DoubleVerify sets vote on $13.60-per-share buyout
DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) has called a virtual special meeting for stockholders to vote on a proposed cash acquisition by Neptune BidCo US Inc., an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management and Brookfield Asset Management.
DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) has called a virtual special meeting for stockholders to vote on a proposed cash acquisition by Neptune BidCo US Inc., an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management and Brookfield Asset Management. Under the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated August 6, 2026, Wallace Merger Sub Inc. will merge into DoubleVerify, which will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.
If completed, each share of DoubleVerify common stock will be converted into the right to receive $13.60 in cash per share, without interest and subject to withholding taxes, and the stock will be delisted from the NYSE and deregistered under the Exchange Act. The board, acting on a unanimous recommendation from a special committee of independent directors and supported by a fairness opinion from PJT Partners, unanimously recommends voting FOR the merger, the advisory compensation proposal, and a possible adjournment. The deal is backed by about $2.332 billion of financing, including debt and $200 million of equity commitments, and is subject to stockholder approval, antitrust and foreign merger clearances, and other customary conditions. Stockholders who do not vote in favor may seek appraisal of the “fair value” of their shares under Delaware law if they follow the required procedures.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Filing Explained
The preliminary filing confirms no closing yet and adds that approval requires a majority of outstanding shares, with 11.8% committed support.
This PREM14A is a proxy statement presenting matters for stockholder approval, rather than a completed merger. The filing leaves the special-meeting and record dates as placeholders, so the proposed cash conversion and removal of public-company ownership remain subject to a future vote and other closing conditions.
Approval of the merger proposal requires affirmative votes from holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; abstentions and failures to vote have the same effect as votes against that proposal. Supporting stockholders holding approximately
If the merger reaches the Effective Time, vested in-the-money options and vested restricted or earned performance units are generally cashed out, while unvested awards become cash awards subject to their existing vesting terms; underwater options are canceled for no consideration.
The filing states that Parent’s financing is not a condition to closing, while specified termination circumstances could require DoubleVerify to pay a
Key Figures
Key Terms
Merger Consideration financial
Appraisal Rights regulatory
Superior Proposal financial
Termination Fee financial
Non-Solicitation regulatory
Hart — Scott — Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 regulatory
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What are DV stockholders being offered in the Neptune BidCo merger?
How does the $13.60 offer for DV compare to recent trading prices?
What approvals are required for the DoubleVerify (DV) merger to close?
What happens to DV shares and listing if the merger is completed?
What fees apply if the DoubleVerify (DV) merger agreement is terminated?
Do DV stockholders have appraisal rights in this merger?
How will DV equity awards be treated in the merger?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
462 Broadway
New York, New York 10013
MATERIALS FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON [•], 2026
500 Fifth Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10110
Shareholders, please call toll-free:: +1 (877) 750-8334 (U.S. and Canada)
+1 (412) 232-3651 (all other countries)
Banks and brokerage firms may call: +1 (212) 750-5833 (collect)
462 Broadway
New York, New York 10013
TO BE HELD AT [•] A.M. EASTERN TIME, ON [•], 2026
Virtual Meeting Only — No Physical Location
| |
SUMMARY
|
| | | | 1 | | |
| |
THE SPECIAL MEETING
|
| | | | 1 | | |
| |
THE MERGER
|
| | | | 5 | | |
| |
THE MERGER AGREEMENT PROPOSAL
|
| | | | 13 | | |
| |
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
|
| | | | 17 | | |
| |
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
|
| | | | 26 | | |
| |
THE SPECIAL MEETING
|
| | | | 27 | | |
| |
Date, Time and Place
|
| | | | 27 | | |
| |
Purpose of the Special Meeting
|
| | | | 27 | | |
| |
Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum
|
| | | | 27 | | |
| |
Vote Required; Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
|
| | | | 27 | | |
| |
Stock Ownership and Interests of Certain Persons
|
| | | | 28 | | |
| |
Voting of Proxies
|
| | | | 28 | | |
| |
Revocability of Proxies
|
| | | | 29 | | |
| |
Adjournments
|
| | | | 29 | | |
| |
The Company Board’s Recommendation
|
| | | | 29 | | |
| |
Expenses of Proxy Solicitor
|
| | | | 30 | | |
| |
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting to be Held on [•], 2026
|
| | | | 30 | | |
| |
Questions and Additional Information
|
| | | | 30 | | |
| |
THE MERGER
|
| | | | 31 | | |
| |
Parties Involved in the Merger
|
| | | | 31 | | |
| |
Effect of the Merger
|
| | | | 31 | | |
| |
Effect on DoubleVerify if the Merger is Not Completed
|
| | | | 32 | | |
| |
Merger Consideration
|
| | | | 32 | | |
| |
Background of the Merger
|
| | | | 33 | | |
| |
Recommendation of the Company Board and Reasons for the Merger
|
| | | | 52 | | |
| |
Opinion of PJT Partners
|
| | | | 59 | | |
| |
Certain Company Financial Forecasts
|
| | | | 67 | | |
| |
Additional Information About the Projections
|
| | | | 68 | | |
| |
Interests of DoubleVerify’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger
|
| | | | 70 | | |
| |
Financing of the Merger
|
| | | | 76 | | |
| |
Appraisal Rights
|
| | | | 78 | | |
| |
Accounting Treatment
|
| | | | 85 | | |
| |
Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger
|
| | | | 85 | | |
| |
Regulatory Approvals Required for the Merger
|
| | | | 88 | | |
| |
PROPOSAL 1: THE MERGER AGREEMENT PROPOSAL
|
| | | | 90 | | |
| |
PROPOSAL 2: THE COMPENSATION PROPOSAL
|
| | | | 116 | | |
| |
PROPOSAL 3: THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
|
| | | | 117 | | |
| |
MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDEND DATA
|
| | | | 118 | | |
| |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
|
| | | | 119 | | |
| |
VOTING AGREEMENT
|
| | | | 122 | | |
| |
FUTURE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
|
| | | | 123 | | |
| |
OTHER MATTERS
|
| | | | 124 | | |
| |
MISCELLANEOUS
|
| | | | 125 | | |
| |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
|
| | | | 126 | | |
| |
Annex A: Agreement and Plan of Merger
|
| | | | A-1 | | |
| |
Annex B: Opinion of PJT Partners
|
| | | | B-1 | | |
| |
Annex C: Section 262 of the DGCL
|
| | | | C-1 | | |
| |
Annex D: Voting Agreement
|
| | | | D-1 | | |
| |
Annex E: Form of Proxy Card
|
| | | | E-1 | | |
500 Fifth Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10110
Shareholders, please call toll-free:: +1 (877) 750-8334 (U.S. and Canada)
+1 (412) 232-3651 (all other countries)
Banks and brokerage firms may call: +1 (212) 750-5833 (collect)
500 Fifth Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10110
Shareholders, please call toll-free:: +1 (877) 750-8334 (U.S. and Canada)
+1 (412) 232-3651 (all other countries)
Banks and brokerage firms may call: +1 (212) 750-5833 (collect)
| | | |
Company
Peers Low |
| |
Company
Peers High |
| ||||||
|
TEV/2027E Adj. EBITDA (Pre-SBC)
|
| | | | 1.7x | | | | | | 10.9x | | |
|
TEV/2027E Adj. EBITDA (Post-SBC)
|
| | | | 2.3x | | | | | | 18.9x | | |
| | | |
Implied prices per
share of Company Common Stock |
| |||
|
TEV/2027E Adj. EBITDA (Pre-SBC)
|
| | | $ | 10.62 – $16.22 | | |
|
TEV/2027E Adj. EBITDA (Post-SBC)
|
| | | $ | 10.77 – $14.56 | | |
|
Announcement Date
|
| |
Target
|
| |
Acquiror
|
|
| May 17, 2026 | | | LiveRamp Holdings, Inc. | | | Publicis Groupe S.A. | |
| September 24, 2025 | | | Integral Ad Science Holding Corp. | | | Novacap Management Inc. | |
| August 1, 2024 | | | TEADS | | | Outbrain Inc. | |
| March 29, 2022 | | | Nielsen Holdings plc | | | Evergreen Coast Capital Corporation (Brookfield Business Partners L.P. & | |
|
Announcement Date
|
| |
Target
|
| |
Acquiror
|
|
| | | | | | |
Elliott Investment Management L.P.)
|
|
| November 1, 2020 | | | Nielsen Global Connect | | | Advent International Corporation | |
| September 5, 2017 | | | YuMe, Inc. | | | RhythmOne plc | |
| | | |
Low
|
| |
High
|
| ||||||
|
TEV/LTM Adj. EBITDA (Pre-SBC)
|
| | | | 5.9x | | | | | | 11.4x | | |
|
TEV/LTM Adj. EBITDA (Post-SBC)
|
| | | | 7.0x | | | | | | 20.7x | | |
| | | |
Implied prices per
share of Company Common Stock |
| |||
|
TEV/LTM Adj. EBITDA (Pre-SBC)
|
| | | $ | 12.65 – $16.39 | | |
|
TEV/LTM Adj. EBITDA (Post-SBC)
|
| | | $ | 12.40 – $15.15 | | |
|
Company Standalone 8.5-Year DCF Analysis
|
| |
Implied equity
values per share of Company Common Stock |
| |||
|
Projections
|
| | | $ | 11.64 – $15.47 | | |
|
($ in millions)
|
| |
2026E
|
| |
2027E
|
| |
2028E
|
| |
2029E
|
| |
2030E
|
| |||||||||||||||
| Revenue | | | | $ | 811 | | | | | $ | 900 | | | | | $ | 1,002 | | | | | $ | 1,111 | | | | | $ | 1,235 | | |
|
Adj. EBITDA (Pre-SBC)(1)
|
| | | $ | 283 | | | | | $ | 326 | | | | | $ | 375 | | | | | $ | 422 | | | | | $ | 480 | | |
|
Stock Based Compensation
|
| | | $ | 102 | | | | | $ | 106 | | | | | $ | 107 | | | | | $ | 94 | | | | | $ | 91 | | |
|
Adj. EBITDA (Post-SBC)(1)
|
| | | $ | 181 | | | | | $ | 221 | | | | | $ | 268 | | | | | $ | 328 | | | | | $ | 388 | | |
|
Unlevered Free Cash Flow(2)
|
| | | $ | 61(3) | | | | | $ | 88 | | | | | $ | 114 | | | | | $ | 145 | | | | | $ | 175 | | |
|
Company Equity Awards(1)
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | |
Company
Stock Options(2) (#) |
| |
Estimated
Value of Company Stock Options(3) ($) |
| |
Company
RSUs (#) |
| |
Estimated
Value of Company RSUs ($) |
| |
Company
PSUs(4) (#) |
| |
Estimated
Value of Company PSUs ($) |
| |
Total
Estimated Cash Consideration for Company Stock Options, Company RSUs, and Company PSUs in the Merger ($) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Employee Directors: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Lucy Stamell Dobrin
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 20,000 | | | | | | 272,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 272,000 | | |
|
Scott Wagner(5)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 20,000 | | | | | | 272,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 272,000 | | |
|
Sundeep Jain(6)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 20,000 | | | | | | 272,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 272,000 | | |
|
Laura B. Desmond(7)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 43,792 | | | | | | 595,571 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 595,571 | | |
|
Robert Davis Noell
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 20,000 | | | | | | 272,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 272,000 | | |
|
Rosario Perez
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 20,000 | | | | | | 272,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 272,000 | | |
|
Jennifer Storms
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 20,000 | | | | | | 272,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 272,000 | | |
|
Gary Swidler
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 20,000 | | | | | | 272,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 272,000 | | |
|
Kelli Turner(8)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 29,183 | | | | | | 396,889 | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | 396,889 | | |
| Executive Officers: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Mark Zagorski(9)
|
| | | | 2,715,285 | | | | | | 7,225,831 | | | | | | 699,439 | | | | | | 9,512,370 | | | | | | 311,496 | | | | | | 4,236,346 | | | | | | 20,974,547 | | |
|
Nicola Allais
|
| | | | 1,317,900 | | | | | | 12,432,326 | | | | | | 243,964 | | | | | | 3,317,910 | | | | | | 136,252 | | | | | | 1,853,027 | | | | | | 17,603,263 | | |
|
Steven Mougis
|
| | | | 45,072 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 228,094 | | | | | | 3,102,078 | | | | | | 69,166 | | | | | | 940,658 | | | | | | 4,042,736 | | |
|
Andrew Grimmig
|
| | | | 673,133 | | | | | | 3,460,693 | | | | | | 191,903 | | | | | | 2,609,881 | | | | | | 108,626 | | | | | | 1,477,314 | | | | | | 7,547,888 | | |
|
Julie Eddleman(10)
|
| | | | 186,727 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 23,088 | | | | | | 313,997 | | | | | | 10,225 | | | | | | 139,060 | | | | | | 453,057 | | |
|
Name
|
| |
Cash ($)(1)
|
| |
Equity ($)(2)
|
| |
Perquisites/
Benefits ($)(3) |
| |
Total ($)(4)
|
| ||||||||||||
|
Mark Zagorski
|
| | | | 2,070,000 | | | | | | 20,974,547 | | | | | | 82,134 | | | | | | 23,126,681 | | |
|
Nicola Allais
|
| | | | 927,500 | | | | | | 17,603,263 | | | | | | 61,600 | | | | | | 18,592,363 | | |
|
Steven Mougis
|
| | | | 772,500 | | | | | | 4,042,736 | | | | | | 41,067 | | | | | | 4,856,303 | | |
|
Andrew Grimmig
|
| | | | 825,000 | | | | | | 7,547,888 | | | | | | 61,600 | | | | | | 8,434,488 | | |
|
Julie Eddleman
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 453,057 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 453,057 | | |
|
Name
|
| |
Base Salary
Continuation ($) |
| |
Target Annual
Bonus ($) |
| ||||||
|
Mark Zagorski
|
| | | | 1,380,000 | | | | | | 690,000 | | |
|
Nicola Allais
|
| | | | 530,000 | | | | | | 397,500 | | |
|
Steven Mougis
|
| | | | 257,500 | | | | | | 515,000 | | |
|
Andrew Grimmig
|
| | | | 500,000 | | | | | | 325,000 | | |
|
Julie Eddleman
|
| | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
|
Name
|
| |
Estimated Value
of Single-Trigger Equity ($) |
| |
Estimated Value
of Double-Trigger Equity ($) |
| |
Estimated Value
of Outstanding Equity ($) |
| |||||||||
|
Mark Zagorski
|
| | | | 9,010,831 | | | | | | 11,963,716 | | | | | | 20,974,547 | | |
|
Nicola Allais
|
| | | | 12,432,326 | | | | | | 5,170,937 | | | | | | 17,603,263 | | |
|
Steven Mougis
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 4,042,736 | | | | | | 4,042,736 | | |
|
Andrew Grimmig
|
| | | | 3,460,693 | | | | | | 4,087,195 | | | | | | 7,547,888 | | |
|
Julie Eddleman
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 453,057 | | | | | | 453,057 | | |
Attention: Andrew Grimmig, Chief Legal Officer
462 Broadway
New York, New York 10013
(212) 631-2111
Email: corporatesecretary@doubleverify.com
|
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
| |
Number of shares
beneficially owned |
| |
Ownership
Percentage of shares of Company Common Stock |
| ||||||
|
BlackRock, Inc.(1)
|
| | | | 20,345,579 | | | | | | 13.12% | | |
|
Providence VII U.S. Holdings L.P.(2)
|
| | | | 18,173,777 | | | | | | 11.72% | | |
|
Disciplined Growth Investors, Inc.(3)
|
| | | | 9,689,140 | | | | | | 6.25% | | |
|
Vanguard Portfolio Management(4)
|
| | | | 9,113,318 | | | | | | 5.88% | | |
|
Topline Capital Management, LLC(5)
|
| | | | 8,453,543 | | | | | | 5.45% | | |
|
AQR Capital Management, LLC(6)
|
| | | | 7,784,565 | | | | | | 5.02% | | |
|
Mark Zagorski(7)
|
| | | | 3,491,576 | | | | | | 2.25% | | |
|
Nicola Allais(7)
|
| | | | 1,517,452 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Steven Mougis(7)
|
| | | | 181,109 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Andrew Grimmig(7)
|
| | | | 864,816 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Laura B. Desmond(7)(8)
|
| | | | 258,461 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Lucy Stamell Dobrin(9)
|
| | | | 0 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Sundeep Jain(10)
|
| | | | 39,509 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Robert Davis Noell(9)
|
| | | | 40,658 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Rosario Perez
|
| | | | 46,526 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Jennifer Storms
|
| | | | 14,728 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Gary Swidler
|
| | | | 30,174 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Kelli Turner(7)
|
| | | | 49,271 | | | | | | * | | |
|
Scott Wagner(11)
|
| | | | 46,526 | | | | | | * | | |
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (13 persons)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)
|
| | | | 6,580,806 | | | | | | 4.24% | | |
Attn: Corporate Secretary
462 Broadway
New York, New York 10013
Email: corporatesecretary@doubleverify.com
Attention: Andrew Grimmig, Chief Legal Officer
462 Broadway
New York, NY 10013
(212) 631-2111
Email: corporatesecretary@doubleverify.com
500 Fifth Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10110
Shareholders, please call toll-free:: +1 (877) 750-8334 (U.S. and Canada)
+1 (412) 232-3651 (all other countries)
Banks and brokerage firms may call: +1 (212) 750-5833 (collect)
| | | |
Page
|
| |||
|
ARTICLE I THE MERGER
|
| | | | A-1 | | |
|
Section 1.1
The Merger
|
| | | | A-1 | | |
|
Section 1.2
Closing
|
| | | | A-2 | | |
|
Section 1.3
Effective Time
|
| | | | A-2 | | |
|
Section 1.4
Effects of the Merger
|
| | | | A-2 | | |
|
Section 1.5
Certificate of Incorporation; Bylaws
|
| | | | A-2 | | |
|
Section 1.6
Directors
|
| | | | A-2 | | |
|
Section 1.7
Officers
|
| | | | A-3 | | |
|
ARTICLE II EFFECT ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
|
| | | | A-3 | | |
|
Section 2.1
Conversion of Capital Stock
|
| | | | A-3 | | |
|
Section 2.2
Treatment of Options and Other Equity-Based Awards
|
| | | | A-3 | | |
|
Section 2.3
Exchange and Payment
|
| | | | A-6 | | |
|
Section 2.4
Withholding Rights
|
| | | | A-8 | | |
|
Section 2.5
Dissenting Shares
|
| | | | A-8 | | |
|
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
|
| | | | A-9 | | |
|
Section 3.1
Organization, Standing and Power
|
| | | | A-9 | | |
|
Section 3.2
Capital Stock
|
| | | | A-10 | | |
|
Section 3.3
Authority
|
| | | | A-11 | | |
|
Section 3.4
No Conflict; Consents and Approvals
|
| | | | A-11 | | |
|
Section 3.5
SEC Reports; Financial Statements
|
| | | | A-12 | | |
|
Section 3.6
No Undisclosed Liabilities
|
| | | | A-14 | | |
|
Section 3.7
Certain Information
|
| | | | A-14 | | |
|
Section 3.8
Absence of Certain Changes or Events
|
| | | | A-14 | | |
|
Section 3.9
Litigation
|
| | | | A-14 | | |
|
Section 3.10
Compliance with Laws
|
| | | | A-14 | | |
|
Section 3.11
Benefit Plans
|
| | | | A-15 | | |
|
Section 3.12
Labor Matters
|
| | | | A-16 | | |
|
Section 3.13
Environmental Matters
|
| | | | A-17 | | |
|
Section 3.14
Taxes
|
| | | | A-17 | | |
|
Section 3.15
Material Contracts
|
| | | | A-18 | | |
|
Section 3.16
Insurance
|
| | | | A-20 | | |
|
Section 3.17
Properties
|
| | | | A-21 | | |
|
Section 3.18
Intellectual Property
|
| | | | A-21 | | |
|
Section 3.19
Data Privacy
|
| | | | A-23 | | |
|
Section 3.20
Sanctions and Anti-Corruption
|
| | | | A-24 | | |
|
Section 3.21
State Takeover Statutes
|
| | | | A-24 | | |
|
Section 3.22
Affiliate Transactions
|
| | | | A-24 | | |
|
Section 3.23
Material Customers and Material Vendors
|
| | | | A-25 | | |
|
Section 3.24
Brokers
|
| | | | A-25 | | |
| | | |
Page
|
| |||
|
Section 3.25
Required Vote
|
| | | | A-25 | | |
|
Section 3.26
Opinion of Financial Advisor
|
| | | | A-25 | | |
|
Section 3.27
No TID US Business
|
| | | | A-26 | | |
|
Section 3.28
No Other Representations or Warranties
|
| | | | A-26 | | |
|
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER
SUB |
| | | | A-26 | | |
|
Section 4.1
Organization, Standing and Power
|
| | | | A-26 | | |
|
Section 4.2
Authority
|
| | | | A-26 | | |
|
Section 4.3
No Conflict; Consents and Approvals
|
| | | | A-27 | | |
|
Section 4.4
Certain Information
|
| | | | A-27 | | |
|
Section 4.5
Litigation
|
| | | | A-27 | | |
|
Section 4.6
Ownership and Operations of Merger Sub
|
| | | | A-27 | | |
|
Section 4.7
Financing
|
| | | | A-28 | | |
|
Section 4.8
Limited Guarantee
|
| | | | A-29 | | |
|
Section 4.9
Solvency
|
| | | | A-29 | | |
|
Section 4.10
Vote/Approval Required
|
| | | | A-29 | | |
|
Section 4.11
Ownership of Shares
|
| | | | A-29 | | |
|
Section 4.12
Brokers
|
| | | | A-29 | | |
|
Section 4.13
Investment Intention
|
| | | | A-29 | | |
|
Section 4.14
Access to Information
|
| | | | A-29 | | |
|
Section 4.15
No Other Representations or Warranties
|
| | | | A-30 | | |
|
ARTICLE V COVENANTS
|
| | | | A-30 | | |
|
Section 5.1
Conduct of Business of the Company
|
| | | | A-30 | | |
|
Section 5.2
No Control of the Company’s Business
|
| | | | A-33 | | |
|
Section 5.3
Acquisition Proposals
|
| | | | A-33 | | |
|
Section 5.4
Access to Information; Confidentiality
|
| | | | A-36 | | |
|
Section 5.5
General Efforts
|
| | | | A-37 | | |
|
Section 5.6
Regulatory
|
| | | | A-37 | | |
|
Section 5.7
Employee Matters
|
| | | | A-40 | | |
|
Section 5.8
Takeover Laws
|
| | | | A-42 | | |
|
Section 5.9
Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance
|
| | | | A-42 | | |
|
Section 5.10
Rule 16b-3
|
| | | | A-43 | | |
|
Section 5.11
Public Announcements
|
| | | | A-43 | | |
|
Section 5.12
Obligations of Merger Sub
|
| | | | A-44 | | |
|
Section 5.13
Financing Cooperation
|
| | | | A-44 | | |
|
Section 5.14
Financing
|
| | | | A-46 | | |
|
Section 5.15
Treatment of Existing Indebtedness
|
| | | | A-48 | | |
|
Section 5.16
Stock Exchange De-Listing
|
| | | | A-49 | | |
|
Section 5.17
Proxy Statement; Stockholder Vote
|
| | | | A-49 | | |
|
Section 5.18
Stockholder Litigation
|
| | | | A-51 | | |
|
Section 5.19
Tax Matters
|
| | | | A-51 | | |
| | | |
Page
|
| |||
|
ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE MERGER
|
| | | | A-51 | | |
|
Section 6.1
Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger
|
| | | | A-51 | | |
|
Section 6.2
Conditions to the Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub
|
| | | | A-52 | | |
|
Section 6.3
Conditions to the Obligations of the Company
|
| | | | A-52 | | |
|
Section 6.4
Frustration of Closing Conditions
|
| | | | A-53 | | |
|
ARTICLE VII TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
|
| | | | A-53 | | |
|
Section 7.1
Termination
|
| | | | A-53 | | |
|
Section 7.2
Effect of Termination
|
| | | | A-55 | | |
|
Section 7.3
Fees and Expenses
|
| | | | A-55 | | |
|
Section 7.4
Amendment or Supplement
|
| | | | A-58 | | |
|
Section 7.5
Extension of Time; Waiver
|
| | | | A-59 | | |
|
ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS
|
| | | | A-59 | | |
|
Section 8.1
Non-survival
|
| | | | A-59 | | |
|
Section 8.2
Notices
|
| | | | A-59 | | |
|
Section 8.3
Certain Definitions
|
| | | | A-60 | | |
|
Section 8.4
Interpretation
|
| | | | A-60 | | |
|
Section 8.5
Entire Agreement
|
| | | | A-60 | | |
|
Section 8.6
Parties in Interest
|
| | | | A-61 | | |
|
Section 8.7
Governing Law
|
| | | | A-61 | | |
|
Section 8.8
Submission to Jurisdiction
|
| | | | A-61 | | |
|
Section 8.9
Assignment; Successors
|
| | | | A-62 | | |
|
Section 8.10
Specific Performance
|
| | | | A-62 | | |
|
Section 8.11
Currency
|
| | | | A-63 | | |
|
Section 8.12
Severability
|
| | | | A-63 | | |
|
Section 8.13
Waiver of Jury Trial
|
| | | | A-63 | | |
|
Section 8.14
Counterparts
|
| | | | A-63 | | |
|
Section 8.15
No Presumption Against Drafting Party
|
| | | | A-64 | | |
|
Section 8.16
Attorney-Client Privilege
|
| | | | A-64 | | |
|
Section 8.17
Non-Recourse
|
| | | | A-64 | | |
|
Section 8.18
Financing Related Person Protections
|
| | | | A-64 | | |
| | Exhibit A | | | Certain Definitions | |
| | Exhibit B | | | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation | |
| | Exhibit C | | | Voting and Support Agreement | |
|
Definition
|
| |
Location
|
|
| 401(k) Plan | | |
Section 5.7(d)
|
|
| Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Acquisition Proposal | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Action | | |
Section 3.9
|
|
| Adverse Recommendation Change | | |
Section 5.3(c)
|
|
| Affiliate | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Agreement | | |
Preamble
|
|
| Alternative Acquisition Agreement | | |
Section 5.3(c)
|
|
| Alternative Financing | | |
Section 5.14(a)
|
|
| AML Laws | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Anti-Corruption Laws | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Antitrust Law | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Applicable Period | | |
Section 5.1(a)
|
|
| Available Cash | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Bonus Plans | | |
Section 5.7(c)
|
|
| Book-Entry Shares | | |
Section 2.3(c)
|
|
| Business Day | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Cancelled Shares | | |
Section 2.1(a)(i)
|
|
| Capitalization Date | | |
Section 3.2(a)
|
|
| Cash Replacement Award | | |
Section 2.2(a)(ii)
|
|
| Certificate of Merger | | |
Section 1.3
|
|
| Certificates | | |
Section 2.3(b)
|
|
| Closing | | |
Section 1.2
|
|
| Closing Date | | |
Section 1.2
|
|
| Code | | |
Section 2.4
|
|
| Commitment Letters | | |
Section 4.7
|
|
| Company | | |
Preamble
|
|
| Company Benefit Plan | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Company Board | | |
Recitals
|
|
| Company Board Recommendation | | |
Section 3.3(b)
|
|
| Company Bylaws | | |
Section 1.5(b)
|
|
| Company Charter | | |
Section 3.1(c)
|
|
| Company Committee | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Company Credit Agreement | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Company Debt Payoff | | |
Section 5.15
|
|
| Company Disclosure Letter | | |
Article III
|
|
| Company Employee | | |
Section 5.7(a)
|
|
| Company ESPP | | |
Section 2.2(d)
|
|
| Company Group | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Company Party | | |
Section 5.13(b)
|
|
| Company PSU | | |
Section 2.2(b)
|
|
|
Definition
|
| |
Location
|
|
| Company Registered IP | | |
Section 3.18(a)
|
|
| Company Related Parties | | |
Section 7.3(c)(iv)
|
|
| Company Required Information | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Company RSU | | |
Section 2.2(b)
|
|
| Company SEC Documents | | |
Section 3.5(a)
|
|
| Company Software | | |
Section 3.18(g)
|
|
| Company Stock Option | | |
Section 2.2(a)
|
|
| Company Stock Plans | | |
Section 2.2(a)
|
|
| Company Stockholder Meeting | | |
Section 5.17(c)
|
|
| Company Termination Fee | | |
Section 7.3(b)
|
|
| Compensatory Award Fund | | |
Section 2.3(a)
|
|
| Confidentiality Agreement | | |
Section 5.4(b)
|
|
| Contingent Worker Census | | |
Section 5.7(e)(ii)
|
|
| Contingent Workers | | |
Section 5.7(e)(ii)
|
|
| Contract | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| control | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Converted PSU | | |
Section 2.2(c)
|
|
| Debt Commitment Letter | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Debt Commitment Papers | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Debt Fee Letter | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Debt Financing | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Debt Financing Documents | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Delaware Secretary of State | | |
Section 1.3
|
|
| DGCL | | |
Recitals
|
|
| Dissenting Share | | |
Section 2.5
|
|
| DPA | | |
Section 3.27
|
|
| DTC | | |
Section 2.3(f)
|
|
| DTC Payment | | |
Section 2.3(f)
|
|
| Earned Company PSU | | |
Section 2.2(b)
|
|
| Effective Time | | |
Section 1.3
|
|
| Electronic Delivery | | |
Section 8.14
|
|
| Employee Census | | |
Section 5.7(e)(i)
|
|
| Enforceability Exceptions | | |
Section 3.3(a)
|
|
| Environmental Laws | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Environmental Permits | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Equity Award Schedule | | |
Section 5.7(e)(ii)
|
|
| Equity Commitment Letters | | |
Section 4.7
|
|
| Equity Financing | | |
Section 4.7
|
|
| Equity Investor | | |
Section 4.7
|
|
| ERISA | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Exchange Act | | |
Section 3.5(a)
|
|
| Excluded Information | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Financing | | |
Section 4.7
|
|
|
Definition
|
| |
Location
|
|
| Financing Conditions | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Financing Related Persons | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Financing Sources | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Foreign Investment Law | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| GAAP | | |
Section 3.5(b)
|
|
| Government Official | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Governmental Entity | | |
Section 3.4(b)
|
|
| Guarantor | | |
Recitals
|
|
| Hazardous Materials | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| HSR Act | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Indebtedness | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Initial Termination Date | | |
Section 7.1(b)(i)
|
|
| Intellectual Property | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Intervening Event | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| IRS | | |
Section 3.11(a)
|
|
| IT Systems | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| knowledge | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Law | | |
Section 3.4(a)
|
|
| Leased Real Property | | |
Section 3.17(a)
|
|
| Lender Protective Provisions | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Liens | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Limited Guarantee | | |
Recitals
|
|
| Marketing Period | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Material Adverse Effect | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Material Contracts | | |
Section 3.15(a)
|
|
| Material Customer | | |
Section 3.23(a)
|
|
| Material Platform | | |
Section 3.23(c)
|
|
| Material Vendor | | |
Section 3.23(c)
|
|
| Merger | | |
Section 1.1
|
|
| Merger Consideration | | |
Section 2.1(a)(i)
|
|
| Merger Sub | | |
Preamble
|
|
| Offering Documents | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Open Source Software | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Owned Intellectual Property | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Parent | | |
Preamble
|
|
| Parent Disclosure Letter | | |
Article IV
|
|
| Parent Material Adverse Effect | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Parent Parties | | |
Section 7.3(c)(iv)
|
|
| Parent Plan | | |
Section 5.7(b)
|
|
| Parent Termination Fee | | |
Section 7.3(c)
|
|
| Paying Agent | | |
Section 2.3(a)
|
|
| Payment Fund | | |
Section 2.3(a)
|
|
| Payoff Letter | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
|
Definition
|
| |
Location
|
|
| Permits | | |
Section 3.10
|
|
| Permitted Liens | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Person | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Personal Information | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Preferred Stock | | |
Section 3.2(a)
|
|
| Privacy Law | | |
Section 3.19(a)
|
|
| Process | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Prohibited Modifications | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Proxy Date | | |
Section 5.17(c)
|
|
| Proxy Statement | | |
Section 5.17(a)
|
|
| Real Property Lease | | |
Section 3.17(a)
|
|
| Recovery Costs | | |
Section 7.3(b)(iii)
|
|
| Remedial Restriction | | |
Section 5.6(g)
|
|
| Representatives | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Required Amount | | |
Section 4.7
|
|
| Required Company Stockholder Approval | | |
Section 3.25
|
|
| Sanctioned Country | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Sanctioned Person | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Sanctions | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Sarbanes-Oxley Act | | |
Section 3.5(a)
|
|
| Securities Act | | |
Section 3.5(a)
|
|
| Shares | | |
Section 2.1(a)(i)
|
|
| Special Committee | | |
Recitals
|
|
| Subsidiary | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Superior Proposal | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Support Agreement | | |
Recitals
|
|
| Supporting Stockholder | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Surviving Corporation | | |
Section 1.1
|
|
| Takeover Laws | | |
Section 3.21
|
|
| Tax Returns | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Taxes | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Termination Date | | |
Section 7.1(b)(i)
|
|
| Trade Controls Laws | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Transactions | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| U.S. | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| United States | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Willful Breach | | |
Exhibit A
|
|
| Withholding Agent | | |
Section 2.4
|
|
THE MERGER
EFFECT ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS;
EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB
COVENANTS
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE MERGER
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
GENERAL PROVISIONS
c/o The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
675 Avenue of the Americas, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10010
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
E-mail: legal.notices@nielsen.com
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Attention: Richard Birns; Andrew Kaplan; Kristen Poole
E-mail: rbirns@gibsondunn.com;
akaplan@gibsondunn.com;
kpoole@gibsondunn.com
462 Broadway
New York, NY 10013
Attention: Andy Grimmig
E-mail: andy.grimmig@doubleverify.com
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Attention: Eric Schiele; Kristiina Leskinen; Dmitriy Molchanov
E-mail: ericschiele@paulhastings.com;
kristiinaleskinen@paulhastings.com;
dmitriymolchanov@paulhastings.com
| | | | | NEPTUNE BIDCO US INC. | | |||
| | | | | By: | | |
/s/ George D. Callard
Name: George D. Callard
Title: President |
|
| | | | | WALLACE MERGER SUB INC. | | |||
| | | | | By: | | |
/s/ George D. Callard
Name: George D. Callard
Title: President |
|
| | | | | DOUBLEVERIFY HOLDINGS, INC. | | |||
| | | | | By: | | |
/s/ Mark Zagorski
Name: Mark Zagorski
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
|
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
(a Delaware corporation)
NAME
AGENT
PURPOSE
STOCK
DIRECTORS
EXISTENCE
AMENDMENT
LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS
Title: President
|
Stockholder
|
| |
Shares
|
| |||
|
Providence VII U.S. Holdings L.P.
|
| | | | 18,173,777 | | |
|
Providence Butternut Co-Investment L.P.
|
| | | | 117,131 | | |
DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc.
462 Broadway
New York, New York 10013
DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc.
462 Broadway
New York, New York 10013
|
Stockholder
|
| |
Shares
|
| |||
|
Providence VII U.S. Holdings L.P.
|
| | | | 18,173,777 | | |
|
Providence Butternut Co-Investment L.P.
|
| | | | 117,131 | | |