Shareholder Activism

Unions Seek Influence in Corporate Battles

The collision of financial, political and social issues in deal-making and proxy contests has never been more apparent in the United States than it was in 2023 and thus far in 2024.

By Jonathan Doorley
20 May 2024

Activism Alert

A historic swell of shareholder activism in Japan looms. Brunswick experts explain how companies can prepare—and the critical importance of having a digital strategy.

By Charlie Koons
21 June 2022

ESG during the 2022 AGM season

Insights from Brunswick’s Global ESG Practice

By Stefanie Chalk
07 April 2022

The Long View

Marty Lipton, the legendary foe of short-termism, speaks with Brunswick’s Lucy Parker about his career-long push for business to serve all stakeholders.

By Lucy Parker
21 December 2020

The Crisis for Directors

While the world’s focus has rightly been on the global loss of life and the continuing health threat, the crisis related to the coronavirus pandemic is even broader.

By Joanna Donne
24 July 2020

Swimming with Sharks

Emerging from the COVID-19 crisis, companies may find they have more to worry about, says Brunswick Partner Charlie Koons.

By Charlie Koons
30 March 2020

Doug McMillon: Taking the Long View

As CEO of Walmart, he has rewarded shareholders and other stakeholders. Now he brings his sense of purpose to his new role as Chairman of the US Business Roundtable.

By Harry Clark
22 January 2020

Activism: What can art learn from business?

Leaders of art institutions and big businesses find themselves in surprisingly similar situations. For decades, their performance – and very often their job tenure – were largely determined by a single group: In the corporate world, that was shareholders; in the art world, the board of trustees.

01 November 2019

Rising Shareholder Activism shifts spotlight to Boards

Shareholder activism is on the rise and Asia is emerging as a growing focus. Asian family-owned and founder-led businesses as well as the region’s many diversified conglomerates, in particular, should expect increased scrutiny. There are red flags and lessons to be learnt from past cases on how to prepare for and best respond to activist campaigns.

By Kate Holgate
01 April 2019

Activism in 2019 Trends to watch

In today’s era of increased corporate engagement, stakeholders of all kinds are voicing opinions on how a company and its management should deliver value. As the number of activist investor campaigns continue to increase around the world, some recent developments as the activism landscape matures:

27 February 2019

Activist investing in Europe: Why good communication is key

"European media have not entirely bought into the nice guy activist thesis"

14 November 2018

Brunswick strengthens its Partner team in Hong Kong with the appointment of Cynthia Meng

13 September 2018

Corporate defender Marty Lipton

Marty Lipton has waged many battles against activist investors. He speaks to Brunswick about the latest trends in that war

By Kevin Helliker
07 March 2018

Welcome to the jungle

Zoetis CEO Juan Ramón Alaix speaks about leading an animal health company to a $2.2 billion IPO and facing down an aggressive activist

By Raul Damas
07 March 2018

Buffett's promise of permanence

Warren Buffett’s writer and editor of choice, Lawrence Cunningham, explains how the investor has acquired hundreds of subsidiaries – and never sells them

By Kevin Helliker
07 March 2018

Institutional Investor Viewpoints on Activism

A One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Activism Is Not Effective, Says Brunswick Global Survey of Investors

By Jonathan Doorley
25 January 2018

The Activist Report - 13D Monitor

02 May 2017

Barbarians inside the gate

Activists are posing bolder, smarter challenges, says Brunswick’s Radina Russell

12 October 2015

Don’t wait to build trust

Abe Friedman, corporate governance expert and founder of advisory firm CamberView, tells Brunswick’s Gemma Hart and Jayne Rosefield how early engagement with investors can win activist fights

By Jayne Rosefield
12 October 2015

Activism goes digital

Strategic use of social media such as Twitter and LinkedIn can provide a company with a powerful campaign advantage, says Brunswick’s Mike Krempasky

By Mike Krempasky
12 October 2015

Retail investors cheer on the activists

Activists find an unlikely ally in the pursuit of shareholder value

By Robert Moran
12 October 2015

US-style activism casts a long shadow

While slow to follow the US lead, international markets are taking notice

12 October 2015

Europe - Time to brace for activist surge

A wave of successful shareholder activism has long been anticipated in Europe, modeled on the US experience.

12 October 2015

Asia - Cue for more engagement

Until recently, a combination of less mature capital markets and controlling positions in companies held by families have made Asia an unattractive place for US-style hedge fund activists to create returns.

12 October 2015

Japan - Abe’s reforms open a door

Building on his 2012 election promise to revitalize Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe launched a series of reforms that includes significant changes in corporate governance, potentially permitting greater pressure from shareholders.

12 October 2015

India - Minority stakes gain a new voice

Tougher regulations and a trend toward better governance are giving rise to a new wave of activism in India by small, large and even foreign shareholders.

By Azhar Khan
12 October 2015

South Africa - Investors press for social change

While South Africa doesn’t have US-style activists yet, its culture of corporate transparency has encouraged a domestic form of activism, emphasizing social transformation.

By Timothy Schultz
12 October 2015

Staying ahead of the activists

Michelle Edkins, Head of Corporate Governance at BlackRock, the world’s largest money manager, tells Brunswick’s Monika Driscoll that activism has upped everyone’s game

12 October 2015