Leaders reach for the phrase “we have a PR problem” because it’s an easy out. It turns a messy situation into something that feels solvable with messaging, a media plan, and a fresh set of talking points. The problem is that most so-called PR problems aren’t communications problems at all. They’re trust problems. And trust problems don’t get solved by friendlier messaging. They get solved by changing whatever it is that’s prompting the unwanted scrutiny in the first place. This matters because “PR problem” is often a comforting diagnosis. If the issue is PR, the fix feels straightforward: launch a campaign, tighten the talking points, get the spokesperson out there, and push. More proactive communications. More “storytelling.” More control. To be clear, I’m not against any of that. It’s standard blocking and tackling. A strong media relations approach that covers …
Most advice about crisis communication sounds fine until you actually need it. Communicate quickly. Be transparent. Use multiple channels. Stay on message. On paper, this all sounds right. But when employees read those messages in the middle of a real crisis, something often feels off. They may not be able to explain why. They just know it didn’t land. That “off” feeling is where internal crisis communication breaks down. And it’s not usually because leaders are careless or uninformed. It’s because crisis messaging is often built to be correct, when what employees need most is credibility. What employees are actually listening for Employees are not auditing your messaging. They are reacting to it. They are asking themselves simple questions: Do you understand what this feels like? Are you telling us what you know, or what you think is safe to …
Whether or not you believe that Andy Warhol predicted, "in the future, everybody will be world-famous for 15 minutes" (The Smithsonian says it's probably not true), you'll want to seize the moment when TV news comes calling. These nine PR tips will ensure you make everyone proud. 1. Maintain Eye Contact When in a face-to-face interview, focus on the person asking questions, not the camera. In remote interviews, keep unwavering eye contact with the camera lens.When pausing to collect your thoughts, look down rather than up to avoid misinterpretation. 2. Present Your Best Self Even in virtual meetings through platforms like Zoom or Teams, your appearance and surroundings are pivotal. Position your camera at eye level for a flattering perspective. Dress appropriately and run a comb or brush through your hair. The world doesn't need another Sam Bankman-Fried! Opt for …
Don't let myths cloud your understanding of PR measurement. Instead, leverage PR as a powerful tool to drive your organization's success. Public relations is often shrouded in the myth that measuring outcomes is elusive if not impossible. This misconception stems from the belief that the primary result of PR activities is the mere generation of publicity. While publicity indeed provides value, its true significance is unlocked when it aligns seamlessly with your organization's overarching strategies and business objectives. It's imperative for organizations to hold their public relations initiatives accountable for achieving well-defined and quantifiable goals that truly matter. In many instances, the same metrics used to gauge the effectiveness of advertising can be applied to evaluate the impact of PR. Public relations outcomes typically fall into three distinct categories. We can educate. We can persuade. And we can mobilize. Put …
It's common for corporate communications to inundate their audiences with countless messages, often saying the wrong things to the wrong people.
Traditional media coverage may be less important today than a decade ago, but it can still be an important part of an organization’s communications strategy. If you aim to elevate the quality and tone of media coverage you receive, proactive steps to foster credibility and trust with journalists are essential.
Let me say right from the start that this is not going to be a comprehensive analysis of the topic described in the headline. I think the headline presents a great premise for an article, but really I don't have the stomach for it. Maybe further down the road. I waded into this subject after reviewing the first part of PRovoke's story, "Crisis Review: The Top 20 Crises Of 2020," which selected election fraud claims to top its list. Dominion Voting Systems somehow wound up on the radar of absolutely crazy theories about how the 2020 vote could have been changed or otherwise manipulated. I'm sure the public relations and crisis counselors working with and for Dominion were sickened by what they witnessed, and I 100 percent support their legal efforts to extract whatever pounds of flesh they can from …
A version of this article, "IPR Report Finds Americans Bombarded with Disinformation," was featured by the Institute for Public Relations on June 24, 2019. As communicators who work on behalf of a range of organizations to educate, engage and mobilize individuals and communities, trust matters a lot to us. Trust is something that is earned over years and decades. It is invaluable. Without trust, the relationships we strive to build and strengthen lack a foundation. In this context, we are posting today about the 2019 Institute for Public Relations Disinformation in Society Report published by the Institute for Public Relations (https://instituteforpr.org). Not surprisingly, the study found that Americans believe disinformation -- deliberately misleading or biased information -- is a problem. In fact, just seven percent of the 2,200 American adults who were surveyed said disinformation is not a problem. While …
It's hard to imagine a more audacious rebranding than what our client, Bell, embarked upon last year. The company formerly known as Bell Helicopter decided to drop the 'helicopter' from it's name and adopt a new logo featuring the silhouette of a dragonfly. The bold move was recognized by Ragan's PR Daily with the Branding Campaign of the Year Award. It is a well deserved recognition. We at DPK Public Relations have been working with Bell since 2011, with a focus on preparing the company's spokespersons around the world for interactions with media and other influencers. To be clear, we did not assist Bell with the rebranding. The reason I say it was an audacious move is that for three quarters of a century -- almost as long as Bell has been around -- the company has been associated with the …
I’ve always gotten a kick out of certain sports stars emphasizing the “The” when stating that they went to school at Ohio State University. They might not be so proud of their alma mater these days. Ohio State University is coming to grips with what appears to be decades of abuse of student athletes and patients of OSU’s student health services at the hands of team doctor Richard Strauss. To date more than 100 victims have come forward, many describing their efforts to expose Strauss and their anger that their concerns were met with institutional indifference. Strauss committed suicide in 2005. When I saw this headline in The Columbus Dispatch, “Ohio State’s actions will determine how it weathers public-relations storm, experts say,” I threw a penalty flag. Calling what is being investigated at Ohio State a PR storm contributes to …