UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.            )
 
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[   ]        Preliminary Proxy Statement
[   ]   Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[   ]   Definitive Proxy Statement
[X]   Definitive Additional Materials
[   ]   Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

  Windstream Holdings, Inc.  
  (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)  
 
       
 
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*** Exercise Your Right to Vote ***
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on May 21, 2018.

WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC.






WINDSTREAM HOLDINGS, INC.
4001 NORTH RODNEY PARHAM ROAD
LITTLE ROCK, AR 72212

Meeting Information
Meeting Type: Annual Meeting
For holders as of: March 22, 2018
Date: May 21, 2018         Time: 10:00 AM CDT
Location:  Meeting live via the Internet-please visit
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WIN18

The company will be hosting the meeting live via the Internet this year. To attend the meeting via the Internet please visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WIN18 and be sure to have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow ➔XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX (located on the following page).

You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the company named above.

This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. You may view the proxy materials online at www.proxyvote.com or easily request a paper copy (see reverse side).

We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.

See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions.
































— Before You Vote —
How to Access the Proxy Materials

Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE:
I. 2017 Annual Report, Proxy Statement and Form 10-K

How to View Online:
Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow ➔XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX (located on the following page) and visit: www.proxyvote.com.

How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy:
If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request:

  1)  BY INTERNET: www.proxyvote.com
2) BY TELEPHONE:      1-800-579-1639
3) BY E-MAIL*: sendmaterial@proxyvote.com

* If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow ➔XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX (located on the following page) in the subject line.

Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor. Please make the request as instructed above on or before May 7, 2018 to facilitate timely delivery.

— How To Vote —
Please Choose One of the Following Voting Methods

Vote By Internet:

Before The Meeting:

Go to www.proxyvote.com. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow ➔XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX (located on the following page) available and follow the instructions.

During The Meeting:

Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/WIN18. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow ➔XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX (located on the following page) available and follow the instructions.

Vote By Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card.



























Voting Items

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR each of the nominees listed in the following proposal:
  
1.      Election of Directors
  
Nominees:
  
1a.      Samuel E. Beall, III
  
1b. Jeannie Diefenderfer
  
1c. Jeffrey T. Hinson
  
1d. William G. LaPerch
  
1e. Dr. Julie A. Shimer
  
1f. Michael G. Stoltz
  
1g.

Tony Thomas

  

1h.

Walter L. Turek

  
1i. Alan L. Wells
  
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals:
 
2.       To approve an advisory (non-binding) resolution on executive compensation.
  
3.   To approve an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Windstream Holdings, Inc. to: (i) effect a reclassification (or reverse stock split) of our common stock, whereby each outstanding five (5) shares of common stock would be combined into and become one (1) share of common stock and (ii) reduce the total number of shares of common and preferred stock that Windstream may issue from 375,000,000 and 33,333,333, respectively, to 75,000,000 and 6,666,667, respectively.


4. To approve an amendment to the Windstream 2006 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the authorized shares by 9,600,000 shares (or 1,920,000 post-reverse stock split shares if Proposal No. 3 is approved).
  
5. To approve an amendment to extend the term of Windstream’s Rights Plan designed to protect the substantial tax benefits of Windstream’s net operating loss carryforwards.
  
6. To approve amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Windstream Holdings, Inc., to enable stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders under certain circumstances.
  
7.       To approve amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Windstream Holdings, Inc., to eliminate super-majority voting provisions.
   
8.   To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Windstream’s independent registered public accountant for 2018.
   
The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST the following proposal:
   
9.   To allow stockholders to act by written consent without a meeting in certain circumstances, if properly presented at the Annual Meeting by the stockholder submitting the proposal.
   
NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. You may attend the Meeting via the Internet and vote during the Meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions.