Media Relations

Media relations profs at tech companies should be taking advantage of new work dynamics to roll out provocative and original news release storylines. Four subjects in particular make for compelling narratives.

While it didn’t make a splash, there was coronavirus news yesterday. In truth, WHO made a bit of a mess with its press briefing. Things got so bad, it had to clarify some of what it said Monday during a briefing Tuesday. In PR terms, it was a headache.

In a wide-ranging interview, PRSA chair T. Garland Stansell argues that diversity and inclusion should be year-round concerns for communicators. In addition, he believes PR pros have a vital role to play in combatting the scourge of misinformation about coronavirus treatments. “People are looking for direction and leadership, and it is our job to be truthful, transparent, and trustworthy,” he says.

Similar to many in the work force, media relations pros continue to do their jobs, albeit from home. Unfortunately, their counterparts in journalism are absorbing unpaid furloughs as well as layoffs and outright shut downs of media outlets. A simple suggestion might help slow these trends and bring brands benefits.

One of the pandemic’s few bright spots is that it has been a catalyst for communicators’ creativity. Examples abound, including a virtual red-carpet/press screening that National Geographic Channel staged for a new series recently.

Some organizations have taken a risky approach, building digital or earned media campaigns that stand in for the usual awareness-building events—in-person rallies, press conferences or protests—now limited by bans on public gatherings. Two notable efforts of brand activism have stood out over the course of the pandemic; one local, one national: a mask-wearing campaign in Chicago, and political statements from longtime mercantile activist Patagonia.

After 2.5 months, the International Olympic Committee seems to have seen the error of its ways. Back on March 3, as the coronavirus began to ramp up in several parts of the world, IOC president… Continued

With all 50 states reopening in some fashion today, many people are wondering when it will be safe to eat out again. In this first of a series about reopening various industries, we examine the role communications will play. In the case of reopening restaurants and other eateries, communication will be key.

Data provided to PRNEWS confirms what media relations pros have been feeling since the pandemic arrived–communicators are pitching more than they did prior to the novel coronavirus. Fortunately, journalists are opening more pitches than they did before the pandemic.

Did you ever wonder how a biotech company communicates its news? The answer is like everyone else, more or less. Often its press releases are unreadable to the general public. Moderna’s news release about its potential coronavirus vaccine actually wasn’t too difficult to understand.