We’ve seen it before but it never seems to lose its irony: A brand built on something turns out to be in short supply of it. The British arm of KFC recently ran out of chicken. Built on collecting and protecting sensitive financial data, Equifax turned out to be clueless when handling customers’ confidential information. And Facebook, which espouses “meaningful social interactions,” has leaders who have been slow to talk about its biggest crisis yet.
Latest Posts
12 Twitter Moments to Remember
March 21st, 2018 by Sophie MaerowitzMarch 21 marked 12 years since the first tweet appeared on Twitter. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on the platform’s successes—as well as its shortcomings—over the last dozen years.
The social media platform can be a double-edged sword for users. While Twitter has been heralded as a powerful tool for spreading awareness around important causes, it has also been the vehicle for millions of fake news-spouting accounts. To mark Twitter’s 12 years in operation, here are 12 defining moments in the platform’s history.
PR News Announces Winners of 2018 CSR & Nonprofit Awards
March 20th, 2018 by Justin JoffeAt PR News’ 2018 CSR & Nonprofit Awards luncheon in Washington, D.C., honorees inspired their peers not just with their accomplishments but with their takeaways from their winning campaigns—making the event a learning experience as well as a celebration.
4 Writing Mistakes That Will Slow Down Your Career—and How to Fix Them
March 20th, 2018 by Justin JoffeWhether crafting a press release seen by thousands or an email sent only to your team, a communicator’s goal is to foster a strong culture of writing, said panelists at PR News’ Advanced Writing Workshop, held March 20 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. While every writer has their blind spots, here are four common mistakes to keep in mind when crafting any communication.
The Week in PR
March 20th, 2018 by Seth ArensteinOur weekly roundup of news, trends and personnel moves in communications and marketing. This week’s stories include Google’s transparency on fake content is something Facebook should consider, a slap from Google at Amazon, Wells Fargo offers its CEO a large increase, Theranos’ Holmes gets off easy and Chipotle’s chief marketer is out.
5 Tips for Nonprofits Looking to Recruit and Engage Influencers
March 19th, 2018 by Hayley JenningsWorking with influencers can be an excellent way for a nonprofit to increase donations and share its message and goals with a wider audience. But as a communicator for a nonprofit organization, it can be challenging to find the right influencer and convince them to be an advocate for your organization. Here are five tips on how to go about recruiting and rewarding them.
Facebook’s Reputation Takes Another Hit With Cambridge Analytica Revelation
March 19th, 2018 by Jerry AsciertoFacebook is nursing yet another bruise to its reputation as it manages the fallout from a scandal involving leaked data from nearly 50 million users. The latest incident regarding Strategic Communication Laboratories and its political research arm Cambridge Analytica will likely amplify calls for increased regulation and further erode public trust in the platform.
What Brand Communicators Could Learn at SXSW
March 19th, 2018 by David Wolpert, Bell HelicopterThere’s much to see, hear and do during the 11-day marketing cavalcade known as South by Southwest (SXSW), which ended Saturday evening. Beyond the celebrities, glitz and music, what can a brand marketer take away from the multi-level experience? David Wolpert of Bell shares some of the trends and lessons he learned during his trip to Austin, Texas.
How the ‘Slap Rihanna’ Ad Slipped Through the Cracks on Snapchat
March 16th, 2018 by Hayley JenningsA Snapchat ad promoting the game Would You Rather?! asked players if they would rather “slap Rihanna or punch Chris Brown.” Rihanna was not amused by this reference to the 2009 violent assault by ex-boyfriend Chris Brown. How did this disturbing ad make it onto the app in the first place? A representative from Snap Inc. explained their ad review process, which might need a few tweaks.
From Content Pollution to the Golden Age: A Brief History of the Modern Communicator
March 16th, 2018 by Sophie MaerowitzAre communicators evolving quickly enough to adapt to today’s data-driven workplace? What about the workplace of tomorrow? These are questions Andrew Bowins, executive director of corporate reputation and digital engagement at KPMG, plans to address at PR News’ Measurement Conference April 16-18 in Philadelphia, where communicators will gather to discuss and learn how best to quantify and qualify the success of their efforts. Here, he offers a quick overview of the evolution of digital communications, and a glimpse of what’s to come.