Alfred Leach

The October monthly episode of our For Immediate Release podcast explores critical communication trends. Shel Holtz, SCMP, and I discuss six compelling topics, including Reddit's potential for crisis comms, the state of blogging in 2024, ethical concerns in celebrity news coverage, workplace connection challenges, and AI's impact across industries. In a blog post, I've set out some key takeaways that present opportunities for communicators, including leveraging Reddit for stakeholder engagement and preparing to guide organisations through AI adoption. Read more and listen now for valuable perspectives and insights on navigating today's complex communication landscape. https://lnkd.in/e5_CcMR2

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A new survey from PR measurement platform Memo is a feel-good story for chief communications officers and their teams, but there is a catch. The survey highlights a 34% increase in communications teams reporting directly to the CEO versus last year and a 26% decrease in comms reporting to marketing. In today’s complex, politicized, multi-stakeholder world, getting communications pitch perfect is mission critical for every organization. That’s more likely to happen when comms teams have the CEO’s ear. BUT: The more separation there is between comms and marketing functions, the greater the risk of strategic dissonance between earned and paid media. Blending them creates powerful synergy. Here are 8 ways to do it, starting today: 1. Align your messaging across earned and paid channels for cohesive brand storytelling. 2. Amplify earned media coverage using paid to reach audiences who don’t consume through traditional channels. 3. Boost press coverage with paid media to enhance credibility and trust. 4. Extend the lifespan of strategically relevant earned media using engaging paid formats that keep the story alive. 5. Ensure a well-rounded narrative by promoting owned content that fills gaps in your brand story not sufficiently covered by the media. 6. Redirect key earned media storylines to specific audience segments (e.g., investors, future talent) by leveraging niche paid targeting. 7. Transform earned media outcomes into compelling multimedia formats — animations, videos, or carousels — to enhance your storytelling. 8. Report results holistically by showing exec teams how earned and paid media can work together to create greater impact. A well-rounded, cohesive media strategy is essential for breaking through the clutter. Separate reporting lines and bifurcated budgets shouldn't stand in the way. ♻️ Repost if you find this helpful or add to my list of tips. How do you integrate earned and paid media? #CommsStrategy #EarnedMedia #PaidMedia

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In today's data-rich environment, PR practitioners who embrace data-driven decision-making are gaining a significant edge in developing more effective, targeted and measurable campaigns -- H Patel, FINN Partners https://odwpr.us/3zBzyYe

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Here's added support for the claim that comms pros are taking their rightful seat at the "strategy" table. Why? Because brand building and reputation management are strategic pillars for businesses. Memo's new "Evolving Role of Comms" report shows: 💡 A 34% increase in comms teams reporting directly to CEOs. 💡 A 26% decrease in reporting to marketing since 2023. 💡 An expanding role for comms, beyond earned media. 50% say they now own executive comms, internal comms, and marketing campaigns. CEOs experienced the value of comms during the pandemic and other challenging events of the early 2020s. These data suggest the C-suite is taking a serious look at a range of reputational risks, including: 🚨 Misinformation and disinformation due to AI. 🚨 Cybercrime, cybersecurity, and customer privacy. 🚨 Activist investors, including those pushing back against ESG policies. 🚨 Macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical, and climate events. The report also underscores the power that comes from: ⚡ Sharing executive perspectives to promote understanding of corporate values and ethics. ⚡ Having an aligned workforce. Empowered employees are your best advocates. The most interesting tension in this report is the question of priorities. Gaining competitive share-of-voice (SOV), raising awareness, and amplifying key messages top the to-do list more frequently than, say, managing disinformation or changing perceptions. It's a tightly-knit group of priorities, however. And that speaks to the complexities of modern communications. Comms folks drive clarity about purpose and values. They also understand the importance of closing the gaps between corporate stories and actions. Shout out to the comms folks out there who are claiming more space. Check out the full report in the link below. #Comms #PR #StrategicCommunications

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Politicians in PR Consultancy Does news of Nikki Haley making the transition into PR consultancy seem surprising or does it makes perfect sense? Politicians spend their careers considering public opinion, crafting messages, and managing crises—skills that are directly transferable to the world of public relations. During their time in office, politicians deal with managing press conferences, handling difficult interviews and building relationships with journalists. Their experience equips them to understand the nuances of media narratives, as well as how to shape and shift them to benefit their clients. A powerful asset former politicians bring to the PR world is their extensive networks. Their ability to open doors, provide introductions, and connect clients with key decision-makers is significant. While this may be a 4 year pause while she sits this term out, her transition from politics to PR consultancy may be logical, but let's watch and see if it raises any ethical questions. 

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As evidenced by the dynamics of the presidential election, women continue to be held to a different, much stricter standard than men. In my book "WOKE: A Cultural Competence Guide for Communicators, I delve into why and how women continue to struggle for equality and representation. "Women’s quest for equality is the longest-running struggle in the history of the world. Men have ruled over humanity for millennia, and nowhere has their dominance been more pronounced than over the lives and bodies of women. Although women have made great strides toward equality in the last few decades, they continue to be held to a different standard than men, and society holds many unconscious and deeply rooted biases against them. Nevertheless, women continue challenging traditional gender norms, advocating for equal rights, and reshaping female empowerment narratives." https://lnkd.in/gsTAMAbc

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My book "WOKE: A Cultural Competence Guide for Communicators" includes A BASIC GUIDE TO PUBLIC RELATIONS, a useful guide for those considering a career in PR. "In our modern world, effective communications are key. As organizations and individuals navigate the dynamic landscapes of our interconnected lives, public relations have become a critical element that helps shape perceptions, nurture relationships, and drive visibility, leading to success. Public Relations is the art and craft of managing internal and external communications between an organization, its stakeholders, and the media. A well-crafted and executed public relations plan can establish credibility, build trust, and maintain a positive reputation. Early in my career, I became aware of the incredible power of public relations to shape public perceptions. It was also clear to me that portrayals of Latinos in mainstream media were overwhelmingly negative. Therefore, I chose a career in public relations to play my part in transforming America’s perception of Latinos and to educate the public about the many positive contributions of Hispanics to the United States. I launched my agency, Reyes Entertainment (www.reyesentertainment.com), in Los Angeles, one of the largest bilingual media markets and Latino communities in the U.S. In addition, Los Angeles is home to Hollywood’s entertainment industry, one of the largest purveyors of media images seen by millions worldwide. https://lnkd.in/gDvjeppU

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Looking ahead to 2025, the publishing landscape continues to evolve, bringing new opportunities for authors to amplify their voices and connect with audiences in meaningful ways. Erin MacDonald-Birnbaum, Smith Publicity, Inc.’s Director of Publicity Strategy, highlights key trends that are shaping the future of author visibility: 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬  Media giants like The New York Times and Business Insider are gravitating towards first-person essays that weave personal stories with professional insights. This approach not only deepens reader engagement but also enhances the author's relatability and reach. 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐈 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝐙 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞  As we navigate technological advancements and generational shifts, expertise in AI and understanding the dynamics of the Gen Z workforce are becoming hot topics in media. Authors with insights into these areas are likely to see a spike in demand. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬  Podcasts continue to offer authors a platform for in-depth discussions, reaching dedicated audiences and providing lasting exposure. This medium allows for niche targeting and contributes significantly to an author's long-term brand building. These strategies are just the beginning. Dive deeper into Erin’s 6 publicity trends for 2025 and discover more ways to enhance your book’s impact by reading the full article on our Smith Publicity Inc. website—I’ll drop a link in the comments! #Marketing #Leadership #Author #Publishing #ThoughtLeadership

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PRWeek's great 2024 Business Report highlights the key challenge facing our industry. Communications is more important than ever. Comms and policy leaders are being asked to play far larger roles as business partners supporting ever more stakeholders. So why did the industry suffer so much in 2023 after many years of growth? As an sector, we are not adapting fast enough to the needs. Organizations are desperate for help but also under tremendous financial strain. They now need both senior level counsel and advisory support as well as deep domain expertise to actually produce. By and large, our industry is still split by this chasm - between strategic and tactical. Clients cannot afford to separate these, either in time or money. At Bully Pulpit International our goal is to bridge this divide, building a team that can both 'think and do' at the highest levels. It's not always easy. Last year was a challenge. But if you share this vision for the future, please check out some of our open roles: https://lnkd.in/dGQwJUSG

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If you missed our Junapr webinar on 2025 trends for marketing communications, do not fret! We have the webinar and the slides available at the link below. https://lnkd.in/eTicnDTw #communication #PR #MarketingCommunications #2025Trends

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Asia Pacific is often seen as a single entity, yet it’s incredibly diverse—especially in terms of communication measurement maturity. While Indonesia and Australia may have different levels of adoption in measuring communication outcome and impact, we face common challenges in scaling up and advancing our measurement to the next level, both internally within organizations and externally with our stakeholders. I am delighted to share our experiences and insights from Maverick Indonesia on building best practices over the years with the Medianet team in Sydney last week. AMEC Measurement and Evaluation #measurementbestpractice #communicationimpact #PRmeasurement #communicationmeasurement #knowledgeshare

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PRovoke Media recently published its 2024 Comms Index report. While the study focused on senior in-house communications leaders in APAC, the findings apply to what we have seen in North America: Lead generation has emerged as the key business priority, as companies increasingly expect the comms function to demonstrate its value and impact. Of note: ℹ️ Lead generation has moved up to fourth place in business priorities. ℹ️ ESG has dropped to fifth place (social impact) and seventh place (environmental/climate) ℹ️ AI is rapidly gaining ground. Usage and familiarity have increased significantly. ℹ️ The budget for communication is contracting, and the perceived value of communication functions has decreased. ℹ️ Measurement and metrics remain challenging, as higher-value metrics like awareness and behavior change still rank behind media clippings. The findings also remind me of something I recently read from Gartner: 50% of marketing leaders cannot prove marketing's value to their enterprise due to skepticism and traditional beliefs. The precarious macroeconomic environment and the high expectations placed on marketing and communications will continue to be challenging. For agency and client leaders, we need to internalize these dependencies and their potential impact on our work to better guide and support our clients. Thank you, PRovoke Media, for your work. Paul Holmes Arun Sudhaman Diana Marszalek Maja Pawinska Sims Institute for Public Relations #agency #publicrelations #PR

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Communications best practices apply to IR, just as they do for all strategic communications. Learn more about IR website essentials in the in-depth guide from PR Newswire ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e9wW2QaH #IR #InvestorRelations #Comms

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Most of us agree that the only way forward is for your PR team to be much better at using data to track results. We see many PR thought leaders comment on this subject, and there are new tech platforms that offer PR teams much better metrics. Yet still, PR metrics need to leave room for understanding what the data may not show.

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Why do we do PR? Well, I would answer it's because trust and confidence among all audiences is at historic lows—an avg of 28%. With low/no trust, there is no commerce, there are no deals and business GRINDS to a halt. So, THAT is why we do PR. https://lnkd.in/g9M-_JQ4 #publicrelations, #pr, #trust, #credibility

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From internal agency structures in corporate settings to the agency mindset and agency hires … In this episode of the Communications Business Advisor podcast we’re addressing “The agency impact in corporate communications.” Just one more episode in season one. Listen in on your favorite podcast player, then tell me which episode resonated most, or which one helped you learn something new. Oh, and I’m sourcing topics for season two now. Got something to share? Send a DM. #communications #corporatecommunications #publicrelations #internalcommunications

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🎤🎸🤘🏻🚨 Latest from The Repute: "Crisis Comms Under the Microscope: Dave Grohl’s Approach" 🎤🎸🚨 In this edition, we take a real-time look at how rock legend Dave Grohl is handling the media fallout from his recent infidelity scandal. Using data-driven insights, we break down the New York Times' coverage of Grohl’s crisis communications strategy and analyze what worked—and what didn’t. https://bit.ly/3MIZy76 The analysis explores: - The effectiveness of proactively addressing scandals before they spiral - Why timing didn’t minimize media coverage as others have suggested - The nuanced balance between controlling the narrative and avoiding sensationalism Whether you’re dealing with a major PR issue or simply curious about how the media operates during high-profile scandals, this edition offers valuable lessons for managing your brand’s reputation. Read the full analysis and let me know what you think. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have a great weekend everyone! Will Valentine Publisher, The Repute Founder and Principal, Valentine Advisors

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As our world gets more fraught and complex, audiences are increasingly choosing news sources which are more visual, reports are more watched, less read, with YouTube continuing its rise. The implications of this trend for deep understanding of difficult issues is worth pondering. More people are concerned about how to grapple with the rising torrent of fake news, and many having doubts about how AI might be deployed by newsrooms. Edelman has partnered with the Reuters Institute for this annual report as we are all in the business of communicating and good, credible and trusted information is critical to everyone in that process

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You're an executive about to interview with a top-tier reporter and publication. This is your chance for significant coverage. Ahead of the call, the PR team prepared a smart briefing email with talking points and background notes on the reporter. You didn't look at the briefing notes and left an opportunity on the table. Why? ▶️ Because research and preparation are key. ▶️ Because your PR team put information in the document based on working with this reporter several times. ▶️ Because journalists can be particular, and each outlet has its own style and POV.

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