Mike Schaffer

SPOILER ALERT 🚨🚨🚨 I don't think TikTok is going anywhere. But, the debate happening among policymakers makes for pretty good conversation. In my latest thought piece for H/Advisors Abernathy, I examined the newscycle to see how a potential #TikToK ban could play a big role in the 2024 election cycle, rankle #BigTech data collection and lay the groundwork for more #dataprivacy advocacy. https://bit.ly/T1kT0kban

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For Immediate Release. In an increasingly owned vrs earned media landscape it’s interesting to see data from Cision's PR Newsire report on the state of the press release. While it remains a strategic comms and content marketing tool for newsworthy announcements, narrative control and street cred, it’s also how you slice and dice it across your owned channels that extends its value and reach. ✔️ Journalists Still Want Releases - 74% of journalists say they want news announcements / press releases from PR professionals - 68% of journalists find press releases to be the most useful type of content provided to them by PR professionals ✔️ AI Did Not Write This Headline But - 49% of PR pros are using AI to generate attention grabbing headlines and 41% are using AI to write body copy ✔️ Show Don’t Just Tell - 72% of journalists said they used images and multimedia provided by a PR professional within the past year. "Visual content is processed in the brain faster and has been shown to remain in the memory longer than text, so including it with a press release will increase the chances the story will leave a lasting impression." ✔️ Orchestrate Distribution Across Owned Channels - To extend content value and reach PR pros slice and dice. 48% - Post bits on social media  37% - Write blog posts/articles  10% - Turn it into a video  5% - Other

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👀 Fun truths from Usher Lieberman to start your Monday (💻 + ☕) PR is PR is PR in some ways. Tune in to Coffee with Communicators for some wonderful insights from his 25+ year career in comms. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gBPt76UR #CWC #communications #PR #newsletter

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Thanks to Tressa Robbins, our VP of Customer Success, for summarizing the importance of reviewing your service providers in Q4. A very good read for anybody!

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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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Tech companies keep missing the mark on what human beings want tech to enable them to do -- and what we want to keep human. That raises troubling questions not just for their AI, but for their overall view of both their technology and humanity as a whole.

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Mega-mergers like Omnicom and Interpublic should raise serious concerns for companies navigating sensitive public policy and PR challenges. When a single corporate conglomerate owns agencies representing BOTH SIDES of a conflict, how can you be sure your strategy stays protected? Conflicts of interest and blurred lines seem inevitable. In the high-stakes world of public affairs and PR, discretion and loyalty are non-negotiable. That’s why so many organizations turn to independent firms like Sachs Media for: ✔️ Conflict-free representation ✔️ Strict confidentiality with no shared parent company ✔️ Direct, senior-level attention without competing priorities In a world where influence is everything, your voice should never be just another account on a balance sheet. Choose partners working only for YOU.

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Great read from Bill Duggan about the importance of standardization when it comes to retail media networks' measurement. "Retail media networks are walled gardens—they are ad ecosystems that don’t share data—making it difficult to compare RMNs. To optimize investment, marketers need to be able to make apples-to-apples comparisons between RMNs," writes Duggan. #PerformanceMeasurement #Retail #Media #Advertising

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Asia Pacific is often seen as a single entity, yet it’s incredibly diverse—especially in terms of communication measurement maturity. While Indonesia and Australia may have different levels of adoption in measuring communication outcome and impact, we face common challenges in scaling up and advancing our measurement to the next level, both internally within organizations and externally with our stakeholders. I am delighted to share our experiences and insights from Maverick Indonesia on building best practices over the years with the Medianet team in Sydney last week. AMEC Measurement and Evaluation #measurementbestpractice #communicationimpact #PRmeasurement #communicationmeasurement #knowledgeshare

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Interesting insight into conversations between Google and publishers, all seemingly focused on yield optimization for their respective organizations with little discussion on improving advertiser campaign performance or return-on-ad-spend. Advertisers investing in programmatic digital media really need to take note of the continued lack of transparency, hidden ad tech fees, and manipulative pricing methodologies that are emblematic of this space and that are sapping their working media dollars.

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There are four keys to success when it comes to activating media relations at events. First, timing is everything. Second, deliver a must-have story. Third, be the easy button. If you want to see the fourth key to success, check out my latest Curious Plot blog post. https://lnkd.in/gfNTyCQq

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One of the things I have been most impressed with since joining Curious Plot is our ability to garner earned media coverage at large industry events. Whether at #CattleCon, #CommodityClassic, #WorldAgExpo or your favorite trade show, these #protips from Bill Brozak will help you stand out from the competition. My best advice? Contact Curious Plot and let our experts help you shine!

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Check out my thoughts on agency Rolodexes, diversity in the industry, underdog agencies, AI, and more in this Q&A with AdForum.

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The inhumanity of the professional world is sometimes too much to bear. Omnicom / Interpublic have noted that their merger will lead to "$750 million in cost synergies." (𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. 🙄) While Edelman's recent layoffs clock in at over 5% of their workforce, more than 330 people. Nearly one year ago, I lived through my own "cost synergy" layoff, just two weeks before Christmas. 🎄 There is a special kind of despair, a desperate level of loneliness that comes with being laid off during this most joyous time of year. And no one should have to go through it. And having just lived this terrible experience a year ago, I'm offering a few words of advice and encouragement to the talented PR folks who are hitting the job market: • 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲, 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 LinkedIn, 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗽-𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲. These are your assets and your face to the professional world. Don't get caught off balance here. Having to update these items when you're feeling your lowest makes it really tough to brag about yourself the way you should on these platforms. • 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀. Nurture them now. Nurture them when you don't need them. Nurture them with small gestures like engagement on #LinkedIn and big gestures like donating to causes they're fundraising for or providing them with referrals and recommendations. Your personal network -- NOT your professional job -- is your security net. And you never know when you're going to need it. • Self-employment may not be your long-term aspiration, but 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 are a great way to keep your morale high and earn a few grand a month while you job hunt. This can be a lifeline until the right opportunity comes along. • 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. I'm not saying to accept help just because you feel like you HAVE to, but don't let pride or ego be the reason you say no to an introduction, a resume review, or someone buying you lunch. I made it through my own storm because of generosity of time and spirit not just from people in my day-to-day life, but complete strangers here on LinkedIn. If you're hit by the Edelman layoffs or nervous about the Omnicom / Interpublic Group merger, I'd be happy to lend an ear, offer support, or chat about the world of self-employment. Just send me a note. You can do this. You got this.

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The projected 9.2 percent increase in digital ad spend for 2025, driven by segments like retail media and connected TV, underscores the immense value of data-driven strategies. As algorithmic media capabilities take center stage, brands have an unprecedented opportunity to connect with consumers in more personalized and meaningful ways. The future of advertising is not just digital – it's deeply connected, data-empowered, and poised for transformative growth.

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Couldn't agree more! "PR teams need to take what’s ours: Affiliate marketing as a part of media relations" So much great insight in this piece on the evolution of PR from Bill Byrne. My take: The key to extending PR services is full service. When PRs learn the basics but not the big picture, campaigns can fall flat. With the help of Marissa Pressey and Isabella Silber, Pace Public Relations has trained and experienced specialists that understand the traditional affiliate channel to help our clients grow credibility, visibility, and sales. Worth a read!! #mediarelations #publicrelations #PR #PRagency #affiliatemarketing #affiliatePR

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Jounce Media's newly published State of the Open Internet Report explains the industry’s chronic bidstream congestion issue and how to address it. This latest research highlights the trend toward consolidation we are seeing on the supply side and is a must-read.

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