Stories and Strategies for Public Relations and Marketing
I always hated the term "Public Relations." It always sounded so greasy and salesy to me. Years later I realize the concept of "relating to the public" is simply communication. It's in every facet of our daily lives. And if the ability to cooperate is what makes us distinctly different as humans, it's the ability to communicate that facilitates this. Public Relations is ultimately one of the most expressly human aspects of life. Across the landscape of global communication, the role of Public Relations (PR) has become increasingly pivotal. As a profession, Public Relations stands at the crossroads of information dissemination and perception management, embodying the complex interplay between organizations, media, and the public. At its core, Public Relations is about forging connections, a mission that has elevated it to a thriving profession in our modern society. Public Relations professionals harness a diverse toolkit of strategies to navigate this multifaceted domain. Their expertise spans across marketing, government relations, media relations, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement. Each of these elements serves as a cornerstone in the foundation of Public Relations, contributing to its stature and effectiveness. Marketing initiatives, for example, are not just about promoting products or services but about storytelling that resonates with audiences on a personal level. Government and media relations are about establishing trust and transparency, ensuring that communications are both reliable and beneficial to the public interest. Crisis management and stakeholder engagement further illustrate the crucial roles played by Public Relations experts. In times of crisis, these professionals are the architects of strategies that protect and rehabilitate an organization's image. Through stakeholder engagement, they build and maintain relationships that are essential for mutual understanding and support. This comprehensive approach to communication underscores the versatility and indispensability of Public Relations in today's world. The tangible outputs have impacts. Press releases earn widespread media placement, websites and social media campaigns captivate and influence, short-form videos seize our attention, and podcasts linger in our memory—all these are manifestations of the influence Public Relations has on our collective consciousness. These tools and platforms are meticulously crafted to shape perceptions, drive narratives, and inspire action. They demonstrate the profound ability of Public Relations to mold public discourse and interaction. At the forefront of these endeavors stand the Public Relations professionals, whose skills in understanding, influencing, informing, and inspiring are unparalleled. Their work is not just about conveying messages but about creating dialogue, fostering understanding, and building bridges between entities and individuals. Through strategic planning, creative execution, and ethical practice, they navigate the complexities of public discourse, ensuring that their organizations or clients are not only heard but also understood and appreciated.
Episodes
Instagram Reels has become critical for brand promotion. Of all the things you can do on IG (Stories, Posts, Carousels…), Reels is number one.
SocialInsider studied this recently and found brands have increased their use of reels by 40% compared to the previous year because they’re more engaging than single images or carousels. Brands should have a consistent calendar for creating reels, but also us...
The debate was a disaster.
In this episode, we look at the chaotic political showdown between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, exploring the “What Now” for each party.
Janet Brown is an extremely well-respected pollster in Canada with NO political affiliation to either US party. We talk about what she would do if she was in charge of communications strategy for the Democrats and the Republicans...
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres's has made a controversial suggestion that public relations professionals should sever ties with fossil fuel companies. While his comments are aimed at combating climate change, they overlook the crucial role PR pros play in driving innovation and transparency within these companies.
By disengaging, PR experts could inadvertently hinder progress towards net-zero ...
This is a Replay from Episode 73 which first published in October 2022.
You know how this feels. You’re called into a meeting on something important where a decision or action must be determined. But in the meeting, everyone takes turns making different points (presumably so they feel they’ve contributed to the meeting in front of their superior), the conversation goes wayward and when it comes time ...
Leadership, and leadership communication, is evolving. The rules from even just five years ago (pre COVID) have shifted. In this episode Paige Williams shares how we can transform communication and leadership effectiveness by asking the right questions and staying rooted in curiosity.
These are strategies that can enhance creativity, engagement, and resilience in your team, whether you’re leading a s...
Awareness is likely the most compelling element of purchase decisions.
Hunter, a top consumer marketing communications firm says its studies show the power of awareness in purchase decisions. It’s also critical to have a multi-channel strategy that can capture your audience’s attention and drive them to action.
And there’s a surprising amount of strength to in-store communication and word ...
In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, effective communication is more crucial than ever for organizations aiming to maintain a positive public image. Public relations (PR) advisors play a vital role in shaping these communications, ensuring that messages align with company values, respond appropriately to crises, and enhance the brand's reputation.
However, a recurring issue is the re...
Here’s a different perspective. What if we didn’t regard AI as a technology? What if we thought of it as a stakeholder?
AI has the power to influence and even revolutionize industries from sustainable development to climate intervention. At the same time, we know the risks involve navigating ethical complexities and misinformation.
Maybe we need to expand our perspective beyond this tool we’...
This episode was originally published September 13, 2020 but it's just as relevant today as then. Easily one of the most thoughtful episodes we've ever done.
"Society is changing... there's a new elite emerging and those elite have huge amounts of power."
Professor Anne Gregory, Ph.D., BA, FRSA, HonFCIPR, Huddersfield University, a.gregory@hud.ac.uk
"The pro...
This week we’re featuring an episode of the “Building Better CMO’s” podcast with Greg Stuart.
GE has changed a whole lot since Global CMO Linda Boff started working there, more than 20 years ago. It was once a sprawling portfolio company that made everything from microwaves to television shows; recently, it spun off its healthcare, energy, and aerospace divisions into three distinct public companies...
Andrea Rooz has been a professional voice actor for two decades. In this episode she shares the intricacies of voiceover work, including the importance of acting classes and improvisation skills. She also highlights the shift in the industry from seeking traditional "radio voices" to preferring more relatable, everyday voices.
Andrea outlines some of her techniques for maintaining a clear ...
TikTok is a powerful social media tool in the United States. About 170 million Americans use the platform and for many marketing and PR agencies it’s the preferred go to tool.
The average time on TikTok in 2024, per user, is estimated to be 58 minutes per day.
But several governments have banned TikTok from being used on Government devices – including the United States, Canada, the UK and ...
Travel marketing is changing. This episode explores the impact of shifting seasonal travel trends, evolving social media search habits, and the new booking landscape on marketing strategies.
Learn how generations differ in their travel planning, how VR and AI are reshaping the industry, and why rich storytelling matters.
Discover how to connect with travelers at every stage and measure cam...
The Public Relations Society of America has united communication professionals across industries to combat misinformation. It’s a critical challenge and a battle we need to be honest about… we’re losing.
At the end of 2023, PRSA assembled a group of 25 senior communicators from a wide range of industries, in-house and firms, for an additional meeting, with several follow-up meetings with subject matt...
This episode examines the current state of each of the big social media channels.
Which platforms are the most used? Which ones are we engaging the most on? Where are content creators sinking their energy? And what can we predict in the near-term future for each?
Listen For
5:57 X (formerly Twitter)
8:45 Facebook
9:54 Instagram
13:36 Threads
16:56 TikTok
18:34 YouTube...
Frankie is the dinosaur that went digital.
The emergence and impact of virtual influencers can be seen in the United Nations' innovative climate change awareness campaign featuring a dinosaur named Frankie. This multifaceted initiative, which spanned a video in 38 languages, social media outreach, a children’s book, and various global events, successfully reached an audience of 2.2 billion.
In his new book Engage with Impact, Nicholas Bruneau uses interviews and case studies from the UN, EU, World Bank and nonprofit organizations to demonstrate the power of agility in corporate communications today.
A – Adopt a Startup Mentality
G – Go Digital First
I – Inspire with Personal Stories
L – Leverage Your Content
E – Empower Your Community
Listen For
7:32 Utiliz...
In today’s competitive market, exceptional customer service is not just a luxury but a crucial element for business success. With the rise of digital interactions over traditional shopping experiences, customer service agents have become more than problem solvers; they are guides, educators, and relationship builders. Their ability to effectively interact with various types of people, in various kinds of mood...
What are the rules?
In an era where artificial intelligence is revolutionizing communications and marketing, this episode dives into the critical conversation about the impact of AI, the void of formal regulations, and the industry's quest for ethical self-regulation.
It may well be up to us as a profession to craft our own ethical guidelines and envision what effective self-regulatio...
Tyler Chisholm is the CEO of a leading marketing firm and the creative force behind a popular Calgary-based podcast that shines a spotlight on local leaders and innovators.
In this episode Tyler shares his strategic insights on how podcasting can be a powerful tool for developing brand affinity, engaging with a community of listeners, and creating a loyal customer base.
Listen For
7:01 ...
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