Stories by Nicole Schuman

The NFL debuts its 101st season tonight, minus most of the fans, but not without fanfare. Many wonder how the league, which is not playing in a bubble, will weather a health crisis, as well as social justice issues, which were largely ignored or frowned upon in the past. Flexibility and innovation will remain top priorities for the league, much like in other sports. 

In 2015, the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite first appeared on the Twitter timeline, going viral for the prestigious awards event lacking a diverse lineup of films, actors, producers and directors. Five years later, The Academy announced sweeping standards to incorporate a wider representation and inclusion regarding nominees.

When COVID-19 shut down most in-person communication, the traditional press conference just didn’t cut it any more.

Facebook announced that it will halt all publishing of new political advertisements in the week leading up to the November presidential election. This comes on the heels of concerns of how Facebook could be used to impact an election. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg also issued a warning regarding potential unrest over election results and processes. 

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 Labor Day and end-of-summer messaging.

PRNEWS Live welcomed Anne Green, principal/managing director, G&S Business Communications to speaking with us about women’s equality and related diversity issues.

Technology can make a real difference when it comes to corporate social responsibility. This week Apple announced the launch of its COVID-19 Exposure Notification Express with its iOS 13.7 system update. Google’s Android will follow later this month, as the two tech giants teamed up in May to support contact-tracing efforts.

Whether you are a veteran PR professional, or relatively new to the industry, your resume can tell a story of not only your experience, but who you are as an employee and teammate. The key is to scrutinize the words used, as well as provide the reader with an easy, organized experience. Recruiters and hiring managers can tell if you create a resume with a half-hearted effort.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) works best when local communities benefit. The key is knowing how to best reach communities in need. Some of the smallest organizations are making great strides using digital tools.

United’s decision to abolish change fees may empower consumers’ purchasing options, but also shows a half-hearted attempt at winning those health-conscious customers back. While other airlines may follow suit if United’s decision results in a travel windfall, quality customer service will remain a key strategy.