Fashion chain Chico's FAS has brought in Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher for PR support as it faces heat from activist investor Barington Capital.
New York-based Barington argues Chico's is underperforming peers and failing to create long-term value for shareholders. The firm is offering a slate of two board nominees, including Barington's CEO James Mitarotonda and former Macy's Merchandising CEO Janet Grove.
Chico's, which has been cutting costs and eyes more cuts up to $85M, argues CEO Shelley Broader, who took the reins late last year, as well as CFO Todd Vogensen (July 2014) have the company on the right path. It is offering its own slate of independent director candidates.
Chico's, which has also engaged Innisfree M&A Inc. for the proxy showdown, has pushed its annual meeting from June 16 to July 21.
Joele Frank partner Barrett Golden leads the PR work for Chico's. Jennifer Powers is VP of IR for Chico's in-house.
Barington has engaged proxy solicitor and IR firm Okapi Partners.
In addition to the flagship Chico's, the company's brands include White House Black Market and Soma.
Teneo is handling the initial public offering of CVC Capital Partners, one of Europe’s largest private equity firms with nearly $200B in assets under management.
Brunswick Group represents Endeavor Group Holdings as it agrees to go private via its acquisition by Silver Lake technology investment firm, which is handled by Edelman Smithfield.
Tod Donhauser, a nine-year veteran of Edelman, has joined H/Advisors Abernathy as managing director and head of its San Francisco office.
Intelligent Group Ltd, a Hong Kong-based financial PR firm, has priced its initial public offering of 1.9M shares at $4, which is the low end of the $4 to $5 range.
Kekst CNC represents Grant Thornton as it sells a majority stake in its US arm to New Mountain Capital, which relies on Goldin Solutions, in what is billed as the largest PE investment in the accounting and advisory sector.
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