Whether it was BlackRock's "engagement" or the vote, or both, one thing was clear: shareholders made a difference.
Put like that, the financial choice is clear: shareholders should hold their noses and vote in favour on the grounds that something is better than nothing.
When, some time last century, Doug Ellis first bought into Aston Villa, the Football Association was clear: shareholders and directors were there not to make money out of clubs but to serve them.
Yet despite these clear benefits, shareholder activists have expressed knee-jerk opposition to exclusive forum provisions.
"His [Haji-Ioannou's] views are clear on shareholder value – you have to keep your costs under control," said someone close to the Cypriot-born tycoon.
Of course we're listed and responsible to shareholders, but as majority owner we can also be very clear with shareholders that we want to take the long-term view.
Meg Whitman, the chief executive of Hewlett-Packard, wants to make it clear to shareholders: Hewlett-Packard is about the money.
Rather than raise its bid when it became clear Cedar Fair shareholders would vote against the acquisition at the original price Apollo offered, Apollo decided to walk away.
One practical problem is that it's not clear which shareholders it is whose interests the corporation is supposed to optimize.
Once the vote was tallied, it showed that Shamrock's message had come through loud and clear to shareholders, including public pension investors and private mutual funds.
