Stephanie Cain

𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗽𝘂𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: Post-Election Pulse and Market Reaction Today’s edition of 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗽𝘂𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 is here, bringing you a clear-eyed look at the latest developments following Trump’s re-election. From historic market reactions to global responses and a pivotal Senate shift, here’s what we’re covering: 🗽 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Trump’s victory fueled major gains across the Dow, S&P 500, and even Bitcoin. Analysts point to optimism around his #ProBusiness policies, but will these #MarketGains hold amid economic uncertainties? 🗽 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 – Leaders from #Europe to #Asia are weighing in on what a second Trump term could mean for #Trade and #Diplomacy. Could his “#AmericaFirst” stance reshape international relationships in unexpected ways? 🗽 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 – With the #GOP reclaiming the Senate, expect movement on key legislative priorities like #TaxReform, #Healthcare, and federal spending. How will this shift shape policy over the next four years? 🗽 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗹𝘀𝗲 – Across the nation, reactions range from celebration to concern. Our #ReadingTheRoom section takes the nation’s temperature on this historic #Election2024, reflecting the country’s #PoliticalDivide. Get the latest, unbiased breakdown of today’s top stories with 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗽𝘂𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 – your go-to source for clear, insightful #NewsWithoutSpin. Catch today’s edition here: https://lnkd.in/gSX4ZVfB #UnspunUpdates #CurrentEvents #FinancialMarkets #GlobalNews #PublicOpinion #ElectionResults #LinkedInNews #USPolitics #StayInformed #ElectionCoverage #MarketInsights #InternationalRelations #NewsDigest

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Interesting article on the rise and fall of Lunchables from Nathaniel Meyersohn at CNN. To me, the takeaway — and this applies to A LOT of legacy brands right now — is that people have gotten a lot smarter about food and knowing what is and isn’t healthy. This is doubly true for “kid foods,” as we’re seeing with the brightly colored cereals right now. Companies like Kraft Heinz and Kellogg, though, are not staffed by fools. They’ve seen bad headlines and diet trends and come back with new products, often with good results. Will they be able to market their way out of the current conundrums? https://lnkd.in/gWPtK4AG

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I don't often share news analysis, but a recent New Yorker piece by Nathan Heller on the 2024 election grabbed my attention. The big insight? We don't seek news anymore - it "rubs against us" through fragments across platforms. Think about your last major story: did anyone read the full announcement, or just catch pieces across social? Five crucial shifts: 📢 Ambient Presence: "It's about seeding the ambience of information... like minnows released individually into a pond, they will eventually school and spawn." 📰 National Media 2.0: Legacy media matters - not for readers, but as a launching pad for credibility that travels. 🎯 Events Evolved: Modern events exist "simply to set a vibe and keep certain broad suggestions" circulating. 🔍 Details Don't Always Travel: The article puts it bluntly: "Detail, even when it's available, doesn't travel widely after all. Big, sloppy notions do." 🌊 Platform Power: Success means maximizing presence where your audience naturally encounters information - where they're "rubbed by the news." 🔑 The Bottom Line: The new benchmark isn't about perfect messages. It's about creating an environment where your story lives naturally "in the wild." https://lnkd.in/eFBsUmSX

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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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Is your company or client exhibiting at a trade show? Why not set up meetings with reporters and editors who are attending the show? Here’s how: ➡️ If you’re paying to exhibit, you can ask for what is known as the pre-registered press list. This includes publications that are sending editors to the event. ➡️ Then, you can review the list and contact relevant publications to schedule brief meetings with your spokesperson in your booth at the show. It’s a great way to meet face-to-face – which helps build relationships. You can chat about what’s new at your company, what you have coming up and how it might fit into what they’re covering in their publication. I do this often when working with my manufacturing PR clients, and it really does help you get to know each other. This means editors may be more likely to remember your company when they have story opportunities that may be a fit. #manufacturingPR #PRTips #B2BPR #publicrelations

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TLDR: If there's a hurricane going on, your pitch can probably wait. Read my latest article to discover the other things you should keep in mind when pitching journalists in affected areas as natural disasters increase.

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💡 From the fediverse to the Kamala Harris election campaign, SEO, and more: Insights in FIR 425. In this episode of our For Immediate Release podcast, Shel Holtz, SCMP, and I explore six key topics that are shaping the future of business, communication, and technology: 🔹 Fediverse and Digital Sovereignty: We discuss the growing disillusionment with platforms like X and the potential for governments to establish their own instances on the fediverse to maintain digital sovereignty and control over public discourse. 🔹 The Decline of Individuality: A recent study shows a significant decline in people’s desire to stand out over the past 20 years, which has implications for society and how businesses engage with their audiences. 🔹 Corporate DEI Backlash: With growing political and social backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, some companies are scaling back their efforts. But are they abandoning these goals or just changing how they communicate them? 🔹 Impact of Disabling Social Media Comments: Research reveals that disabling comments on social media can harm the perception of influencers and public figures, making them appear less sincere and likeable. 🔹 Kamala Harris’s Gen Z Campaign Strategy: We delve into how Kamala Harris’s campaign successfully engages Gen Z voters by mastering platforms like TikTok and leveraging influencers to drive massive engagement. 🔹 AI and the Future of SEO: The rise of generative AI and concepts like 'zero-click search' are changing the SEO landscape, with new strategies needed to maintain visibility in an increasingly AI-driven search environment. 🔊 For a deeper dive, listen to episode 425 of the podcast - check out the full blog post with audio player here: ⬇️ #Podcast #BusinessTrends #AI #DEI #DigitalMarketing #SEO https://lnkd.in/eCM9mj9d

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I've had this feeling for a long time that the most powerful strategic decision that a leader can make to become more effective is to ask some pretty good questions about 🔥 WHAT's REALLY GOING ON. 🔥 There's some pretty good research backing up that view but I'm not going to bury you in it today. 😁 I've just run across a remarkably constructive discussion of the power of intelligent questions in the workplace -- and how to effectively use the tool -- in this article: "Use the 'magic wand of destiny' to get the desired outcomes" by Kathy Torrey. I think her ideas are potentially powerful tools for MOTIVATING and EMPOWERING younger workers who leave some traditional managers disoriented now and then. (The young ones aren't kidding. They DO see a few things differently.) The article by Kathy Torrey was published by one of my favorite clients, SmartBrief, a division of Future, and it is FREE. Just click and read. 😁 #leadership #motivating #empowering #SmartBrief #Future 🌍 🌏 🌎 REG CROWDER - Freelance Financial Writer - www.regcrowder.com https://lnkd.in/eWsFxTW8

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Check out how I approach editing human-written content vs AI-generated content. (Secret: There's always a human in the loop!)

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Do you ever feel like you're posting on social or writing a blog post "just because"? Maybe it's to join the chorus of voices sharing impact stories around Earth Day, or celebrating Women's History Month before March ends. Maybe you have some amazing metrics to share but aren't sure how to write about them. Maybe you woke up one day and realized you only have three days until Earth Day. Creating content doesn't need to feel this frantic. After working with dozens of companies to plan and write content strategies, I've learned the importance of intentional storytelling. Read on (or check out the blog) for my six tips for creating impactful stories that align with your brand, and stand out from the social noise! 1. Put your audience first. Who are you speaking to? What would they like to learn/discover/watch? How can you provide value beyond the product or service you sell? Don’t try to create for everyone; narrow in on the audience that matters most. 2. Tell the truth. Always, no matter what. Especially when it comes to impact. Hold yourself and your team accountable, own where you’re falling short, and be clear about the meaning behind your metrics. It takes a lot of time to build trust with your customers or audiences, and it only takes one mistake to destroy it.  3. Ask yourself why. Arguably you should ask why any time you post, but when it comes to impact, intention is essential. Why are you choosing to share right now? Why does your story matter? Why are you the right ones to tell it? Why will your audience care? Revisit your mission, vision, and values to help tie your story back to your overarching company ethos. 4. Find the format that fits your vibe. Writing essays and written guides (like this one) is true to Watterson Creative because we deal in the written word. Maybe video is better aligned with your brand. Or maybe a series of photos or a product roundup will resonate best with your ideal customer. 5. Accept good enough. Do you have metrics that you’re proud of, but no time to publish a full report? Write a thoughtful letter or email and share the numbers there. Treat this year as an experiment, try a few simple posts or stories, note what lands, and use those learnings to do even better next year. 6. Normalize doing nothing. Not every brand needs to post for every calendar event. In fact, insensitive or sporadic posting could erode your audience’s perception of you and be counterproductive to your goals. So get comfortable sitting one out. Remember: Powerful content should extend your brand and help your clients or customers feel like they’re part of something. Have fun creating campaigns that celebrate your impact and share your story, and then see what resonates! Stuck on what to say or how to say it? Reach out. I’m always happy to spend an hour consulting on your story strategy, helping you plan a full editorial calendar, or taking the writing off your plate completely.

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Friday Idea Day. Today, on #WorldPressFreedomDay, The Washington Post, New York Times and Wall Street Journal came together again to "shine a light on the missing and detained journalists across the globe." "The need for factual and reliable information has never been greater but threats to journalists around the world are more prevalent then ever." I grew up in the Public Relations and Communications Industry, where I learned the power of a good story and the power of good trusting relationships with journalists and reporters. While the industry has evolved greatly, the need for "earned" stories hasn't diminished (debate me here if you disagree). The Idea: The Power of a Free Press To... While not the most lyrical title, what if the world's best public relations/communications agencies teamed up to promote the need for greater objective, fair and honest reporting and elevate the journalist profession? In a world where every agency and company is chasing AI (rightly so), we can't forget about the human intelligence (and smarts, fortitude, persistence) of reporters, editors, photographers who can present the truth in our world. For those who grew up in this century, in which a term like "fake news" became a norm, I believe the industry has a responsibility to take on a campaign like this to demonstrate the need for a free press, and the power it brings. Any takers? I'd love to join.

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“I’m afraid we will need to change the embargo release date on our news,” I told a client. Which is never something an emerging tech founder wants to hear from their PR firm. But I had to be honest. And I explained why: One of the important journalists we’d pitched needed a month’s advance notice to interview and write a story. The client was totally reasonable about it. “I get it and appreciate your candor,” he said. Every founder knows things never go as planned. But it’s accountability and the ability to pivot that matters. That setback didn’t stop us from getting him: - Tier 1 coverage in publications like Forbes, Business Insider, and TechCrunch - Over 1,500 visits to their website in a single day, with a consistent uptick in traffic (100+ more visitors per day) after that - Over 50 new business leads from enterprise-level clients (who wanted to work with them ASAP) I’ve heard too many PR horror stories of: - Founders paying five figures a month - And getting false promises - Instead of actual coverage That’s not what I stand for. If there’s a change in the timeline— We’ll let the client know. If a publication has rejected our pitch— We’ll let the client know. If they don’t have anything newsworthy— We’ll let the client know. (But also create something newsworthy on their behalf and start pitching instead of collecting a retainer fee for nothing) Because the foundation for a good relationship with your PR firm is the same as the foundation for any good relationship: Honesty. Accountability. Trust. P.S. We’ve had strong success stories in emerging tech recently and are looking to bring on a couple of new clients in the space. If that’s you, send me a DM. I’d love to talk about how we can help.

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An interesting idea from SmartBrief Food & Beverage: Do you have food and beverage industry insights to share? SmartBrief publishes original articles about food and beverage news and trends on our Latest Articles page. Submitting guest posts is a great way to share your perspective and strengthen your credibility. 📝 Details below: ⬇

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Loss in Media Trust Is Not Loss in PR trust. Trust in the media is at an all-time low. A recent Gallup poll shows that only 31% of Americans trust the media to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly. That’s a crisis. But here’s the thing: this isn’t just a media problem—it’s a PR problem too. Think about it. If your audience doesn’t trust the media, they’re also questioning the brands they see in the headlines. Every story you share through press releases, interviews, or media features is filtered through a lens of skepticism. Whether you like it or not, your brand’s credibility is now tied to the trustworthiness of the media reporting on you. This matters because PR relies on trust. If people don’t believe the sources of information, they won’t believe the messages those sources are delivering. This is where it gets tricky for brands: even if you're being transparent, if the media carrying your story isn’t trusted, your message won’t land. Here’s what I think: Brands need to be their own news anchors. That means more direct communication with your audience, leveraging your own platforms—blogs, social media, newsletters. If the news channels on TV collapse, you’re still standing. Two things to remember: First, build your own credibility. Ensure that every message you send is backed by real action, real data, and clear transparency. Second, be authentic. Admit when you mess up and learn from your mistakes. People value honesty over perfection. This is exactly where my team and I come in. We help brands become their own news anchors. We create strategies that let your voice be heard directly by your audience, unfiltered. From crafting authentic messages to building robust communication channels, we empower you to own your narrative and stay resilient—no matter what happens in the media landscape. Let’s face it, trust in the media may be in decline, but trust in your brand doesn’t have to be. https://hubs.la/Q02ZfVLk0 — Want to get the scoop on exactly how we deliver ROI for our PR clients? Get the free e-book here: https://hubs.la/Q02ZfW_D0

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An area that is already profoundly impacted by AI is advertising and marketing. AI has made it easier than ever to create advertising and marketing material at scale. That was our lead story on #TimesTechies last Friday. Akhil got insights from a host of experts in the business: Robert Godinho, MD, Media.Monks India, Amaresh Godbole, CEO, Digital Technology Business, Publicis Groupe India, Nandita Sood, Founder & CEO, Kertus, Vasuta Agarwal, Chief Business Officer, InMobi, Chirag Shah, Founder & Business Head, Boch & Fernsh, Kanika Chhabra, Founder, V Spark Communications, Tamanna Gupta, Founder, Umanshi Marketing; Rajesh Radhakrishnan, co-founder & chief marketing officer for Vritti Solutions, Abhishek Tiwari, global business head for NetSetGo Media, Sreeram Reddy Vanga, CEO & co-founder of Kofluence.  Some said Gen AI is enabling creation of work that simply wasn’t possible before. It’s being used in ideation and copywriting, in creating visually compelling content with remarkable efficiency, for gathering insights. Finding a job that’s most suited to you can be so tiresome. For recruiters too, the flood of resumes is a nightmare – finding the right ones is like looking for a needle in a haystack. AI tools are now bringing dramatic changes here, and that was our discussion on a webinar we had in association with job search platform #Indeed. On the panel we had Ankit Bose, Head, Nasscom AI, Ganesh Raj Mohan Parimelazhagan Global Head – Operations and Platforms, Altimetrik, and Abhishek Dhasmana, senior product director, Indeed India. They said the new systems are able to understand candidates far better, and therefore are able to do job-matching much better. Abhishek said they are experimenting with a more natural language chatbot that guides the job seeker into telling who they are and what they're looking for, and then using AI to match requirements. Gen AI tools can summarise a candidate's resume into a simple, readable paragraph that highlights the unique things about him or her, and the areas they stand out in. This makes the recruiter’s job hugely simpler. Gen AI tools are also assisting job seekers refine their resumes, so that they have a better shot at representing themselves. Our picture feature is on Mansoor Rahimat Khan and Siddharth Bhardwaj’s Beatoven.ai, which is fusing music and generative AI, and opening up new possibilities for creating original, royalty-free compositions using only a text prompt.   Vaitheeswaran Balasubramanian writes that you can use some of the latest GPT tools to build your personal AI assistant. He says it’s simple, and the systems tend to learn more about you over time. So their responses too get better over time. It’s a much better experience than what you get with the Alexas and Siris. Ashwin Yardi, CEO for India at #Capgemini, writes on how AI will help mitigate climate-related risks.

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