INFORMATION SOURCES RANKED DIRECT COMPANY INFORMATION IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME. Information direct from companies has been the preferred information source since tracking began HIGHLIGHTS “The investment community has access to more information sources than ever before,” said Brunswick Group Partner Jason Golz. “While digital media remains influential, investors and analysts continue to place the most value on information provided by companies themselves. It means companies control the information source that has the most influence on investment decisions and recommendations. At the same time, however, it appears investor relations officers are missing an opportunity to streamline investor communications using social media channels that require little additional effort in their jobs.” “Based on our research over the last six years, when investor relations departments leverage digital and social media channels, investors and analysts use them. Many on Wall Street closely monitor these sources to track news, brainstorm new ideas and add pieces to their investment mosaic,” Golz said. “Our findings imply investors are waiting for more digital and social content from IR departments.” About 76% of respondents cited direct company information as the source that most influences their investment decisions and recommendations. But digital and social media also continues to play a role, with 77% of the survey group reporting that they have been prompted to investigate an issue based on information viewed on these sources. 64% of investors and analysts think that the role of digital media and social media will continue to increase, creating an opportunity for IR departments to push content through these channels. Blogs remain an important source of investing ideas, with 59% of investors and analysts agreeing that they have investigated an issue based on a blog post, up from 47% in 2009. 77% 59% 76% 64% Of digital media, blogs and presentation sharing cited as most influential Influence of information direct from companies continues to increase Brunswick Group releases findings of its fifth global investor survey Most Influential Sources 2009 Rank 2015 Rank Change in Rank Information direct from companies 1 1 Real time subscription information services 3 2 Analyst research 4 3 Primary market research 2 4 Traditional business media (print & online) 5 5 Digital media 6 6 1 = Most Influential 6 = Least Influential Jason Golz Partner, Brunswick Group San Francisco, CA 1-415-671-7676 [email protected] June 8, 2015 Sparky Zivin Director, Brunswick Insight Washington, DC 1-202-393-7337 [email protected]