Latest Posts

The Week in PR

January 16th, 2018 by

Our weekly roundup of news, trends and personnel moves in the world of communications, marketing and PR. This week we have stories about President Trump’s awards for the awful media, and journalism’s response, France’s attempt to legislate away fake news, Facebook’s algorithm changes and Univision’s Jennifer Ball has a new job.

PRNews/LexisNexis Survey: Few Brands Have Formal Structures for Social Listening

January 16th, 2018 by

Is anyone listening? When it comes to social listening, the answer is yes. The trouble is that nearly 40% of brands lack a formal plan for social listening, according to new survey from PRNews and LexisNexis. Even more concerning is that these brands have failed to implement procedures for what happens when social listening picks up a potential issue.

CES 2018: High-Tech Cars, Connectivity and Virtual Assistants Abound

January 12th, 2018 by

It’s easy to get distracted by the flash if not the substance of the yearly consumer electronics show known as CES. This year’s edition was every bit as gaudy as those of past years, even without the lights on. The question, however, is what all the gadgets and promises of revolutionary capabilities mean for communicators? David Wolpert, social media manager at Bell Helicopter, offers some thoughts.

Facebook to Downplay Branded Content in News Feeds, Zuckerberg Says

January 12th, 2018 by

If you thought Mark Zuckerberg’s New Year’s resolution to “fix” Facebook was just like your resolution to stop eating candy (as in, never going to happen), think again. Late Thursday, Zuckerberg announced major changes coming to the platform—namely, a de-emphasis of branded content in news feeds—and those changes will likely have a serious impact on your brand’s approach to the platform.

Digital Leader of the Year Carmen Collins Led Cisco’s Talent Brand to New Heights

January 12th, 2018 by

In 2017, Carmen Collins became the manager of Cisco’s talent brand social media team globally, a year after creating one of the industry’s top employee advocacy programs. Launched as a pilot in the spring of 2016 and a full-fledged program in the summer of 2016, the WeAreCisco Snapchat channel was Collins’ brainchild. In the last 12 months, the program has doubled unique daily views while flashing completion rates of 60% to 70% completion rates are way above industry average research.

Media Relations Advice for the Age of Clickbait

January 11th, 2018 by

With continuous pressure on journalists to produce clickbait, PR pros may feel that providing sensational content is the only way to get a reporter’s attention. That’s not entirely true, says Nisha Morris, executive director, communication, for Providence St. Joseph Health, but there are some essentials to keep in mind.

12 Must-Haves for a PR Pro’s Virtual Toolbox

January 11th, 2018 by

Are you afraid to face your inbox, which probably is overflowing with email that’s of little or no use? And is the lack of a research assistant looking up names and addresses of key journalists slowing your workflow? Fortunately, it’s 2018 and there’s a bevy of tech tools that can help PR pros like you. Here are 12 that will raise your productivity immediately.

PR Lessons From President Trump’s Capitol Hill Reality Show

January 10th, 2018 by

PR pros know the importance of controlling the message. On Tuesday afternoon President Trump went far off script, allowing cameras to roll during an hour-long session where Republican and Democrat lawmakers negotiated about immigration issues, with the president overseeing the proceedings. The gamble worked, as it allowed Trump to appear presidential and in control, countering the image portrayed in a recent book about his administration’s first year. It’s an episode with lessons for communicators.

robots, CES 2018

CES 2018: Tech’s Opportunity to Showcase Itself as a Force for Good After a Rough Year

January 10th, 2018 by

Now in its 51st year of operation, CES is more relevant than ever given it’s the biggest global stage for companies to demonstrate what technology products and services are likely to be commercialized in the year ahead. Beyond commercial interests, CES also provides an opportunity for company leaders to demonstrate a path forward to a brighter future for the tech industry, which has recently experienced an unusual backlash from a cross-section of audiences.

Remembering a Measurement Hall of Famer, Lou Williams

January 9th, 2018 by

Lou Williams was one of the leading advocates for having public relations research, measurement and evaluation focus on the outcomes of PR campaigns rather than message outputs. Through speeches, workshops and seminars, he did his best to help make PR measurement and evaluation more meaningful. He once scolded judges of several of the industry’s major awards competitions for not being critical enough while assessing research and measurement.