def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule § 240.14a-12 |
IMMERSION CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0- 11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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April 28, 2006
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF IMMERSION CORPORATION
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) of Immersion
Corporation (the Company), which will be held at the
Techmart Network Meeting Center, 5201 Great America Parkway,
Santa Clara, California 95054, on Wednesday, June 7,
2006, at 9:30 a.m. California time.
Details of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting
are given in the attached Proxy Statement and Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. In addition to conducting the business
affairs of the Company, we will demonstrate several of the
leading applications of our haptic technology.
It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the
Annual Meeting. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL
MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE, AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE
ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
Returning the proxy does NOT deprive you of your right to attend
the Annual Meeting. If you decide to attend the Annual Meeting
and wish to change your proxy vote, you may do so automatically
by voting in person at the meeting.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our
appreciation for your continued support for and interest in the
affairs of the Company. We look forward to seeing you at the
Annual Meeting.
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Sincerely, |
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VICTOR VIEGAS |
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President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director |
IMMERSION CORPORATION
2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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IMMERSION CORPORATION
801 Fox Lane
San Jose, California 95131
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held June 7, 2006
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual
Meeting) of Immersion Corporation (the
Company) will be held at the Techmart Network
Meeting Center, 5201 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara,
California 95054, on Wednesday, June 7, 2006, at
9:30 a.m. California time for the following purposes:
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1. To elect two (2) Class I directors to hold
office for a three-year term and until their respective
successors are elected and qualified; |
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2. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche
LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2006; and |
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3. To transact such other business as may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the
attached Proxy Statement.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on
April 12, 2006 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at,
the Annual Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements
thereof. A list of such stockholders will be available for
inspection by any stockholder, for any purpose relating to the
meeting, at the Companys headquarters located at 801 Fox
Lane, San Jose, California 95131 during ordinary business
hours for the ten-day period prior to the Annual Meeting.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, |
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VICTOR VIEGAS |
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President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director |
San Jose, California
April 28, 2006
IMPORTANT
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE
COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE, AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY
IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY
AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING. IF YOU DECIDE TO ATTEND
THE ANNUAL MEETING AND WISH TO CHANGE YOUR PROXY VOTE, YOU MAY
DO SO AUTOMATICALLY BY VOTING IN PERSON AT THE MEETING.
IMMERSION CORPORATION
801 Fox Lane
San Jose, California 95131
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held June 7, 2006
These proxy materials are furnished in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the
Board) of Immersion Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the Company), for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held at the Techmart Network Meeting Center,
5201 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, California 95054,
on Wednesday, June 7, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. California
time, and at any adjournment or postponement of the Annual
Meeting. These proxy materials were first mailed to stockholders
on or about April 28, 2006.
PURPOSE OF MEETING
The specific proposals to be considered and acted upon at the
Annual Meeting are summarized in the accompanying Notice of
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Each proposal is described in
more detail in this Proxy Statement.
VOTING RIGHTS AND SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The Companys common stock is the only type of security
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On April 12, 2006,
the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting, there were 24,534,736 shares of
common stock outstanding. Each stockholder of record on
April 12, 2006 is entitled to one vote for each share of
common stock held by such stockholder on April 12, 2006.
Shares of common stock may not be voted cumulatively in the
election of directors. All votes will be tabulated by the
inspector of elections appointed for the meeting, who will
separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes, abstentions,
and broker non-votes.
Quorum Required
The Companys bylaws provide that the holders of a majority
of the Companys common stock, issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and
broker non-votes will be counted as present for the purpose of
determining the presence of a quorum.
Votes Required
Generally, stockholder approval of a matter, other than the
election of directors, requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy
and entitled to vote on the matter. Directors are elected by a
plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or by
proxy and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Shares
voted to abstain on a matter will be treated as entitled to vote
on the matter and will thus have the same effect as
no votes. Broker non-votes are not counted as
entitled to vote on a matter in determining the number of
affirmative votes required for approval of the matter, but are
counted as present for quorum purposes. The term broker
non-votes refers to shares held by a broker in street
name, which are present by proxy but are not voted on a matter
pursuant to rules prohibiting brokers from voting on non-routine
matters without instructions from the beneficial owner of the
shares. The election of directors and the ratification of the
appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm
are generally considered to be routine matters on which brokers
may vote without instructions from beneficial owners.
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Proxies
Whether or not you are able to attend the Companys Annual
Meeting, you are urged to complete and return the enclosed
proxy, which is solicited by the Companys Board, and which
will be voted as you direct on your proxy when properly
completed. In the event no directions are specified, such
proxies will be voted as follows: (i) FOR
Proposal No. 1, the election of the Board nominees
named in this Proxy Statement or otherwise nominated as
described in this Proxy Statement; (ii) FOR
Proposal No. 2, the ratification of the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm; and (iii) in
the discretion of the proxy holders as to other matters that may
properly come before the Annual Meeting. You may also revoke or
change your proxy at any time before the Annual Meeting. To do
this, send a written notice of revocation or another signed
proxy with a later date before the beginning of the Annual
Meeting to Victor Viegas, President, Chief Executive Officer,
and Director of the Company, at the Companys principal
executive office. You may also automatically revoke your proxy
by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. All shares
represented by a valid proxy received prior to the Annual
Meeting will be voted.
Solicitation of Proxies
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the
Company, and in addition to soliciting stockholders by mail
through its regular employees, the Company may request banks,
brokers, and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries to
solicit their customers who have stock of the Company registered
in the names of a nominee and, if so, will reimburse such banks,
brokers, and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for
their reasonable
out-of-pocket costs.
Solicitation by officers and employees of the Company may also
be made of some stockholders in person or by mail or telephone
following the original solicitation.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Pursuant to the Companys Amended Certificate of
Incorporation (the Certificate of Incorporation),
the Companys Board is divided into three
classes Class I, II, and III directors.
Each director is elected for a three-year term of office, with
one class of directors being elected at each annual meeting of
stockholders. Each director holds office until his or her
successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier
death, resignation, or removal. In accordance with the
Certificate of Incorporation, Class I directors are to be
elected at the 2006 Annual Meeting, Class II directors are
to be elected at the annual meeting in 2007, and Class III
directors are to be elected at the annual meeting in 2008.
At the 2006 Annual Meeting, two Class I directors are to be
elected to the Board to serve until the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held in 2009 and until their successors have
been elected and qualified, or until their earlier death,
resignation, or removal.
Nominees
Based upon the recommendation of the Companys Nominating/
Corporate Governance Committee, the Boards nominees for
election as Class I Directors are Jack Saltich and Victor
Viegas, the current Class I members of the Board. Victor
Viegas also serves as the Companys Chief Executive Officer
and President. Shares represented by all proxies received by the
Board and not so marked as to withhold authority to vote for
Messrs. Saltich and Viegas (by writing
Mr. Saltichs and/or Mr. Viegas names where
indicated on the proxy) will be voted (unless Mr. Saltich
and/or Mr. Viegas is unable or unwilling to serve) FOR the
election of Mr. Saltich and Mr. Viegas. The Board
knows of no reason why Mr. Saltich and/or Mr. Viegas
would be unable or unwilling to serve, but if such should be the
case, proxies may be voted for the election of another
nominee(s) of the Board.
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The information below sets forth the current members of the
Board, including the nominees for Class I Directors:
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Class of | |
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Jack Saltich
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Executive Chairman, Vitex Systems, Inc. |
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2002 |
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Victor Viegas
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President, Chief Executive Officer, Immersion Corporation |
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Jonathan Rubinstein
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Former Senior Vice President, Apple Computer, Inc. |
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Robert Van Naarden
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Executive Vice President, Verdasys, Inc. |
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John Hodgman
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Chairman, Cygnus, Inc., Chairman, Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. |
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Emily Liggett
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President, Chief Executive Officer, Apexon, Inc. |
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2006 |
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Nominees to Serve as Directors for a Term Expiring at the
2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Class I Directors):
Mr. Saltich has served as a member of the Board since
January 2002. Since October 2005, Mr. Saltich has served as
the Executive Chairman of Vitex Systems, Inc., a developer of
transparent ultra-thin barrier films for use in the manufacture
of next-generation flat panel displays. Since February 2005,
Mr. Saltich served as Chairman of Vitex Systems, Inc. From
July 1999 to August 2005, he served as the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Three-Five Systems, Inc., a technology
company specializing in the design, development, and
manufacturing of customer displays and display systems. From
1993 to 1999 Mr. Saltich served as a Vice President with
Advanced Micro Devices, where his last position was General
Manager of AMDs European Microelectronics Center in
Dresden, Germany. Mr. Saltich also serves on the board of
directors of Leadis Technology (LDIS), Ramtron International
Corporation (RMTR), and on the Technical Advisory Board for
DuPont Electronic Materials Business. Mr. Saltich received
both a B.S. and an M.S. in electrical engineering from the
University of Illinois.
Mr. Viegas has served as the Companys Chief Executive
Officer and member of the Board of Directors since October 2002,
and President since February 2002. Mr. Viegas also served
as Chief Financial Officer until February 2005, having joined
the Company in August 1999 as Chief Financial Officer, Vice
President, Finance. From June 1996 to August 1999, he served as
Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial
Officer of Macrovision Corporation, a developer and licensor of
video and software copy protection technologies. From October
1986 to June 1996, he served as Vice President of Finance and
Chief Financial Officer of Balco Incorporated, a manufacturer of
advanced automotive service equipment. He holds a B.S. in
Accounting and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University.
Mr. Viegas is also a Certified Public Accountant in the
State of California.
Directors Serving for a Term Expiring at the 2007 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders (Class II Directors):
Mr. Rubinstein is Chairman of the Board and has served as a
member of the Board since October 1999. From February 1997
through April 2006, Mr. Rubinstein served as Senior Vice
President, iPod Division and prior to that as Senior Vice
President of Hardware Engineering at Apple Computer, Inc., a
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personal computer company. From August 1993 to August 1996,
Mr. Rubinstein was Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of Fire Power Systems, a developer and
manufacturer of Power
PC-based computer
systems. Mr. Rubinstein received a B.S. and an M.S. in
electrical engineering from Cornell University and an M.S. in
computer science from Colorado State University.
Mr. Van Naarden has served as a member of the Board since
October 2002. Since February 2006, Mr. Van Naarden has
served as Executive Vice President of Verdasys, Inc., an
enterprise software company. From February 2004 to February
2006, Mr. Van Naarden served as the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Empire Kosher Poultry, Inc., a chicken and
turkey processor in North America. From July 2003 to April 2004,
Mr. Van Naarden served as an independent consultant to the
Company assisting with certain marketing initiatives of its
wholly owned subsidiary, Immersion Medical. From July 2000 to
July 2003, Mr. Van Naarden served as the President and
Chief Executive Officer of AuthentiDate, Inc., a software
services business. From August 1996 to July 2000, Mr. Van
Naarden was the Vice President, Sales, Marketing, and
Professional Services of Sensar, Inc., a developer and supplier
of iris identification products and services for the banking
industry. Mr. Van Naarden received a B.S. in physics and a
B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh
and an M.S. in electrical engineering/computer science from
Northeastern University.
Directors Serving for a Term Expiring at the 2008 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders (Class III Directors):
Mr. Hodgman has served as a member of the Board since
January 2002. Since August 1999, Mr. Hodgman has served as
the Chairman of the Board of Cygnus, Inc., a medical company
focused on the development, manufacturing, and commercialization
of new and improved glucose monitoring devices. He served as
President and Chief Executive Officer from August 1998 through
December 2005. He also served as President of Cygnus Diagnostics
from May 1995 to August 1998 where he was responsible for the
commercialization efforts for the GlucoWatch biographer glucose
monitor. Mr. Hodgman joined Cygnus in August 1994 as Vice
President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Additionally,
from June 2005 through October 2005, Mr. Hodgman served as
President and CEO of Aerogen, Inc., where he directed the merger
with Nektar Corporation. He also serves as Chairman of the Board
of Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. Mr. Hodgman holds a B.S.
degree from Brigham Young University and an M.B.A. degree from
the University of Utah.
Ms. Liggett has served as a member of the Board since
February 2006. Since April 2004, Ms. Liggett has served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Apexon, Inc., a
provider of supply performance management software for
manufacturers. From November 2002 through August 2003, she was
interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Capstone
Turbine Corporation. From June 1984 through April 2002,
Ms. Liggett served at Raychem Corp., later Tyco Corp.
Ms. Liggett was managing director of Tyco Ventures where
she led venture and resource investments. Before Tycos
acquisition of Raychem in 1999, Ms Liggett worked 15 years
at Raychem in sales, marketing, operations, and division
management positions. She was President and Chief Executive
Officer of Raychems subsidiary, Elo TouchSystems, a
leading worldwide manufacturer of touchscreens, and division
manager of Raychems Telecommunications and Energy
Division. Ms. Liggett holds an M.B.A. and an M.S. in
engineering from Stanford University and a B.S. in engineering
from Purdue University.
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Vote Required
If a quorum is present and voting, the two nominations for
Class I directors receiving the greatest number of votes
will be elected as Class I directors. Abstentions and
broker non-votes have no effect on the vote.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THE CLASS I DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED
HEREIN.
Board of Directors
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Independence of Directors |
The Board follows Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4200 for director
independence standards. In accordance with these standards, our
Board has determined that, except for Mr. Viegas, as
President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Van Naarden,
who served as a consultant to Immersion until April 2004, each
of the members of our Board has no relationship that would
interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying
out the responsibilities of a director and is otherwise
independent in accordance with the applicable
listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market
(Nasdaq) as currently in effect.
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Board Structure and Meetings |
In 2005, the Board held seven meetings. The Board has a standing
Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating/
Corporate Governance Committee. During 2005, the Audit Committee
met seven times, the Compensation Committee met four times, and
the Nominating/ Corporate Governance Committee did not meet. In
2005, each of the directors, except Mr. Rubinstein,
attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and any
committees of the Board on which he serves.
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Director Attendance at Annual Meetings |
The Company will make every effort to schedule its annual
meeting of stockholders at a time and date to accommodate
attendance by directors taking into account the directors
schedules. All directors are encouraged to attend the
Companys annual meeting of stockholders. One non-employee
director attended the Companys 2005 annual meeting of
stockholders.
Corporate Governance and Board Committees
The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the
Code) that outlines the principles of legal and
ethical business conduct under which the Company does business.
The Code, which is applicable to all directors, employees, and
officers of the Company, is available on the Companys Web
site at www.immersion.com/corpgov. Any substantive amendment or
waiver of this Code may be made only by the Board upon a
recommendation of the Audit Committee, and will be disclosed on
the Companys Web site. In addition, disclosure of any
amendment or waiver of the Code for directors and executive
officers will also be made by the filing of a
Form 8-K with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
The Board has also adopted a written charter for each of the
Audit, Compensation, and Nominating/ Corporate Governance
Committees. Each charter is available on the Companys Web
site at www.immersion.com/corpgov.
The Audit Committee retains the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm, makes such examinations as
are necessary to monitor the corporate financial reporting and
the internal and external audits of the Company and its
subsidiaries, provides to the Board the results of its
examinations and recommendations derived therefrom, outlines to
the Board improvements made, or to be made, in internal
accounting controls, and provides the Board such additional
information and materials as it may
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deem necessary to make the Board aware of significant financial
matters that require Board attention. The members of the Audit
Committee through November 2, 2005 were Messrs. Blank,
Hodgman, and Saltich. Mr. Blank resigned from the Board and
all of the committees of the Board on which he served on
November 2, 2005 and was replaced by Mr. Rubinstein on
the Audit Committee. In February 2006, Ms. Liggett replaced
Mr. Rubinstein on the Audit Committee. The Board has
determined that each member of the Audit Committee in 2005 met,
and each current member meets, the independence criteria set
forth in the applicable rules of Nasdaq and the SEC for audit
committee membership. In addition, the Board has determined that
all members of the Audit Committee in 2005 possessed, and each
current member possesses, the level of financial literacy
required by applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules and that in
accordance with section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, at least one member of the Audit Committee,
Mr. Hodgman, is qualified as an audit committee
financial expert. A report of the Audit Committee is set
forth below.
The Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to
the Board concerning reward policies, programs, and plans, and
approves employee and director compensation and benefits
programs. The members of the Compensation Committee through
November 2, 2005 were Messrs. Blank and Rubinstein.
Mr. Blank resigned from the Board and all of the committees
of the Board on which he served on November 2, 2005 and was
replaced by Mr. Saltich on the Compensation Committee. The
members of the Compensation Committee in 2006 are
Messrs. Rubinstein and Saltich. Each member of the
Compensation Committee is independent for purposes of the Nasdaq
rules. A report of the Compensation Committee is set forth below.
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Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee |
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee evaluates and
recommends candidates for Board positions to the Board and
recommends to the Board policies on Board composition and
criteria for Board membership. The Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee also recommends to the Board, and reviews
on a periodic basis, the Companys succession plan,
including policies and principles for selection and succession
of the Chief Executive Officer in the event of an emergency or
the resignation or retirement of the Companys Chief
Executive Officer. In addition, the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee periodically reviews policies of the
Company and the compliance of senior executives of the Company
with respect to these policies. The Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee also reviews the Companys compliance
with Nasdaq corporate governance listing requirements. The
members of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee through
November 2, 2005 were Messrs. Blank, Hodgman,
Rubinstein, and Saltich. Mr. Blank resigned from the Board
and all of the committees of the Board on which he served on
November 2, 2005. In February 2006, Ms. Liggett was
appointed to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and
Mr. Rubinstein resigned from the committee. Each member of
the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is independent for
purposes of the Nasdaq rules.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee evaluates all
directors whose terms will expire at the next annual meeting of
stockholders and are willing to continue in service in order to
determine whether to recommend to the Board such directors for
election at the annual meeting. The Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee considers the following factors in any such
evaluation:
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the appropriate size of the Board and its committees; |
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the perceived needs of the Board for particular skills,
background, and business experience; |
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the relevant skills, background, reputation, and business
experience of nominees compared to the skills, background,
reputation, and business experience already possessed by other
members of the Board; |
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nominees independence from management; |
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applicable regulatory and listing requirements, including
independence requirements and legal considerations, such as
antitrust compliance; |
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the benefits of a constructive working relationship among
directors; and |
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the desire to balance the considerable benefit of continuity
with the periodic injection of the fresh perspective provided by
new members. |
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees goal is to
assemble a Board that brings to the Company a variety of
perspectives and skills derived from high quality business and
professional experience. Directors should possess the highest
personal and professional ethics, integrity, and values, and be
committed to representing the best interests of the
Companys stockholders. They must also have an inquisitive
and objective perspective and mature judgment. Director
candidates must have sufficient time available in the judgment
of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee to perform all
Board and committee responsibilities. Board members are expected
to prepare for, attend, and participate in all Board and
applicable committee meetings.
Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria
for director nominees, although the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee may also consider such other factors as it
may deem, from time to time, are in the best interests of the
Company and its stockholders. The Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee believes that to comply with Nasdaq and SEC
rules, at least one member of the Board meet the criteria for an
audit committee financial expert, and at least a
majority of the members of the Board meet the definition of
independent director. The Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee also believes it appropriate for one or
more key members of the Companys management to participate
as members of the Board.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will consider the
criteria and policies set forth above in determining if the
Board requires additional candidates for director. The
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will consider
candidates for directors proposed by directors or management,
may poll directors and management for suggestions, or conduct
research to identify possible candidates, and may engage, if the
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee believes it is
appropriate, a third party search firm to assist in identifying
qualified candidates. All such candidates will be evaluated
against the criteria and pursuant to the policies and procedures
set forth above. All director nominees, including incumbents,
must submit a completed form of directors and
officers questionnaire as part of the nominating process.
The evaluation process may also include interviews and
additional background and reference checks for non-incumbent
nominees at the discretion of the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will also evaluate
any recommendation for director nominee proposed by a
stockholder, provided that such recommendation is sent in
writing to the Corporate Secretary at 801 Fox Lane,
San Jose, California 95131 at least 120 days prior to
the anniversary of the date proxy statements were mailed to
stockholders in connection with the prior years annual
meeting of stockholders. The recommendation must also contain
the following information:
|
|
|
|
|
the candidates name, age, contact information and present
principal occupation or employment; and |
|
|
|
a description of the candidates qualifications, skills,
background, and business experience during, at a minimum, the
last five years, including his/her principal occupation and
employment and the name and principal business of any
corporation or other organization in which the candidate was
employed or served as a director. |
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate any
candidates recommended by stockholders against the same criteria
and pursuant to the same policies and procedures applicable to
the evaluation of all other proposed candidates, including
incumbents, and will select the nominees that in the
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees judgment best
suit the needs of the Board at that time.
7
However, if the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee
determines that a recommendation does not satisfy the
above-described requirements, the Committee will not consider
such recommendation.
As an alternative for stockholders to suggest director nominees
to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, a stockholder
may nominate directors for consideration at an annual or special
meeting pursuant to the methods proscribed in our bylaws, as
summarized below. Any stockholder entitled to vote in the
election of directors generally may nominate one or more persons
for election as directors at a meeting only if timely notice of
such stockholders intent to make such nomination or
nominations has been given in writing to the Companys
Secretary. To be timely, notice of a stockholders
nomination for a director to be elected at an annual meeting
shall be received at the Companys principal executive
offices not less than 120 days in advance of the date that
the Companys proxy statement was released to stockholders
in connection with the previous years annual meeting of
stockholders, except that if no annual meeting was held in the
previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed
by more than 30 days from the date contemplated at the time
of the previous years proxy statement, to be timely, such
notice must be received not later than the close of business on
the tenth day following the day on which the date of the special
meeting was announced; provided, however, that in the event that
the number of directors to be elected at an annual meeting is
increased, and there is no public announcement by the Company
naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least
130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date that
the Companys proxy statement was released to stockholders
in connection with the previous years annual meeting, a
stockholders notice shall be considered timely, but only
with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it
shall be delivered to the Companys Secretary at the
Companys principal executive offices not later than the
close of business on the 10th day following the day on
which such public announcement is first made by the Company.
In the event of a nomination for director to be elected at a
special meeting, notice by the stockholders, to be timely, shall
be delivered to the Companys Secretary not earlier than
the 90th day prior to such special meeting and not later
than the close of business on the later of the 70th day
prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the
day on which public announcement is first made of the date of
the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to
be elected at such meeting.
Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address
of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination, of the
beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is
being made and of the person or persons to be nominated;
(b) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of
record of stock of Immersion entitled to vote for the election
of directors on the date of such notice and intends to appear in
person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or
persons specified in the notice; (c) a description of all
arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each
nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or
persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to
be made by the stockholder; (d) such other information
regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as would be
required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to
the proxy rules of the SEC, had the nominee been nominated, or
intended to be nominated, by the Board; and (e) the consent
of each nominee to serve as a director of Immersion if so
elected.
If the chairman of the meeting for the election of directors
determines that a nomination of any candidate for election as a
director at such meeting was not made in accordance with the
applicable provisions of our bylaws, such nomination shall be
void.
Communications by Stockholders with Directors
Stockholders may communicate with any and all company directors
by transmitting correspondence by mail, facsimile, or
e-mail, addressed as
follows: Board or individual director, c/o James M.
Koshland, Corporate Secretary, 801 Fox Lane, San Jose,
California 95131; Fax:
(408) 467-1901;
E-mail Address:
corporate.secretary@immersion.com. The Corporate Secretary will
maintain a log of such communications and transmit as soon as
practicable such communications to the identified director
addressee(s), unless there are safety or security concerns that
mitigate against further transmission of the communication, as
determined by the Corporate Secretary. The Board or individual
directors so addressed will be advised of
8
any communication withheld for safety or security reasons as
soon as practicable. The Corporate Secretary will relay all
communications to directors absent safety or security issues.
Director Compensation
In 2005, non-employee directors received $2,500 for attending
regularly scheduled Board meetings. On February 27, 2006,
the Board adjusted its director compensation, such that,
effective that date, the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman
of the Audit Committee each receive retainer fees of
$15,000 per year. Other non-employee directors receive
retainer fees of $10,000 per year. In addition,
non-employee directors who are members of any committees receive
$3,000 for attending regularly scheduled Board meetings.
Non-employee directors who are not members of any committees
receive $2,500 for attending regularly scheduled Board meetings.
Directors are entitled to reimbursement of reasonable travel
expenses they incur in connection with attending Board and
committee meetings. Non-employee directors of the Company are
granted an option to purchase 40,000 shares of common
stock under the Companys Amended 1997 Stock Option Plan
(the 1997 Stock Option Plan) on the date the
director joins the Board. Non-employee directors also receive
annual option grants to purchase 10,000 shares of the
Companys common stock. Subject to continued service to the
Company, 25% of the options granted to non-employee directors
vest on the first anniversary of their grant date, with the
remaining portion vesting in 36 equal monthly installments.
Options granted to non-employee directors on or after
February 27, 2006 are subject to accelerated vesting upon a
change of control of the Company.
In 2005, the Board approved stock option grants to all of the
Companys non-employee directors. Mr. Viegas, the
Companys only employee director, did not receive an option
grant during 2005. The options granted to Messrs. Blank,
Hodgman, Rubinstein, Saltich, and Van Naarden, the
non-employee directors of the Company during 2005, are described
in the following table:
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Subject | |
|
Exercise Price | |
|
|
Date of Grant | |
|
to Option | |
|
Per Share (1) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Steven Blank
|
|
|
02/02/05 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.98 |
|
John Hodgman
|
|
|
02/02/05 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.98 |
|
Jonathan Rubinstein
|
|
|
02/02/05 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.98 |
|
Jack Saltich
|
|
|
02/02/05 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.98 |
|
Robert Van Naarden
|
|
|
02/02/05 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.98 |
|
|
|
(1) |
All options were granted at an exercise price equal to the
closing price of the Companys stock on the date of grant,
as reported on Nasdaq. |
On July 1, 2003, the Company entered into a consulting
agreement with Mr. Robert Van Naarden to assist with
certain marketing initiatives of its wholly owned subsidiary,
Immersion Medical. Under the terms of the consulting agreement,
Mr. Van Naarden received $15,000 per month and
reimbursement of reasonable
out-of-pocket travel
expenses. The initial term of the consulting agreement was six
months and was renewable for subsequent three-month terms unless
either party notified the other in writing at least ten days
prior to the expiration of the then-current term of its election
to terminate the agreement. During the year ended
December 31, 2004, the Company paid Mr. Van Naarden
$50,000 as compensation for his services pursuant to this
consulting agreement. The Company and Mr. Van Naarden
mutually terminated the consulting agreement as of
April 21, 2004.
9
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED INFORMATION
The following table presents information concerning compensation
earned during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and
2003 by the Companys current Chief Executive Officer and
the Companys three other most highly compensated executive
officers whose salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 in 2005,
(collectively, the Named Executive Officers). In
accordance with the rules of the SEC, the compensation described
in this table does not include perquisites and other personal
benefits received by these executive officers that do not exceed
the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total salary and bonus
reported for these Named Executive Officers.
Summary Compensation Table
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|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Term | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Annual | |
|
Underlying | |
Name & Principal Position |
|
Fiscal Year | |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus (1) | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Options | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Victor Viegas
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President, Chief
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
227,334 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
Executive Officer,
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
216,661 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
and Director (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen Ambler
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
169,231 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Finance (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard Vogel
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
209,423 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
|
17,500 |
|
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
169,332 |
|
|
$ |
103,434 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
and General Manager of Immersion Medical (4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Zuckerman
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|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
37,659 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
202,142 |
|
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
General Manager 3D
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
51,078 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
Business Group (5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Bonuses are reported in the year earned, even if actually paid
in a subsequent year. Bonuses include compensation payable under
variable compensation plans. |
|
(2) |
Mr. Viegas was appointed Chief Executive Officer in October
2002. He also served as Chief Financial Officer until February
2005. |
|
(3) |
Mr. Ambler joined the Company in February 2005 as Chief
Financial Officer and Vice President, Finance. |
|
(4) |
Mr. Vogel joined the Company in March 2004 as Senior Vice
President and General Manager of Immersion Medical. Other annual
compensation in 2005 includes $50,000 of reimbursed moving
expenses. |
|
(5) |
Mr. Zuckerman joined the Company in September 2003 as
Senior Vice President, Marketing. He served as Senior Vice
President and General Manager of the Industrial Business Group
from October 2004 through March 2006. He was appointed Senior
Vice President and General Manager of the 3D Business Group in
March 2006. |
10
Option Grants in the Last Fiscal Year
The following table presents information with respect to grants
of options to purchase the Companys common stock made
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 to the Named
Executive Officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value | |
|
|
|
|
Percent of Total | |
|
|
|
|
|
at Assumed Annual Rates | |
|
|
No. of Securities | |
|
Options Granted | |
|
|
|
|
|
of Stock Appreciation for | |
|
|
Underlying | |
|
to Employees | |
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
Option Term (4) | |
|
|
Options Granted | |
|
During Period | |
|
Price | |
|
Expiration | |
|
| |
Name |
|
(#) (1) | |
|
(%) (2) | |
|
($/Share) (3) | |
|
Date | |
|
5% | |
|
10% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Victor Viegas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen Ambler
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
15.79 |
|
|
$ |
6.79 |
|
|
|
02/28/15 |
|
|
$ |
747,284 |
|
|
$ |
1,893,764 |
|
Richard Vogel
|
|
|
17,500 |
|
|
|
1.58 |
|
|
$ |
6.98 |
|
|
|
02/02/15 |
|
|
$ |
76,819 |
|
|
$ |
194,676 |
|
Michael Zuckerman
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
$ |
6.98 |
|
|
|
02/02/15 |
|
|
$ |
43,897 |
|
|
$ |
111,243 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Options granted pursuant to the Companys 1997 Stock Option
Plan generally vest at a rate of 25% of the underlying shares
12 months after the date of grant, and 2.0833% monthly
thereafter over the next 36 months, and have a maximum term
of ten years measured from the option grant date, subject to
earlier termination in the event of the optionees
cessation of service with the Company. Under the terms of the
1997 Stock Option Plan, the administrator retains discretion,
subject to the 1997 Stock Option Plan limits, to modify the
terms of outstanding options and to reprice outstanding options. |
|
(2) |
Based on options to purchase an aggregate of
1,108,400 shares that were granted in 2005. |
|
(3) |
All options were granted at an exercise price equal to the
closing price of the Companys stock on the date of grant,
as reported on Nasdaq. |
|
(4) |
The potential realizable value represents the hypothetical gains
of the options granted based on assumed annual compound stock
appreciation rates over the exercise price per share (before
taxes). The assumed 5% and 10% rates of stock price appreciation
are provided in accordance with SEC rules and do not represent
the Companys estimate or projection of the future common
stock price. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises are
dependent on the future performance of the Companys common
stock over all market conditions and the option holders
continued employment through the vesting period. This table does
not take into account any appreciation in the price of the
common stock from the date of grant to date. There can be no
assurance that any of the value reflected in this table will be
achieved. |
Aggregated Option Exercises In Last Fiscal Year
and Fiscal Year End Option Values
The following table presents information concerning the value of
exercisable and unexercisable options held as of
December 31, 2005 by the Named Executive Officers:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
Value Of Unexercised | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Options at Fiscal | |
|
In-The-Money Options at | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Year End | |
|
Fiscal Year End ($) (2) | |
|
|
Acquired On | |
|
Value Realized | |
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
Exercise (#) | |
|
($) (1) | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Victor Viegas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,015,166 |
|
|
|
183,334 |
|
|
$ |
1,208,375 |
|
|
$ |
396,775 |
|
Stephen Ambler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Richard Vogel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
87,500 |
|
|
|
130,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Michael Zuckerman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
179,373 |
|
|
|
170,627 |
|
|
$ |
89,190 |
|
|
$ |
88,610 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Upon exercise of the options, an option holder did not
necessarily receive the amount reported above under the column
Value Realized. The amounts reported above under the
column Value Realized merely reflect the amount by
which the fair market value of the common stock of the Company
on the date the option was exercised exceeded the exercise price
of the option. The option holder does not realize any cash until
the shares of common stock issued upon exercise of the options
are sold. |
11
|
|
(2) |
Based on the closing price of $6.60 of the Companys common
stock as reported on Nasdaq at December 30, 2005, the last
day of trading of the Companys common stock during 2005,
less the exercise price payable for such shares. |
No compensation intended to serve as incentive for performance
to occur over a period longer than one fiscal year was paid
pursuant to a long-term incentive plan during 2005 to any Named
Executive Officer. The Company does not have any defined benefit
or actuarial plan under which benefits are determined primarily
by final compensation and years of service with any of the Named
Executive Officers.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
On November 5, 2001, the Company entered into an employment
agreement with Mr. Victor Viegas, then the Companys
President and Chief Financial Officer. The agreement provides
for a minimum annual base salary of $200,000, as well as
eligibility to receive an annual bonus based upon the
achievement of certain financial and/or other performance
targets established by the Board. In the event
Mr. Viegas employment with the Company is terminated
without cause, or if Mr. Viegas terminates his
employment for constructive reason, Mr. Viegas
shall be entitled to (i) the continuation of his base
salary for a period of twelve months, (ii) the continuation
of his health, dental, and vision benefits for as long as he
remains entitled to receive his base salary, and
(iii) except with respect to a termination in connection
with a change in control, 75% of Mr. Viegas then
unvested stock and stock options shall become immediately
vested. If Mr. Viegas is terminated as result of death or
disability, 24 months of his then unvested stock and stock
options shall vest, and in the event he is terminated as a
result of a disability, he shall be entitled to his base salary
for a period of six months. In the event of a change in control,
75% of Mr. Viegas then unvested stock and stock
options shall immediately vest. In the event
Mr. Viegas employment is terminated without
cause or for constructive reason during
the period three months prior to a change in control, 100% of
his then unvested stock and stock options shall immediately
vest. Mr. Viegas was appointed to Chief Executive Officer
effective October 23, 2002. Mr. Viegas ceased serving
as Chief Financial Officer on February 28, 2005.
On January 27, 2005, the Company entered into an employment
agreement with Mr. Stephen Ambler, Chief Financial Officer
and Vice President, Finance. The agreement provides for a
minimum annual base salary of $200,000. In the event
Mr. Amblers employment with the Company is terminated
for any reason not related to Mr. Amblers
performance, the Company will provide severance payments equal
to three months salary and pay premiums for
Mr. Amblers COBRA coverage for the three months
following his termination.
On February 24, 2004, the Company entered into an
employment agreement with Mr. Richard Vogel, Senior Vice
President and General Manager, Immersion Medical. The agreement
provides for a minimum annual base salary of $200,000, as well
as eligibility to receive an annual bonus based upon the
achievement of certain financial and/or other performance
targets established by the Board. In the event
Mr. Vogels employment with the Company is terminated
for any reason not related to Mr. Vogels performance,
the Company will provide severance payments equal to six
months salary and pay premiums for Mr. Vogels
COBRA coverage for the six months following his termination.
Mr. Michael Zuckerman joined the Company in September 2003
as Senior Vice President, Marketing. On September 14, 2004,
the Company entered into an employment agreement with him to
serve as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the
Industrial Business Group. The agreement provides for a minimum
annual base salary of $200,000, as well as eligibility to
receive variable compensation based upon the achievement of
certain financial and/or other performance targets established
by the Board. In the event Mr. Zuckermans employment
with the Company is terminated for any reason not related to
Mr. Zuckermans performance, the Company will provide
severance payments equal to twelve months salary, pay
premiums for Mr. Zuckermans COBRA coverage for the
twelve months following his termination, and twelve months of
his then unvested stock options shall vest. On March 31,
2005, the Company entered into a variable compensation plan for
2005 with Mr. Zuckerman. The agreement provides
12
for variable compensation based upon revenue performance. On
March 27, 2006, Mr. Zuckerman entered into an
agreement to serve as the Companys Senior Vice President
and General Manager of the 3D Business Group.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Under the guidance of a written charter adopted by the Board,
the purpose of the Audit Committee is to retain an independent
registered public accounting firm, to make such examinations as
are necessary to monitor the corporate financial reporting of
the internal and external audits of the Company and its
subsidiaries, to provide to the Board the results of its
examinations and recommendations derived therefrom, to outline
to the Board the improvements made, or to be made, in internal
accounting controls, and to provide the Board such additional
information and materials as it may deem necessary to make the
Board aware of significant financial matters that require the
attention of the Board. During fiscal 2005, the Audit Committee
met seven times and discussed the interim financial information
contained in each quarterly earnings announcement as well as the
Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for the
Companys first, second, and third quarters of fiscal 2005
with the President and Chief Executive Officer; the Chief
Financial Officer and Vice President, Finance; the Vice
President, Corporate Controller; and Deloitte & Touche
LLP, the Companys independent registered public accounting
firm, prior to the public release of such information. Each
member of the Audit Committee meets the independence
requirements of Nasdaq and the SEC.
Management is primarily responsible for the system of internal
controls and the financial reporting process. The independent
registered public accounting firm is responsible for expressing
an opinion on the financial statements based on an audit
conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring and
overseeing these processes.
In this context and in connection with the audited financial
statements contained in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for
fiscal 2005, the Audit Committee:
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reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with the
Companys management; |
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discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP, with and without
management present, the matters required to be discussed under
Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with
Audit Committees, as amended, including the overall scope of
Deloitte & Touche LLPs audit, the results of its
examination, its evaluation of the Companys internal
controls, and the overall quality of the Companys
financial reporting; |
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reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from
Deloitte & Touche LLP required by the Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions
with Audit Committees; discussed with the independent registered
public accounting firm their independence; and concluded that
the nonaudit services performed by Deloitte & Touche
LLP are compatible with maintaining its independence; |
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based on the foregoing reviews and discussions, recommended to
the Board that the audited financial statements be included in
the Companys 2005 Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the
SEC; and |
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instructed Deloitte & Touche LLP that the Committee
expects to be advised if there are any subjects that require
special attention. |
In fiscal 2004, management completed the documentation, testing,
and evaluation of Immersions system of internal controls
over financial reporting in response to the requirements set
forth in Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and
related regulations. Continuing into fiscal 2005, the second
year of certification, management improved the internal control
evaluation process, which is now being institutionalized into
the Companys standard operations and processes. The Audit
Committee was kept apprised of the progress of the evaluation
and provided oversight and advice to management throughout this
process. In particular, the Audit Committee received periodic
updates provided by management and Deloitte & Touche
13
LLP at each regularly scheduled committee meeting. The Audit
Committee also held special meetings to discuss issues as they
arose. At the conclusion of the process, management provided the
Audit Committee with, and the Audit Committee reviewed, a report
on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting. The Audit Committee also received the
report of management contained in the Companys Annual
Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the SEC, as
well as Deloitte & Touche LLPs Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in the
Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K related
to its audit of (i) the consolidated financial statements
and financial statement schedule, (ii) managements
assessment of the effectiveness of the internal control over
financial reporting, and (iii) the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee
continues to oversee the Companys efforts related to its
internal control over financial reporting and managements
preparations for the evaluation in fiscal 2006.
|
|
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE |
|
John Hodgman, Chairman |
|
Emily Liggett |
|
Jack Saltich |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
This Compensation Committee Report describes the compensation
policies and rationale applied to the compensation paid to the
Companys executive officers for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005. The Compensation Committee has the
authority to administer the Companys stock option plans,
establish the level of base salary payable to the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) and the other executive
officers of the Company, and the responsibility of approving the
bonus program to be in effect for the CEO and the other
executive officers. The Compensation Committee of the Board is
comprised of non-employee directors, each of whom is independent
for purposes of the Nasdaq rules.
General Compensation Policy. The Committees
fundamental compensation policy is to align compensation with
business objectives and performance and to enable the Company to
attract, retain, and reward executive officers whose
contributions are necessary for the long term success of the
Company. Accordingly, each executive officers compensation
package consists of: (i) base salary, (ii) annual cash
bonus, and (iii) long-term stock-based incentive awards.
Base Salary. The base salary for each executive
officer is reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee and
adjustments are made based on personal performance, taking into
account the average salary levels in effect for comparable
positions with companies having total revenues similar to the
Companys. Each individuals base pay is positioned
relative to the total compensation package, including cash bonus
incentives and long-term stock-based incentives.
Long-term Incentive Compensation. During the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2005, the Committee made
discretionary option grants to certain of the executive officers
of the Company under the Companys 1997 Stock Option Plan
based on each officers personal performance. Option grants
to executive officers were approved at the Committees
first meeting of the year in February 2005, unless the executive
officer joined the Company after such meeting, in which case the
executive officer was granted an option effective with his start
date with the Company. Typically, the size of each grant was set
at a level that is deemed appropriate to create a meaningful
opportunity for stock ownership based upon the individuals
position with the Company, the individuals potential for
future responsibility and promotion, the individuals
performance in the recent period, and the number of unvested
options held by the individual at the time of the new grant. The
relative weight given to each of these factors varied from
individual to individual.
Options generally vest over four years. Thus, the vesting of
each option is contingent upon the executive officers
continued employment with the Company. Accordingly, the options
provided compensation to the executive officer only if he
remained in the Companys employ, and then only if the
market price of the Companys common stock appreciated over
the option term.
14
CEO Compensation. Mr. Viegas compensation
as President and Chief Executive Officer was initially
established pursuant to his employment agreement dated
November 5, 2001, the terms of which were set by arms
length bargaining and have been approved by the Board. Under the
terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Viegas is entitled
to receive a minimum base salary of $200,000 per year and
is eligible to receive an annual bonus based upon the
achievement of certain financial and/or other performance
targets established by the Board. In March 2003, the
Compensation Committee increased Mr. Viegas salary to
$225,000 annually. In 2005, Mr. Viegas did not receive any
option grants and he did not receive any bonus. In February
2006, the Compensation Committee increased Mr. Viegas
salary to $275,000 annually. In deciding to increase
Mr. Viegas salary, the Compensation Committee
considered Mr. Viegas prior accomplishments, his role
in the Company, his expected future contributions, and the
compensation levels of CEOs of similar-sized high technology
companies in the Silicon Valley region. The Committee believes
that the terms of Mr. Viegas employment agreement are
consistent with agreements in similar companies and with peer
executives at Immersion. The terms of Mr. Viegas
employment agreement are further described in the section
entitled Employment Contracts and Change In Control
Arrangements.
Compliance with Internal Revenue Code
Section 162(m). The Companys policy with
respect to compensation paid to its executive officers is to
deduct such compensation that qualifies under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, as
an expense. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and
related Treasury Department regulations restrict deductibility
of executive compensation paid to the Companys Chief
Executive Officer and each of the four other most highly
compensated executive officers holding office at the end of any
year to the extent such compensation exceeds $1,000,000 for any
of such officers in any year and does not qualify for an
exception under the statute or regulations. Income from options
granted under the Companys 1997 Stock Option Plan would
generally qualify for an exemption from these restrictions so
long as the options are granted by a committee whose members are
non-employee directors. The Company expects that the
Compensation Committee will generally be comprised of
non-employee directors, and that to the extent such Committee is
not so constituted for any period of time, the options granted
during such period will not be likely to result in compensation
exceeding $1,000,000 in any year. The Committee does not believe
that in general other components of the Companys
compensation will be likely to exceed $1,000,000 for any
executive officer in the foreseeable future and therefore
concluded that no further action with respect to qualifying such
compensation for deductibility was necessary at this time. In
the future, the Committee will continue to evaluate the
advisability of qualifying its executive compensation for
deductibility of such compensation.
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
|
Jack Saltich, Chairman |
|
Jonathan Rubinstein |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER
PARTICIPATION
Neither of the individuals serving on the Compensation Committee
was at any time during 2005, or at any other time, an officer or
employee of the Company. No executive officer of the Company
serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation
committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers
serving as a member of the Companys Board or the
Compensation Committee.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Except as described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, including
in Executive Compensation and Related Information
above, or in Other Transactions below, since
January 1, 2005, there has not been, nor is there currently
proposed, any transaction or series of similar transactions, to
which the Company is or was a party, in which the amount
involved exceeds $60,000 and in which any of its directors,
executive officers, or holders of more than 5% of the
Companys capital stock had or will have a direct or
indirect material interest.
15
Other Transactions
In addition to indemnification provisions in the Companys
bylaws, the Company has entered into agreements to indemnify its
directors and executive officers. These agreements provide for
indemnification of the Companys directors and executive
officers for some types of expenses, including attorneys
fees, judgments, fines, and settlement amounts incurred by
persons in any action or proceeding, including any action by or
in the right of the Company, arising out of their services as
the Companys director or executive officer. We believe
that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract
and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers.
16
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The graph set forth below compares the cumulative total
stockholder return on the Companys common stock between
December 31, 2000 and December 31, 2005, with the
cumulative total return of (i) the Nasdaq Stock Market
Total Return Index (U.S. Companies) (the Nasdaq Stock
Market-U.S. Index) and (ii) the RDG Technology
Composite Index, over the same period. This graph assumes the
investment of $100.00 on December 31, 2000, in the
Companys common stock, The Nasdaq Stock
Market-U.S. Index, and the RDG Technology Composite Index,
and assumes the reinvestment of dividends, if any.
The comparisons shown in the graph below are based upon
historical data and the Company cautions that the stock price
performance shown in the graph below is not indicative of, nor
intended to forecast, the potential future performance of the
Companys common stock. Information used in the graph was
obtained from a source believed to be reliable, but the Company
is not responsible for any errors or omissions in such
information.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG IMMERSION CORPORATION,
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.) INDEX,
AND THE RDG TECHNOLOGY COMPOSITE INDEX
* $100 invested on 12/31/00 in stock or index-including
reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.
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Cumulative Total Return |
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12/00 |
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12/01 |
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12/02 |
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12/03 |
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12/04 |
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12/05 |
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IMMERSION CORPORATION
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100.00 |
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|
89.66 |
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15.57 |
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79.17 |
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97.00 |
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87.82 |
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NASDAQ STOCK MARKET U.S. INDEX
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100.00 |
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79.08 |
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55.95 |
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83.35 |
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90.64 |
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92.73 |
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RDG TECHNOLOGY COMPOSITE INDEX
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100.00 |
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73.13 |
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45.16 |
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67.00 |
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69.27 |
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71.18 |
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17
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the
Companys previous or future filings under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, that might incorporate this Proxy Statement or
future filings made by the Company under those statutes, the
Audit Committee Report, the Compensation Committee Report, and
Stock Performance Graph are not deemed filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and shall not be deemed incorporated by
reference into any of those prior filings or into any future
filings made by the Company under those statutes.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Company is asking the stockholders to ratify the Audit
Committees engagement of Deloitte & Touche LLP as
the Companys independent registered public accounting firm
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006, and in the
event the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit
Committee will reconsider its engagement. Even if the engagement
is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct
the engagement of a different independent registered public
accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit
Committee feels that such a change would be in the best interest
of the Company and its stockholders. Representatives of
Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if
they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
Deloitte & Touche LLP has been the independent
registered public accounting firm that audits the financial
statements of the Company since 1997. In accordance with
standing policy, Deloitte & Touche LLP periodically
changes the personnel who work on the audit. The Company has no
current consulting agreements with Deloitte & Touche
LLP.
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to the
Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and
2004 by the Companys principal accounting firm,
Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte
Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates:
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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Audit Fees (1)
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$ |
751,000 |
|
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$ |
611,000 |
|
Audit Related Fees (2)
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34,000 |
|
Tax Fees (3)
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|
Tax Compliance/ Preparation
|
|
|
87,000 |
|
|
|
93,000 |
|
|
Other Tax Services
|
|
|
13,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
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Total Tax Fees
|
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$ |
100,000 |
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$ |
98,000 |
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All Other Fees (4)
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Total Fees
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$ |
851,000 |
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$ |
743,000 |
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(1) |
Audit fees consist of fees billed, or expected to be billed, for
professional services rendered for the audits of the
Companys consolidated financial statements and
managements assessment that it maintained effective
internal controls over financial reporting, along with reviews
of interim condensed consolidated financial statements included
in quarterly reports, services that are normally provided by
Deloitte & Touche LLP in connection with statutory and
regulatory filings or engagements, and attestation services. |
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(2) |
Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and
related services that are reasonably related to the performance
of the audit or review of the Companys consolidated
financial statements and are not reported under Audit
Fees. |
18
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(3) |
Tax fees consist of tax compliance/preparation and other tax
services. Tax compliance/preparation consists of fees billed for
tax return preparation, claims for refunds, and tax payment
planning services related to federal, state, and international
taxes. Other tax services consist of fees billed for services
including tax advice, tax strategy, and other miscellaneous tax
consulting and planning. |
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(4) |
All other fees consist of fees for all other services other than
those reported above. The Companys intent is to minimize
services in this category. |
The Audit Committee has determined that all services performed
by Deloitte & Touche LLP are compatible with
maintaining the independence of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
In addition, since the effective date of the SEC rules stating
that an independent public accounting firm is not independent of
an audit client if the services it provides to the client are
not appropriately approved, the Audit Committee has approved,
and will continue to pre-approve all audit and permissible
non-audit services provided by the independent registered public
accounting firm. These services may include audit services,
audit-related services, tax services, and other services.
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of
services provided by the independent registered public
accounting firm, pursuant to which it may pre-approve certain
audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees, and fees for other
services. Under the policy, the Audit Committee may also
delegate authority to pre-approve certain specified audit or
permissible non-audit services to one or more of its members. A
member to whom pre-approval authority has been delegated must
report his pre-approval decisions, if any, to the Audit
Committee at its next meeting. Unless the Audit Committee
determines otherwise, the term for any service pre-approved by a
member to whom pre-approval authority has been delegated is
twelve months.
Vote Required
Stockholder ratification of the selection of Deloitte &
Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm
is not required by our bylaws or otherwise. The Board, however,
is submitting the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to
the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate
practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the
Audit Committee and the Board will reconsider whether or not to
retain Deloitte & Touche LLP. Even if the selection is
ratified, the Audit Committee and the Board in their discretion
may direct the appointment of a different independent registered
public accounting firm at any time during the year if they
determine that such a change would be in the best interests of
the Company and our stockholders.
Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting of
stockholders, as well as the presence of a quorum representing a
majority of all outstanding shares of the Company, either in
person or by proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes will each
be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence
of a quorum but will not have any effect on the outcome of the
proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
AND RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR
PROPOSAL 2.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the Exchange Act), requires the
Companys executive officers, directors, and persons who
beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock to file
initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership
with the SEC. These persons are required by SEC regulations to
furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms
filed by such persons.
Based solely on the Companys review of the forms furnished
to it and written representations from certain reporting
persons, the Company believes that all filing requirements
applicable to its executive officers, directors, and persons who
beneficially own more than 10% of the Companys common
stock were complied with during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005.
19
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND STOCK OWNERSHIP BY MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth as of March 28, 2006,
certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of
the Companys common stock by (i) each stockholder who
is known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than
5% of the Companys outstanding shares of common stock,
(ii) each of the Companys directors, (iii) the
Named Executive Officers, and (iv) all directors and named
executive officers as a group. Beneficial ownership has been
determined in accordance with
Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act. Under this rule, certain shares may be deemed
to be beneficially owned by more than one person (if, for
example, persons share the power to vote or the power to dispose
of the shares). In addition, shares are deemed to be
beneficially owned by a person if the person has the right to
acquire shares (for example, upon exercise of an option or
warrant) within 60 days of the date as of which the
information is provided; in computing the percentage ownership
of any person, the amount of shares is deemed to include the
amount of shares beneficially owned by such person (and only
such person) by reason of such acquisition rights. As a result,
the percentage of outstanding shares of any person as shown in
the following table does not necessarily reflect the
persons actual voting power at any particular date.
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Shares Subject | |
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Amount and | |
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to Options | |
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Nature of | |
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Included in | |
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Beneficial | |
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Beneficial | |
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Percent of | |
Beneficial Owner |
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Ownership (1) (2) | |
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Ownership (3) | |
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Class (4) | |
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Jundt Associates, Inc. (5)
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1,790,485 |
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7.3 |
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1645 Carlson Parkway, Suite 120
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55305 |
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Mazama Capital Management Inc. (6)
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5,852,448 |
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23.9 |
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One SW Columbia, Suite 1500
Portland, Oregon 97258 |
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Austin W. Marxe and David M. Greenhouse beneficial owners of AWM
Investment Company Inc. (7)
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2,099,098 |
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8.0 |
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527 Madison Avenue, Suite 2600
New York, New York 10022 |
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Executive Officers and Directors
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Victor Viegas
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|
1,065,042 |
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1,064,123 |
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4.2 |
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Stephen Ambler
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|
51,040 |
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51,040 |
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* |
|
Richard Vogel
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|
|
113,801 |
|
|
|
113,801 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Michael Zuckerman
|
|
|
217,912 |
|
|
|
217,912 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Steven Blank (8)
|
|
|
95,734 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
John Hodgman
|
|
|
66,458 |
|
|
|
66,458 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Emily Liggett (9)
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
* |
|
Jonathan Rubinstein
|
|
|
109,908 |
|
|
|
94,838 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jack Saltich
|
|
|
66,458 |
|
|
|
66,458 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert Van Naarden
|
|
|
52,708 |
|
|
|
52,708 |
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|
|
* |
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All named executive officers and directors as a group
(9 persons) (10)
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|
1,743,327 |
|
|
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1,727,338 |
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|
|
6.6 |
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|
|
|
|
* |
Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock. |
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|
|
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(1) |
Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and pursuant
to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the
table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all
shares of common stock. To the Companys knowledge, and
except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, the entities
named in the table have sole voting and investment power with
respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially
owned by them. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of |
20
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each of the persons in this table is as follows:
c/o Immersion Corporation, 801 Fox Lane, San Jose,
California 95131. |
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(2) |
The number of shares of common stock deemed outstanding includes
shares issuable pursuant to stock options, warrants, and
convertible debentures that may be exercised within 60 days
after March 28, 2006 held by the person whose percentage of
outstanding stock is calculated. |
|
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(3) |
Only shares issuable upon exercise of options within
60 days of March 28, 2006 are included for purposes of
determining beneficial ownership. |
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(4) |
Calculated on the basis of 24,534,319 shares of common
stock outstanding as of March 28, 2006, provided that any
additional shares of common stock that a stockholder has the
right to acquire within 60 days after March 28, 2006
are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of calculating that
stockholders percentage of beneficial ownership. |
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(5) |
Based solely on information reported on Schedule 13G filed
by Jundt Associates, Inc. with the SEC on January 3, 2006. |
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(6) |
Based solely on information reported on Schedule 13G filed
by Mazama Capital Management Inc. with the SEC on
February 8, 2006. According to such Schedule 13G,
Mazama Capital Management Inc. has sole dispositive power with
respect to all of the shares beneficially owned by it, and sole
voting power with respect to 3,396,431 of such shares. |
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(7) |
Based solely on information reported on Schedule 13G filed
by Austin W. Marxe and David M. Greenhouse, beneficial owners of
AWM Investment Company Inc. with the SEC on February 14,
2006. This amount includes 213,475 shares issuable upon
exercise of warrants and 1,423,184 common shares issuable upon
conversion of convertible debentures. These warrants and
debentures are owned by Special Situations Cayman Fund, L.P.,
Special Situations Fund III QP, L.P., Special Situations
Fund III, L.P. Special Situations Private Equity Fund,
L.P., Special Situations Technology Fund, L.P., and Special
Situations Technology Fund II, L.P. |
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(8) |
Mr. Blank resigned from the Board on November 2, 2005. |
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(9) |
Ms. Liggett joined the Board in February 2006. |
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(10) |
Total includes named executive officers and directors as of
March 28, 2006. |
21
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table provides information as of December 31,
2005 concerning the Companys equity compensation plans:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining Available | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
for Future Issuance | |
|
|
Number of Shares to | |
|
|
|
Under Equity | |
|
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be Issued Upon | |
|
Weighted-Average | |
|
Compensation Plans | |
|
|
Exercise of | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
(Excluding Shares | |
|
|
Outstanding | |
|
Outstanding | |
|
Reflected in | |
|
|
Options | |
|
Options | |
|
Column (a)) | |
Plan Category (1) |
|
(a) | |
|
(b) | |
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(c) | |
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| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders (2)
|
|
|
6,220,391 |
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|
$ |
5.82 |
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1,709,841 |
(3) |
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders (4)
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
9.24 |
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|
0 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total
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|
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6,420,391 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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1,709,841 |
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(1) |
The table does not include information for equity compensation
plans assumed by the Company in business combinations. As part
of the business combination with Immersion Medical in fiscal
2000, the Company assumed Immersion Medicals 1995B and
1998 stock option plans. A total of 310,560 shares of
common stock are reserved for issuance under these plans. The
majority of the options outstanding under these plans cliff vest
on the anniversary of the grant date over a five-year period.
The 1998 Plan provides in certain instances for accelerated
vesting of the options upon a change of control. All of the
options expire 10 years from the date of the grant. As part
of the business combination with Virtual Technologies, Inc.
(VTI) in fiscal 2000, the Company assumed VTIs
1997 stock option plan. A total of 700,000 shares of common
stock are reserved for issuance to employees (incentive stock
options) and non-employees (nonstatutory stock options) under
this plan. The options expire 10 years from the date of the
grant. The majority of the options outstanding under this plan
cliff vest on the anniversary of the grant date over a five-year
period. The plan provided that in the event of a merger of the
Company with or into another corporation, each outstanding
option or stock purchase right under the plan must be assumed,
or an equivalent option or right substituted, by the successor
corporation or an affiliate. The number of shares to be issued
upon exercise of outstanding options under plans assumed in
business combinations at December 31, 2005 was 920,405, and
the weighted average exercise price was $16.45. |
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(2) |
Consists of one plan: the 1997 Stock Option Plan. |
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(3) |
Includes 253,196 shares available for future issuance under
the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The shares that are reserved
for issuance under the 1997 Stock Option Plan are subject to
automatic increases on January 1 of each year by a number of
shares equal to 5% of our outstanding shares as of the close of
business on December 31 of the preceding calendar year. |
|
(4) |
As of December 31, 2005, the Company had reserved an
aggregate of 200,000 shares of common stock for issuance
pursuant to Non-Plan Stock Option Agreements (the Non-Plan
Agreements) with one executive officer of the Company. The
Non-Plan Agreements provide for the granting of a nonstatutory
stock option with an exercise price equal to the fair market
value of our common stock on the date of grant. Each option
granted pursuant to the Non-Plan Agreements has a 10-year term
and vests at the rate of
1/4
of the shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant and
1/48
of the shares monthly thereafter. |
22
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2007 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders who intend to have a proposal considered for
inclusion in the Companys proxy materials for presentation
at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or who intend to
present a proposal without inclusion of such proposal in the
Companys proxy materials, must submit the proposal to the
Company no later than December 29, 2006. The Company
reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other
appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not
comply with these and other applicable requirements.
It is important that your stock be represented at the meeting,
regardless of the number of shares that you hold. You are,
therefore, urged to execute and return, at your earliest
convenience, the accompanying Proxy Card in the enclosed
envelope.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board knows of no other matters to be presented for
stockholder action at the Annual Meeting. However, if other
matters do properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof, the Board intends that
the persons named in the proxies will vote upon such matters in
accordance with their best judgment.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, |
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VICTOR VIEGAS |
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President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director |
San Jose, California
April 28, 2006
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE
COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE, AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY
IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY
AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING. IF YOU DECIDE TO ATTEND
THE ANNUAL MEETING AND WISH TO CHANGE YOUR PROXY VOTE, YOU MAY
DO SO AUTOMATICALLY BY VOTING IN PERSON AT THE MEETING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. YOUR PROMPT
RESPONSE WILL GREATLY FACILITATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ANNUAL
MEETING.
23
Proxy IMMERSION CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
to be held on June 7, 2006
This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned stockholder of IMMERSION CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the Company),
hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy
Statement, each dated April 28, 2006, and hereby appoints Victor Viegas and Stephen Ambler, or
either of them, proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full power to each of substitution, on behalf
and in the name of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of IMMERSION CORPORATION to be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2006, at
9:30 a.m., local time, at the Techmart Network Meeting Center, 5201 Great America Parkway, Santa
Clara, CA 95054, and for any adjournment or adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of
common stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then and there personally present,
on the matters set forth below. Under Delaware law and the Companys bylaws, no business
shall be transacted at an annual meeting other than the matters stated in the accompanying Notice
of Meeting, which matters are set forth below. However, should any other matter or matters
properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or adjournments thereof, it is the
intention of the proxy holders named above to vote the shares they represent upon such other
matter or matters in their discretion.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED FOR
APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL TO ELECT TWO DIRECTORS
AND FOR PROPOSAL 2 AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY
COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
Please mark, sign, date and return the proxy card promptly, using the enclosed return-addressed and
postage-paid envelope.
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE.
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o
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Mark this box with an X if you have made
changes to your name or address details above. |
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Annual
Meeting Proxy Card
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The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the listed nominees.
1. Proposal to elect as directors Jack Saltich and Victor Viegas to serve for a three-year term as
Class I directors.
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For |
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Withhold |
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01 Jack Saltich
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o
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o
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02 Victor Viegas
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o
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o |
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B Issues
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following proposal.
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For |
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Against |
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Abstain |
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2.
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Proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP
as the Companys independent registered public accounting
firm for the year ending December 31, 2006.
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o
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o
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o
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MARK HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. |
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o |
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C Authorized Signatures Sign Here This section must be completed for your
instructions to be executed.
This Proxy should be marked, dated and signed by the stockholder(s) exactly as his or her name
appears hereon, and returned promptly in the enclosed envelope. Persons signing in a
fiduciary capacity should so indicate. If shares are held by joint tenants or as community
property, all such stockholders should sign.
Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box
Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box