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Reading and writing for uninterrupted stretches of time—and I consider five minutes to be an uninterrupted stretch of time—now seems like a rare, precious gift. This sad fact is a creativity and productivity killer. If you’re a PR pro or journalist or any kind of professional wordsmith, being able to write freely without distraction is the only way to produce anything of real quality. It’s your metier and your meal ticket.

McDonald’s has opened a location just a stone’s throw from Vatican City, eliciting complaints from Vatican authorities. NBC reported at least one cardinal’s public opposition, calling the opening “perverse” and “abberant.” Amidst a flurry of international headlines, McDonald’s has been noticeably silent, and has not issued any kind of public statement. The fast food chain hasn’t even announced the opening on social media or other official channels. McDonald’s silent posture is likely a strategic move to keep the brand out of a volatile situation.

As Shakespeare wrote in The Tempest, Act 2, Scene 1, “What’s past is prologue.” In Washington, D.C., that quote is inscribed, appropriately, on a statue outside The National Archives. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” the philosopher, novelist and poet George Santayana wrote. These quotes emphasize how important it is for communications pros to consider the PR crises of the past year and how they were handled, or mishandled, since they will guide our actions in 2017.

As we enter a new year, it’s time to take stock of how we spend our time at work and how we might change our habits. How many meetings and activities were you a part of in 2016 that were just an utter waste of time? Can you do better in 2017? To achieve a better return on your time, consider what I call extreme calendaring. It might even burn some of those extra holiday calories.

Shopping for a 2017 wall calendar for my office over the holiday break, I had a hard time deciding between the zoo animals in yoga poses, all things Tuscany, or an adult coloring calendar.  My… Continued

As the year draws to an end, there are many lessons that young PR people should have learned from 2016 news reports that can apply to our business. Here’s a second look back at the learning moments of the year that sprang from the headlines.

As the first person to live stream from all 50 U.S. states, Chris Strub has a great feel for what works and what falls flat when it comes to real-time video. PR News recently sat down with Strub to get his thoughts on live streaming best practices, where companies go wrong in their approach and how the industry will evolve in 2017.

Social media provides a great opportunity to connect directly with journalists, who often turn to platforms like Twitter to find sources, track breaking stories and promote their work. But how can you best use social media to get their attention? Michelle LeBlanc, social media strategist with Industrium, offers up this quick checklist of do’s and don’ts.

It’s OK to be of several minds on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and especially at this time of year. Even communicators working in CSR can’t agree on exactly how to define it, a recent study from Aflac revealed. And during the holiday season, it’s hard for journalists to avoid numerous brands pitching stories about how much good they’re doing.

It’s OK to be of several minds on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and especially at this time of year. Even communicators working in CSR can’t agree on exactly how to define it, a recent study… Continued