Jessica Shein

T-minus...not very many hours until Election Day. Are you ready? ***Those in the PR/Comms industries: How are you handling Election Day for your brand/org, your employees, and most of all...yourself?*** [Me: We have the editorial calendar planned this week with flexibility for important election-related pieces if they come in. I'm working on several election-unrelated pieces. Taking time out to vote on Tuesday. Taking walk breaks/cat cuddling breaks Tuesday and Wednesday. Buying MORE candy. Already decided on ordering out for dinner Tuesday night with husband. ] Take care. Be gentle with yourself and others. Eat as much candy as you want.

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Communications best practices apply to IR, just as they do for all strategic communications. Learn more about IR website essentials in the in-depth guide from PR Newswire ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e9wW2QaH #IR #InvestorRelations #Comms

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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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Are the tools of journalism applicable to #corporate communications? Without a doubt. I recently had the opportunity to discuss three of those tools, and how to apply them, at a gathering of comms professionals from @Method Communications, @Sling&Stone, @Harvard and other teams from our @VCCP family. I’d love to hear about other skills from #journalism you think are applicable to helping companies tell their best stories in authentic, media-genic ways. Comment below!

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As seen in top industry publications! 📰✨ Explore why CiviClick is making waves in public affairs technology. Learn more 👉🏼 https://civiclick.com/ #CiviClick #InTheNews #PublicAffairs

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My friend and colleague Jeff Caporizzo, a cancer survivor, will join an amazing panel of public health leaders from FDA, CDC, and NIH to share their insights on how audience-driven communications strategies can change the public’s awareness and behaviors towards cancer. Don’t miss this upcoming ICF webinar about the role communications can play in supporting positive public health outcomes. #cancerprevention #cancercommunications #CDC #FDA #NIH https://lnkd.in/e7te6Hh7

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20+ years of writing and reviewing press releases has left me with a deep hatred of the words "iconic", "innovative", and especially "paradigm shifting"! This is a smart piece by Eleanor Hawkins. And I agree - as long as the time investment is kept to a minimum and all parties are aligned on the goals of a "press release", there's still a place for them in the comms toolkit as a way to memorialise a moment in time. One add though. With data hungry LLMs looking for more and more content to ingest, and given the shift among many publishers to block the use of their IP, will we see a resurgence in the impact of press releases as influencers of AI answer engines? I predict yes.

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As the digital landscape shifts, so must our strategies in #advocacy and #publicaffairs. Looking forward to attending today's Summit and participating in discussion on the intersection of public opinion, message and tech. https://lnkd.in/ed__dgHA #digitaladvocacy #digitalstrategy #DMAS24

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My book "WOKE: A Cultural Competence Guide for Communicators" includes A BASIC GUIDE TO PUBLIC RELATIONS, a useful guide for those considering a career in PR. "In our modern world, effective communications are key. As organizations and individuals navigate the dynamic landscapes of our interconnected lives, public relations have become a critical element that helps shape perceptions, nurture relationships, and drive visibility, leading to success. Public Relations is the art and craft of managing internal and external communications between an organization, its stakeholders, and the media. A well-crafted and executed public relations plan can establish credibility, build trust, and maintain a positive reputation. Early in my career, I became aware of the incredible power of public relations to shape public perceptions. It was also clear to me that portrayals of Latinos in mainstream media were overwhelmingly negative. Therefore, I chose a career in public relations to play my part in transforming America’s perception of Latinos and to educate the public about the many positive contributions of Hispanics to the United States. I launched my agency, Reyes Entertainment (www.reyesentertainment.com), in Los Angeles, one of the largest bilingual media markets and Latino communities in the U.S. In addition, Los Angeles is home to Hollywood’s entertainment industry, one of the largest purveyors of media images seen by millions worldwide. https://lnkd.in/gDvjeppU

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From our second Boscobel Marketing Communications GovCon reporter survey, we learned a lot about the best ways to improve media coverage in today’s environment. We discovered new insights on generative AI usage and podcasts. Other findings confirmed what we already know to be true, such as the best days to send a press release or pitch to a GovCon reporter.   You can learn more about our eight key takeaways and actionable “Pro Tips” in my new Washington Technology article: https://lnkd.in/e9cSBsxs   I hope you enjoy the read! Let me know what you think.   #GovCon #B2G #Journalism #PublicRelations #GovernmentContracting

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In a comprehensive annual review, Rod Cartwright's "Reputation, Risk and Resilience 2024" highlights the complex challenges and opportunities for corporate communicators, offering a fresh perspective on global risks. 📊 Despite the challenging outlook, as PR professionals we must see risk management, crisis preparedness, and resilience-building as sources of positive value. 🚀

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Let’s dive into this week’s Association Insights video, tackling one of the evergreen questions association communicators always have: How do I get more reporters to attend our event? 🎤 Make It Newsworthy: Highlight unique angles, exclusive access or significant industry developments that resonate with your audience. The more relevant your event, the more likely reporters will see value in attending. 📧 Personalize Your Outreach: Skip the generic press releases. Tailor your invitations to individual reporters, referencing their past work and explaining why your event is relevant to them. ⏰ Time It Right: Send out invitations well in advance, but not too early. Follow up closer to the event with additional details or exclusive opportunities. 🎁 Offer Unique Incentives: Consider one-on-one interviews with key speakers, access to exclusive content or behind-the-scenes tours. Unique offerings can make your event more appealing. 🤝 Build Relationships: Share valuable insights and be a reliable resource year-round. Strong relationships increase the likelihood that reporters will prioritize your event. By focusing on these strategies, you can boost your chances of getting reporters to attend and cover your event. 💬 How do you get reporters to attend your events? Share your tips in the comments! #AssociationInsights #EventPR #MediaRelations #OnWrdUpWrd #Communications

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PRovoke Media recently published its 2024 Comms Index report. While the study focused on senior in-house communications leaders in APAC, the findings apply to what we have seen in North America: Lead generation has emerged as the key business priority, as companies increasingly expect the comms function to demonstrate its value and impact. Of note: ℹ️ Lead generation has moved up to fourth place in business priorities. ℹ️ ESG has dropped to fifth place (social impact) and seventh place (environmental/climate) ℹ️ AI is rapidly gaining ground. Usage and familiarity have increased significantly. ℹ️ The budget for communication is contracting, and the perceived value of communication functions has decreased. ℹ️ Measurement and metrics remain challenging, as higher-value metrics like awareness and behavior change still rank behind media clippings. The findings also remind me of something I recently read from Gartner: 50% of marketing leaders cannot prove marketing's value to their enterprise due to skepticism and traditional beliefs. The precarious macroeconomic environment and the high expectations placed on marketing and communications will continue to be challenging. For agency and client leaders, we need to internalize these dependencies and their potential impact on our work to better guide and support our clients. Thank you, PRovoke Media, for your work. Paul Holmes Arun Sudhaman Diana Marszalek Maja Pawinska Sims Institute for Public Relations #agency #publicrelations #PR

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This article highlights the challenges reporters face when seeking comments from companies and public figures. The phrase “did not respond to a request for comment” is becoming increasingly common in journalism. This trend raises questions about the impact on journalistic integrity and the changing landscape of media communications. https://lnkd.in/e33AuQRy

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How is your comms team getting ready for the November elections? We’re teaming up with The Conference Board to examine how communicators plan to engage with election-related topics. Weigh in here: https://lnkd.in/eifQymcB

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Imagine a PR specialist at a government agency facing the challenge of communicating the aftermath of a missile strike. Words often feel inadequate, and emotions can run high. In such moments, professionalism, deep understanding, and empathy are crucial. This scenario underscores the importance of emotional intelligence and resilience in a profession where every word can impact a wide audience. Here are some strategies that can help anyone who works with emotionally challenging topics: 1. Awareness and Understanding of Your Own Emotions Begin by recognizing and analyzing your emotions. This is the first step in developing emotional intelligence. For example, a PR professional covering a tragic event should first understand their own emotional response to it. This self-awareness helps prevent personal emotions from influencing professional communication. 2. Develop Empathy Try to view the situation from others’ perspectives. This enhances your understanding of the audience’s emotions. During a conference on disaster aftermath, it’s crucial not only to convey information but also to empathize with the victims and their families. Sharing specific stories that highlight the human aspect of the tragedy can be very effective. 3. Take a Short Pause Before Reacting Avoid making hasty decisions or statements. Practicing mindfulness can help. When emotions peak, a brief pause allows you to calm down and make thoughtful decisions. For instance, before responding to a journalist’s question on a sensitive topic, take a few deep breaths to collect your thoughts. 4. Practice Mindfulness Incorporate meditation or breathing exercises into your routine to calm your mind and body. Regular mindfulness practice helps maintain composure in stressful situations. Before an important meeting or briefing, spend a few minutes on deep breathing to emotionally prepare yourself. These practices help manage emotions in challenging moments. Remember, empathy and understanding are key to effective communication, especially on topics that touch our hearts.

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The Journey from Communications Waitress to Communications Business Advisor™ ... Listen in to the latest episode of the Communications Business Advisor™ Podcast to hear more about the career journey and that critical moment where things shift. Available on your favorite podcast player - link in comments.

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I often signpost Government Communication Service resources and frameworks especially the ones on planning and measurement Well they've added three new guides for communicators that are freely available to all. 1. Innovation strategy: setting out how to encourage, identify, test and scale new techniques across government comms. https://lnkd.in/eRu6ZXC4 2.The GCS framework for ethical innovation: setting guidelines for how to test new technology or use data while maintaining the highest ethical standards. https://lnkd.in/esKHrn6r 3. GCS generative AI policy: setting out principles for how government comms should use new AI tools. https://lnkd.in/eXnKrwVD Thanks Simon Baugh for making these freely available.  No 3 in particular will save communicators lots of time. https://lnkd.in/edxQBg2z

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