Archive: 2023

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Global Communications Is a Mentality, Not a Function

When people talk about improving global PR, the discussion typically gravitates toward infrastructure or titles. But these are supporting pieces. At the core, the most important factor in the success or failure of an international PR campaign comes down to mentality. Two basic questions go a long way toward revealing the presence of a global …more

Picture Procurement Shaking Down a Heart Surgeon

All communication consultancies periodically encounter Procurement before contract sign-off and embarking on the fun stuff with a client. I am not a fan of Procurement. They always claim to be there to help the agency and make sure everyone — both the agency and the in-house PR department — enjoy a “happily ever after.” Yet, …more

You Call That Innovation?

That was the headline in a Wall Street Journal article back in 2012. The piece made the point that the word “innovation” (and its derivatives) was being used so much by companies to tout incremental improvement — or worse — that the word lost meaning. Raking through earnings calls from the previous 12 months, The Journal …more

Deconstructing a Wall Street Journal Story on Innovation

Most companies want to be known as innovative. To bastardize the Wallace Simpson line, “you can never be too rich, too thin or too innovative.” The problem is those same companies often depend on adjectives to tout their breakthroughs. The Wall Street Journal challenged the use of the “i” word over ten years ago: “Businesses …more

A Perspective on Pride with Teddy Basham-Witherington

This post, authored by Senior Account Manager Matt Burrows, originally appeared on our Agency Blog. Pride Month always hits a little strangely for me every year. As a bi man married to a trans spouse, it can be hard not to feel a little cynical when all the rainbow logos go up. I know that’s probably not …more

Dear College Grad: Don’t Follow the Resume 101 Handbook

Soon, the class of 2023 at universities across the country will be tossing their caps in the air. The days of cramming all night for a final have come to an end. Once the effect of too many White Claw mango beverages subsides, attention will turn to landing that illusive first job. This is a …more

The NRA and Communications and Gun Control

What sensible human being thinks it’s OK to put what’s essentially a machine gun in the hands of private citizens? The tragedies keep coming with the latest mass shooting in Nashville. Here’s the problem. These events serve as a form of smelling salts, helping politicians come to their senses in response to public outcry. Then, …more

Prioritising Wellbeing: Agency Support for Individual Happiness

Mental, emotional, social, and physical wellbeing — as well as their influential factors — look different for everyone. From biking to ballet, meditation to music lessons, what makes us tick or just makes us feel good ranges hugely from person to person and might even change for an individual over time. In recognition of this, …more

Revisiting the Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have A Dream” Speech

Celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. always prompts me to dust off the “I Have Dream” speech. It’s a revealing exercise to read the text of the speech rather than watch and listen to the speech. To say Dr. King had a gift for narrative falls short in describing his skills in communicating. …more