During the first quarter of 2003, corporate news shifted from lingering corporate scandals that generated mainly negative corporate news to more positive coverage, according to
the first quarter results of Delahaye's 2003 Media Reputation Index (MRI). The main factor appears to be a shift in the focus of corporate news coverage. During the first quarter
of 2002, for example, Enron was still the major story. A year later, however, Enron has taken a back seat while several companies, including IBM, Microsoft and Wal-Mart have
gotten more positive news stories. Following is a breakdown of the top 10 companies, along with examples of their news coverage in the first quarter. High-tech companies are
bearing decent fruit lately, with 4 out of the Top 10 companies tracked coming from the tech space.
Microsoft
- First dividend ever announced
- Product pushes: Passport, Windows in China, cell phone software
GM
- Record sales incentives drive GM's market share
- Ford and GM in escalating war on SUV rebates
Wal-Mart
- Wal-Mart bids for British Safeway chain
- Wal-Mart influence grows
IBM
- IBM wins $350 million contract to update systems for Worldspan
- IBM wins contract to run JP Morgan's computer services
Disney
- Disney tries to work magic with new board lineup
- Disney raises price of Calif. theme park admissions
Intel
- Intel makes risky bet on new wireless brand
- Intel warns sales of flash memory are slowing down
Coke
- Coca-Cola's net income rises 1. 8% as expensing options takes toll
- Coca-Cola's staff is to be pared by 1, 000 in a restructuring strategy
Bank of America
- Bank of America top executive Goldie Morrison to leave post
- Bank of America reports higher profit
Dell
- Dell posts big earnings gains; the maker's profit rises 32% for the quarter and 70% for the year as its rivals struggle
- Dell to start selling its line of printers; company using same direct business model that works for its personal computers
Verizon
- Wireless sales boost Verizon
- Bucking industry trends, Verizon met expectations in fourth quarter
Source: Delahaye Medialink Worldwide