This week in PR (14 April)

It happened this week

Word of the day is 'maw-worm' (19th century): one who insists that they have done nothing wrong, despite evidence to the contrary.

— Susie Dent (@susie_dent) April 12, 2022

P&O Cruises taking out full page ads to say they’re not P&O Ferries pic.twitter.com/ovfO1U7mPV

— Steve Hawkes (@steve_hawkes) April 13, 2022

Profession

https://twitter.com/CIPR_Global/status/1514151632208117760

• Rachel Miller: Why becoming chartered is good for business (13 April)
  Dan Holden says: ‘For me, chartership helps fellow internal communicators show that our profession is exact that, a profession. Its an opportunity for us to say we’re skilled, experienced and qualified people who add an incredible amount of value to our organisations.’
• Stuart Bruce: Chartered PR status still isn’t respected as much as in other professions (13 April)
  ‘There are too many people claiming to do public relations, when in reality they are simply publicists or one trick ponies only able to do a small part of the job, such as media relations or social media.’
• Amanda Coleman: Life long learning (13 April)
  ‘At the moment PR is one industry that has no obvious bars to people joining. There is no need to have a University degree or to have achieved a certain qualification. This on paper makes it open to all. However, that is not the case as the diversity figures within the industry have shown over many years. So what can we do to encourage people to continue to develop and to value continued learning?’

Purpose and ESG

https://twitter.com/DarrylSparey/status/1513858416585977862

• Claire Foster: Read the room (no date)
  ‘No one should dictate how others spend earned or inherited income. But the privilege of freedom should be acknowledged. The lesson for your boardroom is to read the room. Place every decision under journalistic scrutiny. If your social conscience is clear, your future reputation and shareholders will thank you.’
• Anthony Hughes: Activist investors: the new climate enforcers? (12 April)
  ‘According to Lazard, last year saw the rapid proliferation of ESG as a key plank in activists’ campaigns… Some of the world’s largest asset managers are also fueling ESG related shareholder activism.’

Consulting, teams and careers

• Jill Spurr: We regret to inform you 2 – from the other side of the decision (12 April)
  ‘So many people have negative experiences of the job recruitment process. Here’s a new case study on how to build on those experiences and put in place interview and feedback standards which sets the bar for many others to aim for.’
• Ben Smith: A PR Q1 update with W founder and MD Warren Johnson [podcast]
  ‘We’re finding [the market] pretty buoyant right now – but not without its challenges. The new business process seems longer and more protracted than ever; and the talent problems we’re all facing recruiting.’
• Katie Pegg: A love letter to the team – it’s the future (11 April)
  ‘It’s an exciting time for comms. I love a reset too. And now offers a unique opportunity to take a breath, rebuild and spend time on things that had to take a backseat. Let’s seize the moment. Let’s go all Blues Brothers and get the band back together. Let’s not throw the team, and all its glorious qualities, out with the office.’

Politics, public affairs and public sphere 

• Joe Cooper: The Prime Minister and Chancellor put on notice over lockdown parties (12 April)
  ‘Yet again though, the Prime Minister finds himself embroiled in the Partygate scandal with further questions likely to be raised about his culpability and suitability for high office.’
• Tiffany Burrows: #TradeTalks with Sally Jones, EY [podcast] (11 April)
  ‘It all comes down to market access. And sustainability has been climbing up the agenda.’
• Gabriel Milland: Go green, go nuclear – or go home: Why the energy strategy makes sense (11 April)
  ‘If a new energy policy can present itself as greener, less prone to disruption from Russia or another hostile state, and as providing prices which are not just competitive but more predictable then it will hit home strongly with voters.’
• Becky Noel: Are women being heard? (11 April)
  ‘Committing to a women’s health strategy is a promising step in the right direction for this Government and has offered women long overdue hope.’

https://twitter.com/MGreer_PR/status/1514293699282407429

Brands, content and creativity

• Beck Dawson: Four ways insights can help you produce more meaningful creative (11 April)
  ‘When studying English Literature and Creative Writing, our professor told us that creativity is made up of three things: 1. Observation, 2. Memory and 3. Imagination.’
• Trevor Young: Reframing your content: It’s not just a video or blog post, it’s a digital asset! (11 April)
  ‘One of the greatest opportunities ever served up on a plate to entrepreneurs and business leaders is the ability for them to become their own media channel and communicate directly with their audience.’

Internal communication

• Martin Flegg: Plastic personality (11 April)
  ‘I can’t say that I’ve ever been able to see the point of personal branding, beyond the obvious vanity and narcissism of celebrities and their commercial motivations. For me, brands are for tins of beans, shops and the clothes I put on my back. They are not for people.’
• Sudha Singh: Ramadan – what you can do to support your muslim colleagues at work: Conversation with Uzma Lodhi, Director, Internal Comms, APCO [podcast] (8 April)
  ‘Normally I’m very chatty and loud. But Ramadan is a moment to stop and breathe; it’s a peaceful month. I look forward to it.’
• Matt Akid: BOOK MARK: How a comms team pulled together a book to mark the pandemic (9 April)
  ‘3,500 OUH staff ordered a copy of Beyond Words, both before and after its publication in January 2022, and we have also had overwhelmingly positive feedback from staff about the book and free copies being made available as a thank you gesture.’

Media, digital and technology

Journos bash PRs so much on here so I wanted to say – today I've been sent a release that has it all, a clear, relevant strong news line, good quotes and pictures, and I've used it as a jumping off point for a page lead. When PR is done right, it helps us immeasurably.

— Victoria Finan (@victoriafinan) April 11, 2022

• Holly Monger: Six things we learned about fintech at the Mambu Meet-up (no date)
  ‘James Morgan from PwC highlighted the issues that exist in many banks he’s worked with, and they start during the application process. He stated that very often, financial services providers have no single view of the customer. When coupled with poor retention marketing, the result is a leaky bucket whereby banks and lenders leave revenue on the table.’

Academic and education

#MindThePRGap is returning in July. Its become an annual event with @GreenwichNickyG of @UniofGreenwich where we bring together #PR academics & practitioners. @greenbanana & @MrsSRB are helping to shape the agenda on "Being Human" https://t.co/g5K48l7fud

— PR Academy (@pracademy) April 13, 2022

#prstudent #CreatorAwards22

 

 

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• • Jazz Denike (LCC/UAL):

@jazzdenike well, this is new #datinginlondon #nottinghillguy #singleinlondon #fyp #minivlog #londonlife #barrys #london #londonfood #londondate #londonvlog ♬ As It Was – Harry Styles

• Elena Niculescu (Solent): France banned plastic wrap for fruits and veg – and so should we (13 April)
  ‘France is ahead of the sustainability game, as the country banned plastic wrap for fruits and veg to eventually go plastic free by 2026.’
• Bethany Gough (Solent): Studying abroad (13 April)
  ‘I am writing to you from The Hague today… There are around 30 students from 5 Universities across Europe here, with many speaking multiple languages.’
• Jack Cameron-Dolan (Leeds Beckett): Morbius: How Too Much Advertising Can Destroy Your Campaign (11 April)
  ‘When bringing a relatively unknown and new face onto the big screen, it’s important to take a marketing approach that fills in the knowledge gaps of those you want to see your film.’
• Sarah Cockett (Leeds Beckett):
  

 

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