The stated intention of the messaging from the "activist" investors is to persuade a majority of shareholders that their vision for the company is better than t

The stated intention of the messaging from the "activist" investors is to persuade a majority of shareholders that their vision for the company is better than the current leadership's, thus forcing change at the company. The effect of the messaging is usually that the company implements some of the changes themselves to avoid being forced or ousted, which also usually leads to short-term stock gains, which is what the activist investor was after in the first place.