A New Era For Brands And Political Issues
It has been a long-standing tradition for major brands and companies to avoid commenting on major social and political issues to avoid alienating their customer base. But times are changing. In today’s volatile political climate, there has been a push for brands to take a stand. From LGBT rights to immigration, social justice issues are […]
The Ups and Downs of Brand Imaging In the Age of Social Activism
As a student of the University of Washington’s business school and as an intern here at Communiqué PR, I have spent a lot of time over my college career learning about brand image and messaging and the importance of consistency. As I’ve come to understand it, brand image is a crucial part of any team’s […]
Recent “PR Problems” Are Far Bigger Than PR Problems
Recently several notable brands – United Airlines, Pepsi, Wells Fargo and Uber, among them – have experienced significant backlash from consumers after major crises, followed by a wave of negative press coverage. As a PR professional, how these disparate situations have been handled thus far has, to say the least, been interesting to watch. With […]
Living in Damage Control Mode: A Look at Planned Parenthood’s PR Strategy in the Age of Political Polarity
Every morning before leaving the house, Betty Cockrum makes sure she is camera-ready. For the average CEO this is an unnecessary precaution, but as the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, last-minute media appearances are a frequent occurrence. Cockrum has been interviewed for HBO, Vice, Rolling Stone, the Daily Show, and […]
The 3-Ingredient Recipe to Standing Out
Standing out is tough. As PR professionals, we can empathize with that statement. We battle daily for journalists’ time and attention. We have to consider which story is most likely to catch their eye, what assets we can we provide to entice them to request an interview, and how to package all of it into […]
New Year, New Company Messaging? Try Media Training
As we kick off 2017, it’s an opportune time to consider media training for your spokespersons. Consider the following. Since last year, have your messages changed or evolved? Have spokespersons had an opportunity to practice delivering those messages in a clear and consistent manner? Do you have new subject matter experts or executives who need […]
With 2017 Around the Corner, What Does the Future of Media Look Like?
With the rise of digital, how we consume news has shifted – and new outlets are feeling the effects. In the last two months, The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, Gannett, Univision, Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters have all announced job reductions. Just last week, The Seattle Times announced that it was offering a buyout […]
Perfecting Your New Business Pitch
At any agency job, new business is a hot topic. Throughout the time that I have worked at CPR, I’ve had a front row seat for just how exciting (and stressful) pitching to potential clients can be. No matter what stage of the process they are in – the initial email, the pitch presentation or […]
Getting Back on Track: Attitude, Self-Awareness & Performance
We all know that attitude can have a big impact on performance. Many of us learn this lesson as children. Just think of the illustrated children’s book, “The Little Engine That Could,” which delivers a message of the value of optimism and hard work. Oftentimes you know you should feel optimistic, but instead you feel […]
Vetting Speaking Opportunities at Industry Events
Building credibility for your company can be a daunting task. Whether you’re a start-up as the underdog in an industry or a well-known household brand dominating the market, managing your reputation, building relationships and upholding authority in your space is a never-ending venture. Luckily, for companies of all sizes, there are many ways to build […]