François Heilbronn
Mr. Heilbronn, age 64, a Director since 1988, an independent director and Chairman of the Audit Committee, Nominating Committee and the Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee, is a graduate of Harvard Business School with a Master of Business Administration degree and is currently the managing partner of the consulting firm of M.M. Friedrich, Heilbronn & Fiszer. He was formerly employed by The Boston Consulting Group, Inc. from 1988 through 1992 as a manager. Mr. Heilbronn graduated from Institut d’ Etudes Politiques de Paris in June 1983. From 1984 to 1986, he worked as a financial analyst for Lazard Freres & Co. In addition, during 2009, Mr. Heilbronn became an Associate Professor in Business Strategy at Sciences Po, Paris, France. As the result of his business and financial acumen, as well as his experience as managing partner of a business consulting firm in the area of mergers and acquisitions of large international companies in retail, consumer goods and consumer services throughout the world, we believe Mr. Heilbronn is qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
Robert Bensoussan
Mr. Robert Bensoussan, age 67, has been a Director since March 1997 and is also an independent director, and a member of the Audit Committee, Nominating Committee and the Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee. Mr. Bensoussan founded Sirius Equity Consultants, a retail and branded luxury goods investment company. To date, Mr. Bensoussan remains an investor in Hapy Sweet Bee Ltd, natural health food product.
He is a member of the Advisory Board of Pictet Bank Premium Brands Fund and sits on the board of Yonderland, Europe’s largest premium outdoor retailer.
Previously Mr. Bensoussan was a director of, and had an indirect ownership interest in, J. Choo Limited until July 2011, and was CEO from 2001 to 2007, and was a member of the Board of Jimmy Choo Ltd, from 2001 to 2011, which had been a privately held luxury shoe wholesaler and retailer. He was previously Chairman of Camaïeu, the French retail conglomerate, a board member of Celio International, the French retail conglomerate and Vivarte representing the GLG hedge fund. In the latter part of 2019, Mr. Bensoussan resigned after 6 years as the only non-North American board member of Lululemon Athletica Inc. Following the successful sale in 2021, Mr. Bensoussan stepped down from the board of Feelunique.com, one of Europe’s largest online beauty retailers after serving for 9 years. Mr. Bensoussan served on the board of SNS, a prominent aspirational streetwear and entertainment hub in addition to serving on the board of Pronovias, the worldwide leader of wedding dresses.
We believe Mr. Bensoussan is qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his business and financial acumen and his experience in the retail and branded luxury goods market.
Veronique Gabai-Pinsky
Ms. Gabai-Pinsky, age 59, was elected for the first time to our board as an independent director in September 2017. She became a director of Interparfums, SA in April 2017. She is currently operating a startup specialty fragrance business, a director of Lifetime Brands (Nasdaq: LCUT), which is in the home goods business, and a member of the board of directors of Parfums de Marly, a privately held company. She was President of Vera Wang Group from January 2016 through June 2018, after a year of consulting with the company and she oversaw all product categories and markets. Prior to joining Vera Wang, from 2006 to December 2014, Ms. Gabai-Pinsky was the Global President for Aramis and Designers Fragrances as well as Beauty Bank and Idea Bank at The Estée Lauder Companies, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer of such company. During her tenure, Ms. Gabai-Pinsky developed and ensured the growth of several beauty and skin care brands, including Lab Series for Men. She was highly instrumental in the evolution of the fragrance category for such company, as she improved its overall business model, globally grew brands such as Donna Karan and Michael Kors, evolved and harmonized the portfolio, divested dilutive brands and brought in Tory Burch, Zegna and Marni under licenses. She ultimately actively participated in the acquisitions of Le Labo, Frederic Malle, and By Kilian and assisted in the transformation of the long-term strategic direction of such company.
In the earlier years of her career, Ms. Gabai-Pinsky served as Vice President of Marketing and Communication for Guerlain, a division of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A., where she led the successful re-launch of Shalimar, the introduction of Aqua Allegoria, and contributed to the re-focus of the beauty category around its pillars, Terracotta, Meteorites and Issima, while redesigning all communication strategies and content. She started her career at L’Oréal, and was also Vice President of Marketing for Giorgio Armani, where she was instrumental in the overall development of its fragrance business by developing the successful Acqua di Gio for men and introducing the Emporio Armani franchise. A graduate from ESSEC Business School in Paris, France, she has received several awards, including Marketer of the Year by Women’s Wear Daily in December 2013.
Ms. Gabai-Pinsky is an independent director, and is a member of the Audit Committee, Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee and the Nominating Committee of our Company. We believe Ms. Gabi-Pinsky is qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to her more than 25 years of experience in the luxury, fashion, beauty and fragrance fields, success as a brand builder, creative thinker, business acumen, and a broad understanding of consumers, brands and business models.
Gilbert Harrison
Mr. Harrison, age 84, an independent director, was appointed to our board in April 2018. Mr. Harrison has more than 50 years of experience in corporate finance and strategic transactions, specializing in the consumer products space. He began his career in 1965 practicing corporate and securities law in New York and Philadelphia. In 1971 he founded Financo, which he grew to become one of the leading independent middle market transaction firms in the country. In 1985, Financo was acquired by Lehman Brothers, where the firm’s primary efforts were focused on increasing its expertise in retail, apparel and other merchandising transactions of all types. At Lehman, Mr. Harrison was Chairman of the Merchandising Group and on the firm’s Investment Banking Operating Committee while continuing as Chairman of Financo, which was renamed the Middle Market Group of Lehman. In 1989, he re-acquired Financo from Lehman, re-establishing Financo as one of the leading investment banking firms handling transactions and providing strategic advice in connection with merchandising companies. Mr. Harrison retired as Chairman of Financo in December of 2017, after which he formed the Harrison Group, a firm that provides consulting and financial advisory services to merchandising and products companies.
Mr. Harrison’s other activities include his membership and past membership on the Advisory Council of the GRC Global Conference World Retail Congress, Shoptalk and the Financial Times Business of Luxury Summit. Additionally, he created a course on mergers and acquisitions at The Wharton School and has published various articles and academic studies on the state of retailing and mergers and acquisitions, including a chapter in the book entitled, “The Mergers and Acquisitions Handbook.” Mr. Harrison lectures throughout the country, including chairing seminars for Retail Week as well as for the International Council of Shopping Centers, the National Retail Federation, Young President’s Center, The Wharton Aresty Institute of Executive Education and The President’s Association of the American Management Association. He also appears frequently on Bloomberg TV and CNBC as an expert on retail and apparel.
Mr. Harrison received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania in 1962 and his Juris Doctor from The University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1965. He is also Chairman Emeritus of the Fashion Division of UJA, Treasurer, a former board member of the Southampton Hospital, a retired Director of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and former board member of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. We believe Mr. Harrison is qualified to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his tremendous depth and breadth of knowledge about the merchandising and consumer industry, and he has a long track record of facilitating value-creating transactions for companies in this sector. Mr. Harrison’s autobiography, Deal Junky, was published in January 2022.
Kappauf
Gerard Kappauf (“Kappauf”), age 63, an independent director, was born in Madagascar. After studying Classic Literature at the Sorbonne in Paris, he attended the San Francisco Art Institute on a scholarship and worked as a special effects make-up artist in Los Angeles. Upon traveling to Paris, Kappauf became interested in fashion and worked at a Jean Paul Gaultier fashion show. Thanks to this experience, he began to expand his network by meeting emblematic figures in the industry such as Paco Rabanne. While providing marketing and acquisition consulting services to L’Oreal Group during the tenure of Lindsay Owen Jones as its Chairman, in a bid for independence and emancipation he founded his own magazine in 1992, Citizen K.
Through Citizen K, he realized his ambition to launch a major magazine for a wide audience on fashion, luxury, culture, and the art of living, truly different from the magazines already in existence. Citizen K magazine then became Citizen K International in 2012, a benchmark in fashion, luxury, and lifestyle. Kappauf expanded the magazine's offering with the launch of Citizen K Homme in 2013, and 2014 was the year of change for Citizen K International with a new format and a fresh look.
In 2016 Kappauf launched Citizen K Arabia. This title, distributed in the Middle East, benefits from editorial development and format adapted to the market. Although 80% of Citizen K International’s editorial content is contained in Citizen K Arabia, this magazine still features 20% of content tailored to The Emirates and the Middle East. In 2021, Kappauf launched The Kurator, the first a-gender magazine in the Middle East, as a luxury supplement to Gulf News, the leading daily newspaper in the region.
In 2024, Kappauf launched two new magazines: Citizen K Sport, which combines fashion and sport, and The Kurator India, the luxury supplement of the country’s leading business daily, Mint.
Founded in January 1992 by Kappauf, he has been the Chief Executive Officer, and Creative and Editorial Director of the K Group since inception, which owns Citizen K magazines in Paris, as well as Enkore Studio in Dubai. Enkore Studio specializes in visual brand identity, digital content, storytelling and concept development for the fashion, luxury, beauty, and lifestyle industries. Kappauf now lives in Dubai. We believe that Kappauf’s perspective on fashion, luxury, culture, and the art of living will bring diversity of viewpoints to our Board of Directors.
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, age 67, a director nominee, is an accomplished executive in the fast moving consumer goods and retail sectors, with over 35 years of international experience across London, Paris, Dubai, and New York. He has held senior leadership roles at prestigious companies including, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc, LVMH, Marks & Spencer PLC, EMAAR PJSC, and most recently served as CEO of ESW Americas. Currently, Mr. Bousquet-Chavanne spearheads the Abu Dhabi Retail Development Program for the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, an arm of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. From September 2023 to the present, he acts as consultant through his company, PBC Consulting, in the retail industry.
From October 2020 to September 2023, Mr. Bousquet-Chavanne served on the Advisory Board of ESW, a leading global direct to consumer e-commerce service provider where he led Americas operations and the global luxury practice, focusing on structuring United States operations for accelerated growth and guiding the diversification and global expansion of ESW in the luxury, fashion, beauty, and personal care industries.
Previously, as CEO of EMAAR Malls—the owner of The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest travel retail and entertainment destination—Mr. Bousquet-Chavanne brought transformative perspectives to the Middle East retail market during a period of rapid digital transformation. He led the acquisition of Namshi.com, expanded the Dubai Mall's digital footprint, and introduced advanced analytics and consumer insight capabilities to enhance customer experience across channels.
Prior to his tenure at EMAAR Malls, Mr. Bousquet-Chavanne was Chief Customer, Marketing, and Digital Officer at Marks & Spencer PLC. There, he spearheaded the department store’s digital transformation, positioning marksandspencer.com as one of the top three online destinations for clothing and footwear in the United Kingdom. He also led M&S's Beauty transformation initiative, cantered decision-making on customer insights, and launched the award-winning Sparks™ CRM program.
Mr. Bousquet-Chavanne is a former Independent Director of Brown-Forman (NYSE: BF-B), one of the largest American spirits companies, 2005 to 2017. He presently serves as Lead Independent Director on the board of Flow Water Inc. (TSX: FLW), a Canadian premium bottled water company, and previously chaired the Compensation Committee of HSNi (NASDAQ: HSNI), a multi-channel retailer in the USA.
He holds MBAs from Purdue University Krannert School of Management and an Advanced Management degree from Stanford Executive Program in Strategy and Organization. Mr. Bousquet-Chavanne is a CCE, “Conseiller du Commerce Exterieur de la France”, a member of Purdue University's Marketing Advisory Board and was part of the Retail Leadership Group for The Prince’s Trust, a UK charity founded by Charles, Prince of Wales. He contributes to Forbes.com on topics related to beauty and luxury. We believe Mr. Bousquet-Chavanne’s beauty and retail experience will contribute valuable insights to our Board of Directors.
Herve Bouillonnec
Hervé Bouillonnec age 55, a director nominee, is the Chief Commercial Officer at Interparfums, USA LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company based in New York City, and oversees the commercial strategy and licensing acquisitions for Interparfums, USA LLC.
Mr. Bouillonnec joined Interparfums, USA LLC in May 2007 to spearhead its worldwide fragrance business, based in New York City. He brought Interparfums USA his extensive experience in luxury brand management, including time with Yves Saint Laurent (Kering Group) and Givenchy (LVMH). He was responsible for growing their prestige beauty and fragrance business to its full potential in global domestic and travel retail markets. He has strong leadership skills and is responsible for managing teams worldwide. As an experienced executive with an entrepreneurial spirit, he continually strives to grow and build the business, starting from the ground up, with strategic initiatives to create profitable and economically sound brands.
Mr. Bouillonnec grew up in France and has worked in the United States since 2001. He is passionate about golf, football, and rugby, and remains a passionate fan of sports today. He studied in France, England, and Barcelona, earning a Bachelor of Arts in European Business in Great Britain and a Master of European Economics from the University of Barcelona in Spain. He speaks French, Spanish, and English fluently. Hervé enjoys traveling with his family and lives with his wife and daughter in New York City. We believe that Mr. Bouillonnec’s extensive experience in building and growing Interparfums’ fragrance business will be a welcome asset to our Board of Directors.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and any amendments to such forms furnished to us, and written representations from various reporting persons furnished to us, we are not aware of any reporting person who has failed to file the reports required to be filed under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on a timely basis.
Insider Trading Policy
The use of material non-public information in securities transactions (“Insider Trading”) or the communication of such information to others who use it in securities trading (“Tipping”) violates the federal securities laws. Such violations are likely to result in harsh consequences for the individuals involved including exposure to investigations by the SEC, criminal and civil prosecution, disgorgement of any profits realized or losses avoided through use of the non-public information and penalties equal to three times such profits or losses. Further, Insider Trading violations expose the Company, its management, and other personnel acting in supervisory capacities to potential civil liabilities and penalties for the actions of employees under their control who engage in Insider Trading violations.
If a director, officer or employee of our Company is aware of material information relating to the Company, which has not yet been made available to the public for at least two (2) full business days, then such person is prohibited by law as well as by Company policy from trading in the Company’s shares or directly or indirectly disclosing such information to any other persons so that they may trade in the Company’s shares. It is difficult to describe what constitutes “material” information, but one should assume that any information, positive or negative, which might be of significance to an investor in determining whether to purchase, sell or hold our stock, would be material.
Information may be significant for this purpose even if it would not alone determine the investor’s decision. Examples include a potential business acquisition, internal financial information which departs in any way from what the market would expect, important product developments, the acquisition or loss of a major contract, or an important financing transaction. We emphasize that this list is not meant to be exhaustive, but merely illustrative.
Not only is it illegal to engage in Insider Trading or convey such information to others in breach of a duty, it is also generally illegal to “tip” such information to others who may trade in the securities involved or to recommend the purchase or sale of securities to others while you are in possession of such information. It is the policy of the Company that one should never trade while in possession of material, non-public information or tip or communicate such information to others without first receiving authorization from the Company or our counsel. This policy applies to your personal transactions and those indirectly through a spouse, friend, corporation or other entity. This applies to the securities of the Company and of other corporations. Thus, if in the course of the Company’s business, a person learns of material non-public information concerning another corporation (such as a customer or supplier) you should abstain from trading in that corporation’s securities.
Further, this policy applies to securities transactions by individuals who reside in the same household with directors, officers and employees of the Company. Strict compliance with these policies and procedures is expected of all directors, officers and employees and members of their households, and any infringement thereof may result in sanctions, up to and including, termination of office or employment.
Insider Trading Procedure
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In addition, to avoid the appearance of impropriety, no trading in the Company’s securities is permitted to take place without compliance with the following rules.
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The person who intends to trade in the Company’s securities must first contact the Chief Financial Officer of Interparfums, Inc., prior to any contemplated purchase or sale.
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There shall be no trading in the Company’s securities by Company personnel
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within ten (10) full business days before the earlier of
(i) the issuance of a press release by the Company concerning its periodic financial information, which occurs approximately five (5) to ten (10) business days before the filing with the SEC of the Company’s periodic reports, which are due no later than March 1, May 10, August 9 and November 9 of each year, or
(ii) the actual filing of such periodic reports; and
until two (2) full business days AFTER the actual filing of such periodic reports.
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There shall also be no trading in the Company’s securities until not less than two (2) full business days after the release of any other press release or filing with the SEC of a Current Report on Form 8-K by the Company.
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In no event shall there be any trading in the Company’s securities by Company personnel without the prior consent from the Company.
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Anti-Hedging Policy
Under the terms of our Anti-Hedging Policy, no officers, employees or members of our Board of Directors (and their respective family members or any affiliated entities) may engage in hedging or monetization transactions involving our securities, including buying any financial instrument or entering into any transaction that may offset any potential decrease in the market value of stock options or similar security that is granted as compensation. This policy also prohibits all actions to avoid any downward price of such compensation award. This same prohibition applies as well to any other person or company who is holding such equity security for the benefit of our employees, officers, directors or family members. This policy is not intended to prohibit the exercise of our stock options granted under our stock option plans.
Option Grants Policy and Practice
Option grants to officers and employees have historically been granted on the last business day of the calendar year, as the board believes that as a general rule, there should not be any material non-public information available at that time of year. However, no options were granted during the years 2024, 2023 and 2022 to any executive officers, other than Michel Atwood, who received options to purchase 5,000 shares on December 30, 2022 as part of his initial compensation package, and options to purchase 4,000 shares on December 29, 2023 and December 31, 2024, the last business day each such calendar year, respectively. Options have historically been granted at the fair market value on the date of grant with a 6-year term, and vested 20% each year after the first year on a cumulative basis. Options granted to officers and employees terminate upon the termination of association with the Company, for other than death or permanent disability.
Historically, options were granted to independent directors on the first business day of February of each year in accordance with our stock option plan. As the option grant date and number of shares underlying options were determined in our stock option plan, there would be no room for manipulation. As previously reported, in 2022 our board cancelled the automatic option grant on February 1, 2022 in view of determining an alternate form of compensation for the independent directors. However, after discussions with certain financial consultants relating to potential compensation plans in lieu of stock option grants to its independent directors, it was determined that the most favorable way for the independent directors to be compensated was to amend our stock option plan to reinstate the automatic grant of stock options. Accordingly, our board authorized a new automatic grant to our independent directors commencing on the last business day December 30, 2022 to coincide with the historic grant date to officers and employees and continuing on the last business day of each year thereafter, which was approved by our shareholders at the 2023 annual meeting. On December 31, 2024, options to purchase 1,500 shares were granted to all five of our independent directors, Messrs. Heilbronn, Bensoussan, Harrison and Kappauf and Ms. Gabai-Pinsky at the fair market value on the date of grant, $130.60 per share.
Clawback Policy for Erroneously Awarded Executive Compensation
Our Board of Directors has adopted a policy for the recovery of the award of erroneously awarded incentive compensation for our executive officers (the “Recovery Policy”). If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, including any required accounting restatement to correct an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements, or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period, then, in accordance with the provisions of this Recovery Policy, the Company will recover reasonably promptly the amount of all Erroneously Awarded Compensation from its executive officers, as defined below.
The term “Erroneously Awarded Compensation” is defined in the Recovery Policy as the amount of incentive-based compensation that exceeds the amount of incentive-based compensation that otherwise would have been received had it been determined based on the restated amounts, and computed without regard to any tax liability. For incentive-based compensation based on stock price or total shareholder return, where the amount of erroneously awarded compensation is not subject to mathematical recalculation directly from the information in an accounting restatement, the amount must be based on a reasonable estimate of the effect of the accounting restatement on the stock price or total shareholder return upon which the incentive-based compensation was received.
The Recovery Policy applies to all incentive-based compensation received by an executive officer during the three (3) completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement, for all incentive-based compensation received by executive officers on or after October 2, 2023.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING “FOR” EACH OF THE BOARD’S NOMINEES ON PROPOSAL No. 1.
Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
General
The Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee of our Board of Directors is comprised entirely of independent directors and oversees all elements of compensation (base salary, annual bonus, long-term incentives and perquisites) of our Company’s executive officers and administers our Company’s stock option plans, other than the non-employee directors stock option plan, which is self-executing.
The objectives of our compensation program are designed to strike a balance between offering sufficient compensation to either retain existing or attract new executives on the one hand, and maintaining compensation at reasonable levels on the other hand. We do not have resources comparable to the cosmetic giants in our industry, and, accordingly, cannot afford to pay excessive executive compensation. In furtherance of these objectives, our executive compensation packages generally include a base salary, as well as annual incentives tied to individual performance and long-term incentives tied to our operating performance.
Mr. Madar, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, took the initiative after discussions with Mr. Atwood, the Chief Financial Officer and board member, and recommended executive compensation levels for executives for United States operations. Mr. Benacin, the Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA, took the initiative after discussions with Philippe Santi, the Executive Vice President of Interparfums SA, and recommended executive compensation levels for executives for European based operations. The recommendations are presented to the Compensation Committee for its consideration, and the Compensation Committee makes a final determination regarding salary adjustments and annual award amounts to executives, including Jean Madar and Philippe Benacin. Messrs. Madar and Benacin are not present during deliberations or the determination of their executive compensation by the Compensation Committee. Further, Messrs. Madar and Benacin, in addition to being executive officers and directors, are our largest beneficial shareholders, and therefore, their interests are aligned with our shareholder base in keeping executive compensation at a reasonable level.
The Compensation Committee was pleased that the most recent shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation held at our last annual meeting of shareholders in September 2024 overwhelmingly approved the compensation policies and decisions of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has determined to continue its present compensation policies in order to determine similar future decisions.
Our Compensation Committee believes that individual executive compensation is at a level comparable with executives in other companies of similar size and stage of development that operate in the fragrance industry, and takes into account our company’s performance as well as our own strategic goals. During 2024, the members of such committee consisted of Messrs. Francois Heilbronn and Robert Bensoussan, and Ms. Gabai-Pinsky.
Elements of Compensation
General
The compensation of our executive officers is generally comprised of base salaries, including a fee paid to the holding companies of each of Messrs. Madar and Benacin, annual cash bonuses and long-term equity incentive awards. In determining specific components of compensation, the Compensation Committee considers individual performance, level of responsibility, skills and experience, other compensation awards or arrangements and overall company performance. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves all elements of compensation for all of our executive officers taking into consideration recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer of our Company and the Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA, as well as information regarding compensation levels at competitors in our industry.
Our named executive officers have all been with the Company for more than the past ten (10) years, other than Mr. Atwood, who joined our Company in September 2022, with Messrs. Madar and Benacin being founders of the Company. As Messrs. Madar and Atwood, the Chief Financial Officer, and Benacin and Santi for European based operations, were most familiar with the individual performance, level of responsibility, skills and experience of each executive officer in their respective operating based operations, the Compensation Committee relies upon the information provided by such executive officers in determining individual performance, level of responsibility, skills and experience of each executive officer.
The Compensation Committee views the competitive marketplace very broadly, which would include executive officers from both public and privately held companies in general, including fashion and beauty companies, but not limited to the peer companies contained in the corporate performance graph contained in our annual report. Generally, rather than tie the Compensation Committee’s determination of compensation proposals to any specific peer companies, the members of our committee have used their business experience, judgment and knowledge to review the executive compensation proposals recommended to them by Mr. Madar for United States operations and Mr. Benacin for European based operations. As such, as a general rule the Compensation Committee did not determine the need to benchmark any material item of compensation or overall compensation.
The members of the Compensation Committee have extensive experience and business acumen and are well qualified in determining the appropriateness of executive compensation levels. Mr. Heilbronn is a managing partner of a business consulting firm in the area of mergers and acquisitions of large international companies in retail, consumer goods and consumer services throughout the world. Ms. Gabai-Pinsky has executive experience as the former President of Vera Wang Group, as well as the Global President for Aramis and Designers Fragrances in addition to Beauty Bank and Idea Bank at The Estée Lauder Companies. Mr. Bensoussan, the final committee member, was previously a member of the boards of lululemon athletica Inc., Feelunique.com, one of Europe’s largest online beauty retailers, and Jimmy Choo Ltd, from 2001 to 2011.
Base Salary
Base salaries for executive officers are initially determined by evaluating the responsibilities of the position held and the experience of the individual, and by reference to the competitive marketplace for executive talent. Base salaries for executive officers are reviewed on an annual basis, and adjustments are determined by evaluating our operating performance, the performance of each executive officer, as well as whether the nature of the responsibilities of the executive has changed.
As stated above, as Messrs. Madar and Atwood for United States based operations, and Messrs. Benacin and Santi for European based operations, were most familiar with the individual performance, level of responsibility, skills and experience of each executive officer in their respective based operations, the committee relied upon the information provided by such executive officers in determining individual performance, level of responsibility, skills and experience of each executive officer.
For executive officers of United States based operations, the bulk of their annual compensation is in base salary including a fee paid to the holding company for Mr. Madar for services rendered outside the United States. However, for executive officers of European based operations, base salary comprises a smaller percentage of overall compensation. We have paid a lower percentage of overall compensation in the form of base salary to executive officers of European based operations for several years, principally because European based operations historically have had higher profitability than United States operations, and European based operations are run differently from United States operations by the Chief Executive Officer of European based operations, Mr. Benacin. As the result of this historically higher profitability, European based operations have had the ability to pay higher bonus compensation in addition to base salary. As bonus compensation is and has historically been discretionary, no targets were set in order to maintain flexibility. Further, if results of operations for European based operations were not satisfactory (again, no target amounts were set to maintain flexibility), then bonus compensation, as well as overall compensation could be lowered without otherwise affecting base salary. Further still, by keeping annual bonus compensation at a higher percentage of overall compensation and base salary at a lower percentage, our company benefits because the base amount for annual salary adjustments would be smaller. Finally, initial executive compensation matters for Interparfums SA are authorized by an independent committee, the Interparfums SA Corporate Governance, Nominations and Remuneration Committee (the “IPSA Remuneration Committee”).
For 2024, Mr. Benacin received a base salary of $821,500, as compared to $795,000 in 2023. Included in this amount are payments made to Mr. Benacin’s holding company of $250,000 for each year. This same consulting fee has been paid for more than each of the past three years, in accordance with the consulting agreement with Mr. Benacin’s holding company, which provides for review on an annual basis of the amount of compensation payable to such company.
The Compensation Committee considered the following salient factors in ratifying Mr. Benacin’s base compensation that was approved by the IPSA Remuneration Committee, and in authorizing payment to Mr. Benacin’s holding company; services rendered to United States based operations for several years by Mr. Benacin in connection with licensing and distribution of international brands, as well as future services to be performed by Mr. Benacin internationally relating to licensing and distribution of international brands for United States based operations.
As Mr. Benacin values the services of two named executive officers of Interparfums SA, Mr. Philippe Santi, Executive Vice President, and Mr. Frederic Garcia-Pelayo, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, equally, their base salaries, as well as their bonus compensation discussed below, have been in lockstep.
For 2024, the base salary of each of Messrs. Santi and Garcia-Pelayo was €474,462 a nominal increase from €458,000 in 2023. Such increases were nominal, as compared to bonus compensation, as discussed later in the section. The Compensation Committee considered the recommendations of Mr. Benacin, base compensation that was approved by the IPSA Remuneration Committee, results of operations for the year, as well as the services performed for European based operations by Messrs. Santi and Garcia-Pelayo in ratifying these salary levels.
A different approach is taken for United States based operations as that based operations is smaller and less profitable. A more significant base salary is paid in order to attract and retain employees with the skills and talents needed to run the operation with a lesser emphasis placed on bonuses. Neither of the executive officers for United States based operations have employment agreements (although Mr. Madar’s personal holding company has a consulting agreement that provides for review on an annual basis of the amount of compensation payable to such company), as we believe that having flexibility in structuring annual base salary is a benefit, which permits us to act quickly to meet a changing economic environment.
As previously reported, from 2013 until 2019 the annual aggregate base salary paid to Mr. Madar individually and fees paid to his holding company remained unchanged at $630,000, which was substantially below the amounts indicated by two surveys of chief executive officer salaries for 2019 (collectively the “CEO Salary Surveys”). The CEO Salary Surveys indicated that the annual and median average CEO salaries for peer companies (excluding the Madar salary) were $2,854,656 and $1,540,000, respectively, and $2,604,346 and $1,750,000 for comparable market capitalization companies, respectively. In recognition of the efforts of Mr. Madar and his holding company as one of the prime causes for our substantial increase in net sales and net income, as well as market capitalization from 2014 through 2019, thus substantially increasing shareholder value, on February 4, 2020 the Compensation Committee authorized the aggregate annual increase in the fees paid to Mr. Madar’s holding company, which are attributed to Mr. Madar as base salary, by $600,000 to $1.23 million effective as of January 1, 2020. For 2023 Mr. Madar’s Holding Company received an increase in its management fees to $2 million, after not receiving an increase in 2022 and 2021. This fee was also $2 million for 2024.
Mr. Atwood, who became the Chief Financial Officer in September 2022, was paid a base salary of $700,000 for 2024, an increase from his 2023 base salary of $525,000. The Compensation Committee considered the following material factors in approving the base salary of Mr. Atwood for 2024: his individual performances, level of responsibilities, and skill, as well as the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer.
Bonus Compensation/Annual Incentives
The discretionary bonuses for Mr. Benacin were $411,000 and $216,000, in recognition of the record setting performances in both sales and earnings of Interparfums SA, our French operating subsidiary for 2024 and 2023 respectively. In addition, the Compensation Committee agreed with the recommendations of Mr. Benacin, IPSA Remuneration Committee and the contributions made by Messrs. Santi and Garcia-Pelayo to the Company’s success and growth. Mr. Santi was awarded a discretionary bonus of $425,000, $458,000, and $437,000, in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, or 83%, 92%, and 96%, of his base salary for those years. Mr. Garcia-Pelayo was awarded a discretionary bonus of $458,000 and $437,000, in 2023 and 2022, respectively, or 92% and 96%, of his base salary for those years. Mr. Garcia-Pelayo did not receive a discretionary bonus in 2024 due to his retirement; however, he did receive a severance payment of $2,243,490.
A different approach is taken for United States based operations as they are smaller and less profitable. As discussed above, a more significant base salary is paid in order to attract and retain employees with the skills and talents needed to run United States based operations with a lesser emphasis placed on bonuses.
Mr. Atwood, the Chief Financial Officer, who as part of a verbal agreement with the Company, is entitled to a guaranteed annual bonus of $100,000, as well as a $100,000 bonus based upon achieving certain milestones. For both 2024 and 2023, Mr. Atwood received a discretionary bonus of $125,000. The Compensation Committee considered the same factors in granting these two bonuses as in approving his annual base salary.
Jean Madar Holding SAS, the management company beneficially owned by Mr. Madar, the Chief Executive Officer, has not received any cash bonus for more than in the past three years.
As required by French law, Interparfums SA maintains its own profit sharing plan for all French employees who have completed three months of service, including executive officers of our European based operations other than Mr. Benacin, the Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA. Benefits are calculated based upon a percentage of taxable income of Interparfums SA and allocated to employees based upon salary. The maximum amount payable per year per employee is approximately $31,688.
Calculation of the total annual benefits contribution is made according to the following formula:
50% of (Interparfums SA fiscal income after taxes, less 2.5% of shareholders’ equity excluding current year income and pension provision) times a fraction, the numerator of which is wages, and the denominator of which is net income before tax + wages + taxes (other than income tax) + valuation allowances + amortization expenses + interest expenses.
Contribution to individual employees is then made pro rata based upon their individual salaries for the year.
Long-Term Incentives
Stock Options. In prior years, we had linked long-term incentives with corporate performance through the grant of stock options. However, no options were granted in 2021 or 2020 to either employees of United States based operations or European based operations, as other compensation arrangements were being considered as part of a review of the executive compensation strategy. In December 2024, 2023 and 2022, at the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee authorized the grant of a stock option to purchase 4,000, 4,000 and 5,000 shares, respectively, to Mr. Atwood, at the fair market value on the dates of grant, as part of his long-term incentives. Unless the market price of our common stock increases, Mr. Atwood will have no tangible benefit from this option. Thus, the option holder is provided with the additional incentive to increase individual performance with the ultimate goal of increasing our overall performance. We believe that enhanced executive incentive that result in increased corporate performance tend to build company loyalty. No other stock option grants were made to other executive officers in 2024, 2023 or 2022, including Messrs. Jean Madar and Philippe Benacin.
Interparfums SA Stock Compensation Plans
2024 - 2023 No shares were granted to any employees or corporate officers during either year.
2022 Free Share Plan – On March 16, 2022, the Board of Interparfums SA (“IPSA”) decided to grant 88,400 free shares of its capital stock to all of the IPSA’s employees and corporate officers having more than 6 months seniority at the grant date. The free shares are to be issued in June 2025. Issuance of those shares is based on satisfaction of performance conditions, relating to the 2024 IPSA sales for 50% of the shares and 2024 operating income for the balance.
|
|
IPSA used the services of third party to assist them in the valuation of the plan, with the calculations and assumptions as follows:
|
|
●
|
Management expects the rate of staff turnover to be 12%.
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Using the Monte Carlo method, management expects the performance rate to be 80% on the IPSA and subsidiaries consolidated sales and 80.8% on the consolidated operating income.
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
As of December 31, 2022 management has updated its expectation related to the performance rate to be 100% for both consolidated sales and consolidated operating income based on the above assumptions, the total expenses related to this plan are valued at $4.1 million.
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2023:
|
|
●
|
87,609 shares of IPSA Capital Stock, representing $4.1 million were purchased in the open market and allocated to this plan.
|
|
|
$1.4 million of expense was recorded (or $1.6 million including social contributions).
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2024:
|
|
●
|
96,371 shares of IPSA Capital Stock, representing $4.1 million were purchased in the open market and allocated to this plan.
|
|
|
$1.4 million of expense was recorded (or $1.6 million including social contributions).
|
Stock Appreciation Rights
Our stock option plans authorize us to grant stock appreciation rights, or SARs. An SAR represents a right to receive the appreciation in value, if any, of our common stock over the base value of the SAR. To date, we have not granted any SARs under our plans. While the Compensation Committee currently does not plan to grant any SARs under our plans, it may choose to do so in the future as part of a review of the executive compensation strategy.
Restricted Stock
We have not in the past, and we do not have any future plans to grant restricted stock to our executive officers. However, while the Compensation Committee currently does not plan to authorize any restricted stock plans, the Compensation Committee may choose to do so in the future as part of a review of the executive compensation strategy.
Other Compensation
For 2024, each of Messrs. Benacin and Garcia-Pelayo received an automobile allowance of $11,690.
No Stock Ownership Guidelines
We do not require any minimum level of stock ownership by any of our executive officers. As stated above, Messrs. Madar and Benacin, are our largest beneficial shareholders, which aligns their interests with our shareholder base in keeping executive compensation at a reasonable level.
Retirement and Pension Plans
We maintain a 401(k) plan for United States based operations, and match the first 50% of the first 6% of contributions made by each employee on an annual basis, as we have determined that base compensation together with annual bonuses, are sufficient incentives to retain talented employees. Our European based operations maintain a pension plan for its employees as required by French law. For each of 2024, 2023, and 2022, each of Messrs. Benacin, Santi and Garcia-Pelayo received an increase of approximately $19,000, $17,600, and $16,006, respectively, in their value of deferred compensation earnings.
Compensation Committee Report
We have reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis provisions to be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and the proxy statement for the upcoming annual meeting of shareholders. Based on this review and discussion, we recommend to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis referred to above be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as the proxy statement for the upcoming annual meeting of shareholders.
François Heilbronn
Veronique Gabai-Pinsky and
Robert Bensoussan
The following table sets forth a summary of all compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our “named executive officers,” who are our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, and each of the three most highly compensated executive officers of our Company. This table covers all such compensation during fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. For all compensation related matters disclosed in the summary compensation table, and elsewhere where applicable, all amounts paid in euro have been converted to U.S. dollars at the average rate of exchange in each year.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
Bonus ($)
|
|
Stock Awards ($)
|
|
Option Awards ($)(1)
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2)
|
|
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($)
|
|
All Other Compensation ($)(3)
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
Jean Madar, (4)
|
|
2024
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
Chairman and
|
|
2023
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
2022
|
|
1,230,000
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
1,230,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michel Atwood (5)
|
|
2024
|
|
700,000
|
|
125,000
|
|
-0-
|
|
133,251
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
958,251
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
2023
|
|
525,000
|
|
125,000
|
|
-0-
|
|
140,327
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
790,327
|
|
|
|
2022
|
|
161,218
|
|
150,000
|
|
-0-
|
|
101,814
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
413,032
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell Greenberg, (5)
|
|
2022
|
|
750,000
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
750,000
|
|
Former CFO & Ex VP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philippe Benacin, President
|
|
2024
|
|
821,507
|
|
411,312
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
19,072
|
|
11,690
|
|
1,263,581
|
|
Interparfums, Inc. and Chief Executive
|
|
2023
|
|
794,975
|
|
216,260
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
17,600
|
|
11,678
|
|
1,040,513
|
|
Officer of Interparfums SA
|
|
2022
|
|
755,440
|
|
210,600
|
|
139,077
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
16,006
|
|
11,372
|
|
1,132,495
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philippe Santi, Executive Vice
|
|
2024
|
|
513,558
|
|
425,058
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
31,688
|
|
18,920
|
|
11,690
|
|
989,224
|
|
President, Interparfums SA
|
|
2023
|
|
495,668
|
|
457,714
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
37,603
|
|
17,600
|
|
-0-
|
|
1,008,585
|
|
|
|
2022
|
|
454,896
|
|
436,995
|
|
139,077
|
|
-0-
|
|
32,485
|
|
16,006
|
|
-0-
|
|
1,079,459
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo,
|
|
2024
|
|
515,616
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
31,688
|
|
18,969
|
|
2,243,490 (6)
|
|
2,809,763
|
|
Executive Vice President and
|
|
2023
|
|
495,668
|
|
457,714
|
|
-0-
|
|
-0-
|
|
37,603
|
|
17,600
|
|
11,678
|
|
1,020,263
|
|
Chief Operating Officer Interparfums SA
|
|
2022
|
|
454,896
|
|
436,995
|
|
139,077
|
|
-0-
|
|
32,485
|
|
16,006
|
|
11,372
|
|
1,090,831
|
|
1
|
Amounts reflected under Option Awards represent the grant date fair values in 2024, 2023 and 2022 based on the fair value of stock option awards using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The assumptions used in this model are detailed in Footnote 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and filed with the SEC.
|
2
|
As required by French law, Interparfums SA maintains its own profit sharing plan for all French employees who have completed three months of service, including executive officers of our European based operations other than Mr. Benacin, the Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA. Benefits are calculated based upon a percentage of taxable income of Interparfums SA and are allocated to employees based upon salary. The maximum amount payable per year is approximately $31,688.
|
Calculation of total annual benefits contribution is made according to the following formula:
50% of (Interparfums SA fiscal income after taxes, less 2.5% of shareholders’ equity excluding current year income and pension provision) times a fraction, the numerator of which is wages, and the denominator of which is net income before tax + wages + taxes (other than income tax) + valuation allowances + amortization expenses + interest expenses.
Contribution to individual employees is then made pro rata based upon their individual salaries for the year.
3
|
The following table identifies (i) perquisites and other personal benefits provided to our named executive officers in fiscal 2024, and quantifies those required by SEC rules to be quantified and (ii) all other compensation that is required by SEC rules to be separately identified and quantified.
|
4
|
Represents fees paid to Jean Madar Holding SAS in accordance with a Supervising and Coordinating Service Agreement, as amended.
|
|
|
5
|
Mr. Atwood replaced Mr. Greenberg on September 6, 2022, who retired in September 2022. Mr. Atwood’s base salary in 2022 was prorated from $500,000, annually.
|
|
|
6
|
Mr. Garcia-Pelayo received a severance payment of $2,243,490 as the result of his retirement on December 31, 2024.
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Perquisites and other Personal Benefits ($)
|
|
|
Personal Automobile Expense ($)
|
|
|
Lodging Expense ($)
|
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
Jean Madar, Chairman Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michel Atwood, Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philippe Benacin, President of Inter Parfums, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums SA
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
11,690
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
11,690
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philippe Santi, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Interparfums SA
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Interparfums SA
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
11,690
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
11,690
|
|
Plan based Awards
The following table sets certain information relating to each grant of an award made by our company to the executive officers of our company listed in the Summary Compensation Table during the past fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
Grants of Plan-based Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
|
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or
|
|
|
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying
|
|
|
Exercise or Base Price of Option
|
|
|
Closing
|
|
|
|
|
|
Threshold ($)
|
|
|
Target ($)
|
|
|
Maximum ($)
|
|
|
Threshold (#)
|
|
|
Target (#)
|
|
|
Maximum (#)
|
|
|
Units (#)
|
|
|
Options (#)
|
|
|
Awards ($/Sh)
|
|
|
Price ($/Sh)
|
|
Jean Madar
|
|
NA
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
Michel Atwood
|
|
12/31/2024
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
|
$130.60
|
|
|
|
$131.51
|
|
Philippe Benacin
|
|
NA
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
Philippe Santi
|
|
NA
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo
|
|
NA
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
NA means not applicable.
Interparfums SA Stock Compensation Plan
No awards were granted in 2024 by Interparfums SA under its Stock Compensation Plan.
Interparfums SA Profit Sharing Plan
As discussed above and required by French law, Interparfums, SA maintains its own profit sharing plan for all French employees who have completed three months of service, including executive officers of our European based operations other than Mr. Benacin, the Chief Executive Officer of Interparfums, SA. Benefits are calculated based upon a percentage of taxable income of Interparfums SA and allocated to employees based upon salary. The maximum amount payable per year per employee is approximately $31,688.
Calculation of total annual benefits contribution is made according to the following formula:
50% of (Interparfums SA fiscal income after taxes, less 2.5% of shareholders equity excluding current year income and pension provision) times a fraction, the numerator of which is wages, and the denominator of which is net income before tax + wages + taxes (other than income tax) + valuation allowances + amortization expenses + interest expenses.
The following table sets certain information relating to each grant of a non-equity award made by Interparfums SA to the executive officers of our company listed in the Summary Compensation Table during the past fiscal year. Equity awards relate to the shares of Interparfums SA.
Name
|
Plan Name
|
Amount Awarded
|
Jean Madar
|
NA
|
$0
|
Michel Atwood
|
NA
|
$0
|
Philippe Benacin
|
NA
|
$0
|
Philippe Santi
|
Interparfums SA Profit Sharing Plan
|
$31,688
|
Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo
|
Interparfums SA Profit Sharing Plan
|
$31,688
|
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth certain information relating to outstanding equity awards of our Company held by the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table as of December 31, 2024.
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable(1)
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)
|
|
|
Option Exercise Price ($)
|
|
|
Option Expiration Date
|
|
Jean Madar
|
|
|
25,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
0
|
(2)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
73.09
|
|
|
12/30/25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michel Atwood
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
97.84
|
|
|
12/30/28
|
|
|
|
|
800
|
|
|
|
3,200
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
147.71
|
|
|
12/28/29
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
130.60
|
|
|
12/30/30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philippe Benacin
|
|
|
25,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
0
|
(2)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
73.09
|
|
|
12/30/25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philippe Santi
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
73.09
|
|
|
12/30/25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo (3)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
12/30/24
|
|
[Footnotes from table above]
1
|
All options expire 6 years from the date of grant, and vest 20% each year commencing one year after the date of grant.
|
2
|
Options are held in the name of personal holding company.
|
3
|
Outstanding options to purchase 2,000 shares at $73.09 expired on December 31, 2024, the date of his retirement.
|
The following table sets certain information relating to outstanding equity awards granted by Interparfums SA, our majority-owned French subsidiary which has its shares traded on the NYSE Euronext, held by the executive officers of our company listed in the Summary Compensation Table as of the end of the past fiscal year.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
OF INTERPARFUMS SA
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable)
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)
|
|
|
Option Exercise Price ($)
|
|
|
Option Expiration Date
|
|
Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (#)(1)
|
|
|
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested ($)
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that Have Not Vested (#)
|
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that Have Not Vested($)
|
|
Jean Madar
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
3,993
|
|
|
|
176,338
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michel Atwood
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philippe Benacin
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
3,993
|
|
|
|
176,338
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philippe Santi
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
7,986
|
|
|
|
352,677
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
7,986
|
|
|
|
352,677
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
1
|
Estimated number of shares are to be issued only to the extent that the performance conditions have been met.
|
2
|
As of December 31, 2024, the closing price of Interparfums SA as reported by the Euronext was 40.80 euros, and the exchange rate was 1.04 U.S. dollars to 1 euro.
|
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table sets forth certain information relating to each option exercise affected during the past fiscal year, and each vesting of stock, including restricted stock, restricted stock units and similar instruments of our company during the past fiscal year, for the executive officers of our company listed in the Summary Compensation Table.
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)
|
|
|
Value Realized on Exercise ($)1
|
|
|
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)
|
|
|
Value Realized On Vesting ($)
|
|
Jean Madar
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
1,596,750
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michel Atwood
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philippe Benacin
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
1,665,250
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philippe Santi
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
|
267,171
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
|
255,115
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
[Footnotes from table above]
1
|
Total value realized on exercise of options in dollars is based upon the difference between the fair market value of the common stock on the date of exercise, and the exercise price of the option.
|
Regarding Interparfums SA, our majority-owned French subsidiary which has its shares traded on the Euronext, no options were exercised during the past fiscal year, and there was no vesting of stock, including restricted stock, restricted stock units and similar instruments during the past fiscal year, for the executive officers of our Company listed in the Summary Compensation Table.
Pension Benefits
The following table sets forth certain information relating to payment of benefits in connection with retirement plans during the past fiscal year, for the executive officers of our Company listed in the Summary Compensation Table.
PENSION BENEFITS
Name
|
|
Plan Name
|
|
Number of Years Credited Service (#)
|
|
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit* ($)
|
|
|
Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($)
|
|
Jean Madar
|
|
NA
|
|
NA
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Michel Atwood
|
|
NA
|
|
NA
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
-0-
|
|
Philippe Benacin
|
|
Interparfums SA Pension Plan
|
|
NA
|
|
|
396,655
|
|
|
|
19,072
|
|
Philippe Santi
|
|
Interparfums SA Pension Plan
|
|
NA
|
|
|
396,504
|
|
|
|
18,920
|
|
Frédéric Garcia-Pelayo
|
|
Interparfums SA Pension Plan
|
|
NA
|
|
|
396,552
|
|
|
|
18,969
|
|
*
|
Does not include any contributions made by prior employers, or individually by the recipients as such information is confidential under French law.
|
Interparfums SA maintains a pension plan for all of its employees, including all executive officers. The calculation of commitments for severance benefits involves estimating the probable present value of projected benefit obligations. This projected benefit obligations are then prorated to take into account seniority of the employees of Interparfums SA on the calculation date.
In calculating benefits, the following assumptions were applied:
|
-
|
voluntary retirement at age 65;
|
|
-
|
a rate of 45% for employer payroll contributions for all employees;
|
|
-
|
a 4% average annual salary increase;
|
|
-
|
an annual rate of turnover for all employees under 55 years of age and nil above;
|
|
-
|
the TH 00-02 mortality table for men and the TF 00-02 mortality table for women;
|
|
-
|
a discount rate of 3.38%.
|
The normal retirement age is 65 years, but employees, including Messrs. Benacin, Santi and Garcia-Pelayo, can collect reduced benefits if they retire at age 62. Mr. Garcia-Pelayo retired on December 31, 2024 and started collecting reduced benefits.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
We do not maintain any nonqualified deferred compensation plans.
CEO Pay Ratio
As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our mean employee and the annual total compensation of Mr. Jean Madar, Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”):
For 2024, our last completed fiscal year:
|
●
|
Our median employee’s compensation was $83,526
|
|
●
|
Our Chief Executive Officer’s total 2024 compensation was $3,596,750
|
|
●
|
Accordingly, our 2024 CEO to Median Employee Pay Ratio was 43.06 to 1
|
This pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on our payroll and employment records. We identified our median employee using our total employee population as of December 31, 2024 by applying a consistently applied compensation measure across our global employee population. For our consistently applied compensation measure, we used all compensation, including actual base salary, bonuses, commissions, and any overtime paid during the 12-month period ending December 31, 2024. We did not use any material estimates, assumptions, adjustments or statistical sampling to determine the worldwide median employee.
The SEC rules for identifying the median compensated employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices. As such, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies may have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.
Employment and Service/Consulting Agreements
As part of our acquisition in 1991 of the controlling interest in Interparfums, SA, now a subsidiary, we entered into an employment agreement with Philippe Benacin. The agreement provides that Mr. Benacin will be employed as Vice Chairman of the Board and President and Chief Executive Officer of Inter Parfums Holdings and its subsidiary, Interparfums, SA. The initial term expired on September 2, 1992, and has subsequently been automatically renewed for additional annual periods. The agreement provides for automatic annual renewal terms, unless either party terminates the agreement upon 120 days’ notice. The agreement also provides for indemnification and a covenant not to compete for one year after termination of employment.
In 2014, we entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Benacin’s holding company, Philippe Benacin Holding SAS, which provides for review on an annual basis of the amount of compensation payable to such company. The agreement also provides for indemnification for Mr. Benacin and his holding company and a covenant not to compete for one year after termination of the agreement. The agreement was for one year, with automatic one year renewals unless either party terminates on 120 days’ notice or Mr. Benacin ceases to be the President of our Company. For 2015 through 2020 Mr. Benacin’s personal holding company received $250,000 each year for services rendered outside of the United States by Mr. Benacin in his capacity as President. In addition, in December 2018 and December 2019, we granted options to purchase 25,000 shares for the benefit of Mr. Benacin, and were granted to his personal holding Company instead of Mr. Benacin directly.
In 2013, we entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Madar’s holding company, Jean Madar Holding SAS, which provides for review on an annual basis of the amount of compensation payable to such company. The agreement also provides for indemnification for Mr. Madar and his holding company and a covenant not to compete for one year after termination of the agreement. The agreement was for one year, with automatic one year renewals unless either party terminates on 120 days’ notice or Mr. Madar ceases to be the Chief Executive Officer of our Company. From 2013 through 2017, Mr. Madar’s personal holding Company received $250,000 each year for services rendered outside of the United States by Mr. Madar in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer. For 2018, as the result of Mr. Madar spending more time outside of the United States, we changed the allocation of cash compensation paid to Mr. Madar personally and to his holding company, but not the aggregate amount. The amount of salary paid to Mr. Madar in 2018 was reduced from $380,000 to $160,000, while payments to his holding company were increased by the like amount from $250,000 to $470,000. Therefore, for 2018 total cash compensation for Mr. Madar paid to him and his personal holding company remained unchanged at $630,000. This consulting agreement was renewed at $470,000 for 2019. As discussed above, in view of receiving substantially less than the annual and median average CEO salaries for peer companies and companies with comparable market capitalization, in early February 2020, Mr. Madar’s base salary was increased by $600,000 to $1.23 million effective as of January 1, 2020, and allocated so that the annual base salary for Jean Madar individually was $285,000, and the fees to Jean Madar Holding SAS were $945,000, effective as of January 1, 2020. In addition, in December 2018 and December 2019, we granted options to purchase 25,000 shares for the benefit of Mr. Madar, which were granted to his personal holding company instead of Mr. Madar directly. As previously reported, for 2023 the service fee paid to Jean Madar Holding SAS was increased to $2 million per year.