Stories by Sophie Maerowitz

Something we’ve observed at PR News in recent years: We don’t see “PR” in job titles quite as often as we used to. One reason may be that so few communicators today are restricted to traditional PR functions like media relations and crisis management. In 2017 they are tasked with so much more, from content creation and social media management to email marketing and brand development.

Journalists and influencers believe that factual content ranks higher with online audiences than emotional content, according to a recent Cision report. Yet at a panel discussion in New York this week, communicators said that emotionally driven content has undeniable power to attract audiences and can even build trust in a brand.

The social media giant has launched Stories, a Snapchat clone that gives Facebook users access to the two most unique aspects of the Snapchat interface: content that disappears after 24 hours and augmented reality lenses. This is the first Snapchat-pioneered feature to make its way into the central panel of Facebook’s marquee app.

Whatever one’s stance is regarding United’s decision to uphold its dress code policy, one thing is clear: United’s response has been swift and consistent across channels. Responding and listening in a crisis, though, are two very different—and sometime disconnected—things.

Each year, PR News celebrates the individuals and teams making a positive impact through nonprofit PR, marketing and communications campaigns at PR News’ Spring Awards luncheon in Washington, D.C. At this year’s luncheon, held March 22 at the National Press Club, PR News honored the winners and finalists of its Nonprofit PR Awards.

Corporate social responsibility leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the best CSR campaigns and teams of the last year at PR News’ Spring Awards luncheon on March 22, 2017. CSR Award winners and honorable mentions for campaigns in categories like CSR On a Shoestring, Community Affairs and Social Media were announced at the event, held at D.C.’s National Press Club. PR News also announced the winners and finalists of the 2017 Nonprofit PR Awards.

Each year, PR News celebrates the communicators, agencies and organizations working to effect positive change in their communities and the world at large at its Spring Awards luncheon, where the winners of the CSR and Nonprofit PR awards will be announced. The Spring Awards luncheon and ceremony will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, March 22, 2017. This year’s CSR Hall of Fame inductees, Agency CSR A-List and winners and honorable mentions will all be celebrated at the luncheon.

PR News will celebrate the winners and honorable mentions of its 2017 Nonprofit PR Awards at its annual Spring Awards luncheon celebrating the CSR and Nonprofit PR Awards at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on March 22, 2017. The Nonprofit PR Awards recognize excellence in key areas of nonprofit communications, from advocacy, branding and social media to crisis management, media relations and video campaigns.

Getting earned media just got a little bit harder. Magazine publisher Time Inc.’s revenue woes continue. “Smelling blood, potential acquirers have been circling the company for months,” according to a report in the New York Times. The pool of full-time journalists may soon get a little shallower.

A video showing Uber CEO Travis Kalanick lashing out at an Uber driver put the company back in the media spotlight. Rival ride-service company Lyft might consider saving some money and suspending all advertising expenditures—Uber’s CEO might as well be on their payroll.