Digital & Technology

With CES 2020 beginning, we asked our data partner Shareablee to look at the technology influencers who were most active on social media during the past year. Several famous tech names made the list.

With CES beginning today in Las Vegas, we take a look at technology and tech-related issues for PR pros as the year begins.

In this third set of 2020 predictions, communicators anticipate strong demand for mergers and acquisitions of PR firms, a rise in personalized stories and PR pros increasing their use of sophisticated data as audiences become more difficult to reach. Other predictions include a fierce response from healthcare to political criticism and an increase in relationships with non-traditional media outlets.

Where is PR heading over the next year? When new crises see brands falling into the same old mistakes, and tone-deaf messaging makes you look back at your calendar to double check the year, it sometimes seems that communications isn’t innovating fast enough. But take a closer look at the new tools, applications and multi-channel campaigns being dreamed up by the most impressive brands and agencies in our field. Innovation is clearly happening—and gazing ahead into the new year indeed brings much to look forward to.

Ten years ago, PR pros never dreamed of creating warping facial filters for Instagram Stories or geotargeting users with video on Facebook. But as technology evolves, so does the ability to enrich storytelling, and stop scrollers in their tracks. Content will remain one of the most important strategies for brands to engage users and stand out from a continual deluge of media. Here are some content trends for the year ahead.

At PRNEWS, we’ve looked at impressive branded holiday swag, and gifts for PR pros. But when it comes to really feeling warm, fuzzy, and full of mirth, there’s nothing better than a PR campaign with takeaways for you, our readers. So put down the eggnog and indulge us as we look at holiday PR campaigns that fill us with cheer.

Journalists and public relations experts discussed adapting to new media strategies at the PRNEWS Media Relations Conference in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 13. The panel, “Rethinking Media Relations in the Age of New Media,” included Brandon Arolfo, head of PBS digital studios, Sara Fischer, media reporter for Axios, Nicole Smith, director of corporate communications at IAC and Katina Arnold, vice president, corporate communications at ESPN.

Mankind’s digital exhaust is social science’s Big Data. We create digital data with every post, purchase or picture. This offers social scientists access to previously unimaginable reams of data. Coupling that with new computing power and the possibilities are endless, argues Peter Zandan, global vice chairman of Hill+Knowlton Strategies. Brands can decode what makes ideas spread, how purchasing decisions are reached and who and what influences influencers. It’s time to prepare, he writes.

What does the popularity of year-end lists mean for brands? A smorgasbord for media mentions, content shares and article placements. Giving the public what they want, in a usable package, is one of the finest public relations strategies used by companies like GIPHY and Uber. Lists inspire the media to spur further stories, as well as grab the attention of consumers.

At PRNEWS, we thought about how to utilize Slack to connect our readership and community. How could we leverage the relationships we’ve built with amazing contacts to benefit those outside of our circle, and bolster an entire community? And with that, we created the PR and Communications Pros Slack group.