This presentation focuses on the details of mergers and acquistions in Canada. It covers an overview of Canada's economy and opportunities, regulatory environment updates, supported and contested deals in Canada, how to manage the media as well as a M&A checklist.
3. Canada's Economic Update
• Forecast change in real GDP (2011):
CDA: +2.3% US: +1.5%(1)
• Forecast change in real GDP (2012):
CDA: +2.0% US: +1.6%(1)
• Forecast change in residential construction (2011):
CDA: +3.3% US: ‐2.4%(1)
• Forecast change in residential construction (2012):
CDA: +1.1% US: +1.3%(1)
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4. Canada's Economic Update
• Unemployment rate (August 2011):
CDA: 7.3%(2) US: 9.1%(3)
• Forecast budget deficit (2011):
CDA: Cdn$36.2 billion(4) US: US$1.3 trillion(5)
• Forecast budget deficit (2012):
CDA: Cdn$32.3 billion(4) US: US$973 billion(5)
• Exchange rate (September 9, 2011):
Cdn$1.00 = US$1.0040(6)
Sources: (1) TD Economics, August 24, 2011
(2) Statistics Canada, September 9, 2011
(3) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2, 2011
(4) Financial Post, August 26, 2011
(5) Congressional Budget Office, August 2011
(6) Bank of Canada
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5. M&A
• Number of announced M&A deals:
• 515 (H1 2011)
• 528 (H1 2010)(9)
• Value of announced M&A deals:
• Cdn$80.7 billion (H1 2011)
• Cdn$60.6 billion (H1 2010)(9)
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7. M&A
• Canadians acquiring either (a) foreign companies, or (b)
Canadian companies from foreign companies: 154 deals valued
at Cdn$20.2 billion (H1 2011)(9)
• Foreigners acquiring either (a) Canadian companies, or (b)
foreign companies from Canadians: 65 deals valued at
Cdn$28.0 billion (H1 2011)(9)
• Top foreign acquiror of Canadian located companies: US ‐ 28
deals valued at Cdn$13.6 billion (H1 2011)(9)
Source: (9) Crosbie & Company Inc.
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8. M&A
• There have been a number of recent decisions of Canadian
courts and provincial securities regulatory authorities that
have a material impact on public M&A transactions,
particularly with regard to the directors of target companies
• Directors of a target company must be mindful of both the
fiduciary duties under corporate law and the restrictions on
defensive tactics set out in National Policy 62‐202 ‐ Take‐over
Bids ‐ Defensive Tactics of the Canadian Securities
Administrators (NP 62‐202)
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9. M&A
• Very important judicial decision is BCE Inc. v. 1976
Debentureholders (Supreme Court of Canada, 2008)
• A consortium of purchasers, including US private equity firms,
contemplated the acquisition of BCE Inc. by statutory plan of
arrangement, with the total capital required for the
transaction of approximately Cdn$52 billion
• The transaction included the addition of a substantial amount
of new debt for which Bell Canada, a wholly‐owned subsidiary
of BCE Inc., would guarantee approximately Cdn$30 billion
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10. M&A
• Although the transaction was approved by 98% of the
shareholders of BCE Inc., it was opposed by a group of financial
and other institutions that held debentures issued by Bell
Canada
• The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) concluded that the
debentureholders failed to establish either oppression or that
the trial judge erred in approving the plan of arrangement
• The SCC made several significant holdings regarding the
fiduciary duty of corporate directors
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11. M&A
• The fiduciary duty of corporate directors is not confined to
short‐term profit or share value
• Where the corporation is an ongoing concern, the duty looks
to the long‐term interests of the corporation
• It is not mandatory to consider the impact of corporate
decisions on shareholders; there is no principle that the
interests of shareholders should prevail over any other set of
interests
• It is not acceptable to maximize profit and share value by
treating individual stakeholders unfairly
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13. Foreign Investment Review
• In a direct acquisition of control of an established Canadian
business, through a purchase of assets or voting interests of a
corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture, the foreign
acquirer may be required either to file a notice or an
application for review and approval, depending upon the
circumstances
• Neither obligation will arise if the transaction falls within one
of the general exceptions under the ICA (which general
exceptions are, in turn, subject to specific exceptions for
certain types of business)
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14. Foreign Investment Review
• If none of the exceptions apply, the transaction will be subject
to pre‐closing review if the Canadian business has assets with a
book value in excess of:
– Cdn$312 million (in 2011, with the threshold adjusted annually) if the
investor is from a country that is a member of the World Trade
Organization
– Cdn$5 million otherwise
• As a result of recent amendments to the ICA, the review
threshold will increase upon the promulgation of new
regulations to: Cdn$600 million for that year and the following
year; Cdn$800 million for the next two years; subsequently
Cdn$1 billion indexed to inflation
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16. Foreign Investment Review
• Outside of the cultural industry, there have been only two
transactions that have been rejected under the ICA:
– In 2008, the proposed acquisition of the geospatial business of
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. by the American company,
Alliant Techsystems
– In 2010, the proposed acquisition of Potash Corporation of
Saskatchewan by the Australian company, BHP Billiton
• The rejections do not seem to represent a sea‐change in
Canada’s openness to foreign investment
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17. Foreign Investment Review
• However, they have provided key lessons to potential
foreign investors:
– Underscore the broad latitude given under the ICA to the
Minister of Industry when determining what constitutes a “net
benefit to Canada”; the concept is an elastic one based generally
on economic considerations as well as individual and policy
objectives of Canada and the provinces likely to be significantly
affected by the investment
– Highlight the potential for Canadian stakeholders affected by the
transaction to lobby the federal government; in the case of the
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan transaction, the Premier of
Saskatchewan spearheaded an intense public relations campaign
characterising potash as a “strategic asset”
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18. Case Study: BHP Billiton / PotashCorp
• In August 2010, BHP Billiton made a premium, all cash bid for PotashCorp, which the Board rejected
as inadequate
- PotashCorp was at an inflection point, and its stock price at the time did not reflect the
Challenge fundamental value of the company
- Incorporation in Canada reduced defensive options
- Few likely alternative bidders; none emerged
• Media Outreach: Explained fundamentals of fertilizer industry and strong growth prospects of
PotashCorp
Our • Global Communications Campaign: Disciplined, on‐message outreach to shareholders; analysts;
employees; customers; federal and provincial governments; and Canadian, Australian, UK, and US
Approach press
• Litigation Support: Placed articles highlighting BHP’s efforts to introduce false and misleading
information into the marketplace
• Successfully conveyed the Company’s value proposition
• Secured Regulator Endorsement: On November 3rd, Canadian government announced that BHP’s
Results offer “is not likely to be of net benefit to Canada within meaning of the Investment Canada Act”
• Favorable Resolution: BHP did not appeal government’s ruling, effectively ending pursuit of
PotashCorp. BHP withdrew its offer on November 14th
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19. M&A
• Directors of a public company in Canada that is involved
in an M&A transaction are faced with different mandates:
– Under corporate law, a fiduciary duty to the corporation
– Under securities law, scrutiny by securities commissions
that consider the public interest, fair and efficient capital
markets and investor confidence
• The differences in these mandates become particularly
relevant in the context of a "poison pill" as a take‐over
defense
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21. Canadian Poison Pills, eh?
• Following on the lead of the US, poison pills became the
standard take‐over defense in Canada in the late 1980s
• The poison pill rules now found in NP 62‐202 were first
introduced in Canada in 1986. The rules were not engaged
when a target company adopted a poison pill, but were
engaged when the target company tried to use the pill
• TSX required shareholder approval of a poison pill within six
months of adoption
• Poison pills were scrutinized by securities commissions, rather
than by the courts
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22. Canadian Poison Pills, eh?
• Before 2007, securities commissions took the view that
the "pill must go", with shareholder approval being only
one of many factors in determining when a poison pill
should be cease traded.
• Even then, shareholder approval was only relevant in
determining how long the poison pill could remain in
place.
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23. Canadian Poison Pills, eh?
• In 2007 and 2009, there were two decisions where poison pills
that had been approved by shareholders during the take‐over
were allowed to remain in place even though the target
company’s board had no intention of seeking alternative
transactions to the take‐over bid:
– Re Pulse Data Inc. (Alberta Securities Commission, 2007)
– Re Neo Material Technologies Inc. and Pala Investment Holdings
Limited (Ontario Securities Commission, 2009), where specific
reference was made to the decision of the SCC in BCE Inc. v. 1976
Debentureholders
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24. Canadian Poison Pills, eh?
• However, in the 2010 decision Re Lions Gate Entertainment
Corp., the British Columbia Securities Commission adopted the
pre‐2007 approach to poison pills.
– The Commission issued a cease trade order against a poison pill in
connection with the hostile bid by entities controlled by Carl C. Icahn.
– Although a shareholders’ meeting to approve the poison pill had been
called, the Commission would not allow the poison pill to remain in
place indefinitely even if the shareholders were to approve it.
– The Commission’s decision was upheld by the British Columbia Court
of Appeal.
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25. Canadian Poison Pills, eh?
• Re Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. (Ontario Securities Commission, 2010)
– The Ontario Securities Commission cease traded the poison pill because the
pill had already served its purpose in facilitating an auction. There were now
two competing bidders at the table, and the target’s Board of Directors were
no longer soliciting further bids.
– A poison pill will “go” when it is unlikely to achieve any further benefits for
shareholders.
– There is no definitive test or primary consideration for deciding when a poison
pill should remain in place. Shareholder approval is just one consideration.
– Whether a target’s Board of Directors is acting in the best interests of the
corporation in perpetuating a poison pill is a relevant but secondary
consideration. It does not determine whether a poison pill should remain in
place.
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26. Canadian Poison Pills, eh?
• Re Afexa Life Sciences Inc. (Alberta Securities Commission,
2011)
– Shareholders have a fundamental right to be allowed to decide for
themselves whether to tender to a take‐over bid.
– A poison pill may interfere with that right, but absent unusual
circumstances, eventually a poison pill “must go”.
– A degree of deference is given to the target’s Board of Directors in
deciding to rely on a poison pill, but ultimately it is within the authority
of the Commission, and not the directors, to determine when the pill
has served its purpose and should be terminated.
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27. Fairness Opinions
• Another area of scrutiny by securities commissions has been in
relation to fairness opinions. The Ontario Securities
Commission (OSC) considered fairness opinions in two recent
cases:
– Re HudBay Minerals Inc. (2009) in connection with its proposed plan of
arrangement to acquire Lundin Mining Corporation
– Re Magna International Inc. (2010) in connection with its plan of
arrangement to eliminate its dual class share structure of multiple and
subordinate voting shares, with the controlling shareholder holding
the multiple voting shares to receive an 1800% premium relative to
the market price of the subordinate voting shares
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28. Fairness Opinions: Re HudBay Minerals Inc.
• In Re HudBay Minerals Inc., the OSC determined that HudBay
Minerals Inc.’s acquisition of Lundin Mining Corporation
required shareholder approval
• What attracted considerable attention was a comment in the
OSC’s decision about the success fee that was payable to the
financial advisor providing a fairness opinion to the Special
Committee of HudBay Minerals Inc.’s Board of Directors.
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29. Fairness Opinions: Re HudBay Minerals Inc.
• The OSC said that a success fee throws into question the entire
fairness opinion, in light of the conflict of interest that the
success fee creates.
• In a subsequent speech, the chair of the OSC panel in that
decision narrowed the application of the panel's comments on
success fees to the facts of the case and said the panel's
comments did not suggest that success fees must not be paid
to providers of fairness opinions.
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30. Fairness Opinions: Re Magna International Inc.
• In Re Magna International Inc., a Special Committee of the
Board of Directors of Magna International Inc. retained a
financial advisor
• The terms of engagement of the financial advisor did not
require the delivery of a fairness opinion or a valuation, and so
the financial advisor did not deliver one.
• The Special Committee recommended to the Board of
Directors that the transaction be submitted for shareholder
approval, with no recommendation as to how they should
vote; the Board of Directors adopted the recommendation.
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31. Fairness Opinions: Re Magna International Inc.
• The OSC staff objected to the Special Committee and the
Board of Directors’ process, as well as the disclosure that was
provided to the shareholders in the management circular.
• Although the OSC did not stop the transaction, it ordered
additional disclosure to be provided to the shareholders as to:
– How the financial advisor assessed the proposed transaction from a
financial perspective.
– Why the financial advisor could not opine as to the fairness of the
transaction from a financial perspective.
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32. Contested Situations
• “Falling stock prices awakening activist shareholders” Financial Post,
November 21, 2011
• “Proxy battles loom as Canadian activists grow edgy… Global market slump
brings wave of activism to Canada” Reuters.com Nov 20, 2011
• Marked increase in activism, proxy contests and unsolicited M&A, including
interlopers on friendly transactions
• Canadian Pacific Railway/Pershing Square Capital, Viterra Inc./Alberta
Investment Management Corp., Research in Motion, Toronto Stock
Exchange/London Stock Exchange/Maple Group, Inmet Mining/Lundin
Mining/ Equinox Minerals/China Minmetals/Barrick Gold; Microsemi
Corp/Zarlink Semiconductor
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33. Proxy Contest Observations
• Proxy contests for board control can be utilized as a takeover vehicle with
no control premium paid
• Inverse correlation between stock market performance and proxy contest
activity
• Canadian proxy fight activity has increased significantly over the past 5
years, led at times by increasing US hedge fund interest
• Staggered boards very uncommon in Canada, can target entire slate at one
time
• Minimum 5% ownership threshold to requisition meeting
• Very short, proscribed timelines for target to respond & set a meeting date
(21 days), else dissident calls & controls meeting
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35. Proxy Contest Observations
• Over the past few years, dissidents have been increasingly
successful at attaining partial or complete victory – approx
50%+ success rate
• Proxy Advisory firms (ISS, Glass Lewis) can have meaningful
influence on outcome
• If <15 shareholders solicited, no circular required and
opportunity for ambush (stealth) attack at meeting (CBCA)
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36. Contested M&A Observations
• Strategic acquirers and private equity firms sitting on massive
amounts of cash reserves
• Increasing willingness to go direct to shareholders with deal if
cannot get board support – valuation gap
• While a varying degree of uncertainty exists with global
economic factors, the courageous are spotting potential
advantage and pouncing on targets (ie. Chinese state owned
Shandong Gold Group recent $1Bn unsolicited offer for Jaguar
Mining)
• Others also looking at same targets and don't want to be left
behind so an increase in interlopers and white knights
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37. Dealing with A Contested Situation
What’s different about communications?
• Opposition
– Company, Board and management team go under a microscope
– Greater scrutiny by investors and media
– No strategy or statement goes unchallenged
– Directors and management open to public criticism
• Similar to a political campaign
– Battle for shareholder support/votes
– Rhetoric can often be heated
– Third party advocates needed
– Strategic, “rapid response” communications required
• Critical to stay on message and control the forum for delivery
• Need optimal coordination to succeed
Everything you say can and will be used against you
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38. IR/PR Advance Preparation
• IR – proverbial “canary in the coal mine”
• Maintain polite dialogue with dissidents and avoid “preemptive strikes”
– Direct contact via one‐on‐ones and telephone calls
– Indirect conversations via large, supportive shareholders
– Does the shareholder have legitimate concerns that can be addressed?
• Consider need to ramp‐up investor and public relations efforts
– Goal is to ensure large base of supportive shareholders who understand the Company’s
value proposition and management’s track record
– Use regular channels (e.g. earnings) to communicate messages and reinforce progress
– Consider increasing frequency of momentum announcements (e.g. M&A milestones,
new product developments, new customer wins)
• Identify and cultivate third party supporters
– Institutional investors, sell‐side analysts, customers, business partners, industry analysts,
politicians, business/trade organizations
– Traditional shareholder advocates (aka the “corporate governance gurus”)
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39. IR Tactics and Considerations in a Contest
• Regular, targeted one‐on‐one meetings
– Major vehicle for communicating with investors and sell‐side analysts
– No substitute for in‐person meeting with the CEO and/or executive team
– Controlled forum for delivering messages
• Large format or group meetings must be carefully considered
– Limit group meetings (including dinners and lunches)
– Level of control is significantly diminished
– Company can be exposed to a “mob” mentality
– Easy for opposition to cause trouble
• Monitor conference call participants
• Sell‐side needs to be educated about proxy fights
• Arbs are a special case in change of control situation
– Source of information
– Likely to vote with dissident
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40. Current Environment in M&A (Media Landscape)
• Fierce competition among M&A press, especially for “scoops”
– Some publications factor “scoops” into overall compensation
– “Strategic placements” more challenging and less prevalent
• Only a handful of influential M&A reporters
• M&A reporters more interested in deal terms, tactics, “backstories”
and potential obstacles to completion than industry sector dynamics
• “Second day” commentaries now often come on first day of coverage:
– BreakingViews (Reuters, NYT), Deal Professor (NYT), Deal Journal (WSJ),
Dealpolitik (WSJ), Heard on the Street (WSJ), Lex column (FT)
• Media focused on CEO reputation to personalize M&A stories
• Lawyers and bankers can be very helpful in background briefings with
reporters
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41. Current Environment in M&A (Investor Relations)
• Well‐established trust and confidence between CEOs and shareholders
imperative to deal acceptance on both sides
• Investors hate surprises
• Deal must clearly fit into articulated strategy
• Shareholders must be convinced that strategic rationale represents better
use vs. returning to shareholders through buybacks, dividends, investing in
organic growth
• Challenge to strike balance between fair price (for buyer) vs. attractive
premium (for target)
• Market checks and deal processes must hold up to close scrutiny
• Arbs must be carefully managed and can help inform IR and PR strategy –
“canaries in the coal mine”
• ISS impact is not consistent but still important consideration
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42. The PR Guide to M&A
• Plan launch day to generate favorable comment and maximum
support
• Strategic placements can be dangerous
• Deliver key messages in forums that provide maximum control
• Brief sell‐side analysts early – they can set the tone
• Anticipate hard questions and decide (in advance) how far to go
• Broaden support for client’s position and underscore company’s
strengths with media, shareholders and other key constituencies
• Advisor perspective can be a key factor in shaping the story with
media
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43. Case Study: Lionsgate Entertainment
Synopsis
• March 2009: Discussions end between Lionsgate and Icahn over representation on the
Company's Board, which included Icahn’s son, Brett Icahn
• Within 10 days, Icahn commences a TO for all of Lionsgate’s Convertible Senior Subordinated
Notes – a deminimus number of shares are tendered into Icahn’s offer
• March 2010: Icahn launches partial TO to acquire up to approx 10% of the shares for $6 per
share in cash in attempt to own a total of 29.9% of the outstanding shares
• Board rejects offer and implements a Rights Plan to be voted on at a scheduled special
meeting
• Icahn amended TO for 50.1% or up to all Lionsgate’s shares followed by a $1 bump in offer
price to $7 per share
• Lionsgate and Icahn engage in a proxy contest over the vote on the Rights Plan
• Glass Lewis and Egan‐Jones support Lionsgate's Rights Plan
• British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) cease trade Rights Plan and Lionsgate loses in
court of appeal
• Despite BCSC decision, Lionsgate conducts special meeting ‐‐ shareholders vote FOR the Rights
Plan
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44. Case Study: Lionsgate Entertainment
Synopsis (cont’d)
• May 2010: Lionsgate announces willingness to engage in discussions w/ Icahn
re: potential negotiations
• Icahn extended his offer numerous times with dwindling support from
shareholders
• July 2010: Icahn commenced a second TO, which Lionsgate’s Board again
rejected
• Lionsgate completes a deleveraging transaction. Lawsuits are filed in Canada
and the United States
• November 2010: Icahn nominated five directors for election to Lionsgate’s
Board
• Four days before shareholder meeting, the NY Supreme Court denies Icahn’s
motion for preliminary injunction, allowing the deleveraging transaction to
remain in effect. Icahn withdraws his second TO.
44
45. Case Study: Lionsgate Entertainment
Synopsis (cont’d)
• At shareholder meeting, Lionsgate shareholders voted to elect ALL of the
Company’s director nominees
• Icahn’s lawsuits were dismissed in Canada and the US
• August 2011: Lionsgate and Icahn reach agreement under which Icahn will
sell substantially all of his position
• As part of agreement, all pending litigation involving Lionsgate, Icahn
and/or Mark Rachesky is dismissed
• October 2011: Icahn’s public filings reveal reduced stake in Lionsgate of
approximately 3%
45
46. Case Study: Lionsgate Entertainment
Communications Opportunities
• June 2009: In exchange for board seat, Dr. Mark Rachesky (head of the
MHR Group, former protégé of Carl Icahn and Lionsgate’s largest
shareholder (19.9%) agreed to vote all shares in favor of Lionsgate’s slate
of directors
• Icahn contradicted himself regarding his intentions for Lionsgate:
– Initially, Mr. Icahn stated: “We are not looking to take control of Lionsgate. To begin
with, that is not in the picture for a number of reasons. One, Americans and old
Canadian companies are frowned upon as far as taking control and we respect Canada
and we are not in any way saying we want to control it, so I want to make that clear. We
just want to have a say at the table…”
– Later Mr. Icahn said: “We intend to replace Lions Gate’s board of directors with our
nominees. I am hopeful that the new board will act expeditiously to replace top
management with individuals who are more likely to enhance value for all shareholders.”
46
47. Case Study: Lionsgate Entertainment
Communications Opportunities (cont’d)
• Icahn also changed his position with regard to Lionsgate’s operations:
– Initially, Mr. Icahn expressed that management “should stick to what they know best
which is buying these small companies ‐‐ and distributing them and also producing TV.”
– Later Mr. Icahn believes that “You don’t make a lot of money on these TV
productions…TV does not make a company a lot of money” and he implied that the
Company should limit itself to distribution only.
• Icahn would have violated Lionsgate’s credit facilities if his ownership
crossed the 20% threshold, which would have forced Lionsgate to repay all
amounts then outstanding under its credit facilities and potentially lose its
primary source of liquidity to fund operations
• The BCSC’s Decision Broke Precedent: In cease trading Lionsgate’s Rights
Plan, the BCSC deviated from recent decisions by other Canadian Securities
Commissions in similar cases
– Previously the Commissions emphasized the importance of deferring to the board and
considering shareholder voting
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48. M&A Checklist
• Once target identified assemble tactical team (legal counsel, proxy
solicitor, PR)
• Identify & ascertain target shareholder composition – institutional/retail,
US/Cdn/Foreign
• For solicited transactions, determine pro’s/con’s of structure ‐ tender offer
vs plan of arrangement
• Obtain lock‐ups, voting agreements
• If a vote (proxy fight, plan of arrangement) measure potential ISS/Glass
Lewis influence and develop presentation
• Develop communications plan – media, shareholders, government,
analysts
• Be prepared for potential significant shareholder turnover on offer
announcement ‐ entrance of timing/momentum players
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49. Questions?
Contact
Brad Allen Laurel Hill Advisory Group ballen@laurelhill.com
Sander Grieve Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP sander.grieve@fmc‐law.com
Jamie Moser Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher jmoser@joelefrank.com
Kate Broer Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP kate.broer@fmc‐law.com