David Dellamura

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

5

“I just need a few key messages that I should hit.” It’s a common request that every communications pro has encountered many times ahead of a media interview. And if you’re anything like me, you roll your eyes. Why? Because key messages are fine and good, but only if they are used to form a broader narrative. More often than not, they’re seen as a license to be repetitive, robotic and focused only on your own outcome. Brute-forcing key messages down a reporter’s throat doesn’t help them do their job. Media opportunities are a two way street - you give value, share expertise and contextualize whatever you’re talking about in exchange for the profile the media outlet can give you and your business. The best and only way to respect this duality is to shape a simple and memorable story which contains the messages you want to hit, and which shows instead of telling why what you’re discussing is important and meaningful. I used to keep a folder of video clips that could’ve been titled “when key messages go wrong” - often depicting some hapless executive or politician stumbling through a repeated response straight from the message sheet he or she was handed. They universally looked silly and unprepared, and the interview did nothing but undermine trust and damage the speaker’s reputation. Next time, before the camera starts rolling, think about a story instead of a key message. Your brand will thank you.

12

1 Comment

This week, I'm thrilled to share a monumental guide that dives deep into the art of creating compelling brand messaging for advocacy campaigns. As public affairs practitioners, crafting a persuasive message is crucial, but it's a task we don't undertake daily. To streamline this complex process, I've turned to ChatGPT to help break down the task into manageable steps. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿? I detail a 27-prompt strategy that uses ChatGPT to: - 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀: Set precise objectives to drive your campaign. - 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲: Ensure your messaging resonates with your values and desired public perception. - 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴: Generate innovative ideas and refine them into impactful messages. - 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀: Align your messaging across different media for consistent advocacy. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗧𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝗻? If you've ever found yourself recycling old messages or struggling to infuse creativity into your campaigns, this newsletter will transform your approach: - 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆: Use AI to explore new angles and fresh perspectives. - 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: Save time with AI-driven prompts that guide the creation and refinement of your brand messaging. - 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: Ensure your messages are not only creative but also strategically aligned with your campaign goals. 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀: Paid subscribers will gain exclusive access to the full archive of my interactive session with ChatGPT, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how each step was implemented for a hypothetical campaign against the carbon tax. ☝️You can subscribe by clicking 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴 link in my bio☝️

9

As a Gen Xer writing about and interacting with different generations personally and professionally, I am more than up for learning Gen Z lingo! Education and open communication are key to avoiding disconnection and misunderstanding.

2

🔮 Prediction: In the evolving landscape of media and entertainment, the contributions of key figures like Justin Jackson, Gavin Newsome, Audacy, and ElevenLabs are set to shape the future of content consumption and audience engagement. 💡 General Commentary: - The innovation and forward-thinking strategies of these individuals and organizations serve as a beacon for the industry, inspiring advancements and redefining traditional paradigms. - As we navigate complex challenges and opportunities in the world of media, their collective efforts are paving the way for a more dynamic, inclusive, and impactful media ecosystem. 🚀 Exciting Times Ahead: - With Justin Jackson's groundbreaking initiatives, Gavin Newsome's visionary leadership, Audacy's bold creativity, and ElevenLabs' cutting-edge technologies, we are on the brink of a transformative era in media. - These movers and shakers are not just influencing trends; they are driving fundamental shifts in how content is created, distributed, and consumed, setting the stage for unprecedented growth and innovation. 📊 Harnessing B2B Analytics: - Companies like CoHost are leveraging powerful B2B Analytics tools to unlock invaluable insights into listener demographics, preferences, and behaviors, empowering content creators and brands to tailor their offerings with precision. - By tapping into the wealth of data available through CoHost's platform, businesses can maximize revenue streams, enhance audience engagement, and stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive market. 🔗 Seize the Opportunity: - As we express gratitude for the trailblazers shaping the media landscape, let's also commit to embracing change, fostering collaboration, and harnessing the power of technology to drive sustainable growth. - The convergence of innovation, data-driven insights, and visionary leadership presents a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem. Command Your Brand.

3

𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗽𝘂𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: Post-Election Pulse and Market Reaction Today’s edition of 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗽𝘂𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 is here, bringing you a clear-eyed look at the latest developments following Trump’s re-election. From historic market reactions to global responses and a pivotal Senate shift, here’s what we’re covering: 🗽 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Trump’s victory fueled major gains across the Dow, S&P 500, and even Bitcoin. Analysts point to optimism around his #ProBusiness policies, but will these #MarketGains hold amid economic uncertainties? 🗽 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 – Leaders from #Europe to #Asia are weighing in on what a second Trump term could mean for #Trade and #Diplomacy. Could his “#AmericaFirst” stance reshape international relationships in unexpected ways? 🗽 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 – With the #GOP reclaiming the Senate, expect movement on key legislative priorities like #TaxReform, #Healthcare, and federal spending. How will this shift shape policy over the next four years? 🗽 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗹𝘀𝗲 – Across the nation, reactions range from celebration to concern. Our #ReadingTheRoom section takes the nation’s temperature on this historic #Election2024, reflecting the country’s #PoliticalDivide. Get the latest, unbiased breakdown of today’s top stories with 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗽𝘂𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 – your go-to source for clear, insightful #NewsWithoutSpin. Catch today’s edition here: https://lnkd.in/gSX4ZVfB #UnspunUpdates #CurrentEvents #FinancialMarkets #GlobalNews #PublicOpinion #ElectionResults #LinkedInNews #USPolitics #StayInformed #ElectionCoverage #MarketInsights #InternationalRelations #NewsDigest

2

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

8

Joining Shameek Bose M.P.A. to preview the findings of our recent media landscape research, A Data-Driven Approach to Landing Sustainability Stories in Global Top-Tier Media with Alan Murray was a true career highlight. As one of the leading journalists of our time, Alan's perspective and recommendations were nothing short of inspiring. To complete this research, my team and I analyzed over 6,000 pieces of top-tier global media coverage in 2024 to answer three central questions: ⭐ What storylines are landing tier one coverage and what insights can companies draw from this to increase their coverage? ⭐ What narratives AREN'T landing in leading outlets? Which pitches should companies reconsider? ⭐ What can we learn from negative coverage of corporate sustainability commitments to ensure our clients don't fall in similar traps? The insights we identified through this project were surprising and are helping many of our clients uplevel their communications strategies for 2025. Let me know if you'd be interested in hearing the presentation live!

3

Greart template for using AI effectively in your communications with stakeholders from Page Society: When it comes to GenAI, prompting makes perfect   Dan Nestle, Communications Leader at LIXIL Americas, provided a helpful guide on coaxing AI to give you the best results possible. When creating a prompt for a Generative AI tool, Dan recommends following Chris Penn’s RACE model, which has four key components (R, A, C, and E) : Assign AI a Role - Tell the AI what its specializations are. This helps the model know what lens to generate its content with. For example, begin with an instruction like, “You are a seasoned reporter for the Financial Times with a focus on supply chain issues…”.  Give AI an Action to Perform - Tell the model what to do. Use specific language to clearly define the task. For example, tell it to “write a pitch email of no more than 100 words that is likely to get your attention.”  Provide Context - Provide additional context to help the model complete the task. For example, add “Avoid buzzwords and industry jargon, favoring a succinct, direct style that is likely to appeal to a busy reporter like you.”  Ask AI to Execute - For longer prompts, it is important to remind the AI what the task is. You can also put any fine-tuning details in this section. For example, end with “Remember, the pitch should make clear what the news angle is and why it is important to the publication and its readers.”  GSPM GWU The George Washington University - College of Professional Studies Chris Penn Daniel Nestle #AI #strategiccommunications #PublicRelations

1

1 Comment

OK, so it happened. What's next? ▪ Sale Deadline: ByteDance has up to a year to sell TikTok to a U.S.-approved buyer to avoid a complete ban. ▪ Potential Buyers: Speculation surrounds potential buyers, including groups led by former financial officials and large corporations. ▪ Legal Challenges Expected: The legislation is likely to face legal pushback from various stakeholders, including the Chinese government. ▪ Continued Availability: TikTok remains accessible in the U.S. for now, but future access is uncertain pending legal and governmental outcomes. ▪ First Amendment Concerns: There are significant First Amendment challenges, as the platform is widely used for political and educational content.

6

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

3

As the 2024 Election quickly approaches, I am increasingly more intrigued by how American voters are consuming political information from sources that aren't traditional media outlets. This new report from TWSC shares key insights into how news and politics are shaped, shared and consumed on the ever-evolving platform that is TikTok. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eamBa6PY

11

My latest in PRNEWS: how to manage a negative article. Not all coverage is going to be positive, and every organization out there will eventually find itself on the receiving end of a negative piece. It can be frustrating and stressful, but there are several steps you can take to improve the situation, especially if you get a heads up an article is coming and have an opportunity to engage in advance. Read on for 6 tips as well as some comments on the infamous “no comment.” #PR #crisiscomms #VoxusPR

38

4 Comments

What sets a successful advocacy campaign apart? A robust outreach and messaging strategy driven by data and insights to keep pace with constantly evolving conversations. Take a look at how Adfero utilizes research to turn campaign goals into real impact:

15

SPOILER ALERT 🚨🚨🚨 I don't think TikTok is going anywhere. But, the debate happening among policymakers makes for pretty good conversation. In my latest thought piece for H/Advisors Abernathy, I examined the newscycle to see how a potential #TikToK ban could play a big role in the 2024 election cycle, rankle #BigTech data collection and lay the groundwork for more #dataprivacy advocacy. https://bit.ly/T1kT0kban

32

3 Comments

Time for a quick reminder. I wrote this a while ago, but it holds true every single day. In my work with founders and C-suite leaders, there's often a rush for instant media coverage. But here's the truth: PR isn’t a cup of instant noodles—it’s more like a slow-simmered broth. It takes time, the right strategy, and the perfect ingredients to create something truly impactful. So, if anyone promises you guaranteed placements, you’ve been punked. #StrategicPR #MediaRelations https://lnkd.in/dCSJtWEA

21

9 Comments

BOSTON

1

AI in Earnings Calls: How are listed companies talking about It? 🤖💬 AI has been a recurring theme in recent quarterly earnings calls as companies increasingly leverage this transformative technology. From driving efficiencies to enhancing customer service to generating new revenue streams, AI has become critical in many areas and across various industries. Given the opportunities offered by AI and ongoing changes in consumer behaviour, companies underinvesting in AI and digitalisation could be at a competitive disadvantage. In this quarter’s Pulse, we explore how AI is being discussed in earnings calls across providers and users: ·      AI Providers: o  Companies in IT software and services and IT hardware, where AI is a core part of their offerings. ·      AI Users: o  Companies increasingly using AI to optimise processes, improve productivity, and reduce costs. o  Companies deploying AI to improve interactions, personalise experiences, and support employees in their roles – which, in turn, is a revenue and profitability generator. As we delve deeper into these categories, it's evident that while AI matures, some companies and sectors – particularly in production and industrials and the B2C/B2B space – are moving from experimental approaches to more systematic and strategic deployment. Download the full report. ⬇️

10

We need to have more discussion and debate around how to improve the pitch process, and I appreciate Deepthi Prakash's addressing the issue head-on via her Ad Age opinion piece. I do think both sides need to take a more nuanced view of point 1: "We want only people who will work on our business to pitch and present." She raises a valid point about the staffing challenges agencies face, but the reality is, clients are buying the team—and I don’t believe that’s going to change. Agencies with staffing models that allow them to commit to the actual team will always have a leg up. The key here is transparency. There’s a reason clients fear the bait-and-switch—it still happens too often. Rather than making false promises or dodging the question, agencies should seize the opportunity to have a frank, early discussion about expectations vs. realities. And point out where lengthy reviews can get in the way of locking in a team the clients love. (As a search consultant, I’m often in the middle of these discussions, helping clients and agencies find common ground.) The more upfront agencies are about what they can and can’t promise - and the more realistic clients are about their expectations - the better off we’ll all be!

20