SEC Form DEF 14A filed by Emerson Radio Corporation

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant    ☒                 Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐

Check the appropriate box:

EMERSON RADIO CORP.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

EMERSON RADIO CORP.

959 ROUTE 46 EAST, SUITE 210

PARSIPPANY, NEW JERSEY 07054

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MARCH 21, 2024 (EASTERN TIME)

Dear Stockholder:

As a stockholder of Emerson Radio Corp., you are hereby given notice of and invited to attend in person or by proxy our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at Cooley LLP, 55 Hudson Yards, New York, New York 10001, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., local time. A proxy card and a proxy statement for the annual meeting are enclosed.

At this year’s stockholders’ meeting, you will be asked to consider and act on the following proposals: (i) to elect the four nominees named in the accompanying proxy statement as directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, (ii)  to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 as set forth in the accompanying proxy statement, and (iii) to consider such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof. Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR each of the proposals listed. Accordingly, please give careful attention to these proxy materials.

Only holders of record of our common stock as of the close of business on February 15, 2024, are entitled to notice of and to vote at our annual meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof. Our transfer books will not be closed.

You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting. Whether you expect to attend the annual meeting or not, please vote, sign, date and return in the self-addressed envelope provided the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible. If you attend the annual meeting, you may vote your shares in person, even though you have previously signed and returned your proxy.

Parsippany, New Jersey

February 21, 2024

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.

PLEASE EXECUTE AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE

ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED HEREIN.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EMERSON RADIO CORP.

959 ROUTE 46 EAST, SUITE 210

PARSIPPANY, NEW JERSEY 07054

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MARCH 21, 2024 (EASTERN TIME)

To Our Stockholders:

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (“Board of Directors” or “Board”) of Emerson Radio Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Emerson” or the “Company”), to be used at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at Cooley LLP, 55 Hudson Yards, New York, New York 10001, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., local time, or at any adjournment or adjournments thereof. Our stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 15, 2024, which is the record date, are entitled to vote at our annual meeting. We expect to begin mailing this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card to our stockholders on or about February 21, 2024.

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders is being held to consider and act upon the following proposals:

Important Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on March 21, 2024 (Eastern Time).

Our proxy materials, including our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting, 2023 Annual Report to Stockholders (which contains our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023) and proxy card, are available on the Internet at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/02008.

VOTING PROCEDURES AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES

The accompanying proxy card is designed to permit each of our stockholders as of the record date to vote on each of the proposals properly brought before the annual meeting. As of the record date, there were 21,042,652 shares of our common stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding and entitled to vote at the annual meeting. Each outstanding share of our common stock is entitled to one vote.

The holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock, present in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting. If a quorum is not present, the annual meeting may be adjourned from time to time until a quorum is obtained.

Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. Abstentions, but not broker non-votes, are treated as shares present and entitled to vote, and will be counted as a “no” vote on all matters other than the election of directors. Broker non-votes are treated as not entitled to vote, and so reduce the absolute number, but not the percentage of votes needed for approval of a matter. Broker non-votes occur when nominees, such as banks and brokers holding shares on behalf of beneficial owners, do not receive voting instructions from the beneficial holders of the shares before the meeting. If that happens, the nominees may vote those shares only on matters deemed “routine” by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Nominees cannot vote on non-routine matters unless they receive voting instructions from beneficial holders, resulting in so-called “broker non-votes.”

Assuming that a quorum is present, directors will be elected by a plurality vote (Proposal 1). There is no right to cumulate votes in the election of directors. As a result, abstentions and “broker non-votes” will not affect the outcome of the vote on this proposal. The election of directors is not considered to be a “routine” matter and brokers are not permitted to vote on this matter if the broker has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. Accordingly, it is important that beneficial owners instruct their brokers how they wish to vote the shares.

Assuming that a quorum is present, the approval, on an advisory basis, of the proposal regarding compensation of our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, as set forth in this proxy statement (Proposal 2), and approval of any other matter that may properly come before the annual meeting will require that an affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes be cast on these proposals, in person or by proxy, to approve these proposals. As a result, abstentions will have the same practical effect as a negative vote on these proposals, and “broker non-votes”, if any, will not affect the outcome of the vote on these proposals.

As of the record date, S&T International Distribution Ltd. (“S&T”), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Grande N.A.K.S. Ltd. (“N.A.K.S.”), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nimble Holdings Company Limited (formerly known as The Grande Holdings Limited) (“Nimble”), collectively have the shared power to vote and direct the disposition of 15,243,283 shares, or approximately 72.4%, of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Accordingly, the Company is a “controlled company” as defined in Section 801(a) of the NYSE American Company Guide (the “Company Guide”).

The accompanying proxy card provides space for you to instruct the designated individuals how to vote your shares. You may vote in favor of, against, or abstain from voting on any proposal except for Proposal 1. With respect to Proposal 1 (the election of directors), you may, if you desire, indicate on the proxy card that you are not authorizing the designated individuals to vote your shares for one or more of the nominees. The Company’s Board of Directors urges you to complete, sign, date and return the proxy card in the accompanying envelope, which is postage prepaid for mailing in the United States.

The Company’s Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the proposals presented in this proxy statement. Specifically, the Board of Directors recommends you vote:

When a signed proxy card is returned with choices specified with respect to voting matters, the individuals designated on the proxy card will vote the shares in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions. The Company has designated Christopher Ho and Michael Binney as proxies for the stockholders. If you desire to name another person as your proxy, you may do so by crossing out the names of the designated proxies and inserting the names of the other persons to act as your proxies. In that case, it will be necessary for you to sign the proxy card and deliver it to the person named as your proxy and for the named proxy to be present and vote at the annual meeting. Proxy cards so marked should not be mailed to us.

If no specific instructions are given, the shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors as described in the second preceding paragraph. If any matters not described in this proxy statement are properly presented at the annual meeting, the proxies will use their own judgment to determine how to vote your shares.

You have the unconditional right to revoke your proxy at any time prior to the voting at the annual meeting by taking any act inconsistent with the proxy. Acts inconsistent with the proxy include notifying our Secretary in writing of your revocation, executing a subsequent proxy, or personally appearing at the annual meeting and casting a contrary vote. However, no revocation shall be effective unless at or prior to the annual meeting we have received notice of such revocation.

At least ten (10) days before the annual meeting, the Company will make a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting. The list will be open for inspection during ordinary business hours at the Company’s offices located at 959 Route 46 East, Suite 210, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054. Please contact the Company’s Secretary at (973) 428-2000 or by writing to the address above if you would like to make arrangements to examine the stockholder list at the Company’s offices. 

PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Four directors are proposed to be elected at the annual meeting. If elected, each director will hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until his successor is elected and qualified. The election of directors will be decided by a plurality vote.

On January 15, 2024, the Board of Directors nominated the following individuals, each of whom currently serves as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, for election as directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified: Christopher Ho, Michael Binney, Kareem E. Sethi, and Kin Yuen. The Company has appointed Mr. Ho to serve as Chairman of the Board. All nominees have consented to serve if elected and the Company has no reason to believe that any of the nominees named will be unable to serve. If any nominee becomes unable to serve, (i) the shares represented by the designated proxies will be voted for the election of a substitute as the Company’s Board of Directors may recommend, (ii) the Company’s Board of Directors may reduce the number of directors to eliminate the vacancy or (iii) the Company’s Board of Directors may fill the vacancy at a later date after selecting an appropriate nominee.

The current Board of Directors nominated the individuals named below for election to our Board of Directors, and information regarding the background and qualifications of each of the nominees as of February 15, 2024, is set forth below. See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” for additional information about the nominees, including their ownership of securities issued by Emerson.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among the nominees for director, the officers and key employees of the Company.

Vote Required

Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of Emerson common stock voting in person or by proxy at the annual meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but will have no effect on the vote for election of directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”

EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR SET FORTH ABOVE.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL

OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, as of February 15, 2024, the beneficial ownership of (i) each current director and director nominee; (ii) each of the Company’s named executive officers; (iii) the Company’s current directors and executive officers as a group; and (iv) each stockholder known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. Common stock beneficially owned and percentage ownership as of February 15, 2024, was based on 21,042,652 shares outstanding. Except as otherwise indicated and based upon the Company’s review of information as filed with the SEC, the Company believes that the beneficial owners of the securities listed have sole or shared investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable. Except as otherwise noted, the address of each of the following beneficial owners is c/o Emerson Radio Corp., 959 Route 46 East, Suite 210, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

Board of Directors and Committees

The Company’s Board of Directors presently consists of four directors. The Board of Directors has determined that two of the director nominees, Messrs. Sethi and Yuen, meet the definition of independence as established by the NYSE American listing standards and applicable SEC rules.

The Board of Directors is responsible for the management and direction of the Company and for establishing broad corporate policies. The Board of Directors meets periodically during the Company’s fiscal year to review significant developments affecting the Company and to act on matters requiring Board of Director approval. The Board of Directors held five formal meetings during the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 (“Fiscal 2023”), and also acted by unanimous written consent. During Fiscal 2023, each member of the Board of Directors participated in each meeting of the Board of Directors and all meetings of committees on which such member served, that were held during the period in which such director served during Fiscal 2023. The Company encourages, but does not require, members of the Board of Directors to attend annual meetings of stockholders. All of the Company’s directors who were nominated for re-election attended the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders held on March 23, 2023 (Eastern Time).

The Board of Directors presently has one standing committee, the Audit Committee, which is a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10A-3 thereunder.

Controlled Company. The Company does not maintain a nominating committee or a compensation committee. So long as Nimble beneficially holds more than 50% of the outstanding common stock of Emerson, Emerson is a “controlled company” as defined in Section 801(a) of the Company Guide. Accordingly, the Company relies on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements to have (i) a majority of independent directors, (ii) a nominating and corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors or (iii) a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. The full Board of Directors, among other things, (i) identifies individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors and selects director nominees for election at the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (ii) reviews and monitors matters related to management development and succession, (iii) develops and implements executive compensation policies and pay for performance criteria, and (iv) reviews and approves salaries, bonuses and incentive awards.

Audit Committee. The Company’s Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Sethi (Chairman) and Mr. Yuen, each of whom the Board of Directors has determined meets the definition of independence as established by the NYSE American listing rules and SEC rules. Mr. Sethi is currently the Chairman of the Audit Committee and the “audit committee financial expert.” Pursuant to Section 803(B)(2)(c) of the Company Guide, as a smaller reporting company the Company is required to have an audit committee of at least two independent members, as defined by the listing standards of the NYSE American.

The Audit Committee is empowered by the Board of Directors, among other things, to: (i) serve as an independent and objective party to monitor the Company’s financial reporting process, internal control system and disclosure control system; (ii) review and appraise the audit efforts of the Company’s independent auditors; (iii) assume direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the independent auditors and for the resolution of disputes between the independent auditors and the Company’s management regarding financial reporting issues; and (iv) provide the opportunity for direct communication among the independent auditors, financial and senior management and the Board of Directors. During Fiscal 2023, the Audit Committee performed its duties under a written charter approved by the Board of Directors and formally met four times. A copy of the Company’s Audit Committee Charter is posted on the Company’s website at www.emersonradio.com on the Investor Relations page.

Report of the Audit Committee

This report shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or incorporated by reference in any filing by the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under either act.

The Audit Committee has (i) reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 with the Company’s management and with the Company’s independent registered public accountants, MSPC Certified Public Accountants and Advisors, a Professional Corporation (“MSPC”); (ii) discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accountants the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC; and (iii) received the written disclosures and the letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accountants’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accountants the independent registered public accountants’ independence.

Based on the reviews and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 for filing with the SEC.

Considerations in Director Selection

Procedures for Considering Nominations Made by Stockholders. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the Company’s Board of Directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of the Company’s capital stock entitled to vote for the election of directors. The following procedures shall be utilized in considering any candidate for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting, other than candidates who have previously served on the Board of Directors or who are recommended by the Board of Directors. Stockholder proposals for director nominations must be delivered to the Company’s Secretary at its corporate headquarters not less than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is moved by more than thirty (30) days from the date of the previous year’s annual meeting, notice must be so delivered a reasonable time before the company begins to print and send its proxy materials for such annual meeting. In addition, pursuant to the Company’s bylaws, stockholders who wish to nominate a person for election as a director at the annual meeting must deliver written notice to the President or Chairman of the Board of the Company at its corporate headquarters not less than twenty (20) days prior to the annual meeting; provided, however, that if the Company furnishes less than thirty (30) days’ notice of any meeting, such notification must be delivered not later than ten (10) days following the date on which the Company provided such notice, but in no event less than five (5) days prior to such annual meeting. Any such written notice must be directed to the attention of the Company’s President or the Chairman of the Board at the Company’s corporate headquarters and must comply with the applicable provisions of the Company’s bylaws, as amended. The public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting will not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a notice as described above. A nomination notice must set forth as to each person whom the proponent proposes to nominate for election as a director: (a) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected) and (b) information that will enable the Company’s Board of Directors to determine whether the candidate satisfies the minimum criteria and any additional criteria established by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Qualifications. The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted guidelines describing the minimum qualifications for nominees and the qualities or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. Each nominee (i) must satisfy any legal requirements applicable to members of the Board of Directors; (ii) must have business, professional or other experience that will enable such nominee to provide useful input to the Board of Directors in its deliberations; and (iii) must have knowledge of the types of responsibilities expected of members of the board of directors of a public company.

Identification and Evaluation of Candidates for the Board. Candidates to serve on the Board of Directors will be identified from all available sources, including recommendations made by stockholders, members of the Company’s management and members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company’s Board of Directors has a policy that there will be no differences in the manner in which its Board of Directors evaluates nominees recommended by stockholders and nominees recommended by it or management, except that no specific process shall be mandated with respect to the nomination of any individuals who have previously served on the Board of Directors. The evaluation process for individuals other than existing members of the Board of Directors will include a review of the information provided to the Board of Directors by the proponent and a review of such other information as the Board of Directors shall determine to be relevant.

Diversity Considerations in Director Nominations. The Company does not have a formal diversity policy. The Company believes its Board of Directors represents a collection of individuals with a variety of complementary skills which, as a group, possess the appropriate skills and experience to oversee the Company’s business. The Board of Directors considers a wide variety of qualifications, attributes and other factors and recognizes that a diversity of viewpoints and practical experiences can enhance the effectiveness of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Board Leadership Structure

The Company does not have a formal policy regarding whether the roles of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer should be combined or separated. The Board of Directors recognizes that one of its key responsibilities is to evaluate and determine its optimal leadership structure so as to provide independent oversight of management. The Board of Directors understands that there is no single, generally accepted approach to providing board leadership and that given the dynamic and competitive environment in which the Company operates, the right board leadership structure may vary as circumstances warrant. Currently, the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board are combined and Mr. Ho serves as both the Chairman of the Board and as the Chief Executive Officer.

Role in Risk Oversight

Although the Company’s management is responsible for implementing systems and processes to identify and manage risks, the Company’s Board of Directors has oversight responsibility for the Company’s risk management processes. In carrying out its oversight responsibility, the Board of Directors has delegated to individual committees certain elements of its risk oversight function. This oversight is administered primarily through the following:

Process for Sending Communications to the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors has established a procedure that enables stockholders to communicate in writing with members of the Board of Directors. Any such communication should be addressed to the Company’s Secretary and should be sent to such individual at c/o Emerson Radio Corp., 959 Route 46 East, Suite 210, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054. Any such communication must state, in a conspicuous manner, that it is intended for distribution to the entire Board of Directors. Under the procedures established by the Board of Directors, upon the Secretary’s receipt of such a communication, the Company’s Secretary will send a copy of such communication to each member of the Board of Directors, identifying it as a communication received from a stockholder. Absent unusual circumstances, at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors held more than two days after such communication has been distributed, the Board of Directors will consider the substance of any such communication.

Codes of Ethics

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (“Code of Ethics”) that applies to its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Controller and Treasurer. This Code of Ethics was established with the intention of focusing Senior Financial Officers on areas of ethical risk, providing guidance to help them recognize and deal with ethical issues, providing mechanisms to report unethical conduct, fostering a culture of honesty and accountability, deterring wrongdoing and promoting fair and accurate disclosure and financial reporting.

The Company has also adopted a Code of Conduct for Officers, Directors and Employees of Emerson Radio Corp. and its Subsidiaries (“Code of Conduct”). We prepared this Code of Conduct to help all officers, directors and employees understand and comply with the Company’s policies and procedures. Overall, the purpose of the Company’s Code of Conduct is to deter wrongdoing and promote (i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Company; (iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; (iv) prompt internal reporting of code violations to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code of Conduct; and (v) accountability for adherence to the Code of Conduct.

The Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct are posted on the Company’s website at www.emersonradio.com on the Investor Relations page. If the Company makes any substantive amendments to, or grants any waiver (including any implicit waiver) from a provision of the Code of Ethics or the Code of Conduct, and that relates to any element of the Code of Ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K, the Company will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on its website or in a current report on Form 8-K.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive officers of Emerson as of February 15, 2024:

Christopher Ho has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President since June 2021. He has also served as a director of the Company and the Chairman of the Board since June 2016. Mr. Ho had also previously served as the Company’s Chairman of the Board from July 2006 through November 2013. See Mr. Ho’s biographical information above.

Richard Li has served as the Company’s Chief Financial Offer since January 2022. Previously, Mr. Li served as the Chief Financial Officer of Sansui Electric (China) Co., Ltd, a PRC company engaged in the electronic manufacturing business, since 2014. Mr. Li also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Sansui Manufacturing Services Limited, a company engaged in providing corporate and strategic planning services, from 2012 to 2013. Mr. Li also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Lafe Corporation Limited, a company formerly listed on the Singapore Exchange, from 2005 to 2011. Mr. Li earlier worked as an auditor at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu for 4 years and as a financial controller in the manufacturing industry for 10 years. Mr. Li holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Accountancy from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is currently an associate member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute.

Michael Binney has served as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since January 2022 and has served as Secretary of the Company since July 2017. Previously, Mr. Binney served as Chief Financial Officer from March 2017 to January 2022. He has also served as a director of the Company since June 2016. See Mr. Binney’s biographical information above.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2023

The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth information concerning compensation for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries for Fiscal 2023 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, which was awarded to, earned by or paid to the Company’s named executive officers during Fiscal 2023.

Employment Agreements

During Fiscal 2023, the Company had employment agreements with certain of its named executive officers, each of which is described below.

Christopher Ho.  Christopher Ho, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, entered into an employment agreement, effective July 19, 2021, with Emerson Radio (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $240,000, and an annual discretionary bonus payable at any time as recommended by the Board. The contract extends until the termination of the agreement by either the Company or Mr. Ho upon the delivery from one to the other of not less than one months’ prior written notice.

Michael Binney. Michael Binney, the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, entered into an employment agreement, effective January 16, 2022 (as amended on July 6, 2023), with Emerson Radio (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $195,000, and an annual discretionary bonus payable at any time as recommended by the Board. The contract extends until the earlier of the retirement of Mr. Binney and the first day of the following month immediately after his 67th birthday, or the termination of the agreement by either the Company or Mr. Binney upon the delivery from one to the other of not less than one months’ prior written notice. In October 2019, the Board granted to Mr. Binney an aggregate cash retention bonus of $60,000, which will be earned in three equal installments of $20,000 on each of the first three anniversaries of the retention bonus agreement, effective October 7, 2019, subject to repayment requirements in certain conditions.

Richard Li. Richard Li, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, entered into an employment agreement, effective January 16, 2022, with Emerson Radio (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $100,000, and an annual discretionary bonus payable at any time as recommended by the Board. The contract extends until the earlier of the retirement of Mr. Li and the first day of the following month immediately after his 65th birthday, or the termination of the agreement by either the Company or Mr. Li upon the delivery from one to the other of not less than one months’ prior written notice.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

None of the Company’s named executive officers held any outstanding equity awards at March 31, 2023.

Pay Versus Performance

As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship between executive compensation actually paid and certain financial performance of the Company. The Board did not consider the pay versus performance disclosure below in making its pay decisions for any of the years shown. For the most recently completed fiscal year, the Company did not use any “financial performance measures” as defined Item 402(v) of Regulation S‑K to link compensation paid to the named executive officers (“NEOs”). Accordingly, we have omitted the tabular list of financial performance measures and the table below does not include a column for a “Company-Selected Measure” as defined in Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K.

Relationship Disclosure to Pay Versus Performance Table

As described in more detail above under “Compensation of Named Executive Officers,” the Company’s executive compensation program reflects a performance-driven compensation philosophy and the Company generally seeks to incentivize long-term performance, and therefore does not specifically align the Company’s performance measures with “compensation actually paid” (as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K) for a particular year. In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the Company is providing the following descriptions of the relationships between information presented in the Pay Versus Performance table.

Compensation Actually Paid and Performance Measures

The charts below show, for the past two years, the relationship between the compensation actually paid to our PEO and the average compensation actually paid to our non-PEO NEOs as a group to (i) the Company’s cumulative TSR; and (ii) the Company's net loss.

All information provided above under the “Pay Versus Performance” heading will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.

Compensation of Directors

During Fiscal 2023, the Company’s directors who were not employees (“Outside Directors”) were compensated for serving on the Board and on its various committees during the period. The Company does not compensate directors who are employees of the Company for their services as directors.

Outside Directors are each paid an annual director’s fee of $50,000. If an Outside Director is serving as the Chairman of the Board, they will receive an additional annual fee of $20,000. Each Outside Director serving on the Audit Committee of the Board receives an additional fee of $15,000 per annum with no additional fee for serving as chairman of the Audit Committee. The Company does not pay any additional fees for attendance at meetings of the Board or the committees. Audit Committee fees are paid in four equal quarterly installments per annum. Audit Committee fees are pro-rated in situations where an Outside Director serves less than a full one year or periodic term.

Additionally, the Company’s directors are reimbursed their expenses for attendance at meetings.

The following table provides certain information with respect to the compensation earned or paid to the Company’s Outside Directors during Fiscal 2023.

Director Compensation for Fiscal 2023

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The Company did not have any equity compensation plans in existence as of March 31, 2023.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC reports of their ownership and changes in their ownership of our common stock. To our knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports and amendments to such reports with respect to the year ended March 31, 2023 filed with the SEC, all required Section 16 reports under the Exchange Act for our directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of greater than 10% of our common stock were filed on a timely basis during the year ended March 31, 2023. 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Controlling Stockholder

S&T, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of N.A.K.S., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nimble, collectively have the shared power to vote and direct the disposition of 15,243,283 shares, or approximately 72.4%, of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of February 15, 2024. Accordingly, the Company is a “controlled company” as defined in Section 801(a) of the Company Guide. From time to time, Emerson engages in business transactions with its controlling stockholder, Nimble, and one or more of Nimble’s direct and indirect subsidiaries.

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

The Company enters into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers. These agreements require the Company to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to the Company, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. The Company also intends to enter into indemnification agreements with its future directors and officers.

Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Parties

It is the policy of the Company that any proposed transaction between the Company and related parties, as defined by the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 850 (ASC 850), that will or may reasonably be expected to involve an aggregate amount that exceeds $120,000 in a fiscal year must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee prior to any action in furtherance of such potential transaction being taken by the Board or any executive officer. In reviewing and approving proposed transactions between the Company and related parties, the Audit Committee will determine whether the proposed transaction is entirely fair to the Company and in the Company’s best interest. For purposes of the policy, related parties are as defined within ASC 850, generally, but not limited, meaning (i) an officer or director of the Company or the member of the immediate family of any of them or (ii) any other corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust or other entity or organization in which one or more of the Company’s officers or directors are (a) directors, officers, trustees or other fiduciaries or (b) have a financial interest.

PROPOSAL 2: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking our stockholders to vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation paid to our named executive officers in Fiscal 2023. This advisory vote, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” vote, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the Company’s executive compensation policies and programs and the compensation paid to our named executive officers in Fiscal 2023. Although this advisory vote is non-binding, our Board of Directors will review and consider the voting results when making future decisions regarding our named executive officer compensation and related executive compensation programs.

We are asking that our stockholders indicate their support of our executive compensation as described in this proxy statement. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. We encourage stockholders to read the “Executive Compensation” section in this proxy statement, including the compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure, which describes the structure and amounts of the compensation of our named executive officers in Fiscal 2023. The compensation of our named executive officers is designed to enable us to attract and retain talented and experienced executives to lead us successfully in a competitive environment.

Accordingly, the Board of Directors is asking the shareholders to indicate their support for the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as described in this proxy statement by casting a non-binding advisory vote “FOR” the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables and narrative discussion is hereby APPROVED.”

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting at which a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock is present and voting, either in person or by proxy, is required for the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers in Fiscal 2023.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS SET FORTH IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS AND PROPOSALS

The Company’s Board of Directors has established a procedure that enables stockholders to communicate in writing with members of the Company’s Board of Directors. Any such communication should be addressed to the Company’s Secretary and should be sent to such individual c/o Emerson Radio Corp., 959 Route 46 East, Suite 210, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054. Any such communication must state, in a conspicuous manner, that it is intended for distribution to the entire Board of Directors. Under the procedures established by the Board of Directors, upon the Secretary’s receipt of such a communication, the Company’s Secretary will send a copy of such communication to each member of the Board of Directors, identifying it as a communication received from a stockholder. Absent unusual circumstances, at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors held more than two days after such communication has been distributed, the Board of Directors will consider the substance of any such communication.

Stockholder proposals to be presented at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024 (“Fiscal 2024”), for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting, must be received by the Company at its offices located at 959 Route 46 East, Suite 210, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054, addressed to the Secretary, on or before October 24, 2024. If, however, the date of the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders for Fiscal 2024 is changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date of its annual meeting held for Fiscal 2024, the deadline is a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and mail its proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held for Fiscal 2024. Such stockholder proposals must comply with the Company’s bylaws and the requirements of Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act. See “Election of Directors” for information on stockholder submissions of nominations for election to the Board of Directors.

Rule 14a-4 of the Exchange Act governs the Company’s use of discretionary proxy voting authority with respect to a stockholder proposal that is not addressed in the proxy statement. With respect to the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders for Fiscal 2024, if the Company is not provided notice of a stockholder proposal prior to January 15, 2025, the Company will be permitted to use its discretionary voting authority when the proposal is raised at the meeting, without any discussion of the matter in the proxy statement.

PERSONS MAKING THE SOLICITATION

The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company will pay the cost of soliciting proxies in the accompanying form. The Company’s officers, who will not be paid any additional compensation for such solicitation, may solicit proxies by mail, telephone, telegraph or fax. Upon request, the Company will reimburse brokers, dealers, banks and trustees, or their nominees, for reasonable expenses incurred by them in forwarding proxy material to beneficial owners of the Company’s shares of common stock. We have retained the services of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company to solicit proxies by mail, telephone, telegraph or personal contact.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors is not aware of any matter to be presented for action at the meeting other than the matters set forth herein. Should any other matter requiring a vote of stockholders arise, the proxies in the enclosed form confer upon the person or persons entitled to vote the shares represented by such proxies’ discretionary authority to vote the same in accordance with their best judgment in the interest of Emerson.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, including financial statements, accompanies this proxy statement. The Annual Report is not to be regarded as proxy soliciting material or as a communication by means of which any solicitation is to be made. The Company filed an amendment to its Annual Report on Form 10-K in July 2023 in order to include certain information regarding our management, compensation and other matters. All of the information included in such amendment has been updated and is included in this proxy statement. A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, filed with the SEC, is available (excluding exhibits) without cost to stockholders upon written request made to Investor Relations, Emerson Radio Corp., 959 Route 46 East, Suite 210, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 or on-line at the Company’s web site: www.emersonradio.com.

February 21, 2024

 

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