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PR Roundup looks at Amazon failing employee communication when it comes to RTO, AP Styleguide’s latest updates on AI and the earliest return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte ever. 

Remember the unofficial rule of not advertising for the holidays before Thanksgiving? It’s out the window, at least on social media. Holiday posts from retailers didn’t even wait until November. The first one bowed before mid-October.

Brands cashed in on the trending release, with some achieving a better delivery when piggybacking on PSL than others.

After a Black employee quit over its dress code, supermarket chain Publix stated it will not allow workers to wear clothing featuring Black Lives Matter messaging. In response to what could be an emerging communications crisis for the brand, Publix spokesperson Maria Brous pointed to company policy. TheoryComms’ CEO Andrea Hamiton argues PR cannot stay on the sidelines in a moment of national turmoil and transformation.

Starbucks has had a rough week after an issue of racial discrimination at one of its stores in Philadelphia led to national headlines. In response, the company has gone beyond the traditional CEO apology and announced that it will close more than 8,000 stores across the U.S. for one day for antibias training among its employees.

Starbucks found itself in hot water that had nothing to do with brewing coffee when the manager at a downtown Philadelphia location called the police on two black men who were sitting in the shop, waiting for a colleague to show. For communicators, this crisis offers substantial takeaways about the power of social listening and the need for timely accountability.

To be meaningful to all stakeholders, and thus have staying power, CSR must be aligned with the core business and products of the company.