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
Filed by the registrant /X/
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)).
/X/ Definitive proxy statement.
/ / Definitive additional materials.
/ / Soliciting material under Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12.
LIVEPERSON, INC.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the
Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ 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 is 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 or
schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
----------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
----------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
----------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
----------------------------------------------------------
[LOGO]
August 8, 2001
Dear LivePerson Stockholders:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of LivePerson, Inc., I cordially invite
you to attend the Company's Special Meeting of Stockholders, which will be held
on September 11, 2001 at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Daylight time) at the offices of
Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, 1633 Broadway, 46th Floor, New York, New York
10019.
The purposes of this meeting are to consider and act upon a proposed
amendment to the Company's Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to effect a one-for-fifteen reverse split of the Company's
outstanding shares of Common Stock, and to transact such other business as may
properly come before the Special Meeting. You will find attached a Notice of
Special Meeting of Stockholders and a Proxy Statement that contains more
information about the reverse stock split proposal. Please give all of this
information your careful attention. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR
the proposal.
You will also find enclosed a Proxy Card appointing proxies to vote your
shares at the Special Meeting. If you do not plan to attend the Special Meeting
in person, please sign, date and return your Proxy Card as soon as possible so
that your shares can be represented and voted in accordance with your
instructions. If you decide to attend the Special Meeting and wish to change
your proxy vote, you may do so automatically by voting in person at the Special
Meeting.
The Proxy Statement and the accompanying Proxy Card are first being mailed
on or about August 17, 2001 to stockholders entitled to vote.
We look forward to seeing you at the Special Meeting.
Sincerely,
[LOGO]
Robert P. LoCascio
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
LIVEPERSON, INC.
330 WEST 34TH STREET, 10TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AT 10:00 A.M. SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF LIVEPERSON, INC.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of Stockholders (the "Special
Meeting") of LivePerson, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be
held at the offices of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, 1633 Broadway, 46th
Floor, New York, New York 10019 (Telephone: 212-581-1600) on September 11, 2001
at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Daylight time) for the following purposes, as more fully
described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this notice:
(1) To consider and act upon a proposed amendment to the Company's Fourth
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a
one-for-fifteen reverse split of the Company's outstanding shares of
Common Stock (the "Reverse Split"); and
(2) To transact such other business as may properly come before the Special
Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on August 17, 2001 will
be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof. The stock transfer books of the Company
will remain open between the record date and the date of the Special Meeting. A
list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for
inspection at the Special Meeting and for a period of ten days prior to the
meeting during regular business hours at the offices of the Company listed
above.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting in
person. Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting in person, your
vote is important. To assure your representation at the Special Meeting, please
sign and date the enclosed Proxy Card and return it promptly in the enclosed
envelope, which requires no additional postage if mailed in the United States or
Canada. Should you receive more than one Proxy Card because your shares are
registered in different names and addresses, each Proxy Card should be signed
and returned to assure that all your shares will be voted. You may revoke your
proxy in the manner described in the Proxy Statement at any time prior to it
being voted at the Special Meeting. If you attend the Special Meeting and vote
by ballot, your proxy will be revoked automatically and only your vote at the
Special Meeting will be counted.
By Order of the Board of Directors
TIMOTHY E. BIXBY
PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,
SECRETARY AND DIRECTOR
New York, New York
August 8, 2001
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. PLEASE
READ THE ATTACHED PROXY STATEMENT CAREFULLY, COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE
ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
LIVEPERSON, INC.
330 WEST 34TH STREET, 10TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001
------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
------------------------
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of LivePerson, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, for use at the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held on
September 11, 2001 and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Special
Meeting will be held at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Daylight time) at the offices of
Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, 1633 Broadway, 46th Floor, New York, New York
10019 (Telephone: 212-581-1600). This Proxy Statement and accompanying Proxy
Card and Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders are first being mailed on or
about August 17, 2001 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Special
Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
VOTING
The specific matters to be considered and acted upon at the Special Meeting
are (i) a proposed amendment to the Company's Fourth Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to effect a one-for-fifteen reverse split (the
"Reverse Split") of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock, par
value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), and (ii) such other business as may
properly come before the Special Meeting or any adjournments or postponements
thereof. Pursuant to the provisions of the Company's Second Amended and Restated
By-laws, as amended, business transacted at the Special Meeting and any
adjournments or postponements thereof shall be limited to the purposes stated in
the Notice of Special Meeting. The Reverse Split proposal is described in more
detail in this Proxy Statement. The Company's Board of Directors has set
August 17, 2001 as the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting and any adjournments or
postponements thereof. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share
of Common Stock held by such stockholder on the record date. On August 7, 2001,
33,983,381 shares of the Company's Common Stock were issued and outstanding and
no shares of the Company's Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, were
outstanding.
The stock transfer books of the Company will remain open between the record
date and the date of the Special Meeting and any adjournments or postponements
thereof. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting and any
adjournments or postponements thereof will be available for inspection at the
Special Meeting and any adjournment or postponements thereof, and for a period
of ten days prior to the meeting, during regular business hours at the offices
of the Company listed in the attached Notice of Special Meeting.
The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast at the Special Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum
in connection with the transaction of business at the Special Meeting. All votes
will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting, who
will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and broker
non-votes (I.E., proxies from brokers or nominees indicating that such persons
have not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other persons
entitled to vote shares as to a matter with respect to which the brokers or
nominees do not have discretionary power to vote). Abstentions and broker
non-votes are
1
counted as present for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a
quorum for the transaction of business.
To be approved, the Reverse Split proposal requires the affirmative vote (in
person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock entitled to vote thereon. Both abstentions and broker non-votes
will be counted towards the tabulation of votes cast on this proposal presented
to the stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes.
PROXIES
If the enclosed Proxy Card is properly signed and returned, the shares
represented thereby will be voted at the Special Meeting in accordance with the
instructions specified thereon. If the Proxy Card is properly signed and
returned but does not specify how the shares represented thereby are to be
voted, the proxy will be voted FOR the approval of the Reverse Split proposal,
and as the proxy holders deem advisable for all other matters as may properly
come before the Special Meeting. You may revoke or change your proxy at any time
before the Special Meeting by filing with the Secretary of the Company, at the
Company's principal executive offices at 330 West 34th Street, 10th Floor, New
York, New York 10001, a notice of revocation or another signed Proxy Card with a
later date. You may also revoke your proxy by attending the Special Meeting and
voting in person.
SOLICITATION
The Company will bear the entire cost of solicitation, including the
preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of this Proxy Statement, the Proxy
Card and any additional solicitation materials furnished to the stockholders.
Copies of solicitation materials will be furnished to brokerage houses,
fiduciaries and custodians holding shares in their names that are beneficially
owned by others so that they may forward this solicitation material to such
beneficial owners. In addition, the Company may reimburse such persons for their
costs in forwarding the solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. The
original solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by a solicitation
by telephone, telegram or other means by directors, officers or employees of the
Company. No additional compensation will be paid to these individuals for any
such services. Except as described above, the Company does not presently intend
to solicit proxies other than by mail.
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
In order to be considered for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement and
Proxy Card relating to the Company's 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, any
proposal by a stockholder must be received by the Company at its principal
executive offices in New York, New York, on or before January 1, 2002. In
addition, under the Company's Second Amended and Restated By-laws, as amended,
any proposal for consideration at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
submitted by a stockholder not pursuant to Rule 14a-8 will be considered
untimely unless it is received by the Secretary of the Company at its principal
executive offices between the close of business on January 23, 2002 and the
close of business on February 22, 2002, and is otherwise in compliance with the
requirements set forth in the Company's Second Amended and Restated By-laws, as
amended. The proxy solicited by the Board of Directors for the 2002 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders will confer discretionary authority to vote as the proxy
holders deem advisable on such stockholder proposals which are considered
untimely.
2
MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING
AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION IN ORDER TO EFFECT A REVERSE SPLIT OF THE COMPANY'S OUTSTANDING
COMMON STOCK
GENERAL
The Company's Board of Directors has approved and adopted resolutions
proposing, declaring advisable and in the Company's best interests, and
recommending to the stockholders of the Company for approval an amendment to the
Company's Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the
"Charter") to effect a one-for-fifteen reverse stock split of the Company's
issued and outstanding Common Stock. The text of the proposed amendment to the
Charter to effect the Reverse Split is attached hereto as Appendix A (the
"Amendment"). There will be no change in the number of the Company's authorized
shares of Common Stock and no change in the par value of the Common Stock.
If the Reverse Split is approved, the Board of Directors will have the
authority, without further stockholder approval, to effect the Reverse Split,
pursuant to which each of the Company's presently outstanding shares (the "Old
Shares") of Common Stock would be exchanged for new shares (the "New Shares") of
Common Stock in an exchange ratio of one New Share for every fifteen Old Shares.
The Board of Directors would also have the authority to determine the exact
timing of the Reverse Split, which may occur at any time on or prior to
October 31, 2001, without further stockholder approval. The timing of the
Reverse Split will be determined in the judgment of the Board of Directors, with
the intention of maximizing the Company's ability to remain in compliance with
the continued listing maintenance requirements of the Nasdaq National Market and
other intended benefits of the Reverse Split to stockholders and the Company.
See the information below under the caption "Purposes of the Reverse Split."
The Board of Directors also reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder
approval and without further action by stockholders, to not proceed with the
Reverse Split, if, at any time prior to filing the Amendment with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware (the "Effective Time"), the Board of
Directors, in its sole discretion, determines that the Reverse Split is no
longer in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Board of
Directors may consider a variety of factors in determining whether or not to
implement the Reverse Split, including, but not limited to, overall trends in
the stock market, recent changes and anticipated trends in the per share market
price of the Common Stock, business and transactional developments and the
Company's actual and projected business and financial performance.
The Reverse Split will be effected simultaneously for all holders of the
Common Stock and the exchange ratio will be the same for all of the Common
Stock. Except for changes due to the Company's purchase of fractional shares,
the Reverse Split will affect all of the Company's stockholders uniformly and
will not change the proportionate equity interests of the Company's
stockholders, nor will the respective voting or other rights of stockholders be
altered. The Common Stock issued pursuant to the Reverse Split will remain fully
paid and non-assessable. The Company will continue to be subject to the periodic
reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
PURPOSES OF THE REVERSE SPLIT
The principal purpose of the Reverse Split proposal is to increase the
market price of the Common Stock above the minimum bid requirement of $1.00 per
share required by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("Nasdaq"). The Common Stock is
a quoted security on the Nasdaq National Market ("NNM"). In order for the Common
Stock to continue to be quoted thereon, the Company and the Common Stock are
required to continue to comply with various listing maintenance standards
3
established by Nasdaq. Among other things, the Company is required to maintain a
minimum bid price of at least $1.00 per share.
Under Nasdaq's listing maintenance standards, if the closing bid price of
the Common Stock is under $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days and
does not thereafter regain compliance for a minimum of ten consecutive business
days during the ninety calendar days following notification by Nasdaq, Nasdaq
may delist the Common Stock from trading on the NNM.
On July 31, 2001, the Company received a letter from Nasdaq, containing a
Nasdaq Staff Determination that the Company failed to comply with Nasdaq's
minimum bid price requirement for continued listing set forth in Nasdaq
Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(5), and that the Common Stock is, therefore, subject to
delisting from the NNM. On August 6, 2001, Nasdaq granted the Company's request
for a hearing before a Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel to appeal the Staff
Determination concerning the minimum bid price requirement. According to Nasdaq
procedures, the hearing date has been set for September 13, 2001, and the Common
Stock will continue to trade on the NNM pending the Panel's decision.
If a delisting were to occur, the Common Stock would likely trade on the
Nasdaq SmallCap Market, or in the over-the-counter market in the so-called "pink
sheets" maintained by Pink Sheets LLC or on the National Association of
Securities Dealers' OTC Bulletin Board, which was established for securities
that do not meet the Nasdaq listing requirements. Such alternative trading
markets are generally considered less efficient than the NNM. Consequently,
selling the Common Stock would be more difficult because smaller quantities of
shares would likely be bought and sold, transactions could be delayed, and
securities analysts' and news media coverage of the Company may be reduced.
These factors could result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask
prices for shares of the Common Stock.
Such delisting from the NNM or further declines in the market price of the
Common Stock could also greatly impair the Company's ability to raise additional
necessary capital through equity or debt financing, and significantly increase
the ownership dilution to stockholders caused if the Company was to issue equity
in financing or other transactions. The price at which the Company issues shares
in such transactions is generally based on the market price of the Common Stock
and a decline in the market price of the Common Stock could result in the need
for the Company to issue a greater number of shares to raise a given amount of
funding or acquire a given dollar value of goods or services.
In addition, if the Common Stock is not listed on the NNM, the Company may
become subject to Rule 15g-9 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. That rule imposes additional sales practice requirements on
broker-dealers that sell low-priced securities to persons other than established
customers and institutional accredited investors. For transactions covered by
this rule, a broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the
purchaser and have received the purchaser's written consent to the transaction
prior to sale. Consequently, the rule may affect the ability of broker-dealers
to sell the Common Stock and affect the ability of holders to sell their shares
of Common Stock in the secondary market. Moreover, investors may be less
interested in purchasing low-priced securities because the brokerage
commissions, as a percentage of the total transaction value, tend to be higher
for such securities, and some investment funds will not invest in low-priced
securities (other than those which focus on small-capitalization companies or
low-priced securities).
The Board of Directors believes that the Reverse Split is likely to result
in the bid price of the Common Stock increasing over the $1.00 per share minimum
bid price required by Nasdaq, thereby permitting the Company to be in compliance
with the NNM minimum bid requirement of $1.00 per share. However, there can be
no assurance that after effectuating the Reverse Split, the Company will meet
the minimum bid price or other requirements of Nasdaq for continued inclusion of
the Common Stock for quotation on the NNM.
4
CERTAIN EFFECTS AND RISKS OF THE REVERSE SPLIT
The following table illustrates the principal effects of the Reverse Split
on the Common Stock:
NUMBER OF SHARES PRIOR TO THE REVERSE SPLIT SUBSEQUENT TO THE REVERSE SPLIT
- ---------------- --------------------------- -------------------------------
Authorized.................... 100,000,000 100,000,000
Outstanding (1)............... 33,983,381 2,265,558
Available for Future Issuance
(2)......................... 66,016,619 97,734,442
- ------------------------
(1) Assumes the Effective Time occurred on the date of this proxy statement, and
subject to adjustment resulting from cash payments by the Company in lieu of
fractional shares.
(2) Excludes shares of Common Stock issuable (i) upon the exercise of
outstanding options under the Company's 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and
(ii) upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase Common Stock.
After the Effective Time, each option or warrant will entitle the holder to
acquire a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of
Common Stock which the holder was entitled to acquire immediately prior to
the Effective Time divided by fifteen at an exercise price equal to the
price in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by
fifteen. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the Company's 2000
Stock Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan will automatically be
reduced by a factor of fifteen after the Effective Time, to approximately
734,666 shares and 30,000 shares, respectively.
Stockholders should recognize that if the Reverse Split is effectuated, they
will own a fewer number of shares than they presently own (a number equal to the
number of shares owned immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by
fifteen, subject to adjustment for fractional shares, as described below).
While the Company expects that the reduction in the outstanding shares of
Common Stock as a result of the Reverse Split will result in an increase in the
market price of the Common Stock, there can be no assurance that the Reverse
Split will increase the market price of the Common Stock by a multiple of
fifteen or result in any permanent increase in the market price (which is
dependent upon many factors, including, but not limited to, the Company's
business and financial performance and prospects). Should the market price of
the Common Stock decline after the Reverse Split, the percentage decline may be
greater than would otherwise occur had the Reverse Split not been effectuated.
There can be no assurance that after effectuating the Reverse Split, the
Company will meet the minimum bid price or other requirements of Nasdaq for
continued inclusion of the Common Stock for quotation on the NNM. Furthermore,
there can be no assurance that any appeal of a decision to delist the Common
Stock would be successful or that the Reverse Split would prevent the Common
Stock from being forced to trade on the OTC Bulletin Board or in the "pink
sheets." Therefore, there can be no assurance that after the Reverse Split,
trading in the Common Stock will be efficient or that the Company will not be
subject to Rule 15g-9.
The possibility exists that liquidity in the market price of the Common
Stock could be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares that would be
outstanding after the Reverse Split. In addition, the Reverse Split will
increase the number of stockholders of the Company who own odd-lots (less than
100 shares). Stockholders who hold odd-lots generally experience an increase in
the cost of selling their shares, as well as greater difficulty in effecting
such sales.
After the Effective Time, the number of authorized but unissued shares of
Common Stock would increase from 66,016,619 to 97,734,442 (subject to the
assumptions and exclusions described in the table above). These shares may be
issued by the Board of Directors in its discretion. If the Company issues
additional shares subsequent to the Reverse Split, the dilution to the ownership
interest of the
5
Company's existing stockholders may be greater than would otherwise occur had
the Reverse Split not been effectuated.
As described below, stockholders who would otherwise hold fractional shares
after the Reverse Split will be entitled to cash payments in lieu of such
fractional shares. Such cash payments will reduce the number of holders of New
Shares as compared to the number of holders of Old Shares to the extent that
there are stockholders presently holding fewer than fifteen shares, and each
such person will cease to be a Company stockholder after the Reverse Split.
These, however, are not the purposes for which the Company seeks to effect the
Reverse Split, and the Company does not expect the Reverse Split will result in
any material reduction in the number of stockholders.
Although the increased proportion of authorized but unissued shares to
issued shares could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect
(for example, by permitting issuances that would dilute the stock ownership of a
person seeking to effect a change in the composition of the Company's Board of
Directors or contemplating a tender offer or other transaction for the
combination of LivePerson with another company), the Reverse Split is not being
proposed in response to any effort of which the Company is aware to accumulate
shares of Common Stock or obtain control of the Company, nor is it part of a
plan by management to recommend a series of similar amendments to the Company's
Board of Directors and stockholders. Other than the Reverse Split, the Board of
Directors does not currently contemplate recommending the adoption of any other
amendments to the Company's Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation that could be construed to affect the ability of third parties to
take over or change the control of the Company.
The Reverse Split will not affect the par value of the Common Stock. As a
result, after the Effective Time, the stated capital on the Company's balance
sheet attributable to the Common Stock will be reduced to one-fifteenth of its
present amount, and the additional paid-in capital account shall be credited
with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per share net income
or loss and net book value of the Common Stock will be increased after the
Effective Time because there will be fewer shares of Common Stock outstanding.
PROCEDURE FOR EFFECTING REVERSE SPLIT AND EXCHANGE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES
If the Amendment is approved by the Company's stockholders, and if the Board
of Directors still believes that the Reverse Split is in the best interests of
the Company and its stockholders, the Company will file the Amendment with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware at such time as the Board has
determined the appropriate effective time for the Reverse Split. The Board may
delay effecting the Reverse Split until October 31, 2001 without resoliciting
such stockholder approval. The Reverse Split will become effective at the
Effective Time on the date of filing the Amendment. After the Effective Time,
each certificate representing Old Shares will be deemed for all corporate
purposes to evidence ownership of New Shares.
Promptly after the Effective Time, stockholders will be notified that the
Reverse Split has been effected. The Company's transfer agent, American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company will act as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") for
purposes of implementing the exchange of stock certificates. Holders of Old
Shares will be asked to surrender to the Exchange Agent certificates
representing Old Shares in exchange for certificates representing New Shares in
accordance with the procedures to be set forth in a letter of transmittal to be
sent by the Company. No new certificates will be issued to a stockholder until
such stockholder has surrendered such stockholder's outstanding certificate(s)
together with the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal to the
Exchange Agent. STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE AND SHOULD
NOT SUBMIT ANY CERTIFICATES UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.
6
FRACTIONAL SHARES
No scrip or fractional shares, or certificates for fractional shares, will
be issued in connection with the Reverse Split. Stockholders who otherwise would
be entitled to receive fractional shares because they hold a number of Old
Shares not evenly divisible by fifteen, will be entitled, upon surrender to the
Exchange Agent of certificates representing such shares, to a cash payment
(without interest) in lieu thereof. The cash payment will be equal to the
fraction to which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled, multiplied by the
average closing sale prices of Old Shares (as adjusted to reflect the Reverse
Split) for the 20 trading days immediately before the Effective Time, as
reported in The Wall Street Journal. If such price or prices are not available,
the fractional share payment will be based on the average of the last bid and
ask prices of Old Shares for such days, in each case as officially reported on
the NNM, or such other price as determined by the Board of Directors. The
ownership of a fractional interest will not give the holder thereof any voting,
dividend, or other rights except to receive payment therefor as described
herein.
Stockholders should be aware that, under the escheat laws of the various
jurisdictions where stockholders reside, where the Company is domiciled and
where the funds will be deposited, sums due for fractional interests that are
not timely claimed after the Effective Time may be required to be paid to the
designated agent for each such jurisdiction, unless correspondence has been
received by the Company or the Exchange Agent concerning ownership of such funds
within the time permitted in such jurisdiction. Thereafter, stockholders
otherwise entitled to receive such funds will have to seek to obtain them
directly from the state to which they were paid.
NO DISSENTER'S RIGHTS
Under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, stockholders are
not entitled to dissenter's rights with respect to the proposed Amendment, and
the Company will not independently provide stockholders with any such right.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE SPLIT
The following is a summary of certain material federal income tax
consequences of the Reverse Split, and does not purport to be a complete
discussion of all of the possible federal income tax consequences of the Reverse
Split. It does not discuss any state, local, foreign or minimum income or other
U.S. federal tax consequences. Also, it does not address the tax consequences to
holders that are subject to special tax rules, such as banks, insurance
companies, regulated investment companies, personal holding companies, foreign
entities, nonresident alien individuals, broker-dealers and tax-exempt entities.
The discussion is based on the provisions of the United States federal income
tax law as of the date hereof, which is subject to change retroactively as well
as prospectively. This summary also assumes that the Old Shares were, and the
New Shares will be, held as a "capital asset," as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (generally, property held for investment). The
tax treatment of a stockholder may vary depending upon the particular facts and
circumstances of such stockholder. EACH STOCKHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT WITH SUCH
STOCKHOLDER'S OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE
SPLIT.
No gain or loss should be recognized by a stockholder of the Company upon
such stockholder's exchange of Old Shares for New Shares pursuant to the Reverse
Split (except to the extent of any cash received in lieu of a fraction of a New
Share). Cash payments in lieu of a fractional New Share should be treated as if
the fractional share were issued to the stockholder and then redeemed by the
Company for cash. A Company stockholder receiving such payment should recognize
capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash
received and the stockholder's basis in the fractional share.
7
The aggregate tax basis of the New Shares received in the Reverse Split
(including any fraction of a New Share deemed to have been received) will be the
same as the stockholder's aggregate tax basis in the Old Shares exchanged
therefor. The stockholder's holding period for the New Shares will include the
period during which the stockholder held the Old Shares surrendered in the
Reverse Split.
REQUIRED VOTE
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock entitled to vote will be required to approve this proposal.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THIS
PROPOSAL.
8
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial
ownership of our outstanding Common Stock as of August 7, 2001, by:
- each person or group of affiliated persons whom we know to beneficially
own five percent or more of our Common Stock;
- each of our directors;
- each of our executive officers; and
- each of our directors and executive officers as a group.
The following table gives effect to the shares of Common Stock issuable
within 60 days of August 7, 2001 upon the exercise of all options and other
rights beneficially owned by the indicated stockholders on that date. Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission and includes voting and investment power with respect to
shares. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 33,983,381 shares of
Common Stock outstanding at August 7, 2001. Unless otherwise indicated, the
persons named in the table directly own the shares and have sole voting and sole
investment control with respect to all shares beneficially owned.
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE OF COMMON
NAME AND ADDRESS BENEFICIALLY OWNED STOCK OUTSTANDING
- ---------------- ------------------ --------------------
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Robert P. LoCascio(1).................................... 6,681,963 19.7%
Timothy E. Bixby(2)...................................... 245,750 *
Richard L. Fields(3)..................................... 449,971 1.3%
Emmanuel Gill(4)......................................... 1,265,763 3.7%
Wycliffe K. Grousbeck(5)................................. 21,720 *
Kevin C. Lavan(6)........................................ 36,065 *
Robert W. Matschullat(7)................................. 40,000 *
Directors and Executive Officers as a group (7
persons)(8)............................................ 8,741,232 25.4%
- ------------------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) The address for Mr. LoCascio is c/o LivePerson, Inc., 330 West 34th Street,
10th Floor, New York, New York 10001.
(2) Includes 243,750 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable within 60 days of August 7, 2001.
(3) Includes 321,460 shares of Common Stock and 46,887 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of warrants held of record by Allen & Company
Incorporated ("Allen & Company") and beneficially owned by Mr. Fields, over
which he exercises sole voting and investment power. Mr. Fields is a
Managing Director of Allen & Company. Mr. Fields does not exercise voting or
investment power over, and disclaims beneficial ownership of, 1,119,177
shares and 148,426 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants which are held
of record by Allen & Company and beneficially owned by Allen & Company or
other of its officers and related persons. Also includes 20,000 shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of
August 7, 2001.
(4) Includes 1,250,763 shares of Common Stock held by Gilbridge Holdings Ltd.,
an entity over which Mr. Gill indirectly exercises control. Mr. Gill
disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his
pecuniary interest therein, if any. Also includes 15,000 shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of
August 7, 2001.
9
(5) Includes 20,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable within 60 days of August 7, 2001.
(6) Consists of 36,065 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable within 60 days of August 7, 2001.
(7) Includes 20,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
exercisable within 60 days of August 7, 2001.
(8) Includes 401,702 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options or
warrants exercisable within 60 days of August 7, 2001.
OTHER MATTERS
The Company knows of no other matters that will be presented for
consideration at the Special Meeting. If any other matters properly come before
the Special Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed
Proxy Card to vote the shares they represent as such persons deem advisable.
Discretionary authority with respect to such other matters is granted by the
execution of the enclosed Proxy Card.
A representative of KPMG LLP, independent public accountants for the Company
during the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2001 and for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2000, is expected to be present at the Special Meeting, will
have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and is
expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
No person who has been a director or executive officer of LivePerson at any
time since January 1, 2000, or any such person's associates, has a direct or
indirect substantial interest in the proposal to be acted upon at the Special
Meeting, other than any interest arising from the ownership of our securities,
in which case no such person receives an extra or special benefit not shared on
a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class.
The following sections of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on March 30, 2001, are incorporated by reference into this Proxy
Statement: Financial Statements, Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Changes in and Disagreements With
Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure, and Quantitative and
Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk. Stockholders entitled to notice of
the Special Meeting may obtain a copy of this report, without charge, by writing
to Timothy E. Bixby, President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, at the
Company's principal executive offices located at 330 West 34th Street, 10th
Floor, New York, New York 10001, or by calling the Company at (212) 918-2100.
By Order of the Board of Directors
TIMOTHY E. BIXBY
PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,
SECRETARY AND
DIRECTOR
Dated: August 8, 2001
10
APPENDIX A
PROPOSED TEXT OF AMENDMENT
TO
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
The Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
is to be amended by adding the following paragraph immediately after the present
first paragraph of ARTICLE IV.A. thereof:
"Effective on , 2001, upon the filing of the Certificate of
Amendment of the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation on such date (the "Effective Date"), each fifteen (15) shares of
Common Stock of the Corporation then issued and outstanding or held in the
treasury of the Corporation automatically shall be combined into one (1) share
of fully paid and nonassessable Common Stock of the Corporation. There shall be
no fractional shares of Common Stock issued. Each holder of shares of Common
Stock who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share shall be
entitled to receive a cash payment in lieu thereof equal to the fraction to
which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled multiplied by the average of
the closing sale prices of the Common Stock (as adjusted to reflect the reverse
split of shares hereby) for the 20 trading days immediately prior to the
Effective Date, as reported in The Wall Street Journal. If such price or prices
are not available, the fractional share payment will be based on the average of
the last bid and ask prices of the Common Stock for such days, in each case as
officially reported on the Nasdaq National Market, or such other price as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation."
LIVEPERSON, INC.
PROXY
Special Meeting of Stockholders, September 11, 2001
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
LIVEPERSON, INC.
The undersigned stockholder of LivePerson, Inc. (the "Company")
revokes all previous proxies, acknowledges receipt of the Notice of the
Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held September 11, 2001 and the Proxy
Statement, and appoints Robert P. LoCascio, Chief Executive Officer, and
Timothy E. Bixby, Chief Financial Officer and President, and each of them,
the Proxy of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all
shares of Common Stock of the Company which the undersigned is entitled to
vote, either on his or her own behalf or on behalf of any entity or entities,
at the Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at the
offices of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, 1633 Broadway, 46th Floor, New
York, New York 10019 (Telephone: 212-581-1600), on September 11, 2001 at
10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight time (the "Special Meeting"), and at any
adjournment or postponement thereof, with the same force and effect as the
undersigned might or could do if personally present thereat. The shares
represented by this Proxy shall be voted in the manner set forth below
|_| FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN To approve an amendment to the
Company's Fourth Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to
effect a one-for-fifteen reverse
split of the outstanding shares of
the Company's Common Stock.
In accordance with the discretion of the proxy holders, to act upon all
matters incident to the conduct of the meeting and upon other matters as
may properly come before the meeting.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote IN FAVOR OF the listed
proposal. This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as specified above.
IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE LISTED
PROPOSAL.
Please print the name(s) appearing on each share
certificate(s) over which you have voting authority:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Print name(s) on certificate)
Please sign your name:
-------------------------------------------------
Signature (title, if any)
-------------------------------------------------
Additional Signature (if held jointly)
Date:
---------------------------------------------
(JOINT OWNERS SHOULD EACH SIGN. PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME(S)
APPEARS ON The ENVELOPE IN WHICH THIS CARD WAS MAILED. WHEN SIGNING AS
ATTORNEY, TRUSTEE, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, GUARDIAN OR CORPORATE
OFFICER, PLEASE SIGN UNDER FULL TITLE, CORPORATE OR ENTITY NAME.)