Most of the 2,000 or so companies on the Australian Securities Exchange shout into an empty room when they release their announcements.

Only the biggest 200 get much press or broker coverage. This is because both the business press and stockbrokers cover only companies with the most shares, the most customers, the most employees and the biggest effect on the economy. Talk to the directors of small companies and they will tell you it has never been harder to get publicity in newspapers and junior companies must compete for the shrinking space. They are in a space race.