SEC Filings
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TEGNA INC filed this Form DEF 14A on 03/22/2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Table of ContentsUNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant x Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:
Gannett Co., Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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March 22, 2013
Dear Shareholder:
On behalf of your Board of Directors and management, we cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 7, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at the Companys headquarters located at 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22107.
At this meeting, our shareholders will vote on matters set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. We also will provide a report on our Company, including the progress weve made on our strategic plan, and will entertain questions of general interest to shareholders.
Our Company is fortunate to be driven by a clear sense of purpose. Promoting the greater good of the nation and the communities we serve informs and energizes our work. It sets us apart, and we are proud of the dedication of a remarkable team of some 31,000 employees whose efforts are keeping Gannett an important part of the daily lives of millions of consumers. It also will help us to deliver value to our shareholders. We invite you to learn more about Gannett and the work we do by joining us on May 7 for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Thank you for your continued support.
Cordially,
Marjorie Magner Chairman of the Board
Gracia C. Martore President and Chief Executive Officer
7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22107 (703) 854-6000
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on May 7, 2013
To Our Shareholders:
The 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Gannett Co., Inc. will be held at the Companys headquarters, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia, at 10:00 a.m. on May 7, 2013 for the following purposes:
The Board of Directors has set the close of business on March 8, 2013 as the record date to determine the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. YOUR SHARES SHOULD BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO VOTE IN PERSON OR IF YOU WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE BY PROXY. YOU CAN VOTE BY PROXY OVER THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY MAILED TO YOU OR, IF YOU REQUESTED PRINTED COPIES OF THE PROXY MATERIALS, YOU CAN ALSO VOTE BY MAIL, BY TELEPHONE OR ON THE INTERNET AS INSTRUCTED ON THE PROXY CARD IF YOU RECEIVED ONE. YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU DECIDE TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
An admission ticket is required for attendance at the Annual Meeting. Please see page 1 of the Proxy Statement for instructions about obtaining tickets.
By Action of the Board of Directors,
Todd A. Mayman Senior Vice President General Counsel and Secretary
McLean, Virginia March 22, 2013
This Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement are first being delivered to shareholders on or about March 22, 2013.
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PROXY STATEMENT
2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
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PROXY STATEMENT
2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
May 7, 2013
Why am I receiving this Proxy Statement?
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Companys headquarters located at 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia. This Proxy Statement furnishes you with the information you need in order to vote, whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting.
On what am I being asked to vote and how does the Board recommend that I vote?
You are being asked to vote on the Proposals below, and the Board recommends that you vote as follows:
Proposal 1FOR the election of nine nominees named by the Board of Directors;
Proposal 2FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2013;
Proposal 3FOR a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Companys named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and accompanying compensation tables and related discussion contained in this Proxy Statement; and
Proposal 4AGAINST the shareholder proposal described in Proposal 4.
In addition, if you grant a proxy, your shares will be voted in the discretion of the proxy holder on any Proposal for which you do not register a vote and any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Will there be any other items of business addressed at the Annual Meeting?
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any other matter to be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is intended that the holders of the proxies will act in accordance with their best judgment.
What must I do if I want to attend the Annual Meeting in person?
Admission to the Annual Meeting is by ticket only. We will provide each shareholder with one admission ticket upon request. Either you or your proxy may use your ticket. If you are a shareholder of record and plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please call the Companys shareholder services department at (703) 854-6960 to request a ticket. If you hold shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker, and you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please send a written request for a ticket, along with proof of share ownership, such as a bank or brokerage firm account statement or a letter
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Table of Contentsfrom the intermediary holding your shares, confirming ownership to: Secretary, Gannett Co., Inc., 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22107. Requests for admission tickets will be processed in the order in which they are received and must be received no later than April 30, 2013. To obtain directions to attend the Annual Meeting, please call the Companys shareholder services department at (703) 854-6960.
Who may vote at the Annual Meeting?
If you owned Company stock at the close of business on March 8, 2013 (the Record Date), then you may attend and vote at the meeting. At the close of business on the Record Date, we had approximately 229,474,339 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share is entitled to one vote on each proposal.
What constitutes a quorum for the Annual Meeting?
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding on the Record Date will constitute a quorum to conduct business. Shares held by an intermediary, such as a banker or a broker, that are voted by the intermediary on any or all matters will be treated as shares present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Why did I receive a one-page notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?
Pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) rules, we are permitted to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we are sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the Notice) to our shareholders of record and beneficial owners. All shareholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on a website referred to in the Notice or request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice. In addition, shareholders may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email on an ongoing basis.
Choosing to receive your future proxy materials by email or viewing them on the Internet will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and will reduce the effect of our annual shareholders meetings on the environment. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by email, you will receive an email next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials by email will remain in effect until you terminate it.
What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner of shares held in street name?
Shareholder of Record. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, you are considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares, and the Notice was sent directly to you by the Company.
Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name. If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, and the Notice was forwarded to you by your bank, broker or other intermediary. The organization holding your account is considered the shareholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct that organization on how to vote the shares held in your account.
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Table of ContentsIf I am a shareholder of record of Company shares, how do I vote?
If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. We will give you a ballot when you arrive.
If you do not wish to vote in person or if you will not be attending the Annual Meeting, you may vote by proxy. You can vote by proxy over the Internet or by telephone by following the instructions provided in the Notice or, if you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you can also vote by mail, by telephone or on the Internet.
If I am a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, how do I vote?
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and you wish to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid legal proxy from the organization that holds your shares.
If you do not wish to vote in person or you will not be attending the Annual Meeting, you may vote by proxy. Follow the instructions provided to you by your bank, broker or other intermediary.
What happens if I do not give specific voting instructions?
Shareholders of Record. If you are a shareholder of record and you:
then the proxy holders will vote your shares in the manner recommended by our Board on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement and as the proxy holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the meeting.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, under the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) rules, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on routine matters (including Proposal 2 to ratify our appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2013) but cannot vote on non-routine matters (including the uncontested director election described in Proposal 1, the non-binding advisory vote described in Proposal 3 and the shareholder proposal described in Proposal 4). If the organization that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, the organization that holds your shares will inform our Inspector of Election that it does not have the authority to vote on this matter with respect to your shares and your shares will not be voted. This is generally referred to as a broker non-vote. When our Inspector of Election tabulates the votes for any particular matter, broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, but will not otherwise be counted. We encourage you to provide voting instructions to the organization that holds your shares.
Can I change or revoke my vote?
Yes. If you deliver a proxy by mail, by telephone or via the Internet, you have the right to revoke your proxy in writing (by mailing another proxy bearing a later date), by phone (by another call at a later time), via the Internet (by voting online at a later time), by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person, or by notifying the Company before the Annual Meeting that you want to revoke your proxy. Submitting your vote by mail, telephone or via the Internet will not affect your right to vote in person if you decide to attend the Annual Meeting.
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Table of ContentsWhat are the votes required to adopt the proposals?
Each share of our common stock outstanding on the Record Date is entitled to one vote on each of the director nominees and one vote on each other matter. To be elected, directors must receive a majority of the votes cast (the number of shares voted for a director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast against that nominee). Ratification of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm, the non-binding advisory vote to adopt the resolution to approve the Companys executive compensation program described in this Proxy Statement and the shareholder proposal described in Proposal 4 each require the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares of common stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting. Abstentions, if any, will have no effect on the election of any director, but will have the same effect as votes against each of the other three proposals.
How do I vote my shares in the Companys Dividend Reinvestment and 401(k) Plans?
If you participate in the Companys Dividend Reinvestment Plan or 401(k) Plan, your shares of stock in those plans can be voted in the same manner as shares held of record. If you do not give instructions, your shares held in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan will not be voted. All shares in the 401(k) Plan for which no instructions are received will be voted by the trustee of the 401(k) Plan in the same proportion as instructions provided to the trustee by other 401(k) Plan participants.
How do I submit a shareholder proposal or nominate a director for election at the 2014 Annual Meeting?
To be eligible for inclusion in the proxy materials for the Companys 2014 Annual Meeting, a shareholder proposal or nomination must be submitted in writing to Gannett Co., Inc., 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22107, Attn: Secretary and must be received by November 22, 2013. A shareholder who wishes to present a proposal or nomination at the Companys 2014 Annual Meeting, but who does not request that the Company solicit proxies for the proposal or nomination, must submit the proposal to the Company at the same address no earlier than January 7, 2014 and no later than January 27, 2014.
Can shareholders and other interested parties communicate directly with our Board?
Yes. The Company invites shareholders and other interested parties to communicate directly and confidentially with the full Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the non-management directors as a group by writing to the Board of Directors, the Chairman or the Non-Management Directors, Gannett Co., Inc., 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22107, Attn: Secretary. The Secretary will forward such communications to the intended recipient and will retain copies for the Companys records.
How can I obtain a shareholder list?
A list of shareholders entitled to vote at the 2013 Annual Meeting will be open to examination by any shareholder, for any purpose germane to the 2013 Annual Meeting, during normal business hours for a period of ten days before the 2013 Annual Meeting and during the 2013 Annual Meeting at the Companys offices at 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22107.
What is householding?
We have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC called householding. Under this procedure, shareholders of record who have the same address and last name who have elected to receive paper copies of our proxy materials will receive only one copy of our 2012 Annual Report and this Proxy
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Table of ContentsStatement unless one or more of these shareholders notifies us that they wish to continue receiving multiple copies. This procedure will reduce our printing costs and postage fees. However, if any shareholder residing at such an address wishes to receive a separate copy of this Proxy Statement or the Companys 2012 Annual Report, he or she may contact the Companys Secretary at Gannett Co., Inc., 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22107 or by calling the Secretary at (703) 854-6000. Any such shareholder may also contact the Secretary using the above contact information if he or she would like to receive separate Proxy Statements and Annual Reports in the future. If you are receiving multiple copies of the Companys Annual Report and Proxy Statement, you may request householding in the future by contacting the Secretary.
How may I obtain a copy of the Companys 2012 Annual Report?
A copy of our 2012 Annual Report, which includes the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012, is being provided or made available to all shareholders of record on the Record Date. As permitted by the SEC, the Company is sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to all shareholders.
If you hold your shares of record on the Record Date, you may request email or paper copies of our 2012 Annual Report over the Internet, at www.ematerials.com/gci, by toll-free telephone call (in the U.S. and Canada) to 1-866-697-9377, or by email at ep@ematerials.com. Please put GCI Materials Request in the subject line and include the 3-digit company number and 11-digit control number presented on the notice.
If you hold your shares on the Record Date in street name through a bank, broker or other intermediary, you may request email or paper copies of our 2012 Annual Report over the Internet, at www.proxyvote.com, by toll-free telephone call (in the U.S. and Canada) to 1-800-579-1639, or by email to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. Please put Paper Material or E-mail Material in the subject line, followed by the 12-digit control number presented on the notice provided by your bank or broker. Requests, instructions and other inquiries will not be forwarded to your investment advisor.
You may also obtain a copy without charge by writing to: Gannett Co., Inc., 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22107, Attn: Secretary. Our 2012 Annual Report and 2012 Form 10-K are also available through the Companys website at www.gannett.com. The Companys Annual Report and Form 10-K are not proxy soliciting materials.
PROPOSAL 1ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors is currently composed of ten directors, including the nine directors nominated for reelection and Arthur H. Harper, who is not standing for reelection at the 2013 Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors held eight meetings during 2012. Each director attended at least 87.5% of the total number of meetings of the Board and its committees on which he or she served that were held during the period for which he or she served as a director or committee member, as applicable, during 2012. All directors then serving on the Board attended the 2012 Annual Meeting in accordance with the Companys policy that all directors attend the Annual Meeting.
Nominees elected to our Board at the 2013 Annual Meeting will serve one-year terms. The Board believes that the nominees will be available and able to serve as directors. If any nominee becomes unable or unwilling to serve, the Board may do one of three things: recommend a substitute nominee, reduce the number of directors to eliminate the vacancy, or fill the vacancy later. The shares represented by all valid proxies may be voted for the election of a substitute if one is nominated.
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Table of ContentsThe Companys By-laws provide that director nominees are elected by the vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to the director at the meeting, unless the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, in which case directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the shares present and entitled to vote at the meeting. At the 2013 Annual Meeting, the number of nominees equals the number of directors to be elected so the majority vote standard shall apply. If an incumbent nominee does not receive an affirmative majority of the votes cast, he or she is required to submit a letter of resignation to the Boards Nominating and Public Responsibility Committee, which would recommend to the Board the action to be taken with respect to the letter of resignation. The Board is required to act on the Committees recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and its rationale within 90 days after the election results are certified.
Our Board has determined that having an independent director serve as the Chairman of the Board is in the best interests of our shareholders. Marjorie Magner is the Companys independent Chairman of the Board, a role in which she has served since October 2011. Separating the positions of Chairman and CEO allows the CEO to focus on executing the Companys strategic plan and managing the Companys operations and performance, enhances the Boards independent oversight of the Companys senior leadership team, and permits improved communications and relations between the Board, the CEO and other senior leaders of the Company.
The duties of the Chairman of the Board include:
THE BOARDS ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT
The Board believes that evaluating how senior leadership identifies, assesses, manages and monitors the various risks confronting the Company is one of its most important areas of oversight. In carrying out this critical responsibility, the Board oversees the Companys risk management function through regular discussions with senior leadership. In addition, the Company has implemented an enterprise risk management program to enhance the Boards and managements ability to identify, assess, manage and respond to strategic, market, operational and compliance risks facing the Company.
While the Board has primary responsibility for overseeing the Companys risk management function, each committee of the Board also considers risk within its area of responsibility. For example, the Audit Committee is primarily responsible for reviewing risks relating to accounting and financial
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Table of Contentscontrols and the Executive Compensation Committee reviews risks relating to compensation matters. The Board is apprised by the committee chairs of significant risks and managements response to those risks via periodic reports. While the Board and its committees oversee the Companys risk management function, management is responsible for implementing day-to-day risk management processes and reporting to the Board and its committees on such matters.
With respect to risk related to compensation matters, the Executive Compensation Committee has reviewed the Companys executive compensation program and has concluded that the program does not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Executive Compensation Committee believes that the design of the Companys annual cash and long-term equity incentives provides an effective and appropriate mix of incentives to help ensure the Companys performance is focused on long term profitability and stockholder value creation and does not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking at the expense of long-term results.
The Board of Directors has determined that all of our current directors other than Gracia C. Martore are independent of the Company within the meaning of the rules governing NYSE-listed companies. For a director to be independent under the NYSE rules, the Board of Directors must affirmatively determine that the director has no material relationship with the Company, either directly or as a partner, shareholder, or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company. To assist it in making these determinations, the Board has determined that the following categories of relationships between a director and the Company are not material:
In making its independence determinations, our Board considered all relationships, direct and indirect, between each director and our Company that were identified in questionnaires completed by each Board member. The responses to those questionnaires indicated that there were no relationships between any director (other than Ms. Martore) and the Company other than two types of relationships that the Board has determined not to be material in accordance with these objective standards:
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Table of ContentsConsistent with the NYSE rules, the Companys Principles of Corporate Governance call for the Companys non-management directors to meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without management as they deem appropriate. The Companys non-management directors held four executive sessions in 2012, and will meet in executive sessions as appropriate throughout 2013.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION; RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Our Company has not had compensation committee interlocks with any other company, nor has our Company engaged in any material related transactions since December 26, 2011, the first day of our last fiscal year. Although no such related transactions have occurred or are anticipated, the Board will consider any other future transactions involving the Company, on the one hand, and any of its officers or directors, on the other hand, on a case-by-case basis, and any such approved transaction involving a director will be considered in assessing his or her independence.
The principal occupation and business experience of the Boards nominees, including the reasons the Board believes each of them should be reelected to serve another term on the Board, are described below.
Nominees
The following director nominees are currently serving on the Board and have been nominated to stand for re-election at the 2013 Annual Meeting for a one-year term. The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the shareholders of the Company vote FOR the election of the nominees to serve as directors.
John E. Cody
Mr. Cody, 66, served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Broadcast Music, Inc. from November 2006 until his retirement in November 2010. Previously, he served as BMIs Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1999 to 2006. Before joining BMI, he served as Vice President/Controller of the Hearst Book Group and Vice President/Finance and Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. headquarters of LM Ericsson. He is also a director of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Mr. Cody has broad business, music broadcast and publishing industry experience and financial expertise from the various management roles he held with BMI, Hearst and Ericsson. He has been a Gannett director since 2011.
Howard D. Elias
Mr. Elias, 55, is President and Chief Operating Officer, Global Enterprise Services of EMC Corporation. Previously, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer, EMC Information Infrastructure and Cloud Services from September 2009 to December 2012, President, EMC Global Services and Resource Management Software Group, and Executive Vice President, EMC Corporation from September 2007 to September 2009 and as Executive Vice President, Global Marketing and Corporate Development, at EMC Corporation from October 2003 to September 2007. Mr. Elias has broad business experience and expertise in information technology issues as a result of the various positions he has held with EMC, Hewlett-Packard Company, Compaq, Digital, AST Research and Tandy Corporation. He has been a Gannett director since 2008.
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Table of ContentsJohn Jeffry Louis
Mr. Louis, 50, was Co-Founder of Parson Capital Corporation, a Chicago-based private equity and venture capital firm, and served as its Chairman from 1992 to 2007. He is currently a director of S.C. Johnson and Son, Inc. and Johnson Financial Group, Inc., and a Commissioner of the U.S./U.K. Fulbright Commission. Mr. Louis has broad business, financial and entrepreneurial expertise from his experience in the venture capital industry and having co-founded a number of companies. He has been a Gannett director since 2006.
Marjorie Magner
Ms. Magner, 63, was named the Chairman of Gannett in October 2011 and is the Managing Partner of Brysam Global Partners, a private equity firm investing in financial services firms with a focus on consumer opportunities in emerging markets that was founded in January 2007. She was Chairman and CEO of Citigroups Global Consumer Group from 2003 to 2005. She served in various roles at Citigroup, and a predecessor company, CitiFinancial (previously Commercial Credit), since 1987. Ms. Magner currently serves as a director of Accenture Ltd. and Ally Financial Inc. and served as a director of The Charles Schwab Corporation from 2006 to 2008. Ms. Magner has broad business experience and financial expertise from the various management roles she held with Citigroup. She has been a Gannett director since 2006.
Gracia C. Martore
Ms. Martore, 61, became President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Gannett in October 2011. She served as President and Chief Operating Officer from February 2010 until October 2011. She was Executive Vice President and CFO of Gannett from 2006 to 2010, and served as Senior Vice President and CFO from 2003 to 2006. She has served the Company in various other executive capacities since 1985. Ms. Martore is also a director of FM Global and MeadWestvaco Corporation.
Scott K. McCune
Mr. McCune, 56, is Vice President, Global Partnerships and Experiential Marketing, at The Coca-Cola Company. He previously served as Vice President, Worldwide Sports, Worldwide Media and Integrated Marketing at The Coca-Cola Company from 1997 to 2012. Mr. McCune has broad business experience and expertise in consumer marketing strategies from the various management roles he has held with The Coca-Cola Company. He has been a Gannett director since 2008.
Duncan M. McFarland
Mr. McFarland, 69, was Chairman and CEO of Wellington Management Company, LLP from 1994 until his retirement in 2004. He served in various other roles at Wellington Management Company from 1965 through 1994. He is a director of NYSE Euronext, Inc., and The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc., a closed-end registered investment company traded on the NYSE. Mr. McFarland has broad business experience and financial expertise from the various management roles he held with Wellington Management Company. He has been a Gannett director since 2004.
Susan Ness
Ms. Ness, 64, is a principal of Susan Ness Strategies, a communications policy consulting firm, which she founded in 2002. She served as a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission from 1994 to 2001. From 2005 to 2007, she was the founding president and CEO of GreenStone Media, LLC, which produced talk programming targeting women for syndication on radio
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Table of Contentsand other platforms. She is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at John Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and an affiliated expert of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). She is Vice Chair of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and a director of Vital Voices Global Partnership. Ms. Ness previously served on the board of LCC International, Inc. from 2001 to 2008. Ms. Ness has broad communications, business and public policy experience and expertise from her service as an FCC commissioner and as principal executive at GreenStone Media, LLC and Susan Ness Strategies. She has been a Gannett director since 2011.
Neal Shapiro
Mr. Shapiro, 55, is President and CEO of WNET, the public television company which operates Thirteen/WNET and WLIW21, the largest and third largest public television stations in the country. Before joining WNET in February 2007, Mr. Shapiro served in various executive capacities with the National Broadcasting Company beginning in 1993 and was president of NBC News from May 2001 to September 2005. He also is a member of the board of trustees of American Public Television, the advisory board of Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), the board of Investigative News Network (INN), the Board of Trustees at Tufts University, and the alumni board of the Communications and Media Studies program at Tufts University. Mr. Shapiro has broad business experience and expertise in broadcasting, news reporting and First Amendment issues from the various management roles he has held with WNET and NBC. He has been a Gannett director since 2007.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors conducts its business through meetings of the Board and its five committees: the Audit Committee, Executive Committee, Executive Compensation Committee, Nominating and Public Responsibility Committee, and Transformation Committee. The current members of each committee are as follows:
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The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in its oversight of financial reporting practices and the quality and integrity of the financial reports of the Company. Each member of the Audit Committee meets the independence requirements of the SEC as well as those of the NYSE. In addition, the Board has determined that John E. Cody and Duncan M. McFarland are audit committee financial experts, as that term is defined under the SEC rules. This Committee met ten times in 2012.
The Executive Committee may exercise the authority of the Board between Board meetings, except as limited by Delaware law. This Committee did not meet in 2012.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Executive Compensation Committee discharges the Boards responsibilities relating to compensation of the Companys directors and executives and has overall responsibility for the Companys compensation plans, principles and programs. The Committees duties and responsibilities include reviewing and approving on an annual basis corporate goals and objectives relevant to compensation of the Companys CEO and other senior executives, including members of the Gannett Leadership Team and other Company and divisional officers. The Committee also is responsible for reviewing and discussing with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) disclosures contained in the Companys proxy statement, and for making a recommendation as to whether the CD&A disclosures should be so included and incorporated by reference into the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Committee meets the independence requirements of the SEC as well as those of the NYSE. This Committee met six times in 2012.
The Committee has primary responsibility for administering the Companys equity incentive plans and in that role is responsible for making equity grants to our senior executives. The Committee historically has delegated to the CEO the authority for approving equity grants to employees other than our senior executives mentioned above within the parameters of a pool of shares approved by the Committee. This provides flexibility for equity grants to be made to employees below the senior leadership level who are less familiar to the Committee.
Since November 2007, the Committee has retained independent consultant Pearl Meyer & Partners (PM&P) to advise on executive compensation matters. Under the terms of the Committees agreement with PM&P, the consultant is prohibited from doing any other business for the Company or its management, and the Committee may contact PM&P without any interaction from Company management. The Committee has determined that PM&P is an independent compensation consultant in accordance with applicable SEC and NYSE rules.
The PM&P consultant participates in Committee meetings as requested by the chairman of the Committee and communicates directly with the chairman of the Committee outside of meetings. In 2012, the PM&P consultant specifically provided the following services:
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Table of ContentsSince 2010, management has retained Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (Meridian) as its executive compensation consultant to assist it in analyzing executive compensation practices and trends. During 2012 management also engaged Meridian to assist it in the design and administration of its long-term incentive program.
NOMINATING AND PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE
The Nominating and Public Responsibility Committee is charged with identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, recommending to the Board candidates for election or re-election to the Board, and considering from time to time the Board committee structure and makeup. The Committee also monitors the Companys human resources practices, including its performance in diversity and equal employment opportunity, monitors the Companys performance in meeting its obligations of fairness in internal and external matters, and takes a leadership role with respect to the Companys corporate governance practices. This Committee met two times in 2012.
The Nominating and Public Responsibility Committee charter sets forth certain criteria for the Committee to consider in evaluating potential director nominees. In addition to evaluating a potential directors independence, the Committee considers whether director candidates have relevant experience in business and industry, government, education and other areas, and monitors the mix of skills and experience of directors in order to assure that the Board has the necessary breadth and depth to perform its oversight function effectively. The charter also encourages the Committee to work to maintain a board that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. The Committee evaluates potential candidates against these requirements and objectives. For those director candidates who appear upon first consideration to meet the Committees criteria, the Committee will engage in further research to evaluate their candidacy.
The Nominating and Public Responsibility Committee historically has relied primarily on recommendations from management and members of the Board to identify director nominee candidates. The Committee has retained a search firm to assist in the identification of potential director nominee candidates based on criteria specified by the Committee and in evaluating and pursuing individual candidates at the direction of the Committee. The Committee will also consider timely written suggestions from shareholders. Shareholders wishing to suggest a candidate for director nomination for the 2014 Annual Meeting should mail their suggestions to Gannett Co., Inc., 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22107, Attn: Secretary. Suggestions must be received by the Secretary of the Company no later than January 27, 2014. The manner in which the Committee evaluates director nominee candidates suggested by shareholders will be consistent with the manner in which the Committee evaluates candidates recommended by other sources.
The By-laws of the Company establish mandatory retirement ages of 70 for directors who have not been executives of the Company and 65 for directors who have served as executives, except that the Board of Directors may extend the retirement age beyond 65 for directors who are or have been the CEO of the Company. The Companys Principles of Corporate Governance also provide that a director who retires from, or has a material change in responsibility or position with, the primary entity by which that director was employed at the time of his or her election to the Board of Directors shall offer to submit a letter of resignation to the Nominating and Public Responsibility Committee for its consideration. The Committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken.
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The Transformation Committee (until February 2012, this committee was known as the Digital Technology Committee) assists the Board of Directors in its oversight of the Companys strategic plan. The Committees duties and responsibilities include reviewing and evaluating the Companys overall strategy and the operational plans and initiatives in support of that strategy. This Committee met five times in 2012.
The written charters governing the Audit Committee, the Executive Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Public Responsibility Committee, and the Transformation Committee, as well as the Companys Principles of Corporate Governance, are posted on the Corporate Governance page of the Companys website at www.gannett.com. You may also obtain a copy of any of these documents without charge by writing to: Gannett Co., Inc., 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22107, Attn: Secretary.
The Company has long maintained a code of conduct and ethics (the Ethics Policy) that sets forth the Companys policies and expectations. The Ethics Policy, which applies to every Company director, officer and employee, addresses a number of topics, including conflicts of interest, relationships with others, corporate payments, disclosure policy, compliance with laws, corporate opportunities and the protection and proper use of the Companys assets. The Ethics Policy meets the NYSEs requirements for a code of business conduct and ethics as well as the SECs definition of a code of ethics applicable to the Companys senior officers. Neither the Board of Directors nor any Board committee has ever granted a waiver of the Ethics Policy.
The Ethics Policy is available on the Corporate Governance page of the Companys website at www.gannett.com. You may also obtain a copy of the Ethics Policy without charge by writing to: Gannett Co., Inc., 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Virginia 22107, Attn: Secretary. Any additions or amendments to the Ethics Policy, and any waivers of the Ethics Policy for executive officers or directors, will be posted on the Corporate Governance page of the Companys website and similarly provided to you without charge upon written request to this address.
The Company has a telephone hotline for employees and others to submit their concerns regarding violations or suspected violations of law and for reporting any concerns regarding accounting or auditing matters on a confidential anonymous basis. Employees and others can report concerns by calling 1-800-234-4206 or by emailing or writing to the addresses provided in the Companys Ethics Violation Reporting Policy found on the Corporate Governance page of the Companys website. Any concerns regarding accounting or auditing matters so reported will be communicated to the Companys Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in its oversight of financial reporting practices and the quality and integrity of the financial reports of the Company, including compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent registered public accounting firms qualifications and independence, and the performance of the Companys internal audit function. The Audit Committee
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Table of Contentsappoints the Companys independent registered public accounting firm. The Committee also provides oversight of the Companys internal audit function including the review of proposed audit plans and the coordination of such plans with the Companys independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee oversees the adequacy and effectiveness of the Companys accounting and financial controls and the guidelines and policies that govern the process by which the Company undertakes financial, accounting and audit risk assessment and risk management. The Audit Committee also is responsible for reviewing compliance with the Companys Ethics Policy and assuring appropriate disclosure of any waiver of or change in the Ethics Policy for executive officers, and for reviewing the Ethics Policy on a regular basis and proposing or adopting additions or amendments to the Ethics Policy as appropriate. In connection with the Ethics Policy, the Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of any accounting or auditing concerns. The Audit Committee operates under a formal written charter that has been adopted by the Board of Directors.
The Audit Committee members are not professional accountants or auditors, and their role is not intended to duplicate or certify the activities of management and the independent registered public accounting firm, nor can the Committee certify that the independent registered public accounting firm is independent under applicable rules. The Committee serves a board-level oversight role, in which it provides advice, counsel and direction to management and the independent registered public accounting firm on the basis of the information it receives, discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, and the experience of the Committees members in business, financial and accounting matters.
During fiscal years 2011 and 2012, the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for each of those years, Ernst & Young LLP (E&Y), billed the Company the following fees and expenses:
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The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm. Under the policy, particular services or categories of services have been pre-approved, subject to a specific budget. Periodically, but at least annually, the Audit Committee reviews and approves the list of pre-approved services and the maximum threshold cost of performance of each. The Audit Committee is provided with a status update on all E&Y services periodically throughout the year and discusses such services with management and E&Y. Pursuant to its pre-approval policy, the Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority for services provided by E&Y to its Chair, John E. Cody. Mr. Cody may pre-approve up to $100,000 in services provided by E&Y, in the aggregate at any one time, without consultation with the full Audit Committee, provided he reports such approved items to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. In determining whether a service may be provided pursuant to the pre-approval policy, consideration is given to whether the proposed service would impair the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm.
In connection with its review of the Companys 2012 audited financial statements, the Audit Committee received from E&Y written disclosures regarding E&Ys independence in accordance with applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, including a detailed statement of any relationships between E&Y and the Company that might bear on E&Ys independence, and has discussed with E&Y its independence. The Audit Committee considered whether the provision of non-audit services by E&Y is compatible with maintaining E&Ys independence. E&Y stated that it believes it is in full compliance with all of the independence standards established by the various regulatory bodies. The Audit Committee also discussed with E&Y various matters required to be discussed by Statements on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU Section 380), as adopted by the PCAOB in Rule 3200T, including, but not limited to, the selection of and changes in the Companys significant accounting policies, the basis for managements accounting estimates, E&Ys conclusions regarding the reasonableness of those estimates, and the disclosures included in the financial statements.
The Audit Committee met with management, the Companys internal auditors and representatives of E&Y to review and discuss the Companys audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012. Based on such review and discussion, and based on the Audit Committees reviews and discussions with E&Y regarding the various matters mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Companys Form 10-K for the 2012 fiscal year, and the Board has approved that recommendation.
Audit Committee
John E. Cody, Chair John Jeffry Louis Marjorie Magner Duncan M. McFarland
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Table of ContentsPROPOSAL 2RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending December 29, 2013. E&Y also served as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for our 2012 fiscal year. The Board of Directors is submitting the appointment of E&Y as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for shareholder ratification at the 2013 Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the shareholders of the Company vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the current year.
A representative of E&Y is expected to be present at the 2013 Annual Meeting. The E&Y representative will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.
Our By-laws do not require that the shareholders ratify the appointment of E&Y as our independent registered public accounting firm. We are seeking ratification because we believe it is a good corporate governance practice. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain E&Y, but in its discretion may choose to retain E&Y as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
In this Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, references to the Committee are to the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. References to NEOs are to our Named Executive Officers, who for the 2012 fiscal year were: Gracia C. Martore (President and Chief Executive Officer); Victoria D. Harker (Chief Financial Officer); Robert J. Dickey (President/U.S. Community Publishing); David T. Lougee (President/Broadcasting); David A. Payne (Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer); Michael A. Hart (Vice President and Treasurer); and Paul N. Saleh (former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer).
On May 14, 2012, the Company announced that Paul N. Saleh, previously the Companys Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, would be leaving the Company to pursue other opportunities, and the appointment of Michael A. Hart, the Companys Vice President and Treasurer, to serve as interim principal financial officer. Mr. Hart served in that role until July 23, 2012, when Victoria D. Harker joined the Company in her current role as CFO.
As a result of this management transition, the Companys compensation disclosure in this proxy statement includes seven NEOs, as opposed to the typical five (CEO, CFO and three highest paid other executive officers). Ms. Martore is included because she was the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer for 2012; Messrs. Dickey, Lougee and Payne are included because they were among the highest paid executive officers serving at the end of 2012; and Ms. Harker and each of Messrs. Saleh and Hart are included because they each served as the Companys principal financial officer during part of the year. When we discuss in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis our compensation objectives for our NEOs for 2012 and prospectively, we generally are addressing only those NEOs who are continuing to serve as executive officers: Ms. Martore and Ms. Harker, as our current CEO and CFO, respectively, and Messrs. Dickey, Lougee and Payne. See Additional Information Regarding the Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table for further information about the 2012 compensation paid to Messrs. Saleh and Hart.
The Committee oversees the Companys executive compensation program and is responsible for (i) approving and evaluating the Companys executive compensation plans, principles and programs, (ii) administering the Companys equity incentive plans and making equity grants to our senior executives, and (iii) reviewing and approving on an annual basis corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the Companys President and CEO and its other senior executives.
Pay for Performance - The Committee supports compensation policies that place a heavy emphasis on pay-for-performance, and has committed that for each year at least 50% of NEO annual equity awards (based on number of shares) will be performance-based awards that are earned or paid out based on the achievement of performance targets. Under a plan to implement this commitment that was developed and approved in 2011, in 2012 the Company began its practice of awarding grants of performance shares that may be earned based on how the Companys total shareholder return (TSR) compares to the TSR of the Companys TSR Peer Group (defined below) during a three-year measurement period.
Stock Options - In connection with the adoption of its performance share plan in 2011, the Company discontinued the use of annual stock option grants to senior executives. As a result, in 2012 long-term equity awards consisted of TSR performance shares and time-based restricted stock units.
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Table of ContentsTiming of Equity Grants - Prior to 2012, the Companys practice had been to make equity grants in two parts with time-based restricted stock units typically granted in December and stock options typically granted in February. We changed this practice in October 2011 and made both TSR performance share and time-based restricted stock unit awards on January 1, 2012. As a result of the change, and because no TSR performance shares were granted during 2011, our 2011 equity grants (except for Mr. Payne, who was newly hired in 2011) consisted solely of stock options granted in February 2011, in amounts lower than our typical total annual equity grant levels. Accordingly, the equity component of our NEOs compensation was significantly higher in both 2012 and 2010 than it was in 2011, primarily as a result of this one time grant practice timing change.
Other highlights of the Companys 2012 performance and its executive compensation program included:
Other pay practices of note include the following:
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Table of ContentsAt last years annual meeting of shareholders, our shareholders cast a substantial majority of their votes in favor of the Companys Say on Pay proposal, indicating strong support for the Companys executive compensation program in general as well as the long-term incentive program described in the Companys 2012 proxy statement. The Committee will continue to consider the outcome of the Companys Say on Pay votes when making future NEO compensation decisions.
The Company is committed to the interests of its shareholders. As part of this commitment, the Company actively engages with its shareholders throughout the year in order to fully understand their viewpoints concerning the Company and to garner feedback on what we can do better.
Overview of Executive Compensation Program
The Company has designed an executive compensation program that is currently comprised of several components, as illustrated in the following table, and as more fully discussed in the pages that follow.
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The Committee determines NEO compensation in its sole discretion based on its business judgment, informed by the experience of the Committee members, input from PM&P, and the Committees assessment of our NEOs and the Companys performance. While the Committee takes management recommendations into account when determining NEO compensation, the Committee relies primarily on its collective judgment of the performance of the Company and our NEOs in light of the challenges confronting our core businesses and our progress toward achieving the Companys strategic plan. The Committee does not focus on any one particular objective, formula or financial metric, but rather on what it considers to be value-added quantitative and qualitative goals in furtherance of our compensation guiding principles described below.
Guiding Principles
In making its NEO compensation decisions, the Committee is guided by the following principles:
Factors Considered by the Committee
The Committee uses key performance indicators (KPIs) as its principal evaluation tool for NEO compensation decisions. KPIs consist of individually designed qualitative and quantitative goals organized around individual, operating unit and/or Company performance in the areas of profit, product and people. Quantitative KPIs include, where appropriate, revenue, operating income and digital goals
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Table of Contentsfor the Company and the respective divisions and functions over which each NEO has operational or overall responsibility. Qualitative KPIs include, where appropriate, measures of leadership, innovation, collaboration, new products and programs in support of the Companys strategic plan, diversity initiatives, First Amendment activities, and other significant qualitative objectives. The CEOs KPIs are heavily weighted toward the Companys financial performance, long-term shareholder return, and the execution of a strategic plan that positions the Company for the future.
The Committee also considers the financial performance of the Company using the following financial measures: total revenues, operating income, net income attributable to Gannett, income from continuing operations, earnings per share, return on equity, operating cash flow, free cash flow, free cash flow per diluted share, after tax cash flow per share, operating income as a percentage of sales, dividends declared per share, dividend payout ratio, debt outstanding, debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock price and market value, although no one measure is given greater weight than the others. In assessing these financial performance measures, the Committee compares them to management budgets approved by the Board at the beginning of the year and the Companys financial results from prior years. The Committee selected these financial measures because it considers them to be broad enough to capture the most significant financial aspects of an organization as large as ours yet also focused enough to represent the financial measures that we believe drive our financial success.
In addition, the Committee evaluates the Companys progress toward the goals of its strategic plan, as well as the achievement of qualitative goals including leadership in defending the First Amendment, promoting an ethical Company work environment and diverse workforce, and maintaining its reputation as a good corporate citizen of the local, national and international communities in which it does business.
Comparative Market Data
To assist the Committee in making decisions affecting 2012 NEO compensation, management reviewed data from the Towers Watson Media Compensation Survey, the Towers Watson General Industry Executive Compensation Survey, and proxy data from Equilar, a widely used source of executive compensation information (Comparative Market Data). The Company compares its NEO salaries, bonuses and equity compensation to those of companies in the publishing and media sectors and other companies with comparable revenues and ratios of profits to revenues in order to get a general understanding of the compensation structures maintained by similarly situated companies and to confirm that the elements of our compensation programand the range of amounts we pay our executives for each elementare appropriate in the context of the broad market reference points provided by the Comparative Market Data. The Company does not, however, target elements of compensation to a certain range, percentage or percentile within the Comparative Market Data.
Base Salary
We pay our NEOs base salaries to compensate them for service in their executive role. Salaries for NEOs take into account:
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Table of ContentsBased on these factors and the Companys strong 2012 financial performance, the highlights of which are set forth under Annual Bonuses below in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Committee set 2013 NEO base salaries as follows:
Although the Committee approved an increase in base salary for Ms. Martore in 2013 from $950,000 to $1 million to reflect her performance in 2012 and her leadership in executing the Companys strategic plan, Ms. Martore voluntarily reduced her 2013 base salary to $900,000, as she has since 2010. Ms. Martore and Mr. Dickey each also took an additional 2% salary reduction during 2012 as a result of the Companys furlough and salary reduction program. Mr. Lougees base salary was reduced from $550,000 to $517,000 beginning in July 2009 and continuing through 2012 as a result of the Broadcast divisions salary reduction program. Each of our NEOs volunteered to forego base salary increases in 2012.
Annual Bonuses
Our NEOs participate in an annual bonus program, which offers incentive opportunity linked to attainment of the Companys annual financial and qualitative performance goals and each executives KPIs set at the beginning of the year. The Committee believes that bonuses should primarily reflect individual and Company performance during the past year and therefore bonuses can vary significantly in amount from year to year.
The Committee considers bonus guidelines developed by our CEO, Senior VP/Chief Human Resources Officer and Vice President/Total Rewards. These guideline amounts are calculated by multiplying the NEOs base salary (disregarding voluntary pay reductions) by a target percentage, which takes into account:
Based on these factors, management recommended the following 2012 bonus guideline amounts for our NEOs:
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Table of ContentsThe Committee considered the following accomplishments by the Company and its management team in 2012 in reaching its NEO bonus decisions:
Based on the foregoing, the Committee awarded 2012 annual bonuses to our NEOs as follows:
The Committee determined that these bonus amounts, which vary in some cases from managements bonus guideline amounts, were appropriate given the Committees assessment of individual NEO performance against their KPIs, the strong financial performance of the Company and the divisions and operations for which they are responsible, and the Companys progress toward the goals of its strategic plan. NEO bonuses for 2012 were higher, reflecting increases in the Companys revenues and profit, strong operating cash flow generation, continued debt reduction, and meaningful progress toward the goals of the Companys strategic plan.
Long-Term Incentives
We use equity-based awards to recognize the performance of certain executives who drive the development and execution of our business strategies and goals. The primary purposes of these awards are to align further the executives interests with those of our shareholders and the Companys longer-term objectives, to drive shareholder return, to foster executive stock ownership and to promote retention.
RSUs
The Company grants RSUs to help retain our executives over the long term since they generally only vest based on continued employment with the Company over a full four-year cliff vesting period.
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Table of ContentsThe four-year vesting period is longer than the three-year vesting period often used by companies for RSU grants. The Committee believes that imposing a longer cliff vesting period for RSUs more closely aligns the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders because the value of the grant increases and decreases in line with the Companys stock price over a longer time period. Executives are generally entitled to receive a prorated portion of their RSUs upon retirement (defined as 65 years of age or at least 55 years of age with at least 5 years of service), disability or death, and the RSUs will vest fully upon a change in control of the Company.
Performance Shares
The Company administers a performance share plan (Performance Share Plan) based on total shareholder return. Under the Performance Share Plan, the Company may issue shares of Company common stock (Performance Shares) to senior executives following the completion of a three-year period beginning on the grant date (Incentive Period). Generally, if an executive remains in continuous employment with the Company during the Incentive Period, the number of Performance Shares that an executive will receive will be determined based upon how the Companys total shareholder return (TSR) compares to the TSRs of a peer group of media companies (TSR Peer Group) during the Incentive Period. By tying the payout of the performance shares to the Companys TSR, the Committee is aligning executive compensation with shareholders interests.
For each grant of Performance Shares, the Companys TSR will be ranked against the TSR of each company in its TSR Peer Group over the Incentive Period. The Committee selected these companies because they have print, digital and/or broadcasting operations and may face similar challenges in transforming their businesses. Our TSR Peer Group companies for the grants made on January 1, 2012, for the 2012-2014 Incentive Period, are as follows:
2012 2014 TSR Peer Group
For purposes of this calculation, a companys TSR equals a fraction, the numerator of which is the companys stock price change plus the dividends paid on such stock (which are assumed to be reinvested in the stock) from the first day of the Incentive Period to the applicable measurement date, and the denominator of which is the companys closing stock price on the first day of the Incentive Period.
For purposes of calculating the number of Performance Shares that an executive may receive, the Companys TSR will be compared to the TSR of each TSR Peer Group company and the number of TSR Peer Group companies whose TSR was exceeded by the Companys TSR will determine the number of Performance Shares that the executive may receive.
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Table of ContentsSpecifically, for each Incentive Period, the Committee will calculate the number of Performance Shares that may be paid to the executive by multiplying the executives target number of Performance Shares (as specified in the executives award agreement) by a percentage based upon the number of TSR Peer Group Companies whose performance is exceeded by the Company. The percentages for the 2012-2014 Incentive Period are set forth on the following table:
The average applicable payout percentages at the end of each of the last four quarters in the Incentive Period will be used to calculate the number of Performance Shares that an executive earns. This mechanism has been adopted so that the calculation does not solely rely upon the Companys stock price on the first day and the last day of the Incentive Period.
With certain exceptions for terminations due to death, disability, retirement (defined as 65 years of age or at least 55 years of age with at least 5 years of service) or a change in control, Performance Shares will generally vest on the expiration of the Incentive Period only if the executive continues to be employed by the Company through the last day of the Incentive Period.
After the end of the Incentive Period, each executive who is entitled to Performance Shares based on these calculations and the satisfaction of the applicable service and performance requirements will receive a share certificate (or an appropriate book-entry will be made) for the number of Performance Shares that the executive has earned, less withholding taxes. Dividends will not be paid or accrued on Performance Shares. Upon a change in control of the Company, Performance Shares will fully vest and an executive will be entitled to receive a number of Performance Shares based on the Companys TSR relative to the TSR of each company in its TSR Peer Group on the date of the change in control, unless the change in control occurs during the first 6 months of an Incentive Period, in which case the executive will receive the target number of Performance Shares set forth in the executive award agreement for that Performance Share grant.
The Performance Share Plan has additional rules that will affect calculations in the event of the bankruptcy or change in control of a TSR Peer Group company during the Incentive Period:
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The number of Performance Shares granted to an executive will be reduced if the price of the shares when paid exceeds 300% of the price of the shares on the first day of the Incentive Period. The price of the shares on the first day of the 20122014 Incentive Period was $13.37, the closing price of a share of Company common stock on December 30, 2011 (the last trading day prior to January 1, 2012).
2012 TSR Performance
The Companys total shareholder return of 41% in 2012 placed it third among its TSR Peer Group companies.
Long-Term Equity Awards under the 2012 Program
For the January 1, 2012 grants, the Committee considered the total long-term equity award target values developed by our CEO, Senior VP/Chief Human Resources Officer and Vice President/Total Rewards. These target values were calculated by multiplying the NEOs base salary (disregarding pay reductions) by a target percentage, which takes into account:
Based on these factors, management recommended the following total long-term equity award target values for our NEOS:
Using these recommendations as a guideline, the Committee approved 2012 total long-term award values for each of our NEOs in December 2011 as follows:
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Table of ContentsThe Committee determined that these long-term equity award values, which vary in some cases from managements total long-term award target value, were appropriate given the individual performance of each NEO against their KPIs, the financial performance of the Company and the divisions and operations for which they are responsible, and the Companys progress toward the goals of its strategic plan.
The Committee also considered managements recommendations as to the appropriate allocation of the total target award value between Performance Shares and RSUs. The Committee and management believe that having our NEOs receive a higher proportion of their long-term award as Performance Shares (which are performance-based) rather than RSUs (which are time-based) strengthens the pay for performance aspect of the Companys long-term incentive program. The Committee determined that 75% of Ms. Martores long-term award should be in Performance Shares, reflecting the importance of her leadership role in creating and overseeing the execution of the Companys strategic plan, and set allocations for the other NEOs that provided for Performance Share awards up to 65% of the NEOs overall long-term equity award.
On January 1, 2012, the first day of the Performance Share Incentive Period, the long-term equity award value for each NEO was translated into an award of Performance Shares based on the present value per share of the expected payout as calculated using the Monte Carlo valuation method and an award of RSUs based upon the Companys closing stock price on December 30, 2011, as follows:
In connection with Ms. Harkers appointment as the Companys chief financial officer, in June 2012 the Committee approved grants to Ms. Harker of performance shares and restricted stock units with a total long-term equity award value equal to $1.1 million. On July 23, 2012, the date Ms. Harker joined the Company, this long-term equity award value was translated into an award of 43,307 Performance Shares (target) based on the present value per share of the expected payout as calculated using the Monte Carlo valuation method and an award of 27,383 RSUs based upon the Companys closing stock price on such date.
Benefits and Perquisites
The Companys NEOs are provided a limited number of personal benefits and perquisites (described in footnote 7 to the Summary Compensation Table). The Committees objectives in providing these benefits are to enable the Company to attract and retain the best management talent in a competitive marketplace, to complement other compensation components, and to help minimize distractions from our executives attention to important Company initiatives.
The personal benefits and perquisites the Company provides to our NEOs are generally the same as those offered to other senior executives. For additional information about these and other post-employment benefits, see the benefits discussion under the Other Potential Post-Employment Payments section.
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Table of ContentsPost-Termination Pay
The Company sponsors a tax-qualified defined benefit retirement plan, the Gannett Retirement Plan (GRP), and a nonqualified retirement plan, the Gannett Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP). The Company also offers a tax-qualified defined contribution plan, the Gannett 401(k) Savings Plan (401(k) Plan), as well as a tax-advantaged Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) and a Transitional Compensation Plan (TCP), which together with the GRP and SERP, assist the Company in recruiting and retaining employees and in providing leadership stability and long-term commitment.
On August 1, 2008, as part of a comprehensive evaluation of its retirement program, the Company made significant changes to the GRP, SERP, 401(k) Plan and DCP. As discussed in greater detail below, on August 1, 2008, the following changes became effective:
Gannett Retirement Plan (GRP)
The GRP provides retirement income to the majority of the Companys U.S.-based employees who were employed before benefits were frozen on August 1, 2008, at which time most participants, including each of the NEOs (other than Ms. Harker and Mr. Payne, who do not participate in the GRP, and Mr. Saleh, who did not participate in the GRP when he resigned from the Company in May 2012), ceased to earn additional benefits for compensation or service earned on or after that date. The plan provides benefits for employees based upon years of credited service, and the highest consecutive five-year average of an employees compensation out of the final ten years of credited service, referred to as final average earnings, or FAE. Subject to Internal Revenue Code limits, compensation generally includes a participants base salary, performance-based bonuses, and pre-tax contributions to the Companys benefit plans other than the DCP. Until benefits commence, participants frozen benefits are periodically adjusted to reflect increases in a specified cost-of-living index (i.e., the consumer price index for all urban consumers published by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics for U.S. all items less food and energy).
Effective January 1, 1998, the Company made a significant change to the GRP for service after that date. Certain employees who were either retirement-eligible or had a significant number of years of service with the Company were grandfathered in the plan provisions applicable to them prior to the change (pre-1998 plan provisions). Other employees were transitioned to the post-1997 plan provisions under the GRP.
The pre-1998 GRP provisions provide for a benefit that is expressed as a monthly annuity at normal retirement equal to a gross benefit reduced by a portion of the participants Social Security benefit. Generally, a participants annual gross benefit is calculated by multiplying the participants years of credited service by specified percentages (generally 2% for a participants first 25 years of credited service and 0.7% for years of credited service in excess of 25) and multiplying such amount by the participants FAE. Benefits under the pre-1998 GRP provisions are paid in the form of monthly annuity payments for the life of the participant and, if applicable, the participants designated
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Table of Contentsbeneficiary. The pre-1998 GRP provisions provide for early retirement subsidies for participants who terminate employment after attaining age 55 and completing five years of service and elect to commence benefits before age 65. Under these provisions, a participants gross benefit that would otherwise be paid at age 65 is reduced by 4% for each year the participant retires before age 65. If a participant terminates employment after attaining age 60 with 25 years of service, the participants gross benefit that would otherwise be paid at age 65 is reduced by 2.5% for each year the participant retires before age 65.
The post-1997 GRP provisions provide for a benefit under a pension equity formula, which generally expresses a participants benefit as a current lump sum value based on the sum of annual percentages credited to each participating employee. The percentages increase with years of service, and, in some circumstances, with age. Upon termination or retirement, the total percentages are applied to a participants FAE resulting in a lump sum benefit value. The pension equity benefit can be paid as either a lifetime annuity or a lump sum.
The GRP benefit for each of our NEOs is calculated under the post-1997 GRP provisions (except for Ms. Harker and Mr. Payne who do not participate in the GRP). However, as noted below, Ms. Martores and Mr. Dickeys SERP benefits are calculated under the pre-1998 GRP provisions. Each of the NEOs (other than Ms. Harker and Mr. Payne who do not participate in the GRP) is fully vested in his or her GRP benefit as of December 30, 2012. Mr. Saleh, who resigned from the Company in May 2012, did not participate in the GRP.
Gannett Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP)
The SERP is a nonqualified retirement plan that provides eligible employees with retirement benefits that cannot be provided under the GRP due to the Internal Revenue Code, which limits the compensation that can be recognized under qualified retirement plans and imposes limits on the amount of benefits which can be paid. For some participants, including Ms. Martore and Mr. Dickey, the SERP also provides a benefit equal to the difference between the benefits calculated under the pre-1998 GRP formula and the amount they will receive from the GRP under the post-1997 formula. The SERP benefits for Mr. Lougee and Mr. Hart are calculated under the post-1997 GRP formula without regard to the IRS-imposed limits on pay and benefits. For all SERP participants, the benefit calculated under the applicable SERP formula is reduced by benefits payable from the GRP. Ms. Harker and Mr. Payne do not participate in the SERP. Mr. Saleh, who resigned from the Company in May 2012, did not participate in the SERP.
In conjunction with the Companys decision to freeze benefits under the GRP, the Company also decided to make changes to benefits under the SERP. Generally, SERP participants whose SERP benefits were calculated under the pre-1998 GRP formula will continue to accrue benefits under the SERP. However, their benefits for credited service after August 1, 2008 are calculated at a rate that is one-third less than the pre-August 1, 2008 rate. NEOs affected by this change are Ms. Martore and Mr. Dickey. Ms. Martore and Mr. Dickey are currently eligible for early retirement under the pre-1998 GRP formula that applies to them under the SERP.
Effective August 1, 2008, SERP participants whose SERP benefits were not calculated under the pre-1998 GRP formula had their SERP benefits frozen such that they ceased to earn additional benefits for compensation or service earned on or after that date. Until benefits commence, such participants frozen benefits are periodically adjusted to reflect increases in a specified cost-of-living index. Mr. Lougee and Mr. Hart are the only NEOs affected by this change.
SERP benefits are generally paid in the form of a lump sum amount when a participant separates from service or, if later, the date the participant attains age 55, except that payment is accelerated in
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Table of Contentsthe event that the Company undergoes a change in control. In order to comply with federal tax laws, an NEOs SERP benefit cannot be paid within the first six months after the participants separation from service with the Company. As of December 30, 2012, Ms. Martore, Mr. Dickey and Mr. Hart are fully vested in their SERP benefits and Mr. Lougee is not vested in his SERP benefit.
Gannett 401(k) Savings Plan (401(k) Plan)
Most of the Companys employees based in the United States may participate in the 401(k) Plan, which permits eligible participants to make pre-tax contributions and provides for matching and other employer contributions. Effective August 1, 2008, new participants as well as participants whose benefits have been frozen under the GRP and, if applicable, the SERP, commenced receiving higher matching contributions under the 401(k) Plan. Under the new formula, the matching contribution rate generally increased from 50% of the first 6% of compensation that an employee elects to contribute to the plan to 100% of the first 5% of compensation. Ms. Harker, Mr. Lougee, Mr. Payne and Mr. Hart receive matching contributions under the new formula, and the other NEOs receive matching contributions under the old formula. Prior to his resignation from the Company in May 2012, Mr. Saleh received matching contributions under the new formula. The Company also makes additional employer contributions to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of certain employees, but none of the NEOs. For purposes of the 401(k) Plan and subject to Internal Revenue Code limits, compensation generally includes a participants base salary, performance-based bonuses, and pre-tax contributions to the Companys benefit plans. Company contributions under the 401(k) Plan vest 25% after one year of service, 50% after two years of service and 100% after three years of service. Company contributions are 100% vested for Ms. Martore, Mr. Dickey, Mr. Lougee and Mr. Hart and are 50% vested for Mr. Payne. Ms. Harker has not yet vested in her Company contributions. Mr. Saleh was 25% vested in his Company contributions under the 401(k) Plan at the time of his resignation from the Company.
Gannett Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP)
Each NEO who participates in the DCP may elect to defer all or a portion of his or her compensation under the DCP, provided that the minimum deferral must be $5,000 for each form of compensation (base salary and bonus) for the year of deferral. The amounts deferred by each NEO are vested and will be deemed invested in the fund or funds designated by such NEO from among a number of funds selected by the Committee.
Effective August 1, 2008, the DCP was amended to provide for Company contributions on behalf of certain employees whose benefits under the 401(k) Plan are capped by Internal Revenue Code rules that limit the amount of compensation that can be taken into account when calculating benefits under a qualified plan. Generally, Company contributions to the DCP are calculated by applying the same formula that applies to an employees matching and additional employer contributions under the 401(k) Plan to the employees compensation in excess of the Internal Revenue Code compensation limit. However, participants are not required to make elective contributions to the DCP to receive an employer contribution under the DCP. Company contributions under the DCP vest 25% after one year of service, 50% after two years of service and 100% after three years of service. Mr. Lougee, Mr. Payne, Mr. Hart and Mr. Saleh each has been credited with Company contributions to the DCP based on his respective 2012 compensation in excess of the Internal Revenue Code compensation limit. Mr. Lougee and Mr. Hart were immediately vested in their Company contributions and Mr. Payne was 25% vested in his Company contribution when they were made. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, Mr. Payne is 50% vested in his Company contribution. Executives who continue to accrue reduced benefits under the SERP after August 1, 2008, including Ms. Martore and Mr. Dickey, do not receive Company contributions under the DCP. Ms. Harker will be eligible to receive Company contributions under the DCP for 2013. Mr. Saleh was 25% vested in his DCP Company contributions at the time of his resignation from the Company.
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Table of ContentsAmounts that a participant elects to defer into the DCP are generally paid at the time and in the form elected by the participant, provided that if the participant terminates employment before attaining age 55 and completing five years of service, benefits are paid in a lump sum amount upon such termination (although for pre-2005 deferrals the Committee may pay such deferrals in five annual installments). The DCP permits participants to receive in-service withdrawals of participant contributions for unforeseeable emergencies and certain other circumstances. Prior to when the deferrals are made, a participant may make a special election as to the time and form of payment for benefits that become payable due to the participants death or disability if payments have not already commenced, and deferrals will be paid in accordance with such elections under those circumstances. Company contributions to the DCP are generally paid in the form of a lump sum amount when a participant separates from service. Mr. Saleh received the vested portion of his 2012 DCP Company contributions in the form of a lump sum in November 2012 following the six-month delay after his termination of employment required by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and received the vested portion of his 2013 DCP Company contributions in the form of a lump sum in March 2013. The payment of post-2004 Company and participant DCP contributions is accelerated in the event that the Company undergoes a change in control.
Gannett Transitional Compensation Plan (TCP)
The TCP provides severance pay for our NEOs and other key executives upon a change in control of the Company. The plan provides payments in the event of an involuntary termination without cause, a voluntary termination for good reason or, in the case of executives participating in the TCP before April 15, 2010 (but not those who first participate in the TCP on or after that date), a voluntary termination within 30 days after the first anniversary of the change in control.
The TCP assures the Company that it would have the continued dedication of, and the availability of objective advice and counsel from, our NEOs and other key executives notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a change in control and promotes the retention and continuity of our NEOs and certain key executives for at least one year after a change in control. Change in control arrangements also facilitate the Companys ability to attract and retain management as the Company competes for talented employees in a marketplace where such protections are common. See Change in Control under Other Potential-Post Employment Payments.
Other Compensation Policies
Change in Control Payments
In connection with a review of its executive compensation practices, on April 15, 2010, the Committee adopted a policy that (i) the Company will no longer include in new or materially amended agreements entered into by the Company with its executive officers (a) excise tax gross-ups with respect to payments contingent upon a change in control or (b) a modified single trigger for payments contingent upon a change in control, and (ii) any new participant in the Gannett Transitional Compensation Plan (TCP) on or after April 15, 2010, including Ms. Harker and Mr. Payne, will not be entitled to the benefit of the TCPs excise tax gross-up or modified single trigger provisions. However, participants in the TCP and executive officers who entered into agreements with the Company prior to April 15, 2010, including Ms. Martore, Mr. Dickey, Mr. Lougee and Mr. Hart have been grandfathered into the prior practice and will continue to be entitled to the benefit of the excise tax gross-up and modified single trigger provisions in the TCP and such agreements.
Recoupment Policy
The Company has adopted a recoupment or clawback policy that applies to cash-based and equity-based incentive compensation awards granted to the Companys employees, including the
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Table of ContentsNEOs. Under the policy, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the approval of the Committee, the Company may seek to recoup any incentive based compensation awarded to any employee subject to the policy, if (1) the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, (2) the fraud or intentional misconduct of an employee subject to the policy contributed to the noncompliance that resulted in the obligation to restate, and (3) a lower award of incentive-based compensation would have been made to the covered employee had it been based upon the restated financial results. The policy is in addition to any other remedies the Company may have, including those available under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.
Hedging, Short-Selling and Pledging Policy
The Company has adopted a hedging, short-selling and pledging policy that prohibits the Companys employees and directors from purchasing financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset any fluctuations in the market value of the Companys equity securities they hold, purchasing the Companys shares on margin and selling any securities of the Company short. The policy also prohibits the Companys directors and executive officers from borrowing against any account in which the Companys equity securities are held or pledging the Companys equity securities as collateral for a loan. These prohibitions apply whether or not such equity securities were acquired through the Companys equity compensation programs.
Tax Considerations
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a tax deduction to public corporations for compensation over $1,000,000 paid to a companys CEO and its three other most highly compensated executive officers other than the CFO for any fiscal year. However, Section 162(m) exempts qualifying performance-based compensation from the deduction limit if specified requirements are met. The Committee has structured, and intends to continue to structure, performance-based compensation, including Performance Shares and annual bonuses, to executive officers who may be subject to Section 162(m) in a manner that satisfies those requirements. For example, in February 2012, the Committee established a limit on NEO annual bonuses based on a percentage of the Companys operating cash flow for the purpose of preserving their deductibility under Section 162(m). However, the Committee reserves the authority to award non-deductible compensation in circumstances as it deems appropriate. Because of ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of Section 162(m) and the regulations issued thereunder, no assurance can be given, notwithstanding our efforts, that compensation intended by the Company to satisfy the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m) does in fact do so. For 2012, approximately $918,249 of the compensation paid to Ms. Martore and $49,777 of the compensation paid to Mr. Dickey was not deductible under Section 162(m).
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While it is responsible for evaluating all of our Companys compensation policies and practices, the Committee focuses its annual efforts on assessing the total direct compensation paid to our NEOs and ensuring that these amounts are appropriate in relation to our performance and the performance of each NEO in achieving or exceeding his or her KPIs.
As discussed in the Executive Summary beginning on page 17 of this Proxy Statement, in October 2011 the Committee approved a change to the Companys equity grant practices. Prior to the change, the Committees decision-making cycle for equity grants started in December of the prior year, when RSU awards were made, and then concluded in February of the following year, when SO awards were made. In determining equity-based awards under the prior approach, the Committee viewed the December and February grants together, as part of a single program intended to retain and motivate executives and to align their interests with those of the Companys shareholders. Beginning in December 2011, we discontinued the practice of making RSU grants in December and, beginning in January 2012, we began making both Performance Share grants (which replaced SO grants) and RSU grants in January. As a result of this grant timing change, our NEOs did not receive an RSU grant in December 2011 and, therefore, received only one equity grant in 2011 (SO grants in February 2011), instead of two.
The Supplemental Compensation Table below shows the total direct compensation of each of the continuing NEOs for each of the past three years. The Supplemental Compensation Table differs from the Summary Compensation Table which appears on page 37 in two key respects:
This Supplemental Compensation Table is not intended to be a substitute for the Summary Compensation Table. We believe, however, that investors will find it useful as it shows a more normalized comparison of each of the continuing NEOs total direct compensation over the past three years by eliminating the differences reported in the Summary Compensation Table that resulted from the change in equity grant practices and changes in pension value.
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Table of ContentsSUPPLEMENTAL COMPENSATION TABLE
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Table of ContentsEXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Executive Compensation Committee met with management to review and discuss the Compensation Discussion and Analysis disclosures included in this Proxy Statement. Based on such review and discussion, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference in the Companys Form 10-K for its 2012 fiscal year, and the Board has approved that recommendation.
Executive Compensation Committee
Duncan M. McFarland, Chair Howard D. Elias Arthur H. Harper Marjorie Magner
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(a) Pension. The amounts of pension value increases reported for 2012 were significantly higher than amounts reported in prior years. The magnitude of the 2012 increase was driven in part by a decrease in the annual discount rate (reflecting a year over year decrease in the yields of high quality, fixed income investments as of the end of the fiscal year) required to be used to calculate pension values for proxy reporting purposes (from 4.75% in 2011 to 3.8% in 2012). This decrease in discount rate between 2011 and 2012 accounts for $1.1 million of the increase in pension value reported for Ms. Martore and $600,000 of the increase in pension value reported for Mr. Dickey. See footnote 6 below for more detail.
(b) Timing of Equity Grants. Typically, our NEOs receive two equity grants per year, as they did in 2012 and 2010; however, as a result of a timing change with respect to the Companys grant practice, our NEOs received one equity grant in 2011. As a result, the aggregate amounts of equity awards reported for each NEO were significantly higher in both 2010 and 2012 than they were in 2011. See the Executive Summary beginning on page 17 of this Proxy Statement for an explanation of the change in timing of our equity grants.
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Table of ContentsADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND THE GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE
Ms. Martore
In February 2007, the Company entered into an employment contract with Ms. Martore. The contract provides for a rolling three-year term until such time as either Ms. Martore or the Company provides notice of non-extension, in which case the term of the contract would expire on December 31 of the second year following the effective time of the notice. During her employment, Ms. Martore will receive an annual base salary of $700,000 or such greater amount as the Committee determines, and an annual bonus at the discretion of the Committee. Ms. Martores current base salary is $1 million; however, she has voluntarily reduced it to $900,000 since 2010. Ms. Martore declined a salary increase in connection with her promotion to President and CEO of the Company in October 2011. Her benefits under her employment agreement, the SERP, the TCP, the Performance Share Plan and certain other plans are calculated assuming that she did not voluntarily reduce her base salary. All SOs and RSUs granted to Ms. Martore will vest fully within four years from the grant date, will vest immediately upon termination of employment (other than by the Company for good cause) and, in the case of SOs, upon any such termination, will remain exercisable for the lesser of the remaining term or three years. Ms. Martore will not forfeit Performance Shares previously granted to her upon a termination of her employment. The number of Performance Shares that will be paid to Ms. Martore will be calculated in accordance with the terms of the Performance Share Plan, assuming that Ms. Martore was continuously employed by the Company through the last day of each of the applicable Performance Share Incentive Periods. See also the Other Potential Post-Employment Payments section for more information about Ms. Martores post-employment benefits.
Ms. Harker
In June 2012, Ms. Harker was appointed the Companys Chief Financial Officer and entered into a termination benefits agreement with the Company, effective July 23, 2012. In connection with her appointment, Ms. Harker was granted RSUs and Performance Shares with an aggregate grant date value of $1.1 million. Each of these grants was subject to the Companys standard vesting schedule, except that these initial stock grants (but not future grants) will immediately vest in full if the Company terminates Ms. Harkers employment without good cause as defined in her termination benefits agreement. See also the Other Potential Post-Employment Payments section for more information about Ms. Harkers post-employment benefits.
Mr. Payne
In March 2011, Mr. Payne was appointed the Companys Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer and entered into a termination benefits agreement with the Company. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Payne received a hiring bonus of $125,000 and was granted SOs to purchase 50,000 shares of the Companys common stock and 25,000 RSUs. Each of these grants was subject to the Companys standard vesting schedule. See also the Other Potential Post-Employment Payments section for more information about Mr. Paynes post-employment benefits.
Mr. Hart
Mr. Hart has served in various positions with the Company since 2000 and has been in his current position since January 2003. As a result of Mr. Harts extensive experience managing the Companys treasury function, he was appointed to serve as the Companys interim principal financial officer following Mr. Salehs resignation in May 2012. He served in that role until July 23, 2012, when Ms. Harker joined the Company in her current role as CFO. The Committee approved Mr. Harts base
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Table of Contentssalary for 2012 primarily based upon a management recommendation that took into account factors substantially similar to the factors the Committee took into account when determining 2012 NEO base salaries, including the nature and responsibility of his position, his achievement of KPIs and internal pay equity among positions. Mr. Harts 2012 bonus award was based upon a target of 45% of his base salary (equating to a bonus guideline amount of $119,250). In approving such bonus, the Committee took into account factors substantially similar to the factors the Committee took into account when awarding 2012 NEO bonuses, including the Companys strong 2012 financial performance. Mr. Hart also received a special 2012 bonus award that reflected additional responsibilities related to his service as interim principal financial officer. In December 2011, the Committee granted Mr. Hart a total long term equity award with a value equal to $160,000, which translated into an award of 6,232 Performance Shares (target) based on the present value per share of the expected payout as calculated using the Monte Carlo valuation method and an award of 5,385 RSUs based upon the Companys closing stock price on December 30, 2011. Mr. Hart participates in both the GRP and the SERP, as described elsewhere in this Executive Compensation section.
Mr. Saleh
Mr. Saleh resigned from the Company in May 2012, and was not awarded a cash bonus award for 2012, nor did he receive any severance or other post-termination pay from the Company upon his departure. In connection with Mr. Salehs resignation, he forfeited all of the unvested stock options, restricted stock and Performance Shares which had been granted to him, including the grants reflected on the Summary Compensation Table. Mr. Saleh did not participate in the GRP or the SERP during his time with the Company.
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Table of ContentsOUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
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OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
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The table below shows the actuarial present value as of December 30, 2012 of accumulated benefits payable to each of the NEOs, including the number of years of service credited to each, under each of the Gannett Retirement Plan, or GRP, and the Gannett Supplemental Retirement Plan, or SERP, in each case determined using assumptions consistent with those used in the Companys financial statements, except with respect to pre-retirement mortality, probability of turnover prior to retirement and retirement age. The table below reflects an assumed retirement age of 65 for Ms. Martore and Mr. Dickey, an assumed retirement age 55 for Mr. Lougee and an immediate retirement for Mr. Hart under the SERP, and an immediate retirement for all NEOs who participate with respect to the GRP. These reflect payment at the earliest point in time at which benefits are available without any reduction for age. Information regarding the GRP and SERP can be found in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section under the heading Post-Termination Pay. Ms. Harker and Mr. Payne do not, and Mr. Saleh did not, participate in the GRP or the SERP.
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Table of ContentsNON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The Gannett Deferred Compensation Plan, or DCP, is a non-qualified plan that allows Company executives to defer all or a portion of their compensation. Participant contributions that are not treated as if invested in the Companys stock are generally distributed in cash, and amounts that are treated as if invested in the Companys stock are generally distributed in shares of stock or cash, at the Companys election. Effective August 1, 2008, the DCP also provides for Company contributions for certain participants. Information regarding the DCP can be found in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section under the heading Post-Termination Pay.
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Table of ContentsOTHER POTENTIAL POST-EMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS
The Companys employee benefit programs provide the NEOs with post-termination benefits in a variety of circumstances. The amount of compensation payable may vary depending on the nature of the termination, whether as a result of retirement/voluntary termination, involuntary not-for-cause termination, termination following a change in control or termination in the event of disability or death of the executive. The discussion below describes the varying amounts payable to each NEO in each of these situations. It assumes, in each case, that the officers termination was effective as of December 30, 2012. In presenting this disclosure, we describe amounts earned through December 30, 2012, taking into account, where applicable, bonuses paid in 2013 but earned as a result of 2012 performance, and, in those cases where the actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of such executives separation from the Company, our estimates of the amounts which would have been paid out to the executives upon their termination, had it occurred on December 30, 2012. Some payments would be automatically delayed or modified if required under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
Mr. Saleh did not receive any post-employment benefits as a result of his resignation from the Company in May 2012 and is not included in the discussion below.
Retirement/Voluntary Termination
In the case of a NEOs retirement or voluntary termination, the Company would provide the executive with post-retirement or post-termination benefits that currently include the following:
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Table of ContentsPotential Payment Obligation Upon Retirement/Voluntary Termination
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Death
If the employment of a NEO is terminated as a result of the executives death, then each executives estate would be entitled to the following benefits:
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Table of ContentsPotential Payment Obligation Upon Death
Disability
If the employment of a NEO is terminated upon the executives disability, then the executive would be entitled to the following post-termination benefits:
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Potential Payment Obligation Upon Disability
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Change in Control
The Company has a Transitional Compensation Plan (TCP) to assure the Company would have the continued dedication of, and the availability of objective advice and counsel from, key executives notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a change in control and to promote the retention and continuity of certain key executives for at least one year after a change in control. The Board believes it is imperative that the Company and the Board be able to rely upon key executives to continue in their positions and be available for advice, if requested, in connection with any proposal relating to a change in control without concern that those individuals might be distracted by the personal uncertainties and risks created by such a proposal.
With those goals in mind, the TCP provides that participants, including the NEOs, would be entitled to compensation following a change in control if (1) within two years from the date of the change in control the participants employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause, or by the employee for good reason or (2) in the case of executives participating in the TCP before April 15, 2010 (but not those who first participate in the TCP on or after that date), within a 30-day window period beginning on the first anniversary of the change in control, the executive terminates his or her employment voluntarily. Ms. Harker and Mr. Payne first participated in the TCP on or after April 15, 2010.
Following is a summary of several key terms of the TCP:
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A NEO entitled to compensation under the TCP would receive:
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In addition to the benefits afforded under the TCP, all SOs and RSUs immediately vest upon a change in control, and a NEO will be entitled to receive a number of Performance Shares within 30 days after the change of control based on the Companys relative Total Shareholder Return compared to its TSR Peer Group on the date of the change in control, unless the change in control occurs in the first 6 months of an Incentive Period, in which case the NEO will receive the target number of Performance Shares set forth in the NEOs award agreement. Our NEOs also would receive other benefits under the SERP, DCP and the Omnibus Plan upon a change in control that qualifies as a change in control under Code Section 409A, including:
In certain cases the tax laws deny an income tax deduction to a company for payments that are contingent upon a change in control.
Potential Payment Obligation Upon Change in Control
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Other Potential Post-Termination Payments to Ms. Martore under her Employment Contract and to Ms. Harker and Mr. Payne under their Termination Benefits Agreements.
The Company may terminate the employment of Ms. Martore, Ms. Harker or Mr. Payne for good cause. Good cause means (1) an intentional, non-incidental, misappropriation of funds or property of the Company by the executive; (2) unreasonable and persistent neglect or refusal by the executive to perform the duties described in Ms. Martores employment contract or Ms. Harkers or Mr. Paynes termination benefits agreement, which he or she does not remedy within 30 days after receipt of written notice; (3) the material breach by the executive of certain provisions of Ms. Martores employment contract or Ms. Harkers or Mr. Paynes termination benefits agreement, which he or she does not remedy within 30 days after receipt of written notice; or (4) conviction of the executive of a felony. In the event of termination of employment for good cause, the executive would not receive any post-termination payments or benefits, with the exception of vested pension benefits, which would be payable at times and in amounts as described in the Retirement/Voluntary Termination disclosure section, and, in the case of Ms. Martore, her SOs, RSUs and Performance Shares.
Ms. Martore, Ms. Harker and Mr. Payne each may terminate his or her employment for good reason. Good reason would be deemed to exist if: (1) the executive is not elected or retained in his or her current positions (or such other senior executive position as the executive may agree to serve in); (2) the Company acts to materially reduce the duties and responsibilities described in Ms. Martores employment contract or Ms. Harkers or Mr. Paynes termination benefits agreement; or
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Table of Contents(3) the Company materially breaches the applicable agreement with the executive. In addition, Ms. Martore may also terminate her employment for good reason if the Company changes the principal geographic location of the performance of Ms. Martores duties away from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. In the event of termination of employment by the executive for good reason or by the Company without good cause, the Company would provide certain post-termination benefits in addition to the benefits afforded to them upon early retirement, which currently include the following:
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Table of ContentsPROPOSAL 3NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
As required by the Dodd-Frank Act we are asking shareholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Companys named executive officers (NEOs) as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the related executive compensation tables, notes and narrative included on pages 17-56 of this Proxy Statement.
As described above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, the Executive Compensation Committee oversees the Companys executive compensation programs and supports compensation policies that place a heavy emphasis on pay for performance. The Executive Compensation Committee also recognizes the importance of competitive compensation programs that are essential to recruiting and retaining the key executive talent needed to drive shareholder value.
We believe our executive compensation plans, principles and programs, as currently structured and as implemented for 2012, strongly align the interests of our NEOs with those of our shareholders and also permit the Company to attract, retain and motivate talented executives. We urge you to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 17 of this Proxy Statement, which describes in more detail the principles that guide the Committees compensation decisions and the components of our executive compensation plans and programs, as well as the Summary Compensation and other related executive compensation tables and narrative, beginning on page 37 of this Proxy Statement, which provide detailed information on the compensation of our NEOs.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR adoption of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the shareholders of Gannett Co., Inc. approve the compensation of the Companys named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and the related discussion.
While the advisory vote we are asking you to cast is non-binding, the Companys Executive Compensation Committee and the Board value the views of our shareholders and will take the outcome into account when considering future compensation decisions affecting our NEOs.
At least once every six years, we are required by the Dodd-Frank Act to provide shareholders with an opportunity to cast a non-binding, advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation. At our 2011 annual meeting, our shareholders voted in favor of holding such advisory votes on an annual basis. Accordingly, at that time, the Board determined that the Companys policy will be to include an advisory vote on executive compensation in the Companys annual meeting proxy materials every year until the next required frequency vote is held.
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Table of ContentsPROPOSAL 4 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING VESTING OF EQUITY AWARDS OF SENIOR EXECUTIVES UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 25 Louisiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001, a beneficial owner of 180 shares of common stock of the Company, has notified the Company that it intends to present a proposal at the Annual Meeting. The proposal and supporting statement, for which the Board of Directors accepts no responsibility, is set forth below. The Board of Directors opposes the proposal for the reasons stated after the proposal.
PROPOSAL
RESOLVED: The shareholders ask the board of directors to adopt a policy that in the event of a change in control (as defined under any applicable employment agreement, equity incentive plan or other plan), there shall be no acceleration of vesting of any equity award granted to any senior executive, provided, however, that the boards Executive Compensation Committee (the Committee) may provide in an applicable grant or purchase agreement that any unvested award will vest on a partial, pro rata basis up to the time of the senior executives termination, with such qualifications for an award as the Committee may determine.
For purposes of this Policy, equity award means an award granted under any equity incentive plan as defined in Item 402 of the SECs Regulation S-K, which addresses executive compensation. This resolution shall be implemented so as not affect any contractual rights in existence on the date this proposal is adopted.
SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Gannett Co., Inc. (the Company) allows senior executives to receive an accelerated award of unearned equity under certain conditions after a change in control of the Company. We do not question that some form of severance payments may be appropriate in that situation. We are concerned, however, that current practices at the Company may permit windfall awards that have nothing to do with a senior executives performance.
According to last years proxy statement, a change in control at the end of the 2011 fiscal year could have accelerated the vesting of $11 million worth of equity awards to the Companys five executive officers, with Ms. Martore, the CEO, entitled to $5.3 million out of a total personal severance package of $33.6 million.
In this regard, we note that Gannett uses a modified single trigger mechanism to determine eligibility for accelerated vesting for employees participating in the Companys plan before April 15, 2010: (1) there must be a change in control, which can occur as defined in the plan of agreement, and (2) an executive terminates employment voluntarily within a 30-day window beginning on the first anniversary of the change in control. (Note: A double trigger mechanism applies for employees participating in the plan after April 15, 2010.)
We are unpersuaded by the argument that executives somehow deserve to receive unvested awards. To accelerate the vesting of unearned equity on the theory that an executive was denied the opportunity to earn those shares seems inconsistent with a pay for performance philosophy worthy of the name.
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Table of ContentsWe do believe, however, that an affected executive should be eligible to receive an accelerated vesting of equity awards on a pro rata basis as of his or her termination date, with the details of any pro rata award to be determined by the Compensation Committee.
Other major corporations, including Apple, Chevron, Dell, ExxonMobil, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and Occidental Petroleum, have limitations on accelerated vesting of unearned equity, such as, providing pro rata awards or simply forfeiting unearned awards.
We urge you to vote FOR this proposal.
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Table of ContentsTHE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THIS PROPOSAL.
The Proposal would create potential conflicts of interest by disrupting the alignment of the interests of the Companys management with the interests of the Companys shareholders.
The Executive Compensation Committee has designed its executive compensation programs to place a heavy emphasis on pay for performance and align the interests of the Companys senior executives with those of its shareholders, with the ultimate objective of driving shareholder return. One of the essential purposes of providing senior executives with equity-based awards is to align their interests with those of the Companys shareholders. As described elsewhere in this proxy statement, a significant percentage of each senior executives compensation opportunity is provided in the form of an equity-based award that will vest over time and that will have value only if vesting occurs. Equity-based awards include RSUs, which vest four years after grant, and Performance Shares, which vest upon the Company achieving certain performance goals over a three-year period. These equity-based awards work together to further align the executives interests with those of our shareholders and the Companys longer-term objectives, to drive shareholder return, to foster executive stock ownership and to promote retention of the leadership talent that is critical to our success.
The proposal, if implemented, would deny our senior executives the benefit of the full value of their equity-based awards upon a change in control and therefore would conflict with the objectives of the Companys executive compensation program. At any particular time, the Companys executives hold significant unvested equity awards representing a considerable portion of the compensation they will receive if they remain with the Company through the specified vesting dates and, in the case of Performance Shares, if the performance goals are met. The proposal would eliminate the Companys ability to provide reasonable assurance to senior executives that they will realize the expected value of their equity-based awards if the Company experiences a change in control. Putting senior executives compensation at risk if the Company were to experience a change in control could create a conflict of interest if the Company were pursuing a merger or similar transaction that the Board of Directors believes is in the best interests of shareholders. Accelerating the vesting of equity awards upon a change in control eliminates this potential misalignment of the interests of executives and the Companys shareholders by ensuring that executives, who are implementing strategic actions in the best interest of the shareholders, are not at the same time penalized with a loss of their equity-based incentive compensation.
The Proposal could put the Company at a competitive disadvantage in attracting and retaining senior executives.
The proposal, if implemented, could disadvantage the Company in competing for executive talent. Unless the prohibition on accelerated vesting of equity awards advocated by the proposal is implemented by every company with which the Company competes for executive talent, the proposal could adversely affect the Companys ability to attract and retain highly qualified executive leadership personnel, thus jeopardizing the Companys performance, its ability to execute on its strategic plan and its ability to create and deliver maximum value to shareholders.
The proposal also could make it more difficult for the Company to retain senior executives during a potential change in control, which could make it difficult for the potential transaction to advance in a manner that would serve the best interests of the Companys shareholders. Moreover, the risk of job loss, coupled with the potential loss of significant equity-based awards, in connection with a change in control may present an unnecessary distraction for senior executives. The prospect of a change in control could, for example, lead senior executives whose positions might be eliminated after consummation of the transaction to begin seeking new employment. The search for new employment
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Table of Contentswhile the Board is negotiating a change in control transaction, or during the critical post-closing integration period, could be distracting to management and the Board and create a potential conflict with the Companys goal of protecting its shareholders interests and maximizing shareholder value. Retaining senior executives while a change in control transaction is pending can be particularly important, since the loss of senior executives could adversely affect the Companys business or operations if the transaction is not completed. Accelerated vesting provisions therefore help provide stability, ensure continuity of executive leadership and keep executive leaderships objective input available to the Board during a potential change in control transaction.
Allowing executives to retain the full value of their equity-based awards helps foster the retention value of such awards by incentivizing executives to remain with the Company through consummation of a merger or similar change in control transaction. Acceleration of vesting therefore helps incentivize leadership to maximize shareholder value, further aligning the interests of management with the Companys shareholders.
The Proposal would unduly restrict the ability of the Executive Compensation Committee to structure executive compensation.
The Board believes that the Executive Compensation Committee, which is comprised of four independent, non-management directors, needs to be in a position to develop executive compensation principles and practices that reflect market conditions and are in the best interests of the Companys shareholders. To do that, the Executive Compensation Committee must have the flexibility to structure effective and competitive executive compensation programs. The proposals restrictions on the Committees ability to permit executives to realize the full value of their equity-based awards upon a change in control could, as discussed above, hinder the Companys ability to attract and retain executive talent. The Board believes that the Executive Compensation Committee must be given latitude to develop an executive compensation program that is competitive and that is designed to foster achievement of the strategic, operational and financial goals of the Company. A rigid policy such as the one advocated by the proposal would limit the Committees ability to design effective and competitive compensation programs and therefore would place the Company at a competitive disadvantage in recruiting, retaining and motivating executive officers.
We note that the Performance Shares and RSUs issued to senior management and other employees of the Company are awarded under the Companys Amended and Restated 2001 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The Amended and Restated 2001 Omnibus Incentive Plan provides for full vesting of all outstanding equity awards upon a change in control of the Company, and was approved by the Companys shareholders at the May 2010 annual meeting of shareholders by over 80% of the votes cast.
In light of the foregoing, your Board believes this shareholder proposal is not in the best interests of the Company or its shareholders and unanimously recommends that shareholders vote AGAINST this proposal.
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The compensation year for non-employee directors begins at each Annual Meeting of shareholders and ends at the following Annual Meeting of shareholders. For the 2012-2013 director compensation period, the Company paid its directors the following:
In lieu of receiving their retainer fees in cash, directors may elect to receive these fees in restricted shares valued at 110% of the applicable cash fee, or in SOs to purchase a number of shares equal to four times the number of shares that would be payable as restricted shares, in each case based on the closing market value of the Companys stock on the grant date. Retainer fees are paid quarterly during the compensation year, in the case of cash. Retainer fees paid in the form of restricted shares vest at a rate of 1/36th of the shares per month and are held by the Company for the benefit of the director until the director leaves the Board. Retainer fees paid in the form of SOs vest at a rate of 1/4th of the shares on each anniversary of the grant date and, once vested, are exercisable until the eight year anniversary of the grant date.
In lieu of receiving their meeting fees in cash, directors may elect to receive these fees in restricted shares valued at 110% of the applicable cash fee, or in SOs to purchase a number of shares equal to four times the number of shares that would be payable as restricted shares, in each case based on the closing market value of the Companys stock on the grant date. Meeting fees paid in the form of cash are payable on the last day of the compensation year. Meeting fees paid in the form of shares of Company common stock are fully vested upon grant and those shares are held by the Company for the benefit of the director until the director leaves the Board. Meeting fees paid as SOs fully vest upon grant and are exercisable for eight years after the grant date.
Long-term awards are made on the first day of the compensation year for directors. Long-term awards in the form of restricted shares vest at a rate of 1/36th of the shares per month. Long-term awards in the form of SOs vest at a rate of 1/4th of the shares on each anniversary of the grant date and, once vested, are exercisable until the eight year anniversary of the grant date. Restricted shares receive dividends or, if deferred, dividend equivalent rights. All vested restricted shares shall be held by the Company for the benefit of the director until the director leaves the Board and shall be transferred to the director on that date.
If a non-employee director retires from the Board due to the age of service limitations set forth in the Companys By-laws, all of the directors restricted shares shall fully vest upon such retirement, and SOs held by a director who has served at least three years shall fully vest upon such retirement. Restricted shares and SOs also automatically vest upon a change of control of the Company. When a
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Table of Contentsnon-employee director leaves the Board for any other reason, the directors unvested restricted shares and unvested SOs are forfeited, except that, if the director leaves after having completed (i) at least three full years of service on the Board, the directors SOs will vest for one additional year and the director will have that extra year to exercise any vested SOs, (ii) at least six full years of service on the Board, the directors SOs will vest for two additional years of added vesting and exercise time, and (iii) nine or more full years of service on the Board, the directors SOs will vest for three additional years and exercise time. All unvested options will continue to vest during such post-termination exercise period in accordance with the options original vesting schedule.
Directors may elect to defer their cash or restricted share fees under the DCP, which for cash fee deferrals provides for the same investment choices, including mutual funds and a Gannett stock fund, made available to other DCP participants. Fees paid as restricted shares and deferred at the election of the director must be invested in the Gannett stock fund of the DCP.
The Executive Compensation Committee periodically reviews and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the compensation of directors, including Board and committee retainers, meeting fees, equity-based compensation, and such other forms of compensation as the Committee may consider appropriate. After considering input from the Committees independent consultant, including prevailing trends in director compensation, the Committee and the Board determined that (1) eliminating stock options as an element of director compensation would be consistent with the discontinuance of stock options for senior executives, (2) compensating directors on the basis of meeting attendance does not appropriately reflect the investment of time made by directors between Board meetings, and (3) the amount of the annual retainer and long-term equity award should be adjusted appropriately to reflect the elimination of meeting fees.
Therefore, commencing with the 2013-2014 compensation year for directors - which begins at the May 7, 2013 Annual Meeting - the Companys director compensation program will be modified such that (1) stock options will no longer be an element of director compensation, (2) meeting fees will be eliminated, (3) directors will receive an annual retainer fee of $87,500 and an annual long-term equity award with a grant date value equal to $87,500, and (4) the additional annual retainer fee of the independent Chairman of the Board will be increased from $75,000 to $100,000. The additional annual retainer fees for committee chairs will remain unchanged.
The Companys Principles of Corporate Governance require each director to own, directly, beneficially, or through the Companys Deferred Compensation Plan, at least 1,000 shares of Company stock upon joining the Board of Directors, and to increase their ownership to at least 10,000 shares within five years after joining the Board. In connection with the director compensation changes described above, this five year ownership requirement will increase to 20,000 shares beginning at the May 7, 2013 Annual Meeting. Each director meets or exceeds the applicable share ownership requirement.
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Table of ContentsThe following table shows the compensation paid to our independent directors for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012. Ms. Martore received no separate compensation for her service as a director and therefore is not included in the following table.
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
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Table of ContentsEQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The table below sets forth the following information as of the end of the Companys 2012 fiscal year for (i) compensation plans previously approved by the Companys shareholders and (ii) compensation plans not previously approved by the Companys shareholders: (1) the number of securities to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding SOs, warrants and rights; (2) the weighted-average exercise price of such outstanding SOs, warrants and rights; and (3) other than securities to be issued upon the exercise of such outstanding SOs, warrants and rights, the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under the plans.
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Table of ContentsSECURITIES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The information presented below regarding beneficial ownership of common stock has been presented in accordance with SEC rules and is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under these rules, beneficial ownership of common stock includes any shares as to which a person, directly or indirectly, has or shares voting power or investment power and any shares as to which a person has the right to acquire such voting or investment power within 60 days through the exercise of any SO or other right.
The following table presents, as of the Record Date, information based on the Companys records and filings with the SEC regarding beneficial ownership of each person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Companys common stock, each director and each nominee to the Board of Directors, the Companys NEOs in 2012, and all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. None of the shares owned by the Companys directors or executive officers were pledged.
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Table of ContentsINVESTMENT IN GANNETT STOCK BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table presents, as of the Record Date, the total investment position in the Companys stock of its directors and executive officers, based on the Companys records and filings with the SEC.
This table reflects the same information as the table in the preceding section, but it also includes shares of the Companys stock that each person holds through the Companys Deferred Compensation Plan. As of the Record Date, shares of the Companys stock in the following amounts were deemed to be credited to the accounts of the Companys directors and executive officers under the Companys Deferred Compensation Plan: Ms. Martore-9,502; Mr. Payne-1,550; Mr. Hart-4,053; Mr. Saleh-1,528; Mr. Cody-4,207; Mr. Elias-29,103; Mr. Harper-61,072; Ms. Magner-11,902; Mr. McFarland-47,892; Mr. Shapiro-16,689; and all directors and executive officers as a group-199,757. These shares are not deemed to be beneficially owned under SEC rules and are therefore not included in the table in the preceding section.
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The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, certain of the officers and employees of the Company, without extra compensation, may solicit proxies personally, by telephone or other means. The Company also will request that brokerage houses, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries forward soliciting materials to the beneficial owners of stock held of record and will reimburse them for forwarding the materials. In addition, the Company has retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated, New York, New York (Innisfree), to aid in the solicitation of proxies at a fee of $15,000, plus out of pocket expenses. The Company has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless Innisfree and certain related persons against certain liabilities arising out of or in connection with the engagement.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
We believe that all of our current and former directors and executive officers reported on a timely basis all transactions required to be reported by Section 16(a), except for one Form 4 for William Behan, which was filed late due to inadvertent administrative error.
To the extent that this Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference into any other filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the sections of this Proxy Statement entitled Executive Compensation Committee Report and Report of the Audit Committee (to the extent permitted by SEC rules) will not be deemed incorporated, unless specifically provided otherwise in such filing.
March 22, 2013
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Table of ContentsGANNETT CO., INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS Tuesday, May 7, 2013 10:00 a.m. Gannett Co., Inc. 7950 Jones Branch Drive McLean, VA 22107
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors Annual Meeting of Shareholders May 7, 2013 The undersigned hereby appoints Gracia C. Martore and Todd A. Mayman, or either of them, attorneys and proxies each with power of substitution to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on May 7, 2013 and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, with all the power that the undersigned would possess if personally present, and to vote all shares of stock that the undersigned may be entitled to vote at said Annual Meeting, as designated on the reverse, and in accordance with their best judgment in connection with such other business as may come before the Annual Meeting. Please cast your votes on the reverse side, by telephone or online as described below. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 3 and a vote AGAINST Proposal 4. To vote in accordance with the Board of Directors recommendations, just sign the reverse side; no boxes need to be checked. Unless marked otherwise, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors recommendations. Voting Instructions For Gannett Co., Inc.s 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Gannett Co., Inc. shareholders of record on March 8, 2013 may vote their shares for matters to be covered at the Companys 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders using a toll-free telephone number, via the Internet or using the attached proxy card. Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the Named Proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card. Below are voting instructions for all three options.
Use any touch tone telephone to vote your shares at any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 11:59 p.m. (Central Time) on May 6, 2013. Have your proxy card in hand when you call. You will be provided with simple voting instructions.
Use the Internet to vote your shares at any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 11:59 p.m. (Central Time) on May 6, 2013. Have your proxy card in hand. You will be provided with simple voting instructions.
Mark, sign and date the attached proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope by May 6, 2013. If you are a current or former employee of Gannett Co., Inc. and own shares of Gannett common stock through the Gannett Co., Inc. 401(k) Plan, we must receive your completed and executed proxy card or your submission of an Internet or telephone vote by 11:59 p.m. (Central Time) on May 2, 2013 to allow time for the 401(k) plan administrator to vote on your behalf. If your vote by proxy card, Internet or telephone is not received by 11:59 p.m. (Central Time) on May 2, 2013, the plan shares credited to your 401(k) account will be voted by the 401(k) plan administrator in the same proportions as the proxy votes which were timely and properly submitted by other plan participants. If you vote by phone or the Internet, please do not mail your proxy card. THANK YOU FOR VOTING.
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Shareowner Services P.O. Box 64945 St. Paul, MN 55164-0945 COMPANY # Address Change Mark box, sign, and indicate changes below: TO VOTE BY INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, SEE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS PROXY CARD. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL THE NOMINEES LISTED AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: Nominees are: FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 1a. John E. Cody 1f. Scott K. McCune 1b. Howard D. Elias 1g. Duncan M. McFarland Please fold here Do not separate 1c. John Jeffry Louis 1h. Susan Ness 1d. Marjorie Magner 1i. Neal Shapiro 1e. Gracia C. Martore 2. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the 2013 For Against Abstain fiscal year. 3. NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE the compensation of the For Against Abstain Companys named executive officers. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST PROPOSAL 4. 4. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL regarding vesting of equity awards of senior For Against Abstain executives upon a change of control. THE PROXIES are authorized to vote in their discretion upon such other business, if any, as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Date Signature(s) in Box Please sign EXACTLY as name appears at the left. Joint owners each should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full related title. |