Archive: September 2017

Our weekly roundup of news, trends and personnel moves in PR and marketing. This week’s stories include another slap on the wrist for PewDiePie, growth at Finn Partners, a better emergency alert system for Facebook users and a less-than-folksy PR incident at Motel 6.

It’s a fact of life in today’s market: many PR people shuffle from sector to sector and region to region during their careers. What are the best ways to learn a new field as well as the journalists in it? Our author provides tips that will help you quickly gain leverage with media members in your new sector and get a handle on trends.

As you know, the Equifax data breach was much more than one of the largest exposures of customer data in history. It also was the site of several PR blunders. A cybersecurity communicator takes a look at some of the early lessons from Equifax’s miscues that all PR pros can learn from.

Facebook has announced a new feature: Crisis Response, a center that brings its various tools and features for responding to tragedies and natural disasters into one place. Open Crisis Response, select one of the ongoing crises in the world and you’ll be able to use Safety Check, Community Help, get important news updates and more.

Growing up, most of us were encouraged to play well in the sandbox, to share our toys and pay attention in class. Fast forward to now, and imagine your boss telling you to do the same. It would feel patronizing, right? Truth is, we could benefit from those childhood reminders. As the tools at our disposal work across multiple disciplines, it’s become more critical for brands to promote an omni-channel message that will resonate.

As a communications professional, so much of the job is based on building relationships, whether it’s creating trust with journalists or speaking directly to your audience on social media. The same applies to influencer marketing—building relationships is key, but it’s just as critical to maintain those relationships over the long haul, says Amisha Gandhi, head of global influencer marketing for enterprise software giant SAP.

The hashtag recently turned 10 years old, but after all these years, it has still got to be one of the most misunderstood social media tactics ever. Hashtags hold power, but like any other power, it can have adverse affects if not used in the right way. Here are three common hashtag mistakes that every brand needs to avoid.

PR professionals from around the globe came together at PR News’ Platinum PR and Agency Elite Awards luncheon at the Grand Hyatt in New York City on Sept. 14 to celebrate the winners and honorable mentions of PR News’ 2017 Agency Elite Awards. The Agency Elite awards benchmark excellence in PR agencies’ key practice areas, from advocacy, crisis communications and social media to internal communications, media relations and reputation management.

Hundreds of top brand and agency communicators gathered at the Grand Hyatt in New York City on Sept. 14 to celebrate the past year’s crowning achievements in communications and marketing at PR News’ 2017 Platinum PR Awards luncheon. The annual event benchmarks top communications campaigns and leaders in a wide array of categories. PR News also inducted six campaigns into its Platinum Hall of Fame, as well as announcing winners and honorable mentions of the 2017 Agency Elite Awards.

All communicators are tasked with crafting clear, concise and interesting messages and pitches. Communicators in the technology field have the additional difficulty of translating arcane, jargon-laden ideas into plain English. More than that, the pace of products and ideas flooding the market can cause headaches. Tips that tech communicators use to manage the load can help PR pros in any field.