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COVID vaccine messaging is about to get another shot in the arm through the release of a new confidence campaign called “Because of This,” launching Tuesday. “Because of This” includes four PSAs which strive to remind Americans of the reasons for vaccination: the importance of our close, personal relationships. The ads include real people who provided personal footage for the campaign. 

There are many lessons from the violence on Capitol Hill January 6. For PR pros, one of the biggest takeaways is the need for prompt and transparent communication during a crisis. DC Police, Capitol Police and federal law enforcement remained relatively silent initially, allowing others to create narratives.

We had a good feeling about Linda Thomas Brooks, who was named PRSA’s CEO today, before we met her. The last line of her bio did the trick.

After the insurrection acts at the United States Capitol this week, the importance of clear communication during a crisis was evident once again. Organizations and brands took to social media and the airwaves to release statements regarding their position on the situation.

Pizza Inn took a stand on the 2020 presidential election, stating that it’s unsure if the contest was legitimate. It’s a stance that a significant portion of the public disputes, in addition to several dozen court cases that upheld the election. Why would a brand intentionally alienate potential customers?

Finding ways to authentically share news of your CSR programs with key audiences can be a challenge. It’s not as simple as just telling people what you’re doing. Communicators need to personalize their brand’s CSR activities to key audiences and explain why they matter.

For many Americans, the arrival of a second government stimulus check can’t come soon enough. The payments began arriving in eligible citizens’ bank accounts this week, but not all are available for immediate access, and that has some people very upset. On Jan. 4, many H&R Block customers took to social media to complain about delays in getting their stimulus check.

If you are a crisis consultant, 2020 was your banner year. When we look back at the year, clearly there were societal changes that contributed to a proliferation of attacks on brand reputation.

While 2021 may promise a return to previous practices, SEO and the online landscape are permanently altered. We see the below as major themes for 2021. Many spring from forced changes brought about in 2020.

If 2020 taught media relations professionals a lesson, it’s about the importance of relationships.

Meeting media contacts in person, securing press tours and catching up over coffee have taken a backseat amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For savvy practitioners, though, continuing to build relationships with the media endured, and in many cases, thrived.