Blog

August 28, 2018

PR News for August

We scrolled through the best PR news outlets so you don’t have to. From public relations stunts by alternative transit companies, to the benefits of a company-wide newsletter, here are the articles you can’t miss:

How social media has changed PR efforts

It is no surprise that social media has changed public relations efforts, but sometimes it is difficult to describe how grand that change has been. On a human level, it has made connecting with reporters easier (pitches are no longer as one dimensional as an email) and redefined what it means to be an “influencer.” And from a business perspective, it has also brought a prominence of videos, viral coverage, and branding that magnify corporate culture and values. Some argue that social media has fractured the person-to-person connection, but others argue it has helped to “humanize” companies and create stronger connections through brand recognition and public communication efforts. The bloggers at TrendKite explained these changes in detail in a recent blog post, 5 Ways social media has changed PR.

Public Relations for Alternative Transit

Alternative forms of transportation have been a national conversation throughout the summer; starting with cities placing restrictions on Uber and Lyft, and continuing with the introduction of controversial dockless bikes and scooters. While the fight over transportation options isn’t over, there is lots of advice out on what companies can do to quell negative public relations surrounding their industry. For example, the e-scooter company, Bird, has offered to help cities build more bike lines to accommodate alternative transit options. Similar strategies and tactics are all laid out in this Fast Company article.

Utilizing Internal Newsletters

An internal newsletter is an extremely underrated asset within any company. It keeps people informed with industry news updates, it promotes positive social activity within the office and across departments, and it highlights best practices throughout the entire company. Internal newsletters work best through an internal content pipeline, and should include updates from account staff as well as executives to create a full 360-degree view of what’s happening within the organization. More ideas on what to include in your internal newsletter can be found on the Meltwater blog.

Policing your Twitter

If no one has said it before, we will say it now: You need to police your twitter. The social media site was founded in 2006, and for over twelve years people have been freely expressing their opinions on the platform. Over that time, a lot has changed—including your personal beliefs and views. This year has seen public backlash caused from old Twitter posts affect sports players, actors, politicians, and even reporters. Reviewing twitter history and understanding the nuances of the site will prevent someone from tarnishing their own reputation as well as the reputation of a company. Review the steps to policing your Twitter at PR Daily.

Learn from other’s mistakes

Speaking of the reputation of your company: In May, the founder and CEO of Papa Johns, John Schnatter, used racially insensitive language during a training call. When the call was leaked in July, it sparked a public fallout between him and the company that bears his name. The world saw what happens when a spokesperson and brand advocate clash as a company tried to save its brand and distance itself from its top executive. There were many lessons to be learned from this consequence—including a less-than-sincere apology—as laid out in this summary by Agility PR.