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Steve Barrett on PR
Steve Barrett is VP, editorial director of PRWeek US. Each week he shares his views on the trends and stories that are shaping the PR industry.
Contact Steve at steve.barrett@prweek.com.
Capitalism is either broken or the greatest development in modern history
Big debates among the Davoisie at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland this week centered on businesses and brands that finally seem primed to turn endless talk into real action.
The PR rep for the free world is MIA
President Trump's unique communications strategy means his press secretary Stephanie Grisham contributes little to the administration's narrative, either as a democratic check and balance or a vehicle for de-escalation.
Goodbye to a PR legend
Harold Burson's contribution to the PR industry was immeasurable in so many ways, but most of all he was a genuinely nice person and a great mentor who inspired thousands of PR pros around the world.
Brand film was greatest investment BMW ever made
The fifth iteration of the Brand Film Awards will take the temperature of a craft that has matured exponentially in the half decade since they were launched.
To make an end is to make a beginning
Reflections on a decade editing PRWeek US and covering the PR industry as the 2010s come to an end and the 2020s loom on the horizon.
Big PR firms get set to tackle a new decade
A frenetic week of holding company agency developments at IPG and Omnicom set the scene for evolution and revolution in 2020 and beyond.
Lessons from the world's largest marketer
Procter & Gamble's Marc Pritchard is reinventing brand-building and his description this week of the CPG behemoth's journey to a state of perpetual disruption warrants close examination.
Giving thanks for turkey, loved ones and safe travels
Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, celebration and, well, let's be honest... overindulging in food and drink. But, while we're enjoying the holiday, let's not forget those less fortunate than ourselves.
Get ready for #PRWeekPubCrawl
This holiday season, PRWeek is on a quest to find out which are the best U.S. bars for PR professionals and who's having the most fun at their local.
Dialogue can trump anger in the impeachment age
A new initiative wants chief communications officers to lead the way in encouraging business to improve the level of civil discourse.
The doctor will interact with you now
Health Influencer 50 number one Michael Phelps is a prime example of the numerous high-profile influences on people's awareness across a whole gamut of issues that is completely changing the face of healthcare.
Engage brain before diving in on social media
Several basic bloopers this week emphasized once again that brand marketers must do their due diligence before pressing the button on "smart" social media activations.
Why Facebook needs a new CEO
The social network's iconic but awkward founder gave a lackluster performance in front of Congress this week and it's not going to be good enough if Facebook wants to turn around its narrative.
5 top takeaways from #WAGathaChristie
An epic social media spat between the wives of two famous English soccer players contains several teachable moments for PR pros.
Liquid or glue? Communications is in flux
PRWeek and BU's latest landmark survey of the communications industry uncovers many essential themes that should inform modern practice.
Yes. No. Don't know. Next question.
The human attention span is now 8 seconds, 1 second less than a goldfish.
Needle moves on diversity - but only slowly
An evening celebrating progress and best practice on diversity also underlined the fact that there is still a long way to go before genuine inclusion in the PR industry is achieved.
An existential moment for in-house communications leads
CEOs are looking for help as they adapt to a world of permanent disruption and they're not fussy about where they get it from.
Talkin' 'bout a Revolution
A reflection on two decades covering amazing change in the communications and marketing space.
7 things to take into the holiday weekend
As we reach the dog days of summer and prepare for the busy final third of the year, August hasn't exactly been silly season but a few fun things caught my eye this week - along with some more serious items.
Purpose to drive business as much as shareholder value
America's business leaders have spoken - they will no longer run their companies with shareholders at the top of their priority lists.
Have we been overestimating Ogilvy's PR numbers?
As Q2 holding company season ends, WPP's re-categorizing of the way it reports its financials measures Ogilvy's global PR revenues significantly lower than previously thought.
It's time to understand the causes of mass gun violence
After 20 years of inaction and two more senseless mass shootings of innocent people, legislators must heed those lobbying for funds to research gun incidents.
Edelman staffers play get out of jail card
In light of another employee-activated controversy over a PR agency taking on a controversial client, every firm will be calling an urgent meeting of its ethics committee - or setting one up if it doesn't already have one.
Techies and product marketers take over as CMOs depart
The recent trend toward dispensing with the CMO role at brands is a symptom of a wider trend in marketing that is more closely aligned to brute-force technology and short-term sales.
Female agency leaders are breaking through the glass ceiling
The world's second-largest PR firm is following an increasing trend in appointing a woman to its most senior executive position - ethnic diversity must now be a priority.
Nike and USWNT tap into the goodwill bank
A topsy-turvy week for two iconic brands ended with both of them riding on the back of a national celebration.
Everything you need to know about Cannes Lions 2019
Whether you were on La Croisette in person, or watching from afar, PRWeek rounds up the essential takeaways from an inspirational week in one easy package.
PR Lions: fewer entries, only six Golds and little for PR to celebrate
Continued frustration for PR firms as this year's Cannes Festival of Creativity underlines that communications pros don't have a monopoly on earned media.
Cannes Lions: plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose
PR firms showed up pretty well in the sector's eponymous Lions category, but the shortlist was still dominated by advertising agencies.
Smoke signals set to rise out of Cannes
An expectant PR industry is once again heading to the South of France for its annual pilgrimage to try and crack the code of winning in the PR Lions.
Cauliflower, champagne and country - but no complacency
The industry gathered this week to celebrate inspiring female PR professionals, a communications leader turned successful entrepreneur, and Grammy Award-winning country star Jennifer Nettles.
PRWeek celebrates global PR practice
Global initiative represents the best worldwide work as well as the cream of the crop in individual regions.
The only way is ethics
Recent developments involving Bayer, Delta Air Lines and BrewDog only serve to confirm the tricky waters PR pros in all areas of the industry must navigate in their daily practice.
10 bonus soundbites from Agency Business Report 2019
From ethics to holding companies to culture, the benefits of midsize firms and much more.
The differing leadership styles of Mark Read and Martin Sorrell
It is just over a year since WPP founder and CEO Martin Sorrell stepped down after 33 years at the company following an internal investigation into accusations of personal misconduct.
Biden botched touchy feely crisis response
The former vice president has gone from everyone's favorite uncle to the family friend people want to avoid at Thanksgiving in the space of a few short weeks.
Purpose principles are right in PR's wheelhouse
Everybody's talking about purpose, but behind the words must lie authenticity.
Women in PR find work-life balance as pay gap narrows
The gender pay gap in PR is starting to close, but there is still a long way to go before genuine equality is achieved.
Agency branding must be more than just word salad
BCW is the latest PR agency to set out a new stall in a bid to differentiate itself in the market.
A night of inspirational communication
Last night's PRWeek U.S. Awards highlighted the best work of the past 12 months as well as the previous two decades, but one young communicator eclipsed the professionals with his remarkable presence and poise.
Celebrating women in PR
International Women's Day provides an excellent opportunity to pay tribute to the amazing female communicators who lead the way in the PR business.
Goodbye Texties and Biters, hello Archies
As Text100 and Bite re-form as Archetype, former staffers have been reminiscing about the fundamental role the two tech firms played in their careers.
Edelman stumbles in pursuit of $1bn revenue target
As a bellwether of the overall health of the PR industry, Edelman's 2018 financials are a stark reminder of the challenges of achieving real growth on top of a large existing base in the current economic climate.
Ye olde corntroversy is a complex brew
Social media spats such as the Bud Light corn syrup affair dominate Twitter for a few days, but do consumers really pay attention and do they benefit the brands involved?
Football is a temperature gauge for America
As an expectant nation prepares for a classic Super Bowl match-up on Sunday, the defining narrative has returned to the iconic battles playing out on the field rather than side issues such as race relations and concussion.
Despite the skeptics, Davos is all business
Steve Barrett reports from the small ski resort in Switzerland that becomes the focal point of global politicians, businesspeople, and nonprofits for one week in January every year.
Gillette debate cuts two ways
A new ad from the iconic razor brand has set the internet on fire with debates around Gillette's new The Best Men Can Be positioning - this and other recent developments prove gender politics post #MeToo still have a long way to go.
9 things to know about 2019
PR doesn't exist in a vacuum and there are numerous tectonic shifts in the business and political landscape that shape the environment within which communicators operate.
Brands should be sincere and strategic when saying sorry
Apologizing for public gaffes with self-effacing humor can work wonders