{"id":566541,"date":"2026-06-27T04:00:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T08:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/retail-engagement-digital-tools\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T04:41:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T08:41:00","slug":"retail-engagement-digital-tools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/retail-engagement-digital-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"Retail Engagement &#8211; Digital Tools"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;bottom&#8221; column_spacing=&#8221;0px&#8221; wpex_bg_image_source=&#8221;featured&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1779350602445{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; min_height=&#8221;450px&#8221; wpex_bg_position=&#8221;center right&#8221;][vc_column wpex_bg_image_source=&#8221;featured&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1738695614909{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; wpex_bg_position=&#8221;center center&#8221;]<div class=\"vcex-spacing wpex-w-100 wpex-clear\" style=\"height:300px;\"><\/div><style>.vcex-heading.vcex_6a4310a30d446{width:600px;color:var(--wpex-accent);font-size:var(--wpex-text-5xl);font-weight:600;line-height:var(--wpex-leading-tight);}@media (max-width:479px){.vcex-heading.vcex_6a4310a30d446{font-size:30px;}}<\/style><h1 class=\"vcex-heading vcex-heading-plain vcex-module wpex-heading wpex-text-2xl wpex-max-w-100 wpex-mr-auto vc_custom_1779350588937 vcex_6a4310a30d446\"><span class=\"vcex-heading-inner wpex-inline-block\">Retail Engagement &#8211; Digital Tools<\/span><\/h1><style>.vcex-heading.vcex_6a4310a30ddaf{width:600px;color:var(--wpex-accent);font-size:var(--wpex-text-lg);font-weight:600;line-height:var(--wpex-leading-tight);}@media (max-width:479px){.vcex-heading.vcex_6a4310a30ddaf{font-size:16px;}}<\/style><h3 class=\"vcex-heading vcex-heading-plain vcex-module wpex-heading wpex-text-2xl wpex-max-w-100 wpex-mr-auto vc_custom_1740761328938 vcex_6a4310a30ddaf\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/author\/sam\/\" class=\"wpex-no-underline wpex-inherit-color-important\"><span class=\"vcex-heading-inner wpex-inline-block\"><span class=\"vcex-heading-icon vcex-heading-icon-left vcex-icon-wrap wpex-mr-5\">By<\/span>Sam Chandoha<\/span><\/a><\/h3><div class=\"vcex-spacing wpex-w-100 wpex-clear\" style=\"height:50px;\"><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h2>How Digital Tools Have Become the New Standard in Mutual Fund Proxy Solicitations<\/h2>\n<p>Every mutual fund\u2014or any company with a retail\u2011heavy shareholder base\u2014faces the same reality: achieving quorum or higher vote thresholds at a shareholder meeting is both difficult and expensive. Mutual fund shareholder demographics are remarkably consistent across fund groups: large numbers of retail investors holding relatively small dollar\u2011value positions, dispersed across intermediaries and account types. Whether a shareholder holds shares in street name or is registered makes little difference\u2014the underlying demographic challenge remains the same.<\/p>\n<p>Compounding this issue, the NOBO\/OBO framework allows a fund to identify only roughly half of its street\u2011name shareholders, which significantly limits direct outreach.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the sheer volume of small positions, many retail investors are less familiar with the governance requirements of mutual funds and may not recognize that shareholder approval is required for certain matters, such as advisory agreements or board elections. The result is a persistent pattern of low engagement: a large population of shareholders who do not prioritize voting and often ignore traditional proxy mailings.<\/p>\n<p>This challenge is further amplified in solicitations involving ETFs and money market funds, where shareholders frequently move in and out of positions. An investor may technically be a holder of record on the record date but may no longer own the fund during the solicitation period and therefore feel little incentive to participate in the vote.<\/p>\n<p>These issues are not new. However, two structural developments have turned what was once a manageable challenge into a more complex and costly undertaking: the disappearance of landline telephones from most households and the dramatic expansion of mutual fund ownership across the investing population.<\/p>\n<h2>Historical Solicitation Strategies<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Outbound Telephone Campaigns<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For many years, a typical mutual fund solicitation followed a predictable pattern. Fund groups would mail proxy materials to all shareholders, wait for approximately 25 percent of the votes to be returned, and then engage a proxy solicitor to launch an outbound telephone campaign.<\/p>\n<p>The introduction of telephone voting by Shareholder Communications Corporation in the 1990s significantly improved this process: call\u2011center agents could reach shareholders at home, walk them through the voting process, and complete a vote in under two minutes. With a call center staffed by 200 agents, a proxy solicitor could contact approximately 20,000 shareholders during a single evening shift.<\/p>\n<p>Today, that model faces substantial headwinds. The widespread adoption of mobile phones, combined with the abandonment of landline service in most households, has reduced the effectiveness of outbound calling. While telephone outreach is still used and continues to generate some votes, it can no longer be relied upon to bridge the gap between votes returned by mail and votes required for approval. Where agents once completed as many as 22 calls per hour, that number has dropped to roughly six to eight, as shareholders increasingly decline to answer calls from unfamiliar numbers or screen heavily against perceived spam. Even when fund groups possess mobile numbers, reachability and connection rates have declined.<\/p>\n<h2>The Explosion of Fund Ownership<\/h2>\n<p>The growth of mutual fund ownership has further strained traditional solicitation models. Since the introduction of IRAs in the late 1970s and the subsequent rise of 401(k) and other defined contribution plans, mutual fund ownership has expanded across a broad segment of U.S. households. According to estimates from the Investment Company Institute, there are now more than 115 million mutual fund accounts in the United States. As a result, when a large fund group conducts a proxy solicitation, it may involve millions of shareholders\u2014most of whom historically do not vote and therefore require active solicitation.<\/p>\n<p>The scale of these efforts has direct cost implications. For example, a fund group with three million shareholders could reasonably expect to budget between 10 million and 20 million dollars for a large solicitation, depending on the proposals under consideration, and the mix of communication channels. Every action carries a cost, and even a basic reminder mailing can reach into the millions. A solicitation that relies too heavily on a narrow set of tactics, or that does not adjust to changing shareholder behavior, can result in substantial incremental spend with limited additional voting returns.<\/p>\n<h2>Digital Tools Deliver Votes\u00b9<\/h2>\n<p>There is no single solution to retail shareholder engagement, and different shareholder segments respond to different approaches. Nonetheless, many proxy solicitation programs have historically leaned on a uniform playbook: mail, remail, and repeated outbound calling. In an environment where landlines are disappearing and digital communication is ubiquitous, that model is increasingly difficult to sustain on its own.<\/p>\n<p>Alliance Advisors has developed a suite of digital tools designed to complement traditional solicitation methods and, in many situations, to extend or enhance their effectiveness. For larger or more complex shareholders, outbound telephone outreach remains a useful tactic. For smaller, harder\u2011to\u2011reach, or historically unresponsive shareholders, targeted digital channels\u2014such as text messaging and branded email campaigns\u2014provide additional touchpoints that align more closely with how investors communicate today. This hybrid strategy can be more cost\u2011effective and has the potential to generate vote returns even after traditional telephone campaigns have reached diminishing marginal results.<\/p>\n<h2>Case Study: Digital Tools in Practice<\/h2>\n<p>Alliance Advisors was engaged to assist with a large\u2011scale mutual fund solicitation involving approximately 5,000,000 shareholders. The fund company had previously retained another proxy solicitor that, after one adjournment and more than 60 days of activity, had achieved only 38 percent of the outstanding shares voted, despite a requirement to reach 50 percent. At that point, the outbound call campaign had largely run its course and was generating minimal daily vote movement.<\/p>\n<p>With 30 days remaining before the deadline, Alliance Advisors was retained with a clear mandate: deploy a broad suite of digital tools to re\u2011engage shareholders and restart vote momentum. The objective was not to abandon traditional methods but to add complementary channels that could more effectively reach shareholders who were not responsive to previous outreach. It is important to note that no single tool operated as a standalone solution or \u201cmagic bullet.\u201d Each tactic produced measurable results on its own, but the most meaningful impact came from a coordinated, phased strategy designed to reach different shareholder segments at different points in the solicitation.<\/p>\n<p>Below, is an overview of each of the digital tools that were used during this engagement to deliver the majority vote needed and a successful outcome.<\/p>\n<h2>Text-to-Vote\u2122<\/h2>\n<p>Given widespread reluctance to answer unknown phone calls, Text\u2011to\u2011Vote\u2122 has emerged as an effective way to capture shareholder attention\u2014particularly among younger investors who prefer to transact via mobile devices. This approach allows Alliance Advisors to send shareholders a concise SMS or MMS text message containing an embedded, secure link that directs them to a voting page. Registered and NOBO shareholders can review key information and vote quickly and conveniently from their phones<\/p>\n<p>In this case study, Text\u2011to\u2011Vote\u2122 accounted for <strong>33.3 percent<\/strong> of the total votes captured during the solicitation. While the relative contribution of text messaging will vary by shareholder base and data quality, these results indicate that text can be a significant driver of incremental participation when integrated into a broader strategy.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; remove_bottom_col_margin=&#8221;true&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1770797342038{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}&#8221; wpex_bg_color=&#8221;#f1f1f1&#8243;][vc_column]<div class=\"vcex-heading vcex-heading-plain vcex-module wpex-heading wpex-text-2xl wpex-mb-30 wpex-text-center\"><span class=\"vcex-heading-inner wpex-inline-block\">Text-to-Vote\u2122<\/span><\/div><figure class=\"vcex-image vcex-module wpex-text-center\"><div class=\"vcex-image-inner wpex-relative wpex-inline-block\"><img width=\"1920\" height=\"758\" src=\"https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote.png\" class=\"vcex-image-img wpex-align-middle\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote.png 1920w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote-300x118.png 300w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote-1024x404.png 1024w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote-768x303.png 768w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote-1536x606.png 1536w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote.png?w=192 192w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote.png?w=384 384w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote.png?w=576 576w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote.png?w=960 960w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote.png?w=1152 1152w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote.png?w=1344 1344w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote.png?w=1728 1728w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Text-to-vote.png?w=450 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 980px) 100vw, 980px\" \/><\/div><\/figure>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1770797350232{padding-top: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h3>Email Voting<\/h3>\n<p>Email voting operates on a similar principle but allows for a more detailed communication than text. Branded email messages are delivered to registered, OBO, and NOBO shareholders and include direct voting links that enable participation in just a few clicks. Unlike traditional mail, email provides immediate delivery, clear calls to action, and the ability for shareholders to vote without printing, signing, or mailing a proxy card.<\/p>\n<p>In the solicitation described above, Email Voting represented <strong>37.9 percent<\/strong> of the total votes captured. For shareholder populations with reliable email coverage, this channel can serve both as a primary method of engagement and as a reinforcement to other outreach, particularly when reminders are sequenced over time.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; remove_bottom_col_margin=&#8221;true&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1770797359473{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}&#8221; wpex_bg_color=&#8221;#f1f1f1&#8243;][vc_column]<div class=\"vcex-heading vcex-heading-plain vcex-module wpex-heading wpex-text-2xl wpex-mb-30 wpex-text-center\"><span class=\"vcex-heading-inner wpex-inline-block\">Email Voting<\/span><\/div><figure class=\"vcex-image vcex-module wpex-text-center\"><div class=\"vcex-image-inner wpex-relative wpex-inline-block\"><img width=\"1920\" height=\"904\" src=\"https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting.png\" class=\"vcex-image-img wpex-align-middle\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting.png 1920w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting-300x141.png 300w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting-1024x482.png 1024w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting-768x362.png 768w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting-1536x723.png 1536w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting.png?w=192 192w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting.png?w=384 384w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting.png?w=576 576w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting.png?w=960 960w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting.png?w=1152 1152w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting.png?w=1344 1344w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting.png?w=1728 1728w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Email-Voting.png?w=450 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 980px) 100vw, 980px\" \/><\/div><\/figure>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1770797367535{padding-top: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h2>Proxy Lite<\/h2>\n<p>Proxy Lite is designed to address the same core challenge facing traditional outbound calling: shareholders\u2019 reluctance to answer calls from unfamiliar numbers. In this approach, shareholders receive a prerecorded message asking them to call a toll\u2011free number regarding their investment. \u00a0When they return the call, they are connected to a live agent who can review the proposals and record their vote. If the shareholder answers the initial call, they can press \u201c1\u201d to be routed immediately to an agent.<\/p>\n<p>In the case study, Proxy Lite accounted for <strong>11.1 percent<\/strong> of the total votes captured. While this channel still relies on voice communication, it inverts the dynamic by prompting shareholders to initiate the contact, which can reduce the friction associated with unsolicited calls.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; remove_bottom_col_margin=&#8221;true&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1770797374355{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}&#8221; wpex_bg_color=&#8221;#f1f1f1&#8243;][vc_column]<div class=\"vcex-heading vcex-heading-plain vcex-module wpex-heading wpex-text-2xl wpex-mb-30 wpex-text-center\"><span class=\"vcex-heading-inner wpex-inline-block\">Proxy Lite<\/span><\/div><figure class=\"vcex-image vcex-module wpex-text-center\"><div class=\"vcex-image-inner wpex-relative wpex-inline-block\"><img width=\"1920\" height=\"811\" src=\"https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite.png\" class=\"vcex-image-img wpex-align-middle\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite.png 1920w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite-300x127.png 300w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite-1024x433.png 1024w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite-768x324.png 768w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite-1536x649.png 1536w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite.png?w=192 192w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite.png?w=384 384w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite.png?w=576 576w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite.png?w=960 960w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite.png?w=1152 1152w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite.png?w=1344 1344w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite.png?w=1728 1728w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Proxy-Lite.png?w=450 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 980px) 100vw, 980px\" \/><\/div><\/figure>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1770797381852{padding-top: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h2>QR Code Mailings<\/h2>\n<p>QR Code Mailings are targeted communications sent late in the solicitation cycle to the largest unreachable or still\u2011unvoted shareholders. These mailings are more targeted than standard mailings and focus on large, unvoted positions. This makes them an efficient tool for closing the gap in the final days of a solicitation. By combining physical mail with digital and telephone options, this approach offers a clear, time\u2011sensitive call to action at a critical stage.<\/p>\n<p>In this campaign, QR Code Mailings represented <strong>18.2 percent<\/strong> of the total votes captured. Although they are more targeted and often more expensive on a per\u2011piece basis than standard mailings, their focus on large, unvoted positions can make them an efficient tool for closing the gap in the final days of a solicitation.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; remove_bottom_col_margin=&#8221;true&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1770797389768{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}&#8221; wpex_bg_color=&#8221;#f1f1f1&#8243;][vc_column]<div class=\"vcex-heading vcex-heading-plain vcex-module wpex-heading wpex-text-2xl wpex-mb-30 wpex-text-center\"><span class=\"vcex-heading-inner wpex-inline-block\">QR Code Mailings<\/span><\/div><figure class=\"vcex-image vcex-module wpex-text-center\"><div class=\"vcex-image-inner wpex-relative wpex-inline-block\"><img width=\"1920\" height=\"790\" src=\"https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings.png\" class=\"vcex-image-img wpex-align-middle\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings.png 1920w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings-300x123.png 300w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings-1024x421.png 1024w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings-768x316.png 768w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings-1536x632.png 1536w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings.png?w=192 192w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings.png?w=384 384w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings.png?w=576 576w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings.png?w=960 960w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings.png?w=1152 1152w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings.png?w=1344 1344w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings.png?w=1728 1728w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/QR-Code-Mailings.png?w=450 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 980px) 100vw, 980px\" \/><\/div><\/figure>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1770797397645{padding-top: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h2>The Common Thread: Immediacy and Accessibility<\/h2>\n<p>Across all these engagement strategies, a consistent theme emerges: immediacy. Digital tools provide shareholders with the ability to review key information and vote almost instantly, using channels they already rely on in their daily lives. Without simple, fast, and accessible voting options, many shareholder interactions fail to translate into actual votes, especially among those who are neutral or mildly supportive but not motivated to overcome procedural friction.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Alliance Advisors has been deploying digital solicitation tools for more than a decade, but their role in mutual fund proxy campaigns has changed meaningfully as shareholder communication habits have evolved. In an environment marked by reachability challenges, declining landline usage, and changing expectations around convenience, digital tools have become a central component of many successful solicitation strategies, rather than a peripheral add\u2011on.<\/p>\n<p>Digital channels can deliver votes at every stage of the solicitation cycle, particularly in later phases when traditional methods have been exhausted and timelines are compressed. They can be implemented relatively quickly, scaled efficiently, and configured in a cost\u2011conscious way when integrated with data\u2011driven targeting and clear messaging.<\/p>\n<p>The effective use of these tools is both an art and a science which require a nuanced understanding of shareholder behavior, regulatory obligations, and operational constraints. Alliance Advisors\u2019 experience across numerous corporate and mutual fund solicitations indicates that a well\u2011designed digital program\u2014paired with traditional tactics where appropriate\u2014can help funds meet their voting objectives while managing cost and mitigating execution risk.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1753787606989{padding: 20px !important;background-color: #F1F1F1 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; font_size=&#8221;13px&#8221;]\n<h3>Citations<\/h3>\n<p><sup>1 <\/sup>Robinhood, Robinhood Markets, Inc. Reports February 2026 Operating Data, https:\/\/investors.robinhood.com\/static-files\/79cafd75-c807-4044-a305-8f99a5b295dd.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; disable_element=&#8221;yes&#8221; remove_bottom_col_margin=&#8221;true&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1775826205710{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}&#8221; wpex_bg_color=&#8221;#f1f1f1&#8243;][vc_column]<div class=\"wpex-post-cards wpex-post-cards-staff_8 wpex-relative\"><div class=\"wpex-post-cards-inner\"><div class=\"wpex-post-cards-loop wpex-post-cards-grid wpex-row wpex-clr\"><div class=\"wpex-post-cards-entry col col-1 span_1_of_1 post-37194 type-staff tag-99 tag-96 tag-97 cat-137 cat-132 translation_priority-173\"><div class=\"wpex-card wpex-card-staff_8\"><div class=\"wpex-card-inner wpex-flex wpex-flex-col wpex-flex-grow wpex-md-flex-row wpex-gap-20 wpex-md-gap-40 wpex-items-center\"><div class=\"wpex-card-media wpex-md-w-30 wpex-flex-shrink-0 wpex-self-stretch overlay-parent overlay-parent-1\"><div class=\"wpex-card-thumbnail wpex-relative wpex-w-100 wpex-h-100\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/staff-member\/sam-chandoha\/\"><img width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023.jpg\" class=\"wpex-align-middle wpex-w-100 wpex-h-100 wpex-object-cover\" alt=\"Head shot of Sam Chandoha\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023-230x230.jpg 230w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023-210x210.jpg 210w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023-220x220.jpg 220w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023-290x290.jpg 290w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023.jpg?w=100 100w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023.jpg?w=400 400w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023.jpg?w=500 500w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023.jpg?w=700 700w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023.jpg?w=900 900w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023.jpg?w=450 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 980px) 100vw, 980px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpex-card-details wpex-flex-grow wpex-last-mb-0\"><div class=\"wpex-card-element wpex-card-staff-member-position wpex-text-sm wpex-uppercase wpex-mb-10\">Chief Marketing Officer &amp; Head of Corporate Affairs<\/div><h2 class=\"wpex-card-title wpex-heading wpex-text-2xl\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/staff-member\/sam-chandoha\/\">Sam Chandoha<\/a><\/h2><div class=\"wpex-card-excerpt wpex-last-mb-0 wpex-mt-20\"><p>W. Sam Chandoha is a pioneer in alternative solicitation strategies for mutual funds. He was the architect of the vote-by-telephone concept and designed the procedures and operational frameworks that form the basis of today\u2019s industry-standard practices. He is CMO and Strategic Advisor at Alliance Advisors.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"wpex-card-element wpex-card-staff-social wpex-mt-20 wpex-child-inherit-color\"><div class=\"staff-social wpex-social-btns wpex-flex wpex-flex-wrap wpex-gap-10\"><a href=\"mailto:schandoha@allianceadvisors.com\" class=\"wpex-email\">Email<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section disable_element=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1779349862269{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}&#8221;][vc_row content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; remove_bottom_col_margin=&#8221;true&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; font_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; font_style=&#8221;italic&#8221;]\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article first appeared on the Ignites website <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ignites.com\/c\/5092414\/717834\/alliance_advisors_digital_tools_have_become_standard_mutual_fund_proxy_solicitations_white_paper?referrer_module=emailNewsletter&amp;module_order=5&amp;code=Y21KaFltbHVaV0YxUUdGc2JHbGhibU5sWVdSMmFYTnZjbk11WTI5dExDQXhPREF4TURNMU5Dd2dNVFEzTVRjeE5ERTNPUT09\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">HERE<\/a>.<br \/>\nCopyright \u00a9 2026 F.T. Specialist Inc. All rights reserved.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; wpex_bg_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;]<figure class=\"vcex-image vcex-module\"><div class=\"vcex-image-inner wpex-relative wpex-inline-block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ignites.com\/c\/5092414\/717834\/alliance_advisors_digital_tools_have_become_standard_mutual_fund_proxy_solicitations_white_paper?referrer_module=emailNewsletter&#038;module_order=5&#038;code=Y21KaFltbHVaV0YxUUdGc2JHbGhibU5sWVdSMmFYTnZjbk11WTI5dExDQXhPREF4TURNMU5Dd2dNVFEzTVRjeE5ERTNPUT09\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored noopener noreferrer\"><img width=\"615\" height=\"124\" src=\"https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ignites-logo.png\" class=\"vcex-image-img wpex-align-middle\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ignites-logo.png 615w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ignites-logo-300x60.png 300w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ignites-logo.png?w=61 61w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ignites-logo.png?w=123 123w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ignites-logo.png?w=184 184w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ignites-logo.png?w=246 246w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ignites-logo.png?w=369 369w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ignites-logo.png?w=430 430w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ignites-logo.png?w=492 492w, https:\/\/e4h8grreyn6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ignites-logo.png?w=553 553w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/figure>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;bottom&#8221; column_spacing=&#8221;0px&#8221; wpex_bg_image_source=&#8221;featured&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1779350602445{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; min_height=&#8221;450px&#8221; wpex_bg_position=&#8221;center right&#8221;][vc_column wpex_bg_image_source=&#8221;featured&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1738695614909{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}&#8221; wpex_bg_position=&#8221;center center&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] How Digital Tools Have Become the New Standard in Mutual Fund Proxy Solicitations Every mutual fund\u2014or any company with a retail\u2011heavy shareholder base\u2014faces the same reality: achieving quorum&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":566525,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[153],"tags":[],"post_series":[],"ppma_author":[466],"class_list":["post-566541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-153","entry","has-media"],"authors":[{"term_id":466,"user_id":35,"is_guest":0,"slug":"sam","display_name":"Sam Chandoha","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Sam-Chandoha-2023.jpg"},"author_category":"1","first_name":"Sam","last_name":"Chandoha","user_url":"","job_title":"Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Corporate Affairs","description":"With decades of entrepreneurial and direct industry experience Sam is uniquely poised to provide strategic advice on business development, acquisitions and global expansion."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566541","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=566541"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566541\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/566525"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=566541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=566541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=566541"},{"taxonomy":"post_series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_series?post=566541"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allianceadvisors.com\/ko\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=566541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}