Jennie Ho (she/her)

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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With corporate mergers, restructuring, revenue declines and AI becoming the new normal, the focus for many workers in PR and comms has shifted from furthering careers to just being able to keep on making a good living. Here are some pointers for handling that instability -- Jane Genova https://odwpr.us/3OTpFcM

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A new survey from PR measurement platform Memo is a feel-good story for chief communications officers and their teams, but there is a catch. The survey highlights a 34% increase in communications teams reporting directly to the CEO versus last year and a 26% decrease in comms reporting to marketing. In today’s complex, politicized, multi-stakeholder world, getting communications pitch perfect is mission critical for every organization. That’s more likely to happen when comms teams have the CEO’s ear. BUT: The more separation there is between comms and marketing functions, the greater the risk of strategic dissonance between earned and paid media. Blending them creates powerful synergy. Here are 8 ways to do it, starting today: 1. Align your messaging across earned and paid channels for cohesive brand storytelling. 2. Amplify earned media coverage using paid to reach audiences who don’t consume through traditional channels. 3. Boost press coverage with paid media to enhance credibility and trust. 4. Extend the lifespan of strategically relevant earned media using engaging paid formats that keep the story alive. 5. Ensure a well-rounded narrative by promoting owned content that fills gaps in your brand story not sufficiently covered by the media. 6. Redirect key earned media storylines to specific audience segments (e.g., investors, future talent) by leveraging niche paid targeting. 7. Transform earned media outcomes into compelling multimedia formats — animations, videos, or carousels — to enhance your storytelling. 8. Report results holistically by showing exec teams how earned and paid media can work together to create greater impact. A well-rounded, cohesive media strategy is essential for breaking through the clutter. Separate reporting lines and bifurcated budgets shouldn't stand in the way. ♻️ Repost if you find this helpful or add to my list of tips. How do you integrate earned and paid media? #CommsStrategy #EarnedMedia #PaidMedia

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In a must-read article from Storyboard18, Laura Quigley of Integral Ad Science dives deep into how brands can combat #misinformation and uncertainty to ensure both safety and performance. Balancing #brandsafety and #performance is a constant challenge for marketers. So, how can advertisers avoid misinformation and protect their brand? Laura's insights reveal the power of AI and machine learning in providing #contextualtargeting and advanced #analytics, ensuring ads don't appear alongside harmful content. Stay ahead of the curve and protect your brand in these uncertain times. Check out the full article for more valuable strategies!

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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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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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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

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Here's added support for the claim that comms pros are taking their rightful seat at the "strategy" table. Why? Because brand building and reputation management are strategic pillars for businesses. Memo's new "Evolving Role of Comms" report shows: 💡 A 34% increase in comms teams reporting directly to CEOs. 💡 A 26% decrease in reporting to marketing since 2023. 💡 An expanding role for comms, beyond earned media. 50% say they now own executive comms, internal comms, and marketing campaigns. CEOs experienced the value of comms during the pandemic and other challenging events of the early 2020s. These data suggest the C-suite is taking a serious look at a range of reputational risks, including: 🚨 Misinformation and disinformation due to AI. 🚨 Cybercrime, cybersecurity, and customer privacy. 🚨 Activist investors, including those pushing back against ESG policies. 🚨 Macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical, and climate events. The report also underscores the power that comes from: ⚡ Sharing executive perspectives to promote understanding of corporate values and ethics. ⚡ Having an aligned workforce. Empowered employees are your best advocates. The most interesting tension in this report is the question of priorities. Gaining competitive share-of-voice (SOV), raising awareness, and amplifying key messages top the to-do list more frequently than, say, managing disinformation or changing perceptions. It's a tightly-knit group of priorities, however. And that speaks to the complexities of modern communications. Comms folks drive clarity about purpose and values. They also understand the importance of closing the gaps between corporate stories and actions. Shout out to the comms folks out there who are claiming more space. Check out the full report in the link below. #Comms #PR #StrategicCommunications

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Allison Carter has put together a great roundup of where media relations is heading in 2025. My take? Traditional interview prep is evolving into adaptive communication training: ✅ Real-time response strategies ✅ Mastering diverse formats (podcasts, livestreams) ✅ Building genuine audience connections ✅ Navigating sensitive topics with transparency Loved reading the insights from so many talented comms pros, from the rise of independent journalism to AI-driven media relations. Check out the article for my full prediction and insights from KEVIN PETSCHOW ✅, Jay Weisberger, APR, Campbell Levy, Dan Farkas, Grace Williams, Jeremy Tunis, Tom Spalding, APR, Trevor Chapman, Alex Dudley, Melissa Sweredoski, Matt Tatham, Laura Hoy, Anna Marie Imbordino, Lindsey Leesmann, MBA, Suzanne Forte, James Sciales, Bonnie McLaughlin, Lauren Hepburn, Anna Marie Murphy, Todd Templin, Christian T. Potts, and Sonu Wasu. Can't wait to see how we're all adapting to these changes! #MediaRelations #PR #Communications

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Kudos to Eleanor Hawkins and the Axios Communicators team for their "1 big thing" visual of the day. Yes, it's reductive guidance on when to speak out and when not to, and yes, you should think through it with more nuance and specificity to a situation at hand, but these are great questions to start with when you're wondering how to communicate through murky or uncomfortable events. Some other questions to consider: ▶ Do we know enough about this situation? If not, do we have a sense of timing for more information to come through? ▶ Can we meaningfully influence the situation by speaking out? ▶ If we are communicating about this, who is the right person to serve as our voice?

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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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In today’s fast-paced world, brands need more than just a great product to thrive—they need a story that resonates. And that’s where strategic PR comes into play. When done right, PR doesn’t just amplify a brand’s message; it shapes its reputation, strengthens trust, and builds long-term relationships. Some powerful examples: • Dove’s Real Beauty campaign challenged stereotypes and celebrated diverse beauty, creating an emotional bond with consumers that continues to strengthen its brand identity. • Airbnb redefined itself beyond a travel platform through PR, focusing on a message of belonging and community, positioning itself as a brand that fosters connection and trust in destinations worldwide. • Mia by Tanishq has crafted its story around the modern woman’s journey, using storytelling to connect deeply with women who see jewelry as a symbol of self-expression, empowerment, and independence. In an era where consumers expect authenticity, values-driven communication, and relatable brands, public relations acts as the bridge between a brand’s values and its audience’s expectations. Through storytelling, thought leadership, and transparent crisis communication, PR ensures a brand’s voice is heard—and heard the right way. To all the brands looking to make an impact, remember: investing in PR isn’t just about getting attention; it’s about building a legacy. #PublicRelations #BrandStorytelling #PRStrategy #BrandBuilding #Marketing Airbnb Dove Mia by Tanishq

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Used right, data = authenticity for PR, especially in the age of social media. I love how powerfully renowned chef and TV host @Tyler Florence explains here how PR pros can put the "why" behind the "what". #PR #socialmedia #data

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H2 has arrived, which means it's time to revisit the relentless march of 2024's first half, and consider what we can still accomplish, hope for, be surprised by before the year's end. That's exactly what Lindsay Rittenhouse has done in one of her latest pieces for Ad Age, rounding up industry folks to share their perspectives on where we are now and where we still have to go. So glad to see two of our own weigh in! Ogilvy New York's Darla Price (she / her / hers) : "The business climate has caused many brands to pull back on more culturally relevant work and shift more into sell mode through reasons to believe rather than connections with consumers. I don't want to not see brands doing brave stuff as we close out a great year. I would like to see the RFP process move from request for proposal to ready for progress. In other words, I would love to see fewer brands that aren't ready for the change required within a pitch and more who are brave and want to be change agents." Ogilvy One's Rajesh Midha : "With the increasing importance of data privacy, as marketers we need to provide reasons for customers to provide first-party data, and then leverage that data to create personalized, relevant and impactful marketing. The separation of technology strategy to overall business strategy is outdated. An integrated approach where technology, digital and data strategy is a core part of business strategy is what is required. https://lnkd.in/g-FXEbFj

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In this week’s Borkowski Media Trends we apply Meltwater data to Justin Timberlake’s DWI crisis to demonstrate two home truths about the new conditions. Negative publicity unfolds at mind-boggling speed and in uncontrollable volumes. BUT.. #PR Crises flare out quickly in the modern news cycle Meme culture can accelerate this process by diluting negative publicity “In the past week, 81% of non-neutral mentions of Timberlake in the media have been negative – that’s over 100,000 stories and significant social media posts. But it’s not all bad; crises these days don’t last long – overall mentions of Timberlake spiked at 132,000 on Wednesday but, as of Friday, have already dropped 93% to below 10,000. And the comedy is undoubtedly distracting from the negativity; nine of the top 10 most shared links about Timberlake in the last week have been memes – with only the first significant share of his mugshot treating his arrest as anything more than a joke. If that doesn’t illustrate the trivial nature of the crisis, there’s also the small matter that the ‘ROFL’ emoji has been used in conjunction with Timberlake’s name over 2,000 more times than ‘DWI’ since the arrest. While instructive, it’s important to note that it would have been very hard, if not impossible, for Timberlake to engineer a situation where a meme distracts the general public from his reputation crisis. Possibly the only major public figures who have done that successfully in recent times have been Donald Trump and Boris Johnson – and neither of them was able to swim against the serious undercurrent of their reputational issues forever. But it does show any errant celebrity worried about a career-ending scandal that the modern news cycle is short-lasting and easily distracted by frivolity...there's hope for us all.” For weekly insights into the PR, Communications and Reputation lessons behind the week’s top stories, delivered every Friday, subscribe to our Substack: https://lnkd.in/eB9ME6VJ #PR, #CrisisCommunications #Reputation #celebrity #reputation #riskmanagement #crisismanagement 

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AI for communicators: What’s new and what matters.

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