Reality Bites: Martha Stewart Edition

According to the filing, Stewart’s base salary has been reduced by 10%, from $2 million to $1.8 million. The agreement regarding reimbursement of business and certain other expenses also has been changed, presumably cutting back on some of Stewart’s perks, such as chauffeured limos for personal use on weekends. The effective date of this change was July 1, and the contract runs through June 30, 2017.

Stewart will also take a 15% cut in the annual licensing fee she collects from MSO for the use of her name. The new fee totals $1.7 million, down from $2 million. This change becomes effective in September and expires in September 2017.

The company also will get one-third of any talent fees paid to Stewart by nonaffiliated third parties and that require a “significant on-going commitment” from Stewart.

MSO’s board said the changes to Stewart’s contracts are “consistent with their plan” to return the company to profitability. Shareholders like the deal, pushing the stock price up 1.7% this morning, to $2.38 in a 52-week range of $2.28 to $3.41.