Latest News
Fox Sports hires OWN’s Wendy Luckenbill as SVP of brand communications
Luckenbill is a veteran of NBC and OWN.
Longtime comms head Joe Ziemer exits Betterment
The financial advisory company is searching for his replacement.
The call is out for PRWeek’s Best Places to Work
For the ninth consecutive year, PRWeek welcomes agencies and in-house departments to vie for this much-sought honor.
Should companies mandate vaccines for employees and customers?
As COVID-19 cases go up, more businesses are mandating vaccines.
S4 unites MediaMonks and MightyHive under new brand: Media.Monks
Media.Monks will offer clients one front door to walk in with flexibility to tap into capabilities and subject matter experts across the group.
Syneos Health hooks up with Aetion for real-world data pact
The deal integrates the companies’ data collection and evidence tools.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Tuesday morning
Edelman launches Edelman Global Advisory; PepsiCo to sell Tropicana.
Edelman acquires Basilinna, rolls out boutique advisory firm
Edelman Global Advisory will be led by Basilinna founder and CEO Deborah Lehr.
Finn Partners named agency of record for $1.7bn Turkish project
The agency will deliver a PR and marketing programme for Galataport Istanbul.
Forrester reviews nine AI-powered consumer intelligence platforms
The research and advisory firm rated AI comms tech companies that provide brands with customer and market insights.
Agencies scramble to attract talent amid shortage
As agencies face a talent crunch, they are re-evaluating their recruitment and retention efforts.
MikeWorldWide hires Maria Brown to lead US tech practice, open Denver office
The firm also brought on Brittany Hershkowitz from BCW.
Tech Talk with MVP Interactive CEO James Giglio
“Leveraging of the QR code these days is going to allow for all press releases to become interactive.”
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Monday morning
White House recruits influencers to combat vaccine misinformation; Reddit hires Timo Pelz as VP of business marketing.
Milk & Honey PR becomes majority employee-owned
PR agency Milk & Honey has become majority employee-owned after transferring 55 per cent of company shares to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
LLYC buys majority stake in Spanish ad agency
LLYC, the comms and public affairs agency focused primarily in the Spanish and Portuguese speaking world, has acquired a 70 per cent stake in Spanish advertising agency China.
Cristal Downing departs Johnson & Johnson to lead Merck comms, public affairs
Downing will report to CEO Rob Davis.
FTI Consulting strategic comms revenue up 19.2% in Q2
Global segment leader Mark McCall said ESG services were in demand, as were comms services to help companies retain talent.
Leadership changes lead to attrition at the top of Ogilvy Health
Ogilvy Health has seen turnover at the executive level since new global leadership took over a year ago.
Democrats to tackle health misinformation on social media platforms
A new bill introduced by Sen. Klobuchar, proposes removing liability protections from platforms that spread inaccurate health information.
Just briefly
People moves, account wins and other comms news.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Friday morning
Biles explains Olympic experience in Instagram Q&A; Delta ‘as contagious as chickenpox’; P&G CEO to step down.
Blue Shield of California brings on Sarah Iselin for public affairs role
Iselin's hire is one of several executive moves at the organization.
TikTok promotes Katie Riccio Puris to head of global brand and creative
She will report directly to TikTok global head of marketing Nick Tran.
Medibio brings on R&CPMK for consumer mental health app launch
R&CPMK is Medibio’s comms AOR in the U.S.
Kelly Sims to lead global comms at Twitter
She replaces Brandon Borrman, who exited in June.
Facebook notches up 56% revenue rise, but warns of iOS tailwinds
The social-media giant expects a 'more significant impact' from Apple's targeting shift in the next three months. For now, it continues to reel in cash from a pandemic-induced boom in online advertising.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Thursday morning
New head of comms at Twitter; Big night for U.S. swimmers; Robinhood IPO.
Ogilvy PR hires Erin Jacobson to lead digital and advocacy in North America
She joins the WPP firm from National Public Relations.
Valerie Corr Hanserd exits BP America for Medtronic
Corr Hanserd will align operations and supply chain issues with comms and marketing at the medical device company.
‘To mandate or not is the big question’: United Minds CEO Kate Bullinger on returning to the office
United Minds and parent Weber Shandwick are publishing a playbook with detailed advice on return-to-the-office communications.
Popeyes extends an olive branch in the chicken wars
The fast food chain introduced its new chicken nuggets with a campaign declaring, ‘We come in piece.’
The methods agencies are using to hold themselves accountable on DEI
Internal surveys are only the beginning. If firms want to advise clients on improving staff diversity, they must lead themselves.
The Vaccine Project Newsletter: Delta dawns a new day of masks and mandates
This week's edition of the Vaccine Project Newsletter is 2,742 words and will take eight minutes to read.
PRSA rolls out matchmaker search tool
The tool, which helps to pair companies and agencies, is powered by CommunicationsMatch.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Wednesday morning
Biles drops another event to focus on mental health; Olympians as influencers; How Activision Blizzard plans to address workplace harassment.
Ogilvy's PR creative lead takes global role at Deliveroo
Deliveroo has appointed Ben Bailey as global director of consumer communications.
NPR names Isabel Lara first chief communications officer
Lara will oversee the organization’s existing media relations and corporate comms teams.
LinkedIn to B2B marketers: It's time to build your brand
A study by LinkedIn’s The B2B Institute shows marketers should be just as concerned with building their brands as chasing leads.
Hollister selects 160over90 as influencer and PR AOR
As Hollister's new PR agency, 160over90 will partner on communications and influencer marketing for the brand.
S4 Capital adds Salesforce specialist Destined to MightyHive
The Australia-founded company has 85 certified specialists and offices in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan.
Do CEOs need to participate in earnings calls?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk doesn’t think so.
Fifty-five promotes Clayton, Arnold to managing director
The promotions are a part of the company’s U.S. expansion.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Tuesday morning
PRWeek’s 40 Under 40 2021 unveiled; Popeyes says goodbye to the chicken wars.
Public affairs agency Interel acquired by Dentons Global Advisors
Dentons Global Advisors has acquired public affairs agency Interel for an undisclosed sum, the firm announced this morning.
40 Under 40: The diverse faces of the next generation of PR leaders
PRWeek’s most popular honorific program increases in significance year after year because it holds up a mirror to the values shaping a profession that has never been more important.
MDC Partners shareholders approve merger with Stagwell
Following a dispute, MDC shareholders will own 31% of the combined company, called Stagwell Inc., up from a previously proposed 26%.
‘A new future and a fresh start’: Mark Penn on MDC and Stagwell finally tying the knot
The combined company will have global revenues of $2.1 billion and be renamed Stagwell Inc.
Edelman names Duncan Milner executive creative director
Milner will lead work on Edelman’s global Samsung account.
Millennials are optimistic about brand values and activism. Gen Z is not.
A study by MullenLowe shows Gen Z expresses ambivalence towards brands.
How brands are using Twitch for sports marketing
The NBA, DoorDash and American Express used Twitch to connect with Gen Z and Millennials.
Tech Talk with Proton CMO Varun Kabra
“One of the unique things about our business model is that users are ready to pay for privacy.”
Hootsuite hires Maggie Lower as CMO
She has spent the last year as Cision’s global CMO.
MSL names Lisa Talbot chief client officer
She comes from IPG Dxtra, where she was chief strategy officer.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Monday morning
Hasbro’s Q2 earnings snapshot; Pink stands up for Norwegian women’s beach handball team.
Meet the startup helping Nestlé, Nike and Unilever unite programmatic and purpose
Good-Loop has attracted big-name brands and funding from You & Mr Jones since launching five years ago.
Twitter ad revenue crosses $1 billion in Q2
Social-media platform sees overall top line grow by 74% as pandemic rebound and spike in user metrics drive growth.
Just briefly
People moves, account wins and other comms news.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Friday morning
Olympics officially underway; Kanye previews ‘Donda’; NFL vaccine policy draws backlash.
Crosby retains $12 million government disease-prevention account
The Annapolis, Maryland-headquartered firm extended its relationship with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for another five years.
Going for gold - the Olympic dream lives on
As one of the most unusual and problematic Olympic Games gets set to start in Tokyo, communicators and marketers are tweaking their normal playbook to take advantage of what is still a unique branding opportunity.
Three execs become partners at VSC
Anne Sophie Hurst, Eric Gonzalez and Maggie Philbin have been promoted.
Zoom TV news interviews aren’t going away
Research from DS Simon found TV news producers plan to keep using remote technology.
Clubhouse signs up Golin as global PR partner
Clubhouse also said it will no longer require invitations to join.
Do you want to go back to five days per week at the office?
What's your ideal number of in-office days (if any)?
Unilever ‘fully committed to Israel’ despite Ben & Jerry’s move to withdraw brand
Brand owner is continuing to put more money into media.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Thursday morning
PRWeek Awards US 2022 nominations are open; How Sour Patch Kids became the most popular snack brand on TikTok.
How Sour Patch Kids became the most popular snack brand on TikTok
The candy brand now has 1 million TikTok followers.
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Nominations are open for PRWeek Awards US 2022
But hurry! There’s an early deadline of September 1 for your chance to be recognized on the biggest night in PR.
Hager Sharp ups Katherine Nicol to health practice lead
Nicol has spent almost 16 years at Hager Sharp and was most recently an SVP.
Why Claritin is campaigning to get children outside
The brand is spotlighting the world outside kids’ screens.
FleishmanHillard report analyzes what the AAPI community needs from employers
AAPI community members were twice as likely to feel depressed or stressed, skip social gatherings or withdraw from friends or family.
Nextdoor hires David Roady to lead comms
Roady headed FTI Consulting’s financial communications practice.
The Vaccine Project Newsletter: A midsummer nightmare?
This week’s Vaccine Project Newsletter is 2,650 words and will take you eight minutes to read.
Visa kicks off global brand refresh as digital commerce takes off
The Meet Visa campaign includes a global marketing push and redesigned logo.
The inside story of how Blue Origin focused on ‘human-centric storytelling’ for Jeff Bezos’ flight
Linda Mills and Blue Origin’s comms team had to prepare for the unexpected while touting the safety of the flight.
Three days a week? Every day? Never? Agencies tread lightly on bringing staff back to office
Most employees want RTO flexibility and some don’t want to come back at all. How agencies are preparing for the backlash.
Publicis revenues jump back above pre-pandemic levels after 17% growth in Q2
Group now expects to recover all of 2020's lost revenue this year, rather than taking two years.
Will the four-day workweek catch on in PR?
Kickstarter is trying it. But can it work in the always-on PR world?
A $1 billion market in two years: Brands move quickly after NIL ruling
College athletes are finally getting their due. And it’s not just competitors in major sports who are cashing in via endorsement deals with brands.
Airlines need to set new expectations amid high travel volumes
People are ready to fly and airlines are recovering pandemic losses. To return to normal, challenges in aviation need to be communicated.
Edelman’s Grand Prix victory highlights industry’s week at Cannes Lions
But judges see bright spots in agencies’ collaboration on award-winning campaigns and high interest in the PR category.
Finding the bright side of virtual internships
Interns may miss experiencing office culture, but virtual programs give agencies and in-house teams a bigger talent pool and more diverse intern classes.
‘I just booked my first business trip today’: Agency CEOs are once again hitting the road
But it may be months before other employees return to a hectic work travel schedule, if ever.
Watershed moment: What Naomi Osaka’s stand means for the future of athlete press conferences
The tennis star has received the backing of sponsors and her peers in the sports world.
Contingency plan on contingency plan: Brands ready for uncertainty-filled Olympics
What if no fans are allowed? Or if no Tokyo Games happen at all? Brands are preparing for every scenario two months out.
Retailers risk alienating employees in rush to unmask
Many consumers were elated about the CDC relaxing mask guidelines; many frontline employees were not. Pleasing both groups is proving difficult for retail brands.
The agency game plan for India's second wave: Putting people first
Networks with offices in India are facilitating medical support, mental health services and vaccinations for employees affected by the deadly coronavirus spike.
How employers are looking to the CDC to shape internal comms
But experts say government recommendations are just the bare minimum of what companies should say to staffers.
Reuters’ online paywall is unlikely to deter PR pitches
Reuters News will face tough competition with its subscription-based, digital content.
How cruise lines are talking up their return to the sea
Custom content and b-to-b comms are key in building buzz for a safe comeback.
Beyond the jab: How the Ad Council and others are gauging success in vaccination campaigns
The Ad Council has developed a sophisticated set of dashboards to obtain insights on KPIs.
Minneapolis firms reassure employees in wake of Daunte Wright death
Agency leaders agree that sensitivity to BIPOC communities is top of mind.
How companies can avoid getting burned when taking on hot-button issues
Brands are driving greater purpose, but that requires managing risks.
Making the most of measurement on Clubhouse
Sure, there’s a lack of metrics for the emerging platform, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to gauge ROI or that brands should ignore it.
Beyond just checking in: How PR teams are stepping up on wellness communications
From special Slack channels for parents to bedtime stories for employees’ kids, internal comms teams are helping staffers feel cared-for on a personal level.
Publishers fight back against misinformation
As the flood of false and misleading health information continues unabated on social media, publishers find themselves in for a battle.
How Microsoft is talking with staffers about returning to the office
Employees are demanding companies communicate RTO decisions, even if just providing a timeline.
How TikTok is changing healthcare marketing
With its dancing docs and condom riddles, the platform is healthcare’s shiniest new toy. But is it built to last?
Clubhouse lessons for brands from Demi Lovato
And experts on whether to use the booming app, why Clubhouse measurement is a bummer and how rivals plan to respond.
Gearing up for the unforeseen crises of 2021
Last year showed that organizations need to be ready for crises they can’t imagine. Here’s how they’re using technology to prepare.
COVID-19 one year later: Agency CEOs and CCOs on what they were thinking and what’s changed forever
‘I never want to go back’ to pre-pandemic office life, says one major agency leader.
How the comms industry can attract and retain women amid the pandemic
Individual agencies and companies need to listen to their female workforce, say PR pros.
Making up for lost time: What the PR class of 2021 is facing as the job search begins
Competition is tough for entry-level jobs for what might be the most battle-tested class of graduates in the industry’s history.
How brands can leverage emerging audio platforms like Clubhouse
Accessibility and authenticity are keys to audio renaissance.
Just like on the field, coordination was key to winning Super Bowl ads
Why Reddit’s big game success was much more than a five-second spot.
Cannes: If they hold it, will PR agencies go?
Don’t expect a packed Gutter Bar this year, with firms not ready to commit to sending representatives to the event.
How GameStop can turn unprecedented uncertainty into long-term opportunity
Comms tips for a legacy brand after a wild week of trading.
Taking it slow: Agencies in no rush to get back to the office
Agency leaders are playing it safe and planning to make some WFH options the norm even when most staffers are back at their desks.
Super Bowl LV already has a marketing winner: Budweiser
And its strategy is purpose.
Adjusting the Super Bowl earned media playbook for a virtual radio row
In-person interviews with players, coaches and celebrities will be sparse at Super Bowl LV in Tampa. Here’s what agencies are planning instead.
Four questions to ask in building COVID-19 vaccine messaging
Effective communications about the importance of vaccination have never been more important.
Does Publicis M&A chatter show holding companies are undervalued?
Private equity has been looking at agency groups.
‘That person cannot be trusted’: Top comms execs throw cold water on ex-Trump staffers’ job prospects
Executives were open to hiring outgoing Trump aides. That all changed with the January 6 insurrection on Capitol Hill.
Companies communicate their values after Capitol insurrection
CEOs and industry leaders condemned the attack on the Capitol and called for the peaceful transition of power. But many challenges lie ahead.
Season of change for sports teams with outdated mascots
But the franchises are moving at different paces -- if they’re moving at all.
Journalism’s future or passion project? Breaking down the world of Substack
Journalists and other experts have flocked — or been pushed — to a platform that gives them more editorial and creative freedom.
All-staff PTO, no video Fridays, wellness checks: How team leaders are countering employee burnout
Tips from leaders at Google, Target and firms like Praytell, Hotwire and Allison+Partners on recognizing the toll COVID-19 is taking on staff.
What the government’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign will look like
The federal government and the private sector will have their work cut out for them encouraging people to get the vaccine, and telling them how to do so.
A return to the Obama comms playbook? Not exactly
The Biden administration will be night and day from the Trump White House, but also distinct from the last Democratic president.