TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – Jan. 19, 2015) – Aberdeen International Inc. (TSX:AAB) comments on the Friday January 16, 2015 report by independent proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), recommending that shareholders reject Ryan Morris’ attempt to take control of Aberdeen’s board of directors.
In its recommendation ISS highlighted the success of the current board in the midst of a challenging mining market and the need for strong, experienced leadership:
After examining Ryan’s slate of dissident nominees and their plan ISS warned:
Aberdeen adds to ISS’ warning by cautioning of the significant risks to all shareholders if dissident Ryan Morris is elected and the disruptive and destructive effect he will have:
In contrast, Aberdeen reiterates the only way to increase long-term shareholder value in the midst of challenging times is to vote for the current board with over 200 years of collective senior management, operations, public markets and finance experience in the mining sector and their five-point plan for value creation:
Aberdeen specifically indicates that mission critical to its plan for long-term value creation for all shareholders is continuing with the experienced leadership of Stan Bharti as Executive Chairman. The company notes the integral roles he has played in Aberdeen’s successful investments, including:
Aberdeen can also highlight numerous other examples as Mr. Bharti has an unequalled series of “wins” during the last ten years. Aberdeen is the public vehicle through which shareholders have participated in these successes and gain access to Mr. Bharti’s next deal. In proposing to liquidate the Aberdeen portfolio at the bottom of the commodities cycle, Ryan Morris obviously does not understand the mining industry or the reasons people invest in junior mining companies.
Aberdeen would like to thank all shareholders who have voted their BLUE proxy. If you have not yet voted, we encourage you to read our recent letter outlining the truth about Ryan’s plan to destroy long-term value. A copy of the letter can be found here: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/AberdeenShareholderLetter.pdf
Shareholders are urged to vote their BLUE proxy in favour of Aberdeen’s current board of directors prior to the proxy cut-off at 11:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on January 30, 2015:
Proxy Voting Instructions
Regardless of how many shares you own it’s imperative that you vote your BLUE proxy:
Make sure you vote well in advance of the proxy cut-off at 11:00 a.m. EST on January 30 th , 2015 using the control number on the BLUE proxy or voting instruction form. Even if you have voted the Gold proxy, it is not too late. A later-dated BLUE proxy will replace any previously voted Gold proxy.
If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your BLUE proxy or voting instruction form, please contact Kingsdale Shareholder Services, at 1-866-851-9601 (toll-free in North America), or 416-867-2272 (collect calls accepted) outside North America or by email at contactus@kingsdaleshareholder.com.
About Aberdeen
Aberdeen is a publicly traded global investment and merchant banking company focused on small cap companies in the resource sector. Aberdeen will seek to acquire significant equity participation in pre-IPO and/or early stage public resource companies with undeveloped or undervalued high-quality resources. Aberdeen will focus on companies that: (i) are in need of managerial, technical and financial resources to realize their full potential; (ii) are undervalued in foreign capital markets; and/or (iii) operate in jurisdictions with low to moderate local political risk. Aberdeen will seek to provide value-added managerial and board advisory services to companies.
For additional information, please visit our website at www.aberdeeninternational.ca and follow us on Facebook and Twitter: AberdeenAAB.
Cautionary Note
Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this press release constitutes “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as “plans”, “proposes”, “estimates”, “intends”, “expects”, “believes”, “may”, “will” and include without limitation, the implementation of the Company’s action plan, statements regarding the business activities of the Company and possible investment opportunities, the potential of certain investments, the ability of the Company to generate additional value for shareholders, past success as an indicator of future success. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, financing risks, acquisition risks, risks inherent in the mining industry, regulatory risks and other risks described in Aberdeen’s annual information form. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact Information:
Investor Inquiries:
Kingsdale Shareholder Services
North American Toll Free: 1-866-851-9601
International Collect Call: 416-867-2272
contactus@kingsdaleshareholder.com
For Media Inquiries:
Ian Robertson
Vice President, Communications
Kingsdale Shareholder Services
Direct: 416-867-2333 or Cell: 647-621-2646
irobertson@kingsdaleshareholder.com
Mike McAllister
Manager, Investor Relations
Aberdeen International Inc.
+1 416-309-2134
info@aberdeeninternational.ca
David Stein
President and Chief Executive Officer
Aberdeen International Inc.
+1 416-861-5812
dstein@aberdeeninternational.ca