NEW YORK, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Deal, a business unit of TheStreet (NASDAQ:TST), today released a digital handbook titled, "Corporate Governance In the Era of Activism," which defines a first-ever code of conduct for institutions and their boards on how to expand shareholder value before, during and after approaches by disgruntled activist shareholders.

According to FactSet, in the first five months of 2016 alone, activist investors launched 72 full-blown proxy contests to elect directors at targeted companies, and from 2009-2015, over 40 percent of companies in the S&P 500 (234 corporations) were targeted by activists. Whether it's billionaire Carl Icahn, Jeff Smith of Starboard Value, or newly emerging activist investors including Par Capital and Altimeter Capital, there has never been more focus on activist battles as the targets get bigger and more is on the line.

Created and produced by TheStreet founder Jim Cramer, the book is the tangible result of the groundbreaking conference on corporate governance, hosted by The Deal and TheStreet on June 6, 2016 in New York City. The event brought together respected leaders and experts within the corporate and investor community to discuss the boardroom of the future and how to work constructively to influence management and address corporate governance. Thought leadership shared at the event comprises this roadmap for navigating activist encounters.

"Companies today operate in a new era of activism, where it's not a matter of whether, but when disgruntled shareholders will approach," said Jim Cramer, founder of TheStreet. "This handbook arms management with an unbiased code of conduct, developed from the words and advice of experts from across the community, that will help them work with activitsts and achieve an optimal outcome for shareholders."

The book delves into best practices from the front lines of shareholder engagement, including topics such as transparency, communications, compensation, performance and succession.

Copies of the digital book are available for sale at www.TheDeal.com/corporate-governance-ebook/

About The Deal

The Deal is a media and technology company providing over 100,000 users with actionable ideas from its two services - The Deal & BoardEx. Law firms, investment banks, private equity firms and hedge funds use The Deal service to find their next deal and BoardEx to connect the dots between their organizations and clients. The Deal has offices in New York, London, Washington, D.C., Petaluma, CA and Chennai, India. For more information, visit www.thedeal.com.

About TheStreet

TheStreet, Inc. (www.t.st) is the leading independent digital financial media company providing business and financial news, investing ideas and analysis to personal and institutional investors worldwide. The Company's portfolio of business and personal finance brands includes: TheStreet, RealMoney, RealMoney Pro, Stockpickr, Action Alerts PLUS, Options Profits, MainStreet and RateWatch. To learn more, visit www.thestreet.com. The Deal, the Company's institutional business, provides intraday coverage of mergers and acquisitions and all other changes in corporate control. To learn more, visit www.thedeal.com.

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SOURCE TheStreet