Occupy Wall Street May Actually Be Changing Wall Street Firms: Survey

Though the Occupy protesters have taken their tents out of Zuccotti Park, they're still making their mark.

The majority of marketing and communications executives at financial services firms said that Occupy Wall Street has impacted their business, according to a study conducted by Echo Research and Makovsky -- a research company and an integrated communications firm specializing in financial services, respectively. The number one challenge for firms this year is dealing with a negative public perception, according to Scott Tangney, an executive at Makovsky. In recent years past, recovering from the financial crisis superseded that concern.

"Banks and financial services firms have now shifted their focus from liquidity and financial performance to customer satisfaction and their own employees," Tangney said. "The Occupy Wall Street Movement has indicated to firms where they need to be focusing."

The study’s findings come a little more than one week after Occupy Wall Street protesters were met with arrests celebrating the movement's six month anniversary.

Yet despite all the ruckus caused by protestors, more than 95 percent of marketing executives are blaming their firms' bad reputations on the companies themselves, not the movement, according to the study.

That's in line with sentiments expressed by Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit in October, when he said the protesters' sentiments are "completely understandable."

Since the Occupy Movement began, the financial sector has faced a slew of other PR debacles. Last year, Bank of America dealt with heavy customer backlash after attempting to impose a debit card fee. Earlier this month, negative public perception became a heightened problem for Goldman Sachs when a former employee wrote a scathing op-ed about the company’s culture in The New York Times.

Still, even with all of these public disasters, the financial services industry may be inching its way back into the good graces of the American public. This year, 46 percent of Americans said they trust the financial services industry, up from only 25 percent that said the same thing last year, according to an Edelman report from earlier this month.

 

Comments

[sheoples]

03:02 PM on 04/09/2012

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free."
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

[sheoples]

02:54 PM on 04/09/2012

"In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot."
-- Mark Twain

[sheoples]

02:54 PM on 04/09/2012

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
-Mohandas Gandhi

[sheoples]

02:53 PM on 04/09/2012

ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE

occupy

[sheoples]

02:52 PM on 04/09/2012

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead

[hoperequired]

12:22 PM on 04/05/2012

Quit glomming off people who are actually out there working hard to get ahead.

[5tiger]

06:00 PM on 04/06/2012

but...wheres mine, i didnt work for it but....wheres mine?

[sheoples]

03:12 PM on 04/09/2012

you must be talking about the 1% who are leaching off the work of the 99%.

[Andrew Nutra]

02:40 PM on 04/03/2012

Cops on horseback should round them up using nets, like in "Planet of the Apes."

[Imissgeorgew]

03:29 PM on 04/03/2012

Fanned!

[5tiger]

06:01 PM on 04/06/2012

Dont insult the apes

[Esther21072011]

01:56 PM on 04/01/2012

OWS can't even get a spot on the front page of HuffPo - while a photo of a model in shorts can - and they still think they are relevant to anyone but themselves???

[Dr Revolt]

05:46 PM on 04/11/2012

We were never able to get the FACT that the Bush administration lied America into TWO WARS; still not a word of it.

These are "the people" using their voice (democracy) to balance an obvious inequality that has been lurching over for several decades. The corporate media has too much to loose by this fact: All corporate media have direct ties through its board of directors with other large corporations, including banks, investment companies, oil companies, health care and pharmaceutical companies, etc.

Get the facts at WWW.TRUTHGUM.COM

[Daniel Hong]

12:49 PM on 03/30/2012

Woo woo!!! Go Occupy!! You are making headway!!! :DDD

Critics, where are you now????

[Esther21072011]

08:02 PM on 03/30/2012

The billions of critics are still here - laughing. Heck -you have to hunt for the OWS stuff even here on HuffPo.

[glojet]

02:31 PM on 03/31/2012

billions of people around the world are cheering actually. and you dont have to look very hard..you obviously found this article. also huff post has a whole section called "occupy wall street".

[williamina]

12:45 AM on 03/31/2012

doin what

[Elijah Hathaway]

09:25 AM on 03/30/2012

The OWS does build a good police database of people likely to commit future crimes.

[Elijah Hathaway]

09:10 AM on 03/30/2012

We really need to have the Russian police take care of the next "protest"....at least show them what police brutality is.

[Dr Revolt]

05:53 PM on 04/11/2012

America has a very long sordid history of police brutality through the generations. Teargas, padlocks, fire hoses, lynchings, cronyism, murder, execution, etc. You most keep in mind who the police work for, protect, and take orders from; it is not the public in general when it comes to exercising their Constitutional rights.

[Occupyrichmondva Comfort]

12:35 PM on 03/29/2012

Winter has passed and Spring arrives in America....Now it’s time to "Shake & Wake" and get back out to you neighborhood Occupation.

Ignore the Mainstream Media's Nasty Propaganda & Disinformation Campaign....It only works if we let allow them to shape our debate!

Get out & get active supporting the 1st General Strike in America this Generation on May 1st (if not sooner)

[Andrew Nutra]

08:36 AM on 03/30/2012

ZZZ, occupy city, bask in attention, get arrested, evacuate, repeat. I've seen this movie before, wake me if the ending ever changes.

[Elijah Hathaway]

09:12 AM on 03/30/2012

Why not get a job instead? What was it you children were trying to accomplish again? (what goal are you expecting to achieve by camping out in the park?)

[Occupyrichmondva Comfort]

04:21 PM on 03/30/2012

Andrew & Elijah since you both appear to be “interested / concerned” enough to post a reply to my post, please allow me...

From the 2012 Makovsky Wall Street Reputation Study of Wall Street Professional’s.

The Occupy Wall Street movement had a real impact on business and it will continue to hurt past the election (71%). What? Those jobless idealists? Sniff. (comments as posted in Moneyland.Time.Com)

Hmm so maybe this isn't the same "Movie" you've seen after-all?

BTW looking at your Picture Elijah I assure you I am probably older (and wiser) but Thanks for the Complement!!!

This is not about “Free Camping” it is merely a very effective “In Your Face” Tactic…But you know that already don’t you?

OWS is about the Separation of these Mega Corporations & Our State…Simply enough?

So please feel free to prove you Real Americans and that even you believe in protecting Everyone's Rights in America... Get out and show your support for OWS at the May 1st (if not sooner) General Strike!

[Dr Revolt]

05:57 PM on 04/11/2012

If we all chip in, we might be able to rent a politician for hour or two. At this point I can only afford to make a sign. And what are you doing to help or are you just happy to perpetuate the free fall?

[rglew]

11:31 AM on 03/29/2012

I love reading the comments on OWS stories.

Every troll comment seems to be pulled right from a Fox "News" headline.

I'm just glad to see there are finally people in this country who are ready to do something about the corrupt society we have lived in for decades.

[Andrew Nutra]

08:38 AM on 03/30/2012

It must give you comfort to call us trolls. To realize that we're just average, 99% Americans who don't care for your drum circles, raping, looting and flag burning is much more scarier. Long live the Percussion Revolution!!

[yeswecanjane]

12:03 AM on 04/02/2012

I am glad too!:)

[desertdreamer]

08:37 AM on 03/29/2012

The National Occupation of Washington DC starts tomorrow!

http://nowdc.org/

[Esther21072011]

08:03 PM on 03/30/2012

Uhh.....nuttin happened

[desertdreamer]

08:40 AM on 03/31/2012

If you're waiting for the corporate-owned media to inform you, you'll be disappointed. Month long events + demonstrations are planned. http://nowdc.org/content/occupyepa-rallies-whistleblowers

[yeswecanjane]

12:06 AM on 04/02/2012

Thanks for the link!!:)

[desertdreamer]

07:09 AM on 04/02/2012

You're most welcome. Thanks for the interest. Fav'd.

[desertdreamer]

07:30 AM on 04/02/2012

yeswecanjane, here's another site that will give you news and information that the corporate-controlled media won't. I encourage you to check it often for new articles listed under the Latest News and Videos."
http://october2011.org

Additionally, news can be found at the Occupied Wall Street Journal: http://occupiedmedia.us/2012/02/occupied-reports-from-the-front-lines-3/

and at the Daily Occupation:
http://thedailyoccupation.org/

[ftworth texan]

07:48 PM on 03/28/2012

OWS still hasn't changed anything. WS still doesn't do anything different and nothing has changed in Washington.

Only thing accomplished is Pepper Sprayed and getting Arrested. Odd, the TeaParty and K*_K_*K have demonstrate in more places and they do not get Pepper Sprayed and Arrested. They are organized, with leaders and direction, I don't care for the K_*K*_K but they make you look like fools. TP even put a bunch of folks in congress and offices through out the country.

The OWS fools will have to go find jobs with arrest on their records - rofl. serves them right. Staying out of jail is easy - for some.

[sherlockhemlock]

05:28 AM on 03/29/2012

You're not very intelligent, are you?

[Occupyrichmondva Comfort]

12:49 PM on 03/29/2012

Hmm I thought they taught people in Texas to read? This one seems to have slipped through the cracks.

Only thing accomplished is........

Well here is a little more information for you "Tex".....and from this same 2012 Makovsky Wall Street Reputation Study of Wall Street Pro's.

The Occupy Wall Street movement had a real impact on business and it will continue to hurt past the election (71%). What? Those jobless idealists? Sniff. (comments as posted in Moneyland.Time.Com)

But Thanks again for being another perfect example of what happens when America allows the Corporate Controlled Government to cut our Children’s Public Education!