-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, MOUM8l5Ohv5l+FbZ5bRvSeweL9But5hmRrNiSt9LOZ/IMp7nS4EXl1hKifBUDNYa YloLPyqjIIPGYF/9nsNAaQ== 0000927016-02-001663.txt : 20020415 0000927016-02-001663.hdr.sgml : 20020415 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000927016-02-001663 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 FILED AS OF DATE: 20020326 GROUP MEMBERS: HIGHFIELDS GP LLC GROUP MEMBERS: JONATHON S. JACOBSON GROUP MEMBERS: RICHARD L. GRUBMAN SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: READERS DIGEST ASSOCIATION INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000858558 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: BOOKS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING AND PRINTING [2731] IRS NUMBER: 131726769 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-43188 FILM NUMBER: 02587124 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: READERS DIGEST ROAD CITY: PLEASANTVILLE STATE: NY ZIP: 10570 BUSINESS PHONE: 9142381000 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HIGHFIELDS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001079563 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 200 CLARENDON STREET 51ST FLOOR CITY: BOSTON STATE: MA ZIP: 02117 BUSINESS PHONE: 6178507500 SC 13D/A 1 dsc13da.txt SCHEDULE 13D/A UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13D/A Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. 2) THE READER'S DIGEST ASSOCIATION, INC. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of issuer) Class B Voting Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Title of class of securities) 755267200 ------------------------------------------------------- (CUSIP number) Highfields Capital Management LP Attention: Kenneth H. Colburn 200 Clarendon Street 51st Floor Boston, MA 02116 (617) 850-7500 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name, address and telephone number of person authorized to receive notices and communications) March 26, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------- (Date of event which requires filing of this statement) If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box [_] . (Continued on the following pages) (Page 1 of 11 Pages) - ---------- *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act. - ------------------- ------------------ CUSIP No. 755267200 13D/A Page 2 of 11 pages - ------------------- ------------------ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS Highfields Capital Management LP - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [_] (b) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS WC - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 SOLE VOTING POWER Class B Voting Common Stock 433,000 -------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 8 SHARED VOTING POWER SHARES BENEFICIALLY None OWNED BY -------------------------------------------------------- EACH 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER REPORTING PERSON Class B Voting Common Stock 433,000 WITH Class A Nonvoting Common Stock 8,394,762 -------------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER None - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Class B Voting Common Stock 433,000 Class A Nonvoting Common Stock 8,394,762 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Class B Voting Common Stock 3.5% Class A Nonvoting Common Stock 9.6% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN ================================================================================ - ------------------- ------------------ CUSIP No. 755267200 13D/A Page 3 of 11 pages - ------------------- ------------------ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS Highfields GP LLC - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [_] (b) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS AF - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 SOLE VOTING POWER Class B Voting Common Stock 433,000 -------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 8 SHARED VOTING POWER SHARES BENEFICIALLY None OWNED BY -------------------------------------------------------- EACH 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER REPORTING PERSON Class B Voting Common Stock 433,000 WITH Class A Nonvoting Common Stock 8,394,762 -------------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER None - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Class B Voting Common Stock 433,000 Class A Nonvoting Common Stock 8,394,762 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Class B Voting Common Stock 3.5% Class A Nonvoting Common Stock 9.6% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO ================================================================================ - ------------------- ------------------ CUSIP No. 755267200 13D/A Page 4 of 11 pages - ------------------- ------------------ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS Jonathon S. Jacobson - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [_] (b) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS AF - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 SOLE VOTING POWER Class B Voting Common Stock 433,000 -------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 8 SHARED VOTING POWER SHARES BENEFICIALLY None OWNED BY -------------------------------------------------------- EACH 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER REPORTING PERSON Class B Voting Common Stock 433,000 WITH Class A Nonvoting Common Stock 8,394,762 -------------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER None - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Class B Voting Common Stock 433,000 Class A Nonvoting Common Stock 8,394,762 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Class B Voting Common Stock 3.5% Class A Nonvoting Common Stock 9.6% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN ================================================================================ - ------------------- ------------------ CUSIP No. 755267200 13D/A Page 5 of 11 pages - ------------------- ------------------ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS Richard L. Grubman - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [_] (b) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 SEC USE ONLY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS AF - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 SOLE VOTING POWER Class B Voting Common Stock 433,000 -------------------------------------------------------- NUMBER OF 8 SHARED VOTING POWER SHARES BENEFICIALLY None OWNED BY -------------------------------------------------------- EACH 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER REPORTING PERSON Class B Voting Common Stock 433,000 WITH Class A Nonvoting Common Stock 8,394,762 -------------------------------------------------------- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER None - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON Class B Voting Common Stock 433,000 Class A Nonvoting Common Stock 8,394,762 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [_] - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) Class B Voting Common Stock 3.5% Class A Nonvoting Common Stock 9.6% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN ================================================================================ - ------------------- ------------------ CUSIP No. 755267200 13D/A Page 6 of 11 pages - ------------------- ------------------ This Amendment No. 2 ("Amendment No. 2") amends and supplements the statement on Schedule 13D, filed on March 12, 2002, as amended by Amendment No. 1, filed on March 13, 2002 (the "Schedule 13D"). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Schedule 13D. The filing of Amendment No. 2 is not, and should not be deemed to be construed as, an admission that the Schedule 13D or that any amendment thereto is required to be filed. Item 1. Security and Issuer. ------------------- The securities to which this statement relates are shares of Class B Voting Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares"), of The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Issuer"). The principal executive offices of the Issuer are located at Reader's Digest Road, Pleasantville, New York 10570-7000. In addition, the Reporting Persons (as hereinafter defined) beneficially own an aggregate of 8,394,762 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Nonvoting Shares"), of the Issuer, representing approximately 9.6% of the 87,161,089 Nonvoting Shares outstanding as reported in the Issuer's most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2001 (the "Publicly Available Information"). Item 4. Purpose of Transaction. ---------------------- The information set forth in Item 4 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows: From time to time, each of the Funds has acquired Shares and Nonvoting Shares in the ordinary course of business for investment purposes and has held such shares in such capacity. On February 25, 2002, a representative of Highfields spoke with Ms. M. Christine DeVita, President of the Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds (the "Wallace Funds"), the Issuer's largest holder of Shares. A representative of Highfields and Ms. DeVita discussed the Issuer's prospects and certain actions that the Issuer could take in the near-term to further enhance the long-term value to the shareholders. By letter dated February 27, 2002 (a copy of which previously has been attached as an exhibit to this Schedule 13D), Highfields also expressed to Ms. DeVita, in her capacity as President of the Wallace Funds, its frustration with the apparent unwillingness of the Issuer's management to more aggressively manage the Issuer's capital and portfolio of businesses. In Highfields' February 27 letter to the Wallace Funds, Highfields also expressed its view that in no event should the Issuer make any substantial acquisitions, especially any that might involve the issuance of equity at the currently depressed price of the Issuer's stock. Instead, Highfields believes that management should focus its attention on fixing, growing or selling existing operations before considering any acquisitions, views that Highfields believes are shared by several other significant shareholders. - ------------------- ------------------ CUSIP No. 755267200 13D/A Page 7 of 11 pages - ------------------- ------------------ In connection with its discussions with Ms. DeVita, in the February 27 letter Highfields offered to acquire the Wallace Funds' shares of Class B voting common stock by exchanging one Nonvoting Share currently held by Highfields plus $3.00 for each share of Class B voting common stock currently held by the Wallace Funds. This offer was subject only to: (a) the exchange of all shares of Class B voting common stock held by the Wallace Funds; (b) the preservation of the voting rights of the exchanged shares of Class B voting common stock; (c) no acceleration of Issuer indebtedness as a result of the exchange; and (d) receipt of any required regulatory approvals such as those that may be required under the United States antitrust laws. Alternatively, Highfields also offered to discuss an outright purchase of all of the Wallace Funds' shares of Class B voting common stock at a mutually agreed upon price. Upon completion of this transaction, Highfields would seek to cause the business and financing plan outlined above to be undertaken expeditiously and would seek to cause all shares of Class B voting common stock and Nonvoting Shares to be converted on a one-for-one basis into a single class of stock with equal voting rights, without the payment of any premium, and within a reasonable period of time. As further stated in the February 27 letter, Highfields does not wish to take over the Issuer, enter into transactions with the Issuer or cause the Nonvoting Shares and the shares of Class B voting common stock to be treated differently. Highfields' interest is only in accelerating the turnaround of the Issuer that Highfields and others have been demanding for some time. As stated in the February 27 letter, based on Highfields' discussions with Ms. DeVita, Highfields understood that its proposal would be presented to the full Board of Directors of the Wallace Funds and its financial advisors. On March 6, 2002, Highfields received a letter from Ms. DeVita (a copy of which previously has been attached as an exhibit to this Schedule 13D) stating that the Wallace Funds would not respond to Highfields' proposal within the prescribed deadline. On March 11, 2002, a representative of Highfields phoned Ms. DeVita to inquire into the status of the Wallace Funds' Board of Directors' consideration of Highfields' proposal and was told by Ms. DeVita that based upon a "preliminary look" at the proposal it was "not attractive." Ms. DeVita would not elaborate on the reasons underlying this conclusion. Ms. DeVita stated, however, that the Wallace Funds' Board of Directors would consider the matter at a meeting this week if Highfields so requested. Accordingly, by letter dated March 11, 2002 addressed to each of the members of the Board of Directors of the Wallace Funds (a copy of which previously has been attached as an exhibit to this Schedule 13D), Highfields provided the directors with a copy of Highfields' February 27 letter to Ms. DeVita and expressed its frustration, dissatisfaction and surprise with respect to the manner in which management of the Wallace Funds had responded to Highfields' proposal to acquire the Wallace Funds' Shares. - ------------------- ------------------ CUSIP No. 755267200 13D/A Page 8 of 11 pages - ------------------- ------------------ On March 12, 2002, Highfields received a letter from Mr. George V. Grune, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Wallace Funds (a copy of which previously has been attached as an exhibit to this Schedule 13D), stating that the Wallace Funds' Board "has reviewed your correspondence and concluded that your proposal does not serve our objectives." By letter dated March 13, 2002 to the Wallace Funds (a copy of which previously has been attached as an exhibit to this Schedule 13D), Highfields expressed its disappointment in the Wallace Funds' curt dismissal of Highfields' firm and fully financed proposal to exchange Nonvoting Shares for the Wallace Funds' Shares, especially in light of the Issuer's long-standing poor performance. Highfields stated that its proposal was carefully crafted to pay the Wallace Funds a premium for their voting control of the Issuer and afford the Wallace Funds the full economic upside of a turnaround in the Issuer. Putting itself in the shoes of an independent director charged with maximizing the value of assets held for charitable constituents, Highfields indicated that it failed to comprehend how such a proposal could be dismissed out of hand without the Wallace Funds' Board making any counterproposal, engaging in any negotiation, or even indicating what the Wallace Funds' "objectives" are. On February 20, 2002, representatives of Highfields met with Mr. Thomas O. Ryder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer and Mr. Richard E. Clark, Vice President of Investor Relations of the Issuer. At that meeting, Highfields strongly recommended that the Issuer avoid making major acquisitions given the Issuer's current operating problems and low valuation, as well as the execution risk and debt burden that any such acquisition would pose. Rather, Highfields' representatives advocated that the Issuer concentrate on bolstering its existing businesses and pursue alternatives, such as the issuance of bonds and the repurchase of shares, to minimize risk and enhance shareholder value. By letter dated March 13, 2002 (a copy of which previously has been attached as an exhibit to this Schedule 13D) addressed to Mr. Ryder and copied to the Issuer's Board of Directors, Highfields indicated that Highfields' proposal to exchange Nonvoting Shares for the Wallace Funds' Shares was the culmination of almost two years of disagreement with the Issuer's Board concerning how to manage its portfolio of businesses for the benefit of its shareholders. Highfields reiterated its view that the Issuer's financial structure is too conservative, and that a strategic plan to add some leverage, significantly repurchase shares and manage the declining U.S. business (BHE) for cash is the best way to unlock shareholder value. Highfields also voiced its opposition to any acquisition by the Issuer. - ------------------- ------------------ CUSIP No. 755267200 13D/A Page 9 of 11 pages - ------------------- ------------------ As further stated in this letter to Mr. Ryder, Highfields also articulated its dismay with the Issuer's governance structure in which the Issuer is controlled by a single shareholder with one board seat and less than 10% of the ownership economics. Highfields also voiced its concern about the conflicts of interest inherent in this structure - between the Wallace Funds' fiduciary duty to their constituents and the Wallace Funds' fiduciary duty to the Issuer and all of the other shareholders of the Issuer. Given these concerns, Highfields requested that the Issuer's Board consider amending its capital structure so that all shareholders have identical voting and economic interests in their shares. Highfields concluded by noting that it remains convinced that the Issuer has value far in excess of its current valuation, and that it will continue to work tirelessly to explore all available avenues to unlock this value. By letter dated March 26, 2002 (a copy of which is attached as an exhibit to this Amendment No. 2) addressed to Ms. DeVita and copied to each of the members of the Board of Directors of the Wallace Funds, Highfields increased its offer to acquire the Wallace Funds' shares of Class B voting common stock by exchanging one Nonvoting Share currently held by Highfields plus $5.00 for each share of Class B voting common stock currently held by the Wallace Funds. This offer expires on April 2, 2002 at 4:00 p.m., is not conditional on financing, and is otherwise subject to the same limited conditions as the previous offer. Highfields also renewed its offer to negotiate an outright purchase of all of the Wallace Funds' shares of Class B voting common stock at a mutually agreed upon price. This offer also expires at 4:00 p.m. on April 2, 2002. Based on yesterday's closing market prices of $21.55 per Nonvoting Share and $22.25 per Class B voting share, one Nonvoting Share plus $5.00 represents a 23% premium to the current price of a Nonvoting Share. Highfields believes that such a substantial premium has never before been available to the Wallace Funds. In its March 26 letter to Ms. DeVita, Highfields reiterated its intention to seek to cause all shares of Class B voting common stock and Nonvoting Shares to be collapsed into a single class of stock with equal voting rights, without the payment of any consideration, and within a reasonable period of time. As Highfields stated in its March 26 letter, Highfields is willing to pay the Wallace Funds $31 million for voting control of the Issuer and then give up that control for the benefit of all shareholders including the Wallace Funds, while at the same time providing an immediate and substantial benefit to the beneficiaries of the Wallace Funds. In addition to the foregoing, Highfields may consider the feasibility and advisability of various alternative courses of action with respect to its investment in the Issuer, and Highfields reserves the right, subject to applicable law, (i) to hold its Shares and its Nonvoting Shares as a passive investor or as an active investor (whether or not as a member of a "group" with other beneficial owners of Shares and Nonvoting Shares or otherwise), (ii) to acquire beneficial ownership of additional Shares and Nonvoting Shares in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, (iii) to dispose of all or part of its holdings of Shares or Nonvoting Shares, (iv) to take other actions which could involve one or more of the types of transactions or have one or more of the results described in Item 4 of this Schedule 13D, or (v) to change its intention with respect to any or all of the matters referred to in this Item 4. Highfields' decisions and actions with respect to such possibilities will depend upon a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the actions of the Issuer and the Wallace Funds, market activity in the Shares and Nonvoting Shares, an evaluation of the Issuer and its prospects, general market and economic conditions, conditions specifically affecting Highfields and other factors which Highfields may deem relevant to its investment decisions. Except as set forth herein, no contract, arrangement, relationship or understanding (either oral or written) exists among the Reporting Persons as to the acquisition, disposition, voting or holding of Shares. Except as set forth herein, no Reporting Person has any present plan or proposal that would result in or relate to any of the transactions required to be described in Item 4 of Schedule 13D. - ------------------- ------------------- CUSIP No. 755267200 13D/A Page 10 of 11 pages - ------------------- ------------------- Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits. -------------------------------- The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Schedule 13D. Exhibit 99.1 Letter from Highfields to Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds dated February 27, 2002 (previously filed). Exhibit 99.2 Letter from Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds to Highfields dated March 6, 2002 (previously filed). Exhibit 99.3 Form of Letter from Highfields to the individual Directors of Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds dated March 11, 2002 (previously filed). Exhibit 99.4 Letter from Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds to Highfields dated March 12, 2002 (previously filed). Exhibit 99.5 Letter from Highfields to Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds dated March 13, 2002 (previously filed). Exhibit 99.6 Letter from Highfields to The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. dated March 13, 2002 (previously filed). Exhibit 99.7 Letter from Highfields to Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds dated March 26, 2002 (filed herewith). - ------------------- ------------------- CUSIP No. 755267200 13D/A Page 11 of 11 pages - ------------------- ------------------- SIGNATURES After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his, her or its knowledge and belief, each of the persons signing below certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Date: March 26, 2002 HIGHFIELDS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP -------------- By: Highfields GP LLC, its General Partner /s/ Kenneth H. Colburn ----------------------------------------- Signature Kenneth H. Colburn, Authorized Signatory ----------------------------------------- Name/Title HIGHFIELDS GP LLC /s/ Kenneth H. Colburn ----------------------------------------- Signature Kenneth H. Colburn, Authorized Signatory ----------------------------------------- Name/Title JONATHON S. JACOBSON /s/ Kenneth H. Colburn ----------------------------------------- Signature Kenneth H. Colburn, Attorney-in-fact ----------------------------------------- Name/Title RICHARD L. GRUBMAN /s/ Kenneth H. Colburn ----------------------------------------- Signature Kenneth H. Colburn, Attorney-in-fact ----------------------------------------- Name/Title EX-99.7 3 dex997.txt LETTER FROM HIGHFIELDS TO WALLACE-READER'S DIGEST Exhibit 99.7 [HIGHFIELDS CAPITAL LETTERHEAD] March 26, 2002 Ms. M. Christine DeVita President Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds Two Park Avenue, 23rd Floor New York, NY 10016 BY FAX: 212-679-6990 Dear Chris, Highfields Capital Management LP and its funds (collectively, "Highfields") hereby increases its proposed exchange offer. Highfields is currently offering to exchange one of its Class A Nonvoting Shares (the "A Shares") of The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (the "Company") plus $5.00 for each of the Class B Voting Shares (the "B Shares") of the Company currently held by the Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds (the "Wallace Funds"). Based on the Company's most recent proxy, we understand that the Wallace Funds own 6.2 million B Shares. Highfields owns 8.4 million A Shares and 0.4 million B Shares that together are currently worth approximately $190 million. This new offer supercedes our prior offer of February 27, 2002 and expires at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, 2002. In order to ensure a more timely review of this offer than the first one received, we are simultaneously sending a copy of this letter to each member of the Board of Directors of the Wallace Funds. As was the case with our prior offer, this offer is not conditional on financing and is subject only to: (a) the exchange of all the B Shares held by the Wallace Funds; (b) preservation of the voting rights of the exchanged B Shares; (c) no acceleration of Company indebtedness as a result of the exchange; and (d) receipt of any required regulatory approvals such as HSR. Based on yesterday's closing market prices of $21.55 per A Share and $22.25 per B Share, one A Share plus $5.00 represents a 23% premium to the current price of an A Share. Such a substantial premium has never before been available to the Wallace Funds. To the contrary, the Wallace Funds have a history of exchanging B Shares for A Shares at a substantial discount. On September 24, 1999 the Wallace Funds exchanged approximately 9.3 million B Shares with the Company for approximately 8.0 million A Shares, representing an exchange ratio of 0.865 A Shares per B Share. In contrast, our offer represents an exchange ratio of 1.000 (16% better than when the Wallace Funds last exchanged B Shares for A Shares) plus an immediate payment of $31 million in cash (for a total premium of approximately 40% relative to the 1999 exchange). As was the case with the 1999 transaction, our offer allows the Wallace Funds to maintain their share ownership and economic interest in the Company. Furthermore, upon consummation of this offer, the Wallace Funds would remain the Company's largest shareholder and would continue to hold two of ten board seats. Immediately after consummation of this offer, Highfields' intentions are to cause the Company to: - - focus on existing businesses that should be grown, run for cash or sold; - - alter the Company's capital structure to one that is more appropriate given the cash flow characteristics of its portfolio of businesses; and - - collapse all A and B Shares into new `one share/one vote' shares, without payment of any additional consideration, effective no later than the Company's annual meeting in 2003, thus affording every common share a vote for the purposes of voting on directors and other matters (as is currently the case with 99% of other publicly traded companies in the U.S.). To be clear, Highfields is willing to pay the Wallace Funds $31 million for voting control of the Company and then give up that control for the benefit of all shareholders including the Wallace Funds. Certainly the immediate benefit to the beneficiaries of the Wallace Funds would be substantial. Alternatively, should you no longer wish to be economically exposed to the Company, we reiterate our willingness to enter into negotiations with you concerning an outright purchase of the Wallace Funds' B Shares. We will honor this option until the same expiration date for the offer above. We are troubled by the strategic direction of the Company. Historically, the Company's directors have erred on the conservative side with regard to the Company's capital structure; management has consistently communicated to us that the Board was not willing to jeopardize the Company's investment grade rating under any circumstances. After reviewing the recently announced Reiman Publications transaction, Standard & Poor's downgraded the Company's debt rating to junk status. This is quite an about face. We are amazed that the Company's Board approved a transaction involving borrowing $760 million to pay a premium multiple for a business with questionable growth prospects and aging demographics. In addition, management's expectations for the cost of this borrowing are unrealistically low. If this critical variable proves to be substantially more expensive than expected, further value will be destroyed as a consequence of this acquisition. In light of the Company's past and present financial performance, we would not be surprised if the planned financing for the transaction proves to be very difficult to obtain under the terms outlined by management on their recent conference call. It also strikes us as a huge conflict of interest that the Company received a financing commitment from JPMorgan, one of Reiman's financial advisors and also a part-owner of that company. As reported recently by The Wall Street Journal, the Company's largest holder of B Shares (other than the Wallace Funds) and another substantial owner of A Shares apparently share our view that the Reiman acquisition is ill-conceived and that the Company would be better served by focusing on its own operations and generating cash to repurchase shares. We also have reason to believe that at least one of the Company's directors abstained, objected or voted against the Reiman transaction. We are shocked that the rest of the Company's Board would take such an enormous and unprecedented financial risk, particularly given management's well-documented difficulties in fixing existing operating problems and mixed track record in making acquisitions. You and the Company's management have also consistently maintained that the Wallace Funds do not control the Company, despite the Wallace Funds' ownership of 50% of the voting B Shares, representing only 6% of the total shares outstanding. While the Company's Board may think it is acting in the shareholders' best interests, it is not accountable to all the shareholders. Only the Wallace Funds have the power to hire and fire directors to whom management reports. It is hard to imagine that the Company's protracted miserable performance and governance defects are coincidental. At Highfields we take our fiduciary duty to our investors very seriously; hence our persistent efforts to protect and enhance the value of one of our larger holdings. The beneficiaries of your organization and the communities they serve would be well served by such a focus on value maximization; the Board of the Wallace Funds has a civic responsibility to do so. Certainly receiving $31 million for control rights you claim not to have would be a very good place to start. Sincerely, Richard Grubman Managing Director cc: Members of the Board of Directors of the Wallace Funds -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----