Jennifer Beugelmans, CCO at Groupon, discusses how the company navigated massive change internally and externally on a global scale. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and transparency when managing communications on the merchant level as well as the customer level.
Jennifer also shares some of the internal changes that Groupon has implemented to tackle social justice issues and create a safe space in the workplace.
Marc Banks, National Press Secretary at the NAACP, discusses how organizations can maintain the social justice momentum created in 2020 heading into the next year. He urges brands to work with organizations like the NAACP to educate themselves and incorporate the ongoing issues into their messaging.
Marc also emphasizes the importance of creating not just short campaigns, but complete initiatives centered around racial justice to facilitate change.
Jonathan Adashek, CCO at IBM, shares his experience of taking on a leadership role at the company shortly before COVID hit. He discusses how the impact of the pandemic on communications affected his leadership style.
Jonathan also provides insights on navigating communications on a global scale, staying consistent with core values of the business, but adapting to the specific markets at the same time. Lastly, Jonathan offers his outlook for 2021, and tips for communicators to prepare for the new year.
Michael Smart, CEO at MichaelSMARTPR, shares best practices for pitching to the media heading into 2021. Michael discusses the findings of a recent study his team conducted on journalists’ opinions about various pitches they’d received (grab the ebook here).
He provides practical tips that communicators can immediately implement into their pitching strategy to see more effective results. Michael also breaks down some of the internal stresses when it comes to navigating what’s needed to pitch a story successfully.
Cristyne Nicholas, CEO at Nicholas & Lence Communications, breaks down the critical role she played in rebuilding New York’s tourism following 9/11, drawing parallels and distinctions with COVID.
Cristyne shares examples of creative ways NLC has been promoting travel in New York City in the current environment. She also provides practical tips on how smaller markets can effectively promote safe tourism.
Lou Hammond, Founder and Chairman, Lou Hammond Group, encourages the public to keep the travel dream alive. She discusses the effects of COVID-19 on the travel industry from a PR point of view and the rising shift to regional communications.
Lou also shares new strategies in destination PR and mistakes to avoid going into 2021.
Charlie Dougiello, CEO & Founding Partner, The Door | idea house, shares insights on undertaking a creative led approach to PR.
He emphasizes the importance of having a diverse workforce to come up with the best ideas. Charlie also discusses how his agency has become a resource for clients beyond public relations.
Aaron Kwittken, Chairman at KWT Global and CEO at Prophet, discusses the role of A.I. in public relations and how it can help communicators pitch the media more effectively. Aaron shares what pushed him to develop the platform in the first place.
He also breaks down how the technology works and how he is able to bring the intelligence into artificial intelligence.
Alyssa Garnick, Founder of Agean Public Relations, discusses how consumer brands are increasingly propelling positivity and optimism, even during Coronavirus. She provides examples of passion brands and commodity brands who had gained permission to play in the current environment, sparking creativity, brand love and engagement and sales.
Alyssa also shares her thoughts on if there is any place for stunts from consumer brands right now. Lastly, Alyssa tells us what it’s been like to start an agency amid COVID and today’s churning business dynamics.
Julie Crabill, Chief Marketing Officer at GoNoodle, discusses how public relations fits into a CMO’s workload, and how communications professionals can effectively work with both a CCO and a CMO. She shares tips on how companies can become better clients and how agencies can help. Julie also notes the value of leveraging local news channels to get your message out there.
Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of diversity and urges marketers to understand that it’s a profit center, not a cost center.