IR in ‘I AM’

Last week, I attended a networking event hosted by Bank of America Merrill Lynch at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. The event included an exclusive screening of “I AM,” a documentary that recounts the story of filmmaker Tom Shadyac after a cycling accident left him with post-concussion syndrome. Though he recovered, he emerged a changed man.  Known for directing films such as, “Ace Venture: Pet Detective” and “The Nutty Professor,” Shadyac embarked on a journey to discover how he, as an individual, can improve his life, and what we, the audience, can do to make our lives better.

The film explored why today’s culture is so engulfed and obsessed with competition and separation, instead of community and cooperation. The film features interviews with well-known cultural figures such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the late historian Howard Zinn, as well as lesser-known scientists, poets and evolutionary biologists.

After watching “I AM,” it got me thinking about how Shadyac’s film can not only be applied to each of us on a personal level, but to the business realm as well.

The film is particularly relevant to our line of work because it reminds us how important it is to understand the communities we serve, particularly investor constituencies.   The more public companies and investors understand and communicate with each other, the more likely it will enhance long-term shareholder value.  And that’s something we can all appreciate in this environment.

— PondelWilkinson, investor@pondel.com