CEO Stockwatch Q4 2011

by CARMA International

 

 

The final quarter of 2011, the period covered by CARMA International’s latest survey of media reporting of the world’s business leaders, brought no let-up in crisis and turmoil for world economies and politics. After a period of paralysis, European policy makers unveiled a rescue plan for the Eurozone in December, though David Cameron’s decision to opt out left the UK isolated. Looking ahead to 2012, very few chinks of light seemed likely to break through the clouds of austerity and uncertainty that loomed over the global economy.

The turmoil extended to the top 20 most-reported CEOs within the CARMA survey, with only eight names from the last survey reappearing and the list taking on an Antipodean flavour. These were headed by Rupert Murdoch, who was kept in the limelight by the continuing fallout from the phone hacking scandal at newspapers within his News Corporation. Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway retained the second highest volume of mentions and Josef Ackermann of Deutsche Bank remained fourth. Intensified media attention following Steve Jobs’ death in October took Tim Cook of Apple into third place, up from 14th. Cook displaced Brian Moynihan of Bank of America, who fell to 15th place.