NEW YORK, June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RiskMetrics
Group (ISS) ("RiskMetrics"), the world's leading proxy advisory
firm, has recommended that stockholders of Blockbuster, Inc. (NYSE:
BBI, BBI.B) vote the GOLD proxy card and elect Gregory S. Meyer to the Blockbuster Board of
Directors (the "Board") at the 2010 annual meeting of stockholders
scheduled to take place on June 24,
2010. RiskMetrics' recommendations are relied upon by
thousands of major institutional investment firms, mutual funds and
other fiduciaries globally.
In its June 14, 2010 report
recommending that Blockbuster stockholders elect Gregory S. Meyer to the Board, RiskMetrics
stated the following:
- "We believe the dissident [Meyer] would be aligned with
shareholders, has demonstrated that change is warranted, has
relevant skill sets and industry knowledge, and, therefore, is
likely to add value to board deliberations. To this point we note,
if elected, Mr. Meyer would have the largest non-management
director ownership position in BBI stock and that Mr. Meyer's
experience with this industry dates back to 2001."
- "Based on our discussions with the dissident [Meyer]
including presentations and filings dating back to 2004, it appears
[he] has a deep understanding of the home entertainment retail
market and its distribution channels including retail stores, mail,
automated retail (kiosk) and on-line.
Regarding Blockbuster's underperformance and the role of
incumbent director Gary J.
Fernandes, the report stated:
- "...the history of sustained underperformance we believe, in
large part, is a result of Blockbuster's past decisions and
execution of its multi-channel distribution strategy."
- "...we note that Mr. Fernandes has been a director since
December 2004, [and] as such, must
share responsibility for the company's deterioration in shareholder
value that has taken place over this time. In sum, based on the
sustained underperformance, we believe the dissident has made a
reasonable case for change on the board."
The RiskMetrics report concluded by noting that: "...based
on Mr. Meyer's letters and correspondence with the company dating
back to 2004 and 2005 regarding the potential opportunities of
automated DVD rental kiosks, … it is apparent that the dissident is
not 'Monday Morning Quarterbacking' the situation. Therefore, for
the aforementioned reasons, we recommend shareholders vote on the
GOLD card for dissident nominee Gregory S.
Meyer."
Stockholders are urged to follow the RiskMetrics recommendation
by voting their GOLD proxy card today to elect Gregory S. Meyer to the Blockbuster Board.
Even if a vote on a White proxy card has previously been
cast, it is not too late to change that vote by voting a GOLD proxy
card as only the latest dated proxy card will be counted.
Stockholders who have questions or need assistance voting their
shares should contact proxy solicitor InvestorCom Inc. toll-free at
(877) 972-0090.
CONTACT:
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Gregory S. Meyer, 212-444-8784
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BBIStockholders@gmail.com
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SOURCE Gregory S. Meyer