Stories by Nicole Schuman

For high school seniors, receiving that fat envelope in the mail from a prospective dream college ranks as one of the most memorable days of their lives. Unfortunately, for many, the onslaught of coronavirus interrupted that dream. With so many unknowns, prospective students and families are left with dozens of questions, launching higher education communications departments into overdrive.

Ticket buyers hounded Ticketmaster for weeks, wondering when or if they would receive refunds for cancelled sporting events and concerts. Live Nation, parent company of Ticketmaster, offered no reprieve. Postponed events would not lead to… Continued

Burger chain Shake Shack announced today it will return $10 million it received from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The $349 billion federal program allowed small businesses to apply for relief during the COVID-19 crisis.… Continued

Many Americans awoke April 15, on what is normally Tax Day, hoping to find an emergency stimulus payment of up to $1200 in their checking accounts.

There have been examples of good communications and communicators during the pandemic. Governor Andrew Cuomo and Dr. Anthony Fauci come to mind. Add Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the list.

One of the top questions on PR pros’ minds is how often they should be pitching to the media. In the middle of the pandemic, when the public is hungry for the latest COVID-19 information, communicators, particularly those whose field is unrelated to healthcare or finance, may feel unsure. PR pros we interviewed advised returning to media relations’ basics, mixed with empathy and patience.

Entertainers need to entertain, and thankfully for a country where the majority are cooped up at home, the diversion is welcome.

In a crisis, it’s important to have a unified distribution method for essential information.

The messages a brand distributes about self care are important, of course. How it distributes them can be just as, if not more, important.

When you get caught on the wrong side of the law, especially for financial gain, and particularly during the pandemic, you need to provide an apology for your actions.