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Steve Barrett on PR
Steve Barrett is editor-in-chief 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.
Axios is the epitome of a smart modern media brand
Jim Vandehei and Mike Allen have quickly established their latest media venture as a must-read alternative to mainstream media.
Brand Russia wins the World Cup
Fears about holding the biggest global sporting event in a country seen as cold, unfriendly, and austere were ultimately proved unfounded and a festival of football and friendship emerged from the brand misconceptions.
Earned media dominates Cannes, but PR firms don't have a monopoly on it
The winners of the 2018 PR Lions exhibited very similar characteristics to previous years, with creative agencies dominating PR firms' home turf once again - but there was encouragement in other Cannes categories.
Cannes, soccer, more stunts, and Edelman
A very short missive this week as I'm hitting the deadline buffers before I head off to Cannes for the annual Festival of Creativity and then the World Cup in Russia.
Denny's proves there's life in the old stunt yet
Stunt is a word PR pros have been trying to escape for years, but this week suggests there is still mileage in this old school way of attracting attention - as long as it is accompanied by a bit of plain old common sense too.
Sorrell successor should place diversity at top of to-do list
As an iconic leader unveils his new plans, his former employer's annual review draws a perfunctory line under its founder's 33-year contribution to the company.
Cannes PR Jury is bigger but smaller this year
Forty jurors will deliberate online but the final judging group in Cannes will comprise just 10 people rather than the usual 20.
Global Awards show strength of PR profession around world
This week's PRWeek Global Awards winners and a taste of the bullish U.K. PR sector represent a welcome contrast to the relative stasis in the U.S.
Shock and brawl can be an effective strategy
Communicators have a natural tendency to play safe and fly beneath the radar, but lessons from combat theory in Top Gun and our current President suggest it pays to embrace chaos and confusion once in a while.
PR must embrace next generation of storytelling
PRWeek and Campaign's Brand Film Festival gala screening showed how much the craft has developed and reflects the tipping point into brand storytelling that is overtaking interruptive advertising.
Editor's Letter: PR industry cautiously optimistic this year after a rough 2017
This year's Agency Business Report shows a rocky year didn't smooth out until Q4, and even Q1 2018, for many firms.
Steve Barrett on PR: Sorrell legacy lies in the balance
Much of the analyst commentary about WPP post-Sorrell betrays a fundamental lack of understanding about modern marketing and communications.
Zuck transformation proves power of communication
The awkward and sweaty young man in a hoodie has evolved into a confident and effective communicator who is a good front person for Facebook.
Editor's Letter: PR leaders take action to create equitable cultures
A PRWeek survey showed over half of respondents experienced sexual harassment in the workplace - 31% more than six times - but an overwhelming majority didn't report it
Don't underestimate the Roseanne effect
This week's hit revival of the 80s and 90s family sitcom opens a lens on Middle America often ignored by the coastal elites and provides an insight into what drives millions of ordinary U.S. consumers.
IBM: Culture supersedes individuals and org charts
The news that Ketchum and Text100 will end their 17-year stints working on IBM's PR account raises questions about the integration of communications and marketing, agency longevity, and innovation in a disruptive world.
The Oscars of the PR industry
The 2018 PRWeek Awards showed a tremendous diversity of work and practitioner that bodes extremely well for the future of the profession.
Sorrell hands Imperato reins to iconic firm after years of double-digit growth
Charismatic Cohn & Wolfe leader and WPP boss Martin Sorrell favorite Donna Imperato becomes second woman in just four months to assume CEO role at top five global PR agency.
CCOs: not 'naysayers' or 'wet blankets', rather the conscience of companies
Integrity and trust must be the objectives of all modern enterprises - and the effective CCO is at the heart of achieving these elusive goals.
Young Olympians carry torch for a brighter future
Brands are just one of the entities that can benefit from the strength and idealism demonstrated by young people ranging from snowboarder Chloe Kim to the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.
AI is changing the world, but will it end in utopia or dystopia?
Machine learning is ushering in a future that will revolutionize all our lives and open up many new channels of creativity - but it also facilitates those who prefer to prioritize evil over good.
Davos shows companies can't just be Switzerland
From Edelman's Trust Barometer to Larry Fink's CEO letter to Martin Sorrell's CNBC appearance, reputation, purpose, and the important role of communications were all top of mind.
Agency identity crisis represents danger and opportunity
The success of a full-service Brooklyn-based agency that put digital and business transformation at its heart from the start is a beacon for rivals looking to help their clients navigate the new world of marcomms.
Editor's blog: How will "the Mikes" spend their money?
There were more men named Michael than there were female CEOs presenting at this week's JP Morgan Healthcare Conference. Trump's tax reform means the Mikes are sitting on big piles of cash to spend in 2018 and beyond, which has big implications for marketers and communicators.
Editor's Choice: The PR playbook is more important than ever
Updated - Could 2018 possibly be any more dramatic, challenging, invigorating, and - sometimes - depressing than 2017? Absolutely. But one thing is for certain: earned media will be at the center of everything.
Rafferty promotion is a start, but there's still a long way to go
Ketchum's promotion of a woman to the top executive role at the Omnicom firm is long overdue and must be the start of a wider movement for agency leadership to better reflect the rest of the PR workforce.
Chasing BRIC: Brazil's PR industry works to tell the story of the nation's recovery
Three key figures in Brazilian PR share how the nation is rebuilding its reputation and economy following a wave of corruption that threw the country off the course toward reaching the potential its BRIC status forecasted in the early 2010s.
Here's to a 2018 to remember
Steve Barrett dishes on PRWeek's 20th anniversary, the PRWeek Awards, and this year's Hall of Fame.
Ascential bids to stem Cannes bleeding
Organizers of the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity this week made their play to placate an industry increasingly frustrated by the costs associated with a week on La Croisette - but, for the PR sector at least, the changes seem positive.
Black swans are circling overhead
This has been a tough year for the PR business but there may be even worse times ahead if the "fear index" is to be believed.
Time for Twitter, Facebook, and Google to show real responsibility
Whether they accept they are media companies or not, the social media behemoths have to pay more attention to security and be subject to the same rules and regulations that mainstream media players abide by.
PR Compact: an ethical dilemma
When the most famous person in PR sends out a call to action it behooves us to listen - but the ethical line in the sand should be a case of common sense for most people.
You can still do a lot with 140 characters
Twitter is testing an extension of its character limit to 280 but this week continued to demonstrate the massive power of the existing platform, whether it is President Trump or Russian operatives trying to influence the national agenda.
The week in communications
Check out the highlights from a busy and interesting week in PR and communications.
Burson on the business of persuasion
Harold Burson's latest book contains some fascinating reflections on his seven-decade career in PR and lots of useful takeaways for those wanting to improve their professional practice.
Secrets to upward mobility for CCOs
Becoming CCO used to be seen as the pinnacle of achievement for a PR professional - but there's no reason why communicators shouldn't set their sights much higher.
Swipe right to embrace change
As communications evolves at a frantic pace it has never been more important to keep your knowledge, skills, and inspiration up to date to remain on top of your brief.
Tragedy of Charlottesville illustrates America's deep divide
Business can fill the moral vacuum created by President Trump but company CEOs have to balance a tightrope in doing so.
I, robot
The robots may one day fulfil dystopian science fiction visions and take over the human race, but that day is still far in the future - in the meantime, marketers and communicators are working out how AI can be effectively utilized in their world.
Hey Mooch: you're not meant to be the story
The new White House communications director has made an immediate mark in a totally unorthodox way that isn't making anyone think of PR in a more positive light after the Sean Spicer experience.
Influencers are the changing face of marketing
The FTC wants to crack down on influencer marketing but, transparency aside, people increasingly turn to people like themselves when they are seeking information and entertainment.
Holding company woes represent good news for PR
Brian Wieser from Pivotal Research reduced price targets on agency holding companies in light of difficult trading conditions - but these structural and temporal difficulties will bring PR more central to the marketing mix.
PR's power players share their vision
The collected wit and wisdom of the 270 individuals in PRWeek's Global Power Book provide some significant indicators for the future of the industry.
Cannes: it's a wrap
An inspirational and energizing week on Le Côte d'Azur will reward close scrutiny by all professionals working in communications and marketing.
Tectonic plates of Cannes are shifting
Publicis set the cat among the pigeons on its home turf when it announced it was taking a break from Cannes and industry awards for 12 months - festival organizer Ascential must ensure its upcoming consultation doesn't give everyone the hump.
Cannes talk: What's in an idea?
PR firms did well at Cannes this year, but the multiple-Lions-winning Care Counts case study by Whirlpool shows just how difficult it is to give proper credits to those who work on campaigns.
9 Cannestastic things to know about next week
The full skinny on Cannes as the worlds of communications, marketing, and creativity gather for the annual boondoggle/Festival of Creativity.
Lord Buckethead and Lion of London Bridge sum up crazy week
Triumph, tragedy, achievement, and the simply bizarre marked a week that was memorable for many reasons.
Gender equality: time for action
Women in PR should remain authentic and be true to themselves but exhortations to speak up and network more should be accompanied by equal pay and equal opportunities.