Digital & Technology

Flexibility requires brands to treat the holidays a bit differently than in years past. With more families staying home to avoid the COVID-19 spread, ecommerce has become the buying method of choice. How can brands stand out in a sea of online options? Creative content can help. 

Society’s reliance on digital technology during the pandemic is prompting the transition of PR into Intelligent Relations, a research associate from Cyprus argues. As a result, PR will invest more in social-listening techniques and other digital tools. In addition, PR will expand the limits of behavioral analysis and employ the advantages of automated production and personalized content.

It’s not just campaign season for presidential electoral candidates. It’s also a very creative time for brands getting involved with election-themed campaigns. Without playing politics many brands have taken advantage of the nation-wide event, which only occurs once every four years in the United States. 

New York City became a national epicenter of COVID-19 in April 2020. The government closed non-essential businesses, employees worked from home and living rooms became classrooms. New campaigns seemed unfathomable. And yet, some construction projects continued. Here’s how BerlinRosen shifted messages for One Vanderbilt, the city’s newest skyscraper, to reflect New Yorkers’ resilience during the pandemic.

Not everyone is game for sexy mac n’ cheese. Kraft Heinz celebrated National Noodle Day by encouraging Kraft Macaroni & Cheese lovers to “send noods.” The provocative promotion included a blurred picture of a bowl of mac and cheese, and a play on the misspelling of “nudes.” For many, the joke flopped. Moreover, a recent survey about brands and humor indicates levity is a risky tactic when consumers are dealing with a pandemic and social and electoral upheaval.

When COVID-19 shut down most in-person communication, the traditional press conference just didn’t cut it any more.

PR pro Stephen Payne offers an update on what communicators need to know about the CCPA and European Union data privacy rules. In short, there’s a lot to monitor and regulation seems to change almost daily.

During an Aug. 25 webinar hosted by PRNEWS, panelists discussed the benefits of including AI in their communications strategy. The technology, they said, does not exist as the be-all solution for anyone’s needs. Instead, it provides a helpful boost where needed, particularly for PR. 

A household name found itself having to explain what seemed to be a typical workplace guideline this week. An employee for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company shared a photograph of a slide, allegedly from a corporate diversity training session. The resulting political brouhaha offers several takeaways for PR pros.

Traditionally touted as a celebration for political buffs of all things blue and democratic, the Democratic National Convention will certainly boast a different feel this year, as guests and the nominee’s acceptance speech will be broadcast nationally, but conducted virtually. No former U.S. president Bill Clinton fawning over falling balloons. No real-time booing of Sen. Ted Cruz. No Al Gore swooping in for a spontaneously awkward kiss with Tipper. Because of the coronavirus, it will certainly be a much different experience to watch or stream.