Media Relations

While the announcement of an effective drug treatment available worldwide for those suffering from the cryptic virus should be something to celebrate, delving into an explanation about pricing for a possibly life-saving drug may cause some reader’s stomachs to churn. Gilead’s statement attempts to strike a delicate balance, focusing on the importance of the treatment while justifying its value. 

With the return of sports comes real challenges. It’s not only the configuring of a shortened or limited season, but ensuring employee and player safety and well-being through a global pandemic. How should these entities communicate to stakeholders that restarting sports is a viable option?

Many brands have said they support #BlackLivesMatter. Some have taken direct action to back up their words. It is possible LeBron James may ask them to support the effort to register black voters and fight voter suppression, a source of structural racism, James says.

Confusion over coronavirus continues. Are things getting better or worse? Is the glass half full or half empty? It depends on whom you listen to? Cases are rising in 18 states. They’re declining in 22 states. Is the rise in testing the reason for increases in cases? Can someone without a political agenda tell us? Please.

Media relations profs at tech companies should be taking advantage of new work dynamics to roll out provocative and original news release storylines. Four subjects in particular make for compelling narratives.

While it didn’t make a splash, there was coronavirus news yesterday. In truth, WHO made a bit of a mess with its press briefing. Things got so bad, it had to clarify some of what it said Monday during a briefing Tuesday. In PR terms, it was a headache.

In a wide-ranging interview, PRSA chair T. Garland Stansell argues that diversity and inclusion should be year-round concerns for communicators. In addition, he believes PR pros have a vital role to play in combatting the scourge of misinformation about coronavirus treatments. “People are looking for direction and leadership, and it is our job to be truthful, transparent, and trustworthy,” he says.

Similar to many in the work force, media relations pros continue to do their jobs, albeit from home. Unfortunately, their counterparts in journalism are absorbing unpaid furloughs as well as layoffs and outright shut downs of media outlets. A simple suggestion might help slow these trends and bring brands benefits.

One of the pandemic’s few bright spots is that it has been a catalyst for communicators’ creativity. Examples abound, including a virtual red-carpet/press screening that National Geographic Channel staged for a new series recently.

Some organizations have taken a risky approach, building digital or earned media campaigns that stand in for the usual awareness-building events—in-person rallies, press conferences or protests—now limited by bans on public gatherings. Two notable efforts of brand activism have stood out over the course of the pandemic; one local, one national: a mask-wearing campaign in Chicago, and political statements from longtime mercantile activist Patagonia.