--- title: "The Podium: An Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Blog | Sharon Merrill Associates" --- - [Our Blog: The Podium](http://www.investorrelations.com/investor-relations-blog/) - [Sign up for IR News](https://info.investorrelations.com/sign-up-for-our-weekly-newsletter-investor-relations-around-the-web) - [Careers](http://www.investorrelations.com/careers/) - - CLOSE ### Weekly IR News Round Up - [Our Blog: The Podium](http://www.investorrelations.com/investor-relations-blog/) - [Sign Up for the Newsletter](http://www.investorrelations.com/about/#) - [Careers](http://www.investorrelations.com/careers/) - - - [Practice Areas](http://www.investorrelations.com/practice-areas/) - [Investor Relations](http://www.investorrelations.com/practice-areas/investor-relations/) - [ESG Engagement](https://www.investorrelations.com/practice-areas/esg-engagement/) - [Corporate Communications](http://www.investorrelations.com/practice-areas/corporate-communications/) - [Crisis Communications](http://www.investorrelations.com/practice-areas/crisis-communication/) - 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[Philanthropy](http://www.investorrelations.com/about/philanthropy/) - [Contact](http://www.investorrelations.com/contact/) ![homepage-rotator-1.jpg](https://blog.investorrelations.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog_image_for_hubspot.jpg?width=1189&name=blog_image_for_hubspot.jpg "homepage-rotator-1.jpg") # Our Blog: The Podium ## Sharon Merrill Associates ### Recent Posts [![](https://blog.investorrelations.com/hubfs/custom-video-thumbnails/IR%20Magazine%20Awards%20-%20US%202021%20-%20Lifetime%20achievement%20winner%20Maureen%20Wolff%20(2)-thumb.jpeg)](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/sharon-merrill-ceo-maureen-wolff-recognized-with-lifetime-achievement-award-from-investor-relations-magazine) ## [Sharon Merrill CEO Maureen Wolff Recognized with Lifetime Achievement Award from Investor Relations Magazine](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/sharon-merrill-ceo-maureen-wolff-recognized-with-lifetime-achievement-award-from-investor-relations-magazine) [March 31, 2021](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/sharon-merrill-ceo-maureen-wolff-recognized-with-lifetime-achievement-award-from-investor-relations-magazine) [Sharon Merrill Associates](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/author/sharon-merrill-associates) [Leave a comment](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/sharon-merrill-ceo-maureen-wolff-recognized-with-lifetime-achievement-award-from-investor-relations-magazine#comments-listing) *By Sharon Merrill Associates * [Read More](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/sharon-merrill-ceo-maureen-wolff-recognized-with-lifetime-achievement-award-from-investor-relations-magazine) [Awards](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/awards), [Sharon Merrill Associates](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/sharon-merrill-associates), [Investor Relations Agency](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations-agency), [Investor Relations](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations) [![](https://blog.investorrelations.com/hubfs/2021%20.jpg)](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/whats-in-and-whats-out-for-2021) ## [What’s In and What’s Out for 2021](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/whats-in-and-whats-out-for-2021) [January 08, 2021](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/whats-in-and-whats-out-for-2021) [Sharon Merrill Associates](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/author/sharon-merrill-associates) [Leave a comment](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/whats-in-and-whats-out-for-2021#comments-listing) *By Sharon Merrill Associates * [Read More](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/whats-in-and-whats-out-for-2021) [Investor Relations](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations), [Trends](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/trends), [IR Trends](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/ir-trends), [Investor Relations Trends](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations-trends), [what's in and what's out](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/whats-in-and-whats-out) [![](https://blog.investorrelations.com/hubfs/front%20website.jpg)](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/the-sharon-merrill-approach) ## [The Sharon Merrill Approach](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/the-sharon-merrill-approach) [February 19, 2019](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/the-sharon-merrill-approach) [Sharon Merrill Associates](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/author/sharon-merrill-associates) [Leave a comment](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/the-sharon-merrill-approach#comments-listing) What makes Sharon Merrill Associates excel in the world of strategic communications? Trust. Experience. Resilience. Passion. Vision. Perspective. Partnerships. Take a look at our story and see how we leverage these qualities to help you build value. [Read More](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/the-sharon-merrill-approach) [Succession Planning](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/succession-planning), [Investor Relations Agency](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations-agency), [Crisis Communications](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/crisis-communications), [Investor Relations](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations), [Corporate Communications](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/corporate-communications) [![](http://streaming.yayimages.com/images/photographer/turbomotion/88aa177c73b656501e99cd7199496252/security-concept-fingerprint-in-the-keyhole-and-technology-element.jpg)](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/a-cybersecurity-conversation-with-prince-lobel) ## [A Cybersecurity Conversation with Prince Lobel](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/a-cybersecurity-conversation-with-prince-lobel) [June 27, 2018](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/a-cybersecurity-conversation-with-prince-lobel) [Sharon Merrill Associates](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/author/sharon-merrill-associates) [Leave a comment](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/a-cybersecurity-conversation-with-prince-lobel#comments-listing) *Global cybercrime damages are expected to exceed $6 trillion annually by 2021. From hacks of mobile payment and other non-traditional payment systems to data manipulation and sabotage, the external threats to operations and customer and investor perception seem to increase daily. We recently sat down with cybersecurity expert William S. Rogers Jr. of Prince Lobel Tye LLP, a Boston law firm whose attorneys handle matters of local, regional, national and international reach. Rogers, who is chair of the firm’s Data Privacy and Security Practice Group, discussed cybersecurity regulation and its impact on public and private companies.* [Read More](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/a-cybersecurity-conversation-with-prince-lobel) [Strategic Messaging](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/strategic-messaging), [Corporate Governance](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/corporate-governance), [Board of Directors](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/board-of-directors), [Reputation Management](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/reputation-management), [Investor Relations](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations), [Cybersecurity](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/cybersecurity), [Investor Relations Trends](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations-trends), [Corporate Communications](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/corporate-communications), [IR Compliance](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/ir-compliance), [crisis communication plan](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/crisis-communication-plan), [cybersecurity communication plan](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/cybersecurity-communication-plan), [crisis preparation](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/crisis-preparation) [![](https://blog.investorrelations.com/hubfs/2018%20for%20email.jpg)](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/a-sharon-merrill-auld-lang-syne) ## [A Sharon Merrill "Auld Lang Syne"](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/a-sharon-merrill-auld-lang-syne) [December 29, 2017](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/a-sharon-merrill-auld-lang-syne) [Sharon Merrill Associates](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/author/sharon-merrill-associates) [Leave a comment](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/a-sharon-merrill-auld-lang-syne#comments-listing)  The Sharon Merrill team would like to welcome 2018 with our rendition of a new year's classic.     May last year’s losses be forgot, And profits maximized, The market’s soaring to new heights, New tax plans emphasized   *Chorus:* For all this crazy year has brought, This insanely wacky year, The folks on Wall Street don’t seem to mind, Since investors have no fear   [Read More](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/a-sharon-merrill-auld-lang-syne) [![](http://streaming.yayimages.com/images/photographer/wavebreakmedia/f093539bfc859818f4c977450a68dee8/stock-market-interface.jpg)](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/investor-relations-and-high-frequency-trading-qa-with-bill-harts-of-modern-markets-initiative) ## [Investor Relations and High-Frequency Trading: Q&A with Bill Harts of Modern Markets Initiative](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/investor-relations-and-high-frequency-trading-qa-with-bill-harts-of-modern-markets-initiative) [April 04, 2017](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/investor-relations-and-high-frequency-trading-qa-with-bill-harts-of-modern-markets-initiative) [Sharon Merrill Associates](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/author/sharon-merrill-associates) [Leave a comment](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/investor-relations-and-high-frequency-trading-qa-with-bill-harts-of-modern-markets-initiative#comments-listing) *Bill Harts is the CEO of Modern Markets Initiative (MMI), an advocacy organization devoted to the role of technological innovation in creating the world’s best markets. MMI engages and educates public audiences about the value modern market professionals provide to today’s electronic marketplace. Harts is known in the financial services industry as a pioneer of algorithmic trading, as well as an authority on financial market structure and applied technology for trading.* **Q: Thank you very much for being here, Bill. Can you tell us about Modern Markets Initiative? What are your goals?** A: Modern Markets Initiative first came together in late 2013. Our mission has always been to educate people about what high-frequency trading is, how it works and most importantly, how it saves a lot of money for investors and continues to do so every day.  Also, we wanted to serve as a resource to let investors and issuers alike understand the important role of high frequency trading in the trading ecosystem. [Read More](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/investor-relations-and-high-frequency-trading-qa-with-bill-harts-of-modern-markets-initiative) [Investor Relations](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations), [high-frequency trading](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/high-frequency-trading), [HFT](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/hft), [equity trading](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/equity-trading), [trading](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/trading), [equity markets](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/equity-markets) [![](http://streaming.yayimages.com/images/photographer/homestead-digital/8e16092017a844f3df9bd7b21514409b/rising-star-2017.jpg)](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/in-n-out-in-ir-for-2017) ## [In-N-Out in IR for 2017](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/in-n-out-in-ir-for-2017) [January 04, 2017](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/in-n-out-in-ir-for-2017) [Sharon Merrill Associates](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/author/sharon-merrill-associates) [Leave a comment](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/in-n-out-in-ir-for-2017#comments-listing)   [Read More](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/in-n-out-in-ir-for-2017) [Investor Relations](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations), [Trends](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/trends), [IR Trends](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/ir-trends), [2017](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/2017), [Investor Relations 2017](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations-2017), [2017 Trends](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/2017-trends), [In-N-Out IR 2017](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/in-n-out-ir-2017), [what's in and what's out 2017](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/whats-in-and-whats-out-2017), [Investor Relations Trends](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations-trends), [IR 2017](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/ir-2017), [what's in and what's out](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/whats-in-and-whats-out) [![](http://streaming.yayimages.com/images/edited/photographer/homydesign/ad13cbf3fdcfa6ff32f896e671f7fe0f/christmas-candles.jpg)](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/holly-jolly-market) ## [Holly Jolly Market](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/holly-jolly-market) [December 13, 2016](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/holly-jolly-market) [Sharon Merrill Associates](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/author/sharon-merrill-associates) [Leave a comment](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/holly-jolly-market#comments-listing) [Read More](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/holly-jolly-market) [Holiday](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/holiday), [Investor Relations](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations) [![](http://streaming.yayimages.com/images/photographer/wavebreakmedia/b41e9059d873440274868d28171e02cd/composite-image-of-2016-graphic.jpg)](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/in-n-out-for-2016) ## [In-N-Out in IR For 2016](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/in-n-out-for-2016) [January 22, 2016](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/in-n-out-for-2016) [Sharon Merrill Associates](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/author/sharon-merrill-associates) [Leave a comment](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/in-n-out-for-2016#comments-listing)   It’s once again time for our tongue-in-cheek roadmap of what’s in and what’s out in investor relations, and more, for the upcoming year. We hope you enjoy, and have a happy and successful 2016. [Read More](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/in-n-out-for-2016) [Investor Relations](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations), [Trends](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/trends), [2016](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/2016) [![](http://streaming.yayimages.com/images/photographer/komodoempire/07a4f94ba843b2c2209251442f49d260/happy-holidays-snow-globe.jpg)](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/its-the-most-opportune-time-of-the-year) ## [It's the Most Opportune Time of the Year](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/its-the-most-opportune-time-of-the-year) [December 17, 2015](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/its-the-most-opportune-time-of-the-year) [Sharon Merrill Associates](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/author/sharon-merrill-associates) [Leave a comment](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/its-the-most-opportune-time-of-the-year#comments-listing) *(to the tune of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”)* It’s the most opportune time of the year With the calendar limping Valuations dipping Investors still hear It’s the most opportune time of the year [Read More](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/its-the-most-opportune-time-of-the-year) [Holiday](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/holiday), [Investor Relations](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/topic/investor-relations) [Next](https://blog.investorrelations.com/blog/author/sharon-merrill-associates/page/2) ### Subscribe to The Podium! ### Connect with your Investors Establish a sincere connection with investors to communicate key messages during your Investor Day. Download our free e-book on effective presentation habits, and learn to deliver ideas with confidence and clarity. ### [![Delivering Effective Presentations](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/560825/ae1780f1-d59a-47b7-a91a-0473d76c0ac5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/560825/ae1780f1-d59a-47b7-a91a-0473d76c0ac5) ### When it's time for a change Whether planned or sudden, it is crucial to communicate the succession of high-profile positions effectively. Download our three-part e-book and learn the best way to craft a plan for CEO, CFO and Board of Directors transitions. 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Download our free guide on how to assess the effectiveness of an investor relations firm. [![How to Assess an IR Firm](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/560825/9f973acb-6c16-469a-86fb-1186a197c587.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/560825/9f973acb-6c16-469a-86fb-1186a197c587) ### Activism Defense No company is immune to shareholder activism. Sharon Merrill helps boards of directors and executive management teams identify the activist red flags lurking in your shareholder base, assess your governance risks and develop an action plan to prevent, detect and neutralize any threats. Download our free white paper, *“Leveraging Institutional Shareholder Relationships to Reduce Activism Risk,”* and learn how the best defense against activism is a strong offense. 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