As we approach these decisions we should keep in mind Heather's workhorse/showhorse distinction and use that as a guiding principle. With that in mind, I can't see the rationale for publicizing the board meeting.I agree with Ryan on point #2. Having served on many boards I do not remember anytime we publicized our meetings. If you or Nikolay think there is a good reason to do so let's discuss. It seems to me that doing so would just provide another excuse to journalists to report on Burisma before we have our message fully crafted.
RHBThank you for this.
1. On point 1 below, are you suggesting that we use the short messages that are attached here? If so, I think Alan and Hunter’s quotes adequately address the point you raise about speculation on Hunter’s role.
2. On point 2, I thought our conclusion was that a Western-style private company would not post this type of information and that it felt “light”, among other reasons.. I agree with this. I defer to others on the team, but attach here for your reference the short version of the board posting we had prepared.
3. That is helpful to know Vadim and you certainly have the best sense of Nikolay’s thinking at this particular time. In our plan that we will deliver shortly to you, we note collaboration between our team and your new staff member at Burisma to manage Nikolay’s engagement with the media in Ukraine. And that is great that he will use the key messages and other materials.
4. Thank you on the website. We look forward to seeing it.
Ryan
From: Vadim Pozharskyi <v.pozharskyi.ukraine@gmail.com>
Date: Friday, June 13, 2014 at 2:58 AM
To: Heather King <hking@BSFLLP.com>, "darcher@rosemontseneca.com" <darcher@rosemontseneca.com>, Alan Apter <alan.apter@burisma.com>, Hunter Biden <hbiden@rosemontseneca.com>, Ryan Toohey <ryan.toohey@fticonsulting.com>, "McInerney, Jamie" <Jamie.McInerney@FTIConsulting.com>, Lawrence Pacheco <Lawrence.Pacheco@FTIConsulting.com>
Subject: privileged and confidetial/PR issues June, 13
Dear all,
Following our communications, there are few concrete PR issues I would like to discuss with you:
1) Changing the structure/content of the earlier press releases into the corporate messages as prepared by the FTI team.
Basically, our position is that we could go ahead with the suggested changes, though I do believe it could be done far better once we launch a new website within an upcoming month, since if we proceed with this now, we could face some side-effects such as negative media attention (when they claim that we are trying to conceal something as the majority of journalists have already made print-screens of our website pages, etc.)
Also, in the press release it was mentioned that Hunter Biden as Company's Boardof Director member is going to supervise its legal block, and following your advice we agreed to position him so.
Say, if we remove this reference and stick with the new one suggested by you in general terms, we may end up having enhanced speculations that he, in fact, is running the company.
2) Posting Board Information on the website . In one of your recent recommendations you urged us not to go for this option and justified your point by saying that Vice President was visiting the Ukraine then. Now, however, I would like to get back to you on this issue, since I am afraid we might find ourselves in a undesirable position that would look like as if we are hiding something). Based on my previous communications with Hunter, I had a feeling that in principal he had no objections to that. Correct me if I am wrong.
3) PR in Ukraine/Nikolay's interview . Going back to our previous discussions I would like to convey to you one more time, so that we are on the same page, the following: As I've already said, the media here on the ground is eager to receive at least some answers from Nikolay himself and we believe that taking into account the fact that he used to be a prominent states-person/public figure here in Ukraine (as Hunter correctly pointed out) and now he is an efficient businessman, we cannot keep him from giving an interview or commenting on the situation in general. In this regard, I would like to assure you once again that his comments regarding the Board members will be fully in line with your recommendations (Q&A, Key messages).
4) Website. As promised earlier, today/tomorrow I will send you a draft structure/design of our corporate website for your remarks.
Best,
Vadim
Confidentiality Notice:
This email and any attachments may be confidential and protected by legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the e-mail or any attachment is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the sender and then delete this copy and the reply from your system. Thank you for your cooperation.
<Burisma Holdings-director blurbs 061114.docx><burisma board statement 060514 short version.docx>