IR Traffic Jumps 53 Percent
The Asian economic crisis and the recent focus on the International Monetary Fund keep investment-related news front and center in high-profile global circles, but a new study shows that the focus on finances is hitting an all-time high on the Internet as well.
CCBN, a Boston-based provider of Internet-based shareholder communications services, reports that IR Web traffic grew to 7,300 hits per site, per month for the three-month period ending June 30. That led to a 53 percent leap from the period ending March 31 when IR visits were 4,800.
Numbers are based on CCBN's survey of 120 of its customers with Web sites that feature components such as stock quotes, news releases and stock charts. (CCBN, 617/531-2999)
Despite Recent Accidents, America Goes Traveling
Transportation disasters appear to have had only a minor impact on traveling, according to a Wirthlin Worldwide report which reveals that more than 1,000 U.S. executives have plans for business travel over 200 miles, up 7 percent from two years ago.
Wirthlin, McLean, Va., also reports that the Internet is playing a part in this travel tidal wave: of the American adults who were surveyed, 10 percent have booked lodging online and 11 percent transportation.
In PR, the report means that communicators are going to have stay up-to-date on breaking events since transportation issues are major news targets. Continuously check your company's travel news to make sure it isn't static and reflects timely events. Otherwise, you might suffer egg on your face.
More than 40 percent of American men and more than 20 percent of American women plan to join the jet set within the next 12 months, the study also says. (Wirthlin, 703/556-0001)
Multicultural: A Book To Help You Hone In on Experts
You can't find success with one simple formula, so it would be naive for us to view "The Source Book of Multicultural Experts" as a cure-all. Still, considering that the one area communicators keep losing footing on when it comes to progressive PR is knowledge in this realm, we think the $59.95 booklet (shipping is an additional $3.50) is worth it.
"The Source Book of Multicultural Experts" has a bevy of lists for those trying to target the African American, Asian American and Hispanic markets as well a near zealot's outlook. Going beyond the stereotypical (choice fast food joints and spiffy children's clothiers), it also pinpoints A-list adoption services, leadership development services and publishing houses.
For instance, the 70-plus page resource includes an Hispanic Market Experts and Business Leaders list which outlines the best ad agencies in this niche (sample, The Bravo Group and UniWorld Group Inc.); top convention and visitors bureaus (i.e., the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau) and corporations excelling in this area. The latter includes corporations such as Allstate, but there were also surprises like Avon and Bank of America.
PR leaders include the GCI Group and Hill and Knowlton. Hats off - or should we say sombreros - to them. (Multicultural Marketing Resources, 212/242-3351)