Monthly Archives: September 2020

PR’s Top Pros Talk…COVID – Michael Schoenfeld



Michael Schoenfeld is the VP for Public Affairs & Government Relations and CCO at Duke University. In this conversation with host and D S SImon Media CEO, Doug Simon, Michael shares best practices for communicating a university action plan regarding COVID to multiple stakeholders in times of uncertainty and avoiding a “blame the student” mindset.

Michael emphasizes the importance of frequently conveying the need for flexibility and the need for resilience. He also discusses how colleges that may lack resources and funding of a top research university with a medical center can manage the ongoing crisis.

PR’s Top Pros Talk…Leadership – Liz Kaplow

Liz Kaplow is the Founder & CEO of Kaplow Communications. She shared with the host and CEO of D S Simon Media, Doug Simon, tips on effective leadership during these challenging times. Liz emphasizes the increased importance of human leadership and the increased link to external and internal communications. She also tells us how to maintain a consistent mindset in this time of uncertainty and volatility.

Liz is optimistic about the future of PR and its role in telling great brand stories. She notes “Those connections with executives from the brands we represent are more important than ever. Their stories are more important than ever…I do believe that what we do and our contributions will make a huge difference as we move into the future.”

PR’s Top Pros Talk…COVID & Social Justice – Lin-Hua Wu



With a company like Dropbox, there is a unique challenge of making sure its brand resonates with both businesses as well as individual consumers. The company’s Chief Communications Officer, Lin-Hua Wu, breaks down how to navigate this task, especially with the lines between home and work being so blurred during these strange times.

With the current remote work environment, there is also a new challenge of balancing positive stories about the brand with what’s going on externally. Lin-Hua emphasizes the increased need to be tone appropriate and use empathy when dealing with these issues.