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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.
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
The road ahead in 2019
A long read for the holidays reflecting on developments in PR, politics, and business in 2018 and analyzing the implications and trends set to define next year.
Truth well told is excellent mantra for future
The inspiration on show at PRWeek events this week shows there's more that binds us together than divides us in an environment where a truth well told is an appropriate guiding principle.
Keep calm and communicate on
High-profile developments such as GM's business transformation announcement on Monday call for strong and considered reactions from all concerned - especially the communications department.
What the !#@% is PR?
PR firms are going to market in an increasingly diverse number of ways, with some doubling down on the term PR while others tout their wider marketing credentials - the truth is there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Remember Jamal Khashoggi by fighting for a free press
The brutal murder and dismemberment of The Washington Post columnist and U.S. resident in a place that was supposed to be a safe haven is a somber reminder that we can't take universal freedoms for granted.
The death of horizontality
WPP this week retired its Health & Wellness operating brand and will move the constituent parts into group agencies in the first half of 2019.
Sector has seat at table as PRWeek U.S. turns 20
After two decades of existence in the U.S., PRWeek is pleased to report that the communications profession has earned its share of influence with CEOs and C-suite executives.
Four brand films, four diverse stories and outcomes
Advertising Week proved a relevant opportunity to take the temperature of brand filmmaking and be inspired by great proponents of their craft.
Diverse teams produce better work
Research shows diverse groups of workers come up with better ideas - and that adage is proved by the inspirational work and leaders honored at the eighth iteration of PRWeek's high-profile diversity initiative.
Don't ask permission, just do it
White House political veteran Jennifer Palmieri this week passed on advice that all communicators can learn from at USC's Lead On! Women in Communication Leadership Forum.
PRWeek embraces new ideas at Chicago conference
Chicago's Ideas Week from October 15-21 is an appropriate context for PRWeek to convene the PR industry for its high-profile and inspiring annual conference.
Brands: Doing nothing is no longer an option
Taking a stand is fraught with risk and potential downsides, but iconic brands such as Nike and Levi's are embracing danger and drawing a line in the sand on issues as various as immigration, race relations, gun violence, and trade tariffs.
Steve Schmidt says he "tap-danced on the White House lawn" - but never lied
Portrayed by Woody Harrelson in a 2012 HBO film, the former Schwarzenegger, George W. Bush, and John McCain adviser is still the king of the one-liners.
Don't lose your head in the dog days of August
PR has shown no signs of slowing down this summer, but the cloying heat of August seems to have led some communicators to completely lose the plot.
Helicopter view of marketing services won't favor PR
PR is in danger of being marginalized as holding company consortia throw earned media into the pot in the hunt for blockbuster integrated big brand media and creative pitch wins.
PR people aren't defense lawyers
Ethical considerations should underpin all credible PR practice - not everyone deserves PR representation and black ops should not be part of the communications playbook.
9 top tips to win a PRWeek Award
Awards season is upon us - check out Steve Barrett's essential 9-point guide to producing winning entries.