Disney Launches Shareholder Voting Site for April 3 Annual Meeting

Ticker: DIS · Form: DEFA14A · Filed: Feb 5, 2024 · CIK: 1744489

Complexity: simple

Sentiment: neutral

Topics: proxy-statement, shareholder-meeting, corporate-governance

TL;DR

**Disney wants you to vote for their 12 nominees using the WHITE card by April 3, 2024.**

AI Summary

The Walt Disney Company launched a new website on February 5, 2024, to encourage shareholders to vote for Disney's 12 nominated directors at the upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 3, 2024. The company is urging shareholders to use the WHITE proxy card or voting instruction form, emphasizing that every vote is important regardless of the number of shares owned. This matters to investors because it signals an active effort by Disney's management to secure shareholder support for its current board, potentially in anticipation of or response to activist investor challenges.

Why It Matters

This filing indicates Disney is actively campaigning for its board nominees, which could be a defensive measure against potential activist investor challenges, directly impacting future company strategy and leadership.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: medium — The active solicitation for board nominees suggests potential proxy contest risks, which could lead to leadership changes or strategic shifts.

Analyst Insight

An investor should monitor news for any activist investor challenges or proxy contests that might be prompting Disney's proactive shareholder outreach, as this could influence future stock performance.

Key Players & Entities

FAQ

What is the purpose of the DEFA14A filing by The Walt Disney Company?

The DEFA14A filing by The Walt Disney Company is for 'Definitive Additional Materials' related to its 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, specifically to announce the launch of a website encouraging shareholders to vote for Disney's 12 nominees.

When is The Walt Disney Company's 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders?

The Walt Disney Company's 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is scheduled for April 3, 2024.

What action is Disney urging its shareholders to take regarding the upcoming meeting?

Disney is urging its shareholders to vote for only Disney's 12 nominees using the WHITE proxy card or the WHITE voting instruction form, emphasizing that every vote is important.

When was the shareholder voting website launched by Disney?

The Walt Disney Company launched its shareholder voting website on February 5, 2024, in connection with its 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Who are the shareholders of record eligible to vote for the Annual Meeting?

Shareholders of record on February 5, 2024, are eligible to vote for the Annual Meeting, either over the internet or by returning the WHITE proxy card or WHITE voting instruction form.

Filing Stats: 4,649 words · 19 min read · ~15 pages · Grade level 13 · Accepted 2024-02-05 17:07:48

Key Financial Figures

Filing Documents

From the Filing

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 14A Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Filed by the Registrant Filed by a Party other than the Registrant Check the appropriate box: Preliminary Proxy Statement Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) Definitive Proxy Statement Definitive Additional Materials Soliciting Material under 240.14a-12 The Walt Disney Company (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply): No fee required Fee paid previously with preliminary materials Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 On February 5, 2024, The Walt Disney Company ("Disney") launched a website in connection with Disney's 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. A copy of the materials can be found below. how to vote our board company news the walt disney company expert analysis contacts legal notices vote disney a 100-year track record of creativity, innovation and growth Your Vote Matters Voting is quick and easy – here is what you need to know! Watch Our Guide on How to Vote Disney's Annual Meeting of Shareholders is April 3, 2024 It's important you vote for only Disney's 12 nominees using the WHITE proxy card or the WHITE voting instruction form Your vote is extremely important no matter how many or how few shares you own How to vote Shareholders of record on February 5, 2024 have a choice of voting over the internet or by marking, signing, dating and returning the WHITE proxy card or WHITE voting instruction form. Registered shareholders may also vote by telephone by dialing the number indicated on the WHITE proxy card. Vote over the internet To vote over the internet, go to the website specified on the WHITE proxy card, WHITE voting instruction form or notice you received and follow the instructions there. You will need the control number included on your WHITE proxy card, WHITE voting instruction form or notice. If you received your proxy materials by e-mail, you may access the voting website by simply clicking on the "VOTE NOW" button shown in the e-mail. Vote by mail To vote by mail, simply mark, sign, date the WHITE proxy card or WHITE voting instruction form and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided. Vote Disney using the WHITE proxy card or the WHITE voting instruction form How to Vote Video Transcript Bill Rogers (BR): Welcome Shareholders, (LVD cuts BR off mid-sentence) Professor Ludwig Von Drake (LVD): Friends, Relatives and esteemed Chairman, you are all probably wondering what we are doing here today Now let's begin Bill Rogers (BR): (BR interjects mid-sentence) Woah! Professor Ludwig Von Drake slow down there! On April 3, The Walt Disney Company will be hosting its Annual Meeting of Shareholders and we need you to all vote FOR your Board! BR: Over the coming weeks, you will be receiving your voting materials relating to the WHITE proxy card. You may see them even sooner if you had consented to receiving them by email, so keep a watch on your inbox! Professor Ludwig, why don't you tell our shareholders how they can vote? LVD: Yes, yes, today we are going to use the Von Drake Method. BR: Professor Ludwig, they don't vote using those kinds of cards! BR: Voting is easy you can vote electronically or by good old fashioned mail Note that if you type in the website address, you'll be asked to provide the control number shown on the WHITE proxy card so be sure to have it handy. If you access the website using the QR code on the WHITE proxy card or the WHITE "VOTE NOW" button on your email, no control number will be needed. Please vote all of your shares in all of your accounts – each account will have a separate control number specific to the WHITE proxy card. BR: All electronic votes have to be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on April 2, 2024. If you hold shares in Disney Employee Plan, please note the earlier voting deadline indicated on your WHITE voting instruction form BR: Remember it's important you vote only for Disney's 12 nominees using the WHITE proxy card Do not vote for the Trian Group or Blackwells nominees. Voting this year is critical — no matter how many or how few shares you may own. BR: Professor Ludwig, what should the shareholders do with their blue and green proxy cards? LVD: Uh huh, BR: He's on the phone LVD: Yes, I do not need the extended warranty BR: Well shareholders may simply discard them, please, do NOT use the BLUE or GREEN proxy cards LVD: Got another difficult question for the professor? BR: Thank you, Professor, I think our shareholders are now well informed on how to vote for their Board. Remember, it's important you vote only for Disney's 12 nominees using the WHITE proxy card Do not vote for the Trian G

View Full Filing

View this DEFA14A filing on SEC EDGAR

View on Read The Filing