Name: The Activist Investor Campaign: A Board and Executive Survival Guide
Author: Brian R. Miller
ISBN: 979-8-9946737-7-5

Available Formats

Choose Your Edition

📱

Kindle eBook

Digital • Instant delivery

Coming Soon on Amazon

Paperback

330 pages • 6" x 9"

ISBN: 979-8-9946737-7-5

📚

Hardcover

330 pages • 6" x 9"

ISBN: 979-8-9946737-9-9

What You'll Learn

Master Both Sides of Activist Engagement

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Target Selection

How activists select targets—the four "improvable problems" that put companies on the radar and the research processes activists use.

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The Activist Playbook

The complete activist campaign from 13D filings to proxy fights to campaign websites. Understand every weapon in the activist arsenal.

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The First 72 Hours

How to respond in the critical window that determines campaign outcomes. Get the response framework that separates winners from losers.

🤝

Settlement Strategies

92% of campaigns settle, yet most boards are unprepared. Learn the negotiation frameworks that protect shareholder value.

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Defense Mechanisms

Which defense mechanisms work—and which ones backfire. From poison pills to staggered boards to shareholder engagement programs.

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The Activist Vaccine

How to build governance so strong that activism becomes unnecessary. Proactive measures that make your company a less attractive target.

Inside the Book

Complete Tabletop Simulation Guide

Run your own activist campaign simulation with your board

Practice Before It's Real

Chapter 19 and Appendix D provide everything you need to run a realistic activist investor tabletop exercise with your board or executive team. Based on an 8-week simulation at a Fortune 500 company.

Facilitator Guide: Step-by-step instructions for running the exercise
Campaign Materials: Sample 13D filings, press releases, and campaign websites
Response Templates: Board talking points, shareholder communications, media statements
Scoring Framework: Evaluate your team's performance against best practices

Vulnerability Assessment

Activist Vulnerability Scorecard:

[ ] Underperformance vs. peers
[ ] Governance gaps identified
[ ] Capital allocation concerns
[ ] Board refreshment needed
[ ] Excessive compensation
[ ] Low insider ownership
[ ] Weak shareholder engagement

Risk Level: ___/10
Response Plan: Ready / Not Ready

About the Author

Brian R. Miller

Brian Miller brings firsthand experience from elite board readiness training and hands-on activist campaign simulations to this comprehensive guide.

A graduate of the SLGI Board Readiness Program, Brian participated in an intensive 8-week activist investor tabletop simulation that formed the foundation of this book. His unique perspective combines practical governance experience with deep research into real activist campaigns.

"The Activist Investor Campaign" distills insights from 50+ training sessions, extensive research into major campaigns (Elliott, Engine No. 1, Trian, Icahn, and more), and the author's own simulation experience into actionable playbooks for both sides of the engagement.

Why This Book

The Guide Boards Actually Need

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Both Sides Covered

Understand the activist's playbook and the board's response framework. You can't defend against what you don't understand.

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Real Campaign Materials

Includes actual campaign templates, 13D filing anatomy, response letters, and shareholder communication scripts ready to adapt.

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Simulation-Tested

Based on an 8-week tabletop simulation, not just academic research. Every recommendation has been pressure-tested in realistic scenarios.

✅

Actionable Playbooks

Not theory—action. Seven appendices provide checklists, templates, and frameworks you can deploy immediately when the letter arrives.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this book for?

Board directors (sitting and prospective), C-suite executives (CEO, CFO, General Counsel), investor relations professionals, corporate attorneys, governance consultants, and MBA students studying corporate governance.

Does it cover real activist campaigns?

Yes. Chapter 17 provides detailed case studies of major campaigns including Engine No. 1 vs. ExxonMobil, Elliott vs. various targets, Trian vs. Disney, Icahn vs. Illumina, and others. Each case study analyzes what worked, what didn't, and what boards can learn.

Can I run the tabletop exercise with my board?

Absolutely. Chapter 19 and Appendix D provide a complete facilitator guide, scenario materials, and scoring framework for running an activist investor tabletop exercise. It's designed for boards, executive teams, or governance committees.

Is this only relevant if we're currently under attack?

No. In fact, Part V focuses entirely on prevention and preparedness. The best time to read this book is before an activist shows up. The "activist vaccine" chapter alone is worth the read for any public company board.

What formats are available?

The paperback and hardcover are available now through our store. A Kindle eBook edition is coming soon. All versions contain the same complete content.

How current are the case studies and data?

The book covers campaigns through 2025-2026 and includes the latest developments in activist tactics, regulatory changes, and institutional investor behavior. Data and statistics are current as of publication.

Prepare Before the Letter Arrives

Don't wait for an activist to knock on your door. Get the survival guide that boards and executives need.

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The Activist Investor Campaign