Chip Cutter

Company executives can’t stop talking about the US election. Anne Cronin and I looked at data from the latest crop of corporate earnings calls and found a sharp spike in mentions of election risk to quarterly profit growth. One CEO called the noise and uncertainty around the polls a "Mad Hatter's tea party." For many captains of industry, the election has joined high interest rates, geopolitics and macroeconomic unease as a new "headwind." That's due in large part to a wait-and-see attitude about potential policy changes among both consumers and companies alike when it comes to big ticket spending. There's also a big distraction factor. As Etsy Inc. CEO Josh Silverman told stock analysts, the nonstop political circus is “an incredibly distracting mind-share event.” Another chief executive noted it's tough to break through as advertising rates are being pushed up by campaign ads flooding airwaves and social media sites. The good news is that it's over now -- at least until 2028 -- and that C-Suite types won't be able to use it anymore as an excuse for missed earnings targets. How much of an impact did the electoral hubbub have on your business? Read all about it here: https://lnkd.in/eCKdmysM #Election2024 #3Q #Headwinds #MadHatterTeaParty

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Nice article from Bloomberg that explores Capital One’s customer-centric #banking journey; and how it’s using #technology and #data to deliver the consumer products, services, and #premium #experiences needed to compete and win at the top of the market. #financialservices #Rewards

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As we wait to hear who won the election, one thing is already clear: election disinformation has reached alarming levels. In the latest episode of Anti-Defamation League's extremely podcast, two experts in the field of disinformation, Dr. Claire Wardle of Cornell University and Scripps News National Correspondent Elizabeth Landers join extremely hosts Oren Segal and Jessica Reaves to break it down. Among the topics they discuss: ·     How the disinformation onslaught of 2024 differs from disinformation waves of past presidential elections ·     The latest AI tools being used to create fake images, video and audio aimed at swaying voters ·     The liar’s dividend—the phenomenon whereby, because disinformation and misinformation are so widespread and more people are unsure about what is and isn’t true, a liar can simply deny that something is real ·     The role of pre-bunking in reducing the spread of election falsehoods and deterring election denialism ·     What social media platforms should be doing to curb disinformation and why they’ve pulled back from doing so Check out the episode here.

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It’s timely for Oversight Board to be investigating deepfake pornography cases on the day the government announced the creation of sexually explicit "deepfake" images is to be made a criminal offence in England and Wales under a new law. Do have your say on the case. Your submission could shape how these devastating images are handled so pls check this link out - https://lnkd.in/gc4ecUwM #contentmoderation #online #Meta #ai

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Is India’s outperformance compared to its EM peers at a risk of reversing? Why you should not ignore gold and other insights in the October edition of Netra. Find out here.

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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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With the potential for a widening conflict in the Middle East mounting, learn more about Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran from Matthew Levitt, the featured guest on the latest episode of the Anti-Defamation League’s extremely podcast.

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In which Points of Return takes on the returns from Ozempic, and much more on R-Star:

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CEOs may not pen media responses themselves, which is understandable as they have time constraints. When left to the corp comm or PR team, and there is someone lazy out there (which is the case rarely), generic and AI-generated responses can be a turnoff to journalists. It's important for PR agencies and corp comm teams to ensure that responses are not AI-generated. A little extra effort goes a long way in building credibility. #PRtips #mediarelations #corporatecommunications Btw, I asked LinkedIn to rewrite my post with AI. It made it shorter and added a few hashtags. I made a few changes though :P

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Tech companies keep missing the mark on what human beings want tech to enable them to do -- and what we want to keep human. That raises troubling questions not just for their AI, but for their overall view of both their technology and humanity as a whole.

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AI is the dominating idea of the present era

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Reflections on the U.S. Election Results As the results came in, with Donald Trump emerging as the winner, the 2024 U.S. election has underscored both the intensity of the democratic process and the power of communication in modern campaigns. For communication and PR professionals, this election offers significant insights into messaging, perception management, and the role of media in shaping public opinion. From targeted messaging and relentless social media engagement to mastering digital platforms and addressing diverse demographics, Trump’s campaign demonstrated a keen understanding of data-driven outreach and direct communication with his base. His ability to resonate with core supporters while sparking conversations across media channels highlights the importance of clear, consistent messaging, even in polarizing times. This election also reflects the power of authenticity in public perception. Regardless of political stance, Trump’s direct, unfiltered communication style continued to attract supporters, showcasing a trend where authenticity—perceived or real—can outweigh traditional political decorum. For brands and professionals, the key takeaway here is the power of knowing your audience and speaking directly to them, staying consistent, and harnessing the potential of data and digital platforms. The election results remind us of the need to remain agile, responsive, and mindful of public sentiment. As we digest these results, let’s consider how we can apply these lessons in our own fields to engage meaningfully and authentically with our audiences. #USElectionResults #CommunicationInsights #DataDrivenMarketing #AudienceEngagement

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This article from Columbia Journalism Review is fascinating, and an argument for the importance of a reputation management communication plan. There are volumes authored by PR pros advising against ignoring reporters inquiries, yet this article documents how frequently it happens. Throughout my career, I can count on one hand the number of times I have made a calculated decision not to respond to a media request, and 99.9% of the time it was after multiple engagements with a reporter who repeatedly misrepresented or distorted information (even if not intentionally). I suspect, more often than not, reporters get ghosted because the brand is caught off guard. They haven't planned how they will respond in a reputation crisis. Or haven't socialized the planned response with stakeholders. If the PR team is haggling with executives and lawyers on what to say or how to say it when the reporters' questions start rolling in, the opportunity to frame the narrative is quickly lost. Thanks for sharing the article Jennifer Johnson Avril! https://lnkd.in/gYmTA9CW

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💡 From the fediverse to the Kamala Harris election campaign, SEO, and more: Insights in FIR 425. In this episode of our For Immediate Release podcast, Shel Holtz, SCMP, and I explore six key topics that are shaping the future of business, communication, and technology: 🔹 Fediverse and Digital Sovereignty: We discuss the growing disillusionment with platforms like X and the potential for governments to establish their own instances on the fediverse to maintain digital sovereignty and control over public discourse. 🔹 The Decline of Individuality: A recent study shows a significant decline in people’s desire to stand out over the past 20 years, which has implications for society and how businesses engage with their audiences. 🔹 Corporate DEI Backlash: With growing political and social backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, some companies are scaling back their efforts. But are they abandoning these goals or just changing how they communicate them? 🔹 Impact of Disabling Social Media Comments: Research reveals that disabling comments on social media can harm the perception of influencers and public figures, making them appear less sincere and likeable. 🔹 Kamala Harris’s Gen Z Campaign Strategy: We delve into how Kamala Harris’s campaign successfully engages Gen Z voters by mastering platforms like TikTok and leveraging influencers to drive massive engagement. 🔹 AI and the Future of SEO: The rise of generative AI and concepts like 'zero-click search' are changing the SEO landscape, with new strategies needed to maintain visibility in an increasingly AI-driven search environment. 🔊 For a deeper dive, listen to episode 425 of the podcast - check out the full blog post with audio player here: ⬇️ #Podcast #BusinessTrends #AI #DEI #DigitalMarketing #SEO https://lnkd.in/eCM9mj9d

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For today's Wide Shot newsletter, we return to the question of whether streaming is a good business and, more precisely, for whom? We address cable giant John Malone's recent assessment (categorically "no") and take a look at the state of Netflix, Disney, Paramount and others who participated in the streaming war. Who's winning? Who's still losing money? What's the next stage of the streaming business? (Oh, we also get into JOKER 2's box office travesty). #entertainmentbusiness #hollywood #streaming

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This week our team of experts look at different election outcomes and how they may impact your business.

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A brilliant new column in Observer by Roy Swan that will unpack how we can strive for a better form of capitalism that can work for all of us, rooted in innovation, prosperity, and fairness. Check it out!!

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This Gallup piece is interesting. On the one hand, it's disheartening, though not surprising, to see such a partisan gap in trust in media. Has anyone studied why this is? Can (should?) anything be done about this? On a perhaps separate note, it's encouraging is to see how Rs and Ds both seem to have a lot of trust in local government: https://lnkd.in/gKdePu-M. Maybe if you see government in action, you trust it. Would something similar be true for journalism? Genuine questions.

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