Acxiom Corporation 2001 Proxy Statement
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
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ACXIOM CORPORATION
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ACXIOM CORPORATION
1 Information Way
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
501.342.1000
www.acxiom.com
[ACXIOM LOGO]
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held August 8, 2001
Please join us for the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Acxiom Corporation. The meeting will be
held on Wednesday, August 8, 2001, at 10:00 a.m., local time at the DoubleTree Hotel, 424 West Markham Street,
Little Rock, Arkansas.
We are holding this meeting to:
1. elect three directors to serve until the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;
2. approve an increase in the number of shares available to be issued under our stock option plan
by 2.9 million shares; and
3. transact any other business that properly comes before the meeting.
To vote at the meeting, you must be a stockholder of record at the close of business on June 15, 2001.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Catherine L. Hughes
Secretary
Little Rock, Arkansas
June 22, 2001
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY OR VOTE BY TELEPHONE
OR THROUGH THE WEB SITE LISTED IN THE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS.
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is being mailed beginning June 22, 2001, in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of Acxiom Corporation, a Delaware corporation, for use at the 2001 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. The Meeting will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel, 424 West Markham Street, Little Rock,
Arkansas on Wednesday, August 8, 2001, at 10:00 a.m., local time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Questions and Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Proposals You May Vote On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Information About the Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Nominees for Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Other Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Board Meetings and Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Proposal to Approve An Increase in Number of Shares Available Under Stock Option Plan . . . . . . . . . . 9
Information About the Stock Option Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Stock Ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Ownership of Major Stockholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Holdings of Officers and Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Summary Compensation Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Option Grants for Last Fiscal Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Option Exercises and Fiscal Year End Option Values . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Compensation of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Report of Compensation Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Report of Audit Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Fees Billed for Services Rendered by Independent Auditor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Stock Performance Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Certain Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Section 16(a) Reporting Delinquencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Independent Public Auditors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Statement Regarding Change in Independent Auditors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Submission of Stockholder Proposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Expenses of Solicitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Additional Information Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Other Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: Who can vote?
A: If you owned any shares of Acxiom at the close of business on June 15, 2001, you are entitled to vote.
Q: How many shares can vote?
A: Every stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share held. As of June 15, 2001, our record date,
90,010,183 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding and are eligible to vote. A list of our
stockholders will be available for examination at our principal offices, 1 Information Way, Little Rock,
Arkansas 72202, for at least 10 days prior to the 2001 annual meeting.
Q: What may I vote on?
A: The election of Rodger S. Kline, Stephen M. Patterson and James T. Womble to the Board of Directors and
the approval of a 2.9 million share increase in the number of shares available for issuance under our
stock option plan.
Q: How does the Board recommend I vote on the proposals?
A: The Board recommends a vote FOR each of the proposals.
Q: How do I vote?
A: You can vote by proxy, which gives the proxy holder the right to vote your shares on your behalf. There
are three ways for you to send in your proxy:
• Sign and mail the proxy voting card in the enclosed return envelope;
• Call the 800 number listed in your proxy voting instructions to vote by telephone; or
• Log on to the Internet at the web site listed in your proxy voting instructions and follow the
instructions at that site.
You may also vote in person at the annual meeting, even if you have already sent in your proxy.
Q: Who will count the votes?
A: A representative of EquiServe, our transfer agent, will count the votes and act as the inspector of
election.
Q: What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card?
A: If your shares are registered differently, or if they are in more than one account, you may receive more
than one proxy card. Follow the voting instructions on each proxy card to ensure that all of your
shares are voted.
Q: What vote is required to pass an item of business?
A: A majority of the holders of our outstanding common stock must be present in person or represented by
proxy to hold the meeting. A majority of the votes cast at the meeting is required to elect any
director and to approve the increase in the number of shares available for issuance under our stock
option plan.
2
Unless you indicate otherwise on your proxy card, the persons named as your proxies will vote your
share(s) for all of the nominees for director and for the increase in the number of shares available
under our stock option plan.
Q: Can I revoke my proxy?
A: Yes. There are three ways for you to revoke your proxy before your proxy holder votes your shares:
• File a written revocation with Acxiom's Secretary before the meeting;
• Sign and deliver before the meeting a proxy bearing a later date; or
• Vote in person at the meeting.
PROPOSALS YOU MAY VOTE ON
1. Election of Directors
There are three nominees for election this year. Rodger S. Kline, Stephen M. Patterson and James T.
Womble currently are members of the Acxiom Board of Directors with terms that expire at the meeting.
2. Increase in the Number of Shares Available Under the Stock Option Plan
The Board of Directors has approved a 2.9 million share increase of the number of shares available for
issuance under the 2000 Associate Stock Option Plan. Of the 6.5 million shares originally approved for
grant under the plan, approximately 1.1 million remain. During the past year, approximately 4.8 million
options were granted in lieu of compensation which would otherwise have been payable in cash to our
associates. The purpose of the plan is to align the Acxiom associates' interests with the stockholders'
and investors' interests; to motivate associates to achieve the highest level of performance; to retain
key associates by linking executive compensation to Acxiom performance; and to attract the best
candidates through competitive, growth-oriented plans. The Board has determined that approximately 2.9
million additional shares will be needed for fiscal 2002 and 2003.
Your Board unanimously recommends a vote for each of these proposals. Detailed information on the Board
of Directors, including the nominees for election, and the proposed increase in the number of shares
available for issuance under the stock option plan is provided below.
With respect to Proposal 1 - election of directors - the enclosed form of proxy provides a method for
you to (1) vote for all nominees as a group, (2) vote only for certain nominees while withholding authority to
vote for the other nominees, or (3) withhold authority for all nominees. Please read the voting instructions
contained in the attached proxy for information on how to withhold authority for any or all nominees. If you
withhold authority for a nominee, your vote will be treated as an abstention and accordingly your shares will
neither be voted for nor against the nominee, but they will be counted for quorum purposes. A majority of the
votes cast at the meeting is required to elect any director.
With respect to Proposal 2 - approval of an increase in the number of shares available for issuance
under the stock option plan - the enclosed form of proxy provides a method for you to (1) vote for the proposal,
(2) vote against the proposal, or (3) abstain from voting. By abstaining, your shares will not be voted either
for or against the proposal, but will be counted for quorum purposes. While there may be instances in which you
will wish to abstain, the Board encourages you to vote your shares in your best judgment and to participate in
the voting process to the fullest extent possible. Provided a quorum is present, a majority of the votes cast at
the meeting is required to approve the proposal to increase the number of shares available under the stock option
plan.
3
Brokers who hold shares in street name for customers who are beneficial owners of the shares are
prohibited from giving a proxy to vote such customers' shares on non-routine matters in the absence of specific
instructions from their customers. This is commonly referred to as a "broker non-vote." Broker non-votes will
be treated in the same manner as abstentions for quorum and voting purposes (i.e., counted for quorum purposes,
but neither being voted for nor against the proposals and, therefore, having no effect on the outcome of the
votes).
INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rodger S. Kline, Stephen M. Patterson and James T. Womble currently are members of the Acxiom Board of
Directors with terms that expire at the 2001 annual meeting. If elected, Messrs. Kline, Patterson and Womble
will serve for a three-year term. The names of the other six Board members are: William T. Dillard II, Harry C.
Gambill and Thomas F. (Mack) McLarty, III, whose terms will expire at the 2002 annual meeting, and Dr. Ann Hayes
Die, William J. Henderson and Charles D. Morgan, whose terms will expire at the 2003 annual meeting. The Board
recently created a new board position and appointed Mr. Henderson to fill the position.
Your proxy holder will vote your shares for the nominees unless you instruct otherwise. If a nominee is
unable to serve as a director, your proxy holder may vote for any substitute nominee proposed by the Board unless
you withhold this authority. In the event of any director's resignation, death, disqualification or inability to
serve, the Board will fill the vacancy.
Nominees For Director
The Board nominates the following candidates for election at the 2001 annual meeting.
Director
Name Age Business Experience Since
Rodger S. Kline 58 Mr. Kline joined Acxiom in 1973 and serves as Acxiom's 1975
Company Operations Leader. Prior to joining Acxiom, Mr.
Kline was employed by IBM Corporation. For the past ten
years, Mr. Kline has served as chairman of the University of
Arkansas' college of engineering advisory council. He holds
an electrical engineering degree from the University of
Arkansas.
Stephen M. Patterson 50 Mr. Patterson is the former President, Chief Executive 2000
Officer, and major shareholder of Leisure Arts, a publishing
and direct mail company. Leisure Arts was acquired by Time
Warner in 1992. Mr. Patterson is currently an investor in
Patterson Enterprises for which he served as President from
1994-2000. He currently is serving as Vice Chairman of the
Board of Trustees of Hendrix College. Mr. Patterson served
on the Board of Directors of Worthen Bank and its successor,
Bank of America - Arkansas, for 12 years. Mr. Patterson has
a bachelor of arts degree from Hendrix College, an electrical
engineering degree from Columbia University, and a masters of
business administration degree, also from Columbia University.
James T. Womble 58 Mr. Womble joined Acxiom in 1974 and serves as one of 1975
Acxiom's six Division Leaders. Mr. Womble is also a director
of Sedona Corporation. Prior to joining Acxiom, he was
employed by IBM Corporation. He holds a degree in civil
engineering from the University of Arkansas.
4
Other Directors
Director
Name Age Business Experience Since
Dr. Ann Hayes Die 56 Dr. Die is President Emerita of Hendrix College in Conway, 1993
Arkansas; she served as the College's President from
1992-2001. In August, 2001, she will become Vice President
and Partner in A. T. Kearney, Inc.'s higher education
practice. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the
National Merit Scholarship Corporation and Air University of
the U. S. Air Force. She is currently Chair of the Board for
Educational and Institutional Insurance Administrators. She
is Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the National
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III
Presidents Council, and the American Council on Education's
Council of Fellows. Her memberships have included the
American Council on Education Board, the Arkansas Repertory
Theatre Board, and the NCAA Executive Committee. She
formerly served as Dean of the H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial
College and Associate Provost at Tulane University. Dr. Die
graduated summa cum laude from Lamar University, earned a
master's degree from the University of Houston, and a Ph.D.
in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M University.
William T. Dillard II 56 Mr. Dillard has served since 1968 as a member of the 1988
Dillard's, Inc. Board of Directors and is Chief Executive
Officer of Dillard's, Inc. of Little Rock, Arkansas, a chain
of traditional department stores with 343 retail outlets in
29 states. In addition to Dillard's, Inc., Mr. Dillard is
also a director of Barnes & Noble, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Chase
& Co., Texas Region. He holds a master's degree in business
administration from Harvard University and a bachelor's
degree in the same field from the University of Arkansas.
Harry C. Gambill 55 Mr. Gambill is a director and has held the position of Chief 1992
Executive Officer/President of Trans Union LLC, a company
engaged in the business of providing consumer credit
reporting services, since April 1992. Mr. Gambill joined
Trans Union in 1985 as Vice President/General Manager of the
Chicago Division. Mr. Gambill is also the Chair Elect of the
Associated Credit Bureaus, and a Director of Damian Services
Corp., a temporary staffing technology company. He holds
degrees in business administration and economics from
Arkansas State University.
William J. Henderson 54 Mr. Henderson was the 71st Postmaster General of the United 2001
States and the fifth career employee to lead the world's
largest postal system. He served in that position from May
1998 until his recent retirement in May 2001. From 1994
until his appointment as Postmaster General and Chief
Executive Officer, Mr. Henderson served as Chief Operating
Officer. From 1992-1994, he served as Vice President of
Employee Relations, then became Chief Marketing Officer and
Senior Vice President. In addition to his service in
Washington, D.C., he has served in postal management
positions in Chicago, Greensboro, Memphis, and Stockton,
among other locations. In 1997, Mr. Henderson received the
Postal Service's John Wanamaker Award, and in 1998 he
received American University's Roger W. Jones Award for
Executive Leadership. In 1998 Henderson also received an
honorary Mailing Excellence Award from the National Postal
Forum for his work with the nation's professional mailing
industry. He is a graduate of the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill and served in the U.S. Army.
5
Thomas F. (Mack) McLarty, III 56 Mr. McLarty is Chairman of McLarty Automotive Group, an 1999
Asbury Automotive partner, one of the nation's leading
automotive dealership groups. He is also Vice-Chairman of
Kissinger McLarty & Associates in Washington, D.C. He is a
board member of Entergy Systems Companies, the Financial
Times Advisory Board of London, England, the Americas Society
of New York City, the Inter-American Dialogue of Washington,
D.C., and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. In 1983
he became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of Arkla, a Fortune 500 natural gas company. He was appointed
by President Bush to the National Petroleum Council and the
National Council on Environmental Quality, and he was a
member of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Board from 1989
through 1992. Beginning in 1992, he served President Clinton
in several key positions: Chief of Staff, Counselor to the
President, and Special Envoy for the Americas, with over five
years of service in the President's Cabinet and on the
National Economic Council. He holds a degree in business
administration from the University of Arkansas.
Charles D. Morgan 58 Mr. Morgan joined Acxiom in 1972. He has been Chairman of 1975
the Board of Directors since 1975, and serves as Acxiom's
Company Leader. He is also a director and Chairman of the
Board of the Direct Marketing Association. In addition, he
serves as a member and is the past Chairman of the Board of
Trustees for Hendrix College. He was employed by IBM
Corporation prior to joining Acxiom. Mr. Morgan holds a
mechanical engineering degree from the University of Arkansas.
7
Board Meetings and Committees
The Board holds quarterly meetings to review significant developments affecting Acxiom and to act on
matters requiring Board approval. The Board currently has four standing committees to assist it in the discharge
of its responsibilities. The committees are:
Audit Committee
Reviews Acxiom's financial statements and the financial reporting process, the systems of internal
accounting and financial controls, the annual independent audit of the financial statements, the
internal audit function, and the legal compliance and ethics programs as may be established by Acxiom's
management and the Board, and has the authority to investigate the financial and business affairs of
Acxiom.
The members of this Committee are Messrs. Dillard, Henderson, McLarty and Patterson (Committee Chairman).
Compensation Committee
Approves certain of Acxiom's compensation plans, administers Acxiom's stock option plans, and approves
the compensation paid to Acxiom's senior leaders.
The members of this Committee are Messrs. Dillard and McLarty.
Executive Committee
Implements the policy decisions of the Board and handles routine matters which have been delegated to
the Executive Committee by the Board.
The members of this Committee are Messrs. Kline, Morgan and Womble.
Nominating Committee
Makes recommendations to the Board regarding the selection of potential candidates for open director
positions.
The members of this Committee are Dr. Ann Hayes Die and Messrs. Henderson, McLarty and Morgan.
During the past fiscal year, the Board met four times, the Audit Committee met five times, and the
Compensation Committee met two times. The Nominating Committee had no meetings during the past fiscal year.
Action pursuant to unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting was taken three times by the Board, two times
by the Compensation Committee and thirteen times by the Executive Committee. All of the incumbent directors
attended at least three-fourths of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and of the committees on which
they served during the past fiscal year except for Mr. McLarty.
8
PROPOSAL TO APPROVE AN INCREASE IN NUMBER OF SHARES
AVAILABLE UNDER THE STOCK OPTION PLAN
Last year, the Board and the stockholders approved the 2000 Associate Stock Option Plan of Acxiom
Corporation, with 6.5 million shares available for grant. On May 23, 2001, the Board of Directors authorized,
subject to stockholder approval at the 2001 annual meeting, the appropriate officers of Acxiom to amend and
restate the plan so as to increase the number of shares available for issuance by 2.9 million (from an aggregate
of 6.5 million to 9.4 million). There are currently approximately 1.1 million shares available for issuance
under the plan, which is not enough to provide for the option grants we anticipate needing for the next twelve
months.
The majority - approximately 4.8 million shares - of the 6.5 million shares approved by the stockholders
last year were issued in lieu of cash compensation, in an effort to reduce our expenses. In early fiscal 2001,
we instituted a pilot program whereby all associates were given the choice of selecting stock options in lieu of
cash for all or part of their at-risk compensation for the year. A portion of all our associates' compensation
is "at-risk," i.e., this part of their compensation is paid only upon the ultimate attainment of certain
financial targets established at the beginning of each fiscal year. (See the discussion in the Report of
Compensation Committee under the heading "At-Risk Base Pay.") Under the pilot program, approximately 1.6 million
stock options were issued in response to the associates' elections. These options vest over a six-year period
(with 20% of the options becoming vested on each of the second through the sixth anniversaries of the grant
date), with a proviso that the vesting would be accelerated upon the attainment of the stated financial targets
at the end of the fiscal year. If the financial targets were not attained, then the options would remain on a
six-year vesting schedule, and reductions would be made to future long-term incentive stock options for which the
associates might become eligible. Due to the fact that the financial targets for fiscal 2001 were not attained,
the vesting of these options remains fixed at six years, and reductions to future long-term incentive grants will
be made with respect to those individuals who are eligible for such future grants. Other associates will have
their incentive bank balances reduced by the Black-Scholes value of the options, resulting in a reduction in
future cash payments from the incentive bank.
In April 2001, as part of a major expense savings initiative and in an effort to avoid a company-wide
layoff, we required all of our associates (except for those making less than $25,000 per year and most non-U.S.
associates) to take a 5% cut in base pay. In exchange, the Compensation Committee of the Board agreed to grant
stock options to each affected associate on a $1 for $1 basis, (i.e., one dollar's worth of stock options, using
the Black-Scholes valuation methodology, for each dollar's worth of salary reduction). In addition to the
mandatory pay cuts, we allowed our associates to take further, voluntary base pay reductions (up to a total of
20%), in exchange for additional stock options to be granted on a $2 for $1 basis. All of these options will be
fully vested on April 1, 2002. Approximately 38% of the eligible associates accepted this offer and voluntarily
agreed to reduce their base pay by more than 5%. A total of approximately 3.1 million options were issued for
both the mandatory and voluntary base pay reductions.
For the current fiscal year, we intend to issue options primarily in connection with our standard
long-term incentive compensation programs and for recruiting and retention purposes. During the current fiscal
year, we may issue some options in lieu of cash compensation, but not to the extent that we did so last year. We
have estimated that we will need approximately 2.9 million shares in addition to the shares which still remain
available for grant in order to fulfill the grants for fiscal 2002 and 2003, which will be granted in the coming
twelve months. We therefore are requesting the stockholders to approve this proposal to increase the number of
shares available under the stock option plan by 2.9 million shares.
We believe that our use of stock options has served all of our stockholders well in the past. In
particular, the strategy we have utilized since 1993 for our long-term incentive grants has motivated our key
associates to remain with the company and to focus on business initiatives that enhance the growth of our stock
price. Under the Board's current guidelines for the issuance of long-term incentive options, only 50% of these
options are issued at the fair market value of our stock on the date of grant. The remainder are issued at
above-market, premium prices, up to a maximum of 150% of the fair market value on the date of grant. From 1993
to 1999, a portion of the options were granted at premiums of up to 200% of the fair market value on the date of
grant. In a recent survey performed by the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals, only 2% of the 365
companies surveyed ever issue options at premium prices.
9
In addition to the utilization of premium pricing, the current vesting schedule of six years for our
long-term incentive options is longer than the vesting schedule used by other companies in our market space. Up
until two years ago, our vesting schedule was nine years, substantially longer than the average. Under the
present six-year schedule, no options vest for the first two years; thereafter, the options vest 20% per year
from the second through the sixth anniversaries of the grant date. Per the NASPP survey referenced above,
approximately 95% of responding companies apply vesting schedules that will vest 100% of all options granted in
five years or less.
While the term of our options is currently 15 years, which is longer than average, we believe that the
other highly conservative features of our long-term incentive program more than offset the longer term of the
options. Strategies such as premium pricing and the utilization of a longer vesting schedule encourage our
associates to think like long-term stockholders and bind them to Acxiom in ways that cash could never
accomplish. It is our belief that the judicious use of stock options as a significant component of compensation
is in the best interests of both our associates and our external stockholders. (See additional discussion of our
leaders' compensation in the Report of Compensation Committee.)
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE STOCK OPTION PLAN
Background
At last year's annual meeting, the stockholders approved the 2000 Associate Stock Option Plan of Acxiom
Corporation. The purpose of the stock option plan is to further the growth and development of Acxiom by offering
associates options to purchase shares of common stock. We believe that providing our associates with a
proprietary interest in Acxiom's business and, therefore, a more direct stake in its continuing welfare, will
better align their interests with those of our stockholders.
Description of the Stock Option Plan
The following summary is a brief description of the stock option plan. A copy of the amended and
restated plan is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A, and stockholders are encouraged to read the plan
for a complete statement of its provisions.
Grant of Stock Options. Under the stock option plan, Acxiom may grant both incentive stock options and
stock options that do not qualify as incentive options (non-qualified stock options). See the discussion below
under "Federal Income Tax Treatment of Options." We issue each option grant under a separate grant document
which includes the following terms:
o whether the option is an incentive option or a non-qualified option;
o the number of shares of stock which may be purchased upon exercise of the option;
o the exercise price to be paid for the shares;
o the accepted form of payment for the shares purchased upon exercise;
o the required period of continuous service, if any, by the participant; and
o any other conditions to be satisfied before the option will vest and become exercisable.
Shares Reserved for Issuance. 6.5 million shares of Acxiom common stock were initially reserved for
issuance under the stock option plan. If the stockholders vote to approve the 2.9 million share increase, the
total number of shares reserved for issuance will be 9.4 million. Any shares of Acxiom stock subject to an
option that are canceled or unexercised within the exercise period will again be available for re-issuance under
the Plan. In the event there is any change in the number of shares of Acxiom stock subject to the stock option
plan resulting from a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split or
similar occurrence, then the number of shares reserved for issuance, the number of shares for which options may
be granted to any one participant, and the number of shares and the price per share subject to outstanding
options will be proportionally adjusted.
10
Acxiom has two other option plans - an Amended and Restated Key Associate Stock Option Plan as well as a
U.K. Share Option Scheme - both of which were originally adopted in 1987. There are currently approximately
124,000 shares of common stock available for re-issuance under those plans. Acxiom will continue to use these
shares for future grants until there are none left. We intend to use the 2000 Stock Option Plan for all other
grants.
Administration. The Acxiom Board of Directors or a committee of the Board comprised solely of "outside"
directors administers the stock option plan. The committee or the Board has full authority and discretion to
administer the stock option plan, including the ability to determine:
o to whom (within the class of eligible persons), and when awards will be granted;
o whether to grant incentive options, non-qualified options or stock appreciation rights (described below);
o the number of shares of stock subject to each grant;
o the duration and exercise price of each grant, provided that the exercise price is no less than the fair
market value of the stock on the date of grant;
o any restriction, limitation, procedure or deferral related to a grant;
o any other terms and conditions of the grants, including any acceleration or forfeiture of the options
upon the occurrence of certain events; and
o the extent to which grants will be made and operate with other benefits provided to associates.
The committee or the Board may establish any rules and regulations it considers necessary to administer the stock
option plan. All determinations of the committee or the Board will be final and conclusive for all purposes.
Eligible Participants. Participation in the stock option plan is limited to employees, officers,
affiliates, independent contractors and consultants of Acxiom or any subsidiary or affiliated company of Acxiom.
Any Acxiom executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table of Acxiom's then current proxy statement for
any year is not eligible to receive more than 600,000 stock options or stock appreciation rights in any
three-year period.
Exercise Price. The committee or the Board determines the exercise price of all options granted under
the stock option plan. The exercise price of all options granted under the plan may not be less than 100% of the
fair market value of Acxiom common stock on the date of the grant. In the case of an incentive option granted to
a participant owning more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of Acxiom stock, the
exercise price may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of Acxiom common stock on the date of the
grant. The aggregate fair market value of Acxiom common stock with respect to which incentive options are
exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year (determined at the date of grant) may
not exceed $100,000.
As described above in the Proposal and below in the Report of Compensation Committee, for the past eight
years, Acxiom has routinely granted options with exercise prices ranging from 25% to 100% above current fair
market value as part of its long-term incentive compensation program. By granting options which are
significantly underwater at the time of grant, the recipients are motivated to increase stockholder value, and
their interests are even more aligned with those of all other stockholders.
Option Repricing. Without the further approval of the stockholders of Acxiom, no outstanding stock
option may be amended to reduce the exercise price or canceled in consideration for an award having a lower
exercise price. This will not, however, prohibit adjustments related to stock splits, stock dividends,
recapitalizations and other changes in the corporate structure or shares of Acxiom.
11
Vesting. Options granted under the stock option plan vest and become exercisable by a participant as
determined by the committee or the Board, in its sole discretion, as specified in each grant document.
Exercise Period. The duration of options granted under the stock option plan, including the duration of
options following a participant's termination of employment, death or disability, is determined by the committee
or the Board in its sole discretion. Non-qualified options granted under the stock option plan may not be
exercised more than fifteen years after the date of grant, and incentive options may not be exercised more than
ten years after the date of the grant, although each may be granted for a lesser duration. Incentive options
granted to a participant owning more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of Acxiom stock
may not be exercised more than five years from the date of grant.
Payment for shares. At the time of exercise of an option, a participant must pay the full exercise
price of the option in cash, by check or electronic funds transfer. Additionally, if approved by the committee
or the Board (or its authorized designee), a participant may pay the exercise price by one of the following
additional forms of payment:
o via a "broker's cashless exercise" (i.e., through the sale of shares, by way of a broker, acquired upon
exercise of the option having a fair market value equal to the exercise price pursuant to
procedures approved by Acxiom);
o by delivering previously-owned shares of Acxiom common stock owned by the participant for at least six
months and having a fair market value equal to the exercise price;
o by authorizing Acxiom to withhold a number of shares of Acxiom common stock otherwise issuable to the
participant upon exercise of an option having a fair market value equal to the exercise price;
or
o by any combination of the above.
Stock Appreciation Rights. Under the stock option plan, the committee or the Board may grant stock
appreciation rights to participants who have been granted, or who are being granted options under the stock
option plan or as a stand-alone award. When exercised, a stock appreciation right entitles the participant to
receive (in cash or shares of Acxiom common stock as specified in the grant document) the excess of (1) the fair
market value of a share of Acxiom common stock on the date of the exercise over (2) the price specified in the
stock appreciation right. If stock appreciation rights are identified with shares subject to a stock option,
then, unless otherwise stated in the grant document, the participant's associated stock appreciation rights will
become exercisable and will terminate upon the same terms as the option. Stock appreciation rights not
identified with an option will become exercisable by a participant and will terminate as determined by the
committee or the Board, in its sole discretion, as specified in each grant. The exercise price of any stock
appreciation right will equal (1) for any stock appreciation right identified with a stock option, the exercise
price of the option, or (2) for any other stock appreciation right, any price determined by the committee or the
Board in its sole discretion. The provisions of the plan regarding administration of options, adjustments to
grants upon certain events (i.e. reorganization or merger), transferability, conditions to exercise, and
alteration, termination or waiver also apply to stock appreciation rights.
Amendment and Termination. The Board of Directors may amend the stock option plan at any time as it
deems advisable, and the committee or the Board may amend the terms of outstanding grants; provided, however,
that, any amendment that would impair the rights of a participant may not be made without the participant's
consent. To the extent necessary to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including federal tax laws and
regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market, certain amendments to the plan or any outstanding grant will require
stockholder approval. The stock option plan may be terminated at any time by the Board. No termination, however,
will adversely affect the terms of any outstanding options.
Merger or Sale of Acxiom. In connection with a "change of control" of Acxiom (as defined by the
committee or the Board in its discretion, but which may include a merger or consolidation of Acxiom, a sale of
all or substantially all of its assets, the acquisition of a significant percentage of the voting power of
Acxiom, or a similar occurrence), the committee or the Board may determine that: (1) outstanding options are
immediately exercisable, and/or (2) outstanding options will terminate within a specified number of days after
notice to the participant, and the participant will receive an amount of cash equal to the excess of the fair
market value of the shares immediately prior to the occurrence of the change of control over the exercise price
of the option.
12
Transferability. Stock options (other than incentive options) and stock appreciation rights may be
transferred (1) by gift or pursuant to a domestic relations order to members of the participant's immediate
family, (2) to certain family-controlled entities, or (3) to other entities approved by the committee or the
Board. Grants made under the stock option plan may provide that any shares of stock issued or transferred as a
result of the award will be subject to further restrictions upon transfer.
Federal Income Tax Treatment. The following summary of certain federal income tax consequences of the
grant and exercise of options and stock appreciation rights under the stock option plan is based on current U.S.
laws and regulations, all of which are subject to change. This summary does not attempt to describe all of the
possible tax consequences that could result from the acquisition, holding, exercise or disposition of an option
or stock appreciation right, or any of the underlying shares of common stock.
Non-Qualified Stock Options. There will be no federal income tax consequences to either the
participant or Acxiom upon the grant of a non-qualified option. Upon the exercise of a non-qualified option, the
participant will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value
of each share on the date of exercise over the option price, and Acxiom generally will be entitled to a federal
income tax deduction in the same amount.
Incentive Stock Options. There will be no federal income tax consequences to either the
participant or Acxiom upon the grant of an incentive option. The participant will not have to recognize any
income upon the exercise of an incentive option, and Acxiom will not be allowed any deduction, as long as the
participant does not dispose of the shares within two years from the date the incentive option was granted or
within one year from the date the shares were transferred to the participant. Upon the sale of the shares after
the holding period requirement is satisfied, the participant will recognize a long-term capital gain (or loss)
measured by the excess (or deficit) of the amount realized from the sale over the exercise price of the shares,
but no deduction will be allowed to Acxiom. If a participant disposes of shares before the holding period is
satisfied, the participant will recognize ordinary income in the year of the disposition, and Acxiom will be
entitled to a corresponding deduction, in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the excess of the fair market
value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the shares, or (2) the excess of the
amount realized from the disposition over the exercise price of the shares. Where shares are sold before the
holding period is satisfied, the participant will also recognize a capital gain to the extent that the amount
realized from the disposition of the shares exceeded the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise.
Stock Appreciation Rights. Upon the grant of a stock appreciation right, the participant
recognizes no taxable income and Acxiom receives no deduction. The participant recognizes ordinary income and
Acxiom receives a deduction at the time of exercise equal to the cash and fair market value of Acxiom common
stock payable upon exercise.
13
STOCK OWNERSHIP
The following tables show the ownership of Acxiom common stock by major stockholders, directors and
executive officers.
Ownership of Major Stockholders
The following table lists the persons known by Acxiom to be the beneficial owners of 5% or more of
Acxiom common stock. The percentages of outstanding shares listed below are calculated based upon 89,938,478
shares of Acxiom common stock issued and outstanding as of May 10, 2001.
Number of Shares
of Common Stock Percent of
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned Outstanding Shares
Waddell & Reed Financial Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 4,708,075 (1) 5.2%
Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc.
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company
P.O. Box 29217
6300 Lamar Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66202-4200
(1) Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
14
Holdings of Officers and Directors
This table shows the amount of Acxiom common stock held by each director and the named executive
officers on May 10, 2001. It also shows the common stock held by all of Acxiom's directors and executive
officers as a group on that date.
Number of Shares
of Common Stock Percent of
Name of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned Outstanding Shares
Dr. Ann Hayes Die . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,664 *
C. Alex Dietz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577,338(1) *
William T. Dillard II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,858 *
Harry C. Gambill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,585 *
William J. Henderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,352 *
L. Lee Hodges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110,678(2) *
Rodger S. Kline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,089,909(3) 2.3%
Thomas F. (Mack) McLarty, III . . . . . . . . . . . 3,429 *
Charles D. Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,980,769(4) 4.4%
Stephen M. Patterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,498 *
James T. Womble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,690,833(5) 1.9%
All directors, nominees and executive officers, as a
group (19 persons) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,136,110(6) 10.2%
* Denotes less than 1%.
(1) Includes 12,144 shares held by Mr. Dietz's wife and 333,395 shares subject to currently exercisable
options (41,524 of which are held by Mrs. Dietz), of which 208,821 are in the money.
(2) Includes 105,192 shares subject to currently exercisable options, of which none are in the money.
(3) Includes 371,471 shares subject to currently exercisable options, of which 208,063 are in the money.
(4) Includes 565,517 shares subject to currently exercisable options, of which 352,465 are in the money.
(5) Includes 358,651 shares subject to currently exercisable options, of which 209,706 are in the money.
(6) Includes 2,236,558 shares subject to currently exercisable options, of which 1,179,367 are in the
money.
15
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
This table shows the compensation during each of Acxiom's last three fiscal years paid to Mr. Morgan
(the Company Leader) and the four other most highly compensated executive officers based on compensation earned
during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001.
Summary Compensation Table
Long Term
Annual Compensation Compensation
------------ -------- --------------- ----------------
Securities
Name and Other Annual Underlying All Other
Principal Year Salary Bonus Compensation Options(#) Compensation
Position ($) ($) ($)(1) ($)(3)
---------------------------- -------- ------------ -------- --------------- ---------------- ---------------
Charles D. Morgan 2001 705,000 ___ 0 72,803(2) 24,403
Chairman of the Board 2000 595,000 ___ 0 208,500 19,699
and Company Leader 1999 485,000 ___ 292,300 49,678 24,020
Rodger S. Kline 2001 466,000 ___ 0 48,157(2) 17,350
Company Operations 2000 394,000 ___ 0 138,066 12,180
Leader 1999 322,000 ___ 194,063 33,483 15,956
James T. Womble 2001 388,000 ___ 0 45,658(2) 14,753
Division Leader 2000 326,000 ___ 0 114,237 10,797
1999 264,000 ___ 159,107 31,782 12,719
L. Lee Hodges 2001 360,500 ___ 0 26,941 13,750
Division Leader
C. Alex Dietz 2001 340,000 ___ 0 34,199(2) 6,324
Division Leader 2000 291,000 ___ 0 101,972 7,997
1999 242,000 ___ 70,898 1,483 11,445
--------------------------
(1) This amount represents the named individuals' at-risk pay for each fiscal year. See discussion of
"At-Risk Base Pay" below under "Report of Compensation Committee." In August 2000, each of the named
executive officers received stock options in lieu of cash at-risk payments for the fiscal 2001. See
footnote 2 under the next table, "Option Grants For Last Fiscal Year," below.
(2) See footnotes to "Option Grants For Last Fiscal Year" below.
(3) This amount represents Acxiom's contribution on behalf of each named executive officer to Acxiom's
401(k) and supplemental executive retirement plans.
16
Option Grants For Last Fiscal Year
This table contains information concerning options to acquire shares of Acxiom stock granted to the
named executive officers.
Individual Grants
Percent of
Total
Number of Options
Securities Granted
Underlying to
Options Employees Exercise or Grant Date
Granted in Fiscal Base Price Expiration Present Value
Name (#) Year ($/Sh) Date ($)(3)
Charles D. Morgan ................. 12,589(1) .42 23.44 8/08/15 105,284
60,214(2) 2.00 23.44 8/08/15 503,571
Rodger S. Kline ................... 8,356(1) .28 23.44 8/08/15 69,885
39,801(2) 1.32 23.44 8/08/15 332,857
James T. Womble ................... 12,519(1) .42 23.44 8/08/15 104,701
33,139(2) 1.10 23.44 8/08/15 277,143
L. Lee Hodges ................... 26,941(2) .90 23.44 8/08/15 225,313
C. Alex Dietz ................... 5,160(1) .17 23.44 8/08/15 43,153
29,039(2) .97 23.44 8/08/15 242,857
(1) These options were granted on August 9, 2000 for the previous fiscal year equal to one-third of the
recipient's incentive bank balance. See the discussion in the Report of Compensation Committee below under the
heading "Incentive Bank." The exercise price was the fair market value on the date of grant, and the options
were immediately vested.
(2) These options were granted on August 9, 2000 in lieu of all of the recipient's fiscal 2001 at-risk cash
compensation opportunity. The exercise price was the fair market value on the date of grant, and the options will
vest over six years. In that not all of the financial targets for fiscal 2001 were met, the recipient's future
long-term incentive grants will be reduced accordingly. See additional discussion below in the Report of
Compensation Committee under the heading "At-Risk Base Pay."
(3) The grant date present value was based on the Black-Scholes Option Valuation Model, a widely recognized
method of valuing options. The following underlying assumptions were used to derive the present value of these
options: expected volatility of Acxiom's common stock of 57.06%, based upon the actual monthly volatility as
represented by the standard deviation in the stock price variance for the two years prior to the grant date; a
risk-free rate of return of 6.16%, based on the yield of the two-year U.S. treasury notes as of the grant date;
and exercise of the option two years after the grant date. The actual value, if any, the named individuals may
realize will depend on the excess of the stock price over the exercise price on the date the option is exercised;
consequently, there is no assurance the value realized by the named individuals will be at or near the value
estimated by the Black-Scholes Option Valuation Model.
17
Option Exercises and Fiscal Year End Option Values
This table shows all stock options exercised by the named executives during the fiscal year ended March
31, 2001, and the number and value of the options they held at fiscal year end.
Number of
Securities Value of
Underlying Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Options Options
Shares Value at Fiscal Year-End at Fiscal Year-End
Acquired on Realized (#) ($)
Name Exercise (#) ($) Exercisable Exercisable
Unexercisable Unexercisable
Charles D. Morgan 0 0 565,517 188,893 5,831,975 776,499
Rodger S. Kline 0 0 371,471 224,594 3,408,623 515,792
James T. Womble 0 0 358,651 188,874 3,457,105 462,481
L. Lee Hodges 0 0 105,192 104,570 111,791 6,622
C. Alex Dietz 2,208 47,196 322,575 162,052 3,621,803 403,963
Compensation of Directors
Each outside director receives 1,000 shares of unregistered Acxiom common stock as an annual retainer
fee. In addition, each outside director receives a $2,000 fee for each Board meeting he or she attends and
$1,000 per Committee meeting. The Audit Committee Chairman receives an additional $4,000 per quarter for his
services as Chairman. Each outside director has the option to receive his or her fee in Acxiom stock, cash or a
combination of each. Outside Board members are also reimbursed for expenses reasonably incurred in connection
with their service on the Board. Inside directors do not receive any additional compensation for their service
as directors.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Dillard and McLarty. No compensation committee
interlocks exist with respect to the Board's Compensation Committee, nor do any present or past officers of
Acxiom serve on the Compensation Committee.
Report of Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors makes decisions on the compensation of Acxiom's
leadership team. The Compensation Committee members are non-employee, outside directors pursuant to Securities
and Exchange Commission rules and applicable Treasury regulations. Set forth below is a report submitted by
William T. Dillard II and Thomas F. (Mack) McLarty, III, in their capacity as members of the Board's Compensation
Committee, addressing the compensation policies for Acxiom's leadership team, for the individuals named in the
tables above, and for Mr. Morgan.
Compensation Policies
Compensation for Acxiom's leadership is based upon principles designed to align leadership compensation
with business strategy, Acxiom values and management initiatives. The plan is designed to:
o align the leaders' interests with the stockholders' and investors' interests,
o motivate the leaders to achieve the highest level of performance,
o retain key leaders by linking executive compensation to Acxiom performance, and
o attract the best candidates through competitive, growth-oriented plans.
18
The resulting compensation strategy is targeted to provide an overall level of compensation opportunity
that is competitive within the markets in which Acxiom competes, as well as within a broader group of companies
of comparable size and complexity. Actual compensation levels may eventually be greater than or less than the
average competitive market levels, based upon the achievement of Acxiom, as well as upon individual performance.
The Compensation Committee uses its discretion to set the parameters of the leadership compensation plan when
external, internal and/or individual circumstances warrant it. Increased orientation of leadership compensation
policies toward long-term performance has been accompanied by increased utilization of objective performance
criteria. See "Components of Compensation" below.
The Compensation Committee also endorses the position that stock ownership by management and stock-based
performance compensation arrangements are beneficial in aligning management's and stockholders' interests and the
enhancement of stockholder value. Thus, the Committee has also increasingly utilized these elements in Acxiom's
compensation program for its leadership team.
Components of Compensation
Compensation paid to Acxiom's leaders in the last fiscal year, the separate elements of which are
discussed below, consisted of the following: not-at-risk base pay, at-risk base pay, and long-term incentive
compensation granted under Acxiom's stock option plans. The compensation system contains five possible
compensation levels, with base pay being established based on the 75th percentile of market for senior leaders
and the 50th percentile for all other leaders, which provides flexibility in establishing appropriate
compensation packages for Acxiom's leadership. The plan provides for increasingly large percentages of total
compensation being weighted towards at-risk pay and, to an even greater degree, toward long-term incentive
compensation ("LTI"). The higher the compensation level, the greater the overall percentage of at-risk and LTI.
Under the plan, the compensation for Acxiom's senior leaders, who participate in the top two levels of the plan,
is as follows: not-at-risk base pay (35-40%); at-risk base pay (25%); and LTI compensation (35-40%).
Not-At-Risk Base Pay - Base pay levels are largely determined through market comparisons. Actual
salaries are based on individual performance contributions and the use of market surveys for comparable companies
and positions. Base salaries for Acxiom's senior leadership were targeted in the last fiscal year to represent
35-40% of total compensation, which includes the annual at-risk base pay and LTI compensation. For other
corporate, group and business unit level leaders, base salaries were targeted at 40-70% of total compensation.
At-Risk Base Pay - In the past fiscal year, at-risk base pay was targeted to represent 25% of total
compensation for the senior leadership team and 15-25% for other corporate, group and business unit leaders.
Attainment of targeted at-risk base pay is largely determined by using the EVA® (Economic Value Added) model.
(EVA is a registered trademark of Stern Stewart & Co.) EVA measures a company's performance by taking its
after-tax operating profit and subtracting the cost of capital.
For fiscal 2001, Acxiom associates, including the leadership team, were given the choice of taking their
at-risk compensation in cash or stock options, or a combination of cash and options. The cash at-risk base pay
for all of Acxiom's leaders was funded on a quarterly basis, provided that Acxiom achieved its earnings per share
targets for each quarter. The maximum amounts payable (in terms of percent of total opportunity) for each
quarter were: Q1 - 1/8; Q2 - 1/8; Q3 - 1/8; Q4 - 5/8. Cash at-risk payments amounting to 2/8 of the total
opportunity for the year were made for the first two quarters of fiscal 2001. However, no further cash payments
were made for the second two quarters, since the financial targets for those quarters were not met.
The options elected in lieu of cash at-risk compensation were granted on August 9, 2000, with a
provision that vesting would be accelerated after the completion of the fiscal 2001 audit if the earnings per
share targets and certain other financial goals were achieved. Acxiom's diluted earnings per share for the year
were short of the goal of $1.20 per share. Therefore, there was no acceleration of the vesting of these stock
options, which will remain on a six-year vesting schedule. In addition, the associates who elected options in
lieu of cash will have off-setting deductions made from future LTI grants.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation - The Committee's long-term incentive compensation plan is composed of
awards of stock options designed to align long-range interests between Acxiom's leadership team and its
stockholders and to assist in the retention of key associates. Currently, the long-term incentives are targeted
to represent 35-40% of total compensation for senior leadership and 15-35% for other corporate, group and
business unit leaders. Once every three years, senior leadership members are granted the equivalent of three
years' worth of non-statutory stock options to induce them to adopt the long-term view of stockholders. Their
most recent grant was in May, 1999. They will not be eligible for new grants of LTI options until 2002.
19
Under the Committee's current guidelines, the terms of LTI non-statutory options are 15 years, and the
exercise prices are: one-half at the fair market value on the date of grant, one-fourth at a 25% premium over
market, and one-fourth at a 50% premium over market. From 1993 - 1998, LTI options were granted one-half at fair
market value, one-fourth at a 50% premium over market, and one-fourth at a 100% premium over market. The LTI
vesting period for options granted in and after 1999 was changed from nine to six years, with 20% of the options
becoming vested on each of the second through the sixth anniversaries. These changes were made to make Acxiom
more competitive with other companies in the information technology industry.
Incentive Bank - One of the features of Acxiom's leadership incentive plans is the "incentive bank,"
which permits the retention of half of any amounts achieved over and above the annual EVA targets. The EVA
attainment above the company target for the year is divided equally between Acxiom's stockholders (in the form of
additional earnings) and Acxiom associates (in the form of over-attainment bank credits). The associates' half
is split among all of Acxiom's EVA-based incentive plans. Each year's over-attainment amount is added to the
associates' existing bank balances. Up to one-third of the resulting bank balances may be paid out each year,
normally in the form of stock options. In the event of under-attainment, negative adjustments are likewise made
to the affected associates' bank balances. In fiscal 2001, stock options were granted to eligible recipients for
their incentive bank compensation.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan - All members of Acxiom's leadership team are eligible to
participate in the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"), which was adopted in fiscal 1996, by
contributing up to 100% of their pretax income into the plan. Acxiom matches at a rate of $.50 on the dollar up
to the first 6% of the leadership team members' combined contributions under both the SERP and Acxiom's 401K
Retirement Plan. The Acxiom match is paid in Acxiom common stock.
Other Compensation Plans - Acxiom maintains certain broad-based employee benefit plans in which
leadership team members are permitted to participate on the same terms as non-leadership team associates who meet
applicable eligibility criteria, subject to any legal limitations on the amounts that may be contributed or the
benefits that may be payable under the plans.
Mr. Morgan's Compensation
In fiscal 2001, Acxiom's revenue increased 27%, and net earnings increased 61% excluding special charges
and adjusting for divested operations and the pro forma impact of SAB 101. Diluted earnings per share increased
50% excluding special charges and adjusting for divested operations and the pro forma impact of SAB 101.
With respect to fiscal 2002, which began April 1, 2001, Mr. Morgan's base pay was decreased by 20%.
Five percent of Mr. Morgan's total decrease was mandated by Acxiom, due to the need to reduce expenses following
Acxiom's failure to meet its revenue and income targets for fiscal 2001. The other 15% was voluntary. In a
plan approved by this Committee, substantially all of Acxiom associates' base salaries were cut 5% in April 2001,
and all were given the choice of taking additional voluntary cuts in base pay, up to a maximum of 20%, in
exchange for stock options. Options were granted on a $1-for-$1 basis for the 5% cuts, and were granted on a
$2-for-$1 basis for the voluntary cuts over and above 5%.
Because of Acxiom's performance and Mr. Morgan's performance in the prior year, Mr. Morgan's fiscal 2001
base pay was increased by 18.5% over fiscal 2000. This increase was due in part to the success of Acxiom in
fiscal 2000, and in part as the last of four proposed annual increases designed to make the salaries of Mr.
Morgan (and other Acxiom leaders) more competitive with comparable market compensation (i.e., within the 75th
percentile of competitive companies) by the end of the four-year adjustment period.
20
For fiscal 2001, the Company's earnings per share results and the Company's EVA attained were the
primary basis for determining the at-risk base pay earned by Mr. Morgan. All of Mr. Morgan's fiscal 2001 at-risk
payments were made in the form of stock options. (See the "Option Grants For Last Fiscal Year" table above.)
These 60,214 options were granted on August 9, 2000, at an exercise price of $23.44, the market value on the date
of grant, and will vest over six years. As noted above, none of the options, including those granted to Mr.
Morgan, granted in lieu of at-risk compensation for fiscal 2001 received accelerated vesting treatment, due to
Acxiom's failure to meet its financial targets for fiscal 2001. Furthermore, Mr. Morgan's future grants of LTI
options will be reduced accordingly.
On August 9, 2000, Mr. Morgan was also granted 12,589 stock options from the incentive bank maintained
under the leadership compensation plan. This payment was for performance in fiscal 2000. As noted above under
the heading "Incentive Bank," this plan permits the retention of half of any amounts achieved over and above the
annual EVA targets. Up to one-third of any over-attainment balance may be paid out annually. The stock options
issued to Mr. Morgan were granted at an exercise price of $23.44, the fair market value on the date of grant, and
were fully vested as of the date of grant. The actual value, if any, Mr. Morgan may ultimately realize will
depend on the excess of the stock price over the exercise price on the date he exercises the options. In any
event, until the price of the Company's stock reaches $31.80, Mr. Morgan will be unable to realize the full value
of this portion of his pay.
All of the stock option grants described above were intended to further encourage Mr. Morgan's long-term
performance while aligning his interests with those of Acxiom's other stockholders with regard to the performance
of Acxiom's common stock.
Section 162(m), "Limit on Deductibility of Compensation Expense"
Section 162(m) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 generally prevents public corporations
from deducting as a business expense that portion of the compensation paid to the named individuals in the
Summary Compensation Table that exceeds $1,000,000. However, this deduction limit does not apply to
"performance-based compensation" paid pursuant to plans approved by stockholders. The Board has administered its
compensation plans so as to comply with Section 162(m) and to thereby retain the deductibility of executive
compensation, and it is Acxiom's intention to continue to monitor its compensation plans to comply with Section
162(m) in the future.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee:
William T. Dillard II
Thomas F. (Mack) McLarty, III
Report of Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors consists of three independent directors in accordance
with the NASD's listing standards: William T. Dillard II, Thomas F. McLarty and Stephen M. Patterson, Chairman.
The Audit Committee reviews our financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary
responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process. Our independent auditors are responsible
for expressing an opinion on the conformity of our audited financial statements to generally accepted accounting
principles. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, a copy of which is
attached as Appendix B. The Committee has satisfied its responsibilities under the charter for the fiscal year
ended on March 31, 2001.
The Audit Committee has (1) reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors the
audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2001; (2) discussed with the independent auditors the
matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committee; (3) received the
written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees; (4) considered whether the provision of non-audit
services is compatible with maintaining the auditors' independence; and (5) discussed with the auditors their
independence.
21
Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that
the audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2001 be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Submitted by the Audit Committee:
William T. Dillard II
Thomas F. (Mack) McLarty, III
Stephen M. Patterson, Chairman
Fees Billed for Services Rendered by Independent Auditor
KPMG LLP provided services to Acxiom until July 19, 2000, at which time we retained Arthur Andersen
LLP. Arthur Andersen is now our principal auditor and also provides certain consulting services for us. For the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2001, Arthur Andersen billed us in the approximate amounts set forth below:
Audit Fees: $ 397,044
Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees: $ 1,655,433
All Other Fees:
SAS No. 70 Reviews $ 173,626
Treasury Risk Management Consulting 206,059
Technology Risk Consulting Unrelated to Financial Systems 228,188
Quality Assurance Reviews 47,734
Tax Compliance & Consulting 171,447
Other Services 457,745
Total Other Fees $ 1,284,799
22
Stock Performance Graph
The graph below compares for each of the last five fiscal years the cumulative total return on Acxiom's
common stock, the Nasdaq Stock Market - U.S. Index, and the Nasdaq Stock Market - Computer and Data Processing
Index. The cumulative total return on Acxiom's common stock assumes $100 invested on March 31, 1996 in Acxiom's
common stock.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG ACXIOM CORPORATION, THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.) INDEX
AND THE NASDAQ COMPUTER & DATA PROCESSING INDEX
YEAR 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Acxiom Corporation $100 $120 $215 $222 $279 $175
NASDAQ - US Index 100 111 168 228 423 169
NASDAQ - Computer & Data Processing 100 110 191 312 562 191
* $100 INVESTED ON 03/31/96 IN STOCK OR INDEX - INCLUDING REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS. FISCAL YEAR ENDING
MARCH 31.
23
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
1. Acxiom is a corporate sponsor of RM Promotions, LLC in the 2001 NASCAR truck racing series.
Rob Morgan, an employee and majority owner of RM Promotions, is the son of Company Leader Charles D. Morgan, who
has a minority interest in RM Promotions. Under the agreement, RM Promotions will support Acxiom customers and
promote Acxiom products and services at the NASCAR events. RM Promotions will also assist Acxiom in providing
hospitality facilities for Acxiom customers at selected racing events. The sponsorship fee paid by Acxiom to RM
Promotions in the prior fiscal year was $1,500,000, and the fee to be paid in the current fiscal year is
$1,500,000.
2. During the past fiscal year, Acxiom used the temporary staffing services of a national staffing
firm, Norrell Staffing Services, Inc., for its strategic staffing and contingency workforce needs. Susie P.
Morgan, wife of Company Leader Charles D. Morgan, owned the Little Rock, Arkansas franchise of Norrell. The total
fees received by Ms. Morgan's franchise from Norrell, based on payments made by Acxiom to Norrell, were
approximately $111,000 in fiscal 2001. Ms. Morgan sold her franchise to an unrelated third party in August, 2000.
3. Acxiom leases an aircraft from MorAir, Inc., a corporation controlled by Charles D. Morgan,
Acxiom's Company Leader, for approximately $85,000 per month, plus maintenance and insurance. The term of this
aircraft lease expires in August, 2006. The terms of the lease have been found by the Board to be as good or
better than those which could have been obtained from an unrelated third party.
4. In accordance with a data center management agreement dated July 27, 1992 between Acxiom and
Trans Union LLC, Acxiom (through its subsidiary, Acxiom CDC, Inc.) acquired all of Trans Union's interest in its
Chicago data center and agreed to provide Trans Union with various data center management services. The term of
the agreement expires in 2005. In the past fiscal year, Acxiom received approximately $91.4 million in revenue
from Trans Union. In a 1992 letter agreement, Acxiom agreed to use its best efforts to cause one person
designated by Trans Union to be elected to Acxiom's Board of Directors. Trans Union designated its CEO and
President, Harry C. Gambill, who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board in November 1992 and was elected at
the 1993 annual meeting of Stockholders to serve a three-year term. He was elected to serve additional
three-year terms at the 1996 and 1999 annual stockholders meetings. Under a second letter agreement, executed in
1994 in connection with an amendment to the 1992 agreement which continued the term through 2002, Acxiom agreed
to use its best efforts to cause two people designated by Trans Union to be elected to Acxiom's Board of
Directors. In addition to Mr. Gambill, Trans Union designated Robert A. Pritzker, an executive officer of Marmon
Industrial Corporation, who was appointed to fill a newly created position on Acxiom's Board of Directors in
October 1994. Mr. Pritzker was elected to serve a three-year term at the 1995 annual meeting and was elected to
serve a second three-year term at the 1998 annual meeting. Mr. Pritzker resigned from the Board in May 2000, to
attend to other business obligations. While these undertakings by Acxiom are in effect until 2005, Acxiom has
been notified that Trans Union does not presently intend to designate another individual to serve as director.
24
SECTION 16(a) REPORTING DELINQUENCIES
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Acxiom's executive officers, directors,
and persons who own more than ten percent (10%) of Acxiom's stock to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports are also filed with the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. A copy of each report is furnished to Acxiom.
SEC regulations require Acxiom to identify anyone who filed a required report late during the most
recent fiscal year. Based solely on our review of reports furnished to us and the written representations that
no other reports were required during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001, we believe that all Section 16(a)
filing requirements were met.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC AUDITORS
During the past fiscal year, Arthur Andersen LLP was selected as Acxiom's independent accountants and
auditors. KPMG LLP previously held this position since Acxiom went public in 1983. Arthur Andersen LLP will
have the opportunity to make a statement at the 2001 annual meeting if they desire to do so and to respond to
appropriate questions.
STATEMENT REGARDING CHANGE IN INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
On July 19, 2000, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved the engagement of Arthur
Andersen LLP as the independent auditors for Acxiom. As of that date, Arthur Andersen LLP replaced Acxiom's
former independent auditors, KPMG LLP.
During the two fiscal years ended March 31, 2000 and the subsequent interim period through July 19,
2000, there were no disagreements with KPMG LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to its satisfaction
would have caused it to make reference in connection with its report to the subject matter of the disagreement.
The independent auditors' report of KPMG LLP on the consolidated financial statements of Acxiom Corporation and
subsidiaries as of and for the years ended March 31, 2000 and March 31, 1999 did not contain any adverse opinion
or disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting
principles.
During the two fiscal years ended March 31, 2000, and the subsequent interim period through July 19,
2000, Arthur Andersen LLP was not consulted by Acxiom, or by anyone on Acxiom's behalf, regarding either the
application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of
audit opinion that might be rendered on Acxiom's financial statements.
SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
If you want to present a proposal at the 2002 annual meeting, you should send the proposal to Catherine
L. Hughes, Secretary, Acxiom Corporation, 1 Information Way, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202.
Acxiom's bylaws contain an advance notice provision which provides that any matter may not be brought by
a stockholder before Acxiom's annual meeting unless the proposal is delivered in writing to the Secretary of
Acxiom no later than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting.
Accordingly, for any stockholder proposal to be considered at the 2002 annual meeting it must be submitted no
later than April 11, 2002.
Additionally, for a stockholder proposal to be included in the Acxiom proxy statement and form of proxy
for the 2002 annual meeting, the proposal must be received on or before February 22, 2002 and must otherwise
comply with Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
25
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
Acxiom will bear the expense of preparing and mailing the proxy materials and may use regular employees
and associates, without additional compensation, to request, by telephone or otherwise, the return of proxies or
attendance at the annual meeting. Arrangements will also be made with brokerage firms and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares of common stock,
and Acxiom will provide reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with
the forwarding of such materials. In the event the management of Acxiom deems it advisable, Acxiom may also
engage the services of an independent proxy solicitation firm to aid in the solicitation of proxies. The fees
paid by Acxiom, in the event of such an engagement, likely would not exceed $25,000.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE
Acxiom will furnish, without charge, a copy of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including any financial statements and schedules. Your
written request should be sent to Catherine L. Hughes, Acxiom Corporation, 1 Information Way, Little Rock,
Arkansas 72202.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board does not intend to present any items of business other than those stated in the Notice of
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If other matters are properly brought before the meeting, the persons named in
the accompanying proxy will vote the shares represented by it in accordance with their best judgment.
Discretionary authority to vote on other matters is included in the Proxy. The materials referred to in this
proxy statement under the captions "Report of Audit Committee," "Report of Compensation Committee," and "Stock
Performance Graph" shall not be deemed soliciting material or otherwise deemed filed and shall not be deemed to
be incorporated by any general statement of incorporation reference in any filings made under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Catherine L. Hughes
Secretary
Little Rock, Arkansas
June 22, 2001
26
APPENDIX A
2000 ASSOCIATE STOCK OPTION PLAN
OF
ACXIOM CORPORATION
1. Establishment and Purpose. The purpose of the 2000 Associate Stock Option Plan of Acxiom Corporation
(the "Plan") is to further the growth and development of Acxiom Corporation (the "Company") and any of its
present or future Subsidiaries and Affiliated Companies (as defined below) by granting to certain Associates (as
defined below) of the Company and any Subsidiary or Affiliated Company options to purchase shares of Common Stock
(as defined below) of the Company, thereby offering such Associates a proprietary interest in the Company's
business and a more direct stake in its continuing welfare, and aligning their interests with those of the
Company's shareholders. This Plan is also intended to assist the Company in attracting and retaining talented
Associates, who are vital to the continued development and success of the Company.
2. Definitions. The following capitalized terms, when used in the Plan, will have the following meanings:
(a) "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect from time to time.
(b) "Affiliated Company" means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited liability
partnership, joint venture or other entity in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an
ownership interest.
(c) "Associate" means any employee, officer (whether or not also a director), affiliate, independent
contractor or consultant of the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Company who renders those types
of services which tend to contribute to the success of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliated
Companies, or which may reasonably be anticipated to contribute to the future success of the Company,
its Subsidiaries or its Affiliated Companies.
(d) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time.
(f) "Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Company or any security into
which such common stock may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type described in
Section 18 of the Plan.
(g) "Committee" means a committee of the Board whose members are appointed by the Board from time to time.
All of the members of the Committee, which may not be less than two, are intended at all times to
qualify as "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and "Non-Employee
Directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3; provided, however, that the failure of a member of such
Committee to so qualify shall not be deemed to invalidate any Stock Option granted by such Committee.
(h) "Date of Grant" means the date specified by the Committee or the Board, as applicable, on which a grant
of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights will become effective.
(i) "Exercise Price" means the purchase price per share payable upon exercise of a Stock Option.
(j) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any applicable determination date or for any applicable determination
period, the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by the Committee or Board.
(k) "Grant Documents" means any written agreement, memorandum or other document or instrument, authorized
by the Committee or Board, evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation
Right grant under the Plan.
(l) "Incentive Stock Option" means a Stock Option intended to be and designated as an "Incentive Stock
Option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(m) "Legal Requirements" mean any laws, or any rules or regulations issued or promulgated by the Internal
Revenue Service (including Section 422 of the Code), the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., The Nasdaq, Inc.'s National Market (or any other stock
exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed for trading), or any other governmental or
quasi-governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Company, the Common Stock or the Plan.
(n) "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
(o) "Participant" means a person who is selected by the Committee or the Board, as applicable, to receive
Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right grants under the Plan and who is at that time an Associate.
(p) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16 of the Act, as such Rule is in effect from time to time.
(q) "Stock Appreciation Right" means the right pursuant to an award granted under Section 12 of the Plan, to
surrender to the Company all (or a portion) of such right and, if applicable, a related Stock Option,
and receive cash or shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.
(r) "Stock Option" means the right to purchase a share of Common Stock upon exercise of an option granted
pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.
(s) "Strike Price" shall have the meaning set forth for such term in Section 12(b) of the Plan.
(t) "Subsidiary" means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited liability
partnership, joint venture or other entity in which the Company owns or controls, directly or
indirectly, not less than 50% of the total combined voting power or equity interests represented by all
classes of stock issued by such corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited liability
partnership, joint venture or other entity.
3. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee and the Board. Each of the Committee
or the Board has the full authority and discretion to administer the Plan, and to take any action that is
necessary or advisable in connection with the administration of the Plan including, without limitation, the
authority and discretion to:
(a) select the Associates eligible to become Participants under the Plan;
(b) determine whether and to what extent Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights are to be granted hereunder to one or more Associates;
(c) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each such grant;
2
(d) determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any grant hereunder
(including, but not limited to, the Exercise Price or Strike Price and any restriction, limitation,
procedure, or deferral related thereto, or any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions
regarding any Stock Option, or the shares of stock relating thereto, or any Stock Appreciation Right,
based in each case on such guidelines and factors as the Committee or Board shall determine from time to
time in its sole discretion); and
(e) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances grants under the Plan are to be made and
operate, whether on a tandem basis or otherwise, with other grants or awards (whether equity or cash
based) made by the Company under or outside of the Plan.
Each of the Committee and the Board shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such rules,
guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable; to interpret the terms
and provision of the Plan and any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right grant issued under the Plan (and any
Grant Documents relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.
Each of the Committee and the Board shall also have the authority to provide, in its discretion, for the
recision, forfeiture, cancellation or other restriction of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted
under the Plan, or for the forfeiture, recision or repayment to the Company by an Associate or former Associate
of any profits or gains related to the exercise of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted
hereunder, or other limitations, upon the occurrence of such prescribed events and under such circumstances as
the Committee or the Board shall deem necessary and reasonable for the benefit of the Company.
All decisions made by the Committee and the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be made
in the Committee's or Board's sole discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons including the Company
and any Participant. No member of the Committee or Board will be liable for any such action or determination
made in good faith.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee will have the exclusive
authority and discretion to administer or otherwise take any action required or permitted to be taken under the
provisions of Sections 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 17 or 18 hereof with respect to Stock Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan that are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of
the Code.
4. Grant of Stock Options. The Committee or the Board may from time to time authorize grants of Stock
Options to any Participant upon such terms and conditions as the Committee or Board may determine in accordance
with the provisions set forth in this Plan. Each grant will specify, among other things, the number of shares of
Common Stock to which it pertains; the Exercise Price, the form of payment to be made by the Participant for the
shares purchased upon exercise of the Stock Option and the required period or periods (if any) of continuous
service by the Participant with the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliated Company and/or any other conditions to
be satisfied before the Stock Options or installments thereof will vest and become exercisable. Stock Options
granted under the Plan may be either Non-Qualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options. The Committee or
Board, at the time each Stock Option is granted, shall designate such option as either a Non-Qualified Stock
Option or an Incentive Stock Option.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the aggregate Fair Market Value (as
determined on the Date of Grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted are
exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and
its Subsidiaries) shall not exceed the maximum amount specified by Section 422 of the Code, as amended from time
to time (currently $100,000).
Each Stock Option granted under this Plan will be evidenced by Grant Documents delivered to the
Participant containing such further terms and provisions, consistent with the Plan, as the Committee or Board may
approve in its discretion.
5. Shares Subject to the Plan. The total number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to
the Plan shall not exceed in the aggregate 9,400,000 shares. Such shares may consist, in whole or in part, of
authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares, as determined in the discretion of the Committee or Board.
Any shares of Common Stock which are subject to Stock Options that are terminated unexercised, forfeited or
surrendered or that expire for any reason will again be available for issuance under the Plan. The shares of
Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan will be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 18 below.
3
6. Eligible Participants. All Associates shall be eligible to receive Stock Options and thereby become
Participants in the Plan, regardless of such Associate's prior participation in the Plan or any other benefit
plan of the Company. No executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table of the Company's then current
Proxy Statement shall be eligible to receive in excess of 600,000 Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in
any three-year period.
7. Exercise Price.
(a) The Exercise Price for each share of Common Stock purchasable under any Stock Option shall be not less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant as the Committee or Board shall
specify. All such Exercise Prices shall be subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 18 hereof.
(b) If any Participant to whom an Incentive Stock Option is to be granted under the Plan is on the Date of
Grant the owner of stock (as determined under Section 425(d) of the Code) possessing more than 10% of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any one of its Subsidiaries or
Affiliated Companies, then the following special provisions shall be applicable to any Incentive Stock
Options granted to such individual:
(i) The Exercise Price per share of Common Stock subject to such Incentive Stock Option shall not be less
than 110% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the Date of Grant; and
(ii) The Incentive Stock Option shall not have a term in excess of five (5) years from the Date of Grant.
8. Exercise Period. Subject to Section 18 hereof, the period during which a Stock Option shall vest and
become exercisable by a Participant (or his or her representative(s) or transferee(s)) whether during or after
employment or following death, retirement or disability (the "Exercise Period") shall be such period of time as
may be designated by the Committee or Board as set forth in the applicable Grant Documents executed in connection
with such Stock Option. If the Committee or Board provides, in its sole discretion, that any Stock Option is
exercisable only in installments, the Committee or Board may waive or accelerate such installment exercise
provisions at any time at or after grant in whole or in part, based upon such factors as the Committee or Board
shall determine, in its sole discretion.
The maximum duration of any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be ten (10) years from
the Date of Grant (and no such Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of such (10) year
period), although such options may be granted for a lesser duration. The duration of Non-Qualified Stock Options
shall be for such period as determined by the Committee or Board in its sole discretion.
9. Exercise of Option. Subject to Section 18 hereof, a Stock Option may be exercised by a Participant at
any time and from time to time during the Exercise Period by giving written notice of such exercise to the
Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased by Participant. Such notice shall be
accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price in accordance with Section 10 below.
10. Payment for Shares. Full payment of the Exercise Price for shares purchased upon exercise of a Stock
Option, together with the amount of any tax or excise due in respect of the sale and issue thereof, may be made
in one of the following forms of payment:
(a) Cash, by check or electronic funds transfer;
4
(b) Pursuant to procedures approved by the Company, through the sale (or margin) of shares of Common Stock
acquired upon exercise of the Stock Option through a broker-dealer to whom the Participant has submitted
an irrevocable notice of exercise and irrevocable instructions to deliver promptly to the Company the
amount of sale (or if applicable margin loan) proceeds sufficient to pay for the Exercise Price,
together with, if requested by the Company, the amount of federal, state, local or foreign withholding
taxes payable by reason of such exercise;
(c) By delivering previously-owned shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by the Participant for a
period of at least six months having a Fair Market Value on the date upon which the Participant
exercises his or her Stock Option equal to the Exercise Price, or by delivering a combination of cash
and shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate Exercise Price;
(d) By authorizing the Company to withhold a number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the
Participant upon exercise of a Stock Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date upon which
the Participant exercises his or her Stock Option equal to the aggregate Exercise Price; or
(e) By any combination of the foregoing;
provided however, that the payment methods described in clauses (c), (d) or (e) immediately above shall not be
available to a Participant (i) without the prior consent of either the Committee or Board, or its authorized
designee(s) and (ii) if at any time that the Company is prohibited from purchasing or acquiring shares of Common
Stock under applicable law. The Committee may permit a Participant to defer the issuance of any shares, subject
to such rules and procedures as it may establish.
The Company will issue no certificates for shares until full payment of the Exercise Price has been
made, and a Participant shall have none of the rights of a shareholder until certificates for the shares
purchased are issued to him or her; provided however, that for purposes of this Section 10, full payment shall be
deemed to be received by the Company upon evidence of delivery to a broker-dealer of the irrevocable instructions
contemplated by clause (b) immediately above.
11. Withholding Taxes. The Company may require a Participant exercising a Non-Qualified Stock Option or
Stock Appreciation Right granted hereunder to reimburse the Company (or the entity which employs such
Participant) for taxes required by any government to be withheld or otherwise deducted and paid by such
corporation in respect of the issuance of the shares. Such withholding requirements may be satisfied by any one
of the following methods:
(a) A Participant may deliver cash in an amount which would satisfy the withholding requirement;
(b) A Participant may deliver previously-owned shares of Common Stock (based upon the Fair Market Value of
the Common Stock on the date of exercise) in an amount which would satisfy the withholding requirement;
or
(c) With the prior consent of either the Committee or Board, or its authorized designee, a Participant may
request that the Company (or the entity which employs such Participant) withhold from the number of
shares otherwise issuable to the Participant upon exercise of a Stock Option such number of shares
(based upon the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise) as is necessary to
satisfy the withholding requirement.
12. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) When granted, Stock Appreciation Rights may, but need not be identified with a specific Stock Option
(including any Stock Option granted on or before the Date of Grant of the Stock Appreciation Rights) in
a number equal to or different from the number of Stock Appreciation Rights so granted. If Stock
Appreciation Rights are identified with shares subject to a Stock Option, then, unless otherwise
provided in the applicable Grant Document, the Participant's associated Stock Appreciation Rights shall
terminate upon the expiration, termination, forfeiture or cancellation of such Stock Option or the
exercise of such Stock Option.
5
(b) The "Strike Price" of any Stock Appreciation Right shall (i) for any Stock Appreciation Right that is
identified with a Stock Option, equal the Exercise Price of such Stock Option, or (ii) for any other
Stock Appreciation Right, be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on
the Date of Grant as the Committee or Board shall specify.
(c) Subject to Section 18 hereof, (i) each Stock Appreciation Right which is identified with any Stock
Option grant shall vest and become exercisable by a Participant as and to extent that the related Stock
Option which respect to which such Stock Appreciation Right is identified may be exercised and (ii) each
other Stock Appreciation Right shall vest and become exercisable by a Participant, whether during or
after employment or following death, retirement or disability, at such time or times as may be
designated by the Committee or Board as set forth in the applicable Grant Documents executed in
connection with such Stock Appreciation Right.
(d) Subject to Section 18 hereof, Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised by a Participant by delivery to
the Company of written notice of intent to exercise a specific number of Stock Appreciation Rights.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Grant Documents, the exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights
which are identified with shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Option shall result in the
cancellation or forfeiture of such Stock Option to the extent of such exercise of such Stock
Appreciation Right.
(e) The benefit to the Participant for each Stock Appreciation Right exercised shall be equal to (i) the
Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of such exercise, minus (ii) the Strike Price
of such Stock Appreciation Right. Such benefit shall be payable in cash, except that the Committee or
Board may provide in the Grant Documents that benefits may be paid wholly or partly in shares of Common
Stock.
13. Loans or Guarantee of Loans. The Committee or Board, or its authorized designee(s), may authorize the
extension of a loan to a Participant by the Company (or the guarantee by the Company of a loan obtained by a
Participant from a third party) in order to assist a Participant to exercise a Stock Option granted under the
Plan. The terms of any loans or guarantees, including the interest rate and terms of repayment, will be subject
to the discretion of the Committee or Board, or its authorized designee(s). Loans and guarantees may be granted
without security, the maximum credit available being the Exercise Price of the Stock Option sought to be
exercised plus any federal and state income tax liability incurred upon exercise of the Stock Option.
14. Transferability.
(a) Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan shall not be transferred by a Participant, except by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
(b) Non-Qualified Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (subject to the limitations in paragraph (c)
below) granted under the Plan may be transferred by a Participant to: (i) the Participant's family
members (whether related by blood, marriage, or adoption and including a former spouse); (ii) trust(s)
in which the Participant's family members have a greater than 50% beneficial interest; and (iii) family
partnerships and/or family limited liability companies which are controlled by the Participant or the
Participant's family members, such transfers being permitted to occur by gift or pursuant to a domestic
relation order, or, only in the case of transfers to the entities described in clauses (i) and (ii)
immediately above, for value. The Committee or Board, or its authorized designee(s) may, in its sole
discretion, permit transfers of Non-Qualified Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to other
persons or entities upon the request of a Participant. Subsequent transfers of previously transferred
Non-Qualified Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may only be made to one of the permitted
transferees named above, unless the subsequent transfer has been approved by the Committee or the Board,
or its authorized designee(s). Otherwise, such transferred options may be transferred only by will or
the laws of descent and distribution.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at the time any Stock Option is transferred as permitted under this
Section 14, a corresponding Stock Appreciation Right has been identified as being granted in tandem with
such Stock Option, then the transfer of such Stock Option shall also constitute a transfer of the
corresponding Stock Appreciation Right, and such Stock Appreciation Right shall not be transferable
other than as part of the transfer of the Stock Option to which it relates.
6
(d) Concurrently with any transfer, the transferor shall give written notice to the Plan's then current
Stock Option administrator of the name and address of the transferee, the number of shares being
transferred, the Date of Grant of the Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights being transferred, and
such other information as may reasonably be required by the administrator. Following transfer, any such
Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions
as were applicable immediately prior to transfer. The provisions of the Plan and applicable Grant
Documents shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Participant, and such Stock Options
or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent that they could
have been exercised by the Participant under the terms of such Grant Documents. The Company disclaims
any obligation to provide notice to a transferee of any termination or expiration of a transferred Stock
Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
15. Conditions to Exercise of Options. The Committee or Board may, in its discretion, require as conditions
to the exercise of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights and the issuance of shares thereunder either (a)
that a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the Stock Options or
Stock Appreciation Rights and the shares to be issued upon the exercise thereof, containing such current
information as is required by the Rules and Regulations under said Act, shall have become, and continue to be,
effective; or (b) that the Participant or his or her transferee(s) (i) shall have represented, warranted and
agreed, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, both that he or she is acquiring the Stock Option or
Stock Appreciation Right and, at the time of exercising the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, that he or
she is acquiring the shares for his/her own account, for investment and not with a view to or in connection with
any distribution; (ii) shall have agreed to restrictions on transfer, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Company; and (iii) shall have agreed to an endorsement which makes appropriate reference to such representations,
warranties, agreements and restrictions both on the option and on the certificate representing the shares.
16. Conditions to Effectiveness of the Plan. No Stock Option of Stock Appreciation Right shall be granted
or exercised if the grant of the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or the exercise and the issuance of
shares or other consideration pursuant thereto, would be contrary to law or the regulations of any duly
constituted authority having jurisdiction.
17. Alteration, Termination, Discontinuance, Suspension, or Amendment.
(a) Subject to the requirements of paragraph (c) below, the Committee or Board may, without the consent of
the Participant, amend any Grant Documents evidencing a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted
under the Plan, or otherwise take action, to accelerate the time or times at which the Stock Option or
Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised, to extend the expiration date of the Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right, to waive any other condition or restriction applicable to such Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right or to the exercise of such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, to reduce the
Exercise Price or Strike Price, as applicable, of such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, to
amend the definition of a change in control of the Company (if such a definition is contained in such
Grant Documents) to expand the events that would result in a change in control of the Company and to add
a change in control provision to such Grant Documents (if such provision is not contained in such Grant
Documents) and may amend any such Grant Documents in any other respect with the consent of the
Participant.
(b) Subject to the requirements of paragraph (c) below, the Plan may be amended from time to time by the
Board or any duly authorized committee thereof.
(c) If required by any Legal Requirement, any amendment to the Plan or any Grant Document will also be
submitted to and approved by the requisite vote of the shareholders of the Company. If any Legal
Requirement requires the Plan to be amended, or in the event any Legal Requirement is amended or
supplemented (e.g., by addition of alternative rules) to permit the Company to remove or lessen any
restrictions on or with respect to Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, the Board and the
Committee each reserves the right to amend the Plan or any Grant Documents evidencing a Stock Option or
Stock Appreciation Right to the extent of any such requirement, amendment or supplement, and all Stock
Options or Stock Appreciation Rights then outstanding will be subject to such amendment.
7
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee or the Board may not, without
prior approval of the shareholders of the Company, reprice any outstanding Stock Option by either
lowering the Exercise Price thereof or canceling such outstanding Stock Option in consideration of a
grant having a lower Exercise Price. This paragraph 17(d) is intended to prohibit the repricing of
"underwater" Stock Options without prior shareholder approval and shall not be construed to prohibit the
adjustments provided for in Section 18 hereof.
(e) The Plan may be terminated at any time by action of the Board. The termination of the Plan will not
adversely affect the terms of any outstanding Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
(f) The Plan will not confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or
other service with the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliated Company, nor will it interfere in any way
with any right the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliated Company would otherwise have to terminate a
Participant's employment or other service at any time.
18. Adjustment of Shares; Effect of Certain Transactions. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan
to the contrary, in the event of any change in the shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan or to any Stock
Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan (through merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of
shares, issuance of rights to subscribe, or change in capital structure), appropriate adjustments or
substitutions shall be made by the Committee or Board as to the (i) maximum number of shares of Common Stock
subject to the Plan, (ii) maximum number of shares of Common Stock for which Stock Options or Stock Appreciation
Rights may be granted to any one employee, and (iii) the number of shares of Common Stock and price per share
subject to outstanding Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights as shall be equitable to prevent dilution or
enlargement of rights under previously granted Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights. The determination of
the Committee or Board as to these matters shall be conclusive; provided, however, that (i) any such adjustment
with respect to an Incentive Stock Option and any related Stock Appreciation Right shall comply with the rules of
Section 424(a) of the Code, and (ii) in no event shall any adjustment be made which would disqualify any
Incentive Stock Option granted hereunder as an Incentive Stock Option for purposes of Section 422 of the Code.
The Committee or Board may determine, in its discretion, that Stock Options and Stock Appreciation
Rights may become immediately exercisable upon the occurrence of a transaction involving a "change in control" of
the Company, which transactions shall be as defined in the Grant Documents pursuant to which Stock Options or
Stock Appreciation Rights are granted. A "change in control" transaction may include a merger or consolidation
of the Company, a sale of all or substantially all of its assets, or the acquisition of a significant percentage
of the voting power of the Company, or such other form of transaction as the Committee or Board determines to
constitute a change in control.
The Committee or Board, in its discretion, may also determine that, upon the occurrence of such a
"change in control" transaction, each Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right outstanding hereunder shall
terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the holder, and such holder shall receive, with
respect to each share of Common Stock subject to such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, an amount equal
to the excess of the fair market value of the shares immediately prior to the occurrence of such transaction
(which shall be no less than the value being paid for such shares pursuant to such transaction) over the Exercise
Price or Strike Price, as applicable, of such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right; such amount shall be
payable in cash, in one or more of the kinds of property payable in such transaction, or in a combination
thereof, as the Committee or Board in its discretion shall determine.
19. Use of Proceeds. Proceeds realized from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Options granted
hereunder shall constitute general funds of the Company.
8
APPENDIX B
ACXIOM CORPORATION
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Organization
This charter ("Charter") governs the operations of the Audit Committee ("Committee") of the Board of Directors of Acxiom
Corporation (the "Company"). The Committee shall review and reassess the Charter at least annually and obtain
the approval of the Board of Directors for any necessary changes. The Committee shall be appointed by the Board
of Directors and shall comprise at least three directors, each of whom are independent of management and the
Company in accordance with the rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Stock Market. Members of the Committee shall
be considered independent if they have no relationship that may reasonably be expected to interfere with the
exercise of their independence from management and the Company. All Committee members shall have an
understanding of financial terms and concepts elemental to the Company's business, and at least one member shall
have accounting or related financial management expertise.
Statement of Policy
The Committee shall provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling their oversight responsibility to the shareholders,
potential shareholders, the investment community, and others relating to the Company's financial statements and
the financial reporting process, the systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the annual
independent audit of the Company's financial statements, the internal audit function, and the legal compliance
and ethics programs as established by management and the Board. In so doing, it is the responsibility of the
Committee to maintain free and open communication between the Committee, the independent auditors, the internal
auditors, and management of the Company. In discharging its oversight role, the Committee is empowered to
investigate any matter brought to its attention with full access to all books, records, facilities, and personnel
of the Company and the power to retain outside counsel or other experts for this purpose.
Responsibilities and Processes
The primary responsibility of the Committee is to oversee the Company's financial reporting process on behalf of the
Board and report the results of its activities to the Board. Management is responsible for preparing the
Company's financial statements, and the independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial
statements. The Committee in carrying out its responsibilities believes its policies and procedures should
remain flexible, in order to best react to changing conditions and circumstances. The Committee should take
appropriate actions to establish and maintain processes to achieve desirable financial reporting, business risk
practices, and corporate behavior.
The following shall be the principal recurring processes of the Committee in carrying out its oversight
responsibilities. The processes are set forth as a guide with the understanding that the Committee may
supplement or modify them as it deems appropriate.
o The Committee shall have a clear understanding with management and the independent auditors that the
independent auditors are ultimately accountable to the Board and the Committee, as representatives of the
Company's shareholders. The Committee shall have the ultimate authority and responsibility to evaluate and,
where appropriate, replace the independent auditors. The Committee shall discuss with the auditors their
independence from management and the Company and the matters included in the written disclosures required by
the Independence Standards Board. Annually, the Committee shall review and recommend to the Board the
selection of the Company's independent auditors.
o The Committee shall discuss with the independent auditors and the internal auditors the overall scope
and plans for their respective audits, including the adequacy of staffing and compensation. Also, the
Committee shall discuss with management, the independent auditors, and internal auditors the adequacy and
effectiveness of the accounting and financial controls, including the Company's system to monitor and manage
business risk, and legal and ethical compliance programs. Further, the Committee shall meet separately with
the independent auditors and internal auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results
of their examinations.
o The Committee shall review the interim financial statements with management and the independent auditors
prior to the filing of the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Also, the Committee shall discuss the
results of the quarterly review and any other matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the
independent auditors under generally accepted auditing standards. The Chairman of the Committee may
represent the entire Committee for purposes of undertaking this review.
o The Committee shall review with management and the independent auditors the financial statements to be
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (or the annual report to shareholders if distributed
prior to the filing of Form 10-K), including their judgment about the quality, not just the acceptability,
of accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of the disclosures in
the financial statements. Also, the Committee shall discuss the results of the annual audit and any other
matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the independent auditors under generally accepted
auditing standards.
o Beginning with the fiscal year ending March 31, 2001, the Committee shall make available in the
Company's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders a report that discloses: (a) that the
Company has an Audit Committee and that the members of the Committee are independent of the Company and
management as the term independent is defined in the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market; (b) that
the Committee has a written charter and has satisfied its responsibilities under the charter for the prior
year; (c) whether or not the Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and the independent
auditors the audited financial statements and discussed with the independent auditors the matters required
to be discussed by SAS 61; and (d) whether the Committee has received from the independent auditors
disclosures regarding their independence required by the Independence Standards Board. In addition, the
report shall include a statement whether, based on the review and discussions conducted, the Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the immediately preceding fiscal year. Finally, the Company's Proxy
Statement shall include a copy of the Audit Committee charter at least every three years or for any year in
which there has been a significant amendment to the charter.
2
(Side 1)
PROXY PROXY
ACXIOM CORPORATION
This Proxy Is Solicited on Behalf of The Board of Directors
for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be Held on August 8, 2001
The undersigned hereby appoints Catherine L. Hughes and Robert S. Bloom as
Proxies, or either of them, with the power to appoint their substitutes, and
hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, as designated below, all of the
shares of common stock of Acxiom Corporation held of record by the undersigned
on June 15, 2001, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the
DoubleTree Hotel, 424 West Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas on August 8,
2000, or any postponement or adjournments thereof.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY
THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR ALL PROPOSALS.
Please mark, sign, date and return the proxy card promptly
using the enclosed envelope.
SEE REVERSE
SIDE
(Side 2)
[X} Please mark your
votes as in this
example.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all proposals
FOR all nominees WITHHOLD
listed at right AUTHORITY
1. Election of [ ] [ ] (INSTRUCTION: To withhold
Directors authority to vote for an
individual nominee, strike a
line through the nominee's name
in the list below.)
Nominees: Rodger S. Kline
Stephen M. Patterson
James T. Womble
2. Increase the Number of Shares FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Available to Be Issued Under [ ] [ ] [ ]
Our Stock Option Plan
3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to consider and vote upon
such other business that may come before the meeting or any postponement or
adjournment thereof.
SIGNATURE(S)_________________________ DATED:_____________________, 2001
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a
corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.