New annual report blog launched

Dec 07, 2007

Firm pioneers interactive annual reports

LONDON -- A UK-based company has set up what it calls the 'first of its kind': an annual report blog that allows stakeholders to engage in a live dialogue centered around the company's online annual report.

Next Fifteen Communications Group's annual report can be found here and anyone is allowed to post alongside it.

'We have an opportunity to expand the role of the annual report,' comments Tim Dyson, chief executive of Next Fifteen. 'We can transform it from a relatively dry summary of what's gone on over the last year into a means of having a dialogue with our shareholders about all of the issues that the report raises.'

Although the website does not allow users to post comments at every point throughout the annual report, it does allow them to communicate with management and participate in discussions.

The company is monitoring comments but says it is not averse to negative feedback.

'We're not going to stop people making negative comments,' Dyson asserts. 'If a shareholder has a negative view they are going to post comments about it somewhere, so we'd rather they do it where we are better able to respond.'

By Clare Harrison