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Girls and boys, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: Ashley McCown’s year-end video with her choices of the top PR crises for the final 6 months of 2019. So, fire up your Google machine and get ready for McCown’s eclectic mix of popular and outside-the-box PR crises. Hats off to those of you who can guess all five of her top picks before watching this video. Hint: Look for a clue in this post.

Food brands, whether fast food restaurants, traditional mainstays or innovative products, continue to have some of the best PR and advertising reach. In 2019, many brands dominated conversations in social media, and laid the groundwork for creative, memorable campaigns. We look at a few of the most noteworthy campaigns of 2019.

As a public service for PR pros and those who care about them, we provide a quick guide to gifts every communicator could use as we head into the new year. The good news is that communicators aren’t necessarily interested in big-ticket items. Gifts that save time and make life a bit more comfortable top the PR pro’s wish list at holiday time.

In a world where influencers-turned-stars and tales of ‘cancel culture’ dominate, it can seem like fame and producing the next viral hit should be important goals. Many brands chase ‘internet fame’ – whether through social content or partnerships with celebrities – but success stories like fast food Twitter wars or Carmax’s viral YouTube video remain elusive. Even if the odds of success were higher, should ‘fame’ and virality be your goals?

As Instagram users become warier of sponsored posts, and following the Federal Trade Commission’s reissuing of a crystal-clear set of guidelines, influencers—and the brands they works with—are running out of excuses when it comes to following FTC regulations. Still, not every influencer is blessed with a legal team, so it’s crucial for marketers to understand the rules and be able to communicate them to content creators in every partnership.

Amy Rosenberg saw the initial messaging in its controversial ad as progressive, displaying how fitness isn’t about pounds and inches — but letting endorphins and commitment take center stage for a woman who brings exercise back into her crowded life. However, with Peloton straying from the norm, Rosenberg believes the messaging also could have used another look—by those with a more feminine perspective.

How can a pitch really stand out in a crowded inbox? A panel of experts from both sides of the comm fence including Laura Brusca, vice president for corporate communications at Forbes, Tom Butts, content director at TV Technology, Monica Melton, assistant editor at Forbes Innovation, Howard Mortman, director of communications at CSPAN and Seth Gilpin, product marketing manager at Cision, dispensed wisdom at the How to Pitch Reporters on Email panel at the PRNEWS Media Relations Conference on Dec. 13 in Washington, D.C..

TV journalist Soledad O’Brien offered attendees at last week’s PRNEWS Media Relations Conference plenty of tips about storytelling and pitching. For example, when telling an ostensibly dry policy story, she looks for people whose lives are affected by the policy.

Journalists and public relations experts discussed adapting to new media strategies at the PRNEWS Media Relations Conference in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 13. The panel, “Rethinking Media Relations in the Age of New Media,” included Brandon Arolfo, head of PBS digital studios, Sara Fischer, media reporter for Axios, Nicole Smith, director of corporate communications at IAC and Katina Arnold, vice president, corporate communications at ESPN.

The work of public relations typically happens behind the scenes, but at yesterday’s 2019 PR People Awards and Rising Stars 30 & Under Awards PRNEWS put the spotlight on the communicators behind some of the year’s most impactful work. While the awards honored individuals, many of the recipients emphasized the importance of their colleagues in their success throughout the year and in their careers.