Form 4: John Wiley & Sons Director Beth Birnbaum Acquires Phantom Stock Units

Director Beth Birnbaum acquired 2,758 phantom stock units of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. as part of an annual director stock award.

Summary

• On September 26, 2024, Beth Birnbaum, a director of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., acquired 2,758 phantom stock units.
• The acquisition was part of the annual director stock award issued under the company's 2022 Omnibus Stock and Long-Term Incentive Plan and deferred under the Director Deferred Compensation Plan.
• The price of the derivative security was $47.13.
• Following the transaction, Birnbaum beneficially owns 21,225 phantom stock units.
• The shares will settle upon separation of service from the Board in 100% of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Class A Common stock.
• Distribution of the deferred compensation will be in either a lump sum or in ratable installments over a period not to exceed 10 years, according to the Director Deferred Compensation Plan.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The document is a standard regulatory filing detailing a routine director stock award. It doesn't contain any information that would significantly impact investor sentiment positively or negatively.

Future Outlook

The shares will settle upon separation of service from the Board in 100% of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Class A Common stock, with distribution of the deferred compensation in either a lump sum or in ratable installments over a period not to exceed 10 years.

Industry Context

This filing is a routine disclosure related to director compensation in the form of stock awards, a common practice among publicly traded companies to align the interests of directors with those of shareholders.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Director compensation packages often include a mix of cash and equity.
• Equity awards, such as phantom stock units, are common and are designed to incentivize long-term value creation.
• The specifics of the John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2022 Omnibus Stock and Long-Term Incentive Plan would need to be compared to similar plans at peer companies to assess its competitiveness.
• Companies like Pearson, Cengage, and McGraw Hill also utilize equity-based compensation for their directors.

Stakeholder Impact

• The transaction has a minor positive impact on shareholders by aligning director interests with company performance.
• The transaction has a positive impact on the director as part of their compensation.

Key Dates