Managing a team of marketing and PR professionals can be stressful. Depending on your role, you’re likely responsible for the team’s performance and outcomes, tracking the ROI of PR campaigns, monitoring online and public sentiment and scrutiny of your client, and coordinating the accurate and effective execution of press releases or other critical communications. This level...
Continue ReadingIsrael is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world. At just 75 years old, it has become a significant player in the global economy and a true contributor to the development of technology. Israel is known as the startup nation, with thousands of startups operating in a country of 9.5 million people. This, and many...
Continue ReadingAfter the past few months of corporate missteps, it would be simple to advise companies to just keep their heads down and not engage in potentially controversial issues. But that’s not how PR folks roll. ...
Continue ReadingWhen you’re living in a material world, instant gratification is the name of the game and your business-to-consumer marketing approach should cater to its audience accordingly. However, when your focus is on B2B marketing, your clients’ services are the product and the purchasing process is not as simple as clicking “Add to Cart” nor should it...
Continue ReadingTechnology has a central role in communications and organisational operations, to the degree that a technology blind spot on a company board can have serious and wide-ranging implications for a company....
Continue ReadingThere’s no time to postpone establishing the necessary structures for proper ESG reporting. Capital markets demand essential non-financial information to make informed investment decisions, your biggest clients are under pressure to report on sustainability data from their suppliers – i.e. your company‘s data! – and the legislative requirements are getting stricter by the minute....
Continue ReadingWhen a crisis hits a business and affects its reputation, the response must be prompt, transparent, and effective. Here are the most important things a business should do when a crisis hits the media, affecting its reputation....
Continue ReadingStakeholder and customer expectations have changed drastically in recent times, putting much pressure on businesses and brands to actively engage and communicate. It is now an expectation from stakeholders that businesses must operate with more accountability to the planet and people, besides making profits. This is not just true of regulators and investors, but also of...
Continue ReadingA crisis is often evaluated by how the CEO or Management handle it leaving out the important role of the board. There are common factors that come together to create bad habits but with improved communication you can avoid a dysfunctional board of directors....
Continue ReadingThe Covid-pandemic has left behind some major obstacles for future healthcare and pharma communications campaigns. While there are regional differences, the general pattern seems to be global and comprises of four key trends:...
Continue ReadingIn today’s dynamic and evolving business landscape, repositioning a brand can be a critical strategy for redefining a company’s trajectory, maintaining relevance, reaching new audiences and increasing market share. In short, brand repositioning offers businesses a chance to reimagine how they are perceived, and in turn, enhance their growth over the long run....
Continue ReadingFor thousands of years, humankind has chronicled stories to learn from and teach others, and it is through the recounting of these stories that lessons have been passed down for generations. As a species, we have progressed greatly from those early days and technology has made way for more detailed representations of these lessons. While the...
Continue ReadingIt is five minutes to midnight, at least when it comes to sustainability and corporate reporting. We are living in a time where demands from several stakeholder groups – be it NGOs, customers, investors or governments – have never been higher. To give you an example: no one wants to buy a T-shirt that has been...
Continue ReadingIn a recession, it’s common to put on the brakes, forget about your long-term plans and cut back spending to save as much as you can. However, if not done strategically, this short-term gain can create long-term pain, and any immediate savings are simply an illusion when you look at the overall business outlook. ...
Continue ReadingIn recent months, many companies worldwide, especially social media and tech-based companies, have cut their workforces citing inflation, the ever-looming recession and loss in revenue as the chief reasons to blame....
Continue ReadingEvery year, hundreds of companies face major scandals and crises that require a significant amount of damage control. There is a lot that PR and marketing professionals can learn from these situations and the selected response. Here are some of the top five corporate crises from 2022 and key takeaways that every leader can use to...
Continue ReadingEthics and transparency, AI and innovations, ESG agenda and constant crisis mode – these are some of the key trends that will shape 2023 for brands and communicators, say PRGN’s leading global communications experts in our annual collection of PR predictions....
Continue ReadingIn an increasingly connected world, it’s critical for public relations, marketing, and communications specialists to understand the dynamics that exist when communicating across cultural lines. Throughout the year, billions of people celebrate hundreds of holidays, religious events, and festivals. Communications specialists need to understand how to effectively navigate and understand holidays of the world, especially when...
Continue ReadingOne of three tenets upon which Mileage Communications was built, and which guides interaction with clients, partners, staff, vendors, the media and other stakeholders, is observing integrity....
Continue ReadingThe past few years have brought previously unseen challenges for societies globally – pandemic, war, inflation and increasing social demands and tensions. Communications professionals will have to take these new factors into account when advising their clients on day-to-day activities as well as when drafting communications plans. ...
Continue ReadingIn 2019, I wrote a piece for Forbes called “Don’t Go Dark in a Downturn.” In the article, I shared how to leverage marketing and PR during enduring times, such as a recession. Luckily, the advice still held true for 2020 and beyond....
Continue ReadingIt is no secret that a positive employer culture and an appealing, transparent work atmosphere are more than ever essential conditions for accepting a job offer. Of course, an employee must be paid a fair wage for the work he or she does, but it is not only the amount of the salary that matters. Employees...
Continue ReadingIt is without a doubt that businesses and brands need to reinvent and reimagine for the future marketplace. Today, the purpose agenda dominates discussions in boardrooms. Importantly, the ability to communicate our corporate purpose well is very rewarding as it helps build trust and solidify relationships with investors, customers, employees and other key stakeholders....
Continue ReadingAs the global Covid-19 pandemic has so clearly demonstrated over the past few years, every organization—no matter its size or industry—is vulnerable to the ever-looming threat of a crisis. These threats can range from security breaches and product recalls, to natural disasters and workplace violence incidents. As PR professionals, we understand that a company’s response during...
Continue ReadingOver the past few years, companies have been ramping up their efforts to create a more sustainable planet. This includes everything from reducing waste at manufacturing plants, finding innovative ways to cut back on plastic use, and even devoting time to giving back to the community....
Continue ReadingBeing a good corporate citizen should be a part of every organization’s overall strategy. It starts at the top and isn’t something that should be approached in a haphazard way....
Continue ReadingThe Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) by the European Union points to a dilemma that financial market participants (FMPs) might also face in the U.S. If FMPs, who primarily focus on small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs), have to report on the sustainability performance of the companies they work with, they might not be able to gather...
Continue ReadingRegardless of your industry, social media can be a powerful tool for a company of any size to market its products and services to other businesses. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter might be the most common platforms mentioned in day-to-day interactions, but LinkedIn is the most relevant for B2B communication. A recent survey conducted by HubSpot found...
Continue ReadingCongratulations! You’ve been selected to present a keynote speech on your area of expertise. Now comes the hard part — developing a presentation that will effectively engage and resonate with your audience. Whether you’re presenting to an audience of 25 or 2,500, you’ll want to ensure that your keynote speech hits the mark....
Continue ReadingOne of the primary problems with ESG reporting is trust. Because there are no universal standards by which companies report their sustainability efforts, investors and stakeholders must rely on the word of the reporting company to a significant degree. ...
Continue ReadingRemember the saying “There’s no such thing as bad publicity?” Well, that’s not entirely accurate....
Continue ReadingMore and more enterprises acknowledge their responsibility to share their profits with the society in which they work and grow. It is not just a matter of “good consciousness”, but rather a step that is quite logical and well based in human everyday experience: Sooner or later you will need another one’s support and help, so...
Continue ReadingIt seems like ages ago, but when a public relations or marketing professional wanted to create buzz for their client or brand, they used to quickly fall back on media relations. These days, that’s not necessary the case. Thanks to the rise of the internet and social media, all media are being consumed differently and PR...
Continue ReadingChoosing the right NGO for a brand’s meaningful social project is a very important step – the first of many. The hard work continues by building and developing a long-term and sustainable relationship....
Continue ReadingWe can’t save everybody. We can’t find solutions for all the world’s problems as we don’t have unlimited resources. But it is our responsibility – as a company or as a brand – to do our best and have a positive social impact, now and in the future, in perfect alignment with our purpose. And this...
Continue ReadingThe Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly left devastating effects on healthcare systems, businesses, and economies around the world. Many families lost their livelihoods and for some, even their loved ones....
Continue ReadingAs companies embrace public relations as a means of positively influencing a brand’s perception by managing communications with the media and influencers and the public, it’s important to continually review the tools that have proven to be most effective in consumer public relations. The benefits are clear and include boosting top-of-mind consumer awareness, building credibility, earning...
Continue ReadingIn 2018, teenage Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg caused a worldwide sensation by protesting outside the Swedish parliament to raise awareness for climate change activism. Since then, a whole gamut of issues associated with the environment has constantly been in the spotlight. ...
Continue ReadingClubhouse, the audio-only social media platform, is experiencing rapid growth and making headlines. Still, many marketers have yet to grasp the potential this brand-new platform offers....
Continue ReadingOver the last year, many companies have asked themselves: are we doing enough to address social justice issues that affect our customers and employees? And is it wise for brands to publicly take a stance on such issues? Leaders are understandably hesitant to step out of their comfort zone and court any kind of controversy....
Continue ReadingLet’s be honest: Not every client has a compelling story to tell if you look just at their products or services. So, a little investment in a poll or survey can help raise their profile as a thought leader and relevant voice in their respective industry. But there are a few caveats to observe so that...
Continue ReadingAt its core, PR is all about reputation management with stakeholders. People and brands rightly expect PR professionals to help them connect with important stakeholders, build meaningful relationships and effectively communicate the right messages to them. ...
Continue ReadingPitching attorneys to the media as subject matter experts is an effective way to bring exposure to a particular law firm or practice. While pitch topics may not always be law-focused, partners can still bring a unique perspective to the media landscape while highlighting their expertise. However, depending on the size of the law firm, picking...
Continue Reading“Between saying and doing there is the sea,” says a well-known proverb. This quote can be applied to today’s brands as they are called to cross this sea and take their Corporate Social Responsibility strategy to a new level by developing brand activism strategies that mark the transition from storytelling to storydoing....
Continue ReadingCrisis communications as a public relations practice stands out not just in the execution of high level strategies at an amplified pace, but because every crisis communications scenario serves as a stress test for that organization. Whether that crisis plays out in the headlines or gets managed internally, everyone immediately recognizes what worked… and what didn’t....
Continue ReadingTourism and hospitality are two of the most affected industries following the COVID-19 global crisis. Many jobs have disappeared, many companies have gone bankrupt, and many services no longer have a reason to exist....
Continue ReadingIt goes without saying that 2020 was a year we’d all rather forget. While the vaccine proliferation in many parts of the world offers a light at the end of the COVID tunnel, public relations professionals should keep five potential crises in the back of their mind as we work to normalize again....
Continue ReadingSustainability is becoming more and more important: People are aware of global challenges like climate change, pollution and social inequality, and they discuss them and ask for solutions. It is clear that companies have a major impact on social and ecological issues, so the pressure on them to operate sustainably is increasing accordingly. Not only because...
Continue ReadingWhat a year. ...
Continue ReadingCorporate stocks have seen a rollercoaster year due to Covid-19, political turmoil and social unrest all impacting market sentiments. And now news on the vaccines have arrived and are spreading hope on the stock markets again....
Continue Reading(Oct. 19, 2020 – NEW YORK) – The Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), hosted a lively panel discussion featuring agency leaders from around the world, discussing “The New World Ahead.” Held in conjunction with the network’s bi-annual Fall conference on October 16, this first-time virtual event was attended by nearly 200 communicators from around the world....
Continue ReadingWe live in an era of hyper-connectivity and information overload. Stakeholders are bombarded with messages every moment of the day. This crowded and cluttered marketplace has not only made stakeholders more informed, it has also made them more demanding about what they expect when they interact with brands and corporations. Communicating corporate and brand values has...
Continue ReadingWith crises of democracies and capitalism the end of this decade has brought to us globally, it has become more and more necessary and frequent for diverse interest groups to express their opinions to governments in fast and powerful ways to change the environment around them....
Continue ReadingThe Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly disrupted the marketplace and accelerated the move towards digitization, which is now embraced even by traditional “brick and mortar” industries....
Continue ReadingThe Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly disrupted the marketplace and accelerated the move towards digitization, which is now embraced even by traditional “brick and mortar” industries....
Continue ReadingWho doesn’t love redwood trees?...
Continue ReadingSustainability is no longer an optional extra. It’s becoming a core part of business. In 2019, 90% of the S&P500 published a sustainability report. Investors and customers increasingly expect companies to meet their sustainability criteria. The pressure is not just coming from board rooms. Two-thirds of employees say sustainability is extremely important to them....
Continue ReadingThe most recent research studies on leadership share the image of a future increasingly characterized by skills that have socially and historically belonged to the females. The old “command-economy” mentality by Henry Ford is now outdated and overtaken by the modern working organization, inspired by values such as active listening, empathy, sharing, delegation and inclusion. Organizations,...
Continue ReadingThe global hospitality industry has been dealt a devastating blow by Covid-19. Most hotels and restaurants suddenly lost the majority of their customers and are struggling to keep their businesses alive....
Continue ReadingManaging reputation for a brand or a company at the turn of this decade has been challenging for a variety of reasons:...
Continue ReadingThere used to be a time in which an investor’s main objective was to maximise the return on their investment without any regard for factors concerning the environment (E), social (S) matters, or governance (G). These times are over....
Continue ReadingCompanies and brands have never behaved as well as they are right now. For the past few weeks, we’ve seen a level of compassion and caring from brands that is “Hall of Fame” worthy....
Continue ReadingGlobally, there has been an increase in public affairs campaigns initiated by various parties including governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses and special interest groups. These campaigns are developed to sway public opinion on various issues or even to lobby for certain changes in regulations or laws....
Continue ReadingWhat do Unilever, Oxfam, Cambridge University and the German Federal Government have in common? They all report against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)....
Continue ReadingOnline activism is a very potent tool for change that gives activists who would otherwise go unnoticed an immediate and potentially global audience to hear their side of a particular story....
Continue ReadingNobody is more strongly positioned to create long-term, sustainable change than companies. According to a 2016 PwC Global CEO survey, 64% of CEOs say that “corporate social responsibility (CSR) is core to their business rather than being a stand-alone program.” The Survey interviewed 1,409 CEOs in 83 countries with 76% defining business success by more than...
Continue ReadingNearly 3 years after the VW emissions scandal broke worldwide, the CEO of VW-owned Audi is arrested for fraud, false advertising and hindering the investigation by German authorities. The first rule of crisis communications is to end the crisis and on something of this scale, that means untainted leadership and a willingness to right the wrongs...
Continue ReadingDo you Google yourself and your company? If not, you should....
Continue ReadingWe’ve all seen it on the news. The spokesperson heads to the microphone, reads a statement, then begins taking questions. Then, we notice something. He or she makes a mistake. Whether your spokesperson starts speaking off-topic, becomes a “deer in the headlights” or unintentionally gives away private information, a mistake takes place. Any one of these...
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