Friday, March 18, 2011

Should we be launching a co-ordinated "Media Campaign"?

A number of bloggers have put various ideas out there to contact persons in the media. Is this a good idea? What is the upside/downside? I think it probably is a good idea for at least the following reasons:

1) It would potentially expose below board practices (which I don't think anyone wants to see in Canada);
2) It will provide a way for CMM shareholders who aren't necessarily in the blogosphere to become aware of our situation;
3) These would presumably go towards further ensuring a block on this merger (notwithstanding the concerns raised by yikes1)

Any comments and discourse appreciated...
doc

42 comments:

JohnM3 said...

Its easy:
.
(a) Go to the Wall Street Journal, Barrons, NYTimes, LATimes, USAToday, Rolling Stone
.
(b) Finding the Mining Section, Economic Section, Gold Section, etc.
.
(c) Click on an article and get the reporters email address
.
(d) Mail the reporter your view of White Tiger Gold and Century
.
Here is what I sent to ********** . Feel free to use and/or edit to your own
point of view.
.
=============================
Click on my name for the rest of the info I sent them.

ATInsider said...

It may also get the authorities to investigate our claims of price fixing and the such. I think it’s a great idea. I don’t see why they wouldn’t take our side on this merger matter, it’s so evident something not right with this deal.

I say, let’s do it.

KnowNothing said...

nt300 - While I can understand and appreciate your frustration with the situation - Have to make this comment.

Regulators get "comments" from people all of the time - probably on the thousands [tens? hundreds?] per year. They have limited resources with which to deal with those comments/complaints so they have to triage the contacts/complaints/concerns quickly and decide how to use limited resources.

If one wants enough attention from a regulator body the best way to do that is to drop into their lap everything they need in order to act. In other words if you do their job for them, present them a nice package with a bow with all of the data and supporting documentation neatly in place demonstrating conclusively that a specific law has been broken, then your chances of getting through the initial triage is great. BUT you better be detailed, focused and point to specific sections of the law or of the Rules/Code.

Too many half-cocked efforts will be like crying wolf too many times - when you finally get around to the detailed evidence with proof, they may blow you off as just another bunch of CMM crazies whining again.

Look, it took SUE and their attorneys to go out and hire a forensic accountant to demonstrate how screwed up CMMs books were, before the BCSC took a look at things and held Peggy's feet to the fire. Shoot posters on the SH BB had already discovered the "deferred striping" fiasco - so it should have been "apparent" to the regulators that something there wasn't quite right.

So what might seem obvious to you and me as needing to be investigate isn't always obvious to the regulators who aren't looking for more trouble or to add to an already full plate.

To get their attention one needs a well thought out, legally defensible, packed with hard evidence prepackaged case that they would be negligent to not act on. Sans that one is just getting their personal hopes up at best and muddying the waters for a real regulatory effort at best.

I believe that if something is going to change with this deal it will be because Finky has his bluff called or his hand forced. It isn't going to come from any kind of regulatory action.

of course, jmho - fwiw.

ATInsider said...

KnowNothing, thanks for the contribution. I am kind of new to all this lol, I've taken your words of wisdom to heart. Once again, thank you very much, your annotations will optimistically enlighten others.

KnowNothing said...

JohnM3 - I'll add to what I said to nt300.

While I appreciate you thinking and looking for ways to shine light on this situation, I think we will get more traction if we act in concert, act as a block and act intelligently.

A reporter getting hundreds of emails from "cub reporters" [most of which may not be grammatically correct] will only make him/her think there is a campaign out there of letter writers - and oh another bunch or retail loonies. He's going to quickly ignore any flood of info and write-off the group and story.

If however, we do get a leader to step forward and he/she can show a block of 70+ MM shares with him, then there is a story. That is firm concrete controversy with a name and person they can interview. [a bunch of posts on BBs a controversy do not make!] Only THEN we can get our story out and see how many other shares we might attract. We need that kind of free advertising but we need it to focus on an already organized effort.

I recognize that the power of the internet gives everyone an equality and voice on blogs and boards, but unless this heard of cats can be wrangled and formed into a cohesive and disciplined force, they stand about as much chance as the Libyan Rebels without support. The other side is organized, focused and with purpose - THAT is what we need if we are going to do more than satisfy our egos, whine on BBs or flail around in a tempertantrum.

So keep thinking and keep up the good suggestions - let's however work to cohesiveness of this dissenters group and speak with one unified and strong voice!

again jmho

Anonymous said...

Have we chosen somebody to take the lead as our unified and strong voice?

JOAR said...

Why not P05

ATInsider said...

Agreed.

Anonymous said...

A pay pal link should be made for contributions to this cause. A press release costs money. A reporter running a story is free. More reporters picking up the story still free. Reporters are more likely to pick up the story AFTER a press release from us disgruntled stockholders is released.

Press release should be first order of business.

Paypal account would help get that moving along.

Just my 2c.

ATInsider said...

Anonymous good point, it would help if you state who you are. Then keep using that nickname.
Thanks

dave peters said...

"(a) Go to the Wall Street Journal, Barrons, NYTimes, LATimes, USAToday, Rolling Stone"

I think it is safe to say that NONE of those publications would give two hoots about a quarter million dollar Canadian company, when they have multi-billion companies in their own neck of the woods they allow to get away with God knows what.

I would suggest you concentrate on Canadian papers the Globe and Mail or National Post. And one or two cogent letters to the right reporter(s) there will do more than legions of "cub reporters".

JMHO.

Ron S. said...

This man, John Helmer, (http://johnhelmer.net/) may be one of our most powerful allies, he has knowledge of the players already, he lives in Russia, he is familiar in particular with russian mining and stockplays.

He states is already researching our situation.
Go to his website, as he directs in the second paragraph of his response to me below.

Dear Ron:
Thanks for reading.
I've already heard from a couple of your fellow shareholders, and so I'm alerted to the tiger in this particular tank.

You can gauge my assessment of Finsky from searching the website archive for his name, which covers his time as Prokhorov's old school pal and his asset-buying sprees to compose the gold asset collection in Norilsk Nickel, which were then spun off to form Polyus Gold, before Prokhorov sent him elsewhere.

I have started researching the story.

Best,John

dave peters said...

Heh. When I said "quarter million company" above, of course I mean quarter BILLION dollar company.

Nick said...

That's good news right?

bigjohn37 said...

Good question & debate, Doc. Yes, we should be launching a co-ordinated media campaign. It would help to bring the shady aspects of WTG's (& its agents inside CMM) moves (e.g stock price manipulation, improper disclosures, not being in compliance with Canadian corporate law, etc) to the authorities, to other CMM shareholders, to potential "white knights", etc. Thus, the business community would know why we are voting NO to WTG.

We also need a respected leader, and soon. I suggest an executive or co-ordinating committee, instead; because it would spread the workload. I recommend that we ask/nominate/elect Production05, Hoov, Fairness-for-all, Chillby (I'd say a maximum of 5). They could set the agenda, and report back to us maybe once a week.

production05 said...

Hi guys,

I very much appreciate the thoughts. Unfortunately, similar to the successful battle against Russian company Severstal (in the High River Gold situation), I am unable to take the leadership role.

From everything I have heard thus far, ``fair to all`` sounds like a person with the background to lead the cause, especially when it comes time to negotiating a better deal with Finskiy and team.

I think it is still early yet. I don`t think it is time yet for everything to come to the forefront.

I think the key is to keep building up our shareholder support, as we wait and see if they present a better deal (even if we don`t hear from a ``white knight``, while we wait).

Meanwhile, there are plenty of side initiatives we can move forward. I think a lot of people have a lot of great ideas. I think those initiatives can be reseached or moved forward, while we wait to see their next move.

I also agree that the focus should be on mainly local, Canadian, Russian and mining newspapers, websites, publications, freelance journalists, etc.

I agree with Ron S. John Helmer is very reputable. Many of his articles get picked up by ``Mineweb``. He was very important in our battle with Severstal over our High River Gold investment. John tries to expose the truth. He does his homework and seems to have really good sources. He pulls no punches. He fights for the little guys. I don`t know what he sells (if anything) to raise financial support to continue his efforts, but he is definitely one person little guys everywhere should support.

production05 said...

One thing people can do is to contact certain key companies to educate them that there is a group of dissident Century Mining shareholders, with 71.2 million of the company`s outstanding shares (and growing) - representing 17.5% ownership of the company.

Get them thinking of possible ideas. Maybe down the road one of those companies might come up with something worthwhile to offer for those shares.

Agnico-Eagle
Aurizon
Integra Gold
Osisko
Wesdome
Richmont Mines
Kirkland Lake
Lake Shore Gold

B2Gold (per rumours, they kicked the tires a while back - 2009)

Mcewen Capital or US Gold (You never know, (Rob Mcewen) believed in Goldcorp`s Red Lake mine at a time when everyone else gave up on it (ready to scrap it as junk) - Red Lake Mine turned into the greatest mine in the world)

Endeavour Financial - They know how to take advantage of situations like this for major profits. They bought Crew Gold shares in private deals then milked Severstal for $100 million premium on those shares at a later date.

Gold1 said...

I am going to continue my fight while offering support to the main cause.
A bunch of us fought for much on another issue. Some here very likely fought or were affected.
E-mails are least effective, letters or faxes much better. Phoning works if you get the right person .. most are not reachable. Tried for 3+ years to reach local guy with no success. So go with what we hopefully learned as investors ... first take what is offered/doable.
Personally I will talk to anybody who will listen leading off with financing .. gold/silver .. theft of Canadian co. then Century -- White Tiger. Will call talk radio particularly financial shows.
Consider telling the human side of this story and each here has that. And there are 2 aspects that I will pursue that are just too personal to elaborate.

Anonymous said...

Ofcourse, we could get BNN/globe and mail all over this pending shareholder scam...

Anonymous said...

we get 8 milion from the german bank and another 8ish from the exercise of warrants first week of june -so wheres the money problem

yikes1 said...

are they launching their own media campaign against us?!

I just received a a google alert with an article from NorthernMiner...

White Tiger curls up with cash-strapped Century Mining

I don't subscribe, but if anyone has access and can give a summary, it would be greatly appreciated.

Peggy Sue said...

Guys, I own around 1% of the company and am only concerned with maximizing shareholder value, i.e., I don't have any ulterior motive. I'm coming down on the side of supporting this merger. I think that everyone here should reach out to Daniel Major to learn more about WTG's assets either now or once the MIC (Mgmt Information Circular) is out. I think there are some huge assumptions being made on this blog, the key one being that we have funding alternatives or don't need additional funding. Of course I could be wrong - I'm not trying to be pigheaded about this stuff. I just know that they stated they were trying to raise $5m on good terms and only raised $4m over a month later. I also know that many companies could have bid on these assets before and never did - thus I conclude that no white knight is coming. I also know that anyone who would try to take a run at the company would have to negotiate with Max - thus I conclude that it's not going to happen.

If we could get 70% of the combined entity instead of 61%, of course I'd be happy... my bread is buttered on the side of Century shareholders! But having WTG and Max walk away from Century would be - I believe - bad, bad, bad. Let's not close our minds to the possibility that White Tiger is not a paper tiger and find out more about it. This does mean talking more with Daniel Major and all of the powers that be.

Trying to promote dialogue here. Digging in could be the wrong thing. Incidentally, I'm all for shareholder activism. I wished I had it when some crooks running a Canadian wireless company sold a ton of prime spectrum to Rogers and Bell and stole the money for themselves. Shareholders - and I'm included - are now trying to recover stolen funds... I wish we had shareholder activism at the time. In the case of Century, however, I'm not sure it will make my 1% worth more by spurning this offer. That's what I encourage everyone to explore before digging in their heals.

Resptectfully,
Peggy Sue

ps: this dumb handle was just a jab at Peggy from back in the day.

Anonymous said...

Peggy Sue can you most kindly direct us to the WTG website.

Wingfong said...

Hi Ron S
Great to note John Heimer had been alerted. When do U thk we can read something from him? I am sure U know the voting day is set on may 12 2011

GoldBandit said...

Peggy Sue, I have been doing DD on this deal and it appears to me that there are many inconsistencies that start with the WTG valuation. I find it incredible that it is trading at $3.75 when they have less production than San Juan. If we were to value CMM on the same measuring scale we would surely have to value CMM at a minimum of 3.75 based on San Juan alone. So, this deal basically gives Lamaque to WTG for free. Personally, I don't think that's fair....

Anonymous said...

I get it : Peggy...... sue (as in legal resolution).

I get your joke and why you are here. That's why you keep banging on about lack of funds and how great WTG is and how we should give them a chance.

Where's the info on them ? Nowhere. Yet you seem sure they are great with great assets. Hmmmm, that smells.....

I don't think Peggy's worried one bit about you. Wasn't her that broke the law in this deal was it ?

Unknown said...

Well Peggy, i emailed Century / Daniel, and lets see what he / they say, if anything other than "read the 43-101 or wait for the circular.

Wingfong said...

Peggy
I have to give credit to your persistency. Appretiate you are able to provide us with evidences/hard facts on the value of the 5 WTG mining properties especially the 3 mining licenses. Todate, I am still not convinced the 3 land parcels under these 3 licenses even exits at all! Please I am not trying to be irrational. I am dead serious and tried I did, I could not find anything to rely on so please assist. I am sure U are able to. Again please assist.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry but i just don't trust a person named peggy who can't provide sufficient evidence regarding wtg and constantly tries to sell us on how good evaluation this company is. For heaven sake wtg is basically stuck between an exploration/15,000-20,000 oz producer. 10-15 cent stock which is trading at 3.40-4.55.. How can we even take this matter seriously.

regards

glenfidish

Payday said...

This does mean talking more with Daniel Major and all of the powers that be. - Peggy Sue

----------

"Ok you have 30 minutes....er...um...I don't know. Read the NR....geez..time is up...gotta go!"

yeah, been there, done that with Mr. Major. Not looking forward to the sequel.

Payday said...

That Northern Miner article reeks... get me a nose-plug.

I wonder who's palms needed to be greased for this lame duck article?

---

http://www.stockhouse.com/Bullboards/MessageDetail.aspx?p=0&m=29450669&l=0&r=0&s=CMM&t=LIST

Spr7 said...

PeggySue:

Do yourself a favor and vote your 1% NO.

Come on, you know you want to :-)

ATInsider said...

Interesting how a $0.28 stock is trading for $$3.75. Need I say More.

It is WTG that needs CMM just to justify that price it's trading at today. It should be CMM trading at $3.75 and WTG trading bellow $0.54.

Wingfong said...

Payday.."ok you have 30 minutes...er..um...I don't know. Read the NR..geez..time is up..gotta go!" Very sure I heard it somewhere some time. Oh yes. the CC!!

Ron S. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ron S. said...

answer to Wingfong
RE: John Helmer
Hi. I do not know. I only asked for his help this morning.
It is terrific he is looking at us.
He will be familiar with lots of details soon if not now already.

Ron S. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Peggy Sue,

As 1% owner of the company you're not concerned with WTG valuation?
You say you've been burned before but I'm wondering why, if that's the case, you would be so gullible as to belief that there isn't a concerted effort to manipulate SP.

They could careless with the shareholder. This company is just a vehicle for theft.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wingfong said...

Ron S
Thanks. hope we read something in due course.

Rickydee said...

Just curious what is required to make a news release from dissident shareholders. I wouldnt mind chipping in 100-200dollars for it if it were expensive.

Gonefishing said...

Today I had a long telephone conversation with Fair For All. He asked me to relay my conversation to the Agoracom/Stockhouse CMM/WTG group.

This was the first time I had talked to Fair For All and I was very impressed. He is intelligent, articulate, experienced and well connected. At this time he does not want to reveal his identity on a public forum (for obvious reasons).

The first thing he emphasized is that he is not the "wizard" of the group and that he does not wish to act alone. He wants to get to know more about the concerned shareholders, who they are and who the potential leaders are within the shareholder group.

If he is acceptable to the shareholders, he is prepared to work with a nucleus from the larger list of concerned shareholders to establish the goals of the entire group.

He feels it is too soon now to approach "The Company" and we need to get more shares listed on the stockigloo list of concerned shareholders. He has had an initial correspondence with Production5.

One thing he warned about was not to get too emotional, otherwise he feels we will get nowhere with Finskiy or Scola.

SN