Done Deal – Insights from our M&A and Activism team – May 2024
Insights from our M&A and Activism team
Welcome to the latest installment of Done Deal! In this edition, Anne-Sophie Deman, discusses the upcoming EU elections and how they could look to impact deal activity. Following this, see takeaways from Val Mack on the recent Disney/Trian proxy campaign with 13D Monitor. Lastly, Kentaro Hirata, in our Japan team, offers some brief reflections in this month’s colleague spotlight.
EU Elections and the impact on deal activity: Insights from our team in Brussels
Learn more about the EU Elections from our experts in our Electoral Pulse podcast series: https://getready4.eu/podcasts/
Key takeaways from recent activist campaigns: in conversation with 13D Monitor
Last month, our expert Val Mack spoke to 13D Monitor for their Activist Report around some key takeaways from the insights from the Disney/Trian proxy campaign. Val said:
“After running communications for a few political campaigns in Florida, I know that alligators, oranges, and Mickey Mouse rule the Sunshine State. So, when the Disney versus Trian campaign ramped up, I put out an ask to every Floridian Disney shareholder I know (which is essentially every Floridian I know): “Please send me any and all materials that you receive around this vote.” I wanted to see how creative the retail shareholder outreach would be on this one. I was expecting to see a lot of emails, snail mail pieces, digital ads, and text messages. I was not expecting to get so many questions from friends about what voting meant and how to do it. The sheer volume of contact made it clear to these retail shareholders that this was an important election; yet, these retail shareholders with a deep love of the brand had no idea what to do when it came to voting because they had never voted their shares before – but they wanted to this time around.”
Val Mack
Managing Director, New York
What We’re Up To
Meet our Team: 30 seconds with Kentaro Hirata
What is your focus area at FTI Consulting?
I joined FTI this past April. I have worked in the financial and investment related industries for over 15 years. I have been involved in activism, hostile takeover defense, M&A, IPOs, and corporate restructuring, either as an advisor or as a principal. I will drive the expansion of the financial communications business in Japan, focusing primarily on M&A and Activism, especially in my areas of expertise.
What M&A trends are you seeing in your marketplace?
As you know, major global activists were already active in Japan. They have been steadily achieving success in their investments, and I predict we will see an increase in funds allocated to Japanese activist investments in the future. For some activist funds with strong strategic propositions, the issues raised are not limited to cash allocation, business portfolio optimization, or governance issues. Specifically, there is a focus on increasing sales through enhanced branding and marketing. In addition to the financial approach, several activists are also keenly aware of how to grow their businesses and how to make them profitable.
Finally, I would like to highlight some of the clear strengths of the FTI Tokyo team that have become apparent in discussions with M&A and activism professionals since I joined in April.
- Experienced professionals in Japan begin to function as case managers.
- The presence of strong professionals who have faced major global activists and who have worked for voting advisory firms. A cooperative, one-team approach.
- The ability to provide a full range of consulting services to support the essential changes needed to successfully respond to activism. Continue to support mid-term business planning and value enhancement based on vulnerability analysis and investor awareness surveys, for example.
What do you do outside of work that helps you reset and stay sharp for the next professional challenge?
Outside of work, I recharge by connecting with people I know outside the company. Engaging with hardworking individuals boosts my energy. Additionally, I enjoy driving around and exploring reputable restaurants.
Contact Us
To be added to the distribution list for FTI Consulting’s M&A and Activism Insights, or for further information on the dedicated M&A and Activism team at FTI Consulting, please contact Edward Bridges ([email protected]) Pat Tucker ([email protected]) or Alex Le May ([email protected]).
| The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of FTI Consulting, its management, its subsidiaries, its affiliates, or its other professionals. ©2024 FTI Consulting, Inc. All rights reserved. www.fticonsulting.com |
