SAN FRANCISCO, June 7, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- StreetFusion, the global network for financial events, today announced insightful statistics on Q1 2001 webcasting usage, as well as information on utilization of advanced webcasting technologies. This data is significant as it indicates companies are increasingly using webcasting as a means of efficient, real-time communication with investors, and are doing so despite a downturn in the overall economy.
Increase in Non-earnings Events: During the first quarter of this year, StreetFusion realized an 88 percent increase in non-earnings event webcasts versus the previous quarter. More and more companies are webcasting events such as guidance calls, analyst meetings, M&A and product announcements, annual meetings, and a variety of other events. Some of the companies that have made the progression to non-earnings events include Hewlett-Packard, now conducting webcasts of its securities analyst meetings and annual meeting, and Integrated Device Technology, which now webcasts mid-quarter performance updates.
Growth in Use of Advanced Webcasting Features: More than 45 percent of StreetFusion's clients currently use advanced webcasting features, more than twice the usage last quarter. Utilizing enhancements such as registration pages, slide presentations and video tremendously enriches the user's experience, and increases traffic to the company's website. Charles Schwab & Co. quickly realized that by adding special features such as an agenda, registration page and detailed indexing, they were able to capture more detailed information about their audience, while providing them a more dynamic and informative presentation. Cadence Design Systems has achieved similar benefits through its use of video and presenter controlled slides.
Further Emphasis on Distribution: During the first quarter of this year, and for the first time in its four-year history, all of StreetFusion's customers elected to distribute their webcasts over the StreetFusion network. Utilizing StreetFusion extensive global distribution network has helped large-cap and small-cap companies alike meet the disclosure requirements of Regulation FD, while providing them with an intelligent and efficient distribution mechanism.
For the institutional community, StreetFusion's recently announced partnership with Multex.com, in combination with its own institutional network, ensures that webcasts reach the desktops of more than 40,000 institutional investors and research analysts. Also, millions of individual investors who expect the same investment-grade information as analysts can access StreetFusion webcasts on leading retail portals, including Yahoo! Finance, CBS MarketWatch, Hoover's, SmartMoney.com and IndividualInvestor.com.
Commenting on these first-quarter statistics, StreetFusion president and CEO Blake Hayunga said, "Our clients' confidence in webcasting non-earnings events and use of more advanced technologies has grown dramatically this year, proving the reliability and functionality of our premium services."
"Our clients are now reaching analysts and investment managers at the point when they are conducting research and executing trades," added Hayunga. "Now, more than ever, there is a direct link between companies webcasting their corporate events and investors acting on that information."
About StreetFusion
StreetFusion, the global financial events network, links approximately 6,200 public companies, thousands of leading buyside and sellside firms, and millions of individual investors. The company hosts the most comprehensive and accurate collection of financial event webcasts and event logistics available anywhere. StreetFusion has simplified and streamlined financial communications, enabling the secure distribution of time sensitive and critical investment information. Online event planning, event publishing, and event webcasting ensure targeted distribution with pinpoint accuracy. For information on StreetFusion's services, visit www.streetfusion.com or call (877) 343-0020 toll-free or (415) 343-3000.