Bruce Johnston

How Firms Are Complying With FINRA 11-39 By: D. Bruce Johnston, President & CEO As social media takes a more prominent role in the everyday lives of advisors clients, advisors broker-dealers are taking a more active role in training and educating them on the power of social media tools.  Certainly prompted by the training and education mandate outlined in FINRA 11-39, some firms view social media as a recruiting and retention tool.  While some of their less than agile larger competition struggle with identifying archiving solutions, they are plunging into what I consider the next frontier – education of the advisor at the “user” level. There is no question that excellent archiving solutions exist, and there is a size and capability solution to fit all.  The real issue is how do you drive training to the Registered Representative and Advisor level.  Until their tra... (more)

Social Media Expert Q&A Webinar Sponsored by ByAllAccounts

If you can’t join live, register & we’ll send a recording! Social Media Expert Q&A   Recent action by broker-dealers allowing the use of social media has raised a lot questions for financial advisors. Join us for this live webinar as our panel of experts address the following: What are the FINRA & SEC regulations on social media? How can an advisor stay compliant? What is social media archiving and how is it used? What are some best practices for using social media? How are other advisors using it? *The presentation will conclude with a 15 minute open Q&A session to answer any add... (more)

Women and Blogging - A Perfect Match?

As the world increasingly turns to social media for solutions, information and expression, women are turning to BLOGS according to "The 2009 Women in Social Media Study".  The study reveals "why blogs": 64% of women are nearly twice as likely to use blogs than social networking sites as a source of information 43% for advice and recommendations 55% for opinion-sharing 75% are 50 percent more likely to turn to social networking sites as a means of keeping in touch with friends and family Women are turning in even greater numbers to blogs (55%), social networks (75%) and online stat... (more)

Full speed ahead: FINRA social media regs remove “excuses for delay”

By D. Bruce Johnston, DBJ Associates Researchers and compliance officers are rallying around FINRA’s landmark 10-06 rule on social media-driven investment communications to give guidance to legions of newly energized investment marketers. Marketers rejoice: Hedges “We’re seeing new levels of enthusiasm among marketing communications project managers,” said Zach Hedges of Advisolocity recently. “Marketers on a tight budget see sunlight through the clouds.” He credits freeware networking site Linkedin, Twitter and WordPress for a lot of the investment marketers regained optimism. ... (more)

Bob Reynolds & Putnam Lead Industry to Twitter

Today's announcement that Putnam twitter.com/putnamtoday, and their CEO, Bob Reynolds twitter.com/robertlreynolds will begin to twitter advisors and shareholders to keep them informed of events at the firm and with their investments should be roundly applauded by the investment management community.  At a time when the industry is in need of senior leadership to blaze a trail to earning back advisor and investor confidence this certainly sends a positive signal. The move signals to the industry and Putnam shareholders and advisors that their interests come first.  It also says ... (more)