Posted on Friday, May 9, 2025
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by AMAC Action
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AMAC members played a pivotal role in securing a landmark victory in the fight against corporate “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) practices, as IBM has adopted a new policy committing to viewpoint neutrality. This outcome is the result of a coordinated campaign from a coalition of shareholder advocates with grassroots AMAC members playing a decisive role in putting the pressure on IBM executives.
In a strong show of engagement, more than 4,400 AMAC members sent messages directly to IBM’s executive leadership, urging the company to abandon its divisive DEI framework and instead adopt neutral, inclusive policies that respect freedom of thought and expression. This outpouring of citizen advocacy served as the linchpin of a strategic initiative deploying multiple vectors of pressure aimed at restoring common sense and the traditional American principle of meritocracy in the corporate world.
AMAC Action was proud to be a leading participant in this campaign, supporting a shareholder resolution filed by The Heritage Foundation and backed by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). The resolution was slated to appear at IBM’s annual meeting until the tech giant agreed to change its policies in exchange for the proposal’s withdrawal.
IBM’s new policy states that its “media-buying and content policies are… viewpoint neutral with respect to political or religious status or views”—a significant shift away from the company’s previous alignment with the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM), a now-defunct group that aggressively promoted censorship of conservative and religious viewpoints under the guise of “brand safety.”
“This is a resounding win for our members and for every American who values the First Amendment,” said AMAC Action Senior Vice President Andy Mangione. “The voice of AMAC members continues to be heard in corporate boardrooms. The membership is not shy about voicing their opinion on policies that have a detrimental effect on society and a negative impact on their retirement savings.”
AMAC President Rebecca Weber added, “This victory sends a message that the American people—not woke elites—still have a say in the direction of our economy and our culture. Our members will continue to hold corporate America accountable, and we encourage others to join this movement.”
This marks the third time AMAC members have directly influenced major corporate policy at the highest levels. Following earlier grassroots victories in pressure campaigns on Disney and JPMorgan Chase, AMAC Action’s IBM campaign demonstrates the growing power of grassroots conservatives who are no longer willing to stay silent as major corporations trample their values as a form of liberal virtue signaling.
“It’s wrong for corporations to use their advertising dollars to fuel online censorship,” said Jeremy Tedesco, ADF Senior Counsel and Senior Vice President of Corporate Engagement. “By heeding its shareholders and the crucial voices of AMAC members, IBM is setting a strong example, taking steps to eliminate viewpoint-based discrimination. We call on all companies to emulate IBM’s leadership, championing freedom of speech and thought and upholding the principles that strengthen our nation and inspire the world.”
The reversal comes at a critical time as more Americans grow increasingly wary of corporate policies that prioritize ideological conformity over merit, performance, and fairness. IBM’s decision to embrace neutrality affirms that shareholder engagement, coupled with a strong grassroots presence, can realign corporate America with the values of everyday Americans.
This victory is yet another demonstration of AMAC members’ commitment to defending freedom of speech, protecting consumers, and restoring sanity to American institutions—one boardroom at a time.
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