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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.

As communicators you know you are as good as the last story told, the last campaign launched, the next initiative approved. The business world equivalent of moguls, black diamonds, avalanches – you’ll confront all these challenges this year if you are putting yourself out there. And if you are looking down, that is where you’ll go.

Let’s agree that PR measurement is not just about numbers and tone. It’s about how communicators can use accurate and insightful data to influence business decisions and develop strategic guidance. Former CCO of Fortune 500 companies and current trustee of the Institute for Public Relations Jim Simon offers examples of how companies derived strategic insights from PR measurement.

Each January, the Consumer Electronics Show spotlights the most promising new technology on tap. But a few areas will get more stage time than others at next week’s event. So get those Google Alerts ready: Here are five topics being showcased at next week’s show that PR pros will need to stay on top of in 2018.

Many brands claim to have adopted a cause. While more consumers are becoming loyal to brands that make commitments to social causes, some view this popular form of philanthropy with skepticism. Brandy Gamoning, marketing director for NestFresh Eggs, provides tips that will help you meet this challenge with communications efforts that will raise the authenticity of your cause marketing.

Molly Levinson is a known problem-solver and in 2017, the problem she tackled was fake news.

Levinson led the crisis management and communications efforts for the matter widely known as “Pizzagate”—months of sustained online attacks and perpetuation of conspiracy theories aimed primarily toward a Washington, D.C. restaurant, Comet Ping Pong—which spread virally online.

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.

It is said there are two sides to every story. Similarly the internet and social media platforms have their pros and cons, although the net’s bad characteristics often receive the dominant share of attention. 2018 might mark a consensus around a new code of conduct for social media as several breaking stories seem to demonstrate.

PR News will kick off 2018 with its celebration of the Top Women in PR on Jan. 23 at New York’s Grand Hyatt. This annual luncheon event tends to be much more than a parade of illustrious business executives. Top Women in PR honorees typically share their deepest-held lessons learned and, most significantly, talk about the mentors who have meant the most to them.

For both NBC and Time’s Up, using the beginning of the year to announce a fresh start was a deft move. For Time’s Up, the announcement served to capitalize on, and breathe new life into, the momentum built by #MeToo in the closing months of 2017. And for NBC, which saw a ratings surge in December, the announcement was a silver lining emanating from the darkness of Matt Lauer’s ouster, one way to turn a new leaf in the new year.