Latest News
Rosie Labs expands to Tel Aviv
The consultancy’s office in Israel will focus on startups and midsize companies.
REE Automotive hires Caroline Hutcheson as first global comms leader
Hutcheson previously worked at Boeing as director of financial comms.
Brunswick names Jeanmarie McFadden, Jonathan Doorley as New York office co-heads
Maria Figueroa Kupcu, the previous head of the office, is focusing on advising clients.
Will the metaverse trigger a restructuring of brand and agency teams?
The advertising industry can be slow to take advantage of new marketing opportunities due to legacy structures and relationships, as well as a lack of specialist talent and skills. Industry experts discuss how the metaverse could force some much-needed change.
BerlinRosen hires Cary Kwok to lead gaming, digital entertainment and lifestyle tech practice
Most recently, she worked for Rogers & Cowan/PMK.
Former Twitter comms head Brandon Borrman joins Alchemy
Borrman is leading communications for the blockchain development platform.
Bospar hires CNBC's Eric Chemi as SVP of broadcast strategies
Chemi will host Bospar's new podcast, Politely Pushy with Eric Chemi.
Just briefly
People moves, account wins and other comms news.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Friday morning
Russia implements tighter internet censorship, CDC approves Moderna and J&J boosters, California teacher's racist dance goes viral.
Mobile Premier League brings on Finn Partners as it expands into US
The company is Asia’s largest gaming platform.
Ray Kerins joins Next Security Group as CEO
Kerins is a veteran of Bayer, Merck and Pfizer.
Digital security giant McAfee names Weber Shandwick global consumer AOR
The company is shifting its communications focus from devices to people.
IPG PR firms see double-digit revenue growth in Q3
Golin, Weber Shandwick, Current Global and Rogers & Cowan/PMK all had strong double-digit growth in the quarter, according to Dxtra CEO Andy Polansky.
Twitter users think Facebook should rebrand to Assbook or Facepalm. What do you think?
In the coming weeks, the social network plans to change its name.
Emplifi rolls out Voice of Customer features
The company says the updates can improve marketing, sales and customer service capabilities.
Porter Novelli’s Sean Smith to lead comms at the Recording Academy
The academy has also promoted Andie Cox to VP of communications.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Thursday morning
Inspire Brands selects MSL as its PR AOR; IPG Q3 numbers.
Inspire Brands selects MSL as PR AOR
Inspire is the parent of Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, Rusty Taco and Sonic Drive-In.
Aaron Sherinian moves from Philip Morris International to Deseret Management
Deseret Management is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Vaccine Project Newsletter: Marking our forward progress, keep moving the chains
This week’s Vaccine Project Newsletter is 2,066 words and will take you seven minutes to read.
Pinterest launches a bunch of new features for creators
The social media app recruited Jennifer Lopez, Megan Thee Stallion and Storm Reid for its Create Your Take activation.
NutriBullet brings on Spool as it evolves beyond juice blenders
The brand recently launched the Brew Choice Pod + Carafe and EveryGrain Cooker.
WWE hires Greg Domino as VP of communications
Domino brings experience from Showtime, HBO, MLB and DAZN.
Goodbye Facebook, hello Metaface? Social media giant plans name change
Facebook plans to follow in the footsteps of Google parent company Alphabet with corporate rebrand.
Barilla is offering homemade meals to college students
The Home Away from Home Kitchen campaign aims to help homesick students transition to school.
Grin closes $110 million series B funding round
The round gives the creator management platform a $910 million valuation.
How a change in tone helped a Richmond, Virginia, healthcare center increase flu vaccinations by 20%
Daily Planet Health Services changed its approach last year after participating in the Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality and Equity’s initiative to increase flu vaccination rates across the country.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Wednesday morning
Report: Facebook to rebrand; Netflix CEO apologizes; An insider’s view of climate tech.
‘Very confident’ global PR industry poised for return of international travel
Almost half (44 per cent) of PR professionals around the world plan to resume international business travel in the next six months.
Omnicom PR revenue up 10.5% in Q3
The holding company’s PR firms outperformed its healthcare and advertising sectors in terms of percentage revenue growth in the period.
David Finn's children reminisce on their father's legacy
Heartfelt condolences and tales of the PR legend flooded their inboxes after the news of his death broke.
EmblemHealth calls on healthcare PR to educate consumers on value-based care
The nonprofit insurer is advocating for healthcare cost reimbursement based on quality of care instead of volume of services.
Snap launches a studio to help brands use AR
Arcadia will develop AR experience technology for brands globally.
Dentsu’s global sustainability lead: ‘We have to address our role in driving consumption’
The holding group is nearly 80% towards its net zero target.
David Finn remembered as PR legend with integrity, indomitable spirit
PR pros remember Finn’s contributions to the profession and photography as well as his personal style.
Russell Dubner to leave Edelman after 28 years
Dubner, Edelman’s global vice chairman, has been with the firm since 1992.
Procter & Gamble increased marketing spend by 30%
The consumer product goods company, which spent an additional $130 million on marketing in the quarter, expects spend to continue to increase as it returns to pre-pandemic levels.
News Direct partners with content company Broadry
The two companies are teaming up to launch a story syndication product called NewsBoost.
PR legend David Finn dies at 100
Finn, who cofounded Ruder Finn, celebrated his 100th birthday in August.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Tuesday morning
Bryan Specht launches Salient Global; Martha Stewart hops on the NFT bandwagon.
Bryan Specht launches Salient Global
The “growth company” is designed to create data-driven human experiences.
Allison+Partners makes three senior healthcare appointments
Senior executives have joined the firm from Real Chemistry and Revive.
Facebook’s Nicola Mendelsohn urges brands to ‘get their heads around’ the metaverse
Creators, commerce and 'the next computing platform' are at the heart of company's vision for the future.
Brand risk in digital video and display shows sharp fall in first half of 2021
UK enjoys greatest decline in risk in both desktop and mobile video.
Permission.io launches demand side platform offering crypto rewards
The platform aims to be a solution to a cookie-less future.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Monday morning
Why Tesla’s Elon Musk joined Volkswagen execs on a conference call; Hooters amends new uniform policy after staffer complaints.
US agency NJI opens UK office headed by former Boris Johnson press secretary
NJI, the public policy-focused US creative agency, has opened a London office led by Matthew Houlsby, a former UK diplomat and press secretary to then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
Employee mental health: A moral and economic imperative for organizations
Project Healthy Minds execs discussed pathways for employers to mental health care at PRDecoded.
Starbucks recruits Vanda Pharmaceuticals’ A.J. Jones to lead global comms
Jones is joining the coffee giant in a newly created role.
Convicts PSA aims to ‘take away the shame’ from suicide
The campaign lifts the voices of suicide attempt survivors and victims’ loved ones.
Warning: Brands can’t stop themselves from joining the red flag trend
It got old in a hurry.
NFTs for a cause: The Listen Campaign to auction original work for underprivileged children
The NFTs are just one part of Listen’s 52-week campaign for global equity.
Arthur Sadoun interview: growing again, talent, pitches and BBH shake-up
Publicis CEO spoke to Campaign as the holding company "moves beyond recovery."
CMOs lag behind other leaders in heading digital transformation projects: Forrester
New research finds marketing and technology leaders fail to work in lock step, and half of IT leaders expect the CMO title to be replaced.
Edelman makes COVID-19 vaccination ‘a condition of employment’
The deadline for staffers to be vaccinated is December 8.
23andMe wants you to get screened for health information
The new campaign that uses influencers is built around the insight that 80% of people receive meaningful health information from a DNA test.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Friday morning
Finn Partners wins Fragrance Foundation DEI AOR, FDA panel to meet on Johnson & Johnson booster shot, The PR Week podcast with Kroger's Kristal Howard.
Fragrance Foundation selects Finn Partners to lead DEI strategy and comms
The firm will be responsible for creating outreach programs and lead all communications for the organization’s DEI initiative.
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Teneo acquires French advisory firm to expand ESG offering
Teneo has bought Societer, a French firm focusing on sustainable leadership, to boost its overseas operations.
How GM plans to live up to its pledge to be a zero-emissions company
General Motors executive Craig Buchholz spelled out his company’s climate action commitments at PRDecoded.
How Peloton took a stand against racism ‘in the most unapologetic way’
Instructor Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts immediately launched Peloton’s Breathe In, Speak Up series after George Floyd’s murder.
Medtronic promotes Amy Jo Meyer to VP of corporate comms
Meyer is leading a team handling Medtronic’s corporate reputation, thought leadership and internal communications.
Havas mandates hybrid in-office requirement for U.S. employees
The agency will require all U.S.-based employees to work in the office three days a week, starting November 1.
Pernod Ricard’s Ann Mukherjee is on a crusade to build companies around communicators
The company’s chairman and CEO discusses how her background as a communicator has helped translate her purpose to Pernod Ricard’s stakeholders.
How brands can advocate for the LGBTQ+ community
Panelists at PRDecoded discussed the social impact and business imperative of properly representing diverse groups.
Would you leave your current job to become a hotel bathtub tester? How about a chief cheese officer?
Brands are creating dream job positions. Which one calls out to you the most?
How businesses can speak authentically and credibly about justice issues
Speaking out about justice issues is fast becoming existential for businesses, and they can yield massive reputational and financial rewards if it’s done correctly, says the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice’s Ben Cumming.
CVS calls for filter detox in mental health campaign
The campaign addresses the pressure to fit certain body images, exacerbated by social media filters.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Thursday morning
The winners of the 2021 Purpose Awards; What’s happening at PRDecoded today.
Publicis' return to growth above pre-pandemic levels accelerates in Q3
Revenues grew 5% against 2019 fuelling a rise in its share price.
Virgin Atlantic issues RFI for global PR brief
Virgin Atlantic has issued an RFI for a retained PR agency to represent it globally and promote its ‘business for good’ positioning in the market, PRWeek has learned.
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Weber Shandwick win big at PRWeek Purpose Awards 2021
The Black Coalition Against COVID-19 and Real Chemistry and Kizzmekia Corbett, Ph.D. of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health were also honored with top awards.
How promoting disability inclusion establishes a strong workplace
Panelists at PRWeek’s PRDecoded event outlined steps organizations can take to ensure all individuals are empowered to thrive.
The Vaccine Project Newsletter: Still on the fence?
This week’s Haymarket Media Vaccine Project Newsletter is 2,021 words and will take you six minutes to read.
Hotels.com is seeking a ‘Bath Boss’ to save hotel bathtubs from extinction
Hotel bathtubs are on their way out.
Get vaxxed or get out: Employee demand is spurring agency vaccine mandates
It’s not government policy as much as employee activism that is driving agency vaccine mandates.
PRDecoded shows the pace of change is faster than ever
Top executives including PepsiCo’s North America chief sound off on businesses responding to change.
Vicks VapoRub shines as a cultural staple during Hispanic Heritage Month
Family traditions, and even a distinct smell, can bond products to communities. Case in point: Vicks VapoRub.
Facebook is once again failing at crisis response. Will it matter this time?
Experts say the company’s point-by-point rebuttal of a Wall Street Journal investigation is missing the point: empathy.
Where are they now? Catching up with the normal people made internet famous by brands
Ever wonder what ever happened to the Wendy’s nuggs kid? (Hint: He's in the picture).
K-pop groups: The next great brand collaboration
Marketers are quickly reading up on the colossal fan bases and socially conscious messaging that K-pop groups offer and how they can give brands a direct line to younger consumers.
In memoriam, 20 years later
Remembering Cantor Fitzgerald’s Suria Clarke and Flight 93 hero Mark Bingham.
No crisis plan for this: PR pros recall how 9/11 shaped their lives and careers
For many, the images of the day are still fresh and informing the work they do today.
How Hispanic firms are evolving with the growing Latino market
Some are public, others have been acquired. Still others are independent. All have shifted their focus to the English-speaking Latino.
COVID on campus: A look into the pandemic’s effect on future PR pros
Comms educators discuss the impact on teaching plans, students and faculty members.
How agencies are trying to prevent employee burnout
Countering the Great Resignation by prioritizing employee wellness.
Influencers want to be paid more than ever. Blame the pandemic
How much are influencers worth? COVID-19 is making the question even more complicated.
Will kids listen to the government’s ‘influencer army’ and get vaccinated?
A bigger influencer isn’t always better for promoting youth shots as authenticity is key, say experts. Oh, and avoid TikTokers.
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.