Winners announced for inaugural IR Magazine Awards – Small Cap

Three companies can proudly call themselves winners of the first ever IR Magazine Awards – Small Cap.

Awards were presented in three categories: best IR by a senior management team, best IR by a small-cap company under $500 mn and best IR by a small-cap company between $500 mn and $1 bn.

The awards were presented in association with OTC Markets and were hosted at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business.

Altus Group took home the award for best IR by a senior management team. The judges were particularly impressed with the company’s efforts in revamping its disclosure and engaging the Street to raise its visibility and communicate a change in its business model. This effort led to a 50 percent increase in share price over the last three years.

Stoneridge was the winner of the best IR by a small-cap company (under $500 mn) award. The company was praised by the judges for revamping its marketing materials around earnings calls, conferences and non-deal roadshows, which has garnered positive feedback from the company’s existing analysts and attracted investment from new firms.

Banc of California won the final award for best IR by a small-cap company ($500 mn-$1 bn). Its IR team was recognized for handling a tumultuous year, including the unexpected turnover of its CEO and CFO, and a board refreshment program that changed five of the nine company directors. 

Nominations were open between July and August 2017. IR Magazine welcomed self-nominations and nominations by proxy, and an esteemed judging panel reviewed the short lists and selected the winners. The judges were:

  • Ben Ashwell, digital editor, IR Magazine
  • Julie Tracy, senior vice president and chief communications officer at Wright Medical Group
  • Rebecca Updegraph, president of NIRI’s New York chapter
  • Steve West, most recently of Panera Bread, where he oversaw the award-winning IR program

Click here for information about future IR Magazine events and awards. 

Upcoming events

  • Awards – Europe
    Thursday, June 18, 2026

    Awards – Europe

    About the event The IR Impact Awards – Europe takes place on Thursday, June 18, 2026 in London. This very special event honors excellence in the investor relations profession across Europe and we are excited to welcome everyone for an evening of fine food and lots of celebrating! WHEN WHERE…

    London, UK
  • Think Tank – Europe
    Thursday, June 18, 2026

    Think Tank – Europe

    About the event The IR Impact Think Tank – Europe will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2026 in London and is exclusively for senior IR officers. Our think tanks are free to attend and our unique format enables participants to network extensively, discuss, debate and dissect topical issues affecting…

    London, UK
  • Briefing – Winning investor confidence: how IR teams can anticipate sentiment and drive support
    Wednesday, July 15, 2026

    Briefing – Winning investor confidence: how IR teams can anticipate sentiment and drive support

    In partnership with WHEN 8.00 am PT / 11.00 am ET / 4.00 pm BST / 5.00 pm CET DURATION 45 minutes Winning investor confidence: how IR teams can anticipate sentiment and drive support The capital markets are becoming increasingly fragmented. Passive strategies, pass-through voting and evolving stewardship priorities mean…

    Online

Explore

Andy White, Freelance WordPress Developer London