Jason Hunke

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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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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Authenticity is key for senior executives to be influential on LinkedIn, but not every leader finds it easy to engage genuinely. 🔸In episode 342 of our For Immediate Release podcast, Shel Holtz, SCMP, and I explore how communicators can help executives craft authentic online personas and build influence and trust, focused on LinkedIn, with practical examples. I also dive into this topic in a new blog post published today, arguing that authenticity opens the door to success. Communicators must guide leaders who struggle with authenticity, identifying formats or mediums that play to their strengths. Take a read and listen to our discussion ⬇️ #Authenticity #Communication #LinkedIn #FIRPodcast https://lnkd.in/eMu9D48j

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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 @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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As the first anniversary of Oct. 7 approaches, how have your #ERG programs evolved over the past year? Is there more space or structure at work for interfaith dialogue and inclusive, intersectional comms? Please share this with your comms people doing the work and let me know if you're comfortable sharing your efforts for an upcoming Ragan Communications and PR Daily story. [email protected]

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It's so important (and sometimes a very delicate balancing act) to evolve with consumer demands while leveraging nostalgia. We can successfully connect with both older and younger generations by embracing their heritage while simultaneously innovating through product updates, new marketing strategies, and collaborations. Heritage alone isn't enough; continuous adaptation is essential!

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Many brands want to share their DEI initiatives but fear the backlash that may ensue. Learn how to successfully message your DEI strategy in 2024 in our latest blog. #DEI #BrandStrategy

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Build Resilience from the Inside Out. What separates the good from the great in high-pressured careers like PR? According to research, 75% of performance is determined by character - not competence. In this episode of #imPRessions, Peter Rea shares how developing virtues like courage, compassion and hope can help you thrive under uncertainty. If you want to boost your ability to perform under pressure, stream this episode. The Pollack Group

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Navigating Activism in 2024: A closer look at rising stakeholder expectations. As societal movements gain momentum, businesses must decide whether to lead change or stand on the sidelines. But how far is too far? And what are the risks of inaction? Here is my commentary on the role of corporate activism.

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Climate change rarely comes up at campaign events. Probably because extreme weather has yet to hit most of us personally. While Americans largely believe the threat is real, 45% expect to feel little or no impact. For most of us it doesn’t matter as much as almost every other concern.  But whether we discuss it or not, climate change looms large on the ballot this year. At every level of government, we need leaders who understand that it’s the heat trapped in the atmosphere from all the oil and gas we’ve burned for decades that’s intensifying climate disasters. It’s a mess that will take decades to clean up but there’s no sense of urgency.  Meanwhile the wrath of hurricanes, fires, floods, and heat domes will only get worse if we don’t elect leaders committed to cooling our planet. Harris and Walz already have voted for programs to build more wind and solar, electrify more homes and cars, and deploy innovative solutions to get rid of carbon pollution that traps heat. Meanwhile, Trump and Vance say climate change is a hoax. They plan to ‘Drill Baby Drill’ and eliminate environmental protections.  Your local leaders and our next administration must view climate extremes as a national security threat. We need champions who will accelerate clean energy dependence and prioritize carbon clean-up to protect the people and places we love. #lateristoolate #climatesolutions #itstoohotnottovote #sciencemoms https://lnkd.in/gNSSCCnb

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Bodyweight workouts can be scaled appropriately for almost anyone, Rice's Anatolia Vick-Kregel, B.S, D.C says, but it’s important to start with the basics and build up from there. For those with chronic injuries or specific physical considerations, it is best to consult with an expert before starting. Madeleine Aggeler reports: #health #fitness #healthandfitness #exercise #workout #workouts #wellness

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This article from Eleanor Hawkins really resonated with me. As communications professionals, we should be far removed from "spray-and-pray" message distribution or the "Whack-a-mole" reactive approach to crisis management. Our strategies and tactics should align with our clients' business goals, focusing less on the number of press releases and more on shaping the corporate strategy. I recently saw a deck from another PR firm, in which the key evaluation metric was "number of pitches sent." We have to move away from this as an industry and increasingly use data to create/protect value for our clients. Great read, as usual, Eleanor! https://lnkd.in/eBfh8cR7

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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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Very cool to see my mentor and colleague Whitney Dailey quoted in Newsweek this week, underlining the role of advertising, pr + comms to shape the conversation around the most pressing issue of our time. Anyone who knows me, knows how strongly I feel about this issue. The fossil fuels industry has leaned into clever advertising to propagate lies about plastics and climate change, fueling climate denialism and misinformation, for decades. We're nearing the end of the line, with the climate crisis accelerating at breakneck speed and the UN climate chief, Simon Stiell, recently saying we have two years left to “save the world.” Guterres’s comments signal that it’s time for the advertising industry to right historical wrongs and make decisions that prioritize the health of the planet, and ultimately people’s lives, over short-term profit. A global ban on advertising would significantly reduce the influence of the fossil fuel industry, and allow for more public/private sector investment in clean energy (which the International Energy Agency calculates is at $1.7 trillion per year). But governments also need to stop sending tax-payer-funded subsidies to the fossil fuels industry and take decisive action such as joining the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (a client I'm very proud to work with), which will help to end extraction and finance a just and clean transition. There are enough existing fossil fuels to last us at least until 2050, meaning we can stop extracting now, and massively redirect towards cheap, clean and abundant renewable energy. We're at a crossroads, and the science and data shows us what lies ahead on both paths. Or to take another metaphor, we have a red pill and a blue pill. And I believe it's our responsibility as marketers to help guide society and all the stakeholders we work with (especially in business and government) towards the right pill, even if it feels like a hard one to swallow.

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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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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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Last week, Edelman released the 2024 Edelman #Trust Barometer Special Report: Business & Racial Justice, exploring the role of institutions (business, government, media and NGOs) in addressing societal systemic injustice. A few findings from this year's report - now in its fifth year - that stood out for me: 1) 6 in 10 view an inclusive and diverse #workplace as a deciding factor for considering and/or staying with an employer; 2) 3 in 4 agree that diverse workplaces yield stronger trust with customers and more #innovation in product/service outputs; 3) 6 in 10 also view #AI as having potential to inflame even more division. As we continue to navigate the very real and nuanced complexities of #DEI, it's so important to put the sensational headlines aside and look at the data. Check out some additional perspectives from my brilliant colleagues, and drop me a line if you'd like to learn more about this year's report. https://lnkd.in/eysVKKDX

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