UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K/A

Amendment No. 2

 

[X] ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2017

 

or

 

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number: 000-33383

 

WIZARD WORLD, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   98-0357690
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) 		  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

662 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 300

Los Angeles, CA 90049

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(310) 648-8410

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None

 

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [  ] No [X]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer [  ] Accelerated filer [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company [X]
  Emerging growth company [  ]

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2017, based on a closing price of $0.20 was $3,981,938. As of April 30, 2018, the registrant had 68,535,036 shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding.

 

Documents Incorporated By Reference: None .

 

 

 

 
 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This Amendment No. 2 on Form 10-K/A (“Form 10-K/A”) amends our Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A to our Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (“Original Form 10-K”), filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 2, 2018 (“Original Filing Date”) for the sole purpose of including the information required by Items 10-14 of Part III of Form 10-K.This information was previously not included in the Original Form 10-K in reliance on General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, which permits this information to be incorporated into the Form 10-K by reference from our definitive proxy statement if such proxy statement is filed no later than 120 days after our fiscal year-end. The reference on the cover of the Original Form 10-K to the incorporation by reference to portions of our definitive proxy statement into Part III of the Original Form 10-K is hereby deleted.

 

In accordance with Rule 12b-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Part III, Items 10 through 14 of the Original Form 10-K are hereby amended and restated so as to include the information set forth in this Form 10-K/A. In addition, Part IV, Item 15(a)(3) of the Original Form 10-K is amended to include new certifications by our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Rule 12b-15. Because no financial statements are included in this Form 10-K/A and this Form 10-K/A does not contain or amend any disclosure with respect to Items 307 and 308 of Regulation S-K, paragraphs 3, 4, and 5 of the certifications have been omitted.

 

This Form 10-K/A does not amend, modify, or otherwise update any other information in the Original Form 10-K, including, without limitation, the financial statements. Accordingly, this Form 10-K/A should be read in conjunction with the Original Form 10-K and our other filings with the SEC. In addition, this Form 10-K/A does not reflect events that may have occurred subsequent to the Original Filing Date.

 

 
 

 

WIZARD WORLD, INC.

FORM 10-K/A DECEMBER 31, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Part III.    
     
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance   3
   
Item 11. Executive Compensation   7
     
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters   12
     
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence   14
     
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services   15
     
Part IV.    
     
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules   16
     
Signatures   17

 

  2  
 

 

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The following table discloses our directors and executive officers who served during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and through April 30, 2018:

 

Name   Age   Title
         
John D. Maatta   66   Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director
         
Paul L. Kessler   57   Executive Chairman
         
Randall S. Malinoff 1   58   Chief Operating Officer
         
Greg Suess   45   Director
         
Jordan Schur 2   53   Director
         
Michael Breen 3   55   Director
         
Vadim Mats 4   34   Former Director  

 

  (1)

Effective June 17, 2017, Mr. Malinoff no longer serves as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer.

 

  (2)

Mr. Schur joined the Board as a Director on March 29, 2017

 

  (3) Mr. Breen joined the Board as a Director on March 29, 2017.
     
  (4) Mr. Mats resigned as a Director on March 23, 2017.

 

  3  
 

 

John D. Maatta, age 66, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

 

John D. Maatta has been a member of the Board since May 25, 2011, serving as Chairman of the Board from February 5, 2016 through April 22, 2016 and Mr. Maatta has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President since May 3, 2016. Formerly, Mr. Maatta was engaged in the practice of law. Mr. Maatta also served as EVP of The CW Television Network, prior to which he was the Chief Operating Officer of The CW Network, which is America’s fifth broadcast network and a network that focuses substantially on targeting young adults between the ages of 18 and 34. From September 2005 through September 2006, Mr. Maatta served as the Chief Operating Officer of The WB, a Warner Bros. television network (“The WB”), where he had direct oversight of all business and operations departments, such as business affairs, finance, network distribution (which included The WB 100+ station group), technology, legal, research, network operations, broadcast standards and human resources. While Chief Operating Officer at The WB, Mr. Maatta also served as The WB’s General Counsel. Mr. Maatta is currently a director of Trader Vic’s, Inc., a Polynesian-style restaurant chain, a position he has held since 1998. Mr. Maatta received a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of San Francisco in 1974, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 1977. Between 2013 and 2016 Mr. Maatta served as the President of UNICEF for the Southern California region, and is a current member of the UNICEF Southern California Board and the Chairman of the UNICEF Chinese Children’s Initiative. Mr. Maatta is also a member of the Southern California Board of the Asia Society.

 

The Board believes that Mr. Maatta’s experience with operating companies in the entertainment industry and his contacts in the industry are important factor in the Company’s growth as a digital entertainment and event company.

 

Paul L. Kessler, age 57, Executive Chairman

 

Paul L. Kessler was appointed as Executive Chairman of the Company on December 29, 2016. Mr. Kessler combines over 25 years of experience as an investor, financier and venture capitalist. In 2000, Mr. Kessler founded Bristol Capital Advisors, LLC, a Los Angeles based investment advisor, and has served as the Principal and Portfolio Manager from 2000 through the present. Mr. Kessler has broad experience in operating, financing, capital formation, negotiating, structuring and re-structuring investment transactions. He is involved in all aspects of the investment process including identification and engagement of portfolio companies. His investment experience encompasses both public and private companies. Mr. Kessler has actively worked with executives and boards of companies on corporate governance and oversight, strategic repositioning and alignment of interests with shareholders.

 

The Board believes that Mr. Kessler’s extensive experience in matters including capital formation, corporate finance, investment banking, founder, owner, operator of successful companies, corporate governance, as well as his understanding of capital markets, will provide a significant contribution to the growth of the Company.

 

Greg Suess, age 45, Director

 

Greg Suess has been a director of our Company since May 9, 2011. In 2000, he co-founded ROAR, a Beverly Hills-based management and consulting company that focuses on media and entertainment and provides comprehensive management services for its clients, including talent and brand management, managing partnerships, strategic alliances and marketing strategies that engage consumers through entertainment, music and lifestyle experiences. Mr. Suess is, and has been since inception, a partner at ROAR. Since 1997, Mr. Suess has been with the law firm of Glaser, Weil, Fink, Howard, Avchen & Shapiro, LLP, where he is currently Partner and focuses on general corporate law and media and entertainment. Mr. Suess holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern California (Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies), and holds a JD/MBA from Pepperdine University. He is a member of the State Bar of California.

 

The Board believes that Mr. Suess’ extensive experience and background in the media and entertainment industry complements the Company’s events business and its new initiatives and will provide a significant contribution to the Company’s growth.

 

  4  
 

 

Michael Breen, age 55, Director

 

Mr. Breen is an English qualified solicitor and was the Managing Director of the Sports and Entertainment Division of Bank Insinger de Beaufort N.V., a wealth management organization and part of the BNP Paribas Group, one of the world’s largest banks. Mr. Breen was an equity partner with the law firm Clyde & Co, where he specialized in all aspects of sports and entertainment law. Mr. Breen also has extensive experience in event based entertainment, having been responsible for the legal documentation relating to the world-famous UK music awards known as the Brit Awards. Mr. Breen holds an Honours LLB degree in law from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.

 

The Board believes Mr. Breen’s extensive experience in the entertainment industry will allow him to provide a significant contribution to the Company’s growth.

 

Jordan Schur, age 53, Director

 

Mr. Schur is a veteran of the music and film industries. In 1994, Mr. Schur created Flip Records, a record label that sold over seventy million records. In 1999, Mr. Schur was appointed President of Geffen Records at Universal Music Group, where he merged the original Geffen Records with MCA Records and DreamWorks Records. The expanded company went on to become a market leader, generating over Two Billion Dollars in sales. In 2006, Mr. Schur left Geffen and founded Suretone Records which drove several artists to number one on itunes and soundscan in the U.S. and around the world. Mr. Schur entered the film industry in 2008, founding Mimran Schur Pictures and going on to become a successful film producer. In 2012, Mr. Schur founded Suretone Pictures, where he released several notable films. In 2014, Mr. Schur, in partnership with Cinsay, created and launched Suretone Live, the world’s first syndicatable e-commerce and social media driven film, television, and music content destination.

 

The Board believes Mr. Schur’s extensive experience in the music and film industry will allow him to provide a significant contribution to the Company’s growth.

 

Family Relationships

 

There are no family relationships among our directors, executive officers, or persons nominated or chosen by the Company to become directors or executive officers.

 

Board Meetings and Annual Meeting Attendance

 

The Board met approximately one time during fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. No director attended less than 100% of the meetings held while such director was serving on the Board. Additionally, the Board acted approximately one time by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting during 2017.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Our Board currently has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Audit Committee

 

On March 17, 2013, the Board authorized the creation of an Audit Committee. Currently, the Audit Committee is not comprised of any members as its former members have departed from the Board or resigned from their position on the Audit Committee upon accepting positions as officers of the Company. The Audit Committee’s functions include: selecting our independent registered public accountants; reviewing the results and scope of the audit and other services provided by our independent registered public accountants; reviewing our financial statements for each interim period and for our year end and our internal financial and accounting controls; and recommending, establishing and monitoring the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. The Audit Committee did not hold a meeting in 2017. The Company intends to appoint members to the Audit Committee in 2018.

 

  5  
 

 

Compensation Committee

 

On March 17, 2013, the Board authorized the creation of a Compensation Committee. Currently, Mr. Suess serves as the sole member of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing and administering our policies involving the compensation of all of our executive officers and establishing and recommending to our Board the terms and conditions of all employee and consultant compensation and benefit plans. The Compensation Committee did not hold a meeting in 2017. The Company intends to appoint additional members to the Compensation Committee in 2018.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

On March 13, 2014, the Board authorized the creation of a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Currently, Mr. Suess serves as the sole member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews and provides oversight with regard to the Company’s corporate governance related policies and procedures and also recommends nominees to the Board and committees of the Board, develops and recommends to the Board corporate governance principles, and oversees the evaluation of the Board and management. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee did not hold a meeting in 2017. The Company intends to appoint additional members to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in 2018.

 

Committee Charters

 

The Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee have not yet adopted written charters which govern their conduct. The committees anticipate adopting such charters by the end of the next fiscal quarter.

 

Board Oversight in Risk Management

 

Risk is inherent with every business, and how well a business manages risk can ultimately determine its success. We face a number of risks, including liquidity risk, operational risk, strategic risk and reputation risk. Our Chief Executive Officer also serves as one of our directors. In the context of risk oversight, at the present stage of our operations we believe that our selection of one person to serve in both positions provides the Board with additional perspective which combines the operational experience of a member of management with the oversight focus of a member of the Board. The business and operations of the Company are managed by our Board as a whole, including oversight of various risks that the Company faces.

 

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own 10% or more of a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act to file reports of beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial ownership with the SEC. Directors, executive officers and greater than 10% stockholders are required by the rules and regulations of the SEC to furnish the Company with copies of all reports filed by them in compliance with Section 16(a).

 

Based solely on our review of certain reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the reports required to be filed with respect to transactions in our common stock during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, all but one were timely. Mr. Paul Kessler, the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, made one late filing in 2017, but has since made all the required filings as of April 30, 2018. 

 

Code of Ethics

 

We have not yet adopted a code of ethics. A Code of Ethics will be adopted in the future.

 

  6  
 

 

Legal Proceedings

 

There are no material proceedings to which any director or officer, or any associate of any such director or officer, is a party that is adverse to our Company or any of our subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to our Company or any of our subsidiaries. No director or executive officer has been a director or executive officer of any business which has filed a bankruptcy petition or had a bankruptcy petition filed against it during the past ten years. No director or executive officer has been convicted of a criminal offense or is the subject of a pending criminal proceeding during the past ten years. No director or executive officer has been the subject of any order, judgment or decree of any court permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities during the past ten years. No director or officer has been found by a court to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law during the past ten years.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

 

2016 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and Principal Position   Year     Salary
($) 		    Bonus
($) 		    Stock
Awards
($) 		    Option
Awards
($) 		    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($) 		    Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($) 		    All Other
Compensation
($) 		    Total
($) 		 
                                                       
John D. Maatta (1)   2016     $ 165,277     $ -     $          -     $ 121,953     $ -     $ -     $                     -     $ 287,230  
Chief Executive Officer   2017     $ 138,269     $       $ -   $ 74,980     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 213,249  
Paul L. Kessler (2)   2016     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Executive Chairman   2017     $ 6,480     $ -     $ -     $ 34,883     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 41,363  
Randall S. Malinoff (3)   2016     $ 168,462     $ -     $ -     $ 65,613     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 234,075  
Chief Operating Officer   2017     $ 108,846     $ -     $ -     $ 38,392     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 147,238  
John M. Macaluso   2016     $ 163,605     $ -     $ -       251,326     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 414,931  
Former Chief Executive Officer (4)(5)   2017     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  

 

  (1) Mr. Maatta was appointed as the Company Chief Executive Officer effective May 3, 2016. Mr. Maatta served as the Company’s non-executive Chairman from February 5, 2016 through April 22, 2016.
     
  (2) Mr. Kessler served as the Company’s non-executive Chairman from April 22, 2016 through December 29, 2016. On December 29, 2016, Mr. Kessler was appointed as Executive Chairman. Mr. Kessler serves as Executive Chairman pursuant to a consulting agreement between Bristol Capital, LLC and the Company.
     
  (3) Mr. Malinoff was appointed as the Company’s Interim Chief Operating Officer effective as of March 2, 2016 and appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on July 14, 2016. Effective June 17, 2017 Mr. Malinoff no longer serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Mr. Malinoff resigned from the Company effective July 3, 2017.
     
  (4) Mr. Macaluso served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer from March 19, 2012 through April 19, 2016, when he resigned. On October 10, 2012, Mr. Macaluso was appointed as the Company’s Chairman of the Board and served in such capacity until February 5, 2016 when he resigned as Chairman of the Board, but remained a Director until his resignation as a Director on April 19, 2016.
     
  (5) The Company used a credit card in the name of Mr. Macaluso for certain business expenses. This practice may have resulted in Mr. Macaluso receiving points or rewards under the terms of the credit card provider’s agreement with Mr. Macaluso, even though the Company makes all payments related to such expenses. The Board is evaluating such practices.

 

  7  
 

 

Employment Agreement with John D. Maatta

 

In connection with the appointment of John D. Maatta as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Company and Mr. Maatta entered into an employment agreement, dated as of July 15, 2016 but effective as of May 3, 2016 (the “Maatta Employment Agreement”). The initial term of the Maatta Employment Agreement is for a period of two (2) years, commencing on May 3, 2016 (the “Maatta Initial Term”). The term of the Maatta Employment Agreement will be automatically extended for additional terms of one (1) year each (each (1) year extension together with the Maatta Initial Term, the “Maatta Agreement Term”), unless either the Company or Mr. Maatta gives prior written notice of non-renewal to the other party no later than sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the then current Maatta Agreement Term.

 

During the Term, the Company will pay Mr. Maatta an annual base salary of $250,000. In addition, Maatta may receive an annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board and approved by the Board. In December of 2017 and 2016 Mr. Maatta declined acceptance of any bonus. As of June 17, 2017 Mr. Maatta received reduced compensation in the amount of $60,000.00 per year with the remainder being deferred. As of January 1, 2018 Mr. Maatta received reduced compensation to $125,000.00 per year with the remainder being deferred.

 

As additional consideration for entering into the Maatta Employment Agreement, Mr. Maatta received the following:

 

(i) 100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting immediately and expiring May 3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.50 per share;

 

(ii) 100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on September 30, 2016 and expiring May 3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.50 per share;

 

(iii) 100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on December 31, 2016 and expiring May 3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.50 per share;

 

(iv) 100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on March 31, 2017 and expiring May 3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.55 per share;

 

(v) 100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on June 30, 2017 and expiring May 3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.55 per share;

 

(vi) 100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on September 30, 2017 and expiring May 3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.55 per share;

 

(vii) 100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on December 31, 2017 and expiring May 3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.60 per share;

 

(viii) 100,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on March 31, 2018 and expiring May 3, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.60 per share; and

 

(ix) 300,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting upon a Change in Control (as defined in the Maatta Employment Agreement) during the term of the Maatta Employment Agreement, at an exercise price of $0.50 per share.

 

  8  
 

 

The options will vest immediately upon a “Change in Control” as defined in the Maatta Employment Agreement.

 

Employment Agreements with Randall S. Malinoff   

 

On November 8, 2016, the Company formally entered into an employment agreement (the “Malinoff Employment Agreement”) with Randall S. Malinoff in connection with his appointment as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on July 14, 2016 (the “Effective Date”) to serve for a period of two years from the Effective Date. In connection with such appointment, Mr. Malinoff will receive an annual base salary of $225,000 and will be eligible for a performance-based bonus at the discretion of the Board.

 

On November 8, 2016, pursuant to the terms of the Malinoff Employment Agreement, the Company granted six hundred thousand (600,000) options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

On July 5, 2017, Mr. Malinoff departed from the Company. Mr. Malinoff is currently engaged in a dispute with the Company. The dispute pertains to his departure from the Company. Both Mr. Malinoff and the Company have retained counsel to engage on the issues in controversy. As of December 31, 2017, all of Mr. Malinoff’s options have been cancelled.

 

Consulting Agreements

 

Bristol Capital, LLC – related party

 

On December 29, 2016, the Company, entered into a Consulting Services Agreement (the “Bristol Consulting Agreement”) with Bristol Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company managed by Paul L. Kessler, the then non-executive Chairman of the Company. Pursuant to the Bristol Consulting Agreement, Mr. Kessler will serve as Executive Chairman of the Company. The initial term of the Bristol Consulting Agreement is from December 29, 2016 through March 28, 2017 (the “Initial Bristol Consulting Term”). The term of the Bristol Consulting Agreement will be automatically extended for additional terms of 90 day periods each (each additional term together with the Initial Bristol Consulting Term, the “Bristol Consulting Term”), unless either the Company or Bristol Capital, LLC gives prior written notice of non-renewal to the other party no later than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then current Bristol Consulting Term.

 

During the Bristol Consulting Term, the Company will pay Bristol Capital, LLC a monthly fee (the “Monthly Fee”) of $18,750. For services rendered by Bristol Capital, LLC prior to entering into the Bristol Consulting Agreement, the Company will pay Bristol Capital, LLC the Monthly Fee, pro-rated, for the time between September 1, 2016 and December 29, 2016. Bristol Capital, LLC may also receive an annual bonus as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board and approved by the Board.

 

In addition, the Company will grant to Bristol Capital, LLC options to purchase up to an aggregate of 600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, in accordance with the following vesting schedule and at the applicable exercise prices therein:

 

(i) 75,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting upon the Effective Date and expiring on December 29, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.50 per share;

 

(ii) 75,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on December 31, 2016 and expiring on December 29, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.50 per share;

 

(iii) 75,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on March 31, 2017 and expiring on December 29, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.55 per share;

 

(iv) 75,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on June 30, 2017 and expiring on December 29, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.55 per share;

 

(v) 75,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on September 30, 2017 and expiring on December 29, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.55 per share;

 

  9  
 

 

(vi) 75,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on December 31, 2017 and expiring on December 29, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.60 per share;

 

(vii) 75,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on March 31, 2018 and expiring on December 29, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.60 per share; and

 

(viii) 75,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, such options vesting on June 30, 2018 and expiring on December 29, 2021, at an exercise price of $0.60 per share.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards

 

2017 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
OPTION AWARDS         STOCK AWARDS  
Name (a)   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised Options
(#)
Exercisable
(b) 		    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable (c) 		    Equity Incentive Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised Unearned
Options
(#)
(d) 		    Option
Exercise Price
($)
(e) 		    Option
Expiration Date
(f) 		    Number
of Shares
or Units of Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
(#)
(g) 		    Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested ($)
(h) 		    Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights That
Have Not Vested (#)
(i) 		    Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights That
Have Not Vested
(#)
(j) 		 
                                                       
John D. Maatta
Chief Executive Officer and1 President 		    600,000       200,000       200,000       0.60       5/11/21       -       -       -       -  
                                                                         
Paul L. Kessler
Executive Chairman 		    450,000       150,000       150,000       0.60       12/29/21       -       -       -       -  
                                                                         
Randall S Malinoff, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  

 

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Director Compensation

 

The following summary compensation table sets forth all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the named directors by us during the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

                                  Non-Equity              
Name                                 Incentive              
And                     Stock     Option     Plan     All Other        
Principal
Position 		  Year     Salary
($) 		    Bonus
($) 		    Awards
($) 		    Awards
($) 		    Compensation
($) 		    Compensation
($) 		    Total
($) 		 
(a)   (b)     (c)     (d)     (e)     (f)     (g)     (h)     (i)  
                                                 
Paul L. Kessler Executive Chairman 1     2017     $ -       -       -       27,579       -       -       -  
                                                                 
John D. Maatta Director 2     2017     $ -       -       -       27,579       -       -       -  
                                                                 
Greg Suess Director     2017     $ 9,750       -       -       27,579       -       -       37,329  
                                                                 
Vadim Mats Former Director 3     2017     $ 3,000       -       -       17,645       -       -       20,645  
                                                                 
Jordan Schur Director     2017     $ 6.750       -       -       -       -       -       6,750  
                                                                 
Michael Breen Director     2017     $ 6.750       -       -       -       -       -       6,750  

 

  (1) On April 22, 2016, the Board appointed Mr. Paul L. Kessler as non-executive Chairman of the Board. On December 29, 2016, Mr. Kessler was appointed as Executive Chairman of the Board. Mr. Kessler serves as Executive Chairman pursuant to a consulting agreement between the Company and Bristol Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company managed by Mr. Kessler.
     
  (2) On February 5, 2016, the Board appointed Mr. John Maatta as the non-executive Chairman of the Board. On April 22, 2016, Mr. Maatta resigned as non-executive Chairman of the Board and continued to serve as a director.
     
  (3) On March 23, 2017 Mr. Mats Resigned from the Board.

 

Director Agreements

 

The Company has entered into director agreements with each of its directors except Mr. Schur and Mr. Breen. The Company plans to enter into director Agreements with Mr. Schur and Mr. Breen in the near future. Each director agreement commences on the date that the respective director was appointed a member of the Board and continues through the Company’s next annual stockholders’ meeting, unless automatically renewed at the option of the Board on such date that such director is re-elected to the Board. Pursuant to the director agreements that were entered into with our directors, each director is granted a non-qualified option to purchase up to 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. Mr. Mats’ director agreement provided for a quarterly issuance of 10,000 shares of restricted common stock. On April 11, 2012, Mr. Mats waived his right to receive the stock award granted to him under his director agreement going forward. On May 9, 2011, Mr. Mats was granted a non-qualified option to purchase 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

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In conjunction with the director agreements, we entered into an indemnification agreement with each director that is effective during the term that such director serves as a member of the Board until six years thereafter. The indemnification agreement indemnifies the director to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law for any claims arising out of, or resulting from, among other things, (i) any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act as a director or agent of the Company and (ii) any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act in respect of any business, transaction, communication, filing, disclosure or other activity of the Company. Further, the director is indemnified for any losses pertaining to such claims, provided, however, that the losses not include expenses incurred by the director in respect of any claim as which such director shall have been adjudged liable to the Company, unless the Delaware Chancery Court rules otherwise.

 

On May 5, 2014, the Board approved the granting to each of the five then non-employee members of the Board on May 9, 2014, a non-qualified stock option to purchase up to three hundred thousand (300,000) shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.64 per share. Such options expire five years from the date of issuance and shall vest in equal amounts over a period of three (3) years at the rate of twenty-five thousand (25,000) shares per fiscal quarter at the end of such quarter, commencing in the quarter ended June 30, 2014, and pro-rated for the number of days each non-employee member of the Board serves on the Board during such fiscal quarter.

 

In addition, effective as of May 1, 2014, the non-employee members of the Board (i) for their participation in meetings of the Board and its committees, will be compensated $1,000 for in person meeting, and $250 - $500 per telephonic meeting, depending on the length of the telephonic meeting, and (ii) will be provided a monthly retainer of $750 per month.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares, of which 80,000,000 are for shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 20,000,000 are for shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which 50,000 have been designated as Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock. As of April 30, 2018, there were 68,535,036 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, all of which were fully paid, non-assessable and entitled to vote. Each share of our common stock entitles its holder to one vote on each matter submitted to the stockholders.

 

The following table sets forth information as of April 30 , 2018, with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by (i) each of our officers and directors, (ii) our officers and directors as a group and (iii) each person known by us to beneficially own five percent (5%) or more of our outstanding common stock. Unless otherwise specified, the address of each of the persons set forth below is in care of Wizard World, Inc., 662 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90049.

 

Title of Class   Name of Beneficial Owner (1)(2)   Number of
Shares 		    Percent of
Class (3) 		 
                 
Common   John D. Maatta, Chief Executive Officer, President, Director     900,000 (4)     1 %
Common   Paul L. Kessler, Executive Chairman     82,962,126 (5)     79 %
Common   Greg Suess, Director     385,053 (6)     * %
Common   Jordan Schur, Director     -       * %
Common   Michael Breen, Director     -       * %
Common   All officers and directors as a group (5 persons)     84,247,179       80 %

 

* denotes less than 1%

 

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  (1) Beneficial ownership generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the beneficial owners listed above has direct ownership of and sole voting power and investment power with respect to the securities. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d–3(d)(1) under the Exchange Act and includes securities for which the beneficial owner has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days.
     
  (2) Former directors Mr. Mats (resigned from the Board on March 23, 2017), Mr. Kenneth Shamus (resigned from the Board on October 27, 2016), and Mr. Macaluso (resigned from the Board on April 19, 2016) are not included in this table because they are not presently directors and do not beneficially own five percent (5%) or more of the Company’s common stock.
     
  (3) Based on 68,535,036 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2018.
     
  (4) This total includes shares issuable upon exercise of an option for 1,100,000 shares of common stock, of which approximately 900,000 have vested.
     
  (5) The total consists of: (i) 47,728,792 shares owned by Bristol Investment Fund, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company managed by Bristol Capital Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, of which Mr. Kessler, as the manager of Bristol Capital, acting alone, has voting and dispositive power over the shares beneficially owned; (ii) 550,000 shares owned by Bristol Capital Pension and Profit Sharing, of which Mr. Kessler, acting alone, has voting and dispositive power over the shares beneficially owned; and (iii) 375,000 shares owned by Bristol Capital LLC, of which Mr. Kessler, acting alone has voting and dispositive power over the shares beneficially owned. This total includes shares issuable upon exercise of an option for 600,000 shares of common stock, of which approximately 525,000 shares have vested. This total includes shares issuable upon exercise of options for 450,000 shares of common stock, of which approximately 450,000 shares have vested. This total includes shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant for 16,666,667 shares of common stock, of which approximately 16,666,667 have vested. This total includes shares issuable upon exercise of a convertible note for 16,666,667 shares of common stock, of which approximately 16,666,667 have vested.
     
  (6) This total includes shares issuable upon exercise of an option for 300,000 shares of common stock, of which approximately 300,000 have vested.

 

Stock Option Issuances Under the 2011 Incentive Compensation and Award Plan

 

Option Grants

 

On May 9, 2011, as subsequently amended on September 14, 2011, April 11, 2012, July 9, 2012 and September 25, 2014, we adopted the 2011 Incentive Stock and Award Plan, which was authorized and approved by the Board, and have granted to all directors, options to purchase our common stock pursuant to the terms of their employment, consulting and/or director agreements.

 

In conjunction with the director agreements and indemnification agreements described above, we entered into a Non-qualified Stock Option Agreement (“Stock Option Agreement”) with each director, pursuant to which the director was granted a non-qualified stock purchase option (the “Non-qualified Option”) to purchase up to an aggregate of one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) shares of our common stock, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. The exercise price for the Non-qualified Option is the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the execution date of the director agreement. The Non-qualified Option is exercisable for a period of five years and vests in equal amounts over a period of three (3) years at the rate of twelve thousand five hundred (12,500) shares per fiscal quarter at the end of such quarter, and pro-rated for the number of days the director served on the Board during such fiscal quarter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the director ceases to be a member of Board at any time during the three (3)-year vesting period for any reason (such as resignation, withdrawal, death, disability or any other reason), then any un-vested portion of the Non-qualified Option shall be irrefutably forfeited. At this time, no such Non-qualified Stock Option Agreements have been entered into with Directors Michael Breen or Jordan Schur, and neither such Director has been awarded any options or equity-based compensation.

 

On May 5, 2014, the Board approved the granting to each of the five non-employee members of the Board on May 9, 2014, a Non-qualified Option to purchase up to three hundred thousand (300,000) shares of the Company’s common stock subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. The exercise price for the Non-qualified Options is $0.64. The Non-qualified Option is exercisable for period of five (5) years from the date of issuance and such option shall vest in equal amounts over a period of three (3) years at the rate of twenty-five thousand (25,000) shares per fiscal quarter at the end of such quarter, commencing in the quarter ended June 30, 2014, and pro-rated for the number of days each non-employee member of the Board serves on the Board during such fiscal quarter.

 

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Restricted Stock Awards

 

On January 14, 2011, the Company entered into a director agreement with Vadim Mats. The term of such agreement was for one year. As compensation for his services, Mr. Mats was to receive ten thousand (10,000) shares of the Company’s restricted common stock, par value $0.0001 per share at the end of every fiscal quarter during which he serves as a member of the Board. For any period during the term that Mr. Mats did not serve a full quarter, the amount of shares of common stock issued was be pro-rated based on the number of days during such quarter that the Mr. Mats was a member of the Board. On April 11, 2012, Mr. Mats waived his right to receive the stock award granted to him under his director agreement going forward.

 

Stock Option Issuances Under the 2016 Incentive Compensation and Award Plan   

 

Option Grants

 

On August 12, 2016, Board unanimously approved, authorized and adopted (subject to stockholder approval) the 2016 Incentive Stock and Award Plan (the “2016 Plan”) to replace the expired Third Amended and Restated 2011 Incentive Stock and Award Plan. The 2016 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock through the grant of nonqualified options, incentive options and restricted stock to the Company’s directors, officers, consultants, attorneys, advisors and employees.

 

On July 15, 2016, in conjunction with the Maatta Employment Agreement, the Company granted to Mr. Maatta 800,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share which shall vest quarterly over the period beginning on July 15, 2016 and ending May 3, 2021, at an exercise price range of $0.50 to $0.60 per share.

 

On November 8, 2016, in conjunction with the Malinoff Employment Agreement, the Company granted to Mr. Malinoff 600,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share which shall vest quarterly over the period beginning on November 8, 2016 and ending July 14, 2021, at an exercise price range of $0.50 to $0.60 per share. These options issued to Mr. Malinoff have been cancelled.

 

On December 29, 2016, in conjunction with the Bristol Consulting Agreement, the Company granted to Bristol 600,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share which shall vest quarterly over the period beginning on December 29, 2016 and ending December 29, 2021, at an exercise price range of $0.50 to $0.60 per share.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

 

We present all possible transactions between us and our officers, directors and 5% stockholders, and our affiliates, to our Board for their consideration and approval. Any such transaction will require approval by a majority of the disinterested directors and such transactions will be on terms no less favorable than those available to disinterested third parties. During their years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, the Company had the following transactions with related persons reportable under Item 404 of Regulation S-K:

 

Bristol and ROAR each received a 2.5% profits participation and ownership interest in CONtv.

 

Effective December 29, 2014, the Company and a member of the Board formed Wiz Wizard. The Company and the member of the Board each own 50% of the membership interest and shall allocate the profits and losses accordingly upon repayment of the initial capital contributions on a pro rata basis. On February 4, 2016, the member of the Board assigned his fifty percent (50%) membership interest to the Company.

 

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On June 16, 2016, the Company entered into a Standard Multi-Tenant Sublease (“Sublease”) with Bristol Capital Advisors, LLC, (“Bristol”) an entity Controlled by the Company’s Executive Chairman. The term of the Sublease is for 5 years and 3 months, beginning on July 1, 2016 with monthly payments of $8,118. Upon execution of the sublease. The Company paid a security deposit of $9,137 and $199,238 for prepaid rent of which $76,006 remains as of December 31, 2017. It is noted that Bristol is itself a tenant of the subject premises and that the Company’s sub-tenancy is a pass-through rent paid to the third-party owner of the premises without mark-up or financial gain by Bristol.

 

Effective December 1, 2016, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Bristol Investment Fund, Ltd., an entity controlled by the Executive Chairman of the Company (at the time of Purchase Agreement, Mr. Kessler served as the non-executive Chairman of the Company), for the sale of the Company’s securities, comprised of (i) $2,500,000 of convertible debentures convertible at a price of $0.15 per share (the “Debenture”), (ii) warrants (the “Series A Warrants”) to acquire 16,666,667 shares of the Company’s common stock, at an exercise price of $0.15 per share (the “Series A Initial Exercise Price”), and (iii) warrants (the “Series B Warrants” and together with the Series A Warrants, the “Warrants”) to acquire 16,666,650 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share (the “Series B Initial Exercise Price”). As a condition to Bristol Investment Fund, Ltd. entering into the Purchase Agreement, the Company entered into a Security Agreement (the “Security Agreement”) in favor of Bristol Investment Fund, Ltd., granting a security interest in substantially all of the property of the Company, whether presently owned or existing or hereafter acquired or coming into existence, including but not limited to, its ownership interests in its subsidiaries, to secure the prompt payment, performance and discharge in full of all of the Company’s obligations under the Debenture.

 

The Company received $2,500,000 in cash from the offering of the securities. The net proceeds of the offering, approximately $2,475,000, were used by the Company for working capital purposes.

 

Director Independence

 

The common stock of the Company is currently quoted on the OTCBB and OTCQB, quotation systems which currently do not have director independence requirements. On an annual basis, each director and executive officer will be obligated to disclose any transactions with the Company in which a director or executive officer, or any member of his or her immediate family, have a direct or indirect material interest in accordance with Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K. Following completion of these disclosures, the Board will make an annual determination as to the independence of each director using the current standards for “independence” that satisfy the criteria for the NASDAQ.

 

As of April 30, 2018, the Board determined that the following directors are independent under these standards:

 

Greg Suess, Jordan Schur, and Michael Breen.

 

The Company has a standing Compensation Committee, a standing Audit Committee and a standing Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. As of April 30, 2018, the Board has determined that Mr. Suess, sole member of the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, is an independent director.

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Audit Fees

 

(a) The Company’s former independent registered public accounting firm, Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman & Company (“RRBB”), was engaged on February 16, 2016. The aggregate fees billed by RRBB for the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $35,500 and $42,000, respectively.

 

The Company’s current independent registered public accounting firm, MaughanSullivan LLC (“Maughan”), was engaged on December 17, 2017. The aggregate fees billed by Maughan for the audit of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $19,500 and $0, respectively

 

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Audit Related Fees

 

(b) RRBB did not bill the Company any amounts for assurance and related services that were related to its audit or review of the Company’s financial statements during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. 

 

Maughan did not bill the Company any amounts for assurance and related services that were related to its audit or review of the Company’s financial statements during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. 

 

Tax Fees

 

(c) The aggregate fees billed by RRBB for tax compliance, advice and planning was $15,800 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

 

The aggregate fees billed by Maughan for tax compliance, advice and planning was $0 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

All Other Fees

 

(d) RRBB did not bill the Company for any products and services other than the foregoing during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

Maughan did not bill the Company for any products and services other than the foregoing during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

 

(a) Documents filed as part of this report:

 

  1. The financial statements and report of the independent registered public accounting firm have been included in Part II, Item 8 of the Original Form 10-K and Amendment No. of the Original Form 10-K.

 

  2. All financial statement schedules have been included in Part IV, Item 15 of the Original Form 10-K and Amendment No. to the Original Form 10-K or they are either inapplicable or not required, or the information is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto in the Original Form 10-K.

 

  3. The exhibits listed below in the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference to the Original Form 10-K as part of this Form 10-K/A.

 

Exhibit No.

 

31.3   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a) (17CFR 240.13a-14(a)). ††
   
31.4   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Required by Rule 13a-14(a) (17CFR 240.13a-14(a)). ††

 

†† Filed herewith

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  WIZARD WORLD, INC.
     
Date: April 30, 2018 By: /s/ John D. Maatta
  Name: John D. Maatta
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
    (Principal Financial Officer)
    (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ John D. Maatta   Chief Executive Officer, President, Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, Director   April 30, 2018
John D. Maatta        
         
/s/ Paul L. Kessler   Executive Chairman   April 30, 2018
Paul L. Kessler        
         
/s/ Greg Suess   Director   April 30, 2018
Greg Suess        
         
/s/ Jordan Schur   Director   April 30, 2018
Jordan Schur        
         
/s/ Michael Breen   Director   April 30, 2018
Michael Breen        

 

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