Latest News
How PepsiCo is supporting Phoenix’s Hispanic-owned businesses ahead of Super Bowl LVII
The company enlisted help from Latino actor, producer and activist Wilmer Valderrama.
Pinterest launches Black travel hub
The campaign, timed for the start of Black History Month, aims to help Black travelers find safe locations, brands and experiences while traveling.
Accenture brings on Magic Leap chief design officer to help lead its metaverse business
James Temple to head up Accenture Song’s metaverse capabilities, succeeding Mark Curtis, who is moving to its global sustainability studio.
Arthur Sadoun: Publicis’ ‘profound transformation’ is paying off
CEO talks to PRWeek's sister media brand Campaign about Q4 results, rewarding talent and paying an average salary increase of 8% last year.
Stagwell and Sloane & Company hire former Virgin Group CCO Nick Fox
Fox will head Stagwell’s risk and reputation unit.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Friday morning
Weber Shandwick appoints North American public affairs, social impact and sustainability leads; Beyond Meat brings on marketing executive.
Weber Shandwick appoints North America public affairs, social impact and sustainability leads
John Files, Meghann Curtis and Kate Olsen will also join the business and society futures leadership team.
Microsoft’s Frank Shaw on using Twitter to argue for Activision acquisition
Microsoft and Activision chief communications officers Frank Shaw and Lulu Cheng Meservey pushed for the nearly $70 billion acquisition on Twitter, highlighting what’s convenient and challenging about using social media in corporate communications.
Mark Zuckerberg says 2023 will be ‘year of efficiency’
Meta CEO promises continued streamlining after reporting a 22% hike in costs and expenses in Q4.
Publicis takes Working with Cancer pledge to the Super Bowl
The initiative, which aims to raise awareness and support for people struggling with cancer in the workplace, will launch a consumer-facing campaign at Super Bowl LVII.
Following adcomm meeting, FDA aims to ‘simplify’ vaccination with tweaks to long-term COVID-19 strategy
The FDA has recognized it needs to make its vaccination messaging simple and clear moving forward.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Thursday morning
Publicis Groupe earnings; Michael Frazier joins SKDK’s public affairs practice.
Publicis staff to share ‘record-high’ €500m bonus pool after strong end to 2022
Second year in a row of 10 per cent revenue growth.
Hotel brand citizenM names W Communications as US AOR
W will support the hotel brand’s growing North American portfolio.
Finn Partners acquires creative and digital design agency Outré Creative
Outré founder Aidan McCann joins Finn as senior partner.
Creative Juice launches business education program for Black creators
The creator banking platform will give five creators $5,000 each as well as lessons on growing a business.
Citizen Relations formalizes digital unit dComm3
Chief digital officer Crystalyn Stuart-Loayza is spearheading the team.
Hotwire ups Heather Craft to North America CEO
The agency has also launched a global growth team.
FTI survey: Healthcare execs bullish on own companies, cautious about economy
FTI surveyed 250 leaders from healthcare and life-sciences companies in November.
Barbie debuts Chelsea doll with scoliosis
Mattel is rolling out its first Chelsea doll with scoliosis, as part of its larger efforts to increase diversity in its dolls.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Wednesday morning
Mission North’s diversity push; Harris to attend Nichols funeral; BP CEO downplays renewables transition.
Mission North launches industry diversity initiative Foster the Future
The firm has partnered with Method Communications, LaunchSquad, Agean Public Relations and the PRSA to provide scholarships and stipends to BIPOC students.
FedEx sends memo to staffers on the death of employee Tyre Nichols
Nichols was a supply chain worker at one of the package carrier’s Memphis warehouses.
Ulta Beauty hires Hunter to handle consumer media relations
The beauty retailer also works with Zeno Group with both firms serving as AOR.
Cision names Cali Tran as CEO
Brandon Crawley had been serving as the interim chief executive since last February.
Innodata rolls out PR CoPilot tool to support media outreach
The tool can help PR pros craft press releases and with other duties.
Vegan hair care brand Better Natured brings on CRC as AOR
CRC was acquired by 360PR+ last year.
Q&A: Healthcare content producer Jon Cody
One of Cody’s latest projects is a docuseries, “A Life Worth Running,” about Peter Kirk, an acute myeloid leukemia survivor and CEO of Sermo.
Ahead of Black History Month, Genentech focuses next installment of #MSVisibility on barriers to care for Black patients
Jennifer Kim, VP and head of neuroimmunology at Genentech Marketing, talks about the expectations for Breaking Barriers.
With pandemic lessons in mind, CDC sets out to execute its internal revamp
The CDC plans to establish an Office of Public Health Data to improve its data reporting for future pandemics.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Tuesday morning
MWW buys MRB PR; Aldi case study; Earnings and economic news.
MikeWorldWide acquires MRB Public Relations
MRB will join MikeWorldWide’s global tech practice, led by Maria Brown.
Lambert Global acquires Roy Public Affairs Management
Roy Public Affairs founder and principal Melissa Roy joins Lambert as Detroit managing partner.
Social justice, legal organizations react to Tyre Nichols video footage
The groups are using social media to push their supporters for change and remind the world who Nichols was.
Pharma reputation drops to pre-pandemic normal, with Pfizer and Moderna falling in the ranks
After experiencing a surge in reputation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the view of Big Pharma in the public eye may have returned to normal.
Haymarket Ventures makes strategic investment in content platform Playe
Playe enables brands to partner with creatives worldwide and works with McKinsey and Mr Yum among others.
IBN builds out PR services
Public Relations Plus is a service designed to bolster IBN’s support of the distribution and corporate messaging needs of organizations.
ConnectRN tells nurses ‘don’t quit’
The push highlights tough working conditions that have gotten worse.
Ruder Finn names Chip Scarinzi U.S. head of technology and innovation
The former Hill+Knowlton Strategies exec will lead the firm’s tech practice in a newly created role.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Monday morning
How Sandy Hook Promise responds to mass shootings; Tyre Nichols' parents invited to SOTU; Unilever names new CEO.
World’s 50 Best Restaurants expands to US market with Finn Partners
The firm’s New York luxury travel and lifestyle team will spearhead work on the expansion.
Comms after tragedy: Inside Sandy Hook Promise’s mass shooting rapid response protocols
Associate VP of comms Aimee Thunberg details strategy from the moment of the tragedy to three days later.
Boden launches leadership series Atrévete
The initiative aims to close the Hispanic leadership gap across industries.
‘People got up in arms’: The inside story on A&W’s tweet parodying M&M’s
Who would get mad about a bear mascot wearing jeans? Turns out, a lot of people.
Advocacy groups decry Meta Trump reinstatement
Technology policy and media-monitoring organizations warn that Trump’s return to Meta platforms will lead to a surge of misinformation and discrimination against marginalized communities.
What — if anything — does the Project Veritas COVID-19 mutation video mean for Pfizer?
A video released this week features an alleged Pfizer executive saying that the drugmaker is exploring ways to mutate the COVID-19 virus.
Twitter improves brand safety parameters as ad revenue craters
New integrations with DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science, initiated prior to Elon Musk’s takeover, allow brands to monitor the Tweets their ads run adjacent to.
M&M’s spokes candy controversy is a Super Bowl stunt
Mars Wrigley confirms mascots aren’t going anywhere.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Friday morning
Hasbro plans layoffs; LIV Golf chief communications officer exits.
Palm Springs selects agency to push California destination
Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) in Southern California has appointed Finn Partners to lead its PR, marketing and representation in the UK and Ireland.
Boll & Branch names Diffusion AOR
Small Girls PR was the incumbent on the account.
Southwest Airlines outlines how it’s trying to prevent another operational crisis
Executives detailed the company’s updated crisis management plan on a conference call after its latest quarterly earnings report.
Heinz wants Roman numerals dropped from Super Bowl titles
The campaign, called LVII means 57, pokes fun at frustrations expressed by consumers every Super Bowl.
Brat TV offers brands a unique in with Gen Z
Nike, EOS and Extra gum are taking advantage of the TV streaming network’s branded mini-series and integrations.
5 PR firms join The Change Agencies network
The multicultural and LGBTQ-owned and operated agency network now comprises eight members.
Emplifi adds Snapchat analytics and measurement
The platform has integrated Snapchat into its Social Marketing Cloud.
Crowe PR inks strategic partnership with Smarty Social Media
Smarty focuses on healthcare and medical device marketing.
FBI probes Snapchat over role in fentanyl overdose deaths: report
Given Snapchat’s appeal among young people, the Ad Council enlisted its help promoting fentanyl awareness campaigns over the past year.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Thursday morning
Southwest Airlines’ Q4 earnings snapshot; Layoffs at Dow, IBM and SAP.
The Home Depot reorganizes comms as Stephen Holmes retires
The retailer is splitting duties by internal and external lines.
Weber Shandwick promotes James Walker to Baltimore GM
The IPG agency has also hired Zeno Group’s Jackie Cox Battles.
Firehouse Strategies acquires Scarlet Oak Strategies
Scarlet Oak founder Raymond Glendening becomes partner at Firehouse and Brian Doory joins as MD.
PAWS NY short film shows how pets keep their owners hanging on
The film uses a Lou Reed classic to emphasize the mental health support pets give their owners.
Breakfast Briefing: 5 things for PR pros to know on Wednesday morning
How to prepare for an FTC ban on non-compete clauses; Next 15 earnings; Cannes Lions owner plans corporate split.
Cannes Lions owner Ascential to split in two, Phil Thomas to be CEO
Duncan Painter moves to lead digital commerce business.
Extension PR names Barry Parasram as EVP
Parasram was most recently comms head for NBA superstar Kevin Durant’s 35V.
The Female Quotient partners with The Sway Effect
It’s the first time equity-focused organization The Female Quotient has named an agency partner.
Next 15 expects slower growth in H2 but hails ‘strong’ FY
Next 15 expects organic revenue growth to have slowed to 12 per cent in the second half of its financial year, although the group described the full-year performance as ‘strong’ and ‘in line with management expectations’.
Ketchum makes key UK and global markets promotions
Ketchum has promoted Sera Holland to the new position of chief strategy and innovation officer, global markets, while Heather Blundell moves to Holland’s former role as UK deputy chief executive.
Bayer promotes Ben Kampelman to Crop Science comms VP
Kampleman has worked at Bayer for more than six years, including a stint in investor relations.
Issues Management Group opens New York office
The firm plans to expand its Northeast Corridor work through its first office expansion.
Media buyers confident in Spotify’s ad biz despite Dawn Ostroff departure
The audio streaming platform said this week it would put just under 600 people, or 6% of its workforce, out of work as its advertising and content lead leaves the company.
PAN Communications ups Megan Kessler to chief of integrated marketing and strategy
Kessler joins the executive leadership team in addition to five other SVP promotions.
How Boathouse Group is using AI to unearth brand narratives
Narrative Transformation is an AI-based social listening tool that allows the agency to identify and create campaigns around narrative threads.
William Shatner lends his ears — and voice — to HearingLife
The ‘Star Trek’ star has spoken about his hearing disorder for more than a quarter-century.
Why TikTok is not the place to be for brands during the Super Bowl
Before and after the game are a different story as brands “scratch the surface” of what they can do on the platform for big events.
The Super Bowl rapid response war room is back, with a virtual twist
Clients and agency partners are once again making plans to get together for the Super Bowl, and with playbooks to rival that of an offensive coordinator.
What a ban on non-competes would mean for the PR industry
Following the FTC’s proposal to ban non-competes nationwide, the PR industry is reevaluating restrictive covenants and what the ban would mean for employees.
Will Beyoncé’s reputation suffer as a result of her Dubai appearance?
Music superstar Beyoncé has riled up many of her fans by agreeing to a private performance at a Dubai hotel launch, for the reported fee of $24m. Was this payout big enough to make the potential career risk worth it, or is the singer confident that the whole thing will blow over quickly?
‘A starting point for creativity:’ How PR pros are testing ChatGPT
They’re also heeding warnings that the tool could create ‘a cavalcade of bullshit.’
What does ChatGPT think about PR pros’ concerns?
We know what chatbots are, but know not what they may be.
Is PR too liberal for its own good?
A study conducted by NYU in partnership with PRWeek suggests PR pros’ political and social beliefs are out of sync with the general public, leading to poor client counsel.
AI can do PR, but should it?
ChatGPT can make a press release or corporate statement, but experts say good comms is a human responsibility.
Post-Liver King scandal, brands don’t know which fitness creators to trust
After claiming a natural physique to millions of social media followers, Brian Johnson, AKA Liver King, admitted to using steroids — illustrating the numerous brand safety landmines in the fitness creator category.
As companies hire metaverse specialists, do these roles have longevity?
As the metaverse and Web3 evolve, experts believe they can stay relevant with their strategic minds and ability to understand and explain emerging tech to clients.
'Unfair' payment terms are handcuffing small and minority-owned agencies, and it could get worse
Keurig Dr Pepper’s payment terms came to light after trade organizations reviewed its RFP and raised objections.
Few legislative wins, many investigations: How companies should prepare for the new Congress
Organizations are understandably nervous they could be called to testify as Republicans wield their new investigative power.
Did FTX kill crypto? Not for the PR agencies working to rebuild the sector
Firms are finding silver linings — and plenty of media placement opportunities — for crypto clients amid FTX’s collapse.
Reels, Shorts and TikTok: How do advertisers divide spend?
As monetization lags at Reels and Shorts, Campaign US delves into the factors informing how ad spend flows between short video offerings from performance to audience, maturity and trust.
Struggling to monetize on Reels, creators look to Shorts and TikTok
Even creators with the largest following on Reels are finding it difficult to make a living, making TikTok and YouTube Shorts appealing alternatives.
A break, not a break up: Why agencies are telling clients not to abandon Twitter… yet
Things at Twitter under Elon Musk are weird. Very weird. But not enough for brands to say goodbye to the platform.
To reach diverse audiences, game developers must transform from within
PR and marketing pros discuss how gaming companies and agencies are stepping up initiatives to reach diverse audiences, but internal efforts still lag.
Why a midterm ‘red wave’ will put companies’ ESG efforts on the chopping block
Experts predict the Republicans will win at least one house of Congress and wield their power against ‘woke’ corporations.
‘Brands should run, not walk away:’ Lessons from PR pros on Kanye West crisis
Crisis, legal and sports communications experts weigh in on West’s recent actions, and detail strategies brands can use when celebrity-related issues arise.
Pushing with purpose through challenging times
Challenges are everywhere for businesses. That makes investing in purpose even more important.
Financial comms experts see silver linings in uncertain market
Little to no demand for IPO comms isn’t the end of the world for financial specialists, who are seeing opportunity elsewhere.
Kim Kardashian, crypto, PR and a $1.3m fine
Whatever your thoughts on the Kardashians (if you have any at all), even their biggest detractors would grudgingly accept that the family has a solid grasp of PR. Less so when it comes to financial regulation.
Smart investment or ‘woke’ capitalism? Why ESG is the latest political fault line
PR agencies are at the front of counseling clients on how to respond to attacks on ESG investments.
RIP, cubicle. Agencies are making the most of collaborative spaces in new office designs
With employees in person only a few days a week, firms are maximizing their time together.
Authenticity and consistency: How brands should approach Hispanic Heritage Month
PR pros advise brands to educate themselves on Hispanic culture and demonstrate purpose in initiatives targeting the Latino community.
Live events are back in a big way: How PR pros are helping artists stand out from the crowd
Concerts. Stand-up shows. Film festivals. All are attracting bigger crowds than even before the pandemic.
The NFL isn’t just on TV — and brands can’t be either
Brands need to reach football fans beyond game day on social and streaming platforms.
U.S. Open: A guide to the hottest ticket of the year to connect with (and schmooze) clients
The biggest tennis event in the country is back in full force, and it’s the event to impress clients. How to get there on time and comfortably.
How much of a threat does Google’s latest update pose to PR?
Google’s recently announced ‘helpful content update’ will prioritise search results that provide ‘unique, authentic information’ to readers over SEO-optimised content.
How brands can engage audiences on TikTok via search
TikTok is taking the search fight to Google and brands are waking up to the opportunities to target audiences in buy mode with video — especially the lucrative Gen Z cohort.
Get ready for a flood of green public affairs spending
For companies in sustainability industries, it’s time to spend, due to funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.
The government has a monkeypox comms problem
Healthcare PR experts are unimpressed by messaging about the virus, demanding more urgency and clarity as cases rise.
Digital crisis experts give Adam Mosseri high marks for Kardashian response
Will the Kardashians make Instagram Instagram again? Experts say the platform’s leader did well to explain why they won’t.
Airball: Why PR firms are finding the NIL market isn’t what they expected
Some firms are finding success helping college athletes earn money from their names, images and likenesses. Yet others say the practice hasn’t lived up to expectations.
RTO lessons learned: 5 top in-house comms leaders on what works and what doesn’t
Getting employees back to their desks is proving more challenging than companies anticipated. CCOs tell PRWeek how they’ve gotten results, and the most out of teams in a hybrid environment.
How brands like Chipotle and Duolingo are driving brand love on Roblox
Roblox is the next big platform for driving consumer interaction with brands. But they can’t do it on the cheap. Brands will have to put the work in to impress customers with immersive and customizable experiences.
RadioShack wreaks havoc on Twitter
American tech retailer RadioShack had all but faded into oblivion until it launched a chaotic social media strategy last week, filling our timelines with unfiltered tweets.
Uncomfortable or not, companies have to talk to employees about abortion
Many employees are scared, or at least unsure of how state laws could affect them, and they’re looking for clarity from their employers.
The Great Resignation is over in PR
Recession fears and inflation are prompting companies to pump the brakes on hiring, cutting down options for job seekers.
Buckle up: Even more wage inflation is coming for agencies
Employees are paying more at the pump, the grocery store and everywhere else, and they’re looking to companies to make up the difference.
Silicon Beach: Agencies are flocking to Miami as city’s tech sector booms
And the VCs and ambitious, young tech executives are driving growth in other industries across South Florida.
Pride 2022: Brands forge deeper connections with LGBTQ community, while activists hold them to their word
Running a Pride activation but also donating to anti-LGBTQ politicians? Activists are making sure brands can’t have it both ways.
Uptick in boomerang employees puts spotlight on agency culture
The grass isn’t always greener. Five people share why they left — and then returned — to their previous PR agencies.
No urgency, wrong tone: Baby formula makers are falling flat in communicating with the public
Yet influencers are filling the gap on social media with information about where moms can find baby formula and other tips.
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