internet.com CEO Takes His Message to the People

Alan Meckler is down with the people.

The colorful CEO of internet.com (INTM Quote) answered investors' questions last week on the Yahoo! Finance message boards. His appearance underscores the growing importance of the Internet in disseminating information as individual investing takes on growing importance in the stock market.

Analysts and shareholders said Meckler's appearance, which he touted as an attempt to "level the playing field," signals a shift in the way companies provide information to the very people who increasingly buy shares -- but who have long lacked access to CEOs. Even though the executive's comments were occasionally vague, several observers said his goodwill efforts could help the stock.

Reaching Out

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