Your needs are unique. "One size does not fit all" in consulting. Therefore, first we discuss your situation and then we agree on the approach that best helps you on a continuing basis. I say "continuing" because you want to be proactive not reactive. Trust me. You do not want to wait until something is seriously amiss to contact me. That is like putting out a fire when we could have prevented ignition or at least lowered the heat. We should talk frequently so we can anticipate, plan, and respond accordingly. Meantime, there are many ways I can improve your critical communications (the contracts below tell you how I can help).

Although we will devise an agreement specifically to suit you, here are the three fundamental ways we can work together:

1. Long term agreement - The ideal in proactivity and preparation
2. Project contract - When something specific needs to be accomplished
3. Daily/Hourly - When we have to move quickly

Obviously, long-term agreements are in your best interest and here are two examples. These are are actual contracts in use with existing clients. Remember, yours will probably be unique.

1. For a period of six months, executives of _________________ including designated outside attorneys*, have unlimited access to Rick Amme for consultation addressing communications or management challenges. These can include but are not limited to:

A. Internal and external communications with important stakeholders

B. Likely media reactions to operational actions

C. Best messages to explain your actions

D. Best answers to tough or most likely questions

E. Guidance on important news announcements

F. Attracting essential media attention

G. Phone prep for significant media interviews or appearances

H. Identification of potential hot-button issues

I. Presentations

J. News releases

K. Consumer and customer relations

L. Company expansions and contractions

M. Human resource issues

N. Decision-making

O. Strategic communications

P. Tactical communications

Q. Personnel difficulties

R. Public conflicts

S. Institutional conflicts

T. Media relations

U. Critical issues management assistance

V. 15% reduction in crisis management fee (crisis defined as a genuine reputation-threatening event demanding “drop-everything” immediate tactical and strategic response engaging senior management. One of those “you’ll know it when you see it” situations of magnitude. Situations short of that scale – and many are – will be covered under this agreement and will not be considered a “crisis.”)

2. The primary intent of these consultations is for you to worry less about the cost of contacting me, that you seek my counsel before issues turn critical, and that you update me on communications strategies and efforts while time remains for me to help you “make a difference.” A further goal is to expand the range of issues for which you may seek assistance.

3. You can contact me with as many emails, phone calls, faxes, and letters as necessary, with responses provided as needed and not subject to business hours (e.g., a weekend call may be required in anticipation of a Monday morning meeting).

4. I agree to be reasonably reachable 24 hours a day via telephone, Internet, cell-phone, and pager, and will provide a backup expert should I be unreachable for an extended period. Given the potential sensitivity and needs to make immediate contact, I will use all commercially reasonable efforts to respond to calls within 90 minutes. I will provide contact numbers. Conventional mail, courier packages, and faxes are reviewed and replied to within 24 hours of receipt.

5. I will occasionally provide articles, videos and materials that may assist you.

6. I agree to keep all materials/conversations that you, your advisors, your affiliates, your board members or anyone else speaking to me on your behalf provide or discuss confidential and to destroy or return to you all confidential documents provided as a result of this engagement at your request. If you have not given me instructions, then I will destroy all of these materials within 30 days of completion of my final engagement with you. This obligation will survive the termination of our final engagement and for three years thereafter. Since I regularly write articles on communication issues, I agree not to write about ___________ directly or indirectly without your prior approval.

7. As a client under this agreement, you have priority over clients not under agreement. (Furthermore I agree not to work with a competitor during this period, and agree not to convey confidential information of yours even after our period of work ends (pursuant to item 6 above).

8. The fee is $10,000 per six months is to be paid in advance. The fee for the succeeding 6 month period may be adjusted based on the activity level of the previous six months, but will not be less than $10,000.

9. The term of this agreement shall commence on _________________ and conclude on ____________________.

10. I will bill you separately for any costs associated with travel or any significant additional services you may request such as media training, special projects, or full-blown crisis management (as specified in paragraph 1), plus any out-of-pocket costs incurred on your behalf. Not later than 30 days prior to expiration, I will review this agreement with you for extension and modification.

*Outside attorney contact should be cursory and incidental. Full-scale involvement by me in litigation preparation, etc. is beyond the scope of this agreement.

Sincerely,

Richard D. Amme

President