Over the past few years, investor communications have increasingly moved online – and we’re not just talking static PDF “flip books” here. Why the shift to interactive digital reports? One reason is that when annual reports live online they can take advantage of dynamic, interactive media to tell a more engaging and complete brand story.

Here are the top five ways to make your online annual report more engaging:

1. Video integration

Many companies have started to include companion videos featuring their CEOs and other key leaders who are responsible for executing on the company’s strategy. Another popular use of video is to give investors a first-hand look into the company’s actual operations, such as a facility tour. It’s one thing to read about a CEO’s strategy plan or a new state-of-the-art facility, but it makes a stronger impression to also to see and hear the excitement in someone’s voice when they talk about it. For example, look at how Pfizer’s online annual report uses video.

Much of the conversation over the past year has been around the appropriateness of social media and investor communications, but this is not the only emerging trend IROs should be looking at right now. Other communications trends point to more information hosted online and a convergence of messages. Since diverse audiences can easily access online …

Social media channels are changing the traditional practices of corporate earnings reporting. Companies are looking for ways to quickly and efficiently reach a vast multitude of audiences, and using only a wired press release may no longer be enough. Distribution that incorporates different platforms, such as YouTube, corporate blogs, Twitter and Facebook fully syncs reporting …

Google announced that it will no longer distribute financial news through newswire services, such as Business Wire and PR Newswire, but instead will post it solely on its own IR Website. Many public companies prefer to take a “wait-and-see” approach, even though the SEC’s updated guidelines approve company websites as acceptable disclosure vehicles. As a …

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