BACKGROUND TO THE SOLICITATION
In August 2020, representatives from the Company investor relations team had introductory calls with Engaged.
On November 10, 2020 and February 11, 2021, representatives from the Company had calls with Engaged regarding the Company’s quarterly earnings, in each case following the Company’s public earnings announcements.
On February 12, 2021, Steven Boal, the Company’s CEO, had a telephone call with Glenn Welling, the founder and CIO of Engaged. Among other things, Mr. Welling informed Mr. Boal that Engaged may nominate directors for election to the Board at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
On March 3, 2021, Engaged sent a letter to the Company nominating a director candidate (the “2021 Nominee”) to be elected to the Company’s Board at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and disclosing it owned 2.5% of the Company’s common stock.
On March 26, 2021, after the Board had evaluated Engaged’s 2021 Nominee, Mr. Boal communicated to Mr. Welling that the Board evaluated the candidate and that her candidacy presented a conflict due to her position as an executive at a customer of the Company. Mr. Boal indicated that the Board was open to considering alternative candidates put forth by Engaged.
On March 29, 2021, Mr. Welling introduced to Mr. Boal via email a second person he indicated he believed would be a good director candidate.
On April 20, 2021, Engaged sent a letter to the Company supplementing its notice of nomination of the 2021 Nominee.
Also on April 20, 2021, Engaged’s 2021 Nominee emailed the Company withdrawing her nomination, citing potential concerns regarding her independence and noting that her candidacy was not viable given these concerns.
On April 22, 2021, Messrs. Welling and Boal had a discussion regarding the second person suggested by Mr. Welling.
Also on April 22, 2021, the Company filed its definitive proxy statement in connection with the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Engaged’s legal counsel contacted the Company’s legal counsel at the time to assert that in their belief a preliminary proxy statement should have been filed.
On April 26, 2021, Mr. Welling sent an email to Mr. Boal stating, among other things, that he would not go forward with a proxy contest. Mr. Welling also reiterated the assertion that, in his view, the Company should have filed a preliminary proxy statement rather than definitive proxy statement.
On April 27, 2021, the Company hired Matthew Krepsik to the newly created position as Chief Analytics Officer, to lead the Company’s data, analytics and measurement practice with a plan to prepare him for, and to evaluate on an ongoing basis his suitability for, potentially succeeding Steven Boal as the Company’s next CEO.
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