UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant T
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
Check the appropriate box:
| Preliminary Proxy Statement |
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
T | Definitive Proxy Statement | |
| Definitive Additional Materials | |
| Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Sohu.com Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other than Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
T | No fee required |
| Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: | |
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |
(3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | |
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
(5) | Total fee paid: |
| Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
| Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form of Schedule and the date of its filing. |
(1) | Amount Previously Paid: | |
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |
(3) | Filing Party: | |
(4) | Date Filed: |
May 9, 2014 |
Sincerely, |
||||||
Charles Zhang Chief Executive Officer |
1) |
To elect two directors, who shall serve for a two-year term or until their earlier death, resignation or removal; |
2) |
To vote on an advisory resolution approving our executive compensation; |
3) |
To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014; |
4) |
To vote upon a stockholder proposal regarding the position of Chairman of the Board, if the stockholder proposal is properly presented at the Annual Meeting; and |
5) |
To consider and act upon all other matters which may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
By order of the Board of Directors, |
||||||
Timothy B. Bancroft Secretary |
PROXY STATEMENT |
||||||
PROPOSAL I. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
2 | |||||
GENERAL INFORMATION RELATING TO OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
6 | |||||
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK |
9 | |||||
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE |
10 | |||||
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS |
10 | |||||
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT |
11 | |||||
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
12 | |||||
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
12 | |||||
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
12 | |||||
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT |
22 | |||||
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE |
23 | |||||
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS |
24 | |||||
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END |
27 | |||||
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED |
29 | |||||
PENSION BENEFITS |
29 | |||||
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROL |
29 | |||||
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION |
33 | |||||
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION |
33 | |||||
PROPOSAL II. ADVISORY VOTE APPROVING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
34 | |||||
PROPOSAL III. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS |
34 | |||||
PROPOSAL IV. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING POSITION OF CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD |
35 | |||||
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES, SERVICES AND PRE-APPROVAL PROCESS |
35 | |||||
MISCELLANEOUS |
37 |
Name, Age, Positions and Offices with Sohu.com Inc. |
|
Principal Occupation, Business Experience
and Directorships held with Other Public Corporations during the past Five Years |
|
Term of Office as Director |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dr. Edward B. Roberts Professor of Management of Technology at Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Alfred P. Sloan School of Management. 78 years old. Director since 1996. (2)(3) |
Dr. Edward B. Roberts is the David Sarnoff Professor of Management of Technology at
MITs Alfred P. Sloan School of Management. Dr. Edward B. Roberts chaired MITs research and educational programs in the management of
technological innovation from 1967 to 1993 and also founded and chairs the MIT Entrepreneurship Center. Dr. Edward B. Roberts is currently a director
of Medical Information Technology, Inc. Dr. Edward B. Roberts has authored over 160 articles and eleven books, one of which is Entrepreneurs in High
Technology (Oxford University Press, 1991). Dr. Edward B. Roberts received four degrees from MIT, including a Ph.D. in 1962. We believe Dr. Edward B. Roberts qualifications to serve on our Board include his (i) decades of experience teaching at the Alfred P. Sloan School of Management, (ii) related supervisory, board and committee positions, many of which have had a particular emphasis on technological innovation and entrepreneurship, and (iii) extensive experience investing in and serving on the boards of directors of, growing companies. |
Dr. Edward B. Roberts term expires at the 2014 Annual Meeting. |
||||||||
Dr. Zhonghan Deng Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vimicro International Corporation. 46 years old. Director since 2007. (1)(3) |
Dr. Zhonghan Deng is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Vimicro International Corporation (Vimicro), which he co-founded in 1999. Dr. Zhonghan Deng received a Ph.D. in electrical engineering
and computer sciences, a Master of Science degree in economics and a Master of Science degree in physics from the University of California, Berkeley.
After graduating from Berkeley, Dr. Zhonghan Deng worked as a research scientist for International Business Machines Corporation at the T.J. Watson
Research Center in Yorktown Heights, New York. We believe Dr. Zhonghan Dengs qualifications to serve on our Board include (i) academic credentials and experience in the computer industry, (ii) history as the founder of Vimicro, a NASDAQ listed company (iii) status and track record as a successful entrepreneur in China, and (iv) extensive experience managing a NASDAQ listed company. |
Dr. Zhonghan Dengs term expires at the 2014 Annual Meeting. |
Name, Age, Positions and Offices with Sohu.com Inc. |
|
Principal Occupation, Business Experience
and Directorships held with Other Public Corporations during the past Five Years |
|
Term of Office as Director | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dr. Charles Zhang Chairman of our Board and Chief Executive Officer. 49 years old. Director since 1996. |
Dr. Charles Zhang is our founder and has been Chairman of our Board and Chief Executive
Officer since August 1996. Dr. Charles Zhang also served as our President from August 1996 to July 2004. Prior to founding Sohu.com Inc., Dr. Charles
Zhang worked for Internet Securities Inc. and helped to establish its China operations. Prior to that, Dr. Charles Zhang worked as Massachusetts
Institute of Technologys liaison officer with China. Dr. Charles Zhang has a Ph.D. in experimental physics from Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) and a Bachelor of Science degree from Tsinghua University in Beijing. Dr. Charles Zhang is a native of the Peoples
Republic of China. Dr. Charles Zhang is also the Chairman of the Board of Changyou.com Limited, our independently-listed majority-owned subsidiary. We believe Dr. Charles Zhangs qualifications to serve on our Board include his (i) position as our Chief Executive Officer, (ii) history as the founder of our company and status as one of the best-known and most successful entrepreneurs in China, (iii) general reputation and track record as an innovator, visionary and early mover in the Internet industry in China and (iv) deep understanding of the Chinese Internet industry. |
Dr. Charles Zhangs term expires at the 2015 Annual Meeting. |
||||||||
Mr. Charles Huang Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Netbig Education Holdings Ltd. 44 years old. Director since 2001. (1)(3) |
Mr. Charles Huang is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Netbig
Education Holdings Ltd. (Netbig), a leading education enterprise in China. Prior to founding Netbig in 1999, Mr. Charles Huang served as
Executive Director and Head of Asia Securitization Group of Deutsche Bank, New York and Hong Kong, as well as Senior Vice President of Prudential
Securities Inc., New York. He holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from MIT and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of
Science and Technology of China. Mr. Charles Huang is also a Chartered Financial Analyst. We believe Mr. Charles Huangs qualifications to serve on our Board include his (i) qualification as a Chartered Financial Analyst and related experience in senior positions in the corporate finance industry in the U.S. and Asia, (ii) academic credentials and experience in the computer industry, (iii) status and track record as a successful entrepreneur and (iv) extensive experience managing an Internet company. |
Mr. Charles Huangs term expires at the 2015 Annual Meeting. |
Name, Age, Positions and Offices with Sohu.com Inc. |
|
Principal Occupation, Business Experience
and Directorships held with Other Public Corporations during the past Five Years |
|
Term of Office as Director | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dr. Dave Qi Professor of Accounting and former Associate Dean, the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business. 50 years old. Director since 2005. (1)(2)(3) |
Dr. Dave Qi is a Professor of Accounting and the former Associate Dean of the Cheung
Kong Graduate School of Business. He began teaching at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in 2002 and was the founding Director of the
Executive MBA program. Before joining the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, Dr. Dave Qi was an Associate Professor at the School of Accounting
of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Dr. Dave Qi has published many articles and research essays on accounting, financial reporting, capital market
and other related topics. He has a Ph.D. in accounting from the Eli Broad Graduate School of management of Michigan State University, a Master of
Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fudan University. Dr. Dave
Qi is currently a member of the American Accounting Association. Dr. Dave Qi also serves as director of the following public companies: AutoNavi
Holdings Limited. (NASDAQ), BONA Film Group Limited (NASDAQ), Honghua Group Limited (Hong Kong Stock Exchange), CTV Golden Bridge International Media
Co., LTD. (Hong Kong Stock Exchange) and China Vanke Co., Ltd. (Vanke) (Shenzhen Stock Exchange). We believe Dr. Dave Qis qualifications to serve on our Board include his (i) strong academic credentials and working experience with accounting and finance in general, and with accounting and finance in China in particular, (ii) status as associate Dean of one of the best business schools in China, and (iii) extensive connections in the telecom and tech industries in China |
Dr. Dave Qis term expires at the 2015 Annual Meeting. |
||||||||
Mr. Shi Wang Chairman of China Vanke Co., Ltd. 63 years old. Director since 2005. (3) |
Mr. Shi Wang is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vanke, of which he also
served as General Manager from 1991 to 1999. Mr. Shi Wang founded the Shenzhen Exhibition Center of Modern Science and Education Equipment in 1984,
which is the predecessor of Vanke. Mr. Shi Wang is the Executive Manager of the China Real Estate Association and is Deputy Director of the City
Housing Development Council of the China Real Estate Association. We believe Mr. Shi Wangs qualifications to serve on our Board include (i) history as the founder of Vanke, a PRC listed company, (ii) status and track record as a successful entrepreneur in China, and (iii) extensive experience managing a listed company. |
Mr. Shi Wangs term expires at the 2015 Annual Meeting. |
(1) |
member of our Audit Committee |
(2) |
member of our Compensation Committee |
(3) |
member of our Nominating Committee |
|
The candidates name, age, business address, residence address, principal occupation or employment, the class and number of shares of our capital stock the candidate beneficially owns, a brief description of any direct or indirect relationships with us and other information that would be required in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of the candidate as a director; |
|
A signed consent of the nominee to being named as a nominee, to cooperate with reasonable background checks and personal interviews and to serve as a director, if elected; and |
|
As to the stockholder proposing such nominee, that stockholders name and address, the class and number of shares of our capital stock the stockholder beneficially owns, a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and the candidate and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made, a list of all other companies that the stockholder has recommended the candidate to for election as a director in that fiscal year, and a representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person named in its notice. |
|
Appropriate weighting of long-term incentive compensation; |
|
goals are appropriately set to avoid targets that, if not achieved, result in a large percentage loss of compensation; |
|
we do not rely on hard targets that can only be evaluated with reference to numerical results, so as to minimize the risk of our executives focusing excessively on short-term results; and |
|
we have a limit on the total amount of compensation that can be paid to each executive, which helps reduce the risk of our executives pursuing achievement of short term goals in order to increase compensation. |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership(1) |
Percent of Class(1) |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charles Zhang |
7,745,479 | (2) | 20.12 | % | ||||||
Edward Roberts |
300,920 | (3) | * | |||||||
Charles Huang |
70,387 | (4) | * | |||||||
Xiaochuan Wang |
38,858 | (5) | * | |||||||
Carol Yu |
35,000 | (6) | * | |||||||
Dave Qi |
22,261 | (7) | * | |||||||
Shi Wang |
31,387 | (8) | * | |||||||
Zhonghan Deng |
9,671 | (9) | * | |||||||
All directors, nominees and executive officers as a group (8 persons) |
8,248,963 | (10) | 21.40 | % | ||||||
Photon Group Limited |
7,028,254 | (11) | 18.27 | % | ||||||
Orbis Investment Management Ltd. |
6,245,827 | (12) | 16.24 | % | ||||||
Delaware Management Business Trust |
2,776,876 | (13) | 7.22 | % | ||||||
Platinum Asset Management Ltd. |
2,752,963 | (14) | 7.16 | % |
* |
Less than 1%. |
(1) |
Includes the number of shares and percentage ownership represented by such shares determined to be beneficially owned by a person in accordance with the rules of the SEC. The number of shares beneficially owned by a person includes shares of common stock subject to options or restricted stock units held by that person that are currently exercisable or convertible or that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of April 14, 2014. Such shares are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of outstanding shares owned by that person. Such shares are not deemed outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of each other person. |
(2) |
Includes (i) 30,000 shares of our common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2014 and (ii) 7,028,254 shares of our common stock beneficially owned by Photon Group Limited. Dr. Charles Zhang is a Director of Photon Group Limited, and may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of shares owned by it. Dr. Charles Zhang disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Dr. Charles Zhangs address is c/o Sohu.com Inc., Level 18, Sohu.com Media Plaza, Block 3, No. 2 Kexueyuan South Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, Peoples Republic of China. |
(3) |
Includes (i) 15,000 shares of our common stock subject to options held by Dr. Edward B. Roberts which are exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2014; (ii) 140,739 shares held by the Edward B. Roberts Trust 2003; and (iii) 125,420 shares held by the Nancy H. Roberts Trust; Edward Roberts and Nancy Roberts are the trustees. Dr. Robertss address is 300 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, U.S.A. |
(4) |
Includes 15,000 shares of our common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2014. Mr. Charles Huangs address is Suite 1804B, Tower 1, Admiralty Centre, 18 Harbour Road, Hong Kong. |
(5) |
Mr. Xiaochuan Wangs address is c/o Sohu.com Inc., Level 15, Sohu.com Internet Plaza, No. 1 Unit Zhongguancun East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100084, Peoples Republic of China. |
(6) |
Ms. Carol Yus address is c/o Sohu.com Inc., Level 18, Sohu.com Media Plaza, Block 3, No. 2 Kexueyuan South Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, Peoples Republic of China. |
(7) |
Dr. Dave Qis address is c/o Sohu.com Media Plaza, Block 3, No. 2 Kexueyuan South Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, Peoples Republic of China. |
(8) |
Includes 10,000 shares of our common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2014. Mr. Shi Wangs address is Vanke Architecture Research Center, No. 68 Meilin Road, Futian District, Shenzhen 518049, Peoples Republic of China. |
(9) |
Dr. Zhonghan Dengs address is c/o Sohu.com Media Plaza, Block 3, No. 2 Kexueyuan South Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, Peoples Republic of China. |
(10) |
Includes 70,000 shares of our common stock that such persons have the right to acquire pursuant to currently exercisable options or options that may be exercised within 60 days of April 14, 2014. |
(11) |
Photon Group Limiteds address is c/o Sohu.com Inc., Sohu.com Media Plaza, Block 3, No. 2 Kexueyuan South Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, Peoples Republic of China. |
(12) |
Orbis Investment Management Ltds address is Orbis House, 25 Front Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda. |
(13) |
Delaware Management Business Trusts address is 2005 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. |
(14) |
Platinum Asset Management Ltd.s address is Level 8, 7 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia. |
|
the nature of the related persons interest in the transaction; |
|
the material terms of the transaction, including, without limitation, the amount and type of transaction; |
|
the importance of the transaction to the related person and to us; |
|
whether the transaction would impair the judgment of any of our directors or executive officers to act in our best interest; |
|
whether the terms of the transaction are substantially equal to or more favorable to us and no more favorable to the related person than if we had negotiated similar arrangements with non-affiliated third parties; and |
|
any other matters our Audit Committee deems appropriate. |
|
received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence; |
|
discussed with the independent auditors the independent auditors independence; and |
|
discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 16 as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, pursuant to SEC Release No. 34-68453, File No. PCAOB 2012-01. |
Respectfully submitted, |
||||||
AUDIT COMMITTEE |
||||||
Dr. Dave Qi Mr. Charles Huang Dr. Zhonghan Deng |
|
Attract and retain executives who will significantly contribute to the creation of value for our stockholders; |
|
Pay compensation that is competitive in comparison to that paid by others in our industry; |
|
Effectively make use of our cash and available equity incentives by determining appropriate cash salary and bonus and equity award components in view of each executives position and responsibility level in our company, individual performance, skills, competency, experience, and contribution to our realization of our performance goals as a company; and |
|
Rationally and fairly pay performance-based compensation through a combination of financial performance reviews and non-quantitative evaluations, in order to help ensure transparency in our executive compensation decisions. |
|
Cash compensation, which includes an annual salary and the opportunity to earn an annual performance-based cash bonus; |
|
Equity incentive compensation, in the form of stock options and restricted stock units; |
|
Other benefits, in the form of housing allowances, tax equalization, tuition/training reimbursement and premiums paid for health, life, travel and disability insurance; and |
|
Severance benefits. |
|
the competitiveness of the total compensation packages for our named executive officers as compared to the total compensation packages for similarly situated named executive officers at peer companies in different markets, including the Chinese market and the U.S. market; |
|
the level of responsibility of our named executive officers; and |
|
the skills, competency, and past work experience of our named executive officers. |
|
Base salary. We aim to offer pay at a level that is sufficiently competitive to attract and retain experienced and successful executives. We make adjustments to base salaries with reference to individual performance, contributions to our business, competitive pay levels and comparisons to pay levels to our other executives. The base salary is set to reflect the named executive officers level of responsibility, expertise, skills, knowledge and experience. |
|
Annual cash incentive. We offer an annual cash bonus incentive to encourage and reward contributions to our annual financial performance objectives, strategic objectives and an executives leadership. The potential award amount varies with the degree to which we achieve our annual financial objectives, the extent to which the executive officer contributes to strategic and operational objectives and his or her individual leadership. The incentive payouts are linked to Sohus performance, with individual compensation differentiated based on individual performance. The actual total cash compensation (base salary and annual cash incentive) of one of our named executive officers may reach the market 75th percentile under circumstances where Sohus performance and the named executive officers performance are both determined to be excellent. For 2013, we set the annual cash bonuss variation range with a maximum ratio |
of 200%, to encourage our executives to achieve outstanding performance, and to allow their actual total cash compensation to be increasingly attractive in comparison to the market as performance levels increase. |
|
Long-term incentives. Long-term incentives are designed to encourage and reward building long-term stockholder value and to retain our executive officers. We provide a mix of stock options and RSUs, with the Compensation Committee determining the mix and the amounts awarded each year. |
|
consideration of pay-for-performance, in order to align compensation with our business objectives and performance; |
|
consideration of the state of the market for executive talent, in order to position Sohu competitively among the companies against which we recruit and compete for talent, in order to enable us to attract, retain, and reward executive officers; and |
|
the availability of relevant data from the companies selected. |
Activision Blizzard, Inc. |
Juniper Networks, Inc. |
|||||
Adobe Systems Inc. |
Linkedin Corporation |
|||||
Amazon.com, Inc. |
Microsoft Corp. |
|||||
AOL, Inc. |
NetApp, Inc. |
|||||
Apple Inc. |
Netflix, Inc. |
|||||
Blucora Inc. |
News Corp. |
|||||
Comcast Corp. |
Oracle Corp. |
|||||
Demand Media Inc. |
Qualcomm, Inc. |
|||||
eBay Inc. |
Symantec Corp. |
|||||
Electronic Arts Inc. |
The Walt Disney Co. |
|||||
EMC Corp. |
TheStreet.com, Inc. |
|||||
Expedia, Inc. |
Time Warner Inc. |
|||||
Facebook Inc. |
Viacom, Inc. |
|||||
Google Inc. |
Xo Group Inc. |
|||||
IAC/InterActive Corp. |
Yahoo! Inc. |
|||||
Intuit Inc. |
|
Coca Cola China Industries Limited |
|
Compass Group |
|
ABB (China) Ltd. |
|
Siemens Limited China |
|
Mars Foods (China) Co., Ltd |
|
Saint-Gobain Abrasives (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. |
|
Dell (China) Co., Ltd. |
|
Shell China Ltd. |
|
Volkswagen (China) Investment Co., Ltd. |
|
The World Bank Office, Beijing |
21Vianet Group Inc. |
NetQin Mobile Inc. |
|||||
51job, Inc. |
Ninetowns Internet Technology Group Company Limited |
|||||
AirMedia Group Inc. |
Noah Education Holdings Ltd. |
|||||
Baidu.com, Inc. |
Pacific Online Ltd. |
|||||
Bitauto Holdings Ltd. |
Perfect World Co., Ltd. |
|||||
Charm Communications Inc. |
Phoenix New Media Ltd |
|||||
China Finance Online Co. |
Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd |
|||||
Chinanet Online Holdings Inc. |
Renren Inc |
|||||
Ctrip.com International, Ltd. |
Shanda Games Ltd. |
|||||
E Commerce China Dangdang Inc. |
SINA Corp. |
|||||
eLong, Inc. |
Sky mobi Ltd. |
|||||
Focus Media Holding Ltd. |
Taomee Holdings Ltd. |
Giant Interactive Group Inc. |
Tencent Holdings Ltd. |
|||||
Jiayuan.com International Ltd. |
The9 Ltd. |
|||||
Kingsoft Corp. Ltd. |
V Media Corp. |
|||||
KongZhong Corp. |
Vipshop Holdings Ltd. |
|||||
Ku6 Media Co., Ltd. |
VisionChina Media Inc. |
|||||
Linktone Ltd. |
Youku Tudou Inc |
|||||
Net Dragon Websoft Inc. |
YY Inc |
|||||
NetEase.com, Inc. |
SouFun Holdings Ltd. |
|
Key financial measurements such as revenue, operating profit, earnings per share and operating margins; |
|
Revenue growth percentage compared with selected competitors to indicate our growth or loss in market share; |
|
Promoting commercial excellence by launching new or continuously improving products or services; |
|
Becoming or remaining as a leading market player and attracting and retaining customers and users; |
|
Achieving excellence in the named executive officers business area of responsibility; and |
|
Supporting our values by promoting a culture of integrity and adherence to our code of conduct. |
2013 Increase |
||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name |
2012 Base Salary |
Increase Amount |
Increase Percentage |
2013 Base Salary Effective 1-Jan-13 |
||||||||||||||
Charles Zhang |
$ | 520,000 | $ | 50,000 | 9.6 | % | $ | 570,000 | ||||||||||
Carol Yu |
$ | 420,000 | $ | 40,000 | 9.5 | % | $ | 460,000 | ||||||||||
Belinda Wang |
$ | 400,000 | $ | 37,000 | 9.3 | % | $ | 437,000 | ||||||||||
Xiaochuan Wang |
$ | 320,000 | $ | 10,000 | 3.1 | % | $ | 330,000 |
|
The executives annual bonus ratio is initially determined based on a financial performance review, with a maximum of 150% and a minimum of 0%, with internal company financial performance weighted at 70% and the relative financial performance of our company weighted at 30%; and |
|
Our Chief Executive Officer has the discretion to increase the range to a top maximum of 200%, and a top minimum of 120% based on our Chief Executive Officers non-quantitative evaluation based on strategic indicators and competency indicators. |
% attainment |
Bonus entitlement before CEO discretion |
CEO Discretion range |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
< 90% |
0 bonus | 0 bonus | ||||||||
90 to 99% |
90 | % | 50%110 | % | ||||||
100 to 105% |
100 | % | 70130% | |||||||
106 to 120% |
110 | % | 80150% | |||||||
121% to 140% |
120 | % | 100180% | |||||||
Over 140% |
150 | % | 120%200 | % |
Name |
2013 Threshold Bonus Opportunity (as a % of base salary) |
2013 Targeted Bonus Opportunity (as a % of base salary) |
2013 Maximum Bonus Opportunity (as a % of base salary) |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charles Zhang |
0 | % | 60 | % | 120 | % | ||||||||
Carol Yu |
0 | % | 80 | % | 160 | % | ||||||||
Belinda Wang |
0 | % | 80 | % | 160 | % |
Respectfully submitted, |
||||||
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
||||||
Dr. Edward B. Roberts Dr. Dave Qi |
Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Salary ($) |
Sohu Option Awards ($)(1) |
Sohu Stock Awards ($)(1) |
Sogou Share Option Awards ($)(2) |
Sohu Video Share Option Awards ($)(3) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(4) |
All Other Compensation ($)(5) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charles Zhang |
2013 | $ | 570,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 123,264 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 376,200 | $ | 620,453 | $ | 1,689,917 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chairman of the Board and |
2012 | $ | 520,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 281,987 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 343,200 | $ | 584,442 | $ | 1,729,629 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer |
2011 | $ | 460,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 531,051 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 276,000 | $ | 504,624 | $ | 1,771,675 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Carol Yu |
2013 | $ | 460,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 123,264 | $ | 249,912 | $ | 0 | $ | 441,600 | $ | 413,375 | $ | 1,688,151 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Co-President and |
2012 | $ | 420,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 281,987 | $ | 228,888 | $ | 0 | $ | 302,400 | $ | 379,862 | $ | 1,613,137 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
2011 | $ | 350,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 529,000 | $ | 109,678 | $ | 0 | $ | 273,000 | $ | 320,908 | $ | 1,582,586 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Belinda Wang |
2013 | $ | 437,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 164,352 | $ | 167,569 | $ | 0 | $ | 349,600 | $ | 104,683 | $ | 1,223,204 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Co-President and |
2012 | $ | 400,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 375,982 | $ | 190,740 | $ | 0 | $ | 352,000 | $ | 120,007 | $ | 1,438,729 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Operating Officer |
2011 | $ | 340,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 704,649 | $ | 91,399 | $ | 0 | $ | 326,400 | $ | 78,819 | $ | 1,541,267 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Xiaochuan Wang |
2013 | $ | 330,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 123,264 | $ | 1,786,728 | $ | 0 | $ | 287,760 | $ | 59,390 | $ | 2,587,142 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Technology Officer |
2012 | $ | 320,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 281,987 | $ | 2,359,260 | $ | 0 | $ | 211,200 | $ | 54,790 | $ | 3,227,237 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | $ | 230,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 528,132 | $ | 1,011,614 | $ | 0 | $ | 207,000 | $ | 45,765 | $ | 2,022,511 |
(1) |
Amount represents only expense recognized with respect to stock
awards granted from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2013. No expense was recognized with respect to option awards because the requisite service
periods for the options granted had ended as of the end of 2009. See Note 16 Sohu.com Inc. Shareholders Equity in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 for the relevant assumptions we used to determine the valuation of our option awards and stock awards. |
(2) |
Amount represents expense recognized with respect to Sogou share option awards. The Sogou share options will become vested and exercisable in four equal installments, with the vesting of each installment subject to achievement of certain performance targets related to Sogou, with the exception that vesting of Sogou share options granted to Ms. Carol Yu and Mr. Xiaochuan Wang in 2013 will occur in five equal installments over a four-year period, with the first installment vesting upon an initial public offering by Sogou and the remaining four installments vesting upon the first four anniversaries of Sogous initial public offering. Amounts in this table apply to the first, second and third installments, as the performance targets for those installments had been established as of the grant date. Performance targets for vesting purposes had not yet been established as of the grant date for the fourth installment. Accordingly, we did not recognize share-based compensation expense in 2013 with respect to this installment. |
(3) |
Sohu Video share options, exercisable for the purchase of Sohu Video ordinary shares, were granted in 2012 under Sohu Videos 2011 Share Incentive Plan. The broader terms and conditions of the options were neither finalized nor agreed upon with the recipients, the grant date fair values of the awards were not determinable as of the grant date and, accordingly, no share-based compensation expense was recognized for these awards in 2012 and 2013. No Sohu Video share options were granted to our named executive officers in 2013. |
(4) |
Consists of annual cash bonuses earned for 2013 that will be paid to Ms. Carol Yu and Ms. Belinda Wang pursuant to our 2013 Executive Bonus Plan, and to Mr. Xiaochuan Wang based on corporate performance goals for Sogou for 2013, on or about May 20, 2014. |
(5) |
The table below shows the components of this column for 2013, which include housing allowances, tax equalization, premiums paid for health, life, travel and disability insurance and training fees. |
Name |
Housing Allowance |
Tax Equalization |
Health, Life, Travel and Disability Insurance |
Training fees |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charles Zhang |
$ | 150,000 | $ | 446,470 | $ | 23,983 | $ | 0 | $ | 620,453 | ||||||||||||
Carol Yu |
$ | 150,000 | $ | 232,365 | $ | 31,010 | $ | 0 | $ | 413,375 | ||||||||||||
Belinda Wang |
$ | 80,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 24,683 | $ | 0 | $ | 104,683 | ||||||||||||
Xiaochuan Wang |
$ | 40,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 19,390 | $ | 0 | $ | 59,390 |
Estimated Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name |
Stock Award Grant Date |
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units Sogou |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards Sogou |
||||||||||||||||||||
Charles Zhang |
N/A | $ | 0 | $ | 342,000 | $ | 684,000 | 0 | N/A | |||||||||||||||||
Carol Yu |
3/1/2013 | $ | 0 | $ | 368,000 | $ | 736,000 | 2,400,000 | (2) | 0.38 | ||||||||||||||||
Belinda Wang |
N/A | $ | 0 | $ | 349,600 | $ | 699,200 | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||
Xiaochuan Wang |
1/31/2013 | $ | 0 | $ | 264,000 | $ | 528,000 | 7,200,000 | (3) | 0.38 |
(1) |
The amounts shown represent the range of non-equity incentive bonus opportunities for each named executive officer under our 2013 Executive Bonus Plan. The plan is described in detail under the heading Compensation Discussion and Analysis above. Payment of the bonuses is expected to occur on or about May 20, 2014. See the Summary Compensation Table above. |
(2) |
Consists of options granted in 2013 under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan. The plan is described in detail under the heading Terms of Stock Option and Restricted Unit Awards and Sogou and Sohu Video Share Option Awards below. |
(3) |
Consists of restricted ordinary shares of Sogou granted in 2013 under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan. |
|
payments equal to the named executive officers monthly base salary (which includes his or her housing allowance) in effect on the date of termination for the shorter of (i) six months and (ii) the remainder of the term of the named executive officers employment agreement; and |
|
insurance benefits for so long as we are obligated to pay severance. |
|
the named executive officer will not be entitled to any further payments from us; |
|
any insurance or other benefits that have continued will terminate immediately; and |
|
the named executive officer must reimburse us for any severance payments previously made by us to the named executive officer. |
Option Awards(1) |
Stock Awards(1) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Charles Zhang |
30,000 | (2) | 0 | $ | 22.86 | 7/25/2015 | (3) | 7,500 | (4) | $ | 546,975 | ||||||||||||||||
Carol Yu |
| | | | 7,500 | (4) | $ | 546,975 | |||||||||||||||||||
Belinda Wang |
| | | | 10,000 | (4) | $ | 729,300 | |||||||||||||||||||
Xiaochuan Wang |
| | | | 7,500 | (4) | $ | 546,975 |
(1) |
Sohu options and restricted stock unit awards were granted under our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, and relate to our common stock. |
(2) |
These options became fully vested on July 26, 2009. |
(3) |
The grant date of each option is listed on the table below by reference to the expiration date set forth in the table below. |
Grant Date |
Expiration Date |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7/26/2005 |
7/25/2015 |
(4) |
These restricted stock units were granted on January 21, 2010 and will become fully vested on January 21, 2014. |
Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Number of Shares That Have Not Vested (#) |
Market Value of Shares That Have Not Vested ($) |
||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carol Yu |
| 720,000 | (5) | $ | 0.625 | 6/3/2021 | (7) | | | |||||||||||||||||
| 2,400,000 | (6) | $ | 0.625 | 2/28/2023 | (7) | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Belinda Wang |
| 1,200,000 | (5) | $ | 0.625 | 6/3/2021 | (7) | | | |||||||||||||||||
Xiaochuan Wang |
| | | | 14,400,000 | (8) | N/A | (9) |
(5) |
Consists of options granted to Ms. Carol Yu and Ms. Belinda Wang by Sohu prior to 2013 under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan. The plan is described in detail under the heading Terms of Stock Option and Restricted Unit Awards and Sogou and Sohu Video Share Option Awards above. Of the Sogou share options held by Ms. Belinda Wang as of December 31, 2013, options for the purchase of 600,000 ordinary shares of Sogou were forfeited upon her resignation from the Company effective March 31, 2014. |
(6) |
Consists of options granted to Ms. Yu by Sohu in 2013 under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan. |
(7) |
The grant date of each option is listed on the table below by reference to the applicable expiration date. |
Grant Date |
Expiration Date |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4/1/2011 |
3/31/2021 |
|||||
6/4/2011 |
6/3/2021 |
|||||
3/1/2013 |
2/28/2023 |
(8) |
Consists of (i) 7,200,000 restricted ordinary shares of Sogou acquired by Mr. Wang during 2013 upon exercise of options granted to Mr. Wang prior to 2013 under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan as to which vesting was accelerated in 2013, which shares remain subject to vesting in two equal installments, with vesting based upon Sogous achieving specified performance milestones for each installment, and (ii) 7,200,000 restricted ordinary shares granted to Mr. Wang during 2013 under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan. |
(9) |
There is no public market for Sogou ordinary shares. |
Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carol Yu |
0 | (10) | 1,250,000 | $ | 0.01 | 1/3/2022 | (11) | |||||||||||
Belinda Wang |
0 | (10) | 1,250,000 | $ | 0.01 | 1/3/2022 | (11) | |||||||||||
Xiaochuan Wang |
0 | (10) | 50,000 | $ | 0.01 | 1/3/2022 | (11) |
(9) |
Options granted by Sohu under the Sohu Video 2011 Share Incentive Plan. The plan is described in detail under the heading Terms of Stock Option and Restricted Unit Awards and Sogou and Sohu Video Share Option Awards above. |
(10) |
The grant date of each option is listed on the table below by reference to the applicable expiration date. |
Grant Date |
Expiration Date |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1/4/2012 |
1/3/2022 |
Option Awards(1) |
Stock Awards(2) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sohu |
Sogou |
Sohu |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Number of Shares Acquired On Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on Exercise ($) |
Number of Shares Acquired On Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on Exercise ($) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Charles Zhang |
9,000 | $ | 296,640 | 0 | $ | 0 | 0 | (3) | $ | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
Carol Yu |
0 | $ | 0 | 1,440,000 | $ | 1,915,200 | 7,500 | $ | 360,150 | ||||||||||||||||||
Belinda Wang |
0 | $ | 0 | 600,000 | $ | 9,000 | 10,000 | $ | 480,200 | ||||||||||||||||||
Xiaochuan Wang |
5,000 | $ | 178,300 | 10,800,000 | (4) | $ | 5,778,000 | 7,500 | $ | 364,950 |
(1) |
Reflects shares received upon the exercise of stock options granted under the Sohu 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and the Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and the share options granted under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan. |
(2) |
Reflects shares received upon the vesting and settlement of restricted stock units granted under the Sohu 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and the Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan. |
(3) |
Vesting of restricted share units granted to Dr. Zhang that are settleable upon vesting with the issuance of 7,500 shares of our common stock, which vesting was originally scheduled to occur in 2013, was deferred until 2015. |
(4) |
Includes options for the purchase of 3,600,000 Sogou ordinary shares that vested as originally scheduled, and options for the purchase of 7,200,000 Sogou ordinary shares as to which vesting was accelerated. All of the options have been exercised by Mr. Xiaochuan Wang, but the 7,200,000 ordinary shares issued pursuant to the exercise of options as to which vesting was accelerated remain subject to forfeiture pursuant to a vesting schedule. |
|
willful misconduct or gross negligence by the named executive officer, or any willful or grossly negligent omission to perform any act, resulting in injury to us; |
|
misconduct or negligence of the named executive officer that results in gain or personal enrichment of the named executive officer to our detriment; |
|
breach of any of the named executive officers agreements with us, including, but not limited to, the repeated failure to perform substantially the named executive officers duties to us, excessive absenteeism or dishonesty; |
|
any attempt by the named executive officer to assign or delegate his or her employment agreement or any of the rights, duties, responsibilities, privileges or obligations thereunder without our prior consent (except in respect of any delegation by the named executive officer of his employment duties thereunder to our other employees in accordance with our usual business practice); |
|
the named executive officers indictment or conviction for, or confession of, a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude under the laws of the U.S. or any State thereof, or under the laws of China or Hong Kong; |
|
declaration by a court that the named executive officer is insane or incompetent to manage his or her business affairs; |
|
habitual drug or alcohol abuse which materially impairs the named executive officers ability to perform his or her duties; or |
|
filing of any petition or other proceeding seeking to find the named executive officer bankrupt or insolvent. |
|
any person (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) other than us, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of Sohu or any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by our stockholders in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of our common stock, becomes the direct or beneficial owner of securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of our then-outstanding securities; |
|
during any period of two consecutive years after the date of the named executive officers employment agreement, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute our Board, and all new directors (other than directors designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with us to effect a transaction described in the first, third and fourth bullet point of this definition) whose election or nomination to our Board was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of our Board; |
|
the effective date of a merger or consolidation of us with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in our voting securities outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity; |
|
our complete liquidation or the sale or disposition by us of all or substantially all of our assets; or |
|
there occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, whether or not we are then subject to such reporting requirements. |
|
any significant change in the duties and responsibilities of the named executive officer inconsistent in any material and adverse respect with the named executive officers title and position (including status, officer positions and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by the named executive officers employment agreement. |
|
any material breach by us of the employment agreement with the named executive officer, including without limitation any reduction of the named executive officers base salary or our failure to pay to the named executive officer any portion of his or her compensation; or |
|
the failure, in the event of a change-in-control in which we are not the surviving entity, of the surviving entity or the successor to our business to assume the named executive officers employment agreement pursuant to its terms or to offer the named executive officer employment on substantially equivalent terms to those set forth in such employment agreement. |
Involuntary Termination |
Change in Control |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Involuntary Termination within 12 months |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
|
Compensation Element |
|
Voluntary Resignation for Good Reason |
|
Death or Disability |
|
Without Cause |
|
For Cause |
|
Voluntary Resignation for Good Reason |
|
Without Cause |
|
For Cause |
|||||||||||||||||||
Charles Zhang |
Severance Pay(1) |
$ | 299,947 | (2) | $ | 0 | $ | 299,947 | (2) | $0 |
$ | 299,947 | (2) | $ | 299,947 | (2) | $0 |
||||||||||||||||||
Housing Allowance(1) |
$ | 150,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 150,000 | $0 |
$ | 150,000 | $ | 150,000 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Bonus |
$ | 0 | (3) | $ | 0 | (4) | $ | 0 | (3) | $0 |
$ | 0 | (3) | $ | 0 | (3) | $0 |
||||||||||||||||||
Benefits |
$ | 11,991 | $ | 0 | $ | 11,991 | $0 |
$ | 11,991 | $ | 11,991 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Sohu Stock Options and Restricted Stock Unit
Awards |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $0 |
$ | 0 | $ | 6,294 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 461,938 | $ | 0 | $ | 461,938 | $0 |
$ | 461,938 | $ | 468,232 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Carol Yu |
Severance Pay(1) |
$ | 230,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 230,000 | $0 |
$ | 230,000 | $ | 230,000 | $0 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Housing Allowance(1) |
$ | 75,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 75,000 | $0 |
$ | 75,000 | $ | 75,000 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Bonus |
$ | 0 | (3) | $ | 0 | (4) | $ | 0 | (3) | $0 |
$ | 0 | (3) | $ | 0 | (3) | $0 |
||||||||||||||||||
Benefits |
$ | 15,505 | $ | 0 | $ | 15,505 | $0 |
$ | 15,505 | $ | 15,505 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Sohu Stock Options and Restricted Stock Unit
Awards |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $0 |
$ | 0 | $ | 6,294 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Sogou Share Options Awards |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $0 |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 320,505 | $ | 0 | $ | 320,505 | $0 |
$ | 320,505 | $ | 326,799 | $0 |
Involuntary Termination |
Change in Control |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Involuntary Termination within 12 months |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
|
Compensation Element |
|
Voluntary Resignation for Good Reason |
|
Death or Disability |
|
Without Cause |
|
For Cause |
|
Voluntary Resignation for Good Reason |
|
Without Cause |
|
For Cause | |||||||||||||||||||
Belinda Wang |
Severance Pay(1) |
$ | 233,447 | (2) | $ | 0 | $ | 233,447 | (2) | $0 |
$ | 233,447 | (2) | $ | 233,447 | (2) | $0 |
||||||||||||||||||
Housing Allowance(1) |
$ | 80,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 80,000 | $0 |
$ | 80,000 | $ | 80,000 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Bonus |
$ | 0 (3 | ) | $ | 0 (4 | ) | $ | 0 (3 | ) | $0 |
$ | 0 (3 | ) | $ | 0 (3 | ) | $0 |
||||||||||||||||||
Benefits |
$ | 12,341 | $ | 0 | $ | 12,341 | $0 |
$ | 12,341 | $ | 12,341 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Sohu Stock Options and Restricted Stock Unit
Awards |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $0 |
$ | 0 | $ | 8,392 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Sogou Share Options Awards |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $0 |
$ | 0 | $ | 40,691 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 325,788 | $ | 0 | $ | 325,788 | $0 |
$ | 325,788 | $ | 374,871 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Xiaochuan Wang |
Severance Pay(1) |
$ | 179,852 | (2) | $ | 0 | $ | 179,852 | (2) | $0 |
$ | 179,852 | (2) | $ | 179,852 | (2) | $0 |
||||||||||||||||||
Housing Allowance(1) |
$ | 40,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 40,000 | $0 |
$ | 40,000 | $ | 40,000 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Bonus |
$ | 0 | (3) | $ | 0 | (4) | $ | 0 | (3) | $0 |
$ | 0 | (3) | $ | 0 | (3) | $0 |
||||||||||||||||||
Benefits |
$ | 9,695 | $ | 0 | $ | 9,695 | $0 |
$ | 9,695 | $ | 9,695 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Sohu Stock Options and Restricted Stock Unit
Awards |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $0 |
$ | 0 | $ | 6,294 | $0 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Sogou Share Options Awards |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $0 |
$ | 0 | $ | 434,052 | N/A |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 229,547 | $ | 0 | $ | 229,547 | $0 |
$ | 229,547 | $ | 669,893 | $0 |
(1) |
Severance payments are made ratably over the severance period according our standard payroll practices. |
(2) |
Dr. Charles Zhang, Ms. Belinda Wang and Mr. Xiaochuan Wang would have been entitled to the severance benefits under Chinese law as these benefits would have been greater than their severance benefits under their employment agreements with us. Mr. Xiaochuan Wang resigned as our Chief Technology Officer on February 3, 2014 in order to devote his full working time to his position as Chief Executive Officer of our subsidiary Sogou. |
(3) |
In the event of a voluntary resignation for good reason or an involuntary termination without cause, our named executive officers are each entitled to receive payments of the bonus for the remainder of the year of the termination, but only to the extent that the bonus would have been earned had the named executive officers continued in employment through the end of such year, as determined in good faith by our Chief Executive Officer, Board or our Compensation Committee based on the specific corporate and individual performance targets established for such fiscal year, and only to the extent that bonuses were paid for such fiscal year to other similarly situated employees. The payment of the entire 2013 bonus rests on the assumption that each of the named executive officers voluntarily resigned for good reason and/or was terminated without cause as of December 31, 2013 and that no additional bonus would have been due as a result of the termination. |
(4) |
In the event of a termination of named executive officers employment by reason of death or disability, they or their estates or representatives, as applicable, are entitled to receive the bonus for the year in which the death or disability occurs to the extent that a bonus would have been earned had named executive officers continued in employment through the end of such year, as determined in good faith by our Chief Executive Officer, Board or our Compensation Committee based on the specific corporate and individual performance targets established for such fiscal year, and only to the extent that bonuses are paid for such fiscal year to other similarly situated employees. The payment of the entire 2013 bonus rests on the assumption that each of the named executive officers voluntarily resigned for good reason and/or was terminated without cause as of December 31, 2013 and that no additional bonus would have been due as a result of the termination. |
Name |
Sohu Option Awards ($)(2)(3) |
Sohu Stock Awards ($)(2)(4) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dave Qi |
| $ | 144,870 | $ | 144,870 | |||||||||
Shi Wang |
| $ | 127,468 | $ | 127,468 | |||||||||
Edward B. Roberts |
| $ | 144,870 | $ | 144,870 | |||||||||
Charles Huang |
| $ | 127,468 | $ | 127,468 | |||||||||
Zhonghan Deng |
| $ | 127,468 | $ | 127,468 |
(1) |
Dr. Charles Zhang has been omitted from this table because he receives no compensation for serving on our Board. All compensation paid to Dr. Charles Zhang in fiscal year 2013 was paid to him in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer and is reported in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(2) |
Amounts shown represents expense recognized with respect to restricted stock units and stock options, as applicable, granted from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013, in accordance with U.S. GAAP. See Note 16, Sohu.com Inc. Shareholders Equity in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 for the relevant assumptions we used to determine the valuation of our stock awards and option awards. |
(3) |
As of December 31, 2013, each of our non-employee directors had the following number of outstanding stock options: Edward B. Roberts: 15,000; Charles Huang: 15,000; Dave Qi: 10,000; Shi Wang: 10,000; and Zhonghan Deng: 0. |
(4) |
The grant date fair value of the 2013 restricted stock units granted to each of Edward B. Roberts, Charles Huang, Dave Qi, Shi Wang, and Zhonghan Deng, computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP, was $144,870, $127,468, $144,870, $127,468 and $127,468, respectively. |
Resolved, to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to Sohu.com Inc.s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, the narrative discussion, and any related material disclosed in this Proxy Statement. |
Resolved: Shareholders request that our board of directors adopt a policy that the chairman of our board of directors shall be an independent director. An independent director is a director who has not served as an executive officer of our company. |
Supporting Statement: |
When our CEO is our board chairman, our board cannot monitor our CEOs performance, especially under Chinas business condition lacking of check and balance, and our CEO is also the founder of our company. As shown from the Three Representatives policy of Jiang Zemin (who came to power from the Tiananmen Tragedy in 1989 without legitimacy), Chinas social order and economic situation are very tense because China does not have an independent Chairman of Congress to monitor the chief executive power. An independent chairman is the prevailing practice in the international market, such as in the United Kingdom. In the United States, many companies also began to have Independent Chairman or Independent Lead Director for the main purpose to monitor CEOs performance. This proposal should also be evaluated in the context of our companys overall corporate governance. For example, the independent think tank US-Japan-China Comparative Policy Research Institute rated our company D: concerned, need improvement. See http://cpri.tripod.com/cpr2013/csri.pdf (this site is not blocked in China, so our board members in China can read it too.) |
By order of our Board of Directors |