Stories by Erika Bradbury

Shareablee data for 2021 show an 18 percent increase in consumer engagement versus 2020. Yet 2021’s consumer engagement was off a whopping 60 percent from 2019’s pre-pandemic figures across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

As we get ready to celebrate PR’s role in CSR, we spoke with several finalists of the PRNEWS CSR Awards about how the pandemic and the economic and social reckonings of 2020 influenced their organizations. Fortunately, this moment has bolstered CSR at many companies and organizations, they told us.

When it comes to influencers, does size matter? Do you go with a major celebrity or a micro-influencer, who has relatively few but intensely loyal followers? For the NFL’s Jesse May, manager of influencer & entertainment marketing, an influencer’s alignment with and passion for your campaign are deciding factors. She explains in this brief Q&A ahead of her April 21 appearance during The Social Shake-Up Virtual Spring Tune-Up.

In this issue, we answer the question, how do you counsel a leader to issue a heartfelt apology, particularly when the person is reluctant to admit culpability? What best practices do you recommend for preparing communicators to handle these situations?

The cannabis and CBD industry presents unique opportunities and challenges for PR pros. Here, a communicator prevents a crisis for her client.

As The Social Shake-Up Virtual Spring Tune-Up is set for April 21, we offer introductions to some of its scheduled speakers. In this Q&A, Dropbox social media head Susan Chang offers advice to social media managers about avoiding burnout. One of the tips she advocates is setting boundaries.

Unlike many organizations, Southwest Airlines entered the current pandemic with a pandemic-response plan. Despite that, the carrier found organizational dexterity was critical to communicating during the past 12 months, SVP& CCO Linda Rutherford said during a keynote address at PRNEWS’ Crisis Management Virtual Event.

We speak with Tiffany Rivers, director of social media at Media Cause. Rivers will join us in a panel conversation on what platforms attendees should keep an eye on this year, and tips for determining when it’s best to skip jumping on the bandwagon.

Words and visuals have consequences. And with nearly one in two female consumers expecting companies to commit to inclusivity and diversity in communication and advertising, it’s important for communicators to carefully consider their messages. To highlight Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we spoke about best practices with leaders from Getty Images and the Unstereotype Alliance.

While just 4 percent of March Madness-related content was posted on Instagram, the platform enjoyed 85 percent of all engagement.