How to create a strong PR strategy for public companies

New year, new round, new opportunities! May all your (corporate) wishes come true in 2025. After these formalities, we start the year with a blog on listed companies.

For public companies, a strong PR strategy is essential to maintain trust with investors, shareholders, and the general public. PR is not only about increasing brand awareness but also about building and protecting your reputation, especially in an environment where your stock price is monitored daily. In this blog, we share some crucial steps to develop a powerful PR strategy for publicly listed companies.

Before devising a PR strategy, it's important to define your goals. For public companies, these goals often include increasing investor confidence, strengthening brand value, or sharing financial results.

Loyal readers might remember the remarkable case of Avantium in 2020, which we dedicated a blog to. Avantium, a Dutch company, saw a huge increase in market value in 2020 without a concrete reason. This was not supported by their figures, but was the result of international media exposure, sparking investor interest.

Transparency is crucial for public companies. Shareholders and investors must have confidence in your company, and that confidence arises from open and honest communication. This means regularly sharing updates on business results, important developments, and strategies through press releases, interviews, and quarterly reports. A consistent stream of information prevents speculation and helps maintain control over your message.

Financial media play a crucial role in how investors perceive your company. Building strong relationships with journalists in this sector is essential. For instance, Avantium's stock rise was supported by media attention, including an article in the British newspaper The Guardian. The article generated international attention and attracted environmentally-conscious investors. This example shows how influential press attention can be for a company's value.

Public companies are under a magnifying glass, and when something goes wrong, it can significantly impact the stock price. Therefore, it's important to have a strong crisis communication plan. Consider scenarios such as product issues, legal disputes, or unexpected profit drops. An effective crisis plan helps react quickly and transparently, which can maintain investor confidence and prevent further damage.

Publicly listed companies have various stakeholders: investors, customers, employees, and regulators. Therefore, a consistent message across all communication channels is crucial. Whether it’s press releases, interviews, or social media updates, ensure that the core message remains the same. This helps avoid confusion and reinforces your company's credibility.

Quarterly presentations, shareholder meetings, and other investor relations events are opportunities to positively position your company. Prepare these events carefully and ensure you have a clear message. Using visual aids like charts and presentations can help clearly convey complex financial information.

A strong PR strategy is crucial for the success of public companies. By focusing on transparency, consistent communication, and building relationships with financial media, you can strengthen investor confidence, protect your reputation, and increase your brand value. PR can even boost your company's value, so what are you waiting for? Create an account today and get started!