Blackwells Capital Calls on Trian to End its Misguided and "Ego-Driven" Campaign to Seek Board Representation at Disney
30 November 2023 - 10:31PM
Blackwells Capital LLC, a shareholder of The Walt Disney Company
(“Disney” or the “Company”) (NYSE:DIS) since 2018, today issued its
support for the ongoing transformative restructuring led by the
Company’s CEO Bob Iger, and stewarded by an enviable Board of
Directors recently enhanced through the appointments of James P.
Gorman and Sir Jeremy Darroch. Displacing these individuals or
other members of the Board with Mr. Peltz and other Trian selected
nominees would deprive shareholders of valuable, experienced voices
in the boardroom at a critical time in the Company’s history.
Blackwells is concerned that Trian’s campaign
prioritizes Mr. Peltz’s ego over what is best for all Disney
shareholders, and that its latest effort may cost Disney
shareholders upwards of $50 million and serve only as a value
destructive fog for Disney’s leadership and Board.
Moreover, Blackwells does not believe that
Trian’s efforts at Disney, or indeed at other public companies,
have necessarily served the interests of long-term shareholders.
Trian and Mr. Peltz’s involvement at The Wendy’s Company
(“Wendy’s”) (NASDAQ: WEN) serves as a cautionary tale for Disney
shareholders. In an act of nepotism, Mr. Peltz installed his son,
Matthew H. Peltz, as the non-executive Vice Chairman and packed the
board with business partners and friends, while presiding over a
period of disappointing results for Wendy’s shareholders.
Jason Aintabi, Chief Investment Officer of
Blackwells, commented, “Disney has one of the most attractive
portfolios of beloved brands and businesses. The combined
stewardship of the refreshed Board and the leadership of Mr. Iger,
offer Disney shareholders the best opportunity to surface value.
Mr. Peltz and Trian need to withdraw this costly and disruptive
effort to displace experienced voices in the boardroom and
substitute them with Mr. Peltz and his nominees.”
Mr. Aintabi continued, “Mindless, drum-beating
activism is not the right strategy for shareholders. Disney’s Board
is acting in the best interests of all shareholders and should be
allowed the time to focus on driving value at one of America’s most
iconic companies without this fatuous sideshow.”
About Blackwells Capital
Blackwells Capital was founded in 2016 by Jason
Aintabi, its Chief Investment Officer. Since that time, it has made
investments in public securities, engaging with management and
boards, both publicly and privately, to help unlock value for
stakeholders, including shareholders, employees and communities.
Throughout their careers, Blackwells’ principals have invested
globally on behalf of leading public and private equity firms and
have held operating roles and served on the boards of media,
energy, technology, insurance and real estate enterprises. For more
information, please
visit www.blackwellscap.com.Contacts
Gagnier CommunicationsDan
Gagnier646-569-5897blackwells@gagnierfc.com
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