McGraw-Hill Professional's Financial Communications leads the field in financial services client communications breakthroughs

NEW YORK, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Market volatility has driven investors to place a higher value on actionable financial communications. Progressive financial advisers, plan providers, and retail institutions are heeding that call in growing numbers, according to reports compiled by Financial Communications (FC), a division of McGraw-Hill Professional and a provider of timely financial information in a variety of electronic formats.

This interest has driven a spike in demand from market professionals for timely consumer-friendly packages of information that can be offered to individual investors, retirement plan participants, and plan sponsors. What is more, the renewed focus on investor communications has shifted the spotlight to content that is more market-relevant, using cost-effective Web-based products in order to serve potentially larger audiences. This is a significant change from even six months ago when market professionals and plan providers were engaged in cost-cutting moves, including scaling back on their printed publications or canceling communications efforts all together.

"Our clients know that effective communication can help them build their business," said Larry McQuaid, vice president and general manager of Financial Communications. "This business has been around for twenty years so we have experienced market ups and downs before. With advances in technology leading the way, we believe that it has never been easier -- or more important -- to communicate with clients than it is today."

Case Study Highlights -- Actual Custom Solutions Built for Leading Financial Firms

• A new enterprise communications program centered on FC's automated platform for creating user-customized electronic newsletters, supplemented by a microsite to view the articles and a PDF version of each newsletter. To help capture the growing audience of smartphone users, the microsite can deliver a mobile-friendly view of content. FC provided editorial and design services, and ensured that the finished product included multiple options for driving users to the client's Web site, as well as in-depth reporting on all content clicks. The final package was conceived, designed, tested, and delivered within six weeks.

• A next-generation electronic newsletter tool that gives the sponsoring brokerage the ability to integrate its management of compliance review, content selection, and customized mailing lists while also giving the individual broker design and distribution options. The tool was hailed by the client as the "fastest adopted product" in its history.

• A custom Web site designed and built to help 401(k) plan participants understand and manage their finances. The site leverages timely content with time-tested educational materials and provides interactive tools. Most recent quarter-over-quarter reports show the client's site traffic is up 51%, exceeding the client's goal of reaching and educating more participants.

To learn more or request a product demonstration, contact Financial Communications at infofc@standardandpoors.com or 800.326.7697.

About Financial Communications

Financial Communications, a division of McGraw-Hill Professional, is a leading resource for investor education as well as marketing and communication solutions for financial service firms. The company creates custom and customizable solutions for its clients by bringing together content, technology, and editorial expertise. As a part of The McGraw-Hill Companies, it leverages world-class content and data from Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Professional, and more. For more information, visit http://fc.standardandpoors.com.

SOURCE McGraw-Hill Professional/Financial Communications

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