Vote the GOLD Form of Proxy to Free Aberdeen and to Unlock Shareholder Value Before Thursday 5:00 pm EST Deadline

• Aberdeen used YOUR money to buy 9,100,000 shares for insiders last year as "incentive compensation"
• Aberdeen tried to corrupt this election by placing shares to insiders and related parties until the Concerned Shareholders took them to court and segregated those shares
• Aberdeen announced a "fire sale" of nearly all of its assets for $29 million in September and is still trying to close this value-destroying sale today
• VOTE GOLD to Install a Board of Directors that will End Insider Entrenchment and Self-Dealing and that will Focus on Maximizing Value for all Aberdeen Shareholders

TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, funds controlled by Meson Capital Partners LLC ("Meson Capital") and Nightscape Capital (UK) LLP ("Nightscape Capital", collectively, the "Concerned Shareholders") holding shares representing approximately 9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Aberdeen International Inc. (TSX:AAB) ("Aberdeen" or the "Company") remind shareholders of the upcoming deadline to vote their GOLD proxy: 5:00 pm (EST) Thursday January 29. 

Incoming votes show public shareholders overwhelmingly approve change at Aberdeen and an end to insider self-dealing. However, EVERY vote is important given the lengths that insiders have gone to entrench themselves using YOUR money ahead of this important election.

FACT: Despite Aberdeen's claims that management received no "bonus" last year management must have hoped you didn't read their most recent financial statement, page 14: During fiscal 2014, the Company purchased 9,100,000 common shares in the open market with YOUR money as shareholders and granted them to insiders as incentive compensation. Aberdeen spent $3 million of YOUR money buying these shares but received ZERO cash for the shares from insiders.  Management is now voting these shares to entrench themselves unless YOU vote your GOLD proxy for change.

FACT: In November 2014, after a long term shareholder, Nightscape sought shareholder friendly change, Aberdeen insiders placed 10,000,000 shares plus an additional 10,000,000 warrants into their own hands and the hands of related parties to entrench themselves at a massive discount to NAV.  Aberdeen completed this placement and refused to negotiate even though better terms were offered from an independent party long before the closing of the placement. This discounted placement dilutes YOUR value for no real business purpose. The Concerned Shareholders have now successfully segregated these shares for the upcoming vote after taking Aberdeen to court. Shareholders are encouraged to learn more about this highly questionable placement at: http://www.freeaberdeen.ca/aberdeen-whitepaper/private-placement-facts

FACT: During the  fall of  2014, Aberdeen attempted a "fire sale" to liquidate nearly all of its portfolio for $29 million to Landmark and are still attempting to close this value-destroying sale today. Aberdeen has once again disregarded the interests of Aberdeen shareholders as it does not seem to believe that shareholder approval is necessary for such a fundamental change.

FACT: Both ISS and Glass Lewis, independent proxy advisory firms recommended to VOTE GOLD and in no way "supported" Aberdeen as falsely claimed by the Company.

DO NOT ALLOW ABERDEEN INSIDERS TO CONTINUE GETTING RICH AT YOUR EXPENSE

VOTE GOLD TO UNLOCK SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER VALUE AND UPSIDE

VOTE GOLD and The Concerned Shareholders plan will maximize the value of Aberdeen's portfolio including seeking to recover ill-gotten gains from insiders who profited from shareholder losses, maximizing the value its portfolio investments and distributing capital back to shareholders.  Shareholders do not need Aberdeen to hold a large liquid stock like Rio Alto (RIO:TSX) and pay an extra layer of fees and taxes to Aberdeen Insiders.
VOTE GOLD to dramatically lower insider compensation by over 80%
VOTE GOLD to end insider entrenchment and self-dealing
VOTE GOLD to put in place a board with experience in creating shareholder value
VOTE GOLD to immediately return $0.15 cash directly to shareholders in a tax efficient manner while preserving significant upside of strategic assets
VOTE GOLD because Aberdeen used YOUR money to buy 9,100,000 shares for insiders last year as "incentive compensation"
VOTE GOLD because Aberdeen tried to corrupt this election by placing shares to insiders and related parties until Concerned Shareholders took them to court and segregated those shares
VOTE GOLD because Aberdeen announced a "fire sale" of all of its assets for $29 million in September and is still trying to close this value-destroying deal without seeking shareholder approval

More detailed information can be found here at: www.freeaberdeen.ca/LETTER.

Every vote is important, vote GOLD for change before it's too late.

For assistance and ease with voting your GOLD proxy, please contact D.F. King Canada (toll-free) at 1-800-926-7043 or visit www.freeaberdeen.ca where the GOLD proxy can be easily voted by clicking on the "Vote Now" button.

About Meson Capital Partners LLC and Nightscape Capital (UK) LLP

Established in 2009, Meson Capital is a registered U.S. investment advisor based in San Francisco, USA. Meson Capital is managed by Ryan Morris, a Canadian citizen born in Toronto, Ontario. 

Nightscape Capital is an FCA regulated investment advisor based in London, United Kingdom. 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this press release may constitute "forward-looking information", as such term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation, about the objectives and intentions of Meson Capital and Nightscape Capital as they relate to Aberdeen and Aberdeen shareholders and other matters. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information.  Material factors or assumptions that were applied in providing forward-looking information, include, but are not limited to, Aberdeen's future growth potential, its results of operations, future cash flows, ability to monetize assets for stated book value, the future performance and business prospects and opportunities of Aberdeen and the current general regulatory environment and economic conditions remaining unchanged. Should any factor affect Aberdeen , Meson Capital or Nightscape Capital in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. All of the forward-looking information reflected in this press release is qualified by these cautionary statements.  Forward-looking information is provided and forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and except as may be required by applicable law, each of Meson Capital and Nightscape Capital disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Meson Capital Partners LLC

Media Contacts: Ryan Morris President, Meson Capital Partners LLC, [email protected], [phone]; Investor Inquiries: D.F. King Canada, North American, Toll Free: 1-800-926-7043, International Collect Call: 1-201-806-7301, Email: [email protected]

Related Links

www.mesoncapital.com