Stories by PRNEWS

As we say in This Week in PR , you could look at the Starbucks situation in several ways: for a brand with such a progressive stance on diversity and inclusion, it didn’t deserve to get blasted the way it

How many ways can data show it? Facebook is the social platform of choice for those older than 18. PiperJaffray found another way to express this thought. It asked U.S. teens to name their favorite social platform. Just 9% of them responded that it was Facebook. Nearly 50% said Snapchat was at the top of their lists.

At SXSW 2018, thanks to immersive experiences showcasing the massive advancements in augmented reality and virtual reality, attendees were afforded the opportunity to experience firsthand how close we are to the seemingly distant future we saw in movies like “Back to the Future Part II” and “Minority Report.” That future now seems to be only 22 months away.

Although blockchain, AI, and augmented and virtual reality has dominated the conversation at SXSW 2018, there were multiple sessions that focused on bringing your whole self to work, channeling vulnerability and emotional intelligence. The underlying theme was the connection to self, mindfulness and prioritizing the human element above all else.

By turning to short-form video via channels like Snapchat and Instagram Stories, brands can capture—and keep—the precious attention of their target audience. “As social feeds continue to be overwhelmed by a never-ending influx of content, brand storytellers must embrace a less-is-more approach,” says PwC’s Larissa von Lockner.

For those unfamiliar, blockchain is the underlying technology of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies that enables open, anonymous and secure transactions. As traditional businesses and enterprises were introduced to blockchains, however, their visions for applications have ranged far and wide — as has the hyperbole of its promises. Now, before we go any further, I have to get something out of way: Blockchain is not a cure-all. It will not revolutionize every facet of human life. Now that that’s covered, let’s focus on how the hype came to be, and how communicators should really be talking about it.

Smart communicators are readying their social media plans for Facebook’s soon-to-come algorithmic shift. At PR News’ Social Media Summit Feb. 22-23 in Huntington Beach, CA, Jacque Marianno, digital strategies director at the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association will touch on the coming changes and discuss how there are still ways to make organic social content work. Marianno sat down with PR News to share how communicators can bolster organic reach and prepare for the changes to come.

While influencers are, by definition, solo acts, working with a few influencers on a single campaign is a lot like a team sport. Different players have their roles and everyone adds something special to help the team win. Here are five steps for brands to follow when assembling a successful influencer team.

Our weekly roundup of news, trends and personnel moves in PR and marketing. This week’s stories include a tumble at USA Gymnastics, Nike goes pink in Australia for social media video, Facebook integrates its board of directors and

From shooting star drone performances to an outdoor showcase of self-driving vehicles, breakthrough innovations were on display at CES this year. A common theme that was evident across the exhibit halls and panel discussions was connectivity and all things “smart.” Without connectivity, nearly every innovation showcased—virtual reality, artificial intelligence, robotics, you name it—would be lifeless and considered anything but smart. Here’s a look at where connectivity and smart innovations took center stage.