Best Practices

This week’s PR Roundup looks at PRSA’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, The White House’s risky media relations move with The Associated Press, and how Shopify’s reputation received some major blows after not acting quickly enough in a crisis with Yeezy.com.

The vast majority of audiences tune out jargon. Nobody wants to hear from a robot. But more often than not, speakers are experts on something, and they really want to nerd out. Here’s some steps on how to find that balance and simplify complex messaging in speechwriting to move an audience.

The New York Times exposé published in December about Justin Baldoni’s alleged smear campaign against Blake Lively highlighted the dark side of PR. Then a week later, Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against the New York Times, saying the media outlet got the story wrong. Ultimately, the legal questions in Baldoni’s suit concern media ethics. But in the meantime, the actors’ PR teams should keep these crisis communications tips top of mind.

According to a survey from Morgan Stanley Research, 94% of healthcare businesses use AI or machine learning in at least some capacity. Expectations have forever changed, and healthcare communicators must now rally behind AI to provide optimal outputs for their own companies as well as for clients and healthcare professionals.

Six notable brand campaigns that tap into multiple screens (or in-person) to share marketing messages surrounding the Super Bowl.

Streaming giant Netflix recently announced price increases across all subscription tiers, pushing their premium offering to $24.99 monthly. At the same time, it hit record subscriber numbers. This seemingly contradictory dynamic of rising prices and accelerating growth offers valuable insights for subscription businesses navigating their own pricing strategies.

This week’s PR Roundup looks at ways to interact with employees during times of uncertainty and stress, how Waffle House can be seen as an example for price-increase communications, and what brands are leading the social media conversation before the Super Bowl.

In a moment that underscores the challenges of navigating the political landscape, TikTok has found itself in a high-stakes battle. However, this evolving situation also offers valuable lessons for PR pros and businesses on crisis management, brand loyalty and communication strategies.

In a world of constant digital connectivity and rapid technological change, Generation Z is exhibiting a fascinating psychological phenomenon: They’re deeply nostalgic for eras they never experienced firsthand. This “historical nostalgia” among Gen Z offers a compelling window into how digital natives creatively engage with the past to meet psychological needs and navigate contemporary challenges—a phenomenon that brands must understand to forge meaningful connections with this generation.

For some brands, the Super Bowl doesn’t necessarily mean creating a multi-million dollar TV ad during the big game. Many notable promotions don’t even require an actual ad anymore, as the event is now a multi-platform experience for companies and consumers.