During the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare system has undergone a seismic shift, resulting in massive PR disasters but also tremendous successes. However, the record-breaking rollout of effective vaccines has been tempered by corporate blunders and a lack of transparency on COVID-19 infection rates. What can communicators learn from the mistakes and successes of the past…
Following the November elections, we predicted how tech policy issues would fare under a Biden administration and a new Congress, as well as tips for how media pros should communicate about them. The predictions held up well for Biden’s first 100 days in office. Now, more than a hundred days in, we highlight two of…
Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how intimately entwined our public policy is with our healthcare system. From stimulus funds to vaccine prioritization to new health technologies, the government and the healthcare industry have been — and must continue — working together to ensure effective public health responses and recovery. To understand…
What constitutes PR success? How do you establish and measure key performance indicators (KPIs) and return on investment (ROI)? Measuring the value of PR can be a challenge, and the reality is that the metrics used to determine success are different for each organization. So, how do you know which metrics are meaningful for you?…
Every four years, the United States has an opportunity to shift gears and move in a new direction. With the Biden administration, the U.S. has ushered in a new era — but we will need more than a new voice in the White House to solve society’s biggest challenges. Most of the challenges we face…
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, healthcare PR pros around the U.S. kicked into crisis mode. Almost a year and 400,000 U.S. deaths later, the job is still hard, but the rollout of effective vaccines shows there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Given all this, what is it like to be a…
In the immediate aftermath of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, CEO John Raffetto published an article in PR News about what it means for communicators. In this article, he covers the warning signs of the attack in the rise of QAnon and Trump’s use of social media to spread disinformation, as well…
Today, many big brands and industries face challenges on how to communicate about the steps they are taking to measurably reduce their environmental impact. Policymakers, investors, activists and advocates, and the general public are all looking for companies to take a stand — and reporters are on the story. In the next four years, the…
Experts have long been anticipating a cyber meltdown moment in the United States. Earlier this week, we saw “the big one” hit with the SolarWinds hack — one of the largest attacks in both scale and scope against government agencies, critical infrastructure entities and private companies. What does this mean for communicators and PR pros…
Some time ago, on behalf of SunEdison, I served on the communications committee of Solar Energy Industries Association. At that time, pretty early in solar’s PPA market development, we informally discussed questions around the impact and lifecycle of solar panels. The industry knew about the upcoming wave of panels that would “age” out of efficient generation,…
Seth Arenstein laughs when I say, “You’re the crisis insider,” pushing back that he’s simply the editor of PRNEWS’ Crisis Insider, a monthly newsletter. But, for some PR pros, Seth is synonymous with Crisis Insider and his columns at prnewsonline.com are a must-read — alternatively practical, forward-looking, and funny. Really, who else can write a…
In a year marked by a pandemic, social justice movements and an economic crisis, giving back and giving thanks are more meaningful than ever. This year’s crises have disrupted society and thrown into stark relief the inequalities impacting so many of us. Those who have not lost their lives, their jobs, their homes or their…