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Instagram has announced it would be adding the option for “select” brands to allow customers to shop via special tags on Instagram Stories. And, after piloting the feature for several months to its test group, the tap-to-buy option has been made available for all business accounts approved for Shopping. The feature is likely to pay off for brands on the platform. In March, the company published data from a survey stating that more than one in three daily Instagram users say they have become more interested in a brand after seeing it on Instagram Stories.

PR professionals from agencies around the country came together to celebrate each other at PR News’ Platinum PR and Agency Elite Awards luncheon at the Grand Hyatt in New York City on Sept. 21 to… Continued

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) took what some consider a bold first step in response to the PA grand jury report on sexual abuse in the church earlier this week. While it’s far from clear whether or not the USCCB is acting on its own or in coordination with the Vatican, it’s the second time in recent weeks that the bishops have spoken out about sexual abuse scandals.

All recent accusations of bias have one thing in common, the same thing that Facebook has dodged questions of reform or regulation over and generally failed to directly address: its proprietary, micro-targeting ad platform. It was this ad platform that allowed the Russians to pay for propaganda in rubles, it was this ad platform that allowed Cambridge Analytica to manipulate its third-party audience categories, and it was this ad platform that has brought the latest accusations of gender bias back to Facebook.

A key factor in recruiting and maintaining a fulfilled and productive workforce is good internal communications throughout the company. An engaged employee, who feels that their company is keeping them informed and prioritizing their well-being, is a happy employee. But how many businesses are actually making internal communications a priority? Not as many as there should be, according to a recent infographic from Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., a risk management, insurance and consulting firm.

Mention the crisis FEMA is dealing with at the moment and most people probably think you’re referring to the agency’s work to assist residents of the Carolinas as they battle flooding from Hurricane Florence. Instead you could be thinking of the travel scandal challenging FEMA administrator Brock Long. Part of Long’s problem is a PR issue: the government administrator brand is tainted.

The 70th annual Primetime Emmy awards talked the talk about increasing diversity on television and Hollywood at large, but did not walk the walk. Despite numerous jokes and skits poking fun at the traditional snubbing of people of color in the entertainment industry, and the most diverse group of nominees in the history of the program, 22 of the 26 award winners were white.

Several principles of PR and crisis communications can be applied to the situation involving Judge Brett Kavanaugh and his accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Now that Dr. Ford has identified herself, the issue has moved from the Senate to the court of public opinion, a venue where facts and legal arguments are sometimes immaterial. In this court, public perception is king.

News broke this weekend when Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s heretofore-anonymous accuser, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, came forward alleging Kavanaugh attempted to sexually assault her when the two were at a party in high… Continued

Human Rights Campaign’s red equality logo put the spotlight on HRC and spread awareness about the organization. Whether the logo is seen on a T-shirt or a lawmaker’s lapel, it sends a message that the Human Rights Campaign and its supporters remain vigilant in the fight for LGBTQ equality. To celebrate HRC’s induction into the 2018 Platinum Hall of Fame, PR News sat down with HRC’s senior design director Robert Villaflor to learn more about the inner workings of the campaign.