QUAD DEF 14A
Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD)
DEF 14A
2025-04-11
For: 2025-05-21
View Original
Added on
June 12, 2026
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
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¨ Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
ý Definitive Proxy Statement
¨ Definitive Additional Materials
¨ Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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¨ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Time and Date:
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time
Virtual Meeting:
We are holding the 2025 Annual Meeting online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/QUAD2025. You will not be able to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting physically. You or your proxyholder can participate, vote, and examine our shareholder list at the 2025 Annual Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/QUAD2025 and using your control number found on your proxy card.
Matters to be Voted On:
1.To elect all nine director nominees to serve for a one-year term and until their successors are duly elected and qualified;
2.To approve an amendment to the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan; and
3.To consider and act upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Who Can Vote:
Holders of Quad/Graphics, Inc. class A and class B common stock at the close of business on March 19, 2025.
We are pleased to take advantage of Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow companies to furnish their proxy materials (i.e., proxy statement, 2024 annual report to shareholders and proxy card) over the internet. On or about April 11, 2025, we will commence mailing to the holders of our class A common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”). We believe this process expedites the receipt of proxy materials by our shareholders, ensures that proxy materials remain easily accessible to our shareholders, lowers costs and reduces the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting.
The Notice contains clear instructions on how holders of our class A common stock can access our proxy materials and how such holders can vote at our 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In addition, the Notice contains instructions on how to obtain printed proxy materials.
Holders of our class B common stock will continue to receive hard copies of our proxy materials, and we will commence mailing on or about April 11, 2025.
Your vote is very important to us, regardless of how many shares you own. Even if you plan to attend the virtual meeting online, to ensure that every vote is counted at the 2025 Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote as instructed in the Notice and/or proxy card, via the internet, by telephone or by mailing back the proxy card received from us or from your broker, bank or other provider. You may revoke your previously submitted proxy and vote your shares at the virtual meeting online. Please note, however, that if your shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the 2025 Annual Meeting online, you must obtain from the record holder of those shares (i.e., your broker, bank or other nominee) a legal proxy issued in your name.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Dana B. Gruen
General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Risk & Compliance Officer
April 11, 2025
Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the shareholders’ meeting to be held on May 21, 2025: The proxy statement and 2024 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at: www.proxyvote.com and https://quad.com/investor-relations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page No. | |||||
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
N61 W23044 Harry’s Way
Sussex, Wisconsin 53089
SUMMARY
of
PROXY STATEMENT
This summary highlights certain information that is described in more detail elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all the information you should consider before voting on the matters at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Quad/Graphics, Inc. (the “Company”, “Quad”, “we”, “our”, “us”, or similar terms) to be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, and all adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Annual Meeting”), so we ask that you read the entire proxy statement carefully. Page references are provided to help you quickly find further information.
2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
| Date and Time: | May 21, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time | ||||
| Virtual Meeting Site: | www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/QUAD2025 | ||||
Eligibility to Vote
You can vote at the Annual Meeting if you were a holder of record of our class A common stock or class B common stock at the close of business on March 19, 2025 (the “Record Date”).
Governance Highlights
We are dedicated to high standards of corporate governance. Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) is committed to acting in the long-term best interests of our shareholders and continually reviews our policies with those interests in mind, as well as in light of recent trends in corporate governance.
Below is a summary of our corporate governance highlights with respect to our Board.
•Six out of our ten current directors are independent.
•We maintain a fully independent Audit Committee.
•Our Board meets at regularly scheduled executive sessions, both without members of management present and also without non-independent directors present.
•Our Board and executive officers are prohibited from hedging our stock, and are required to obtain prior approval of any pledge of our stock.
•Our Board and executive officers are subject to stock ownership guidelines.
•We hold annual board and committee evaluations.
•We require approval of certain related party transactions.
Additional information about our corporate governance policies and practices can be found at pages 22 - 27 of this proxy statement.
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Voting Matters
| Proposal | The Board’s Voting Recommendations | Voting Standard to Approve Proposal (assuming a quorum is present) | Treatment of Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes | ||||||||
| 1. Election of Directors | “FOR” each nominee | Plurality of Votes Cast | Not counted as votes cast and therefore have no effect | ||||||||
| 2. Approval of an Amendment to the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan | “FOR” | Majority of Votes Cast | Not counted as votes cast and therefore have no effect | ||||||||
Election of Directors
We elect our directors on an annual basis.
| Director Nominees | Age | Director Since | Independent | ||||||||
| J. Joel Quadracci | 56 | 2003 | |||||||||
| Kathryn Quadracci Flores | 57 | 2013 | |||||||||
| Douglas P. Buth | 70 | 2005 | X | ||||||||
| Beth-Ann Eason | 58 | 2023 | X | ||||||||
| John C. Fowler | 74 | 2016 | |||||||||
| Stephen M. Fuller | 64 | 2016 | X | ||||||||
| Christopher B. Harned | 62 | 2005 | |||||||||
| Melanie A. Huet | 49 | 2023 | X | ||||||||
| Jay O. Rothman | 65 | 2017 | X | ||||||||
Proposal to Approve an Amendment to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Our Board has approved, and is recommending to our shareholders for approval, an amendment to the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (sometimes referred to as the “2020 Plan”) to increase the number of shares of class A common stock authorized for issuance under the 2020 Plan by 3,000,000 shares. The proposed amendment will allow the Company to continue to attract and retain outstanding individuals to serve as officers, directors, employees and consultants, and the Company believes that the proposed amendment to the 2020 Plan strikes an appropriate balance between rewarding performance and limiting shareholder dilution, while providing the Company with the flexibility to meet changing compensation needs.
Director Tenure
We have added five new directors since 2016, four of whom are independent.
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Committee Membership
There are three standing committees of the Board — the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Finance Committee. Current members of the committees are listed in the table below.
Additional information about our director nominees can be found at pages 6 - 9 of this proxy statement.
Compensation Highlights
We periodically review best practices in the area of executive compensation and update our compensation policies and practices to reflect those that we believe are appropriate for our Company, including the following:
•Pay for performance—A substantial fraction of total compensation for our named executive officers is tied to the operating performance of our Company. Our performance measures under our incentive compensation program are also aligned with our business objectives.
•Alignment with shareholder interests—Our core executive compensation principles are designed to promote alignment of our named executive officers’ interests with the interests of shareholders.
•Salary increases, bonuses and equity awards must be earned—We do not guarantee salary increases, bonuses or equity awards for our executive officers.
•No option repricing—Our equity compensation plan does not permit repricing of stock options.
•Compensation risk management—We periodically review our pay practices to ensure that they do not encourage excessive risk taking and to confirm that our governance practices are designed to prevent excessive compensation that would not be consistent with our philosophy and business objectives.
•Stock ownership—We maintain stock ownership guidelines for our directors and executive officers, including our named executive officers.
•No evergreen provision in equity plan—Our equity incentive plan does not include automatic annual increases in the share reserve such that shareholders generally must approve any increase in the share reserve.
•Independent compensation consultant—The compensation committee retains an independent compensation consultant to provide advice and recommendations concerning the compensation of our named executive officers.
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PROXY STATEMENT
For
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held May 21, 2025
This proxy statement is being furnished to shareholders by the Board, beginning on or about April 11, 2025. This proxy statement is being furnished in connection with a solicitation of proxies by the Board for use at the Annual Meeting for the purposes set forth in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
The Annual Meeting is a virtual only meeting, accessible online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/QUAD2025. We have worked to offer similar participation opportunities as would be provided at an in person annual meeting.
Only holders of record of the Company’s class A common stock and class B common stock (collectively the “common stock”) at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On that date, the Company had outstanding and entitled to vote: (a) 37,099,534 shares of class A common stock, each of which is entitled to one vote per share, with an aggregate of 37,099,534 votes; and (b) 13,261,983 shares of class B common stock, each of which is entitled to ten votes per share, with an aggregate of 132,619,830 votes. The presence of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be considered present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.
To ensure that your vote is recorded promptly, please vote as soon as possible, even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting by virtual presence online. Whether you hold shares directly as the shareholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may direct how your shares are voted without attending the Annual Meeting. If you are a shareholder of record, you have the option to vote by mail using your proxy card or electronically via either the internet or telephone pursuant to instructions provided on the Notice or on the proxy card sent to you. A shareholder of record may access and complete the proxy card online at www.proxyvote.com or vote by telephone (1-800-690-6903), in each case by using the control number provided on your proxy card or in the Notice. If a bank, broker or other nominee holds your Company common stock for your benefit but not in your own name, such shares are in “street name.” In that case, your bank, broker or other nominee will send you a voting instruction form to use for your shares. The availability of internet voting instruction depends on the voting procedures of your bank, broker or other nominee. Please follow the instructions on the voting instruction form they send you. Even if you vote via the internet, by telephone, or complete and mail your proxy card, you may nevertheless revoke your proxy at any time prior to the Annual Meeting by sending us written notice, voting your shares online at the Annual Meeting or submitting a later-dated proxy.
If you attend the Annual Meeting online, you may also vote your shares at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/QUAD2025 during the meeting, and any previous votes that you submitted will be superseded by the vote that you cast at the Annual Meeting. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain from the record holder of those shares a legal proxy issued in your name.
A proxy which is properly executed, duly returned to the Company and not revoked, or a valid vote via the internet or by telephone, will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained in it. The shares represented by executed but unmarked proxies will be voted as follows:
•FOR all nine persons nominated for election as directors referred to in this proxy statement;
•FOR the approval of the amendment to the 2020 Plan; and
•on such other business or matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting in accordance with the best judgment of the persons named as proxies in the form of proxy.
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Other than the election of nine directors and the proposed amendment to the 2020 Plan, the Board has no knowledge of any matters to be presented for action by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting. An inspector of elections appointed by the Board will tabulate all votes at the Annual Meeting.
You may attend and participate in the Annual Meeting by virtual presences online if you were a shareholder or joint holder as of the close of business on the Record Date, or you hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. To attend the Annual Meeting by virtual presence online, go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/QUAD2025. If you are a shareholder of record, you will also need to provide your control number found on your proxy card. If you are not a shareholder of record, but hold shares through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will also need to obtain a legal proxy from the bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares, have a copy of the voting instruction card provided by your bank, broker or other nominee, and provide your control number found on the voting instruction card provided by such bank, broker or other nominee.
The virtual Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. Online check-in will begin at 8:45 a.m. Central Time, and you should allow ample time for the online check-in procedures. If you have difficulty accessing the Annual Meeting, please call the telephone number provided on the login page at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/QUAD2025. We will have technicians available to assist you.
In order to answer shareholder questions as completely as possible during the question and answer session at the Annual Meeting, please submit any questions by the end of the day on Monday, May 19, 2025. You may submit a question by such time at www.proxyvote.com after logging in with the control number provided on your proxy card.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board currently consists of ten directors. John S. Shiely, a director of the Company since 1996, will be retiring from the Board as of the Annual Meeting. As a result, the Board has amended the Company’s Bylaws to reduce the number of directors from ten to nine effective immediately preceding the Annual Meeting.
At the Annual Meeting, the shareholders will elect all nine directors to one-year terms—to hold office until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Unless shareholders otherwise specify, the shares represented by the proxies received will be voted in favor of the election as directors of the nine persons named as nominees in this proxy statement. The Board has no reason to believe that the listed nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve as directors if elected. However, in the event that any nominee should be unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, the shares represented by proxies received will be voted for another nominee selected by the Board.
Each director will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting, assuming a quorum is present. For this purpose, “plurality” means that the nominees receiving the largest number of votes will be elected as directors. Any shares not voted at the Annual Meeting, whether due to abstentions, broker non-votes or otherwise, will have no impact on the election of the directors. Shares of the Company’s class A common stock and class B common stock vote together as a single class on the election of directors.
The following sets forth certain information, as of the date of mailing of the proxy materials, about the Board’s nominees for election at the Annual Meeting.
J. Joel Quadracci, 56, has been a director of Quad since 2003, its President since January 2005, its President and Chief Executive Officer since July 2006 and its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2010. Mr. Quadracci joined Quad in 1991 and, prior to becoming President and Chief Executive Officer, served in various capacities, including Sales Manager, Regional Sales Strategy Director, Vice President of Print Sales, Senior Vice President of Sales and Administration, and President and Chief Operating Officer. He serves on the board of directors for Plexus Corp., Pixability, Inc., Road America, Inc., the National Association of Manufacturers, and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. He also serves on the board of trustees for the Milwaukee Art Museum and on the advisory council of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Mr. Quadracci received a B.A. in Philosophy from Skidmore College in 1991. Mr. Quadracci is the brother of Kathryn Quadracci Flores, M.D., a director of Quad and Chief Executive Officer of QuadMed, the brother-in-law of Christopher B. Harned, a director of Quad, and the first cousin of Robert Quadracci, Chief Human Resources Officer. Quad believes that Mr. Quadracci’s experience in both the commercial printing and advertising and marketing services industries, as well as his leadership positions within Quad, qualify him for service as a director of Quad.
Kathryn Quadracci Flores, M.D., 57, has been a director of Quad since 2013 and is a member of the Finance Committee. Dr. Flores joined QuadMed, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, in 2021 and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of QuadMed. Dr. Flores serves as President and Director of the Windhover Foundation, a large multi-generational family foundation and is a co-chair of the President’s Leadership Council of Brown University. Dr. Flores previously served as Vice President and Secretary of the board of trustees for the Collegiate School of New York, on the Board of Directors for the Brown University Sports Foundation, on the Board of Trustees for the Marymount School of New York and as Commodore of the Pine Lake Yacht Club. Dr. Flores received her B.A. and B.S. from Brown University in 1990 and her M.D. from Columbia University in 1995. Dr. Flores is the sister of J. Joel Quadracci, Quad’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, the sister-in-law of Christopher B. Harned, a director of Quad, and the first cousin of Robert Quadracci, Chief Human Resources Officer. Quad believes that Dr. Flores’ knowledge of Quad, her education, and her board and business experience qualify her to serve as a director of Quad.
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Douglas P. Buth, 70, has been a director of Quad since 2005 and is the Chair of the Audit Committee and also is a member of the Compensation and Finance Committees. Mr. Buth retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Appvion, Inc., formerly known as Appleton Papers, Inc., a producer of carbonless, thermal, security paper and performance packaging products, and as Chief Executive Officer and President of Paperweight Development Corp., the parent company of Appvion, Inc., in 2005. Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Buth had served in a variety of roles at Appvion, Inc., including positions in strategic planning, marketing and sales and as General Manager and Executive Vice President. Mr. Buth is currently a member of the board of directors for Trek Bicycle Corporation, where he serves as chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee. He retired from the board of Grange Mutual Insurance Company, in 2021, where he chaired the Compensation Committee and served as a member of the Investment Committee and the Audit Committee. Mr. Buth received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame in 1977. He qualified as a C.P.A. with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in 1979 and thereafter held a number of financial positions with Saks Fifth Avenue and BATUS, Inc. Quad believes that Mr. Buth’s financial background as a C.P.A. and his experience as a leader of a publicly-traded company and member of several boards of directors qualify him for service as a director of Quad.
Beth-Ann Eason, 58, has been a director of Quad since 2023 and is a member of the Compensation Committee. In 2023, Ms. Eason also received her NACD board certification. Ms. Eason was the Managing Director, Senior Digital Transformation Executive for Accenture Interactive from January 2020 to December 2022, working with chief marketing officers on digital transformation. Prior to joining Accenture Interactive, Ms. Eason served from May 2015 to January 2020 as President of Innovid, the world’s largest independent Connected TV and video advertising software platform. Ms. Eason was at Conde Nast from April 2011 to May 2015, serving as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Conde Nast’s Epicurious from April 2011 to July 2013. Ms. Eason was also Vice President of Category Development for Yahoo! from 2001 to 2006 and DoubleClick from 1996 to 2001 where she was promoted to a General Manager role. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Lehigh University. Quad believes that Ms. Eason’s experience as an industry leader in digital transformation, marketing and advertising qualifies her for service as a director of Quad.
John C. Fowler, 74, has been a director of Quad since 2016 and is a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Fowler served as Quad’s Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of Global Strategy and Corporate Development from March 2014 until December 2017. Prior thereto, he served as Quad’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from July 2010 to March 2014, as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from May 2005 to July 2010, and as Vice President and Controller from when he joined Quad in 1980 (which at the time was the Company’s top financial position) until May 2005. Prior to joining Quad, Mr. Fowler worked for Arthur Andersen LLP for six years. In November 2018, Mr. Fowler was elected as a director of Mandel Group, Inc. He also serves on the board of directors of the L’Eft Bank Wine Company, and is a past board member of several private and venture capital companies that were successfully sold. Mr. Fowler attended Tufts University and Iowa State University, graduating summa cum laude with bachelor’s degrees in both economics and accounting. Quad believes that Mr. Fowler’s experience in the printing industry and in leadership positions with Quad and on several boards of directors qualify him for service as a director of Quad.
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Stephen M. Fuller, 64, has been a director of Quad since 2016 and is a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Fuller served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for L.L. Bean, Inc. of Freeport, Maine from 2001 until his retirement in 2016. In this former role, he led all marketing functions for L.L. Bean, including branding, advertising, customer satisfaction, e-commerce, partnerships, database analytics and marketing operations. In addition to his CMO role, Mr. Fuller had full P&L responsibility for L.L. Bean’s international efforts since 2008. Currently, he is a member of the board of directors of Boyne Resorts and K2-MDV Holdings, LP, a former trustee at Bates College and is a frequent speaker at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business. Mr. Fuller is a former member of L.L. Bean’s board of directors. He also has been on the boards of several environmental and outdoor organizations. Mr. Fuller received his bachelor’s degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and his MBA from Boston College. He also attended Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. Quad believes that Mr. Fuller’s leadership in marketing and board experience qualify him to serve as a director of Quad.
Christopher B. Harned, 62, has been a director of Quad since 2005 and is the Chair of the Finance Committee. Mr. Harned is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Windhover Capital, a private equity firm focused on the food and consumer sector. From September 2016 to October 2020, Mr. Harned was a Partner and Head of the New York office for Arbor Investments. Prior to joining Arbor Investments, he was a Managing Director and Head of Consumer Products-Americas for Nomura Securities International, Inc. Starting in January 2012, he served as a Managing Director of the Investment Banking Group M&A team at Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. He previously served as a Partner, Managing Director and Head of the Consumer Products Group of The Cypress Group LLC, a New York City-based private equity firm. Prior to joining The Cypress Group LLC in 2001, Mr. Harned was a Managing Director and Global Head of Consumer Products M&A with Lehman Brothers, where he worked for over 16 years. Mr. Harned is a member of the board of directors of Titan Frozen Fruit, Lakeview Farms, Inc. and Southeastern Meats, Inc. He is a former member of the board of directors of FreshPet, Inc., a pet food company, where he served on the Audit and Compensation committees. Mr. Harned is also a former member of the board of directors of Red Collar Pet Foods, bswift, Danka Business Systems PLC, The Meow Mix Company, Stone Canyon Entertainment, Brand Connections LLC and Philadelphia Media Network. Mr. Harned earned a bachelor’s degree from Williams College in 1985. Mr. Harned is the brother-in-law of J. Joel Quadracci, Quad’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, the brother-in-law of Kathryn Quadracci Flores, M.D., a director of Quad and Chief Executive Officer of QuadMed, and the husband of Elizabeth Quadracci Harned, a Trustee of the Quad Voting Trust (as defined below). Quad believes that Mr. Harned’s experience in the financial services industry and his leadership at several companies in various industries qualify him to serve as a director of Quad.
Melanie A. Huet, 49, has been a director of Quad since 2023 and is a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Huet is Chief Marketing Officer at Newell Brands, a consumer products company, and has global responsibility for brand management, marketing operations, digital marketing, communications design, direct-to-consumer, omni-enablement, innovation, insights and packaging functions. Prior to joining Newell Brands in 2023, Ms. Huet led the transformation of Serta Simmons Bedding from a sales-led to a consumer-led organization as its first Chief Marketing Officer from 2019 to 2021, and then Executive Vice President and Chief Commerce Officer from 2021 to 2022. Serta Simmons Bedding LLC filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in January 2023. Ms. Huet also previously served as Vice President Marketing at KraftHeinz from 2017 to 2018, in various marketing roles at Kimberly-Clark from 2011 to 2016 and in marketing and sales roles at Unilever from 2005 to 2011. She holds an MBA from the University of Rochester in New York and a bachelor's degree from the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota. Quad believes that Ms. Huet's experience as an industry leader in brand management, consumer engagement and innovation qualify her to serve as a director of Quad.
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Jay O. Rothman, 65, has been a director of Quad since 2017 and is the Chair of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Rothman has served as President of the Universities of Wisconsin since June 2022. He previously served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Foley & Lardner LLP, a national law firm, from June 2011 until his retirement from the firm in May 2022. At Foley & Lardner LLP, Mr. Rothman also had been a member of the firm’s Management Committee since February 2002, and a partner since February 1994. He joined Foley & Lardner LLP in 1986. Mr. Rothman serves on the board of directors of Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. Mr. Rothman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University in 1982 and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1985. Quad believes that Mr. Rothman’s career as an executive and as a business attorney qualify him to serve as a director of Quad.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THE FOREGOING NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS AND URGES EACH SHAREHOLDER TO VOTE “FOR” SUCH NOMINEES. SHARES OF COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING BY EXECUTED, OR OTHERWISE VALIDLY VOTED, BUT UNMARKED PROXIES, WILL BE VOTED “FOR” SUCH NOMINEES.
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APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC. 2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
Background
We are seeking approval from the Company's shareholders of an amendment to the 2020 Plan to increase the number of shares of class A common stock authorized for issuance under the 2020 Plan by 3,000,000 shares. The proposed amendment will allow the Company to continue to attract and retain outstanding individuals to serve as officers, directors, employees and consultants, and the Company believes that the proposed amendment to the 2020 Plan strikes an appropriate balance between rewarding performance and limiting shareholder dilution, while providing the Company with the flexibility to meet changing compensation needs. The 2020 Plan was originally approved and ratified by the Company's shareholders at the 2020 annual meeting, and was most recently approved and ratified by the Company’s shareholders as amended at the 2023 annual meeting.
The compensation committee recommended to the Board that 3,000,000 additional shares of class A common stock be authorized under the 2020 Plan. In determining the number of shares of class A common stock to recommend for addition to the 2020 Plan, the compensation committee and the Board considered the shares remaining available under the 2020 Plan (which, as of the Record Date, totaled 874,804 shares prior to the grant of the awards described below under “New Plan Benefits”), the projected share use under the 2020 Plan, the dilution represented by the Company’s existing and proposed equity awards, the overhang represented by such awards and the Company’s run rates. The dilution represented by projected share use under the 2020 Plan was estimated at approximately 9.0%. The projected overhang was estimated at 13.8% and the projected run rate was estimated at approximately 2.3%. The compensation committee and the Board were satisfied that the Company’s projected dilution, overhang and run rates were at an acceptable level.
Because the precise amount and timing of specific equity awards in the future is not currently determinable, except as disclosed under “New Plan Benefits” below, it is not possible to calculate with certainty the number of years of awards that will be available and the amount of subsequent dilution that may ultimately result from such awards. The compensation committee and the Board expect that the 3,000,000 additional shares will be sufficient for three additional years of awards based upon the historic rates of awards by the compensation committee under the 2020 Plan.
The current rationale and practices of the compensation committee with respect to equity awards and other incentives is set forth in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” The following is a summary of the material provisions of the 2020 Plan as proposed to be amended. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2020 Plan, as proposed to be amended, which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A.
Purpose
The two complementary goals of the 2020 Plan are to attract and retain outstanding individuals to serve as officers, directors, employees and consultants to Quad and to increase shareholder value. Through the 2020 Plan, the Board seeks to provide a direct link between shareholder value and compensation awards by granting awards of shares of the Company's class A common stock, monetary payments based on the value of the Company's class A common stock and other incentive compensation awards that are based on the Company's financial performance and individual performance.
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Administration and Eligibility
The 2020 Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof (the “Administrator”), which has the authority to construe and interpret the provisions of the 2020 Plan and any agreement covering an award; make, change and rescind rules and regulations relating to the 2020 Plan; and make changes to, or reconcile any inconsistency in, any award or agreement covering an award. The Administrator may designate any of the following as a participant under the 2020 Plan: any officer or other employee of the Company or its affiliates or individuals engaged to become an officer or employee, consultants who provide services to the Company or its affiliates and non-employee directors of the Company. The Company and its affiliates had a total of approximately 12,200 full-time equivalent employees and eight non-employee directors, as well as various consultants, as of December 31, 2024.
Types of Awards
Awards under the 2020 Plan may consist of incentive awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, performance units, shares of class A common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units or other stock-based awards as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator may grant any type of award to any participant it selects, but only employees of the Company or its subsidiaries may receive grants of incentive stock options. Awards may be granted alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other award (or any other award granted under another plan of the Company or any affiliate). In addition, the Committee is authorized to provide or make awards in a manner that complies with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (sometimes referred to as the Code), so that the awards will avoid a plan failure as described in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. The Committee's authorization includes the authority to defer payments or wait for specified distribution events, as provided in Section 409A(a)(2) of the Code.
Shares Reserved under the 2020 Plan
The 2020 Plan currently provides that the following shares of class A common stock are reserved for issuance under the 2020 Plan: an aggregate of 6,000,000 shares plus the shares reserved under our 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (sometimes referred to as the “2010 Plan”) that were not the subject of outstanding awards under that plan as of the date the 2020 became effective (the “2010 Plan Carryforward”), plus any shares subject to outstanding awards under the 2010 Plan that would have been recredited to that plan’s share reserve if that plan were still in effect (the “2010 Plan Recycled Shares”). All of these shares may be issued upon the exercise of incentive stock options or any other type of award authorized by the 2020 Plan. Each of these share amounts is subject to adjustment in the event of specified adjustments in our capitalization. See “Adjustments.”
If the proposed amendment to the 2020 Plan is approved by shareholders, an additional 3,000,000 shares of class A common stock will be reserved for issuance under the 2020 Plan, making the total number of shares of class A common stock reserved for issuance under the 2020 Plan 9,000,000 plus the 2010 Plan Carryforward and the 2010 Plan Recycled Shares, subject to adjustment as described below. Prior to the grant of the awards described below under “New Plan Benefits,” as of the Record Date, there were 874,804 shares remaining available for future grants and 4,299,054 shares subject to outstanding restricted stock units or restricted stock awards.
The number of shares reserved under the 2020 Plan will be depleted on the date of grant of an award by the maximum number of shares, if any, with respect to which the award is granted. An award that provides for settlement solely in cash will not cause any depletion of the reserve at the time the award is granted. If the award is later amended, however, to permit or require settlement in shares, then the reserve will be depleted, at the time of the amendment, by the maximum number of shares that may be issued in settlement of the award.
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In general, (a) if an award granted under the 2020 Plan lapses, expires, terminates or is canceled without the issuance of shares under, or the payment of other compensation with respect to shares covered by, the award, (b) if it is determined during or at the conclusion of the term of an award that all or some portion of the shares with respect to which the award was granted will not be issuable, or that other compensation with respect to shares covered by the award will not be payable, (c) if shares are forfeited under an award, or (d) if shares are issued under any award and the Company reacquires them pursuant to rights reserved by the Company upon the issuance of the shares, then such shares may again be used for new awards under the 2020 Plan (except that shares recredited to the reserve pursuant to clause (d) may not be issued pursuant to incentive stock options and no shares may be recredited to the reserve pursuant to clause (d) after the tenth anniversary of the 2020 Plan). However, no shares that are purchased by the Company using proceeds from option exercises, no shares tendered or withheld in payment of the exercise price of options and no shares tendered or withheld to satisfy federal, state or local tax withholding obligations may be recredited to the reserve of shares available for future awards under the 2020 Plan.
If any shares subject to awards granted under the 2010 Plan become available to be recredited to the 2010 Plan’s reserve if such plan were still in effect (but applying the share reserve replenishment provisions described above), then those shares are available for the purpose of granting awards under the 2020 Plan, thereby increasing the reserve.
Award Limits
The maximum number of shares of class A common stock subject to awards granted during a single fiscal year to any non-employee director, taken together with any cash fees paid during the fiscal year to the non-employee director in respect of the director’s service as a member of the Board during such fiscal year (including service as chair or a member or chair of any committees of the Board), shall not exceed such number of Shares as has a total value of $675,000 (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes). The Board may make exceptions to this limit for a non-executive chair of the Board or, in extraordinary circumstances, for other individual non-employee directors, as the Board may determine in its discretion, provided that the director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation.
Options
The Administrator has the authority to grant stock options and to determine all terms and conditions of each stock option. Stock options are granted to participants at such time as the Administrator determines. The Administrator also determines the number of options granted, whether an option is to be an incentive stock option or non-qualified stock option and the grant date for the option, which may not be any date prior to the date that the Administrator approves the grant. The Administrator fixes the option price per share of class A common stock, which may never be less than the fair market value of a share of class A common stock on the date of grant (or, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a participant who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock then issued by the Company or a subsidiary (a “10% Shareholder”), not less than 110% of the fair market value of the shares subject to the stock option as determined on the date of grant). The Administrator determines the expiration date of each option except that the expiration date may not be later than ten years after the date of grant (or, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% Shareholder, no later than five years after the date of grant). Options are exercisable at such times and are subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable.
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Stock Appreciation Rights
The Administrator has the authority to grant stock appreciation rights. A stock appreciation right granted under the 2020 Plan generally confers on the participant holder a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (a) the fair market value of one share of class A common stock on the date of exercise over (b) the grant price of the stock appreciation right as specified by the Administrator, which may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of class A common stock on the date of grant. The Administrator determines all terms and conditions of each stock appreciation right, including the grant price (subject to the foregoing sentence), term, methods of exercise, methods of settlement (including whether the holder of a stock appreciation right will be paid in cash, shares of class A common stock or other consideration), and any other conditions or restrictions on the exercise of any stock appreciation right as it may deem appropriate. No stock appreciation rights have been granted under the 2020 Plan to date.
Performance and Stock Awards
The Administrator has the authority to grant awards of shares of class A common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, performance shares or performance units. Restricted stock means shares of class A common stock that are subject to a risk of cancellation and/or restrictions on transfer, which may lapse upon the achievement or partial achievement of corporate, subsidiary or business unit performance goals established by the Administrator and/or upon the completion of a period of service. Restricted stock unit or deferred stock units means the right to receive cash and/or shares of class A common stock, the value of which is equal to the fair market value of one share to the extent corporate, subsidiary or business unit performance goals established by the Administrator are achieved or upon completion of a period of service or other event. Performance shares means the right to receive shares of class A common stock to the extent corporate, subsidiary or business unit performance goals established by the Administrator are achieved. Performance units means the right to receive cash and/or shares of class A common stock valued in relation to a unit that has a designated dollar value or the value of which is equal to the fair market value of one or more shares of class A common stock, to the extent corporate, subsidiary or business unit performance goals established by the Administrator are achieved.
The Administrator determines all terms and conditions of the awards including (a) the number of shares of class A common stock and/or units to which such award relates, (b) whether performance goals must be achieved for the participant to realize any portion of the benefit provided under the award, (c) the length of the vesting and/or performance period, if any, and, if different, the date that payment of the benefit will be made, (d) with respect to performance units, whether to measure the value of each unit in relation to a designated dollar value or the fair market value of one or more shares of class A common stock, and (e) with respect to performance shares, performance units, restricted stock units and deferred stock units, whether the awards will settle in cash, in shares of class A common stock, or in a combination of the two.
For purposes of the 2020 Plan, performance goals mean any objective or subjective goals the Administrator establishes with respect to an award. A performance goal may, but is not required to, relate to one or more of the following with respect to the Company or any one or more of its subsidiaries, affiliates or other business units: net earnings; net earnings attributable to common shareholders; operating income; income from continuing operations; net sales; cost of sales; gross income; earnings (including before taxes, and/or interest and/or depreciation and amortization); net earnings per share (including diluted earnings per share); price per share; cash flow; net cash provided by operating activities; net cash provided by operating activities less net cash used in investing activities; net operating profit; pre-tax profit; ratio of debt to debt plus equity; return on shareholder equity; total shareholder return; return on capital; return on assets; return on equity; return on investment; return on revenues; operating working capital; working capital as a percentage of net sales; cost of capital; average accounts receivable; economic value added; performance value added; customer satisfaction; customer loyalty and/or retention; employee safety; employee engagement; market share; system reliability; cost structure reduction; regulatory outcomes; cost savings; operating goals; operating margin; profit margin; sales performance; internal sales growth; and synergy savings. The Administrator may establish other performance goals not listed in the 2020 Plan.
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Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the relevant measurement of performance as to each performance goal will be computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, if applicable. The Administrator reserves the right to adjust performance goals, or modify the manner of measuring or evaluating a performance goal, for any reason the Administrator determines is appropriate, including but not limited to by excluding the effects of: (a) charges for reorganizing and restructuring; (b) discontinued operations; (c) asset write-downs; (d) gains or losses on the disposition of a business; (e) mergers, acquisitions or dispositions; and (f) extraordinary, unusual and/or nonrecurring items of gain or loss.
Other Stock-Based Awards
The Administrator has the authority to grant other types of awards, which may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, shares of class A common stock, either alone or in addition to or in conjunction with other awards, and payable in shares of class A common stock or cash. Such awards may include shares of unrestricted class A common stock, which may be awarded, without limitation, as a bonus, in payment of director fees, in lieu of cash compensation, in exchange for cancellation of a compensation right, or upon the attainment of performance goals or otherwise, or rights to acquire shares of class A common stock from the Company. The Administrator determines all terms and conditions of such awards, including the time or times at which such award will be made and the number of shares of class A common stock to be granted pursuant to such award or to which such award will relate. Any award that provides for purchase rights must be priced at 100% of the fair market value of a share of class A common stock on the date of the award.
Incentive Awards
The Administrator has the authority to grant annual and long-term incentive awards. An incentive award is the right to receive a cash payment to the extent performance goals are achieved. The Administrator will determine all terms and conditions of an annual or long-term incentive award, including the performance goals, performance period, the potential amount payable, the type of payment and the timing of payment. The Administrator must require that payment of all or any portion of the amount subject to the incentive award is contingent on the achievement or partial achievement of one or more performance goals during the period the Administrator specifies. The Administrator may specify that performance goals subject to an award are deemed achieved upon a participant's death, disability or retirement, a change in control of the Company or such other circumstances as the Administrator may specify. The performance period for a long-term incentive award must relate to a period of more than one of the Company's fiscal years, except that, if the award is made at the time of commencement of employment with the Company or on the occasion of a promotion, then the award may relate to a shorter period. Payment of an incentive award will be in cash except to the extent the Administrator determines that payment will be in shares of class A common stock or restricted stock, either on a mandatory basis or at the election of the participant receiving the award, having a fair market value at the time of the payment equal to the amount payable according to the terms of the incentive award.
Dividend Rights
No options or stock appreciation rights under the 2020 Plan may entitle participants to receive dividend payments or dividend equivalent payments with respect to shares of class A common stock underlying the options or stock appreciation rights. The Administrator may, however, give participants the right to receive any cash dividends (whether regular or otherwise), stock dividends and other distributions (whether paid in cash or securities), or their equivalents, paid or made with respect to awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights.
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Amendment of Minimum Vesting and Performance Periods
Notwithstanding the requirements for minimum vesting and/or performance period for an award granted under the 2020 Plan, the 2020 Plan provides that the Administrator may impose, at the time an award is granted or any later date, a shorter vesting and/or performance period to take into account a participant's hire or promotion, or may accelerate the vesting or deem an award earned, in whole or in part, on a participant's death, disability or retirement or a change in control of the Company, all as defined by the Administrator.
Transferability
Awards are not transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless the Administrator allows a participant to (a) designate in writing a beneficiary to exercise the award or receive payment under the award after the participant's death, (b) transfer an award to the former spouse of the participant as required by a domestic relations order incident to a divorce, or (c) transfer an award; provided that the participant may not receive consideration for such a transfer of an award.
Adjustments
If (a) the Company is involved in a merger or other transaction in which shares of class A common stock are changed or exchanged, (b) the Company subdivides or combines shares of class A common stock or declares a dividend payable in shares of class A common stock, other securities or other property, (c) the Company effects a cash dividend that exceeds 10% of the trading price of the shares of class A common stock or any other dividend or distribution in the form of cash or a repurchase of shares of class A common stock that the Board determines is special or extraordinary or that is in connection with a recapitalization or reorganization, or (d) any other event shall occur, which in the case of this clause (d), in the judgment of the Administrator necessitates an adjustment to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits intended to be made available under the 2020 Plan, then the Administrator will, in a manner it deems equitable, adjust any or all of (1) the number and type of shares of class A common stock subject to the 2020 Plan and which may, after the event, be made the subject of awards; (2) the number and type of shares of class A common stock subject to outstanding awards; (3) the grant, purchase or exercise price with respect to any award; and (4) the performance goals of an award. In any such case, the Administrator may also provide for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding award in exchange for the cancellation of all or a portion of the award.
The Administrator may, in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization, and without affecting the number of shares of class A common stock otherwise reserved or available under the 2020 Plan, authorize the issuance or assumption of awards upon terms it deems appropriate.
Term of Plan
Unless earlier terminated by the Board or the Administrator, the 2020 Plan will remain in effect until the date all shares reserved for issuance have been issued. If the term of the 2020 Plan extends beyond ten years from the date of its latest approval by the shareholders of the Company, then no incentive stock options may be granted after such time unless the shareholders of the Company have approved an extension of the 2020 Plan for that purpose. Termination of the 2020 Plan will not affect the rights of participants with respect to previously granted awards, and all unexpired awards will continue until they lapse or are terminated by their own terms and conditions.
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Termination and Amendment
The Board or the Administrator may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the 2020 Plan at any time, subject to the following limitations:
•the Board must approve any amendment to the 2020 Plan if the Company determines such approval is required by prior action of the Board, applicable corporate law or any other applicable law;
•shareholders must approve any amendment to the 2020 Plan if the Company determines that such approval is required by Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Internal Revenue Code, the listing requirements of any principal securities exchange or market on which the shares of class A common stock are then traded or any other applicable law; and
•shareholders must approve any amendment to the 2020 Plan that materially increases the number of shares of class A common stock reserved under the 2020 Plan or the limitations stated in the 2020 Plan on the number of shares of class A common stock that participants may receive through an award or that amends the provisions relating to the prohibition on repricing of outstanding options or stock appreciation rights.
The Administrator may modify or amend any award, or waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any award or the exercise of the award, or amend, modify or cancel any terms and conditions applicable to any award, in each case by mutual agreement of the Administrator and the award holder, so long as any such action does not increase the number of shares of class A common stock issuable under the 2020 Plan. The Administrator need not obtain the award holder's consent for any such action that is permitted by the adjustment provisions of the 2020 Plan or for any such action: (a) to the extent the Administrator deems such action necessary to comply with any applicable law or the listing requirements of any principal securities exchange or market on which the class A common stock is then traded; (b) to the extent the Administrator deems such action is necessary to preserve favorable accounting or tax treatment of any award for the Company; or (c) to the extent the Administrator determines that such action does not materially and adversely affect the value of an award or that such action is in the best interest of the award holder.
The authority of the Board and the Administrator to terminate or modify the 2020 Plan or awards will extend beyond the termination date of the 2020 Plan.
Repricing Prohibited
Except as discussed under the subheading “Adjustments” above, neither the Administrator nor any other person may decrease the exercise price for any outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right after the date of grant, cancel an outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash (other than cash equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares subject to such stock option or stock appreciation right at the time of cancellation over the exercise or grant price for such shares), or allow a participant to surrender an outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right to the Company as consideration for the grant of a new stock option or stock appreciation right with a lower exercise price.
Awards Subject to Recoupment and Other Policies
All awards granted under the 2020 Plan, and any shares of class A common stock issued or cash paid pursuant to an award, are subject to (a) any recoupment, clawback, equity holding, stock ownership or similar policies adopted by the Company from time to time and (b) any recoupment, clawback, equity holding, stock ownership or similar requirements made applicable to the Company from time to time by law, regulation or listing standards.
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Leaves of Absence
Unless prohibited by law, the Administrator may treat as an individual who is placed on a leave of absence pending termination as having incurred a termination at the beginning of such leave. In addition, the Administrator may suspend vesting under an award held by a participant during the participant’s leave of absence.
Nature of Payments
Any gain realized or income recognized pursuant to awards under the 2020 Plan constitutes a special incentive payment to the participant and will not be taken into account as compensation or otherwise included in the determination of benefits for purposes of any other employee benefit plan of the Company or an affiliate, except as the Administrator otherwise provides. The adoption of the 2020 Plan will have no effect on awards made or to be made under any other benefit plan covering an employee of the Company or an affiliate or any predecessor or successor of the Company or an affiliate.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the 2020 Plan under current tax law.
Stock Options
The grant of a stock option will create no income tax consequences to the Company or the recipient. A participant who is granted a non-qualified stock option will generally recognize ordinary compensation income at the time of exercise in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the class A common stock at such time over the exercise price. The Company will generally be entitled to a deduction in the same amount and at the same time as ordinary income is recognized by the participant. Upon the participant's subsequent disposition of the shares of class A common stock received with respect to such stock option, the participant will recognize a capital gain or loss (long-term or short-term, depending on the holding period) to the extent the amount realized from the sale differs from the tax basis, i.e., the fair market value of the class A common stock on the exercise date. In general, a participant will recognize no income or gain as a result of exercise of an incentive stock option (except that the alternative minimum tax may apply). Except as described below, the participant will recognize a long-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of the class A common stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option and the Company will not be allowed a deduction. If the participant fails to hold the shares of class A common stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option for at least two years from the grant date of the incentive stock option and one year from the exercise date, then the participant will recognize ordinary compensation income at the time of the disposition equal to the lesser of (a) the gain realized on the disposition, or (b) the excess of the fair market value of the shares of class A common stock on the exercise date over the exercise price. The Company will generally be entitled to a deduction in the same amount and at the same time as ordinary income is recognized by the participant. Any additional gain realized by the participant over the fair market value at the time of exercise will be treated as a capital gain.
Stock Appreciation Rights
The grant of a stock appreciation right will create no income tax consequences for the participant or the Company. Upon exercise of a stock appreciation right, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any shares of class A common stock or other property received, except that if the participant receives an option or shares of restricted stock upon exercise of a stock appreciation right, recognition of income may be deferred in accordance with the rules applicable to such other awards. The Company will generally be entitled to a deduction in the same amount and at the same time as income is recognized by the participant.
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Restricted Stock
Generally, a participant will not recognize income and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction at the time an award of restricted stock is made, unless the participant makes the election described below. A participant who has not made such an election will recognize ordinary income at the time the restrictions on the stock lapse in an amount equal to the fair market value of the restricted stock at such time (less the amount, if any, the participant paid for such restricted stock). The Company will generally be entitled to a corresponding deduction in the same amount and at the same time as the participant recognizes income. Any otherwise taxable disposition of the restricted stock after the time the restrictions lapse will result in a capital gain or loss (long-term or short-term, depending on the holding period) to the extent the amount realized from the sale differs from the tax basis, i.e., the fair market value of the class A common stock on the date the restrictions lapse. Dividends paid in cash and received by a participant prior to the time the restrictions lapse will constitute ordinary income to the participant in the year paid and the Company will generally be entitled to a corresponding deduction for such dividends. Any dividends paid in stock will be treated as an award of additional restricted stock subject to the tax treatment described in this proxy statement. A participant may, within 30 days after the date of the award of restricted stock, elect to recognize ordinary income as of the date of the award in an amount equal to the fair market value of such restricted stock on the date of the award (less the amount, if any, the participant paid for such restricted stock). If the participant makes such an election, then the Company will generally be entitled to a corresponding deduction in the same amount and at the same time as the participant recognizes income. If the participant makes the election, then any cash dividends the participant receives with respect to the restricted stock will be treated as dividend income to the participant in the year of payment and will not be deductible by the Company. Any otherwise taxable disposition of the restricted stock (other than by forfeiture) will result in a capital gain or loss. If the participant who has made an election subsequently forfeits the restricted stock, then the participant will only be entitled to deduct the amount paid, if any, for the stock. In addition, the Company would then be required to include as ordinary income the amount of any deduction the Company originally claimed with respect to such shares.
Performance Shares
The grant of performance shares will create no income tax consequences for the Company or the participant. Upon the participant's receipt of shares at the end of the applicable performance period, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares received, except that if the participant receives shares of restricted stock in payment of performance shares, recognition of income may be deferred in accordance with the rules applicable to restricted stock as described above. The Company will generally be entitled to a deduction in the same amount and at the same time as income is recognized by the participant. Upon the participant's subsequent disposition of the shares, the participant will recognize capital gain or loss (long-term or short-term, depending on the holding period) to the extent the amount realized from the disposition differs from the shares' tax basis, i.e., the fair market value of the shares on the date the participant received the shares.
Performance Units and Restricted Stock Units
The grant of a performance unit or restricted stock unit will create no income tax consequences to the Company or the participant. Upon the participant's receipt of cash and/or shares at the end of the applicable performance or vesting period, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of the shares received, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction in the same amount and at the same time. If performance units are settled in whole or in part in shares, upon the participant's subsequent disposition of the shares the participant will recognize a capital gain or loss (long-term or short-term, depending on the holding period) to the extent the amount realized upon disposition differs from the shares' tax basis, i.e., the fair market value of the shares on the date the participant received the shares.
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Incentive Awards
A participant who is paid an incentive award will recognize ordinary income equal to the amount of cash paid, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction in the same amount and at the same time.
Withholding
In the event the Company is required to withhold any federal, state or local taxes or other amounts in respect of any income recognized by a participant as a result of the grant, vesting, payment or settlement of an award or disposition of any shares of class A common stock acquired under an award, the Company may deduct from any payments of any kind otherwise due to the participant cash, or with the consent of the Administrator, shares of class A common stock otherwise deliverable or vesting under an award, to satisfy such tax obligations. Alternatively, the Company may require such participant to pay to the Company or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment to the Company of the aggregate amount of any such taxes and other amounts. If shares of class A common stock are deliverable on exercise or payment of an award, then the Administrator may permit a participant to satisfy all or a portion of the federal, state and local withholding tax obligations arising in connection with such award by electing to (a) have the Company withhold shares otherwise issuable under the award, (b) tender back shares received in connection with such award, or (c) deliver other previously owned shares, in each case having a fair market value equal to the amount to be withheld. However, the amount to be withheld may not exceed the total maximum statutory tax withholding obligations associated with the transaction to the extent needed for the Company to avoid an accounting charge.
Additional Taxes Under Section 409A
If an award under the 2020 Plan is considered non-qualified deferred compensation and such award is neither exempt from nor compliant with the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, then the participant will be subject to an additional 20% income tax on the value of the award when it is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as well as interest on the income taxes that were owed from the date of vesting to the date such taxes are paid.
No Guarantee of Tax Treatment
Notwithstanding any provision of the 2020 Plan, the Company does not guarantee that (a) any award intended to be exempt from Internal Revenue Code Section 409A is so exempt, (b) any award intended to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A or Section 422 does so comply, or (c) any award will otherwise receive a specific tax treatment under any other applicable tax law, nor in any such case will the Company or any of its affiliates be required to indemnify, defend or hold harmless any individual with respect to the tax consequences of any award.
Section 162(m) Limit on Deductibility of Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the Company’s tax deduction for compensation, including compensation arising from awards under the 2020 Plan, paid to covered employees to $1 million per person per year. The covered employees for any fiscal year generally include any employee (a) who served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer at any point during the fiscal year, (b) whose compensation was such that the employee is among the three highest compensated officers for the fiscal year (other than the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer), or (c) who was a covered employee for any preceding fiscal year beginning after December 31, 2016.
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No Gross-Up for Excise Taxes
The 2020 Plan does not provide a gross-up to participants if excise taxes are imposed on any payments or benefits because of the golden parachute excise tax provisions of Internal Revenue Code Sections 280G and 4999. Instead, the 2020 Plan provides that, except as may be set forth in a written agreement by and between the Company and a participant, any affected participant’s payments or benefits will be either cut back, to a level below the level that would trigger the imposition of the excise taxes, or paid in full and subjected to the excise taxes, whichever results in the better after-tax result to the participant.
New Plan Benefits
The table below sets forth awards that the Administrator has approved under the 2020 Plan contingent on shareholder approval of the amendment to the 2020 Plan described above. If the amendment to the 2020 Plan is not approved by our shareholders at the Annual Meeting, then the awards set forth in the table below will be null and void.
| Name and position | Restricted Shares | |||||||
J. Joel Quadracci Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | 205,224 | |||||||
Anthony C. Staniak Chief Financial Officer | 55,411 | |||||||
David J. Honan Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | 71,829 | |||||||
Eric N. Ashworth Executive Vice President of Product and Market Strategy | 24,627 | |||||||
Kelly A. Vanderboom Executive Vice President and Treasurer; Head of Agency Operations | 28,732 | |||||||
| All executive officers as a group (12 persons) | 515,529 | |||||||
Except as set forth in the table above, the Company currently cannot determine the awards that may be granted under the 2020 Plan in the future to eligible participants. The Administrator will make future awards under the 2020 Plan in its discretion from time to time, and the benefits received will depend on the fair market value of the Company’s class A common stock at various future dates and the extent to which performance goals set by the Committee are met. On the Record Date, the closing price per share of class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $5.72.
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Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2024. The table does not include employee benefit plans intended to meet the qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. All equity compensation plans are described more fully in Note 16, “Equity Incentive Programs,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
| Plan Category | Number of Securities to be Issued Upon the Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (2) | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in the First Column) | |||||||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1) | 5,449,447 | $ | — | 1,156,351 | ||||||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 5,449,447 | $ | — | 1,156,351 | ||||||||||||||||
______________________________
(1)Consists of the Company’s 2010 Plan and 2020 Plan. Awards under the 2010 and 2020 Plans (no new awards can be made under the 2010 plan) may consist of incentive awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, performance share units, shares of class A common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units or other stock-based awards as determined by the Board.
(2)The weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights only includes stock options.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of the Company's class A common stock and class B common stock, voting together as a single voting group, represented and voted at the Annual Meeting, assuming a quorum is present, is required for approval of the amendment to the 2020 Plan. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted as votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2020 PLAN. SHARES OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING BY EXECUTED BUT UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2020 PLAN.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance Guidelines
The Board has adopted corporate governance guidelines that, in conjunction with the Board committee charters, establish processes and procedures to help ensure effective and responsive governance by the Board. The corporate governance guidelines also establish the Company’s policies on director orientation and continuing education, which include a mandatory orientation program for new directors and provide that the Board will be assessed on an annual basis to determine whether it and its committees are functioning effectively. In addition, the Company’s corporate governance guidelines provide that the Board have regularly scheduled meetings at which the non-management directors meet in executive session without the Company’s executive officers being present. The non-management directors may also meet without the Company’s executive officers present at such other times as they determine appropriate. The corporate governance guidelines also provide that the Company’s executive officers and other members of senior management who are not members of the Board will participate in Board meetings to present information, make recommendations and be available for direct interaction with members of the Board. The corporate governance guidelines are available, free of charge, on the Company’s website, www.QUAD.com. The information contained on the Company’s website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this proxy statement or any other Company report or document on file with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Independence; NYSE Controlled Company Exemptions; Board Leadership Structure
The Board has adopted director independence standards to assist it in making determinations regarding whether the Company’s directors are independent as that term is defined in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). These standards are available, free of charge, on the Company’s website, www.QUAD.com. Based on these standards, the Board determined that Messrs. Buth, Fuller, Rothman and Shiely and Mses. Eason and Huet are independent as that term is defined in the listing standards of the NYSE and the director independence standards adopted by the Board, while Dr. Flores and Messrs. Quadracci, Fowler and Harned are not deemed to be independent.
Since the Quad/Graphics, Inc. Amended and Restated Voting Trust Agreement (“Quad Voting Trust”) (see “Stock Ownership of Management and Others—Quad Voting Trust” later in this proxy statement) owns more than 50% of the total voting power of the Company’s stock, the Company is considered a “controlled company” under the corporate governance listing standards of the NYSE. As a controlled company, the Company is eligible for the NYSE’s exemption of controlled companies from the obligation to comply with certain of the NYSE’s corporate governance requirements, including the requirements:
•that a majority of the Board consist of independent directors, as defined under the rules of the NYSE (although a majority of the members of the Company’s Board are independent under the listing standards of the NYSE and the director independence standards adopted by the Board);
•that the Company have a corporate governance and nominating committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and
•that the Company have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities.
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The Company’s bylaws and corporate governance guidelines provide the Board with the discretion to determine whether to combine or separate the positions of chairman of the board and chief executive officer. The Board currently believes it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to combine these two roles because this provides the Company with unified leadership and direction and Mr. Quadracci is the person best qualified to serve as chairman given his history with the Company and his skills and knowledge within the industry in which the Company operates.
Based on the fact that the Company is controlled by the Quadracci family through the Quad Voting Trust, the Board does not believe it is necessary to have an independent lead director.
Board’s Role in the Oversight of Risk
The full Board is responsible for the oversight of the Company’s operational and strategic risk management process. The Board oversees a company-wide approach to risk management, carried out by management. The full Board determines the appropriate risk for the Company generally, assesses the specific risks the Company faces and reviews the steps taken by management to manage those risks. With regard to cybersecurity risk, the Board (through the audit committee) periodically reviews information on management’s policies and processes related to the Company’s cybersecurity and data-protection, and the entire Board receives periodic updates on the Company’s cybersecurity risk management progress, including through the Company’s general enterprise risk management program described in the foregoing sentence.
While the full Board maintains the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, its committees oversee risk in certain specified areas. In particular, the Board relies on its audit committee to address significant financial risk exposures (including cybersecurity risk and artificial intelligence) facing the Company and the steps management has taken to monitor, control and report such exposures, with appropriate reporting of these risks to be made to the full Board. The Board relies on its compensation committee to address significant risk exposures facing the Company with respect to compensation and with appropriate reporting of these risks to be made to the full Board. The Board relies on its finance committee to address matters related to the Company’s capital structure, means of financing, selection of lenders, cash flow modeling, interest rate sensitivity and other similar matters so as to achieve the Company’s long-term plans. The Board’s role in the Company’s risk oversight has not affected the Board’s leadership structure.
Board Meetings
The Board held seven meetings in 2024. During the period of the directors’ service in 2024, each of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board and those committees of the Board on which such director served.
The directors regularly met in executive session without the Company’s executive officers present. In addition, the non-management directors met separately in executive session and the independent directors also met separately in executive session. No presiding director was chosen for these sessions in 2024. An independent director presides over each executive session of the independent directors. The independent director who presides may differ from meeting to meeting, which is dependent on the subject matter of the agenda of the executive session.
Directors are expected to attend the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders each year. At the 2024 Annual Meeting, all directors then serving were in attendance (in-person, via webcast or by telephone).
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Communications with the Board
Shareholders and other interested parties may communicate with the Board by writing to Quad/Graphics, Inc., Board of Directors (or, at the writer’s option, to a specific director or to the non-management directors as a group), c/o Dana B. Gruen, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, Quad/Graphics, Inc., N61 W23044 Harry’s Way, Sussex, Wisconsin 53089-3995. Ms. Gruen will ensure that the communication is delivered to the Board, the specified director or the specified group of directors, as the case may be.
Board Committees
The Board currently has standing audit, compensation and finance committees. Each committee is appointed by and reports to the Board. The Board has adopted, and may amend from time to time, a written charter for each of the audit, finance and compensation committees, which, among other things, sets forth the committee’s responsibilities. The Company makes available on its website, www.QUAD.com, copies of each of these charters free of charge. As a controlled company under the corporate governance listing standards of the NYSE, the Board is not required to, and does not have, a nominating committee.
Audit Committee
The audit committee of the Board currently consists of Messrs. Buth (chairperson), Fuller and Shiely and Ms. Huet, each of whom is independent as defined by the rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE, as well as the director independence standards adopted by the Board. In addition, the Board has determined that Messrs. Buth, Fuller and Shiely each qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules of the SEC. Each member of the audit committee meets the expertise requirements for audit committee members under the listing standards of the NYSE. Each member of the audit committee has served in senior positions with their respective organizations or have served as directors of public and private companies, which has afforded the member the opportunity to gain familiarity with financial matters relevant to Quad.
The principal functions performed by the audit committee include assisting and discharging certain responsibilities of the Board in overseeing the reliability of financial reporting, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, the process for monitoring compliance with corporate codes of conduct, the internal auditors and audit functions and the independence of the independent external auditors and audit functions. In addition, the audit committee’s duties also include direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent external auditors; review and discussion with the independent external auditors of the scope of their audit; review and discussion of the financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in the Company’s periodic filings; review of any reports to shareholders containing financial information, quarterly earnings press releases and other financial information and earnings guidance; discussion with the Company’s internal auditors about the audit plan, and results of internal audits; review of such accounting principles, policies and practices, reporting policies and practices as it may deem necessary or proper; review and discussion of compliance matters and compliance program, including policies and procedures for reporting compliance matters; review and discussion of cybersecurity matters and cybersecurity program; and establishment of policies concerning the provision of non-audit services by the independent external auditors. The audit committee held five meetings in 2024. The audit committee was offered an opportunity at each audit committee meeting to meet alone with the Company’s independent external auditors, internal auditors and/or the Chief Risk & Compliance Officer present and did so periodically.
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Compensation Committee
The compensation committee of the Board currently consists of Messrs. Rothman (chairperson), Buth and Fowler and Ms. Eason. Messrs. Rothman and Buth and Ms. Eason are independent as defined by the listing standards of the NYSE and the director independence standards adopted by the Board. The compensation committee held six meetings in 2024.
The principal functions of the compensation committee are to review and approve the annual salary, bonuses, equity-based incentives and other benefits, direct and indirect, of the Company’s executive officers; review and report on the compensation and human resources policies, programs and plans of the Company; administer the Company’s stock option and other compensation plans; review and recommend to the Board chief executive officer compensation; and review and recommend to the Board director compensation to align directors’ interests with the long-term interest of the Company’s shareholders. In addition, the compensation committee’s duties also include determining and approving the Company’s compensation philosophy; determining stock ownership guidelines for the Company’s executive officers and directors and monitoring compliance with any such guidelines; on an annual basis, preparing a report regarding executive officer compensation for inclusion in the Company’s annual proxy statement; and reviewing and evaluating the Company’s policies and practices in compensating employees, including non-executive officers, as they relate to risk management practices and risk-taking incentives.
The compensation committee also has authority to establish subcommittees and delegate authority to such subcommittees to accomplish the duties and responsibilities of the committee. The compensation committee has established a subcommittee consisting of Messrs. Rothman and Buth and Ms. Eason and delegated to it certain responsibilities of the Board and the compensation committee with respect to compensation intended to satisfy certain regulatory requirements, including equity-based awards to and transactions with officers of the Company intended to be exempt from Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and to perform other duties delegated from time to time by the Board or the compensation committee. Each of Messrs. Rothman and Buth and Ms. Eason meets the requirements to be considered a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Section 16.
The executive officers’ role in determining the amount or form of executive officer compensation is limited to assisting the compensation committee with its reviews of the Company’s compensation and benefit arrangements and making recommendations to the compensation committee regarding the compensation of the executive officers (other than their own). Certain of our executive officers may attend meetings (other than executive sessions) of the compensation committee at which the committee considers the compensation of other executive officers.
The compensation committee engaged FW Cook & Co., Inc. (“FW Cook”) in 2024 to serve as the compensation committee’s independent compensation consultant and provide recommendations and advice on the Company’s executive and director compensation programs. Pursuant to its engagement in 2024, FW Cook advised the compensation committee on general trends in public company compensation arrangements and provided benchmarking data with respect to 2024 executive officer compensation. FW Cook did not provide any services to the Company other than pursuant to such engagement by the committee during 2024. For more information regarding the role of the compensation consultant, please see the disclosure later in this proxy statement under the section titled “Compensation of Executive Officers—Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
Finance Committee
The finance committee of the Board presently consists of Messrs. Harned (chairperson), Buth, Shiely and Dr. Flores. The principal functions performed by the finance committee are to provide assistance to, and discharge certain responsibilities of, the Board relating to the capital structure, means of financing, selection of lenders, cash flow modeling, interest rate sensitivity and similar matters so as to achieve the Company’s long-term plans. The finance committee held three meetings in 2024.
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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Elizabeth Prahl, Mr. Fowler’s daughter, is employed by the Company as a Senior Director of Data Platform and Partnership. Her total compensation for 2024 was $259,064, consisting of base salary, bonus, the aggregate grant date fair value of equity awards granted to her in 2024 and a 401(k) matching contribution.
Nominations of Directors
Pursuant to the direction of the Quad Voting Trust, the Board will select nominees to become directors to fill vacancies or newly created directorships and nominate directors for election by the Company’s shareholders at annual meetings of the shareholders. The Quad Voting Trust will consider candidates recommended by the Company’s shareholders to become nominees for election as directors. Shareholders who wish to propose nominees for election as directors must follow certain procedures contained in the Company’s bylaws. In the case of nominees for election at an annual meeting, shareholders must send notice to the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal offices on or before December 31 of the year immediately preceding such annual meeting (provided that if the date of the annual meeting is on or after May 1 in any year, notice must be received not later than the close of business on the day which is determined by adding to December 31 of the immediately preceding year the number of days on or after May 1 that the annual meeting takes place). The notice must contain certain information specified in the Company’s bylaws, including certain information about the shareholder or shareholders bringing the nomination (including, among other things, the number and class of shares held by such shareholder(s)) as well as certain information about the nominee (including, among other things, a description of all arrangements or understandings between such shareholder and each nominee and any other person pursuant to which the nomination is to be made, and other information that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for elections of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).
In identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the Company seeks to ensure that the Board possesses, as a whole, certain core competencies. Each director candidate will be reviewed based upon the Board’s current capabilities, any needs therein and the capabilities of the candidate. The selection process takes into account all appropriate factors, which may include, among other things, experience, personal integrity, skill set, the ability to act on behalf of shareholders and the candidate’s personal and professional ethics, integrity, values and business judgment.
Policies and Procedures Governing Related Person Transactions
The Board has adopted written policies and procedures regarding related person transactions. For purposes of these policies and procedures:
•A “related person” means any of the Company’s directors, executive officers, nominees for director, any holder of 5% or more of any class of the Company’s common stock or any of their immediate family members; and
•A “related person transaction” generally is a transaction (including any indebtedness or a guarantee of indebtedness) in which the Company was or is to be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
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Each executive officer, director or nominee for director is required to disclose to the full Board certain information relating to related person transactions for review, approval or, if necessary, ratification by the independent directors. Disclosure to the Board should occur before the related person transaction is effected or, if prior disclosure is not reasonably possible, as soon as practicable after the related person transaction is effected, but in any event as soon as practicable after the executive officer, director or nominee for director becomes aware of the related person transaction. The decision whether or not to approve or, if necessary, ratify a related person transaction is to be made in light of the determination by the independent directors as to whether the relationship is believed by the independent directors to serve the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and whether the relationship should be continued or eliminated. The Board may delegate some or all of its authority relating to related person transactions to the audit committee.
Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions
In addition to the related person transactions described under “Board Committees—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” above, the following is a description of transactions since January 1, 2024 to which the Company has been a party, in which the amount involved in the transaction exceeded or will exceed $120,000, and in which any of the Company’s directors, nominees for director, executive officers or beneficial holders of more than 5% of the common stock had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Kathryn Quadracci Flores, a director of the Company, is Chief Executive Officer of QuadMed, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company. In this role, Dr. Flores received compensation for 2024 of $849,110, consisting of base salary, bonus, performance-based cash and the grant date fair value of equity awards granted to her in 2024.
Insider Trading Policy
The Board has adopted an Insider Trading Policy that governs the purchase, sale and other acquisitions or dispositions of the Company’s common stock by the Company’s directors, officers and employees. This policy is designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, related SEC rules and regulations and the listing standards of the NYSE. In addition, it is the Company’s policy that the Company will not trade in its common stock when it is aware of material nonpublic information.
Corporate Responsibility
For more than 53 years, Quad has focused on “creating a better way,” believing it can do good in the world while doing well as a business. This focus reflects its “maker” culture where employees not only envision solutions, but actually create and execute them, all of which has inspired creativity in how Quad addresses environmental, social and business challenges. Additional information is available in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and on our website at https://www.quad.com/about.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board, the audit committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the reliability of financial reporting, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, the process for monitoring compliance with corporate codes of conduct, control of the internal auditors and audit functions and control over the independence and qualifications of the independent external auditors and audit functions.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the audit committee:
•Reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 with the Company’s management and Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm for Quad;
•Reviewed and discussed with management and Ernst & Young LLP the assessment and audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
•Discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (“PCAOB”) Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications With Audit Committees, and Rule 2-07 of Regulation S-X; and
•Received from Ernst & Young LLP the written disclosures and letter required by the PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, and discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence.
The audit committee also approved the Company’s internal auditors’ overall scope and plan for its audits. The audit committee met periodically with the internal auditors to discuss the results of their examinations and their evaluation of the Company’s internal controls. The audit committee also periodically met and discussed with management and Ernst & Young LLP, with and without management present, such other matters as it deemed appropriate.
Based on the foregoing review and discussions, and relying thereon, the audit committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 to be filed with the SEC.
This report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Douglas P. Buth, Chairperson
Stephen M. Fuller
Melanie A. Huet
John S. Shiely
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STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company’s class A common stock and class B common stock as of the Record Date by: (1) each director and director nominee; (2) each of the executive officers named in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table”; (3) all of the directors, director nominees and executive officers (including the executive officers named in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table”) as a group; and (4) each person or entity known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of the common stock. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes, each of the holders listed below has sole voting and investment power over the shares beneficially owned. The footnotes also indicate instances in which the same shares are reported as held by two or more holders. As of the Record Date, there were 37,099,534 shares of class A common stock and 13,261,983 shares of class B common stock outstanding.
| Shares Beneficially Owned | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A Common Stock | Class B Common Stock(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name of Beneficial Owners | Shares | % | Shares | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Directors and Executive Officers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Joel Quadracci(2) | 2,179,381 | 5.87 | % | 358,789 | 2.71 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Anthony C. Staniak | 294,567 | * | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
David J. Honan(3) | 634,968 | 1.71 | % | 8,608 | * | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Eric N. Ashworth | 222,200 | * | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Kelly A. Vanderboom | 270,066 | * | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Douglas P. Buth(4) | 142,197 | * | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Beth-Ann Eason(5) | 73,306 | * | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Kathryn Quadracci Flores, M.D.(6) | 144,310 | * | 23,523 | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||
John C. Fowler(7) | 217,086 | * | 21,416 | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen M. Fuller(8) | 174,369 | * | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Christopher B. Harned(9) | 572,296 | 1.54 | % | 236,900 | 1.79 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Melanie A. Huet(10) | 42,559 | * | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Jay O. Rothman(11) | 167,718 | * | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
John S. Shiely(12) | 231,074 | * | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
All current directors, nominees and executive officers as a group (21 persons)(13) | 6,229,669 | 16.33 | % | 649,236 | 4.90 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Holders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quad Voting Trust(14) | 7,534 | * | 12,279,380 | 92.59 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Quad ESOP(15) | 2,469,790 | 6.66 | % | — | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock, Inc.(16) | 2,177,890 | 5.87 | % | — | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
William H. Miller IV and Miller Value Partners, LLC (17) | 2,848,805 | 7.68 | % | — | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
* Denotes less than 1%
(1)Each share of class B common stock is convertible at any time into one share of class A common stock.
(2)Includes 129,425 shares of class B common stock held by trusts of which Mr. Quadracci is the trustee or co-trustee and/or a potential beneficiary. Does not include shares that are held by various trusts, including the Quad Voting Trust, (a) for the benefit or potential benefit of Mr. Quadracci, over which Mr. Quadracci has no investment or voting control and no right to obtain such control within 60 days of the Record Date and (b) of which Mr. Quadracci is one of three or more trustees since, as one of multiple trustees who must act by majority vote, Mr. Quadracci does not have voting or investment control over such shares.
(3)Includes 12,201 shares of class A common stock and 8,608 shares of class B common stock held by trusts of which Mr. Honan is trustee, but not a beneficiary.
(4)Includes 64,530 shares of class A common stock attributable to deferred stock units that could be received within 60 days of the Record Date.
(5)Includes 64,530 shares of class A common stock attributable to deferred stock units that could be received within 60 days of the Record Date.
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(6)Includes 12,201 shares of class A common stock and 23,523 shares of class B common stock held by trusts of which Dr. Flores is trustee. Also includes 83,029 shares of class A common stock attributable to deferred stock units that could be received within 60 days of the Record Date. Does not include shares that are held by various trusts, including the Quad Voting Trust, (a) for the benefit or potential benefit of Dr. Flores, over which Dr. Flores has no investment or voting control and no right to obtain such control within 60 days of the Record Date and (b) of which Dr. Flores is one of three or more trustees since, as one of multiple trustees who must act by majority vote, Dr. Flores does not have voting or investment control over such shares.
(7)Includes 164,018 shares of class A common stock attributable to deferred stock units that could be received within 60 days of the Record Date. Includes 21,416 shares of class B common stock held by trusts of which Mr. Fowler is a trustee, but not a beneficiary. Does not include shares that are held by trusts of which Mr. Fowler is one of three or more trustees since, as one of multiple trustees who must act by majority vote, Mr. Fowler does not have voting or investment control over such shares.
(8)Includes 164,018 shares of class A common stock attributable to deferred stock units that could be received within 60 days of the Record Date.
(9)Includes 50,205 shares of class A common stock and 2,888 shares of class B common stock held by a trust to which Mr. Harned is a trustee; 64,530 shares of class A common stock attributable to deferred stock units that could be received within 60 days of the Record Date; and 265,311 shares of class A common stock and 234,012 shares of class B common stock held by Elizabeth Quadracci Harned. Does not include shares that are held by trusts of which Mr. Harned is one of three or more trustees since, as one of multiple trustees who must act by majority vote, Mr. Harned does not have voting or investment control over such shares.
(10)Includes 42,559 shares of class A common stock attributable to deferred stock units that could be received within 60 days of the Record Date.
(11)Includes 164,018 shares of class A common stock attributable to deferred stock units that could be received within 60 days of the Record Date.
(12)Includes 231,074 shares of class A common stock attributable to deferred stock units that could be received within 60 days of the Record Date.
(13)Includes 1,042,306 shares of class A common stock attributable to deferred stock units that could be received within 60 days of the Record Date.
(14)Some of the shares of class A common stock and class B common stock owned by the Quadracci family members have been deposited into the Quad Voting Trust, pursuant to which the three trustees thereof (currently J. Joel Quadracci, Kathryn Quadracci Flores, M.D. and Elizabeth Quadracci Harned), acting by majority action, have shared voting power and shared investment power over all such shares. The terms of the Quad Voting Trust are more particularly described below under “— Quad Voting Trust.” The address of the Quad Voting Trust is N61 W23044 Harry’s Way, Sussex, Wisconsin 53089.
(15)The directed trustee of the Quad/Graphics, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) is Delaware Charter Guarantee & Trust Company dba Principal Trust Company and its address is 1013 Centre Road, Suite 300, Wilmington, Delaware 19805-1265.
(16)The number of shares owned set forth in the table is as of or about December 31, 2023 as reported by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”), in its Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC. The address for this shareholder is 50 Hudson Yards, New York, New York 10001. BlackRock reports sole voting power with respect to 2,137,499 of these shares and sole dispositive power with respect to all of the shares.
(17)The number of shares owned set forth in the table is as of or about August 6, 2024 as reported by William H. Miller IV (“Mr. Miller”) and Miller Value Partners, LLC, in its Schedule 13G filed with the SEC. The address for this shareholder is 50 S. Lemon Avenue, #302, Sarasota, Florida 34236. Mr. Miller reports sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 13,000 of these shares and, together with Miller Value Partners, LLC, shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 2,835,805 of the shares (which are owned by clients of Miller Value Partners, LLC, a registered investment advisor).
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Quad Voting Trust
To help ensure the continuity and stability of the management of Quad, various members of the Quadracci family, including certain affiliated entities, entered into a voting trust agreement in September 1982, which has been subsequently amended. Pursuant to the Quad Voting Trust, certain shares of Quad common stock held by such individuals and entities are held by the Quad Voting Trust.
Under the Quad Voting Trust, the three trustees (currently J. Joel Quadracci, Kathryn Quadracci Flores, M.D., and Elizabeth Quadracci Harned) are vested with the full legal title to all common stock and any other securities of the Company that are held by the Quad Voting Trust, with all rights and power of the owner and holder of the stock of whatever nature necessary to enable the trustees to exercise the powers vested in them under the agreement. The rights held by the trustees under the Quad Voting Trust include the shared right to vote the shares (subject to certain exceptions noted below), the right to become parties to or prosecute or intervene in any legal or administrative proceedings affecting the stock, the Company or the powers, duties and obligations of the trustee, the right to transfer the stock into their names as trustee or into the name of other nominees, the right to enter into shareholder agreements and the right to exercise all rights and preferences of the stock. Except as otherwise provided in the voting trust agreement, the trustees act by majority vote (or unanimous vote if there are only two trustees).
The Quad Voting Trust provides that the trustees shall exercise their judgment to select suitable directors of the Company and to vote on such other matters that may come before them at shareholder meetings. Without approval of the beneficiaries holding trust certificates representing two-thirds of the stock held under the Quad Voting Trust, however, the trustees do not have the power to vote the stock in favor of the merger or consolidation of the Company, the sale or exchange of all, or substantially all, of the voting securities of the Company, the sale, lease or exchange of all, or substantially all, of the property and assets of the Company, the total or partial liquidation of the Company, the dissolution of the Company, any act that is likely to lead to a public offering, any issuance of Company securities if it would result in the stock held by the trustees not having the power to elect a majority of the Company’s board of directors or any amendment to the Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation that would diminish the rights reserved to the trust beneficiaries.
The shares held by the Quad Voting Trust may be withdrawn by a beneficiary prior to the expiration or termination of the Quad Voting Trust only if there is an amendment to the voting trust agreement that is determined to materially adversely affect that particular beneficiary or a group of beneficiaries and if the trustees allow such withdrawal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, certain de minimis withdrawals from the Quad Voting Trust are permitted and the trustees may, by unanimous vote, permit stock to be withdrawn, but, subject to certain exceptions, the withdrawn stock will be converted into, or exchanged for, class A common stock.
The Quad Voting Trust is perpetual. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the voting trust agreement may be terminated by the unanimous vote of the trustees and a two-thirds vote of beneficiaries. The voting trust agreement automatically terminates when none of the stock held by the trustees under the agreement possess voting rights, upon the sale, dissolution or liquidation of the Company, upon the sale of substantially all of its assets, or upon a merger, reorganization, combination or exchange of stock involving the Company that results in the securities under the voting trust agreement constituting less than ten percent of the votes entitled to be cast in an election of directors of the surviving or successor entity.
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COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis relates to the material elements of compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the individuals listed in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” (“NEOs”). This Compensation Discussion and Analysis also discusses events that took place prior or subsequent to 2024 to the extent they are material to understanding 2024 compensation.
We are currently a “smaller reporting company” as defined under SEC rules and, as a result, we are not required to include in this proxy statement a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and certain other disclosures relating to executive compensation. However, we are voluntarily providing certain information that would be required if we were not a smaller reporting company for purposes of maintaining transparency concerning executive compensation and consistency with our disclosure in prior years when we were not a smaller reporting company.
2024 Executive Compensation Highlights
In 2024, our compensation committee continued its focus on structuring our compensation arrangements in keeping with our compensation philosophy, which is described below under “Overview of our Executive Compensation Philosophy and Design.” Actions taken or approved by our compensation committee or our Board relative to the compensation programs for our executive officers for 2024 included the following:
•The compensation committee approved an annual cash incentive program for 2024 that used two primary financial measures (net earnings (loss) excluding interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization and restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges (“Adjusted EBITDA”); and net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment (“free cash flow”)). The compensation committee also developed performance and payout scales to quantitatively measure performance and define payouts at each level of performance.
•The compensation committee approved a performance-based component to our NEO’s long-term incentive compensation program for 2024, granting long-term incentive awards in the form of 67% performance-based cash and 33% restricted stock or restricted stock units. The compensation committee decided to use this structure because it believes the structure provides performance incentives that are effective in motivating our executives to execute on our long-term strategic plan and to drive shareholder value creation over the three-year period to which the awards relate.
•The compensation committee approved adjustments to the compensation of certain of our NEOs for 2024, as described further below.
•The Board reviewed the performance of our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and determined his total compensation.
Compensation Practices and Governance Highlights
We periodically review best practices in the area of executive compensation and update our compensation policies and practices to reflect those that we believe are appropriate for our Company, including the following:
•Pay for performance—A substantial fraction of NEO total compensation is tied to the operating performance of our Company and the achievement of our business objectives. Our performance measures under our incentive compensation program are also aligned with our business objectives.
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•Alignment with shareholder interests—Our core executive compensation principles are designed to promote alignment of our named executive officers’ interests with the interests of shareholders.
•Salary increases, bonuses and equity awards must be earned—We do not guarantee salary increases, bonuses or equity awards for our executive officers.
•No option repricing—Our equity compensation plan does not permit repricing of stock options.
•Compensation risk management—We periodically review our pay practices to ensure that they do not encourage excessive risk taking and to confirm that our governance practices are designed to prevent excessive compensation that would not be consistent with our philosophy and business objectives.
•Prohibition on hedging and limitation on pledging—We prohibit our executive officers and directors from hedging our securities and from pledging our securities without prior approval.
•Stock ownership—We maintain stock ownership guidelines for our directors and executive officers, including our NEOs.
•Independent compensation consultant—The compensation committee retains an independent compensation consultant to provide advice and recommendations concerning the compensation of the NEOs.
Say on Pay Vote
Our shareholders are provided with an opportunity to cast a non-binding, advisory vote every three years on our executive compensation program. Our most recent advisory say on pay vote was held at our May 2023 annual shareholders’ meeting, at which more than 97% of votes cast were in favor of our say on pay proposal. Our compensation committee considered these voting results in the context of our overall compensation philosophy, as well as our compensation policies, decisions and performance. The compensation committee believes that the strong vote of shareholder approval generally endorsed our compensation decisions and, after reflecting on this vote, the compensation committee elected not to undertake any material changes to our executive compensation programs. At our 2023 annual shareholders’ meeting, our shareholders expressed a preference that future advisory shareholder votes on the compensation of our NEOs be held on a triennial basis. Accordingly, the next say on pay vote is expected at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Overview of our Executive Compensation Philosophy and Design
We believe that a skilled, experienced and dedicated senior management team is essential to our future success as a Company and to building shareholder value. There are three principal objectives that our executive compensation programs are designed to achieve:
•To continue to attract, retain and motivate top talent in the face of secular industry challenges and as the Company’s business becomes increasingly complex as a global marketing experience company.
•To encourage executives to “think like an owner.” Through our compensation programs, we seek to align the interests, perspectives and decision-making of our executive officers with the interests of our shareholders, which have been primarily long-term value creation balanced against risk.
•To drive long-term share value by providing “at risk” compensation that is contingent on the achievement of corporate objectives that encourage individual behaviors that will contribute to our overall corporate performance.
In light of these ideas, in establishing our compensation policies and practices for our NEOs, our compensation committee seeks to reward our NEOs for achieving performance goals and creating long-term value for our shareholders, for loyalty to our Company and for individual actions that the compensation committee believes are productive in the context of our corporate objectives.
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Setting Executive Compensation
Our Board, the compensation committee and our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer each play a role in setting the compensation of our NEOs. Our Board appoints the members of the compensation committee and delegates to the compensation committee the direct responsibility for overseeing the design and administration of our executive officer compensation programs. The compensation committee from January to May 2024 was comprised of John S. Shiely (chairperson), Douglas P. Buth, Beth-Ann Eason and John C. Fowler. The compensation committee from May to December 2024 was comprised of Jay O. Rothman (chairperson), Mr. Buth, Ms. Eason and Mr. Fowler.
The compensation committee has primary responsibility for the following:
•Determining and approving our compensation philosophy;
•Reviewing, monitoring, administering and establishing (or, in the case of our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, recommending to our Board) the annual salary, bonuses and other compensation and benefits of our executive officers;
•Establishing incentive compensation plans for our executive officers;
•Reviewing and approving (or, in the case of our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, recommending to our Board) corporate and other objectives relevant to the compensation of our executive officers;
•Reviewing and approving (or, in the case of our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, recommending to our Board) the terms of employment and other material agreements between us and our executive officers;
•Approving or making recommendations to our Board on compensation and human resources policies, programs and plans, including management development and succession plans and our incentive plans;
•Determining stock ownership guidelines for our executive officers and directors and monitoring compliance with such guidelines; and
•Reviewing and making recommendations to our Board concerning director compensation.
Our compensation committee also has responsibility for, on an annual basis, preparing a report regarding executive officer compensation for inclusion in our annual proxy statement and reviewing and evaluating our policies and practices in compensating employees, including non-executive officers, as they relate to risk management practices and risk-taking incentives.
In connection with its review and determinations concerning executive officer compensation and benefits and its preparation of the report regarding executive officer compensation for inclusion in our annual proxy statement, our compensation committee takes into consideration say on pay votes. The compensation committee is also responsible for determining and recommending to our Board a desired frequency for future say on pay votes to be proposed to our shareholders at least once every six years, taking into consideration prior shareholder votes.
The compensation committee has the authority to establish subcommittees and delegate authority to such subcommittees to accomplish the duties and responsibilities of the compensation committee. Under this authority, the compensation committee has established a subcommittee consisting of Messrs. Rothman and Buth and Ms. Eason to discharge the responsibilities of the compensation committee with respect to compensation intended to satisfy certain regulatory requirements. References to the compensation committee in the context of equity awards to the NEOs in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis include the subcommittee.
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The compensation committee, with the assistance of our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, annually reviews and determines compensation levels for the NEOs. Our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the compensation committee regarding the compensation of the NEOs (other than his own). The compensation committee considers the compensation opportunities for our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, which are then recommended to the full Board for approval.
The compensation committee also received recommendations and advice from FW Cook in 2024 concerning the compensation of the NEOs. The compensation committee assessed FW Cook’s independence pursuant to SEC rules and NYSE listing standards. FW Cook did not provide any services to our Company other than compensation consulting for the compensation committee during 2024. The committee determined that FW Cook’s work for the compensation committee does not raise any conflict of interests.
Elements of Compensation
Compensation elements for our NEOs consist of the following:
•Base Salary. Base salary is an essential and expected form of compensation to be competitive in the marketplace. Its purpose is to compensate for services rendered and to provide a steady source of income for living expenses throughout the year.
•Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. Our executive officers are eligible for annual cash incentive awards under the Company’s annual incentive compensation program. Please note that, while annual cash incentive awards may be referred to as “bonuses” in this discussion, any award amounts earned are reported in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” under the column titled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” pursuant to the SEC’s regulations.
The purpose of our annual cash incentive program is to motivate and reward for the achievement of key financial and strategic performance objectives. Within the overall context of our pay philosophy and culture, the program:
•Provides competitive levels of total cash compensation;
•Aligns pay with organizational and individual performance; and
•Focuses executive attention on key business metrics.
•Long-Term Incentive Compensation. The compensation committee believes that long-term incentives are a key method to motivate and retain the top talent of Quad and align the interests of our NEOs with shareholders. Due to this philosophy, the compensation committee discussed our approach thoroughly to ensure that we were achieving our goals. For these reasons, in 2024, as in previous years, we provided a significant component of our NEO’s compensation through means of long-term incentive awards.
To provide focus on long-term company performance, the compensation committee decided to continue for 2024 the structure of our long-term incentive compensation program that we used in 2023 by granting awards in the form of 67% performance-based cash and 33% restricted stock or restricted stock units. The compensation committee decided to continue this structure because it believes the structure provides performance incentives that are effective in motivating our executives to execute on our long-term strategic plan and to drive shareholder value creation over the three-year period to which the awards relate.
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•Retirement and Other Benefits. To provide a competitive compensation package to our employees, including our NEOs, we sponsor retirement and welfare benefit plans, some of which are broadly available to all of our full-time employees in the United States and some of which include enhanced benefits for executives. In addition, we provide certain limited perquisites to our NEOs. These benefits, as they relate to our NEOs, are discussed and analyzed more extensively below under “Retirement and Other Benefits.”
Determining the Amount of Each Element of Compensation
Role of Benchmarking
As part of its decision making process, the compensation committee will from time to time engage its independent compensation consultant to conduct a benchmarking study of executive compensation levels and practices. This market information is used to help inform and shape decisions, but is neither the only nor the determinative factor in making compensation decisions. Rather, it is part of a multitude of factors that influence executive compensation decisions.
At the time the compensation committee made decisions concerning the compensation of our NEOs for 2024, its most recent benchmarking study addressing all compensation elements was a study completed by FW Cook in 2023. For purposes of its benchmarking analysis, FW Cook identified publicly traded, standalone companies in the print and commercial services industries, with a preference for companies focused on marketing platforms and a trailing four quarter revenue between $1 billion and $8 billion, with exceptions for certain key competitors. The comparator group consists of the following 20 companies (the “comparable companies”):
| • ACCO Brands Corporation | • Gannett Co., Inc. | • Sonoco Products Company | ||||||
| • Advantage Solutions | • Interpublic Group of Cos. | • Stagwell | ||||||
| • Brady Corporation | • John Wiley & Sons, Inc. | • Steelcase | ||||||
| • Cimpress N.V. | • Matthews International Corporation | • The NY Times Company | ||||||
| • Clear Channel Outdoor | • Maximus Inc. | • Thryv Holdings Inc. | ||||||
| • Conduent Inc. | • Omnicom Group | • Ziff Davis | ||||||
| • Deluxe Corporation | • Pitney Bowes Inc. | |||||||
The compensation committee used the comparable companies during 2023 for purposes of setting target compensation for 2024 for our NEOs.
2024 Process
In setting the amount of each element of compensation for our NEOs in 2024, the compensation committee followed the process described below.
Base Salary and Annual Incentive Compensation
The compensation committee reviews the base salaries and annual incentive compensation levels of each of our NEOs at least annually. In late 2023, the compensation committee reviewed and approved management’s recommendations for base salary and annual incentive compensation for 2024, consisting of base salary increases for Messrs. Quadracci, Staniak, Honan, Ashworth and Vanderboom ranging from 3.2% to 9.5%, to align their cash compensation levels more closely to market levels for their current positions. In approving these base salaries, the compensation committee considered the median of comparable companies described above, but did not base its decision solely on that information. It also considered historical compensation levels for the NEOs’ positions.
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With respect to 2024 annual cash incentive compensation, the compensation committee (and the full Board, in the case of Mr. Quadracci) decided to keep the threshold, target, and maximum annual incentive compensation opportunities for each of the NEOs the same, expressed as a percentage of base salary, as in 2023, except for Messrs. Quadracci and Staniak whose target opportunities as a percentage of base salary increased from 120% to 125% and 70% to 85%, respectively, to move their compensation level closer to the market level for their position.
For the annual cash incentive compensation of our NEOs, in early 2024, the compensation committee established performance measures, including the following Adjusted EBITDA threshold, target and maximum:
| Threshold | Target | Maximum | ||||||||||||
| $185 million | $220-235 million | $250 million or more | ||||||||||||
The compensation committee also approved an additional performance measure consisting of free cash flow of at least $40 million for 2024 that would need to be achieved for any annual cash incentive compensation to be earned.
The compensation committee selected these performance measures because they are among the key performance metrics used by our Board to evaluate our corporate performance. We defined Adjusted EBITDA for purposes of the 2024 annual cash incentive plan as net earnings (loss) excluding interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization and restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges (calculated in a consistent manner with the calculation for company-wide Adjusted EBITDA). Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment.
The threshold, target and maximum potential payment levels are shown in the “Grants of Plan Based Awards in 2024” table below.
For 2024, our free cash flow was $56 million, better than the gating level for that measure, and our Adjusted EBITDA was $224 million, which was at the target level for that measure. Free cash flow and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations to the nearest GAAP financial measures are included on pages 47-48 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2025.
In January 2025, our compensation committee recommended, and our Board approved, an at target payout under our annual cash incentive plan based on the achievement of free cash flow better than the gating level and the target achievement of Adjusted EBITDA, resulting in the payments to our NEOs indicated in the “Non-Equity Incentive Compensation” column of the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” below.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
The compensation committee believes that long-term incentives are a key method to motivate and retain the top talent of Quad and align the interests of our NEOs with shareholders. For this reason, we generally provide a significant component of our NEO’s compensation through means of long-term incentive awards.
2024-2026 Awards
The 2024 long-term incentive compensation program was structured to consist of a long-term performance-based cash component, representing 67% of the total grant value, and shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units that cliff vest after 38 months, representing the remaining 33% of the grant value. The compensation committee decided to use this structure because it believes the structure provides performance
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incentives that are effective in motivating our executives to execute on our long-term strategic plan and to drive shareholder value creation over the next three years.
The performance-based cash awards granted in 2024 would be earned on the basis of the following performance measures: 50% of the awards were based on new sales, with three separate annual performance periods from 2024-2026 (each representing one-third of the entire 50% of the award), and the remaining 50% of the awards were based on our free cash flow over the entire three-year period from 2024-2026. New sales are defined as Company-wide sales from new customers, new products or services sold to an existing customer or winning incremental share of a product or service that was previously split among suppliers. Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment.
The threshold, target and maximum performance goals for 2024 new sales were $207 million, $243 million and $280 million, respectively. The compensation committee chose to use new sales as a performance goal to provide a focused incentive to participants to win new clients and/or achieve additional sales in parts of our business that we view as likely areas of growth while excluding the impact of long-term expected organic declines in certain print product lines that the compensation committee believes are outside of management’s control.
The amounts earned under the performance-based cash awards can range from zero to 250% of the target amount. The threshold, target, and maximum amounts payable under the performance-based cash awards are shown in the “Grants of Plan Based Awards in 2024” table below.
We achieved new sales in 2024 of $257 million, which was above the target performance level. This resulted in a payment with respect to the one-third of the 50% of the 2024 performance-based cash awards tied to new sales of 154.7% of the target amount. The payments earned by our NEOs with respect to the performance-based cash awards are shown in the “Non-Equity Incentive Compensation” column of the “2024 Summary Compensation Table”. Any amounts earned with respect to the performance-based cash awards in 2025 or 2026 will be shown in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” for the applicable year.
We decided to make the performance-based cash awards payable in cash rather than equity in part to assist with managing the dilution to our shareholders, and we continued to use restricted stock and restricted stock units as a component of our long-term incentive compensation program because we believe they provide alignment between the interests of the NEOs and the interests of our shareholders.
In setting the target long-term incentive values for 2024 for each of the NEOs, the compensation committee considered the benchmarking information described above for comparable positions. Based on the benchmarking review, the compensation committee recommended to our Board, and our Board approved, an increase in Mr. Quadracci’s total target long-term incentive compensation value from $4,200,000 in 2023 to $4,800,000 in 2024, and the compensation committee approved an increase in Mr. Staniak’s total long-term incentive compensation value from $750,000 in 2023 to $1,150,000 in 2024. The other NEOs’ target long-term incentive compensation values were unchanged from 2023. The target values of the long-term incentive compensation awards to our NEOs for 2024 were as follows:
| Name | Total Target Long-Term Incentive Compensation Value | Target Value of Cash-Based Award (67% of Total) | Target Grant Date Fair Value of RSU/RS Award (33% of Total) | |||||||||||||||||
| J. Joel Quadracci | $4,800,000 | $3,216,000 | $1,584,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Anthony C. Staniak | $1,150,000 | $770,500 | $379,500 | |||||||||||||||||
| David J. Honan | $1,750,000 | $1,172,500 | $577,500 | |||||||||||||||||
| Eric N. Ashworth | $600,000 | $402,000 | $198,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Kelly A. Vanderboom | $600,000 | $402,000 | $198,000 | |||||||||||||||||
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To determine the number of shares for the 2024 restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards based on 33% of the total target long-term incentive compensation dollar values, the compensation committee approved using the 20 trading day volume-weighted average price over the twenty consecutive trading days beginning on December 1, 2023, and granting the awards effective as of January 1, 2024. The restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards in 2024 were granted initially subject to forfeiture and will cliff-vest on March 1, 2027, provided that the NEO remains continuously employed until that date.
The number of shares of our class A common stock covered by the equity awards granted to each of our NEOs in 2024 is reflected in the “Grants of Plan Based Awards in 2024” table below. The compensation committee intends to continue to award long-term incentive compensation awards to executives on an annual basis in the future, although more frequent awards may be made at the discretion of the compensation committee on other occasions, such as in the case of promotions or newly hired executives.
2024 Performance Under 2023-2025 and 2022-2024 Awards
As previously disclosed, the 2023-2025 long-term incentive compensation program included a long-term performance-based cash component, representing 67% of the total grant value. The performance-based cash awards will be earned 50% on the basis of the achievement of a free cash flow performance goal measured over the entire three-year performance period, and 50% on the basis of the achievement of three one-year performance goals over the performance period (annual total revenue for 2023 and new sales for 2024 and 2025).
The threshold, target and maximum performance goals for 2024 new sales were, consistent with the 2024-2026 awards described above, $207 million, $243 million and $280 million, respectively. We achieved new sales in 2024 of $257 million, which was above the target performance level. This resulted in a payment with respect to the one-third of the 50% of the 2023 performance-based cash awards tied to new sales of 154.7% of the target amount. The payments earned by our NEOs with respect to the performance-based cash awards are shown in the “Non-Equity Incentive Compensation” column of the “2024 Summary Compensation Table”. Any amounts earned with respect to the 2023 performance-based cash awards in 2025 will be shown in the “2025 Summary Compensation Table”.
The 2022-2024 long-term incentive compensation program also included a long-term performance-based cash component. The performance-based cash awards granted in 2022 were to be earned 50% on the basis of the achievement of a free cash flow performance goal, measured over the entire three-year performance period, and 50% on the basis of the achievement of three one-year performance goals over the performance period. The free cash flow performance threshold for the 2022-2024 long-term incentive program was not achieved. However, in recognition of the adverse impact of unexpected high interest rates and other factors outside of management’s control, as well as the desirability of recognizing managements’ achievements in other areas, including debt pay down, debt leverage, cash generation from asset sales, credit agreement refinancing and credit rating improvements, the compensation committee approved for our NEOs, other than Mr. Quadracci, and recommended to our Board for Mr. Quadracci, and our Board approved for Mr. Quadracci, a payout of the free cash flow portion of the 2022-2024 long-term performance-based cash component at 100% of the target amount. For the 2024 one-year performance goal of new sales, the threshold, target and maximum performance goals were the same as for the 2024-2026 and 2023-2025 long-term incentive grants described above, and, based on the new sales performance above the target level, a payment was made with respect to the new sales component of 154.7% of the target amount.
Based on this performance, the amounts earned by our NEOs with respect to the free cash flow component of the 2022-2024 performance-based cash awards for 2024 are shown in the “Bonus” column of the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” and the amounts earned by our NEOs with respect to the new sales component of the 2022-2024 performance-based cash awards for 2024 are shown in the “Non-Equity Incentive Compensation” column of the “2024 Summary Compensation Table”.
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Retirement and Other Benefits
Welfare and Retirement Benefits
As part of a competitive compensation package, we sponsor welfare benefit plans that offer health, life, disability and other insurance coverage to participating employees. We also provide our NEOs with an Executive Medical Plan under which they and their families are entitled to reimbursement. The reimbursement is generally limited to $20,000 (per family) in medical costs per year. Amounts reimbursed in 2024 under our Executive Medical Plan are reflected in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” below.
To help our employees prepare for retirement, we sponsor the Quad ESOP, an employee stock ownership plan, and the Quad Diversified Plan. The ESOP holds profit sharing contributions of our class A common stock, which are made at the discretion of our Board. The Diversified Plan is comprised of participant-directed 401(k) contributions and any employer contributions the Company may make to the Plan from time to time. Our NEOs participate in the ESOP, the Diversified Plan and our broad-based welfare plans on the same basis as our other salaried employees. In 2024, employer contributions included a Company 401(k) matching contribution.
In addition to the ESOP and the Diversified Plan, we provide certain executive officers with a supplemental executive retirement plan (the “SERP”), which is designed to provide a competitive retirement benefit and aid in retention and building long-term commitment to the Company. The SERP is described in greater detail following the 2024 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
We provide perquisites and other personal benefits that we believe are reasonable and consistent with our overall compensation program to better enable our executives to perform their duties and to enable our Company to attract and retain employees for key positions.
Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Quadracci is entitled to personal use of our corporate aircraft. The compensation committee believes that providing this benefit as part of Mr. Quadracci’s compensation enhances his and his family’s security, minimizes the disruptions and burdens of his personal travel and provides him with additional flexibility and time to attend to Company business notwithstanding his personal travel schedule, and thereby benefits our Company and our shareholders. Other than Mr. Quadracci, none of our NEOs were permitted to use our corporate aircraft for personal use in 2024. The aggregate incremental cost to our Company for personal use of our corporate aircraft by Mr. Quadracci is reflected in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” below.
In 2024, we reimbursed club membership fees and tax preparation fees and approved expenditures related to security for Mr. Quadracci. We reimburse club membership fees primarily for business purposes, such as client entertainment, though a portion of their use may have a personal aspect. Our named executive officers are occasionally allowed to use corporate housing for personal use on a temporary basis. During 2024, there was no such use of corporate housing by our named executive officers. The aggregate incremental cost to our Company for these benefits is reflected in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” below.
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Post-Termination and Change of Control Arrangements
We also provide our NEOs with severance protections upon qualifying terminations of employment. Mr. Quadracci has an employment agreement that provides for such protections, and Messrs. Staniak, Honan, Ashworth and Vanderboom receive severance protections under our Quad/Graphics, Inc. Executive Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”). In exchange for such benefits, both the Severance Plan and the employment agreements contain 24-month non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disclosure and non-disparagement restrictive covenants following any termination of employment, whether or not severance benefits are provided.
Under the Severance Plan, if a participant’s employment is terminated by us without “cause” (as defined in the Severance Plan) or by the participant due to a salary reduction of more than 10%, then the participant will be entitled to severance equal to one year’s base salary plus the participant’s target annual bonus. The participant will also receive a pro-rated portion of the current year’s annual bonus based on actual performance, and will receive continued group health, dental and life insurance benefits at the employee rate for the severance period and outplacement services at a cost of up to $50,000. If, however, a participant’s employment is terminated upon or within the 24-month period following a change in control, and the termination is by us without cause or by the participant with “good reason” (as defined in the Severance Plan), then the participant will be entitled to severance equal to two times the sum of the participant’s base salary and target annual bonus. The participant will also receive a pro-rated portion of the current year’s annual bonus based on target performance, and will receive a lump sum payment in lieu of group health, dental and life insurance continuation over the severance period, full vesting of benefits in our SERP (or any successor plan thereto) and outplacement services at a cost of up to $50,000. The treatment of any long-term incentive awards, including equity-based awards, will be governed by the terms of the applicable long-term incentive plan and award agreement. The post-change in control severance benefits would also be provided to a participant whose employment is terminated within a limited period prior to a change in control if the participant reasonably demonstrates that the termination was due to the subsequent change in control.
The Severance Plan defines “cause” generally to include: (1) any intentional and willful act of the participant involving fraud, embezzlement or theft of our assets or the assets of our customers; (2) gross misconduct on the part of the participant that is intentional and willful and that materially and demonstrably causes serious financial injury to us; (3) any conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony; (4) certain breaches of restrictive covenants; or (5) any intentional, willful and material failure of the participant to perform the participant’s employment duties for 30 days after our Board delivers a written demand for performance.
The Severance Plan defines “good reason” in the event of a change of control generally to include: (1) any material reduction in the amount of the participant’s then current base salary or annual bonus target (other than any change that applies to substantially all other executive officers); (2) a requirement that the participant be based at a location in excess of 60 miles from the location of the participant’s principal job location or office as of the effective date of the participant’s participation in the Severance Plan; (3) a material diminution in the participant’s title, authority, power, duties, reporting requirements or responsibilities, or the assignment of duties to the participant which are materially inconsistent with the participant’s position; (4) the failure by us to obtain the express assumption of, and agreement to perform under, the Severance Plan when that action is required by the Severance Plan; or (5) any other action or inaction by us that constitutes a material breach by us of the terms and conditions of the Severance Plan.
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The Severance Plan had an initial term of three years from its September 15, 2016 effective date, after which the term is automatically extended for successive one-year renewals unless the Board or the compensation committee terminates the Severance Plan at the end of the initial or renewal term by giving the participants written notice of intent to terminate the Severance Plan prior to the September 15 preceding the year in which the initial or renewal term is scheduled to end. No notice of intent to terminate the Severance Plan has been given to date. Upon a change in control, the term of the Severance Plan will be automatically extended for a two-year period.
Our employment agreement with Mr. Quadracci generally provides the same severance protections as the Severance Plan, except that the multiple of base salary and bonus used to calculate the severance amount varies. Mr. Quadracci’s severance multiple upon a qualifying termination prior to a change in control is two times the sum of his base salary and target annual bonus; upon a qualifying termination in connection with a change in control, Mr. Quadracci’s severance multiple is three times the sum of his base salary and target annual bonus. For Mr. Quadracci, a qualifying termination prior to a change in control includes a termination by him for good reason as well as a termination by the Company without cause.
In addition to the Severance Plan and the employment agreements, the award agreements under our 2010 Plan and our 2020 Plan provide for the accelerated vesting of stock options, restricted stock and performance-based cash awards upon a change of control of the Company. These arrangements are summarized below under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control.”
The compensation committee believes the severance and change of control benefits that we provide our NEOs under these arrangements are consistent with its objective of building shareholder value and contain terms that are similar to those offered to executives of comparable companies. In addition to securing the covered NEO’s agreement to the non-compete restriction described above, the purpose of the benefits is to focus our NEOs on taking actions that are in the best interests of our shareholders without regard to whether such action may ultimately have an impact on their job security, and to avoid the loss of key managers that may occur in connection with an anticipated or actual change of control. The severance and change of control benefits that we provide our executive officers fulfill these purposes by generally maintaining the executive officers’ expected compensation for a specified period following certain terminations of employment, vesting awards granted prior to a change of control and making the executive officers whole for certain excise taxes that may result from compensation paid and benefits provided in connection with the change of control and any related termination of employment. The compensation committee selected the triggering events for change of control and termination benefits to our executive officers based on its judgment that these events were likely to result in the job security distractions and retention concerns described above.
We also provide our NEOs with an Executive Salary Continuation Plan under which we will continue to pay 60% of the NEO’s base salary to the NEO’s spouse or dependent children if the NEO dies during the term of the NEO’s active employment with our Company. The payments will continue through, in the case of an NEO who dies after age 55 but before retirement, the earlier of (i) the date on which the NEO would have reached age 65 or (ii) the later of (a) the 25th birthday of the youngest dependent child or (b) the death of the surviving spouse or, in the case of an NEO who dies before age 55, the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the NEO’s death or (ii) the later of (a) the 25th birthday of the youngest dependent child or (b) the death of the surviving spouse. We offer this benefit to the NEOs as part of what we believe is a competitive compensation package and in lieu of a supplemental executive life insurance policy.
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Other Policies and Considerations
Policy on Hedging and Pledging of Shares
We have adopted a policy that prohibits our executive officers, including our NEOs, our non-employee directors and certain other designated employees from engaging in certain hedging transactions with respect to shares of our stock that they were granted as part of their compensation or otherwise hold. The policy prohibits (a) trading on an exchange in puts, calls and other derivative securities on our stock, (b) purchasing financial instruments, including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds, and (c) otherwise engaging in transactions that are designed to or have the effect of hedging or offsetting any decrease in the market value of our stock. The policy also requires pre-approval for any pledging transactions involving our stock.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
We have implemented stock ownership guidelines for certain employees, including our NEOs, to underscore the importance of linking executive compensation and shareholder interests. Employees subject to these stock ownership guidelines are encouraged to own a certain dollar value amount of our stock. The stock ownership guidelines state that our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer should hold shares with a value five times his base salary. For our executive vice presidents, the ownership guideline is three times base salary, and for all senior vice presidents the ownership guideline is two times base salary. All of the following count toward the ownership applicable thresholds under the policy:
•shares held outright (including through trusts for the benefit of the executive officer or of the executive officer’s family members) or in retirement plans; and
•restricted stock, restricted stock units and deferred stock units.
We also maintain stock ownership guidelines for our non-employee directors that require them to hold shares or share-based awards with a value of at least four times the cash portion of the annual retainer. Executive officers and non-employee directors that have not achieved their stock ownership targets are required to retain 50% of the shares received as a result of the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units, net of taxes.
Tax and Accounting Considerations
In setting compensation for our NEOs, the compensation committee considers the deductibility of compensation under the Internal Revenue Code. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the tax deductibility of compensation that we pay to certain covered employees, generally including our NEOs, to $1,000,000 in any year. The compensation committee believes that our interests and those of our shareholders are best served by providing competitive levels of compensation, even if not fully deductible, so some of the compensation that we have provided to our executive officers in the past, and that we provide to our executive officers in the future, may not be deductible under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).
Strategic Incentive Arrangements
In connection with corporate acquisitions or other similar transactions, we may from time to time implement special incentive arrangements intended to promote synergies or other strategic objectives in which our employees, including our NEOs, may be eligible to participate. None of our NEOs participated in such an arrangement or received such a bonus in 2024.
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2024 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table summarizes the compensation that our NEOs earned for the years indicated.
| Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus(1) ($) | Stock Awards(2) ($) | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(3) ($) | All Other Compensation(4) ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Joel Quadracci Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | 2024 | 1,130,000 | 1,407,000 | 1,626,000 | — | 3,692,778 | 324,487 | 8,180,265 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 1,087,371 | — | 1,532,489 | — | 5,242,345 | 648,281 | 8,510,486 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Anthony C. Staniak Chief Financial Officer | 2024 | 575,000 | 167,500 | 389,563 | — | 903,345 | 29,943 | 2,065,351 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 525,000 | — | 273,662 | — | 555,000 | 28,697 | 1,382,359 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
David J. Honan Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | 2024 | 775,000 | 586,250 | 592,813 | — | 1,565,678 | 39,448 | 3,559,189 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 750,375 | — | 638,540 | — | 1,575,319 | 40,377 | 3,004,611 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eric N. Ashworth Executive Vice President of Product and Market Strategy and President of Quad Agency Solutions | 2024 | 625,000 | 201,000 | 203,250 | — | 842,197 | 49,387 | 1,920,834 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 605,475 | — | 218,929 | — | 1,077,154 | 48,227 | 1,949,785 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kelly A. Vanderboom Executive Vice President and Treasurer, Head of Agency Operations | 2024 | 542,000 | 201,000 | 203,250 | — | 771,647 | 31,499 | 1,749,396 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 525,000 | — | 218,929 | — | 1,008,750 | 26,952 | 1,779,631 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_____________________________
(1)Amounts for 2024 reflect discretionary payments made in 2025 with respect to the free cash flow component of our 2022 long-term incentive performance-based cash awards, as described in the section titled “Compensation of Executive Officers - Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Determining the Amount of Each Element of Compensation - Long-Term Incentive Compensation” above.
(2)Amounts for 2024 are based on the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock awards to our NEOs under our 2020 Plan as determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC 718”). Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. For the assumptions used in the valuation of the awards, please see Note 16, “Equity Incentive Programs,” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
(3)Amounts for 2024 reflect payments made in 2025 with respect to 2024 under our 2024 Annual Incentive Plan and payments made in 2025 with respect to new sales performance under our 2022, 2023 and 2024 long-term incentive performance-based cash awards, as described in the section titled “Compensation of Executive Officers - Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Determining the Amount of Each Element of Compensation - 2024 Annual Incentive Plan” and “--Long-Term Incentive Compensation” above. The amounts attributable to each arrangement were as follows:
| Name | 2024 Annual Incentive Plan ($) | 2024 Long-Term Incentive Cash Payment (2024 New Sales) ($) | 2023 Long-Term Incentive Cash Payment (2024 New Sales) ($) | 2022 Long-Term Incentive Cash Payment (2024 New Sales) ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Joel Quadracci | 1,412,500 | 829,192 | 725,543 | 725,543 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anthony C. Staniak | 488,750 | 198,659 | 129,561 | 86,375 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| David J. Honan | 658,750 | 302,308 | 302,310 | 302,310 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eric N. Ashworth | 531,250 | 103,649 | 103,649 | 103,649 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kelly A. Vanderboom | 460,700 | 103,649 | 103,649 | 103,649 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(4)Amounts reflect the following for individual NEOs for 2024: For Mr. Quadracci - $15,857 for club dues, $138,831 for personal use of our corporate aircraft (calculated as the portion of the variable costs of the aircraft attributable to personal use), $84,379 for personal and family security services, $7,500 for the cost of assistance with tax preparation, a matching contribution of $8,694 on 401(k) contributions, executive medical at a cost of $13,849 and a contribution of $55,377 to Mr. Quadracci’s SERP account. For Mr. Staniak - a matching contribution of $8,694 on 401(k) contributions, executive medical at a cost of $3,136 and a contribution of $18,113 to Mr. Staniak’s SERP account. For Mr. Honan - a matching contribution of $8,694 on 401(k) contributions, executive
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medical at a cost of $3,317, and a contribution of $27,437 to Mr. Honan’s SERP account. For Mr. Ashworth - a matching contribution of $8,694 on 401(k) contributions, wellness program benefit of $250, executive medical at a cost of $20,000 and a contribution of $20,443 to Mr. Ashworth’s SERP account. For Mr. Vanderboom - a matching contribution of $8,694 on 401(k) contributions, executive medical at a cost of $6,231 and a contribution of $16,574 to Mr. Vanderboom’s SERP account. (Perquisites are discussed further in the section titled “Compensation of Executive Officers - Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Retirement and Other Benefits - Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits” above).
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GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS IN 2024
The following table contains information concerning the plan-based equity and non-equity awards that were granted to our NEOs in 2024. The amounts shown in the columns under the heading “Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards” represent potential future payments at the time of grant only. At the time of grant, whether these amounts (or any portion thereof) would ultimately be received by the NEOs was uncertain because the awards were contingent on the achievement of performance goals and the NEOs’ continued employment. The awards in the columns under the heading “Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards” were granted under our annual cash incentive program for 2024 or as the performance cash portion of our long-term incentive program, and payment is or was contingent on our achievement of a given level of corporate performance, as described above in the section titled “Compensation of Executive Officers—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Determining the Amount of Each Element of Compensation”. The amounts that were earned by our NEOs under our 2024 annual cash incentive program and the performance cash portion of our long-term incentive program are disclosed above in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table”.
| Name | Grant Date | Date of Action to Approve | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units(1) (#) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Joel Quadracci | 1/1/24 | 12/14/23 | — | — | — | 300,000 | 1,626,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | 757,100 | (2) | 1,412,500 | (2) | 2,429,500 | (2) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 3,216,000 | (3) | 8,040,000 | (3) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anthony C. Staniak | 1/1/24 | 12/13/23 | — | — | — | 71,875 | 389,563 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | 316,250 | (2) | 488,750 | (2) | 862,500 | (2) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 770,500 | (3) | 1,926,250 | (3) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David J. Honan | 1/1/24 | 12/13/23 | — | — | — | 109,375 | 592,813 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | 426,250 | (2) | 658,750 | (2) | 1,162,500 | (2) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 1,172,500 | (3) | 2,931,250 | (3) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eric N. Ashworth | 1/1/24 | 12/13/23 | — | — | — | 37,500 | 203,250 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | 343,750 | (2) | 531,250 | (2) | 937,500 | (2) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 402,000 | (3) | 1,005,000 | (3) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kelly A. Vanderboom | 1/1/24 | 12/13/23 | — | — | — | 37,500 | 203,250 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | 298,100 | (2) | 460,700 | (2) | 813,000 | (2) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 402,000 | (3) | 1,005,000 | (3) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
(1)The amounts shown in this column reflect the number of restricted shares or restricted stock units we granted to each NEO pursuant to our 2020 Plan.
(2)Amounts represent potential future payouts pursuant to awards granted to Messrs. Quadracci, Staniak, Honan, Ashworth and Vanderboom under our annual cash incentive program. The amounts earned by our NEOs under our 2024 annual cash incentive program are disclosed above in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table”.
(3)Amounts represent potential future payouts pursuant to awards granted to Messrs. Quadracci, Staniak, Honan, Ashworth and Vanderboom as the performance cash portion of their awards under our long-term incentive program. The amounts earned by our NEOs under the performance cash portion of our 2024 long-term incentive program for 2024 are disclosed above in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table”.
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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2024
The following table contains information concerning equity awards held by our NEOs that were outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested(1) ($) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards; Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards; Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Joel Quadracci | — | — | — | — | 1,046,199(2) | 7,292,007 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anthony C. Staniak | — | — | — | — | 183,067(3) | 1,275,977 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David J. Honan | — | — | — | — | 420,292(4) | 2,929,435 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eric N. Ashworth | — | — | — | — | 144,101(5) | 1,004,384 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kelly A. Vanderboom | — | — | — | — | 144,101(6) | 1,004,384 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
(1)Market value computed by multiplying the number of shares that have not vested by $6.97, which was the closing price of a share of our class A common stock on the last trading day of 2024.
(2)370,589 shares vested on March 1, 2025, 375,610 shares vest on March 1, 2026 and 300,000 shares vest on March 1, 2027.
(3)44,118 shares vested on March 1, 2025, 67,074 shares vest on March 1, 2026 and 71,875 shares vest on March 1, 2027.
(4)154,412 shares vested on March 1, 2025, 156,505 shares vest on March 1, 2026 and 109,375 shares vest on March 1, 2027.
(5)52,942 shares vested on March 1, 2025, 53,659 shares vest on March 1, 2026 and 37,500 shares vest on March 1, 2027.
(6)52,942 shares vested on March 1, 2025, 53,659 shares vest on March 1, 2026 and 37,500 shares vest on March 1, 2027.
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN 2024
The following table contains information concerning restricted stock or restricted stock units that vested in 2024. No stock options were exercised by our NEOs in 2024.
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Value Realized on Exercise ($) | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | Value Realized on Vesting(1) ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Joel Quadracci | — | — | 258,551 | 1,548,720 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anthony C. Staniak | — | — | 12,312 | 73,749 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| David J. Honan | — | — | 61,560 | 368,744 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eric N. Ashworth | — | — | 36,936 | 221,247 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kelly A. Vanderboom | — | — | 36,936 | 221,247 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
(1)Represents the gross number of shares or restricted stock units vesting multiplied by the closing price of our class A common stock on the NYSE on the last trading day prior to the date of vesting.
2024 PENSION BENEFITS
None of our NEOs participate in any of our defined benefit pension plans.
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2024 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our NEOs’ participation in our SERP, which is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that we maintain, during the year ended December 31, 2024. The material terms of the SERP are described after the table.
| Name | Executive Contributions in Last FY ($) | Registrant Contributions in Last FY(1) ($) | Aggregate Earnings in Last FY(2) ($) | Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) | Aggregate Balance at Last FYE ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Joel Quadracci | — | 55,377 | 47,755 | — | 1,545,874 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anthony C. Staniak | — | 18,113 | 1,709 | — | 71,443 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David J. Honan | — | 27,437 | 7,635 | — | 265,727 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eric N. Ashworth | — | 20,443 | 4,651 | — | 165,598 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kelly A. Vanderboom | — | 16,574 | 4,300 | — | 150,785 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
(1)Amounts reflect the Company contributions that we cannot make under our Diversified Plan due to restrictions under the Internal Revenue Code. These amounts are also included in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table”.
(2)These Aggregate Earnings are based on the Stable Asset Fund investment alternative under our Diversified Plan, are not “above-market or preferential earnings” as defined by the rules of the SEC and are therefore not required to be reported in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table”.
Quad’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
As described above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Welfare and Retirement Benefits,” we maintain a SERP in which our NEOs are eligible to participate. The SERP is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, not intended to meet the tax qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Under the SERP, our NEOs are eligible to receive contributions from us at the end of each year in an amount determined by the amount of the NEO’s compensation that was subject to limitations imposed by Section 401(a)(17) under the Internal Revenue Code and the amount of any employer contribution to the NEO under our Diversified Plan for the year. The amount of the NEO’s benefit under the SERP is equal to the cumulative contributions made by us to the NEO’s account, adjusted to reflect the investment income, gains and losses on a fund designated by us in our sole discretion, less any previous payments from such account.
Participants become vested in their benefits on (i) their separation from service after reaching age 55 or (ii) their separation from service prior to age 55 as a result of death or disability. Participants may elect the times and form of payment of their benefit under the SERP from among the following alternatives:
•A lump sum payment during the calendar month following the month in which the NEO’s separation from service occurs;
•A lump sum payment during the calendar month following the first anniversary of the NEO’s separation from service;
•A lump sum payment during the calendar month following the second anniversary of the NEO’s separation from service;
•A lump sum payment during the calendar month following the third anniversary of the NEO’s separation from service;
•A lump sum payment during the calendar month following the fourth anniversary of the NEO’s separation from service; or
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•Five annual installments, with one-fifth of the account balance being paid during the calendar month following the month in which the NEO’s separation from service occurs, one-quarter of the then-current account balance being paid during the subsequent January, and then, respectively, one-third, one-half, and the remainder of the then-current account balance being paid during each of the following three Januarys.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control
As noted above under the heading “Retirement and Other Benefits -- Post-Termination and Change of Control Arrangements,” we maintain a Severance Plan that covers, or employment agreements with, our NEOs. These arrangements provide for severance benefits upon certain terminations of employment and obligate the NEOs to refrain from competing with us for two years following any termination of employment. The severance benefits are described above under the heading “Retirement and Other Benefits -- Post-Termination and Change of Control Arrangements.”
The equity plans and related option, restricted stock, performance share and performance-based cash agreements under which our stock option, restricted stock, performance share and performance-based cash awards were granted also provide that, in the event of a change of control of our Company, all unvested options and shares of restricted stock will become immediately vested and, in the case of stock options, exercisable, and that all performance shares and performance-based cash awards that have not yet been earned will become earned at the target performance level. Amounts that have been earned under the performance-based cash awards but have not been paid as of the change of control will be paid in connection with the change of control. Upon a termination as a result of death or disability, all unvested options and shares of restricted stock will become immediately vested and, in the case of stock options, exercisable, all performance shares will become earned at the target performance level and all performance-based cash awards will remain eligible to be earned based on actual performance. The option, restricted stock, performance share and performance-based cash agreements also provide that all unvested options and a portion of unvested restricted stock and unearned performance shares will become immediately vested or earned, as applicable, and a portion of unearned performance-based cash will remain eligible to be earned based on actual performance, upon retirement on or after age 65 (only if, in the case of restricted stock, the retirement is approved by an authorized senior executive). The Severance Plan does not provide for a gross-up for change of control related excise taxes. Instead, it contemplates a “best net” approach under which, if any payment or distribution to a covered NEO in connection with a change of control would trigger the excise tax imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, then the payment or distribution will either be made in full or reduced to a level that would not trigger the excise tax, whichever would result in the best after-tax position for the covered NEO. The employment agreement with Mr. Quadracci, by contrast, provides that if any payment or benefit to Mr. Quadracci would trigger the excise tax imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, then we would make an additional gross-up payment to him so that, after payment of income tax and excise tax on this gross-up payment, he would have sufficient funds to pay the excise tax triggered by the other payments and benefits.
A “change of control” of our Company is generally defined for purposes of the equity plans to include any person or group acquiring ownership of our common stock that, together with such stock already held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of our common stock. Transfers to (i) lineal descendants of the transferor, (ii) spouses of the transferor or such lineal descendants, or (iii) trusts, partnerships or other legal entities for the benefit of the transferor or any of the transferees described in (i) or (ii) are not considered in determining whether a change of control has occurred.
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Quantification of Potential Payments on a Change of Control or Termination Event
The tables below reflect the amount of compensation that would be paid to each of our NEOs in the event of a change of control of our Company and/or a triggering termination of such NEO’s employment with our Company. The amounts shown in the tables below assume, among other things, that the applicable triggering event occurred on the last business day of 2024, and include estimates of the amounts that would be paid to the NEOs following the triggering event. The tables only include additional benefits that result from the termination and do not include any amounts or benefits earned, vested, accrued or owing under any plan for any other reason. The actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of the triggering event. Payments of severance under the arrangements are generally made in a lump sum following a change of control, or in installments in the event of a qualifying termination prior to a change of control.
The following table sets forth the estimated amounts that would have become payable to our NEOs if a change in control of our Company and a triggering employment termination had occurred on December 31, 2024:
| Executive | Severance(1) ($) | Pro Rated Current Year Target Bonus(1) ($) | Performance-Based Cash ($) | Restricted Stock Vesting(2) ($) | Outplacement(1)(3) ($) | Welfare and Insurance Coverage(1) ($) | Excise Tax Gross Up or “Best-Net” Reduction ($) | Totals(4) ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Joel Quadracci | 7,627,500 | 1,412,500 | 8,243,278 | 7,292,007 | 50,000 | 77,144 | — | 24,702,429 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anthony C. Staniak | 2,127,500 | 488,750 | 1,559,179 | 1,275,977 | 50,000 | 30,979 | — | 5,532,385 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David J. Honan | 2,867,500 | 658,750 | 3,251,929 | 2,929,435 | 50,000 | 60,998 | (872,430) | 8,946,182 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eric N. Ashworth | 2,312,500 | 531,250 | 1,114,947 | 1,004,384 | 50,000 | 58,906 | — | 5,071,987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kelly A. Vanderboom | 2,005,400 | 460,700 | 1,114,947 | 1,004,384 | 50,000 | 53,462 | — | 4,688,893 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Totals | 16,940,400 | 3,551,950 | 15,284,280 | 13,506,187 | 250,000 | 281,489 | (872,430) | 48,941,876 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
(1)Triggered solely upon a covered termination of the NEO.
(2)Reflects an assumed value per share of $6.97, which was the closing price of a share of our class A common stock on the last trading day of 2024.
(3)Outplacement services are assumed to be $50,000 per year.
(4)Amounts assume that no fringe benefit policies would apply to an NEO following termination. The NEOs would also receive payment of their SERP benefits as disclosed in the 2024 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table above.
The following table sets forth the estimated value of accelerated vesting that would have occurred with respect to the performance-based cash awards and equity grants of our NEOs if a change in control of our Company, but no termination of employment, had occurred on December 31, 2024:
| Executive | Performance-Based Cash ($) | Restricted Stock Vesting (1) ($) | Excise Tax Gross Up or “Best-Net” Reduction ($) | Totals ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Joel Quadracci | 8,243,278 | 7,292,007 | — | 15,535,285 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anthony C. Staniak | 1,559,179 | 1,275,977 | — | 2,835,156 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| David J. Honan | 3,251,929 | 2,929,435 | — | 6,181,364 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eric N. Ashworth | 1,114,947 | 1,004,384 | — | 2,119,331 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kelly A. Vanderboom | 1,114,947 | 1,004,384 | — | 2,119,331 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Totals | 15,284,280 | 13,506,187 | — | 28,790,467 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
(1)Reflects an assumed value per share of $6.97, which was the closing price of a share of our class A common stock on the last trading day of 2024.
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The following table sets forth the estimated amounts that would have become payable to each of our NEOs under their employment arrangements if a triggering employment termination (but no change of control) had occurred on December 31, 2024:
| Executive | Cash Termination Payment ($) | Pro Rated Current Year Bonus($) | Outplacement(1) ($) | Welfare and Insurance Coverage ($) | Totals(2) ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Joel Quadracci | 5,085,000 | 1,412,500 | 50,000 | 51,430 | 6,598,930 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anthony C. Staniak | 1,063,750 | 488,750 | 50,000 | 15,490 | 1,617,990 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David J. Honan | 1,433,750 | 658,750 | 50,000 | 30,499 | 2,172,999 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eric N. Ashworth | 1,156,250 | 531,250 | 50,000 | 29,453 | 1,766,953 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kelly A. Vanderboom | 1,002,700 | 460,700 | 50,000 | 26,731 | 1,540,131 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Totals | 9,741,450 | 3,551,950 | 250,000 | 153,603 | 13,697,003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
(1)Outplacement services are assumed to be $50,000 per year.
(2)Amounts assume that no fringe benefit policies would apply to an NEO following termination.
The following table sets forth the estimated amounts that would have become payable to our NEOs under their employment and incentive compensation arrangements if their employment had been terminated as a result of death or disability on December 31, 2024:
| Executive | Base Salary Continuation(1) ($) | Performance-Based Cash(2) ($) | Restricted Stock Vesting(3) ($) | Totals(4) ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. Joel Quadracci | 4,863,151 | 8,243,278 | 7,292,007 | 20,398,436 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anthony C. Staniak | 2,663,699 | 1,559,179 | 1,275,977 | 5,498,855 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| David J. Honan | 3,368,743 | 3,251,929 | 2,929,435 | 9,550,107 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eric N. Ashworth | 1,942,077 | 1,114,947 | 1,004,384 | 4,061,408 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kelly A. Vanderboom | 2,510,825 | 1,114,947 | 1,004,384 | 4,630,156 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Totals | 15,348,495 | 15,284,280 | 13,506,187 | 44,138,962 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
(1)Triggered solely upon the death of the NEO, and payable over a period of 120 months (109 months for Mr. Quadracci, 108 months for Mr. Honan and 72 months for Mr. Ashworth). All of the amounts shown are present values of the expected benefits and assume the spouse of each NEO, if applicable, will live until at least December 31, 2034.
(2)Payout upon death or disability will be based on actual performance. For purposes of the calculations reflected in the table, for unearned performance cash, it is assumed that the performance goals will be achieved at target.
(3)Reflects an assumed value per share of $6.97, which was the closing price of a share of our class A common stock on the last trading day of 2024.
(4)The NEOs would also receive payment of their SERP benefits as disclosed in the 2024 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table above.
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The compensation committee of the Board has reviewed and discussed the preceding Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on such review and discussion, has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference into the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
This report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
Jay O. Rothman, Chairperson
Douglas P. Buth
Beth-Ann Eason
John C. Fowler
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PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship between executive compensation actually paid and certain financial performance of Quad for each of the last three completed fiscal years. For further information concerning our pay-for-performance philosophy and how we align executive compensation with our performance, refer to “Executive Compensation - Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
| Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO(1) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO(2) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs(3) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs(4) | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Return(5) | Net Income (Loss) (millions)(6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
(1)The dollar amounts reported in column (b) are the amounts of total compensation reported for Mr. Quadracci
(2)The dollar amounts reported in column (c) represent the amount of “compensation actually paid” to Mr. Quadracci, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to Mr. Quadracci during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to Mr. Quadracci’s total compensation for each year to determine the compensation actually paid:
| Year | Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO | Reported Value of Equity Awards(a) | Equity Awards Adjustments(b) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
(a)The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” column in the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” for the applicable year.
(b)The equity award adjustments for each applicable year include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following: (i) the year-end fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year; (ii) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year; (iii) for awards that are granted and vest in same applicable year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the applicable year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (v) for awards granted in prior years that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the applicable year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on stock or option awards in the applicable year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of such award or included in any other component of total compensation for the applicable year. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant. The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:
| Year | Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards | Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards | Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year | Year over Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year | Fair Value at the end of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Year | Value of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Stock or Options Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value or Total Compensation | Total Equity Award Adjustments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(3)The dollar amounts reported in column (d) represent the average of the amounts reported for our named executive officers (NEOs) as a group (excluding Mr. Quadracci) in the “Total” column of the “2024 Summary Compensation Table” in each applicable year. The names of each of the NEOs (excluding Mr. Quadracci) included for purposes of calculating the average amounts in each applicable year are as follows: (i) for 2024, Messrs. Staniak, Honan, Ashworth and Vanderboom; (ii) for 2023, Messrs. Staniak, Honan, Ashworth and Vanderboom; and (iii) for 2022, Messrs. Staniak, Honan and Ashworth and Jennifer Kent (former Executive Vice President and Chief People & Legal Officer).
(4)The dollar amounts reported in column (e) represent the average amount of “compensation actually paid” to our NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Quadracci), as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual average amount of compensation earned by or paid to the NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Quadracci) during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the adjustments shown in the table immediately below were made to average total compensation for the NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Quadracci) for each year to determine the compensation actually paid, using the same methodology described above in Note 2. The amounts shown in column (e) in the Pay Versus Performance table above and in the table immediately below for 2023 and 2022 are corrected from the corresponding amounts shown in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 12, 2024 to address a calculation error:
| Year | Average Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs | Average Reported Value of Equity Awards | Average Equity Award Adjustments(a) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
| Year | Average Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards | Year over Year Average Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards | Average Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in the Year | Year over Year Average Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years that Vested in the Year | Average Fair Value at the end of the Prior Year of Equity Awards that Failed to Meet Vesting Conditions in the Year | Average Value of Dividends or other Earnings Paid on Stock or Options Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Fair Value or Total Compensation | Total Average Equity Award Adjustments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(5)Cumulative TSR is calculated by dividing the sum of (i) the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and (ii) the difference between our share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period by our share price at the beginning of the measurement period, assuming an investment of $100 as of December 31, 2021.
(6)The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of net income reflected in our audited financial statements for the applicable year.
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Analysis of the Information Presented in the Pay versus Performance Table
As described in more detail in the section “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation program reflects a pay-for-performance philosophy. In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following graphs that describe the relationships between information presented in the Pay Versus Performance table.
Compensation Actually Paid and Cumulative TSR
The following graph illustrates the relationship between compensation actually paid to our PEO (Mr. Quadracci) and the average compensation actually paid to our NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Quadracci) and our cumulative TSR assuming an initial fixed investment on December 31, 2021 of $100 over the three years presented in the table.
Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income (Loss)
The following graph illustrates the relationship between compensation actually paid to our PEO (Mr. Quadracci) and the average compensation actually paid to our NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Quadracci) and our net income (loss) over the three years presented in the table.
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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Company maintained the following compensation program for its non-employee directors in 2024: an annual retainer of $235,000, to be paid one-half in cash and one-half in the form of deferred stock units. The program also includes an additional retainer of $25,000 for the chairperson of the audit committee, $20,000 for the chairperson of the compensation committee and $17,000 for the chairperson of the finance committee. The number of deferred stock units actually awarded was determined using a 20 trading day volume-weighted average price prior to the grant date.
The Company has adopted the Quad/Graphics, Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan under which non-employee directors may elect to defer their cash retainers or elect deferred stock units in lieu of cash fees.
The following table summarizes the compensation of the Company’s non-employee directors for 2024. As an employee-director in 2024, J. Joel Quadracci did not receive any compensation for his service as a director, and is therefore omitted from the table. Mr. Quadracci’s compensation for serving as the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer is set forth in this proxy statement under the section titled “Compensation of Executive Officers.” The Company also reimbursed each of its directors, including its employee directors, for expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the Board and its committees.
| Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards(1) ($) | Option Awards(1)(2) ($) | All Other Compensation(3) ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Douglas P. Buth | 142,500 | 125,000 | — | 10,000 | 277,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beth-Ann Eason | 117,500 | 125,000 | — | 10,000 | 252,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kathryn Quadracci Flores, M.D.(5) | 117,500 | 125,000 | — | 10,000 | 252,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John C. Fowler | 132,500 | 125,000 | — | 20,000 | 277,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stephen M. Fuller | 117,500 | 125,000 | — | 10,000 | 252,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Christopher B. Harned | 134,500 | 125,000 | — | 10,000 | 269,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Melanie A. Huet | 117,500 | 125,000 | — | 10,000 | 252,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jay O. Rothman | 122,500 | 125,000 | — | 10,000 | 257,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John S. Shiely(4) | 137,500 | 125,000 | — | 10,000 | 272,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
______________________________
(1)Amounts are based on the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards to the directors under the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For the assumptions used in the valuation of the awards to the Company’s non-employee directors, please see Note 16, “Equity Incentive Programs,” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
(2)None of our non-employee directors held option awards that were outstanding and eligible for future exercise as of December 31, 2024.
(3)Consists of a payment of $10,000 for charitable contributions made during the year in the indicated director’s name and, for Mr. Fowler, a payment of $10,000 pursuant to an arrangement entitling him and his family to reimbursement of a limited amount of medical costs per year.
(4)Mr. Shiely is retiring from the Board at the 2025 Annual Meeting.
(5)Does not include the compensation Dr. Flores received in 2024 in her role at QuadMed, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company. Please see “Corporate Governance - Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” above for that information.
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MISCELLANEOUS
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s directors, executive officers and any owner of greater than 10% of the Company’s common stock to file reports with the SEC concerning their ownership of the Company’s common stock. Based solely upon information provided to the Company by individual directors and executive officers, the Company believes that, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, all of its directors and executive officers and owners of greater than 10% of the Company’s common stock complied with the Section 16(a) filing requirements.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The audit committee of the Board is solely responsible for the selection, retention, oversight and, when appropriate, termination of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) acted as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company in 2024. Representatives of E&Y are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire. Such representatives are also expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Aggregate fees for professional services rendered for the Company by E&Y for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
Audit fees(1) | $ | 1,801,000 | $ | 1,655,000 | |||||||
Audit-related fees(2) | — | 15,000 | |||||||||
Tax fees(3) | 764,000 | 678,000 | |||||||||
| All other fees | — | — | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,565,000 | $ | 2,348,000 | |||||||
______________________________
(1)Audit fees paid to E&Y were for services and expenses associated with the 2024 and 2023 audits of the annual financial statements, including foreign subsidiary statutory audits and quarterly reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly Form 10-Q.
(2)Audit-related fees were for services related to the preparation of the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8.
(3)Tax fees paid to E&Y were for services for tax return preparation (including expatriate tax returns) and tax consultation.
The audit committee of the Board does not consider the provision of non-audit services by E&Y to be incompatible with maintaining auditor independence. The audit committee has established pre-approval policies and procedures with respect to audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by its independent registered public accounting firm. Pursuant to these policies and procedures, the audit committee may delegate its pre-approval authority to the chairperson (up to a set dollar amount), provided that chairperson’s decisions to grant pre-approvals are presented to the full audit committee at its next scheduled meeting. The audit committee’s pre-approval policies do not permit the delegation of the audit committee’s responsibilities to management. All services performed in connection with the fees reported under the headings audit fees, audit-related fees and tax fees were pre-approved by the audit committee in accordance with SEC’s rules and the committee’s policies and procedures.
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Shareholder Proposals
A shareholder of the Company who intends to present a proposal at, and have the proposal included in the Company’s proxy statement for, an annual meeting of shareholders must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In order to comply with such rule, among other things, proposals submitted for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company by the close of business on December 12, 2025. In addition, a shareholder who otherwise intends to present a proposal at an annual meeting (including nominating persons for election as directors) must comply with the requirements set forth in the Company’s bylaws. Among other things, to present a proposal at an annual meeting, a shareholder must give timely written notice thereof, complying with the bylaws, to the Secretary of the Company. Under the bylaws, if such notice is not received by the Company on a timely basis, the Company will not be required to present such proposal at the annual meeting. If the Board chooses to present such proposal at the annual meeting, then the persons named in proxies solicited by the Board for that annual meeting may exercise discretionary voting power with respect to such proposal. To be timely, a shareholder who intends to present a proposal at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, but does not intend to have the proposal included in the Company’s proxy statement for such meeting, must provide the Company with the required written notice so that the Company receives it on or before December 31, 2025 (assuming a meeting date before May 1, 2026). If the date of the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is on or after May 1, 2026, then the deadline for receipt by the Company of a timely notice under the bylaws is extended one day after December 31, 2025 for each day after April 30, 2026 until the date of the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (for example, if the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on May 14, 2026, then the notice deadline under the Company’s bylaws would be January 14, 2026). In addition, to comply with the SEC’s universal proxy rules, shareholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the additional information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on or before December 31, 2025 (assuming a meeting before May 1, 2026).
Assessment of Compensation-Related Risk
In early 2025, the compensation committee reviewed the evaluation of the Company’s compensation arrangements for executive officers and non-executive officer employees to determine the level of risks in these arrangements, including the incentives created by such arrangements for employees to take risks and the measures in place to manage or mitigate those risks. Specifically, the evaluation included the following categories: strategic alignment with business strategy; balance of performance metrics; alignment with market competitiveness; impact on motivation and engagement; appropriate use of management discretion; and plan implementation. As a result of this review, the compensation committee concluded that the Company’s compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Code of Business Conduct
The Company has adopted a written Code of Business Conduct that applies to all of the Company’s employees, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and other persons performing similar functions. The Code of Business Conduct is available, free of charge, on the Company’s website, www.QUAD.com.
Other Matters
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, proxies may be solicited personally and by telephone by certain officers and regular associates of the Company. The Company will reimburse brokers and other nominees for their reasonable expenses in communicating with the persons for whom they hold common stock.
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Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, services that deliver the Company’s communications to shareholders that hold their stock through a bank, broker or other holder of record may deliver to multiple shareholders sharing the same address a single copy of the Company’s annual report to shareholders and proxy statement. Upon written or oral request, the Company will promptly deliver a separate copy of the annual report to shareholders and/or proxy statement to any shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of each document was delivered. For future deliveries of annual reports to shareholders and/or proxy statements, shareholders may also request that we deliver multiple copies at a shared address to which a single copy of each document was delivered. Shareholders sharing an address who are currently receiving multiple copies of the annual report to shareholders and/or proxy statement may also request delivery of a single copy. Shareholders may notify the Company of their requests by calling or writing Dana B. Gruen, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, Quad/Graphics, Inc., N61 W23044 Harry’s Way, Sussex, Wisconsin 53089-3995, or at telephone number (414) 566-2972.
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
By:
Dana B. Gruen
General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Risk & Compliance Officer
Sussex, Wisconsin
April 11, 2025
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Appendix A
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
As Proposed to be Amended May 21, 2025
1.Purposes, History and Effective Date.
(a)Purpose. The Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan has two complementary purposes: (i) to attract and retain outstanding individuals to serve as officers, directors, employees and consultants and (ii) to increase shareholder value. The Plan will provide participants with incentives to increase shareholder value by offering the opportunity to acquire shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, receive monetary payments based on the value of such common stock, or receive other incentive compensation, on the potentially favorable terms that this Plan provides.
(b)Effective Date. This Plan will become effective, and Awards may be granted under this Plan, on and after May 18, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), subject to approval by the Company’s shareholders at the annual shareholders meeting on such date. This Plan will terminate as provided in Section 15.
(c)Effect on Prior Plan. Upon the Effective Date, the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Prior Plan”) shall terminate, and no new awards may be granted thereunder after the Effective Date, although awards previously granted under the Prior Plan and still outstanding will continue to be subject to all terms and conditions of the Prior Plan.
2.Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Plan have the following meanings:
(a)“Administrator” means the Committee or the Board.
(b)“Affiliate” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining those individuals subject to U.S. taxation to whom an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is exempt from Code Section 409A may be granted or held, the term “Affiliate” means any entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by, controls, or is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Code Sections 414(b) or (c); provided that, in applying such provisions, the phrase “at least 20 percent” shall be used in place of “at least 80 percent” each place it appears therein.
(c)“Applicable Exchange” means the New York Stock Exchange or such other exchange or automated trading system on which the Stock is principally traded at the applicable time.
(d)“Award” means a grant of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Shares, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Incentive Awards or any other type of award permitted under this Plan. Any Award granted under this Plan shall be provided or made in such manner and at such time as complies with, or is exempt from, the applicable requirements of Code Section 409A to avoid a plan failure described in Code Section 409A(a)(1), including, without limitation, deferring payment to a specified employee or until a specified distribution event, as provided in Code Section 409A(a)(2).
(e)“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(f)“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a specific provision of the Code includes any successor provision and the regulations promulgated under such provision.
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(g)“Committee” means the compensation committee of the Board (or a successor committee with the same or similar authority).
(h)“Company” means Quad/Graphics, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, or any successor thereto.
(i)“Deferred Stock Unit” means the right to receive cash and/or Shares the value of which is equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share.
(j)“Director” means a member of the Board; “Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is not an employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
(k)“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any reference to a specific provision of the Exchange Act includes any successor provision and the regulations and rules promulgated under such provision.
(l)“Fair Market Value” means a price that is based on the opening, closing, actual, high or low sale price, or the arithmetic mean of selling prices of, a Share, on the Applicable Exchange on the applicable date, the preceding trading day, the next succeeding trading day, or the arithmetic mean of selling prices on all trading days over a specified averaging period weighted by volume of trading on each trading day in the period that is within 30 days before or 30 days after the applicable date, as determined by the Administrator in its discretion; provided that, if an arithmetic mean of prices is used to set a grant price or an exercise price for an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the commitment to grant the applicable Award based on such arithmetic mean must be irrevocable before the beginning of the specified averaging period in accordance with Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)(A). The method of determining Fair Market Value with respect to an Award shall be determined by the Administrator and may differ depending on whether Fair Market Value is in reference to the grant, exercise, vesting, settlement, or payout of an Award; provided that, if the Administrator does not specify a different method, the Fair Market Value of a Share as of a given date shall be the closing sale price as of the trading day immediately preceding the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined or, if there shall be no such sale on such date, the next preceding day on which such a sale shall have occurred. If the Stock is not traded on an established stock exchange, the Administrator shall determine in good faith the Fair Market Value in whatever manner it considers appropriate, but based on objective criteria. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of the sale of Shares on the Applicable Exchange, the actual sale price shall be the Fair Market Value of such Shares.
(m)“Incentive Award” means the right to receive a cash payment to the extent Performance Goals are achieved, and shall include “Annual Incentive Awards” as described in Section 10 and “Long-Term Incentive Awards” as described in Section 11.
(n)“Option” means the right to purchase Shares at a stated price for a specified period of time.
(o)“Participant” means an individual selected by the Administrator to receive an Award.
(p)“Performance Goals” means any objective or subjective goals the Administrator establishes with respect to an Award. A Performance Goal may, but is not required to, relate to one or more of the following with respect to the Company or any one or more Subsidiaries, Affiliates or other business units: net earnings; net earnings attributable to common shareholders; operating income; income from continuing operations; net sales; cost of sales; gross income; earnings (including before taxes, and/or interest and/or depreciation and amortization); net earnings per share (including diluted earnings per share); price per share; cash flow; net cash provided by operating activities; net cash provided by operating activities less net cash used in investing activities; net operating profit; pre-tax profit; ratio of debt to debt plus equity; return on shareholder equity; total shareholder return; return on capital; return on assets; return on equity; return on investment; return on revenues; operating working capital; working capital as a percentage of net sales; cost of capital; average accounts receivable; economic value added; performance value added; customer satisfaction; customer loyalty and/or retention; employee safety; employee engagement; market share;
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system reliability; cost structure reduction; regulatory outcomes; diversity; cost savings; operating goals; operating margin; profit margin; sales performance; internal sales growth; and synergy savings. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the relevant measurement of performance as to each Performance Goal shall be computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, if applicable. The Administrator reserves the right to adjust Performance Goals, or modify the manner of measuring or evaluating a Performance Goal, for any reason the Administrator determines is appropriate, including but not limited to by excluding the effects of (i) charges for reorganizing and restructuring, (ii) discontinued operations, (iii) asset write-downs, (iv) gains or losses on the disposition of a business, (v) mergers, acquisitions or dispositions, and (vi) extraordinary, unusual and/or non-recurring items of gain or loss. The inclusion in an Award agreement of specific adjustments or modifications shall not be deemed to preclude the Administrator from making other adjustments or modifications, in its discretion, as described herein, unless the Award agreement provides that the adjustments or modifications described in such agreement shall be the sole adjustments or modifications. The Administrator may establish other Performance Goals not listed in this Plan. Where applicable, the Performance Goals may be expressed, without limitation, in terms of attaining a specified level of the particular criterion or the attainment of an increase or decrease (expressed as absolute numbers or a percentage) in the particular criterion or achievement in relation to a peer group or other index. The Performance Goals may include a threshold level of performance below which no payment will be made (or no vesting will occur), levels of performance at which specified payments will be paid (or specified vesting will occur), and a maximum level of performance above which no additional payment will be made (or at which full vesting will occur).
(q)“Performance Shares” means the right to receive Shares to the extent Performance Goals are achieved.
(r)“Performance Units” means the right to receive cash and/or Shares valued in relation to a unit that has a designated dollar value or the value of which is equal to the Fair Market Value of one or more Shares, to the extent Performance Goals are achieved.
(s)“Person” has the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof.
(t)“Plan” means this Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time.
(u)“Restricted Stock” means Shares that are subject to a risk of forfeiture and/or restrictions on transfer, which may lapse upon the achievement or partial achievement of Performance Goals and/or upon the completion of a period of service.
(v)“Restricted Stock Unit” means the right to receive cash and/or Shares the value of which is equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share.
(w)“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 as promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act.
(x)“Stock Appreciation Right” means the right to receive a payment based on the amount by which the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise exceeds the grant price, all as determined pursuant to Section 8.
(y)“Section 16 Participants” means Participants who are subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(z)“Share” means a share of Stock.
(aa)“Stock” means the Class A Common Stock of the Company, $.025 par value per share.
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(bb) “Subsidiary” means any corporation, limited liability company or other limited liability entity in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities (other than the last entities in the chain) owns the stock or equity interest possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or other equity interests in one of the other entities in the chain.
3.Administration.
(a)Administration. In addition to the authority specifically granted to the Administrator in this Plan, the Administrator has full discretionary authority to administer this Plan, including but not limited to the authority to (i) construe and interpret the provisions of this Plan and any agreement covering an Award, (ii) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan, (iii) correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in any Award or agreement covering an Award in the manner and to the extent it deems desirable to carry this Plan into effect and (iv) make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. All Administrator determinations shall be made in the sole discretion of the Administrator and are final and binding on all interested parties.
(b)Delegation to Committees or Officers. To the extent applicable law permits, the Board may delegate to the Committee or another committee of the Board, or the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company, any or all of the authority and responsibility of the Administrator; provided, however, that no such delegation is permitted with respect to Awards made to Section 16 Participants unless the delegation is to another committee or subcommittee of the Board consisting entirely of Directors who are non-employee directors within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. If the Board has made such a delegation, then all references to the Administrator in this Plan include such other committee, subcommittee or one or more officers to the extent of such delegation.
(c)Indemnification. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Board and the Committee, and each officer or member of any other committee or subcommittee to whom a delegation under Section 3(b) has been made, as to any acts or omissions, or determination made, with respect to this Plan or any Award to the maximum extent that the law and the Company’s by-laws permit.
4.Eligibility.
The Administrator may designate any of the following as a Participant from time to time: any officer or other employee of the Company or its Affiliates, an individual that the Company or an Affiliate has engaged to become an officer or employee, a consultant who provides services to the Company or its Affiliates, or a Director, including a Non-Employee Director. The Administrator’s designation of a Participant in any year will not require the Administrator to designate such person to receive an Award in any other year. The Administrator’s granting of a particular type of Award to a Participant will not require the Administrator to grant any other type of Award to such individual.
5.Types of Awards.
Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Administrator may grant any type of Award to any Participant it selects, but only employees of the Company or a Subsidiary may receive grants of incentive stock options within the meaning of Code Section 422. Awards may be granted alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other Award (or any other award granted under another plan of the Company or any Affiliate).
6.Shares Reserved under this Plan; Award Limits.
(a)Plan Reserve. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 17, an aggregate of 9,000,000 Shares, plus the number of Shares available for issuance under the Prior Plan that had not been made subject to outstanding awards as of the Effective Date, plus the number of Shares described in Section 6(c) (collectively, the “Reserve”), are reserved for issuance under this Plan, all of which may be issued
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pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options. The Shares reserved for issuance may be either authorized and unissued Shares or Shares reacquired at any time and now or hereafter held as treasury stock.
(b)Depletion and Replenishment of Shares Under this Plan.
i.The Reserve shall be depleted on the date of grant of an Award by the maximum number of Shares, if any, with respect to which such Award is granted. For clarity, an Award that provides for settlement solely in cash shall not cause any depletion of the Reserve at the time such Award is granted. If such Award is later amended, however, to permit or require settlement in Shares, then the Reserve shall be depleted, at the time of such amendment, by the maximum number of Shares which may be issued in settlement of such Award.
ii.If (A) an Award lapses, expires, terminates or is cancelled without the issuance of Shares under, or the payment of other compensation with respect to Shares covered by, the Award (whether due currently or on a deferred basis), (B) it is determined during or at the conclusion of the term of an Award that all or some portion of the Shares with respect to which the Award was granted will not be issuable, or that other compensation with respect to Shares covered by the Award will not be payable, (C) Shares are forfeited under an Award, or (D) Shares are issued under any Award and the Company subsequently reacquires them pursuant to rights reserved upon the issuance of the Shares, then such Shares shall be recredited to the Reserve and may again be used for new Awards under this Plan (provided that Shares recredited to the Reserve pursuant to clause (D) may not be issued pursuant to incentive stock options). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the following Shares be recredited to the Reserve: (1) Shares purchased by the Company using proceeds from Option exercises; (2) Shares tendered or withheld in payment of the exercise price of an Option; or (3) Shares tendered or withheld to satisfy federal, state or local tax withholding obligations.
(c)Addition of Shares from Prior Plan. After the Effective Date, if any Shares subject to awards granted under the Prior Plan would become available to be re-credited to the Prior Plan’s reserve if such plan were still in effect (but applying the provisions of subsection (b) above and the Prior Plan’s limits on re-crediting), then those Shares will be available for the purpose of granting Awards under this Plan, thereby increasing the Reserve.
(d)Award Limits. The maximum number of Shares subject to Awards granted during a single fiscal year to any Non-Employee Director, taken together with any cash fees paid during the fiscal year to the Non-Employee Director in respect of the Non-Employee Director’s service as a member of the Board during such fiscal year (including service as chair or a member or chair of any committees of the Board), shall not exceed such number of Shares as has a total value of $675,000 (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes). The Board may make exceptions to this limit for a non-executive chair of the Board or, in extraordinary circumstances, for other individual Non-Employee Directors, as the Board may determine in its discretion, provided that the Non-Employee Director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation.
7.Options.
Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Administrator will determine all terms and conditions of each Option, including but not limited to: (a) whether the Option is an “incentive stock option” which meets the requirements of Code Section 422, or a “nonqualified stock option” which does not meet the requirements of Code Section 422; (b) the grant date, which may not be any day prior to the date that the Administrator approves the grant; (c) the number of Shares subject to the Option; (d) the exercise price, which may never be less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Option as determined on the date of grant (or, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a Participant who owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock then issued by the Company or a subsidiary corporation (a
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“10% Shareholder”), not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Option as determined on the date of grant); (e) the terms and conditions of exercise, including vesting; and (f) the term, except that an Option must terminate no later than 10 years after the date of grant (or, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% Shareholder, no later than 5 years after the date of grant). In all other respects, the terms of any incentive stock option should comply with the provisions of Code Section 422 except to the extent the Administrator determines otherwise. Except to the extent the Administrator determines otherwise, a Participant may exercise an Option in whole or part after the right to exercise the Option has accrued, provided that any partial exercise must be for one hundred (100) Shares or multiples thereof. If an Option that is intended to be an incentive stock option fails to meet the requirements thereof, the Option shall automatically be treated as a nonqualified stock option to the extent of such failure.
8.Stock Appreciation Rights.
Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Administrator may grant to Participants Stock Appreciation Rights, either alone or in addition to or in conjunction with other Awards. Subject to the terms of this Plan and any applicable Award agreement, a Stock Appreciation Right shall confer on the holder thereof a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over (b) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right as specified by the Administrator, which shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. Subject to the foregoing and other terms of this Plan, the Administrator will determine all terms and conditions of each Stock Appreciation Right, including but not limited to, the grant price, term (except no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable for more than 10 years from the date of grant unless granted to a Participant outside of the United States), methods of exercise, methods of settlement (including whether the Participant will be paid in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, or other property, or any combination thereof), and any conditions or restrictions on the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right as it may deem appropriate.
9.Performance and Stock Awards.
Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Administrator will determine all terms and conditions of each award of Shares, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units, including but not limited to: (a) the number of Shares and/or units to which such Award relates; (b) whether, as a condition for the Participant to realize all or a portion of the benefit provided under the Award, one or more Performance Goals must be achieved during such period as the Administrator specifies; (c) the length of the vesting, performance and/or deferral period, if any, and, if different, the date on which payment of the benefit provided under the Award will be made; (d) with respect to Performance Units, whether to measure the value of each unit in relation to a designated dollar value or the Fair Market Value of one or more Shares; and (e) with respect to Performance Shares, Performance Units, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units, whether to settle such Awards in cash, in Shares (including Restricted Stock), or in a combination of cash and Shares.
10.Annual Incentive Awards.
Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Administrator will determine all terms and conditions of an Annual Incentive Award, including but not limited to the Performance Goals, performance period, the potential amount payable, the type of payment, and the timing of payment, subject to the following: (a) the Administrator must require that payment of all or any portion of the amount subject to the Annual Incentive Award is contingent on the achievement or partial achievement of one or more Performance Goals during the period the Administrator specifies, although the Administrator may specify that all or a portion of the Performance Goals subject to an Award are deemed achieved upon a Participant’s death, disability (as defined by the Administrator) or retirement (as defined by the Administrator), or a change in control of the Company (as defined by the Administrator), or such other circumstances as the Administrator may specify; and (b) payment will be in cash except to the extent that the Administrator determines that payment will be in Shares or Restricted Stock, either on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant, having a Fair
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Market Value at the time of the payment equal to the amount payable with respect to the Annual Incentive Award; provided, that any such determination by the Administrator or election by the Participant under this clause (b) must be made prior to the calendar year in which the period for achievement of the Performance Goals begins.
11.Long-Term Incentive Awards.
Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Administrator will determine all terms and conditions of a Long-Term Incentive Award, including but not limited to the Performance Goals, performance period, the potential amount payable, the type of payment, and the timing of payment, subject to the following: (a) the Administrator must require that payment of all or any portion of the amount subject to the Long-Term Incentive Award is contingent on the achievement or partial achievement of one or more Performance Goals during the period the Administrator specifies, although the Administrator may specify that all or a portion of the Performance Goals subject to an Award are deemed achieved upon a Participant’s death, disability (as defined by the Administrator), retirement (as defined by the Administrator) or a change in control of the Company (as defined by the Administrator), or such other circumstances as the Administrator may specify; (b) the performance period must relate to a period of more than one fiscal year of the Company except that, if the Award is made at the time of commencement of employment with the Company or on the occasion of a promotion, then the Award may relate to a shorter period; and (c) payment will be in cash except to the extent that the Administrator determines that payment will be in Shares or Restricted Stock, either on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant, having a Fair Market Value at the time of the payment equal to the amount payable with respect to the Long-Term Incentive Award; provided, that any such determination by the Administrator or election by the Participant under this clause (c) must be made prior to the calendar year in which the period for achievement of the Performance Goals begins.
12.Other Stock-Based Awards.
Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Administrator may grant to Participants other types of Awards, which may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Shares, either alone or in addition to or in conjunction with other Awards, and payable in Stock or cash. Without limitation, such Award may include the issuance of shares of unrestricted Stock, which may be awarded in payment of director fees, in lieu of cash compensation, in exchange for cancellation of a compensation right, as a bonus, or upon the attainment of Performance Goals or otherwise, or rights to acquire Stock from the Company. The Administrator shall determine all terms and conditions of the Award, including but not limited to, the time or times at which such Awards shall be made, and the number of Shares to be granted pursuant to such Awards or to which such Award shall relate; provided that any Award that provides for purchase rights shall be priced at no less than 100% of Fair Market Value on the grant date of the Award.
13.Amendment of Minimum Vesting and Performance Periods.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan that requires a minimum vesting and/or performance period for an Award, the Administrator, at the time an Award is granted or any later date, may subject an Award to a shorter vesting and/or performance period to take into account a Participant’s hire or promotion, or may accelerate the vesting or deem an Award to be earned, in whole or in part, in the event of a Participant’s death, disability (as defined by the Administrator), retirement (as defined by the Administrator) or a change in control of the Company (as defined by the Administrator).
14.Transferability.
Awards are not transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, unless and to the extent the Administrator allows a Participant to: (a) designate in writing a beneficiary to exercise the Award or receive payment under the Award after the Participant’s death; (b) transfer an Award to the former spouse of the Participant as required by a domestic relations order incident to a divorce; or (c) transfer an Award;
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provided, however, that with respect to clause (c) above, the Participant may not receive consideration for such a transfer of an Award.
15.Termination and Amendment of Plan; Amendment, Modification, Cancellation or Recoupment of Awards.
(a)Term of Plan. Unless the Board or the Committee earlier terminates this Plan pursuant to Section 15(b), this Plan will terminate on the date all Shares reserved for issuance have been issued. If the term of this Plan extends beyond ten (10) years from the date of its latest approval by the shareholders of the Company, then no incentive stock options may be granted after such time unless the shareholders of the Company have approved an extension of this Plan for such purpose.
(b)Termination and Amendment. The Board or the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate this Plan at any time, subject to the following limitations:
(i)the Board must approve any amendment of this Plan to the extent the Company determines such approval is required by: (A) prior action of the Board, (B) applicable corporate law or (C) any other applicable law;
(ii)shareholders must approve any amendment of this Plan to the extent the Company determines such approval is required by: (A) Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (B) the Code, (C) the listing requirements of any principal securities exchange or market on which the Shares are then traded or (D) any other applicable law; and
(iii)shareholders must approve any of the following Plan amendments: (A) an amendment to materially increase any number of Shares specified in Section 6(a) or 6(c) (except as permitted by Section 17); or (B) an amendment to the provisions of Section 15(e).
(c)Amendment, Modification or Cancellation of Awards. Except as provided in Section 15(e) and subject to the requirements of this Plan, the Administrator may modify or amend any Award, or waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Award or the exercise of the Award, or amend, modify or cancel any terms and conditions applicable to any Award, in each case by mutual agreement between the Administrator and the Participant or any other person(s) as may then have an interest in the Award, so long as any such action does not increase the number of Shares issuable under this Plan (except as permitted by Section 17), but the Administrator need not obtain Participant (or other interested party) consent for any such action that is permitted by the provisions of Section 17(a) or for any such action: (i) to the extent the action is deemed necessary by the Administrator to comply with any applicable law or the listing requirements of any principal securities exchange or market on which the Shares are then traded; (ii) to the extent the action is deemed necessary by the Administrator to preserve favorable accounting or tax treatment of any Award for the Company; or (iii) to the extent the Administrator determines that such action does not materially and adversely affect the value of an Award or that such action is in the best interest of the affected Participant or any other person(s) as may then have an interest in the Award.
(d)Survival of Authority and Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the authority of the Board and the Committee under this Section 15 will extend beyond the date of this Plan’s termination. In addition, termination of this Plan will not affect the rights of Participants with respect to Awards previously granted to them, and all unexpired Awards will continue in force and effect after termination of this Plan except as they may lapse or be terminated by their own terms and conditions.
(e)Repricing Prohibited. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, and except for the adjustments provided in Section 17, neither the Administrator nor any other person may decrease the exercise price for any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right after the date of grant, cancel an outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash (other than cash equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right at the time of
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cancellation over the exercise or grant price for such Shares), or allow a Participant to surrender an outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right to the Company as consideration for the grant of a new Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a lower exercise price.
(f)Awards Subject to Recoupment and Other Policies. All Awards granted pursuant to this Plan, and any Stock issued or cash paid pursuant to an Award, shall be subject to (i) any recoupment, clawback, equity holding, Stock ownership or similar policies adopted by the Company from time to time and (ii) any recoupment, clawback, equity holding, Stock ownership or similar requirements made applicable to the Company from time to time by law, regulation or listing standards.
16.Taxes.
(a)Withholding. In the event the Company or an Affiliate of the Company is required to withhold any federal, state or local taxes or other amounts in respect of any income recognized by a Participant as a result of the grant, vesting, payment or settlement of an Award or disposition of any Shares acquired under an Award, the Company may deduct (or require an Affiliate to deduct) from any payments of any kind otherwise due the Participant cash, or with the consent of the Administrator, Shares otherwise deliverable or vesting under an Award, to satisfy such tax obligations. Alternatively, the Company may require such Participant to pay to the Company, in cash, promptly on demand, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment to the Company of the aggregate amount of any such taxes and other amounts. If Shares are deliverable upon exercise or payment of an Award, the Administrator may permit a Participant to satisfy all or a portion of the federal, state and local withholding tax obligations arising in connection with such Award by electing to (a) have the Company withhold Shares otherwise issuable under the Award, (b) tender back Shares received in connection with such Award or (c) deliver other previously owned Shares, in each case having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount to be withheld; provided that the amount to be withheld may not exceed the total maximum statutory tax withholding obligations associated with the transaction to the extent needed for the Company to avoid an accounting charge. If an election is provided, the election must be made on or before the date as of which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined and otherwise as the Administrator requires. In any case, the Company may defer making payment or delivery under any Award if any such tax may be pending unless and until indemnified to its satisfaction.
(b)No Guarantee of Tax Treatment. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Company does not guarantee to any Participant or any other person(s) with an interest in an Award that (i) any Award intended to be exempt from Code Section 409A shall be so exempt, (ii) any Award intended to comply with Code Section 409A or Code Section 422 shall so comply, or (iii) any Award shall otherwise receive a specific tax treatment under any other applicable tax law, nor in any such case will the Company or any Affiliate be required to indemnify, defend or hold harmless any individual with respect to the tax consequences of any Award.
(c)Parachute Payments. Except as may be set forth in a written agreement by and between the Company and a Participant, in the event that the Company’s auditors determine that any payment or transfer by the Company under this Plan to or for the benefit of a Participant (a “Payment”) would be nondeductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes because of the provisions concerning “excess parachute payments” in Code Section 280G, then, except to the extent otherwise determined by the Administrator, the aggregate present value of all Payments to such Participant shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the amount, expressed as a present value, that maximizes the aggregate present value of the Payments without causing any Payment to be nondeductible by the Company because of Code Section 280G (the “Reduced Amount”); provided that the foregoing reduction in the Payments shall not apply if the after-tax value to the Participant of the Payments prior to reduction in accordance herewith is greater than the after-tax value to the Participant if the Payments are reduced in accordance herewith. All determinations under and relating to this Section 16(c) shall be made by the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion.
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17.Adjustment Provisions.
(a)Adjustment of Shares. If (i) the Company shall at any time be involved in a merger or other transaction in which the Shares are changed or exchanged; or (ii) the Company shall subdivide or combine the Shares or the Company shall declare a dividend payable in Shares, other securities (other than any stock purchase rights that the Company might authorize and issue in the future) or other property; or (iii) the Company shall effect a cash dividend the amount of which exceeds 10% of the trading price of the Shares at the time the dividend is declared, or the Company shall effect any other dividend or other distribution on the Shares in the form of cash, or a repurchase of Shares, that the Board determines by resolution is special or extraordinary in nature or that is in connection with a transaction that the Company characterizes publicly as a recapitalization or reorganization involving the Shares; or (iv) any other event shall occur which, in the case of this clause (iv), in the judgment of the Administrator necessitates an adjustment to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under this Plan, then the Administrator shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (A) the number and type of Shares subject to this Plan (including the number and type of Shares described in Sections 6(a) and 6(c)) and which may after the event be made the subject of Awards under this Plan, including incentive stock options, (B) the number and type of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, (C) the grant, purchase, or exercise price with respect to any Award, and (D) the Performance Goals of an Award. In any such case, the Administrator may also (or in lieu of the foregoing) make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award in exchange for the cancellation of all or a portion of the Award (without the consent of the holder of an Award) in an amount determined by the Administrator effective at such time as the Administrator specifies (which may be the time such transaction or event is effective). However, in each case, with respect to Awards of incentive stock options, no such adjustment may be authorized to the extent that such authority would cause this Plan to violate Code Section 422(b). Further, the number of Shares subject to any Award payable or denominated in Shares must always be a whole number. In any event, previously granted Options or Stock Appreciation Rights are subject to only such adjustments as are necessary to maintain the relative proportionate interest the Options or Stock Appreciation Rights represented immediately prior to any such event and to preserve, without exceeding, the value of such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights. Without limitation, in the event of any such merger or similar transaction, subdivision or combination of Shares, dividend or other event described above (other than any such transaction in which the Company is the continuing corporation and in which the outstanding Stock is not being converted into or exchanged for different securities, cash or other property, or any combination thereof), the Administrator shall substitute, on an equitable basis as the Administrator determines, for each Share then subject to an Award, the number and kind of shares of stock, other securities, cash or other property to which holders of Stock are or will be entitled in respect of each Share pursuant to the transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company shall subdivide the Shares or the Company shall declare a dividend payable in Shares, and if no action is taken by the Administrator, then the adjustments contemplated by this Section 17(a) that are proportionate shall nevertheless automatically be made as of the date of such subdivision of the Shares or dividend in Shares.
(b)Issuance or Assumption. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, and without affecting the number of Shares otherwise reserved or available under this Plan, in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization, the Administrator may authorize the issuance in exchange for cancellation or assumption of awards under this Plan upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate.
18.Miscellaneous.
(a)Other Terms and Conditions. The grant of any Award may also be subject to other provisions (whether or not applicable to the Award granted to any other Participant) as the Administrator determines appropriate, including, without limitation, provisions for:
(i)one or more means to enable Participants to defer the delivery of Shares or recognition of taxable income relating to Awards or cash payments derived from the Awards on such terms and conditions as the Administrator determines, including, by way of example, the form and
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manner of the deferral election, the treatment of dividends paid on the Shares during the deferral period or a means for providing a return to a Participant on amounts deferred, and the permitted distribution dates or events (provided that no such deferral means may result in an increase in the number of Shares issuable under this Plan);
(ii)the payment of the purchase price of Options (A) by delivery of cash or other Shares or other securities of the Company (including by attestation) having a then Fair Market Value equal to the purchase price of such Shares, (B) by delivery (including by fax) to the Company or its designated agent of an executed irrevocable option exercise form together with irrevocable instructions to a broker-dealer to sell or margin a sufficient portion of the Shares and deliver the sale or margin loan proceeds directly to the Company to pay for the exercise price, (C) by surrendering the right to receive Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant upon exercise of the Award having a Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total exercise price, or (D) by any combination of (A), (B) and/or (C);
(iii)giving the Participant the right to receive any cash dividends (whether regular or otherwise), stock dividends and other distributions (whether paid in cash or securities), or their equivalents, paid or made with respect to Restricted Stock, Performance Units (valued in relation to a Share), Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units or other Stock-based Awards, provided, however, that any such dividends or distributions shall either be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability and/or the same deferral period that apply to the corresponding Awards or be paid within forty-five (45) days. All dividends or distributions credited to the Participant and made subject to such restrictions, forfeitability and/or deferral period shall be paid to the Participant within forty-five (45) days following the full vesting or settlement, if later, of the Award with respect to which such dividends or distributions were made;
(iv)restrictions on resale or other disposition of Shares; and
(v)compliance with federal or state securities laws and stock exchange requirements.
(b)Employment and Service. The issuance of an Award shall not confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continued employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate, or the right to continue as a Director. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, for purposes of the Plan and all Awards, the following rules shall apply:
(i)a Participant who transfers employment between the Company and its Affiliates, or between Affiliates, will not be considered to have terminated employment;
(ii)a Participant who ceases to be a Non-Employee Director because he or she becomes an employee of the Company or an Affiliate shall not be considered to have ceased service as a Director with respect to any Award until such Participant’s termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates;
(iii)a Participant who ceases to be employed by the Company or an Affiliate and immediately thereafter becomes a Non-Employee Director, a non-employee director of an Affiliate, or a consultant to the Company or any Affiliate shall not be considered to have terminated employment until such Participant’s service as a director of, or consultant to, the Company and its Affiliates has ceased; and
(iv)a Participant employed by an Affiliate will be considered to have terminated employment when such entity ceases to be an Affiliate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to an Award that is considered deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A, if a Participant’s termination of employment or service triggers the payment of
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compensation under such Award, then the Participant will be deemed to have terminated employment or service upon the Participant’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A.
Unless prohibited by law, the Administrator may treat as an individual who is placed on a leave of absence pending termination as having incurred a termination at the beginning of such leave. In addition, the Administrator may suspend vesting under an Award held by a Participant during the Participant’s leave of absence.
(c)No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares or other securities may be issued or delivered pursuant to this Plan, and the Administrator may determine whether cash, other securities or other property will be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares or other securities, or whether such fractional Shares or other securities or any rights to fractional Shares or other securities will be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.
(d)Unfunded Plan. This Plan is unfunded and does not create, and should not be construed to create, a trust or separate fund with respect to this Plan’s benefits. This Plan does not establish any fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant or other person. To the extent any person holds any rights by virtue of an Award granted under this Plan, such rights are no greater than the rights of the Company’s general unsecured creditors.
(e)Requirements of Law and Securities Exchange. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares in connection with an Award are subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any award agreement, the Company has no liability to deliver any Shares under this Plan or make any payment unless such delivery or payment would comply with all applicable laws and the applicable requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity, and unless and until the Participant has taken all actions required by the Company in connection therewith. The Company may impose such restrictions on any Shares issued under the Plan as the Company determines necessary or desirable to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations or the requirements of any national securities exchanges. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan or any document pertaining to Awards granted hereunder to the contrary, this Plan shall be so construed, interpreted and administered to meet the applicable requirements of Code Section 409A to avoid a plan failure described in Code Section 409A(a)(1).
(f)Nature of Payments. Any gain realized or income recognized pursuant to Awards under the Plan constitutes a special incentive payment to the Participant and will not be taken into account as compensation or otherwise included in the determination of benefits for purposes of any other employee benefit plan of the Company or an Affiliate, except as the Administrator otherwise provides. The adoption of the Plan will have no effect on Awards made or to be made under any other benefit plan covering an employee of the Company or an Affiliate or any predecessor or successor of the Company or an Affiliate.
(g)Governing Law. This Plan, and all agreements under this Plan, will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin, without reference to any conflict of law principles.
(h)Limitations on Actions. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Plan, any Award or any award agreement must be brought within one year (365 days) after the day the complaining party first knew or should have known of the events giving rise to the complaint.
(i)Construction. Whenever any words are used herein in the masculine, they shall be construed as though they were used in the feminine in all cases where they would so apply; and wherever any words are used in the singular or plural, they shall be construed as though they were used in the plural or singular, as the case may be, in all cases where they would so apply. Title of sections are for general information only, and this Plan is not to be construed with reference to such titles.
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(j)Severability. If any provision of this Plan or any award agreement or any Award (i) is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any person or Award, or (ii) would cause this Plan, any award agreement or any Award to violate any law the Administrator deems applicable, then such provision should be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Administrator, materially altering the intent of this Plan, award agreement or Award, then such provision should be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award, and the remainder of this Plan, such award agreement and such Award will remain in full force and effect.
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