A bevy of questions asked during a recent PRNEWS webinar about media relations form the basis for this roundtable where PR pros discuss pitching and product launches during the pandemic. In short, you can pitch and launch products during the pandemic. It requires careful research and a sensitive approach, however.
Premium Content


Advice for Leaders Who’ve Discovered Their Vulnerable Side: Explain Your New Approach
May 5th, 2020 by PRNEWSAs part of our coronavirus interview series, we spoke with Miri Rodriguez, the award-winning storyteller. Known for her work with Microsoft and as an advisor to Adobe and Walmart, among others, we discussed what stories are breaking through during coronavirus. We also wondered how leaders who’ve not shown an empathetic side previously, can adopt a more human approach during the pandemic.

73% Like COVID-19 Messages from Companies They Buy from, 60% See the Rest as Unhelpful PR
May 5th, 2020 by Seth ArensteinDoes the American public appreciate brand messaging during the pandemic? Is it reading your messages? How much is too much? These are some of the questions Clyde Group of Washington, DC, asked Ipsos to answer in the form of a poll of 1,000 consumers early in April. In general, the public likes corporate America’s coronavirus response, though there is room for improvement. The data was shared exclusively with PRNEWS.

COVID-Related Ratings Decline Should Not Dim Enthusiasm for Podcasting
April 7th, 2020 by Nicole SchumanThere are far fewer commuters now. As a result, podcast listening is down. Still, podcasting is an explosive category, with 600,000+ shows offered and more coming online daily. Plenty of brands and organizations are making a foray into this communications tool.

‘The Daily Show’ with Dr. Fauci Garners Top Consumer Engagement on Facebook in March
April 7th, 2020 by Seth ArensteinWe asked our data partner Shareablee to provide information about the coronavirus-related posts that garnered the most consumer engagement on Facebook during March. The resulting list was full of interesting insights, including a post from “The Daily Show,” with guest Dr. Anthony Fauci, leading the pack.

Old Ways Inform New Normal: Transparency is Key to Internal, External Comms and Media Relations
April 7th, 2020 by Seth ArensteinPRNEWS and partner Yonder recently gathered a panel of senior communicators for a webinar about coronavirus and PR. With more than 1,500 attendees, the session produced more audience questions than we could handle. Here are some of the best questions, with answers from another panel of PR pros.

New H+K Analytics Head Sees Coronavirus Increasing the Need for Data Verification
April 7th, 2020 by Seth ArensteinWhat happens to measurement and analytics when coronavirus subsides? H+K’s new analytics chief thinks data verification will have increased importance since so much false information is floating around at the moment. He’s also urging his team to laugh and connect with each other on a personal level as they work from home.

The Heart of PR: 80% Say Staff Safety Trumps New Revenue, 48% Strategizing for Post-Virus Era
April 7th, 2020 by Seth ArensteinWe surveyed more than 200 senior PR professionals to find out how they are coping with coronavirus, what changes they are making (or not) in their communications internally and externally. Some of their answers surprised us.

Pandemic Forces PR to Confront Edit Calendars: ‘Is My Message a Priority or Appropriate Now?’
April 7th, 2020 by Seth ArensteinNext in our series of interviews with senior communicators we speak with Julie O’Donnell, who last month was named EVP/global head of digital at health communications and PR firm Evoke. We asked her what she sees communicators doing well or badly in this moment with their digital communications.

Internal Communications Watching Closely as Employee Needs Change During Pandemic
April 7th, 2020 by Seth ArensteinSince it was nearing tax time, we wanted to interview a communicator in the tax industry. Then the pandemic arrived, and April 15 became just another day. Jesse Hamlin, who runs communications for Avalara, tells us that it’s almost always tax time somewhere in the world. She discusses how her team is monitoring its employees’ needs during this difficult moment.