A PR and marketing maxim holds that you can never know too much about members of your audience. With so much possibly changing during the pandemic, what PR pros and marketers know about their audiences… Continued
Crisis Management
MIA: Authenticity and Transparency at Amazon, VP Pence’s Office
May 1st, 2020 by Seth ArensteinWhen PR pros use the words internal communications, usually they’re talking about messaging from corporate leaders to staff. Traditionally, internal communications is considered an afterthought, a low priority. At this uncertain moment, though, it’s taken… Continued
Travel Industry Pivots Communications to Assure the Consumer
April 29th, 2020 by Nicole SchumanThe travel industry undoubtedly took a huge hit with the onslaught of COVID-19, so communicators reassessed messaging to address customer concerns and provide assurance. While uncertainty looms around this new normal, brands look to guide customers with a steady hand for any future travel needs.
Mayo Clinic Elbow-Bumps Communications Crisis, Mask-less Pence Takes the Heat
April 29th, 2020 by Sophie MaerowitzDespite the PR blip, Mayo Clinic came out relatively unscathed in the media—a top medical facility whose hands were tied by the executive branch of government—while the vice president’s office still has much to answer for in the court of public opinion.
Aflac CCO Looks to Real-Time Communications During COVID-19
April 29th, 2020 by Catherine Hernandez-BladesWorking in a highly regulated industry with multiple stakeholders, Aflac’s communications team issued some 150 pieces of content during the pandemic’s first weeks. One tactic the team is using, writes CCO Catherine Hernandez-Blades, is to condition audiences to head to a single point for information and updates.
Poll: Will Brands Suffer Reputation Damage from the PPP Dust-up?
April 28th, 2020 by Seth ArensteinThe PPP loan program was supposed to help small businesses that the coronavirus ravaged. How, then, did ‘small businesses’ like the Los Angeles Lakers, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and AutoNation apply for and receive money?
Even Lysol Can’t Clean Up The President’s Words
April 24th, 2020 by Seth ArensteinAs a reporter in Washington, you learn that when the president speaks, it’s news. It doesn’t necessarily matter what the president says, it’s still news, according to this rule. A rule all PR pros know is that words have consequences, especially when you’re in a crisis.
Two Narratives Battle at The Latest White House Briefing
April 23rd, 2020 by Seth ArensteinIn late February, coronavirus was starting to pierce the US zeitgeist. Garland Stansell, the PRSA chair and a veteran health care communicator, told us then that producing a consistent message is critical to communications during… Continued
How Disney and Others Should Respond to COVID-19 Labor Practice Critics
April 22nd, 2020 by Sophie MaerowitzTwo days after announcing it would be furloughing 100,000 theme park and hotel workers as a result of coronavirus closures, Disney is facing fire from within (the family, at least). Company heiress and proverbial black sheep Abigail Disney, who in 2019 brought her criticism of management to Capitol Hill, took to Twitter to call out the conglomerate’s bonus structure.
Foodgod Urges Influencers to Post Judiciously, Stay Authentic
April 22nd, 2020 by Bobbie WindattInfluencers want to influence, but the pandemic might not be the best moment, unless you are a health care influencer, says restaurant and food influencer Jonathan Cheban, aka Foodgod. Instead, post judiciously, he says. In addition, he recommends influencers remain authentic and true to their brand, which always is good advice.