Stories by Nicole Schuman

The PRNEWS staff comes across many examples of brand advertising and communications every day. We have compiled a weekly assessment, with staff members providing their choices of the most notable, good or bad. This week, we placed a special focus on Fourth of July messaging.

It’s understandable that some want a break from the constant barrage of social media. But for brands and celebrities, spending more time engaging in social listening might be appropriate, particularly before making big decisions and announcements. Reading the room is basic PR.

It’s no secret that during times where marketing and communications budgets continue to be slashed, that teams have to do more with less. Whether it is a reduction in team members or resources, everyone needs to work together even closer to get the job done. One aspect to look at to help alleviate this burden is technology and the tech tapestry.

While the announcement of an effective drug treatment available worldwide for those suffering from the cryptic virus should be something to celebrate, delving into an explanation about pricing for a possibly life-saving drug may cause some reader’s stomachs to churn. Gilead’s statement attempts to strike a delicate balance, focusing on the importance of the treatment while justifying its value. 

There is plenty for PR pros to learn as they watch America’s tourist playgrounds pivot with the increase of coronavirus cases in the south and west. Public officials and companies are scrambling to massage initial guidelines that bolster health and safety for visitors. The state of Nevada and its Las Vegas casinos are walking a fine line as they take a stand in the politicized debate around mask wearing.

With the return of sports comes real challenges. It’s not only the configuring of a shortened or limited season, but ensuring employee and player safety and well-being through a global pandemic. How should these entities communicate to stakeholders that restarting sports is a viable option?

A group of several civil rights organizations banded together last week, launching a campaign against Facebook in response to the allowance of what they define as hate speech. The NAACP, Anti-Defamation League, Color of Change, Sleeping Giants and Common Sense Media have all called for advertisers to halt all paid-post spending for the month of July.

As a leader in public relations and a dad, Jonathan Rosen of BerlinRosen knows the importance of public opinion—even if it’s under his own roof during remote work and homeschooling—and encourages open dialogue within his family.

The resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement has caused many businesses to pause and take stock of their company values and what they represent. This week, Quaker Oats announced it will rebrand the popular maple syrup, Aunt Jemima, and Mars, Inc., which owns Uncle Ben’s rice products, announced a similar move. Other products such as Cream of Wheat and Mrs. Butterworth’s are following suit.

PR and social media management make for a dynamic couple. These employees hold up the front lines of companies and organizations, no matter what. In a world with access to endless information and instant publication of disputes and occurrences, a social media manager becomes essential to navigating the choppy seas of a restless public.