Chip Wilson Provides Update to lululemon Shareholders
Shareholders of lululemon:
In support of all shareholders, I am pursuing a campaign to catalyze a quantum of change that is sorely needed at
The heart of the issue is a disconnect between the Company's creative engine and the Board's strategic oversight of how nonquantifiable power of brand and product translates to brand strength, margin durability, and long-term shareholder value. Brand, creative and marketing skills are missing from the boardroom. These problems are fixable, but meaningful change must happen fast.
The stock has lost nearly half of its value over the past five years, costing
In the spirit of transparency, I am providing an update to all shareholders on our conversations to date, outlining our concerns about the
Our Efforts Toward Constructive Resolution
On
In an effort to spur the conversation forward, one of the candidates I put forward has met with some directors. Despite efforts, the Board only engaged with our framework for the first time on
The Board's response does not reflect serious engagement toward resolving
Most concerning for shareholders, the Board rejected our proposal to create a Brand Product Committee. In my view, a committee like this is part of highly effective oversight of the best creative businesses. Our proposal was inspired by my experience with Amer Sports, Inc., where a similar concept has allowed brands like Wilson and Arc'teryx to deliver consistent cutting-edge performance. The result has led to one of the best performing consumer goods stocks, outperforming the S&P 500 by approximately 89% since its IPO in 20242. Consistent with principles of good governance, a Brand Product Committee would function as a vehicle to give focus to one of
Concerns About the Board's Independence
In addition to my disappointing engagement with the Board to reach a resolution, I have learned of actions being taken by the Board that have me concerned that shareholder interests are not being prioritized.
A few examples:
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lululemon Board members have indicated that during a supposed refreshment process, they had found several highly qualified director candidates who declined to join the Board until this proxy contest is resolved. If the Board were to name new directors now without shareholder input, how can shareholders trust that any new directors were not selected specifically for their loyalty to current directors? This Board already has concerning, substantial professional overlap through the Lead Director's private equity firm,Advent International . - The Board's process to interview nominees is being overseen by the Chair of the Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability, and Governance Committee, David Mussafer. This is relevant as
Mr. Mussafer is a candidate for election this year. How can shareholders trust his independent judgment of nominees who are poised to remove him from the Board in a proxy contest? When a director, with more than 14 years of total service on the Board, cannot recuse himself from obvious conflicts of interest, shareholders can fairly question the independent decision-making ability of the entire Board.
There is One Clear Path Forward that Benefits all Shareholders
The Board's only credible path forward is to engage and work with me, one of
Despite the Board's inadequate engagement to date, we remain focused on reaching the best outcome for all shareholders and intend to provide a detailed response to the Board's input on our framework for resolution.
I want to be clear with my fellow shareholders – my passion for
I have made every effort to engage for the interests of all shareholders, nominating three best-in-class independent directors and even encouraging one of those nominees to meet with the directors. It is my belief that there are directors on the
My commitment is singular and unwavering with the goal to protect and enhance the enduring strength of the
I sincerely hope that the Board will come to its senses and work with me to reach a resolution quickly so the work to set
Best,
Dennis J. "Chip" Wilson
Founder of
Biographies of Wilson's Three Independent Nominees
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Marc Maurer: Maurer is the former Co-Chief Executive Officer of On Holding AG, where he led the Company's rapid growth and increase in profitability. As Co-CEO, On experienced global brand expansion, retail & DTC scaling and nearly quadrupled revenue under Maurer's leadership3.
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Laura Gentile : Gentile is the former Chief Marketing Officer of ESPN, where she oversaw creative output, fan engagement, media strategy, event marketing and social media for all ofESPN's brands, platforms, shows and events. Under Gentile's leadership,ESPN was the #1 most trusted brand in sports media and achieved record viewership and social engagement. She also founded espnW,ESPN's first and only dedicated business for women, which she helped develop into a multi-media business, opening a new market forESPN , and serving as a catalyst for the growth and momentum of women's sports. -
Eric Hirshberg: Hirshberg is the former Chief Executive Officer of
Activision Publishing, Inc. ("Activision"), the largest segment ofActivision Blizzard .Activision Blizzard's stock rose 500%, and Activision's segment profit nearly doubled during Hirshberg's close to eight years in the role4. He oversaw leading franchises including Call of Duty®, Destiny, Guitar Hero and Skylanders. Prior to joining Activision, Hirshberg was Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer of theDeutsch LA advertising agency, where he grew the firm into a nationally recognized creative force.
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PARTICIPANTS
SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT THE PARTICIPANTS HAVE FILED OR WILL FILE WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING ABOUT THE MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTERESTS, BY SECURITY HOLDINGS OR OTHERWISE.
The participants in the solicitation of proxies are
The Definitive Proxy Statement and accompanying GOLD Universal Proxy Card will be furnished to some or all of the Company's shareholders and will be, along with other relevant documents, available at no charge on the
Information about the Participants and a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in an amendment to Schedule 13D filed by the Participants with the
Footnotes:
- Based on 2024 and 2025 Annual General Meeting Results. 2024 Company Filings. 2025 Company Filings.
- Percentage return calculated from Feb. 1, 2024 through
Oct. 6, 2025 , relative to the S&P 500 Index. Source: FactSet. - ON Holding AG revenue growth data measured from
Sept. 14, 2021 , throughJune 30, 2025 . Company financial data. - Activision segment profit data from
Sept. 7, 2010 , throughMar. 31, 2018 . Company financial data.
Media Contacts:
Val Mack, val.mack@fticonsulting.com
Pat Tucker, pat.tucker@fticonsulting.com
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