Digital & Technology

For high school seniors, receiving that fat envelope in the mail from a prospective dream college ranks as one of the most memorable days of their lives. Unfortunately, for many, the onslaught of coronavirus interrupted that dream. With so many unknowns, prospective students and families are left with dozens of questions, launching higher education communications departments into overdrive.

In certain parts of Europe, where the novel coronavirus is a few weeks ahead of US hotspots, audiences have begun to reach the information and emotional saturation point. Many are no longer watching the news. PR pros have found it’s important to maintain a positive approach in their internal and external communications.

With so many companies transitioning to online activities, standing out can become difficult. Making these virtual experiences fun, human, authentic and competitive can help companies maintain and attract new customers. In addition, companies can gather useful information about customers while displaying interest in the community. Customers likely will hold on to these memories well after these dark days are over.

Working in quarantine poses unique challenges for communicators. What videoconference tools should you be using? Can you air a video press conference or statement from your CEO remotely? These questions and more were asked of PRNEWS’ recent webinar panel on COVID-19 communications. For answers, we scoured the web and polled the PRNEWS community for their favorite internal and external digital communications tools amid the crisis.

Next in our series of interviews with senior communicators we speak with Julie O’Donnell, who last month was named EVP/global head of digital at health communications and PR firm Evoke. We asked her what she sees communicators doing well or badly in this moment with their digital communications.

There are far fewer commuters now. As a result, podcast listening is down. Still, podcasting is an explosive category, with 600,000+ shows offered and more coming online daily. Plenty of brands and organizations are making a foray into this communications tool.

This is a time when the public likely won’t mind over-communication as people clamor to learn everything they can to protect themselves and their families. And while every organization has its preferred method of distributing information to its audience, some are turning to podcasts for more comprehensive discussions around necessary information.

With so many communicators seeking to take physical events online, we asked PR pro and video specialist Doug Simon how to get started. We also asked how communicators can make their video and social video productions more engaging.

You’ve distributed messaging to staff regarding COVID-19. Sent emails to customers apologizing for canceling events and thanked those who RSVP-ed yes for their support. In addition, you’ve assured them the show will go on, just at a different date and possibly in the form of a virtual event. But how will you make your virtual event stand out, especially when there’s likely to be an unprecedented amount of them?

As many others are doing, members of the book industry have stepped up during the coronavirus crisis. Here are examples of how authors are working with PR pros to offer solace to a variety of groups during these difficult times.