By Nicholas P. Manganaro, Esq., Vice President
By David Calusdian, President
Sharon Merrill Associates, CFO, Investor Relations, IR Trends, ESG
By Ian Rhoades, Senior Associate
Sharon Merrill Associates, NIRI, Investor Relations, IR Trends, ESG
By Laura Resag, Senior Associate
Sharon Merrill Associates, Investor Relations, IR Trends, IR Recommendations, Technology
By David Calusdian, President
Strategic Messaging, Financial Communication, Industrial Investor Relations, Investor Relations, IR Trends, IR Recommendations
By Will Dyke, Senior Associate
Strategic Messaging, Financial Communication, Earnings Call, Investor Relations, IR Trends, IR Recommendations
By Sharon Merrill Associates
Investor Relations, Trends, IR Trends, Investor Relations Trends, what's in and what's out
By Maureen Wolff, Chief Executive Officer
With a record $20 billion+ flowing into ESG oriented funds in 2019 in the US alone there is no denying that a compelling Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) platform has become a critical component of investor relations programs and overall communications for corporations of all sizes. Investors, proxy advisory firms and debt rating agencies are demanding it. And, other stakeholders including employees, customers, strategic M&A suitors and suppliers are increasingly considering ESG practices in deciding where to work and with whom to conduct business.
ESG can fundamentally make an organization stronger, more resilient and more attractive to key stakeholders, while helping to mitigate long-term risks. At the same time, the lack of an ESG strategy and sustainability narrative can leave a company exposed and at risk on several fronts.
ESG data is being used on every public company today, whether the companies have released ESG information or not. As BlackRock CEO Larry Fink stated in his 2019 Letter to CEOs, “In the absence of robust disclosures, investors, including BlackRock, will increasingly conclude that companies are not adequately managing risk.” Additionally, BlackRock along with State Street and other institutions have committed to vote against directors at companies that do not demonstrate a commitment to ESG.
The events of recent months -- including the global COVID-19 pandemic and the racial justice movement -- have further amplified the need for greater corporate focus on a range of ESG initiatives, including risk oversight, supply chain security, IT infrastructure, employee safety, talent management and diversity and inclusion.
While doing nothing on the ESG front is clearly no longer a viable option, implementing an ESG program can seem overwhelming -- particularly if publishing a full-scale sustainability report that meets GRI or other standards would not be feasible for your company right now.
The good news is that ESG is a journey, not a sprint. By taking a few strategic first steps to put a stake in the ground, you can establish a strong ESG foundation to build upon over time and earn tremendous credit from investors, employees, customers and the society at large.
We’ve guided many companies through this “walk before you run” approach. Here is where we suggest you start:
Strategic Messaging, Corporate Governance, Investor Meetings, Presentation Training, Crisis Communications, IRO, Financial Communication, Shareholder Communications, Investor Relations, Investor Relations Firm, IR Trends, Investor Relations Trends, Corporate Communications, Investor Relations Websites, IR Recommendations, ESG
By David Calusdian of Sharon Merrill, and David Fine of Fine Communications
Two investor day experts combine experience to deliver best practices on leveraging digital platforms to deliver a compelling virtual investor day.
The investor day is one of the most effective platforms for presenting your company’s strategy, outlining your long-term targets and showcasing the depth and strength of your management team. With the world moving to virtual formats for the foreseeable future, IROs are faced with a new task – mastering virtual investor day planning. This pivot presents new challenges as well as exciting new opportunities to engage and communicate critical messages with the investment community.
The following are top tips for IROs to master to execute a successful virtual investor day:
Investor Presentation, Investor Day, Investor Relations Agency, Investor Meetings, Presentation Training, Crisis Communications, IRO, Shareholder Communications, Investor Relations, Investor Relations Firm, IR Trends, Corporate Communications, Investor Event Planning, Event Planning
(to the tune of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer")
You know earnings and roadshows and bus tours are needed
And a conference list full of one-on-one meetings
But have you realized…
What investors now have top of mind?
This year’s main theme in IR
Are three letters we all know
And if you dare ignore them
Shareholders will say “Oh no!”
Environmental issues
Social cause proposals too
Good governance required
ESG is here for good!
Then when you go out to sell
Your company stock
You’ll be in great shape to show
The bottom line will surely grow!
So now you know for next year
Aim for sustainability
And to attract investors
Make a plan for ESG!
Dora Gonzalez is a Senior Associate at Sharon Merrill. She has extensive communications experience and works with clients on investor relations and public relations issues, including analyst and investor targeting, conference and investor day planning, internal communications, media relations planning and execution, digital communications, social media campaign strategies and corporate messaging.
