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David R. Evanson

I’ve worked with and helped companies from just about every perch in the communications business: writer, agency head, freelance journalist, publicist, author, copywriter, consultant, reporter, account executive, communications manager and editor. I get hired for my specialized expertise and experience, which at 40 years and counting, has enabled me to offer advice to clients, that for many, has proven invaluable. Probably the best part of my job is working with business owners, executives and entrepreneurs. Along the way I’ve met a gallery of heros, fools, visionaries and rogues. But they’ve all taught me something, and with each new assignment, I try to pay it forward.

And Now, Fake Earnings

With earnings season here once again, and the term fake news ricocheting across social and traditional media, it's not too great a leap to get to the concept of fake earnings. Lots of companies present earnings that aren't really earnings.  For example, in January Intel reported earnings of $10.3 billion, and then adjusted…
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Getting Media Exposure: Sharing Matters

For companies trying to develop relationships with the media, here's another arrow for your quiver:  Share the stories they write with your social media networks.  This according to journalists and reporters themselves.  When asked in the 2017 State of the Media Report by public relations software firm Cision, 'How can communications…
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The Myth Of The Mainstream Media

It seems almost every reporter, anchor, radio host or ‘influencer’ out there likes to point out they are giving you information that ‘the mainstream media won’t report on.” Sometimes it’s information the mainstream media “wouldn’t dare report on.” I would offer that if you are trying to interpret the media…
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More Cheating = More Regulation

I kind of like seeing the CEO of Wells Fargo on the hot seat in front of the house and senate for the fraudulent opening of customer accounts.  I always felt Wells Fargo's conduct in general and their attitude toward their customers was criminal. I just didn’t know how accurate my sentiments were.…
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Active vs. Passive: Game Over

I just finished a white paper for a large financial institution on the well worn topic about which is better: active or passive investment strategies. Sometimes, it’s productive revisit old topics because they bring a fresh perspective that either reinforces ones’ conviction or makes a slight chink in the wall…
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Failing Fast

My friend, entrepreneur Marc Kramer has started about 20 businesses.  Some have succeeded, others have not.  Among his start-ups,  I asked him if he got signals early on that he had a clunker on his hands, and if so, what the signs were. Generally, he said, he knew within about 120…
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How CEOs Scare Investors

When portfolio managers take a position in a company’s shares, or even think about taking a position, it’s a highly analytical process.  But interpersonal dynamics have an impact too. When a CEO makes an investor’s Spidey sense tingle, it can derail the investor’s interest.  Here’s some ways I’ve seen CEOs…
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CEO TV:  The Wave Continues

On Monday, I wrote about the wave of CEOs on TV following earnings reports and offered that keeping quiet after earnings can work too. And then none other than Apple’s chief executive officer Tim Cook joins the movement by appearing on Jim Cramer’s Mad Money Monday night. Why would he do…
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Telling Everyone All About It, Again

I like earnings season because of the surprises.  But sometimes, you get to see something over and over again.  In what has become a tough reporting period, CEOs are taking to broadcast outlets explaining, first hand, the shortcomings of the most recently reported results. Notable so far this season was…
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