Kelly Blum

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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REMOTE

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We’re a few days away from #ASCO24 where new data & findings will be shared with oncology leaders globally. Yet, despite new treatments & advancements, our greatest defense against advanced cancer remains the same: screenings. ☑ With younger adults being diagnosed with cancer at startling rates 📈, coupled with society’s social media obsession, it makes sense that RC found social media 📲 as the most effective way to raise awareness & inspire action for cancer screenings. (And, if you’re into longevity science like me, you’re channeling your inner #peterattia & focusing on prevention like it’s your job).

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From Oprah to South Park, everyone is talking about #GLP1s and their potential to revolutionize obesity care, for better or worse. Vote using PanelPicker, so Real Chemistry can bring the topic of #obesity care at #SXSW, in a way that inspires industry leaders to work with consumers, clinicians, and change agents to unlock a more productive healthcare system: https://bit.ly/4fCqfHF

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Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts on PM360 Magazine. I hope this inspires you to be curious about what data could do for you! We've come a long way since I was knocking on a data scientist's door, asking him/her to break down how predictive works. Most communicators can now use platforms and software to predict how a news article will be shared or an audience will feel. We can be proactive more than ever before. #healthcarecommunications #analytics #predictiveanalytics

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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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From internal agency structures in corporate settings to the agency mindset and agency hires … In this episode of the Communications Business Advisor podcast we’re addressing “The agency impact in corporate communications.” Just one more episode in season one. Listen in on your favorite podcast player, then tell me which episode resonated most, or which one helped you learn something new. Oh, and I’m sourcing topics for season two now. Got something to share? Send a DM. #communications #corporatecommunications #publicrelations #internalcommunications

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Are you ready for it? The 2024 US Election further accelerated a media shift that's been coming - one that's a game changer for brands and organizations. Our Earned Media Innovation Lead Brad Burke explains more in PRWeek.

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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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“Which reporters do you know in our business?” If you are a communicator, you are often posed this question by executives, colleagues or clients. Many think a communicator’s most important asset is the journalists they know. The truth is that knowing a contact might get your email read. But it is never a guaranteed and published story. What is more important than knowing someone? It’s about creating a relevant and enticing story that matches the editorial focus of an outlet and reporter. Communicators know how to craft a good story for the right audience. Success always hinges on how well they connect the story to the outlet’s audience. It’s always about the story. Connect with me to learn more about connecting your corporate story to your target audience. #Communications #MediaRelations #Storytelling #PR #Journalism

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Calling all healthcare communications professionals! 📢 The MikeWorldWide MWW Health team wants to hear what you think! If you take our survey you will be entered to win a free pair of Apple Airpod Max 🎧. How do you perceive AI, Social Media, Cybersecurity, Crisis Communications, and more? Take this quick 3-minute survey to participate and contribute to your peers across the industry. Your insights matter! #healthcare #communications #AI #SocialMedia #CyberSecurity #CrisisCommunications #survey

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At Bayer we talk a lot about "patient-centricity" - putting the patient at the centre or everything we do. Seems obvious, right? But it's easier said than done and it's something we work at every day. And then, you wake up one morning and it's World Patient Safety Day and your colleagues share this simple book. A story, designed to help children and their families through a time of uncertainty... a story with no sales target, a story with no business goal, and you know that patient-centricity is more than just good talk... Happy World Patient Safety Day! #TeamBayer

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Healthcare PR/comms pros, there's still a little time to give the MWW Health team your thoughts on topics that include AI, social media, and cybersecurity — you can win a pair of AirPods Max headphones! 🎧 ✅

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More than 310,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. I'm proud to be part of the team working to provide and expand access to resources, fund lifesaving research, and above all – end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone. View the full Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2024 report at cancer.org/breast-cff-2024

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>>>> 81% of surveyed physicians say corporate reputation influences their perception of medicine value at least moderately. (I can't get 81% of my family to agree to a pizza topping, so this is a staggering number!) Our latest #WEBrandsinMotion health report, "Reputation Rules: Unlocking Physician Prescribing Power," has a TON of fascinating, actionable takeaways for pharmaceutical companies, like the stat above. The full #ReputationRules report is at this link and is very much worth your time: https://lnkd.in/g3VcQzJv Kudos to my WE Communications Global Health colleagues on this powerful report!

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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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