Stories by Nicole Schuman

While PRNEWS focused on communicating school reopenings earlier this month, it now seems that most communicators need to have a plan for closing as well. We talked with two communicators in education to see how they’ve been strategizing for possible situations. 

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 Back-to-School messaging.

A household name found itself having to explain what seemed to be a typical workplace guideline this week. An employee for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company shared a photograph of a slide, allegedly from a corporate diversity training session. The resulting political brouhaha offers several takeaways for PR pros.

PRNEWS Live welcomed Corley Kenna, director, global communications and PR, at Patagonia. We discussed Time to Vote, a bipartisan effort of 600 companies that pledges to ensure their employees have a work schedule that allows them time to vote.

We get inside the head of Sierra Barter, social media manager at AAA Northeast, who will speak at The Social Shake-Up about creating great social media teams. For a deep dive into social media content creation, strategy and measurement, register today for The Social Shake-Up, which is scheduled for Sept. 22-23 (workshops) and Sept. 29-Oct. 1 (sessions and keynotes).

More evidence that consumers want brands to take stands on social and political issues and act on the pledges they make. Moreover, 42 percent of consumers say they will buy from competitors if brands don’t stay true to their word, according to a new Sprout Social survey. In a related story, the Business Roundtable celebrated the one-year anniversary of its Statement of the Purpose of the Corporation. The 181 signatories pledged to remake their companies to serve society as a whole as opposed to shareholders only.

Traditionally touted as a celebration for political buffs of all things blue and democratic, the Democratic National Convention will certainly boast a different feel this year, as guests and the nominee’s acceptance speech will be broadcast nationally, but conducted virtually. No former U.S. president Bill Clinton fawning over falling balloons. No real-time booing of Sen. Ted Cruz. No Al Gore swooping in for a spontaneously awkward kiss with Tipper. Because of the coronavirus, it will certainly be a much different experience to watch or stream. 

Recently, PRNEWS decided to revive the series “Ask a Reporter.” With logistical changes in the workforce, as well as a news cycle that won’t quit, PR and media need to work more harmoniously than ever to get the public the information it needs. During “Ask a Reporter,” we will interview a fellow journalist, finding out what works best when it comes to media relations.

Casual Twitter scrollers may have noticed a tweet from Herman Cain, the now-deceased former C.E.O. and 2012 presidential candidate. The tweet linked to a new Trump campaign ad, discrediting Joe Biden. Needless to say, many Twitter users were shocked and confused at this attempt to raise Cain.  

A new study by Media Frenzy Global and the Black Public Relations Society of Atlanta compiled the unique challenges and pain points for Black communications professionals posed by COVID-19. “COVID-19’s Impact on Black Communications Professionals” includes responses from more than 200 Black public relations employees, in agency, corporate and independent environments, from across the U.S.