UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

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 Preliminary Proxy Statement

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THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)


(Name of person(s) filing proxy statement, if other than the registrant)

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THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

1150 15TH STREET, NW │  WASHINGTON, DC 20071 │  (202) 334-6000

 

 

 

March 27, 2013

 

 

 

TO  OUR  SHAREHOLDERS:  

 

You are cordially invited to the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Washington Post Company (the “Company”), which will be held in the Auditorium, The Washington Post Building, 1150 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20071, on Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 9:00 a.m.

 

At the Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”), there will be a report on the Company’s activities, and Directors will be elected for the ensuing year. In addition, the Class A Shareholders will have an advisory vote on whether to approve the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers for 2012.

 

It is important that your shares be represented at the Meeting. Please sign the accompanying Proxy and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you plan to attend, kindly so indicate in the space provided on the Proxy. You may also vote your shares by telephone or on the Internet. If you choose to vote your shares by telephone or on the Internet, please follow the instructions in the enclosed Proxy.

 

Sincerely yours,

/s/ Donald E. Graham

DONALD  E. GRAHAM   

Chairman

 

 

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

 

 

Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders — May 9, 2013

 

 

The 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Washington Post Company will be held in the Auditorium, The Washington Post Building, 1150 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20071, on Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time, for the following purposes:

 

1.  To elect Directors for the ensuing year, as more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

2.  For the Class A Shareholders, on an advisory basis, to vote on whether to approve the compensation paid to the named executive officers of the Company for 2012.

3.  To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has fixed the close of business on March 4, 2013, as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.

 

It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the Meeting. Please sign and return your Proxy at your earliest convenience. You may also vote your shares by telephone or on the Internet. If you choose to vote your shares by telephone or on the Internet, please follow the instructions in the enclosed Proxy. You may revoke your Proxy at any time before it has been voted at the Meeting. You may vote in person at the Meeting even if you returned a Proxy, provided that you first revoke your previously voted Proxy.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

VERONICA DILLON, Secretary

 

March 27, 2013

Washington, DC

 

THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY

1150 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20071

  

March 27, 2013

 

This Proxy Statement contains information relating to the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Washington Post Company to be held at the Company’s headquarters, 1150 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20071, on Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time, or any adjournments thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying forms of Proxy and voting instructions are being delivered to shareholders on or about March 27, 2013. The Board of Directors of the Company is making this Proxy solicitation.

 

Important notice regarding the availability of Proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 9, 2013. This Proxy Statement and the Annual Report to Shareholders are available at www.washpostco.com.

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

Q:   What am I voting on?

 

A:    You are voting on the election of Directors for a term of one year. A Board of eleven Directors is to be elected, seven by the holders of Class A Stock voting separately as a class and four by the holders of Class B Stock voting separately as a class. All Directors will hold office until the next Annual Meeting or until their respective successors shall have been elected and shall have qualified or as otherwise provided in the bylaws of the Company.

 

In the event that any nominee withdraws or for any reason is not able to serve as a Director, Donald E. Graham, Hal S. Jones, Veronica Dillon and Gerald M. Rosberg, acting as your proxies, may vote for such other person as the Board of Directors may nominate.

 

In addition, if you are a holder of Class A Stock, you are voting on whether to approve the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers for 2012. In accordance with rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), these votes are advisory in nature and non-binding.

 

Each of your shares entitles you to one vote with respect to each matter on which you may vote.

 

Q:   What are the voting recommendations of the Board?

 

A:   The Board recommends voting for each of the nominated Directors listed on the Proxy card. The Board knows of no reason that would cause any nominee to be unable to act or to refuse to accept nomination or election.

The Board recommends voting for the approval of the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers for 2012.

 

Q:   Will any other matters be voted on?

 

A:    We are not aware of any matters to be voted on other than the election of Directors and the Class A Shareholder advisory vote on compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers for 2012. If any other matter is properly brought before the Meeting, Donald E. Graham, Hal S. Jones, Veronica Dillon and Gerald M. Rosberg, acting as your proxies, will vote for you at their discretion.

 

Q:   How do I vote?

 

A:    There are four ways to vote:

•  By Internet at www.investorvote.com. We encourage you to vote this way;

•  By toll-free telephone at 1-800-652-8683;

•  By completing and mailing your Proxy card; or

•  By written ballot at the Meeting.

 

If you vote by Internet or telephone, your vote must be received by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time, on the day before the Meeting. Your shares will be voted as you indicate. If you are a Class B Shareholder and do not indicate your voting preferences, Donald E. Graham, Hal S. Jones, Veronica Dillon and Gerald M. Rosberg, acting as your proxies, will vote your shares in favor of the applicable nominated Directors.

 

 

If you are a Class A Shareholder and do not indicate your voting preferences, the foregoing persons, acting as your proxies, will vote your shares in favor of the applicable nominated Directors, and for approval of the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers for 2012.

 

Q:   Who can vote?

 

A:    You can vote if you were a shareholder of record as of the close of business on March 4, 2013 (the “Record Date”). If you hold shares in street name, your broker, bank or other nominee will instruct you as to how your shares may be voted by proxy, including whether telephonic or Internet voting options are available. You may not vote shares held in street name in person at the Meeting unless you have a Proxy executed in your favor by your broker, bank or other nominee.

 

In accordance with the Company’s constitutive documents and under Delaware corporate law, only Class A Shareholders are entitled to vote on Proposal 2: Approval of 2012 Compensation Awarded to Named Executive Officers. If you are a Class B Shareholder, you are entitled to vote on Proposal 1: Election of Directors.

 

Q:   Can I change my vote?

 

A:    Yes. You can change your vote or revoke your Proxy at any time before the Meeting by:

•  Entering a new vote by Internet or telephone;

•  Returning a later-dated Proxy card; or

•  Voting in person at the Meeting, provided you first revoke your previously voted Proxy.

 

Q:  What vote is required to approve a proposal?

 

A:   Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting. This means that the seven Class A Shareholder nominees receiving the highest number of votes and the four Class B Shareholder nominees receiving the highest number of votes cast shall be elected. You do not have the right to cumulate votes in the election of Directors. A properly executed Proxy marked “WITHHELD” with respect to the election of one or more Directors will not be voted with respect to the Director or Directors indicated, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Meeting.

 

While the proposal to approve the 2012 compensation awarded to the Company’s named executive officers is non-binding and advisory in nature, it will be approved only on the favorable vote of a majority of the Class A Shareholders present or represented at the Meeting.

 

Broker non-votes will have no impact on the voting results for any of the proposals presented at the Meeting, and abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal to approve the 2012 compensation awarded to the Company’s named executive officers. Broker non-votes and abstentions will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.

 

Q:  Who will count the vote?

 

A:  Computershare, the Company’s transfer agent and registrar, will count the vote. One of its representatives will be included among the persons authorized to certify the vote.

 

Q:  Who can attend the Meeting?

 

A:  All shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 4, 2013, can attend.

 

Q:  What do I need to do to attend the Meeting?

 

A:  To attend the Meeting, please follow these instructions:

•  If you vote by using the enclosed Proxy card, check the appropriate box on the card.

•  If you vote by Internet or telephone, follow the instructions provided for attendance.

•  If a broker or other nominee holds your shares, bring proof of your ownership with you to the Meeting.

 

Seating at the Meeting will be on a first-come, first-served basis upon arrival at the Meeting.

 

Q:  Can I bring a guest?

 

A:  No. The Meeting is for shareholders only.

 

 

Q:  What is the quorum requirement of the Meeting?

 

A:  A majority of the outstanding shares on March 4, 2013, constitutes a quorum for voting at the Annual Meeting, except that (i) for purposes of the election of seven Directors by the holders of Class A Common Stock (Proposal 1) and the advisory vote on whether to approve the compensation paid to the named executive officers of the Company in 2012 (Proposal 2), a quorum requires a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock on March 4, 2013, and (ii) for purposes of the election of four Directors by the holders of Class B Common Stock (Proposal 1), a quorum requires a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock on March 4, 2013. If you vote, your shares will be part of the quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted in determining the quorum. On March 4, 2013, there were 1,219,383 shares of Class A Common Stock and 6,204,349 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote.  

 

Q:  Who is soliciting Proxies?

 

A:  Solicitation of Proxies will be made by the Company’s management through the mail, in person, on the Internet or by telephone, without any additional compensation being paid to such members of the Company’s management. The cost of such solicitation will be borne by the Company. In addition, the Company has requested brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward Proxy cards and Proxy soliciting material to shareholders, and the Company will pay their fees and reimburse them for their expenses in so doing.

 

Q:  When are the shareholder proposals due for the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?

 

A:  Shareholder proposals submitted by shareholders entitled to vote on such matters, meeting the requirements of the SEC’s proxy rules, must be in writing, received by November 27, 2013, and addressed to the Secretary of the Company at 1150 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20071.

 

Holders of Class B Stock are entitled to vote for the election of 30% of the members of the Board of Directors (and, if required by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, on management proposals to reserve shares for stock options or to acquire the stock or assets of other companies under certain circumstances). In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, proposals submitted on other matters by holders of Class B Stock have not been, and will not be, included in the Company’s Proxy materials for the Meeting.

 

Q:  What other information about The Washington Post Company is available?

 

A:  The following information is available:

 

•  The Company maintains on its website, www.washpostco.com, copies of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Annual Report to Shareholders, the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Statement of Ethical Principles, the Code of Business Conduct, the Audit Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee Charter and other information about the Company.

 

•  In addition, printed copies of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Statement of Ethical Principles, the Code of Business Conduct, the Audit Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee Charter, the Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Annual Report to Shareholders will be furnished without charge (except exhibits) to any shareholder upon written request addressed to the Treasurer of the Company at 1150 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20071.

 

Q:  Can I receive materials relating to the Meeting electronically?

 

A:  To assist the Company in reducing costs related to the Annual Meeting, shareholders who vote via the Internet may consent to electronic delivery of mailings related to future annual shareholder meetings. The Company also makes its Proxy Statements and Annual Reports available online and may eliminate mailing hard copies of these documents to those shareholders who consent in advance to electronic distribution. If you hold shares in your own name and you are voting via the Internet, you may consent online when you vote. If you hold shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker, please refer to the information provided by the intermediary for instructions on how to consent to electronic distribution.

 

PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

NOMINEES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The Company seeks Directors of the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and business acumen who are committed to representing the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders. In considering its composition, the Board considers the skills and experience of prospective nominees in the context of the needs of the Board and seeks Directors who are “independent” under applicable law and listing standards, despite being exempt from such requirement as a “controlled company.” The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines do not prescribe specific standards regarding the diversity of the Board, but the Board considers as a matter of practice the diversity of prospective nominees (including incumbent Directors), both culturally and in terms of the range of perspectives that the Board as a whole brings to its work. The following nominees for Director have established records of accomplishment in areas relevant to the Company’s strategy and operations and share characteristics identified in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Statement of Ethical Principles as essential to a well-functioning deliberative body: honesty, integrity, independence, competence, diligence and commitment to the interests of all shareholders to build long-term shareholder value.

 

The Company is a diversified education and media company serving customers in a rapidly evolving, highly regulated, competitive and technological environment. The Directors’ expertise and experience encompass the areas of education, media, technology, marketing, international business and finance, journalism, law and public policy. All of the Directors have held senior positions as leaders of complex organizations (both for-profit and non-profit) and gained expertise in core management skills, such as strategy and business development, innovation, line operations, brand management, finance, compensation and leadership development, compliance and risk management. They have significant experience in corporate governance and oversight through their positions as senior executives and as Directors (or Trustees) of public companies and other institutions, and many have served as members of audit, compensation and governance committees at such companies or institutions, as well as at the Company. These skills and experience are pertinent to the Company’s current and evolving business strategies, as well as to the Board’s oversight role, and enable the Company’s Directors to provide diverse perspectives about the complex issues facing the Company.

 

The following biographies highlight specific qualifications, skills and experience of each of the Director nominees.

 

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION BY CLASS A SHAREHOLDERS

 

Lee C. Bollinger

 

Mr. Bollinger, age 66, has served as the 19th President of Columbia University since June 2002. Prior to becoming President of Columbia University, where he also serves as a member of the Law School faculty, Mr. Bollinger served as President of the University of Michigan for five years and as Dean of the University of Michigan Law School for seven years. He is a Trustee of the Kresge Foundation and was Chairman of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York until December 2012. Mr. Bollinger is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards, most notably for his national leadership in defending affirmative action, for his service in higher education and for his scholarship and leadership in defense of freedom of speech and press. He has served as a Director of the Company since May 2007 and is a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board. Mr. Bollinger’s experience in higher education and at a variety of educational institutions facing differing challenges and opportunities is of particular relevance to the Company’s higher education business segment and other education-related initiatives, but also reflects his commitment to principles — notably freedom of speech and press — that are the foundation of the Company’s businesses. In his former role as a Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Mr. Bollinger gained experience in financial matters, particularly those affecting national economies and financial and market systems.

 

Barry Diller

 

Mr. Diller, age 71, has served as Chairman and Senior Executive of IAC/InterActiveCorp, an interactive commerce company, since December 2010; Chairman and Senior Executive of Expedia, Inc., an online travel company, since August 2005; and Chairman and Senior Executive of TripAdvisor, Inc., an online travel site, since December 2011. He has served as a Director of the Company since September 2000 and is a member of the Finance, Executive and Compensation Committees of the Board. Prior to his service at IAC/InterActiveCorp (and its predecessor companies), which commenced in August 1995, Mr. Diller was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of QVC, Inc. from December 1992 through December 1994. From October 1984 to April 1992, Mr. Diller served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Fox, Inc. and was responsible for the creation of Fox Broadcasting Company, in addition to Fox’s motion picture operations. Prior to joining Fox, Inc., he served for ten years as

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation. Mr. Diller previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IAC/InterActiveCorp (and its predecessor companies) from August 1995 through December 1, 2010. Mr. Diller also previously served as the non-executive Chairman of the Board of Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. from August 2008 through January 2010 and as non-executive Chairman of the Board of Live Nation Entertainment from January 2010 through October 2010 and remained a member of the Board of Live Nation Entertainment through January 2011. He is President and a Director of The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, and a Director of The Coca-Cola Company and The Newsweek/Daily Beast Company LLC. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of New York University, a member of the Board of Councilors of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema-Television and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Diller’s experience and leadership roles in the media and Internet sectors, including his experience with the challenges and opportunities associated with the digital transformation of the media industry, are of particular relevance to the Company’s business strategy. Mr. Diller’s significant experience across a variety of media and in the design, execution and oversight of new-media initiatives, as well as the distribution and monetization of Internet traffic across multiple advertising models, brings a vital perspective to the Board’s deliberations about the Company’s outlook and plans. Based on his service as a Director of other public companies, Mr. Diller also has experience in governance matters affecting organizations of comparable size and scope as the Company.

 

David Goldberg

 

Mr. Goldberg, age 45, has served as Chief Executive Officer of SurveyMonkey, an online survey company, since April 2009. He was elected a Director of the Company in September 2012 and is a member of the Finance Committee. Mr. Goldberg founded LAUNCH Media, Inc. in 1994, a company dedicated to delivering music and music-related content online, and he led the company through its acquisition by Yahoo! in 2001. Following the sale, Mr. Goldberg served as Vice President and General Manager of Yahoo! Music until 2007. From 2007 until he joined SurveyMonkey in 2009, Mr. Goldberg served as an Entrepreneur in Residence with Benchmark Capital, where he evaluated investment opportunities for the firm and advised portfolio companies. Earlier in his career, Mr. Goldberg was Director of Marketing Strategy and New Business Development at Capitol Records. He currently serves on the board of directors of several private companies, including ancestry.com and Dashbox. Mr. Goldberg is also a trustee of the New Schools Venture Fund, an Oakland, California non-profit helping to build high-quality education organizations. Mr. Goldberg’s significant experience and leadership roles in the media and Internet sectors, including his experience with the challenges and opportunities associated with the digital evolution of the music industry, are of particular relevance to the Company’s business strategy. Mr. Goldberg’s experience in the technology sector, his role as a Director for a non-profit education organization, as well as his years spent in entrepreneurial roles, brings a vital perspective to the Board’s deliberations about the Company’s outlook and plans.

 

Donald E. Graham

 

Mr. Graham, age 67, has served as Chairman of the Board of the Company since September 1993 and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 1991. Mr. Graham served as President of the Company between May 1991 and September 1993. He also was Publisher of The Washington Post for 21 years, a position he held between 1979 and 2000. Mr. Graham has been a Director of the Company since 1974 and is Chairman of the Executive Committee and a member of the Finance Committee of the Board. By virtue of his ownership of 60.1% of the outstanding Class A Stock of the Company and his right to control the vote as a trustee of certain family trusts of an additional 26.5% of such stock, Mr. Graham effectively votes a total of 86.6% of the Class A shares. Mr. Graham has been a Director of Facebook, Inc. since December 2008, where he is Chairman of the Governance Committee and serves on the Compensation Committee. Mr. Graham is a Trustee of the Federal City Council, the College Success Foundation, the Philip L. Graham Fund, the Summit Fund of Washington and KIPP-DC. He serves as Chairman of the Board and as a Director of the DC College Access Program. As a result of his substantial and long-standing shareholdings in the Company and his tenure in various executive roles at the Company, Mr. Graham provides a unique perspective to the Board about the strategic and operational opportunities and challenges, economic and industry trends, and competitive and financial positioning of the Company and its businesses, as well as the Company’s historic role in journalistic enterprise and the promotion of the core values of freedom of the press and journalistic integrity. Mr. Graham is an uncle of the Publisher of The Washington Post and Chief Executive of Washington Post Media, Katharine Weymouth, who also serves as a member of the Board.

 

 

Ronald L. Olson

 

Mr. Olson, age 71, has been a partner since 1970 in the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, which is one of several law firms that were retained by a subsidiary of the Company in 2012 and which may again be retained in 2013. He has served as a Director of the Company since September 2003 and serves on the Executive Committee. Mr. Olson is a Director of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Edison International and City National Corporation, and is a Trustee of Western Asset Funds. He is a Director and serves on the Audit Committee of the non-profit RAND Corporation and is a Director of a number of other non-profit organizations, including the California Institute of Technology, the Mayo Clinic and ProPublica. As a partner of a major law firm specializing in corporate and financial matters, Mr. Olson has significant experience in financial, transactional, litigation and compliance matters involving public companies in the United States, as well as public policy challenges facing companies with global operations. As a Director of other public companies and as an advisor to public company boards of directors, Mr. Olson also has experience in governance matters affecting organizations of comparable size and scope as the Company.

 

G. Richard Wagoner, Jr.

 

Mr. Wagoner, age 60, retired from General Motors Corporation (“GM”) in August 2009 after a 32-year career. He has served as a Director of the Company since June 2010 and is a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Wagoner served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GM from May 2003 through March 2009 and had been President and Chief Executive Officer since June 2000. Other positions he held at GM include Executive Vice President and President of North American Operations, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Worldwide Purchasing, and President and Managing Director of General Motors do Brasil. On June 1, 2009, GM and its affiliates filed voluntary petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Mr. Wagoner was not an Executive Officer or Director of GM at the time of that filing. Mr. Wagoner is a member of the Board of Directors of Aleris International, Inc. and Rivian Automotive. In addition, he is a member of the Global Advisory Board of AEA Investors and he advises a number of start-up and early-stage ventures. Mr. Wagoner is Chair of the Board of Trustees of Duke University and a member of Duke’s Fuqua School of Business Advisory Board. He is a member of the Mayor of Shanghai, China’s International Business Leaders Advisory Council. Through his leadership roles at GM and other activities, Mr. Wagoner has significant experience in general management, global business, marketing and advertising, finance, technology, procurement and management development, as well as with public company financial reporting obligations and corporate governance matters affecting organizations of comparable size and scope as the Company.

 

Katharine Weymouth

 

Ms. Weymouth, age 46, is Chief Executive Officer of Washington Post Media, a unit of the Company that includes The Washington Post, Express and El Tiempo Latino, and Publisher of The Washington Post. She was named to both positions in February 2008. Ms. Weymouth became a Director of the Company in September 2010 and she currently serves on the Finance Committee of the Board. She joined the Company in 1996 as Assistant General Counsel of The Washington Post and has held various positions over the past sixteen years. Ms. Weymouth has held several positions within The Washington Post’s advertising department, including Director of the department’s jobs unit, Director of Advertising Sales and Vice President of Advertising. She also served as Associate Counsel of Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive, then the online publishing subsidiary of The Washington Post Company. She serves as a Director of The Associated Press and NewsRight. Ms. Weymouth’s various roles within the Company give her extensive background in the media business in both operational and oversight roles, and her current position gives her an important perspective on the Company’s commitment to quality journalism and overall media strategy. Ms. Weymouth is a niece of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Graham.

 

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION BY CLASS B SHAREHOLDERS

 

Christopher C. Davis

 

Mr. Davis, age 47, has served as Chairman of Davis Selected Advisers, Inc., an investment counseling firm since 1998. He has served as a Director of the Company since January 2006 and is a member of the Audit, Finance and Executive Committees of the Board. Mr. Davis became lead Director in May 2011. Mr. Davis is also a Director and officer of a number of mutual funds advised by Davis Selected Advisers, L.P., as well as other entities controlled by

 

Davis Selected Advisers, L.P. Mr. Davis is a Director of the Hudson Highland Land Trust and a Trustee of the American Museum of Natural History and the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund. Mr. Davis brings financial and investment experience to the work of the Board, including particular experience in evaluating strategic opportunities, transactions and investments. Mr. Davis also has experience in public company financial reporting, accounting and compliance matters, as well as significant leadership and institutional organizational experience from his service on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.

 

Thomas S. Gayner

 

Mr. Gayner, age 51, has served as President and Chief Investment Officer of Markel Corporation, a publicly traded financial holding company headquartered in Glen Allen, Virginia, since May 2010. Mr. Gayner has served as a Director of the Company since January 2007 and is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. Since 1990, he has served as President of Markel Gayner Asset Management; he served as a Director of Markel Corporation from 1998 to 2003. Previously, he was a certified public accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and a Vice President of Davenport & Company of Virginia. Mr. Gayner serves on the Board of Directors of Colfax Corporation, The Davis Series Mutual Funds and the Community Foundation of Richmond. Mr. Gayner brings to the Board the leadership, management oversight and financial skills gained in his role as a senior manager and Director of Markel Corporation. Through his educational background and experience as a senior officer of an asset management firm, Mr. Gayner has significant experience in public company financial reporting, accounting and financial control matters, as well as experience in the analysis of strategic investment opportunities.

 

Anne M. Mulcahy

 

Mrs. Mulcahy, age 60, served as Chairman of the Board of Xerox Corporation from 2002 until 2010 and served as Chief Executive Officer from 2001 through June 2009. From May 2000 through July 2001, she was President and Chief Operating Officer of Xerox. Mrs. Mulcahy has served as a Director of the Company since January 2008. She is Chairman of the Compensation Committee and also serves on the Executive Committee. Mrs. Mulcahy began her Xerox career as a field sales representative and assumed positions with increasing responsibility in sales and senior management. She was Vice President for Human Resources before becoming Chief Staff Officer and later Corporate Senior Vice President. She is a Director of Target Corporation, Johnson & Johnson and the non-profit organization Save the Children, where she serves as Board Chairman. Mrs. Mulcahy was a Director of Citigroup, Inc. until May 2010. As a result of the various leadership roles in which she has served at Xerox Corporation, Mrs. Mulcahy has experience in the core management skills relevant to a global branded organization, including matters relating to strategic oversight and execution. Her experience in compensation, benefits, human resource strategy and management development provides an important perspective to the Board’s deliberations about those matters, particularly given the significant size of the Company’s workforce. As a Director of other public companies, Mrs. Mulcahy also has experience in governance matters affecting organizations of comparable size and scope as the Company.

 

Larry D. Thompson

 

Mr. Thompson, age 67, has served as Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of PepsiCo, Inc., a global food and beverage company, since June 2012. From October 2004 to May 2011, when he retired from the position, Mr. Thompson served as a Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of PepsiCo, Inc.  Mr. Thompson has served as a Director of the Company since June 2011 and is a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Thompson serves as a Trustee of The Brookings Institution and as a Director of the National Center for State Courts and various Franklin, Templeton and Mutual Series Funds, and is Honorary Chairman of the Georgia Justice Project. His government career included serving in the U.S. Department of Justice as Deputy Attorney General and leading the Department’s National Security Coordination Council. In 2002, President George W. Bush named Mr. Thompson to head the Corporate Fraud Task Force. Previously, Mr. Thompson had been a partner in the Atlanta law firm of King & Spalding, where he practiced in the antitrust and litigation departments. He served as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia and was later appointed Independent Counsel for the Department of Housing and Urban Development Investigation by the Special Panel of the U.S. Circuit Court Judges appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court. He is an elected Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. Mr. Thompson is a recipient of the Edmund Jennings Randolph Award for outstanding contributions to the accomplishment of the Department of Justice’s mission, the Outstanding Litigator Award by the Federal Bar Association and the A. T. Walden Award for outstanding accomplishments to the legal profession by the Gate City Bar Association in Atlanta. Through his previous roles in the U.S. Department of Justice and at PepsiCo, Mr. Thompson brings to the Board extensive legal experience in both a governmental and corporate setting. As a

 

Director of other public companies, he also has significant experience with corporate governance matters and reporting obligations.

 

the board of directors recommends a vote “for” the election of each of the nominated directors.

 

Board Committees

 

The standing committees of the Board include the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Finance Committee and Executive Committee.

 

Given the ownership structure of the Company and its status as a “controlled company” (see page 12), the Board does not have a nominating committee. Decisions on nominees to the Board are made through consultation among the Chairman of the Board and the other members of the Board. The Company has not utilized the services of any third party to assist in identifying and evaluating nominees. Mr. Goldberg was elected to the Board in September 2012. He was recommended by one of the Directors of the Company.

 

Audit Committee

 

The functions of the Audit Committee include overseeing (i) management’s conduct of the Company’s financial reporting process (including the development and maintenance of systems of internal accounting and financial controls); (ii) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements; (iii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iv) the qualifications and independence of the Company’s outside auditor; (v) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function; (vi) the outside auditor’s annual audit of the Company’s financial statements; and (vii) the preparation of certain reports required by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. A current copy of the Audit Committee’s Charter is available on the Company’s website, www.washpostco.com; a copy of such Charter will be furnished without charge to any shareholder upon written request addressed to the Treasurer of the Company at 1150 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20071.

 

Christopher C. Davis, Thomas S. Gayner (Chairman) and G. Richard Wagoner, Jr. served on the Audit Committee in 2012. John L. Dotson Jr. served as a member of the Audit Committee through February 2012. The Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are non-employee, “financially literate,” “independent” Directors within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. None of the members of the Audit Committee has accepted, other than in his capacity as a Committee or Board member, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company or its affiliates, and none of the members of the Audit Committee has a material relationship with the Company.

 

The Board has determined that Thomas S. Gayner has the requisite background and experience to be (and is) designated an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K due to his extensive experience, as discussed under “Proposal 1: Election of Directors.” In addition, the Board has determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are well-grounded in financial matters and are familiar with generally accepted accounting principles. All of the members of the Audit Committee have a general understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting, as well as an understanding of audit committee functions. To the extent that matters come before the Audit Committee that involve accounting issues, the members of the Audit Committee consult with and rely on management, in addition to external experts, such as the Company’s independent registered public accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. In addition, the Audit Committee has authority to obtain advice from internal or external legal or other advisors.

 

The Audit Committee held seven meetings in 2012.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The functions of the Compensation Committee include (i) reviewing the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer; (ii) consulting with the Chief Executive Officer with respect to the compensation of the Company’s other executives (including, specifically, approving all salaries of $300,000 or more per year; all incentive compensation awards and all other bonuses, other than sales bonuses, of $75,000 or more for employees of all business units, including Corporate; and awards of restricted stock and stock options); (iii) overseeing the administration and determination of awards under the Company’s compensation plans; and (iv) preparing any report on executive compensation required by the rules and regulations of the SEC. A current copy of the Compensation Committee’s Charter is available on the Company’s website, www.washpostco.com; a copy of such Charter will be furnished without charge to any shareholder upon written request addressed to the Treasurer of the Company at 1150 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20071.

 

 

Lee C. Bollinger, Barry Diller, Anne M. Mulcahy (Chairman) and Larry D. Thompson served on the Compensation Committee in 2012. All members of the Compensation Committee are non-employee, “independent” Directors within the meaning of the listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.

 

The Compensation Committee held six meetings in 2012.

 

Finance Committee

 

The functions of the Finance Committee include (i) reviewing with management the capital needs of the Company, and (ii) considering and making recommendations to the Board related to dividend policy, major acquisitions and disposition of businesses, incurrence of indebtedness, selection of managers of defined benefit plan assets, stock repurchase programs and certain other financial matters.

 

Christopher C. Davis (Chairman), Barry Diller, Thomas S. Gayner, Donald E. Graham and Katharine Weymouth served on the Finance Committee in 2012. David Goldberg was elected to serve on the Finance Committee in February 2013.

 

The Finance Committee held one meeting in 2012.

 

Executive Committee

 

The Executive Committee has and may exercise all of the powers of the Board that may be delegated by law in the management of the business and affairs of the Company and exercises the authority of the Board between meetings.

 

Christopher C. Davis, Barry Diller, Donald E. Graham (Chairman), Anne M. Mulcahy and Ronald L. Olson serve on the Executive Committee.

 

The Executive Committee held two meetings in 2012.

 

Meeting Attendance

 

The Board held a total of five meetings in 2012. Each Director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees of the Board on which the Director served.

 

The Board does not have a policy of requiring Directors to attend annual meetings of shareholders and leaves it at the discretion of each Director as to whether he or she will attend the meeting. In addition to the Chairman, three Directors attended the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

Director Compensation

 

Annual Payments. During 2012, non-employee Directors received the following:

•  $80,000 as a retainer and

•  reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses for the meetings they attended.

 

Each non-employee Chairman of a committee of the Board received an additional $10,000. Members of the Audit Committee received an additional $12,000 annually for their service on that committee. Employee Directors received no compensation for serving on the Board.

 

 

 

The total 2012 compensation of non-employee Directors is shown on the following table:

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

 

(1)       Mr. Dotson retired from the Board in May 2012. Represents prorated fees through such date.

(2)       Mr. Goldberg was elected to the Board in September 2012. Represents prorated fees after such date.

(3)       Charitable contribution made pursuant to Company matching gift program.

 

The Company has in place a voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of the Company. The Plan provides an opportunity for participants to elect to defer the receipt of either all or a portion of the fees received for service as a Director. Elections to defer must be filed in advance of earning such fees. Deferred amounts will earn investment credits in accordance with participant elections from a choice of investment funds (based on the funds available under the Company’s 401(k) plan). None of the deferred amounts was credited with above-market interest. Deferred amounts are payable upon separation of service or such other future date as specified by the participant at the time of election. The Company does not provide stock awards, option awards or other non-equity compensation to Directors.

 

“Controlled Company”

 

The descendants of Katharine Graham (including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board) and trusts for the benefit of those descendants own the majority of the shares of Class A Common Stock and have the right to vote for 70% of the Board of Directors; thus the Company is a “controlled company” for purposes of Section 303A.00 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual. As a “controlled company,” the Company is exempt from certain governance requirements, including the requirement that it have a nominating/corporate governance committee, and the Company does not deem it necessary to have such a committee. The Company does not have a procedure by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Board, given the Company’s ownership structure. Notwithstanding the fact that as a “controlled company” the Company is not required to have a Board of Directors comprised of a majority of “independent” directors, the Board has determined that current members Lee C. Bollinger, Christopher C. Davis, Barry Diller, Thomas S. Gayner, David Goldberg, Anne M. Mulcahy, Ronald L. Olson, Larry D. Thompson and G. Richard Wagoner, Jr. (who together constitute a majority of the Board) are “independent” within the meaning of Section 303A.02 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual. In reaching this conclusion, the Board considered commercial relationships with companies at which Directors or their family members served as outside directors or executive officers. These relationships involved the Company’s purchases of services in the ordinary course of business that were made on arm’s-length terms under circumstances and in amounts that did not affect the relevant Directors’ independence.

 

Meetings of the Non-Management Directors

 

The listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange call for the non-management Directors of the Company to meet regularly in executive session without management. The Board has appointed Christopher C. Davis as lead Director and has authorized him to preside at the executive sessions. The non-management Directors met in executive session in November 2012 and expect to meet in executive session in 2013 as appropriate.

 

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

Lee C. Bollinger, Barry Diller, Anne M. Mulcahy and Larry D. Thompson served as members of the Compensation Committee in 2012. No member of the Compensation Committee has ever been an employee of the Company. No executive officer of the Company serves on the compensation committee of any other entity that has, or has had, one or more of its executive officers serving on the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

 

Donald E. Graham serves as Chairman of the Board of the Company as well as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Graham’s service as both Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer is in the best interests of the Company. This structure is appropriate, given the significant shareholdings in the Company of Mr. Graham and the Graham family, and also serves other purposes. Mr. Graham possesses in-depth strategic and operational knowledge of the opportunities and challenges facing the Company and is best positioned to develop agendas that focus on matters that merit Board attention. At his request, Mr. Graham has not received a raise in his annual salary nor received an annual bonus in 22 years in his current non-Board roles. Because his shareholdings represent his main financial interest in the Company, the Board believes that Mr. Graham’s interests are well aligned with those of shareholders and that his dual role promotes decisive leadership, accountability and clarity in the overall direction of the Company’s business strategy. The Board also believes that this approach facilitates clear and consistent communication of the Company’s strategy to all stakeholders.

 

While as a “controlled company” the Company is not legally required to have a majority of independent Directors, the majority of the Board is, in fact, comprised of independent Directors who act as an effective counterbalance to Mr. Graham in his dual role. The Board also appoints a lead independent Director. Christopher C. Davis serves in this capacity. The lead independent Director typically chairs executive sessions of Board meetings and consults with Mr. Graham and senior management regarding issues to be included in Board meeting agendas. The lead independent Director is also expected to collaborate with Mr. Graham in reviewing key operational and other matters and to act as a liaison between Mr. Graham and Ms. Weymouth and the independent Directors.

 

The Board as a whole actively considers strategic decisions proposed by management, including matters affecting the business strategy and competitive and financial positions of the Company, and monitors the Company’s risk profile. Board meetings are focused on strategic matters affecting major areas of the Company’s business, including operational, execution and competitive risks and risk management initiatives. The Board fulfills certain risk oversight functions through its standing committees. For example, the Finance Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board related to major acquisitions or dispositions, including with respect to attendant risks, and the Compensation Committee addresses the risk profile of the Company’s compensation program and arrangements. The Audit Committee also plays a key role in risk oversight, particularly with respect to financial reporting, accounting and compliance matters.

 

Risk oversight activities are supported by internal reporting structures that aim to surface directly to the Board key matters that can affect the Company’s risk exposures. For example, the head of the Company’s internal audit function reports directly to the Audit Committee. The Company has also established a management-level compliance committee that reports periodically to the Audit Committee about regulatory risks affecting the Company’s education businesses, as well as a Disclosure Controls Committee, chaired by the General Counsel, that reports periodically on certain matters relating to the Company’s public disclosures directly to the Audit Committee.

 

Communicating With Directors

 

Interested parties may communicate concerns to the lead Director or to the other Directors of the Company through Global Compliance Services, the Company’s third-party-managed hotline, via telephone at 1-866-687-8972 or online at https://www.compliance-helpline.com/WashPostCo.jsp.

 

STOCK HOLDINGS OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The information in the following two tables relates to each person who, on February 1, 2013, was a “beneficial owner” (as defined under the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission) of more than 5% of the Company’s Class A or Class B Stock and to the stock holdings of Directors and officers. Under the proxy rules, a person is deemed to be the “beneficial owner” of stock if such person has (or shares) either investment power or voting power over such stock or has (or shares) the right to acquire such stock within 60 days by any of a number of means, including the conversion of another security that is convertible into such stock. A substantial number of shares of the Company’s Class A and Class B Stock are held in trusts or subject to other agreements that provide for the sharing of investment power, voting power or both among several persons, each of whom is deemed by the Securities and Exchange Commission to be a “beneficial owner” of the shares so held. Furthermore, in many cases such persons do not include the beneficiary of the trust who, although not deemed to be a “beneficial owner” in the absence of voting or investment power over the shares, is nevertheless shown below as a “beneficial owner” because of the beneficiary’s economic interest in the shares. In addition, since all of the shares of Class A Stock are convertible at the option of the holder into Class B Stock on a share-for-share basis, each “beneficial owner” of shares of Class A Stock is deemed by the Securities and Exchange Commission to be a “beneficial owner” of the same number of shares of Class B Stock. In indicating below a person’s “beneficial ownership” of shares of Class B Stock, it has been assumed that such person has converted into Class B Stock all shares of Class A Stock of which such person is a “beneficial owner.” For these reasons, there is very substantial duplication in the numbers of shares and percentages shown in the following table.

 

Principal Holders of Stock

 

 

_____________

 

*  The calculations set forth in this table relating to percentage ownership of Class B Stock include 1,219,383 shares of Class B Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Stock beneficially owned, with the exception of Southeastern Asset Management and International Value Advisers. The percentage calculation for Southeastern Asset Management and International Value Advisers does not include the conversion of Class A shares to Class B shares.

 

 

**  Less than 5%.

 

(a)       According to information as of February 1, 2013, and available to the Company, Mr. Donald Graham has voting and investment power with respect to shares of Class A Stock as follows: sole voting and investment power, 166,240 (13.6%); and shared voting and investment power, 1,013,397 (83.1%) shares.

 

Mr. Graham also has voting and investment power with respect to shares of Class B Stock as follows: sole voting and investment power, 3,600 (<1%) shares; shared voting and investment power 32,700 (<1%) shares; and 1,179,637 (15.9%) shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Stock deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Graham.

 

The holdings of Class B Stock recorded for Mr. Graham also include shares of Class B Stock owned by subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (“Berkshire”), which have the sole investment power of the shares; sole voting power is held by Mr. Donald Graham under an agreement dated February 25, 1977, and amended and extended on September 13, 1985, May 15, 1996, and July 6, 2006, which has a termination date (which may be extended) of February 24, 2017.

 

(b)       According to information as of February 1, 2013, and available to the Company, Mr. William Graham has voting and investment power with respect to shares of Class A Stock as follows: shared voting and investment power, 41,269 (3.4%) shares. In addition, Mr. William Graham, as the beneficiary of trusts (even though he has no voting or investment power with respect thereto) is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 96,000 (7.8%) shares of Class A Stock. The holdings of Class B Stock recorded for Mr. William Graham, including shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Stock deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Graham, are less than 5%.

 

(c)       According to information as of February 1, 2013, and available to the Company, Mr. Stephen Graham has voting and investment power with respect to shares of Class A Stock as follows: shared voting and investment power, 42,783 (3.5%) shares. In addition, Mr. Stephen Graham, as the beneficiary of trusts (even though he has no voting or investment power with respect thereto) is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 105,159 (8.6%) shares of Class A Stock. The holdings of Class B Stock recorded for Mr. Stephen Graham, including shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Stock deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Graham, are less than 5%.

 

(d)       According to information as of February 1, 2013, and available to the Company, Mrs. Elizabeth Weymouth has voting and investment power with respect to shares of Class A Stock as follows: sole voting and investment power, 10,126 (0.8%) shares; and shared voting and investment power, 241,206 (19.6%) shares. In addition, Mrs. Weymouth, as the beneficiary of a trust (even though she has no voting or investment power with respect thereto) is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 69,625 (5.7%) shares of Class A Stock. The holdings of Class B Stock recorded for Mrs. Weymouth, including shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Stock deemed to be beneficially owned by Mrs. Weymouth, are less than 5%.

 

(e)       According to information as of February 1, 2013, and available to the Company, Mr. George J. Gillespie III, as a Trustee of various trusts, has voting and investment power with respect to shares of Class A Stock as follows: shared voting and investment power, 224,384 (18.4%) shares. In addition, Mr. Gillespie has voting and investment power with respect to shares of Class B Stock as follows: shared voting and investment power, 39,594 (<1%) shares. The holdings of Class B Stock recorded for Mr. Gillespie, including shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Stock deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Gillespie, are less than 5%.

 

(f)        According to information as of February 1, 2013, and available to the Company, Mr. Daniel Mosley, as a Trustee of various trusts, has voting and investment power with respect to shares of Class A Stock as follows: shared voting and investment power, 813,233 (66.7%) shares. In addition, Mr. Mosley has voting and investment power with respect to shares of Class B Stock as follows: shared voting and investment power, 28,546 (<1%) shares. The holdings of Class B Stock recorded for Mr. Mosley include 813,233 (10.9%) shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Stock deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Mosley as a Trustee of various trusts.

 

(g)       According to information as of February 1, 2013, and available to the Company, Berkshire is the beneficial owner of 1,727,765 (23.3%) shares of Class B Stock. The ownership of these shares is through several subsidiaries of Berkshire. Mr. Warren Buffett is Chairman of the Board of Berkshire. Mr. Buffett owns approximately 21.4% of the aggregate economic interest of Berkshire Class A and Class B common stock, and Mr. Buffett may be deemed to be in control of Berkshire under federal securities laws. With respect to shares of Class B Stock owned by subsidiaries of Berkshire, Mr. Buffett, Berkshire and such subsidiaries may be considered to share investment power. Pursuant to an agreement dated February 25, 1977, and amended and extended on September 13, 1985, May 15, 1996, and July 6, 2006, which has a termination date (which may be extended) of February 24, 2017, Mr. Buffett, Berkshire and such subsidiaries have granted Mr. Donald Graham a proxy to vote such shares at his discretion.

 

(h)       According to a Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2013, Southeastern Asset Management (“Southeastern Asset”), an investment adviser, was deemed to be the beneficial owner of 550,310 (8.9%) shares of Class B Stock. According to the Schedule 13G, Southeastern Asset has sole voting power over 117,410 (1.9%) shares; shared voting power over 428,000 (6.9%) shares; no voting power over 4,900 (<1%) shares; sole dispositive power over 122,310 (2.0%) shares; and shared dispositive power over 428,000 (6.9%) shares. The Schedule 13G was filed jointly with Longleaf Partners Small-Cap Fund (an investment company) and Mr. O. Mason Hawkins, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Southeastern Asset, Longleaf Partners Small-Cap Fund has shared voting power over 428,000 (6.9%) shares according to the Schedule 13G.

 

(i)        According to a Schedule 13G filed on February 13, 2013, International Value Advisers, LLC (“International Value Advisers”), an investment adviser, was deemed to be the beneficial owner of 442,173 (7.2%) shares of Class B Stock. According to the Schedule 13G, International Value Advisers has sole voting power over 415,854 (6.8%) shares and sole dispositive power over 442,173 (7.2%) shares.

 

 

The table below, which is based on information furnished to the Company by its Directors and officers, shows as of February 1, 2013, for each person nominated for election as a Director, each named executive officer and for all Directors and executive officers of the Company as a group, the number of shares of each class of Common Stock “beneficially owned” (as defined in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proxy rules) and, in the case of each nominee for election as a Director, the nature of such “beneficial ownership.” For the reasons set forth in the first paragraph of this section of the Proxy Statement, there is very substantial duplication in the numbers of shares and percentages shown in the following table.

 

Holdings of Directors and Officers*

 

 

__________________

*  Unless otherwise indicated, the Directors and officers listed have sole voting and investment power with respect to such securities. None of the securities has been pledged as security.

 

(a)  Includes 1,219,383 shares of Class B Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of Class A Stock beneficially owned.

 

(b)  Less than 1%.

 

(c)  Includes 1,000 shares Ms. Dillon has the right to purchase, pursuant to stock options.

 

(d)  Includes 5,200 shares of Class B Stock held for the account of a number of beneficial owners in which Mr. Gayner disclaims beneficial ownership.

 

(e)  See Table of “Principal Holders of Stock” on page 14.

 

(f)  Includes 3,500 shares Mr. Jones has the right to purchase, pursuant to stock options.

 

(g)  Includes 3,000 shares Ms. McDaniel has the right to purchase, pursuant to stock option.

 

(h)  Includes 1,000 shares Mr. Rosberg has the right to purchase, pursuant to stock options.

 

(i)  Shares are held in a revocable trust.

 

(j)  Includes 6,000 shares Ms. Weymouth has the right to purchase, pursuant to stock options.

 

(k)  Includes 16,500 shares of Class B Stock, which Directors and executive officers have the right to purchase, pursuant to stock options, and shares of restricted stock awarded to executive officers in accordance with The Washington Post Company Incentive Compensation Plan. It does not include 36,970 shares of Class B Stock held as of February 1, 2013, by the trustee of various savings plans maintained by the Company and its business units over which the trustee has voting and investment powers.

 

^   Director.

+   Executive Officer.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s Directors, officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file with SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership

 

of Class B Stock. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the Company had one deficiency in reporting. A Form 4 on behalf of Ann McDaniel, acting as trustee of a family trust, was filed three days after the deadline for shares sold.

 

PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF 2012 COMPENSATION AWARDED TO NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

As required by Schedule 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the corresponding SEC rules, the Company is seeking an advisory, non-binding shareholder vote with respect to compensation awarded to its named executive officers for 2012 from its Class A Shareholders. On May 12, 2011, the majority of the Company’s Class A Shareholders voted in favor of an annual, non-binding shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation and, in consideration of the outcome of the frequency vote, the Board determined to hold such advisory vote each year. The Company’s executive compensation program and compensation paid to its named executive officers are described on pages 18–24 of this Proxy Statement. The Compensation Committee oversees the program and compensation awarded, adopting changes to the program and awarding compensation as appropriate to reflect the Company’s circumstances and to promote the main objective of the program: to motivate talented employees in order to increase value for shareholders by facilitating long-term growth of the Company. If you are a Class A Shareholder, you may vote for or against the following resolution, or you may abstain. The Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote, along with other relevant factors, in evaluating its executive compensation program. Following the Meeting, the next such non-binding advisory vote to approve the Company’s executive compensation is scheduled to occur at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

Resolved, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers for 2012, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, narrative discussion and related material included in this Proxy Statement, is hereby APPROVED.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT CLASS A SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Overview of Compensation Program

 

The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors has responsibility for establishing and continually monitoring adherence to the Company’s compensation philosophy — a philosophy designed to attract, retain and motivate qualified and talented employees who are enthusiastic about the Company’s mission and culture. The Committee, which is chaired by Anne M. Mulcahy and includes Lee C. Bollinger, Barry Diller and Larry D. Thompson, seeks to establish total compensation packages that are attractive to employees and comparable to, but not dramatically different from, those offered by peer companies with comparable revenue in the education and media industries. Through regular meetings and discussions with management, the Committee ensures that the total compensation paid to all executives, including named executive officers of the Company, and all employees earning more than $300,000 in salary, is fair, reasonable and based on performance goals established to increase value for Shareholders by facilitating the long-term growth of the Company. The Committee considers both short-term and long-term plans in determining compensation. Annual plans are used to motivate and reward management for achieving specific yearly goals. Long-term plans, typically three or four years in duration, are designed to reward cumulative long-term goals. All performance criteria, however, including those in annual or relatively short-term plans, are designed to reward executives for making decisions that will enhance the long-term value of the Company. No targets are based on quarterly or partial-year results. Some of these plans reward with cash, and others reward with stock-based compensation. The Company has no specific formula for allocating between cash and non-cash compensation or between long-term and current compensation. Management and the Committee select the method of compensation thought most likely to lead to achievement of the particular goal; however, the Company has historically favored cash compensation over non-cash compensation. Management and the Committee believe that cash incentives provide more targeted rewards for specific performance.

 

All named executive officers, except Donald E. Graham, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, receive an annual salary and restricted stock awards every other year and participate in performance-based annual bonus plans and four-year cash-based Performance Unit Plans. Named executive officers and others occasionally receive restricted stock or stock option grants in off-cycle years as a reward for past performance and incentive for future performance. They also receive the benefits of the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”). Mr. Graham receives an annual salary and participates in the Performance Unit Plans and the defined benefit portion of the SERP as described below.

 

Compensation Committee Charter

 

The Board has delegated to the Committee the responsibility of overseeing the administration of the Company’s compensation plans and the preparation of all reports and documents required by the rules and regulations of the SEC. To meet this responsibility, the Committee is required to meet at least once a year. The Committee annually reviews and approves the corporate goals and objectives upon which the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and senior management, including the named executive officers, is based. The Committee evaluates the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of these goals and objectives. Furthermore, the Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to any incentive compensation plans, including equity-based plans, to be adopted or submitted to shareholders for approval. The Committee reviews the Company’s succession plans, including (i) the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations as to a successor, should he be disabled or unable to perform his duties for an extended period of time, and (ii) annually, the Company’s efforts at management development.

 

The Committee may request that any officer or employee of the Company, including its affiliates, or the Company’s outside counsel or an independent auditor, attend meetings of the Committee or meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee. The Committee has authority to retain or terminate any compensation consultant used to assist in the evaluation of Director, Chief Executive Officer or senior management compensation and has sole authority to approve the consultant’s fees and other retention terms. The Committee did not retain any consultant for such purpose in 2012. The Committee also has authority to obtain advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting or other advisors.

 

During 2012, the Committee met six times. Mr. Graham, the Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. McDaniel, Senior Vice President and secretary of the Committee (also a named executive officer), attended all Committee meetings. Hal Jones, Senior Vice President–Finance and Chief Financial Officer (also a named executive officer), and Andrew Rosen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kaplan, Inc., attended one meeting to assist the Committee in estimating the fair value of Kaplan. Katharine Weymouth, Chief Executive Officer of Washington Post Media, attended one meeting to answer detailed questions from the Compensation Committee regarding WP Media compensation plans. A copy of the Company’s Compensation Committee Charter is available under the “Investor Relations” tab at www.washpostco.com.

 

 

Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions

 

The Committee makes all compensation decisions for the named executive officers of the Company, except those perquisites under $200,000 per named executive officer that may be approved by the Chief Executive Officer. The Committee also approves the compensation of all employees earning annual salaries of $300,000 or more and bonuses of $75,000 or more.

 

Except for awards involving themselves, Mr. Graham and Ms. McDaniel recommend to the Committee the size of each component of compensation, based on a discussion with the head of the division where the employee works, a review of his or her performance and a comparison of available compensation survey data for that job and geographic area. The Committee examines each of the suggested compensation actions and, in its sole discretion, modifies the awards when appropriate to better reflect the goals of the Company.

 

At his request, Mr. Graham has not received a raise in his annual salary nor has he received an annual bonus since 1991. He stopped accepting grants of Restricted Stock in the Company in 2004 and requested that he receive no payment for his performance units beginning with the 2007-2010 award cycle. All compensation for Ms. McDaniel is determined solely by the Chief Executive Officer and the Committee. The Chief Executive Officer and the Committee use the same performance-based criteria to set Ms. McDaniel’s compensation as they do for all other named executive officers and other senior staff. Ms. McDaniel is asked to leave the Committee meetings when her performance is discussed.

 

Setting Executive Compensation

 

To meet its objectives, the Committee asks the Chief Executive Officer and the secretary of the Committee to draft annual and long-term incentive-based cash and non-cash executive compensation plans. The Committee reviews and, in its sole discretion, modifies the formula and goals established for various awards under the plans before the plans take effect, which is typically no later than the end of the first quarter of the first year covered by the plan.

 

Through the programs described below, a significant portion of the Company’s executive compensation is linked directly to business unit and corporate performance and stock price appreciation. The Committee intends to continue the policy of linking executive compensation to corporate performance and returns to shareholders and deems it desirable that compensation paid under the 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code concerning deductibility of executive compensation. However, the Committee reserves the right to put in place compensation programs that do not meet those requirements, which may result in compensation payments that are not deductible to the Company, if such programs are otherwise in the best interests of the Company.

 

Elements of Compensation

 

The compensation package offered by the Company to its executive officers consists of the following components:

• Competitive base salary;

• Short-term incentive compensation in the form of performance-based annual bonuses;

• Long-term incentive compensation, typically based on performance over three to four years;

• Long-term equity-based incentive compensation in the form of restricted stock and stock options;

• Perquisites; and

• Retirement benefits.

 

Base Salary

 

The Company pays named executive officers base salaries to compensate them for services rendered during the fiscal year. Salaries for named executive officers are based on their responsibilities, their prior experience and their recent performance, and are evaluated against market data provided by outside surveys. In 2012, the Committee reviewed data from Towers Watson surveys of U.S. General Industry and Media executives and the Equilar Top 25 Survey. The Company compares its management salaries to those of companies in similar industries and with comparable revenues in order to get a general understanding of the compensation structures maintained by similarly situated companies, but does not target its executive compensation at a certain level or percentage based upon other companies’ arrangements. Salaries are typically reviewed on a 12-month or longer cycle, except when there is a significant change in an executive’s responsibilities during a shorter period of time. Such adjustments are determined by evaluating (i) the scope of the new responsibilities, (ii) the competitive market value of that role, (iii) the performance of the individual and (iv) the performance of the Company.

 

 

With respect to the base salary paid to Mr. Graham in 2012, the Committee took into account a comparison of base salaries paid to chief executive officers of peer education and media companies, the Company’s results in 2011 and Mr. Graham’s performance since 1979, when he became publisher of The Washington Post. The Committee noted that Mr. Graham’s base salary was, and has long been, significantly below the median of base salaries paid to chief executive officers of these peer companies: other prominent media companies, including The New York Times Company and Gannett Co., Inc.; and publicly held education companies, including Apollo Group, Inc., DeVry, Inc., Strayer Education, Inc., and Corinthian Colleges, Inc. However, at Mr. Graham’s request, the Committee left his salary at $400,000. The Committee does not give significance to Mr. Graham’s below-market salary when reviewing and establishing salaries for other named executive officers.

 

Performance-Based Incentive Compensation

 

To supplement base salaries and to reward management (including named executive officers and other employees key to the long-term success of the Company) for meeting specific individual and financial goals, the Class A Shareholders of the Company adopted in December 1981 the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan. In 2001, the Annual Compensation Plan, originally approved by the Class A Shareholders in February 1974, was combined with the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan to create the Incentive Compensation Plan. In May 2012, the Class A and Class B Shareholders of the Company adopted the 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). The Incentive Compensation Plan was combined with the Stock Option Plan, which the shareholders reauthorized in 2003, to create the Plan. The purpose of these plans was and is to provide greater incentives to those employees who have been or will be responsible for the Company’s future growth, profitability and continued success, and to strengthen the ability of the Company to attract, motivate and retain such employees. There are at present approximately 277 employees of the Company who are participants under the Plan and receive annual bonus awards and/or hold restricted stock, and/or stock options, and/or grants of Performance Units. Each named executive officer, except Mr. Graham (who only participates in the Performance Units portion of the Plan), participates in each of these programs.

 

Annual Bonuses

 

The Plan calls for annual incentive compensation awards based on the Company and its business units’ financial performance compared to goals set immediately prior to or at the beginning of the year in which the award is to be earned. The payout upon the achievement of such goals is equal to a percentage of base salary, which is also set at the beginning of the year. Those percentages are determined on an individual basis, taking into account the responsibilities, prior experience and recent performance of the relevant employee. The 2012 target percentage for each of the named executive officers was as follows: Mr. Jones, 50%; Mr. Rosberg, 40%; Ms. McDaniel, 70% (to reflect additional responsibilities relating to the management of Slate, Post-Newsweek Media, and the Herald); and Ms. Dillon, 40%. Mr. Graham has asked the Committee not to grant him an annual bonus award. Bonus awards are usually paid in the first quarter of the year following the year in which they were earned. In 2012, the Compensation Committee certified that certain performance criteria had been achieved prior to the close of the fiscal year and approved early payment of the achieved portion of executive and management bonuses. As a result, the named executive officers were paid a portion of their 2012 bonus on December 27, 2012.

 

In 2012, the annual bonus formula for the named executive officers was based on an earnings per share target because the Committee believed that such a goal would align the interests of shareholders and the named executive officers in growing the value of the Company. Management and the Committee believe that they have designed the targets to be challenging, but achievable. The Company has achieved its financial goals and paid out at target or above in the bonus portion of the Plan in three of the past five years; in two of the past five years, the Company achieved less than 100% of its earnings per share goal, as adjusted to exclude certain items.

 

In 2012, the Company achieved 107% of its earnings per share goal of $24.04, as adjusted to exclude certain items based upon the annual formula, and taking into account Compensation Committee discretion to exclude certain write-downs and charges. In setting that goal, the Compensation Committee established a formula for bonus purposes that included adjustments for certain items, to the extent that actual amounts varied from those in the 2012 annual budget, which was used as the basis for determining the per share goal of $24.04. Specifically, these adjustments included credits for unbudgeted divestitures and foreign exchange gains and a Kaplan stock compensation expense budget variance, offset by additions for unbudgeted acquisitions and a pension budget variance. In making its final bonus determinations for the named executive officers, the Compensation Committee also exercised its discretion to exclude certain unusual and unbudgeted items, in addition to the adjustments included in the formula, from its calculation of the earnings per share goal. Specifically, the adjustments included unbudgeted severance and restructuring charges at Kaplan and WP Media, a noncash goodwill and other long-lived assets impairment charge at one of the Kaplan businesses, and a write-down of a marketable equity security. The Compensation Committee adjusted for these items as they do not relate to the regular operating results that are customarily considered by the Committee in determining bonus amounts. The exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2013, detailed these items, as does page 54 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on February 28, 2013. These items collectively amounted to $8.40 in diluted earnings per share net additions, or 100% of the total adjustments made.

 

 

Taking into account these adjustments, the Company’s diluted earnings per share, as adjusted for purposes of the bonus determination, was $25.79, compared to reported diluted earnings per share of $17.39 and a diluted earnings per share goal of $24.04. As a result, the annual bonus payout was approximately 117% of target, based on the established annual formula.

 

Restricted Stock

 

No target stock ownership level exists for the named executive officers, but to align the interests of Shareholders and management and to ensure that the full potential of an executive’s compensation package cannot be realized unless stock appreciation occurs over a number of years, the Plan also provides for grants of restricted stock in the Company. To determine the number of shares to be granted, the Committee considers on an individual basis the likely value of shares already held, the level of contribution the employee has previously made and the potential of the employee to bring additional value to the Company. The shares are vested at the end of the restriction period, usually four years, and vesting does not accelerate under their terms, except at the discretion of the Committee.

 

Performance Units

 

To highlight specific long-term financial goals, the Plan provides for Performance Unit Plans. All named executive officers participate in these plans, in which performance-based goals are determined at the beginning of each four-year award cycle. The goals consider operating income, peer company performance, cash flow, earnings per share, measures of economic value added, print product circulation and/or quantitative revenue growth or profitability measurements of the Company as a whole or of individual business units. Management and the Committee believe that they have designed the performance-based goals to be challenging, but achievable. In three of the past four award cycles, the Company exceeded its goals and paid out above target. In one of the past four award cycles, the targeted performance goals were not met, and the plan paid out below target. Each performance unit has a nominal value of $100. The maximum payout of performance units is $200 per unit, and the payment of a total award to any individual at the end of an award cycle may not exceed $5 million.

 

For each cycle under a Performance Unit Plan, the Committee establishes a valuation formula at the start of the cycle. At the end of the cycle, the unit value is calculated based on application of the formula, and payments are made to named executive officers in the year following the end of the cycle. The formula used to calculate the payouts is determined by (i) a weighted combination of factors that relate to individual business unit performance of the Company’s operating divisions and (ii) the discretion of the Compensation Committee. A new four-year cycle commences every two years, with the result that there are always two overlapping cycles in progress.

 

Awards under the 2009–2012 and 2011–2014 cycles are based on a two-pronged formula. The 2009–2012 cycle formula consists of an average of the value of the performance units allocable to 2009–2010 performance of Washington Post Media (the “Post”), Newsweek, Cable ONE, Inc. (“Cable ONE”) and Post–Newsweek Stations, Inc. (“PNS”) (40%), plus an average of the value of the performance units allocable to 2009–2012 performance of the Post, Cable ONE and PNS (60%). The 2011–2014 cycle formula consists of an average of the value of the performance units allocable to performance of the Post, Cable ONE and PNS (65%), plus an amount based on Kaplan’s achievement of cumulative operating income goals during the four-year period, excluding Kaplan stock compensation expense and restructuring charge (35%). In 2012, the formulas for the 2009–2012 and 2011–2014 cycles were modified as to the Kaplan results, which were affected by unexpected and non-recurring events and circumstances. Washington Post Media is comprised of several of the Company’s publishing operations, including: The Washington Post; washingtonpost.com; Express, a free weekday tabloid newspaper; and El Tiempo Latino, a weekly Spanish-language newspaper. The Committee selected these targets because they reflected the key priorities for the Company on the grant date for the applicable time periods. The value of Performance Units in the 2009–2012 and 2011–2014 cycles are determined at the conclusion of those cycles based on the performance criteria described below.

 

The performance measures used in the formula at the Post under the 2009–2012 cycle are based on operating results and, under certain circumstances, the financial performance of the Post relative to its peer group. If the Post breaks even or shows a profit in operating income in 2011 and 2012, the value of each Performance Unit will be $200 per unit. If the Post breaks even or shows a profit in operating income in either 2011 or 2012, the value of each Performance Unit will be $100 per unit. If the Post fails to break even but shows material improvement in operating income in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and outperforms its peer group in each of those years, the payout will be $50 per unit. The performance measure used in the formula at the Post under the 2011–2014 cycle is cumulative operating income relative to a breakeven target. Valuation of performance units, based on this measure is as follows:

 

 

 

In all cases, the performance measure of operating income excludes pension expense.

 

For the 2009–2012 cycle, the Post showed a profit in operating income in 2011 and 2012, resulting in a payout value of $200 per unit.

 

The performance measure used in the formula for Cable ONE for both the 2009–2012 and 2011–2014 cycles is cumulative free cash flow relative to a target amount. Free cash flow is defined as operating income, plus depreciation and amortization, less capital expenditures. Valuation of performance units, based on this measure, is as follows:

 

 

For the 2009–2012 cycle, Cable ONE’s results were 109.0% of the target amount, resulting in a payout value of $195 per unit.

 

The performance measure used for PNS is PNS’s cumulative cash flow margin ranking compared to the cash flow margins of selected peer companies at the end of the award cycle. Cash flow margin is computed based on operating income plus depreciation and amortization, as a percentage of revenue. As soon as practical after the award cycle, the Committee determines PNS’s cash flow margin rank among the cash flow margins of the peer companies and determines the payout value of each performance unit. The value of each performance unit is determined as set forth in the following table:

 

 

For the 2009–2012 and 2011–2014 award cycles, the PNS formula provides that the  payout value will be increased by $12.50 for each of the four years during the award cycle in which PNS’s actual cash flow margin is not only number one among peer companies, but is also 2% higher than the nearest competitor among the peer companies. The formula also provides that the payout value will be reduced by 50% if PNS does not produce operating income in one of the four years during the award cycle. If PNS does not produce operating income for two years in the cycle, there will be no payout under the plan.

 

For the 2009–2012 cycle, PNS’s cash flow ranked second overall for the four-year period, resulting in a payout value of $100 per unit.

 

Performance units for the 2009–2012 cycle were valued at $133 per unit based on the established performance measures. Because the performance measures that compose the valuation formula for performance units are cumulative for the measures applicable to Kaplan, the Post, Cable ONE and PNS, it is not possible to calculate with certainty any interim performance unit values mid-cycle, and no named executive officer is entitled to any payout until the Performance Units vest and the Committee approves the valuation at the conclusion of the cycle.

 

Performance unit payouts for the named executive officers for the 2009–2012 cycle are included in the Summary Compensation Table in the Compensation Committee Report. Mr. Graham has requested that he receive no payment for his units in the 2009–2012 award

 

cycle. Mr. Graham holds 9,750 units in the 2011–2014 cycle, and Mr. Jones, Mr. Rosberg, Ms. McDaniel and Ms. Dillon each holds 6,000 units in the 2011–2014 cycle.

 

Stock Options

 

Although the Company grants stock options sparingly, the Plan provides that shares of Class B Stock can be issued upon the exercise of stock options that have been granted to key employees of the Company. The Committee grants options only when a key employee has made a significant contribution to the Company and demonstrates the ability to contribute more. The options generally vest 25% per year over four years and are exercisable for ten years from the grant date. As of the end of the Company’s 2012 fiscal year, Mr. Jones held options to acquire 4,000 shares of Class B Stock (3,000 granted in 2008 and 1,000 granted in 2010); Mr. Rosberg held options to acquire 1,000 shares of Class B Stock, granted in 2008; Ms. McDaniel held options to acquire 3,000 shares of Class B Stock (1,000 granted in 2003, 1,000 granted in 2004 and 1,000 granted in 2008); and Ms. Dillon held options to acquire 1,000 shares of Class B Stock, granted in 2008. Given Mr. Graham’s significant ownership in the Company, the Committee has not granted any stock options to Mr. Graham.

 

Perquisites

 

The Company provides few perquisites for the named executive officers. In 2012, Ms. McDaniel received financial and tax advice valued at $19,266. Ms. Dillon received financial planning services and reimbursement for living expenses valued at $82,468.

 

Retirement Benefits

 

Most employees in the Company, including named executive officers, are eligible to participate in the Company’s retirement benefit programs. Benefits under these basic plans are determined on the basis of base salary only, exclusive of all bonuses, deferred compensation and other forms of remuneration. The Company also maintains 401(k) savings plans in which most employees are eligible to participate.

 

Corporate employees hired on or after September 1, 2009, are entitled to participate in the “cash balance” retirement program. Corporate employees hired prior to September 1, 2009, including all named executive officers who are vested and who begin to take their pension benefit at age 65 or whose age and years of service when added together equal 90, receive an annual pension equal to 1.75% of their highest average 60-month compensation annualized up to the limits permitted by the Internal Revenue Code, minus Social Security covered compensation multiplied by the appropriate Social Security offset percentage, multiplied by the number of years of credited service under The TWPC Retirement Benefits Schedule (which was limited to 30 years until the plan was amended in 2011 to recognize credited service in excess of 30 years). An annual cash pension supplement is also provided to assist in payment of retiree medical coverage equal to $200 multiplied by the number of years of credited service under The TWPC Retirement Benefits Schedule. An additional cash pension supplement of $3,000 per year is provided to participants who retire and commence benefit payment at or after age 55, but prior to age 65, and who had ten years of vesting service at retirement. The pre-age 65 supplement is discontinued when the retiree qualifies for Medicare (the month prior to the 65th birthday).

 

On August 1, 2012, the Company reduced the matching contribution for corporate employees participating in the 401(k) plan to a dollar-for-dollar match on 1% of base compensation (up to the annual IRS limit). A participant must complete an eligibility year of service to qualify for matching contributions.

 

To offset the reduction in the 401(k) matching contribution, the Company introduced a new defined benefit program called the Secure Retirement Account (“SRA”). Similar to the existing Cash Balance Retirement Program, the SRA is fully funded as part of the retirement plan. Account balances grow through quarterly pay-based credits and quarterly interest credits. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the program after completing an eligibility year of service.

 

The Company also maintains an unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”), which is designed to retain and recruit key executives. Participants in the SERP, including named executive officers, are selected by management as employees whom management most wants to retain because of their superior performance and are approved for participation by the Committee.

 

To offset IRS limitations placed on the income that can be considered in the formulas of retirement plans and benefits that can be payable from the plans, the SERP provides a “supplemental normal retirement benefit.” This benefit is calculated under the rules of the qualified benefit retirement plan, but without reference to the IRS-imposed income and benefit limitations, and includes in the calculation earnings from annual bonuses in the case of certain key executives (including the named executive officers). In any instance in which a retiring executive’s supplemental normal retirement benefit exceeds the benefit payable by the qualified benefit plan or plans, the Company will pay the excess to him or her as a supplemental retirement benefit.

 

 

The SERP also provides key executives, including the named executive officers, with tax-deferred accruals of amounts proportionate to the benefits available to non-highly compensated participants in the Company’s 401(k) savings plan, to the extent that benefits exceed those under the Company’s basic plans because of the tax law limitations ($51,000 in 2013). The executive is required to defer compensation to the SERP savings plan in order to receive the applicable matching company credit each year. Mr. Graham has waived his right to maintain a separate unfunded savings plan account under the SERP.

 

The Company also has a Deferred Compensation Plan for senior executives (including the named executive officers) comparable to similar plans at peer companies, including those in the same industries with comparable revenues. This plan provides an opportunity for participants to elect to defer the receipt of all or a portion of cash awards under the annual and/or long-term components of the Plan. Elections to defer must be filed in the year prior to the year(s) such awards are earned. Deferred amounts earn investment credits in accordance with participant elections from a choice of investment indexes. Deferred amounts will be payable on the first business day of the seventh month following the date of separation from service or such other future date as specified by the participant at the time of election.

 

The retirement plans are more fully described under “Pension Benefits,” beginning on page 28.

 

Employment Agreements and Severance Packages

 

Consistent with its policy, the Company has not entered into any employment agreements with or guaranteed severance packages to any of the named executive officers.

 

Results of Shareholder Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation

 

At the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Company’s Class A Shareholders unanimously approved the overall 2011 compensation for its named executive officers, including the policies and practices related thereto. The Company believes this vote reflected Class A Shareholder approval of its pay for performance philosophy and the absence of pay practices that shareholders consider problematic. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee generally continued to apply the same principles in determining the amounts and types of executive compensation for 2012 as outlined in its compensation philosophy and framework. The Compensation Committee values the shareholder feedback provided through the vote and will consider the results of the vote, as well as future votes, in refining the development of our compensation program and goal setting in the future.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management, and, based on such review and discussions, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

 

Anne M. Mulcahy, Chairman

Lee C. Bollinger

Barry Diller

Larry D. Thompson

 

The following table shows the compensation paid by the Company during the most recent three years to the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer and the three most highly compensated executive officers of the Company.

 

 

(1)    The value of the stock awards and the option awards is disclosed based on the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC TOPIC 718. They represent the fair value amounts associated with grants made through the close of the 2012 fiscal year, rather than amounts paid to or realized by the named executive officers. There can be no assurance that the amounts calculated will be realized, and amounts realized could ultimately exceed the amounts calculated.

 

(2)     Amounts in this column for 2012 represent payments under the 2012 annual bonus plan, the 2009–2012 Performance Unit Plan, and other plans as follows: Mr. Graham requested that the compensation committee not consider for payment his performance unit award valued at $1,296,750; Mr. Jones – $411,100 in annual bonus, $731,500 in performance units and an award that was granted in 2007 with  a five-year cliff vest and was  valued based on the estimated fair value of Kaplan stock as of 12/31/2011; Mr. Rosberg – $278,200 in annual bonus and $731,500 in performance units; Ms. McDaniel – $337,425 in annual bonus and $731,500 in performance units; Ms. Dillon – $278,200 in annual bonus and $731,500 in performance units. Amounts in this column for 2011 represent payments under the annual bonus plan. Amounts in this column for 2010 represent payments under the 2010 annual bonus plan and the 2007–2010 Performance Unit Plan as follows: Mr. Graham requested that the compensation committee not consider for payment his performance unit award valued at $1,209,000; Mr. Jones – $546,600 in annual bonus and $372,000 in performance units; Mr. Rosberg – $375,300 in annual bonus and $806,000 in performance units; Ms. McDaniel – $912,500 in annual bonus and $644,800 in performance units; Ms. Dillon – $375,300 in annual bonus and $564,200 in performance units.

 

(3)     There were no above-market or preferential earnings on compensation that are deferred on a basis that is not tax-qualified. Thus, no such earnings are reflected in the amounts shown in this column.

 

Benefits were assumed to commence at the age when they are first unreduced, and were discounted to the date as of which they were determined (either 12/31/2012 or 12/31/2011). Assumed benefit commencement ages are shown below, rounded to the nearest age:

Graham:     age 68 (12/31/2012); age 67 (12/31/2011)

Jones:        age 63 (12/31/2012 and 12/31/2011)

Rosberg:    age 66 (12/31/2012); age 65 (12/31/2011)

McDaniel:  age 59 (12/31/2012 and 12/31/2011)

Dillon:      age 65 (12/31/2012 and 12/31/2011)

 

Mr. Graham and Mr. Rosberg have both reached Normal Retirement Age (age 65). Mr. Jones, Ms. McDaniel and Ms. Dillon have all met the eligibility requirements for

Early Retirement (age 55, with 10 years of Company service).

 

Changes in the present value of benefits in 2012 are attributable to The Retirement Plan for Washington Post Companies (“Retirement Plan”) and the corresponding benefit under the SERP as follows: Mr. Graham – $315,660 Retirement Plan and $149,064 the SERP; Mr. Jones – $207,674 Retirement Plan and $1,031,576 the SERP; Mr. Rosberg – $92,269 Retirement Plan and $202,087 the SERP; Ms. McDaniel – $265,273 Retirement Plan and $921,103 the SERP; Ms. Dillon – $87,912 Retirement Plan and $931,824 the SERP.

       

The values of accumulated plan benefits were determined using a discount rate of 4.00% at 12/31/2012 and 4.70% at 12/31/2011.

 

(4)    For 2012, the amounts presented include the information in the following table:

 

 

(1)  The amount represents $19,266 for financial planning services provided by the Company for Ms. McDaniel; the amount represents $17,785 for financial planning services and $64,683 for living expenses provided by the Company for Ms. Dillon.

 

(2)  The amounts represent dividends attributable to restricted stock granted under the Company’s Incentive Compensation Plan and 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan. The amounts include accelerated 2013 annual dividends paid in December 2012.

 

The following table provides information on awards made under the Company’s 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan to each of the named executive officers in 2012. The types of awards granted in 2012 include annual incentive and restricted stock awards:

 

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

 

 

(1)   Amounts presented are the threshold, target and maximum payouts under the annual bonus component of the Company’s 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan. The Compensation Committee sets the performance-based goals for the purpose of the annual incentive awards to be paid for fiscal year 2012. The amount in column (d) represents the minimum payment level, which is 50% of the target. The amount shown in column (f) represents the maximum payout level, which is 175% of the target. In the event that the goals set by the Compensation Committee are not attained, no amount would be paid.

 

(2)  These grants represent shares of restricted stock. These awards will vest on January 4, 2017,  which is slightly longer than the customary four-year restriction period, but consistent with the customary timing of the end of the Award Cycle. Grant date fair value calculated using the closing price of a share of the Company’s Class B Common Stock as of December 7, 2012 ($372.13).

 

 

NARRATIVE DISCLOSURE TO SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

 

The following describes material features of the compensation disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.

 

Employment Agreements. Consistent with its policy, the Company has not entered into any employment agreements with, or guaranteed severance packages to, any of the named executive officers.

 

Annual Bonus/Incentive. Both tables show the annual bonus component under the Company’s 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan. See the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for further details on the annual bonuses.

 

Restricted Stock. The Summary Compensation Table reflects the fair value of the restricted stock awards made in 2010, 2011 and 2012 on the date of grant. Additionally, the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table reflects the number of restricted shares granted in 2012 and the fair value of the awards on the date of grant. Restricted Stock generally vests four years from the date of grant, subject to continued employment.

 

Performance Units. The Summary Compensation Table includes amounts earned for Performance Units granted under the 2007–2010 and 2009–2012 award cycles.  The Compensation Committee sets the performance-based goals for the grants at the beginning of each four-year award cycle. See the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for further details on Performance Units.

 

Stock Options. The value of the stock option awards shown in the Summary Compensation Table represents options granted under the Company’s Stock Option Plan. The options vest 25% per year over a four-year period from the date of grant and are exercisable for ten years from the date of grant. The Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table reflects the number of options granted under the Plan in 2012 and the fair value of the awards on the date of grant. There were no stock options granted to the named executive officers in 2012.

 

The following table shows the number of shares covered by exercisable and unexercisable options and unvested restricted stock held by the Company’s named executive officers on December 31, 2012.

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

 

 

(1)       Stock Options granted under the Company’s Stock Option Plan and 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan vest 25% per year over a four-year period from the date of grant. The following are the vesting dates of outstanding options granted to the named executive officers: