Jo Carr

Do you realise that you’re sat on PR content? Content that will get you into the media- so you can reach more people and build your credibility and visibility through being elevated and celebrated. So often in business we just get on with what we think is normal. Book launches, event planning, thought leadership - we often forget to capitalize on it. The media can amplify your message, it can shine a light on your work, it creates a new level of energy around you when you step into celebration mode What are you doing in your business that you should be celebrating?? I’ll bet there’s something!!!

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This is the first year we've entered the AMEC Measurement and Evaluation Global Awards at Acorn Strategy. We've spent a lot of time refining our process to ensure that what we do produces more than just vanity metrics—it has true impact, with purpose, and drives business results. After watching from afar for years, we've been shortlisted for 3 out of 3 of our entries! This is also a recognition that the best work comes from clients who are true partners. Honest, transparent, and willing to share access to business outcomes, they’re committed to long-term partnerships. Clippings, billboards, website visits—they’re all nice to have, but what have they actually contributed to business objectives and social impact? Very excited to be in such great company. I’ve been crushing on the Specsavers campaign and obviously love our partners at CARMA, but also... Met Gala and Super Bowl 🤩 #AMECAwards #BusinessImpact #TruePartnership #AcornStrategy #CommunicationsStrategy #MeasurementMatters #AMECAwards #BusinessImpact #TruePartnership #AcornStrategy #CommunicationsStrategy #ImpactWithPurpose #MeasurementMatters

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Managing a crisis is no easy task. Learn more in our latest WellRed post by Daniel Ahern #Crisis #PR #CrisisPR #PublicRelations #Management #Reputation #Communicaitons The Pollack Group

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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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This article on PR Week yesterday offered nothing new in times of the PR recruitment market. It is hard. It has always been hard. Attracting and retaining the best talent is a constant challenge for PR agencies. Never in my 20 years' in the industry has there been a "easy" time for hiring. It has typically always been skewed to candidate led or client led. That said some of the challenges of course have changed, both with attitudes of candidates and agencies but also methods of hiring. I remember having to ring prospective candidates at their work desks to headhunt them, well before people would just send off generic messages! What I always say to candidates and clients is it is always evolving and always changing. The lows don't last, but nor do the highs for either side. Retaining your best people is always your first step in also hiring the best. Hiring for attitude and aptitude over "perfect on paper" almost always works better. Listen to your people, what are their priorities? Actually action things you discover. Listen to your recruitment partner, we have a huge amount of insight into the market and what candidates want, which processes are working and where people want to work. Oh and above all else. If you want to have the best teams, hire diverse talent. It makes commercial sense, you will do better work that reaches wider audiences and to top it off "a diverse and inclusive culture" regularly comes up high on priorities for my candidates. Yes times are tough right now but "this too shall pass". https://lnkd.in/eSBsQ-95

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PR’s ageism problem – ‘the sector is getting left behind’ How bad is the problem of ageism in PR, and how should the sector respond? Comms recruitment specialists speak frankly about an issue that risks holding the industry back. Amanda Fone, founder and chief executive of f1 Recruitment Limited highlights the issue succinctly: “Age in the workplace is the final protected characteristic to get the attention it needs, and the comms sector, with an average age of about 27 years, especially in agencies, needs to improve its ability to hire and retain multi-generational teams.” https://lnkd.in/dHpYYghm #PR #marketing #communications #recruitment #ageismintheworkplace #back2businessship

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70% of the PR sector got a pay rise in the last year. This is down from 79% in the previous year. A survey of over 400 UK in-house and agency corporate communications professionals from The Works, found that 82% of in-house and 76% of agency employees were “feeling OK to very happy” with their pay. This is an increase of 4% and 13% respectively, on the previous year. The Works said this highlighted how a soft market and companies tightening their comms budgets had “taken their toll” on the industry as the reason for the drop in pay rises. It’s really interesting to see the comparison between in-house and agency professionals salaries, bonuses and pay rises.

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📣 I love it when a plan comes together. 📣 We use market research to understand our client's industry better and what issues, challenges and fears they might be facing. This is what we found out that is paralysing UK Finance Decision-Makers with fear!! 😱https://hubs.ly/Q02WBzN50 Props to Anthony Monks (CIIC) and the team at iplicit - these guys are the next 🚀 You heard it hear first! #WeAreITPR #B2BTechPR #MarketResearch

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Thinking about starting a podcast? Worried about how much time it'll take? Here are 9 things to consider when creating your podcast concept that will save you time later on: 1. Why are you creating a podcast?  2. What does podcast success look like for you?  3. Why should listeners tune in?  4. Is your audience likely to listen & share?  5. Who do you want to speak to? 6. What do you want to say?  7. Who will host your podcast?  8. How are you going to find and book guests?  9. How frequently will you publish episodes? More on this via: https://lnkd.in/epAnew5E If you'd like our help to set up your podcast, just DM me or the team at Fallow, Field & Mason #entrepreneurship #startups #growth #motivation #podcast #communications #storytelling #founders

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Have you ever looked at my profile and wondered just what it is that Skout does? This is a great overview from our MD, Rob Skinner that sets out who we are, what we do and our areas of expertise. If any of this resonates with you, feel free to drop me a message and we can arrange a quick catch up to chat about how we can help you reach your strategic marketing goals. #b2bpr #b2bpragency

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Well-considered public relations builds mutual understanding when it is planned and sustained. That was the core of my message to SMEs yesterday. Don't be a flash in the pan. And don't just do something because all your competitors are at it. * Listen to those who matter most to your business and treat them with respect * Be creative, human and use the most relevant channels to reach the people who are crucial to your success * Decide what works for you and stick to it #PRforSMEs #publicrelationsstrategy #Hampshirebusiness

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PR insights: This video will appeal to those with responsibility for generating media coverage for their organisations. You'll know the difficulties in getting coverage, so watch for insights into how to turn this around in your favour: https://lnkd.in/eiemMuzd #pr #mediarelations #mediacoverage

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🏆 I was speaking to an event expert the other day, and he told me something that I haven't been able to shake. The number of people who start an #award application but never get around to finishing it. The number is as sad as it is staggering. Actually, scratch that — you probably wouldn't be. It's a huge number, and I get why. At Viva PR, we spend a lot of time drafting award applications for clients, so we know how time-consuming they can be. And if they’re not, you’re probably not doing it right. A good award application takes effort. Copying and pasting a few things from your website and hoping for the best just won’t cut it. You’ve got to put some real thought and effort into it if you want to shine. Let's face it no one wants to enter an award — they want to win an award! And that takes something special. No wonder some give up at the first hurdle. However, there will still be some diamonds out there hidden — some great stories just not being told. So, if you know one of those people who started but didn't know how to finish, we’ve got some free resources to help. We’ve put together a handy #guide packed with tips and techniques we use as an agency — techniques that have helped us win tons of awards for our clients over the years. There’s also a free #podcast where we chat with award #judges about what they’re looking for. Give it a listen! 🎧 https://lnkd.in/e4sN4THv

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Only one more sleep until the PRmoment Agency Growth Forum which features a stellar cast of presenters including yours truly! To all those attending, I look forward to catching up with old friends and to meeting new ones. My 20 minutes will cover: ➡ Positioning - why it's so important to know who you are targeting ➡ Planning - five steps to building a strong pipeline stream ➡ Performance - an explanation of why pipeline management is a numbers game ➡ Practicalities - six actionable tips to help with you pipeline thinking Plus - the added bonus of introducing six great thought leaders who contribute to this space (names BTW - not on stage 😁 ) Sound good? I believe you could still sneak in with an online ticket which could be bought by visiting: https://lnkd.in/ehsXgxJz. But if you can't attend and would still like to find out more about how to build your pipeline, I will happily hop on a call and use my deck as the basis for an informal chat with you. Just DM me and let's go from there. #PRAgency #PR #Agency #Growth

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There is so much more that goes on in PR beyond just coming up with an idea and pitching it out. This morning, in our group chat, there has been six separate pieces of news shared that have relevance to our clients and the industries they operate in. We do this to support the activity we undertake in a number of ways, such as; ➡️ Newsjack - is there an opportunity for us to provide a follow up piece or add extra insight? ➡️ Use data to back up campaigns we have in the pipeline ➡️ Identify relevant journalist contacts to support with media outreach ➡️ Support ideation for future activity ➡️ Develop knowledge of our client industries to allow us to be proactive rather than reactive Keeping on top of the media throughout the day takes time, especially as we need to read beyond the headlines, but it adds value to what we do, and it helps us to get the results. PR (done well) extends far beyond simply writing a press release and pitching it out. #PR #PublicRelations #BrandAwareness #BusinessGrowth

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It’s #socialmobilityday. Here at CIPR Wessex, we know the PR industry is falling short in creating an inclusive environment, disproportionately attracting individuals from privileged backgrounds and perpetuating a cycle of inequality. The data reveals stark inequalities in PR, from the overrepresentation of practitioners educated at fee-paying schools to barriers in career progression for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Change is our shared responsibility. Let's nurture diverse talent, embrace inclusive practices, and lead by example to create an equitable PR industry representative of society. #change #socialmobility #PR #publicrelations #comms

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