Stories by Frank Ahrens

Communications professionals can use data to craft strategic plans for foreign country clients that surgically apply resources to areas that matter most to them.

So far, no country is able to control coronavirus. Arguably, South Korea is managing it, despite taking a very heavy hit. A communicator representing the Embassy of South Korea argues the country’s daily and transparent government communications protocol is playing a large role in the nation’s successful coronavirus management.

We’re told in media relations to “think like a journalist.” Frank Ahrens modifies that a bit to read “think like a food service industry employee.” Specifically, the VP at BGR Public Relations argues that media relations pros can learn much about relationship-building with journalists from the way Chick-fil-A employees treat customers.

In a sense, media relations is similar to a fast-food restaurant. We are competing against many others who are trying to gain the attention of a customer, in this case it’s a journalist. Why not look at one of the most successful fast-food outlets, Chick-fil-A, for training tips?

Before social media, an exchange between a PR pro and a journalist was akin to what goes on in Vegas. It stayed in Vegas. Now, though, some reporters seem to revel in exposing the miscues of communicators, writes Frank Ahrens, the former VP of corporate communications at Hyundai Motor and now a VP at BGR PR. Pro tip: Write email pitches with the understanding they could turn up on social media.