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Business Wire Announces Survey Results on the Consolidation of Communications in IR and PR
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-March 19, 2002- A survey sponsored by Business Wire,
Investor Relations magazine and Clientize.com finds that most companies lack an
integrated reporting structure for their communications function despite heightened
awareness of Regulation FD and the recognized need for a uniform message across IR,
PR and marketing platforms.
While companies are aware that they need to synchronize their corporate message,
in practice they fail to implement this on an organizational level. According to
the study, "PR and marketing departments report independently of IR at 71% of companies."
Furthermore, the study found that nearly all respondents reported an increase in press
coverage of IR-related issues, which consequently raised the perceived level of the
function's importance within companies.
With regards to the SEC's Regulation FD, awareness was high. Despite a widespread
separation in reporting structures, nearly three quarters of respondents said all
communications departments within their companies had at least a reasonable
understanding of the regulation and strive to create a consistent message.
"Despite heightened disclosure requirements, most companies are not consolidating
their communications functions under IR. Failing to do this could lead to a greater
risk of inadvertent material disclosure by marketing personnel who aren't clear on
what the rules are," warned Howard Stock, Editor, Investor Relations Business.
The online survey was active from January 20 through February 11, 2002. Investor
Relations Business advised their print subscribers of the online availability of the
survey; and Business Wire had the survey link posted on their BW Connect web page.
Additionally, Business Wire account executives invited their investor relations and
public relations customers by email to respond to the survey. 259 members of the
investor relations community responded.
"The convergence of IR and PR is clearly undergoing extensive consideration by
public companies, as indicated by the strong response rate to the Business Wire
survey," said Pam Stein, Co-Founder of Clientize.com.
See IRB's published survey results.
About Business Wire
Founded in 1961 by its president, Lorry I. Lokey, veteran journalist and
public relations executive, Business Wire
has network access to more than 60 international and national newswires, financial information providers,
and web-based news services throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
The company electronically disseminates full-text news releases simultaneously to the news media,
the Internet, online services and databases, and the global investment community.
Business Wire has 26 U.S. offices, Frankfurt, London and Brussels offices, and
reciprocal offices worldwide.
About Clientize.com Inc.
Clientize.com Inc., (www.clientize.com)
an Internet marketing company, specializes in creating and hosting online surveys.
With expertise in information management, Clientize helps its customers gain market
insight to make better business decisions based on measurable responses. Clientize
also produces and distributes enewsletters for enhanced client communication and r
etention programs. Clientize is based in Boca Raton, Florida.
About IRB
Published every two weeks, Investor Relations Business covers important issues that
include changes in securities laws, corporate governance, proxy developments,
technology and the Internet, disclosure, shareholder activism, career guidance and
practice management, consulting services, and other vital information that investor
relations professionals need to stay informed and competitive. IRB, an independent
newsletter published by Thomson Media, has been serving the investor relations
community since 1996.
Contacts:
Michael Lissauer, Business Wire, New York, 212/752-9600
Margaret Grisdela, Clientize, 561-417-5533
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