Stories by Brennan Nevada Johnson

In honor of Black History Month and PRSA’s confirmed commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, our contributing writer looks at how PR professionals can safeguard DEI communications in a divisive political environment.

Platforms rise and fall, but one thing remains: people crave connection. Whether you’re testing Bluesky, RedNote, or the next breakout platform, remember: your audience follows relationships, not logos.

For PR professionals, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show approach offers valuable insights into how storytelling, symbolism and bold authenticity can be leveraged to create impactful communication strategies.

The vast majority of audiences tune out jargon. Nobody wants to hear from a robot. But more often than not, speakers are experts on something, and they really want to nerd out. Here’s some steps on how to find that balance and simplify complex messaging in speechwriting to move an audience.

The New York Times exposé published in December about Justin Baldoni’s alleged smear campaign against Blake Lively highlighted the dark side of PR. Then a week later, Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times, saying the media outlet got the story wrong. Ultimately, the legal questions in Baldoni’s suit concern media ethics. But in the meantime, the actors’ PR teams should keep these crisis communications tips top of mind.

According to a survey from Morgan Stanley Research, 94% of healthcare businesses use AI or machine learning in at least some capacity. Expectations have forever changed, and healthcare communicators must now rally behind AI to provide optimal outputs for their own companies as well as for clients and healthcare professionals.

Now more than ever, communicators need to play the long game to protect DE&I. Our author provides recommendations for how communicators can shield DE&I during this reputation-building era.

In a moment that underscores the challenges of navigating the political landscape, TikTok has found itself in a high-stakes battle. However, this evolving situation also offers valuable lessons for PR pros and businesses on crisis management, brand loyalty and communication strategies.

In a world of constant digital connectivity and rapid technological change, Generation Z is exhibiting a fascinating psychological phenomenon: They’re deeply nostalgic for eras they never experienced firsthand. This “historical nostalgia” among Gen Z offers a compelling window into how digital natives creatively engage with the past to meet psychological needs and navigate contemporary challenges—a phenomenon that brands must understand to forge meaningful connections with this generation.

For some brands, the Super Bowl doesn’t necessarily mean creating a multi-million dollar TV ad during the big game. Many notable promotions don’t even require an actual ad anymore, as the event is now a multi-platform experience for companies and consumers.