Could you describe your role?
I’m president of MWW Group's Financial Relations Board (FRB), an agency that provides a range of financial communications and services that help companies achieve their financial and business goals. Our work centers on helping companies build positive profiles in the media. I handle everything from running administration and operations to securing new business. Much of my work is focused on investor relations and financial communications. As part of MWW Group, I often work collaboratively with the company's corporate and financial communications groups on multi-tiered communications programs for our clients.
Tell us through your career path.
Up until the age of 26, I wanted to be a television news anchor. I was a liberal arts major in college, but went to business school and earned an MBA in finance from the University of Chicago. After business school I joined Salomon Brothers and worked on the firm’s trading floor. Afterward, I spent a year working in private real estate before coming to Financial Relations Board, where I’ve been for the past 15 years.
What’s a typical day like for you?
My day is varied, which is probably why I find the work so exciting. On a given day I might be counseling a client on an earnings release or how to handle a huge impairment charge and concerns over how Wall Street may respond. In another case, we could be working with a client and trying to determine how to communicate its capital situation and the status of its negotiation over its debt coverage. Currently, we’re seeing more situations in which we’re helping a company navigate near-term operational and financial issues because of market conditions.
What are the most important skills for a career in financial communications?
You need to be an effective communicator and understand financial issues. Our client base consists of CEOs, CFOs and internal investor relations professionals. Someone in this role needs to have the gravitas, or presence to work with senior executives. Even in a more junior role it’s critical to be proactive and come up with forward-thinking strategies for clients. Having solid writing skills are also crucial to working in financial communications.
Any advice for up-and-coming financial communications professionals?
I’d certainly recommend that you be aware of what’s happening in capital markets. To do so, read The Wall Street Journal and financial trade publications. It’s important to develop the financial skills to be able to talk intelligently about balance sheets and income statements. Having public relations agency experience is helpful. I don’t necessarily think you need an MBA, but you must be comfortable dealing with the financial aspects of a company. We need curious people and great thinkers who also have a firm grip on the capital markets.
US
