Sex Sells, but Not in Your Proxy Statement

News Corp. is in the media business, and in that business, sex sells. But not in their proxy statement. CNN reports:

News Corp. shareholders were in for an unexpected surprise if they called the proxy agent’s number listed on its latest filing.

The number listed for solicitation agent Georgeson Inc. was answered by an automated woman’s voice that said, “Get together with exciting people everywhere,” and directed callers to dial a different number sending them to a phone sex service.

The second number greeted callers with a woman’s voice seductively saying, “Hey sexy guy,” and eventually asking for the caller’s credit card number for callers interested in speaking to “nasty girls”.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the mistaken telephone number late Tuesday.

“Two numbers have been switched around, it’s a typographical error,” Andrew Butcher, a News Corp. spokesman told CNNMoney.com.

A little proofreading tip for HR communicators: Call ALL the numbers in your materials. Unless you want your proxy voters to get a sex line. Hey, that’s a way to get them to vote with the directors.

About the Author

Frank Roche

Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.

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