CCO » Topics » Long-Term Incentive Compensation

This excerpt taken from the CCO DEF 14A filed Apr 30, 2009.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Purpose. The long-term incentive compensation element provides an award that is performance-based. The objective of the program is to align compensation of the named executive officers over a multi-year period directly with the interests of stockholders of Clear Channel Outdoor by motivating and rewarding creation and preservation of long-term stockholder value. In general, the level of long-term incentive compensation is determined based on an evaluation of competitive factors in conjunction with total compensation provided to the named executive officers and the overall goals of the compensation program described above. Long-term incentive compensation may be paid in cash, stock options, and restricted stock.

Clear Channel Outdoor’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”) is moderately broad-based, with 569 employees at all levels holding outstanding stock incentive awards as of December 31, 2008. Equity ownership for all executive officers and the broad-based employee population is important for purposes of incentive, retention, and alignment with stockholders.

In prior years, including 2007, the Committee has granted the named executive officers long-term incentive compensation in the form of stock options and restricted stock awards. These two vehicles reward stockholder value creation in slightly different ways. Stock options (which have an exercise price equal to our common stock price at the date of grant) reward executives only if such stock price increases over the stock options’ exercise price. However, with respect to restricted stock awards, the named executive officers generally receive compensation immediately upon vesting of such awards whether such common stock price has or has not increased from the grant date of such awards. To help ensure our named executive officers are focused on creating stockholder value through appreciation of Clear Channel Outdoor’s common stock price, the named executive officers’ long-term incentive compensation was paid solely in the form of stock options in 2008.

Stock Options. The long-term incentive compensation element calls for stock options to be granted with respect to shares of Class A common stock with exercise prices of not less than fair market value of Clear Channel Outdoor’s common stock on the date of grant and to vest in 25% increments annually beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, with a 10-year term. All vesting is contingent on continued employment, with rare exceptions made by the Committee. Clear Channel Outdoor defines fair market value as the closing price on the date of grant. All decisions to award the named executive officers stock options are in the sole discretion of the Committee.

This excerpt taken from the CCO DEF 14A filed Apr 7, 2008.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Purpose. The long-term incentive compensation element provides a periodic award (typically annual) that is performance-based. The objective of the program is to align compensation for executive officers over a multi-year period directly with the interests of stockholders of Clear Channel Outdoor by motivating and rewarding creation and preservation of long-term stockholder value. The level of long-term incentive compensation is determined based on an evaluation of competitive factors in conjunction with total compensation provided to named executive officers and the overall goals of the compensation program described above.

Clear Channel Outdoor’s equity compensation plans are moderately broad-based, with 594 employees at all levels holding outstanding stock incentive awards as of December 31, 2007. Equity ownership for all executive officers and the broad-based employee population is important for purposes of incentive, retention and alignment with stockholders.

Stock Options. The long-term incentive compensation element calls for stock options to be granted with exercise prices of not less than fair market value of Clear Channel Outdoor’s stock on the date of grant and to vest beginning one year from the date of grant and fully vesting four years from the date of grant, with a 10-year term. All vesting is contingent on continued employment, with rare exceptions made by the Committee. Clear Channel Outdoor defines fair market value as the closing price on the date of grant. The Committee will not grant stock options with exercise prices below the market price of Clear Channel Outdoor’s stock on the date of grant (determined as described above), and will not reduce the exercise price of stock options (except in connection with adjustments to reflect recapitalizations, stock or extraordinary dividends, stock splits, mergers, spin-offs and similar events permitted by the relevant plan) without stockholder approval.

Stock option grants to executive officers of Clear Channel Outdoor are determined based in part on the achievement of the performance goals described previously under the heading “—Compensation Elements – Annual Incentive Bonus.” All decisions to grant stock options are in the sole discretion of the Committee or the Subcommittee, as applicable.

Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted stock awards to executives of Clear Channel Outdoor are determined based in part on the achievement of certain performance goals as discussed previously under the heading “—Compensation Elements – Annual Incentive Bonus.” All decisions to award restricted stock are in the sole discretion of the Committee and the Subcommittee, as applicable.

Mix of Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards. Clear Channel Outdoor’s long-term incentive compensation generally takes the form of stock option grants and restricted stock awards. These two vehicles reward stockholder value creation in slightly different ways. Stock options (which have exercise prices equal to the market price at the date of grant) reward executive officers only if the stock price increases. Restricted stock awards

 

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are impacted by all stock price changes, so the value to named executive officers is affected by both increases and decreases in stock price.

Employees generally receive half of their award in the form of stock options and half of their award in the form of restricted stock, in a number of shares reduced by a ratio of 3 to 1 (for example, if an employee is awarded 750 options, the employee would also receive 250 shares of restricted stock).

Vesting of Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted stock awards granted as long-term incentive compensation to executive officers generally have scheduled vesting dates over a four year period from the date of grant.

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