Tag: shareholders

Shareholders are pressing companies for more details on corporate campaign contributions, reports David Nicklaus in The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  Some companies have opened up to show shareholders where the money is going, but others continue to balk claiming first amendment rights and “competitive disadvantage”.

Wash U. law professor and Olin adjunct Hillary Sale tells Nicklaus that shareholders may need to demand more than transparency if they want to see where the money goes.

“Forcing disclosure can actually change behavior, but by itself this is just about transparency,” says Hillary Sale, a professor of law at Washington University. “In corporate governance discussions, we usually say transparency is a good thing.” Indeed. This slow-motion shareholder revolt won’t end the flow of corporate cash into politics anytime soon, but may at least bring it out of the shadows.

Read David Nicklaus’ column here.

Image: Flickr Creative Commons, DonkeyHotey, Citizens United Money Globe

Immediately after completing the last final exam of my first year, I jumped in the car and drove to Omaha, Nebraska.  Seven hours and several snowstorms later, I was drifting to sleep in my hotel room, restlessly anticipating the next day’s events.

That’s me in front of the CenturyLink Center.

 On Saturday, May 4^th, I had the honor of attending the 2013 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting as an MBA student representing Washington University in Saint Louis.  The meeting was held at the CenturyLink Center in downtown Omaha.

The meeting was action packed.  It started with Warren Buffett’s self-professed Hollywood fanaticism: an original showing of a 2013 shareholders meeting movie, specifically created for the entertainment of the 35,000 visitors in attendance.   It was witty, humorous, and insightful. 

Getting a hug from the GEICO lizard.

The day continued on with Q&A, a tour of the exhibition hall, and more Q&A. 

Although no photography was allowed inside the arena, it was permitted in the adjacent convention center, where dozens of Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio companies set up shop to discuss their businesses. 

Here are just a few examples of their larger than life displays (including the photo up top at the clever Larson Juhl custom framing exhibit booth):

From left to right: Warren Buffett, me, and Charlie Munger. (Borsheims Jewelry behind)

The Oriental Trading flamingo.

The weekend did not end there. 

Ready for the race.

On Sunday morning, Brooks Running (yet another one of Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio companies) sponsored an inaugural shareholder weekend 5K. 

With Mr. Buffett on the mic and start gun, this was not your typical race!  Despite the cold weather, the turnout was strong and all runners seemed to thrive on the Berkshire Hathaway spirit.

The weekend was a fantastic experience and I hope to make the trek again.  For more information on the meeting, visit the following links:

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/05/04/live-blog-berkshire-hathaways-2013-shareholder-meeting/

http://www.bloomberg.com/slideshow/2013-05-06/the-berkshire-hathaway-shareholders-meeting.html#slide1 

http://investinyourself5k.com/event-info/latest-news/