PR Insiders

It’s flattering when someone asks for your opinion, which essentially is what a media interview entails. PR pros can use that knowledge and two words that will bolster relationships with content creators. These two words also will increase response rate to media pitches, says Brandon Watts, who recently wrote an e-book that required a lot of pitching.

PR pros throw around the word authenticity with abandon. A better idea is to consider empathy when creating social posts, Cisco’s Carmen Collins writes. That means thinking not only about what you want to say, but also what the social media user wants, needs and feels.

A PR crisis is bad enough. It’s worse when one occurs on a holiday and potentially ruins your customers’ holiday. That’s the time to act promptly, apologize sincerely and attempt to win back loyalty and trust. Apparently, that’s not how Boston Market is managing its turkey of a Thanksgiving.

Most media relations pros have a favorite way of connecting with writers. How about building relationships with media staff whose names rarely appear on bylines, such as editors? A veteran editor provides insight in this brief Q-A as we get ready for the PRNEWS Media Relations Next Practices Virtual Event Dec. 8-9, 2020.

The goal of crisis management is to return as quickly as possible to business as usual, right? Actually, regaining public trust might be a better target. However, regaining the public’s trust takes time. In addition, it requires a change story that’s communicated consistently during the transition to normalcy. A good example is Chipotle, which continues to communicate its change story. The brand is a Wall St darling again.

AstraZenica committed classic crisis PR mistakes last week with its initial announcement about its coronavirus vaccine. Its incomplete reporting to the media led to several subsequent statements that could degrade trust in the company and its vaccine.

One of the most enjoyable parts of PR and communication is that you’re constantly learning, even when doing pleasure reading. In this post from Crisis Insider, we learn about two novels with fictional PR crises at their center. While these novels offer fictional crises, the lessons they offer PR pros are real and useful.

There are often-repeated facets of crisis management, including readiness tactics such as having a crisis plan and practicing it routinely. In this interview with Professor Terry Hemeyer, we examine other less-publicized crisis elements, including the crisis pro’s demeanor, failing fast and Truth Squads.

Communicators who are new to your shop may bring bad habits with them from previous jobs. It’s important for PR leaders to take time to notice their work, offer constructive feedback and make them feel like part of the team. Investing the time to train new employees in your corporate culture can pay dividends. Here are a few ways to do it.

The US presidential election is all about competing personal brands, argue two executives at Ipsos, one of the world’s largest public opinion polling companies. Though the president has a formidable road ahead, his brand-loyal base could inject some surprises into the contest.