DEFAN14A
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 (Amendment No. __)
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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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Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss. 240.14a-12 |
Target Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Pershing Square, L.P.
Pershing Square II, L.P.
Pershing Square IV Trade-Co, L.P.
Pershing Square IV-I Trade-Co, L.P.
Pershing Square International, Ltd.
Pershing Square International IV Trade-Co, Ltd.
Pershing Square International IV-I Trade-Co, Ltd.
William A. Ackman
Michael L. Ashner
James L. Donald
Ronald J. Gilson
Richard W. Vague
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rule 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. |
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
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Total fee paid: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
o 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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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Date Filed: |
March 26, 2009
Gregg W. Steinhafel
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Target Corporation
1000 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403
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Re:
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Number of Directors for Election at the |
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2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders |
Dear Gregg:
On March 16, 2009, affiliates of Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P.
delivered a Notice of Nomination to Target Corporation proposing to nominate five individuals for
election as directors of Target at the Companys 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The same
day, Target issued a press release indicating that its board is comprised of 12 directors and that
the Company is nominating only four directors for election at the 2009 Annual Meeting.
Subsequently, we received a telephone call from your outside counsel informing us that the Target
Board currently consists of 12 directors and that only four directors are up for election at the
2009 Annual Meeting.
We
disagree with the Companys position on this issue. We have reviewed Targets SEC
filings and have found no disclosure to the effect that the size of
the Target Board has been changed from 13.
We are aware that Mr. Ulrich resigned in January, but a board does not automatically
shrink as a result of a resignation; rather, a vacancy is created, in this case, a vacancy in Class III of the Target Board.
Target Corporation
March 26, 2009
Page 2 of 3
Our view is informed by the Companys Restated Articles of Incorporation, which provide that
only the shareholders may reduce the size of the Target Board. Specifically, Article VI of
Targets Restated Articles of Incorporation provides the following:
The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the
direction of a Board of Directors consisting of not less than five nor more than
twenty-one persons, who need not be shareholders. The number of directors may be
increased by the shareholders or Board of Directors or decreased by the shareholders
from the number of directors on the Board of Directors immediately prior to the
effective date of this Article VI; provided, however, that any change in the number
of directors on the Board of Directors (including, without limitation, changes at
annual meetings of shareholders) shall be approved by the affirmative vote of not
less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders
of all then outstanding shares of Voting Stock (as defined in Article IV), voting
together as a single class, unless such change shall have been approved by a
majority of the entire Board of Directors. (emphasis added)
Article VI was adopted at Targets 1988 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Immediately prior to
the effectiveness of Article VI, the size of the Target Board
was 13. Under Article VI any reduction in the size
of the Target Board requires a shareholder vote. As the Companys shareholders have
not been asked to vote on any matter since the 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, we believe that the size of the
Target Board remains at 13. While Mr. Ulrichs resignation created a vacancy on the Target Board, the
size of the Target Board has not been changed to our knowledge.
If
the Company continues to believe that the size of the Target Board is 12 and
that only four seats are up for election at the 2009 Annual Meeting, we believe that the
interests of the Company and its shareholders would be best served by a quick, low-cost resolution
of this issue. Therefore, we would suggest that we jointly submit the issue to a binding
arbitration that will take place in Minnesota and will be decided by a mutually acceptable
arbitrator, pursuant to the AAA Commercial Rules of Arbitration.
Target Corporation
March 26, 2009
Page 3 of 3
If, on the other hand, you agree with our interpretation of the Articles of Incorporation, you can
simply nominate a fifth director.
It
is in all of our interests to resolve this issue promptly. Please let me know how you would
like to proceed. Thank you.
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Very truly yours,
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/s/ William A. Ackman William A. Ackman
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Steven A. Rosenblum
Elliott V. Stein
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Stephen Fraidin, Esq.
Andrew E. Nagel, Esq.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP |
Additional Information
In connection with Targets 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, certain affiliated funds of
Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P. (the
Pershing Square Entities) expect to file a proxy statement and other materials with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). SHAREHOLDERS OF TARGET ARE URGED TO READ THE
PROXY STATEMENT AND THESE OTHER MATERIALS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL
CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. The proxy statement and other documents relating to the
solicitation of proxies by the Pershing Square Entities will be available at no charge on the SECs website
at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, Pershing Square will provide copies of the proxy statement and
other relevant documents without charge upon request. Request for copies shall be directed to the
proxy solicitor of Pershing Square, D. F. King & Co., Inc. at 1-800-290-6427.
The
Pershing Square Entities and certain of their members and
employees and Michael L. Ashner, James L. Donald, Ronald J. Gilson and Richard W. Vague
(collectively, the Participants) are deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies
with respect to Pershing Squares nominees. Information
regarding the ownership of Targets securities by the
Pershing Square Entities and William A. Ackman is included in the
Statement on Schedule 13D (as amended) filed by Pershing Square and
certain of its affiliates with the SEC. None of the
other Participants owns any securities of Target. Additional
information regarding the Participants direct and indirect
interests, including by security ownership or otherwise, will be
available in the Participants proxy statement for the 2009
Annual Meeting of Shareholders when it is filed with the SEC.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this press
release that are not clearly historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events are
forward-looking, and the words anticipate, believe, expect, estimate, plan, and similar
expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are
based on current expectations of Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P. and its affiliates and
currently available information. They are not guarantees of future performance, involve certain
risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and are based upon assumptions as to future
events that may not prove to be accurate. Pershing Square does not assume any obligation to update
any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.