Is Jeff Smith Really The Most Feared Activist?

As Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square walks away from a stunning, if not historic activist battle that could be described as “heads Ackman wins tails he wins” battle for Allergan, Inc. (NYSE:AGN), that’s not enough to make him the most feared king of activist investors, says author William Cohen. Forget about Carl Icahn, perhaps the king of social intimidation who violently attacks the reputations of typically status conscious board members who dare oppose him. The winner of the activist fear crown is a man with a little different approach. What makes Jeff Smith highly successful? At the end of the day what…