|
KALAMAZOO, Nov. 1.—Concluding its 17th year of publication, Sid Cato's Newsletter on Annual Reports in the December issue revealed which annuals worldwide were "Best of Show"—that is, best by industry grouping.
Best "foreign" annual report was by Reuters, the United Kingdom-based newsgathering agency—"as for several years running," said Editor Cato. Best produced by a Canadian company was Bruncor's 1998 report, whose positive rating was a perfect, 100%. That's predicated on 36 indicators of a report's positive or negative nature, ranging from extensive financial disclosure to complete honesty. Cato's December issue also hailed an interview with senior executives of Knight-Ridder, including CEO Tony Ridder, as "the new standard, against which all others henceforth will be judged." He said the interview consisted of "a record" 19 questions for executives to answer. Cato also awarded his negative SCRAMMS citation to Sweden's Saab. He said Bengt Halse, CEO, allowed "eight vainglorious photos of himself to appear in the 1998 annual report." SCRAMMS is an acronym for Sid Cato Rails Against the Mirror, Mirror Syndrome. "Who's fairest of us all? You are, chief! You are!" |