Donald Duck’s Uncle, Prof. Ludwig Von Drake, hosts an instructional video on the site urging shareholders to vote with the white Disney proxy card, rather than for Nelson Peltz’s Trian group or Blackwells Capital’s candidates.
Disney isn’t going down without a fight. The company has launched VoteDisney, a new website meant to instruct shareholders on how to choose “properly” in the upcoming vote for board of directors.
“Friends, relatives and estimated chairman, you’re probably all wondering what we’re doing here today,” begins the voiceover of Donald Duck’s Uncle, Professor Ludwig Von Drake. “We need you to all vote for your board… voting is easy.”
The board’s status quo is currently threatened by two groups of activist investors, the Trian Group and Blackwells Capital. Trian, led by Nelson Peltz, is currently running a massive campaign backed by Ike Perlmutter to replace current directors Maria Elena Lagomasino and Michael Froman with Peltz and former Disney executive Jay Rasulo. Blackwells, an anti-Peltz faction, seeks to usher in Jessica Schell, Craig Hatkoff, and Leah Solivan as new directors.
“Remember it’s important you vote only for Disney’s 12 nominees using the white proxy card,” Von Drake urges. “Do not vote for the Trian group or Blackwell’s nominees. Voting this year is critical no matter how many or how few shares you may own… Please vote all of your shares on all of your accounts.”
The two activist investor groups utilize blue and green proxy cards, respectively, while Disney uses white.
“Professor Ludwig, what should the shareholders do with their blue and green proxy card?” questions the elder duck. “Please do not use the blue or green proxy cards.”
Votes must be submitted by 11:59 pm on April 2, prior to the annual meeting of shareholders on April 3.
Cybersecurity specialist by day, investigative journalist by night.
