SXSW 2025 requires those brands speaking and showcasing at the event to be provocative enough to break through the sea of activations to get the attention of media.
Branding/Marketing


PR Roundup: OPM PR Leader Caught Shilling, Trust in AI Increasing, Guinness Celebrates People
March 13th, 2025 by Nicole SchumanThis week’s PR Roundup looks at an important federal communicator getting caught doing a side gig on the job, how trust in AI is increasing with the public, and how Guinness is connecting with consumers for its latest St. Patrick’s Day campaign.

PR Roundup: Ben & Jerry’s Meltdown, Apple’s Opportunity, Bird Flu Leads to Cat Food Recall
March 6th, 2025 by Nicole SchumanThis week’s PR Roundup looks at how Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever would have to approach a decoupling from a communications standpoint, if Apple’s new product announcements were an opportunity or mistake, and how bird flu is affecting tertiary companies .

How DeepSeek Took Over the AI Conversation
February 24th, 2025 by Lori RuggieroThe lessons from DeepSeek’s rise offer a blueprint for how brands, especially challengers, can capture attention, navigate controversy, and take over the conversation.

PR Roundup: Delta Crash Compensation, White Lotus Collabs, IPR Pinpoints Impactful PR Research
February 20th, 2025 by Nicole SchumanThis week’s PR Roundup looks at whether or not Delta’s compensation to crash survivors is good PR, fun partnerships between brands and “The White Lotus,” and the Institute for Public Relations’s new report that looks at the most impactful research of 2024 for communicators.

PR Roundup: The News and Employee Wellness, Waffle House’s Announcement, Super Bowl Trends
February 6th, 2025 by Nicole SchumanThis week’s PR Roundup looks at ways to interact with employees during times of uncertainty and stress, how Waffle House can be seen as an example for price-increase communications, and what brands are leading the social media conversation before the Super Bowl.

The Psychology of Gen Z’s Historical Nostalgia: What Brands Need to Know
February 5th, 2025 by Clay Routledge and Nicola AvisIn a world of constant digital connectivity and rapid technological change, Generation Z is exhibiting a fascinating psychological phenomenon: They’re deeply nostalgic for eras they never experienced firsthand. This “historical nostalgia” among Gen Z offers a compelling window into how digital natives creatively engage with the past to meet psychological needs and navigate contemporary challenges—a phenomenon that brands must understand to forge meaningful connections with this generation.

Super Bowl Brands Embrace Multi-Platform Campaigns
February 4th, 2025 by PRNEWSFor some brands, the Super Bowl doesn’t necessarily mean creating a multi-million dollar TV ad during the big game. Many notable promotions don’t even require an actual ad anymore, as the event is now a multi-platform experience for companies and consumers.

PRNEWS Live Discusses Anniversary PR Strategies for the Goodyear Blimp
January 28th, 2025 by Nicole SchumanPRNEWS talks with Doug Grassian, VP of Global Communications at Goodyear, to discuss the communications plans for the 100th birthday of the Goodyear Blimp, and what communicators can learn from planning, strategizing and publicizing a significant brand anniversary or event.

B2B Branding Trends: Balancing Human Connection with AI Innovation
January 27th, 2025 by Matt SmithThe constant media narrative has led many towards AI fatigue and a skepticism around how much B2B business value it is actually delivering.