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It was a hot Friday in July. The perfect slow news day. But not for the world of PR, where some of the major teachings of the craft seemed to be thrown to the dustbin. See what happens when a brand CEO steps directly into politics, a brand disregards optics and the computer system of a mega-retailer goes whacky.

The social movement Black Lives Matter is one of several groups calling for an end to structural racism and promoting fair police treatment. A look at some of the movement’s hashtags offer lessons for coalitions in and out of the social advocacy sphere.

Most PR pros learn about media relations in school or on the job. Matt Newey, a photographer and ski nut, absorbed some of the basics through trial and error. He pitched his personal story of contracting COVID-19 to hundreds of reporters. It worked.

The investment management and stock trading app Robinhood has come under fire in recent months for its allure to young and inexperienced investors. On July 8, a New York Times report took a look at those who have played the stocks and lost big on the app, delving into common complaints from Robinhood users including gamification and technical glitches. How should its communication team respond?

The pandemic has caused more than a few sectors to pivot. Why not influencers? With travel and leisure destinations largely off the radar, influencers increasingly are working with the public sector, education organizations and social causes. The goal in most cases is to promote awareness of health and other messages.

What’s the role of brand storytelling during this difficult time? For master storyteller Miri Rodriguez, now is a perfect moment for brand stories. In a wide-ranging interview, she also urges C-suite members who’ve adopted a more human communication approach to preface it with an introduction to their softer side.

The start of the AMEC Global Summit featured a terrific talk from well-known academic Jim Mcnamara. The Australian professor highlighted research from his new book, which looked at misinformation in various forms. A multi-faceted approach is needed to combat the scourge, he said.

The WNBA and its players association announced on Monday that the league is dedicating its 2020 season to social justice, but one owner’s dissent sparked outrage among players.

We’re living in difficult times. Yet, the events of 2020, for good or ill, are shaping up to be storytelling gold. It’s a time for brand storytellers to gather and capture real-time history and to think more broadly about how these stories can be used.

From a PR viewpoint, the majority owner of Washington’s football team continues to fumble. The latest issue is a long-standing argument over changing the team’s name. Finally, team owner Daniel Snyder has agreed to review the issue. For two decades he’s ignored PR best practices. Will he change his ways this time?