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.
Health comms is an unstoppable force
Despite economic headwinds, the health communications sector shows no signs of slowing down.
A stain on the glorious game
As the most controversial soccer World Cup in history gets set to kick off, fans, players and marketers are venturing into unknown and potentially dangerous territory.
Midterms provided hope for a more civil discourse
Pre-election predictions failed to come to fruition as many voters rejected election deniers and low-quality candidates.
Brands should push the pause button on Twitter
Marketers and advertisers crave certainty and stability, but the first week under the leadership of Chief Twit Elon Musk has demonstrated precisely the opposite of that.
Let’s not talk ourselves into a recession
Financial results season has increased talk of an economic downturn in 2023 but the picture is still very confused and many companies continue to post good numbers — so the prevailing narrative should not be all doom and gloom.
Advertising addresses the climate emergency
The Ad Net Zero global climate action initiative aims to convene international efforts to decarbonize the marketing industries.
Evolution of purpose: Lessons from PRDecoded
An inspiring trip to Chicago for PRWeek’s big annual conference showed business is committed to keeping purpose top of mind despite a challenging economy and detractors attacking “woke capitalism.”
5 things for your immediate PRWeek to-do list
The next eight days are super-important on the PRWeek calendar – make sure you have all your ducks in a row regarding the PRWeek Awards, PRDecoded, Purpose Awards and other brand milestones.
Crisis and listening now top PR skills hierarchy
While writing is still important, PRWeek’s latest in-depth research shows it has dropped to third place in the skills league table.
PR can help fix the world’s addiction to fossil fuels
The PR industry must push back against the narrative played out at this week’s UN General Assembly where the profession was portrayed in pejorative fashion as a dark art practiced by spin doctors.
The Changemakers diversity conundrum
Diverse PR pros are invited to the ball but their dance cards are still empty.
Thank you for your service: 'A jewel to the world and not just the UK'
Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s longest-serving monarch and often acted as its chief communications officer.
PR has a PR problem
Public relations is a valuable and rewarding career on a par with professional services such as law and finance – but the PR industry needs to do a better job of communicating that to the brightest graduates.
5 things to watch post-Labor Day
With COVID-19 finally disappearing into the rear-view mirror the PR industry is returning from its summer break with plenty of items on its to-do list.
The sun is rising in the east and west for TikTok
Every communicator and marketer now needs to know how to operate effectively on TikTok, which has rapidly established itself as the most important social network for young consumers.
40 Under 40: Inspiring communications drawn from inspiring talent
This year's diverse group of 40 Under 40 honorees lead by example in both expertly addressing the evolving challenges of modern-day PR while also giving back.
A wake-up call for PR agency leaders
This week’s news that former Weber Shandwick COO Frank Okunak embezzled over $16 million from Interpublic Group’s largest PR firm came as a shock to most people in the industry.
Omnicom farmers have been replaced by hunters
This week’s holding company financials provided valuable insight into the likely impact of a recession on the PR economy and suggested the sector is continuing on a growth trajectory even in these troubled times.
An industry at the top of its game
PR is a people business and this year’s PRWeek Power Listers comprise those individuals blazing a trail in vitally important functions.
Changemakers will reward PR agencies that truly embrace DE&I
PRWeek’s new initiative in partnership with Google revolves around a Changemakers Advisory Council of in-house comms leaders that will identify firms that are walking the walk rather than just talking the talk.
A devastating development for women’s rights
Every company will need to engage employees on the new rules surrounding abortion given the fundamental link between healthcare and employment in the U.S.
PR is the next trend at Cannes
PR agencies may once again have struck out in their own Lions category but earned media was an intrinsic part of every successful activation at the first in-person Festival of Creativity in three years.
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Continued energy required to defeat diversity complacency
As the second annual official federal Juneteenth holiday approaches, there is still a vast amount of work to do to combat inequality in the PR industry.
Women of Distinction inspire excellence
PRWeek’s annual salute to female PR leaders and the generation coming up behind them never fails to disappoint.
Pride is not just for the month of June
Amid a febrile and fractured environment that is increasingly frightening for marginalized members of society, the pride movement will only grow and flourish if it extends year round.
5 takeaways from the PRWeek Global Awards
Plus, a gallery of images from the first in-person PRWeek Global Awards in three years.
Healthcare is big business for PR firms
Revenue from healthcare and pharma clients now makes up around a third of PR agency revenues and the scope of this expertise was reflected in PRWeek’s first summit and awards devoted entirely to the area.
Agency Business Report 2022: Stunning growth shatters expectations
PRWeek’s Steve Barrett summarizes a year of unprecedented expansion that could have been even better without the Great Resignation.
The digital town square is about to get a new owner
Mercurial entrepreneur Elon Musk’s bid to acquire the social network where brands, corporations and politicians hang out will revolutionize public discourse one way or another.
Don’t be afraid to say PR
PR firms are thriving in a world that is increasingly reliant on the high-level services they offer — but agencies are strangely reluctant to use the traditional nomenclature when they go to market.
Booming PR industry is based on a finite resource: People
The communications industry is flourishing and demand for services has never been higher, but that has led to a squeeze on the human capital that is the essential raw material of the business.
Paid media is a growth opportunity for PR firms
While the PR sector has its roots in earned media, the ubiquity of digital communications and marketing channels in modern storytelling means many consumer campaigns have a strong paid element.
Women of Distinction inspire all PR professionals
PRWeek is honoring the women leading the industry, the next generation of movers and shakers and how they will define the future of work.
Role of CCO crucial as geopolitics changes everything
From ground-level descriptions of PR pros fleeing the invasion to the layered and complicated knock-on effects of economic sanctions, the conflict in Ukraine is having a massive impact.
Celebration amid reflection at the Oscars of PR ceremony
The first in-person PRWeek Awards gala for three years and ringing the Closing Bell at Nasdaq capped a landmark week of returning to live networking for the industry after a COVID-induced hiatus.
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Darius Slayton, Jamie Dimon, Nasdaq and the Oscars of PR
A super-busy period for PRWeek spans a New York Giants’ wide receiver, JPMorgan’s CEO, ringing the Closing Bell at Nasdaq and the biggest night on the PR calendar.
State of Union spreads to Ukraine
Business stepped into the fray as this week's address to the country by President Biden was dominated by messages to the world about the illegal invasion of President Zelensky's Ukraine by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
The Olympics: It’s complicated
Winter Olympics athletes in Beijing are striving to preserve the idealistic and purposeful values of the Games and protect “chivalry, honor and glory” despite the harsh realities of the modern world.
Say hello to the first $1 billion PR agency
A strong rebound after a tough pandemic year is propelling the world’s largest PR firm toward a totemic financial milestone – and this rising tide reflects a lift for all boats.
Joe Rogan case mirrors the American conversation
Trust in an already embattled media was put to the test this week as three high-profile companies dealt with crises that threatened their reputations.
The power of capitalism and wokeness are not mutually exclusive
This week’s spate of high-profile shareholder letters, deal-making and 2021 financial releases illustrate the fundamental tension between purpose and balance sheets.
Polansky: A class act who leaves big shoes to fill
The announcement that PR legend Andy Polansky is retiring in June marks the end of an era at Interpublic Group - and in the PR industry in general.
Six things to do in January
It’s a busy start to the year for PR professionals and PRWeek – here are a few things to prioritize.
Say it loud: PR is an impact business
As we call it a wrap on a difficult 2021, let’s be proud of the PR industry’s achievements this year and push back against lazy stereotypes about it.
Media relations is still key in effective PR practice
The honorees for PRWeek’s Hall of Fame Class of 2021 demonstrate why media relations extends way beyond smiling and dialing and remains one of the most important elements of the PR toolkit.
GE was the training ground for a generation of PR talent
As the industrial behemoth prepares to split into three separate entities, it’s worth reflecting on the enormous amount of respected communications leaders who plied their trade at GE.
The new non-mandated hybrid workplace
Post-pandemic workers are looking for very different things from their employers and offices. Progressive companies must embrace this new reality rather than trying to put the mandate genie back in the bottle.
Should PR firms work with Big Oil?
The debate centers on whether agencies can achieve more by helping legacy climate polluters transform their companies than by refusing to take their business.
WPP’s Q3 financials prove PR is on a tear
Purpose, reputation, employee activism, political polarization and a racial reckoning are fueling big spikes in demand for smart communications counsel.
PR's next generation of leaders is vibrant and diverse
This year's 40 Under 40 honorees have proven their mettle during a challenging year that pushed the comms, PR and marketing functions to new heights.
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