Top Global PR Articles This Week

You’ll have plenty to explore this week with our handpicked selection of 17 articles covering the latest in PR and Corporate Communications from around the globe. Stay informed and stay relevant with these essential reads.

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Crisis Communication and Reputation Management

1. When IT hits the fan: How brands are responding to the world’s biggest outage ever (The Drum): A global IT outage caused by a faulty update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected Microsoft systems, leading to massive disruptions in air travel, TV broadcasts, and retail payments. The article explores how brands managed this unprecedented crisis, addressing the complexity of the issue and the significant backlash faced by CrowdStrike, underscoring the importance of effective crisis communication.
2. The Riskiest Topics For Businesses To Address In The Rest Of 2024 (PR Daily): Businesses face significant reputational risks when addressing political and social issues. Gravity Research's Q2 2024 Risk Index identifies the most contentious topics and advises companies on which issues to avoid and which might still be worth engaging with, emphasizing the need for careful consideration in corporate communications to mitigate backlash.
3. Study: Five Issues That Are Setting The Reputation Agenda In Asia-Pacific (Provoke Media): A new report by PRCA APAC, featuring insights from 30 communications and PR leaders across Asia-Pacific, identifies key issues defining reputation management in the region. The report highlights diverse perspectives from in-house and agency leaders, detailing important trends and initiatives for 2024, and emphasising the strategic importance of reputation in corporate communications.
4. Got an Unexpected Call from a Reporter? Don’t Panic – Do This Instead (Michelle Garrett): Handling unexpected media inquiries is a crucial aspect of reputation management. The article advises against panicking and instead recommends a calm, proactive approach to media requests. It emphasizes the importance of preparing resources and responses to maintain a positive relationship with the media and protect the organization's reputation.

Communication and PR Strategies

1. What we can learn about great comms from one viral thread (Influence): A recent viral thread on social media during the UEFA European Football Championship humorously critiqued the England men's football team, highlighting the pervasive sexism in sports language. The conversation cleverly reversed sexist comments often directed at women's football, showing the power of language in shaping perceptions. This example underscores the importance of timing and emotional evocation in communication, lessons that can be applied in the workplace to improve how we convey messages and shape narratives.
2. How should PR practitioners interpret Wednesday’s King’s Speech? (Influence): The State Opening of the UK Parliament is not just a ceremonial event but a critical moment for public affairs professionals. The King’s Speech outlines the government's legislative agenda, which public relations practitioners must swiftly summarize for clients. However, the article argues that the traditional focus on individual bills is often misplaced, as many bills are significantly amended or dropped. Instead, the broader implications and strategic responses to the legislative agenda should be the focus for businesses and their advisors.
3. Another company abandons DE&I initiatives after outcry from conservative activist (PR Daily): The world’s largest seller of farm equipment, John Deere has decided to scale back its diversity and inclusion initiatives following criticism from conservative activist Robby Starbuck. The article discusses the backlash against the company's "woke" policies and highlights the broader challenges that organizations face in balancing DE&I efforts with external political pressures.

Digital Tools and Strategies

1. 28 Simple, Free SEO Tools to Boost Your Search Rankings in 2024 (Buffer): The article lists the best free SEO tools available to help improve search rankings on Google and Bing. Emphasizing the importance of having the right tools for efficiency, it provides a variety of options for different SEO needs. These tools are accessible for all skill levels and can lead to immediate improvements in digital marketing efforts.
2. How to Get Your Emails Seen, Read, and Acted On: Deliverability and Testing Tips (Marketing Profs): Success in email marketing hinges on deliverability and engagement. The article offers strategies to improve the chances of emails reaching recipients' inboxes and being acted upon. Key tactics include boosting engagement to support a strong sender reputation, avoiding spam complaints, and continuously testing what works best for your audience.
3. Why Companies Fail At Influencer Marketing (PR News): Many businesses struggle with influencer marketing due to unrealistic expectations. The article explains that successful influencer campaigns require collaboration and cannot rely solely on the influencer's efforts. Companies must actively participate in the process to achieve the desired outcomes and avoid wasting resources on ineffective partnerships.
4. YouTube’s Platforms: Users Can’t Live Without Them (Marketing Charts): YouTube has become indispensable to its users, with a study showing it as a top entertainment service that people can't live without. The article highlights YouTube's strong position among both marketers and users, emphasizing its importance as a platform for both content consumption and advertising.

Market and Business Analysis

1. 25 B2B marketing statistics that sum up 2024 at the half-year mark (Sword & The Script): The first half of 2024 has been tough for B2B technology companies, with reduced marketing budgets and a focus on performance and customer marketing. This article compiles 25 statistics to illustrate the current state of B2B marketing, highlighting how companies are adapting to economic challenges and shifting their strategies to maintain effectiveness.
2. Frasers CFO confident luxury market will bounce back (Drapers): Despite a dip in revenue for Frasers Group's premium lifestyle division, CFO Chris Wootton remains optimistic about the luxury market's recovery. The article outlines the company's strategic investments in store estates and digital platforms, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the luxury market and the group's preparedness to capitalize on future demand.

Trends and Consumer Insights??

1. Gen Z Seeks Escapism Not Through Tech, But From It (PR Week): Despite their tech-savviness, Gen Z is increasingly seeking real-life experiences over digital ones. This article argues that brands should focus on creating tangible, offline experiences to connect with Gen Z consumers who are tired of the constant screen time required by modern life, highlighting a shift in consumer behaviour that prioritizes authenticity and physical engagement.
2. The Secret To Success For The Next Generation of Retailers (FastCompany): On New York's Bleecker Street, three diverse retailers are thriving by using Oracle NetSuite, an integrated cloud business system. The article highlights how this technology helps streamline business processes and sales channels, illustrating the importance of efficient tech solutions in supporting entrepreneurial success and retail growth.

Workplace Dynamics and Collaboration

1. Is effective collaboration while working from home a PR myth? (PR Moment): The article examines the challenges and opportunities of hybrid work models in the PR industry. With a significant portion of the UK workforce now working remotely or in a hybrid setup, it explores how teams can maintain productive collaboration across virtual and physical workspaces, featuring insights from six PR professionals on best practices for effective communication and idea sharing.

Industry-Specific Communication

1. Balancing Scientific and Technical Copywriting in Life Sciences Communications (Business Wire): Communicating complex scientific information in an engaging and accurate way is crucial in life sciences marketing. The article provides tips for balancing technical language with compelling storytelling, aiming to make scientific content accessible without oversimplifying it. Effective communication in this field requires clarity, precision, and the ability to inspire action through well-crafted messages.

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