Corporate issuers rate satisfaction with proxy solicitor services - Georgeson, Morrow & Co, and Alliance Advisors receive highest ratings

SAN ANSELMO, Calif., Nov. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Group Five today announced the results of its annual study of corporate opinions of services provided by proxy solicitors. The annual study, which has been measuring issuer satisfaction with shareholder services for 24 years, is based on completed surveys from 907 public corporations. Of these responses, 376 respondents rated the services of their proxy solicitor.

Georgeson received the highest overall client satisfaction rating this year with 95% of clients giving a favorable score. Morrow was a close second with an overall satisfaction rating of 94% and Alliance Advisors was third highest with a rating of 93%.

The study showed that the four most important elements of proxy services are: the ability to get required votes, knowledge of proxy advisory firms, account support, and advice on shareholder activism. Morrow is highest rated for ability to get required votes at 96% followed by Georgeson at 94%. Morrow and Georgeson are both highest rated for knowledge of proxy advisory firms at 98% and Georgeson is highest rated for account support at 100% favorable followed by Alliance and Morrow at 96% and 95% respectively.

Jack Sunday of Group Five pointed out, "Corporate satisfaction with proxy solicitor services continues to be relatively high compared to transfer agent, stock administration, and other outsourced business services. The top-rated proxy solicitors are praised by clients for the quality of their work and, very importantly, the responsiveness of the staff."

"Client satisfaction is our number one priority, and we are thankful our clients rated us the highest in the industry for both overall satisfaction and account support," said William Jackson, CEO of Georgeson US. "We are also proud to continue our excellent track record, providing expert advice for more annual meetings and M&A transactions than any other solicitor."

"The Group Five study has definitely had a positive impact on our industry and we will be using it in reviewing and analyzing our recruiting and training programs. Once again, I would like to thank our clients for participating in the study. We are especially pleased that Morrow & Co. retained its above average ratings on its knowledge of Proxy Advisory firms and their expected recommendations and our ability to forecast and obtain the necessary votes required and the reporting of those votes to our clients," stated Joe Morrow, CEO, Morrow & Co.

"This is the third consecutive year that Alliance has been highly rated for client loyalty which is indicative of the work our proxy executives, governance practitioners, surveillance experts and operations specialists are doing for our clientele," said Michael Mackey, President of Alliance Advisors. "Alliance greatly appreciates the positive comments and support from our clients as we continue to grow our firm."

Group Five is a consulting and market research firm. The company is best known for its consulting and research expertise in shareholder services and stock plan administration services.

No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release or Group Five survey results without the express prior written consent of Group Five, Inc.

SOURCE Group Five

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