“As we have risen in the rankings, so too have the number of unsolicited RFPs we receive, often the result O’Dwyer’s rankings find their way into corporate decision making,” he wrote in a blog post March 8.Matusky said rankings and awards are two areas that can be clearly delineated from editorial content and said he supports the O’Dwyer Co. decision to charge firms which do not support the company through advertising and subscriptions to participate in the rankings.
A handful of firms balked at the decision and were removed from the ranking this year. Some have criticized the O’Dwyer Co. and questioned the ethics of the move, in addition to trying to organize opposition to the plan.
One hundred and thirty-two firms provided figures for this year’s rankings.
Matusky, who also criticized conglomerate-owned firms who “hide” behind the Sarbanes-Oxley to avoid publishing figures, said if media is to continue, publishers must find novel ways to tap new streams of revenue.
“If you want a media property to invest hundreds of hours in researching and vetting an open and true industry ranking, then those who benefit from the ranking should be willing to send in a check along with their applications,” he argued.
Gregory FCA ranked No. 27 overall among independent firms in the O’Dwyer ranking released on March 8.