UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-K/A

Amendment No. 1

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from       to

  

 

Castle Brands Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Florida	001-32849	41-2103550
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 4700
New York, New York		10168
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (646) 356-0200

  

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class		Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common stock, $0.01 par value		NYSE MKT

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

None.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x   No ¨

 

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

 

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

 

¨ Large accelerated filer	¨ Accelerated filer
¨ Non-accelerated filer	x Smaller reporting company

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨  No x

 

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the September 30, 2012 closing price was approximately $11,600,000 based on the closing price per share as reported on the NYSE MKT on such date. The registrant had 109,822,526 shares of common stock outstanding at July 22, 2013.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

None.

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

Castle Brands Inc. is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (“Amendment”) to amend its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2013, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on July 1, 2013 (“Original 10-K”).

 

This Amendment is being filed to amend the Original 10-K to include the information required by Items 10 through 14 of Part III of Form 10-K. Also, this Amendment amends the cover page of the Original 10-K to (i) delete the reference in the Original 10-K to the incorporation by reference of the definitive Proxy Statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and (ii) update the number of outstanding common shares. Item 15 of this report is amended to include the certifications specified in Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), required to be filed with this Amendment. Except for the addition of the Part III information, the updates to the cover page and the filing of related certifications, no other changes have been made to the Original 10-K. This Amendment does not reflect events occurring after the filing of the Original 10-K or modify or update those disclosures affected by subsequent events.

 

 

CASTLE BRANDS INC.

FORM 10-K

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	3
Item 11.	Executive Compensation	7
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	13
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	15
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	16
PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	17
SIGNATURES		18

 

 

PART III

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

Directors

 

We believe that the combination of the various qualifications, skills and experiences of our directors contribute to an effective and well-functioning board and that, individually and as a whole, our directors possess the necessary qualifications to provide effective oversight of our business and quality advice to our management. Listed below are the names, ages and biographies of our current directors and executive officers. Our directors are elected annually and serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and appointed.

 

Mark Andrews, 63, our chairman of the board, founded our predecessor company, Great Spirits Company LLC, in 1998 and served as its chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer from its inception until December 2003. Mr. Andrews has served as our chairman of the board since December 2003 and served as our president from December 2003 until November 2005. Mr. Andrews served as our chief executive officer from December 2003 until November 2008. Prior to founding our predecessor, Mr. Andrews founded American Exploration Company, a company engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas, in 1980. He oversaw that company becoming publicly traded in 1983 and served as its chairman and chief executive officer until its merger with Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas Corp. in October 1997. He also serves as a life trustee of The New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Mr. Andrews' pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include financial literacy and expertise, industry experience, managerial experience, and the knowledge and experience he has attained through his service as a director of publicly-traded corporations.

 

John F. Beaudette, 56, has served as a director of our company since January 2004. Since 1995, Mr. Beaudette has been president and chief executive officer of MHW Ltd., a national beverage alcohol import, distribution and service company located in Manhasset, New York. MHW provides U.S. import and distribution services to wineries, breweries, and distilleries throughout the world. From 1985 to 1994, Mr. Beaudette worked with PepsiCo Inc. and its affiliate company Monsieur Henri Wines in the distribution of Stolichnaya™ Vodka and other wine and spirit brands. During this period, Mr. Beaudette held positions such as director of planning for PepsiCo Wines & Spirits Intl. and vice president of finance & chief financial officer of Monsieur Henri Wines Ltd. Prior to joining PepsiCo, Mr. Beaudette was manager of accounting for Somerset Importers Ltd., U.S. importers of Tanqueray™, Johnnie Walker™ and other spirit brands. He currently sits on the board of directors of The National Association of Beverage Importers Inc. (NABI) in Washington DC and serves as vice chairman as well as chairman of the finance committee. Prior to entering the beverage alcohol industry in 1983, Mr. Beaudette worked for the Penn Central Corporation performing financial and operational reviews of subsidiaries throughout the U.S. in various industries including energy, technology and real estate. Mr. Beaudette's pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include industry expertise, managerial experience and the knowledge and experience he has attained through his service as a director of our corporation.

 

Henry C. Beinstein, 70, has served as a director of our company since January 2009. He has been a partner of Gagnon Securities, LLC, a broker-dealer and a FINRA member firm, since January 2005 and has been a money manager and an analyst and registered representative of such firm since August 2002. Mr. Beinstein has been a director of Vector Group Ltd., a New York Stock Exchange listed holding company, since March 2004. Vector Group is engaged principally in the tobacco business through its Liggett Group LLC subsidiary and in the real estate and investment business through its New Valley LLC subsidiary. New Valley owns 50% of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, which operates the largest residential brokerage company in the New York metropolitan area. He also served as a director of New Valley from March 1994 to December 2005. Since May 2011, Mr. Beinstein has served as a director of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc., the parent of Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. He retired in August 2002 as the executive director of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, a New York-based law firm, a position he had held since August 1997. Before that, Mr. Beinstein had served as the managing director of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, a New York-based law firm, commencing in November 1995. From April 1985 through October 1995, Mr. Beinstein was the executive director of Proskauer Rose LLP, a New York-based law firm. Mr. Beinstein is a certified public accountant in New York and New Jersey and prior to joining Proskauer was a partner and national director of finance and administration at Coopers & Lybrand. Mr. Beinstein’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include financial literacy and expertise, managerial experience through his years at Coopers & Lybrand, Proskauer Rose LLP, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP and Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, and the knowledge and experience he has attained through his service as a director of publicly-traded corporations.

 

Harvey P. Eisen, 70, has served as a director of our company since January 2009. Mr. Eisen has served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of National Patent Development Corporation since June 2007 and also served as its president since July 2007. He has been a director of National Patent Development Corporation since 2004. He has served as chairman and managing member of Bedford Oak Advisors, LLC, an investment partnership, since 1998. Prior thereto, Mr. Eisen served as senior vice president of Travelers, Inc. and of Primerica, each a financial services company, prior to its merger with Travelers in 1993. Mr. Eisen has over 30 years of asset management experience, is often consulted by the national media for his views on the investment marketplace, is frequently quoted in the financial media and also has appeared and currently appears regularly on such television networks. Mr. Eisen has also been a director of GP Strategies Corporation, a provider of customized training solutions, since 2002 and has served as its chairman of the board since 2005. Mr. Eisen’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include financial literacy and expertise, managerial experience, and the knowledge and experience he has attained through his service as a director of publicly-traded corporations.

 

 

Phillip Frost, M.D., 76, has served as a director of our company since October 2008 and previously served as a director of our company from September 2005 to August 2007. In March 2010, Dr. Frost was named chairman of the board of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., a pharmaceutical company, and had previously served as vice chairman of the board of directors since January 2006. Since March 2007, he has served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of OPKO Health, Inc., a multi-national biopharmaceutical and diagnostics company. Since July 2006, Dr. Frost has served as the chairman of the board of directors of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. Dr. Frost previously served as a director of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. from May 2001 until July 2002 and from March 2004 to June 2006. Dr. Frost also serves as chairman of the board of directors of Prolor Biotech, Inc., a development stage biopharmaceutical company. He also serves as chairman of Temple Emanu-El, as a member of the Florida Council of 100 and as a trustee for each of the University of Miami, the Miami Jewish Home for the Aged and the Mount Sinai Medical Center. From 1972 to 1990, Dr. Frost was the chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Medical Center of Greater Miami, Miami Beach, Florida. From 1972 to 1986, Dr. Frost was chairman of the board of directors of Key Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and from 1987 to January 2006, he served as chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of IVAX Corporation. Dr. Frost previously served as a director for Northrop Grumman Corp., Continucare Corp (until its merger with Metropolitan Health Networks, Inc) and Cellular Technical Services Company, Inc. (now SafeStitch Medical, Inc.), as chairman of Ideation Acquisition Corp. (now Tiger Media Inc.) and as governor and co-vice-chairman of the American Stock Exchange (now NYSE MKT). Dr. Frost’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include financial literacy and expertise, managerial experience, and the knowledge and experience he has attained through his service as a director of publicly-traded corporations.

 

Glenn L. Halpryn, 52, has served as a director of our company since October 2008. Mr. Halpryn has served as chief executive officer and a director of Transworld Investment Corporation (“TIC”), a private investment company, since June 2001. Mr. Halpryn served as a director of Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly QuikByte Software, Inc.), a biopharmaceutical company, from July 2008 until September 2012 and served as chairman of the board from April 2011 until September 2012. Mr. Halpryn previously served as the chairman of the board, chief executive officer and president of QuikByte Software from July 2008 until August 2009. From April 2010 until October 2011, Mr. Halpryn served as a Director of CDSI Holdings, Inc., a public company seeking new business opportunities. From September 2008 until May 2010, Mr. Halpryn served as a director of Winston Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly Getting Ready Corporation), a publicly held corporation specializing in the manufacture of skin creams and prescription medication for the treatment of pain management and Mr. Halpryn served as the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Getting Ready from December 2006 until its September 2008 merger with Winston. From December 2008 until June 2011, Mr. Halpryn served as a director of SearchMedia Holdings Limited (now Tiger Media, Inc.), a China-based outdoor billboard advertising company. Mr. Halpryn served as the chairman of the board, chief executive officer and president of clickNsettle.com, Inc., a public company seeking new business opportunities, from October 2007 until September 2008. Mr. Halpryn was the president and secretary and a director of Longfoot Communications Corp., a public company seeking new business opportunities, from March 2008 until its merger with Kidville Holdings, LLC in August 2008. Since May 2010, Mr. Halpryn has served as a director of ChromaDex Corporation, which supplies phytochemical reference standards and reference materials, related contract services and products for the dietary supplement, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic markets. From October 2002 to September 2008, Mr. Halpryn served as a director of Ivax Diagnostics, Inc.  Since 2000, Mr. Halpryn has been an investor and the managing member of investor groups that were joint venture partners in numerous land acquisition and development projects with one of the largest home builders in the country. Also, since 1984, Mr. Halpryn has been engaged in real estate investment and development activities. From June 1987 until April 2012, Mr. Halpryn was the president of and beneficial holder of stock of United Security Corporation, which was a FINRA-registered broker-dealer. Mr. Halpryn's pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include his managerial experience, financial literacy and the knowledge and experience he has attained through his service as a director of publicly-traded corporations.

 

Richard J. Lampen, 59, has served as our president and chief executive officer and as a director of our company since October 2008. Mr. Lampen has served as executive vice president of Vector Group Ltd. since July 1996. From October 1995 to December 2005, Mr. Lampen served as the executive vice president and general counsel and a director of New Valley LLC, now a subsidiary of Vector Group Ltd. Since September 2006, he has served as president and chief executive officer of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc., the parent of Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. Mr. Lampen has served as a director of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. since January 2002. Since January 1997, Mr. Lampen has served as a director of SG Blocks, Inc. (formerly CDSI Holdings Inc.), and from November 1998 until November 2011 served as its president and chief executive officer. From May 1992 to September 1995, Mr. Lampen was a partner at Steel Hector & Davis in Miami, Florida. From January 1991 to April 1992, Mr. Lampen was a Managing Director at Salomon Brothers Inc, an investment bank, and was an employee at Salomon Brothers Inc from 1986 to April 1992. Mr. Lampen’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include his knowledge and experience in our company attained through his service as a director of our company and as president and chief executive officer since 2008, his managerial experience and the knowledge and experience he has attained through his service as a director and executive officer of publicly-traded corporations.

 

 

Micaela Pallini, Ph.D., 44, has served as a director of our company since October 2008. Ms. Pallini has served since May 1997 as a director and the head of production of Pallini S.p.A. (formerly known as I.L.A.R. S.p.A.), a producer of alcoholic beverages located in Rome, Italy and a supplier to our company under an exclusive marketing agreement. Ms. Pallini is also a member of the board of directors of Unindustria, the association of industrial entrepreneurs of Rome, Frosinone, Viterbo and Rieti and President of the Food Division of Unindustria; a member of the board of directors and the audit committee of Federvini, the national association of Italian wine, spirit and liqueur providers; and a Vice President of D52, a national association for the promotion of women in business in Italy. Ms. Pallini was engaged in research activities before assuming her position with Pallini S.p.A. Ms. Pallini's pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include her industry experience, managerial experience and the knowledge and experience she has attained through her service as a director of our corporation.

 

Steven D. Rubin, 52, has served as a director of our company since January 2009. Mr. Rubin has served as executive vice president – administration since May 2007 and a director of OPKO Health, Inc. since February 2007. Mr. Rubin served as the senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of IVAX Corporation from August 2001 until September 2006. Mr. Rubin currently serves on the board of directors of Safestitch Medical, Inc., a medical device company, Tiger Media Inc., PROLOR Biotech, Inc., a developmental stage biopharmaceutical company, Neovasc, Inc., a medical device company, Kidville, Inc., an operator of upscale learning and play facilities for children, Tiger X Medical, Inc., a former medical device company, and Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc., a medical device company. Mr. Rubin previously served as a director of Dreams, Inc. Mr. Rubin's pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include financial literacy and expertise, legal experience, managerial experience, and the knowledge and experience he has attained through his service as a director of publicly-traded corporations.

 

Dennis Scholl, 57, has served as a director of our company since September 2009. From September 2003 to September 2009, Mr. Scholl has served as co-founder and managing member of Betts & Scholl, LLC, which developed the Betts & Scholl wine brand. We acquired the assets of Betts & Scholl in September 2009. Since February 2009, Mr. Scholl has served as Vice President/Arts of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, a charitable foundation. Since September 1987, Mr. Scholl has been founder and vice president of Morada Ventures, a firm engaged in real estate development and venture capital investment in the technology and pharmaceutical industries. Mr. Scholl’s pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include financial literacy and expertise, managerial experience and industry experience.

 

Sergio Zyman, 68, has served as a director of our company since May 2013. Mr. Zyman has served as President of Sergio Zyman & Company, a marketing consulting firm, since April 2008. In 1999, Mr. Zyman founded Zyman Group, a marketing consulting firm, and served as its chairman from 1999 until April 2008. From 1993 until 1998, Mr. Zyman served as the chief marketing officer of The Coca Cola Company, where he was also employed from 1979 until 1990. Since October 2012 and January 2012, Mr. Zyman has served as chief executive officer and a director, respectively, of Usell.com, Inc., a publicly-traded technology company focused on creating an online marketplace for selling small consumer electronics. From June 2009 until March 2010, Mr. Zyman served as a director of Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Inc., a publicly-traded company that owns and operates the Tropicana Las Vegas hotel and casino. Mr. Zyman's pertinent experience, qualifications, attributes and skills include his marketing experience and the knowledge and experience he has attained through his service as a director of publicly-traded corporations.

 

Executive Officers

 

Our executive officers serve until the appointment and qualification of their successors or until their earlier death, resignation or removal by our board of directors. The following table lists the name, age and position of our executive officers:

 

Name		Age		Position
Richard J. Lampen		59		President and Chief Executive Officer
John S. Glover		58		Chief Operating Officer
T. Kelley Spillane		50		Senior Vice President — Global Sales
Alejandra Pena		44		Senior Vice President — Marketing
Alfred J. Small		44		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer & Secretary

 

Listed below are biographical descriptions of our current executive officers. For Mr. Lampen’s information, see the description under “Directors ” above.

 

John S. Glover, our chief operating officer, joined us in February 2008. From February 2008 to October 2008, Mr. Glover served as our senior vice president — marketing. From June 2006 to February 2008, Mr. Glover served as senior vice president ― commercial management of Remy Cointreau USA. From January 2001 to June 2006, Mr. Glover served in various management positions at Remy Cointreau in the United States and France. From January 1999 to January 2001, he was a managing director and chief marketing officer for Bols Royal Distilleries in the Netherlands.

 

T. Kelley Spillane, our senior vice president — global sales, joined us in April 2000. From April 2000 to December 2003, Mr. Spillane served as vice president — sales of Great Spirits Company, and was appointed executive vice president — U.S. sales in December 2003. Prior to joining us, Mr. Spillane worked at Carillon Importers Limited, a division of Grand Metropolitan PLC. Carillon developed and launched Absolut Vodka and Bombay Sapphire Gin. At Carillon, Mr. Spillane served as assistant manager for its control states and duty free divisions and was promoted to director of special accounts, focusing on expanding sales in national accounts.

 

Alejandra Pena, our senior vice president – marketing, joined us in September 2010. Prior to joining Castle Brands, Ms. Pena most recently served as marketing vice president for liqueurs and spirits for Remy Cointreau USA, where she was responsible for the marketing of Cointreau Liqueur and Mount Gay Rum in addition to other brands. Earlier in her career, she was employed with Banfi and served as marketing director of Italian Estate Wines. Ms. Pena started her career as a strategic consultant and is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian.

 

 

Alfred J. Small, our senior vice president, chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer joined us in October 2004. Mr. Small has served as our chief financial officer and treasurer since November 2007 and as our secretary since January 2009. He previously served as our vice president-controller since March 2007 and our principal accounting officer since October 2006. From February 1999 until October 2004, Mr. Small served in various accounting roles, including senior accountant at Grodsky Caporrino & Kaufman, CPA PC. Mr. Small is a certified public accountant.

 

There are no family relationships among any of our directors and executive officers.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. These reporting persons are also required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To our knowledge, based solely on our review of the copies of these forms furnished to us and representations made to us that no other reports were required, we are not aware of any late or delinquent filings required under Section 16(a) with respect to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines

 

Our board of directors has adopted a code of business conduct, which applies to all of our directors, executive officers and employees. The code of business conduct sets forth our commitment to conduct our business in accordance with the highest standards of business ethics and to promote the highest standards of honesty and ethical conduct by our directors, executive officers and employees. Our code of conduct is posted on our investor relations web site at http:/investor.castlebrandsinc.com.  We intend to post amendments to, or waivers from a provision of, our code of business conduct that apply to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions on our website.

 

Shareholder Nominations

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to our board of directors.

 

Audit Committee Information

 

Our board has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. Messrs. Beinstein (Chair), Halpryn and Rubin comprise our audit committee. Our board of directors has determined that each member of the audit committee is an independent director and is financially literate as required by the applicable rules of NYSE MKT and the SEC. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

•

appointing, replacing overseeing and compensating the work of our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

•

reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our quarterly financial statements and discussing with management our earnings releases;

 

•

pre-approving all auditing services and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

•

engaging in a dialogue with our independent registered public accounting firm regarding relationships that may adversely affect the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm and, based on such review, assessing the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

•

providing the audit committee report to be filed with the SEC in our annual proxy statement;

 

•

reviewing with our independent registered public accounting firm the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal controls over our financial reporting;

 

•

establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, including the confidential anonymous submission by our employees of anonymous concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

 

•

reviewing and pre-approving related-party transactions;

 

•

reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm management’s annual assessment of the effectiveness of the internal controls;

 

 

•

reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls including any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of our internal controls or material weaknesses and any fraud, whether or not material, that involves our management or other employees who have a significant role in our internal controls and the adequacy and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures; and

 

•

reviewing and assessing annually the adequacy of the audit committee charter.

 

Our audit committee charter is posted on our investor relations website at http://investor.castlebrandsinc.com.

 

Financial Expert on Audit Committee

 

Our board of directors has determined that Henry C. Beinstein is our “audit committee financial expert” (as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K) and is an “independent” director under applicable NYSE MKT rules.

 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

 

Compensation Overview

 

We are a “smaller reporting company” as such term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Item 10 of Regulation S-K. Accordingly, and in accordance with relevant SEC rules and guidance, we have elected, with respect to the disclosures required by Item 402 (Executive Compensation) of Regulation S-K, to comply with the disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies. This Compensation Overview section discusses the compensation programs and policies for our executive officers and the compensation committee’s role in the design and administration of these programs and policies in making specific compensation decisions for our executive officers, including our “named executive officers.”

 

Our compensation committee has the sole authority and responsibility to review and determine, or recommend to our board of directors for determination, the compensation package of our chief executive officer and each of our other named executive officers, each of whom is identified in the Summary Compensation Table below. Our compensation committee also considers the design and effectiveness of the compensation program for our other executive officers and approves the final compensation package, employment agreements and stock award and option grants for all of our executive officers. Our compensation committee is composed entirely of independent directors who have never served as officers of our company. Our compensation committee is authorized to engage compensation consultants, but did not do so in fiscal 2013 or 2012.

 

Set forth below is a discussion of the policies and decisions that shape our executive compensation program, including the specific objectives and elements. Information regarding director compensation is included under the heading “Director Compensation” below.

 

General Executive Compensation Objectives and Philosophy

 

The objective of our executive compensation program is to attract, retain and motivate talented executives who are critical for our continued growth and success and to align the interests of these executives with those of our shareholders. To achieve this objective, besides annual base salaries, our executive compensation program utilizes a combination of annual incentives through cash bonuses and long-term incentives through equity-based compensation. In establishing overall executive compensation levels, our compensation committee considers a number of criteria, including the executive’s scope of responsibilities, prior and current period performance and attainment of individual and overall company performance objectives and retention concerns. Our president and chief executive officer and our compensation committee believe that substantial portions of executive compensation should be linked to the overall performance of our company, and that the contribution of individuals over the course of the relevant period to the goal of building a profitable business and shareholder value will be considered in the determination of each executive’s compensation.

 

Generally, our compensation committee reviews and, as appropriate, modifies compensation arrangements for executive officers in the first quarter of each fiscal year, subject to the terms of existing employment agreements with our named executive officers, as discussed below. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, except for our president and chief executive officer’s compensation, our compensation committee also considered our president and chief executive officer’s executive compensation recommendations, which recommendations were presented at the time of our compensation committee’s annual review of executive performance and compensation arrangements. In making such determinations, the compensation committee considered the overall performance of each executive and their contribution to the growth of our company and its products as well as overall company performance through personal and corporate achievements. As we are not yet cash-flow positive, the compensation committee considered each executive officer’s contributions to brand growth, cost management and long-term value creation for our shareholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, as well as the retention of our executive officers.

 

We have reviewed our compensation structures and policies as they pertain to risk and have determined that our compensation programs do not create or encourage the taking of risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the company.

 

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table shows the compensation paid to our named executive officers for our 2013 and 2012 fiscal years.

 

Name and Principal Position		Year		Salary				Bonus				Option Awards (1)				All Other Compensation				Total
Richard J. Lampen		2013			—				—			$	81,916				—			$	81,916
President and chief executive officer		2012			—				—				65,919				—				65,919
John S. Glover		2013		$	287,350			$	40,000				30,988				—				358,338
Chief operating officer		2012			278,486				35,000				20,121				—				333,607
T. Kelley Spillane		2013			276,450				23,000				10,341			$	1,415	(2)			311,206
Senior vice president – global sales		2012			267,916				20,000				7,144				1,415	(2)			296,475

  

 

(1)

Represents the dollar amount of expenses recognized for financial statement purposes with respect to the 2013 and 2012 fiscal years for the fair value of stock-based compensation granted in fiscal 2012 and prior fiscal years in accordance with ASC 718 “Compensation - Stock Compensation.” Under SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures relating to service-based vesting conditions. See note 13 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2013 included in the Original 10-K regarding the assumptions underlying the valuation of these grants.

 

(2)	Represents life insurance premiums paid by us for the benefit of Mr. Spillane.

 

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

 

Material Terms of Named Executive Officers’ Employment Agreements

 

The material terms of Messrs. Glover’s and Spillane’s employment agreements are described in the table below. Mr. Lampen, our president and chief executive officer, does not receive a salary or benefits from us in connection with his service. Instead, we are party to a management services agreement with Vector Group Ltd., a more than 5% shareholder, under which Vector Group agreed to make available to us Mr. Lampen’s services. For a discussion of this agreement, see “Item 13 - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, Director Independence - Related party transactions - Agreement with Vector Group Ltd.”

 

Certain Material Terms of Employment Agreements with Named Executive Officers

 

Named Executive Officer		Date of Agreement				Current Annual Base Salary under the Agreement (1)				Performance Bonus (as Percentage of Annual Base Salary Unless Otherwise Indicated)				Expiration Date of Agreement				Duration of Severance Payments (2)
Richard J. Lampen			—				—				—				—				—
John S. Glover			1/24/2008	(3)		$	295,970				Up to 60%				3/31/2014				12 months
T. Kelley Spillane			5/2/2005	(4)			284,744					(5)			5/1/2014				12 months

  

 

(1)

Increases in Messrs. Glover’ and Spillane’s base salaries are at the compensation committee’s sole discretion.

 

(2)

Please see “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below for a full description of these severance obligations.

 

(3)

Mr. Glover’s employment agreement was amended on July 29, 2011.

 

(4)

Mr. Spillane’s employment agreement was amended on May 11, 2012.

 

(5)

Mr. Spillane’s employment agreement calls for him to receive performance bonuses at the discretion of our compensation committee, with no specific percentage stated.

  

 

Annual Incentives to Named Executive Officers

 

We paid aggregate cash bonuses for fiscal 2013 as follows: Mr. Glover – $40,000 and Mr. Spillane – $23,000. We paid aggregate cash bonuses for fiscal 2012 as follows: Mr. Glover – $35,000 and Mr. Spillane – $20,000. Mr. Lampen did not receive a cash bonus for fiscal 2013 or 2012. Theses bonus payments are included in the Summary Compensation Table above under the heading “Bonus.”

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2013 Fiscal Year-End

 

		Option Awards
Named Executive Officer		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable				Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) Unexercisable				Option Exercise Price ($)				Option Expiration Date
Richard J. Lampen			1,000,000				—			$	0.35			11/3/2018
			200,000				200,000	(1)		$	0.35			6/11/2020
			125,000				375,000	(2)		$	0.33			6/20/2021
			—				500,000	(3)		$	0.31			6/8/2022
John S. Glover			60,000				—			$	1.90			1/24/2018
			15,400				—			$	0.21			6/9/2018
			37,500				12,500	(4)		$	0.35			6/22/2019
			112,500				112,500	(1)		$	0.35			6/11/2020
			62,500				187,500	(2)		$	0.33			6/20/2021
			—				250,000	(3)		$	0.31			6/8/2022
T. Kelley Spillane			60,000				—			$	6.00			1/9/2014
			5,000				—			$	8.00			1/27/2015
			7,500				—			$	7.23			6/12/2016
			33,900				—			$	0.21			6/9/2018
			26,250				8,750	(4)		$	0.35			6/22/2019
			32,500				32,500	(1)		$	0.35			6/11/2020
			11,400				5,700	(5)		$	0.35			12/7/2020
			14,833				29,767	(6)		$	0.31			6/15/2021
			6,933				13,867	(7)		$	0.26			12/19/2021
			—				44,333	(8)		$	0.28			6/13/2022

  

 

(1)

This option vests in four equal annual installments with the first installment vested on June 11, 2011.

 

(2)

This option vests in four equal annual installments with the first installment vested on June 20, 2012.

 

(3)

This option vests in four equal annual installments with the first installment vesting on June 8, 2013.

 

(4)

This option vests in four equal annual installments with the first installment vested on June 22, 2010.

 

(5)

This option vests in three equal annual installments with the first installment vested on December 7, 2011.

 

(6)

This option vests in three equal annual installments with the first installment vested on June 15, 2012.

 

(7)

This option vests in three equal annual installments with the first installment vested on December 19, 2012.

 

(8)

This option vests in three equal annual installments with the first installment vesting on June 13, 2013.

 

Timing of Equity Grants

 

For all of our employees, including our named executive officers, grants of equity-based compensation are effective on the date that our compensation committee approves them. All stock option grants to employees, including named executive officers, are made with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date. Our compensation committee does not grant equity compensation awards in anticipation of the release of material nonpublic information. Similarly, we do not time the release of material nonpublic information based on equity award grant dates.

 

 

Severance and Change in Control Benefits

 

We provide certain severance and change in control benefits to Messrs. Glover and Spillane. Information about these benefits is listed below under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

 

Perquisites and Other Benefits

 

We generally provide the same health and welfare benefits to all of our full-time employees, including our named executive officers, including health and dental coverage, disability insurance, and paid holidays and other paid time off.

 

We maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan for the benefit of all of our full-time employees, including our named executive officers.

 

Indemnification

 

Our articles of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws require us to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Florida law. We also have entered into indemnity agreements with each of our directors and named executive officers.

 

Material Tax Implications of Our Compensation Policy

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, limits the deductibility on our tax return of compensation over $1 million to any of our named executive officers unless, in general, the compensation is paid under a plan which is performance-related, non-discretionary and has been approved by our shareholders. Our compensation committee’s policy with respect to section 162(m) is to make every reasonable effort to ensure that compensation is deductible to the extent permitted while simultaneously providing our executives with appropriate compensation for their performance. We did not pay any compensation during fiscal 2013 that would be subject to the limitations set forth in section 162(m).

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

 

The following describes the potential payments upon termination or a change in control for our named executive officers.

 

Termination Without Cause

 

Under employment agreements with our named executive officers, if we terminate the executive’s employment without “cause,” we have agreed to pay the executive his annual base salary and a pro-rated bonus, and for Mr. Glover, provide benefits to maintain medical insurance, for 12 months following termination.

 

Also, if we terminate any of our named executive officers without “cause,” then such officer is entitled to accelerated vesting or other treatment of some or all of the stock options granted to such executive under the terms of such executive’s employment agreement.

 

For Mr. Glover, the vesting of any options held accelerates with respect to the number of shares of our common stock that equals (x) the number of shares that would have vested during the 12 months following termination, multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months that have elapsed since the last vesting date or the original issue date (if a vesting date has not occurred) and the denominator of which is the number of full calendar months from the last vesting date or the original issue date (if a vesting date has not occurred) to the vesting date during the 12 months following termination. For Mr. Spillane, any unvested options that would have become vested if his employment continued during the 12 month period following his termination will become vested at the end of such 12 month period and will be exercisable for a period of two years after termination.

 

For Mr. Glover, “cause” is defined as (i) personal dishonesty, (ii) willful misconduct, (iii) breach of fiduciary duty, (iv) failure to substantially perform assigned duties relating to his performance under his agreement, (v) conviction or entry of any plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or other lesser crime that would require removal from his position with us (e.g. any alcohol or drug related misdemeanor) or (vi) material breach of any provision of his employment agreement for a period of 15 days after written demand by us.

 

For Mr. Spillane, “cause” is defined as (i) personal dishonesty, (ii) willful misconduct, (iii) breach of fiduciary duty, (iv) failure to substantially perform assigned duties relating to his performance under his agreement (other than due to becoming disabled) as reasonably determined by our board or (v) any willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or material breach of his employment agreement as reasonably determined by our board.

 

Non-Renewal of Employment Agreement

 

If we do not renew the employment agreements, then such officer is entitled to receive his annual base salary and medical benefits for six months and a pro-rata share of his annual incentive bonus.

 

 

Termination Due to Disability

 

The employment agreements of Messrs. Glover and Spillane each provide that, in each case, if we terminate such executive due to a “disability,” we must pay such executive his annual base salary for a period of one year following the date of termination, minus any other disability benefits provided by us to the executive during this period, plus a pro-rated bonus for the year in which the termination occurs. For each of our named executive officers, a “disability” is defined in his employment agreement as a failure, because of illness or incapacity, to perform the duties of his employment for six months.

 

Termination by Employee with Good Reason

 

Each named executive officer’s employment agreement provides that if he terminates his employment for “good reason,” we have agreed to pay the executive his annual base salary and a pro-rated bonus, and for Mr. Glover, provide benefits to maintain medical insurance, for 12 months following termination.

 

For Mr. Glover, “good reason” means a termination of his employment within 30 days after (i) a material diminution in nature, title or status of his responsibilities, (ii) dissolution or divestiture of all or a significant portion of our assets or another material change to us that would materially adversely diminish the nature, title or status of his job responsibilities, (iii) a relocation of his principal place of work to a location of more than 50 miles from our current office or (iv) our failure to perform any obligation under his employment agreement for a period of 15 days following written notice by him. For Mr. Spillane, “good reason” means a termination of his employment within 30 days after (i) a material diminution in nature or status of his responsibilities, (ii) dissolution or divestiture of all or a significant portion of our assets or another material change to us that would materially adversely diminish the nature or status of his job responsibilities or (iii) our material breach of any provision under his employment agreement which is not cured within 15 business days following written notice by him.

 

Any severance payments described above under “Termination Without Cause,” “Non-Renewal of Employment Agreement,” “Termination Due to Disability” and “Termination by Employee with Good Reason” are in consideration of the non-compete provisions contained in each named executive officer’s employment agreement.

 

Each of our named executive officers is prohibited from, during the term of his employment and for 12 months thereafter, (1) competing with us, (2) soliciting our employees and (3) soliciting our customers.

 

Change in Control

 

If any of our named executive officers is terminated following or in connection with a “change of control” of our company (as defined for each executive below), by the executive for “good reason” or by our company or its successor without “cause,” all unvested stock options granted to the executive will vest without further action on the date of termination and all stock options granted to the executive will be exercisable during the remainder of their original terms.

 

For Messrs. Glover and Spillane, a “change of control” is defined as (i) any person becoming the beneficial owner of 35% or more of our outstanding voting stock, other than directly from us; (ii) a merger or consolidation of our company where 49% or more of the voting stock of the surviving company is held by persons other than our former shareholders; (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period were members of our board of directors cease to constitute at least a majority thereof (unless the appointment, election or the nomination for election by our shareholders of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period); or (iv) a sale or disposal of substantially all of our assets to an outside entity or entities. Subclause (i) of the prior sentence will not apply to any acquisition of our securities by Dr. Frost, any member of his immediate family, any “person” or “group” (as used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) that is controlled by Dr. Frost or any member of his immediate family, any beneficiary of the estate of Dr. Frost, or any trust, partnership, corporate or other entity controlled by any of the foregoing.

 

 The following table quantifies for each named executive officer the estimated potential severance payments and benefits that would be provided, if each termination circumstance set forth below occurred on March 31, 2013.

 

Named Executive Officer		Severance Payment				Estimated Value of Benefits (1)				Benefit of Acceleration for Vesting of Option Awards (2)
Richard J. Lampen
Termination without cause/with good reason			—				—				—
Non-renewal of employment agreement			—				—				—
Termination due to disability			—				—				—
Change in control			—				—				—
John S. Glover
Termination without cause/with good reason		$	287,350	(3)		$	15,504			$	22,250
Non-renewal of employment agreement			143,675	(3)			7,752				N/A
Termination due to disability			287,350	(3)			N/A				22,250
Change in control			287,350	(3)			15,504				22,250
T. Kelley Spillane
Termination without cause/with good reason			276,450	(3)			N/A				5,282
Non-renewal of employment agreement			138,225	(3)			11,178				N/A
Termination due to disability			276,450	(3)			N/A				5,282
Change in control			276,450	(3)			N/A				5,282

  

 

(1)

Estimated using the value of COBRA payments at the rates in effect on March 31, 2013.

 

(2)

The estimated amount of benefit was calculated by multiplying the number of options that would accelerate vesting upon the termination circumstance indicated by the difference between the closing price of our common stock on March 28, 2013, which was $0.31, and the exercise price of the stock option. This column shows no benefit for Mr. Lampen since the exercise price for his stock options was at or above the closing price of our common stock at March 31, 2013. This column shows a benefit for each of Messrs. Glover and Spillane due to the accelerated vesting of option awards granted to each such named executive officer.

 

(3)

Severance payments would be paid out over the duration of the severance period.

 

Director Compensation

 

The following table summarizes compensation paid to directors during our 2013 fiscal year.

 

Fiscal 2013 Director Compensation

  

Name		Fees Earned or Paid in Cash				Option Awards (1)  (Includes Prior Fiscal Years)				Total
Mark Andrews			—	(2)		$	29,864	(2)		$	29,864
John Beaudette		$	12,500				3,577	(3)			16,077
Henry C. Beinstein			17,500				5,522	(4)			23,022
Harvey P. Eisen			15,000				5,552	(5)			20,522
Phillip Frost, M.D.			10,000				6,009	(6)			16,009
Glenn L. Halpryn			17,500				6,009	(7)			23,509
Richard J. Lampen			—	(8)			—				—
Micaela Pallini			10,000				6,009	(9)			16,009
Steven D. Rubin			20,000				5,522	(10)			25,522
Dennis Scholl			10,000				7,338	(11)			17,338
Sergio Zyman			—	(12)			—				—

   

 

(1)

Represents the dollar amount of expenses recognized for financial statement purposes with respect to the 2013 fiscal year for the fair value of stock options granted in fiscal 2013 and prior fiscal years in accordance with ASC 718 “Compensation - Stock Compensation.” Under SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures relating to service-based vesting conditions. See note 13 to our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2013 included in the Original 10-K regarding the assumptions underlying the valuation of these option grants.

 

(2)

Mr. Andrews, our chairman, receives an annual salary of $100,000. We do not pay any additional cash compensation for his services as a director. As of March 31, 2013, Mr. Andrews held options to purchase 875,000 shares of our common stock.

 

(3)

As of March 31, 2013, Mr. Beaudette held options to purchase 111,500 shares of our common stock.

 

(4)

As of March 31, 2013, Mr. Beinstein held options to purchase 160,000 shares of our common stock.

 

(5)

As of March 31, 2013, Mr. Eisen held options to purchase 160,000 shares of our common stock.

 

(6)

As of March 31, 2013, Dr. Frost held options to purchase 180,000 shares of our common stock.

 

(7)

As of March 31, 2013, Mr. Halpryn held options to purchase 180,000 shares of our common stock.

  

(8)

Mr. Lampen, our president and chief executive officer, receives no additional compensation for his services as a director.

 

(9)

As of March 31, 2013, Ms. Pallini held options to purchase 180,000 shares of our common stock.

(10)

As of March 31, 2013, Mr. Rubin held options to purchase 160,000 shares of our common stock.

 

(11)

As of March 31, 2013, Mr. Scholl held options to purchase 160,000 shares of our common stock.

 

(12)

Mr. Zyman joined our board in May 2013, and was granted options to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock upon his election.

 

Our board of directors believes that compensation for our non-employee directors should be a combination of cash and equity-based compensation. Employee directors are not paid for their service on the board of directors and only receive compensation as employees.

 

In December 2008, effective with the 2008 annual meeting, our board of directors approved the payment of annual compensation of our non-employee directors comprised of cash and options granted under our stock incentive plans, as set forth in the following table:

 

Type of Compensation		Amount
Annual director retainer (paid quarterly)		$	10,000
Additional annual retainer for committee participants, except chairs (paid quarterly)		$	2,500
Additional annual retainer for committee chairs (paid quarterly)		$	5,000
Option to purchase shares of our common stock upon initial election			100,000 shares
Additional options to purchase shares of our common stock for board service (per director, per year)			20,000 shares
Reimbursement of expenses related to board attendance			Reasonable expenses reimbursed as incurred

 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Share Ownership

 

The table below shows the number of shares of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock beneficially owned as of July 22, 2013 by (i) those persons or groups known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock or Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) each of our directors, (iii) each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table above, who we refer to as named executive officers, and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. The number of shares beneficially owned by each individual or group is based upon information in SEC documents, other publicly available information or information available to us. Percentage ownership information is based on 109,822,526 shares of our common stock and 6,434.4764 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding as of July 22, 2013.

 

Shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013 are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options or warrants for the purpose of computing the percentage of ownership of that person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of any other person.

 

		Beneficial ownership of our common stock
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner		Number of Shares				Percent
Common Stock:
Phillip Frost, M.D. and related entities (1)
4400 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 1500
Miami, FL 33137			51,248,128				40.2	%
Vector Group Ltd. (2)
4400 Biscayne Blvd., 10th Floor
Miami, FL 33137			12,543,914				11.3	%
Pallini S.p.A. (3)
via Tiburtina, 1314
00131 Roma, Italy			8,571,432				7.8	%
Lafferty Limited (4)
c/o Mr. Gordon R. Snelling
Azure Ltd.
P.O. Box 134, Town Mills, Trinity Square
St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands			6,994,684				6.3	%
Mark Andrews (5)			5,095,840				4.6	%
John Beaudette (6)			100,746				*
Henry C. Beinstein (7)			240,000				*
Harvey P. Eisen ( 8 )			140,000				*
John S. Glover (9)			954,343				*
Glenn L. Halpryn (10)			4,089,683				3.7	%
Richard J. Lampen (11)			3,386,523				3.0	%
Micaela Pallini (12)			160,000				*
Steven D. Rubin (13)			141,000				*
Dennis Scholl (14)			4,161,840				3.8	%
T. Kelley Spillane (15)			496,257				*
Sergio Zyman			—				*
All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons) (16)			71,156,375				53.21	%

  

 

* Less than 1 percent.

(1)

This information has been derived from a Schedule 13D, as amended, filed with the SEC on October 27, 2011. Includes 160,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013. Also includes 9,370,790 shares of common stock held by Frost Nevada Investments Trust. Frost-Nevada Limited Partnership is the sole and exclusive beneficiary of Frost Nevada Investments Trust. Dr. Frost is one of five limited partners of Frost-Nevada Limited Partnership and the sole shareholder of Frost-Nevada Corporation, the sole general partner of Frost Nevada Limited Partnership.  Dr. Frost disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares underlying the warrants and the shares held by the Frost Nevada Investments Trust except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. Also includes (i) 23,490,897 shares of common stock held by Frost Gamma Investments Trust, of which Dr. Frost is the trustee, (ii) 11,293,304 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 3,433.1644 shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by the Frost Gamma Investments Trust, (iii) 5,646,654 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013 held by the Frost Gamma Investments Trust, and (iv) 686,705 shares of common stock accrued as stock dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, issuable upon its conversion or a liquidation, which dividends accrue at the rate of 10% per annum. Frost Gamma Limited Partnership is the sole and exclusive beneficiary of Frost Gamma Investments Trust. Dr. Frost is one of two limited partners of Frost Gamma Limited Partnership. The general partner of Frost Gamma Limited Partnership is Frost Gamma, Inc., and the sole shareholder of Frost Gamma, Inc. is Frost-Nevada Corporation. Dr. Frost is also the sole shareholder of Frost-Nevada Corporation. Dr. Frost disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.

(2)

This information has been derived from a Schedule 13D, as amended, filed with the SEC on October 27, 2011. Includes (i) 715,592 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 217.5397 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) 357,796 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013, and (iii) 41,950 shares of common stock accrued as stock dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, issuable upon its conversion or a liquidation, which dividends accrue at the rate of 10% per annum. Excludes (i) 2,055,577 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Richard J. Lampen, the executive vice president of Vector Group, and a director and the president and chief executive officer of our company, and (ii) 240,000 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Henry C. Beinstein, a director of our company, who is also a director of Vector Group.

 

(3)

This information has been derived from a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on October 23, 2008. Excludes 214,412 shares of common stock owned by Virgilio Pallini, an officer and director of, and holder of shareholder voting rights in, Pallini S.p.A., as to which Pallini S.p.A. disclaims beneficial ownership pursuant to Rule 13d-4.

 

(4)

This information has been derived from a Schedule 13D, as amended, filed with the SEC on October 27, 2011. Includes (i) 330,336 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 100.4219 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) 165,168 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013, and (iii) 19,365 shares of common stock accrued as stock dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, issuable upon its conversion or a liquidation, which dividends accrue at the rate of 10% per annum. Azure Limited, as the sole director of Lafferty Limited, determines the manner in which the securities held by Lafferty Limited are voted and disposed of by Lafferty Limited.

 

(5)

Includes 1,183,079 shares of common stock held by Knappogue Corp. Knappogue Corp. is controlled by Mr. Andrews and his family. Mr. Andrews disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. Includes (i) 1,017,080 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 309.1918 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) 508,540 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013, and (iii) 63,733 shares of common stock accrued as stock dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, issuable upon its conversion or a liquidation, which dividends accrue at the rate of 10% per annum. Also includes 506,250 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013 and 1,712,758 shares of common stock held jointly by Mr. Andrews and his wife.

 

(6)

Includes 7,246 shares of common stock held by BPW Holdings LLC, an entity of which Mr. Beaudette is a principal shareholder. Mr. Beaudette disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. Also includes 91,500 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013.

 

(7)	Includes 140,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013. Excludes shares of common stock beneficially owned by Vector Group Ltd., of which Mr. Beinstein serves as a director.

 

(8)	Includes 140,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013.

 

(9)

Includes 481,650 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013 and 214,286 shares of restricted stock vesting within 60 days of July 22, 2013. Also includes (i) 164,474 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 50.0000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) 82,237 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013, and (iii) 11,696 shares of common stock accrued as stock dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, issuable upon its conversion or a liquidation, which dividends accrue at the rate of 10% per annum.

 

(10)

Includes 2,857,144 shares of common stock held by Halpryn Group IV, LLC, of which Mr. Halpryn is a member. Mr. Halpryn disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein. Also includes (i) 688,132 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 209.1918 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) 344,066 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013, and (iii) 40,341 shares of common stock accrued as stock dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, issuable upon its conversion or a liquidation, which dividends accrue at the rate of 10% per annum. Includes 160,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Halpryn exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013.

 

(11)

Includes 1,675,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options held by Mr. Lampen exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013. Also includes (i) 852,606 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 259.1918 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) 426,303 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013, and (iii) 52,037 shares of common stock accrued as stock dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, issuable upon its conversion or a liquidation, which dividends accrue at the rate of 10% per annum. Excludes shares of common stock beneficially owned by Vector Group Ltd., of which Mr. Lampen serves as an executive officer.

 

(12)

Includes 160,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options held by Ms. Pallini exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013. Excludes (i) 8,571,432 shares of common stock held by Pallini S.p.A., of which Ms. Pallini is an officer, and (ii) 214,412 shares of common stock owned by Virgilio Pallini, Ms. Pallini’s father, as to which she disclaims beneficial ownership pursuant to Rule 13d-4.

 

(13)	Includes 140,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013.

 

(14)

Includes (i) 353,139 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of 107.3540 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) 176,570 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013, and (iii) 20,702 shares of common stock accrued as stock dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, issuable upon its conversion or a liquidation, which dividends accrue at the rate of 10% per annum. Includes 140,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013.

 

(15)	Includes 252,694 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013 and 214,286 shares of restricted stock vesting within 60 days of July 22, 2013.

 

(16)	Includes 4,234,694 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options, and 7,192,594 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants, in each case exercisable within 60 days of July 22, 2013 and 578,572 shares of restricted stock vesting within 60 days of July 22, 2013.

  

 

		Beneficial ownership of our preferred stock
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner		Number of Shares				Percent
10% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock:
Phillip Frost, M.D. and related entities (1)
4400 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 1500
Miami, FL 33137			3,433				53.4	%
SK Partners
485 Underhill Blvd., Suite 205
Syosset, NY 11791			500				7.8	%

 

(1)

This information has been derived from a Schedule 13D, as amended, filed with the SEC on October 27, 2011. Consists of 3,433.1644 shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by Frost Gamma Investments Trust, of which Dr. Frost is the trustee. Frost Gamma Limited Partnership is the sole and exclusive beneficiary of Frost Gamma Investments Trust. Dr. Frost is one of two limited partners of Frost Gamma Limited Partnership. The general partner of Frost Gamma Limited Partnership is Frost Gamma, Inc., and the sole shareholder of Frost Gamma, Inc. is Frost-Nevada Corporation. Dr. Frost is also the sole shareholder of Frost-Nevada Corporation. Dr. Frost disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary inter

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table sets forth information at March 31, 2013 regarding compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance.

 

Plan category		Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, restricted stock and rights				Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, restricted stock and rights				Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders			20,573,424			$	0.52				13,300,663
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders			—				—				—
Total			20,573,424			$	0.52				13,300,663

 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

Related party policy

 

Our code of conduct requires us to avoid related party transactions that could result in actual or potential conflicts of interest, except under guidelines approved by our board or audit committee. Related-party transactions are defined as transactions in which:

 

·

the aggregate amount involved is expected to exceed $120,000 in any calendar year;

 

·

we or any of our subsidiaries is a participant; and

 

·

any (a) executive officer, director or director nominee, (b) 5% or greater beneficial owner of our common stock, or (c) immediate family member, of the persons listed in clauses (a) and (b), has or will have a material interest (other than solely as a result of being a director or a less than 10% beneficial owner of another entity).

 

A conflict of interest can arise when a person takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult for such person to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise if a person, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position. Our audit committee, under its charter, reviews and approves related-party transactions to the extent we enter into such transactions.

 

The audit committee considers all relevant factors when determining whether to approve a related party transaction, including:

 

·

whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable to us than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances; and

 

·

the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction.

 

A director may not participate in the approval of any transaction in which he is a related party, but must provide the audit committee with all material information concerning the transaction. Also, we require each of our directors and executive officers to complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire annually that elicits information about related-party transactions. These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer.

 

 

Related party transactions

 

Relationship with Pallini S.p.A.

 

Since August 2004, we have had an agreement with Pallini S.p.A. (formerly known as I.L.A.R. S.p.A.), which became a more than 5% shareholder in October 2008, under which we are the exclusive U.S. importer for Pallini Limoncello and its flavor extensions. In January 2011, we entered into an agreement with Pallini Internazionale S.r.l. (“Pallini”), as successor in interest to I.L.A.R., regarding the importation and distribution of certain Pallini brand products, under which the exclusive territory is the fifty states of the United States of America and the District of Columbia, but does not include Puerto Rico, overseas territories or military bases of the United States that were included in the August 2004 agreement. The January 2011 agreement supersedes our August 2004 agreement with Pallini S.p.A. The terms of the January 2011 agreement were effective as of April 1, 2010. Ms. Pallini, one of our directors, is a director and the head of production of Pallini S.p.A. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we purchased $3,685,192 and $3,502,878 of goods from Pallini, respectively. As of March 31, 2013 and 2012, Pallini owed us $34,628 and $122,640 for its share of marketing expense, respectively. Also, as of March 31, 2013 and 2012, we were indebted to Pallini for $967,188 and $436,561, respectively.

 

Agreement with Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc.

 

In November 2008, we entered into an agreement to reimburse Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. for its costs in providing certain administrative, legal and financial services to us. Mr. Lampen, our president and chief executive officer and a director, is the president and chief executive officer and a director of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. Dr. Frost, one of our directors, is the chairman and principal shareholder of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. Mr. Beinstein, one of our directors, is a director of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. was paid $154,972 and $183,888, respectively, under this agreement.

 

Agreement with Vector Group Ltd.

 

In November 2008, we entered into a management services agreement with Vector Group Ltd., a more than 5% shareholder, under which Vector Group agreed to make available to us the services of Richard J. Lampen, Vector Group’s executive vice president, effective October 11, 2008 to serve as our president and chief executive officer and to provide certain other financial and accounting services, including assistance with complying with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In consideration for such services, we agreed to pay Vector Group an annual fee of $100,000, plus any direct, out-of-pocket costs, fees and other expenses incurred by Vector Group or Mr. Lampen in connection with providing such services, and to indemnify Vector Group for any liabilities arising out of the provision of the services. The agreement is terminable by either party upon 30 days’ prior written notice. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we paid Vector Group $113,406 and $118,893, respectively, under this agreement. Mr. Beinstein, a director of our company, is also a director of Vector Group.

 

Independence of Directors

 

We follow the NYSE MKT rules in determining if a director is independent. Our board of directors also consults with our counsel to ensure that the board’s determination is consistent with those rules and all other relevant laws and regulations regarding director independence. Consistent with these considerations, our board of directors has determined that Messrs. Beaudette, Beinstein, Eisen, Halpryn, Rubin and Zyman are independent directors. The other remaining directors may not be deemed independent under the NYSE MKT rules because they currently have relationships with us that may result in them being deemed not “independent.” All members of our audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees are independent. The members of our audit committee are also independent under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

Fees Paid to EisnerAmper LLP

 

The following table sets forth the fees that we were billed for the audit and other services provided by EisnerAmper LLP, our independent auditors, in fiscal years 2013 and 2012:

 

		2013				2012
Audit Fees		$	226,500			$	231,830
Audit-Related Fees			—				—
Tax Fees			—				—
All Other Fees			—				—
Total		$	226,500			$	231,830

 

Audit Fees

 

This category includes the audit of our annual financial statements, reviews of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and services that are normally provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. This category also includes fees for advice on accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the annual audit or the reviews of interim financial statements.

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

This category would include assurance and related services provided by EisnerAmper that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above under “Audit Fees.”

 

Tax Fees

 

This category would include fees for professional services rendered by EisnerAmper LLP for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

 

All Other Fees

 

This category would consist of fees for other miscellaneous items.

 

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

In accordance with its charter, our audit committee reviews and approves in advance on a case-by-case basis each engagement (including the fees and terms thereof) by us of accounting firms that will perform permissible non-audit services or audit, review or attest services for us. Our audit committee is authorized to establish detailed pre-approval policies and procedures for pre-approval of such engagements without a meeting of the audit committee, but our audit committee has not established any such pre-approval procedures at this time.

 

Our audit committee pre-approved all fees of our principal accounting firm for fiscal 2013.

 

PART IV

 

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

(b)

 

Exhibit
Number		Exhibit
31.3		Certification of CEO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
31.4		Certification of CFO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
32.2		Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

  

 

*	Filed herewith

  

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on July 29, 2013.

 

	CASTLE BRANDS INC.
	By:	/s/ Richard J. Lampen
		Richard J. Lampen
		President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
	By:	/s/ Alfred J. Small
		Alfred J. Small
		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Richard J. Lampen		President and Chief Executive Officer and Director		July 29, 2013
Richard J. Lampen		(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Alfred J. Small		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial		July 29, 2013
Alfred J. Small		Officer, Secretary and Treasurer (Principal
		Financial Officer and Principal Accounting
		Officer)
/s/ Mark Andrews*		Director		July 29, 2013
Mark Andrews
/s/ John F. Beaudette*		Director		July 29, 2013
John F. Beaudette
/s/ Henry C. Beinstein*		Director		July 29, 2013
Henry C. Beinstein
/s/ Harvey P. Eisen*		Director		July 29, 2013
Harvey P. Eisen
/s/ Phillip Frost, M.D.*		Director		July 29, 2013
Phillip Frost, M.D.
/s/ Glenn L. Halpryn *		Director		July 29, 2013
Glenn L. Halpryn
/s/ Micaela Pallini *		Director		July 29, 2013
Micaela Pallini
/s/ Steven D. Rubin*		Director		July 29, 2013
Steven D. Rubin
/s/ Dennis Scholl*		Director		July 29, 2013
Dennis Scholl
/s/ Sergio Zyman*		Director		July 29, 2013
Sergio Zyman

 

* By Alfred J. Small, as Attorney-in-Fact pursuant to a Power of Attorney included on the signature page to the Original 10-K.