Emily Singer Mandel

Recent industry research shared by Eleanor Hawkins at Axios shows that 66% of Fortune 500 Chief Communications Officers are women, a demographic variance not yet seen in other C-suite roles. Diverse perspectives are essential to effectively lead, listen to and engage the many different groups and audiences that can dictate a company’s success and I look forward to similar progress in inclusion across other leadership roles and industries.  https://lnkd.in/e7c-5fS7

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As eloquently put by Eleanor Hawkins in Axios Communicators, there's a recalibration happening as executives navigate how and when to address socio-political issues in the era of Trump 2.0. For corporate communicators, decisions about if, and how, to respond are going to be taking up a lot more of our time over the next four years, if past experience is any indication. Check out the full article at https://lnkd.in/eZCnfVNQ

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My early takeaway from PRSA Oregon #CommCon2024 is that the public is facing a real trust issue when it comes to innovations like AI and other emerging tech (and in general). Which raises the question: how do we address the trust crisis in a way that is both authentic and effective? #communications #publicrelations

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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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Huge news for the creative sector 📢 🎉 We've now launched Adobe Content Authenticity, a new free web app that allows digital creators to attach Content Credentials to their content - helping them to protect their work, show attribution and better connect with their audiences online. Content Credentials are like a “nutrition label” and serve as secure metadata that can help you share information about yourself and your work. Just as a painter might add their signature to their painting, applying Content Credentials to your work with the web app is like signing your work in the digital world. 🎨 Crucially, you can also select a Generative AI Training and Usage Preference to influence how generative AI models from other companies use your work. Adding this preference indicates to other supporting generative AI models that you don’t want your work to be trained on or used, providing a vital choice to digital artists. https://lnkd.in/ggCg-jPA https://lnkd.in/gvcmYeyP #ContentAuthenticity #Copyright #AI

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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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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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Great analysis of the debate from a communications strategy perspective. These tips are similarly relevant for comms professionals as they coach executives on how to be engaging, trustworthy, and genuine in their own communications.

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My inner nerd was interested in the news that is Meta ditching workplace. We see Viva Engage gaining traction with clients, and Slack remains popular, but Workplace environments have become wild wests with it super hard to search for content and the noise-to-signal ratio set to TOO LOUD. Will be interesting to see how this pans out and what AI will do to this digital collaboration space. Ok, it's not as interesting as an episode of The Responder, but it's interesting nonetheless! If you have any questions or thoughts on Workplace or your internal communication channels, feel free to drop a comment or reach out ([email protected]). We have helped clients such as Nestlé, Anglo American, Tata Consulting, and Haleon determine the best digital communication platforms and initiate better global matrix collaboration to improve business impact, like SIX's BOOST program. Consequently, 86% of employees reported an improved understanding of the new strategy and vision and satisfaction with communications increased by 18%!

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Thrilled to have hosted a webinar on the Ethnicity Pay Gap with three exceptional experts on the subject. Our discussion delved into systemic biases, actionable solutions, and the imperative for change. Let's turn insights into action for a more equitable future. #EthnicityPayGap #DiversityandInclusion

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State of play: A recent Memo report found that 56% of CCOs are reporting to the CEO — an increase of 34 percentage points since last year. I loved seeing insights like that in Eleanor Hawkins's Axios Communicators Newsletter this week. It's a topic that is becoming increasingly important as the look of C-Suites continues to change each year. A separate report by the Observatory of Corporate Reputation found that CCO+ roles have increased by roughly 88% within the Fortune 1000 since 2019, outnumbering traditional CCO roles for the first time. I have been a long-time advocate of the CCO reporting to the CEO, indicating the importance of the role as well as its differentiating the position from the CMO which is complimentary but has a different lens to the brand. This hasn't historically been the case but I love to see this shift and its continued trend upwards! https://lnkd.in/gwEeuKxu

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Our 2nd annual Evolving Role of Comms report is out! My 3 standout findings this year: 1) The clear shift in reporting structure. It's no longer a split between the CEO and marketing -- there's a clear winner. 2) Comms teams are not prioritizing changing perceptions. Instead, they are sticking to key messages. (A lesson learned in this year's Crisis Index too!) 3) Agencies are focused on contextualizing successes over just securing hits.

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Excellent analysis

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I've had this feeling for a long time that the most powerful strategic decision that a leader can make to become more effective is to ask some pretty good questions about 🔥 WHAT's REALLY GOING ON. 🔥 There's some pretty good research backing up that view but I'm not going to bury you in it today. 😁 I've just run across a remarkably constructive discussion of the power of intelligent questions in the workplace -- and how to effectively use the tool -- in this article: "Use the 'magic wand of destiny' to get the desired outcomes" by Kathy Torrey. I think her ideas are potentially powerful tools for MOTIVATING and EMPOWERING younger workers who leave some traditional managers disoriented now and then. (The young ones aren't kidding. They DO see a few things differently.) The article by Kathy Torrey was published by one of my favorite clients, SmartBrief, a division of Future, and it is FREE. Just click and read. 😁 #leadership #motivating #empowering #SmartBrief #Future 🌍 🌏 🌎 REG CROWDER - Freelance Financial Writer - www.regcrowder.com https://lnkd.in/eWsFxTW8

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Looking for a weekend binge?! Check out this new podcast for disruptive conversations from the disruptor himself, Phil Fersht! First 3 episodes are live and ready for YOU! From limitless leadership to the big, the bold, and the beautiful (😉) of #AI. It can all be found here. ⬇️ #BeTheDisruptor #HFSReinvent #MakingMoments

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“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.

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"Can we chat about internal communications?" When Shareen Pathak asked me if I could chat with her about internal comms, I jumped at the opportunity. Internal communications—or, employee communications, as I prefer to call it— is the underappreciated backbone of the comms and marketing team. I'm so glad to see more attention paid to this topic and this vital role. Employee communications can't be an afterthought. It's not a "nice to have" (though it's almost always treated as such, especially in smaller organizations), and it's incredibly strategic. Shout out to my internal communicators! I see you, I know your importance, and I will keep singing your praises as long as I have breath in my lungs. Check out this Toolkits.com article for more.👇 ## Does your company have a dedicated employee comms team, or is it part of another role (aka an afterthought)?

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