a College of Communication, DePaul University, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604, USA b College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida, Weimer Hall, PO Box 118400, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Abstract:
This study further extends agenda-building theory into the corporate sphere. This investigation tested for agenda-building relationships between the issues emphasized in corporate candidate-controlled information subsidies and financial news media coverage during the 2008 Yahoo! Inc.-Carl Icahn proxy contest for control of Yahoo!’s board of directors. Solid support was found for issue agenda-building associations. Cross-lagged correlation analyses revealed that both Yahoo!’s and Icahn's information subsidies enjoyed some success in shaping media coverage during the proxy fight. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.