PR Week Follow us:
US Weekender  |  April 20th 2021
 

On demand: PRWeek Connect. Sessions focus on the most important topics in comms and feature leaders such as WPP's Mark Read. 

This year's Salary Survey Premium Edition delves deep into matters of compensation, job satisfaction, recruitment, retention and more. Coupled with extensive data about the impact of COVID-19 and more gender pay comparisons than ever before, the 2021 version is a must-read. Click here to download.

Please take a moment to complete this year’s Communications Bellwether Survey.

Learn more about PRDecoded, October 12-14.

It’s a huge series of questions for brands now and for the foreseeable future: when and how to take a stand on hot-button social and political issues? Executives can take a cue from Merck’s Kenneth Frazier, who was among the business leaders to sign an open letter on voting rights.

Even amid the uncertainty of the pandemic, communications executives are certainly not afraid to dive into new jobs. Just in the past week, companies such as General Motors, Gannett and Expedia have made key hires and promotions.
 

Comms amid crisis
 
Strategic PR counsel is valued more than it’s ever been Strategic PR counsel is valued more than it’s ever been
This week’s statement by America plc on the voting laws issue was another example of the central role of communications in determining business strategy and shaping corporate reputation.
Minneapolis firms reassure employees in wake of Daunte Wright death Minneapolis firms reassure employees in wake of Daunte Wright death
Agency leaders agree that sensitivity to BIPOC communities is top of mind.
Companies that have – and have not – signed a statement against discriminatory voting laws Companies that have – and have not – signed a statement against discriminatory voting laws
Former American Express CEO Ken Chenault and Merck CEO Ken Frazier organized the initial campaign.
J&J COVID-19 vaccine pause: How the company and government should have communicated about it J&J COVID-19 vaccine pause: How the company and government should have communicated about it
Pulling the vaccine may unnecessarily make it the choice of last resort if it’s reintroduced back into the market, says a former FDA communications pro.
Omnicom launches anti-Asian hate PSA challenge for agencies Omnicom launches anti-Asian hate PSA challenge for agencies
The ‘three in five’ challenge encourages all agencies to boost Asian representation in media.
 
This week's people moves
 
GM hires Darryll Harrison to lead global product group strategic comms GM hires Darryll Harrison to lead global product group strategic comms
He’s a veteran of EV-charging company ChargePoint and Volkswagen.
Expedia Group promotes Sarah Gavin Expedia Group promotes Sarah Gavin
The promotion to SVP of global communications and corporate brand follows a centralization of employee comms last fall.
Marina Maher Communications announces hires, promotion Marina Maher Communications announces hires, promotion
The agency has bolstered its healthcare leadership, strategic and digital functions.
Former NYT tech editor Tim Race joins Method Communications Former NYT tech editor Tim Race joins Method Communications
Race has also led IBM’s content hub.
Chief communications and brand officer Anne Marie Squeo departs Xerox Chief communications and brand officer Anne Marie Squeo departs Xerox
Squeo had been in the company’s top brand and communications position since early 2019.
Estée Lauder Companies’ Alexandra Trower to retire Estée Lauder Companies’ Alexandra Trower to retire
She’s set to step down on July 1; the company did not name a replacement.
Gannett hires Lark-Marie Antón to lead comms Gannett hires Lark-Marie Antón to lead comms
Antón was previously Aura’s chief communications officer.
Impossible Foods hires Apple alum Steve Turner to lead marketing Impossible Foods hires Apple alum Steve Turner to lead marketing
The brand launched its first national advertising campaign last week.
 
Trending on social
 
Chili’s pays tribute to Vine star and ‘welcome to Chili’s’ meme creator Adam Perkins Chili’s pays tribute to Vine star and ‘welcome to Chili’s’ meme creator Adam Perkins
The social media influencer died on Sunday.
IHOP lets bacon ‘speak for itself’ on Clubhouse IHOP lets bacon ‘speak for itself’ on Clubhouse
Clubhouse users can listen to bacon frying all day long on Tuesday.
Why CarMax and Dunkin’ want you to ‘do donuts’ Why CarMax and Dunkin’ want you to ‘do donuts’
Olympic ice skater Adam Rippon and actress Busy Philipps (pictured) are getting involved on Instagram.
LA County Museum of Art, Snap launch AR monument collection LA County Museum of Art, Snap launch AR monument collection
LACMA × Snapchat: Monumental Perspectives explores the history of Los Angeles.
Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish brand challenges NBA players on TikTok Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish brand challenges NBA players on TikTok
TikTokers are encouraged to beat NBA star Boban Marjanovic’s record of holding 301 crackers in one hand.
Aura Frames launches Do It for the Gram contest for senior influencers Aura Frames launches Do It for the Gram contest for senior influencers
The campaign celebrates senior women for Mother’s Day.
More than half of Instagram influencers 'engaged in fraud', with 45 per cent of accounts 'fake' More than half of Instagram influencers 'engaged in fraud', with 45 per cent of accounts 'fake'
More than half (55 per cent) of Instagram influencers were involved in some form of social media fraud and fakery in 2020, despite an eight percentage point decrease from 2019. A new study by HypeAuditor also found 45 per cent of Instagram accounts were fake.
 
Dashboard roundup
 
Samba TV names Nativdad to agency, brand solutions executive role Samba TV names Nativdad to agency, brand solutions executive role
Tim Nativdad is a veteran of Roku, Amazon and Google.
Deepfakes and digital avatars: The new celebrity brand ambassadors Deepfakes and digital avatars: The new celebrity brand ambassadors
Can an imitation be better than the real thing? That's the question on Unit9's James Murray's mind.
Overwhelmed journalists still want press releases — as long as they’re targeted: Cision Overwhelmed journalists still want press releases — as long as they’re targeted: Cision
The company’s State of the Media report makes the case for a data-driven approach to pitching.
Media Shower integrated with Google Docs Media Shower integrated with Google Docs
The integration also streamlines the collaboration process, the company says.
Cannabis streaming service sets debut date, program slate Cannabis streaming service sets debut date, program slate
Aiming to educate and entertain in equal parts, Cannected will debut its app and soft-launch on 4/20.
 
40 Under 40
 
The PRWeek US 40 Under 40 2021 is open for nominations The PRWeek US 40 Under 40 2021 is open for nominations
It’s time to put forward the next great industry leader.
 
Hall of Femme
 
Hall of Femme 2021 Hall of Femme 2021
For its sixth Hall of Femme class, PRWeek inducts a record 28 honorees who are the guiding lights within the industry
Women to Watch 2021 Women to Watch 2021
These emerging communication leaders are setting the future of the industry in motion.
Femme Forward: Pets strengthen family bonds at Bradley Zoo Femme Forward: Pets strengthen family bonds at Bradley Zoo
Like many working mothers, PRWeek’s Diana Bradley has taken on numerous extra responsibilities since the COVID-19 lockdown, as well as starting a project that expanded the household.
 
PR Week US Awards 2021
 
PRWeek US Awards 2021: The Winners PRWeek US Awards 2021: The Winners
The best campaigns, leaders and agencies are celebrated for the 22nd straight year.
 
PRWeek Global Awards 2021
 
PRWeek Global Awards 2021 – shortlist revealed PRWeek Global Awards 2021 – shortlist revealed
The shortlist for the PRWeek Global Awards 2021 has been unveiled, with some of the world's best campaigns, agencies, in-house teams and comms pros appearing in the prestigious list.
Heineken’s Stacey Tank to chair PRWeek Global Awards jury Heineken’s Stacey Tank to chair PRWeek Global Awards jury
Entries for the 2021 PRWeek Global Awards officially open today.
 
Brand Film Awards shortlist revealed
 
2021 Brand Film Awards shortlist revealed 2021 Brand Film Awards shortlist revealed
PRWeek, MM+M and Campaign US present the finalists for the annual awards show.
Q&A: Google’s Jeffrey Whipps, Brand Film Awards 2021 jury chair Q&A: Google’s Jeffrey Whipps, Brand Film Awards 2021 jury chair
The search behemoth’s VP of marketing and global brand studio lead talks filmmaking trends and why he wants to see craft and creativity on a par with Netflix and HBO in this year’s awards.
 
Buzzed-about news
 
P&G campaign asks consumers to get sustainable P&G campaign asks consumers to get sustainable
The brand spot highlights the CPG giant’s new sustainable products.
MDC Partners brings on S4 account director Rebecca Routs as global client lead MDC Partners brings on S4 account director Rebecca Routs as global client lead
The holding company is doubling down on global growth under CEO Mark Penn.
Publicis CEO on returning to growth and instrumental role of Epsilon Publicis CEO on returning to growth and instrumental role of Epsilon
The Publicis Groupe chief executive speaks to Campaign after reporting organic revenue growth of 2.8% in the first three months of 2021.
PwC CCO on why the company is paying staffers to take vacation PwC CCO on why the company is paying staffers to take vacation
Comms head J.C. Lapierre was on the leadership team that created the new program.
Independent agency network teams up with News Direct Independent agency network teams up with News Direct
It’s the latest in a string of partnerships for News Direct.
Cannes Lions 2021 PR jury members selected Cannes Lions 2021 PR jury members selected
Gail Heimann, global president and CEO of Weber Shandwick, is jury president.
 
Measuring communications
 
The future of comms: Leading voices share their vision The future of comms: Leading voices share their vision Sponsored feature
Three roundtables. Three dozen industry leaders. One common goal: To discuss what PR can do today to ensure a strong tomorrow.
Comms Challenges: Accepted and Confronted Comms Challenges: Accepted and Confronted Sponsored feature
Numerous obstacles comms has long faced have only been heightened by the inescapable uncertainty of 2020 — as evidenced by this fourth annual Comms Report from Cision and PRWeek, PR is up to the task.
Comms measurement: Adding context to the conversation Comms measurement: Adding context to the conversation Sponsored feature
As PR evolves, so must the way it is measured. New perspectives abound as industry leaders share their expertise on this Meltwater-hosted webcast.
 
Tech Talk with Newswhip's Paul Quigley

 

     Sponsored content


 

"There is no ideal PR tech stack - every firm has different needs and competences. To decide who should be in yours, consider what you need to be strong at and really invest in those core areas."

 
Subscribe to PRWeek
 

Advertise with us | Unsubscribe from PRWeek Weekend Edition | Manage email preferences
Want more of PR's latest? Join the PRWeek global community
You are receiving email as: %%EMAIL%%
View Privacy Policy and Terms of Service
© %%format(mailing_send_date,"yyyy")%% Haymarket Media Group | 275 7th Avenue, 10th Floor | New York, NY 10001