From podcasts to Clubhouse, new communication trends are putting oral culture back at the center of communications and public relations. With around two million users worldwide in January and around 50,000 users in Italy just weeks after its arrival in our country, Clubhouse is a networking platform that has brought voice, the most traditional communication … Read More
The Five Crises to Watch for in 2021
It 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. Vaccine rollout … Read More
PR Tips for Tech Companies Entering The Automotive Market
For starters, here’s one piece of useful information: the automotive PR industry is now very similar to the technology PR industry. This is because cars have become devices and drivers have become more of a user. Sounds familiar, right? I used to work for a tire company and now I work for a device producing … Read More
Six Reasons Why Sustainability Matters for all Companies – and Two Common Mistakes They Should Avoid
Sustainability 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 … Read More
How PR Will Absorb the Social Sphere in the 2020s
Let this sink in for a moment. Facebook launched in 2004. Twitter became a word in 2006. Instagram? 2010. In roughly the time it takes to conceive a child and see them get a drivers’ license, the innovation of social media disrupted, overwhelmed, inspired and challenged public relations professionals around the world. Both as individuals … Read More
Why Companies Should Invest into PR & Digital in 2021 and Beyond?
As we look forward to this new year of 2021, what do companies need to do to move their brand forward and increase the bottom line? As members of the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), we are all given this challenge by our clients regularly. Of course, the world is in a different place globally … Read More
Three Lessons of 2020 That Help You Prepare PR Programs in 2021 and Beyond
For most business leaders, 2020 almost certainly will be viewed similarly to sports accomplishments that include asterisks to denote records set under questionable circumstances. Yet, many of us as senior communications advisers are wired for this time in history. While we admittedly prefer to function through carefully planned and crafted strategies and tactics, most of … Read More
PRGN’s Public Relations Predictions For 2021
It’s that time of year to look into the crystal ball for the future. 2020 has by all accounts been one of the most challenging years (at least in my lifetime). I think we’re all looking forward to some positive change. So, for 2021, what is the future of communications, the future of PR and … Read More
Rethinking Corporate Event Strategies for 2021: How Hybrid Events Accomplish Goals and Create Engagement
With Covid-19 still dominating our social and business interactions – and will likely continue to do so well into 2021 – the usual company meetings are bound to look a lot different for some time to come. So it is high time we take a look at how hybrid events combine the best of in-person … Read More
Why Stakeholder Engagement is the First Step to Reach Your SDGs
The world has a plan to end poverty, fight inequality and save the planet from climate change – the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs contain 17 goals and 169 targets. The plan sounds lofty and daunting, right? Even so, the SDGs are forming part of the DNA of business, government and civil … Read More
5 Simple Ways to Boost Visibility of a Stock
Corporate 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. How can publicly traded companies – especially midcaps and small firms not sitting on large marketing budgets – keep … Read More
New Angles That Work in Travel and Leisure PR in the Midst of the Pandemic
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to rage on, the world is learning how to cope with it and businesses are looking for new opportunities the crisis presents. In the travel and leisure industry – my closer area of expertise – professionals are already brainstorming now not only about how to survive, but also how to … Read More
Five Secrets of Successful Video Marketing
Successful content marketing takes time and energy and let’s be honest, as you begin to develop your strategy, you simply can’t do everything at once. Writing a daily or even weekly blog may seem simple at first, but when you add keyword research, interviews, graphics, photographs, CTAs and careful integration into your broader digital marketing … Read More
Communicators from Around the World Convene Virtually to Exchange Knowledge and Develop Business Partnerships Globally
(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 … Read More
Leadership Is Communication
We 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 … Read More
Effective B2G Communications, or How to Reach Political Decision Makers in the Digital Age
With 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. Tired of waiting to raise their voices through traditionally … Read More
Six Tips: How SEO Can Power Your New Business Strategy
I’m often asked, “How do you generate new business leads?” There’s no silver bullet to answer that question, but if I had to pick one strategy it would be: the power of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Our marketing communications agency, Landis Communications Inc. in San Francisco, celebrates 30 years in business this October. For probably … Read More
How to Work with NGOs for Mutual Success
Close cooperation between agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGO) is becoming the norm increasingly, as it offers a win-win situation for both sides. Ideally, such cooperation can generate for NGOs an increase in resources, as well as growing public awareness, improved reputation, accomplishing new extraordinary projects and recruiting more donors. On the agency side, such cooperation … Read More
How Best to Work With Micro-Influencers
When it comes to promoting a brand or product on social media, it can be difficult to reach the masses of your target audience without a large following. This is why it’s common to see celebrities, athletes and other influencers endorsing various brands on their Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms. However, tapping … Read More
When Back-to-School is Anything but Normal
Pitching seasonal media stories is a staple of consumer public relations. The coverage calendar ebbs and flows with many of the same topics year after year, and our job is to find a new angle to help our clients shine. Back-to-school season has been one of the most consistent and far-reaching seasonal stories to tie … Read More
What does a PR firm do in the digital age?
Digital PR is simply the evolution of what has until now been known as “traditional” PR. It’s the opportunity to step away from the credibility crises that traditional PR practitioners have had to face so often in the past with new-age tools and tactics that are customisable, effective and measurable. To a certain extent one … Read More
Social Media — A Boon or a Bane?
There’s been no shortage of discussion about social media’s seemingly endless potential to bring people closer together. Clearly, it is a powerful tool that can efficiently provide information to the masses and create stronger bonds in any number of communities. However, along with these positive opportunities come threats to all entities, especially in today’s “new … Read More
It Takes More Than an Optimised Press Release to Hit the SEO Mark
In today’s world, savvy PR pros need to be more than just good writers, they need to be knowledgeable about what constitutes optimised digital platforms and they must know how to manage the interaction between these platforms to maximise the chances of achieving the best possible SEO ranking. Two of the critical factors underlying successful … Read More
Flying in the Time of COVID – 2020 Frequent Flyer Survey
Washington, DC PRGN member Xenophon Strategies‘ has released their 2020 Frequent Flyer Survey on flying in the time of COVID-19. The research was conducted by the firm’s research arm, Xenophon Analytics by polling their (opt-in) 200,000 Frequent Flyer Database. The survey data shows that 60% of flyers are planning a trip in the next six … Read More
Female leadership and PR: What have they in common?
The 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. … Read More
How hospitality and leisure PR has changed under Covid-19
The 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. How has PR changed as a result? Can PR help in this situation? How should PR professionals think differently now? Here are what we have … Read More
Real Estate Communications: Add Color to Concrete
PR for real estate projects should always be focused on ensuring that clients sell properties. Our clients sell luxury properties as second homes abroad. In addition to traditional PR tools, we have used numerous tactics in past years to further improve the results of our work and help the sales process. For the moment, some … Read More
The Virtuous Cycle in the PR Industry
The Mileage Communications Group celebrates its 28th anniversary in 2020. On this occasion, I am especially proud of what our group has contributed to the PR industry in Singapore and the profound impact we have made in nurturing creative young minds for our profession. Over the years, our Singapore headquarters has taken in numerous interns … Read More
Understanding and Marketing to Generation-Z
There’s little question that businesses around the world have turned their attention to Generation Z, a group that is turning out to be far different than millennials and baby boomers. As such, internal marketing and communications departments as well as outside firms are trying to first understand this audience and then put in place campaigns … Read More
The Five Pillars of Online Reputation Management
Managing reputation for a brand or a company at the turn of this decade has been challenging for a variety of reasons: First: Everything has become faster and global, from news to information exchange, movements, trends and issues. Many of the recent grassroots movements and major issues, such as Brexit, #MeToo and Extinction Rebellion, have been … Read More
Small is Beautiful: Managing a PR Firm
The global health and economic crisis that all of humanity faces in 2020 has forced many PR firms to downsize. While size is quite clearly not the ultimate factor determining the quality of services of a PR agency – or how they are a match with their clients – a boutique size and family atmosphere … Read More
Expand Your Monitoring, and Brand, With Social Listening Tools
Possibly right now, more than ever, social listening is an important aspect of your brand and reputation, and even your clients’ brand and reputation. As the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns still continue to affect our day-to-day lives, businesses, nonprofits, schools, shopping, entertainment habits and more, people are turning online to engage with one another and … Read More
How to be Pro When Doing PR for Aviation?
While I’m writing this, the vast majority of all commercial passenger aircraft are grounded as global and domestic travel is mostly prohibited. However, once this picture changes, airlines will need to quickly regain the trust of passengers and get back into a professional communications mode. This is when communications agencies can step in. But what … Read More
Positive Reputation and Crisis: Not Mutually Exclusive
Building a positive reputation in the midst of a crisis may seem counterintuitive. Yet, as we have seen in the Covid-19 event, the worst of times can bring out the best in people and organizations. Five tools, likely present in your professional toolbox, will improve your ability to guide organizations in enhancing their reputations during … Read More
Creating Successful Public Affairs Campaigns: The 5-Step Approach
Globally, 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. Typically, public affairs campaigns are more visible and accepted in … Read More
How to include the SDGs in your company’s DNA?
What do Unilever, Oxfam, Cambridge University and the German Federal Government have in common? They all report against the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are becoming the common DNA of business, government and civil society around the world. But what are the SDGs? And how can your organisation add the SDGs to its … Read More
Three Common Social Media Mistakes – and How to Avoid Them
As a PR firm, we counsel clients on social media best practices, helping them to take a fresh look at what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and how it’s performing. Based on our many client interactions on the topic, here are three common social media mistakes companies make, and tips for avoiding them. Having … Read More
What to watch for when making your brand more appealing to women
At a recent dinner at a corporate event, I had the opportunity to listen to a stand-up comedian. Each joke was more macho than the other. And I thought, what a bad image this dinner will give this brand with all the women here and how old-fashioned the whole gig is. At least I don’t … Read More
Five PR trends that will shape 2020
There are supposedly as many trends to watch as experts you ask. There are about 1,000 PR professionals working at member agencies in PRGN. For your convenience, here we present only the five most important trends that will shape the year 2020. Placing results of PR activities into a purchasing funnel PR experts will increasingly … Read More
Top lessons learned for automotive and mobility suppliers from CES2020
In the first week of January, CES2020 confirmed its role as one of the most important shows for advanced automotive technology, with a record number of new vehicle introductions from automakers for this show, as well as a record number of automotive suppliers and mobility technology systems companies participating in this juggernaut event in Las … Read More
Advice for doing business with Chinese clients – from a Chinese perspective
Gong Xi Fa Cai! As the Year of the Rat begins January 25, 2020, I wish you all a healthy, wealthy and prosperous new year! The Year of the Rat symbolizes vitality, and it is believed to be particularly good for businesses and entrepreneurs. China has always been a very attractive market, offering great potential … Read More
“Best Of” Lists: How to gain notoriety for your business in 4 easy steps
In public relations, we’re always working hard for our clients to get them noticed on lists that decry “The Top This” or “Best Of That.” And yet, like the proverbial shoemaker’s kids, we might not always do it so well for ourselves. What’s a great PR agency (or any business) to do? Well, here are … Read More
PR Predictions for 2020 – looking into the crystal ball of PR
It’s that time of year again: as 2019 comes to a close, we’re all staring into that crystal ball, wondering what the future holds for public relations in 2020. I asked our worldwide PR affiliates from the Public Relations Global Network for their ideas. Here’s a smattering of what’s in store for PR. Happy new … Read More
How PRGN was created
As a founding member of the Public Relations Global Network, I’m often asked how the network came about, what was behind the important first step and who are the people who made the bold move. For your records, here’s now the beginning of a 27-year journey now called the PRGN. In 1992, a small group … Read More
Marketing to Generation Z: What Gen Z Wants You to Know
Businesses’ marketing strategies for young adults are dramatically shifting, and that’s because today’s young adults are no longer Millennials: they’re Generation Z. To fill the generation gap – and take advantage of the varied backgrounds and ages of staff in house at The Castle Group in Boston – we took an authentic approach and involved … Read More
Four clear signs that tell your chosen PR agency has great culture
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast” – that’s what management consultant Peter Drucker said about the power of corporate culture. He asserted that strategy is important but that an organization’s culture is the true path to its success. Lots of PR agencies brag about their culture. Their website and social media channels share pictures of their … Read More
Navigating the Asian Communications Landscape – And 5+1 recommendations for successful campaigns in Asia
Last year, I wrote an article titled “Escaping The Bangsar Trap” for a leading Malaysian business magazine. Bangsar is an affluent suburb in Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The “Bangsar Trap” however describes the siloed mindset of the privileged, largely English-speaking Malaysian upper middle-class. This can be an issue in the communications business as … Read More
Five PR disasters we can all learn from
No matter how hard they try to avoid it, companies often need to deal with disastrous situations – *it happens. But what makes them an actual PR disaster is not necessarily the mere existence of a crisis but rather the way the crisis is being dealt with. There are numerous instances in which companies dealt … Read More
What makes a PR firm the best for you? – Here are the right questions to ask
Today, the public relations profession involves a number of roles and functions, including media relations, corporate and marketing communications, brand awareness, creative solutions, and many more. Depending on your business, your relationship with PR and the role of PR within your organization can vary considerably. Regardless if a business is either trying to outsource the … Read More
5 Trends Influencing the State of Public Relations
Public relations is thriving – and evolving in exciting ways. It’s a great time to be in the business. At its core, our work is unchanging: actively pursuing relationships – shaping them, building them and maintaining them. That will always be front and center. But other aspects of our profession are developing or expanding. Here … Read More
A genuine approach: positive impact lobbying – and why clients should care…?
The worldwide image of business lobbyists is rather negative: they fight to defend only their companies’ interests; they mobilize their energy to keep a status quo when the world is requesting changes; they act in the shadow. But this aversion to lobbying is not a fatality: the root causes of negative mindsets can be changed … Read More
Communication Agencies and Law Firms: the new allies in business crises
In an era of corporate reputation coming under close scrutiny from an increasing number of directions, strategic communications agencies – at least the ones staffed with experienced communications professionals and former journalists and capable to support companies and individuals alike in a crisis situation – have become increasingly valued by law firms and their clients. … Read More
Top 50 shortest definitions and synonyms of Public Relations
Many times we were in a situation where we had to tell our parents or friends what we were doing for living. More than once we used to get into long (read – very long) stories about our profession. We gave extensive definitions. We used a lot of words. And we still saw that our … Read More
More than office décor: Five PR awards programs that will make your agency stand out
Let’s face it – most PR pros aren’t in it for the awards… but they sure are nice. Besides adding statues and plaques to your office shelf, PR industry awards present excellent opportunities for agencies to analyze their work, receive feedback from peers, evaluate outcomes and benchmark against best practices. However, with rising entry fees … Read More
Real Estate Public Relations: The Five-Step Process that Creates a Successful Program
There is no question that real estate is an exciting industry. It shapes our cities, creates places for us to shop, work and even shapes the places we take our children to play. As a result, to be involved in the development of new projects – and see them rise out of the ground – … Read More
How To Lead A Team: Perspectives From A PR Firm
Being a local boutique PR agency in Malaysia, we do face a fair bit of challenges in terms of recruiting, retaining and most importantly, inspiring a team. After all, we lack the financial and human resource support that an international agency may have. However, over the last thirteen years, we have continued to grow and … Read More
How to choose the best PR agencies in Europe
Variety is the spice of Europe Europe is the continent of variety: language, habits and cultural sensitivities vary enormously, sometimes even within single countries! My own country Belgium being a prime example, a uniform approach does not work for both the Francophone and the Dutch-speaking parts of this small country. If you are looking for … Read More
Top 10 PR tools that make a difference in your productivity
How often do you feel you’ve got too many things going on around you? Instead of getting straight to PR work, you suddenly find yourself doing 10 or 100 other things, just not the right one you should be doing? Or maybe it is difficult for you or your team to finish all tasks in … Read More
Five key learnings from social media crisis
In today’s world, there’s no escaping social media – especially when it comes to crisis communications. I can say this with authority since 99.9 percent of the crises we’ve managed in the past few years have involved one platform or another. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Yik Yak (yes, even Yik Yak, for those of … Read More
“A PR plan? The new girl can do it after making us some coffee” – Or what you should remember when creating a PR plan for your company
Most communications officers know what public relations mean, but rarely do they fully understand everything that should be covered when planning a company’s PR activities for an entire year to come. It’s not only the media, stakeholders or even social media influencers that need to be watched. It’s also about deciding how the company should … Read More
Just graduated college? Follow PRGN toward PR jobs near you
Is PR one of your options to start your career? Searching the web for PR jobs can be an enormous task and you’d often be thrown into confusion. The PR industry has become so diversified and almost borderless and at the same time the “think global, act local” thinking leads you in global business. Which … Read More
Why Every Stock Listed Company Should Go On Investor Roadshows Across Europe
No personal contact, no investment in your company. The simple truth is: Investing is a people business and Investor Relations is about building relationships. Going on a roadshow to get in direct contact with institutional investors is obviously one of Investor Relations most important activities. Roadshows offer an opportunity to ensure that Investor Relations has … Read More
PR Tips: Best Practices for PR Firm Request for Proposals (RFPs)
No matter what you do the request for proposal (RFP) is a fact of life in the world of PR agencies and clients. In fact, some 30 percent of all PR agency new business comes via the RFP. For many corporate and institutional clients, RFPs are necessary, as corporate purchasing guidelines often require them to … Read More
Building bridges to cross the generation gap at work
Love them or leave them, the fact is we simply can’t ignore them – the difference that is between employers, the Baby Boomers and their younger employees, the Millennials. One of the most common complaints Baby Boomer leaders have about Millennials is that they seem to have a sense of entitlement, resulting in part from … Read More
Drafting PR Case Studies: Tips based on 40 years of PR experience
After 40 years of agency history, there are some key learnings I’d like to share on one of still the best PR tools: case studies. Let’s clarify first how we in the German market define a case study: That’s an article showing a solution (product/service) of a client of ours in use by one of … Read More
The Macro Effect of Micro-Influencers
In the endless ocean of the digital world, social media posts by companies and brands are often overlooked or do not attract the attention of its audience at a desired level. To improve engagement, brands often choose to promote their products by cooperating with influencers thought to be fit for the brand. Influencer marketing – … Read More
What News, Blogs and Magazines to Monitor if You’re in PR
Although PR professionals are usually seen as news-shapers, we’re also news-makers, especially as our industry continues to evolve at an ever-increasing rate. And whether it’s tips on how to utilize new social media management tools or an analysis of the latest communications disaster, the PR trades do a vital job in keeping our industry up-to-date. … Read More
The Big Bang theory of PR
Should PR professionals be afraid of Artificial Intelligence? On the contrary, they should embrace the advantages provided by AI, starting with an enhanced influence. Will PR professionals be soon replaced by robots? If DeepMind managed, less than 2 years ago, to create an AI “chess master,” the subsidiary of Google could feasibly create an AI … Read More
10 public relations agency roles in the C-suite
The public relations agency can serve a number of significant roles in the C-suite. The question is, how do you find true acceptance in the C-suite. Strategic vision. It is critical that a PR firm understand the corporate vision. If there is none, this is the most important job to be accomplished. The future of … Read More
How good Investor Relations can make a difference
Reduced to the essentials, it is actually quite simple: investors on the capital markets want to earn money and they hate making mistakes. This principle applies universally worldwide and across all investor classes. Sometimes experience, a good nose or a so-called golden hand can help make a worthwhile investment decision. However, in order to assess … Read More
Start Your Day with the Right Marketing Mindset – Four Tips to Create a Successful Daily PR Routine
Optimizing your schedule is important for making the most out of every workday. It’s true no matter what your profession is – public relations professional, CEO, parent, teacher – since every minute you save allows you extra time for yourself, your family or another client. But, prioritizing goals to maximize your daily schedule isn’t always … Read More
Employee Advocacy Can Improve PR
Today, more than ever, employee advocacy and PR are intrinsically linked, and a true connection is necessary when business objectives need to be met. When we talk about messages and communication with audiences, corporate image, the social networks, all this can be leveraged multiple times if the employee advocacy is in place and functioning well … Read More
What is a PR Firm?
Public relations is typically defined as a set of actions aimed at creating and maintaining a good image of a person, a company or any organization. The image can be built for the general public (consumers, clients, investors, public institutions, social organizations, etc.) and also for an organization’s own staff (internal communications). In light of … Read More
Is a College Degree Necessary to Work in PR?
Don’t expect a big surprise when reading our answer to this question: No, a formal certificate of any kind of curriculum is definitely not necessary to work and survive in PR – as many agency owners, pr managers and employees without a degree can tell you from their experience. But having said this, of course, … Read More
Public Relations Global Network Adds PR Agency Offices in India and Georgia
The Castle Group expands and adds its Atlanta, Georgia team to PRGN; Mileage Communications grows its presence and adds its New Delhi, India location into the network NEW YORK – January 15, 2019– The Public Relations Global Network (PRGN) announced today that it has added two new locations to its global network, raising the number … Read More
Keeping an eye on the competition
So, how do you keep an eye on your competitors? One of the best and easiest ways to keep watch is to audit your competitors’ communications. It requires you (or your agency) to keep an eye on (as well as an ear out) for what they are saying. The right places to look and listen … Read More
Why should blogging be a part of your PR strategy?
Nowadays, PR is much more than media relations, press releases or launch events. PR becomes a modern combination of classical and new communication trends – integrated, 360 degree PR strategy including visuals, digital solutions, and, of course, blogging. Blogs fit the taste of those who are looking for interesting pieces of news, non-traditional recommendations or … Read More
Win December with These End-of-Year PR Tips
Here some ways to end 2018 on a high note. Publish your end-of-the-year report. Share your 2018 successes with your clients and staff. Provide a Share of Voice report to display how your efforts compared to Brand X. What other tracking will your client appreciate? Provide it. Pursue that elusive media outlet. So your client … Read More
What’s in store for PR in 2019?
It’s that time of year. We’re all finishing up the current year while looking towards the future, gazing into our all-knowing crystal balls. And in our industry, that means looking at what’s in store for the field of public relations in 2019. I took the liberty of asking my friends and colleagues at the Public … Read More
Ten Questions With Bradly Howland: An Audio Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download In this episode of the PRGN Leadership Roundtable blog series of “Ten Questions,” we mix it up by bringing you an audio interview between Bradly Howland of HWB Communications in Cape Town, South Africa and Paul Konrardy of Evans Larson Communications in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bradly shares the glories of Cape Town … Read More
The Importance of a Global Network in a Digitized World
As the end of 2018 quickly approaches, it has become more important than ever for Public Relations agencies to be available at anytime, anywhere, and devoted to the ultimate success of their clients, no matter what it takes. But, in this day and age, what does it take? What makes a PR agency stand out … Read More
Ten Questions with Márk Németh
Name: Márk Németh Title: Head of Consumer PRGN Agency: Goodwill Communications Years at your agency: 7 Why did you choose to enter PR? I was working as a journalist at a print business daily when the world financial crisis hit. The editorial staff shrank and I found I had less time for the part of … Read More
Where is PR going in Turkey?
A murmur has begun to rise about the decline of the public relations industry in Turkey. Agencies are losing blood, teams are getting cut in half, and revenues are plummeting. There are question marks lingering in the Turkish economy, including the rise in currency exchange prices and the potential outcome of elections. The fundamental problem … Read More
WHY CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR BRAND
Nobody 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 … Read More
How To Become A Better Presenter
When watching somebody present in front of an audience, it takes just a few seconds to determine if this is going to be a compelling and interesting presentation or a boring waste of time. But once you’re standing in the spotlight yourself, it is up to you to make a difference. And here’s how to: … Read More
So, You Think You Need a PR Firm: Tips from an Insider on How to Do it Right
Hiring any consultant is a difficult task. How do you find one that will mesh with your company culture and values? What about the budget? How can you measure results? With public relations, it can be even more difficult, given most people struggle with the intangible aspect of our industry. That said, there are ways … Read More
Why Your Business Needs a Blog
Today’s media landscape is becoming increasingly dominated and disrupted by digital. It’s everywhere you turn. On the way to work, while eating breakfast and even when we’re with friends, we are constantly absorbing digital media and the endless amount of information technology provides. Blogging is a highly-effective content marketing tool; it is no longer a … Read More
Four Actions Companies Must Take Before Launching A New Product
When it comes to launching a new product or service, success isn’t defined by whether or not you launch “on time.” Many mistakes can be avoided by slowing down, thinking through the entire campaign strategically and ensuring all ducks are in a row before pontificating your news to the world. Here are four key things … Read More
How to Connect with the Right Influencer for Your Brand
The popularity of influencer marketing has exploded in recent years. Common belief is that the influencers‘ opinions can shape the perceptions of their followers. Though marketing campaigns constantly change, the followers‘ faith and trust in the influencer remains consistent. Online customers are known to trust the recommendation of individuals within their network or social circle. … Read More
How to Keep Your Business Safe from Social Network Threats
Social media is a very powerful tool for business. It is a platform for businesses to showcase their strengths and build a community of followers. Unfortunately, that same power can translate to major damage in the event of a crisis. Social media gives publicity issues the fuel to escalate to a full crisis in mere … Read More
7 PR Tips On Turning The Tide On Consumer Distrust
We came from a world where selling a product or service was all about how you positioned yourself and how you ‘sold’ your company, through advertising, marketing and PR where you told people what you thought they should know about your product. It was really all about you and how good you were. Now we … Read More
How Artificial Intelligence affects SEO
Artificial intelligence is not science fiction anymore. AI is here, and it’s probably part of your daily life. In fact, when you search the web at any time from any device, whether you’re typing into a browser or talking to Siri, you are interacting with AI. Search engines use AI to deliver the best results … Read More
4 Ways To Leverage PR While Working With Influencers
The use of influencers is now a crucial element in every communications and PR agency. Over the latest years, influencer marketing has won the trust of consultants and their customers, but as with most trends, we run the risk of underestimating its complexity. “She has 70k followers on Instagram. How can’t she be perfect?” When … Read More
Integrating Your Marketing and PR Strategies
There used to be a way to reach your target market with just a few touch points. Send out a press release. Produce an event. Sponsor a program. According to the Online Marketing Institute, it now takes 7-13 touches to reach a potential customer. Today’s consumers are immune to traditional marketing, PR and advertising strategies. … Read More
9 Reasons Why Every Company Should Invest in PR
Public relations has long been a powerful marketing tool for companies. In today’s digital environment, its impact is greater than ever. Here are nine reasons why every company should be investing in PR: 1. Allows a company to own and manage its narrative. Companies that fail to invest in PR are essentially ceding their narrative … Read More
VW Crisis Communications Failures Never End
Nearly 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 … Read More
PR Implications of the Peace Summit in Singapore between President Trump of the USA and Chairman Kim of the DPRK
The Peace Summit between President Donald Trump of USA and Chairman Kim Jong Un of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea held at The Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island concluded on 12 June. The historic meeting was considered a success, as both parties agreed to meet further to work out the details for a permanent … Read More
10 Questions With Kent Barrett
Name: Kent Barrett Title: Vice President PRGN agency: The Hoyt Organization Location: Los Angeles, USA Years at the agency: 9 years 1. What did you do before PR? : I was a political reporter covering the Illinois Statehouse for ABC affiliates and did a brief stint as a TV News assignment editor in Madison, Wisc. … Read More
7 Ways to Get to Know Your Audience
Anthropology is a science born out of two schools of thought related to how should a social scientist study a community. One approach, widely developed by one of anthropology’s founding fathers, Bronislaw Malinowski, was the “observatory participation”. Briefly put, in order to understand a community, you should spend time inside that community and try to … Read More
5 Ways to Know If Working in the PR Industry is Right for You
As an industry, public relations has experienced our fair share of PR. Popular TV shows like “Mad Men” and “Sex and The City” have bolstered PR’s reputation as a career path lined with celebrity parties, free swag and other VIP perks. While many of us do frequently work on cool projects with major brands and … Read More
Do You Have a Twitter Marketing Plan?
A Twitter presence, whether personal or corporate, is part of daily life in 2018. According to Hootsuite, nearly 330 million users worldwide access the platform in more than 40 different languages. Even more impressive is the number of active users: 42 percent access the app every day, while another 24 percent use Twitter weekly. That … Read More
The Right Measurements to Determine a Successful PR Campaign
When clients hire a public relations agency to develop a PR campaign, they typically measure its success by the number of times the story was picked up, in which publications it appeared, and how many times it was retweeted or shared. Of course, they also want to know that the story was free of errors … Read More
The Rise of the Social Influencer
Popularity of influencer marketing is a rich seam for brands and PR reps but greater transparency is now needed to enhance trust and credibility, writes Owen Cullen. It seems hard to believe now but there was a brief flicker of time, quite a few years back, when people weren’t sure if social media would catch … Read More
Keeping Your Brand Out of Politics
Back some years ago when many of us were ‘spring chickens’ one of the golden rules of PR was that companies did and should not have opinions on politics because they were corporate entities and not people. A few different techniques were used, but most of the time journalists were told that individual companies did … Read More
Reputation Management and Monitoring Your Web Presence
Do you Google yourself and your company? If not, you should. Google is the first impression for anyone who doesn’t know you. It’s common for clients, customers, colleagues and even competitors to use the Internet to form their opinion of you. They want to know who is saying what? Is the information positive, negative or … Read More
Clever Ways to Get Free Press Coverage
The best kind of press isn’t something that you buy, but how exactly do you get free press coverage? Because the media is constantly pitching new products and services, getting noticed can be difficult. Here are three clever ways to ensure you get the media coverage you want, provided by the world’s top media relations … Read More
5 Reasons Your Media Pitches Are Getting No Response
With earned media playing an increasingly important role in content-sharing, media relations remains a crucial element of public relations. But media pitching is highly challenging. Some surveys suggest that 95 percent of pitches never get a media response. Here are five reasons your pitches may be falling on deaf ears. 1. You didn’t do your … Read More
What to do When Your Spokesperson Makes a Mistake
We’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 … Read More
The Latest on Flying Cars. Your Commute is going UP
Think you will ever ride in a flying car? Check out the latest on Flying Cars from David Fuscus of Xenophon Strategies, PRGN’s Washington, DC member. https://tinyurl.com/y9kn7pw3
Why Should You Hire A PR Agency? And How Do You Find the Right PR Firm?
Having been in the public relations business for nearly three decades, I’m often asked by business associates why and how to find the right PR firm for their needs. So, just like BuzzFeed, we’ve compiled some easy-to-read lists for you. My colleague Alison Bailin at PRGN’s Phoenix agency, HMA Public Relations, offers the following 10 … Read More
Is the Press Release Dead?
“Dead ones live longer” is a common phrase – and indeed, it applies also to pr. The question is not if the press release in general is dead but much more how to make it a vivid, compelling and fruitful part of your toolbox. The starting point is of course: Who should read, enjoy and … Read More
15 Tips for Making a Good Video
Video remains a sizzling hot medium for storytelling. Organizations of all sizes and industries are using it to tell their brand story. Some companies produce video in-house; others turn to specialized video production companies for help. But no matter how it gets produced, video benefits from adherence to best practices. Whether you’re involved in the … Read More
Employee Communication: Five Elements to Build Winning Brands
Different people have different interpretations of what brand building means. Sadly, many equate advertising campaigns or logo changes to branding exercises – which only scrapes the surface of holistic brand building. Instead, brands must be built enterprise wide and most importantly, inside out. Companies that fail to deliver on their brand promises will inevitably face … Read More
The Rise of the Micro-Influencer: Why Less Really Might Be More
Social media influencers are not a new thing by any means. With the growth of platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, the term blogger has almost become a thing of the past. Why have a WordPress account that needs to be updated constantly with full length, long form posts when you can influence the masses with … Read More
The New, Close Relationship Between Communication Agencies and Law Firms
For years they have been on separate paths, but since crisis is a synonym of corporate reputation, clients no longer worry about hiring a law firm when looking for a solution to their conflicts, but for several years they have understood that simultaneously they should look for someone who watches over their public image before … Read More
Reveal the Client’s True Problem In Order to Develop a Resolution
We live in amazing times today, we are so digitized and so technologically advanced that the beginning of my PR career 20+ years ago seems to be in another life. I remember sending press releases by fax and communicating very important issues via pagers. No mobile phones, no blogs, no Facebook, no Twitter, but a … Read More
Pitching for Product Reviews
At first glance, a product review may just seem like a bunch of words coupled with images of a product, lavishing the product with half-hearted praise and encouraging readers to buy. Is that always the case? Reviewing is about making connections between images, text, and a reader, just like any other story. I enjoy reading … Read More
5 Tips for a Successful Product Launch
In consumer public relations, we often build our annual plans around new product launches and all of the buzz – and sales – they will bring. While every new product is different, here are a few tried and true tips to make the most of any product launch campaign. 1. Plan ahead. Ideally, the PR … Read More
Top 10 Conferences for PR Pros in 2018
As PR pros, it can be difficult for us to step away from our inboxes and voicemails for time dedicated solely to professional development. It’s easy to put client needs in front of the latest webinar or online course, especially when your time is billable and there are deadlines at every turn. But public relations … Read More
PR Lessons From Over the Years
Having been in the communications industry for more than 40 years, first within corporations, then in consultancy, there were many lessons gleaned along the way. These have helped me to deal with various stakeholders better and to handle PR events and activities more effectively. I hope you will find them useful. Dealing with the media … Read More
Win 2017 With These End-of-Year PR Tips
Everyone knows the best time to plan is the beginning of each year. But, the end of the year offers some unique opportunities too. How can you maximize your brand in the 4th quarter? Here are a few End-of-the-Year PR and Social Media PR Tips. 1. What is Trending? Get Brand recognition by paying attention … Read More
Are you Making These 3 Common Blogging Mistakes?
By writing a blog you broaden your knowledge, acquire new skills, develop your imagination and enhance vocabulary. You also become a better writer, interlocutor, an expert in your field, improve your own concentration and memory. These are advantages that nobody questions. If you do it just for yourself, your own pleasure and satisfaction of your … Read More
A Case Study for a Case Study
It is a common request from potential clients to see a Public Relations case study of work comparable to what you are recommending to them. But what exactly are they looking for? Strategy, deliverables, measurement? Of course, but how best to provide that information without overwhelming and oversharing. Case studies are a great way to … Read More
What Results can you Expect From a PR Campaign?
Before analyzing the results of a PR campaign, it is necessary to clarify what PR means today. The primary goal of Public Relations has always been to develop relationships, to connect institutions, companies, people and establishments with their users or their clients. What has changed over time, and has even significantly increased, are the ways … Read More
Nailing Your Next Media Interview With These Five Tips
What you say can or will be held against you, should you not take up the challenge to prepare for an interview. In the digital age, everything you say lives on forever, so, preparing for an interview should not be taken lightly. You should spend enough time getting up to speed and doing the due … Read More
Does Your Website Accurately Represent You?
Company websites used to be only virtual business cards. Not anymore. With the online developing faster than everything else around, websites moved to have a sales role or shifted to a hybrid function covering both the presentation and commercial purposes. Browsing the web one can see several neat website designs and functionalities and what might … Read More
Which Social Media Platform Is Your Audience On?
Social media is no longer the territory of the millennial. Today, consumers ranging from 14 to 65+ and beyond (to infinity!!) are active across the various platforms on a daily basis. In the current climate it wouldn’t be out of order to assume that your audience is using social media in one way or another, … Read More
10 Tips to Construct a Media-Pitching Email that Works
Media relations is our bread and butter in the PR industry. There’s nothing better than a well-placed media hit that’s authentic, engaging and delivered directly to your target audience. But with an increasingly competitive media landscape and a growing desire by many brands to tackle multiple markets at once, honing the perfect media pitch can … Read More
Rebranding for a Better Future
Recently, Hong Kong Observatory announced a move with World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to rename four typhoons that caused human casualties and economic loss in Hong Kong and other South China Sea regions. The renaming of these typhoons was an act of rebranding, designed to raise more public awareness about the cause of the disasters, and … Read More
What to Do When PR Clients Pressure You for Lower Fees
If you’ve never had a client ask you to lower your fees, you are one of the lucky PR professionals! For the rest of us, here are 5 tactics you can try the next time a client mentions budget cuts. Prepare facts: Many clients feel that they are paying too much because they can’t see … Read More
Best Kept Secrets in Public Relations
When it comes to public relations, the best-kept secrets are those protected by the PRSA Code of Ethics. This means PR professionals will keep proprietary information proprietary and would rather go to jail before disclosing business secrets. Now, here are three secrets. Each of these secrets assumes you have an excellent relationship with the media. … Read More
Delving into PR: Which Model Works Best for your Company?
The debate between the DIY model vs. in-house vs. hiring a PR agency Anytime a company expands their marketing outreach efforts, no doubt there will be a great deal of discussion on which way to go. Should we hire a public relations/social media firm? Perhaps we should investigate hiring a freelancer? What about keeping it … Read More
Digital Strategies Bring Clear Benefits to Companies
The great digital transformation and Fourth Industrial Revolution we are seeing in large companies around the world is no longer confined to just mega-corporations and conglomerates. In Chile, many companies—both large and small—are in the midst of this great change. At the moment, Chile is experiencing large-scale penetration in mobile devices (71%, leading in Latin … Read More
Customer Reviews Can Make or Break You – How to Support Those Elusive 5 Stars
Yelp, Trip Advisor, Glassdoor, Amazon and hundreds of other sites invite customer reviews on products, businesses and services. Less than stellar reviews can have a real financial impact on your business. According to Web Republic, products with positive reviews sell 200% more than those with no reviews. So how do you influence your customers to … Read More
Potential Customers that are Reluctant to Reveal Their PR Budget
Who Has to Shoot First? by Uwe Schmidt, Industrie-Contact (Hamburg, Germany) in co-operation with David Landis, Landis Communications Inc. (San Francisco, USA) Sometimes it is cumbersome to get a budget figure from a prospective client. They prefer to keep us in the dark and want us to unveil a number first. It is a bit … Read More
Hurricanes Irma & Harvey: A How to Help Guide by a Crisis Pro
For the past 25 years, David Fuscus of Xenophon Strategies has worked on hurricances, plane crashes, earthquakes, tornado and other disasters. Hurricane Irma is the scariest one of them all. He has just published A How to Help Guide by a Crisis Communications Pro based on his experiences and learning what works and what doesn’t. … Read More
Making Meetings Matter
Internal conferences and meetings play an integral role in a company’s ability to develop business strategy, discover new industry trends, and connect employees in a way that facilitates discussion and promotes a shared vision for success. To ensure participation, it’s important to find a central location to host these events – especially if your company … Read More
Social Media Marketing for Businesses
For the modern business, social media is an essential tool that makes it possible to connect with your target audience in the very place where they are choosing to spend their time. There are many benefits of using social media for business including building brand presence, building credibility, developing relationships, gathering marketing research, increasing website traffic, … Read More
Launching a New Company? Make Sure PR is in your Toolbox
You’ve got the idea. Your business plan is in place. The financing is ready to roll. Now you’re ready to launch. Let the media tour begin, right? Wrong. In today’s world, launching a new company isn’t just a news release or even a media tour. There are simply too many new companies and products are … Read More
Do’s and Don’ts of Using Social Media to Pitch Journalists
For PR pros, social media is more than just memes and foodie videos – it’s a valuable tool for connecting your brand with the media. You can be just 140 characters away from your next media placement if you follow this list of do’s and don’ts. Do 1. Watch the trends Journalists are continuously hunting … Read More
How Social Influencers Shape Communication Trends?
Hungary’s media consumption is rapidly shifting towards social media. And so much so that the king of all media, television – which has survived all major media transformations so far – is now being dethroned by young video makers of YouTube. By 2017, advertising potential for social platforms has become a multi-million dollar market in … Read More
Crisis Communication & Hurricanes
At Xenophon Strategies, we’ve handled crisis communication on 13 major hurricanes for a variety of clients. Check out the new blog post on communications lessons hurricanes have to teach from David Fuscus. From planning to execution, getting ready for a natural disaster can be difficult for any organization, these principles will make it easier. http://tinyurl.com/y93tm3lo … Read More
The Importance of a Good Crisis Management Plan – And How to Get Started
Imagine this: You get an unexpected call in the middle of the day. Your company’s network has experienced a data breach and information for thousands of customers is now susceptible to hackers. You don’t know all the details yet, but the local news has gotten wind of the story and they are planning to run … Read More
Top Three Venues for a Press Conference in Washington, D.C.
Every day in Washington, there are dozens–or maybe hundreds–of press conferences. The grand staircase at the Capitol building is a popular spot, as is the iconic entrance to the Supreme Court after a key ruling. The White House Rose Garden is, perhaps, the most prestigious of them all. Below are three of Xenophon’s favorites: 1. … Read More
5 quick tips for your next Out of Office (OOO) message
Holiday season means days away from the office for partners, clients and employees – and it means a lot of Out of Office (OOO) messages, delivered automatically to your mail inbox. Some of them are useful, some funny, some are mysteries; it all depends on what you want to achieve and how you do it. … Read More
Vision & Mission Statements: The Basics
There is a great deal of confusion about the difference between Vision and Mission Statements and they often become intertwined. As a result, they can be uninspiring, confusing or overly long making them difficult to remember, much less articulate. Philosophically Vision and Mission Statements should be separate but related, just like strategy and tactics — … Read More
Fore! What Topgolf Teaches Top PR Pros About Making it to the 19th Hole
During the Dallas Spring Meeting for PRGN members of the Leadership Roundtable, we were given the opportunity to get out of the hotel conference center and explore one of Dallas’ top corporate headquarters (and a Three Box Strategic Communications client) – Topgolf. While the visit was a great opportunity to cut loose and have a little … Read More
Should I Advertise on Podcasts?
I’m a huge podcast fan – they’ve made my hour-long commute each morning not only bearable, but enjoyable. Whether I’m in the mood to be informed or entertained, there is a podcast for everything and I’ve become a loyal subscriber to a handful of shows (shout out to ‘Four Finger Discount’ the podcast that reviews … Read More
Setting up in Ireland? Why PR must be part of the plan
It’s now been more than a year since Britain’s seismic decision to exit the EU but here in Ireland, we still don’t know how it’s going to pan out. Late last year, a survey found that almost 60% of UK-based financial and professional service providers had begun ‘contingency planning’. Of these Brexit preppers, around three-quarters … Read More
Crisis Communication Fundamentals
Good crisis communications planning starts with base fundamentals – assessing areas of risk, preparing your organization including effective policies and solid messaging and narrative that defines the organization and its values. Check out Xenophon CEO David Fuscus’s newest blog post: Key Fundamentals of Crisis Communication Plans. https://xenophonstrategies.com/crisis_communication_plan/
Doing PR in Austria – some hints to maximise success in a special Central European market
Austria is among the world’s most stable and prospering economies, but its media landscape is comparatively small. If you can’t convince a handful of relevant journalists to tell your story to their audiences, you’re lost because you don’t have many alternative ways to go. So when you are trying to use traditional media channels for … Read More
PRGN Launches Instagram Takeovers
Earlier this year, PRGN launched its Instagram account and earlier this month, Instagram takeovers,a new series where our partners will share what life is like in their city and at their agency. Instagram is unique because unlike Facebook and Twitter, the content has to be visual and it’s difficult to share links on the platform. … Read More
Mastering PR in the LA Market: Five Tips to Becoming an Insider
Known as the City of Angels, Los Angeles boasts both the second largest media market and the third busiest airport in the United States – and there is a lot more to La La Land. We also have a diverse, multi-ethnic population that makes us a cultural hub – with people from more than 180 … Read More
Smart Estimates: High relevance for investor relations managers
Weighted averages of analyst estimates are highly relevant for investor relations managers and even more relevant for investors. This shows a recent survey of cometis AG among around 500 investor relations managers, most of which are from the German-speaking countries Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The survey took place from end of March until end of … Read More
Why Reporters Didn’t Attend Your Press Event
You didn’t get the media attendance you expected at your last press conference. And you’re taking heat from your boss for the weak turn-out. She wants to know why reporters didn’t attend your press event. What went wrong? There are a number of reasons that reporters cite for not showing up to press events. Often, they politely … Read More
Does the press lie?
By Valentina Giacaman – RumboCierto Chile We have witnessed recent events in which world leaders openly accuse the press, as never before. Macron in front of Putin himself accuses the Russian press, whereas a person like Trump declares himself in open warfare against the press. Has the press done something? In my country Chile, as … Read More
Being on Time… No Longer Important
Everyone has at least one pet peeve that drives them crazy, and most people have a few. Like when I call someone and they answer the phone and say “I can’t talk right now, I will call you back.” Back in 2013, I actually wrote a blog post on this (and answering your phone while … Read More
How Over-Servicing Impacts PR Agencies
This post is sponsored by ClickTime and Gould+Partners. Over-servicing among PR firms doesn’t simply mean working for nothing. It’s a lot more costly. That’s because when your firm starts to expand client services—without being adequately compensated—it has a negative effect on the rest of the operation. Indeed, the repercussions for over-servicing can make a bad … Read More
Study: Use of Non-deal Roadshows & Sell-Side Conferences
Use Of Non-deal Roadshows & Sell-Side Conferences among Senior Investor Relations Officers in German-Speaking Countries Wiesbaden, April 25, 2017 – Together with Rivel Research and the IR Club, cometis AG analyzed the use of non-deal roadshows (NDRs) and sell-side conferences. We asked IROs in key German-speaking countries: How often are you on the road? What … Read More
Bloody Incident Will Haunt United Airlines
by David Fuscus, CEO – Xenophon Strategies The now famous United Airlines debacle of a bloodied passenger being dragged off a plane will resurface in news stories about United for years. Virtually everyone has seen the video of the crisis, from school children to captain of industries and because of it, they are paying a lot more … Read More
PR Pros, It’s Time to Pay Up: #SubscribeToTruth
For those of us in the profession of public relations, the rise of fake news and the attacks on legitimate media outlets have been deeply disturbing. The Code of Ethics developed by our industry’s leading professional association, PRSA, calls out honesty as one of six, key professional values that its members uphold: We adhere to … Read More
State of the Media: A (Global) Question of Trust
For a communications professional working in the U.S., the last few months have been a time of intense introspective about the state of the media. The rhetoric has been thick and charged. Phrases like “alternative facts” and “fake news” are making their own headlines. White House press conferences have taken on an element of the … Read More
Using Mobile to Dominate the B2B Category
Did you know that nearly 70 percent of people in the U.S. have a smart phone? It’s not a huge surprise that the majority of internet access is now done through mobile devices versus desktop computers. Updating your marketing strategy to incorporate mobile users isn’t a trend that applies solely to B2C companies. Your B2B … Read More
The Guide to Apps for PR Pros
For us PR pros, our smartphones are basically glued to our hands. Whether it’s emailing clients, checking the latest news alerts, posting to social media or searching for that contact we met at a networking event, our phones are often our most indispensable tool as communicators and help us provide even stronger service to our clients. Here’s … Read More
Send What You Intend: Four Tips to Avoid Mixed-Up Messages
At the beginning of 2015, The Fearey Group moved offices and did a complete redesign of our workspace in the process. We went from private doored offices to an open, collaborative floor plan. We increased our technology infrastructure, worked on our message and created new tools in the process. And we did this for many … Read More
Quick Tips for Getting Started in Social Media
Social media is an essential aspect of building your brand, but building a strategy can be daunting. Here are a few quick tips for embracing social media to increase your business’s bottom line. Social media will give back to you and your business what you put into it. Take even just a small amount of … Read More
Pitching for Keeps: Building Relationships with Trade Publications
It’s any publicist’s dream to call a reporter who knows our name, which companies we represent and even remembers our die-hard Green Bay Packers fandom. It’s even better when the reporter works at a publication that is extremely valuable for our clients. Although building relationships with reporters is no small feat, it’s certainly possible – … Read More
Media Relations 101
Back in my early PR years, I would call every reporter on my media list. I would occasionally find a few reporters willing to listen to my nervous pitch and if I was lucky, someone would bite and actually write a story. When I look back now, I realize I was most likely interrupting busy … Read More
Inbound Marketing Video Tips
Inbound marketing is an effective way to connect with potential customers and strategically deliver information. One of the most successful tools is video. According to a recent Hub Spot article, the amount of videos posted to Facebook has grown 75% over the last year. On Twitter, visuals also produce 18% more clicks, 89% more favorites … Read More
How to Promote an Industry Award
Did your organization recently win a coveted industry award and you’re not sure how to promote it besides adding the plaque or trophy to the office? This is something most organizations struggle with. Here are five tips on how you can leverage and promote an industry award to help support communications and recruitment efforts: Add … Read More
Four ways to Connect with your Social Media Followers Offline
Social media management can be time consuming and expensive. For many the real value isn’t something they can clearly see. If your goal is to turn likes into more bricks and mortar customers, or you want to get a sense of a return on your investment, consider these ideas. 1. Exclusive Offers: Typically, your social … Read More
Five Reasons to Create a Social Media Editorial Calendar
It is always easier to reach your destination when you know where you want to go. Social media editorial calendars can map your social media strategy down a successful path. Not convinced? Here are five reasons why social media editorial calendars work for us and why we suggest adding them to your social media strategy. … Read More
4 Best Practices For Optimizing Voice Search
Voice search is quickly becoming the way consumers are searching for information they need – especially for business. Landis Communications Inc. (LCI)’s digital marketing consultants, Mannix Marketing, have 4 great tips on how to optimize voice search with virtual assistants like Siri. If you are an iPhone user – or even if you are not … Read More
Achieving Exceptional Results
What do you think it takes to achieve exceptional results for your clients and organizations? There are things like working hard and paying attention to their needs that certainly top the list. But doesn’t that seem obvious?
How to Clinch that Coverage
Communications Director & Newsroom Head Nicole Chamberlin shares the secrets of her team’s success – and explains why HWB clients keep returning for more coverage.
Integrity – a solution to South American comms woes
Aside from the well-known highly corrupt and troubled governments in Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador, for the past two years (and more) Latin American countries have been involved in a series of scandals that have undermined confidence in politics and in business at corporate level.
How much of a Monster is PR?
How much of a monster is PR? It’s what we do, it’s how we pay the bills and it’s mostly what we love. But how much are we responsible for the way it can consume people and is it ultimately for the good?
Philadelphia welcomes the DNC to town
The Democratic National Convention’s selection of Philadelphia for its historic convention this week is no accident. A city often overlooked between the towering shadows of New York City and Washington, D.C., Philadelphia offers convention-goers and watchers a unique experience.
Beautiful moment
I am very proud of my city and my state. After witnessing our first major sports championship in Cleveland after more than 50 years, we have witnessed another event of extraordinary magnitude. It’s the Republican National Convention.
Are ‘The New Players’ Changing PR’s M&A Game?
The marketplace for PR mergers and acquisitions is more diversified than ever — which means means new and more flexible ways for deals to be structured.
The Great Brexit Debate: German media reacts to Brexit
The predominant message across all forms of German media has been one of regret about the result. Most commentators agree that a unified EU is necessary to address common European and global challenges. They also believe that the EU needs the UK.
Brexit: The Aftermath
In the cold light of dawn after the seismic result of the UK referendum, the balls which had been blasted into space are gradually falling to earth and reality is taking hold.
Officiating Sports: A Lot Like PR
After three decades of officiating high school sports and working in the public relations industry, Evelyn John Holtzhausen, president of our global PR network, PRGN, and head of a successful agency in Cape Town, South Africa, asked me if there were any parallels between the two.
Opportunities for everyone
I’ve traveled to and from the UK since the age of six. I love the British and especially their sense of humour (even though I’m aware that I will never fully understand it.) Their strong will to lead and ability to speak up if they believe something is wrong is something I truly admire.
It’s all about Fruit!
Fellow PRGN’ers you may think that Trump vs. Clinton is the only show in town but we’ve got our own tussle happening next week. Variously known as Brexit or the vote to Remain/Leave Europe, the Referendum which will decide whether the UK stays in the European Union is massively vexing people.
From Sport to Corporate Storytelling
In recent times, we have heard a lot about “Storytelling”, the art of using stories to communicate and connect with target audiences. Born as a purely journalistic narrative method, this set of techniques and specific skills has evolved to establish itself as a real discipline. However, there is still a lot of confusion around the definition of … Read More
Is project-based funding advisable?
Many donors are keen to make contributions as specific as possible and decide therefore upon so-called “project-based donations”. The reason behind this is the desire for the donated amount to be 100 percent utilized for a clearly specific project. These wishes are understandable but can lead to unintentional drawbacks.
Implications of the Marriott International’s acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
The recent acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide by Marriott International may have stunned the hospitality industry but it was not totally unexpected to me. Mileage Communications was Marriott’s PR agency based in Singapore for more than 17 years, since 1994. When we were appointed, Marriott had just opened the JW Marriott Hong Kong, … Read More
Leaks and Transparency in a globalized world
by Valentina Giacaman Hazboun Founding Partner at RumboCierto For a PR firm today, it is much more difficult to try to contain a crisis for a client in a world where everything seems to be transparent and information flows through social networks in less time than previously thought. Gone are the days when companies thought … Read More
Filtraciones y Transparencia en un mundo globalizado
por Valentina Giacaman Hazboun Socia Fundadora de RumboCierto Para una firma de PR hoy es mucho más difícil tratar de contener una crisis de un cliente en un mundo donde todo parece ser transparente, y la información fluye por redes sociales en menos tiempo de lo que se pensaba. Atrás quedaron los tiempos en que las … Read More
10 Global Business Communications Trends Impacting Local Public Relations Executives throughout the Globe
The Public Relations Global Network recently had nearly 30 agencies attend its twice-yearly international conference in Dubai representing more than 15 countries and 7 states in the U.S. The conference identified several trends in the global communications marketplace that are worth noting. Some of these takeaways include: Visual communications is almost as common as written … Read More
DieselGate, all the mistakes by Volkswagen PR team
“It takes a whole life to build a reputation. It takes a moment to destroy it”. The concise comment by Gianni Puglisi, IULM’s dean, summarizes perfectly the media storm fallen on the automotive industry Volkswagen, accused by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of having adulterated data regarding its diesel cars’ emissions. DieselGate, as it … Read More
DieselGate, tutti gli errori del team PR di Volkswagen
“A costruire una reputazione occorre una vita. A distruggerla basta un attimo”. Il lapidario commento di Gianni Puglisi, rettore dello IULM di Milano, riassume perfettamente la tempesta mediatica che si è abbattuta sulla casa automobilistica Volkswagen, accusata dall’Agenzia per la protezione ambientale americana (EPA) di aver truccato i dati relativi alle emissioni di sostanze inquinanti … Read More
Africa, the new emerging market
I attended the recent Forum on Global Leadership, hosted by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. Among the speakers was U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake. I didn’t realize what an African background the senator has. He has lived in Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa – and is fluent in Afrikaans. He, along with Lt. Gen. William “Kip” … Read More
Can Project Lightning Save Twitter?
Faced with a dwindling user base, Twitter is set to launch a new product later this year which it hopes will engage more people with the use of large-scale photos and videos to highlight trending events. Dubbed “Project Lightning,” the microblogging site is adding a new photo-centric tool that takes users to the photos, videos … Read More
Critical Thinking and Why It’s A Must for PR Pros
Last week, I hosted a Webinar for public relations professionals throughout the world who are members of our Public Relations Global Network. The topic? Critical Thinking. Many of us, in any business, but perhaps especially in PR, fall into the day-to-day trap of working hard but operating on auto. We follow directions and get the … Read More
Dynamic Tension
by Evelyn Holtzhausen President Elect, PRGN More years ago than I care to remember, when I was Cape Editor of the Sunday Times, I’d often receive a call from “head office” in Johannesburg requesting a “follow up” on a tip off or rumour that some celebrity or other had been seen swanning around Cape Town. … Read More
GPS for Digital Marketing Campaigns
Professional communicators usually have lots of stories to tell – I know I do. The trick is getting the right people to listen and getting them to act. One way to think of it is moving the audience from the story to the store. Often with digital marketing, the story gets bad, or worse, no … Read More
Native Advertising, Product Placement, Content Marketing, Advertorials: What’s Going On!
One day when God became so angry with mankind after their vain attempts at building the tower of Babel, to be more in his likeness, he henceforth sent them the Babylonian language of confusion thereby ending their delusions at becoming gods. In actual fact, it was humans alone, the communications industry to be more precise, … Read More
In A Sea Of Contents, We Should Stand Out Like Colored Buoys
2015 has been the year of a leap forward in content marketing. During the last few years, digital marketing and communications have evolved intensely and interestingly towards techniques centered on the production of quality content. The core issue in this trend is about adapting to the digital environment where users can easily choose whatever they … Read More
All neighbors in the global village
From the invention of the wheel to the invention of the computer, technological progress never stopped redefining the concept of proximity. Thanks to the Internet, the communications society – at least in its technological dimension -, has become a reality. As a matter of fact, the millions of connected devices circulating in the world: Smartphones, … Read More