Merrill Lynch Launches Global Investor Network
First of Its Kind Internet Daily Television Webcasts Provide World Class
Financial Research
NEW YORK, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- In the tradition of providing clients with world-class financial research, the firm that brought "Wall Street to Main Street" is now redefining "Wall Street in Cyberspace" with the introduction of the Merrill Lynch Global Investor Network(SM).
The Global Investor Network is an exclusive Internet "webcast" featuring investment research in streaming video. Updated daily with newsmaking video reports from Merrill Lynch analysts and economists around the world, it represents the first daily use by a financial services company of technology that combines two dynamic media -- video news and the Internet.
The Global Investor Network is designed for Merrill Lynch clients who can view the reports through Merrill Lynch OnLine. The public can now also access a version of the Global Investor Network by registering for a 30-day free trial through askmerrill.com.
"Consistent with the firm's goal to provide our clients with innovative products and services, the Global Investor Network is a key element in the evolution of the Merrill Lynch Internet strategy," said John L. Steffens, Merrill Lynch Vice Chairman. "We believe that technology utilized in concert with professional advice and guidance is the most effective model for investors."
The introduction of the Global Investor Network follows the firm's recent announcements, including a revolutionary new model for personal-financial services in the Digital Age. This watershed initiative gives clients the broadest range of choices and price options in the industry and includes an Internet channel that provides on-line trading and access to market information, e-commerce services, as well as cash management.
"Merrill Lynch has the #1 rated research department in the world," said Fred Yager, Director of Merrill Lynch Global Broadcast Services. "Our goal with the Global Investor Network is to present our analysts' commentary on video, in clear, easy-to-understand language so that our clients gain a greater awareness of the investment opportunities described in more detail in research reports on Merrill Lynch OnLine."
The Global Investor Network gathers the latest research on markets and investment opportunities from around the world using Merrill Lynch Television cameras in Hong Kong, New York, London, Frankfurt, and Princeton, New Jersey. Plans are underway to install cameras in Tokyo; Singapore; Madrid; Mexico City; Sydney, Australia; Boston; and San Francisco.
Veteran newsman Bill Hartley, former anchor of CNBC Asia in Hong Kong, anchors the network news segments, while former Fox Television business reporter Bob Plunkett conducts most of the on-camera interviews with analysts and economists.
This information is then edited and digitized by a "cyber-producer" and sent to Merrill Lynch OnLine and RealNetworks' Real Broadcast Network, which integrates and hosts the multi-media presentation.
RealNetworks, Inc., based in Seattle, Wash., develops and markets software products and services designed to enable Internet users to send and receive audio, video and multimedia services. RealNetworks' free downloadable software, known as "Real Player G-2," is used to view the streaming audio and video used in the Global Investor Network.
Some of the features on the network include the Morning Call Report, a summary of key analyst reports issued before the opening bell. Analyst Highlights, a video research report of a specific company; Mutual Funds Update, a video presentation from a mutual fund manager; and Street Beat, a feature exploring various trends in the marketplace.
Askmerrill.com, the current public site for the Merrill Lynch Global Investor Network, is also the site for the free research trial, where visitors can register and receive free Merrill Lynch research reports for a limited time.
SOURCE Merrill Lynch
CO: Merrill Lynch; RealNetworks, Inc.
ST: New York
IN: FIN
SU: PDT
06/30/99 09:04 EDT prnewswire.com |
