Press Box - April 2024

The Rundown

This Content was NOT Created by AI...

Although, you may see that label coming to your feeds because Meta is rolling out AI in a big way. The search feature on Instagram and Facebook is now powered by Meta AI. You even have the option to tap on a variety of search prompts to help your exploration. But the big news is that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a pilot for AI-backed chatbots that would support macro influencers on the platform. “The goal, according to the people, is to give creators with large followings the ability to better connect with fans while decreasing the amount of work required to personally respond to large numbers of messages and comments,” the New York Times reports. ?

A Whole New World (Generation)

The public relations field is having to rapidly adapt to how the younger generation is consuming news. Instead of reading newspapers, watching broadcast news or tuning into radio shows, Gen Z is consuming news through short-form video on social, digital and audio platforms. Axios?dives into how to reach this generation through public relations. Communicators Crack Down

Are you thinking about how to tackle misinformation, disinformation and malinformation at your organization? PRSA has a new white paper you’ll want to check out (membership required). The national PRSA team connected with 25 senior communicators about their thoughts on approaches and solutions for disrupting misinformation. Bookmark the page because PRSA plans to update the resource with new research and data.

Creative Homerun

Meet MIRV, Chesterfields Mobile Information Resource Vehicle

When Chesterfield County was looking for an on-the-go information resource, our creative team stepped in to deliver its first wrapped vehicle. Designed with the goal of having a presence at different Chesterfield County events throughout the year, the grand reveal was at Outdoor Fest earlier this month. It sports the brand-new Experience Chesterfield brand, which our team also was a part of, and represents all the county has to offer.

Inside Baseball

On the Road for VCCS

Our team recently hit the road to gather video content to promote Virginia’s Community Colleges’ FastForward program. Interviews with more than 50 students, faculty and business leaders about their community college experiences were chronicled by two video crews and a photography team. Then, it was off to Roanoke for the New Horizons conference to capture even more stories. Be on the lookout for the finished cuts as we share excerpts on social media – or as we like to say, slicing the content turkey. ?

In Full Bloom

Just a reminder, successful media relations often means playing the long game. You’ll find Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden as part of a summer getaways piece in an upcoming issue of Washingtonian magazine. The successful pitch was a good nine months in the making. ?

Trucks, Terminals amp; Triumphs

For some clients, trade media relations is a top priority, and our Estes team recently secured seven national trade placements for the Richmond-based trucking company, including these two in FreightWaves and The Trucker. ?

Social Work Month

The demand for professional social workers exceeds the supply, and UMFS’ Ralph Branch III sat down with WDBJ’s Kate Capodanno as part of the station’s Here @ Home?segment to discuss careers in social work as part of Social Work Month. ?

We Love Interns

While bidding adieu to our trio of outstanding spring interns, we learned that we have been named one of Virginia’s top employers for interns!!! The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership – part of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia – recently named 136 recipients for its 2024 award, including 35 from the Central Virginia region. Joining Hodges on the local list are Dominion Energy, Genworth, the State Corporation Commission and Kinsale Insurance. “These employers deserve recognition for their innovative internship programs and helping students learn and grow,” said Alisha Bazemore, assistant director of innovative work-based learning initiatives at SCHEV.

The Bench

Next in our series that introduces?partners on our bench is On Three Photography.?Specializing in?lifestyle, event, and product photography, On Three is co-owned by first generation Americans Stephen Ong and Kegham Hovsepian. Ong?is first-generation Vietnamese American, and Hovsepian?is first-generation Armenian Palestinian American. It’s their diverse experiences and open perspectives that help?them achieve their goal of capturing the culture of brands and individuals and telling their stories?through impactful imagery.

Learn more about On Three Photography and see samples of work on its website?(below is a behind-the-scenes?shot On Three captured from our recent Virginia's Community Colleges trip, which features another?bench partners we'll highlight in a future edition of The Press Box).