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Ethan Allen’s Crossroads: When a Successful Company Becomes an Activist Target
DGB Investment says Ethan Allen is an undervalued brand trapped by stagnation. Management argues the company is executing a successful long-term strategy. Investors must decide which vision defines the future.

Merlin @GovernanceCentral
4 days ago7 min read


Google Bought Spirit Airlines’ Work Data. Is it More Valuable Than Customer Data?
For most of the internet era, customer data was valuable because it helped companies understand consumers. In the AI era, work data may become equally valuable because it captures how humans create knowledge, make decisions, and solve problems.

Merlin @GovernanceCentral
5 days ago6 min read


Wendy’s Turnaround 2026: Why Trian and BlackRock May Matter More Than the Menu
Excerpt
Wendy’s is in the middle of a turnaround after reporting declining sales, falling customer traffic, and weaker franchisee economics. But the real story may be its ownership.
Trian Fund Management and BlackRock together own roughly 30% of Wendy’s. Trian is known for pushing companies to improve performance, while BlackRock focuses on accountability and long-term value creation. Together, they create a powerful combination of pressure and oversight.

Merlin @GovernanceCentral
Aug 146 min read


GameStop’s eBay Bid May Be Ending. A New Governance Era Begins.
GameStop's reported decision to reconsider its $56 billion eBay acquisition may be the most important governance development in the story so far. As Ryan Cohen explores alternatives to a full takeover, the debate has shifted from financing a massive acquisition to a more fundamental question: Does GameStop need to own eBay to create value? The answer could become a case study in disciplined capital allocation.

Merlin @GovernanceCentral
Aug 125 min read


A Spinout Creates Another Spinout: How Public-Market Governance and Activist Pressure Reshaped Solventum
3M spun out Solventum to create a more focused healthcare company. Now Solventum is preparing to spin out or sell a major business of its own. Here's how shareholder expectations, corporate governance, and activist investor Trian Fund Management helped drive the company's latest strategic move.

Merlin @GovernanceCentral
Aug 104 min read


Amgen’s Data Breach Is a Warning for Healthcare: Cybersecurity, AI Governance, and AI-Driven Threats (AI-DT)
Amgen's cyberattack involving stolen patient health information raises critical questions about healthcare cybersecurity, unauthorized access, cloud security, AI governance, and AI-driven threats (AI-DT). This article explores what happened, how similar breaches have affected companies like Novo Nordisk and Change Healthcare, and what healthcare organizations can do to better protect sensitive data.

Merlin @GovernanceCentral
Aug 54 min read


China’s Auto Market Is No Longer a Growth Story for Foreign Automakers. It’s a Warning
China has become the world’s most important test case for the future of cars. Tesla, Porsche, Volkswagen, GM, Honda, Nissan, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are all facing pressure as Chinese automakers gain share with faster product cycles, lower prices, stronger software, and more locally tailored electric vehicles.

Merlin @GovernanceCentral
Aug 411 min read


P&G’s Governance Model: A Powerful CEO, a CEO-Heavy Board, and Jimenez as Lead Director
P&G is returning to a familiar governance model: one person serving as both Chairman and CEO, supported by a Lead Independent Director and a board rich in CEO and CFO experience. The real question is whether Joseph Jimenez and the independent directors can do more than oversee Shailesh Jejurikar. They must also add value.

Merlin @GovernanceCentral
Jul 309 min read


Do Not Put AI in the Cybersecurity Box: Discuss AI Governance, AI Driven Threats, and Cyber Risks separately
AI is changing the board agenda, but not in the way many directors think. The challenge isn't simply cybersecurity. It's understanding three separate oversight responsibilities: protecting the enterprise from cyber risk, creating value through responsible AI governance, and managing a new generation of AI-driven threats. Boards that distinguish these conversations will make better decisions and avoid one of the most overlooked governance risks today.

Merlin @GovernanceCentral
Jul 285 min read


Big Companies Are Hiring Again—And the Reason May Surprise You
Big companies are hiring again, even after years of predictions that artificial intelligence would reduce the need for human workers. Why? The answer may lie in a critical distinction: AI's greatest impact may not be replacing employees, but amplifying them. As workers become more productive, companies can pursue new opportunities, expand into new markets, and serve more customers. The future of work may belong not to AI alone, but to organizations that successfully combine t

Merlin @GovernanceCentral
Jul 274 min read
Stress test your leadership team before the stakes are real
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