Jarrod Williams Chart.PR FIIC

Some tips from me on entering these (or indeed any) awards. 🏆 On discussing Press For Attention PR’s sponsored category, Responsible Business, Greg shared: “First up, tell us judges a story. We don’t need to hear about what you do, your history and inside leg measurements. Set the scene by all means but grab our attention early on by explaining the problem or challenge as it stood and how you tackled it and crucially…why? How did you change things? What does it mean for the user/stakeholder? Remember, nobody wants a drill…they want a hole in the wall. Show us the results.

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A quick reminder about our online open event here at PR Academy Ltd for anyone thinking about a qualification in internal communication. ❓ Course leaders Dr Kevin Ruck and Martin Flegg Chart. PR FCIPR CIIC will talk through what the Chartered Institute of Public Relations qualifications are like and answer any questions. 👩‍🎓 You'll also hear from graduate and CIPR Inside group chair Katie Marlow Chart. PR I've popped a link to register in the comments below. #internalcomms #employeeengagement #employeeexperience

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A little bit of 'crisis comms' advice from a comms professional... for Innovate UK (and/or anyone else going through some bad press right now)... >> Do not change your messaging after the event in the hope no one will notice. << Own your mistake / problem. Take accountability. Be honest. Be transparent. Be human - show vulnerability. If you messed up, say it. If you don't know what's gone wrong, say it. If you need time to come up with a plan, be truthful. The worst thing you can do is A) lie or B) try to cover it up. Boris Johnson is a fantastic example of why this is not a good strategy! For context, if you've been living under a bush and missed the huge wave of commentary about this on LinkedIn, the ‘Women in Innovation Awards’ promised that 50 female-founded and female-led businesses would receive a £75k grant and package of support, from a funding pot of £4 million. 1,452 women applied for the award; but only 25 awards have been granted. Assuming each grant is £75,000, this is a total of £1,875,000. This leaves £2,125,000 unfunded at present 💸 Originally, the website said it would award 50 women up to £75,000. It has now been changed to say 'up to' 50 women would be awarded 'up to' £75,000.

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Very useful guide for anyone considering a #PR qualification.

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A serious post for a Friday, prompted by sage advice from Chartered Institute of Public Relations. We are living through worrying, uncertain, emotive times and it's a reminder to ensure we respond to our stakeholders with support, considered advice and clear messaging. A simple communications update can make a huge difference, particularly for those affected by these events and ongoing fear and uncertainty. There is some really good advice and resources here, whether you are a communications professional or a business leader, please take a moment to read. https://lnkd.in/ePWEyH65

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‘You can’t really measure the impact of PR’. I hear that said so often that sometimes even those of us working in the sector can be at risk of internalising that belief. Which is why it’s so uplifting when a client takes the time to write in on a Friday afternoon to say ‘the result of the press coverage [that Rostrum generated] is a 25% increase in website traffic and a 50% increase in form completions’. That’s a measurable return on investment from your PR programme.

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Every year Full Fat Agency | Certified BCorp submits its data to the PRWeek UK and People Like Us Pay Gap Report Project, which are then published along with every other agency that submits data. Why do we it? 🖼 Our data along with others helps paint a bigger picture of the Ethnicity & Gender pay gap in the PR industry and where change is needed 💰 It demonstrates our commitment to fair pay to our employees 🔎 It ensures we analyse our pay gaps every year 👀 It holds us accountable Participation in the industry is noticeably lacking but it is improving and this year could be the biggest report to date. There's still time for agencies to submit data via a very simple online form before the deadline next Monday 27th August. #PayEquity #PayGapReport

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Last week Katie Marlow Chart. PR Martin Flegg Chart. PR FCIPR CIIC and I ran an open event to explain how the Internal Communication Qualifications delivered by PR Academy Ltd and awarded by CIPR Qualifications work. The qualifications are now very well-established as specialist courses that are focused on strategic planning, grounded in the latest theory and knowledge that is linked to good practice. Our students often report how their the courses improve their confidence. On completion, many students are promoted or secure a long-desired career move. At PR Academy we currently have a 10% reduction on tuition fees in July. When you study an internal communication qualification with us, you also have free access to a wide range of regular live workshops on other communication topics such as digital communication, crisis communication, sustainability communication, public affairs, and data-led communication planning. There are two levels: certificate and diploma. Both can be completed in 6-8 months with 2-4 hours study a week. To find out more about the qualifications, watch the replay of the open event on the PR Academy website (scroll down the home page to the 'Internal Comms Online Open Event Recording)'. This includes an overview of the content of the certificate and diploma courses, a demo of PR Academy's Study Hub and the benefits of continuous professional development. #internalcommunication #internalcomms #employeeengagement #employeeexperience #strategiccommunication #corporatecommunication #leadershipcommunication

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The UK Government Communication Service has published another fantastic guide. This time it's the Crisis Communications Planning Guide STOP Template. The new STOP guide provides a robust framework for crisis comms planning: S - Strategy: Clear objectives rooted in audience insights. T - Tactics: Set out key actions for the first hour, day, and week of a crisis. O - Organisation: Build key relationships, clear sign-off processes, and assign roles. P - People: Support your team with the right training. As with most GCS guides and frameworks it is relevant to best practice in the private sectors as well as government and the public sector. There is a link to the guide on the GCS website in the comments. 💡 I am Stuart Bruce. I can help you: 🚀 Modernise your PR and comms 🤖 Use AI for PR and comms 🔥 Protect your reputation in a crisis 📈 Improve your insight and measure your comms 🔔 You can ring the bell on my profile to see more posts like this. #publicrelations #communications #pr #aiinpr

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🚨 REVEALED 🚨 : What the local election results mean for your planning application. ...and drum roll please.... Nothing. Huh? New political administrations, new councillors, lots of briefings needed - right? No, not really. Ask yourself, are members of planning committees still going to be influenced by NIMBYs? If the answer is 'yes' to this question, then it's 'yes' to the next. Will members of planning committees be influenced by supporters? So your plan to focus on generating meaningful support is still the right one. Unless that's not your plan, in which case.... ... do you think it should be? #planning #housing #realestate

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As the campaign leaflets are packed away and a new government settles in following the UK’s #GeneralElection, the #digital strategies employed by the parties offer insights for corporate communications teams.   Read more in our latest blog thanks to Mark Wainwright Ivan Seifert Seonaid Strachan Ben Marshall & Vivek Mehta👇 #digitalstrategy #insight #collaboration

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Why proactive PR strategies are essential for ambitious B2B brands To maximise media coverage Create the story, lead the story, be the story. Proactively engaging with journalists and influencers ensures your brand is consistently in the spotlight, enhancing visibility and credibility. To shape the industry narrative Lead, challenge and guide. By leading conversations rather than reacting to them, your brand can set industry trends and become a thought leader. Proactive PR allows you to control your brand's narrative and influence market perceptions. Strengthen stakeholder relationships The more I see you the more I like you. Regular, proactive communication builds stronger relationships with stakeholders. It demonstrates your commitment and foresight, making your brand a trusted partner in the industry. To accelerate business growth The more I like you the more I trust you. Consistent media presence and positive coverage fuel business growth. Proactive PR strategies attract new clients, retain existing ones, and boost overall brand equity. Ambitious B2B brands can't afford to be passive. Implementing proactive PR strategies is key to staying relevant, influential, and ahead of the competition. How does your brand lead the narrative - Teddy 👇👇really wants to know? #Marketing #B2BPR #InstinctToBeDistinct #TechPR

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This will feel like we are on a merry-go-round for communicators, but… As budgets tighten across the UK, proving our value isn’t optional—it’s essential. Here’s why comms needs a seat at the budget table… 💰 Demonstrate ROI: Consistently track and present metrics that show how communications drive engagement, reputation, and trust. Data is your best tool for defending your budget.   💰 Highlight Crisis Prevention: Strong communications strategies manage public perception and soften the impact of tough decisions, helping organizations navigate challenges smoothly. 💰 Position Comms as Essential Support: In times of cuts, services face scrutiny. Communications is the frontline tool for addressing concerns and maintaining public trust. 💰  Showcase Cost Savings: Proactive comms reduces the need for reactive crisis management, saving time and resources. Effective messaging can pre-empt issues before they escalate. 💰  Engage Leadership Regularly: Make comms a visible, valuable asset by regularly updating leadership on wins and ongoing contributions. Your impact needs to be front and centre. As the dust settles on the budget and services shift, comms teams are key in maintaining transparency, trust, and connection. Keep proving our value—it’s not just about budgets; it’s about resilience. ♻️ Repost if you believe in the power of comms to create stability. ☝️ Follow Mark Steven Woods for more insights on navigating tight budgets with strong communication strategies.

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"I do words, not numbers". 🤔 Well done Mandy Pearse MBA, FCIPR, FCIM on her latest Public Sector Digital Communications Benchmarking Report. A really important piece of work. One of the key findings is that measurement and evaluation remains simplistic, focusing on outputs rather than outcomes, impact and ROI. Mandy highlights Data Science and Analytics as one of the Top 5 training needs - and calls on Public Sector Comms Leaders to place greater emphasis on these skills. It fits with what we've heard from the likes of CoverageBook about levels of data literacy in PR and comms, and also from those involved in training public sector communicators on how to deliver successful behaviour change campaigns: Data literacy in comms remains a big issue. Yes, AI offers help and can do some heavy lifting, but it doesn't remove the need for a basic level of knowledge and understanding. Myself and Mandy are going to chat at the UnAwards - where Whetstone Communications is sponsoring the Best Useof Data Award - about ways we might help time poor, financially-constrained colleagues respond to the data skills challenge in 2025. Mandy's full report is available to those who are part of the Benchmarking Club, with breakdowns for NHS, Police, Fire and Rescue and Local Authority sectors available. #datainfornmed #datainsights #digitalpr #localgov

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That's a wrap! Today we've published the fourth and final part of Dr Kevin Ruck and Richard Bailey Hon FCIPR's research into PR education. This final chapter is about public relations research and knowledge transfer. This is the part that interested me most as of course at PR Academy Ltd we are all about PR and comms education and like our teaching to be about how theory and models translate into practice. I was pleased to see that 87 per cent of respondents stated that they are interested in learning about how academic research can be applied to practice. As one respondent commented “Professional qualifications and academic research are an add value to the professional, due to the fact that they provide practical mechanisms one can use to navigate the opportunities and challenges that come with the PR profession”. Another respondent noted that “Research is of growing importance to practice and this is welcome”. However, it is worth noting that not everyone values academic research, as highlighted by the following comment: “From what I’ve seen, PR research is difficult to apply and often appears to be deliberately abstruse”. BUT - does academic research lag behind practitioner interest? Kevin did a lot of analysis of journal articles for the report - you can find out more in the full chapter below which also contains links to the previous three chapters. #pr #publicrelations

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Comms professionals might have a great track record of securing media coverage, but it's important to remember that media relations don’t come with guarantees—nor should they! Despite what some might think, it’s not a world of favours or gentle nudges to a media mate. The real magic happens when we craft a compelling narrative and tell stories that truly resonate. The best comms pros know it is a long game and it’s not about promises; it’s about building relationships and sharing stories that genuinely add value. That’s what leads to great coverage! #MediaRelations #PR #Communications #Storytelling

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We've been creating again. Here's our latest mini-guide to crafting a meaningful PR strategy in a changing environment. What are your key PR concerns today?

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PR consultants see themselves as strong team leaders, not yet ready for business leadership. Censuswide recently conducted some research for us, asking senior PR professionals in the UK to assess their own leadership skills. The respondents identified themselves as holding senior positions in agencies. They were mostly females, between 35-50 years old. Their responses are unsurprising in some regards, unsettling in others. The top 5 findings are: 1. They’re tactical masters and proven team leaders 2. The biggest problem they confront every day is managing unacceptable client expectations 3. They want to keep learning and to widen their horizons 4. They have little bandwidth for anything beyond an overloaded day-to-day working life 5. Critically, they don’t feel equipped to ‘own’ their agency business Respondents identified themselves as holding senior positions in agencies and mostly females, between 35-50 years old. Will Hart broke the research down into a recent article here: https://lnkd.in/eQXTJuYp If you’re a person who’d prefer to hear myself and Will chat about the research while you’re working, you can listen to our podcast on the subject here: https://lnkd.in/eFcqd4a9 

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