Kickstand

This Valentine’s Day, take your relationships to the next level. ?? Media wins are all well and good, but a true commitment to building a lasting partnership with your clients (and your media friendlies) is worth so much more. ?? At Kickstand, we know firsthand that great #PR is about building momentum. After all, who doesn’t love a slow burn? ?? Check out our latest blog post for tips that will make your clients swoon. #PRStrategy #PRTips #ClientServices #ValentinesDay https://bit.ly/3QEAW1v

Social media isn’t what it used to be—and brands are feeling the shift. ?? Platforms are making bold moves. Users are pushing back. Advertisers are caught in the middle. So where does that leave brands? We dug into the #data, and the numbers tell a story: trust is fragile, ad targeting is harder, and the wrong platform choice could cost you more than just budget. ?? Swipe through the carousel for five key ways social media is testing brands in 2025—then check out the full report at the link below: https://bit.ly/4gyBDnz #SocialMedia #BrandStrategy #MarketingTrends #OriginalResearch

Over the next few months, a lot of brands will say they want to amplify marginalized voices. But are they actually listening? ?? At Kickstand, we believe #research is one of the most powerful tools for not just hearing—but elevating underrepresented perspectives. Our latest blog post by head of research Nycole Walsh ?? Walsh explores how brands can use #data to: ?? Uncover the gaps in representation and visibility ?? Validate the lived experiences of marginalized communities ?? Amplify voices in a way that leads to real impact Read the full post here: https://bit.ly/42G6pYf #InclusiveMarketing #BlackHistoryMonth #BrandStrategy #KickstandInsights

The digital advertising landscape is changing (again). ?? And as #SocialMedia platforms align more closely with political ideologies, consumer trust is at an all-time low. Did you know: ?? Nearly half (47%) of American adults say they “hate it” when social media platforms automatically follow accounts for them ?? Over a quarter (28%) of TikTok users say they’ll decrease their usage of the app following the events around the platform’s recent deactivation (and subsequent reactivation) ?? 30% say their opinion of brands advertising on politicized platforms will worsen How can brands navigate these choppy waters without compromising trust? Our latest report, "Social Media and the State: A New Era of Brand Challenges," dives into the data, insights, and what it all means for GTM leaders in 2025. ?? Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/4gyBDnz #BrandTrust #Research #Data?

Happy #BetterBusinessCommunicationDay from Kickstand! ?? Helping our clients convey messages exactly how, when, and where they need is our bread and butter. Especially since #AI has made it harder than ever for brands to cut through the noise of the marketplace. Now that #ContentCreation can happen at the push of a button, we need to be even more strategic about: ?? Keeping language accessible? ?? Demonstrating authenticity? ?? Competitive differentiation? ?? Engaging with our audience? ?? Sharing the right message on the right platform at the right time Ready to take your brand communication to the next level? Check out our latest blog post by Content Strategist Nora Panahi! https://bit.ly/3WwNo6M #BrandCommunication #PR #Marketing

Recently? Joanna Weinstein and Miranda McCanna became the first Kickstanders to participate in our 5-5-5 program! ?? Here’s how it works: once a Kickstand employee has been with the company for five years, they receive: 5?? A five-week paid sabbatical? 5?? A $5,000 bonus #PR is an industry that’s notorious for #EmployeeChurn. By incentivizing #retention, we can move the needle towards longer tenures and meaningful professional development for our employees. Find out how Jo and Miranda spent their 5-5-5s in our latest blog post! https://bit.ly/3PLYnW9 #CompanyBenefits #EmployeeBenefits #CompanyCulture #WorkLifeBalance?

Kickstand is a finalist in the 2025 Innovation Sabre Awards! ?? Our Balancing the Boardroom: Navigating the Path to Equitable Leadership study with Wednesday Women is one of five contenders for PRovoke Media’s award in Original/Commissioned Research for #PR. Kickstand’s commitment to conducting in-depth, industry-specific #research for our clients sets us apart from other agencies. We’re incredibly honored to be nominated for our work in this space among some other major players, and can’t wait for the ceremony next month! Check out the full Balancing the Boardroom study here: https://bit.ly/3DEE4ap #SABREAwards #SABREAwardsNorthAmerica #PRResearch #PRAgency?

Hello, 2025! ?? Are you ready to navigate the shifting landscape of #TechPR this year? We've got insights to help you stay ahead. Kickstart your 2025 strategy with COO Kristina Kennedy’s predictions for the trends shaping #B2B and #PR this year. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3PmLy4q What are your predictions for the year ahead? Drop them in the comments! ?? #PRPredictions #PRTips #B2BMarketing

I'm back with your Friday 5! Here are 5 things worth checking out asap: 1?? Nycole Walsh ?? and Kickstand just released their latest research report - From Survival to Strategy: How CMOs Will Lead in 2025 Sneak Peak: female marketing leaders were ??????% more likely than their male counterparts to say other execs give them suggestions about how to do their jobs on a DAILY BASIS.??? Full report: https://lnkd.in/gPGTxPs3 (PS - You should also give Nycole a follow ;) Thank me later.) 2?? Have you checked out the Soft Sides podcast by Laura Colagrande yet? Highly recommend doing so. With star guests like Kathleen Booth, Natalie Marcotullio, and Alex Poulos - you know it's going to be good. But what's refreshing about this show - and Laura herself - is the care that goes into these conversations. She's asking about the people BTS, what goes into their thinking, their leadership styles, who they are as human beings. Take a listen here: https://lnkd.in/egTJyfmN 3?? Speaking of podcasts, the latest episode of Women in B2B Marketing is worth checking out. I spoke with Emma Clayton FCIM - and OOF, does she have SH*T TO SAY (hat tip to Wednesday Women ?? for that line, always in my head). To quote Emma, "Marketing is being carved up like a Christmas turkey" and she's done sitting quietly, watching it happen. The role of CMO has changed - and in many cases, been eliminated altogether. What does this mean for B2B Marketers? GTM? Brands? Hear Emma's genius take: https://lnkd.in/eFQi-w3u 4?? Amber Rhodes ?? is on fire lately. She went out on her own earlier this year (I know UserGems ?? misses her!) - and has been churning out quality content here on LI. She is a meme and post VIRTUOSO. Better yet? She's launched The B2B Bulletin --- think of The Onion, but for B2B. And it's GOLD. A recent article: QUIZ: Do You Need Tools To 10x Productivity Or Do You Need Therapy? ?? ?? ?? Check it out here: https://b2bbulletin.com/ + def give her a follow if you're not already 5?? Women in Revenue launched their #unstoppable campaign about a month ago, and it might leave you speechless at first... but ultimately, fired up. Despite progress, women continue to face unfair treatment at work. Women in Revenue's latest report shows they experience high burnout, with half feeling underpaid and only 28% having mentors. ???? ???????? ?????? ???? ??????Share our stories. Spread awareness. Connect with each other and lift each other up. Learn more about this campaign and WIR: https://lnkd.in/efhNkD4c What else did I miss this week? (or the last few weeks, as I've been MIA :P) ?? #B2B #marketing #gtm #friday5

Nobody ever said the C-suite was easy. ???? But the role of #CMO can be uniquely challenging: they’re often undervalued, overscrutinized, and hold the least secure position on the executive bench. That means they need empowerment - NOT limitations. ?? Kickstand recently surveyed over a hundred CMOs and #marketing leaders to determine: ? What’s holding them back from success ? Their priorities heading into 2025? ? How the role of CMO is evolving Download the From Survival to Strategy report today to see what we found! https://lnkd.in/g4Sq6KHb #Research #2025Predictions #CSuite #MarketingStrategy