2015Proxy


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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(Rule 14a-101)
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COMSCORE, INC.
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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11950 Democracy Drive
Suite 600
Reston, Virginia 20190
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JULY 21, 2015
To the Stockholders of comScore, Inc.:
Notice is hereby given that the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2015 Annual Meeting”) of comScore, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the Company’s offices at 11950 Democracy Drive, Suite 600, Reston, Virginia 20190 on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at 11:15 a.m. ET for the following purposes:
•
to elect two Class II members of the Board of Directors to serve until the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders;
•
to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015;
•
to approve on an advisory basis the compensation awarded to our named executive officers in 2014; and
•
to transact any other business that is properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The preceding items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on or about June 8, 2015. Any action on the items of business described above may be considered at the 2015 Annual Meeting at the time and on the date specified above or at any time and date to which the 2015 Annual Meeting may be properly adjourned or postponed.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on June 5, 2015 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 2015 Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. The presence, in person or by proxy, of shares of the Company’s common stock representing a majority of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding on the record date will be required to establish a quorum at the 2015 Annual Meeting.
We are furnishing our proxy materials to all of our stockholders over the Internet rather than in paper form. We believe that this delivery process reduces our environmental impact and lowers the costs of printing and distributing our proxy materials without affecting our stockholders’ timely access to this important information. Accordingly, stockholders of record at the close of business on June 5, 2015, will receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”) and may vote at the 2015 Annual Meeting and will receive notice of any postponements or adjournments of the meeting. The Notice of Internet Availability is being distributed to stockholders on or about June 11, 2015.
Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting, we encourage you to read the proxy statement and vote as soon as possible. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please refer to the section in the Proxy Statement entitled “Questions and Answers About the 2015 Annual Meeting and Procedural Matter” and the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability. If you are a stockholder of record of the Company’s common stock, you may cast your vote by proxy or in person at the annual meeting. If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, you should instruct it on how to vote your shares.
Thank you for your continued support of comScore.
 
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Reston, Virginia
 
June 8, 2015
/s/  Christiana L. Lin
 
Christiana L. Lin
 
General Counsel and Secretary



COMSCORE, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JULY 21, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Page
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be held on July 21, 2015
3
Questions and Answers About the 2015 Annual Meeting and Procedural Matters
3
Directors, Director Nominees, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance   
9
Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers
9
Board Structure
11
Standing Committees of the Board of Directors
11
Risk Management
12
Board of Directors and Committee Meeting Attendance
13
Annual Meeting Attendance
13
Director Nomination Process and Qualifications
13
Director and Director Nominee Independence
14
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
15
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
15
Corporate Governance Guidelines
15
Stock Ownership Guidelines for Non-Employee Directors
15
Director Compensation   
16
Director Compensation Policy
16
2014 Director Compensation
17
Executive Compensation   
18
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
18
Compensation Committee Report
35
Summary Compensation Table
36
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
38
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
41
Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
44
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
45
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions   
50
Policies and Procedures for Transactions with Related Persons
50
Transactions and Relationships with Directors, Officers and Five Percent Stockholders
50
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management   
51
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance   
52
Principal Accounting Fees and Services   
53
Audit and Related Fees for Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014
53
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
53
Audit Committee Report   
54
Proposals To Be Voted On   
55
Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors
55
Proposal No. 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
56
Proposal No. 3: Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation
57
Other Information   
58






COMSCORE, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
JULY 21, 2015

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR
STOCKHOLDER MEETING HELD ON JULY 21, 2015
The proxy statement and annual report to stockholders are available at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/25890.
In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, we are pleased to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet to all of our stockholders rather than in paper form. Accordingly, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”) has been mailed to our stockholders on or about June 11, 2015. Stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website listed above, or to request a printed set of the proxy materials be sent to them by following the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability. By furnishing a Notice of Internet Availability and access to our proxy materials by the Internet, we are lowering the costs and reducing the environmental impact of our annual meeting.
The Notice of Internet Availability will also provide instructions on how you may request that we send future proxy materials to you electronically by electronic mail or in printed form by mail. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by electronic mail, you will receive an electronic mail next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials by electronic mail or printed form by mail will remain in effect until you terminate it. We encourage you to choose to receive future proxy materials by electronic mail, which will allow us to provide you with the information you need in a more timely manner, will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and will conserve natural resources.
This proxy statement and accompanying proxy card and notice are expected to be made available to stockholders on or about June 11, 2015.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING AND PROCEDURAL MATTERS
Q:
Why am I receiving these proxy materials?

A:
The Board of Directors of comScore, Inc. (the “Company,” “comScore,” “we,” “us” or “our”) has made these proxy materials available to you on the Internet, or is providing printed proxy materials to you, in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at comScore’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2015 Annual Meeting”) to be held Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at 11:15 a.m., Eastern Time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purpose of considering and acting upon the matters set forth in this proxy statement. These proxy materials are being made available or distributed to you on or about June 11, 2015. As a stockholder, you are invited to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting and are requested to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement.

Q:
Where is the 2015 Annual Meeting?

A:
The 2015 Annual Meeting will be held at the Company's offices at 11950 Democracy Drive, Suite 600, Reston, Virginia 20190.

Q:
Can I attend the 2015 Annual Meeting?

A:
You are invited to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting if you were a stockholder of record or a beneficial owner as of June 5, 2015 (the “Record Date”). You should bring photo identification and your Notice of Internet Availability, a statement from your broker, or other proof of stock ownership as of the Record Date, for entrance to the 2015 Annual Meeting. The meeting will begin promptly at 11:15 a.m., Eastern Time and you should leave ample time for check-in procedures. We will not be able to accommodate guests who were not stockholders as of the Record Date at the 2015 Annual Meeting.


3


Q:
Who is entitled to vote at the 2015 Annual Meeting?

A:
You may vote your shares of comScore common stock if our records show that you owned your shares at the close of business on the Record Date. At the close of business on the Record Date, there were 40, 237,526 shares of comScore common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the 2015 Annual Meeting. You may cast one vote for each share of common stock held by you as of the Record Date on all matters presented. As of the Record Date, holders of common stock are eligible to cast an aggregate of 40, 237,526 votes at the 2015 Annual Meeting.

Q:
What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record or as a beneficial owner?

A:
If your shares are registered directly in your name with comScore’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you are considered, with respect to those shares, the “stockholder of record,” and the Notice of Internet Availability has been sent directly to you by comScore. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to comScore or to a third party, or to vote in person at the 2015 Annual Meeting.

If your shares are held by a brokerage account or by a bank or another nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in “street name,” and the Notice of Internet Availability has been forwarded to you by your broker, trustee or nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, trustee or nominee how to vote your shares. Please refer to the voting instruction card provided by your broker, trustee or nominee. You are also invited to attend the 2015Annual Meeting. However, because a beneficial owner is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the 2015 Annual Meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker, trustee or nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the 2015 Annual Meeting.

Q:
How can I vote my shares in person at the 2015 Annual Meeting?

A:
Shares held in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted in person at the 2015 Annual Meeting. Shares held beneficially in street name may be voted in person at the 2015 Annual Meeting only if you obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker, trustee or nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares. Even if you plan to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting, we recommend that you also submit your vote as instructed on the Notice of Internet Availability and below, so that your vote will be counted even if you later decide not to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting.

Q:
How can I vote my shares without attending the 2015 Annual Meeting?

A:
Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may direct how your shares are voted without attending the 2015 Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by submitting a proxy. If you hold shares beneficially in street name, you may vote by submitting voting instructions to your broker, trustee or nominee. For instructions on how to vote, please refer to the instructions below and those included on the Notice of Internet Availability or, for shares held beneficially in street name, the voting instructions provided to you by your broker, trustee or nominee.

By Internet - Stockholders of record of comScore common stock with Internet access may submit proxies by following the “Internet” instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability until 11:15 am, Eastern Time on July 21, 2015. If you are a beneficial owner of comScore common stock held in street name, please check the voting instructions provided by your broker, trustee or nominee for Internet voting availability.

By mail - Stockholders of record of comScore common stock may request a paper proxy card from comScore by following the procedures outlined in the Notice of Internet Availability. If you elect to vote by mail, please indicate your vote by completing, signing and dating the proxy card where indicated and by returning it in the prepaid envelope that will be included with the proxy card. Proxy cards submitted by mail must be received by the time of the meeting in order for your shares to be voted. comScore stockholders who hold shares beneficially in street name may vote by mail by completing, signing and dating the voting instructions provided by their brokers, trustees or nominees and mailing them in the accompanying pre-addressed envelopes.


4


Q:
How many shares must be present or represented to conduct business at the 2015 Annual Meeting?

A:
The presence of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the 2015 Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the 2015 Annual Meeting. Such stockholders are counted as present at the meeting if (1) they are present in person at the 2015 Annual Meeting or (2) have properly submitted a proxy.
Under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present and entitled to vote and are, therefore, included for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the 2015 Annual Meeting.

A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.

Q:
What proposals will be voted on at the 2015 Annual Meeting?

A:
The proposals scheduled to be voted on at the 2015 Annual Meeting are:
 
(1) The election of the two Class II directors listed in this proxy statement to serve until the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders;

(2) The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as comScore’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015; and

(3) The approval on an advisory basis of the compensation awarded to our named executive officers in 2014.

Q:
What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals?
A:
Proposal
Vote Required
Broker Discretionary Voting Allowed
 
Proposal One - Election of two Class II directors
Plurality of Votes Cast
No
 
Proposal Two - Ratification of the appointment of independent registered public accounting firm
Majority of the Shares Entitled to Vote and Present in Person or Represented by Proxy
Yes
 
Proposal Three - Approval on an advisory basis of 2014 named executive officer compensation
Majority of the Shares Entitled to Vote and Present in Person or Represented by Proxy
No
Q:
How are votes counted?

A:
You may vote “FOR” or “WITHHOLD” on each of the nominees for election as director (Proposal One). The two nominees for director receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected as directors.

You may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” on the proposals to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as comScore’s independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal Two) and to approve, by non-binding vote, executive compensation (Proposal Three). Abstentions are deemed to be votes cast and have the same effect as a vote against these proposals.

All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly executed proxies received prior to the 2015 Annual Meeting (and not revoked) will be voted at the 2015 Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated.


5


Q:
What if I do not specify how my shares are to be voted?

A:
You may vote “FOR” or “WITHHOLD” on each of the nominees for election as director (Proposal One). The two nominees for director receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected as directors. Therefore, abstentions will not affect the outcome of the election.

If you are a stockholder of record and you submit a proxy, but you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors.

If you are a beneficial owner and you do not provide the broker or other nominee that holds your shares with voting instructions, the broker or other nominee will determine if it has the discretionary authority to vote on the particular matter. Under applicable regulations, brokers and other nominees have the discretion to vote on routine matters such as Proposal Two but do not have discretion to vote on Proposal Three. Therefore, if you do not provide voting instructions to your broker or other nominee, your broker or other nominee may only vote your shares on Proposal Two and any other routine matters properly presented for a vote at the 2015 Annual Meeting.

Q:
What is the effect of a broker non-vote?

A:
Brokers or other nominees who hold shares of comScore’s common stock for a beneficial owner have the discretion to vote on routine proposals when they have not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner at least ten days prior to the 2015 Annual Meeting. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker or other nominee does not receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner and does not have the discretion to direct the voting of the shares. Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of calculating whether a quorum is present at the 2015 Annual Meeting, but will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of votes present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote with respect to a particular proposal. Thus, a broker non-vote will not impact our ability to obtain a quorum and will not otherwise affect the outcome of the vote on a proposal that requires a plurality of votes cast (Proposal One) or the approval of a majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote (Proposal Three).

Q:
What is the effect of not casting a vote at the 2015 Annual Meeting?

A:
If you are the stockholder of record of your shares and you do not vote by proxy card, via the Internet or in person at the 2015 Annual Meeting, your shares will not be voted at the 2015 Annual Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, it is critical that you provide voting instructions if you want it to count in the election of directors (Proposal One) or the non-binding vote on executive compensation (Proposal Three). In the past, if you held your shares in street name and you did not indicate how you wanted your shares voted in the election of directors, your bank or broker was allowed to vote those shares on your behalf in the election of directors as they felt appropriate. Under applicable regulations, your bank or broker does not have the ability to vote your uninstructed shares in the election of directors on a discretionary basis or to vote your uninstructed shares in non-binding proposals related to executive compensation. Thus, if you hold your shares in street name and you do not instruct your bank or broker how to vote in these matters, no votes will be cast on your behalf. Your bank or broker will, however, continue to have discretion to vote any uninstructed shares on the ratification of the appointment of comScore’s independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal Two).

Q:
How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote?

A:
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote your shares:
 
“FOR” the two nominees for election as directors (Proposal One);

“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as comScore’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015 (Proposal Two); and

“FOR” the approval, by non-binding vote, of the 2014 compensation of the named executive officers(Proposal Three).

Q:
What happens if additional matters are presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting?

A.
If any other matters are properly presented for consideration at the 2015 Annual Meeting, including, among other things, consideration of a motion to adjourn the 2015 Annual Meeting to another time or place (including, without limitation, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies), the persons named as proxy holders, Magid M. Abraham and Serge Matta, or either of them, will have discretion to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment. comScore does not currently anticipate that any other matters will be raised at the 2015 Annual Meeting.


6


Q:
Can I change my vote?

A:
Subject to any rules your broker, trustee or nominee may have, you may change your proxy instructions at any time before your proxy is voted at the 2015 Annual Meeting.

If you are the stockholder of record, you may change your vote (1) by granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy) using any of the voting methods described above (and until the applicable deadline for each voting method), (2) by providing a written notice of revocation to comScore’s Corporate Secretary at comScore, Inc., 11950 Democracy Drive, Suite 600, Reston, Virginia 20190 prior to your shares being voted, or (3) by attending the 2015 Annual Meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically so request.

If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you may change your vote by (1) submitting new voting instructions to your broker, trustee or nominee or (2) if you have obtained a legal proxy from the broker, trustee or nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the 2015 Annual Meeting and voting in person.

Q:
What happens if I decide to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting, but I have already voted or submitted a proxy card covering my shares?

A:
Subject to any rules your broker, trustee or nominee may have, you may attend the 2015 Annual Meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted or submitted a proxy card. Any previous votes that were submitted by you will be superseded by the vote you cast at the 2015 Annual Meeting. Please be aware that attendance at the 2015 Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy.

If a broker, trustee or nominee beneficially holds your shares in street name and you wish to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting and vote in person, you must obtain a legal proxy from the broker, trustee or nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares.

Q:
What should I do if I receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability or set of proxy materials?

A:
You may receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability or set of proxy materials, including multiple copies of proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you may receive a separate Notice of Internet Availability or voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a stockholder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability or proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each comScore proxy card or voting instruction card that you receive to ensure that all your shares are voted.

Q:
Who will count the votes?

A:
comScore’s Board of Directors has designated representatives of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the Company’s outside counsel, to serve as inspector of election.

Q:
Where can I find the voting results of the 2015 Annual Meeting?

A:
We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the 2015 Annual Meeting and will publish final results in our Current Report on Form 8-K, which will be filed with the SEC within four (4) business days following the 2015 Annual Meeting.

Q:
Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the 2015 Annual Meeting?

A:
comScore will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and distributing these proxy materials and soliciting votes. We may reimburse brokerage firms, custodians, nominees, fiduciaries and other persons representing beneficial owners for their reasonable expenses in forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial owners. Our directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies in person or by other means of communication. Such directors, officers and employees will not be additionally compensated but may be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with such solicitation.
If you choose to access the proxy materials and/or vote over the Internet, you are responsible for Internet access charges you may incur.


7


Q:
What is the deadline to propose actions for consideration at next year's annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate individuals to serve as directors?

A:
You may submit proposals, including recommendations of director candidates, for consideration at future stockholder meetings.

comScore’s bylaws provide for advance notice procedures to recommend a person for nomination as a director or to propose business to be considered by stockholders at a meeting. For the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, such nominations or proposals, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, must be submitted in writing and received by our Corporate Secretary at our offices no later than March 13, 2016, which is 90 days prior to the anniversary of the expected first mailing date of notice of availability of this proxy statement. If our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders is moved more than 30 days before or after the anniversary date of our 2015 Annual Meeting, then the deadline is the close of business on the tenth day following the day notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or made public, whichever occurs first. Such proposals also must comply with all applicable requirements of the rules and regulations of the SEC. The chairperson of the stockholder meeting may refuse to acknowledge the introduction of your proposal if it is not made in compliance with the foregoing procedures or the applicable provisions of our bylaws. If a stockholder who has notified comScore of his or her intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting does not appear to present his or her proposal at such meeting, comScore need not present the proposal for vote at such meeting.

 
In addition, for a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, the proposal must be submitted in writing and received by our Corporate Secretary at our offices at 11950 Democracy Drive, Suite 600, Reston, Virginia 20190 no later than February 12, 2016, which is 120 days prior to the anniversary of the expected mailing date of the notice of availability of this proxy statement.

A copy of the full text of the bylaw provisions discussed above may be obtained by writing to comScore’s Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices at 11950 Democracy Drive, Suite 600, Reston, Virginia 20190 or by accessing comScore’s filings on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. All notices of proposals by stockholders, whether or not included in comScore’s proxy materials, should be sent to comScore’s Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices.

Q:
How may I obtain a separate copy of the Notice of Internet Availability?

A:
If you share an address with another stockholder, each stockholder may not receive a separate copy of the Notice of Internet Availability. Stockholders may request to receive separate or additional copies of the Notice of Internet Availability by writing to comScore, Inc., 11950 Democracy Drive, Suite 600, Reston, Virginia 20190, Attention: Investor Relations. Stockholders who share an address and receive multiple copies of the Notice of Internet Availability can also request to receive a single copy by following the instructions above.

Q:
How may I obtain comScore’s 2014 Form 10-K and other financial information?

A:
Stockholders can access our 2014 Form 10-K, and other financial information on our website at www.comscore.com through the "Investor Relations" link on the "About Us" webpage or on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, current and prospective investors may request a free copy of our 2014 Form 10-K, from: comScore, Inc., 11950 Democracy Drive, Suite 600, Reston, Virginia 20190, Attention: Investor Relations. We also will furnish any exhibit to the 2014 Form 10-K if specifically requested upon payment of charges that approximate our cost of reproduction.

Q:
Who can help answer my questions?

A:
Please contact our legal department by calling 703-438-2000 or by writing to comScore, Inc., 11950 Democracy Drive, Suite 600, Reston, Virginia 20190, Attention: Legal Department.




8


DIRECTORS, DIRECTOR NOMINEES, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the names and ages of our executive officers and directors as of April 24, 2015:
Name
Age
Position
Executive Officers and Executive Directors
 
 
Serge Matta
40
President, Chief Executive Officer and Class III Director
Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D.
56
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Class I Director
Gian M. Fulgoni
67
Chairman Emeritus and Class III Director
Melvin Wesley III
43
Chief Financial Officer
Cameron Meierhoefer
43
Chief Operating Officer
Christiana L. Lin
45
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer
Michael A. Brown
45
Chief Technology Officer
 
 
 
Non-Employee Directors
 
 
Russell Fradin(1)(2)
38
Class I Director
William J. Henderson(1)(2)(3)
67
Class II Director
William Katz(1)(2)
60
Class I Director
Ronald J. Korn(3)
75
Class II Director
Joan M. Lewis(3)
49
Class III Director
    
(1)
Member of Nominating and Governance Committee
(2)
Member of Compensation Committee
(3)
Member of Audit Committee
Executive Officers and Executive Directors
Serge Matta has served as a member of our Board of Directors since April 2014, as our Chief Executive Officer since March 2014 and as our President since June 2013. From May 2012 to June 2013, Mr. Matta served as President, Commercial Solutions. From March 2012 to May 2012, he served as President, Mobile and Operator Solutions and prior to that, from January 2010 to March 2012, Executive Vice President, overseeing our worldwide Telecommunications and Mobile practice. Prior to joining the Company in 2000, Mr. Matta held positions at MicroStrategy within the consulting group. Mr. Matta holds a B.S. degree in Finance from George Mason University and an M.B.A. from American University. Mr. Matta's leadership position and experience with our company coupled with his management abilities and his extensive knowledge of our industry qualify him to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D., one of our co-founders, has served as Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors since March 1, 2014. Dr. Abraham previously served as our President and Chief Executive Officer from 1999 to March 2014 and has been a member of our Board of Directors since 1999. In 1995, Dr. Abraham founded Paragren Technologies, Inc., which specialized in delivering large scale Customer Relationship Marketing systems for strategic and target marketing, and served as its Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to 1999. Prior to founding Paragren, Dr. Abraham was employed by Information Resources, Inc. from 1985 until 1995, where he was President and Chief Operating Officer from 1993 to 1994 and later Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1994 until 1995. Dr. Abraham received a Ph.D. in Operations Research and an M.B.A. from MIT. He also holds an Engineering degree from the École Polytechnique in France. Dr. Abraham’s strategic and product vision, long history as a co-founder and member of our Board of Directors, and extensive knowledge of our industry qualify him to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
Gian M. Fulgoni, one of our co-founders, has served as our Chairman Emeritus since March 2014. Mr. Fulgoni previously served as Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors from 1999 to March 2014 and has been a member of our Board of Directors since 1999. Prior to co-founding comScore, Mr. Fulgoni was employed by Information Resources, Inc., where he served as President from 1981 to 1989, Chief Executive Officer from 1986 to 1998 and Chairman of the board of directors from 1991 until 1995. Mr. Fulgoni has served on the board of directors of PetMed Express, Inc. since

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2002 and previously served on its board from August 1999 through November 2000. Mr. Fulgoni also served on the board of directors of the Advertising Research Foundation, an industry research organization, from 2008 to 2014. He also served on the board of directors of Platinum Technology, Inc. from 1990 to 1999, U.S. Robotics, Inc. from 1991 to 1994, and Yesmail.com, Inc. from 1999 to 2000. Educated in the United Kingdom, Mr. Fulgoni holds an M.A. in Marketing from the University of Lancaster and a B.Sc. in Physics from the University of Manchester. Mr. Fulgoni's strategic vision, long history as a co-founder and member of our Board of Directors, extensive knowledge of our business and experience as a director at other technology companies qualify him to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
Melvin Wesley III has served as our Chief Financial Officer since August 2014. From January 2013 to December 2013, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Mandiant Corporation, a provider of advanced endpoint security products and security incident response management solutions. He stayed on as CFO, Global Services and Cloud Solutions at FireEye after the company acquired Mandiant in December 2013. From December 2004 to January 2013, Mr. Wesley was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of OPNET Technologies, a publicly traded company that provided application and network performance solutions. He served as Corporate Controller for OPNET from June 2004 to November 2004. Previously, Mr. Wesley served as Corporate Controller for SteelCloud, Inc. and as Assistant Controller for Learning Tree International, Inc., both publicly traded companies in the technology sector. He holds a B.S. in Accounting and an MBA from George Mason University and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in Virginia.
Cameron Meierhoefer has served as our Chief Operating Officer since March 2012. Previously, he held various senior positions at comScore. Most recently he served as Executive Vice President of Custom Analytics from January 2009 to March 2012 and as Senior Vice President of Custom Analytics from January 2006 to January 2009. Prior to joining comScore in 2001, he helped build PC Data Online, a division of the market research firm PC Data Inc. Mr. Meierhoefer holds a B.S. from Columbia University and a M.S. from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Christiana L. Lin has served as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer since August 2009. Previously, she served as our General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer from January 2006 until August 2009, our Corporate Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer from March 2003 until January 2006, and our Deputy General Counsel from February 2001 until March 2003. Prior to comScore, Ms. Lin held positions in a boutique telecommunications law firm and within the government, including the Department of Defense as well as the White House. Ms. Lin holds a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University.
Michael A. Brown has served as our Chief Technology Officer since February 2011. Previously, Mr. Brown served as Chief Scientist from May 2010 until January 2011 and Executive Vice President within the technology team from November 2007 until May 2010. Prior to joining comScore in 1999, Mr. Brown worked as a consultant for several software engineering and development consulting companies. In 1993, he co-founded Pragmatic Image Technologies, a software consulting group. Mr. Brown holds an M.S. in Computer and Information Science from Hood College, and a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland University College.
Non-Employee Directors
Russell Fradin has served as a director since July 2014. Since November 2010, Mr. Fradin has served as Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Dynamic Signal, a social media marketing technology company that he co-founded. From November 2005 to October 2010, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Adify, an advertising company that he also co-founded, which was sold to Cox Enterprises in 2008. From June 2000 to June 2004, Mr. Fradin was comScore’s Executive Vice President, Corporate Development. Mr. Fradin currently serves on the Board of Directors of TubeMogul, Inc., a public company. He holds a B.S. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Having served as founder and Chief Executive Officer of several digital advertising, marketing and technology companies, Mr. Fradin brings to our Board of Directors a familiarity with the digital marketing and advertising industry, as well as an understanding of the strategic and operational challenges in leading and operating companies in this industry.
William J. Henderson has served as a director since August 2001, and as our lead independent director since October 2014. Mr. Henderson was the 71st Postmaster General of the United States. He served in that position from May 1998 until his retirement in May 2001. Mr. Henderson also served as the Chief Operations Officer of Netflix, Inc. from January 2006 until February 2007. Mr. Henderson currently serves on the board of directors of Acxiom Corporation, a public company, where he has been a director since June 2001. Mr. Henderson holds a B.S. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and served in the U.S. Army. Mr. Henderson brings to our Board of Directors his management experience as Postmaster General and his service as a director of our company since 2001, which affords him unique perspectives on our growth and evolution.

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William Katz has served as a director since June 2008. Since June 2004, Mr. Katz has also served as the chairman of the board of directors of Visible World Inc., a privately-held multimedia marketing services provider. From 1996 to 2004, Mr. Katz served as President and Chief Executive Officer of BBDO New York, the flagship office of BBDO Worldwide, the world’s third largest global agency network. Mr. Katz holds a B.A. in Business and Psychology from American University. Mr. Katz brings to our Board of Directors his management experience in the advertising and marketing industry.
Ronald J. Korn has served as a director since November 2005. Since 1991, he has served as the President of Ronald Korn Consulting, which provides business and marketing services. Mr. Korn served as a director, chairman of the audit committee, and member of the loan committee of Equinox Financial Corporation from 1999 until its acquisition in October 2005. Since 2002, he has served as a director, chairman of the audit committee and a member of the compensation, investment and nominating and governance committees of PetMed Express, Inc., a public company. Since July 2003, he has served as a director, chairman of the audit committee and a member of our compensation committee of Ocwen Financial Corporation, a public company. Mr. Korn was a partner and employee of KPMG, LLP, from 1961 to 1991, where he was the managing partner of KPMG’s Miami office from 1985 until 1991. Mr. Korn holds a B.S. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from New York University Law School. Mr. Korn’s experience in financial matters and as a member of the audit committee of other public companies provides our Board of Directors with financial management and accounting experience.
Joan M. Lewis has served as a director since January 2015. Ms. Lewis was Senior Vice President, Consumer and Market Knowledge of The Procter & Gamble Company, a consumer packaged goods company, from 2008 through December 2014. Previously, she held a number of other leadership positions with Procter & Gamble, including Vice President, Global Operations and Director, North America. Ms. Lewis has also previously served on the Singapore Industry Advisory Board for Consumer Insights, the Advertising Research Foundation Board of Directors, and the Business Advisory Council for the Farmer School of Business at Miami University. She holds a B.S. from Miami University. Ms. Lewis' extensive experience as a customer of a wide variety of market research products gives her a deep understanding of the competitive landscape for digital market research companies, which qualifies her to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.

Board Structure
Our Board of Directors has eight authorized seats divided into three classes (Class I, Class II and Class III) with staggered three-year terms. Two Class II directors are to be elected at the 2015 Annual Meeting to serve a three-year term expiring at the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors have been elected and qualified. The Class I and Class III directors will continue to serve their respective terms until the respective 2017 and 2016 annual meetings of stockholders.
Board Leadership Structure. Our Board of Directors does not have a policy on whether or not the role of the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman should be separate or, if it is to be separate, whether the Chairman should be selected from the non-employee directors or be an employee. Currently, we operate with Mr. Matta serving as a director and our President and Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Abraham serving as our Executive Chairman. We believe that the separation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions suit the talents, expertise and experience that each of Messrs. Abraham and Matta bring to the Company.  Dr. Abraham’s strategic and product vision, long history as a co-founder and member of our Board of Directors, and extensive knowledge of our industry make him well situated to serve as our Executive Chairman.  Mr. Matta’s long history with the Company and ability to lead and execute strategy and business plans make him well suited to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer.
In October 2014, our Board of Directors created the role of Lead Independent Director and elected Mr. Henderson to serve in this capacity. The Lead Independent Director serves as the principal liaison between the independent directors and the CEO and Chairman of the Board. The Lead Independent Director communicates with the CEO and Chairman of the Board and raises issues with management on behalf of the outside directors.
Standing Committees of the Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and governance committee. Our Board of Directors and its committees meet regularly throughout the year and also hold special meetings and act by written consent from time to time as appropriate. Our Board of Directors has delegated various responsibilities and authority to its committees as generally described below. The committees regularly report on their

11


activities and actions to the full Board of Directors. Each committee of our Board of Directors has a written charter approved by our Board of Directors.
Audit Committee. The audit committee of our Board of Directors (our "Audit Committee") recommends the appointment of our independent registered public accountant, reviews our internal accounting procedures and financial statements, and consults with and reviews the services provided by our independent registered public accountant, including the results and scope of their audit. Our Audit Committee met 12 times (including telephonic meetings) during 2014.
Our Audit Committee is currently comprised of Ronald J. Korn (chair), William J. Henderson and Joan Lewis, each of whom is independent within the meaning of the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and applicable SEC and NASDAQ rules. Ronald J. Korn is chairman of our Audit Committee as well as our Audit Committee financial expert, as currently defined under the SEC rules implementing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We believe that the composition and functioning of our Audit Committee complies with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, The NASDAQ Global Market, and SEC rules and regulations.
Our Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board of Directors, a copy of which is available under the “Investor Relations” section of our website, http://www.comscore.com.
Compensation Committee. The compensation committee of our Board of Directors (our "Compensation Committee") reviews and approves and/or recommends to our Board of Directors the compensation and benefits for our executive officers, administers our stock plans, and establishes and reviews general policies relating to compensation and benefits for our employees. Our Compensation Committee met 11 times (including telephonic meetings) during 2014.
Our Compensation Committee is currently comprised of William J. Henderson (chair), William Katz and Russell Fradin, each of whom is independent within the meaning of applicable NASDAQ rules. We believe that the composition and functioning of our Compensation Committee complies with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, The NASDAQ Global Market, and SEC rules and regulations. Our Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees when appropriate.
Our Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board of Directors, a current copy of which is available under the “Investor Relations” section of our website, http://www.comscore.com.
Nominating and Governance Committee. The nominating and governance committee of our Board of Directors (our "Nominating and Governance Committee") is responsible for, among other things, reviewing the appropriate size, function and needs of the board of directors; establishing criteria for evaluating and selecting new members of our Board of Directors, subject to Board of Directors approval thereof; identifying and recommending to our Board of Directors for approval individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors; and monitoring and making recommendations to the Board of Directors on matters relating to corporate governance. The Nominating and Governance Committee met 4 times (including telephonic meetings) during 2014.
Our Nominating and Governance Committee currently consists of William Katz (chair), William Henderson and Russell Fradin. We believe that the composition and functioning of our Nominating and Governance Committee complies with all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, The NASDAQ Global Market and SEC rules and regulations.
Our Nominating and Governance Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board of Directors, a current copy of which is available under the “Investor Relations” section of our website, http://www.comscore.com.
Risk Management
Our Board of Directors has an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of our company’s risks. Our Board of Directors regularly reviews information regarding our credit, liquidity and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. Our Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements. Our Audit Committee oversees management of financial risks. Our Nominating and Governance Committee manages risks associated with the independence of our Board of Directors and potential conflicts of interest. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, our entire Board of Directors is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks.

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Board of Directors and Committee Meeting Attendance
Our Board of Directors met 9 times (including telephonic meetings) during the year ended December 31, 2014. Each of our incumbent directors has attended at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the aggregate number of meetings held by the Board of Directors (during the period in 2014 for which he or she was a director) and the aggregate number of meetings held by the committees of the Board of Directors on which such individual served (during the period in 2014 for which he or she served as a committee member).
Independent members of the Board of Directors regularly meet in executive session without management present.
Annual Meeting Attendance
We encourage, but do not require, our directors to attend our annual meeting of stockholders. Three of our directors attended our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.
Director Nomination Process and Qualifications
Our Nominating and Governance Committee identifies director nominees by first evaluating the current members of our Board of Directors willing to continue in service. Current members with skills and experience that are relevant to our business and who are willing to continue in service are considered for nomination. If any member of the Board of Directors does not wish to continue in service, or the committee or Board of Directors decides not to nominate a member for re-election, the committee identifies the desired skills and experience of a new nominee. Current members of the Board of Directors and senior management are then polled for their recommendations. To date, we have not engaged third parties to identify or evaluate potential nominees; however, the committee may do so in the future.
The Nominating and Governance Committee will also consider nominees recommended by stockholders, and any such recommendations should be forwarded to our Corporate Secretary in writing at our executive offices as identified in this proxy statement. In accordance with our bylaws, such recommendations should include the following information:
•
the name, age, business address and residence address of the proposed candidate;
•
the principal occupation or employment of the proposed candidate;
•
the class and number of shares of our stock that the proposed candidate beneficially owns;
•
a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder making the recommendations and each director nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder; and
•
any other information relating to such director candidate that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for elections of directors or is otherwise required pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including without limitation such nominee’s written consent to being named in any proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected).
While our Nominating and Governance Committee has not established specific minimum qualifications for director candidates, our committee evaluates individual director candidates based upon a number of criteria, including:
•
a high degree of personal and professional integrity;
•
commitment to promoting the long term interests of our stockholders;
•
broad general business experience and acumen, which may include experience in management, finance, marketing and accounting, with particular emphasis on technology companies;
•
adequate time to devote attention to the affairs of our company;
•
an ability to bring balance to our Board of Directors in light of our company’s current and anticipated needs and in light of the skills and attributes of the other board members; and

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•
other attributes relevant to satisfying the requirements imposed by the SEC and NASDAQ.

We believe that our Board of Directors represents a desirable mix of backgrounds, skills, and experiences, and they all share the personal attributes of effective directors described above. While they do not have a formal written policy on director diversity, the Nominating and Governance Committee and our Board of Directors also consider diversity when reviewing the overall composition of our Board of Directors, and considering the slate of nominees for annual election to our Board of Directors and the appointment of individual directors to our Board of Directors. Diversity, in this context, includes factors such as experience, specialized expertise, geographic location, cultural background, gender and ethnicity.

Below are some of the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills in addition to the biographical information provided above that led to the conclusion that each person should serve as one of our directors or to be nominated for election to our Board of Directors in light of our business and structure:

Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D., is one of our co-founders, Executive Chairman and a director. Dr. Abraham has over fifteen years of experience with our business in a variety of roles including research and development, sales and marketing and corporate administration, since its inception. In addition, Dr. Abraham brings his experience as a founder and senior executive of previous successful market-research based companies. Dr. Abraham has a deep understanding of all aspects of our business. He also has significant corporate governance experience through service on other company boards and as an executive with other companies, and he has an extensive educational background.

Russell Fradin has had prior experience as an employee of our company and as a founder of other companies. Mr. Fradin’s familiarity with our business and strategy and his experience founding and managing advertising and marketing companies qualify him to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.

Gian M. Fulgoni, is one of our co-founders, Chairman Emeritus and a director. Mr. Fulgoni has over fifteen years of experience with our business in a variety of roles including research and development, sales and marketing and corporate administration, since its inception. In addition, Mr. Fulgoni brings his experience as a founder and senior executive of previous successful market-research based companies. Mr. Fulgoni has a deep understanding of all aspects of our business. He also has significant corporate governance experience through service on other public company boards and as an executive with other companies, and he has an extensive educational background.

William J. Henderson has served as an executive or a member of the board of directors of several large technology, data aggregation and multimedia companies. Mr. Henderson has substantial experience in marketing and the corporate administration of large businesses. He also has significant corporate governance experience through his service on other company boards, and he has an extensive educational background.

William Katz has also served as an executive of or a member of the board of directors of several marketing and advertising companies. Mr. Katz has extensive experience in those industries, as well as with corporate governance through his service on other boards of directors.

Ronald J. Korn has served as an executive or a member of the board of directors of several large public companies. Mr. Korn has substantial experience as a public accountant, and he has sufficient background to qualify as our audit committee financial expert. He also has significant corporate governance experience through his service on other company boards, and he has an extensive educational background.

Joan M. Lewis has served in senior management positions of a top consumer packaged goods company, and one of the world's largest advertisers. Ms. Lewis has also served on a variety of boards of industry groups. Ms. Lewis has substantial experience as a customer of a wide variety of market research products gives her a deep understanding of the competitive landscape for digital market research companies.

Serge Matta is our President and Chief Executive Officer and a director. Having held leadership positions within the product, commercial, and sales teams as well as having served as President of the Company prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Matta has deep familiarity in all aspects of our business and broad knowledge of our industry.

Director and Director Nominee Independence
Our Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Fradin, Henderson, Katz, and Korn and Ms. Lewis is independent under the rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market ; therefore, every member

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of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee was and currently is an independent director in accordance with those standards. In determining the independence of our directors, our Board of Directors considered all transactions in which we and any director had any interest, including those involving payments made by us to companies in the ordinary course of business where Messrs. Fradin, Henderson, Katz, and Korn and Ms. Lewis serve on the Board of Directors or as a member of the executive management team of the other company.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

William J. Henderson, William Katz and Jarl Mohn served as our Compensation Committee from January 2014 through July 2014, at which time Russell Fradin replaced Mr. Mohn. Mr. Fradin served as our Executive Vice President, Corporate Development from June 2000 to June 2004. Mr. Fulgoni, our Chairman Emeritus, serves as a director of Dynamic Signal, Inc., a social media marketing technology company for which Mr. Fradin serves as chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all directors and employees of the company, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller. The full text of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted under the “Investor Relations” section on our website at http://www.comscore.com.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our Board of Directors has adopted written Corporate Governance Guidelines that set forth key principles that guide its actions, including the role of our Lead Independent Director. Additionally, the Corporate Governance Guidelines require an annual assessment of the Board's performance including performance of its individual directors.
Stock Ownership Guidelines for Non-Employee Directors
Our Board of Directors has adopted written Stock Ownership Guidelines for Non-Employee Directors to further align the interests of our non-employee directors with the interests of our stockholders. Each non-employee director who joins our Board of Directors is expected to hold a number of shares of the Company's common stock with a value equal to or at least two times his or her annual stock retainer for service on our Board of Directors, exclusive of retainers for serving as a member or chair of any Board committee, within five years of adoption of this policy.

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Director Compensation Policy
Retainers and Meeting Fees. During 2014, our non-employee directors were eligible to receive an annual cash retainer based on their general service on our Board of Directors and additional cash retainers for participation or serving as chair of certain committees of our Board of Directors. Our director compensation was last revised in February 2013 following the Nominating and Governance Committee's request to Compensia to undertake a review of director compensation in comparison to our compensation peer group, and the amount of the retainers was last established by our Board of Directors based on the results of that review. Additionally, in October 2014, following the Nominating and Governance Committee's consultation with outside legal counsel and Compensia, our Board of Directors approved a lead independent director designation and revised our director compensation policy to include a retainer for such designation.
During 2014, our non-employee directors were eligible to receive an annual cash retainer of $30,000 for general service on our Board of Directors, and the lead independent director was eligible to receive an additional cash retainer of $20,000, prorated for service during 2014.
Additional annual cash retainers for which members or the chair of certain committees of our Board of Directors were eligible in 2014 were as follows:

 
2014
Committee
Chairperson
Member
Audit
$
18,000

$
10,000

Compensation
10,000

5,000

Nominating and Governance
7,500

3,000

In the case of new non-employee directors, these fees are prorated based on when the non-employee director joins our Board of Directors during the year. Employee directors are not compensated for Board of Director or committee service in addition to their regular employee compensation.
Equity-Based Compensation. Non-employee directors are also eligible to receive stock awards and option grants under our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. Our non-employee directors are eligible to receive an annual restricted stock unit award having an approximate value of $125,000 at the time of grant.
    
Each annual restricted stock unit award vests in full upon the earlier of (i) the date of the respective director’s next anniversary of joining our Board of Directors, (ii) the date of the first annual meeting of stockholders following the date of grant or (iii) a change of control of the Company.
Expenses. We reimburse our non-employee directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as directors. Such expense reimbursements are not included as a component of compensation disclosed in the 2014 Director Compensation table.

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2014 Director Compensation
The following table sets forth certain information concerning cash and non-cash compensation earned by our non-employee directors in 2014. None of the non-employee directors received option awards or other compensation in 2014.

Name
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1)
Stock Awards ($)(2)(3)
Total ($)
Russell Fradin
15,833
125,018
140,851
Jeffrey Ganek(4)
40,000
125,018
165,018
William J. Henderson
55,000
125,018
180,018
William Katz
42,500
125,018
167,518
Ronald J. Korn
48,000
125,018
173,018
Jarl Mohn(5)   
22,084
-
22,084
    

(1)
Effective October 2014, our Board of Directors amended our director compensation policy to include an annual cash retainer payable to the lead independent director. The amounts reported in this table reflect that amendment
(2)
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of $37.23 per share computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 of the stock awards granted to the non-employees in 2014. The assumptions used in the calculation of these award amounts are included in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Each non-employee director elected at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders received a retainer consisting of a restricted stock unit award valued at approximately $125,018, equal to 3,358 shares of the Company's common stock valued at $37.23 per share in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(3)
At December 31, 2014, the aggregate number of shares of the Company's common stock subject to stock options exercisable and outstanding for our non-employee directors was 4,000, and the aggregate number of shares of the Company's common stock covered by unvested restricted stock units was 16,790.
(4)    Mr. Ganek resigned from our Board of Directors effective January 15, 2015.
(5)    Mr. Mohn did not stand for reelection to our Board of Directors at the end of his term in July 2014.


The number of shares of our common stock and the grant date fair value of each stock award reported in the “Stock Awards” column above are as follows:

Name
Award Type
Grant Date
Number of Shares
Grant Date Fair Value ($)
Russell Fradin
Restricted Stock Units
July 22, 2014
3,358
125,018
Jeffrey Ganek(1)   
Restricted Stock Units
July 22, 2014
3,358
125,018
William J. Henderson
Restricted Stock Units
July 22, 2014
3,358
125,018
William Katz
Restricted Stock Units
July 22, 2014
3,358
125,018
Ronald J. Korn
Restricted Stock Units
July 22, 2014
3,358
125,018
Jarl Mohn(2)  
Restricted Stock Units
July 22, 2014
3,358
125,018
    
(1)
Mr. Ganek resigned from our Board of Directors effective January 15, 2015.
(2)
Mr. Mohn did not stand for reelection to our Board of Directors at the end of his term in July 2014.



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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The following discussion and analysis of our compensation arrangements with our named executive officers should be read together with the compensation tables and related disclosures set forth elsewhere in this proxy statement. Our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2014 were:
•
Serge Matta, President and Chief Executive Officer (our “Chief Executive Officer”);
•
Magid Abraham, Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors (our “Executive Chairman") and former Chief Executive Officer;
•
Gian M. Fulgoni, Chairman Emeritus and Director;
•
Melvin Wesley III, Chief Financial Officer (our "CFO");
•
Cameron Meierhoefer, Chief Operating Officer;
•
Christiana Lin, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer; and
•
Kenneth J. Tarpey, former Chief Financial Officer (retired August 28, 2014).
Overview
Key 2014 Business Highlights
In 2014, we exceeded the target levels established for the key financial measures by which our stockholders evaluate our progress - revenue and adjusted EBITDA, with our actual achievement at 165% and over 200%, respectively, of the guidance for the year provided to our stockholders. In addition, for the year:

▪
Our market capitalization grew by 60% in spite of a 2% decrease in our shares outstanding; and

▪
Our share price increased by 62% from $28.61 per share at December 31, 2013 to $46.43 per share at December 31, 2014.

Additionally, among our accomplishments for 2014, we:

•
Significantly expanded our global footprint for our flagship suite of audience measurement products, Media Metrix (or MMX). MMX Multi-Platform, which measures desktop computers, smartphones and tablets, is now available in 10 markets and MMX Mobile is offered in 21 countries across the globe;

•
Launched vCE 2.0, an updated version of our flagship advertising service which provides data that is faster, more granular, and which incorporates multiple data inputs to achieve significantly higher accuracy, was made available in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, and Canada; and

•
Acquired mDot Labs, integrating the employees as well as their unique fraud-fighting technology into our Company and our product line.

Strategic partnerships have been a key to our success and innovation. During 2014, we entered into several strategic agreements that provide us with access to significantly more robust sources of data, and platforms on which to provide our data products. Specifically:

▪
In early 2014, we entered into strategic agreements with Google and Yahoo to integrate our real-time advertising offering into their advertising management platforms, which is critical to; and

▪
In late 2014, we entered into significant partnerships with Pandora to ingest demographic information about mobile consumers to improve our products and with Datalogix to incorporate their consumer segmentation data into our advertising product suite.

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Key 2014 Compensation Actions
Chief Executive Officer Transition. As announced on February 11, 2014, Dr, Abraham transitioned from service as our Chief Executive Officer to assume a new role as Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors effective March 1, 2014. Mr. Matta, our President, was appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. In connection with this transition, our Compensation Committee, in consultation with Compensia, approved the following compensation actions:
Mr. Matta:
•
Increased his annual base salary from $415,000 to $475,000;
•
Increased his annual incentive target opportunity to $700,000;
•
Increased his target performance-based long-term incentive opportunity to $700,000;
•
Increased his annual time-based long-term incentive opportunity to $700,000; and
•
Granted him a one-time "promotion" equity award in the form of a restricted stock unit award for 44,459 shares of our common stock as follows:
◦
One-half of the award, or 22,230 shares, would be earned based on our actual achievement as compared against company-level performance objectives established for 2014, and
◦
One-half of the award, or 22,229 shares, to vest in three equal annual installments in February 2015, 2016, and 2017, all subject to his continued service on each respective vesting date.
Dr. Abraham:
•
At his request, reduced his annual base salary from $500,000 to $250,000, to be paid in the form of restricted shares of our common stock in lieu of cash;
•
Agreed that the restricted stock unit award for 96,666 shares of our common stock originally granted to him in 2012, while he was serving as Chief Executive Officer, and which was to be subject to the achievement of company-level performance objectives established in 2014, would remain in force, with the performance objectives realigned to focus on Dr. Abraham's responsibilities in connection with the Chief Executive Officer transition, and as Executive Chairman;
•
Agreed that the restricted stock unit award for 96,666 shares of our common stock originally granted to him in 2012, while he was serving as Chief Executive Officer, and which was to reward the overachievement of the 2014 performance objectives, would be reduced by 50% to a restricted stock unit award for 48,333 shares of our common stock, with the performance objectives realigned to focus on Dr. Abraham's responsibilities in connection with the Chief Executive Officer transition, and as Executive Chairman; and
•
Agreed that the restricted stock award for 70,000 shares of our common stock, originally granted to him in 2012, while he was serving as Chief Executive Officer, for retention purposes would be allowed to continue vesting in accordance with its original terms, subject to Dr. Abraham's continued service through March 2015.
Chief Financial Officer Transition. On August 4, 2014, we announced the appointment of Mr. Wesley as our Chief Financial Officer. This appointment followed Mr. Tarpey's May 8, 2014 announcement that he intended to retire from the Company. In connection with this transition, our Compensation Committee, in consultation with Compensia, approved an employment offer letter with Mr. Wesley providing for the following:
•
A base salary of $320,000;
•
A target annual incentive opportunity of $240,000, based on achievement of 2014 performance objectives;
•
A target performance-based long-term incentive opportunity of $450,000, based on achievement of 2014 performance objectives, but with any shares earned subject to a three-year time-based vesting requirement; and

19


•
Eligibility for a time-based long-term incentive in the amount of $300,000 subject to a three-year vesting requirement.
In addition, our Compensation Committee also granted Mr. Wesley a one-time "new-hire" equity award in the form of a restricted stock unit award for 10,000 shares of our common stock, to vest in three equal annual installments in August 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Special Market-Based Equity Awards for Executive Officers. On November 7, 2014, our Compensation Committee granted a special market-based performance equity award to our Chief Executive Officer as well as our other named executive officers. These awards, as further discussed below, were comprised of a mix of stock options as well as restricted stock units. The number of shares of our common stock subject to the restricted stock units and options granted was calculated based on a percentage of the aggregate market capitalization increase that our Compensation Committee sought to achieve through the awards. The awards were designed to motivate our Chief Executive Officer and management to drive sustained enterprise value toward a significantly higher market capitalization through 2017.
To achieve this objective, both the restricted stock units and the option awards were to vest (in the case of the options, to become exercisable) only upon the achievement of pre-established stock-price targets ranging from $48.00 to $60.00 per share. Based on a careful analysis of our Company's historic stock price performance, our Compensation Committee believed that to attain these stock-price targets to be challenging and attainable only by performance far in excess of our previous annual sales levels. Instead, our Compensation Committee believed that, to achieve these stock-price targets, it would be necessary for us to continue to expand our business relationships with existing and new strategic customers and to enter into strategic alliances with one or more third parties. For example, the lowest stock-price target of $48.00 per share represented a 25% increase in the market value of our common stock as measured by the 30-day average trading price of our common stock as of the date of the award bearing in mind that the trading price of our common stock already had increased 161% over the preceding 12 months. This market-based program would require a minimum market capitalization growth of $322 million (or 25% growth) to achieve the initial stock-price target, and additional targets of up to a maximum market capitalization growth of $721 million (or approximately 50% growth), assuming basic shares outstanding remained constant.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation
In 2014, our newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer's compensation was primarily performance-focused. Approximately 54% of Mr. Matta’s target total direct compensation (excluding his promotion and market-based awards) was variable in nature and "at risk." In addition, the performance-based components of his total direct compensation opportunity provided for an above-target payment in the event of strong overachievement.

20



2014 Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
We conducted a stockholder advisory (non-binding) vote on the compensation of our named executive officers (a so-called “say-on-pay” vote) for the year ended December 31, 2013 at our 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to rules promulgated under Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our stockholders expressed support for the compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2013, with more than 90% of the votes cast for approval of their compensation.
Our Compensation Committee carefully evaluated the results of this advisory vote and the feedback we received from several of our major stockholders in connection with its general evaluation of our executive compensation programs. Taking into account the results of the say-on-pay vote, along with other factors such as our corporate business objectives and our Compensation Committee’s review of competitive market data (as discussed in more detail below), our Compensation Committee did not make changes to our executive compensation program and policies as a result of the 2014 “say-on-pay” vote.

Executive Compensation Policies and Practices

We endeavor to maintain sound executive compensation policies and practices, including compensation-related corporate governance standards, consistent with our executive compensation philosophy. During 2014, the following executive compensation policies and practices were in place, including both policies and practices we have implemented to drive performance and policies and practices that either prohibit or minimize behaviors that we do not believe serve our stockholders’ long-term interests:


21


What We Do

▪
Compensation Committee Independence - Our Board of Directors maintains a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors who have established effective means for communicating with our stockholders regarding their executive compensation ideas and concerns.

▪
Compensation Committee Advisor Independence - Our Compensation Committee engages and retains its own advisors. During 2014, the Compensation Committee engaged Compensia, Inc. to assist with its responsibilities. Compensia performs no consulting or other services for the Company.

▪
Annual Compensation Review - Our Compensation Committee conducts an annual review of our executive compensation philosophy and strategy, including a review of the compensation peer group used for comparative purposes.

▪
Compensation-Related Risk Assessment - As part of the annual review of our executive compensation philosophy and strategy, we also evaluate our compensation programs, policies, and practices to ensure that they reflect an appropriate level of risk-taking but do not encourage our employees to take excessive or unnecessary risks that could have a material adverse impact on the Company.

▪
Emphasize Performance-based Incentive Compensation - Our Compensation Committee designs our executive compensation program to use performance-based short-term and long-term incentive compensation awards to align of the long-term interests of our executive officers with the interests of our stockholders.

▪
Emphasize Long-Term Equity Compensation - Our Compensation Committee uses equity awards to deliver long-term incentive compensation opportunities to our executive officers, including our named executive officers. These equity awards vest or may be earned over multi-year periods, which better serves our long-term value creation goals and retention objectives.

▪
Limited Executive Perquisites - We provide only modest amounts of perquisites or other personal benefits to our named executive officers which serve a sound business purpose. In addition, our named executive officers participate in our health and welfare benefit programs on the same basis as all of our employees.

▪
“Double-Trigger” Change in Control Arrangements - The post-employment compensation arrangements for certain of our named executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, our Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, are based on a “double-trigger” arrangement that provides for the receipt of payments and benefits only in the event of (i) a change in control of the Company and (ii) a qualifying termination of employment

▪
Reasonable Change-in-Control Arrangements - The post-employment compensation arrangements for certain of our executive officers, including our named executive officers, provide for amounts and multiples that are within reasonable market norms.

▪
Prohibition on Hedging and Pledging - Our executive officers, including our named executive officers, and the members of our Board of Directors are prohibited from engaging in hedging transactions with respect to our equity securities. Our executive officers, including our named executive officers, are also prohibited from pledging shares of our common stock.

▪
Succession Planning - Our Board of Directors reviews the risks associated with our key executive positions with our Chief Executive Officer on a periodic basis so that we identify and prepare for an adequate succession strategy and plans are in place for our most critical positions.

What We Do Not Do

▪
Retirement Programs - Other than our Section 401(k) plan generally available to all employees, we do not offer defined benefit or contribution retirement plans or arrangements or nonqualified deferred compensation plans or arrangements for our executive officers, including our named executive officers.


22


▪
No Tax “Gross-Ups” or Payments - We do not provide any “gross-ups” or tax payments in connection with any compensation element or any excise tax “gross-up” or tax reimbursement in connection with any change in control payments or benefits.

▪
No Dividends - We do not pay dividends or dividend equivalents on unvested or unearned restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock unit awards.

▪
No Stock Option Repricing - We do not reprice options to purchase shares of our common stock without stockholder approval.
Our Philosophy
The objective of our compensation programs for our employees, including our executive officers, is to attract and retain top talent. Our compensation plans are designed to motivate and reward employees for achievement of positive business results and also to promote and enforce accountability.
In determining the compensation arrangements of our named executive officers, we are guided by the following key principles:
•
Align Stockholder Interests and Promote Achievement of Strategic Objectives. Not only should our compensation arrangements be tied to our financial performance, strong performance-based equity awards for high growth in the value of our common stock serve to align our executive officers’ interests with those of our stockholders.
•
Promote Achievement of Financial Goals. Compensation should be dependent on the achievement of our financial goals and increasing the value of our common stock. We seek to establish financial targets that are aligned with the financial targets that we provide to our investors and stockholders in the beginning of the year.
•
Reward Superior Performance. We believe that while total compensation for an executive should be both competitive and tied to achievement of financial goals and strategic objectives, performance that exceeds targets should be appropriately awarded.
•
Attract and Retain Top Talent. Our compensation arrangements should be sufficient to allow us to attract, retain and motivate executive officers with the necessary skills and talent to successfully manage our business, taking into consideration a number of factors such as market analyses, experience, alternative market opportunities, and consistency with the compensation paid to other professionals within our organization.
Application of our Philosophy
We believe that our executive compensation program appropriately balances short-term and long-term elements, cash and equity elements, and fixed and contingent payments. We apply our compensation philosophy using both quantitative and qualitative performance measures to motivate our named executive officers and reward them for achieving the following goals:
•
develop a culture that embodies a passion for our business and a drive to achieve and exceed established goals and objectives;
•
provide leadership to the organization in such a way as to maximize the results of our business operations;
•
lead us by demonstrating forward thinking in the operation, development and expansion of our business; and
•
effectively manage organizational resources to derive the greatest value possible from each dollar invested.
Our executive compensation program aims not only to compensate top talent at levels that we believe are generally at or near the median of the competitive market (as reflected by our compensation peer group), but also to be proportionate relative to compensation paid to other professionals within our organization, and to be appropriately linked to our short-term and long-term performance results and to the value we deliver to our stockholders. In some instances, we may adjust our compensation levels in the event that the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors believes such compensation would be in our best interest to attract or retain a specific executive officer. We seek to maintain a performance-oriented culture with a compensation approach that rewards our named executive officers when we achieve

23


and exceed our goals and objectives, while putting at risk a significant portion of their compensation against the possibility that our goals and objectives may not be achieved. Our Compensation Committee considers both qualitative and quantitative factors as measures of individual performance and weights these factors in assessing a particular individual’s performance.
Role of Our Compensation Committee
Our Compensation Committee is appointed by our Board of Directors, and consists entirely of directors who are “outside directors” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, “non-employee directors” for purposes of Exchange Act Rule 16b-3, and “independent directors” under the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market. Our Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Henderson, Katz and Fradin, and is chaired by Mr. Henderson.
Our Compensation Committee approves, oversees and interprets our executive compensation program and related policies and practices, including our 1999 Stock Plan, our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan and other compensation, incentives and benefits programs. Our Compensation Committee is also responsible for establishing the compensation packages of our executive officers and ensuring that our executive compensation program is consistent with our compensation philosophy and corporate governance guidelines.
Our Compensation Committee takes the following steps to ensure that our executive compensation program is consistent with both our compensation philosophy and our corporate governance guidelines:
•
regularly reviews the performance of and the total compensation earned by or awarded to our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman independent of input from them;
•
examines on an annual basis the performance of our other named executive officers with assistance from our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman and approves total compensation packages for them that it believes to be consistent with those generally found in the marketplace for executives in comparable positions;
•
regularly holds executive sessions without management present; and
•
engages a compensation consultant to review our executive compensation policies and practices and provide analysis of the competitive market for our executive officers in connection with each component of our executive officer compensation packages.
As part of its decision-making process, our Compensation Committee evaluates comparative compensation data, which includes base salary, short-term cash incentives, long-term incentive compensation (including equity awards) and other compensation components from similarly situated companies. Our Compensation Committee determines the target compensation opportunities for each named executive officer based on the following key factors:
(i)
how much we would be willing to pay to retain that named executive officer;
(ii)
how much we would expect to pay in the marketplace to replace that named executive officer;
(iii)
how much that named executive officer could otherwise command in the employment marketplace;
(iv)
past performance as well as the strategic value of the executive officer's future contributions; and
(v)
internal parity.
Further, our Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer who annually reviews competitive market data, individual performance, and changes in roles or responsibilities of our other executive officers, and proposes adjustments to the executive officer's compensation based on this review. By evaluating the comparative compensation data in light of the foregoing factors, we believe our Compensation Committee is better able to tailor its compensation determinations with the specific needs and responsibilities of the particular position, and the unique qualifications of the individual named executive officer.

24


Role of Compensation Consultant
Our Compensation Committee is authorized to retain the services of one or more executive compensation advisors from time to time, as it determines in its discretion, in connection with the discharge of its responsibilities. During 2014, our Compensation Committee retained the services of Compensia, Inc., a national compensation consulting firm, as its compensation consultant. Compensia serves at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. Compensia was engaged to provide advice and information relating to executive officer and director compensation. In 2014, Compensia assisted our Compensation Committee in (i) reviewing our compensation peer group, (ii) analyzing the compensation of our executive officers, (iii) reviewing and analyzing market data related to our executive officers’ base salaries, short-term cash incentives, and long-term incentive compensation levels, and (iv) evaluating equity plan design and structures.
Compensia reports directly to our Compensation Committee and did not provide any services to us or our management in 2014 other than those provided to our Compensation Committee as described above. Our Compensation Committee has considered the independence of Compensia in light of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules on Compensation Committee advisor independence and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and has concluded that the work performed by Compensia did not raise any conflict of interest.
Review of Compensation Policies for 2014
In the fourth quarter of 2013, as part of our ongoing commitment to link current compensation levels to our compensation philosophy and business strategy, our Compensation Committee requested that Compensia review our direct compensation levels, including base salary, total cash compensation and total direct compensation. Also in 2014, our Compensation Committee requested that Compensia review our compensation peer group and recommend any appropriate updates.
Compensia recommended an update to the compensation peer group based on management input as to companies with whom we may compete for executive talent. All of the companies included in the compensation peer group are providers of digital marketing intelligence or related analytical products and services, marketing services and solutions or survey services. Upon consultation with our Compensation Committee and management, as well as upon conducting independent research, Compensia recommended and our Compensation Committee used the following peer group throughout 2014:

Constant Contact
Costar Group
Dealertrack Technologies
Dice Holdings
Liquidity Services

LivePerson
LogMeIn
MicroStrategy
OpenTable
QuinStreet
Responsys
Synchronoss Technologies
Vocus
Web.com Group
WebMD Health
Compensia provided a report to our Compensation Committee in January 2014 with observations and analyses regarding the direct compensation levels of our named executive officers. The 2014 study referenced both published compensation survey data of comparably-sized companies targeting a range of companies with revenues from half to twice our revenues and the compensation peer group. In February 2014, Compensia further reviewed the proposed compensation levels to reflect the Chief Executive Officer transition announced in February 2014. In March 2014, Compensia assisted our Compensation Committee in reviewing proposed adjustments to compensation for our executive officers to reflect the scope of responsibilities they would hold after Chief Executive Officer transition.
Our Compensation Committee considered the 50th percentile of the competitive market when making its decisions with respect to individual compensation components as it believed that such positioning would be at a competitive level for our named executive officers as well as consistent with industry practices in the technology sector. In making this determination, our Compensation Committee considered such factors as our stage of development, the size and characteristics of our Company, based on both headcount and operations and balance sheet characteristics, the expected future characteristics of our business relative to our compensation peer group the individual’s seniority, position and functional role, level of responsibility, accomplishments against personal and group objectives, and the compensation analysis prepared by Compensia. In addition, our Compensation Committee considered the market for corresponding positions within comparable geographic areas and industries as well as the state of our business and our cash flows.
  


25



Executive Compensation Program Elements
Our executive compensation program consists of three primary elements: base salary, performance-based incentive opportunities and a long-term time-based compensation opportunities. Aside from base salary, the other compensation elements are distributed in the form of equity awards, which we use to further align our executive officer's interests with stockholder interests.
Our Compensation Committee evaluates executive compensation and strives to apply the mix of these elements in a manner consistent with our compensation philosophy while meeting our objectives to attract and retain top talent using compensation that is consistent with or more attractive than other opportunities while also adjusting for individual relative performance and responsibilities as well as our business goals. Our Compensation Committee has no formal policy for allocating compensation among the compensation components described above.
Base Salary
Base salary is used to recognize the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of each named executive officer, as well as to reflect competitive market practice. As our Compensation Committee initially considered our named executive officers’ compensation for 2014, base salary determinations were guided primarily by our objective to provide compensation at levels to attract and retain top talent. Also, in early 2014, our Compensation Committee evaluated the base salaries of our named executive officers in light of the Chief Executive Officer transition announced and made base salary adjustments based on the changed roles, as well as the expected transition-related responsibilities that continued with Dr. Abraham and Mr. Fulgoni.
The base salaries of each of our executive officers are reviewed on an annual basis and, if determined appropriate, adjustments are made following each fiscal year based, within the context of our overall annual merit increase structure, and at other times as appropriate, in each case to reflect performance-based factors, marketplace conditions and the overall performance of our business, and based on the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer.
The following table sets forth the annualized base salaries for 2013 and 2014 for each named executive officer:
Name
2013
2014
Percentage Change

Serge Matta
$
415,000

$
475,000

14.5
 %
Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D.
500,000

250,000(1)

(50.0
)%
Gian M. Fulgoni
375,000

375,000(1)

0.0
 %
Kenneth J. Tarpey (retired August 28, 2014)
367,500

367,500

0.0
 %
Cameron Meierhoefer
321,000

353,000

10.0
 %
Christiana Lin
302,500

333,000

10.0
 %
    
(1)
For the period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, in lieu of receiving a cash salary, each of Dr. Abraham and Mr. Fulgoni received an award of shares of our common stock with a value equal to the amount of salary foregone by each, less amounts paid to them in cash during 2014 to cover health benefits, based on the closing price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market at the close of trading on March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014. The number of shares of our common stock delivered to each named executive officer was reduced by the number of shares necessary to satisfy applicable tax withholding requirements.


26


Incentive Compensation

Both our annual and long-term incentive compensation arrangements are equity-based. By using equity to compensate our named executive officers for successfully completing the objectives in our annual operating plan and sharing in the long-term results of their efforts, we believe that we are closely aligning their interests with the interests of our stockholders. Our the components of our 2014 Executive Compensation Bonus Policy is further described below:

Annual Incentive Compensation. We provide annual incentive compensation to our named executive officers payable entirely in shares of our common stock. Pursuant to these award opportunities, our named executive officers may earn shares of our common stock based on our corporate and their individual performance. Our named executive officers must remain employed through the date that our Compensation Committee makes its determinations as to the prior year’s performance to earn these shares. The target, weighting, performance objectives, and results are described below for the named executive officers (other than Dr. Abraham). Given the Chief Executive Officer transition requirements, Dr. Abraham's annual incentive compensation was separately addressed by our Compensation Committee and is described in the section below titled, "Annual Incentive Compensation for Dr. Abraham".

Target Annual Incentive Award Opportunities. At the beginning of 2014, our Compensation Committee established target annual incentive award opportunities for each of our then-named executive officers. The amount of each named executive officer’s target annual incentive award opportunity was determined by our Compensation Committee after consideration of the compensation analysis prepared by Compensia, the previously-announced Chief Executive Officer transition, the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer (except with respect to his own target annual incentive award opportunity), and the other factors described above. The target annual incentive award opportunities of our named executive officers were as follows:

Name
Target Annual Incentive Award Opportunity ($)

Maximum Annual Incentive Award Opportunity ($)

Serge Matta
$
700,000

$
1,400,000

Gian M. Fulgoni
375,000

750,000

Kenneth J. Tarpey (retired August 28, 2014)
275,625

551,250

Cameron Meierhoefer
264,750

529,500

Christiana Lin
249,750

499,500


The amount of each of these annual incentive award opportunities was determined by our Compensation Committee based on a weighted mix of quantitative and qualitative performance factors. Each named executive officer was eligible to receive an award with a value from zero to 200% of his or her target annual incentive award opportunity contingent on our actual performance for the year.

Mr. Wesley’s target annual incentive award opportunity was established by our Compensation Committee at $240,000 (with a maximum annual incentive award opportunity of $480,000) when he joined us as our Chief Financial Officer in August 2014.
Weighting of Target Annual Incentive Award Opportunities. The target annual incentive award opportunity for our Chief Executive Officer was weighted entirely on corporate performance objectives, with the target annual incentive award opportunities of our other named executive officers were weighted as follows:
Name
Corporate Performance Objective
- Revenue
Corporate Performance Objective
- Adjusted EBITDA
Individual Performance Objectives
Serge Matta
50%
50%
N/A
Gian M. Fulgoni
80%
N/A
20%
Kenneth J. Tarpey (retired August 28, 2014)
80%
N/A
20%
Cameron Meierhoefer
50%
N/A
50%
Christiana Lin
N/A
N/A
100%

27


Corporate Performance Objectives. At the beginning of the year, our Compensation Committee selected revenue and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) as the corporate performance measures for the 2014 annual incentive awards. Our Compensation Committee believed these performance measures were appropriate for our business because they provided a balance between generating revenue, managing our expenses, and growing our business, which it believes most directly influence long-term stockholder value. For purposes of the annual incentive awards, Adjusted EBITDA was defined to mean earnings before income taxes, amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation, costs related to acquisitions, restructuring and other infrequently occurring items, depreciation, interest and other expense.

The threshold, target, and maximum performance levels for these measures were as follows:

Performance Measure
Threshold Performance
Target Performance
Maximum Performance
Revenue
$311 million
$322 million
$334 million
Adjusted EBITDA
$57.5 million
$63.0 million
$70.5 million

Our Compensation Committee established the performance levels for each of these measures at amounts that it believed to be challenging, but attainable, through the successful execution of our annual operating plan. In addition, each of these performance levels was assigned a payment amount commensurate with the reward that our Compensation Committee, in its judgment, believed was reasonable and appropriate for those results. Our Compensation Committee determined that no payment would be made with respect to a performance measure if our actual achievement was less than the threshold level established for that measure. In addition, for actual achievement between the threshold and target, and target and maximum, performance levels, payments were to be calculated for each measure on a linear basis starting from 50% achievement at the threshold.

Individual Performance Objectives. In addition to the corporate performance objectives, the annual incentive awards were also based on each named executive officer’s achievement against his or her individual performance objectives. Individual performance objectives for each named executive officer were established at the beginning of the year in discussions with our Chief Executive Officer. These objectives could be quantitative or qualitative goals, depending on the organizational priorities for a given year, and typically focused on key departmental or operational objectives or functions. Most of these objectives were intended to provide a set of common goals that facilitated collaborative management and engagement, although our named executive officers could also be assigned individual goals. In all cases, the individual performance objectives were intended to be challenging, but attainable, and designed to produce annual incentive awards that reflected meaningful performance requirements.

The individual performance objectives for our named executive officers (other than Mr. Matta and Dr. Abraham) were as follows:

▪
Mr. Fulgoni: assist with the Executive Chairman transition, continue investor relations work, reinforce our message among investors and analysts, and serve as a thought leader in support of our brand-building activities.

▪
Mr. Tarpey: improve financial infrastructure and systems, improve management of international entity structure, improve operational efficiencies in the finance and accounting teams; expand sell side analyst coverage of our Company's performance

▪
Mr. Wesley: learn comScore organization, products, and processes, review opportunities for improvement in finance organization and drive plans for implementing such improvements, providing strategic and practical oversight over comScore financial activities including structure, compliance, planning, forecasting and expense management, and, establishing leadership tone within the finance organization.

▪
Mr. Meierhoefer: re-align our product and operational organizations to improve the effectiveness of these teams, develop and deploy critical technical data collection solutions, and attain critical new product capabilities, and integrate strategic data inputs into our flagship advertising analytics products, as well as launch our international mobile products and continue the development of cross platform solutions.

▪
Ms. Lin: successful closure of strategic commercial and corporate deals, successful wind down of significant

28


litigation matters, implement process, system, and operational improvements within the legal and human resources teams, and develop and maintain a strategic approach to managing our intellectual property portfolio and privacy-related efforts, and provide strategic advice and counsel to our executive officers as well as our Board of Directors.

2014 Performance Results and Award Decisions. In February 2015, our Compensation Committee determined that our actual achievement, and corresponding payment levels, with respect to the corporate performance objectives for 2014 were as follows:

Performance Measure
Target Performance Level
Actual Performance Level
Performance as a Percentage of Target
Revenue
$322 million
$329.2 million
165 %
Adjusted EBITDA
$63.0 million
$71.37 million
200 %

In addition, following his review of the performance of each named executive officer whose target annual incentive award opportunity was based, either in whole or in part, on individual performance objectives, our Chief Executive Officer submitted his recommendation to our Compensation Committee as to the appropriate level of achievement with respect to those objectives. Upon review of these recommendations, our Compensation Committee determined that the individual performance objectives of each named executive officer had been attained at the following percentage levels:
Name
Individual Performance Objectives Attainment Level
Serge Matta
N/A
Gian M. Fulgoni
100%
Melvin Wesley
91%
Cameron Meierhoefer
92%
Christiana Lin
98%
    
(1)    Mr. Tarpey’s individual performance objective was not considered because he retired from the Company during 2014.

In February 2015, based on its review of our overall performance in 2014 against the corporate performance objectives and, to the extent applicable, the achievement of individual performance objectives, our Compensation Committee determined that our named executive officers had earned their annual incentive awards at the percentage levels reflected in the following table, which were payable in the form of shares of our common stock as follows:
Name (1)
Target Annual Incentive
Award Opportunity
($)

Actual Annual Incentive Award
($)

Actual Annual Incentive Award (number of shares) (2)

Actual Annual Incentive Achieved Against Target
(%)

Serge Matta
$
700,000

$
1,287,775

29,629

184
%
Gian M. Fulgoni
375,000

571,093

13,232

152
%
Melvin Wesley III
240,000

383,128

8,877

160
%
Cameron Meierhoefer
265,000

340,951

7,900

127
%
Christiana Lin
249,500

249,750

5,787

100
%
    
(1)
Mr. Tarpey did not receive an annual incentive award because he retired from the Company during 2014.
(2)
The number of shares of our common stock received was determined based on the closing price of our common stock reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on February 11, 2015, which was $43.16 per share.

Annual Incentive Compensation for Dr. Abraham. The annual incentive award opportunity of Dr. Abraham is based on the restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards that were originally granted to him in 2012, while he was serving as Chief Executive Officer. These RSU awards provided him with the opportunity to earn up to 96,666 shares of our common stock for the achievement and an additional 96,666 shares of our common stock for the overachievement of one or more corporate performance objectives established by our Compensation Committee at the beginning of 2014. As described at the beginning of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, in connection with his assumption of his new role as Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors these awards were modified my our Compensation Committee to provide

29


Dr. Abraham with the opportunity to earn up to 96,666 shares of our common stock for the achievement and an additional 48,333 shares of our common stock for the overachievement of one or more performance objectives focused on his changed responsibilities and his continued involvement in shaping our product development and strategy activities for the year.

At the beginning of 2014, our Compensation Committee established individual performance objectives for Dr. Abraham, which were weighted as 50% of his target annual incentive award opportunity. These performance objectives involved certain activities related to assisting with the Chief Executive Officer transition and the development and improvement of strategic product initiatives with a focus on cross-platform products. To reinforce its intention that he continue to operate as a vital member of our management team, the remainder of his target annual incentive award opportunity was equally divided between the two corporate performance objectives - revenue and adjusted EBITDA - that were used in connection with the target annual incentive award opportunities of our other named executive officers.

In February 2015, following its determination of our actual achievement with respect to the corporate performance objectives for 2014 and an assessment of Dr. Abraham’s performance against his individual performance objectives (which were determined to have been met in full), our Compensation Committee awarded him 116,648 shares of our common stock.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation. We provide our named executive officers with an annual long-term incentive compensation opportunity also payable entirely in shares of our common stock. As discussed below, these awards are earned, if at all, based entirely on our corporate performance. For 2014, the target long-term incentive awards granted to our named executive officers (other than Dr. Abraham) were as follows:

Name and Principal Position
Target Annual Incentive
Award Opportunity ($)

Maximum Annual Incentive Award Opportunity ($)

Serge Matta
$
700,000

$
1,400,000

Gian M. Fulgoni
275,000

500,000

Kenneth J. Tarpey (retired August 28, 2014)
150,000

300,000

Cameron Meierhoefer
450,000

900,000

Christiana Lin
450,000

900,000


Mr. Wesley’s target long-term incentive award opportunity was established by our Compensation Committee at $450,000 (with a maximum annual incentive award opportunity of $900,000) when he joined us as our Chief Financial Officer in August 2014.

Any shares of our common stock earned pursuant to these awards immediately vested as to one-third of such earned shares upon the date of determination by our Compensation Committee in 2015 as to our actual performance results, and the remaining two-thirds of such earned shares vest in two equal installments on the first and second anniversaries of the date of determination by our Compensation Committee, subject to continued employment through each of the vesting dates.

Corporate Performance Measures and Relative Weightings. At the beginning of the year, our Compensation Committee selected revenue and Adjusted EBITDA as the corporate performance measures for the 2014 long-term incentive awards. Our Compensation Committee believed these performance measures were appropriate for our business because they provided a balance between generating revenue, managing our expenses, and growing our business, which it believes most directly influence long-term stockholder value. The threshold, target, and maximum performance levels for these measures were as follows:
Performance Measure
Threshold Performance
Target Performance
Maximum Performance
Revenue
$311 million
$322 million
$334 million
Adjusted EBITDA
$57.5 million
$63.0 million
$70.5 million


30


Our Compensation Committee established the performance levels for each of these measures at amounts that it believed to be challenging, but attainable, through the successful execution of our annual operating plan. In addition, each of these performance levels was assigned a payment amount commensurate with the reward that our Compensation Committee, in its judgment, believed was reasonable and appropriate for those results. Our Compensation Committee determined that no payment would be made with respect to a performance measure if our actual achievement was less than the threshold level established for that measure. In addition, for actual achievement between the threshold and target, and target and maximum, performance levels, payments were to be calculated for each measure on a linear basis starting from 50% achievement at the threshold.

The performance measures were weighted to apply to the long-term incentive award of each named executive officer as follows:

Name
Corporate Performance Objective
- Revenue
Corporate Performance Objective
- Adjusted EBITDA
Serge Matta
50%
50%
Gian M. Fulgoni
N/A
100%
Kenneth J. Tarpey (retired August 28, 2014)
N/A
100%
Cameron Meierhoefer
N/A
100%
Christiana Lin
N/A
100%

Performance Results and Award Decisions. In February 2015, our Compensation Committee determined that our actual achievement, and corresponding payment levels, with respect to the corporate performance objectives for 2014 were as follows:

Performance Measure
Target Performance Level
Actual Performance Level
Performance as a Percentage of Target
Revenue
$322 million
$329.2 million
165 %
Adjusted EBITDA
$63.0 million
$71.37 million
200 %

At that time, based on its review of our overall performance in 2014 against the corporate performance objectives, our Compensation Committee determined that our named executive officers had earned their long-term incentive awards at a percentage level and which were payable in the form of shares of our common stock as follows:
Name (1)
Target Annual Incentive
Award Opportunity
($)

Actual Annual Incentive Award ($)

Actual Annual Incentive Award (number of shares) (2)

Actual Annual Incentive Achieved Against Target
(%)

Serge Matta
$
700,000

$
1,287,775

29,629

184
%
Gian M. Fulgoni
275,000

500,000

11,585

200
%
Melvin Wesley III
450,000

900,000

20,853

200
%
Cameron Meierhoefer
450,000

900,000

20,853

200
%
Christiana Lin
450,000

900,000

20,853

200
%
    
(1)
Mr. Tarpey did not receive an annual incentive award because he retired from the Company during 2014.
(2)
The number of shares of our common stock received was determined based on the closing price of our common stock reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on February 11, 2015, which was $43.16 per share.


Additional Time-Based Long-Term Incentive Compensation Award. In February 2014, following consultation with Compensia, and a review of competitive market data, our Compensation Committee determined that, to support our retention objectives, it was appropriate to introduce a time-based equity award to our long-term incentive compensation program. The purpose of this award was to ensure that each of our named executive officers has a minimum amount of time-based equity representing between 80% to 100% of his or her annual base salary to be earned over a multi-year period (initially 3 years) subject to continued employment with us. The initial time-based equity award approved for our named executive officers were based on a specific dollar amount and ultimately paid in shares of our common stock as follows:

31


 
Name (1)
Long-Term Time-Based Equity Award
($)
Long-Term Time-Based Award
(number of shares) (2)
Serge Matta
$700,000
16,219
Gian M. Fulgoni
N/A
N/A
Melvin Wesley III(3)
300,000
6,951
Cameron Meierhoefer
300,000
6,951
Christiana Lin
300,000
6,951
    
(1)
Mr. Tarpey did not receive an additional time-based long-term incentive award because he retired from the Company during 2014.
(2)
The number of shares of our common stock received was determined based on the closing price of our common stock reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on February 11, 2015, which was $43.16 per share. These awards immediately vested as to one-third of such shares upon the date of determination by our Compensation Committee in 2015, and the remaining two-thirds of such shares vest in two equal installments on the firsts and second anniversaries of the date of determination by our Compensation Committee, subject to continued employment through each of the vesting dates.
(3)
Mr. Wesley's time-based long-term incentive award was approved by our Compensation Committee when he joined us as our Chief Financial Officer in August, 2014.

“New Hire” Equity Award for Mr. Wesley. Typically, upon joining us, a new named executive officer will be granted an initial equity award, the value of which will be determined primarily based on competitive conditions applicable to the individual’s specific position as well as the individual’s qualifications in light of these competitive conditions. In addition, in making this award our Compensation Committee will consider the number of shares of our common stock subject to the outstanding equity awards held by our other executive officers in comparable positions. In August 2014, our Compensation Committee granted Mr. Wesley an equity award in the form of a restricted stock unit (“RSU”) award for 10,000 shares of our common stock, to vest in equal annual installment over three years, subject to his continued employment through each of the vesting dates.

Promotion Equity Awards for Mr. Matta. Periodically, our Compensation Committee grants equity awards to our named executive officers in recognition of a promotion and/or an increase in his or her role or responsibilities. In connection with Mr. Matta's promotion to our Chief Executive Officer in February 2014, our Compensation Committee granted him an equity award in the form of an RSU award for 44,459 shares of our common stock, with 50% of the award, or 22,230 shares, to be earned based on the achievement of corporate performance objectives established for 2014, and the remaining 50%, or 22,229 shares, to vest in equal annual installments in February 2015, 2016, and 2017, all subject to his continued employment through each of the vesting dates.

With respect to the performance-based portion of this RSU award, our Compensation Committee selected annual revenue and Adjusted EBITDA as the corporate performance measures, with the related target level for each measure established in an amount equal to the target levels established for his annual incentive award.

Retention Equity Awards for Mr. Meierhoefer and Ms. Lin. In February 2014, Mr. Matta recommended, and our Compensation Committee approved, additional equity awards in the form of an RSU award for 7,500 shares of our common stock to each of Mr. Meierhoefer and Ms. Lin, to recognize the efforts that would be required by these named executive officers to assist Mr. Matta in achieving the 2014 corporate performance objectives set for him. Similar to the promotional equity award granted to Mr. Matta, 50% of this award was performance-based, and 50% of the award was time-based, with vesting to occur over three years, all subject to his or her continued employment through each of the vesting dates.

Special Market-Based Equity Awards. On November 7, 2014, our Compensation Committee granted a special market-based equity award to our Chief Executive Officer and certain of our other named executive officers. These awards were comprised of a mix of options to purchase shares of our common stock as well as RSU awards that may be settled for shares of our common stock. The number of shares of our common stock subject to these awards was calculated to represent a specific percentage of the aggregate market capitalization increase that our Compensation Committee sought to achieve through the awards. These special awards were designed to provide an additional incentive for our named executive officers to drive sustained enterprise value toward a significantly higher market capitalization through 2017.


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To achieve the desired growth, both the stock options and RSU awards provide that they would become exercisable (in the case of the options) and vest (in the case of the RSU awards) only upon the achievement of pre-established stock-price target levels ranging from $48.00 per share to $60.00 per share. The shares of our common stock subject to these market-based equity awards will be earned in the following proportions and at the following stock-price targets:

 
Stock-Price Target
(per share) (1)
Percentage of Shares Subject to Stock Option That Will Become Exercisable
Percentage of Shares Subject to RSU Award That Will Vest
 
 
$48.00
66 %
48 %
 
$50.00
10 %
10 %
 
$55.00
14 %
22 %
 
$60.00
10 %
20 %
    
(1)
Each stock-price target will be deemed satisfied when the closing market price of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market exceeds the average of the target stock price for a consecutive 30-day period prior to November 17, 2017

The per share stock-price targets were determined by our Compensation Committee using its desired future market capitalization levels as compared to our “baseline” market capitalization as calculated as of November 7, 2014. Our baseline market capitalization was calculated using the number of basic shares outstanding multiplied by the 30-day average trading price for our common stock. Our Compensation Committee allocated the vesting percentages for each award between the various stock-price targets based on its judgment as to the level of effort that would be required to increase the market price of our common stock to the next target level.

Based on a careful analysis of our Company's historic stock price performance, our Compensation Committee set these stock-price targets to be challenging and attainable only by performance far in excess of our previous annual sales levels. Instead, our Compensation Committee believed that, to achieve these stock-price targets, it would be necessary for us to continue to expand our business relationships with existing and new strategic customers and to enter into strategic alliances with one or more third parties. For example, the lowest stock-price target of $48.00 per share represented a 25% increase in the market value of our common stock as measured by the 30-day average trading price of our common stock as of the date of the award bearing in mind that the trading price of our common stock already had increased 161% over the preceding 12 months.

Each stock option was granted with an exercise price of $42.92 per share and each RSU award was granted with a fair value of $42.92 per share, the closing price of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market on November 7, 2014.

Our Compensation Committee established the size of our Chief Executive Officer’s special award at a level that would approximate 2% of the market capitalization increase that would be realized by our stockholders at each pre-established stock-price target. In addition, our Compensation Committee established a pool of shares of our common stock for allocation among our other named executive officers in its discretion, based on the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer. The following table identifies each named executive officer who received a market-based equity award, as well as the number of shares of our common stock subject to the stock options and RSU awards granted to implement these awards:

Name
Stock Option
(number of shares)
Restricted Stock Unit Award
(number of shares)
Serge Matta
984,727
141,678
Melvin Wesley III
218,828
31,484
Cameron Meierhoefer
218,828
31,484
Christiana Lin
218,828
31,484

33


Benefits and Perquisites. We provide the following welfare and health benefits to our named executive officers on the same basis as the benefits are provided to all our employees:
•
health and dental insurance;
•
life insurance;
•
short-and long-term disability; and
•
a Section 401(k) plan.
These benefits are consistent with those offered by other companies and specifically with those companies with which we compete for executive talent.
In general, we do not provide significant perquisites or other personal benefits to our executive officers and therefor do not view perquisites and other personal as a significant component of our executive compensation program. Our Compensation Committee has the authority to approve perquisites, however, primarily for retention purposes or to accommodate specific, and usually temporary, circumstances of executives who do not reside near their work locations.
Change of Control and Severance Agreements
Our named executive officers are parties to various agreements that provide certain payments and benefits to them in the event of a termination of employment, including in connection with a change in control of our Company.
    
We believe that post-employment compensation arrangements are useful retention tools that are particularly necessary in an industry, such as ours, where there is frequent market consolidation. We recognize that it is possible that we may be subject to a change in control, and that this possibility could result in a sudden departure or distraction of our key executive officers to the detriment of our business. We believe that these help to maintain the continued focus and dedication of our named executive officers to their assigned duties to maximize stockholder value without the distraction that could result from the uncertainty of a potential or actual change of control transaction. We also believe these arrangements are competitive with arrangements offered to senior executives at companies with whom we compete for executive talent and are necessary to the achievement of our business objective of management retention.
In 2015, in connection with the Chief Financial Officer transition, the Company entered into a Transition Agreement with Kenneth Tarpey. Under the terms of the Transition Agreement, in addition to the benefits set forth in the Change of Control and Severance Agreement between Executive and Company dated July 20, 2010, Mr. Tarpey received a one-time distribution of shares based on a pro-rated calculation of his 2014 short-term incentive and the immediately vested performance-based portion of his 2014 long-term incentive pursuant to the Company’s 2014 executive incentive plan. The incentive achievement amounts will be determined based on the Company’s first and second quarter revenue and Adjusted EBITDA results relative to the targets, with the assumption that Mr. Tarpey achieved 100% of any management based objectives for those periods.

Other Compensation Policies

Hedging Transactions. While our executive officers had not previously engaged in hedging transactions involving Company securities, we have adopted a formal policy that prohibits hedging or similar transactions to ensure that the members of our leadership team (including our named executive officers) and the non-employee members of our Board of Directors bear the full risks of ownership of our common stock.

Pledging Our Securities. While our executive officers had not previously engaged in the pledging of our common stock, we have adopted a formal policy that prohibits the pledging of our equity securities as collateral for loans to ensure that a foreclosure on such securities would not trigger inadvertent insider trading violations.
Compensation Risk Assessment
Our Compensation Committee and management have considered whether our compensation programs for employees create incentives for excessive or unreasonable risks that could have a material adverse effect on us. Our Compensation Committee believes that our compensation programs are consistent with practices for our industry and that the risks arising from our compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.

34


2015 Executive Compensation Updates

In early 2015, in response to the announcement by our Company of entry into (i) a long term strategic alliance with Kantar, the data investment management division of WPP plc ("WPP"), establishing a framework for the parties to bring together their products, technology, data assets, research panels and relationships to provide global cross-media audience and campaign measurement capabilities, and (ii) an agreement whereby WPP would acquire a 15-20% equity stake in our Company, our stock price increased by over 20% and has sustained trading at this higher level for a number of months. As a result, in late February and early March 2015, the initial two tranches of the special market-based awards met the required stock-price thresholds to vest (or in the case of options, to become exercisable). This step-change in stock price represents the type of strategic initiatives needed to achieve the sustained increase in stock price and market capitalization needed for our Company to meet the stock-price thresholds set by our Compensation Committee.
Tax and Accounting Implications of Executive Compensation
Deductibility of Executive Compensation. We seek to design our executive compensation arrangements to be deductible under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, but such treatment is not guaranteed, as our Compensation Committee reserves the right to pay or award our named executive officers compensation that may not be deductible by reason of the application of Section 162(m) if it determines that such payments or awards are in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. We follow Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or ASC Topic 718, for our stock-based compensation awards. ASC Topic 718 requires companies to measure the compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including stock options, based on the grant date “fair value” of these awards. ASC Topic 718 also requires companies to recognize the compensation cost of their stock-based compensation awards in their income statements over the period that an executive officer is required to render service in exchange for the option or other award.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Our Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this proxy statement with our management. Based on our Compensation Committee’s review of, and the discussions with management with respect to, the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, our compensation committee recommended to our Board of Director that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Compensation Committee
William J. Henderson, Chairman
William Katz
Russell Fradin
The foregoing Compensation Committee report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under these acts, except to the extent we specifically incorporate by reference into such filings.


35


2014 Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth summary information concerning compensation for the following persons: (i) all persons serving as our chief executive officer during 2014, (ii) all persons serving as our chief financial officer during 2014 and (iii) the three most highly compensated of our other executive officers who received compensation during 2014 of at least $100,000 and who were executive officers on December 31, 2014. We refer to these persons as our “named executive officers” elsewhere in this proxy statement. The following table includes all compensation earned by the named executive officers for the respective periods, regardless of whether such amounts were actually paid during the period.
Name and Principal Position
Year($)
Salary ($)
Stock Awards ($)(1)
Option Awards ($)(1)
All Other Compensation ($)
Total ($)
Serge Matta
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
2014
2013
2012
$466,594
  382,512
  328,749
$8,008,208(2)
  2,981,384
  1,098,484
$8,547,430(3)
----
----
$3,137(4)
3,077
3,557
$17,025,369
3,366,963
1,430,790
Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D.
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
2014
2013
2012
250,049(5)
500,000
500,008
3,044,012(6)
1,563,089(7)
6,673,052(8)
----
----
----
214(4)
213
176
3,294,275
2,063,302
7,173,236
Gian M. Fulgoni
Chairman Emeritus and Director
2014
2013
2012
375,079(9)
375,000
375,005
1,150,000(10)
2,158,895
1,001,600
----
----
----
367(4)
359
392
1,525,446
2,534,254
1,376,997
Melvin Wesley III
Chief Financial Officer (hired August 29, 2014)
2014
107,897
2,374,921(11)
1,899,427(12)
846(4)
4,383,092
Cameron Meierhoefer
Chief Operating Officer
2014
2013
2012
342,333
315,750
293,749
2,491,271(13)
1,411,262
1,025,600
1,899,427(12)
----
----
1,950(4)
1,929
1,207
4,734,981
1,728,941
1,320,556
Christiana Lin
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer
2014
322,833
2,476,271(14)
1,899,427(12)
2,073(4) 
4,700,604
Kenneth J. Tarpey
(former Chief Financial Officer, retired August 28, 2014)
2014
2013
2012
247,784
363,125
341,249
282,484(15)
1,525,138
849,100
----
----
----
121,788(16)
2,175
3,785
652,056
1,890,438
1,194,134
    
(1)
Amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock and option awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (FASB ASC Topic 718). Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are described in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
(2)
Includes a promotion grant of 44,459 restricted stock units awarded on March 3, 2014, with 22,230 shares to be earned on achievement against 2014 company-level performance objectives, and 22,229 shares to vest in three equal installments in February 2015, 2016 and 2017. Includes a market-based restricted stock unit grant awarded in November 7, 2014, of 141,678 shares to vest upon the achievement of pre-established stock-price targets, using a valuation of $31.82 per share performed under guidance found in Accounting Standards Codification 718. This restricted stock unit grant would vest in four increments with 68,401 shares, 13,686 shares, 31,091 shares and 28,500 shares vesting if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $60.00, respectively; no vesting from this award occurred in 2014. Includes a performance-based annual target incentive with a fair value of $700,000 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest in February 2015 upon achievement of pre-determined 2014 revenue, and Adjusted EBITDA milestones.  Includes a performance-based long-term target incentive with a fair value of $700,000 computed  in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest in February 2015 upon achievement of pre-determined 2014 revenue, and Adjusted EBITDA milestones.  On February 11, 2015, because we surpassed our pre-established consolidated revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets, an annual incentive of $1,278,775 was actually awarded.  Also on February 11, 2015, because we surpassed our pre-established consolidated revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets, a performance-based long-term incentive of $1,278,775 was awarded with vesting in three equal installments in February 2015, 2016, and 2017. 
(3)
Includes a market-based stock option award of the option to purchase 984,727 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $42.92 per share with a valuation of $8.68 per share using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula and single option award approach. The fair value of market-based stock options is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation embedded in a lattice model. The Company then amortizes the fair value of awards expected to vest on a ratable straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the period from the grant date to the end of the vesting period. The stock option award would become exercisable in four increments with 646,400 shares, 96,651 shares, 141,558 shares and 100,118 shares exercisable if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $60.00, respectively; no vesting of this award occurred in 2014.
(4)
Includes discretionary matching contributions by us to the officer’s 401(k) plan account and payment of life insurance premiums on behalf of the named executive officers.
(5)
Includes $234,049 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, received in restricted stock units in lieu of cash salary from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 with the remainder paid in cash during 2014 to cover health benefits.
(6)
Represents a performance-based restricted stock unit award made pursuant to the provisions of our 2012 Chief Executive Officer Bonus Policy, to vest over three equal annual tranches, based on performance targets established in the beginning of each measurement year. At his request, upon transition to Executive Chairman, 96,666 shares of our common stock originally granted would remain in force subject to the achievement of performance objectives established in 2014. In 2014, performance criteria were approved by our Compensation Committee on February 28, 2014, with a fair value of $3,044,012, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest in February 2015 upon achievement of pre-determined revenue, EBITDA, and product related milestones in 2014. On February 11, 2015, because we surpassed our pre-established consolidated revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets, 100% of these performance-based shares (or 96,666) vested, and an additional 19,982 performance-based restricted stock units vested with a total vest date fair value of $3,673,222 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for over-achievement of pre-established goals.

36


(7)
Represents a performance-based award related to our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan granted on March 29, 2012, in restricted stock pursuant to the provisions of our 2012 Chief Executive Officer Bonus Policy, to vest over three equal annual tranches, based on performance targets established in the beginning of each measurement year. In 2013, performance criteria were approved by our Compensation Committee on April 30, 2013, with a fair value of $1,563,089 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest on March 30, 2014 upon achievement of pre-determined revenue and Adjusted EBITDA milestones in 2013. On March 30, 2014, because we surpassed our pre-established consolidated revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets, 100% of these performance-based shares (or 96,666) vested, and an additional 65,620 performance-based restricted stock units vested with a vest date fair value of $5,160,263 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for over-achievement of pre-established goals. The table does not reflect the shares subject to 2014 performance, for which performance goals have not been established.
(8)
Represents a performance-based award related to our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan granted on March 29, 2012, in restricted stock pursuant to the provisions of our 2012 Chief Executive Officer Bonus Policy, with a grant date fair value of $2,103,452 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest on March 30, 2013 upon achievement of pre-determined revenue and Adjusted EBITDA milestones in 2012. On March 30, 2013, 100% of these performance-based shares were canceled due to failure to achieve pre-determined milestones during 2012. Also represents a grant to Dr. Abraham of 210,000 shares, awarded on March 29, 2012, made for retention purposes with vesting over a 4-year period in March 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 respectively.
(9)
Includes $332,079 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, received in restricted stock units in lieu of cash salary from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 with the remainder paid in cash during 2014 to cover health benefits.
(10)
Includes a performance-based annual target incentive with a fair value of $375,000 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest in February 2015 upon achievement of pre-determined 2014 revenue and management based objectives. Includes a performance-based long-term target incentive with a fair value of $275,000 computed  in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest in February 2015 upon achievement of pre-determined 2014 Adjusted EBITDA milestones.  On February 11, 2015, because we surpassed our pre-established consolidated revenue target, an annual incentive of $571,093 was actually awarded.  Also on February 11, 2015, because we surpassed our pre-established Adjusted EBITDA target, a performance-based long-term incentive of $500,000 was awarded with vesting in three equal installments in February 2015, 2016, and 2017.
(11)
Includes a new hire grant of 10,000 shares of our common stock awarded on August 29, 2014, with vesting in three equal installments in August 2015, 2016 and 2017. Includes a market-based restricted stock unit grant awarded in November 7, 2014, of 31,484 shares to vest upon the achievement of pre-established stock-price targets, using a valuation of $31.82 per share performed under guidance found in Accounting Standards Codification 718. This restricted stock unit grant is earned in four increments with 15,112 shares, 3,148 shares, 6,926 shares and 6,297 shares vesting if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $50.00, respectively; no vesting from this award occurred in 2014. Includes a performance-based annual target incentive with a fair value of $240,000 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest in February 2015 upon achievement of pre-determined 2014 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA milestones, as well as management based objectives.  Includes a performance-based long-term target incentive with a fair value of $450,000 computed  in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest in February 2015 upon achievement of pre-determined Adjusted EBITDA milestones.  On February 11, 2015, because we surpassed our pre-established consolidated revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets, an annual incentive of $383,128 was actually awarded.  Also on February 11, 2015, because we surpassed our pre-established Adjusted EBITDA target, a performance-based long-term incentive of $900,000 was awarded with vesting in three equal installments in February 2015, 2016, and 2017. 
(12)
Includes a market-based stock option award of the option to purchase 218,828 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $42.92 per share with a valuation of $8.68 per share using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula and single option award approach. The fair value of market-based stock options is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation embedded in a lattice model. The Company then amortizes the fair value of awards expected to vest on a ratable straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the period from the grant date to the end of the vesting period. The stock option award would become exercisable in four increments with 144,426 shares, 21,883 shares, 30,636 shares and 21,883 shares exercisable if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $60.00, respectively; no vesting of this award occurred in 2014.
(13)
Includes a one- time grant of 15,000 shares of our common stock awarded on May 1, 2014, with 7,500 shares to be earned on achievement against 2014 company-level performance objectives, and 7,500 shares to vest in three equal installments in February 2015, 2016 and 2017. Includes a market-based restricted stock unit grant awarded in November 7, 2014, of 31,484 shares to vest upon the achievement of pre-established stock-price targets, using a valuation of $31.82 per share performed under guidance found in Accounting Standards Codification 718. This restricted stock unit grant is earned in four increments with 15,112 shares, 3,148 shares, 6,926 shares and 6,297 shares vesting if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $50.00, respectively; no vesting from this award occurred in 2014. Includes a performance-based annual target incentive with a fair value of $265,000 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest in February 2015 upon achievement of pre-determined 2014 revenue milestones and management based objectives.  Includes a performance-based long-term target incentive with a fair value of $450,000 computed  in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest in February 2015 upon achievement of pre-determined Adjusted EBITDA milestones.  On February 11, 2015, because we surpassed our pre-established consolidated revenue, an annual incentive of $340,951 was actually awarded.  Also on February 11, 2015, because we surpassed our pre-established Adjusted EBITDA target, a performance-based long-term incentive of $900,000 was awarded with vesting in three equal installments in February 2015, 2016, and 2017. 
(14)
Includes a one- time grant of 15,000 shares of our common stock awarded on May 1, 2014, with 7,500 shares to be earned on achievement against 2014 company-level performance objectives, and 7,500 shares to vest in three equal installments in February 2015, 2016 and 2017. Includes a market-based restricted stock unit grant awarded in November 7, 2014, of 31,484 shares to vest upon the achievement of pre-established stock-price targets, using a valuation of $31.82 per share performed under guidance found in Accounting Standards Codification 718. This restricted stock unit grant is earned in four increments with 15,112 shares, 3,148 shares, 6,926 shares and 6,297 shares vesting if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $50.00, respectively; no vesting from this award occurred in 2014. Includes a performance-based annual target incentive with a fair value of $250,000 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest in February 2015 upon achievement of pre-determined management based objectives.  Includes a performance-based long-term target incentive with a fair value of $450,000 computed  in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest in February 2015 upon achievement of pre-determined Adjusted EBITDA milestones.  On February 11, 2015, an annual incentive of $249,750 was actually awarded.  Also on February 11, 2015, because we surpassed our pre-established Adjusted EBITDA target, a performance-based long-term incentive of $900,000 was awarded with vesting in three equal installments in February 2015, 2016, and 2017. 
(15)
Includes $243,174 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 received in restricted stock units vesting immediately upon retirement pursuant to the terms of the Mr. Tarpey's Transition Agreement. Also includes a grant with a fair value of $39,310 representing shares awarded post-departure in connection with Mr. Tarpey's appointment to the Company's advisory board.
(16)
Includes severance payment of $119,716 pursuant to the terms of the Mr. Tarpey's Transition Agreement.


37


Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth certain information concerning grants of plan-based awards to our named executive officers in 2014.
 
 
Approval Date
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock
(#)
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options
(#)
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards
($/Sh)
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards($)(2)

Name
Grant Date
Target
($)
Maximum($)
Target
(#)

Maximum
(#)
Serge Matta
3/3/2014
2/28/2014
—
—
—
—
22,229(3)
—
—
$699,991

 
3/3/2014
2/28/2014
—
—
22,230(4)

—
—
—
—
700,023

 
11/7/2014
11/7/2014
—
—
141,678(5)

—
—
—
—
4,508,194

 
11/7/2014
11/7/2014
—
—
—
—
—
984,727(6)
$42.92
8,547,430

 
(7) 
(7) 
$700,000
$1,400,000
—
—
—
—
—
700,000(8)

 
(7) 
(7) 
$700,000
$1,400,000
—
—
—
—
—
700,000(9)

 
(7) 
(7) 
$700,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
700,000(10)

Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D
3/3/2014(11)
2/28/2014
—
—
96,666(12)

144,999(12)
—
—
—
3,044,012

 
3/31/2014
2/28/14
—
—
—
—
1,785(13)
—
—
58,530

 
6/30/2014
2/28/14
—
—
—
—
1,649(13)
—
—
58,507

 
9/30/2014
2/28/14
—
—
—
—
1,607(13)
—
—
58,511

 
12/31/2014
2/28/14
—
—
—
—
1,260(13)
—
—
58,502

Gian M. Fulgoni
3/31/2014
2/28/14
—
—
—
—
2,532(13)
—
—
83,024

 
6/30/2014
2/28/14
—
—
—
—
2,340(13)
—
—
83,023

 
9/30/2014
2/28/14
—
—
—
—
2,280(13)
—
—
83,015

 
12/31/2014
2/28/14
—
—
—
—
1,788(13)
—
—
83,017

 
(7) 
(7) 
$375,000
$750,000
—
—
—
—
—
375,000(14)

 
(7) 
(7) 
$275,000
$500,000
—
—
—
—
—
275,000(15)

 
(7) 
(7) 
$500,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
500,000(10)

Melvin Wesley III
8/29/2014
8/1/2014
—
—
—
—
10,000(16)
—
—
383,100

 
11/7/2014
11/7/2014
—
—
31,484(17)

—
—
—
—
1,001,821

 
11/7/2014
11/7/2014
—
—
—
—
—
218,828(18)
$42.92
1,899,427

 
(7) 
(7) 
$240,000
$480,000
—
—
—
—
—
240,000(19)

 
(7) 
(7) 
$450,000
$900,000
—
—
—
—
—
450,000(15)

 
(7) 
(7) 
$300,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
300,000(10)

Cameron Meierhoefer
5/1/2014
4/15/2014
—
—
—
—
7,500(3)
—
—
237,225

 
5/1/2014
4/15/2014
—
—
7,500
(4)
—
—
—
—
237,225

 
11/7/2014
11/7/2014
—
—
31,484
(17)
—
—
—
—
1,001,821

 
11/7/2014
11/7/2014
—
—
—
—
—
218,828(18)
$42.92
1,899,427

 
(7) 
(7) 
$265,000
$530,000
—
—
—
—
—
265,000(14)

 
(7) 
(7) 
$450,000
$900,000
—
—
—
—
—
450,000(15)

 
(7) 
(7) 
$300,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
300,000(10)

Christiana Lin
5/1/2014
4/15/2014
—
—
—
—
7,500(3)
—
—
237,225

 
5/1/2014
4/15/2014
—
—
7,500(4)

—
—
—
—
237,225

 
11/7/2014
11/7/2014
—
—
31,484(17)

—
—
—
—
1,001,821

 
11/7/2014
11/7/2014
—
—
—
—
—
218,828(18)
$42.92
1,899,427

 
(7) 
(7) 
$250,000
$500,000
—
—
—
—
—
250,000(14)

 
(7) 
(7) 
$450,000
$900,000
—
—
—
—
—
450,000(15)

 
(7) 
(7) 
$300,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
300,000(10)


38


 
 
Approval Date
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock
(#)
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options
(#)
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards
($/Sh)
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards($)(2)

Name
Grant Date
Target
($)
Maximum($)
Target
(#)

Maximum
(#)
Kenneth J. Tarpey (retired August 29, 2014)   
8/15/2014
7/22/2014
—
—
—
—
6,205(20)
—
—
243,174

 
9/2/2014
9/2/2014
—
—
—
—
1,000(21)
—
—
 
    
(1)
The target and maximum incentive award amounts shown in this column reflect the value of the short- and long-term incentive compensation available to our named executive officers pursuant to our 2014 executive incentive compensation policy. The amounts representing the target awards were pre-established as a percentage of salary. The maximum is the greatest payout which can be made if the pre-established maximum performance level is met or exceeded. The policy also provides that the entire award amount shall be paid in shares of restricted stock valued at the time of grant. Actual awards under our 2014 executive incentive compensation policy were approved on February 11, 2015 and are reflected in the Stock Award column of the Summary Compensation Table above for 2014 in each case for each named executive officer.
(2)
Amounts represent fair value of awards as calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and as further described in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
(3)
One-time restricted stock unit award to vest in three equal installments in February 2015, 2016 and 2017.
(4)
One-time restricted stock unit award to be earned based on achievement against 2014 company-level performance objectives, with achievement amounts determined in February 2015.
(5)
Market-based restricted stock unit grant awarded in November 7, 2014, to be earned on achievement of pre-established stock-price targets, using a valuation of $31.82 per share performed under guidance found in Accounting Standards Codification 718. This restricted stock unit grant will be earned in four increments with 68,401 shares, 13,686 shares, 31,091 shares and 28,500 shares, respectively, if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $60.00, respectively; no shares were earned under this award in 2014.
(6)
Market-based stock option award of the option to purchase 984,727 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $42.92 per share with a valuation of $8.68 per share using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula and single option award approach. The fair value of market-based stock options is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation embedded in a lattice model. The Company then amortizes the fair value of awards expected to vest on a ratable straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the period from the grant date to the end of the vesting period. The stock option award would become exercisable in four increments with 646,400 shares, 96,651 shares, 141,558 shares and 100,118 shares exercisable if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $60.00, respectively; no vesting of this award occurred in 2014.
(7)
On February 28, 2014, our Compensation Committee established our 2014 Executive Compensation Bonus Policy to include target annual incentives, target long-term performance-based incentives, and long-term time-based incentives.  These incentives would be awarded in February 2015, after our Compensation Committee determined actual achievement against targets (for the performance-based incentive components), and subject to the named executive officer's continued service on the determination date.
(8)
Annual incentive award levels pursuant to 2014 Executive Compensation Bonus Policy. 50% of the award amount was based on achievement of pre-determined 2014 revenue target levels and 50% of the award amount was based on achievement against 2014 adjusted EBITDA target levels as discussed in Incentive Compensation. Actual achievement against 2014 revenue targets was 165%, and actual achievement against 2014 Adjusted EBITDA targets was 200%. The determination date for these achievement amounts was February 11, 2015, and 100% of the award was immediately vested.
(9)
Long-term performance-based award levels pursuant to 2014 Executive Compensation Bonus Policy. 50% of the award amount was based on achievement against 2014 revenue target levels and 50% of the award amount was based on achievement against 2014 Adjusted EBITDA target levels as discussed in Incentive Compensation. Actual achievement against 2014 revenue targets was 165%, and actual achievement against 2014 Adjusted EBITDA targets was 200%. The determination date for these achievement amounts was February 11, 2015, and 1/3 of the award amount was immediately vested in February 2015 with 1/3 vesting in each of February 2016 and February 2017.
(10)
As part of the 2014 Executive Compensation Bonus Policy, our Compensation Committee would grant the named executive officer a time-based long-term incentive award in an amount equal to the amount with a value set forth in the “Target” column. The determination date for these awards was February 11, 2015, and 1/3 of the award amount was immediately vested in February 2015 with 1/3 vesting in each of February 2016 and February 2017.
(11)
Based on our 2012 Chief Executive Officer Bonus Policy, restricted stock and restricted stock units were awarded to Dr. Abraham, to vest over three equal annual tranches, based on performance targets established in the beginning of each measurement year.  The “Grant Date” represents the date on which the Dr. Abraham’s 2014 performance criteria were approved by our Compensation Committee.
(12)
Performance-based restricted stock unit award made pursuant to the provisions of our 2012 Chief Executive Officer Bonus Policy, to vest over three equal annual tranches, based on performance targets established in the beginning of each measurement year. At his request, upon transition to Executive Chairman, 96,666 shares of our common stock originally granted would remain in force subject to the achievement of performance objectives established in 2014, and 50% of the 96,666 share of our common stock originally granted for the purpose of recognizing overachievement against performance objectives would remain in force. In 2014, performance criteria were approved by our Compensation Committee on February 28, 2014, with a fair value of $3,044,012, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, to vest in February 2015 upon achievement of pre-determined revenue, EBITDA, and product related milestones in 2014. On February 11, 2015, because we surpassed our pre-established consolidated revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets, 100% of these performance-based shares (or 96,666) vested, and an additional 19,982 performance-based restricted stock units vested with a vest date fair value of $3,673,222 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for over-achievement of pre-established goals.
(13)
Restricted stock units awarded in lieu of cash salary.
(14)
Annual incentive award levels pursuant to 2014 Executive Compensation Bonus Policy. Award amount was based on achievement against 2014 revenue target levels and individual performance objectives as discussed in Incentive Compensation. The actual achievement against 2014 revenue target was 165%.
(15)
Long-term performance-based award levels pursuant to 2014 Executive Compensation Bonus Policy. Award amount was based on achievement against 2014 Adjusted EBITDA target levels as discussed in Incentive Compensation. Actual achievement against 2014 Adjusted EBITDA targets was 200%. 1/3 of the award amount was immediately vested in February 2015 with 1/3 vesting in each of February 2016 and February 2017.

39


(16)
Represents a new hire grant of 10,000 shares of our common stock awarded on August 29, 2014, with vesting in three equal installments in August 2015, 2016 and 2017.
(17)
Market-based restricted stock unit grant awarded in November 7, 2014, of 31,484 shares to vest upon the achievement of pre-established stock-price targets, using a valuation of $31.82 per share performed under guidance found in Accounting Standards Codification 718. This restricted stock unit grant would vest in four increments with 15,112 shares, 3,148 shares, 6,926 shares and 6,297 68,401 shares, 13,686 shares, 31,091 shares and 28,500 shares vesting if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $60.00, respectively; no shares were earned from this award in 2014.
(18)
Market-based stock option award of the option to purchase 218,828 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $42.92 per share with a valuation of $8.68 per share using the Black-Scholes option-pricing formula and single option award approach. The fair value of market-based stock options is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation embedded in a lattice model. The Company then amortizes the fair value of awards expected to vest on a ratable straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the period from the grant date to the end of the vesting period. The stock option award would become exercisable in four increments with 144,426 shares, 21,883 shares, 30,636 shares and 21,883 shares exercisable if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $60.00, respectively; no vesting of this award occurred in 2014.
(19)
Annual incentive award levels pursuant to 2014 Executive Compensation Bonus Policy. Award amount was based on achievement against 2014 revenue and adjusted EBITDA target levels and management based objectives as discussed in Incentive Compensation. The actual achievement against 2014 revenue target and Adjusted EBITDA were 165% and 200% respectively.
(20)
On May 8, 2014, the Company announced Mr. Tarpey's intention to retire and the entry into a Transition Agreement with Mr. Tarpey dated May 5, 2014 (the "Transition Agreement"). Under the terms of the Transition Agreement, Mr. Tarpey received a one-time distribution of shares based on a pro-rated calculation of his 2014 short-term incentive and the immediately vested performance-based portion of his 2014 long-term incentive pursuant to the Company's 2014 executive incentive plan. The incentive achievement amounts were determined based on the Company's first and second quarter revenue and Adjusted EBITDA results relative to the targets, with the assumption that Mr. Tarpey achieved 100% of of any management based objectives for those periods. No overachievement was assumed or allocated.
(21)
One-time award to vest on the one year anniversary of grant date, for the purpose of providing transition services after Mr. Tarpey's departure.

40


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table shows outstanding equity awards held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2014.

 
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
 
 
Option Exercise
Price
($)
Option Expiration
Date
 
Number of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)(1)
Market Value of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)(1)
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
Name
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Unexercised and Unearned (#)
Unearned Shares That Have Not Vested
(#)
Market Value of Unearned Shares That Have Not Vested
($)
Serge Matta
—
—
—
 
7500(2)
348,225
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
2,268(3)
105,303
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
17,500(4)
812,526
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
4,858(5)
225,557
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
33,334(6)
1,547,698
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
25,110(7)
1,165,858
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
22,229(8)
1,032,092
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
22,230(9)
1,032,139
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
—
—
141,678(10)
$6,578,110
 
984,727(11)
$42.92
11/4/2017
 
—
—
—
—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D.
—
—
—
 
9,981(12)
463,418
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
70,000(13)
3,250,100
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
145,000(14)
6,732,350
—
—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gian M. Fulgoni
—
—
—
 
17,500(15)
812,525
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
6,695(16)
310,849
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
16,667(17)
773,849
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
6,695(18)
310,849
—
—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Melvin Wesley III
—
—
—
 
10,000(19)
464,300
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
—
—
31,484(20)
$2,221,954
 
218,828(21)
$42.92
11/4/2017
 
—
—
—
—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cameron Meierhoefer
—
—
—
 
1,542(22)
71,595
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
17,500(23)
812,525
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
3,807(24)
176,759
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
16,667(25)
773,849
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
12,555(26)
582,929
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
15,000(27)
696,450
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
—
—
31,484(20)
$2,221,954
 
218,828(21)
$42.92
11/4/2017
 
—
—
—
—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

41


 
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
 
 
Option Exercise
Price
($)
Option Expiration
Date
 
Number of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)(1)
Market Value of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)(1)
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
Name
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Unexercised and Unearned (#)
Unearned Shares That Have Not Vested
(#)
Market Value of Unearned Shares That Have Not Vested
($)
Christiana Lin
—
—
—
 
1,652(28)
76,702
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
12,500(29)
580,376
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
3,628(30)
168,448
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
16,667(31)
773,849
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
12,555(32)
582,929
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
15,000(33)
696,450
—
—
 
—
—
—
 
—
—
31,484(20)
$2,221,954
 
218,828(21)
$42.92
11/4/2017
 
—
—
—
—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kenneth J. Tarpey (retired August 28, 2014)   
—
—
—
 
1,000(34)
—
—
$39,310
    
(1)
Market value of shares of stock that have not vested is computed based on $46.43 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on December 31, 2014. For a description of this award see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section titled Annual Incentive Compensation for Dr. Abraham.
(2)
comScore’s right of repurchase lapses for 7,500 shares annually on February 18, contingent upon Mr. Matta's continued service as of each such date.
(3)
comScore’s right of repurchase lapses for 2,268 shares annually on March 15, contingent upon Mr. Matta's continued service as of each such date.
(4)
comScore’s right of repurchase lapses for 8,750 shares annually on March 15, contingent upon Mr. Matta's continued service as of each such date.
(5)
Restricted stock unit award with 4,858 shares vesting annually on March 15, contingent upon Mr. Matta's continued service as of each such date.
(6)
Restricted stock unit award with 16,667 shares vesting annually on February 18, contingent upon Mr. Matta's continued service as of each such date.
(7)
Restricted stock unit award with 12,555 shares vesting annually on February 18, contingent upon Mr. Matta's continued service as of each such date.
(8)
Restricted stock unit award with 7,335, 7,336 and 7,558 shares vesting annually beginning February 18, 2015, contingent upon Mr. Matta's continued service as of each such date.
(9)
Restricted stock unit award with 7,335, 7,336 and 7,559 shares vesting annually beginning February 18, 2015, contingent upon Mr. Matta's continued service as of each such date.
(10)
Restricted stock unit award subject to market based vesting. Award earned in four increments with 68,401 shares, 13,686 shares, 31,091 shares and 28,500 shares vesting if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $50.00, respectively. The award vested with respect to 68,401 shares on March 1, 2015 and 13,686 shares on March 8, 2015.
(11)
Stock options award subject to market based vesting. Award earned in four increments with 646,400 shares, 96,651 shares, 141,558 shares and 100,118 shares exercisable if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $50.00, respectively. The award became exercisable with respect to 646,400 shares on March 1, 2015 and 96,651 shares on March 8, 2015.
(12)
comScore’s right of repurchase lapses for 9,981 shares annually on March 15, contingent upon Dr. Abraham’s continued service as of each such date.
(13)
comScore’s right of repurchase lapses for 70,000 shares annually on March 30, contingent upon Dr. Abraham’s continued service as of each such date.
(14)
On March 29, 2012, Dr. Abraham was awarded 580,000 shares of our common stock in the form of restricted stock and restricted stock units that vest based on achievement of revenue andAdjusted EBITDAA goals during 2012, 2013 and 2014. In 2014, Dr. Abraham becomes eligible to earn up to 96,666 shares for achieving 100% of pre-established revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets. In 2014, this award was adjusted to reflect Dr. Abraham's change in role to Executive Chairman. As a result, in 2014, Dr. Abraham is eligible to earn up to 96,666 shares for achieving 100% of pre-established revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and product-specific goals, and an additional 48,333 shares for overachieving against pre-established revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and product development targets. Any unearned shares from prior years have been canceled.
(15)
comScore’s right of repurchase lapses for 8,333 shares on March 15, 2015 and 8,334 shares on March 15, 2016, contingent upon Mr. Fulgoni’s continued service as of each such date.
(16)
comScore’s right of repurchase lapses for 6,695 shares on March 15, 2015 contingent upon Mr. Fulgoni's continued service on such date.
(17)
Restricted stock unit awards with 8,333 shares vesting on February 18, 2015 and 8,334 shares vesting on February 18, 2016, contingent upon Mr. Fulgoni’s continued service as of each such dates.
(18)
Restricted stock unit awards with 3,461 shares vesting on March 15, 2015, contingent upon Mr. Fulgoni's continued service on such date.
(19)
Restricted stock unit awards with 3,300 shares vesting on each of August 15, 2015 and August 15, 2016 and 3,400 shares vesting August 15, 2017, contingent upon Mr. Wesley's continued service as of each such date.
(20)
Restricted stock unit award subject to market based vesting. Award earned in four increments with 15,112 shares, 3,148 shares, 6,926 shares and 6,297 shares vesting if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $50.00, respectively. The award vested with respect to 15,112 shares on March 1, 2015 and 3,148 shares on March 8, 2015.
(21)
Stock options award subject to market based vesting. Award earned in four increments with 144,426 shares, 21,883 shares, 30,636 shares and 21,883 shares exercisable if the average daily closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market during any consecutive thirty-day

42


period exceeds $48.00, $50.00, $55.00, and $50.00, respectively. The award became exercisable with respect to 144,426 shares on March 1, 2015 and 21,883 shares on March 8, 2015.
(22)
comScore’s right of repurchase lapses for 1,542 shares on March 15, 2015, contingent upon Mr. Meierhoefer's continued service on such date.
(23)
comScore’s right of repurchase lapses for 8,750 shares annually on March 15, contingent upon Mr. Meierhoefer's continued service as of each such date.
(24)
Restricted stock unit awards with 3,807 shares vesting on March 15, 2015, contingent upon Mr. Meierhoefer's continued service on such date.
(25)
Restricted stock unit awards with 8,333 shares vesting on February 18, 2015 and 8,334 shares vesting on February 18, 2016, contingent upon Mr. Meierhoefer's continued service as of each such date.
(26)
Restricted stock unit awards with 6,277 shares vesting on February 18, 2015 and 6,278 shares vesting on February 18, 2016, contingent upon Mr. Meierhoefer's continued service as of each such date.
(27)
Restricted stock unit awards with 4,950 shares vesting on February 18, 2015, 4,950 shares vesting on February 18, 2016, and 5,100 shares vesting on February 18, 2017, contingent upon Mr. Meierhoefer's continued service as of each such date.
(28)
comScore’s right of repurchase lapses for 1,652 shares on March 15, 2015, contingent upon Ms. Lin's continued service on such date.
(29)
comScore’s right of repurchase lapses for 6,250 shares annually on March 15, contingent upon Ms. Lin's continued service on such date.
(30)
Restricted stock unit awards with 3,628 shares vesting on March 15, 2015, contingent upon Ms. Lin's continued service on such date.
(31)
Restricted stock unit awards with 8,333 shares vesting on February 18, 2015 and 8,334 shares vesting on February 18, 2016, contingent upon Ms. Lin's continued service on such date.
(32)
Restricted stock unit awards with 6,277 shares vesting on February 18, 2015 and 6,278 shares vesting on February 18, 2016, contingent upon Ms. Lin's continued service on such date.
(33)
Restricted stock unit awards with 4,950 shares vesting on February 18, 2015, 4,950 shares vesting on February 18, 2016, and 5,100 shares vesting on February 18, 2017, contingent upon Ms. Lin's continued service on such date.
(34)
Restricted stock units granted following Mr. Tarpey's retirement on August 28, 2014 in connection with appointment to the Company's advisory board.

43


Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

The following table shows the stock options that were exercised and value realized upon exercise, as well as all stock awards that vested and value realized upon vesting, by our named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2014. Mr. Wesley did not have option exercises or stock vesting occur during 2014.
Name
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Number of Shares Acquired on
Exercise (#)
Value Realized on Exercise
($)(1)
Number of Shares Acquired on
Vesting
(#)
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
Serge Matta
—
—
7,500

238,950(2)

 
—
—
1,858

59,196(2)

 
—
—
8,750

278,775(2)

 
—
—
16,666

531,312(3)

 
—
—
31,505(4)

974,135(5)

 
—
—
2,268

70,127(5)

 
—
—
4,857

150,178(5)

 
—
—
5,000

195,950(6)

 
 
 
 
 
Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D.
—
—
8,694

276,991(2)

 
—
—
96,667

3,056,611(7)

 
—
—
65,250

2,063,205(7)

 
—
—
9,981

308,613(5)

 
—
—
70,000

2,307,900(8)

 
—
—
1,785(9)

58,530(10)

 
—
—
1,649(9)

58,507(11)

 
—
—
1,607(9)

58,511(12)

 
—
—
1,260(9)

58,502(13)

 
 
 
 
 
Gian M. Fulgoni
—
—
6,137

195,525(2)

 
—
—
8,333

265,489(2)

 
—
—
26,256(4)

837,041(3)

 
—
—
6,695

207,009(5)

 
—
—
8,750

270,550(5)

 
—
—
3,460

106,983(5)

 
—
—
2,532(9)

83,024(10)

 
—
—
2,340(9)

83,023(11)

 
—
—
2,280(9)

83,015(12)

 
—
—
1,788(9)

83,017(13)

 
 
 
 
 
Cameron Meierhoefer
—
—
3,750

119,475(2)

 
—
—
1,839

58,591(2)

 
—
—
8,333

265,489(2)

 
—
—
13,261(4)

422,761(3)

 
—
—
1,542

47,679(5)

 
—
—
8,750

270,550(5)

 
—
—
3,806

117,682(5)

 
 
 
 
 
Christiana Lin
—
—
500

15,930(2)

 
—
—
5,000

159,300(2)

 
—
—
2,231

71,080(2)

 
—
—
8,333

265,489(2)

 
—
—
12,775(4)

407,267(3)

 
—
—
1,652

51,080(5)


44


Name
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Number of Shares Acquired on
Exercise (#)
Value Realized on Exercise
($)(1)
Number of Shares Acquired on
Vesting
(#)
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
 
—
—
6,250

193,250(5)

 
—
—
3,628

112,178(5)

 
5000
173,400
—

—

 
5000
183,950
—

—

 
 
 
 
 
Kenneth J. Tarpey (retired August 28, 2014)  
—
—
5,000

159,300(2)

 
—
—
4,147

132,123(2)

 
—
—
8,333

265,489(2)

 
—
—
16,833(4)

536,636(3)

 
—
—
2,381

73,621(5)

 
—
—
8,750

270,550(5)

 
—
—
1,262

39,021(5)

 
—
—
6,205

243,174(6)

 
—
—
2,381(14)

93,311(6)

 
—
—
8,750(14)

342,913(6)

 
—
—
1,262(14)

49,458(6)

 
—
—
8,333(14)

326,570(6)

 
—
—
6,277(14)

245,996(6)

    
(1)
The value realized on exercise is calculated as the difference between the actual sales price of the shares underlying the options exercised and the applicable exercise price of those options.
(2)
The value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of shares vesting by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date, which was $31.86 per share at market close as listed by the NASDAQ Global Market on February 18, 2014.
(3)
The value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of shares vesting by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date, which was $31.88 per share at market close as listed by the NASDAQ Global Market on February 19, 2014.
(4)
Restricted stock units granted with immediate vesting.
(5)
The value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of shares vesting by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date, which was $30.92 per share at market close as listed by the NASDAQ Global Market on March 14, 2014.
(6)
The value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of shares vesting by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date, which was $39.19 per share at market close as listed by the NASDAQ Global Market on August 15, 2014.
(7)
The value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of shares vesting by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date, which was $31.62 per share at market close as listed by the NASDAQ Global Market on February 28, 2014.
(8)
The value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of shares vesting by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date, which was $32.97 per share at market close as listed by the NASDAQ Global Market on March 29, 2014.
(9)
Restricted stock units granted with immediate vesting awarded in lieu of cash salary.
(10) The value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of shares vesting by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date, which was $32.79 per share at market close as listed by the NASDAQ Global Market on March 31, 2014.
(11) The value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of shares vesting by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date, which was $35.48 per share at market close as listed by the NASDAQ Global Market on June 30, 2014.
(12) The value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of shares vesting by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date, which was $36.41 per share at market close as listed by the NASDAQ Global Market on September 30, 2014.
(13) The value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of shares vesting by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date, which was $46.43 per share at market close as listed by the NASDAQ Global Market on December 31, 2014.
(14) Accelerated vesting of restricted stock units in connection with executive officer's retirement effective August 28, 2014 pursuant to terms of the Transition Agreement between the company and Mr. Tarpey dated May 5, 2014 (the "Transition Agreement").
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
Potential Payments Upon Termination
We have entered into Change of Control and Severance Agreements (each an "Agreement") for certain members of our management, including each of our current named executive officers, and the term of these Agreements were amended to include a three-year initial term with an automatic three-year renewal, unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal at least sixty days prior to the date of automatic renewal. These agreements supersede any existing severance or change in control provisions included in our named executive officer’s respective employment agreements or letter agreements.

45


Each agreement provides that if, prior to a change in control of our Company, we terminate such named executive officer’s employment without cause, or such named executive officer resigns from such employment for good reason, then, subject to his compliance with certain post-employment covenants, he would be eligible to receive the following payments and benefits:
•
payment of all accrued but unpaid vacation, expense reimbursements, wages and other benefits due under our plans, policies and arrangements;
•
continuing payments at a rate equal to his annual base salary then in effect, for the duration of a specified severance period (as identified in the table below for each such named executive officer), to be paid periodically in accordance with our normal payroll policies; and
•
reimbursement of COBRA premiums (or an equivalent cash distribution if his severance period exceeds the permitted COBRA participation period) until the earlier of the expiration of the specified severance period or the date that he becomes covered under a similar plan.
The following table identifies the severance period specified in the Agreements for each named executive officer, except Mr. Tarpey who retired effective August 28, 2014:
Name and Principal Position
Severance Period
Serge Matta
2 years
Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D.
2 years
Gian M. Fulgoni
1.5 years
Melvin Wesley III
6 months for first 2 years as CFO, then 1.25 years
Cameron Meierhoefer
1 year
Christiana Lin
1 year
Change in Control of the Company
Each of the Agreements also provides that if, on or within 12 months after a change in control of our Company, the named executive officer’s employment is terminated without cause, or such named executive officer resigns for good reason, then, subject to his compliance with certain post-employment covenants, he would be eligible to receive the following payments and benefits:
•
payment of all accrued but unpaid vacation, expense reimbursements, wages and other benefits due under our plans, policies and arrangements;
•
a lump sum payment (less applicable withholding taxes) equal to a specified change in control multiple (as identified in the chart below for each such named executive officer) multiplied by his annual base salary in effect immediately prior to his termination date or, if greater, at the level in effect immediately prior to the change in control; and
•
reimbursement of COBRA premiums (or an equivalent cash distribution if his severance period exceeds the permitted COBRA participation period) until the earlier of the expiration of a specified severance period (as identified in the table above for each such named executive officer) or the date that such he becomes covered under a similar plan.
The following table identifies the change in control multiple specified in the agreements for each named executive officer:

Name and Principal Position
Change of Control Multiple
Serge Matta
2x
Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D.
2x
Gian M. Fulgoni
1.5x
Melvin Wesley III
1.25x
Cameron Meierhoefer
1x
Christiana Lin
1x

46


Further, each of the Agreements with Messrs. Matta, Wesley, and Meierhoefer and Ms. Lin provides that if each such named executive officer remains employed by or continues to provide services to us through the one-year anniversary of a change of control of our Company, all of his outstanding and unvested equity awards as of the date of change of control will vest in full. The agreements with Dr. Abraham and Mr. Fulgoni provide for accelerated vesting of all of their then outstanding and unvested equity awards upon a change in control of our Company. These “single-trigger” acceleration arrangements are consistent with the existing equity awards held by Dr. Abraham and Mr. Fulgoni.
In the event that the payments or benefits under an agreement would (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) or (ii) would subject the named executive officer to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, each such named executive officer would receive such payment as would entitle him to receive the greatest “after-tax” benefit.
The following table estimates the value of any accelerated vesting of any outstanding equity awards that would have been due to each named executive officer (with the exception of Mr. Tarpey who retired effective August 28, 2014) in connection with a change of control of our Company, assuming the change of control occurred on December 31, 2014.
Name
Market Value of Accelerated Equity (net of exercise price, if any)(1)
Serge Matta
      —(2)
Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D.
10,445,868(3)(4)
Gian M. Fulgoni
3,126,643(3)
Melvin Wesley III
      —(2)
Cameron Meierhoefer
      —(2)
Christiana Lin
      —(2)
    
(1)
Based on an assumed fair market value per share of our common stock of $46.43, which was the closing price of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market on December 31, 2014.
(2)
Each of the agreements with Messrs. Wesley, Matta and Meierhoefer and Ms. Lin provides that if each such named executive officer remains employed by or continues to provide services to us through the one-year anniversary of a change of control of the Company , all of such named executive officer’s outstanding and unvested equity awards as of the date of such change of control would then become vested in full.
(3)
Dr. Abraham and Mr. Fulgoni are parties to Severance and Change of Control Agreements whereby each named executive officer’s outstanding and unvested equity awards become vested in full upon a change of control of the Company.
(4)
The referenced amount includes the acceleration of 145,000 unvested performance-based restricted stock and restricted stock units held by Dr. Abraham as of December 31, 2014. Of such amount, 28,352 restricted stock units related to overachievement of pre-established targets were subsequently canceled in 2015 as the components of 2014 performance awards did not satisfy the vesting criteria required to earn such shares.  Excluding these shares, the market value of accelerating the outstanding and unvested equity awards of Dr. Abraham as of December 31, 2014 would have been $9,129,484.

47


Termination of Employment Not in Connection with a Change in Control
The following table estimates the payments, benefits, and the value of any accelerated vesting of any outstanding equity awards that would have been due to each named executive officer, with the exception of Mr. Tarpey who retired effective August 28, 2014, in the event that his or her employment had been terminated (other than in connection with a change in control of comScore) without cause or if such executive officer resigns with good reason, assuming the termination of employment occurred on December 31, 2014.
 
Cash Payments
Market Value of Accelerated Equity (net of exercise price, if any)(3)
Name
Salary(1)
COBRA/ Insurance(2)
Serge Matta
$
950,000

$
42,804

$
—

Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D.
500,000

42,804

10,445,868(4)(5)
Gian M. Fulgoni
562,500

21,012

3,126,643(4)
Melvin Wesley III
160,000

6,555

—

Cameron Meierhoefer
353,000

21,402

—

Christiana Lin
333,000

21,139

—

    
(1)
Salary to be paid at a rate equal to such named executive officer’s annual base salary then in effect, for the duration of a specified severance period, to be paid periodically in accordance with our normal payroll policies.
(2)
COBRA/Insurance payments are estimated based on the number of months of coverage for which we are contractually obligated and the current estimated premium costs.
(3)
Based on an assumed fair market value per share of our common stock of $46.43, which was the closing price of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market on December 31, 2014.
(4)
Dr. Abraham and Mr. Fulgoni are parties to Severance and Change of Control Agreements whereby each named executive officer’s outstanding and unvested equity awards become vested in full upon a termination of employment without cause or by the named executive officer for good reason.
(5) The referenced amount includes the acceleration of 145,000 unvested performance-based restricted stock and restricted stock units held by Dr. Abraham as of December 31, 2014. Of such amount, 28,352 restricted stock units related to overachievement of pre-established targets were subsequently canceled in 2015 as the components of 2014 performance awards did not satisfy the vesting criteria required to earn such shares.  Excluding these shares, the market value of accelerating the outstanding and unvested equity awards of Dr. Abraham as of December 31, 2014 would have been $9,129,484.
Termination of Employment in Connection with a Change in Control
The following table estimates the payments, benefits, and the value of any accelerated vesting of any outstanding and unvested equity awards that would have been due to each named executive officer, with the exception of Mr. Tarpey who retired effective August 28, 2014, in the event that his or her employment had been terminated in connection with or within 12 months of a change in control of comScore without cause or if such executive officer resigns with good reason, assuming the termination of employment occurred on December 31, 2014.
 
Cash Payments
Market Value of Accelerated Equity(net of exercise price, if any)(3)
Name
Salary(1)
COBRA/ Insurance(2)
Serge Matta
$
950,000

$
42,804

6,269,396(4)(5)
Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D.
500,000

42,804

10,445,868(6)(7)
Gian M. Fulgoni
562,500

21,012

3,126,643(6)
Melvin Wesley III
400,000

16,387

464,300(4)
Cameron Meierhoefer
353,000

21,402

3,114,107(4)
Christiana Lin
333,000

21,139

2,878,753(4)
    
(1)
Gross amount of lump sum payment (prior to payment of applicable withhold taxes).
(2)
COBRA/Insurance payments are estimated based on the number of months of coverage for which we are contractually obligated and the current estimated premium costs.
(3)
Based on an assumed fair market value per share of our common stock of $46.43, which was the closing price of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market on December 31, 2014.
(4)
Each of the agreements with Messrs. Matta, Wesley and Meierhoefer and Ms. Lin provides that if each such named executive officer remains employed by or continues to provide services to us through the one-year anniversary of a change in control of comScore, all of such named executive officer’s outstanding and unvested equity awards become vested in full.
(5) Assuming a change of control to occur on December 31, 2014 with a fair market value of $46.43, no portion of the Special Market-Based Equity Awards would accelerate. In March, 2015, two of the four tranches of the restricted stock unit portion of the Special Market-Based Equity Awards vested and two of the four tranches of the options became exercisable, with 59,591 restricted stock units and 241,676 options remain unvested.
(6)
Dr. Abraham and Mr. Fulgoni are parties to Severance and Change of Control Agreements whereby each named executive officer’s outstanding and unvested equity awards become vested in full upon a change in control of comScore.

48


(7)
The referenced amount includes the acceleration of 145,000 unvested performance-based restricted stock and restricted stock units held by Dr. Abraham as of December 31, 2014. Of such amount, 28,352 restricted stock units related to overachievement of pre-established targets were subsequently canceled in 2015 as the components of 2014 performance awards did not satisfy the vesting criteria required to earn such shares.  Excluding these shares, the market value of accelerating the outstanding and unvested equity awards of Dr. Abraham as of December 31, 2014 would have been $9,129,484.
Chief Financial Officer Departure
Mr. Tarpey retired as Chief Financial Officer effective August 28, 2014. On May 8, 2014, the Company announced Mr. Tarpey's intention to retire and the entry into a Transition Agreement with Mr. Tarpey dated May 5, 2014 (the "Transition Agreement"). Under the terms of the Transition Agreement, Mr. Tarpey agreed to assist with transitioning the position and duties of the chief financial officer. He continued to receive his salary, other employee benefits and vesting of his equity awards at the same levels and eligibility as immediately prior to the Transition Agreement until his retirement date. Pursuant to the Transition Agreement, Mr. Tarpey received a one-time distribution of shares based on a pro-rated calculation of his 2014 short-term incentive and the immediately vested performance-based portion of his 2014 long-term incentive pursuant to the Company's 2014 executive incentive plan. The incentive achievement amounts were determined based on the Company's first and second quarter revenue and Adjusted EBITDA results relative to the targets, with the assumption that Mr. Tarpey achieved 100% of of any management based objectives for those periods. No overachievement was assumed or allocated. In addition, vesting of 27,003 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units previously granted to Mr. Tarpey were accelerated pursuant to the terms of the initial grants and the Company's 2007 Equity Incentive Plan.
For a further discussion of the agreements pursuant to which our named executive officers are entitled to payments upon a termination or change of control, see the section titled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Severance and Change of Control Arrangements.”


49


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Policies and Procedures for Transactions with Related Persons
Related person transactions, which we define as all transactions involving an executive officer, director, nominee for director or a holder of more than five percent of our common stock, including any of their immediate family members and any entity owned or controlled by such persons, are reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors or in some cases by a majority of disinterested directors on our Board of Directors.
In any transaction involving a related person, our Audit Committee and our Board of Directors consider all of the available material facts and circumstances of the transaction, including: the direct and indirect interests of the related persons; in the event the related person is a director or nominee for director (or immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated), the impact that the transaction will have on that director’s or nominee for director’s independence; the risks, costs and benefits of the transaction to us; and whether any alternative transactions or sources for comparable services or products are available.
After considering all such facts and circumstances, our Audit Committee and our Board of Directors determine whether approval or ratification of the related person transaction is in our best interests. For example, if our Audit Committee determines that the proposed terms of a related person transaction are reasonable and at least as favorable as could have been obtained from unrelated third parties, it will recommend to our Board of Directors that such transaction be approved or ratified. In addition, if a related person transaction will compromise the independence of one of our directors or nominees for director, our Audit Committee may recommend that our Board of Directors reject the transaction if it could affect our ability to comply with securities laws and regulations or NASDAQ listing requirements.
Of the transactions described below, the employment arrangement with Ms. Abraham and several of the indemnification agreements were entered into prior to the adoption of our Audit Committee charter. Accordingly, each of those transactions were approved by disinterested members of our Board of Directors after making a determination that the transaction was executed on terms no less favorable than those we could have obtained from unrelated third parties.
The policies and procedures described above for reviewing and approving related person transactions are not in writing. However, the charter for our Audit Committee provides that one of the committee’s responsibilities is to review and approve in advance any proposed related person transactions.
Transactions and Relationships with Directors, Officers and Five Percent Stockholders
We believe that there has not been any other transaction or series of transactions during 2014 to which we were or are to be a participant in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any director, nominee for director, executive officer or holder of more than five percent of our common stock, or members of any such person’s immediate family, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation described in “Executive Compensation” or “Director Compensation” elsewhere in this proxy statement and as described below.
Linda Boland Abraham
Since our inception in 1999, Linda Boland Abraham, the spouse of Dr. Magid M. Abraham, our Executive Chairman of our Board of Director and former Chief Executive Officer, has been employed in various management positions with us. Most recently, Ms. Abraham has served as our Executive Vice President, Global Development. During the year ended December 31, 2014, Ms. Abraham received an award of shares of our restricted stock pursuant to our 2013 Bonus Policy with a fair value at the time of grant of $107,920 that was granted in February 2014, with 50% vested immediately and the remaining 50% to vest equally in February 2015 and 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2014, Ms. Abraham did not receive a cash salary. Similar to Dr. Abraham, Ms. Abraham agreed to receive stock in lieu of cash salary for the entire 2014 fiscal year. The stock for the entire calendar year was issued on December 31, 2014. The 2014 annual salary for Ms. Abraham was $62,030. Based on the closing price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on December 31, 2014, we awarded 1,336 shares of common stock to Ms. Abraham in lieu of salary per this arrangement.
Commercial Agreements
During 2014, The Proctor & Gamble Company purchased $3.1 million in services from the Company. Ms. Lewis, a member of our Board of Directors, was an executive officer of The Proctor & Gamble Company until her retirement from that position in December 2014. Ms. Lewis did not have direct authority over The Proctor & Gamble Company contracts with the Company,

50


nor did she receive direct material benefit from any such transactions. The sales were made in the ordinary course of business pursuant to our standard terms and conditions.
We have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws require us to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to beneficial ownership of our common stock, as of April 1, 2015, by:
•
each beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock;
•
each of our directors;
•
each of our named executive officers; and
•
all of our executive officers and directors as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of the common stock that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to options or warrants held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015 are deemed outstanding, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, these shares do not include any stock or options awarded after April 1, 2015. A total of 40,513,191 shares of our common stock were outstanding as of April 1, 2015. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each of the persons in this table is c/o comScore, Inc., 11950 Democracy Drive, Suite 600, Reston, Virginia 20190.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership(1)
Percentage of Common Stock Outstanding
5% or Greater Stockholders:
 
 
WPP plc and affiliated entities(2)
6,076,978

15.0
%
PRIMECAP Management Company(3)
4,150,532

12.1
%
Blackrock, Inc.(4)
3,426,390

10.0
%
The Vanguard Group(5)
2,303,291

6.7
%
 
 
 
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
 
 
Serge Matta(6)
820,534

2.0
%
Magid M. Abraham, Ph.D.(7)
166,986

*

Gian M. Fulgoni(8)
167,790

*

Melvin Wesley III(9)
168,033

*

Cameron Meierhoefer(10)
222,504

*

Christiana Lin(11)
239,467

*

Russell Fradin
—

*

William J. Henderson
24,925

*

William Katz
25,517

*

Ronald J. Korn 
37,748

*

Joan M. Lewis
—

*

All directors and executive officers as a group (twelve persons)(12)
1,982,558

4.9
%
    

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*
Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock.
(1)
The information provided in this table is based on our records, information supplied to us by our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders and information contained in Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the SEC.
(2)
This information is derived solely from the Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on April 7, 2015. Each of WPP plc and Cavendish Square Holding B.V. a subsidiary of WPP plc, have shared voting power and shared dispositive power of 6,076,978 shares. The address for WPP plc is 27 Farm Street, London, united Kingdom W1J 5RJ. The address for Cavendish Square Holding B.V. is Laan op Zuid 167, 3072 DB Rotterdam, Netherlands.
(3)
This information is derived solely from the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2015. PRIMECAP Management Company has sole voting power of 3,470,360 shares and sole dispositive power of 4,150,532 shares. The address for PRIMECAP Management Company is 225 south Lake Ave., #400, Pasadena, CA 91101. .
(4)
This information is derived solely from the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2015. Blackrock, Inc. has sole voting power of 3,351,333 shares and sole dispositive power of 3,426,390 shares. The address for Blackrock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022.
(5)
This information is derived solely from the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 11, 2015. The Vanguard Group has sole voting power of 46,879 shares, sole dispositive power of 2,259,712, and shared dispositive power of 43,579 shares. The address for the Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.
(6)
Includes 743,468 shares subject to options that are immediately exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015. Additionally, includes 8,750 shares subject to a right of repurchase held by us pursuant to a restricted stock agreement.
(7)
Includes 33,947 shares held indirectly by spouse of which 6,250 shares are subject to a right of repurchase held by us pursuant to a restricted stock agreement.
(8)
Includes 8,750 shares subject to a right of repurchase held by us pursuant to a restricted stock agreement.
(9)
Includes 166,309 shares subject to options that are immediately exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015.
(10)    Includes 166,309 shares subject to options that are immediately exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015. Additionally, includes 6,250
shares subject to a right of repurchase held by us pursuant to a restricted stock agreement.
(11)    Includes 166,309 shares subject to options that are immediately exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015. Additionally, includes 6,250
shares subject to a right of repurchase held by us pursuant to a restricted stock agreement.
(12)    Includes 1,318,809 shares subject to options that are immediately exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 1, 2015. Includes 41,250 shares
subject to a right of repurchase held by us pursuant to restricted stock agreements.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, requires that certain of our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, file reports of ownership and changes in ownership (Forms 3, 4 and 5) with the SEC. Such executive officers, directors and greater than 10% holders are required to furnish us with copies of all of these forms that they file. Certain employees of our company hold a power of attorney to enable such individuals to file ownership and change in ownership forms on behalf of certain of our executive officers and directors.
Based solely on our review of these reports or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that during 2014, all filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors, greater-than-10% beneficial owners and other persons subject to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, were met, except for the following reports:

Date Filed
Form
Name(s) of Filer(s)
Description
February 21, 2014
4
Magid Abraham
Filing related to transaction originally occurring on February 14, 2014.

March 5, 2014
4
Magid Abraham

Filing related to transaction originally occurring on February 28, 2014.

March 19, 2014 and April 1, 2014

4
Magid Abraham
Serge Matta
Gian Fulgoni
Christiana Lin
Kenneth Tarpey
Cameron Meierhoefer
Filing related to transaction originally occurring on March 14, 2014.
April 14, 2014
4
Magid Abraham
Cameron Meierhoefer
Filing related to transaction originally occurring on April 9, 2014.
April 30, 2014
4
Christiana Lin
Cameron Meierhoefer
Filing related to transaction originally occurring on April 27, 2014.
August 5, 2014
4
Cameron Meierhoefer
Filing related to transaction originally occurring on July 30, 2014.

August 22, 2014
4/A
Kenneth Tarpey
Amended Form 4 related to transaction originally occurring on August 15, 2014.


52


PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Audit and Related Fees for Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014
The following table sets forth a summary of the fees billed to us