Jeff L.

#RTO is hard, but with clear and consistent communications, it can be made easier. Thank you, Sean Devlin, for including in this important Ragan Communications and PR Daily article on how we, as communicators, can enable change. #internalcomms #employeeexperience #changemanagement

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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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📢 The Rise of the Hybrid CCO: The role of the Chief Communication Officer (CCO) is evolving at an unprecedented pace. In episode 424 of our For Immediate Release podcast, Shel Holtz, SCMP and I discuss a groundbreaking trend highlighted in research by the Observatory on Corporate Reputation (OCR): the emergence of the CCO-Plus role. ❓What’s Happening? CCOs are increasingly taking on additional business functions — marketing, HR, sustainability, and more — leading to new titles like Chief Communication and Marketing Officer (CCMO) and Chief Communication and Sustainability/ESG/Impact Officer (CCSEIO). According to the OCR, CCO-Plus roles have surged 88% since 2019, outnumbering traditional CCO roles in Fortune 1000 companies. 🤔 The Big Question: Is this trend towards hybrid roles enhancing organisational efficiency, or does it risk diluting the focus and effectiveness of these critical functions? As the lines between communication and other business functions blur, we might soon see even more integrated roles, like a Chief Communication and AI Officer (CCAIO). 🔊 Join the Conversation: Read my take on this topic, and listen to Shel's and my discussion of these questions in our latest podcast episode. Is your organisation adapting to this shift? How do you see the role of the CCO evolving in your business? #cco #corporatecommunication #FIRpodcast https://lnkd.in/esEb84Mx

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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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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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As election season peaks, it’s fair to ask whether or not CEOs and other C-Suite executives should share their thoughts and ideas on candidates or their platforms on social media. Well, as always it depends on many factors. But what I can say for sure is that doing so requires great care and a clear understanding of the terrain that lies ahead before pressing “Post”. In this year's "Social In The C-Suite" report, data showed that most leaders are opting for a "wait-and-see" approach, as social media posts on elections ranked in just the 20th percentile of content related to critical issues. It was outpaced by other topics like international conflicts, artificial intelligence and DEI/racial justice. So, if a CEO does post about the election, what can they expect? ⚠ Likes, shares, and criticisms: Our research showed that negative comments outshined positive comments on a 25:1 basis. CEO social posts on the election generated the second-highest negative sentiment rate, ranked behind comments made about the war in Palestine and Ukraine. ⬆ A Bigger Social Spotlight Elections are timely and relevant, making them lightning rods for visibility. Any online mention of a candidate or their policies is likely going to put a spotlight on leaders, so expect a lift in impressions. A simple social media post can (and will) make its way into traditional media coverage, multiplying the social post impact. Our research showed that 66% of visibility on CEO statements critical issues came from online posts. 👀 Friends, Foes and Followers: Swaying into public policy topics will put leaders in conversations possibly unrelated to their business, thus inspiring a group of new stakeholders to keep a watchful eye on public content from the CEO. Before posting on the election, leaders should ask themselves if the people having similar conversations online are also stakeholders that can boost or deflate a leader's reputation, and if so, is that leader prepared to speak to that audience beyond this one moment? Lots more to be considered, but feel free to download our #SocialInTheCSuite report for more insights on how CEOs are using social media to address the election. https://lnkd.in/gpA6PgAx

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This💡Ragan Communications and PR Daily article deserves to be shared. There are excellent insights here. 👏🏼This quote from Caitlin Hayden is particularly resonating with me this morning. “Your “brand” is not something that lives off to the side as a set of creative assets and colors. It’s everything about how you show up in the market, which means that comms needs to be a part of any activity or decision that could impact the way stakeholders perceive your company. How your employees talk about their experience = brand. Where you invest your CSR dollars = brand. How your facilities look, feel, and function = brand. How ethically you behave = brand. I could go on…”

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This was so good, I listened twice. Jason Moriber offers an excellent roadmap for anyone seeking to not just reach their audience but to cause a reaction/action. Great to see you teaching, Jason! #communications #marketing #digitalmedia #socialmedia

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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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On 🌎 World PR Day 💻 Frank X. Shaw of Microsoft posted about the difficulty of easily summing up what it is those of us in the communications field actually do - especially to strangers. He broke it down into 3 things that have remained constant: 1) The power of storytelling 2) Trust as a key brand pillar 3) Innovation (capital I) 🧠 It got me thinking but less about how to describe what I do to strangers at dinner parties, and more about how I explain it to my kids. Here are the 3 I came up with (share yours below please!) - 1) "Mama helps to spark story ideas, connecting storytellers with characters" 2) "Mama reads a lot and listens to super smart people talk about things most people don't understand and acts as a translator" 3) "Mama identifies and solves problems - sometimes before anyone even notices they're problems at all" #WorldPRDay #communications #PR #comms

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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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56% of Chief Communications Officers now report directly to the CEO, a 34-point increase since last year... The latest Axios Communicators by Eleanor Hawkins is worth a quick read. ✔️ Today’s CCOs are expected to be "T-shaped" leaders, balancing broad enterprise knowledge with specialized communication expertise. ✔️ Functional expertise is table stakes, but financial acumen, problem-solving, diplomacy, and agility are differentiators. ✔️ It's great to see the increasing recognition of communicators as strategic business partners. We must continually learn new skills and up the collective game of our profession.

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While client stories are the PR gold standard, it always seems to be the very last thing they will do in our marketing promotion options. So, it's always a pleasure to share them when we have them, and this one's a gem: in this story in MarTech, Verizon's Tommi Marsans goes deep on how their B2B division deploys the AI-powered Pega Customer Decision Hub to, as she put it, "be best-in-class at interacting with our customers." It's nice to read about their history with Pega, how it's evolved, and some hints into what's to come (hello Blueprint). https://pe.ga/4bfY2mU

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Thank you to PRNEWS for publishing my piece on lessons brands and communications leaders can learn from the recent fallout at NBC News and the pitfalls of binary thinking. "This debacle is one of many scenarios that remind us of why deliberate, well-coordinated and consistent internal communications are even more important in today’s climate where sensitive information leaks are becoming commonplace." If you're so inclined, you can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eSjSG26d

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The world wavers between recession and growth. CMOs continue to navigate obstacles and embrace change. In part eight of our Global CMO Report, we explore the future of marketing and the mix of excitement and stress it brings. Check it out https://lnkd.in/es7Aj3aF #teamlewisglobal

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You're an executive about to interview with a top-tier reporter and publication. This is your chance for significant coverage. Ahead of the call, the PR team prepared a smart briefing email with talking points and background notes on the reporter. You didn't look at the briefing notes and left an opportunity on the table. Why? ▶️ Because research and preparation are key. ▶️ Because your PR team put information in the document based on working with this reporter several times. ▶️ Because journalists can be particular, and each outlet has its own style and POV.

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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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Politicians in PR Consultancy Does news of Nikki Haley making the transition into PR consultancy seem surprising or does it makes perfect sense? Politicians spend their careers considering public opinion, crafting messages, and managing crises—skills that are directly transferable to the world of public relations. During their time in office, politicians deal with managing press conferences, handling difficult interviews and building relationships with journalists. Their experience equips them to understand the nuances of media narratives, as well as how to shape and shift them to benefit their clients. A powerful asset former politicians bring to the PR world is their extensive networks. Their ability to open doors, provide introductions, and connect clients with key decision-makers is significant. While this may be a 4 year pause while she sits this term out, her transition from politics to PR consultancy may be logical, but let's watch and see if it raises any ethical questions. 

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