Stories by Matthew Schwartz

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Every conceivable aspect of Kennedy’s life and horrific death is being remembered this week. We recall JFK as a great communicator, who knew that to lead was to inspire

Welcome to an exclusive new PR News video series, “Executive Critique,”  in which we review and deconstruct how C-suite executives perform in on-air media interviews. The series, in partnership with CommCore Consulting, will provide communicators… Continued

“Did this change behavior?” As data becomes integral to public relations, the question may be the new mantra for marketing communications professionals.

PR pros can be forgiven if they’re having a tough time convincing C-level managers about the value of social channels. Business decision-makers are still grappling with how to wrap some hard numbers around social platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

One of the more insidious aspects of living in a digital age is not having enough time to read full-length articles as much as I like.

Sure, I make a valiant effort to read that wholly absorbing, 20,000-word piece in The New Yorker or a wonderful essay in Harper’s.
But then the distractions kick in, most of them self-inflicted

“Did you get my email?” For most reporters, the message is the auditory equivalent of long nails scraping across a blackboard. It’s one of several media pitching tactics that PR pros tend to rely on. And it’s wrong, not to mention alienating.

One of the most significant effects of the digital age has been an explosion in live events and conferences. As we spend more and more time behind a keyboard we pine to get out into the field to press the flesh. It’s a similar drill for media relations, as brands organize press trips to give media reps a look-see at new products and services

It’s an increasingly popular ritual at PR News’ various events and conferences: passing around our “Advice Book” to PR pros to get their take on how to succeed in public relations and communications.

Americans are a forgiving lot. But you already knew that. Nevertheless, making a public apology is an art form, and something that communicators need to be well-versed for those times when there is a screw up and the only solution is to say you’re sorry.

We hear it from senior PR and marketing executives time and again: The most effective CSR programs are those that have solid buy-in from the rank-and file (as opposed to aligning the brand to a cause that’s close to the CEO, but no one else in-house).