Kimberly Mikec, MBA

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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AI’s Rapid Evolution: Why Ethical Oversight and Collaboration Matter More Than Ever Every day, I witness the transformative power of AI firsthand. As a Corporate Communications Executive, Digital Marketer, SEO Strategist, and AI Strategist, I’ve seen AI tools and automation redefine workflows, drive innovation, and reshape customer interactions. However, as we celebrate these advancements, we must address a critical question: How do we ensure AI is used responsibly, ethically, and safely? In my journey with AI, I’ve observed a broad spectrum of stakeholders shaping its trajectory. Developers and researchers create the algorithms powering AI, while tech companies and enterprises deploy these innovations to drive value. Regulatory bodies and governments enforce guidelines that balance progress with ethical safeguards. Meanwhile, the public and advocacy groups push for transparency and ethical norms. Together, we form a network of accountability that must ensure AI serves the collective good and minimizes harm. The pace of AI innovation is staggering. Generative AI is transforming communication and content creation, while predictive models reshape industries like healthcare and marketing. Yet, these rapid advancements carry risks, including bias, security threats like deepfakes, and ethical dilemmas in automation. As someone deeply engaged with AI tools, I’ve seen how unchecked growth can lead to significant challenges. This underscores the need for robust regulatory frameworks. The European Union's AI Act and evolving policies in the U.S. and China exemplify the push for responsible AI use. Ethical oversight and trust in AI can only be achieved through collaboration. Developers, companies, regulators, and society must work together to create systems that are transparent, compliant, and beneficial. In my role, I aim to integrate these values into AI automation, ensuring it enhances lives without compromising safety or ethics. Building a responsible AI future is a shared responsibility that demands our collective vigilance.

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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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Mastering Media Relations: Insider Tips for Pitching Reporters Learn the key to successful media pitching by understanding the beat, hierarchy, and audience of news outlets. Discover how to align your client's goals with the right reporter and outlet for maximum impact. #MediaRelations #PitchingReporters #PublicRelationsTips #TargetAudience #NewsOutlets #ClientGoals #MediaPitching #JournalismTips #AudienceAnalysis #PRStrategy

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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 eloquently put by Eleanor Hawkins in Axios Communicators, there's a recalibration happening as executives navigate how and when to address socio-political issues in the era of Trump 2.0. For corporate communicators, decisions about if, and how, to respond are going to be taking up a lot more of our time over the next four years, if past experience is any indication. Check out the full article at https://lnkd.in/eZCnfVNQ

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Each press release represents months or years of effort, and the PR Newswire team is honored to help you connect with the people who matter most. Discover how we empower our clients to amplify their news to a global audience. 📰📣🌎 Ready to get started? Let's chat! #MomentsThatMatter #PressReleaseDistribution #EngageYourAudience #PRNewswire

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Publicist vs Chat GPT: The Art of Persuasive Writing Discover the importance of persuasive writing in PR and the impact of automation tools like Chat GPT. Learn how publicists add a human touch to storytelling in the digital age. #PublicRelations #PersuasiveWriting #PRStrategy #ChatGPT #DigitalAge #Storytelling #AutomationTools #HumanTouch #Journalism #ClientRelationships

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I'm thrilled to share that I was recently featured in an interview series titled "5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career As A Public Relations Pro," where I had the pleasure of discussing my journey and insights into the world of PR and political strategy. In the interview, I delve into: How my father's role as a politician in Ukraine inspired my career path. The significance of pioneering digital communications and neuromarketing in Eastern Europe. Lessons learned from early mistakes and the importance of strategic planning. Exciting current projects, including the electoral campaigns and combating disinformation in European Parliament elections. Key traits that have driven my success: stability, ambition, and perseverance. The different forms of PR and where aspiring professionals should focus their education. I also share some tips on networking and lead generation, along with the five essential things needed to thrive in a PR career. https://lnkd.in/eiJYftHt A special thank you to Dina Aletras for this meaningful opportunity and insightful discussion! Check out the full interview to learn more about my experiences and advice for aspiring PR professionals: #PublicRelations #PRPro #CareerSuccess #Interview #PoliticalStrategy #DigitalCommunications #NetworkingTips #Leadership #KaterynaOdarchenko. #dinaAletras Dina Costandina Aletra

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From Fired to TEDx: Nkechi Taifa's PR Makeover Witness Nkechi Taifa's inspiring journey from obscurity to recognition! Learn how strategic professional development, image enhancement, and leveraging media platforms like PBS and TEDx propelled her career. This video reveals actionable steps for boosting your public profile. ##NkechiTaifa ##ProfessionalDevelopment ##PublicImage ##MediaExposure ##CareerGrowth ##BrandBuilding ##TEDxTalks ##PBS ##ReputationManagement ##PersonalBranding

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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 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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Rethinking the RFP Process for PR Procurement In the world of public relations, the Request for Proposal (RFP) process is meant to foster fairness and transparency. However, many RFPs end up hindering creativity and collaboration. Read my full article here: https://lnkd.in/gh6E-qUz #PR #Procurement #RFP #PublicRelations #Collaboration #Innovation

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How engaging are your promotions, your #communications, your #PR? Are people tuning IN or tuning OUT? Here’s what happens when you don’t connect w/your #stakeholders: https://lnkd.in/eQsjBf85 #PRtip #WritingTip #MarketingTip

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When it comes to crisis communication,everything ends or starts with your decision to be truthful.Register for #PRfundiMasterclass to discuss this and more. 

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Struggling to build an engaged audience? Media coverage in respected outlets can reach your key targets effectively. Learn how to leverage this in your #PR strategy: https://bit.ly/3R4grLW #AutomotivePR #MediaRelations

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Struggling to build an engaged audience? Media coverage in respected outlets can reach your key targets effectively. Learn how to leverage this in your #PR strategy: https://bit.ly/3R4grLW #AutomotivePR #MediaRelations

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