Restricted Share Unit, upon vesting thereof, shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one Common Share (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 hereof).

 

3.                                    Termination of Employment.

 

(a)                               Cause.  In the event that Grantee’s employment is terminated by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates for Cause, as of the date of such termination of employment all Restricted Share Units shall cease to vest and any outstanding Restricted Share Units and Vested Shares that have yet to settle pursuant to Section 7 hereof shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

 

(b)                              Other.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee’s employment is terminated for any reason other than for Cause, as of the date of such termination of employment all Restricted Share Units shall cease to vest and, with the exception of any Vested Shares that have yet to settle pursuant to Section 7 hereof, shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

 

4.                                    Tax Withholding.  The Company shall have the right to require Grantee to satisfy any Withholding Taxes resulting from the vesting of any Restricted Share Units, the issuance or transfer of any Vested Shares or otherwise in connection with the Award at the time such Withholding Taxes become due.  The Company shall determine the method or methods Grantee may use to satisfy any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4, which may include any of the following:  (a) by delivery to the Company of a bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds; (b) through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, that the Company withhold Vested Shares

 

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otherwise then deliverable having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the Withholding Taxes (valued in the same manner used in computing the amount of such Withholding Taxes); or (c) by any combination of (a) and (b) above.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall have the right to withhold from Grantee’s compensation any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4 and (ii) the Company shall have no obligation to deliver any Vested Shares unless and until all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4 have been satisfied.

 

5.                                    Reservation of Shares.  The Company shall at all times reserve for issuance or delivery upon vesting of the Restricted Share Units such number of Common Shares as shall be required for issuance or delivery upon vesting thereof.

 

6.                                    Dividend Equivalents.  In the event that any cash dividends are declared and paid on Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units would be entitled upon vesting thereof, such holder shall be paid, on the payment date for such dividend, the amount that such holder would have received if the Restricted Share Units had vested, and the Common Shares to which such holder was thereupon entitled had been issued and outstanding and held of record by such holder, as of the record date for such dividend; provided, however, that no such dividend equivalents shall be paid if the Restricted Share Units have been forfeited to the Company in accordance with Section 3 hereof prior to payment thereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any such dividend equivalents be paid later than the 45th day following the year in which the related dividends are paid.  For purposes of the time and form of payment requirements of Section 409A, such dividend equivalents shall be treated separately from the Restricted Share Units.

 

7.                                    Receipt and Delivery.  As soon as administratively practicable (and, in any event, within 30 days) after any Restricted Share Units vest, the Company shall (i) effect the issuance or transfer of the resulting Vested Shares, (ii) cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to be evidenced on the books and records of the Company, and (iii) cause such Vested Shares to be delivered to a Company-Sponsored Equity Account in the name of the person entitled to such Vested Shares (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage account as may be requested by such person); provided, however, that, in the event such Vested Shares are subject to a legend as set forth in Section 15 hereof, the Company shall instead cause a certificate evidencing such Vested Shares and bearing such legend to be delivered to the person entitled thereto.

 

8.                                    Committee Discretion.  Except as may otherwise be provided in the Plan, the Committee shall have sole discretion to (a) interpret any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, (b) make any determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and the Award, and (c) waive any conditions or rights of the Company under the Award, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, any decision or determination to be made by the Committee pursuant to these Award Terms, including whether to grant or withhold any consent, shall be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the terms of the Plan.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award prospectively or retroactively; however, no such amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of Grantee taken as a whole without Grantee’s consent.  Without intending to limit the generality or

 

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effect of the foregoing, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award (i) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in Section 9 hereof) affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or the financial statements of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, (ii) in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles and interpretations thereof, or (iii) to prevent the Award from becoming subject to any adverse consequences under Section 409A.

 

9.                                    Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, the Committee will make or provide for such adjustments to the Award as are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Grantee that would otherwise result from (a) any stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any change of control, merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, or issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.  Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for the Award such alternative consideration (including, without limitation, cash or other equity awards), if any, as it may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of the Award.

 

10.                            Registration and Listing.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall not be obligated to issue or transfer any Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, and no Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered in any way, unless such transaction is in compliance with (a) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any comparable federal securities law, and all applicable state securities laws, (b) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which securities of the Company of the same class as the securities subject to the Award are then traded or quoted, (c) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (d) any policy or procedure the Company has adopted with respect to the trading of its securities, in each case as in effect on the date of the intended transaction.  The Company is under no obligation to register, qualify or list, or maintain the registration, qualification or listing of, Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares with the SEC, any state securities commission or any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system to effect such compliance.  Grantee shall make such representations and furnish such information as may be appropriate to permit the Company, in light of the then existence or non-existence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, to issue or transfer Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares in compliance with the provisions of that or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws.  The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to register the issuance or transfer of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares or resale of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any comparable federal securities law or applicable state securities law.

 

11.                            Transferability.  Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or this Section 11, the Restricted Share Units shall not be transferable by Grantee other than by will or the laws of

 

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descent and distribution.  With the Company’s consent, Grantee may transfer Restricted Share Units for estate planning purposes or pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that any transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms and shall execute an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Company in connection with such transfer; and provided, further that Grantee will remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

12.                            Employment Violation.  The terms of this Section 12 shall apply to the Restricted Share Units if Grantee is or becomes subject to an employment agreement with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.  In the event of an Employment Violation, the Company shall have the right to require (i) the forfeiture by Grantee to the Company of any outstanding Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares which have yet to settle pursuant to Section 7 hereof and (ii) payment by Grantee to the Company of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation; provided, however, that, in lieu of payment by Grantee to the Company of the Recapture Amount, Grantee, in his or her discretion, may tender to the Company the Vested Shares acquired during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation and Grantee shall not be entitled to receive any consideration from the Company in exchange therefor.  Any such forfeiture of Restricted Share Units and payment of the Recapture Amount, as the case may be, shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other right or remedy available to the Company arising out of or in connection with such Employment Violation, including, without limitation, the right to terminate Grantee’s employment if not already terminated and to seek injunctive relief and additional monetary damages.

 

13.                            Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures.

 

(a)                               Grantee is responsible for complying with (a) any federal, state and local taxation laws applicable to Grantee in connection with the Award, (b) any federal and state securities laws applicable to Grantee in connection with the Award, (c) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which securities of the Company of the same class as the Shares are then traded or quoted, (d) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (e) any policy or procedure the Company maintains or may adopt with respect to the trading of its securities.

 

(b)                              The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Term Sheet, and any Company policies or procedures adopted in connection with the Company’s implementation of the Term Sheet, including, without limitation, any policy requiring or permitting the Company to recover any gains realized by Grantee in connection with the Award.

 

14.                            Section 409A.

 

(a)                               Payments contemplated with respect to the Award are intended to comply with Section 409A, and all provisions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall guarantee that the Award is not subject to taxes or penalties

 

A-6



 

under Section 409A and (ii) if any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms would, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Company, result or likely result in the imposition on Grantee or any other person of taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, without the consent of Grantee, in the manner that the Committee may reasonably and in good faith determine to be necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition of such taxes, interest or penalties; provided, however, that this Section 14 does not create an obligation on the part of the Committee or the Company to make any such modification.

 

(b)                              Neither Grantee nor any of Grantee’s creditors or beneficiaries shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable with respect to the Award to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment.  Except as permitted under Section 409A, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable to Grantee or for Grantee’s benefit with respect to the Award may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by Grantee to the Company.

 

(c)                               Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if (i) the Committee determines in good faith that the Restricted Share Units do not qualify for the “short-term deferral exception” under Section 409A, (ii) Grantee is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A) and (iii) a delay in the issuance or transfer of Vested Shares to Grantee or his or her estate or beneficiaries hereunder by reason of Grantee’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A) with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is required to avoid tax penalties under Section 409A but is not already provided for by this Award, the Company shall cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to Grantee or Grantee’s estate or beneficiary upon the earlier of (A) the date that is the first business day following the date that is six months after the date of Grantee’s separation from service or (B) Grantee’s death.

 

15.                            Legend.  The Company may, if determined by it based on the advice of counsel to be appropriate, cause any certificate evidencing Vested Shares to bear a legend substantially as follows:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT.”

 

16.                            No Right to Continued Employment.  Nothing contained in the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be construed to confer upon Grantee any right to be continued in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or derogate from any right of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge Grantee at any time, with or without cause.

 

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17.                            No Rights as Stockholder.  No holder of Restricted Share Units shall, by virtue of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, be entitled to any right of a stockholder of the Company, either at law or in equity, and the rights of any such holder are limited to those expressed, and are not enforceable against the Company except to the extent set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

18.                            Severability.  In the event that one or more of the provisions of these Award Terms shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.

 

19.                            Governing Law.  To the extent that federal law does not otherwise control, the validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

20.                            Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and Grantee and, to the extent applicable, Grantee’s permitted assigns under Section 11 hereof and Grantee’s estate or beneficiary(ies) as determined by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

21.                            Notices.  Any notice or other document which Grantee or the Company may be required or permitted to deliver to the other pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed as follows:  (a) if to the Company, at its office at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90405, Attn: Stock Plan Administration, or such other address as the Company by notice to Grantee may designate in writing from time to time; and (b) if to Grantee, at the address shown in any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time, or such other address as Grantee by notice to the Company may designate in writing from time to time.  Notices shall be effective upon receipt.

 

22.                            Conflict with Employment Agreement or Plan.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time and the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, as the case may be, shall control.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

23.                            Deemed Agreement.  By accepting the Award, Grantee is deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

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Exhibit 10.4

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD

 

 

You have been awarded Restricted Share Units of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Company”), as follows:

 

·                 Your name:  Humam Sakhnini

 

·                 Total number of Restricted Share Units awarded:  75,000

 

·                 Date of Grant:  March 6, 2012

 

·                 Grant ID:  08007577

 

·                 Your Award of Restricted Share Units is governed by the terms and conditions set forth in:

 

·                 this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award;

 

·                 the Restricted Share Unit Award Terms attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Award Terms”); and

 

·                 the Company’s Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, the receipt of a copy of which you hereby acknowledge.

 

·                 Your Award of Restricted Share Units has been made in connection with your employment agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates as a material inducement to your entering into or renewing employment with such entity pursuant to such agreement, and is also governed by any applicable terms and conditions set forth in such agreement.

 

·                 Schedule for Vesting:

 

·                 The Restricted Share Units awarded to you will vest as follows:

 



 

The Following Number of
Restricted Share Units Vest

 

If, and Only, if the Committee Determines that the
Following Has Occurred

 

On the Following
Date, Provided You
Remain Continuously
Employed by the
Company or One of
its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates Through
Such Date

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

The non-GAAP operating income for the Company is greater than or equal to the non-GAAP annual operating plan operating income objective for the Company as established by the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2012

 

March 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

The non-GAAP operating income for the Company is greater than or equal to the non-GAAP annual operating plan operating income objective for the Company as established by the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2013

 

March 30, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

The non-GAAP operating income for the Company is greater than or equal to the non-GAAP annual operating plan operating income objective for the Company as established by the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2014

 

March 30, 2015

 

2



 

·                 Please sign and return to the Company this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award, which bears an original signature on behalf of the Company.  You are urged to do so promptly.

 

·                 Please return the signed Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to the Company at:

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.
3100 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Attn:  Stock Plan Administration

 

You should retain the enclosed duplicate copy of this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for your records.

 

Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Terms.

 

 

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ Chris B. Watlther

 

 

 

Chris B. Walther

 

 

 

Chief Legal Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

April 11, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ Human Sakhinin

 

 

Humam Sakhnini

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

  April 12, 2012

 

 

 

3



 

EXHIBIT A

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD TERMS

 

 

1.                                    Definitions.

 

(a)                               For purposes of these Award Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Award” means the award described on the Grant Notice.

 

“Cause” (i) shall have the meaning given to such term in any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time or (ii) if Grantee is not party to any agreement or offer letter with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any such agreement or offer letter does not contain a definition of “cause,” shall mean that Grantee (A) engaged in misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties or willfully and continuously failed or refused to perform any duties reasonably requested in the course of his or her employment; (B) engaged in fraud, dishonesty, or any other improper conduct that causes, or in the sole and absolute discretion of the Company has the potential to cause, harm to the Company Group, including the business reputation or financial condition of any member of the Company Group; (C) violated any lawful directives or policies of the Company Group or any applicable laws, rules or regulations; (D) materially breached his or her employment agreement, proprietary information agreement or any other agreement with the Company Group; (E) committed, was indicted on charges related to, convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a felony or crime involving dishonesty, moral turpitude or which could reflect negatively upon the Company Group of otherwise impede its operations; or (F) breached his or her fiduciary duties to the Company Group.

 

“Common Shares” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.000001 per share, of the Company or any security into which such Common Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 9 hereof.

 

“Company” means Activision Blizzard, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

“Company Group” means the Company or any of its subsidiaries or other affiliates.

 

“Company-Sponsored Equity Account” means an account that is created with the Equity Account Administrator in connection with the administration of the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 



 

“Date of Grant” means the Date of Grant of the Award set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

“Employment Violation” means any material breach by Grantee of his or her employment agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates for so long as the terms of such employment agreement shall apply to Grantee (with any breach of the post-termination obligations contained therein deemed to be material for purposes of these Award Terms).

 

“Equity Account Administrator” means the brokerage firm utilized by the Company from time to time to create and administer accounts for participants in the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Grantee” means the recipient of the Award named on the Grant Notice.

 

“Grant Notice” means the Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to which these Award Terms are attached as Exhibit A.

 

“Look-back Period” means, with respect to any Employment Violation by Grantee, the period beginning on the date which is 12 months prior to the date of such Employment Violation by Grantee and ending on the date of computation of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation.

 

“Plan” means the Amended and Restated Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

“Recapture Amount” means, with respect to any Employment Violation by Grantee, the gross gain realized or unrealized by Grantee upon all vesting of Restricted Share Units or delivery or transfer of Vested Shares during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation, which gain shall be calculated as the sum of:

 

(i)                                  if Grantee has received any Vested Shares during such Look-back Period and sold such Vested Shares, an amount equal to the product of (A) the sales price per Vested Share times (B) the number of such Vested Shares sold at such sales price; plus

 

(ii)                              if Grantee has received any Vested Shares during such Look-back Period and not sold such Vested Shares, an amount equal to the product of (A) the greatest of the following: (1) the Market Value per Share of Common Shares on the date such Vested Shares were issued or transferred to Grantee, (2) the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the Company’s written notice of its exercise of its rights under Section 12 hereof, or (3) the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of computation, times (B) the number of such Vested Shares which were not sold.

 

“Restricted Share Units” means units subject to the Award, which represent the conditional right to receive Common Shares in accordance with the Grant Notice and these

 

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Award Terms, unless and until such units become vested or are forfeited to the Company in accordance with the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Term Sheet” means the Corporate Governance Term Sheet approved by the Delaware Court of Chancery in connection with the settlement of In re Activision, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Litigation, C.D. Cal. Case No. CV06-4771 MRP (JTLx); In re Activision Shareholder Derivative Litigation, L.A.S.C. Case No. SC090343.

 

“Vested Shares” means Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units becomes entitled upon vesting thereof in accordance with Section 2 or 3 hereof.

 

“Withholding Taxes” means any taxes, including, but not limited to, social security and Medicare taxes and federal, state and local income taxes, required to be withheld under any applicable law.

 

(b)                              Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.

 

2.                                    Vesting.  Except as otherwise set forth in these Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units shall vest in accordance with the “Schedule for Vesting” set forth on the Grant Notice.  Each Restricted Share Unit, upon vesting thereof, shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one Common Share (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 hereof).

 

3.                                    Termination of Employment.

 

(a)                               Cause.  In the event that Grantee’s employment is terminated by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates for Cause, as of the date of such termination of employment all Restricted Share Units shall cease to vest and any outstanding Restricted Share Units and Vested Shares that have yet to settle pursuant to Section 7 hereof shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

 

(b)                              Other.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee’s employment is terminated for any reason other than for Cause, as of the date of such termination of employment all Restricted Share Units shall cease to vest and, with the exception of any Vested Shares that have yet to settle pursuant to Section 7 hereof, shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

 

4.                                    Tax Withholding.  The Company shall have the right to require Grantee to satisfy any Withholding Taxes resulting from the vesting of any Restricted Share Units, the issuance or transfer of any Vested Shares or otherwise in connection with the Award at the time such Withholding Taxes become due.  The Company shall determine the method or methods Grantee may use to satisfy any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4, which may include any of the following:  (a) by delivery to the Company of a bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds; (b) through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, that the Company withhold Vested Shares

 

A-3



 

otherwise then deliverable having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the Withholding Taxes (valued in the same manner used in computing the amount of such Withholding Taxes); or (c) by any combination of (a) and (b) above.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall have the right to withhold from Grantee’s compensation any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4 and (ii) the Company shall have no obligation to deliver any Vested Shares unless and until all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4 have been satisfied.

 

5.                                    Reservation of Shares.  The Company shall at all times reserve for issuance or delivery upon vesting of the Restricted Share Units such number of Common Shares as shall be required for issuance or delivery upon vesting thereof.

 

6.                                    Dividend Equivalents.  In the event that any cash dividends are declared and paid on Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units would be entitled upon vesting thereof, such holder shall be paid, on the payment date for such dividend, the amount that such holder would have received if the Restricted Share Units had vested, and the Common Shares to which such holder was thereupon entitled had been issued and outstanding and held of record by such holder, as of the record date for such dividend; provided, however, that no such dividend equivalents shall be paid if the Restricted Share Units have been forfeited to the Company in accordance with Section 3 hereof prior to payment thereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any such dividend equivalents be paid later than the 45th day following the year in which the related dividends are paid.  For purposes of the time and form of payment requirements of Section 409A, such dividend equivalents shall be treated separately from the Restricted Share Units.

 

7.                                    Receipt and Delivery.  As soon as administratively practicable (and, in any event, within 30 days) after any Restricted Share Units vest, the Company shall (i) effect the issuance or transfer of the resulting Vested Shares, (ii) cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to be evidenced on the books and records of the Company, and (iii) cause such Vested Shares to be delivered to a Company-Sponsored Equity Account in the name of the person entitled to such Vested Shares (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage account as may be requested by such person); provided, however, that, in the event such Vested Shares are subject to a legend as set forth in Section 15 hereof, the Company shall instead cause a certificate evidencing such Vested Shares and bearing such legend to be delivered to the person entitled thereto.

 

8.                                    Committee Discretion.  Except as may otherwise be provided in the Plan, the Committee shall have sole discretion to (a) interpret any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, (b) make any determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and the Award, and (c) waive any conditions or rights of the Company under the Award, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, any decision or determination to be made by the Committee pursuant to these Award Terms, including whether to grant or withhold any consent, shall be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the terms of the Plan.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award prospectively or retroactively; however, no such amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of Grantee taken as a whole without Grantee’s consent.  Without intending to limit the generality or

 

A-4



 

effect of the foregoing, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award (i) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in Section 9 hereof) affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or the financial statements of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, (ii) in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles and interpretations thereof, or (iii) to prevent the Award from becoming subject to any adverse consequences under Section 409A.

 

9.                                    Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, the Committee will make or provide for such adjustments to the Award as are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Grantee that would otherwise result from (a) any stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any change of control, merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, or issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.  Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for the Award such alternative consideration (including, without limitation, cash or other equity awards), if any, as it may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of the Award.

 

10.                            Registration and Listing.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall not be obligated to issue or transfer any Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, and no Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered in any way, unless such transaction is in compliance with (a) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any comparable federal securities law, and all applicable state securities laws, (b) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which securities of the Company of the same class as the securities subject to the Award are then traded or quoted, (c) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (d) any policy or procedure the Company has adopted with respect to the trading of its securities, in each case as in effect on the date of the intended transaction.  The Company is under no obligation to register, qualify or list, or maintain the registration, qualification or listing of, Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares with the SEC, any state securities commission or any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system to effect such compliance.  Grantee shall make such representations and furnish such information as may be appropriate to permit the Company, in light of the then existence or non-existence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, to issue or transfer Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares in compliance with the provisions of that or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws.  The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to register the issuance or transfer of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares or resale of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any comparable federal securities law or applicable state securities law.

 

11.                            Transferability.  Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or this Section 11, the Restricted Share Units shall not be transferable by Grantee other than by will or the laws of

 

A-5



 

descent and distribution.  With the Company’s consent, Grantee may transfer Restricted Share Units for estate planning purposes or pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that any transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms and shall execute an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Company in connection with such transfer; and provided, further that Grantee will remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

12.                            Employment Violation.  The terms of this Section 12 shall apply to the Restricted Share Units if Grantee is or becomes subject to an employment agreement with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.  In the event of an Employment Violation, the Company shall have the right to require (i) the forfeiture by Grantee to the Company of any outstanding Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares which have yet to settle pursuant to Section 7 hereof and (ii) payment by Grantee to the Company of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation; provided, however, that, in lieu of payment by Grantee to the Company of the Recapture Amount, Grantee, in his or her discretion, may tender to the Company the Vested Shares acquired during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation and Grantee shall not be entitled to receive any consideration from the Company in exchange therefor.  Any such forfeiture of Restricted Share Units and payment of the Recapture Amount, as the case may be, shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other right or remedy available to the Company arising out of or in connection with such Employment Violation, including, without limitation, the right to terminate Grantee’s employment if not already terminated and to seek injunctive relief and additional monetary damages.

 

13.                            Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures.

 

(a)                               Grantee is responsible for complying with (a) any federal, state and local taxation laws applicable to Grantee in connection with the Award, (b) any federal and state securities laws applicable to Grantee in connection with the Award, (c) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which securities of the Company of the same class as the Shares are then traded or quoted, (d) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (e) any policy or procedure the Company maintains or may adopt with respect to the trading of its securities.

 

(b)                              The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Term Sheet, and any Company policies or procedures adopted in connection with the Company’s implementation of the Term Sheet, including, without limitation, any policy requiring or permitting the Company to recover any gains realized by Grantee in connection with the Award.

 

14.                            Section 409A.

 

(a)                               Payments contemplated with respect to the Award are intended to comply with Section 409A, and all provisions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall guarantee that the Award is not subject to taxes or penalties

 

A-6



 

under Section 409A and (ii) if any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms would, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Company, result or likely result in the imposition on Grantee or any other person of taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, without the consent of Grantee, in the manner that the Committee may reasonably and in good faith determine to be necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition of such taxes, interest or penalties; provided, however, that this Section 14 does not create an obligation on the part of the Committee or the Company to make any such modification.

 

(b)                              Neither Grantee nor any of Grantee’s creditors or beneficiaries shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable with respect to the Award to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment.  Except as permitted under Section 409A, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable to Grantee or for Grantee’s benefit with respect to the Award may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by Grantee to the Company.

 

(c)                               Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if (i) the Committee determines in good faith that the Restricted Share Units do not qualify for the “short-term deferral exception” under Section 409A, (ii) Grantee is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A) and (iii) a delay in the issuance or transfer of Vested Shares to Grantee or his or her estate or beneficiaries hereunder by reason of Grantee’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A) with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is required to avoid tax penalties under Section 409A but is not already provided for by this Award, the Company shall cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to Grantee or Grantee’s estate or beneficiary upon the earlier of (A) the date that is the first business day following the date that is six months after the date of Grantee’s separation from service or (B) Grantee’s death.

 

15.                            Legend.  The Company may, if determined by it based on the advice of counsel to be appropriate, cause any certificate evidencing Vested Shares to bear a legend substantially as follows:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT.”

 

16.                            No Right to Continued Employment.  Nothing contained in the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be construed to confer upon Grantee any right to be continued in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or derogate from any right of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge Grantee at any time, with or without cause.

 

A-7



 

17.                            No Rights as Stockholder.  No holder of Restricted Share Units shall, by virtue of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, be entitled to any right of a stockholder of the Company, either at law or in equity, and the rights of any such holder are limited to those expressed, and are not enforceable against the Company except to the extent set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

18.                            Severability.  In the event that one or more of the provisions of these Award Terms shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.

 

19.                            Governing Law.  To the extent that federal law does not otherwise control, the validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

20.                            Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and Grantee and, to the extent applicable, Grantee’s permitted assigns under Section 11 hereof and Grantee’s estate or beneficiary(ies) as determined by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

21.                            Notices.  Any notice or other document which Grantee or the Company may be required or permitted to deliver to the other pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed as follows:  (a) if to the Company, at its office at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90405, Attn: Stock Plan Administration, or such other address as the Company by notice to Grantee may designate in writing from time to time; and (b) if to Grantee, at the address shown in any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time, or such other address as Grantee by notice to the Company may designate in writing from time to time.  Notices shall be effective upon receipt.

 

22.                            Conflict with Employment Agreement or Plan.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time and the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, as the case may be, shall control.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in effect from time to time, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

23.                            Deemed Agreement.  By accepting the Award, Grantee is deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

A-8


Exhibit 10.5

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION AWARD

 

You have been awarded an option to purchase Common Shares of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Company”), as follows:

·

Your name:

[

 

]

 

 

·

Total number of Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Option awarded:

[

 

]

 

 

 

 

·

Exercise Price: US$[

 

] per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·

Date of Grant:

[

 

]

 

 

 

 

·

Expiration Date:

[

 

]

 

 

 

 

·

Grant ID:

[

 

]

 

·                 Your Award of the Stock Option is governed by the terms and conditions set forth in:

·                 this Notice of Stock Option Award;

·                 the Stock Option Award Terms attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Award Terms”); and

·                 the Company’s Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, the receipt of a copy of which you hereby acknowledge.

·                 Schedule for Vesting1:  Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Stock Option awarded to you will vest and become exercisable as follows, provided you continuously serve as a member of the Board through the applicable vesting date:

 

Schedule for Vesting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date of Vesting

 

No. of Shares 
Vesting at Vesting 
Date

 

 

Cumulative No. of 
Shares Vested at 
Vesting Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First anniversary of [                              ]

 

[

 

]

 

[

 

]

 

 

Second anniversary of [                           ]

 

[

 

]

 

[

 

]

 

 

Third anniversary of [                         ]

 

[

 

]

 

[

 

]

 

 

Fourth anniversary of [                           ]

 

[

 

]

 

[

 

]

 

 

Fifth anniversary of [                         ]

 

[

 

]

 

[

 

]

 

 

·                 The Stock Option is not intended to be an “incentive stock option,” as such term is defined in Section 422 of the Code.

 


1 Revise as needed to reflect the vesting terms of the grant.

 



 

·                 Please sign and return to the Company this Notice of Stock Option Award, which bears an original signature on behalf of the Company.  You are urged to do so promptly.

 

·                 Please return the signed Notice of Stock Option Award to the Company at:

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.
3100 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA  90405
Attn:  Stock Plan Administration

 

·                 By accepting the Award, you are deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, this Notice of Stock Option Award and the Award Terms.

 

You should retain the enclosed duplicate copy of this Notice of Stock Option Award for your records.

 

Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Terms.

 

 

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humam Sakhnini

 

 

 

Chief Strategy & Talent Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Name of Holder]

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

2



 

EXHIBIT A

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

STOCK OPTION AWARD TERMS

1.         Definitions.

 

(a)        For purposes of these Award Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Award” means the award described on the Grant Notice.

 

“Common Shares” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.000001 per share, of the Company or any security into which such Common Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 9 hereof.

 

“Company” means Activision Blizzard, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

“Company Group” means the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

“Company-Sponsored Equity Account” means an account that is created with the Equity Account Administrator in connection with the administration of the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Date of Grant” means the Date of Grant of the Award set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

“Disability” means “permanent and total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, as interpreted by the Company (with such interpretation to be final, conclusive and binding for purposes of these Award Terms).

 

“Equity Account Administrator” means the brokerage firm utilized by the Company from time to time to create and administer accounts for participants in the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Exercise Price” means the Exercise Price set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

“Exercise Rules and Regulations” means (i) the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws, (ii) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which Common Shares are then traded or quoted, (iii) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (iv) any policy or procedure the Company has adopted with respect to the trading of its securities, in each case as in effect on the date of the intended transaction.

 

“Expiration Date” means the Expiration Date set forth on the Grant Notice.

 



 

“Grant Notice” means the Notice of Stock Option Award to which these Award Terms are attached as Exhibit A.

 

“Holder” means the recipient of the Award named on the Grant Notice.

 

“Option” means the Stock Option to purchase Common Shares awarded to the Holder on the terms and conditions described in the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

“Plan” means the Amended and Restated Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Shares means the Common Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Option.

 

“Withholding Taxes” means any taxes, including, but not limited to, social security and Medicare taxes and federal, state and local income taxes, required under any applicable law to be withheld from amounts otherwise payable to the Holder.

 

(b)        Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.

 

2.         Expiration.  The Stock Option shall expire on the Expiration Date and, after such expiration, shall no longer be exercisable.

 

3.         Vesting and Exercise.

 

(a)        Vesting Schedule.  Except as otherwise set forth in these Award Terms, the Stock Option shall vest, and thereupon become exercisable, in accordance with the “Schedule for Vesting” set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

(b)        Exercisable Only by the Holder.  Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or Section 11 hereof, the Stock Option may be exercised during the Holder’s lifetime only by the Holder or, in the event of the Holder’s legal incapacity to do so, by the Holder’s guardian or legal representative acting on behalf of the Holder in a fiduciary capacity under court supervision and/or applicable law.

 

(c)        Procedure for Exercise.  The Stock Option may be exercised by the Holder as to all or any of the Shares as to which the Stock Option has vested (i) by following the procedures for exercise established by the Equity Account Administrator and posted on the Equity Account Administrator’s website from time to time or (ii) with the Company’s consent, by giving the Company written notice of exercise, in such form as may be prescribed by the Company from time to time, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased.

 

(d)       Payment of Exercise Price.  To be valid, any exercise of the Stock Option must be accompanied by full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares being

 

A-2



 

purchased.  The Company shall determine the method or methods the Holder may use to make such payment, which may include any of the following:  (i) by bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds, (ii) if securities of the Company of the same class as the Shares are then traded or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or a national quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, to the Equity Account Administrator (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage firm as may be requested by the person exercising the Stock Option) to sell some or all of the Shares being purchased upon such exercise and to thereafter deliver promptly to the Company from the proceeds of such sale an amount in cash equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares being purchased, (iii) by tendering previously owned shares (valued at their Market Value per Share as of the date of tender), (iv) through the withholding of Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise, or (v) any combination of (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above or any other manner permitted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(e)        No Fractional Shares.  In no event may the Stock Option be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

 

(f)        No Adjustment for Dividends or Other Rights.  No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date as of which the issuance or transfer of Shares to the person entitled thereto has been evidenced on the books and records of the Company pursuant to clause (ii) of Section 3(g) hereof following exercise of the Stock Option.

 

(g)        Issuance and Delivery of Shares.  As soon as practicable (and, in any event, within 30 days) after the valid exercise of the Stock Option, the Company shall (i) effect the issuance or transfer of the Shares purchased upon such exercise, (ii) cause the issuance or transfer of such Shares to be evidenced on the books and records of the Company, and (iii) cause such Shares to be delivered to a Company-Sponsored Equity Account in the name of the person entitled to such Shares (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage account as may be requested by such person); provided, however, that, in the event such Shares are subject to a legend as set forth in Section 14 hereof, the Company shall instead cause a certificate evidencing such Shares and bearing such legend to be delivered to the person entitled thereto.

 

(h)        Partial Exercise.  If the Stock Option shall have been exercised with respect to less than all of the Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Option, the Company shall make a notation in its books and records to reflect the partial exercise of the Stock Option and the number of Shares that thereafter remain available for purchase upon exercise of the Stock Option.

 

4.         Termination of Service.

 

(a)        Cause.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that the Holder’s service as a member of the Board is terminated for cause (as determined by the Board in its sole discretion), as of the date of such termination the Stock Option shall (i) cease to vest, if not then fully vested, (ii) no longer be exercisable, whether or not vested, and (iii) be immediately cancelled.

 

A-3



 

(b)        Death or Disability. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that the Holder dies while serving as a member of the Board or the Holder ceases to serve as a member of the Board due to his or her Disability, the Stock Option shall (i) immediately vest as of the date of the Holder’s death or the first date of the Holder’s Disability (as determined by the Committee), as the case may be, if not then fully vested and (ii) remain exercisable in accordance with these Award Terms until the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of the date of the Holder’s death or cessation of service, as the case may be, and (B) the Expiration Date, after which the Stock Option shall no longer be exercisable and shall be immediately cancelled.

 

(c)        Change of Control.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that the Holder ceases to serve as a member of the Board pursuant to the terms of any business combination or similar transaction involving the Company, the Stock Option shall (i) immediately vest as of the date on which such transaction is consummated, if not then fully vested and (ii) remain exercisable in accordance with these Award Terms until the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of the date of the Holder’s cessation of service and (B) the Expiration Date, after which the Stock Option shall no longer be exercisable and shall be immediately cancelled.

 

(d)       Other.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that the Holder’s ceases to serve as a member of the Board for any reason not addressed by Section 4(a), 4(b) or 4(c) hereof, the Stock Option shall (i) cease to vest as of the date of such cessation of service and (ii) to the extent vested as of the date of such cessation of service, be exercisable in accordance with these Award Terms until the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of the date of the Holder’s cessation of service and (B) the Expiration Date, after which the Stock Option shall no longer be exercisable and shall be immediately cancelled.  To the extent not vested as of the date of such termination of service, the Stock Option shall be immediately cancelled and shall no longer be exercisable.

 

5.         Tax Withholding.  The Company shall have the right to require the Holder to satisfy any Withholding Taxes resulting from the exercise (in whole or in part) of the Stock Option, the issuance or transfer of any Shares upon exercise of the Stock Option or otherwise in connection with the Award at the time such Withholding Taxes become due.  The Company shall determine the method or methods the Holder may use to satisfy any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 5, which may include any of the following:  (a) by delivery to the Company of a bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds; (b) if securities of the Company of the same class as the Shares are then traded or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or a national quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, to the Equity Account Administrator (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage firm as may be requested by the person exercising the Stock Option) to sell some or all of the Shares being purchased upon such exercise and to thereafter deliver promptly to the Company from the proceeds of such sale an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount of such Withholding Taxes; (c) by tendering previously owned shares (valued at their Market Value per Share as of the date of tender); (d) through the withholding of Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise; or (e) by any combination of (a), (b), (c) or (d) above.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any entity in the Company Group shall have the right to ensure that all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 5 are satisfied by (i) withholding from any compensation paid to the Holder, (ii) withholding Shares otherwise then deliverable (in which case Grantee

 

A-4



 

will be deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares purchased upon exercise of the Stock Option), and (iii) arranging for the sale, on the Holder’s behalf, of Shares otherwise then deliverable.  The Company shall have no obligation to deliver any Shares upon exercise of the Stock Option unless and until all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 5 have been satisfied.

 

6.         Deemed AgreementBy accepting the Award, the Holder is deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

7.         Reservation of Shares.  The Company shall at all times reserve for issuance or delivery upon exercise of the Stock Option such number of Common Shares as shall be required for issuance or delivery upon exercise thereof.

 

8.         Committee Discretion.  Except as may otherwise be provided in the Plan, the Committee shall have sole discretion to (a) interpret any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, (b) make any determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and the Award, and (c) waive any conditions or rights of the Company under the Award, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, any decision or determination to be made by the Committee pursuant to these Award Terms, including whether to grant or withhold any consent, shall be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the terms of the Plan.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award prospectively or retroactively; however, no such amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of the Holder taken as a whole without the Holder’s consent.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award (i) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in Section 9 hereof) affecting any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company’s other affiliates or the financial statements of any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company’s other affiliates, (ii) in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles and interpretations thereof, or (iii) to prevent the Award from becoming subject to Section 409A.

 

9.         Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, pursuant to Section 13 of the Plan, the Committee will make or provide for such adjustments to the Award as are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of the Holder that otherwise would result from (a) any stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any change of control, merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, or issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.  Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for the Award such alternative consideration (including, without limitation, cash), if any, as it may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of the Award.

 

10.       Registration and Listing.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Stock Option may not be exercised, and the Stock Option and Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Option may not be purchased, sold, assigned, transferred, pledged,

 

A-5



 

hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered in any way, unless such transaction is in compliance with all Exercise Rules and Regulations.  The Company is under no obligation to register, qualify or list, or maintain the registration, qualification or listing of, the Stock Option or Shares with the SEC, any state securities commission or any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system to effect such compliance.  The Holder shall make such representations and furnish such information as may be appropriate to permit the Company, in light of the then existence or non-existence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the Stock Option or Shares, to issue or transfer the Stock Option or Shares in compliance with the provisions of that or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws.  The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to register the issuance or resale of the Stock Option or Shares under the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law or applicable state securities law.

 

11.       Transferability.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and only with the Company’s consent, the Holder may transfer all or part of the Stock Option for estate planning purposes or pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that any transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms and shall execute an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Company in connection with such transfer; and provided further that the Holder will remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.  Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or this Section 11, the Stock Option shall not be transferable by the Holder other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

12.       Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures.

 

(a)        The Holder is responsible for complying with (i) any federal, state and local taxation laws applicable to the Holder in connection with the Award and (ii) all Exercise Rules and Regulations.

 

(b)        The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of any policy requiring or permitting the Company to recover any gains realized by the Holder in connection with the Award.

 

13.       Section 409A.  As the Exercise Price is equal to the fair market value of a Share on the Date of Grant, payments contemplated with respect to the Award are intended to be exempt from Section 409A, and all provisions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall guarantee that the Award is not subject to taxes or penalties under Section 409A and (b) if any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms would, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Company, result or likely result in the imposition on the Holder or any other person of taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, without the consent of the Holder, in the manner that the Committee may reasonably and in good faith determine to be necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition of such taxes, interest or penalties; provided, however, that this Section 13 does not create an obligation on the part of the Committee or the Company to make any such

 

A-6



 

modification, and in no event shall the Company be liable for the payment of or gross up in connection with any taxes, interest or penalties owed by the Holder pursuant to Section 409A.

 

14.       Legend.  The Company may, if determined by it based on the advice of counsel to be appropriate, cause any certificate evidencing Shares to bear a legend substantially as follows:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE ‘ACT’), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT.”

 

15.       No Right to Continued Service.  Nothing contained in the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be construed to confer upon the Holder any right to continued service on the Board or derogate from any right of the Company or its stockholders remove the Holder from the Board at any time, with or without cause.

 

16.       No Rights as Stockholder.  No holder of the Stock Option shall, by virtue of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, be entitled to any right of a stockholder of the Company, either at law or in equity, and the rights of any such holder are limited to those expressed, and are not enforceable against the Company except to the extent set forth, in the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.

 

17.       Severability.  In the event that one or more of the provisions of these Award Terms shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.

 

18.       Venue and Governing Law.

 

(a)        For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, the parties submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Los Angeles County, California or the federal courts of the United States for the Central District of California, regardless of where the grant of the Stock Option is made and/or to be performed.

 

(b)        To the extent that federal law does not otherwise control, the validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

19.       Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and the Holder and, to the extent applicable, the Holder’s permitted assigns under Section 3(b) hereof and the Holder’s estate or beneficiaries as determined by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

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20.       Notices.

 

(a)        Any notice or other document which the Holder may be required or permitted to deliver to the Company pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to the Company, at its office at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90405, Attn: Stock Plan Administration, or such other address as the Company by notice to Grantee may designate in writing from time to time.  Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

 

(b)        Any notice or other document which the Company may be required or permitted to deliver to the Holder pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to the Holder at the address shown on the records of the Company, or such other address as the Holder by notice to the Company may designate in writing from time to time.  The Company may also, in its sole discretion, deliver any such document to the Holder electronically via an e-mail to the Holder at his or her Company-provided email address or through a notice delivered to such e-mail address that such document is available on a website established and maintained on behalf of the Company or a third party designated by the Company, including, without limitation, the Equity Account Administrator.  Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

 

21.       Conflict with Plan.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

22.       Imposition of Other Requirements.  The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Holder’s participation in the Plan, on the Stock Option and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require the Holder to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

23.       Waiver.  The Holder acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of these Award Terms shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of these Award Terms, or of any subsequent breach by the Holder or any other holder of an equity award from the Company.

 

A-8


Exhibit 10.6

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION AWARD

 

You have been awarded an option to purchase Common Shares of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Company”), as follows:

 

·

Your name:

[_________________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

·

Total number of Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Option awarded:

[__________________

]

 

 

·

Exercise Price:

US$[___________] per Share   

 

 

 

·

Date of Grant:

[_______________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

 

·

Grant ID:

[___________________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

·

Your Award of the Stock Option is governed by the terms and conditions set forth in:

 

·                 this Notice of Stock Option Award;

 

·                 the Stock Option Award Terms attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Award Terms”); and

 

·                 the Company’s Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, the receipt of a copy of which you hereby acknowledge.

 

·                 [Your Stock Option Award has been made in connection with your employment agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries as a material inducement to your entering into or renewing employment with such entity pursuant to such agreement, and is also governed by any applicable terms and conditions set forth in such agreement.]

 

·                 Schedule for Vesting1:  Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Stock Option awarded to you will vest and become exercisable as follows, provided you remain continuously employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries through the applicable vesting date:

 

 

Schedule for Vesting

Date of Vesting

 

 

No. of Shares
Vesting at Vesting
Date

 

Cumulative No. of
Shares Vested at
Vesting Date

 

 

 

 

 

First anniversary of [                 ]

 

[________________________]

 

[________________________]

Second anniversary of [             ]

 

[________________________]

 

[________________________]

 

 

 

 

 

 


1  Revise as needed to reflect the vesting terms of the grant (e.g., any relevant performance conditions).

 



 

Third anniversary of [             ]

 

[________________________]

 

[________________________]

Fourth anniversary of [             ]

 

[________________________]

 

[________________________]

Fifth anniversary of [             ]

 

[________________________]

 

[________________________]

 

·                 The Stock Option is not intended to be an “incentive stock option,” as such term is defined in Section 422 of the Code.

 

·                 Please sign and return to the Company this Notice of Stock Option Award, which bears an original signature on behalf of the Company.  You are urged to do so promptly.

 

·                 Please return the signed Notice of Stock Option Award to the Company at:

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.
3100 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA  90405
Attn:  Stock Plan Administration

 

·                 By accepting the Award, you are deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, this Notice of Stock Option Award and the Award Terms.

 

You should retain the enclosed duplicate copy of this Notice of Stock Option Award for your records.

 

Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Terms.

 

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humam Sakhnini

 

 

Chief Strategy & Talent Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Name of Holder]

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

2


 


 

EXHIBIT A

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

STOCK OPTION AWARD TERMS

 

1.                                    Definitions.

 

(a)                               For purposes of these Award Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Award” means the award described on the Grant Notice.

 

“Cause” (i) shall have the meaning given to such term in any employment agreement or offer letter between the Holder and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time of the determination or (ii) if the Holder is not then party to any agreement or offer letter with any entity in the Company Group or any such agreement or offer letter does not contain a definition of “cause,” shall mean a good faith determination by the Company that the Holder (A) engaged in misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties or willfully and continuously failed or refused to perform any duties reasonably requested in the course of his or her employment; (B) engaged in fraud, dishonesty, or any other conduct that causes, or has the potential to cause, harm to any entity in the Company Group, including its business reputation or financial condition; (C) violated any lawful directives or policies of the Company Group or any applicable laws, rules or regulations; (D) materially breached his or her employment agreement, proprietary information agreement or confidentiality agreement with any entity in the Company Group; (E) was convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a felony or crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude; or (F) breached his or her fiduciary duties to the Company Group.

 

“Common Shares” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.000001 per share, of the Company or any security into which such Common Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 9 hereof.

 

“Company” means Activision Blizzard, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

“Company Group” means the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

“Company-Sponsored Equity Account” means an account that is created with the Equity Account Administrator in connection with the administration of the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Date of Grant” means the Date of Grant of the Award set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

“Disability” (i) shall have the meaning given to such term in, or otherwise be determined in accordance with, any employment agreement or offer letter between the Holder and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time of the determination or (ii) if the Holder is not then party to any agreement or offer letter with any entity in the Company Group or

 



 

any such agreement or offer letter does not contain a definition of “disability” or otherwise provide a method for determining whether the Holder is disabled, shall mean the Holder is receiving benefits under any long-term disability plan of the Company Group then in effect.

 

“Employment Violation” means any material breach by the Holder of his or her employment agreement with any entity in the Company Group for so long as the terms of such employment agreement shall apply to the Holder (with any breach of the post-termination obligations contained therein deemed to be material for purposes of this definition).

 

“Equity Account Administrator” means the brokerage firm utilized by the Company from time to time to create and administer accounts for participants in the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Exercise Price” means the Exercise Price set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

“Exercise Rules and Regulations” means (i) the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws, (ii) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which Common Shares are then traded or quoted, (iii) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (iv) any policy or procedure the Company has adopted with respect to the trading of its securities, in each case as in effect on the date of the intended transaction.

 

“Expiration Date” means the Expiration Date set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

“Grant Notice” means the Notice of Stock Option Award to which these Award Terms are attached as Exhibit A.

 

“Holder” means the recipient of the Award named on the Grant Notice.

 

“Look-back Period” means, with respect to any Employment Violation by the Holder, the period beginning on the date which is 12 months prior to the date of such Employment Violation by the Holder and ending on the date of computation of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation.

 

“Option” means the Stock Option to purchase Common Shares awarded to the Holder on the terms and conditions described in the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

“Plan” means the Amended and Restated Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

“Recapture Amount” means, with respect to any Employment Violation by the Holder, the gross gain realized or unrealized by the Holder upon all exercises of the Stock Option during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation, which gain shall be calculated as the sum of:

 

(i)                                  if the Holder has exercised any portion of the Stock Option during such Look-back Period and sold any of the Shares acquired on exercise thereafter, an amount equal to (A) the sum of the sales price for all such Shares sold minus (B) the aggregate Exercise Price for such Shares; plus

 

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(ii)                              if the Holder has exercised any portion of the Stock Option during such Look-back Period and not sold all of the Shares acquired on exercise thereafter, an amount equal to the product of (A) the greatest of the following, minus the Exercise Price: (1) the Market Value per Share of Common Shares on the date of exercise, (2) the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the Company’s written notice of its exercise of its rights under Section 12 hereof, or (3) the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of computation times (B) the number of Shares as to which the Stock Option was exercised and which were not sold.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Shares means the Common Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Option.

 

“Withholding Taxes” means any taxes, including, but not limited to, social security and Medicare taxes and federal, state and local income taxes, required under any applicable law to be withheld from amounts otherwise payable to the Holder.

 

(b)                              Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.

 

2.                                    Expiration.  The Stock Option shall expire on the Expiration Date and, after such expiration, shall no longer be exercisable.

 

3.                                    Vesting and Exercise.

 

(a)                               Vesting Schedule.  Except as otherwise set forth in these Award Terms, the Stock Option shall vest, and thereupon become exercisable, in accordance with the “Schedule for Vesting” set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

(b)                              Exercisable Only by the Holder.  Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or Section 11 hereof, the Stock Option may be exercised during the Holder’s lifetime only by the Holder or, in the event of the Holder’s legal incapacity to do so, by the Holder’s guardian or legal representative acting on behalf of the Holder in a fiduciary capacity under court supervision and/or applicable law.

 

(c)                               Procedure for Exercise.  The Stock Option may be exercised by the Holder as to all or any of the Shares as to which the Stock Option has vested (i) by following the procedures for exercise established by the Equity Account Administrator and posted on the Equity Account Administrator’s website from time to time or (ii) with the Company’s consent, by giving the Company written notice of exercise, in such form as may be prescribed by the Company from time to time, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased.

 

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(d)                             Payment of Exercise Price.  To be valid, any exercise of the Stock Option must be accompanied by full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares being purchased.  The Company shall determine the method or methods the Holder may use to make such payment, which may include any of the following:  (i) by bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds, (ii) if securities of the Company of the same class as the Shares are then traded or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or a national quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, to the Equity Account Administrator (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage firm as may be requested by the person exercising the Stock Option) to sell some or all of the Shares being purchased upon such exercise and to thereafter deliver promptly to the Company from the proceeds of such sale an amount in cash equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares being purchased, (iii) by tendering previously owned shares (valued at their Market Value per Share as of the date of tender), (iv) through the withholding of Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise, or (v) any combination of (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above or any other manner permitted pursuant to the Plan.

 

(e)                               No Fractional Shares.  In no event may the Stock Option be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

 

(f)                                No Adjustment for Dividends or Other Rights.  No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date as of which the issuance or transfer of Shares to the person entitled thereto has been evidenced on the books and records of the Company pursuant to clause (ii) of Section 3(g) hereof following exercise of the Stock Option.

 

(g)                              Issuance and Delivery of Shares.  As soon as practicable (and, in any event, within 30 days) after the valid exercise of the Stock Option, the Company shall (i) effect the issuance or transfer of the Shares purchased upon such exercise, (ii) cause the issuance or transfer of such Shares to be evidenced on the books and records of the Company, and (iii) cause such Shares to be delivered to a Company-Sponsored Equity Account in the name of the person entitled to such Shares (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage account as may be requested by such person); provided, however, that, in the event such Shares are subject to a legend as set forth in Section 15 hereof, the Company shall instead cause a certificate evidencing such Shares and bearing such legend to be delivered to the person entitled thereto.

 

(h)                              Partial Exercise.  If the Stock Option shall have been exercised with respect to less than all of the Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Option, the Company shall make a notation in its books and records to reflect the partial exercise of the Stock Option and the number of Shares that thereafter remain available for purchase upon exercise of the Stock Option.

 

4.                                    Termination of Employment.

 

(a)                               Cause.  In the event that the Holder’s employment is terminated by any entity in the Company Group for Cause, as of the date of such termination of employment the Stock Option shall (i) cease to vest, if not then fully vested, (ii) no longer be exercisable, whether or not vested, and (iii) be immediately cancelled.

 

A-4



 

(b)                              Death or Disability. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that the Holder dies while employed by any entity in the Company Group or the Holder’s employment with any entity in the Company Group is terminated due to the Holder’s Disability, the Stock Option shall (i) cease to vest as of the date of the Holder’s death or the first date of the Holder’s Disability (as determined by the Committee), as the case may be, and (ii) to the extent vested as of the date of the Holder’s death or the first date of the Holder’s Disability, as the case may be, remain exercisable in accordance with these Award Terms until the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of the date of the Holder’s death or termination of employment, as the case may be, and (B) the Expiration Date, after which the Stock Option shall no longer be exercisable and shall be immediately cancelled.  To the extent not vested as of the date of the Holder’s death or the first date of the Holder’s Disability, as the case may be, the Stock Option shall be immediately cancelled and shall no longer be exercisable.

 

(c)                               Other.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that the Holder’s employment is terminated for any reason not addressed by Section 4(a) or 4(b) hereof, the Stock Option shall (i) cease to vest as of the date of such termination of employment and (ii) to the extent vested as of the date of such termination of employment, be exercisable in accordance with these Award Terms until the earlier of (A) the 30th day after the date of such termination of employment (or, if the Holder is prohibited from exercising the Stock Option during some or all of the 30-day period following such termination date because such exercise would not be in compliance with the Exercise Rules and Regulations, whatever later date may be determined in accordance with a Committee-approved policy) and (B) the Expiration Date, after which the Stock Option shall no longer be exercisable and shall be immediately cancelled.  To the extent not vested as of the date of such termination of service, the Stock Option shall be immediately cancelled and shall no longer be exercisable.

 

5.                                    Tax Withholding.  The Company shall have the right to require the Holder to satisfy any Withholding Taxes resulting from the exercise (in whole or in part) of the Stock Option, the issuance or transfer of any Shares upon exercise of the Stock Option or otherwise in connection with the Award at the time such Withholding Taxes become due.  The Company shall determine the method or methods the Holder may use to satisfy any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 5, which may include any of the following:  (a) by delivery to the Company of a bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds; (b) if securities of the Company of the same class as the Shares are then traded or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or a national quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, to the Equity Account Administrator (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage firm as may be requested by the person exercising the Stock Option) to sell some or all of the Shares being purchased upon such exercise and to thereafter deliver promptly to the Company from the proceeds of such sale an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount of such Withholding Taxes; (c) by tendering previously owned shares (valued at their Market Value per Share as of the date of tender); (d) through the withholding of Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise; or (e) by any combination of (a), (b), (c) or (d) above.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any entity in the Company Group shall have the right to ensure that all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 5 are satisfied by (i) withholding from the Holder’s compensation, (ii) withholding Shares otherwise then deliverable (in which case the Holder will be deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares purchased upon exercise of the Stock Option), and (iii) arranging for the sale, on the Holder’s behalf, of Shares otherwise then

 

A-5



 

deliverable.  The Company shall have no obligation to deliver any Shares upon exercise of the Stock Option unless and until all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 5 have been satisfied.

 

6.                                    Deemed AgreementBy accepting the Award, the Holder is deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

7.                                    Reservation of Shares.  The Company shall at all times reserve for issuance or delivery upon exercise of the Stock Option such number of Common Shares as shall be required for issuance or delivery upon exercise thereof.

 

8.                                    Committee Discretion.  Except as may otherwise be provided in the Plan, the Committee shall have sole discretion to (a) interpret any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, (b) make any determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and the Award, and (c) waive any conditions or rights of the Company under the Award, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, any decision or determination to be made by the Committee pursuant to these Award Terms, including whether to grant or withhold any consent, shall be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the terms of the Plan.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award prospectively or retroactively; however, no such amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of the Holder taken as a whole without the Holder’s consent.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award (i) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in Section 9 hereof) affecting any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company’s other affiliates or the financial statements of any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company’s other affiliates, (ii) in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles and interpretations thereof, or (iii) to prevent the Award from becoming subject to Section 409A.

 

9.                                    Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, pursuant to Section 13 of the Plan, the Committee will make or provide for such adjustments to the Award as are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of the Holder that otherwise would result from (a) any stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any change of control, merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, or issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.  Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for the Award such alternative consideration (including, without limitation, cash), if any, as it may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of the Award.

 

10.                            Registration and Listing.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Stock Option may not be exercised, and the Stock Option and Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock Option may not be purchased, sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered in any way, unless such transaction is in compliance with all Exercise Rules and Regulations.  The Company is under no obligation to

 

A-6



 

register, qualify or list, or maintain the registration, qualification or listing of, the Stock Option or Shares with the SEC, any state securities commission or any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system to effect such compliance.  The Holder shall make such representations and furnish such information as may be appropriate to permit the Company, in light of the then existence or non-existence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the Stock Option or Shares, to issue or transfer the Stock Option or Shares in compliance with the provisions of that or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws.  The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to register the issuance or resale of the Stock Option or Shares under the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law or applicable state securities law.

 

11.                            Transferability.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and only with the Company’s consent, the Holder may transfer all or part of the Stock Option for estate planning purposes or pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that any transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms and shall execute an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Company in connection with such transfer; and provided further that the Holder will remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.  Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or this Section 11, the Stock Option shall not be transferable by the Holder other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

12.                            Employment Violation.  The terms of this Section 12 shall apply to the Stock Option if the Holder is or becomes subject to an employment agreement with any entity in the Company Group.  In the event of an Employment Violation, the Company shall have the right to require (a) the termination and cancellation of the Stock Option, whether vested or unvested, and (b) payment by the Holder to the Company of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation; provided, however, that, in lieu of payment by the Holder to the Company of the Recapture Amount, the Holder, in his or her discretion, may tender to the Company the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Stock Option during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation (without any consideration from the Company in exchange therefor).  Any such termination of the Stock Option and payment of the Recapture Amount, as the case may be, shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other right or remedy available to the Company arising out of or in connection with such Employment Violation, including, without limitation, the right to terminate the Holder’s employment if not already terminated and to seek injunctive relief and additional monetary damages.

 

13.                            Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures.

 

(a)                               The Holder is responsible for complying with (i) any federal, state and local taxation laws applicable to the Holder in connection with the Award and (ii) all Exercise Rules and Regulations.

 

(b)                              The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of any policy requiring or permitting the Company to recover any gains realized by the Holder in connection with the Award, including, without limitation, the Policy on Recoupment of Performance-Based Compensation Related to Certain Financial Restatements.

 

A-7



 

(c)                               [The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines and the limitations contained therein on the ability of the Holder to transfer any Common Shares.]2

 

14.                            Section 409A.  As the Exercise Price is equal to the fair market value of a Share on the Date of Grant, payments contemplated with respect to the Award are intended to be exempt from Section 409A, and all provisions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall guarantee that the Award is not subject to taxes or penalties under Section 409A and (b) if any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms would, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Company, result or likely result in the imposition on the Holder or any other person of taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, without the consent of the Holder, in the manner that the Committee may reasonably and in good faith determine to be necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition of such taxes, interest or penalties; provided, however, that this Section 13 does not create an obligation on the part of the Committee or the Company to make any such modification, and in no event shall the Company be liable for the payment of or gross up in connection with any taxes, interest or penalties owed by the Holder pursuant to Section 409A.

 

15.                            Legend.  The Company may, if determined by it based on the advice of counsel to be appropriate, cause any certificate evidencing Shares to bear a legend substantially as follows:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE ‘ACT’), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT.”

 

16.                            No Right to Continued Employment.  Nothing contained in the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be construed to confer upon the Holder any right to be continued in the employ of any entity in the Company Group or derogate from any right of any entity in the Company Group to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge the Holder at any time, with or without Cause.

 

17.                            No Rights as Stockholder.  No holder of the Stock Option shall, by virtue of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, be entitled to any right of a stockholder of the Company, either at law or in equity, and the rights of any such holder are limited to those expressed, and are not enforceable against the Company except to the extent set forth, in the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.

 

18.                            Severability.  In the event that one or more of the provisions of these Award Terms shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.

 


2  Include in agreements memorializing awards to executive officers to which the Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines apply.

 

A-8



 

19.                            Venue and Governing Law.

 

(a)                               For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by the grant of the Stock Option or these Award Terms, the parties submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Los Angeles County, California or the federal courts of the United States for the Central District of California, and no other courts, regardless of where the grant of the Stock Option is made and/or to be performed.

 

(b)                              To the extent that federal law does not otherwise control, the validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

20.                            Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and the Holder and, to the extent applicable, the Holder’s permitted assigns under Section 3(b) hereof and the Holder’s estate or beneficiaries as determined by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

21.                            Notices.

 

(a)                               Any notice or other document which the Holder may be required or permitted to deliver to the Company pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to the Company, at its office at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90405, Attn: Stock Plan Administration, or such other address as the Company by notice to the Holder may designate in writing from time to time.  Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

 

(b)                              Any notice or other document which the Company may be required or permitted to deliver to the Holder pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to the Holder at the address shown on any employment agreement or offer letter between the Holder and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time, or such other address as the Holder by notice to the Company may designate in writing from time to time.  The Company may also, in its sole discretion, deliver any such document to the Holder electronically via an e-mail to the Holder at his or her Company-provided email address or through a notice delivered to such e-mail address that such document is available on a website established and maintained on behalf of the Company or a third party designated by the Company, including, without limitation, the Equity Account Administrator.  Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

 

A-9



 

22.                            Conflict with Employment Agreement or Plan.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between the Holder and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time and the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, as the case may be, shall control.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between the Holder and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

23.                            Imposition of Other Requirements.  The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Holder’s participation in the Plan, on the Stock Option and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require the Holder to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

24.                            Waiver.  The Holder acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of these Award Terms shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of these Award Terms, or of any subsequent breach by the Holder or any other holder of an equity award from the Company.

 

A-10


Exhibit 10.7

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD

 

 

You have been awarded Restricted Share Units of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Company”), as follows:

 

·

Your name:

[_________________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

·

Total number of Restricted Share Units awarded:

[___________________________________________

]

 

 

 

·

Date of Grant:

[_______________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

 

·

Grant ID:

[___________________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

·

Your Award of Restricted Share Units is governed by the terms and conditions set forth in:

 

·                 this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award;

 

·                 the Restricted Share Unit Award Terms attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Award Terms”); and

 

·                 the Company’s Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, the receipt of a copy of which you hereby acknowledge.

 

·                 Schedule for Vesting1:

 

Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units awarded to you will vest as follows, provided you continuously serve as a member of the Board through the applicable vesting date:

 

Schedule for Vesting

Date of Vesting

 

No. of Restricted
Share Units Vesting at 
Vesting Date

 

Cumulative No. of 
Restricted Share Units
Vested at Vesting Date

 

 

 

 

 

[Three months after Date of Grant]

 

[                                     ]

 

[                                     ]

[Six months after Date of Grant]

 

[                                     ]

 

[                                     ]

[Nine months after Date of Grant]

 

[                                     ]

 

[                                     ]

[First anniversary of Date of Grant]

 

[                                     ]

 

[                                     ]

 

·                 Please sign and return to the Company this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award, which bears an original signature on behalf of the Company.  You are urged to do so promptly.

 


1 Revise as needed to reflect the vesting terms of the grant.

 



 

·                 Please return the signed Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to the Company at:

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.
3100 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA  90405
Attn:  Stock Plan Administration

 

·                 By accepting the Award, you are deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award and the Award Terms.

 

You should retain the enclosed duplicate copy of this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for your records.

 

Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Terms.

 

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humam Sakhnini

 

 

Chief Strategy & Talent Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Name of Grantee]

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

2



 

EXHIBIT A

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD TERMS

 

 

1.         Definitions.

 

(a)        For purposes of these Award Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Award” means the award described on the Grant Notice.

 

“Common Shares” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.000001 per share, of the Company or any security into which such Common Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 10 hereof.

 

“Company” means Activision Blizzard, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

“Company Group” means the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

“Company-Sponsored Equity Account” means an account that is created with the Equity Account Administrator in connection with the administration of the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Date of Grant” means the Date of Grant of the Award set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

“Disability” means “permanent and total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, as interpreted by the Company (with such interpretation to be final, conclusive and binding for purposes of these Award Terms).

 

“Equity Account Administrator” means the brokerage firm utilized by the Company from time to time to create and administer accounts for participants in the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Exercise Rules and Regulations” means (i) the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws, (ii) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which Common Shares are then traded or quoted, (iii) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (iv) any policy or procedure the Company has adopted with respect to the trading of its securities, in each case as in effect on the date of the intended transaction.

 

“Grantee” means the recipient of the Award named on the Grant Notice.

 



 

“Grant Notice” means the Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to which these Award Terms are attached as Exhibit A.

 

“Plan” means the Amended and Restated Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

“Restricted Share Units” means units subject to the Award, which represent the conditional right to receive Common Shares in accordance with the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, unless and until such units become vested or are forfeited to the Company in accordance with the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Separation from Service” means “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

“Vested Shares” means the Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units becomes entitled upon vesting thereof in accordance with Section 2 or 3 hereof.

 

“Withholding Taxes” means any taxes, including, but not limited to, social security and Medicare taxes and federal, state and local income taxes, required under any applicable law to be withheld from amounts otherwise payable to Grantee.

 

(b)        Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.

 

2.         Vesting.  Except as otherwise set forth in these Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units shall vest in accordance with the “Schedule for Vesting” set forth on the Grant Notice.  Each Restricted Share Unit, upon vesting thereof, shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one Common Share (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 10 hereof).

 

3.         Termination of Service.

 

(a)        Death or Disability.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee incurs a Separation from Service due to his or her death or Disability, the Restricted Share Units shall immediately vest as of the date of such Separation from Service.

 

(b)        Change of Control.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee incurs a Separation from Service pursuant to the terms of any business combination or similar transaction involving the Company, the Restricted Share Units shall immediately vest as of the date of such Separation from Service.

 

(c)        Other.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee incurs a Separation from Service for any reason not addressed by Section 3(a) or 3(b)

 

A-2



 

hereof, as of the date of such Separation from Service all Restricted Share Units shall cease to vest and, with the exception of any Vested Shares that have yet to settle pursuant to Section 8 hereof, shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

 

4.         Tax Withholding.  The Company shall have the right to require Grantee to satisfy any Withholding Taxes resulting from the vesting of any Restricted Share Units, the issuance or transfer of any Vested Shares or otherwise in connection with the Award at the time such Withholding Taxes become due.  The Company shall determine the method or methods Grantee may use to satisfy any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4, which may include any of the following:  (a) by delivery to the Company of a bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds; (b) through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, that the Company withhold Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the Withholding Taxes (valued in the same manner used in computing the amount of such Withholding Taxes); (c) if securities of the Company of the same class as the Vested Shares are then traded or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or a national quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, to the Equity Account Administrator (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage firm as may be requested by the Grantee) to sell some or all of the Vested Shares and to thereafter deliver promptly to the Company from the proceeds of such sale an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount of such Withholding Taxes; or (d) by any combination of (a), (b) and (c) above.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any entity in the Company Group shall have the right to ensure that all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4 are satisfied by (i) withholding from any compensation paid to Grantee, (ii) withholding Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable (in which case Grantee will be deemed to have been issued the full number of Vested Shares), and (iii) arranging for the sale, on Grantee’s behalf, of Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable.  The Company shall have no obligation to deliver any Vested Shares unless and until all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4 have been satisfied.

 

5.         Deemed AgreementBy accepting the Award, Grantee is deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

6.         Reservation of Shares.  The Company shall at all times reserve for issuance or delivery upon vesting of the Restricted Share Units such number of Common Shares as shall be required for issuance or delivery upon vesting thereof.

 

7.         Dividend Equivalents.  In the event that any cash dividends are declared and paid on Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units would be entitled upon vesting thereof, such holder shall be paid, no later than the 45th day following the year in which the related dividends are paid, the amount that such holder would have received if the Restricted Share Units had vested, and the Common Shares to which such holder was thereupon entitled had been issued and outstanding and held of record by such holder, as of the record date for such dividend; provided, however, that no such dividend equivalents shall be paid if the Restricted Share Units have been forfeited to the Company in accordance with Section 3 hereof prior to

 

A-3



 

payment thereof.  For purposes of the time and form of payment requirements of Section 409A, such dividend equivalents shall be treated separately from the Restricted Share Units.

 

8.         Receipt and Delivery.  As soon as administratively practicable (and, in any event, within 30 days) after (a) with respect to the portion of the Restricted Share Units that vest on or before the first anniversary of the Date of Grant either in accordance with the “Schedule for Vesting” set forth on the Grant Notice or due to a Separation from Service pursuant to Section 3 hereof, the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the Date of Grant and (ii) the date of Grantee’s Separation from Service and (b) with respect to the portion of the Restricted Share Units that vest after the first anniversary of the Date of Grant either in accordance with the “Schedule for Vesting” set forth on the Grant Notice or due to a Separation from Service pursuant to Section 3 hereof, the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the Date of Grant and (ii) the date of Grantee’s Separation from Service, any Restricted Share Units vest, the Company shall (x) effect the issuance or transfer of the resulting Vested Shares, (y) cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to be evidenced on the books and records of the Company, and (z) cause such Vested Shares to be delivered to a Company-Sponsored Equity Account in the name of the person entitled to such Vested Shares (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage account as may be requested by such person); provided, however, that, in the event such Vested Shares are subject to a legend as set forth in Section 15 hereof, the Company shall instead cause a certificate evidencing such Vested Shares and bearing such legend to be delivered to the person entitled thereto.

 

9.         Committee Discretion.  Except as may otherwise be provided in the Plan, the Committee shall have sole discretion to (a) interpret any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, (b) make any determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and the Award, and (c) waive any conditions or rights of the Company under the Award, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, any decision or determination to be made by the Committee pursuant to these Award Terms, including whether to grant or withhold any consent, shall be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the terms of the Plan.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award prospectively or retroactively; however, no such amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of Grantee taken as a whole without Grantee’s consent.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award (i) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in Section 10 hereof) affecting any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company’s other affiliates or the financial statements of any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company’s other affiliates, (ii) in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles and interpretations thereof, or (iii) to prevent the Award from becoming subject to any adverse consequences under Section 409A.

 

10.       Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, the Committee will make or provide for such adjustments to the Award as are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Grantee that otherwise would result from (a) any stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any change of control, merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up,

 

A-4



 

reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, or issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.  Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for the Award such alternative consideration (including, without limitation, cash), if any, as it may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of the Award.

 

11.       Registration and Listing.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall not be obligated to issue or transfer any Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, and no Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered in any way, unless such transaction is in compliance with all Exercise Rules and Regulations.  The Company is under no obligation to register, qualify or list, or maintain the registration, qualification or listing of, Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares with the SEC, any state securities commission or any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system to effect such compliance.  Grantee shall make such representations and furnish such information as may be appropriate to permit the Company, in light of the then existence or non-existence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act relating to Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, to issue or transfer Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares in compliance with the provisions of that or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws.  The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to register the issuance or transfer of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares or resale of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares under the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law or applicable state securities law.

 

12.       Transferability.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and only with the Company’s consent, Grantee may transfer Restricted Share Units for estate planning purposes or pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that any transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms and shall execute an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Company in connection with such transfer; and provided, further that Grantee will remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.  Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or this Section 12, the Restricted Share Units shall not be transferable by Grantee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

13.       Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures.

 

(a)        Grantee is responsible for complying with (i) any federal, state and local taxation laws applicable to Grantee in connection with the Award and (ii) all Exercise Rules and Regulations.

 

(b)        The Award is subject to the terms and conditions any policy requiring or permitting the Company to recover any gains realized by Grantee in connection with the Award.

 

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14.       Section 409A.

 

(a)        Payments contemplated with respect to the Award are intended to comply with Section 409A, and all provisions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall guarantee that the Award is not subject to taxes or penalties under Section 409A and (ii) if any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms would, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Company, result or likely result in the imposition on Grantee or any other person of taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, without the consent of Grantee, in the manner that the Committee may reasonably and in good faith determine to be necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition of such taxes, interest or penalties; provided, however, that this Section 14 does not create an obligation on the part of the Committee or the Company to make any such modification, and in no event shall the Company be liable for the payment of or gross up in connection with any taxes, interest or penalties owed by Grantee pursuant to Section 409A.

 

(b)        Neither Grantee nor any of Grantee’s creditors or beneficiaries shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable with respect to the Award to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment.  Except as permitted under Section 409A, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable to Grantee or for Grantee’s benefit with respect to the Award may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by Grantee to the Company.

 

(c)        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if (i) the Committee determines in good faith that the Restricted Share Units are deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A, (ii) Grantee is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A) and (iii) a delay in the issuance or transfer of Vested Shares to Grantee or his or her estate or beneficiaries hereunder by reason of Grantee’s Separation from Service with any entity in the Company Group is required to avoid tax penalties under Section 409A but is not already provided for by this Award, the Company shall cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to Grantee or Grantee’s estate or beneficiary upon the earlier of (A) the date that is the first business day following the date that is six months after the date of Grantee’s Separation from Service or (B) Grantee’s death.

 

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15.       Legend.  The Company may, if determined by it based on the advice of counsel to be appropriate, cause any certificate evidencing Vested Shares to bear a legend substantially as follows:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE ‘ACT’), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT.”

 

16.       No Right to Continued Service.  Nothing contained in the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be construed to confer upon Grantee any right to continued service on the Board or derogate from any right of the Company or its stockholders remove Grantee from the Board at any time, with or without cause.

 

17.       No Rights as Stockholder.  No holder of Restricted Share Units shall, by virtue of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, be entitled to any right of a stockholder of the Company, either at law or in equity, and the rights of any such holder are limited to those expressed, and are not enforceable against the Company except to the extent set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.

 

18.       Severability.  In the event that one or more of the provisions of these Award Terms shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.

 

19.       Venue and Governing Law.

 

(a)        For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, the parties submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Los Angeles County, California or the federal courts of the United States for the Central District of California, regardless of where the grant of the Restricted Share Units is made and/or to be performed.

 

(b)        To the extent that federal law does not otherwise control, the validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

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20.       Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and Grantee and, to the extent applicable, Grantee’s permitted assigns under Section 12 hereof and Grantee’s estate or beneficiaries as determined by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

21.       Notices.

 

(a)        Any notice or other document which Grantee may be required or permitted to deliver to the Company pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to the Company, at its office at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90405, Attn: Stock Plan Administration, or such other address as the Company by notice to Grantee may designate in writing from time to time.  Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

 

(b)        Any notice or other document which the Company may be required or permitted to deliver to Grantee pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to Grantee at the address shown on the records of the Company, or such other address as Grantee by notice to the Company may designate in writing from time to time.  The Company may also, in its sole discretion, deliver any such document to Grantee electronically via an e-mail to Grantee at his or her Company-provided email address or through a notice delivered to such e-mail address that such document is available on a website established and maintained on behalf of the Company or a third party designated by the Company, including, without limitation, the Equity Account Administrator.  Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

 

22.       Conflict with Plan.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

23.       Imposition of Other Requirements.  The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on Grantee’s participation in the Plan, on the Restricted Share Units and on any Common Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require Grantee to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

24.       Waiver.  Grantee acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of these Award Terms shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of these Award Terms, or of any subsequent breach by Grantee or any other grantee of an equity award from the Company.

 

A-8


 

Exhibit 10.8

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD

 

 

You have been awarded Restricted Share Units of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Company”), as follows:

 

·

Your name:

[_________________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

·

Total number of Restricted Share Units awarded:

[___________________________________________

]

 

 

 

·

Date of Grant:

[_______________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

 

·

Grant ID:

[___________________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

·

Your Award of Restricted Share Units is governed by the terms and conditions set forth in:

 

·                 this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award;

 

·                 the Restricted Share Unit Award Terms attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Award Terms”); and

 

·                 the Company’s Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, the receipt of a copy of which you hereby acknowledge.

 

·                 Schedule for Vesting1:

 

Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units awarded to you will vest as follows, provided you continuously serve as a member of the Board through the applicable vesting date:

 

Schedule for Vesting

Date of Vesting

 

No. of Restricted
Share Units Vesting at 
Vesting Date

 

Cumulative No. of 
Restricted Share Units
Vested at Vesting Date

 

 

 

 

 

[Three months after Date of Grant]

 

[                                     ]

 

[                                     ]

[Six months after Date of Grant]

 

[                                     ]

 

[                                     ]

[Nine months after Date of Grant]

 

[                                     ]

 

[                                     ]

[First anniversary of Date of Grant]

 

[                                     ]

 

[                                     ]

 

·                 Please sign and return to the Company this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award, which bears an original signature on behalf of the Company.  You are urged to do so promptly.

 


1 Revise as needed to reflect the vesting terms of the grant.

 



 

·                 Please return the signed Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to the Company at:

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.
3100 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA  90405
Attn:  Stock Plan Administration

 

·                 By accepting the Award, you are deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award and the Award Terms.

 

You should retain the enclosed duplicate copy of this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for your records.

 

Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Terms.

 

 

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humam Sakhnini

 

 

Chief Strategy & Talent Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Name of Grantee]

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

2



 

EXHIBIT A

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD TERMS

 

 

1.         Definitions.

 

(a)        For purposes of these Award Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Award” means the award described on the Grant Notice.

 

“Common Shares” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.000001 per share, of the Company or any security into which such Common Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 10 hereof.

 

“Company” means Activision Blizzard, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

“Company Group” means the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

“Company-Sponsored Equity Account” means an account that is created with the Equity Account Administrator in connection with the administration of the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Date of Grant” means the Date of Grant of the Award set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

“Disability” means “permanent and total disability” as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, as interpreted by the Company (with such interpretation to be final, conclusive and binding for purposes of these Award Terms).

 

“Equity Account Administrator” means the brokerage firm utilized by the Company from time to time to create and administer accounts for participants in the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Exercise Rules and Regulations” means (i) the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws, (ii) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which Common Shares are then traded or quoted, (iii) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (iv) any policy or procedure the Company has adopted with respect to the trading of its securities, in each case as in effect on the date of the intended transaction.

 

“Grantee” means the recipient of the Award named on the Grant Notice.

 



 

“Grant Notice” means the Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to which these Award Terms are attached as Exhibit A.

 

“Plan” means the Amended and Restated Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

“Restricted Share Units” means units subject to the Award, which represent the conditional right to receive Common Shares in accordance with the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, unless and until such units become vested or are forfeited to the Company in accordance with the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Separation from Service” means “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

 

“Vested Shares” means the Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units becomes entitled upon vesting thereof in accordance with Section 2 or 3 hereof.

 

“Withholding Taxes” means any taxes, including, but not limited to, social security and Medicare taxes and federal, state and local income taxes, required under any applicable law to be withheld from amounts otherwise payable to Grantee.

 

(b)        Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.

 

2.         Vesting.  Except as otherwise set forth in these Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units shall vest in accordance with the “Schedule for Vesting” set forth on the Grant Notice.  Each Restricted Share Unit, upon vesting thereof, shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one Common Share (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 10 hereof).

 

3.         Termination of Service.

 

(a)        Death or Disability.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee incurs a Separation from Service due to his or her death or Disability, the Restricted Share Units shall immediately vest as of the date of such Separation from Service.

 

(b)        Change of Control.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee incurs a Separation from Service pursuant to the terms of any business combination or similar transaction involving the Company, the Restricted Share Units shall immediately vest as of the date of such Separation from Service.

 

(c)        Other.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee incurs a Separation from Service for any reason not addressed by Section 4(a) or 4(b)

 

A-2



 

hereof, as of the date of such Separation from Service all Restricted Share Units shall cease to vest and, with the exception of any Vested Shares that have yet to settle pursuant to Section 8 hereof, shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

 

4.         Tax Withholding.  The Company shall have the right to require Grantee to satisfy any Withholding Taxes resulting from the vesting of any Restricted Share Units, the issuance or transfer of any Vested Shares or otherwise in connection with the Award at the time such Withholding Taxes become due.  The Company shall determine the method or methods Grantee may use to satisfy any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4, which may include any of the following:  (a) by delivery to the Company of a bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds; (b) through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, that the Company withhold Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the Withholding Taxes (valued in the same manner used in computing the amount of such Withholding Taxes); (c) if securities of the Company of the same class as the Vested Shares are then traded or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or a national quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, to the Equity Account Administrator (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage firm as may be requested by the Grantee) to sell some or all of the Vested Shares and to thereafter deliver promptly to the Company from the proceeds of such sale an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount of such Withholding Taxes; or (d) by any combination of (a), (b) and (c) above.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any entity in the Company Group shall have the right to ensure that all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4 are satisfied by (i) withholding from any compensation paid to Grantee, (ii) withholding Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable (in which case Grantee will be deemed to have been issued the full number of Vested Shares), and (iii) arranging for the sale, on Grantee’s behalf, of Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable.  The Company shall have no obligation to deliver any Vested Shares unless and until all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4 have been satisfied.

 

5.         Deemed AgreementBy accepting the Award, Grantee is deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

6.         Reservation of Shares.  The Company shall at all times reserve for issuance or delivery upon vesting of the Restricted Share Units such number of Common Shares as shall be required for issuance or delivery upon vesting thereof.

 

7.         Dividend Equivalents.  In the event that any cash dividends are declared and paid on Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units would be entitled upon vesting thereof, such holder shall be paid, no later than the 45th day following the year in which the related dividends are paid, the amount that such holder would have received if the Restricted Share Units had vested, and the Common Shares to which such holder was thereupon entitled had been issued and outstanding and held of record by such holder, as of the record date for such dividend; provided, however, that no such dividend equivalents shall be paid if the Restricted Share Units have been forfeited to the Company in accordance with Section 3 hereof prior to

 

A-3



 

payment thereof.  For purposes of the time and form of payment requirements of Section 409A, such dividend equivalents shall be treated separately from the Restricted Share Units.

 

8.         Receipt and Delivery.  As soon as administratively practicable (and, in any event, within 30 days) after the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the Date of Grant and (ii) the date of Grantee’s Separation from Service, any Restricted Share Units vest, the Company shall (a) effect the issuance or transfer of the resulting Vested Shares, (b) cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to be evidenced on the books and records of the Company, and (c) cause such Vested Shares to be delivered to a Company-Sponsored Equity Account in the name of the person entitled to such Vested Shares (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage account as may be requested by such person); provided, however, that, in the event such Vested Shares are subject to a legend as set forth in Section 15 hereof, the Company shall instead cause a certificate evidencing such Vested Shares and bearing such legend to be delivered to the person entitled thereto.

 

A-4



 

9.         Committee Discretion.  Except as may otherwise be provided in the Plan, the Committee shall have sole discretion to (a) interpret any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, (b) make any determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and the Award, and (c) waive any conditions or rights of the Company under the Award, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, any decision or determination to be made by the Committee pursuant to these Award Terms, including whether to grant or withhold any consent, shall be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the terms of the Plan.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award prospectively or retroactively; however, no such amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of Grantee taken as a whole without Grantee’s consent.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award (i) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in Section 10 hereof) affecting any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company’s other affiliates or the financial statements of any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company’s other affiliates, (ii) in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles and interpretations thereof, or (iii) to prevent the Award from becoming subject to any adverse consequences under Section 409A.

 

10.       Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, the Committee will make or provide for such adjustments to the Award as are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Grantee that otherwise would result from (a) any stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any change of control, merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, or issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.  Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for the Award such alternative consideration (including, without limitation, cash), if any, as it may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of the Award.

 

11.       Registration and Listing.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall not be obligated to issue or transfer any Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, and no Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered in any way, unless such transaction is in compliance with all Exercise Rules and Regulations.  The Company is under no obligation to register, qualify or list, or maintain the registration, qualification or listing of, Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares with the SEC, any state securities commission or any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system to effect such compliance.  Grantee shall make such representations and furnish such information as may be appropriate to permit the Company, in light of the then existence or non-existence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act relating to Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, to issue or transfer Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares in compliance with the provisions of that or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws.  The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to register the issuance or transfer of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares or resale of Restricted Share Units or Vested

 

A-5



 

Shares under the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law or applicable state securities law.

 

12.       Transferability.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and only with the Company’s consent, Grantee may transfer Restricted Share Units for estate planning purposes or pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that any transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms and shall execute an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Company in connection with such transfer; and provided, further that Grantee will remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.  Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or this Section 12, the Restricted Share Units shall not be transferable by Grantee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

13.       Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures.

 

(a)        Grantee is responsible for complying with (i) any federal, state and local taxation laws applicable to Grantee in connection with the Award and (ii) all Exercise Rules and Regulations.

 

(b)        The Award is subject to the terms and conditions any policy requiring or permitting the Company to recover any gains realized by Grantee in connection with the Award.

 

14.       Section 409A.

 

(a)        Payments contemplated with respect to the Award are intended to comply with Section 409A, and all provisions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall guarantee that the Award is not subject to taxes or penalties under Section 409A and (ii) if any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms would, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Company, result or likely result in the imposition on Grantee or any other person of taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, without the consent of Grantee, in the manner that the Committee may reasonably and in good faith determine to be necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition of such taxes, interest or penalties; provided, however, that this Section 14 does not create an obligation on the part of the Committee or the Company to make any such modification, and in no event shall the Company be liable for the payment of or gross up in connection with any taxes, interest or penalties owed by Grantee pursuant to Section 409A.

 

(b)        Neither Grantee nor any of Grantee’s creditors or beneficiaries shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable with respect to the Award to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment.  Except as permitted under Section 409A, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable to Grantee or for Grantee’s benefit

 

A-6



 

with respect to the Award may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by Grantee to the Company.

 

(c)        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if (i) the Committee determines in good faith that the Restricted Share Units are deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A, (ii) Grantee is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A) and (iii) a delay in the issuance or transfer of Vested Shares to Grantee or his or her estate or beneficiaries hereunder by reason of Grantee’s Separation from Service with any entity in the Company Group is required to avoid tax penalties under Section 409A but is not already provided for by this Award, the Company shall cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to Grantee or Grantee’s estate or beneficiary upon the earlier of (A) the date that is the first business day following the date that is six months after the date of Grantee’s Separation from Service or (B) Grantee’s death.

 

15.       Legend.  The Company may, if determined by it based on the advice of counsel to be appropriate, cause any certificate evidencing Vested Shares to bear a legend substantially as follows:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE ‘ACT’), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT.”

 

16.       No Right to Continued Service.  Nothing contained in the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be construed to confer upon Grantee any right to continued service on the Board or derogate from any right of the Company or its stockholders remove Grantee from the Board at any time, with or without cause.

 

17.       No Rights as Stockholder.  No holder of Restricted Share Units shall, by virtue of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, be entitled to any right of a stockholder of the Company, either at law or in equity, and the rights of any such holder are limited to those expressed, and are not enforceable against the Company except to the extent set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.

 

18.       Severability.  In the event that one or more of the provisions of these Award Terms shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.

 

19.       Venue and Governing Law.

 

(a)        For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, the parties submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Los Angeles County, California or the federal courts of the United States for the

 

A-7



 

Central District of California, regardless of where the grant of the Restricted Share Units is made and/or to be performed.

 

(b)        To the extent that federal law does not otherwise control, the validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

20.       Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and Grantee and, to the extent applicable, Grantee’s permitted assigns under Section 12 hereof and Grantee’s estate or beneficiaries as determined by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

21.       Notices.

 

(a)        Any notice or other document which Grantee may be required or permitted to deliver to the Company pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to the Company, at its office at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90405, Attn: Stock Plan Administration, or such other address as the Company by notice to Grantee may designate in writing from time to time.  Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

 

(b)        Any notice or other document which the Company may be required or permitted to deliver to Grantee pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to Grantee at the address shown on the records of the Company, or such other address as Grantee by notice to the Company may designate in writing from time to time.  The Company may also, in its sole discretion, deliver any such document to Grantee electronically via an e-mail to Grantee at his or her Company-provided email address or through a notice delivered to such e-mail address that such document is available on a website established and maintained on behalf of the Company or a third party designated by the Company, including, without limitation, the Equity Account Administrator.  Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

 

22.       Conflict with Plan.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any the Grant Notice or these Award Terms and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

23.       Imposition of Other Requirements.  The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on Grantee’s participation in the Plan, on the Restricted Share Units and on any Common Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law or facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require Grantee to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

24.       Waiver.  Grantee acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of these Award Terms shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other

 

A-8



 

provision of these Award Terms, or of any subsequent breach by Grantee or any other grantee of an equity award from the Company.

 

A-9


Exhibit 10.9

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD

 

 

You have been awarded Restricted Share Units of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Company”), as follows:

 

·

Your name:

[_________________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

·

Total number of Restricted Share Units awarded:

[___________________________________________

]

 

 

 

·

Date of Grant:

[_______________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

 

·

Grant ID:

[___________________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

·

Your Award of Restricted Share Units is governed by the terms and conditions set forth in:

 

·                 this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award;

 

·                 the Restricted Share Unit Award Terms attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Award Terms”); and

 

·                 the Company’s Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, the receipt of a copy of which you hereby acknowledge.

 

·                 [Your Award of Restricted Share Units has been made in connection with your employment agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries as a material inducement to your entering into or renewing employment with such entity pursuant to such agreement, and is also governed by any applicable terms and conditions set forth in such agreement.]

 

·                 Schedule for Vesting1:

 

[Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units awarded to you will vest in full on [third anniversary of vesting commencement date], provided you remain continuously employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries through such date.]

 

[OR]

 

[Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units awarded to you will vest as follows, provided you remain continuously employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries through the applicable vesting date:

 


1 Revise as needed to reflect the vesting terms of the grant (e.g., any relevant performance conditions).

 



 

Schedule for Vesting

Date of Vesting

 

No. of Restricted
Share Units Vesting at
Vesting Date

 

Cumulative No. of
Restricted Share Units
Vested at Vesting Date

 

 

 

 

 

First anniversary of [           ]

 

[                          ]

 

[                          ]

Second anniversary of [         ]

 

[                          ]

 

[                          ]

Third anniversary of [           ]

 

[                          ]

 

[                          ]

Fourth anniversary [            ]

 

[                          ]

 

[                          ]

Fifth anniversary [             ]

 

[                          ]

 

[                          ]

 

·                 Please sign and return to the Company this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award, which bears an original signature on behalf of the Company.  You are urged to do so promptly.

 

·                 Please return the signed Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to the Company at:

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.
3100 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA  90405
Attn:  Stock Plan Administration

 

·                 By accepting the Award, you are deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award and the Award Terms.

 

2



 

You should retain the enclosed duplicate copy of this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for your records.

 

Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Terms.

 

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humam Sakhnini

 

 

Chief Strategy & Talent Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Name of Grantee]

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

3



 

EXHIBIT A

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD TERMS

 

1.         Definitions.

 

(a)        For purposes of these Award Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Award” means the award described on the Grant Notice.

 

“Cause” (i) shall have the meaning given to such term in any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time of the determination or (ii) if Grantee is not then party to any agreement or offer letter with any entity in the Company Group or any such agreement or offer letter does not contain a definition of “cause,” shall mean a good faith determination by the Company that Grantee (A) engaged in misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties or willfully and continuously failed or refused to perform any duties reasonably requested in the course of his or her employment; (B) engaged in fraud, dishonesty, or any other conduct that causes, or has the potential to cause, harm to any entity in the Company Group, including its business reputation or financial condition; (C) violated any lawful directives or policies of the Company Group or any applicable laws, rules or regulations; (D) materially breached his or her employment agreement, proprietary information agreement or confidentiality agreement with any entity in the Company Group; (E) was convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a felony or crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude; or (F) breached his or her fiduciary duties to the Company Group.

 

“Common Shares” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.000001 per share, of the Company or any security into which such Common Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 10 hereof.

 

“Company” means Activision Blizzard, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

“Company Group” means the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

“Company-Sponsored Equity Account” means an account that is created with the Equity Account Administrator in connection with the administration of the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Date of Grant” means the Date of Grant of the Award set forth on the Grant Notice.

 



 

“Employment Violation” means any material breach by Grantee of his or her employment agreement with any entity in the Company Group for so long as the terms of such employment agreement shall apply to Grantee (with any breach of the post-termination obligations contained therein deemed to be material for purposes of this definition).

 

“Equity Account Administrator” means the brokerage firm utilized by the Company from time to time to create and administer accounts for participants in the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Exercise Rules and Regulations” means (i) the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws, (ii) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which Common Shares are then traded or quoted, (iii) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (iv) any policy or procedure the Company has adopted with respect to the trading of its securities, in each case as in effect on the date of the intended transaction.

 

“Grantee” means the recipient of the Award named on the Grant Notice.

 

“Grant Notice” means the Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to which these Award Terms are attached as Exhibit A.

 

“Look-back Period” means, with respect to any Employment Violation by Grantee, the period beginning on the date which is 12 months prior to the date of such Employment Violation by Grantee and ending on the date of computation of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation.

 

“Plan” means the Amended and Restated Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

“Recapture Amount” means, with respect to any Employment Violation by Grantee, the gross gain realized or unrealized by Grantee upon all vesting of Restricted Share Units or delivery or transfer of Vested Shares during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation, which gain shall be calculated as the sum of:

 

(i)         if Grantee has received Vested Shares during such Look-back Period and sold any such Vested Shares, an amount equal to the sum of the sales price for all such Vested Shares; plus

 

(ii)        if Grantee has received Vested Shares during such Look-back Period and not sold all such Vested Shares, an amount equal to the product of (A) the greatest of the following: (1) the Market Value per Share of Common Shares on the date such Vested Shares were issued or transferred to Grantee, (2) the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the Company’s written notice of its exercise of its rights under Section 13 hereof, or (3) the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ

 

A-2



 

for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of computation, times (B) the number of such Vested Shares which were not sold.

 

“Restricted Share Units” means units subject to the Award, which represent the conditional right to receive Common Shares in accordance with the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, unless and until such units become vested or are forfeited to the Company in accordance with the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Vested Shares” means the Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units becomes entitled upon vesting thereof in accordance with Section 2 or 3 hereof.

 

“Withholding Taxes” means any taxes, including, but not limited to, social security and Medicare taxes and federal, state and local income taxes, required under any applicable law to be withheld from amounts otherwise payable to Grantee.

 

(b)        Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.

 

2.         Vesting.  Except as otherwise set forth in these Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units shall vest in accordance with the “Schedule for Vesting” set forth on the Grant Notice.  Each Restricted Share Unit, upon vesting thereof, shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one Common Share (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 10 hereof).

 

3.         Termination of Employment.

 

(a)        Cause.  In the event that Grantee’s employment is terminated by any entity in the Company Group for Cause, as of the date of such termination of employment all Restricted Share Units shall cease to vest and any outstanding Restricted Share Units and Vested Shares that have yet to settle pursuant to Section 8 hereof shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

 

(b)        Other.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee’s employment is terminated for any reason other than for Cause, as of the date of such termination of employment all Restricted Share Units shall cease to vest and, with the exception of any Vested Shares that have yet to settle pursuant to Section 8 hereof, shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

 

4.         Tax Withholding.  The Company shall have the right to require Grantee to satisfy any Withholding Taxes resulting from the vesting of any Restricted Share Units, the issuance or transfer of any Vested Shares or otherwise in connection with the Award at the time such Withholding Taxes become due.  The Company shall determine the method or methods Grantee may use to satisfy any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4, which may include

 

A-3



 

any of the following:  (a) by delivery to the Company of a bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds; (b) through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, that the Company withhold Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the Withholding Taxes (valued in the same manner used in computing the amount of such Withholding Taxes); (c) if securities of the Company of the same class as the Vested Shares are then traded or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or a national quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, to the Equity Account Administrator (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage firm as may be requested by the Grantee) to sell some or all of the Vested Shares and to thereafter deliver promptly to the Company from the proceeds of such sale an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount of such Withholding Taxes; or (d) by any combination of (a), (b) and (c) above.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any entity in the Company Group shall have the right to ensure that all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4 are satisfied by (i) withholding from Grantee’s compensation, (ii) withholding Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable (in which case Grantee will be deemed to have been issued the full number of Vested Shares), and (iii) arranging for the sale, on Grantee’s behalf, of Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable.  The Company shall have no obligation to deliver any Vested Shares unless and until all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4 have been satisfied.

 

5.         Deemed AgreementBy accepting the Award, Grantee is deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

6.         Reservation of Shares.  The Company shall at all times reserve for issuance or delivery upon vesting of the Restricted Share Units such number of Common Shares as shall be required for issuance or delivery upon vesting thereof.

 

7.         Dividend Equivalents.  In the event that any cash dividends are declared and paid on Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units would be entitled upon vesting thereof, such holder shall be paid, no later than the 45th day following the year in which the related dividends are paid, the amount that such holder would have received if the Restricted Share Units had vested, and the Common Shares to which such holder was thereupon entitled had been issued and outstanding and held of record by such holder, as of the record date for such dividend; provided, however, that no such dividend equivalents shall be paid if the Restricted Share Units have been forfeited to the Company in accordance with Section 3 hereof prior to payment thereof.  For purposes of the time and form of payment requirements of Section 409A, such dividend equivalents shall be treated separately from the Restricted Share Units.

 

8.         Receipt and Delivery.  As soon as administratively practicable (and, in any event, within 30 days) after any Restricted Share Units vest, the Company shall (a) effect the issuance or transfer of the resulting Vested Shares, (b) cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to be evidenced on the books and records of the Company, and (c) cause such Vested Shares to be delivered to a Company-Sponsored Equity Account in the name of the person entitled to such Vested Shares (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage account as may be requested by such person); provided, however, that, in the event such Vested Shares are subject to a legend as set forth in Section 16 hereof, the Company shall instead cause a certificate

 

A-4



 

evidencing such Vested Shares and bearing such legend to be delivered to the person entitled thereto.

 

9.         Committee Discretion.  Except as may otherwise be provided in the Plan, the Committee shall have sole discretion to (a) interpret any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, (b) make any determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and the Award, and (c) waive any conditions or rights of the Company under the Award, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, any decision or determination to be made by the Committee pursuant to these Award Terms, including whether to grant or withhold any consent, shall be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the terms of the Plan.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award prospectively or retroactively; however, no such amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of Grantee taken as a whole without Grantee’s consent.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award (i) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in Section 10 hereof) affecting any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company’s other affiliates or the financial statements of any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company’s other affiliates, (ii) in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles and interpretations thereof, or (iii) to prevent the Award from becoming subject to any adverse consequences under Section 409A.

 

10.       Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, the Committee will make or provide for such adjustments to the Award as are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Grantee that otherwise would result from (a) any stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any change of control, merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, or issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.  Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for the Award such alternative consideration (including, without limitation, cash), if any, as it may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of the Award.

 

11.       Registration and Listing.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall not be obligated to issue or transfer any Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, and no Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered in any way, unless such transaction is in compliance with all Exercise Rules and Regulations.  The Company is under no obligation to register, qualify or list, or maintain the registration, qualification or listing of, Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares with the SEC, any state securities commission or any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system to effect such compliance.  Grantee shall make such representations and furnish such information as may be appropriate to permit the Company, in light of the then existence or non-existence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act relating to Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, to issue or transfer Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares in compliance with the

 

A-5



 

provisions of that or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws.  The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to register the issuance or transfer of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares or resale of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares under the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law or applicable state securities law.

 

12.       Transferability.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and only with the Company’s consent, Grantee may transfer Restricted Share Units for estate planning purposes or pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that any transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms and shall execute an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Company in connection with such transfer; and provided, further that Grantee will remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.  Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or this Section 12, the Restricted Share Units shall not be transferable by Grantee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

13.       Employment Violation.  The terms of this Section 13 shall apply to the Restricted Share Units if Grantee is or becomes subject to an employment agreement with any entity in the Company Group.  In the event of an Employment Violation, the Company shall have the right to require (a) the forfeiture by Grantee to the Company of any outstanding Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares which have yet to settle pursuant to Section 8 hereof and (b) payment by Grantee to the Company of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation; provided, however, that, in lieu of payment by Grantee to the Company of the Recapture Amount, Grantee, in his or her discretion, may tender to the Company the Vested Shares acquired during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation (without any consideration from the Company in exchange therefor).  Any such forfeiture of Restricted Share Units and payment of the Recapture Amount, as the case may be, shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other right or remedy available to the Company arising out of or in connection with such Employment Violation, including, without limitation, the right to terminate Grantee’s employment if not already terminated and to seek injunctive relief and additional monetary damages.

 

14.       Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures.

 

(a)        Grantee is responsible for complying with (i) any federal, state and local taxation laws applicable to Grantee in connection with the Award and (ii) all Exercise Rules and Regulations.

 

(b)        The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of any policy requiring or permitting the Company to recover any gains realized by Grantee in connection with the Award, including, without limitation, the Policy on Recoupment of Performance-Based Compensation Related to Certain Financial Restatements.

 

A-6



 

(c)        [The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines and the limitations contained therein on the ability of Grantee to transfer any Vested Shares.]2

 

15.       Section 409A.

 

(a)        Payments contemplated with respect to the Award are intended to comply with Section 409A, and all provisions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall guarantee that the Award is not subject to taxes or penalties under Section 409A and (ii) if any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms would, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Company, result or likely result in the imposition on Grantee or any other person of taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, without the consent of Grantee, in the manner that the Committee may reasonably and in good faith determine to be necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition of such taxes, interest or penalties; provided, however, that this Section 14 does not create an obligation on the part of the Committee or the Company to make any such modification, and in no event shall the Company be liable for the payment of or gross up in connection with any taxes, interest or penalties owed by Grantee pursuant to Section 409A.

 

(b)        Neither Grantee nor any of Grantee’s creditors or beneficiaries shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable with respect to the Award to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment.  Except as permitted under Section 409A, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable to Grantee or for Grantee’s benefit with respect to the Award may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by Grantee to the Company.

 

(c)        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if (i) the Committee determines in good faith that the Restricted Share Units do not qualify for the “short-term deferral exception” under Section 409A, (ii) Grantee is a “specified employee” (as defined in Section 409A) and (iii) a delay in the issuance or transfer of Vested Shares to Grantee or his or her estate or beneficiaries hereunder by reason of Grantee’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A) with any entity in the Company Group is required to avoid tax penalties under Section 409A but is not already provided for by this Award, the Company shall cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to Grantee or Grantee’s estate or beneficiary upon the earlier of (A) the date that is the first business day following the date that is six months after the date of Grantee’s separation from service or (B) Grantee’s death.

 

 

 


2 Include in agreements memorializing awards to executive officers to which the Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines apply.

 

A-7



 

16.       Legend.  The Company may, if determined by it based on the advice of counsel to be appropriate, cause any certificate evidencing Vested Shares to bear a legend substantially as follows:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE ‘ACT’), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT.”

 

17.       No Right to Continued Employment.  Nothing contained in the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be construed to confer upon Grantee any right to be continued in the employ of any entity in the Company Group or derogate from any right of any entity in the Company Group to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge Grantee at any time, with or without Cause.

 

18.       No Rights as Stockholder.  No holder of Restricted Share Units shall, by virtue of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, be entitled to any right of a stockholder of the Company, either at law or in equity, and the rights of any such holder are limited to those expressed, and are not enforceable against the Company except to the extent set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.

 

19.       Severability.  In the event that one or more of the provisions of these Award Terms shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.

 

20.       Venue and Governing Law.

 

(a)        For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by the grant of the Restricted Share Units or these Award Terms, the parties submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Los Angeles County, California or the federal courts of the United States for the Central District of California, and no other courts, regardless of where the grant of the Restricted Share Units is made and/or to be performed.

 

(b)        To the extent that federal law does not otherwise control, the validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

A-8



 

21.       Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and Grantee and, to the extent applicable, Grantee’s permitted assigns under Section 12 hereof and Grantee’s estate or beneficiaries as determined by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

22.       Notices.

 

(a)        Any notice or other document which Grantee may be required or permitted to deliver to the Company pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to the Company, at its office at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90405, Attn: Stock Plan Administration, or such other address as the Company by notice to Grantee may designate in writing from time to time.  Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

 

(b)        Any notice or other document which the Company may be required or permitted to deliver to Grantee pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to Grantee at the address shown on any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time, or such other address as Grantee by notice to the Company may designate in writing from time to time.  The Company may also, in its sole discretion, deliver any such document to Grantee electronically via an e-mail to Grantee at his or her Company-provided email address or through a notice delivered to such e-mail address that such document is available on a website established and maintained on behalf of the Company or a third party designated by the Company, including, without limitation, the Equity Account Administrator.  Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

 

23.       Conflict with Employment Agreement or Plan.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time and the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, as the case may be, shall control.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

24.       Imposition of Other Requirements.  The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on Grantee’s participation in the Plan, on the Restricted Share Units and on any Common Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require Grantee to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

25.       Waiver.  Grantee acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of these Award Terms shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other

 

A-9



 

provision of these Award Terms, or of any subsequent breach by Grantee or any other grantee of an equity award from the Company.

 

A-10


Exhibit 10.10

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD

 

 

You have been awarded Restricted Shares of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Company”), as follows:

 

·

Your name:

[_________________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

·

Total number of Restricted Share Units awarded:

[___________________________________________

]

 

 

 

·

Date of Grant:

[_______________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

 

·

Grant ID:

[___________________________________________________________________________

]

 

 

·

Your Award of Restricted Share Units is governed by the terms and conditions set forth in:

 

·                 this Notice of Restricted Share Award;

 

·                 the Restricted Share Award Terms attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Award Terms”); and

 

·                 the Company’s Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, the receipt of a copy of which you hereby acknowledge.

 

·                 [Your Award of Restricted Shares has been made in connection with your employment agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries as a material inducement to your entering into or renewing employment with such entity pursuant to such agreement, and is also governed by any applicable terms and conditions set forth in such agreement.]

 

·                 Schedule for Lapse of Restrictions1:  Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Restrictions on the Restricted Shares awarded to you will lapse as follows, provided you remain continuously employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries through the applicable vesting date:

 

Schedule for Lapse of Restrictions

Date on which

 

No. of Restricted Shares

Restrictions Lapse

 

as to which Restrictions Lapse

 

 

 

First anniversary of [            ]

 

[                                  ]

Second anniversary of [           ]

 

[                                  ]

Third anniversary of [           ]

 

[                                  ]

Fourth anniversary of [            ]

 

[                                  ]

 


1 Revise as needed to reflect the vesting terms of the grant (e.g., any relevant performance conditions).

 



 

Fifth anniversary of [          ]

 

[                                  ]

 

·                 Please sign and return to the Company this Notice of Restricted Share Award, which bears an original signature on behalf of the Company.  You are urged to do so promptly.

 

·                 If you wish to make an election to include the value of the Restricted Shares in your taxable income for the current calendar year, you must complete and sign the Section 83(b) Election Form attached hereto as Exhibit B and both (1) file a copy of it with the Internal Revenue Service Center at which you file your federal income tax return and (2) return a copy of it to the Company, in each case no later than the 30th day after the Date of Grant.

 

·                 Please return all items to be returned to the Company to:

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.
3100 Ocean Park Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA  90405
Attn:  Stock Plan Administration

 

·                 By accepting the Award, you are deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated 2008 Incentive Plan, this Notice of Restricted Share Award and the Award Terms.

 

You should retain (1) the enclosed duplicate copy of this Notice of Restricted Share Award for your records and (2) if applicable, two copies of your completed Section 83(b) Election Form, (a) one copy of which should be filed with the Internal Revenue Service Center at which you file your federal income tax return no later than 30th day after the Date of Grant as described above and (b) one copy of which should be submitted with your federal income tax return for the current calendar year.

 

Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Terms.

 

 

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humam Sakhnini

 

 

Chief Strategy & Talent Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Name of Grantee]

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

2



 

EXHIBIT A

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD TERMS

 

 

1.                                    Definitions.

 

(a)                               For purposes of these Award Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Additional Shares” means any additional Common Shares issued in respect of Restricted Shares in connection with any adjustment pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

 

“Award” means the award described on the Grant Notice.

 

“Cause” (i) shall have the meaning given to such term in any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time of the determination or (ii) if Grantee is not then party to any agreement or offer letter with any entity in the Company Group or any such agreement or offer letter does not contain a definition of “cause,” shall mean a good faith determination by the Company that Grantee (A) engaged in misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties or willfully and continuously failed or refused to perform any duties reasonably requested in the course of his or her employment; (B) engaged in fraud, dishonesty, or any other conduct that causes, or has the potential to cause, harm to any entity in the Company Group, including its business reputation or financial condition; (C) violated any lawful directives or policies of the Company Group or any applicable laws, rules or regulations; (D) materially breached his or her employment agreement, proprietary information agreement or confidentiality agreement with any entity in the Company Group; (E) was convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a felony or crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude; or (F) breached his or her fiduciary duties to the Company Group.

 

“Common Shares” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.000001 per share, of the Company or any security into which such Common Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 11 hereof.

 

“Company” means Activision Blizzard, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

“Company Group” means the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

“Company-Sponsored Equity Account” means an account that is created with the Equity Account Administrator in connection with the administration of the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 



 

“Date of Grant” means the Date of Grant of the Award set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

“Employment Violation” means any material breach by Grantee of his or her employment agreement with any entity in the Company Group for so long as the terms of such employment agreement shall apply to Grantee (with any breach of the post-termination obligations contained therein deemed to be material for purposes of this definition).

 

“Equity Account Administrator” means the brokerage firm utilized by the Company from time to time to create and administer accounts for participants in the Company’s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

 

“Exercise Rules and Regulations” means (i) the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws, (ii) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which Common Shares are then traded or quoted, (iii) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (iv) any policy or procedure the Company has adopted with respect to the trading of its securities, in each case as in effect on the date of the intended transaction.

 

“Grantee” means the recipient of the Award named on the Grant Notice.

 

“Grant Notice” means the Notice of Restricted Share Award to which these Award Terms are attached as Exhibit A.

 

“Look-back Period” means, with respect to any Employment Violation by Grantee, the period beginning on the date which is 12 months prior to the date of such Employment Violation by Grantee and ending on the date of computation of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation.

 

“Plan” means the Amended and Restated Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

“Recapture Amount” means, with respect to any Employment Violation by Grantee, the gross gain realized or unrealized by Grantee upon all lapses of the Restrictions during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation, which gain shall be calculated as the sum of:

 

(i)                                  if Grantee has received Vested Shares during such Look-back Period and sold any such Vested Shares, an amount equal to the sum of the sales price for all such Vested Shares; plus

 

(ii)                              if Grantee has received Vested Shares during such Look-back Period and not sold all such Vested Shares, an amount equal to the product of (A) the greatest of the following: (1) the Market Value per Share of Common Shares on the date the Restrictions lapsed with respect to such Vested Shares, (2) the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the Company’s

 

A-2



 

written notice of its exercise of its rights under Section 15 hereof, or (3) the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of computation, times (B) the number of such Vested Shares which were not sold.

 

“Restricted Book Entry” means a book entry on the Company’s stock register maintained by its transfer agent and registrar, which book entry shall bear a notation regarding the Restrictions as set forth in Section 17(a) hereof and, if appropriate, a notation regarding securities law restrictions as set forth in Section 17(b) hereof.

 

“Restricted Shares” means the Common Shares subject to the Award (including any Additional Shares) as to which the Restrictions have not lapsed and which have not been forfeited to the Company in accordance with the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

“Restrictions” means the restrictions set forth in Section 2 hereof.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Section 83(b) Election” means an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, to include the value of the Restricted Shares in taxable income for the calendar year in which the Award is granted.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Vested Shares” means the Common Shares subject to the Award (including any Additional Shares) as to which the Restrictions have lapsed in accordance with Section 3 or 4 hereof.

 

“Withholding Taxes” means any taxes, including, but not limited to, social security and Medicare taxes and federal, state and local income taxes, required under any applicable law to be withheld from amounts otherwise payable to Grantee.

 

(b)                              Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.

 

2.                                    Restrictions.  None of the Common Shares subject to the Award (including any Additional Shares), or any right or privilege pertaining thereto, may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered in any way not expressly permitted by these Award Terms, or subjected to execution, attachment or similar process, unless and until such restrictions thereon lapse pursuant to Section 3 or 4 hereof.  Any attempt to sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of or encumber any such Common Shares, or any right or privilege pertaining thereto, in any way not expressly permitted by these Award Terms before such restrictions thereon lapse pursuant to Section 3 or 4 hereof shall be null and void and of no force and effect.

 

A-3



 

3.                                    Lapse of Restrictions.  Except as otherwise set forth in these Award Terms, the Restrictions shall lapse in accordance with the “Schedule for Lapse of Restrictions” set forth on the Grant Notice.

 

4.                                    Termination of Employment.

 

(a)                               Cause.  In the event that Grantee’s employment is terminated by any entity in the Company Group for Cause, as of the date of such termination of employment the Restrictions shall cease to lapse and all Restricted Shares shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

 

(b)                              Other.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee’s employment is terminated for any reason other than for Cause, as of the date of such termination of employment the Restrictions shall cease to lapse and all Restricted Shares shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

 

5.                                    Tax Withholding.  The Company shall have the right to require Grantee to satisfy any Withholding Taxes resulting from the lapse of the Restrictions, from any Section 83(b) Election or otherwise in connection with the Award at the time such Withholding Taxes become due.  The Company shall determine the method or methods Grantee may use to satisfy any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 5, which may include any of the following:  (a) by delivery to the Company of a bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds; (b) through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, that the Company withhold Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the Withholding Taxes (valued in the same manner used in computing the amount of such Withholding Taxes); (c) if securities of the Company of the same class as the Vested Shares are then traded or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or a national quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, to the Equity Account Administrator (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage firm as may be requested by the Grantee) to sell some or all of the Vested Shares and to thereafter deliver promptly to the Company from the proceeds of such sale an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount of such Withholding Taxes; or (d) by any combination of (a), (b) and (c) above.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any entity in the Company Group shall have the right to ensure that all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 5 are satisfied by (i) withholding from Grantee’s compensation, (ii) withholding Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable (in which case Grantee will be deemed to have been issued the full number of Vested Shares), and (iii) arranging for the sale, on Grantee’s behalf, of Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable.  The Company shall have no obligation to deliver any Vested Shares unless and until all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 5 have been satisfied.

 

6.                                    Deemed AgreementBy accepting the Award, Grantee is deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

 

7.                                    Voting Rights.  The holder of the Restricted Shares shall be entitled to the voting privileges associated therewith.

 

A-4



 

8.                                    Dividends.  Any cash dividends declared and paid on the Restricted Shares shall be paid to the holder thereof concurrently with the payment of such dividends to all other record holders of Common Shares.

 

9.                                    Receipt and Delivery; Removal of Restrictions.  Restricted Shares shall be evidenced by a Restricted Book Entry in the name of the holder of the Restricted Shares.  Restricted Shares shall become Vested Shares at such time as the Restrictions thereon lapse in accordance with the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.  As soon as administratively practicable (and, in any event, within 30 days) after the Restrictions on any Restricted Shares lapse, the Company shall cause the resulting Vested Shares to be delivered to a Company-Sponsored Equity Account in the name of the person entitled to such Vested Shares (or, with the Company’s consent, such other brokerage account as may be requested by such person), without any notation regarding the Restrictions as set forth in Section 17(a) hereof ; provided, however, that, in the event such Vested Shares are subject to a legend regarding securities law restrictions as set forth in Section 17(b) hereof, the Company shall instead cause a certificate evidencing such Vested Shares and bearing such legend to be delivered to the person entitled thereto.

 

10.                            Committee Discretion.  Except as may otherwise be provided in the Plan, the Committee shall have sole discretion to (a) interpret any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, (b) make any determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and the Award, and (c) waive any conditions or rights of the Company under the Award, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, any decision or determination to be made by the Committee pursuant to these Award Terms, including whether to grant or withhold any consent, shall be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the terms of the Plan.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award prospectively or retroactively; however, no such amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of Grantee taken as a whole without Grantee’s consent.  Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award (i) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in Section 11 hereof) affecting any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company’s other affiliates or the financial statements of any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company’s other affiliates, (ii) in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles and interpretations thereof, or (iii) to prevent the Award from becoming subject to Section 409A.

 

11.                            Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, the Committee will make or provide for such adjustments to the Award as are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Grantee that otherwise would result from (a) any stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any change of control, merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, or issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.  Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for the Award such alternative consideration (including, without limitation, cash), if any, as it may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of the Award.

 

A-5



 

12.                            Registration and Listing.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall not be obligated to issue or transfer any Restricted Shares or Vested Shares, and no Restricted Shares or Vested Shares may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered in any way, unless such transaction is in compliance with all Exercise Rules and Regulations.  The Company is under no obligation to register, qualify or list, or maintain the registration, qualification or listing of, Restricted Shares or Vested Shares with the SEC, any state securities commission or any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system to effect such compliance.  Grantee shall make such representations and furnish such information as may be appropriate to permit the Company, in light of the then existence or non-existence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act relating to Restricted Shares or Vested Shares, to issue or transfer Restricted Shares or Vested Shares in compliance with the provisions of that or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws.  The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to register the issuance or transfer of Restricted Shares or Vested Shares or resale of Restricted Shares or Vested Shares under the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law or applicable state securities law.

 

13.                            Transferability.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and only with the Company’s consent, Grantee may transfer Restricted Shares for estate planning purposes or pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that any transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms and shall execute an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Company in connection with such transfer; and provided, further that Grantee will remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms. Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or this Section 13, the Restricted Shares shall not be transferable by Grantee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

14.                            Employment Violation.  The terms of this Section 14 shall apply to the Restricted Shares if Grantee is or becomes subject to an employment agreement with any entity in the Company Group.  In the event of an Employment Violation, the Company shall have the right to require (a) the forfeiture by Grantee to the Company of any Restricted Shares and (b) payment by Grantee to the Company of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation; provided, however, that, in lieu of payment by Grantee to the Company of the Recapture Amount, Grantee, in his or her discretion, may tender to the Company the Vested Shares acquired during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation (without any consideration from the Company in exchange therefor).  Any such forfeiture of Restricted Shares and payment of the Recapture Amount, as the case may be, shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other right or remedy available to the Company arising out of or in connection with such Employment Violation, including, without limitation, the right to terminate Grantee’s employment if not already terminated and to seek injunctive relief and additional monetary damages.

 

A-6



 

15.                            Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures.

 

(a)                               Grantee is responsible for complying with (i) any federal, state and local taxation laws applicable to Grantee in connection with the Award and (ii) all Exercise Rules and Regulations.

 

(b)                              The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of any policy requiring or permitting the Company to recover any gains realized by Grantee in connection with the Award, including, without limitation, the Policy on Recoupment of Performance-Based Compensation Related to Certain Financial Restatements.

 

(c)                               [The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines and the limitations contained therein on the ability of Grantee to transfer any Vested Shares.]2

 

16.                            Section 409A.  Payments contemplated with respect to the Award are intended to be exempt from Section 409A, and all provisions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall guarantee that the Award is not subject to taxes or penalties under Section 409A and (b) if any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms would, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Company, result or likely result in the imposition on Grantee or any other person of taxes, interest or penalties under Section 409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, without the consent of Grantee, in the manner that the Committee may reasonably and in good faith determine to be necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition of such taxes, interest or penalties; provided, however, that this Section 13 does not create an obligation on the part of the Committee or the Company to make any such modification, and in no event shall the Company be liable for the payment of or gross up in connection with any taxes, interest or penalties owed by Grantee pursuant to Section 409A.

 

17.                            Legends.

 

(a)                               Restrictions.  The Company shall cause any Restricted Book Entry evidencing the Restricted Shares to bear a notation substantially as follows:

 

“THE SALE OR TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, WHETHER VOLUNTARY, INVOLUNTARY OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. 2008 INCENTIVE PLAN (THE ‘PLAN’), AND IN THE ASSOCIATED NOTICE OF RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD, INCLUDING THE RESTRICTED

 


2 Include in agreements memorializing awards to executive officers to which the Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines apply.

 

A-7



 

SHARE AWARD TERMS ATTACHED THERETO (THE ‘AWARD NOTICE’).  A COPY OF THE PLAN AND AWARD NOTICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.”

 

(b)                              Securities Laws.  The Company may, if determined by it based on the advice of counsel to be appropriate, cause any Restricted Book Entry evidencing Restricted Shares or any certificate evidencing Vested Shares to bear a notation or legend, as the case may be, substantially as follows:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE ‘ACT’), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT.”

 

18.                            No Right to Continued Employment.  Nothing contained in the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be construed to confer upon Grantee any right to be continued in the employ of any entity in the Company Group or derogate from any right of any entity in the Company Group to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge Grantee at any time, with or without Cause.

 

19.                            Severability.  In the event that one or more of the provisions of these Award Terms shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.

 

20.                            Venue and Governing Law.

 

(a)                               For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by the grant of the Restricted Shares or these Award Terms, the parties submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Los Angeles County, California or the federal courts of the United States for the Central District of California, and no other courts, regardless of where the grant of the Restricted Shares is made and/or to be performed.

 

(b)                              To the extent that federal law does not otherwise control, the validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

21.                            Successors and Assigns.  The provisions of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and Grantee and, to the extent applicable, Grantee’s permitted assigns under Section 13 hereof and Grantee’s estate or beneficiaries as determined by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

A-8



 

22.                            Notices.

 

(a)                               Any notice or other document which Grantee may be required or permitted to deliver to the Company pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to the Company, at its office at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90405, Attn: Stock Plan Administration, or such other address as the Company by notice to Grantee may designate in writing from time to time.  Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

 

(b)                              Any notice or other document which the Company may be required or permitted to deliver to Grantee pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to Grantee at the address shown on any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time, or such other address as Grantee by notice to the Company may designate in writing from time to time.  The Company may also, in its sole discretion, deliver any such document to Grantee electronically via an e-mail to Grantee at his or her Company-provided email address or through a notice delivered to such e-mail address that such document is available on a website established and maintained on behalf of the Company or a third party designated by the Company, including, without limitation, the Equity Account Administrator.  Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

 

23.                            Conflict with Employment Agreement or Plan.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time and the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, as the case may be, shall control.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

24.                            Imposition of Other Requirements.  The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on Grantee’s participation in the Plan, on the Restricted Shares and on any Common Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require Grantee to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

25.                            Waiver.  Grantee acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of these Award Terms shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of these Award Terms, or of any subsequent breach by Grantee or any other grantee of an equity award from the Company.

 

A-9



 

EXHIBIT B

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

 

2008 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

SECTION 83(b) ELECTION FORM

 

Election to Include Value of Restricted Property in Gross Income
in Year of Transfer under Internal Revenue Code § 83(b)

 

The undersigned (the “Taxpayer”) hereby elects, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to include in gross income as compensation for services the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the property described below over the amount paid for that property:

 

1.         The name, taxpayer identification number and address of the Taxpayer, and the taxable year for which this election is being made, are:

 

Taxpayer’s Name:

 

 

 

Taxpayer’s I.D. Number:

 

 

 

Taxpayer’s Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxable Year:

 

 

 

2.         The property which is the subject of this election is [              ] shares of Common Stock, par value $0.000001 per share, of Activision Blizzard, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

 

3.         The property was transferred to the Taxpayer on [                        ].

 

4.         The property is subject to the following restrictions:  The property is subject to transfer restrictions by virtue of an agreement between the Taxpayer and the Company, and the book entry on the Company’s stock register evidencing the property bears a notation to that effect.  Except as otherwise described below, the restrictions on the property will lapse as follows:

 

Schedule for Lapse of Restrictions

 

 

 

Date on which
Restrictions Lapse

 

Number of Shares
as to which Restrictions Lapse

 

 

 

First anniversary of [           ]

 

[                                      ]

Second anniversary of [            ]

 

[                                      ]

Third anniversary of [           ]

 

[                                      ]

[Fourth anniversary of [           ]]

 

[                                      ]

[Fifth anniversary of [          ]]

 

[                                      ]

 



 

Unless the Company decides otherwise, in the event that Taxpayer’s employment is terminated for any reason, as of the date of such termination of employment the restrictions will cease to lapse and all restricted property will immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

 

5.         The fair market value of the property at time of transfer (determined without regard to any restriction other than a nonlapse restriction as defined in Section 1.83-3(h) of the Income Tax Regulations) is: $[              ] per share x [              ] shares = $[              ].

 

6.         For the property transferred, the Taxpayer paid: $0.00 per share x [              ] shares = $0.00.

 

7.         The amount to include in gross income is $[              ] (i.e., the amount reported in Item 5 minus the amount reported in Item 6).

 

 

The undersigned will file this election with the Internal Revenue Service office with which the undersigned files his or her annual income tax return not later than 30 days after the date of transfer of the property.  A copy of the election also will be furnished to the person for whom the services were performed.  Additionally, the undersigned will include a copy of the election with his or her income tax return for the taxable year in which the property is transferred.  The undersigned is the person performing the services in connection with which the property was transferred.

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Taxpayer

 

B-2



 

Instructions for Section 83(b) Election Form

 

1.                                    The form must be filed with the Internal Revenue Service Center (or other IRS office) at which the Taxpayer files his or her federal income tax return and with the Company, in each case no later than the 30th day after the date of grant set forth on the Notice of Restricted Share Award to which this Section 83(b) Election Form is attached as Exhibit B.

 

2.                                    In addition, the Taxpayer must submit one copy of the form with his or her federal income tax return for the year in which the date of grant occurred.

 

3.                                    The Section 83(b) election, once made, is irrevocable, unless the Internal Revenue Service consents to the revocation.

 

4.                                    The Taxpayer must sign the form.

 

B-3


Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Robert A. Kotick, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Activision Blizzard, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, at the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:   May 8, 2013

 

 

/s/ ROBERT A. KOTICK

 

Robert A. Kotick

 

Chief Executive Officer and
Principal Executive Officer of

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

 


 

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Dennis Durkin, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Activision Blizzard, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, at the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date:   May 8, 2013

 

 

/s/ DENNIS DURKIN

 

Dennis Durkin

 

Chief Financial Officer and

 

Principal Financial Officer of

 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

 


 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the quarterly report of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Robert A. Kotick, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer of the Company, certify, to my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1)        The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)        The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: May 8, 2013

 

 

/s/ ROBERT A. KOTICK

 

Robert A. Kotick

 

Chief Executive Officer and
Principal Executive Officer of
Activision Blizzard, Inc.

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 


 

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the quarterly report of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Dennis Durkin, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Company, certify, to my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1)        The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)        The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: May 8, 2013

 

 

/s/ DENNIS DURKIN

 

Dennis Durkin

 

Chief Financial Officer and

 

Principal Financial Officer of
Activision Blizzard, Inc.

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.