Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Shareholder group opposes Icahn

We just covered corporate governance and the difficulty of those opposed to management being elected to the board of directors in class. So Carl Ichan's attempt to win a seat on the Blockbuster Board is perfectly timed to encourage maximum learning ;)
Shareholder group opposes Icahn - Entertainment and Leisure - Retail - Services/Consulting - Media - Company Announcements - Newsmakers: "Considered a key recommendation for voting shareholders, ISS said the billionaire Icahn lacks expertise in media that the Blockbuster board needs. Moreover, the firm said, a yes vote for him and his co-nominees might hamper the re-election of Chief Executive John Antioco to the board. ISS says it wants Antioco to remain.

Icahn last week nominated himself and two entertainment industry veterans: Edward Bleier, a former Warner Bros. executive, and Strauss Zelnick, a former head of BMG Entertainment. ISS accepted Icahn's recommendation on Bleier and Zelnick, but said the billionaire should not be appointed.

ISS said the video giant's board 'could benefit from the extensive media experience of [Bleier and Zelnick], in light of the significant market challenges the company currently faces.'"