Colleen Martell

Good article on the value of original quality content and risks of GenAI’s generics & distortions today when AI volume is everywhere online. The image simulation is cool example!

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I keep seeing PR agencies make the mistake of hiring prompt engineers with no experience actually doing PR work. Whyyy? 1) Prompt engineers are no longer relevant - LLMs can write their own prompts better than any human can. 2) Unless you deeply understand the use-case, what is the point of someone who knows how to prompt AI to get a broad range of results. It's AI + a narrow focus that delivers value not AI + general use case humans. 3) Just hire smart, capable, problem solvers that are also PR consultants.

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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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Using a #pressrelease template can help PR pros save time while creating announcements that get noticed. Whether you’re new to press releases or want to step up your game, click to discover release examples and a template you can customize for nearly any announcement. #pressrelease #prtips

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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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Comms Pros know - more than most - words matter. But sometimes, we use language that undermines our value. In-house stakeholders aren’t “clients.”  → We’re shoulder-to-shoulder partners. P&L centers shouldn't be called “The Business.”  → We're part of the business, not a subordinate function. Reinforcing an "us'" and "them" mindset is a disservice: It positions us as a less strategic function and makes us less effective. Ultimately, our job is to protect & promote brands and reputations. - Our roles are critical. - Our opinions are essential  - Our voices / expertise truly matter. We're Strategic Partners, not Service Providers.

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Meet stakeholders where they are. Comms teams often dive in to diagnosis a problem and identify several actions the business *should* take. But tackling everything at once might not be feasible. Business leaders are navigating a lot and facing multiple challenges, all at once. That means trade-offs are inevitable. Instead of recommending multiple work streams, focus on one or two achievable areas to make an impact. This can be challenging for some. But the best solution also needs to fit the reality of the situation—not just the theory. Progress often beats perfection.

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The @PageSociety just released its newest report Beyond Communication: CCO Leadership in Navigating New Complexity. The findings underscore the CCO as an ever-more-essential partner with the CEO in defining and activating corporate character. Read more here: https://hubs.la/Q02x4nPQ0

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Pro PR Tip 💡 Build media connections and relationships before you need them. Disinformation is a growing problem and having reporters who already are on your side and know what you stand for is the best way to combat the Internet trolls - which seem to be everywhere (even in places you'd expect to be credible). It's much harder to get your commentary placed in the midst of disinformation if they've never heard of you before -- but if they've covered you before and trust you, they'll continue to trust you. Because while you can't totally avoid the dark side of the Internet - repeating your values publicly, prioritizing a positive message and stacking reporters who champion your work will always help you come out on top. 🔥 P.S. If you'd like more easy and actionable PR advice that is designed to help you get more media coverage right now (and just in time for the biggest PR season of the year!) make sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter Fintech & Friends. #pr #pragency #publicrelations #startups #fintech #media

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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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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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Join our experts as they dive into PR Newswire's groundbreaking AI innovations. We'll explore: ✨ How AI is revolutionizing #PR & comms ✨ Our unique solution that leverages historical data to offer press release insights ✨ Findings from our State of the Press Release Report on how PR pros are embracing #AI Save your spot now and join us as we drive the AI conversation forward!

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🤖 "Artificial intelligence is not human and therefore cannot intrinsically care about reason, loyalty, safety, environmental issues and the greater good." 🚩 Uh oh! That sounds scary—and can be if left unchecked. But have no fear, experts in the field of AI alignment are doing their best to close the gap. ➡ Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eMCV6_ua 👩‍💻 Special thanks to Alice Gomstyn for her exemplary editorial guidance.

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💡How are newsrooms using AI?💡  🌟 As AI continues to evolve, marketers and PR pros need to know how it affects journalism. Understanding how AI software influences story discovery and content creation enables teams to refine their pitching and press release strategies. 📰🤖 🔍 Consider these recent examples of AI projects supported by AP's Local News AI initiative and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation: 🎙️ Michigan Radio, a University of Michigan NPR affiliate, uses an innovative tool that scrapes city council meetings from video sharing services, transcribes them, and generates tailored alerts. The result? Better visibility into public meetings and proactive notifications aligned with journalists’ beats and interests. 📺 Television station WFMZ-TV in Allentown, Pa., uses AI software that sorts and prioritizes news releases and story pitches from emails and other outside sources. And then, it enters the information into a content management system. 🤔 Thoughts? 👇 🔗 Learn more about the AI projects mentioned at https://lnkd.in/ep9H9QCM J.P. Escobar Jason Fink R. Kurt Osenlund Isha Kamani Hollis Daniels Melanie Shaw Chris Hayes #ArtificialIntelligence #Journalism #MarketingStrategy #PR #AIinJournalism #Innovation #FutureOfNews #TechAdvancements #Collaboration

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You may groan when you read this, buuuuut trust: You need to write your holiday blogs now, not in November. If you have (or work for) a company that sells anything, especially more things around the holidays, get those blogs done now + pinned on Pinterest. You’ll thank me when that search volume ratchets up in Q3-4. It’s also exactly what I did when I wrote + pinned this blog: https://lnkd.in/gpmSRCGA. #contentwriting #holidaycontent #companyblog #holidayblog #organicsearch

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Almost every PR measurement effort that is… ·      Impressions-stacking ·      Clip-counting ·      Ad-value-equivalency (AVE)-using ·      Mentions-hunting ·      Newswire-pickup-toting ·      Basic AI sentiment-tracking ·      Releases and pitches-sent focusing ..Is not a metric to show impact to someone. At best, you might be trying to show hustle of potential exposure. Often they’re used due to not fully being aware of, understanding or maximizing modern PR measurement. Or it’s a frustration of not knowing where to begin. Or worse, because they or their bosses or clients don’t care and like pretty clip books with big numbers to say ‘look what we’ve done.’ Do you need to know a starting point on where to begin? Yes. You’re not going to reach for a tool in the garage before you understand what you’re trying to accomplish. Brand exposure metrics are not inherently bad. But if ‘a billion’ people ‘saw’ your announcement that season tickets are on-sale and your phones are not ringing off the hook and your office does not have a ‘sold-out’ sign up, then I’m not sure impressions alone are the right way to look at success. Start by looking at: ** Audience awareness: Define your audience (not “everyone”) and use aided/unaided awareness surveys. ** Audience attitudes: Track sentiment shifts with surveys or early indicators like appointment requests or intent to act (the steps before actually ‘doing the thing.’) ** Audience actions: Identify what you want them to "do" and craft communications to move them toward that goal. And, to round it out en route to the above: Outputs and outtakes help guide strategy and are good leading indicators but aren’t the final proof of impact—don’t confuse them with end-stage success of changing how your target audiences think/feel/do. “But Tim, why push for more if earned media clips are all that’s expected from my brass in sports PR?” Because senior leadership demands -- or will soon start to demand -- higher ROI and modern PR measurement is crucial. That’s why I make my students learn it. Those who connect audience-focused objectives to business outcomes will thrive. Yes, there are tons of tools. It can be overwhelming, but start by defining what success looks like—your champagne moment, as my friend Katie Delahaye Paine calls it. Then work backwards to select tools to measure (and please don't forget to set those related measurable objectives). 👀 The biggest truth: you have to start to learn. And if you never begin to properly measure (many, many times), you’re not going to cut it. #PR #CommunicationStrategy #DataDrivenCommunications #linkedinsports #sportsbiz #publicrelations

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The Highwire team put AI writing to the test. Sure, it's fast and easy, but does it deliver the best business results? Spoiler alert - it could be doing more harm than good. Read on for where to use and not use AI in content marketing - https://lnkd.in/gkixqe89 #PR #DigitalMarketing #content #AI

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Communicators often struggle to choose the right channels for content distribution. We often feel trapped by the same range of options - traditional, digital, in-person, etc. Yet within the range, there are multiple channels to consider, so how do you ensure your message reaches the intended audience? Defining distribution is more than just selecting platforms; it’s about understanding your audience, their preferences, and the unique characteristics of each channel. Tailoring your approach can significantly amplify your content’s impact. Start by mapping out your audience’s behaviour across different channels. Are they more active on social media, or do they prefer newsletters? Use this insight to select the most effective channels for distribution, ensuring your message resonates where it matters most. Need more help? Elevate your craft with the Guild of Communicators (GOC) at https://buff.ly/3XpOTTY . As a professional community for communicators, GOC offers access to best-in-class resources, comprehensive training programmes, and a supportive network to help you achieve excellence. By joining, you’ll connect with fellow communicators, gain valuable insights, and enhance your ability to drive measurable outcomes within your organisation, solidifying your role as a key business partner across critical functions like sales, marketing, product, and strategy. Follow me on LinkedIn to receive my weekly newsletter where I share my learnings and opinions from a communicator’s perspective. #strategiccommunications #strtgcommsgrp #levelup #training #upskilling #lifelonglearning #publicrelations #PR #prstrategy #communications #storytelling #narrative #branding #brandstrategy #stakeholderengagement #projectmanagement #marketing #marketingstrategy #leadership #marketingtips #prtips #SMEtips

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