Euro Vision

In today’s compressed news cycle and fragmented media environment, corporate reputation is formed faster and tested more frequently than ever before. Understanding how companies are building, managing and protecting their reputations has never been more critical. 

FGS Global’s annual INSIQHTS report draws on analysis of Europe’s leading companies to provide practical guidance for leaders across the globe navigating uncertainty, transformation and stakeholder trust. Using proprietary datasets, the report offers an in-depth analysis of reputation and media sentiment across all EURO STOXX 50 and DAX 40 companies. 

This year’s report reveals a reputation landscape shaped less by sector tides and more by strategic clarity:

• Transformation narratives drive reputation. Companies articulating clear, credible paths forward, particularly those aligned with Europe's growth priorities, significantly outperform peers. But stakeholders distinguish genuine innovation from corporate rhetoric. Decisiveness matters more than hedging against every uncertainty.

• Individual strategy beats sector trends. Company-specific actions matter more than sector affiliation, creating opportunities for bold communicators even in challenged industries. Bold communication can overcome structural headwinds.

• Positive media coverage is no longer enough. Converting favorable press into lasting reputation gains requires authentic engagement across multiple channels. In today's environment, AI tools, influencers and niche voices shape opinion alongside traditional journalists and analysts.

For more, request to read the full 2025 INSIQHTS report here.

As AI companies race to dominate the market, profitability timelines are emerging as a critical differentiator. Anthropic is on track to break even by 2028, while OpenAI now projects rising operating losses through 2030. Our Digital Insights colleagues have outlined how this gap reflects fundamentally different strategic bets.

OpenAI is committing to massive infrastructure spending, with long-term chip and data-center obligations reaching $1.4 trillion. With ChatGPT having become virtually synonymous with AI chatbots, dominating public attention and market share, this strategy prioritizes scale and consumer reach.

Anthropic is taking a different approach. The company is keeping costs tied to revenue and focusing on enterprise clients rather than expensive, sprawling model categories. Despite its smaller size, Anthropic wins more B2B contracts and is emerging as a leading voice in how organizations should think about building or buying internal AI systems.

The divergence signals a broader inflection point in the industry. As AI capabilities expand alongside costs, the winners may not be those with the biggest infrastructure investments. Instead, success will likely belong to organizations that deploy internal AI systems which genuinely improve workflows while outsourcing processes that remain slow and expensive to automate.

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A wave of fintech companies is pursuing bank charters this year, propelled by evolving market conditions and anticipated regulatory reforms under the Trump Administration. These digital-first firms, which once avoided the intense scrutiny of the charter process, are now reassessing whether formal banking status could bolster their legitimacy and unlock access to new customer segments.

Still, acquiring a bank charter is a challenging and complex undertaking. Success requires a strategic, holistic approach that integrates public affairs, governance and storytelling to build trust and demonstrate value to both regulators and the public. 

Fintechs exploring the charter process should consider these six practices:

1. Foster long-term relationships with regulators. Prioritize early, transparent engagement and consider hiring former regulators to signal compliance readiness.

2. Invest in strategic hiring and governance. Build robust internal controls and governance structures, led by experienced compliance and legal professionals.

3. Craft a compelling narrative. Position your charter as a public good, using data and case studies to highlight benefits for consumers and underserved communities.

4. Build a coalition of support. Mobilize industry associations, advocacy groups and policy think tanks to amplify your case.

5. Leverage media and public relations. Launch targeted campaigns to shape public perception and counter opposition narratives.

6. Be prepared for legislative advocacy. Engage proactively to modernize outdated regulations that may pose barriers to entry.

To learn more about positioning your organization for regulatory success, contact our Global Public Affairs team.