Stories by Samantha Wood

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9 Communications Leaders Give Their Take on How the C-Suite Values PR in the Data Age

January 5th, 2018 by

Communications professionals are well aware of the business value they bring to their organizations and to their clients. Communicating that value to the C-suite, though, has historically been a struggle, which is no small irony. The availability of digital data has proven to be a mixed blessing for PR professionals. The data is there to show a multitude of communications successes but, for CEOs and CFOs, data that doesn’t connect directly to business goals can seem devoid of value and meaning.

It’s 2018, Do You Know What Blockchain Is?

January 3rd, 2018 by

Bitcoin and blockchain have become buzzwords that everyone has likely heard, but you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who fully, confidently understands the concept. Communicators need to be prepared to discuss the subject with the C-suite, and we’re here to help give a short overview that will help you help your executives.

A New Year’s Resolution for All Brands, Courtesy of Apple

December 29th, 2017 by

Accusations that Apple slows down the processing power of older iPhones in order to force customers to buy new versions has accompanied almost every new product launch. The rumors never attracted much news cycle traction until this holiday season, and now Apple is paying for it.

In Wake of #MeToo, Microsoft Makes a Bold Move to End Forced Arbitration

December 20th, 2017 by

Over the past two months, the #MeToo movement has sparked a long-overdue national conversation around sexual harassment. And now, one of the nation’s biggest companies is moving beyond talk to action. Microsoft has announced that it would end the common corporate practice of “forced arbitration,” which requires victims of sexual harassment to settle cases privately rather than through a court of law. Will other companies follow its lead?

PR News’ Top 7 PR Stories of the Year

December 14th, 2017 by

In a nutshell, 2017 has been a year of scandals, viral posts and revelations. Several big brands grappled with major crises, fake news continued to dog the major social media platforms and brands braced themselves for the possibility of being tweeted at by President Trump. But it certainly wasn’t all doom and gloom. Here, we’ve rounded up seven of the most memorable PR stories that defined 2017.

How AI and Voice Assistants Can Help Communicators Make the Important Decisions

December 8th, 2017 by

Artificial intelligence and the growing list of voice assistants (from Siri and Alexa to Bixby) may not be of immediate concern to you when it comes to the future of PR and marketing. But Michael Delgado, director of social media at Experian, says these features are changing newsrooms for journalists, and will also change the game for PR and marketing pros.

Facebook Launches ‘Messenger Kids’ for Children Under 13

December 4th, 2017 by

Launching Dec. 4 on iOS in the U.S., Messenger Kids is focused on kids 13 and under who want a fun way to communicate with friends or family. The number one concern, of course, is privacy and safety, and Facebook has done its research to ensure that this app will address everything parents are worried about.

PR News Celebrates 2017 Top Places to Work in PR at Gala Dinner in NYC

November 30th, 2017 by

The modern workplace is changing rapidly, and PR agencies and communications leaders at brands and nonprofit organizations must adapt to provide the best benefits and opportunities to attract and retain the best talent. On Nov. 29, PR News celebrated those organizations that have gone beyond mere adaptation at its 2017 Top Places to Work in PR dinner at the Edison Ballroom in New York. Workplace culture and the recognition that employees are people first, and PR pros second, ruled the evening.

Black Friday: Some Brands Win by Extending It, Some by Sitting It Out

November 22nd, 2017 by

The thought of Black Friday brings to mind images of huddled shoppers braving the cold at 5 a.m., waiting for the doors of their favorite store to open so they can barge through, trampling anyone who gets in their way. This year, holiday shoppers are seeing Black Friday deals starting before Thanksgiving and, for the most part, remaining available until Christmas. Here’s a look at some of the brands turning the day into a week- or month-long affair, as well as a brand that is taking a strong stand against the madness.

3 Tips From Klein Tools for Earning More Video Budget From Senior Leaders

November 21st, 2017 by

We recently talked to Vince Wasseluk, video producer, and Clare Furman, associate marketing manager, at Klein Tools—who will be speaking about their video strategy and production tactics at the Video Boot Camp, Dec. 6 in D.C.—about what metrics they bring to senior leaders to prove their successes and earn more video budget.