UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
(Rule
14a-101)
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by
the Registrant
þ
Filed by
a Party other than the Registrant
Check the
appropriate box:
o
|
Preliminary
Proxy Statement
|
o
|
Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
|
þ
|
Definitive
Proxy Statement
|
o
|
Definitive
Additional Materials
|
o
|
Soliciting
Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule
14a-12
|
BigString
Corporation
(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):
o
|
Fee
Computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11
|
(1)
|
Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
|
(2)
|
Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction
applies:
|
(3)
|
Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was
determined):
|
(4)
|
Proposed
maximum aggregate value of
transaction:
|
o
|
Fee
paid previously with preliminary
materials.
|
o
|
Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing.
|
(1)
|
Amount
Previously Paid:
|
(2)
|
Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement
No.:
|
BIGSTRING
CORPORATION
3 Harding
Road, Suite E
Red Bank,
New Jersey 07701
(732)
741-2840
May 2,
2008
Dear
Stockholder:
You are
cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of BigString
Corporation to be held at the law firm of Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C.,
located at 125 Half Mile Road, Suite 300, Red Bank, New Jersey, on Thursday, May
29, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., local time.
At the
annual meeting, you will be asked to elect five (5) nominees for director and
consider and act upon such other business as may properly come before the annual
meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
It is
important that your shares of BigString Corporation common stock are represented
at the annual meeting, whether or not you attend the annual meeting in person
and regardless of the number of shares you own. To ensure that your
shares of common stock are represented, we urge you to complete, sign, date and
return your proxy card in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope. If
you attend the annual meeting, you may vote in person even if you have
previously submitted a proxy. Your prompt attention is greatly
appreciated.
|
Very
truly yours,
|
|
|
|
/s/
Adam M. Kotkin
|
|
|
|
Adam
M. Kotkin
|
|
Secretary
|
BIGSTRING
CORPORATION
3
Harding Road, Suite E
Red
Bank, New Jersey 07701
(732)
741-2840
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held On May 29, 2008
To the
Stockholders of
BigString
Corporation:
NOTICE IS
HEREBY GIVEN, that the annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of
BigString Corporation will be held at the law firm of Giordano, Halleran &
Ciesla, P.C., located at 125 Half Mile Road, Suite 300, Red Bank, New Jersey, on
Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following
purposes:
|
1.
|
To
elect five (5) nominees for director who will serve on BigString
Corporation’s Board of Directors for the following year and until their
successors have been elected and qualify;
and
|
|
2.
|
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
|
Stockholders
of record at the close of business on April 30, 2008 are entitled to notice of
and to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
Whether
or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, sign and date
the enclosed proxy card and return it in the accompanying postage prepaid
envelope. You may revoke your proxy either by written notice to
BigString Corporation, by submitting a proxy card dated as of a later date or in
person at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors of BigString
Corporation recommends that you vote “
FOR
” each of the nominees for
director.
|
By
Order of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
/s/
Adam M. Kotkin
|
|
|
|
Adam
M. Kotkin
|
|
Secretary
|
YOU
ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS. HOWEVER, TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO SIGN AND DATE THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY AND
MAIL IT AT ONCE IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PRE-PAID
ENVELOPE. PROMPT RESPONSE IS HELPFUL AND YOUR COOPERATION WILL
BE APPRECIATED.
|
BIGSTRING
CORPORATION
PROXY
STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
General
Information
This
Proxy Statement is being furnished to the holders of common stock, with a par
value of $.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), of BigString Corporation
(“BigString” or the “Company”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by
the Board of Directors of BigString (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) for
use at the annual meeting of stockholders of BigString to be held at 10:00 a.m.
on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at the law firm of Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla,
P.C., located at 125 Half Mile Road, Suite 300, Red Bank, New Jersey (the
“Annual Meeting”). The Board of Directors has fixed the close of
business on April 30, 2008 as the record date for the determination of
stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting.
This
Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card are being mailed to stockholders on
or about May 2, 2008.
At the
Annual Meeting, stockholders of BigString will consider and vote
on:
|
·
|
the
election of five (5) nominees for director who will serve on BigString’s
Board of Directors for the following year and until their successors have
been elected and qualify; and
|
|
·
|
any
other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting.
|
Stockholders
may revoke the authority granted by their execution of proxies at any time
before the effective exercise of such proxies by filing written notice of such
revocation with the secretary of the Annual Meeting. Presence at the
Annual Meeting does not, in and of itself, revoke the proxy. Also,
any grant of a proxy subsequent to an earlier grant of a proxy, revokes the
earlier proxy. All shares of Common Stock represented by executed and
unrevoked proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications
therein. Proxies submitted without specification will be voted “
FOR
”
the election of each of
the nominees for director. Neither the Board nor management of
BigString is aware, to date, of any matter to be presented at the Annual Meeting
other than the election of directors, but, if any other matter is properly
presented, the persons named in the proxy will vote thereon according to their
best judgment.
Proxies
for use at the Annual Meeting are being solicited by the Board of
Directors. The cost for preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy
materials is to be borne by BigString. It is not anticipated that any
compensation will be paid for soliciting proxies, and BigString does not intend
to employ specially engaged personnel in the solicitation of
proxies. It is contemplated
that
proxies will be solicited principally through the mail, but directors, officers
and employees of BigString, without additional compensation, may solicit proxies
personally or by telephone, telegraph, facsimile transmission or special
letter.
Voting
Securities
Each
stockholder of record at the close of business on April 30, 2008 is entitled to
one vote for each share of Common Stock then held by such
stockholder. As of that date, BigString had 51,052,681 shares of
Common Stock issued and outstanding. The presence, in person or by
proxy, of at least a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of
Common Stock entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting is necessary to
constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will be counted as shares present and entitled to be voted at the
Annual Meeting for the purpose of determining the existence of a
quorum.
Directors
will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting whether
in person or by proxy. All votes will be tabulated by the inspector
of election appointed at the Annual Meeting who will separately tabulate
affirmative votes, negative votes, abstentions and broker
non-votes. Any proxy submitted and containing an abstention or broker
non-vote will not be counted as a vote cast on any matter to which it
relates.
Principal
Stockholders and Security Ownership of Management
The
following table sets forth information as of April 30, 2008 with respect to the
beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of BigString’s Common Stock by (1) each
director and nominee for director of BigString, (2) the Named Executive Officers
of BigString (as such term is defined in the section of this Proxy Statement
captioned “Executive Officers – Executive Compensation”), (3) each person or
group of persons known by BigString to be the beneficial owner of greater than
5% of BigString’s outstanding Common Stock, and (4) all directors and officers
of BigString as a group:
|
|
Beneficial
Ownership of
Common
Stock
|
Name of Beneficial
Owner – Directors, Officers and
5%
Stockholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Darin
M. Myman
(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)
|
|
|
9,000,000
|
|
|
|
17.63
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
S. DeMeulemeester
(2)(3)(4)(7)(8)
|
|
|
1,342,300
|
|
|
|
2.56
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adam
M. Kotkin
(2)(3)(4)(9)(10)
|
|
|
2,172,500
|
|
|
|
4.14
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Todd
M. Ross
(2)(3)(4)(11)(12)
|
|
|
1,890,000
|
|
|
|
3.68
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc
W. Dutton
(2)(3)(4)(13)
|
|
|
971,488
|
|
|
|
1.89
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lee
E. Rosenberg
(2)(3)(14)
|
|
|
1,190,000
|
|
|
|
2.32
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alfred
L. Pantaleone
(15)(16)
|
|
|
5,050,000
|
|
|
|
9.89
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul
Tudor Jones, II
(17)(18)(19)
|
|
|
5,500,450
|
|
|
|
9.73
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whalehaven
Capital Fund Limited
(20)
|
|
|
5,052,723
|
|
|
|
9.15
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alpha
Capital Anstalt
(21)
|
|
|
4,479,167
|
|
|
|
8.11
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nicholas
Codispoti
(22)
|
|
|
4,348,000
|
|
|
|
8.52
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David
L. Daniels
(23)(24)
|
|
|
3,500,000
|
|
|
|
6.86
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah
K. Daniels
(23)(25)
|
|
|
3,500,000
|
|
|
|
6.86
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jo
Myman
(2)(26)
|
|
|
9,000,000
|
|
|
|
17.63
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
(6 persons)
(6)(8)(10)(12)(13)(14)
|
|
|
16,566,288
|
|
|
|
30.40
|
%
|
(1)
|
In
accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, a person is deemed to be
the beneficial owner, for purposes of this table, of any shares of
BigString’s Common Stock if he or she has voting or investment power with
respect to such security. This includes shares (a) subject to
options exercisable within sixty (60) days, and (b)(1) owned by a spouse,
(2) owned by other immediate family members, or (3) held in trust or held
in retirement accounts or funds for the benefit of the named individuals,
over which shares the person named in the table may possess voting and/or
investment power.
|
(2)
|
This
executive officer and/or director, or spouse of an executive officer
and/or director, maintains a mailing address at 3 Harding Road, Suite E,
Red Bank, New Jersey 07701.
|
(3)
|
Such
person currently serves as a director of
BigString.
|
(4)
|
Such
person is a nominee for director of
BigString.
|
(5)
|
Mr.
Myman serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of
BigString.
|
(6)
|
Includes
100,000 shares of Common Stock registered in the name of Mr. Myman’s wife,
Jo Myman, and 900,000 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Myman for the
benefit of Mr. and Mrs. Myman’s children under the Uniform Transfers to
Minors Act. Mr. Myman disclaims any beneficial interest in the
shares held by his wife and the shares held by him as custodian for his
children.
|
(7)
|
Mr.
DeMeulemeester serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer of BigString.
|
(8)
|
Includes
1,300,000 shares of Common Stock subject to currently exercisable stock
options.
|
(9)
|
Mr.
Kotkin serves as Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of
BigString.
|
(10)
|
Includes
1,450,000 shares of Common Stock subject to currently exercisable stock
options.
|
(11)
|
Mr.
Ross served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of BigString from
January 2005 until September 2006.
|
(12)
|
Includes
250,000 shares of Common Stock subject to a currently exercisable stock
option(s).
|
(13)
|
Includes
300,000 shares of Common Stock subject to a currently exercisable stock
option(s).
|
(14)
|
Includes
150,000 shares of Common Stock subject to a currently exercisable stock
option(s).
|
(15)
|
Alfred
Pantaleone maintains a mailing address at 25 Ely Road, Holmdel, New Jersey
07733.
|
(16)
|
Includes
1,200,000 shares of Common Stock held by Deborah Pantaleone, wife of Mr.
Pantaleone, as custodian for the benefit of their children under the
Uniform Transfers to Minor Act, as to which shares Mr. Pantaleone
disclaims any beneficial interest.
|
(17)
|
Paul
Tudor Jones, II maintains a mailing address at c/o Tudor Investment
Corporation, 1275 King Street, Greenwich, Connecticut
06831.
|
(18)
|
The
shares of Common Stock reported herein as beneficially owned are owned
directly by The Raptor Global Portfolio Ltd. and The Tudor BVI Global
Portfolio L.P. Because Tudor Investment Corporation provides investment
advisory services to The Raptor Global Portfolio Ltd. and The Tudor BVI
Global Portfolio L.P., Tudor Investment Corporation may be deemed to
beneficially own the shares of Common Stock owned by each such
entity. Tudor Investment Corporation expressly disclaims such
beneficial ownership. In addition, because Mr. Jones is the
controlling shareholder of Tudor Investment Corporation, Mr. Jones may be
deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock deemed beneficially
owned by Tudor Investment Corporation. Mr. Jones expressly
disclaims such beneficial
ownership.
|
(19)
|
Includes
the following shares which are held by The Raptor Global Portfolio Ltd.
and The Tudor BVI Global Portfolio L.P.: (i) 3,604,219 shares
of Common Stock underlying a total of 320,343 shares of Series A Preferred
Stock, and 800,858 shares of Common Stock subject to a currently
exercisable warrant, held by The Raptor Global Portfolio Ltd.; and (ii)
896,231 shares of Common Stock underlying a total of 79,657 shares of
Series A Preferred Stock, and 199,142 shares of Common Stock subject to a
currently exercisable warrant, held by The Tudor BVI Global Portfolio
L.P.
|
(20)
|
Includes
3,333,334 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of issued
and outstanding convertible notes. Also includes 833,333 shares
of common stock issuable upon the exercise of issued and exercisable
warrants. Michael Finkelstein has voting and investment control
over shares held by Whalehaven Capital Fund Limited. Mr.
Finkelstein disclaims beneficial ownership of such
shares. Whalehaven Capital Fund Limited maintains a mailing
address at Whalehaven Capital Fund c/o FWS Capital Ltd., 3rd Fl.,
14-Par-Laville Road, Hamilton, Bermuda
HM08.
|
(21)
|
Includes
3,333,334 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of issued
and outstanding convertible notes. Also includes 833,333 shares
of common stock issuable upon the exercise of issued and exercisable
warrants. Konrad Ackerman has voting and investment control
over shares held by Alpha Capital Anstalt. Mr. Ackerman
disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Alpha Capital
Anstalt maintains a mailing address at Pradafant 7, 9490 Furstentums,
Vaduz, Lichtenstein.
|
(22)
|
Includes 375,000 shares held in
an individual retirement account for the benefit of Mr.
C
odispoti. Also includes 3,973,000 shares held by the
Codispoti Foundation, of which Mr. Codispoti is the
President. Mr. Codispoti disclaims beneficial ownership of the
shares held by the Codispoti Foundation except to the extent of his
ownership interest therein. Mr. Codispoti maintains a mailing
address at P.O. Box 79, Red Bank, New Jersey
07701.
|
(23)
|
Mr.
Daniels is a former officer and director of BigString. Mr.
Daniels and his wife, Deborah Daniels, maintain a mailing address at 19007
U.S. Highway 64, Haskell, Oklahoma
74336.
|
(24)
|
Includes
1,500,000 shares of Common Stock registered in the name of Deborah K.
Daniels, the wife of David L. Daniels, as to which shares he disclaims any
beneficial
interest. Also
|
includes
500,000 shares of Common Stock registered in the name of David L. Daniels and
Deborah K. Daniels JT TEN.
(25)
|
Includes 1,500,000 shares of
Common Stock registered in the name of David L. Daniels, the husband of
Deborah K. Daniels, as to which shares she disclaims any beneficial
interest. Also includes 500,000 shares of Common Stock
registered in the name of David L. Daniels and Deborah K. Daniels JT
TEN.
|
(26)
|
Includes (i) 8,000,000 shares of
Common Stock registered in the name of her husband, Darin M. Myman, and
(ii) 900,000 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Myman for the benefit of
Mr. and Mrs. Myman’s children under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act,
as to which shares Mrs. Myman disclaims any beneficial
ownership.
|
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
The
By-laws of BigString provide that the number of directors shall not be less than
one director nor more than twelve directors, and permit the exact number of
directors to be determined from time to time by the Board. At this
time, the Board has fixed the number of directors at five.
Nomination
Process
Effective
March 23, 2006, BigString’s Board of Directors formed a Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee. Although the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee currently does not have a formal charter, the Board has
established the following principal responsibilities of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee: (1) the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee shall recommend nominees for election as directors based
upon certain performance criteria established by it and recommend a successor to
a key senior management position when such position is vacant; and (2) the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall develop a management
succession policy that specifies key senior management positions and qualified
potential replacements. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee shall (a) regularly review issues and developments relating
to corporate governance, (b) develop and recommend to the Board a set of
corporate governance principles for BigString or, as appropriate, changes to
existing corporate governance principles of BigString, (c) review the governance
and operating practices of the Board and its committees, (d) review the
performance and development of management in achieving corporate goals and
objectives, and (e) evaluate BigString’s compliance with relevant laws and
listing standards, if any.
In making
its recommendations with respect to the Board nominees, the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee is to consider, among other things, the
qualifications of individual director candidates. In evaluating the
suitability of a nominee to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee is to take into account several different factors, including such
nominee’s (1) general understanding of marketing, finance and other disciplines
relevant to the success of a publicly traded company in today’s business
environment, (2) understanding of BigString’s business and technology, (3)
educational and professional background, and (4) personal
accomplishments. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
also will consider whether the nominee will qualify as an “independent director”
as such terms is defined by the NASD and the Securities and Exchange
Commission. In determining whether to recommend a director for
re-election, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is also to
consider the director’s past attendance at meetings and participation in and
contributions to the activities of the Board.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee will also consider nominees for director suggested by stockholders of
BigString applying the same criteria for nominees described above and
considering the additional information required below. Any
stockholder nominee for director for the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders
must be received by BigString at its principal executive offices no later than
December 31, 2008, and must be accompanied by the following
information: (1) the name and contact information for the nominee;
(2) a statement of the nominee’s business experience and educational background;
(3) a detailed
description
describing any relationship between the nominee and the proposing stockholder;
(4) a statement by the stockholder explaining why he, she or it believes that
the nominee is qualified to serve on the Board and how his or her service would
benefit BigString; and (5) a statement that the nominee is willing to be
considered and serve as a director of BigString if nominated and
elected. The Board retains complete discretion for making nominations
for election as a member of the Board.
The
nominees for director named herein were unanimously selected by the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee at a meeting held by the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee for such purpose.
Nominees
It is
intended that the proxies solicited by the Board will be voted “
FOR
” the five nominees listed
below in the section captioned “Nominees for Director” (unless a stockholder
otherwise directs). If, for any reason, any of the nominees becomes
unavailable for election to or service on the Board, the proxies solicited by
the Board of Directors will be voted for such
substituted nominee(s) as is (are) selected by the Board of
Directors. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the named
nominees are not available or will not serve if elected. Each nominee
for director currently serves as a director of BigString. Directors
will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting whether
in person or by proxy.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTOR.
Nominees
for Director
Each
nominee for director has been nominated to serve for a one year term to expire
at the next annual meeting of stockholders of BigString. The name,
age, principal occupation or employment and biographical information of each
person nominated to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of BigString is
set forth below:
Name and
Address
|
Age
|
Principal Occupation
or Employment
|
|
|
|
Darin
M. Myman
|
43
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer of BigString
|
|
|
|
Robert
S. DeMeulemeester
|
41
|
Executive
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of
BigString
|
|
|
|
Adam
M. Kotkin
|
28
|
Chief
Operating Officer and Secretary of BigString
|
|
|
|
Todd
M. Ross
|
35
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer of TM Ross Insurance Brokerage,
LLC
|
|
|
|
Marc
W. Dutton
|
38
|
President
– FJA-US Inc.
|
|
|
|
There are
no family relationships among BigString’s directors, executive officers and
nominees for director. None of the directors of BigString is a
director of any company registered
pursuant
to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, or subject to the requirements of Section
15(d) of the Exchange Act, or any company registered as an investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Biographical
Information
Darin M. Myman
is a co-founder
of BigString and has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of
BigString since its inception on October 8, 2003. He also has served
as a member of BigString’s Board of Directors since BigString’s
inception. From November 2001 until October 2003, Mr. Myman was a
self-employed Internet marketing and business consultant and, from March 2001
until November 2001, he served as Executive Vice President of
InsuranceGenie.com. Prior to his employment by InsuranceGenie.com,
Mr. Myman was a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of LiveInsurance.com, the
first online insurance brokerage agency, from March 1999 until December
2000. Prior to co-founding LiveInsurance.com, he served as a Vice
President of the online brokerage services unit of Westminster Securities
Corporation from January 1995 until March 1999.
Robert S. DeMeulemeester
has served as
Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of BigString since September
2006. He also has served as a member of BigString’s Board of
Directors since May 30, 2007. Prior to joining BigString, from
January 1998 to January 2006, Mr. DeMeulemeester served as managing director and
treasurer of Securities Industry Automation Corporation (“SIAC”), a New York
based provider of automated information and communication systems that supports
the NYSE Group, the American Stock Exchange and related
affiliates. Mr. DeMeulemeester also served as managing director, CFO
and controller of Sector, Inc., a New York based provider of connectivity
solutions, managed services and market data content for the financial
services industry and a subsidiary of SIAC. Prior to his employment
with SIAC and Sector, Inc., Mr. DeMeulemeester was employed at
Honeywell International Inc., located in Teterboro, NJ, Pacific Bell, located in
San Francisco, CA, and Accenture, located in New York, NY. Mr.
DeMeulemeester earned his MBA in 2003 at Columbia Business School, Columbia
University and his BS, magna cum laude, at Lehigh University in
1989.
Adam M. Kotkin
is a co-founder
of BigString and has served as the Chief Operating Officer of BigString since
its inception on October 8, 2003, and as Secretary since August 17,
2005. He also has served as a member of BigString’s Board of
Directors since June 29, 2005. Prior to joining BigString, from June
2002 until December 2003, Mr. Kotkin was a paralegal in the law firm of Swidler,
Berlin, Shereff & Friedman, LLP. From April 2001 until August
2001, he served as a business manager for InsuranceGenie.com. Prior
thereto, Mr. Kotkin served as business developer and sales manager at
LiveInsurance.com from March 1999 until December 2000. Mr. Kotkin
graduated with distinction from New York University with a BA in
Economics.
Todd M. Ross
has served as a
member of BigString’s Board of Directors since June 29, 2005 and served as
BigString’s Chief Financial Officer from January 2005 until September
2006. Since September 2005, Mr. Ross has also served as President and
CEO of TM Ross Insurance Brokerage, LLC and served as President and CEO of H.K.
Ross Corp. from November 2002 to September 2005. Prior to his
formation of H.K. Ross Corp., Mr. Ross served as In-house
Counsel
and Chief Financial Officer for LiveInsurance.com from January 2000 to December,
2000. From January 1998 until December 1999, Mr. Ross worked for the
NIA Group, one of the largest privately held insurance brokerage firms in the
United States. Mr. Ross graduated from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison with a BA in Political Science in May 1994 and earned his JD
at Hofstra University School of Law in May 1997. Mr. Ross anticipates
receiving his MBA in Professional Accounting and Finance and a Masters in
Taxation from Fordham University Graduate School of Business by the end of
2009.
Marc W. Dutton
currently
serves as the President of FJA-US and FJA-US, Australia (formerly known as
Finansys), an industry leader in insurance technology solutions. Mr.
Dutton joined FJA-US in 1996 and prior to serving as President, he served as
Managing Director, Vice President of Sales and other sales management
positions. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the
University of Albany in May of 1991. Mr. Dutton has served on the
Board of Directors of BigString since June 29, 2005.
Meetings
and Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of BigString
conducts business through meetings of the Board or by unanimous written consents
of the Board. Following the election of directors at the 2007 annual
meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors for 2007 consisted
of: Robert S. DeMeulemeester, Marc W. Dutton, Adam M. Kotkin, Darin
M. Myman, Lee E. Rosenberg and Todd M. Ross. Both Mr. Dutton and Mr.
Rosenberg qualify as independent directors in accordance with NASDAQ’s
definition of “independent director” and the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr. Ross would qualify as an
independent director but for the fact that Mr. Ross served as Chief Financial
Officer of BigString from January 2005 until September 2006.
During 2007, the Board
did not hold any meetings, however, the Board acted by unanimous written consent
on eight
(8)
occasions. In
addition, BigString encourages all of its directors to attend the annual meeting
of stockholders. Last year, all of the directors of BigString
attended the annual meeting, with Mr. Rosenberg participating by
teleconference.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee of the Board is responsible for recommending nominees for election as
directors based upon the performance criteria established by the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee, and may recommend a successor to a key senior
management position when such position is vacant. In addition, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee anticipates developing a
management succession policy that specifies key senior management positions and
qualified potential replacements.
For the year ended December 31, 2007,
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consisted of directors Marc W.
Dutton, Adam M. Kotkin and Darin M. Myman. Mr. Myman served as the
Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr.
Dutton is the only director who served on the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee in fiscal 2007 who qualified as an independent
director under NASDAQ’s definition of “independent director.” In the
event that the Board determines in the future to apply for listing of
BigString’s Common Stock on a securities exchange, the Board will then review
the
composition
of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to ensure it meets the
independence standards of any such securities exchange. The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met in April 2008 in connection
with the selection of nominees for election as director. See
“Nomination Process” above.
Compensation
Committee
The Compensation Committee of the Board
is responsible for determining whether BigString’s compensation and benefits
packages are suitable and do not provide excessive benefits or result in
material financial loss to BigString. The Compensation Committee is
also responsible for approving or recommending to the Board compensation
packages and plans for senior management and directors. These
compensation packages include salaries, bonuses, vacations, termination
benefits, profit-sharing plans, contributions to employee pension plans, stock
option and stock purchase plans, indemnification agreements and
employment/change of control contracts. When reviewing proposed
compensation packages, the Compensation Committee will consider: (1)
the combined value of all cash and noncash benefits provided to the individual
or individuals; (2) the compensation history of the individual or individuals as
compared to other individuals with comparable expertise at BigString; (3) the
financial condition of BigString; (4) comparable compensation packages at
similar institutions based upon such factors as asset size, geographic location
and the services provided; (5) the projected total cost and benefit to BigString
for post employment benefits; and (6) any connection between the individual and
any fraudulent act or omission, breach of trust of fiduciary duty or insider
abuse with regard to BigString.
For the
year ended December 31, 2007, the Compensation Committee consisted of directors
Marc W. Dutton, Darin M. Myman and Todd M. Ross. Mr. Dutton served as
the Chair of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Dutton is the only
director who served on the Compensation Committee in fiscal 2007 who qualified
as an independent director under NASDAQ’s definition of “independent
director.” Under the NASDAQ rules, a director who at any time during
the past three years was employed by the company is not considered
independent. Because Mr. Ross served as BigString’s Chief Financial
Officer from January 2005 until September 2006, Mr. Ross does not currently
qualify as independent under the NASDAQ rules. In the event that the
Board determines in the future to apply the listing of BigString’s Common Stock
on a securities exchange, the Board will then review the composition of the
Compensation Committee to ensure it meets the independence standards of any such
securities exchange. The Compensation Committee did not meet in 2007
but instead acted by unanimous written consent on one occasion. All
compensation related matters in 2007 were acted upon by the Board.
Audit
Committee
The Audit
Committee of the Board is responsible for developing and monitoring the audit of
BigString. The Audit Committee selects the outside auditor and meets
with the Board to discuss the results of the annual audit and any related
matters. The Audit Committee also receives and reviews the reports
and findings and any other information presented to members of the Audit
Committee by the officers of BigString regarding financial reporting policies
and practices.
For the
year ended December 31, 2007, the Audit Committee consisted of directors Marc W.
Dutton and Todd M. Ross. Mr. Ross served as the Chair of the Audit
Committee. Mr. Dutton is the only director who served on the Audit
Committee in fiscal 2007 who qualified as an independent director under NASDAQ’s
definition of “independent director.” In addition, the Board has
determined that Mr. Ross qualifies as a financial expert under the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee selected the
accounting firm of Wiener, Goodman & Company, P.C. to act as BigString’s
independent public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2007 and
audit the financial statements of BigString for such year. The Audit
Committee met twice during the year 2007, with all members attending such
meeting.
Report
of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary set forth in any of BigString’s previous or future filings under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act,
that might incorporate this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the following
report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any such
filing.
Audit Committee Charter
The Audit Committee assisted in the
development of a Charter of the Audit Committee (the “Charter”) in consultation
with BigString’s legal and accounting advisors. The Board adopted the
Charter on March 23, 2006. A copy of the Charter was attached as
Appendix A
to the proxy
statement used in connection with the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders of
BigString and may be viewed at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website,
www.sec.gov
.
Review of Audited Financial Statements
for the year ended December 31, 2007
The Audit Committee has reviewed and
discussed with BigString’s management the audited financial statements of
BigString for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Audit Committee
has discussed with Wiener, Goodman & Company, P.C., BigString’s independent
public accounting firm, those matters required to be discussed by Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (Communication with Audit
Committees).
The Audit Committee has also received
the written disclosures and letter from Wiener, Goodman & Company, P.C.
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussion
with Audit Committees), and the Audit Committee has discussed the independence
of Wiener, Goodman & Company, P.C. with that firm.
Based on the Audit Committee’s review
and discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that
BigString’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 be
included in its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31,
2007, and that such Form 10-KSB be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Submitted
by:
|
Todd
M. Ross,
Chair
|
|
Mark
W. Dutton
|
Principal
Accountant Fees and Services
Audit
Fees
BigString incurred fees of
approximately $48,000 in 2007 and $54,000 in 2006 to Wiener, Goodman &
Company, P.C., for audit services, which included work related to the audits
rendered for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the period
commencing October 8, 2003 (Date of Formation) through December 31, 2007,
respectively. It should be noted that the fees incurred in 2007 and
2006 included those associated with the registration of shares of Common Stock
under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form SB-2
(File No. 333-143793), which was filed by BigString with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on June 15, 2007, and the Registration Statement on Form
SB-2 (File No. 333-135837), which was filed by BigString with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on July 18, 2006, respectively.
Audit Related Fees
As of December 31, 2007, BigString has
not paid any fees associated with audit related services to Wiener, Goodman
& Company, P.C., or any other accounting firm.
Tax Fees
As of December 31, 2007, BigString has
not paid any fees associated with tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning to
Wiener, Goodman & Company, P.C. BigString incurred fees of
approximately $4,000 in 2007 and $4,000 in 2006 to an independent Certified
Public Accountant.
All Other Fees
As of December 31, 2007, BigString has
not paid any fees associated with non-audit services to Wiener, Goodman &
Company, P.C., or any other accounting firm.
Policy
on Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services
The Audit
Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the
work of the independent registered public accounting firm. In
accordance with its Charter, the Audit Committee approves, in advance, all audit
and permissible non-audit services to be performed by the independent registered
public accounting firm. Such approval process ensures that the
independent registered public accounting firm does not provide any non-audit
services to BigString that are prohibited by law or regulation.
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
The name,
age, current position and biographical information of each executive officer of
BigString is set forth below:
Name
|
Age
|
Position
|
|
|
|
Darin
M. Myman
|
43
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
Robert
S. DeMeulemeester
|
41
|
Executive
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
|
|
|
Adam
M. Kotkin
|
28
|
Chief
Operating Officer and Secretary
|
Biographical
Information
For the biographical information for
the above listed executive officers, see “ELECTION OF DIRECTORS – Nominees for
Director.”
Chief
Executive and Senior Financial Officer Code of Ethics
The chief executive and senior
financial officers of BigString are held to the highest standards of honest and
ethical conduct when conducting the affairs of BigString. All such
individuals must act ethically at all times in accordance with the policies
contained in BigString’s Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officer Code of
Ethics. Copies of the Chief Executive and Senior Financial
Officer Code of Ethics will be furnished without charge upon written request
received from any shareholder of record. Requests should be directed
to BigString Corporation, 3 Harding Road, Suite E, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701,
Attention: Secretary.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
The
following table sets forth information concerning the annual and long-term
compensation of the Named Executive Officers (as defined below) for services in
all capacities to BigString for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. The Named Executive Officers are (1) Darin M. Myman,
President and Chief Executive Officer, (2) Robert S. DeMeulemeester, Executive
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and (3) Adam M. Kotkin,
Chief Operating Officer and Secretary (the “Named Executive
Officers”).
2007 SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
|
Name
and
Principal
Position
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)(1)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
|
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Darin
M. Myman,
|
2007
|
|
$
|
142,000
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
13,023
|
(2)
|
|
$
|
155,023
|
|
President
and
Chief
Executive
Officer
|
2006
|
|
$
|
128,500
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
9,277
|
(2)
|
|
$
|
137,777
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
S.
|
2007
|
|
$
|
129,999
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
11,175
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
141,174
|
|
DeMeulemeester,
Executive
Vice
President,
Chief
Financial
Officer
and
Treasurer
|
2006
|
|
$
|
37,917
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
3,232
|
(5)
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
41,149
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adam
M. Kotkin,
|
2007
|
|
$
|
84,000
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
38,412
|
(6)
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
19,656
|
(7)
|
|
$
|
142,068
|
|
Chief
Operating
Officer
and
Secretary
|
2006
|
|
$
|
75,500
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
18,615
|
(8)
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
---
|
|
|
$
|
9,983
|
(7)
|
|
$
|
104,098
|
|
____________________________
(1)
|
The
amounts in this column reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial
statement reporting purposes for the fiscal years ended December 31,
2007 and 2006, respectively, in accordance with FAS 123(R), of stock
option awards pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan (as defined below).
The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of
grant using the Black-Scholes
model.
|
(2)
|
Represents
amounts reimbursed for automobile expenses and automobile insurance
expenses paid by Mr. Myman in 2007 and 2006, respectively, which relate to
BigString’s promotional vehicle. Mr. Myman primarily uses the
vehicle for advertising and promotional purposes on behalf of
BigString.
|
(3)
|
Mr.
DeMeulemeester was employed by BigString effective September 18, 2006 and
has served as Chief Financial Officer since such time. See
“Chief Financial Officer - Employment Agreement”
below.
|
(4)
|
Assumptions
used in the calculation of this amount are as follows: dividend yield of
0%; expected volatility of 69%; risk free rate of return of 4%; and
expected life of 1.5 years. The fair value of these options was
$0.05 per share.
|
(5)
|
Assumptions
used in the calculation of this amount are as follows: dividend yield of
0%; expected volatility of 33%; risk free rate of return of 5%; and
expected life of 2.7 years. The fair value of these options was
$0.02 per share.
|
(6)
|
Assumptions
used in the calculation of this amount are as follows: dividend yield of
0%; expected volatility of 69%; risk free rate of return of 4%; and
expected life of 1.5 years. The fair value of these options was
$0.05 per share.
|
(7)
|
Represents
amounts reimbursed for automobile expenses and payroll
taxes.
|
(8)
|
Assumptions
used in the calculation of this amount are as follows: dividend yield of
0%; expected volatility of 40%; risk free rate of return of 5%; and
expected life of 2.7 years. The fair value of these options was
$0.10 per share.
|
Chief
Financial Officer - Employment Agreement
Mr.
DeMeulemeester and BigString entered into a letter agreement, effective
September 18, 2006 (the “Letter Agreement”), pursuant to which BigString has
employed Mr. DeMeulemeester as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer of BigString, on an “at will” basis, whereby either BigString or
Mr. DeMeulemeester can terminate his employment at any time for any reason or no
reason. Pursuant to the terms of the Letter Agreement, BigString will
pay Mr. DeMeulemeester an annual base salary of $130,000, which base salary will
increase to $200,000 in the event BigString participates in one or more
offerings of its securities and BigString receives, in the aggregate, more than
$2,000,000 in net proceeds from such offering(s). At such time, Mr.
DeMeulemeester will receive a lump sum payment, subject to any withholding
required by law, equal to the difference between (a) the total amount of base
salary paid to him up until the date of the increase to his base salary and (b)
the total amount of base salary that would have been paid to him up until the
date of the increase to his base salary, if his base salary was $200,000 as of
September 18, 2006.
Mr.
DeMeulemeester is also entitled to benefits afforded to all full-time employees
of BigString, including medical and dental, as applicable. Moreover,
Mr. DeMeulemeester may be eligible for certain bonuses in connection with his
performance, to be determined and awarded in the sole discretion of BigString’s
Board of Directors and Compensation Committee.
In
connection with BigString’s employment of Mr. DeMeulemeester, BigString granted
him an incentive stock option to purchase 1,800,000 shares of Common Stock. See
“Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End.” The incentive stock
option was granted under the BigString Corporation 2006 Equity Incentive Plan
(the “Equity Incentive Plan”). When vested, 400,000 shares of Common
Stock subject to the incentive stock option will be eligible for purchase at
$0.24, the per share price equal to the Fair Market Value (as such term is
defined in the Equity Incentive Plan) of one share of Common Stock on date of
grant; 600,000 shares of Common Stock will be eligible for purchase at $0.50 per
share; 400,000 shares of Common Stock will be eligible for purchase at $0.90 per
share; and 400,000 shares of Common Stock will be eligible for purchase at $1.25
per share. The incentive stock option will vest quarterly over a
three year period in order of exercise price, with the shares with the lower
exercise price vesting first. As provided for in the Equity Incentive
Plan, the incentive stock option will fully vest in connection with a Change of
Control (as such term is defined therein).
In the
event Mr. DeMeulemeester’s employment is terminated by BigString for any reason
other than Cause (as defined in the Letter Agreement) after BigString is in
receipt of more than $2,000,000 in net proceeds as a result of one or more
offerings of its securities, or if Mr. DeMeulemeester’s employment is terminated
by BigString or a successor entity for any reason other than Cause after or in
connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the Equity Incentive Plan),
Mr. DeMeulemeester will receive a lump sum payment equal to two months of his
base salary, subject to any withholding required by law, within three days of
the date his employment is terminated.
No other officer or employee of
BigString has an employment agreement with BigString. At the
discretion of our Board of Directors, BigString may in the future enter into
employment agreements with one or more of its officers or other
employees.
2006
Equity Incentive Plan
Pursuant
to BigString’s Equity Incentive Plan, which was approved by the stockholders of
BigString at its 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, options to purchase up to
15,000,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted to employees and directors of
BigString who are in a position to make significant contributions to the success
of BigString. As of December 31, 2007, stock options to purchase
6,575,000 shares of Common Stock were outstanding under the Equity Incentive
Plan.
Securities
Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The
number of stock options outstanding under our Equity Incentive Plan, the
weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options, and the number of
securities remaining available for issuance, as of December 31, 2007, were as
follows:
2007
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN TABLE
Plan
category
|
|
Number
of
securities
to be
issued
upon exercise
of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and
rights
(a)
|
|
Weighted
average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
(b)
|
|
Number
of securities
remaining
available
for
future issuance
under
equity
compensation
plans
(excluding
securities
reflected
in column
(a))
(c)
|
Equity
compensation plans
approved
by security holders (1)
|
|
|
6,575,000
|
(2)
|
|
$
|
0.42
|
|
|
|
8,425,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans not
approved
by security holders
|
|
|
4,959,756
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
0.50
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
11,534,756
|
|
|
$
|
0.45
|
|
|
|
8,425,000
|
|
_________________________________
(1)
|
BigString
currently has no equity compensation plan other than the Equity Incentive
Plan described herein. With the exception of a non-qualified
stock option to purchase 575,100
shares of Common
Stock issued to Mr. Kieran Vogel in connection with his participation in
BigString’s OurPrisoner program, all outstanding stock options have been
granted under the Equity Incentive
Plan.
|
(2)
|
Represents
options to purchase Common Stock outstanding at December 31, 2007 issued
under the Equity Incentive
Plan.
|
(3)
|
Includes
warrants to purchase 4,384,656
shares of Common
Stock which were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2007 and
575,100 shares of Common Stock subject to an outstanding non-qualified
stock
option issued to
Kieran Vogel in connection with his participation in BigString’s
OurPrisoner program.
|
Equity Compensation Arrangements Not
Approved by Stockholders
Warrant
Grants During the Year Ended December 31, 2007
On May 1,
2007, BigString entered into a subscription agreement (the “Subscription
Agreement”), with Whalehaven Capital Fund Limited, Alpha Capital Anstalt,
Chestnut Ridge Partners LP, Iroquois Master Fund Ltd. and Penn Footwear
(collectively, the “Subscribers”), pursuant to which the Subscribers purchased
convertible promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of $800,000,
which promissory notes are convertible into shares of BigString’s Common Stock,
and warrants to purchase up to 1,777,778 shares of BigString’s Common
Stock. Each promissory note has a term of three (3) years and accrues
interest at a rate of 6% annually. The holder of a convertible
promissory note has the right from and after the issuance thereof until such
time as the convertible promissory note is fully paid, to convert any
outstanding and unpaid principal portion thereof into shares of common stock at
a conversion price of $0.15 per share (as adjusted). The conversion
price and number and kind of shares to be issued upon conversion of the
convertible promissory note is subject to adjustment from time to
time. Each of the warrants issued to the Subscribers have a term of
five years from May 1, 2007 and was fully vested on the date of
issuance. The outstanding warrants are exercisable at $0.30 per share
of common stock. The number of shares of common stock underlying each
warrant and the exercise price are subject to certain adjustments.
BigString
also issued to Gem Funding LLC (the “Finder”) warrants to purchase an aggregate
of 213,333 shares of BigString’s Common Stock. The Finder’s warrants
are similar to and carry the same rights as the warrants issued to the
Subscribers.
Additional
Outstanding Warrants at December 31, 2007
On
September 23, 2005, BigString granted two warrants to Shefts Associates, Inc. as
payment for consulting services. 1,196,707 shares of Common Stock
remain available for purchase under one warrant at a per share purchase price
of $0.16 and 1,146,838 shares of Common Stock remain available for
purchase under one warrant at a per share purchase price
of $0.20. Each of these warrants is set to expire on
September 23, 2010.
On May 2,
2006, BigString granted two warrants to Lifeline Industries, Inc. as payment for
consulting services. 225,000 shares of Common Stock remain available
for purchase under one warrant at a per share purchase price of $0.48 and
225,000 shares of Common Stock remain available for purchase under one warrant
at a per share purchase price of $1.00. Each of these warrants is set
to expire on May 2, 2011.
On May
19, 2006, BigString granted three warrants to Witches Rock Portfolio Ltd., The
Tudor BVI Global Portfolio Ltd., and Tudor Proprietary Trading, L.L.C. as part
of an investment. An aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock
remain available for purchase under each warrant at a per share purchase price
of $1.25. Each of these warrants is set to expire on May
19, 2016.
On July
11, 2006, BigString issued a non-qualified stock option to purchase 575,100
shares of Common Stock to Kiernan Vogel in connection with his participation in
BigString
’
s
OurPrisoner program. The non-qualified stock option has a term of
five years from July 11, 2006 and an exercise price of $0.32 per
share.
On
December 1, 2006, BigString granted two warrants to two consultants as payment
for advisory services. 100,000 shares of Common Stock in aggregate
remain available for purchase under each warrant at a per share
purchase price of $0.50. Each of these warrants is set to expire on
December 1, 2011.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The
following table provides information about all equity compensation awards held
by the Named Executive Officers at December 31, 2007:
Outstanding
Equity Awards
for Fiscal Year End
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
|
|
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
|
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
|
|
|
|
Darin
M.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Myman,
President
and
Chief
Executive
Officer
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
S.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DeMeulemeester,
|
|
11/14/07
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
(1)
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
11/14/17
|
|
Executive
Vice
|
|
9/18/06
|
|
|
|
400,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
0.24
|
|
|
9/18/16
|
|
President,
Chief
|
|
9/18/06
|
|
|
|
600,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
0.50
|
|
|
9/18/16
|
|
Financial
Officer
|
|
9/18/06
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
350,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
0.90
|
|
|
9/18/16
|
|
and
Treasurer
|
|
9/18/06
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
400,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
1.25
|
|
|
9/18/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adam
M. Kotkin,
|
|
11/14/07
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
(1)
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
|
11/14/17
|
|
Chief
Operating
Officer
and
Secretary
|
|
7/11/06
|
|
|
|
1,250,000
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
0.32
|
|
|
7/11/11
|
|
__________________________
(1)
|
25%
of the shares of Common Stock underlying the stock option vests three
months, six months, nine months and twelve months, respectively, from the
date of grant.
|
(2)
|
Shares
of Common Stock underlying the stock option vest quarterly over a three
year period from the date of grant in order of exercise price, with the
shares with the lower exercise price vesting
first.
|
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
The
following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of the
non-employee directors of BigString for the year ended December 31,
2007.
2007
Director Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
Fees
Earned
or
Paid
in
Cash
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
|
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Darin
M. Myman
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
S.
DeMeulemeester
(2)
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adam
M. Kotkin (4)
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc
W. Dutton
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
14,201
|
(5)
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
14,201
|
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Todd
M. Ross
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
10,651
|
(6)
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
10,651
|
(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lee
E. Rosenberg
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
3,550
|
(7)
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
3,550
|
(7)
|
_________________________
(1)
|
BigString
does not currently pay its directors any retainer or other fees for
service on the Board or any committee
thereof.
|
(2)
|
The
amounts in this column reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial
statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2007 in accordance with FAS 123(R), of stock options awards pursuant to
the Equity Incentive Plan. Assumptions used in the calculation of
these amounts are included in the footnotes to BigString’s audited
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
included in BigString’s Annual Report on Form
10-KSB.
|
(3)
|
On
November 14, 2007, in connection with his service as Chief Financial
Officer, Mr. DeMeulemeester was granted an incentive stock option to
purchase 500,000 shares of Common Stock. 25% of the shares of
Common Stock underlying the stock option vests three months, six months,
nine months and twelve months, respectively, from the date of
grant. The incentive stock option has a term of ten years and
an exercise price of $0.18 per share. See “Summary Compensation
Table” above.
|
(4)
|
On
November 14, 2007, in connection with his service as Chief Operating
Officer, Mr. Kotkin was granted an incentive stock option to purchase
400,000 shares of Common Stock. 25% of the shares of Common
Stock underlying the stock option vests three months, six months, nine
months and twelve months, respectively, from the date of
grant. The incentive stock option has a term of ten years and
an exercise price of $0.18 per share. See “Summary Compensation
Table” above.
|
(5)
|
On
November 14, 2007, Mr. Dutton was granted a stock option to purchase
400,000 shares of Common Stock. 25% of the shares of Common
Stock underlying the stock option vests three months, six months, nine
months and twelve months, respectively, from the date of
grant. The incentive stock option has a term of ten years and
an exercise price of $0.18 per
share.
|
(6)
|
On
November 14, 2007, Mr. Ross was granted a stock option to purchase 300,000
shares of Common
|
Stock. 25%
of the shares of Common Stock underlying the stock option vests three months,
six months, nine months and twelve months, respectively, from the date of
grant. The incentive stock option has a term of ten years and an
exercise price of $0.18 per share.
(7)
|
On
November 14, 2007, Mr. Rosenberg was granted a stock option to purchase
100,000 shares of Common Stock. 25% of the shares of Common
Stock underlying the stock option vests three months, six months, nine
months and twelve months, respectively, from the date of
grant. The incentive stock option has a term of ten years and
an exercise price of $0.18 per
share.
|
The
following table sets forth the outstanding equity awards held by each
non-employee director of BigString Corporation as of December 31,
2007:
Name
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
|
|
|
Marc
W. Dutton
|
700,000
|
|
|
Lee
E. Rosenberg
|
400,000
|
|
|
Todd
M. Ross
|
600,000
|
See
“Outstanding Equity Awards for Fiscal Year-End December 31, 2007” above for
information regarding outstanding equity compensation awards held by the Named
Executive Officers at December 31, 2007.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
BigString did not enter into any
related party transactions during the year ended December 31, 2007.
SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires BigString’s executive officers and directors,
and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of BigString’s
equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership on
Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Executive officers, directors and greater than ten
percent stockholders are required by Securities and Exchange Commission
regulation to furnish BigString with copies of all Forms 3, 4 and 5 they
file.
BigString
believes that all filings required to be made by its executive officers and
directors pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act have been filed within
the time periods prescribed, except for a Form 4 filed by each of Mr.
DeMeulemeester, Mr. Dutton, Mr. Kotkin, Mr. Rosenberg, and Mr.
Ross after the prescribed due date in connection with a grant of stock
options under the Equity Incentive Plan to such directors, with the exception of
Mr. Myman.
STOCKHOLDER
COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIRECTORS
The Board has adopted a formal process
to be followed for those stockholders who wish to communicate directly with the
Board or any individual director of BigString. A stockholder can
contact the Board, or any individual director, by sending a written
communication to: BigString Corporation, c/o Chairman of the Board, 3
Harding Road, Suite E, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701. A stockholder’s
letter should also indicate that he, she or it is a stockholder of
BigString. The Chairman shall either (1) distribute such
communication to the Board, or a member or members thereof, as appropriate,
depending upon the facts and circumstances described in the communication
received; or (2) determine that the communication should not be forwarded to the
Board because, in his or her judgment, (a) the communication is primarily
commercial in nature and relates to BigString’s ordinary business or relates to
a topic that is improper or not relevant to the Board; or (b) BigString’s
management can adequately handle the stockholder inquiry or request, in which
case the inquiry or request will be forwarded to the appropriate
individual. If a stockholder communication is addressed to one or
more members of the Board, but not the entire Board, the Chairman shall notify
any member of the Board to whom such communication was not addressed that such
communication was received and shall provide a copy of such communication upon
request.
At each Board meeting, the Chairman
shall present a summary of all communications received since the last Board
meeting which were not forwarded to the Board, as well as the basis for the
determination by the Chairman as to why the communications were not forwarded to
the Board, and shall make those communications available upon
request.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
Stockholder
proposals for presentation at BigString’s next annual meeting of stockholders
must be received by BigString at its principal executive offices for inclusion
in its proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting no later than
December 31, 2008. BigString’s By-laws contain certain procedures
which must be followed in connection with stockholder proposals.
ANNUAL
REPORT
BigString’s
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007 accompanies
this Proxy Statement. Wiener, Goodman & Company, P.C. has audited
the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007, which statements
are contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB. Such Annual
Report, including the audited financial statements contained therein, is not
incorporated in this Proxy Statement and is not to be deemed a part of the proxy
soliciting material.
RELATIONSHIP
WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Selection
of the independent public accounting firm for BigString is made by the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors. Wiener, Goodman & Company,
P.C. was BigString’s independent public accounting firm for the year ended
December 31, 2007.
The Audit
Committee has selected Wiener, Goodman & Company, P.C. to serve as
BigString’s independent public accounting firm for the year ended December 31,
2008. A representative of Wiener, Goodman & Company, P.C. will be
present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement
if the representative desires to do so. Said representative will also
be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders of
BigString.
OTHER
MATTERS
It is not
expected that any matter not referred to herein will be presented for action at
the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before
the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the proxies or authorized substitutes
will have discretion to vote on such matters and on matters incident to the
conduct of the Annual Meeting in accordance with their best
judgment.
ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB
On written request, BigString will
provide without charge to each record or beneficial holder of BigString’s Common
Stock, a copy of BigString’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended
December 31, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Requests should be addressed to Mr. Darin M. Myman,
President and Chief Executive Officer, BigString Corporation, 3 Harding Road,
Suite E, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701. It should be noted that a copy
of the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB accompanies this Proxy
Statement.
ALL
STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THEIR PROXIES WITHOUT
DELAY TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER COMPANY IN THE SELF ADDRESSED, POSTAGE
PREPAID ENVELOPE ENCLOSED HEREWITH. PROMPT RESPONSE IS HELPFUL AND
YOUR COOPERATION WILL BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
|
By
Order of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
/s/
Adam M. Kotkin
|
|
|
|
Adam
M. Kotkin
|
|
Secretary
|
REVOCABLE
PROXY
BIGSTRING
CORPORATION
ý
PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTES
AS IN THIS EXAMPLE
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON
BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
For
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to
be held on May 29, 2008
The
undersigned, a stockholder of BIGSTRING CORPORATION, hereby constitutes and
appoints DARIN M. MYMAN and ADAM M. KOTKIN, and each of them, as proxies of the
undersigned with full power of substitution, for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned, to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of said
BIGSTRING CORPORATION called and to be held at the law firm of Giordano,
Halleran & Ciesla, P.C., 125 Half Mile Road, Red Bank, Suite 300, New
Jersey, on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. (the “Annual Meeting”) and any
adjournment or postponement thereof, and thereat to vote as designated hereon
the number of shares the undersigned would be entitled to vote and with all
powers the undersigned would possess if personally present.
|
1.
To elect the following nominees for director who will serve on the Board
of Directors of BigString Corporation until the next annual meeting of
stockholders and until their successors have been elected and
qualify:
|
|
|
|
Robert
S. DeMeulemeester, Marc W. Dutton, Adam M. Kotkin, Darin M. Myman and Todd
M. Ross
|
|
|
|
INSTRUCTION: To
withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark “For All
Except” and write that nominee’s name in the space provided
below.
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
WITHHOLD
|
FOR
ALL EXCEPT
|
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
|
______________________
|
|
______________________
|
|
|
|
2.
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting or any further adjournment or postponement
thereof.
|
|
|
|
THIS
PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN A MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY
THE BELOW SIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTOR.
|
|
|
Please
be sure to sign and date
this
Proxy in the box below.
|
Date
,
2008
|
|
|
Stockholder
sign above
|
Co-holder
(if any) sign above
|
Ç
Detach
above card, sign, date and mail in postage paid envelope provided.
Ç
BIGSTRING
CORPORATION
Please
sign exactly as your name appears hereon. When shares are held
by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as
such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by
President or other authorized officer. If a partnership or
limited liability company, please sign in partnership or limited liability
company name by authorized person.
|
PLEASE
MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY
PROMPTLY
USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
BigString (CE) (USOTC:BSGC)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Abr 2024 até Mai 2024
BigString (CE) (USOTC:BSGC)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Mai 2023 até Mai 2024