Lottie West’s Post

On today’s #NationalPRDay, there were one too many things that I pondered about the communications industry. One such incident was at the very beginning of my career where a well intentioned colleague had shared that PR is the first thing that businesses often do away with when under loss. I wondered if it was because they had a strategy in mind that they would implement on their own or if they viewed us a “luxury “. To be honest, neither holds weight today. Every company, no matter what the size, needs to foster good relationships with the public. That is where there is a growing dependence on us PR folk making us an integral part of the company. From setting strong narratives for our clients, establishing meaningful stakeholder relationships, amplifying our client’s brand identity, reputation management, building goodwill and more importantly working towards earned media for building a trustworthy reputation for our brand; the PR industry is here to stay. PS - a special shout out to all journalists who work tirelessly with us and bring out the best stories !

📣 PR's Comeback: From Struggle to Spotlight at Cannes 🏆 This post sums up a few recent PRWeek articles ('Consider the Code Cracked' and 'Richard Edelman reflects on Cannes') with POSITIVE NEWS for the PR industry!!! YIPPIEEE! As Richard Edelman noted, "The market has moved toward PR firms." We're not just supporting clients; we're driving their most successful campaigns with earned-first ideas." (He also expects an uptick in business for the second half of 2024, citing a more robust pipeline across tech and healthcare) 📈📈📈📈LFG! The PR industry has recently faced hurdles, but Cannes Lions 2024 showcased our incredible resurgence! 🌱➡️🌳 Key highlights: -PR firms dominate with purpose-driven, action-oriented campaigns 💪 -Multiple agencies securing recognition across various categories 🏅 -First-ever PR agency sole credit for Grand Prix in PR category (Golin, 2024) 🥇 -Innovative campaigns like "The Misheard Version" and "Michael CeraVe" showcasing PR's creative prowess 💡 Industry evolution: -Improved storytelling in award submissions 📽️ -Emphasis on ideas over technology 💡>🖥️ (TAKE THAT, AI!) -Blending creativity with strategic problem-solving 🎨🧠 PR's emerging strengths: -Ability to shape and inhabit culture 🌍 -Flexibility to adapt across platforms 📱🎬 -Understanding of brand safety in uncertain times 🛡️ -Tackling complex, politicized issues head-on 🌎 Looking ahead: -Richard Edelman predicts strong end to 2024, with tech and healthcare sectors rallying 📈🖥️🏥 -Increased confidence for PR-led creative campaigns 🚀 -Greater agency collaboration and integrated approaches 🤝 This renaissance isn't a fluke – it's our new normal. As we continue to push boundaries and showcase our capabilities, the future of PR looks brighter than ever. #TWSearchPartners #PRWeek #PRAgency #PublicRelations #CannesLions

How can a PR agency elevate lifestyle brands and navigate the evolving media landscape through creativity, adaptability, and strong relationships? In this episode, Matt Kovacs, president of BLAZE PR, shares his expertise on transforming a boutique agency into a powerhouse known for its innovative strategies and award-winning culture. Despite the challenges of a shrinking media pool and the rise of AI, Matt's unwavering commitment to delivering results and fostering genuine connections has been instrumental in Blaze PR's success. Matt discusses the importance of understanding clients' unique goals and leveraging data-driven insights to demonstrate the value of PR efforts. He also emphasizes the power of unconventional strategies, such as creative stunts and partnerships, to generate buzz and build brand awareness in a crowded market. As a dynamic and insightful leader, Matt aims to inspire other PR professionals to embrace change and continually adapt to the shifting media landscape. He shares his experiences navigating the challenges of measuring success in PR, building strong relationships with journalists, and maintaining the human element in an increasingly AI-driven industry. Matt sees Blaze PR as more than just a way to generate media coverage - it's an opportunity to create a positive impact in the lives of his employees, clients, and the communities they serve. Through his agency's efforts, he hopes to continue elevating lifestyle brands and setting new standards for excellence in the PR industry. Mentors and resources that inspired Matt:  💡The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell - a book that reinforces the concept of putting in the necessary hours to achieve success and expertise in one's field. Tune in for valuable insights on navigating the world of PR, building strong client relationships, and adapting to the ever-changing media landscape from Matt Kovacs, a seasoned expert in the field. #publicrelations #PRagency #TheInspiredStoriesPodcast

Some great insights from Muck Rack's State of PR 2024 webinar that took place last week.  If you missed it, you can see a video of the session, download the report and get an overview summary below. Some stand out stats: 💲 Half of PR pros report insufficient resources, both financial and personnel, as their biggest challenges. ✨ AI now ranks as a higher priority than media relations by PR pros, with respect to incorporating AI tech into the PR workflow. #stateofpr #mediaintelligence #pr #communications #aiinpr

PR Tips #09 Stay ahead in the PR game by keeping your finger on the pulse of industry trends! 📈✨ A proactive PR professional is a trendsetter, not just a follower. 🚀💼 Regularly update your knowledge on emerging industry shifts, technological advancements, and cultural movements. 🌐💡 Being in tune with trends not only positions you as an informed expert but also allows you to tailor your strategies for maximum impact. 🌟💬 Embrace the evolving landscape with curiosity and adaptability, ensuring your PR efforts are always cutting-edge. 🌍🔍 Ready to lead the way? Dive into the trends shaping tomorrow's PR landscape! For more update like this follow iDigiverse #PRPro #IndustryTrends #StrategicInsights #PublicRelations #AlwaysLearning

🔥Ready to make 2025 your best year yet? It starts with winning PR tactics that will elevate your brand, grab media attention, and build strong relationships. In yesterday's webinar, PR pros Heidi Thompson and Monika D. shared invaluable insights on how smart PR strategies can fuel business growth. From crafting authentic content to maximizing media exposure, here are key takeaways for businesses looking to thrive in 2025: 🎯 Know What Your Audience Wants It’s not just about talking—it’s about listening! Tailor your message around what really resonates with your target audience: product innovations, success stories, and market trends. 🤝 PR is a Team Sport PR isn’t just for the PR team. It’s about collaboration across departments—sales, marketing, customer support—everyone plays a role in telling your brand’s story. 📝 Authenticity is Everything Want to stand out? Share real, engaging content—think customer stories and case studies that build trust and attract leads like magnets. 📅 Plan NOW for 2025 The best PR doesn’t happen by accident. Consistency is key—press releases every month, strategic media outreach, and a press room ready to go when journalists come knocking. 🎥 Visuals = Media Love Want your story to get noticed? Invest in visuals—high-quality images and videos not only get picked up by media but also boost SEO and make your content unforgettable. 🌍 2025 Trend Alert: Quality Over Quantity Smaller, hybrid trade shows are on the rise, with a focus on quality interactions that build lasting relationships. It’s all about the right audience, not the biggest crowd. 🔥 Ready to take your PR strategy to the next level? Don’t wait for 2025—start today! 👉 Read the full article here. https://lnkd.in/edtW3z3V #ACEpublicRelations #PRdrivesBusinessGrowth #PRStrategy #2025Trends #MediaRelations #PRSuccess #ContentCreation

#WorldPRDay. To honor the PR professionals, our council president throws light on how PR professionals can navigate their work in this age of instantaneous social media amplification and anticipate potential crises, develop robust response plans, and vigilantly monitor online conversations. Read more to understand how one can embrace technology, innovation and strategic foresight will enable them to shape narratives, build connections, and drive impactful outcomes. https://bit.ly/RTViews1098

You've heard that PR and Comms Pros aren't great at bragging about their wins. But the truth is more nuanced than that. According to Prowly's State of PR Technology 2024 report, 48% of PR pros struggle to prove the value of their work. And it's mostly because stakeholders now have higher ROI expectations. So what's the solution? What will help us prove our worth beyond the brand authority we build with earned media? Technology! We need platforms that help us efficiently share how our efforts and expertise help businesses grow. Check out Prowly's State of PR Technology Report to see how to build a successful ROI strategy! https://lnkd.in/gDy2kFNZ #publicrelations #communications

Guess who just danced their way into the spotlight? 🕺💃   We're thrilled to say we’ve done it again and secured #nationalcoverage for one of our clients in The Times.   Is it time to do the victory dance yet? 😜   Delivering news-driven stories that dominate the headlines in national news outlets isn’t something that just happens overnight, it requires the input of every member of our highly skilled and talented team, working together to make this kind of magic happen!   Using our industry connections and our many, many years of experience in PR – we secured our client as ‘the voice of their industry’ in the national press in response to an issue impacted by their entire sector.   Securing coverage of this calibre will no doubt generate a buzz, attract plenty of comments, and open the gates for more media interest.   Why’s that so important?   Well, because it gives our client the recognition and authoritative status they deserve, positioning them as the natural, number one choice for their customers.   If you’re ready to kickstart your own PR journey or want your brand to be recognised as a leading authority on a pressing issue – we can definitely help you! Get in touch via the link below 👇   https://lnkd.in/ewrm8vzh   Until then, we’ll still be grooving to the beat of our press success – because we're not just another PR agency, we're a creative communications agency with a big difference. 💥💥   #PRSuccess #MediaMovers #HeadOnDifference #NationalCoverage

As we approach 2025, we’re excited to release our third annual PR trends report, highlighting the shifts that will shape the future of our industry. Brands that stay ahead of these changes are better positioned to build meaningful connections with their audiences. Ready to integrate these insights into your strategy? Contact #PurposeCommunications for expert guidance 🙏 #purposetrends #prtrends2025 #insights