Jessica Coughlin

Just came across an article on TVNewsCheck by my friend and former colleague, Dustin Block. It got me thinking about the evolving landscape of local TV. I was part of the last generation that watched local TV religiously because that was the only option we had and it was the closest thing to Hollywood most communities had. Nickelodeon and Disney were not yet household names, syndication was just gaining momentum and family TV time was centered around local channels. But as more options became available and additional TVs entered our homes, the once-loyal audience of local TV started to fragment. Kids made their own choices while parents made theirs. I still value local TV, even if I watch it less frequently now. It fulfills an important place in our community especially during public safety events. It is also a collaborative medium that tells the story of any region from those within those communities. I also know that the future of TV is a never-ending question without a solid answer. Dedicated professionals think about that question at their desks, in the car, in long meetings with consultants and while watching their kid's soccer game. I could wax on for a long time about the past and current challenges, mistakes and opportunities with no silver bullet for a solution to the problems facing legacy media. One key point from this article that resonated with me was about brand loyalty of NPR with younger people. While traditional local TV stations historically had loyal viewership, right now, certain brands like Bravo, PBS, and NPR have cultivated a strong, almost club-like following. People like being a PBS or NPR person. At VVK PR + Creative we even ask new employees if they're "Bravo people" as part of their onboarding questionnaire. It may seem trivial, but it fosters a sense of belonging and connection among our team. The non-Bravo folks talk sports instead. Anyway, I have to get back to today's work deadlines, but here is Dustin's article if you're interested. #TV #broadcast #localtv #detroit #marketing

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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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📢 Amplifying Your Association's Voice in the Media 📢 In this week's edition of Association Insights, I explore why having a prominent voice in the media is indispensable for your association. Here’s why media presence matters: 👉 Influence Public Perception: Shape how the public and key stakeholders see your industry, managing your reputation and addressing misconceptions effectively. 👉 Advocacy for Change: Use media channels to advocate for beneficial policies and initiatives, driving positive changes for your members and industry. 👉 Establish Leadership: Enhance credibility and attract new members by positioning your executives and members as go-to experts. 👉 Energize Membership: Boost engagement and loyalty by demonstrating proactive stances on critical issues impacting your field. Having a strategic media presence isn't just about being seen—it's about being heard and making an impact. 👥 To all my communications directors out there: What challenges have you faced in getting your leaders on board with media engagement? Share your experiences and tips in the comments! #MediaPresence #AssociationLeadership #PublicRelations #Advocacy #MemberEngagement #IndustryLeadership

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For an upcoming lesson of mine at New York University, what does the next generation of communicators and marketers need to know about the creator economy and influencer marketing? What journalists are you following that cover this beat? A few that come to mind are Amanda Perelli, Dan Whateley, Eleanor Hawkins, Kimeko McCoy and Kristina Monllos. What do they need to know about managing social media channels for a brand? Thoughts? 💭 Adam Ilenich, Bri Reynolds, Deepa Lakshmin, Gabriel Gomez, Giselle Huasipoma, Sami Lambert #CreatorEconomy #InfluencerMarketing #Marketing #SocialMedia

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Simple and sound advice.

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Go Big or Don't Go... Northwell Health launches Northwell Studios to reimagine #BrandStorytelling Northwell Health, New York State’s largest health system, today announced the launch of Northwell Studios, a dedicated entity focused on harnessing the power of storytelling and entertainment to humanize health care and spark meaningful social conversations. To help advance this mission, Northwell Studios has entered a new development deal with award winning and Creative Artists Agency (CAA) represented film and television production company, CreativeChaosvmg.com, [CreativeChaos vmg] to develop and co-produce both scripted and unscripted films. Together, five new productions are underway, including stories about Northwell’s clinical expertise, one-of-a-kind patient-centered programs, innovative technologies and, most importantly, the brave and bold employees and patients who are at the heart of every story. See More [Business Wire] https://lnkd.in/e4WpVV-U #branding #MarketingTips #Storytelling #healthcare #VideoMarketing

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We need to stop suggesting youth audiences are impossible to reach. How Gen Z news media habits can inform your approach to designing and developing campaigns with and for youth audiences. https://lnkd.in/eqY7ejDE

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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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I hear from many founders and executives about their insecurities about speaking at events and talking to the media so I wrote a Forbes article to help! https://lnkd.in/dxJJb9Hi #PR #thoughtleadership #executivecomms

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Local news is where trust lives. National media outlets often command the spotlight, but when it comes to trust and community impact, local news plays an irreplaceable role. Polls consistently show that while national media brands face challenges in maintaining public confidence, local outlets are holding strong as the go-to source for factual, relevant, and actionable information. For organizations and advocacy groups, this is a powerful insight. Securing placements in trusted local media doesn’t just amplify your message—it ensures that message resonates authentically with the audiences you’re trying to reach. Whether you’re raising awareness, driving action, or building credibility, local mastheads can be the bridge to achieving those goals. It’s not about bypassing national media; they have their place in the ecosystem. But understanding where trust lives—often right in your audience’s backyard—can make all the difference in an effective media strategy.

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Worth reading from NBCUniversal's Hilary Smith for Fast Company: Volunteering is a key ingredient for a happy workforce. According to the Gallup World Poll for the World Happiness Report 2024, America has fallen out of the top 20 happiest countries for the first time. This is not surprising considering the rising costs of living, a daily barrage of unsettling news reports, and the lingering effects of loneliness from the pandemic. Social media, particularly for Gen Z and millennials, has replaced much-needed in-person interactions and oftentimes creates a feeling of missing out. And, while most of corporate America has returned to the office, we still find ourselves spending a disproportionate amount of time at our desks on Zoom calls, as opposed to gathering in a conference room. One way that companies can help navigate these challenges is by fostering community-building activities in the workplace and providing employees with social purpose. With National Volunteer Month in April, now is a perfect moment to reflect on the benefits of a strong corporate volunteer program that enables employees to make a tangible positive difference in our world. https://buff.ly/3JweG66

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I shared my thoughts about going "off the record" for Ragan Communications and PR Daily: 1) "I don't know," is quotable and has implications. 2) The idea that "nothing is off the record" is not true. Off-the-record conversations are valuable and sacred to independent journalism. Every communicator should know these basics! Read more in this great piece 👇

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Is building brands through PR and communications your thing, then check out Lacey's below post.

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Get your sweaters out and grab your pumpkin spice lattes. In our latest Campfire Collective blog, Alexas talks all about successful marketing strategies for her favorite time of the year - Fall, Y'all. 🍂🧣☕

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STAY ALERT WITH MDI ALERTS Our new MDI Direct media research and informed commentary service puts out a weekly Alert updating subscribers on new developments with our own, special, no nonsense, take on what they do and don't mean. Also included are many special reports with data we develop exclusively on subjects of great interest. You won't find anything like these elsewhere. So what are we talking about? The link, below, takes you to a section on our website that lists all of the recent MDI Alerts in chronological order. If you are really into media and its evolving impact as well as many media planning and buying issues, this list should whet your appetite. Take a look. https://lnkd.in/ezwk3WaF

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My second article from the #SEJ2024 newsroom is here! This session centered climate migration-- where it's happening today, how it will change over time, and how journalists, researchers, and everyday folks can talk about the issue. Read it on the Society of Environmental Journalists website:

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