NBC News anchor Matt Lauer has been fired after sexual allegations were raised by a fellow employee at the company. On Nov. 29, a memo from NBC News chairman Andy Lack was released to the press announcing the firing to NBC employees and citing a complaint of “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace” as the reason for Laurer’s termination. This comes amid a wave of revelations of sexual misconduct by public figures in the media, politics and entertainment spheres. But NBC’s swift response appears to be a shift in the way these stories have broken thus far.
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NBC Owns the Narrative With Preemptive Move on Matt Lauer Firing
November 29th, 2017 by Sophie MaerowitzSnapchat Courts Brands With Suggested Filter Feature
November 28th, 2017 by Sophie MaerowitzSnapchat has announced a new feature that recognizes users’ images and suggests graphic overlays and filters. These smart filters can parse an image and suggest relevant graphics in several categories. Pets, concerts, food, sports and beaches are among the top suggestions. For communicators, the new feature is more than just a fun way to decorate posts. The rollout sends a larger message to brands about the app’s ability to drill down beyond users’ interests and into their daily behavior.
Massage Envy Crisis Widens #MeToo Movement to the Brand Level
November 27th, 2017 by Jerry AsciertoMassage Envy, the spa chain with nearly 1,200 U.S. locations, is under fire as a BuzzFeed investigation brought to light more than 180 allegations of sexual assault made against the company and its franchisees over a 15-year span. And its response to the crisis so far has served as a cautionary tale of bad planning, offering a lesson in what not to do to contain a crisis.
Brands Encounter New Danger With Their YouTube Ad Placements
November 27th, 2017 by Sophie MaerowitzYouTube is once again facing a brand advertiser exodus for reputation-harming advertising placements. A recent investigation revealed that YouTube ran ads from “dozens” of brands with videos uploaded by children that were targets for predatory comments.
8 Tips for Communications Success in 2018
November 24th, 2017 by Emma SilvaAs all communications professionals know, technology, consumer behavior and content consumption are constantly evolving. So, as the year winds down, we reached out to eight friends of PR News to hear their thoughts on the skills and trends that will define communications success in 2018, from media relations to digital marketing to social engagement.
Black Friday: Some Brands Win by Extending It, Some by Sitting It Out
November 22nd, 2017 by Samantha WoodThe 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.
Uber’s Messaging on Cyber Breach Scandal Leaves Much to Be Desired
November 22nd, 2017 by Jerry AsciertoUber’s response to its cyber breach crisis has raised more questions than answers, allowing speculation and coverage to increase and brand equity to erode, according to crisis expert Sam Huxley, senior vice president with Washington, D.C.-based agency LEVICK.
3 Tips From Klein Tools for Earning More Video Budget From Senior Leaders
November 21st, 2017 by Samantha WoodWe 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.
This Week In PR
November 21st, 2017 by Seth ArensteinOur weekly roundup of trends, news and personnel moves in communications and marketing. This week’s stories include analysis of Charlie Rose’s #metoo statement, growth at Weber Shandwick and Ruder Finn and Harlan Teller comes to APCO Worldwide.
Cutting Through the Communications Data Wilderness: When Big Data Equals Big Answers
November 21st, 2017 by Seth ArensteinThis second article in a 5-part series about measurement we compile cases where communicators have moved beyond the fundamentals of measuring data to prove ROI and instead focused on using insights mined from data to change the way they operated their business. The series is produced with partner PublicRelay, a media monitoring and analytics firm.