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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Materials Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act |
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Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was |
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determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the
date of its filing. |
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Amount previously paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Date Filed |
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March 28, 2007
Dear Clear Channel Shareholder:
As you may be aware, your Board of Directors has rescheduled the
special meeting at which shareholders will consider Clear
Channels proposed acquisition by funds sponsored by Bain
Capital Partners, LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P.
Additionally, your Board set a new record date of March 23,
2007 for the special meeting, to be held on April 19, 2007.
The Board made the decision to set a new record date to better
align the economic and voting interests of all shareholders.
Shareholders of record as of March 23, 2007 are entitled to
receive notice of and to vote at the special meeting.
The disinterested directors of your Board have unanimously
determined that the merger is in the best interests of all
shareholders and recommend that shareholders vote for the
merger. Approval of the merger requires the affirmative vote of
two-thirds of Clear Channels outstanding shares, and any
shares not voted are considered to be voted against the
proposed merger, so regardless of how many shares you own, it is
vital that you vote for the merger today.
Enclosed with this letter is the proxy statement regarding the
proposed acquisition and a supplement to the proxy statement. If
shareholders approve the transaction, upon closing you will
receive $37.60 in cash for each share of common stock of the
company you own. The Board also intends to continue the regular
annual dividend of $0.75 per share through the date of the
merger. Additional consideration is payable as described in the
enclosed proxy statement if the merger occurs after
January 1, 2008.
The proposed merger is the result of a comprehensive review of
strategic alternatives designed to enhance shareholder value,
taking into account the continued challenges in the radio
sector, the Boards views of the recent growth in the
domestic outdoor sector, as well as Clear Channels future
growth opportunities, assets and investment requirements.
During their review, the disinterested directors considered a
full range of alternatives, including various possible measures
discussed in some recent media and analyst reports. Among other
things, the disinterested directors considered a separation of
Clear Channel Outdoor (CCO), a recapitalization, share
repurchase and special dividend, as well as the strategy of
improving existing operations as an independent company.
As explained in the accompanying proxy statement, the
disinterested directors carefully managed the auction process to
maximize the competitive dynamics of the bid process and thereby
obtain the highest price. Multiple rounds of robust bidding
involving virtually every large private equity firm took place
and despite the Companys announcement to explore strategic
alternatives on October 24, 2006, no strategic buyer
emerged. Two separate consortiums of private equity funds
submitted firm, fully financed offers, the highest of which was
$37.60 in cash from funds sponsored by Bain Capital Partners,
LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P.. There are no financing
conditions attached to the buyers equity and debt
commitments and the merger agreement requires the buyers to take
all necessary steps to obtain regulatory approval.
During the subsequent go-shop period, Clear
Channels financial advisor contacted a total of 22
potential strategic and private equity buyers. This did not draw
a single expression of interest in bidding for Clear Channel.
The Board of Directors of Clear Channel also retained the
ability to receive and consider any competing proposals that may
arise.
The all-cash merger consideration of $37.60 per share represents
a premium of approximately 28% over the average closing share
price during the 60 trading days ended October 24, 2006,
the day prior to Clear Channels announcement of the
Boards decision to consider strategic alternatives, and a
premium of approximately 26% over the average closing share
price during the one-year period prior to the announcement of
the merger. The merger consideration also represents a
significant premium to research analysts stock price
targets for Clear Channel prior to Clear Channels
announcement that the Board was exploring strategic alternatives.
The disinterested directors unanimously concluded that $37.60
per share in cash represents the best combination of value and
certainty to all shareholders. The merger ensures shareholders
certainty of value and protects against business and market
risks in todays volatile markets. By voting for the
transaction, Clear Channel shareholders will have the certainty
of cash consideration plus the annual dividend of $0.75 per
share to be paid quarterly through closing. In addition,
shareholders will receive an additional per share consideration
if the merger is consummated after January 1, 2008.
The accompanying proxy statement provides you with detailed
information about the proposed merger and the special meeting.
Please give this material your careful attention. You may also
obtain more information about Clear Channel from documents we
have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Please note that the proxy card that accompanied the original
proxy statement mailed to our shareholders with the notice of
meeting dated January 29, 2007 remains valid. If you
previously submitted a validly executed proxy card for the
Special Meeting, which proxy has not been subsequently revoked,
and you were a holder of record as of 5:00 p.m. Central
Daylight Saving Time on March 23, 2007, your vote will be
recorded as indicated on your proxy card or if you signed and
dated your proxy card but did not indicate how you wished to
vote, your proxy will be voted in favor of the adoption of the
merger agreement.
As we draw closer to the April 19, 2007 meeting date, we
want to emphasize that approval of the merger agreement requires
the affirmative vote of two-thirds of Clear Channels
outstanding shares. Not voting has the same effect as a vote
against the merger, so, if you wish to approve the transaction,
it is vital for you to vote for the merger today by
completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the
postage-paid envelope provided. If your shares are held in
street name, you should check the voting instruction
card provided by your broker to see which voting options are
available and the procedures to be followed. If you have any
questions or need assistance in voting your shares, please call
our proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, toll-free
at
(877) 456-3427.
Thank you for your support.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
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Alan D. Feld
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Perry J. Lewis
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Lead Director
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Chair, Special Advisory Committee
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CLEAR
CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
200 EAST BASSE ROAD
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78209
NOTICE OF
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
DATE AND TIME CHANGE
March 28,
2007
Dear Shareholders:
This notice relates to the special meeting of shareholders of
Clear Channel Communications, Inc., a Texas corporation (the
Company), originally scheduled to be held at the
Westin Riverwalk Hotel, 420 Market Street, San Antonio,
Texas 78205 on March 21, 2007, at 8:00 a.m., local
time (the Special Meeting). The Special Meeting has
been called to consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt an
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 16,
2006, among the Company, BT Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc.
(Merger Sub), B Triple Crown Finco, LLC, and T
Triple Crown Finco, LLC (together with B Triple Crown Finco,
LLC, the Fincos), which provides for the
recapitalization of the Company by the merger of Merger Sub with
and into the Company. The Fincos were formed by private equity
funds sponsored by Bain Capital Partners, LLC and Thomas H. Lee
Partners, L.P. solely for the purpose of entering into the
merger agreement and consummating the transactions contemplated
by the merger agreement.
The Companys board of directors has determined that the
Special Meeting will now be held on April 19, 2007 at
8:00 a.m. local time, at the Westin Riverwalk Hotel, 420
Market Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205. The decision to
reschedule the Special Meeting was unanimously approved by the
disinterested members of the board of directors, with management
and other interested directors recusing themselves. The Company
has reset the record date for the purposes of determining
shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special
Meeting and at any adjournment thereof to 5:00 p.m.,
Central Daylight Saving Time, on March 23, 2007. As of the
record date there were 3,264 holders of record of the
Companys outstanding shares of common stock.
The enclosed definitive proxy statement, dated January 29,
2007, a copy of which you may have already received, contains
important information about the merger agreement and the Special
Meeting. We encourage you, if you have not done so already, to
read the accompanying definitive proxy statement carefully and
in its entirety (although you should disregard the date of the
Special Meeting and the record date which have been changed as
indicated in this notice). Please give this material your
careful attention. You may also obtain more information about
the Company from documents we have filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Your vote is very important regardless of the number of shares
you own. The merger can not be completed unless holders of
two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the
Special Meeting vote for the adoption of the merger agreement.
We would like you to attend the Special Meeting. However,
whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, it is
important that your shares be represented.
Accordingly, please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy
card in the postage-paid envelope prior to the Special
Meeting. If you hold shares through a broker or other
nominee, you should follow the procedures provided by your
broker or nominee. If you attend the Special Meeting and vote in
person, your vote by ballot will revoke any proxy previously
submitted. Remember, failing to vote has the same effect
as a vote against the adoption of the merger agreement.
Please note that the proxy card that accompanied the original
proxy statement mailed to shareholders of the Company with the
notice of meeting dated January 29, 2007 remains valid. If
you previously submitted a validly executed proxy card for the
Special Meeting, which proxy has not been subsequently revoked,
and you are a holder of record as of 5:00 p.m. Central
Daylight Saving Time on March 23, 2007, your vote will be
recorded as indicated on your proxy card or if you signed and
dated your proxy card but did not indicate how you wished to
vote, your proxy will be voted in favor of the adoption of the
merger agreement. If you have not voted, or wish to change your
vote, please complete, sign, date and promptly mail the enclosed
proxy card in the postage-paid envelope prior to the Special
Meeting or cast your vote in person at the Special Meeting.
You can change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted
at the Special Meeting. You may revoke your proxy by notifying
the Company in writing or by submitting a later-dated new proxy
by mail to the Company
c/o Innisfree
M&A Incorporated at 501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New
York, NY 10022. In addition, your proxy may be revoked by
attending the Special Meeting and voting in person. However,
simply attending the special meeting will not revoke your proxy.
If you have instructed a broker to vote your shares, the
above-described options for changing your vote do not apply, and
instead you must follow the instructions received from your
broker to change your vote.
If you have any questions about the merger, need assistance in
submitting your proxy or voting your shares, or need additional
copies of the definitive proxy statement or proxy card, please
contact our proxy solicitor Innisfree M&A Incorporated,
toll-free at
(877) 456-3427.
Banks and brokers may call collect at
(212) 750-5833.
If your broker holds your shares, you should also contact your
broker for additional information.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Andrew W. Levin
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer,
and Secretary
San Antonio, Texas
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities regulatory agency has approved or disapproved of the
merger, passed upon the merits or fairness of the merger or
passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in the
enclosed documents. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
This notice is dated March 28, 2007 and is first being
mailed to shareholders on or about March 30, 2007.
CLEAR
CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for the
Special Meeting
of
Shareholders to be held on April 19, 2007
The undersigned hereby appoints L. Lowry Mays, Mark P. Mays and
Alan D. Feld, and each of them, proxies of the undersigned with
full power of substitution for and in the name, place and stead
of the undersigned to appear and act for and to vote all shares
of CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. standing in the name of
the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned is
entitled to vote and act at the Special Meeting of Shareholders
of said Company to be held in San Antonio, Texas on
April 19, 2007, at 8:00 a.m., local time, or at any
adjournments thereof, with all powers the undersigned would
possess if then personally present, as indicated on the reverse
side.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of notice of said meeting
and accompanying Proxy Statement and of the accompanying
materials and ratifies and confirms all acts that any of the
said proxy holders or their substitutes may lawfully do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.
Please note that if you fail to return a valid proxy card and do
not vote in person at the special meeting, and there is a quorum
present, your shares will be counted as a vote AGAINST the
adoption of the Merger Agreement.
(Continued
and to be dated and signed on the reverse side.)
Your shares will be voted as specified below. If no
specification is made for a proposal and this proxy card is
validly executed and returned your shares will be voted
FOR such proposal.
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Approval and adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
November 16, 2006, by and among Clear Channel
Communications, Inc., BT Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc., B Triple
Crown Finco, LLC, and T Triple Crown Finco, LLC.
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FOR o AGAINST o ABSTAIN o
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE
FOR the approval and adoption of the Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated November 16, 2006, by and among
Clear Channel Communications, Inc., BT Triple Crown Merger Co.,
Inc., B Triple Crown Finco, LLC, and T Triple Crown Finco, LLC.
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Approval of the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary
or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are
insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve
and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
November 16, 2006, by and among Clear Channel
Communications, Inc., BT Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc., B Triple
Crown Finco, LLC, and T Triple Crown Finco, LLC.
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FOR o AGAINST o ABSTAIN o
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE
FOR the approval of the adjournment of the
special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit
additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time
of the special meeting to approve and adopt the Agreement and
Plan of Merger.
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In the discretion of the proxy holders, on any other matter that
may properly come before the special meeting.
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FOR o AGAINST o ABSTAIN o
Please note that if you fail to return a valid proxy card and do
not vote in person at the special meeting, and there is a quorum
present, your shares will be counted as a vote AGAINST the
adoption of the Merger Agreement.
Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. Joint owners
should sign personally. Attorney, Executor, Administrator,
Trustee or Guardian should indicate full title.
Dated: _
_,
2007
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Shareholders signature if stock held jointly |
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Sign, Date, and Return the Proxy Card Promptly Using the
Enclosed Envelope.
Votes MUST be indicated (X) in Black or Blue Ink.