Public Relations Stories and Strategies

There's a gap between knowing AI ethics and practicing them, and it's where reputations go to die. Research for PRSA's Board of Ethics and Professional Standards mapped it across 10 essential AI ethics competencies, from critical thinking and ethical judgment to privacy, accountability, and governance. The finding that stings most: critical thinking is both the most essential competency and one of the profession's biggest gaps. Communicators know the principles. They still fail to apply them when it counts.  Doug caught up with researcher Marlene Neill in Orlando at PRSA ICON 2026 to dig into what that gap looks like inside real organizations, the perfect storm of pressure for speed without the training or guardrails to match. They get into why communicators are weakest at judgment when judgment is the job, what value the practitioner still provides when AI can draft the release in seconds, and the one thing a solo practitioner or small team can do Monday morning to start closing it. If AI touches your comms work, this is the episode about the part no tool can do for you.   Listen For :13 The Surgical Safety Checklist: What Atul Gawande Teaches PR Pros About the Knowing-Doing Gap 2:57 AI Ethics in Public Relations: Why Human Judgment Still Matters 4:13 AI Hallucinations in PR: Why You Must Verify Every Output 6:19 How AI Is Changing PR Agency Billing and Value-Based Pricing 12:01 How to Speak Up on Ethics at Work: Giving Voice to Values Guest: Marlene Neill, Professor and Graduate Program Director at Baylor University (Journalism, Public Relations and New Media). Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA Email | PRSA Bio Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stories and Strategies PR podcast newsletter Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Three out of four office workers now feel like they need to use emojis at work, according to Statista's research on workplace communication. But almost nobody stops to ask what that emoji is actually doing once it lands in an inbox, a Slack thread, or a client email.  That's the gap Stacy Jo Dixon from Statista has been studying, and it's the gap this episode sits inside: not whether emojis belong in business, but what they're quietly signalling about generation, culture, gender, and judgment every time someone hits send.  In this episode we work through what the data actually shows, and where it gets complicated. Why older professionals default to the thumbs up, while younger ones have developed what Stacy calls emoji literacy. And why the same emoji that reads as friendly in one country can land as an insult in another culture, and what any of this means for a brand's voice once it starts showing up in pixels instead of words. It's a more surprising conversation than the stat sheet suggests.   Listen For 03:49 Which emojis should you never use in the workplace? 05:49 What is emoji literacy and why does it matter at work? 08:10 Can the thumbs-up emoji be offensive across cultures? 12:40 When should you use emojis with executives, bosses, or clients? 14:13 Should companies create workplace emoji policies? Guest: Stacy Jo Dixon, Statista LinkedIn |IG | Website | Emoji usage – statistics & facts |Off the Charts Podcast (hosted by Stacy): YouTube | Off the Charts Podcast (hosted by Stacy): Spotify Doug Downs Substack | Website | LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stories and Strategies PR podcast newsletter   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What do you do when the name that built your reputation suddenly makes you look stuck in the past?  Jolly SEO was a company founded on solid SEO strategies and infrastructure.  But “S E O?” Ugh that’s soooo 2021. So cofounder Greg Heilers had a dilemma. Suddenly he had a name that kinda conveyed old thinking. In this episode he explains the surprisingly complicated journey from Jolly SEO to a brand built for an AI-driven search world.  Greg also explains why “SEO” began sending the wrong signal, how the company preserved the valuable “Jolly” identity while embracing a broader definition of search, and why finding the perfect domain helped settle months of debate.    Listen For 03:12 Why did Jolly SEO need to change its name in the age of AI search? 05:41 How did Jolly SEO finally land on the name Jolly Search? 09:54 Does your company name affect whether AI and LLMs recommend your brand? 12:06 How do you know whether a rebrand has actually worked? 16:56 What should businesses know before rebranding an established company? Guest: Greg Heilers, Co-Captain | Jolly Search Website | LinkedIn Doug Downs Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Every brand that crosses the Atlantic faces the same unspoken question, and almost nobody asks it out loud before they've already spent the budget: should we act like ourselves, or should we act like we belong here?  Volkswagen bet on staying unmistakably German and won over American drivers. Other brands have made the opposite bet and won too. There's no universal answer, and that's exactly what makes it a hard call to get right. Daisy Pack, managing director of HUNTER's London office, has spent more than two decades sitting inside that decision for American and British brands trying to win over each other's audiences. In this episode, she walks through how she actually makes the call, using a real campaign for Premier Protein that skipped the obvious American fitness playbook entirely, and explains why the right answer for a brand crossing the Atlantic in 2026 might be the opposite of what worked ten years ago.  Listen For 4:09 Should American brands emphasize or downplay their identity when entering the UK? 8:13 How did Premier Protein make an American brand culturally relevant in Britain? 14:05 Why do American and British audiences respond differently to brand storytelling? 15:49 When can leaning into Americana actually help a brand connect with British consumers? 19:28 What should an American brand do before launching or expanding in the UK? Guest: Daisy Pack, Managing Director, Hunter PR London IG | Website | Company LinkedIn | LinkedIn | Hunter UK LinkedIn | Email Doug Downs Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Subscribe to the Stories and Strategies PR podcast newsletter Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Take the Global Alliance Survey before October 2, 2026 Who actually makes up the rules for public relations? Who decided what counts as good measurement, how you're supposed to structure a comms team, what you tell an executive when they ask "why does this function even exist"? Your local or national association has a voice in that, but the actual standards, the ones you're governed by and quoted to and inspired by, came out of delegate rooms in Madrid, Melbourne, and Stockholm. The US sends delegates to those rooms.  You don't get a personal say in what they bring back. Well, NOW you do. You… personally!! The Global Alliance has opened 15 questions to the entire profession, not just the delegates, asking what society actually has the right to expect from a communication professional. This episode looks at what's being asked, why regions like Africa and Asia are answering in force while North America stays quiet, and what happens to the next set of rules if you skip your turn to answer. Listen For 5:02 Why Should Communication Professionals Care About the Abuja Declaration? 7:30 Should Public Relations Professionals Be Licensed or Regulated? 9:44 What Should Society Expect From a Professional Communicator? 14:29 How Will the Abuja Research Prevent Regional Bias From Shaping the Results? 17:20 What Happens After the Abuja Declaration Is Created? Guest: Adrian Cropley, Centre for Strategic Communications Excellence,  Website | LinkedIn | Adrian’s Podcast A View from the Top | CSCE Website Doug Downs Substack | Website | LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stories and Strategies PR podcast newsletter Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

For decades, PR professionals have tried to influence what people think or how they think it.  AI may be changing something even more fundamental: whether people do much of that thinking themselves.  Researchers call it “Cognitive Surrender.” The tendency to accept an AI-generated answer without really scrutinizing it. And if AI increasingly sits between your message and your audience, or starts doing the thinking for communicators themselves, the implications for trust, persuasion and professional judgment could be enormous.   Listen For 4:30 What Is Cognitive Surrender and How Did Researchers Test It? 7:44 Why Did People Accept Wrong AI Answers 80% of the Time? 9:53 Can Cognitive Surrender Weaken Critical Thinking Skills? 12:47 What Happens When AI Sits Between PR Pros and the Public? 15:14 Why Should Communicators Think First and Prompt Second? Guest: Dr Steven Shaw, PhD, King’s College London and Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Website | LinkedIn | Google Scholar page Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Subscribe to the Stories and Strategies PR podcast newsletter Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Every PR person knows the moment: you're holding a coffee or a glass of wine at a networking event, the small talk has dried up, and the person standing next to you outranks you by a lot. Shawn Spitaleri has spent years collecting the kind of beverage trivia that fixes exactly that problem, real, verifiable stories about why your coffee tastes the way it does, why tea sparked a geopolitical crisis, and why every champagne bottle opens with the same number of twists no matter who made it. This episode is a toolkit, not a lecture. Shawn walks through coffee, tea, champagne, wine, and beer, pulling out the one fact from each that's actually worth repeating out loud, the kind that gets a genuine reaction instead of a polite nod. If you've ever needed something better than "so, how about this weather" to say to a stranger holding the same drink as you, this one's for you.   Listen For 4:17 Why Did Governments Try to Ban Coffee? 6:08 How Did Britain’s Love of Tea Fuel the Opium Trade and Corporate Espionage? 9:41 Did Dom Pérignon Really Invent Champagne? 12:16 What Does the World’s Oldest Beer Recipe Reveal About Ancient Drinking Culture? 17:29 How Did Franklin Roosevelt Help Popularize the Dirty Martini?   Guest: Shawn Spitaleri, The Architect, Obscura Meridian Co Distillate Podcast | Website Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Subscribe to the Stories and Strategies PR podcast newsletter  Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Most people don’t experience a country… they experience its reputation.  Long before a flight is booked or a business deal is considered, a story has already landed in your mind. A headline. A search result. A clip that went viral. A warning someone repeated with total confidence. And once that story sticks, it starts to feel like the place itself. So, let’s test it. When you picture Egypt, what shows up first? Pyramids. Pharaohs. Ancient tombs. Maybe a biblical story, or maybe a recent news headline? Egypt is one of the most famous places on earth, but that fame can flatten it into a single image, a single idea, a single shadow.  In this episode, nation branding and strategic communications leader Lamia Kamel unpacks how reputations are formed and how they can be changed, especially now that discovery runs through search, social, and AI. If you’ve ever realized you “knew” a place before you actually understood it, this conversation might rewire the way you think about perception. Listen For: 04:28 What Misconceptions Do Travelers Have About Egypt? 05:37 What Is the Real Egypt Beyond Pyramids and Stereotypes? 08:10 How Should Egypt Use Digital Marketing to Attract Travelers? 11:43 Which Social Media Platforms Are Most Popular in Egypt? 17:49 How Is PR in Egypt Different From Western PR?   Guest: Lamia Kamel, Managing Director of CC Plus Website | Email | LinkedIn  Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Most of us are waiting for mentorship to look a certain way. A senior person who takes us under their wing. A scheduled coffee every two weeks. A defined relationship with a clear beginning and a clear end.  And while we are waiting for that version of mentorship to show up, the real thing is happening all around us and we’re missing it entirely. But the way mentorship actually works in the public relations profession is different to almost everything you would naturally believe.    Listen For 3:35 What Are the Five Biggest Myths About Mentorship? 5:35 Why Should Mentorship Work Both Ways? 7:36 Can ChatGPT or AI Replace a Human Mentor? 13:42 What Mentorship Advice Can Stay With You for Life? 16:36 How Do You Find the Right Mentor in Public Relations? Guests: Amy Thurlow Website | LinkedIn Colleen Killingsworth  LinkedIn Book Rethinking the Table on Amazon   Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

As a communications professional you’ve used ChatGPT, Claude, or Copilot in the last 30 days.  Probably in the last week.  Probably earlier today.  And at some point you’ve had the same experience: you put in a prompt, you get back something that’s technically competent and completely generic. You spend the next 20 minutes re-prompting, editing, wrestling it into something that actually sounds like your organization, your voice, your situation.  A Workday study found that 40% of the time saved by using generative AI tools is immediately lost reworking the outputs. You traded one kind of work for another. The reason is simple and almost nobody is saying it out loud. Those tools were built for everyone. Which in communications terms means they were built for no one in particular. They don't think like a communicator. They don't have access to what a communicator needs. They don't know what’s being said about your organization right now across 4,000 TikTok videos, each with modest view counts, each repeating the same damaging narrative, each flying completely below the radar of your existing monitoring tools.  Stratum is the tool that needed to be built three years ago. Watch the YouTube Video of this episode to see Stratum demonstration   Listen For 3:29 Why do communications teams need AI built around use cases instead of tools? 6:30 What is Stratum and how is it different from ChatGPT or Copilot? 12:18 What is the difference between an AI agent and an agentic workflow? 17:29 Can AI detect a reputation crisis before it goes viral? 19:45 How can AI identify the right influencers for a campaign?   Guest: Matt Collette, Sequencr.AI Website | LinkedIn | Stratum Platform   Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Subscribe to the Stories and Strategies PR podcast newsletter   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In Canada, women make up roughly two thirds of the public relations profession. They are the majority in the classrooms, the majority in the entry level roles, and the majority climbing through the middle ranks. And then somewhere around the senior level, the numbers flip. The leadership tables in PR firms and communications departments across the country look nothing like the profession they are supposed to represent. This is not a new observation. The data has been there for years. Here’s what’s new. Two researchers decided to stop describing the problem and start asking a harder question. Not how do we get more women to the table? But why does the table keep failing the women who get there. Because what the data also shows, and what too many PR women know personally, is that the exit is often quiet and deliberate. Not a firing. Not a failure. A decision. A moment where a woman who is absolutely capable of leading looks at what it costs and says this is not worth it.  This episode is about what is driving that decision, and what it is going to take to change it. Listen For 4:15 Why Do Women Hold Fewer Than 30% of Senior PR Leadership Roles? 7:11 What Does It Mean to Rethink the Leadership Table? 9:15 How Can PR Organizations Create Sustainable Leadership Careers? 15:06 What Can Women and Men Do to Change PR Leadership? 17:03 Why Won’t Teaching Women to Play Golf Solve Workplace Exclusion?   Guests:  Amy Thurlow Website | LinkedIn Colleen Killingsworth  LinkedIn   Book Rethinking the Table on Amazon   Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Watch this episode on YouTube   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Most women don't lose their voice all at once. It happens slowly, quietly, and with the best of intentions. They soften their tone here. They hold back an opinion there. They make themselves a little smaller, a little easier, a little less. Until one day they can't quite remember what they actually sound like. This episode is about that. Where the muting comes from, what it costs, and what it takes to find your voice at midlife. Listen For 3:30 What Does It Really Mean to Find Your Voice at Midlife? 5:03 Why Do So Many Women Feel Ready to Explode in Midlife? 7:13 Why Are Assertive Women Judged Differently From Assertive Men? 12:19 How Can Women Process the Unspoken Grief of Not Having Children? 16:19 When Should You Speak Up, and When Should You Protect Your Peace?  Guest: Priya Sudarsanam, Speech Pathologist LinkedIn |  Website | Instagram | Podcast | Facebook | YouTube Doug Downs Substack | Website | LinkedIn  Watch this episode on YouTube Subscribe to the Stories and Strategies PR podcast newsletter Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

There’s a booming business in divisiveness. And PR is caught right in the thick of it. Recorded at the June 2026 IABC conference in Toronto, Doug Downs speaks with Fred Cook about A Quiet Shift, a report exploring how polarization is reshaping public relations. Cook explains why division is damaging society, mental health, and business while making thoughtful communications counsel more valuable.  They examine echo chambers, outrage as a political and media strategy, the possibility that AI reinforces existing beliefs, and the disappearance of productive dialogue. Cook also outlines how PR education must evolve, emphasizing crisis management, finance, government relations, public affairs, ethics, and responsible technology use. Ultimately, the conversation challenges communicators to adapt without contributing to the very divisions that create demand for their expertise. Listen For 2:33 How Is Polarization Changing Public Relations? 5:38 Why Can Polarization Make PR More Valuable—and More Vulnerable? 6:25 Is AI Reinforcing Bias and Deepening Polarization? 9:01 Which Skills Will Future PR Professionals Need Most? 12:00 Why Does Calling the Other Side “Stupid” Destroy Dialogue? Guest: Fred Cook, Director USC USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations Fred bio Doug Downs Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Subscribe to the Stories and Strategies PR podcast newsletter   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Generic messaging fails for a simple reason. It speaks to everyone, which means it actually speaks to no one. The messages that stick, the ones people repeat, forward, and act on, are never written for "employees" or "stakeholders" or "our valued customers." They are written for one person, with one specific frustration, in one specific moment.  That’s not a nice idea about storytelling. It’s a framework, and once you see it, you can’t unsee it in every all-staff email that gets ignored and every campaign that gets remembered.  In this episode we get the five tip framework behind stories that actually stick, from a communicator who has spent her career studying why some messages disappear the moment they’re sent while others get repeated for years. Listen for: 3:17 The Five-Step Framework for Sticky Stories 7:12 Finding the Frustration: Real Communication Examples 10:34 Break the Fourth Wall to Make Messages Memorable 13:54 The Recipe for Stories People Remember Guest: Eduvie Martin, FCIPR, Past President of IABC UK and Ireland LinkedIn | Comic Republic  Doug Downs Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Subscribe to the Stories and Strategies PR podcast newsletter   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Reputation isn’t your shadow anymore. It’s your operating system.  It’s no longer something you manage. It has already been decided, by AI, based on patterns inside your organization you may not even know exist. Most leaders still think about reputation the old way: crisis plans, issue management, damage control after the fact. But AI now reads every signal a company puts out and connects them across every location and every stakeholder, drawing its own conclusion about who you really are. A bad manager in one city used to stay local. Now it can become your global reputation by tomorrow morning. There is a scale that runs from head in the sand to full reputation architect, and most organizations are stuck somewhere in the middle, reacting instead of designing. This episode gets into why reputation now functions like a credit score, why one recent report put a seven trillion dollar number on it globally, and why the real work ahead is not protecting your brand but architecting the patterns underneath it, before AI does that job for you.   Listen For 3:35 Why should organizations stop managing reputation and start architecting it? 5:13 How does reputation become operational currency across an organization? 7:48 Why is brand more than a logo or a “cowboy hat”? 10:45 How is AI becoming a stakeholder in your reputation? 16:35 How can leaders tell if they are reacting, managing, or architecting reputation? Guest: Bonnie Caver, Reputation Lighthouse LinkedIn | Website | Company LinkedIn Doug Downs Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Subscribe to the Stories and Strategies PR podcast newsletter   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What happens when a conference has no keynote, no formal agenda, and no single expert at the front of the room?   The new IABC International Chair calls this an “unconference” model. And it’s one glimpse of how professional associations can evolve: by creating space for communicators to learn directly from one another.  Also in this episode – why community, credibility, and connection matter more than ever in a profession being reshaped by AI, shrinking budgets, and rising expectation, the changing role of communicators in the age of AI, and why earned media, credible third-party sources, FAQs, and even the press release may be gaining new relevance in AI search.    Listen For 4:13 Why was the ABC Designation Considered Tougher than the SCMP? 5:34 How is AI Making Earned Media and Press Releases Valuable Again? 8:09 Why Should Communicators Bring FAQ Pages Back for AI Search? 9:56 Why are Chief Communications Officers Gaining a Stronger Seat at the C-Suite Table? 17:11 How Is IABC Rethinking Chapters With Community Models and Unconferences? Guest: Richard Kies, Incoming IABC International Chair LinkedIn | Bio Page Doug Downs Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

As a communications professional you’re operating in the most complex information environment in history. Misinformation. Disinformation. AI generated deepfakes of executives saying things they never said. Audiences who have stopped trusting what organizations tell them. Employees who can't tell what's real. And somewhere in the middle of all of that noise you’re still expected to move people. To make them understand something, feel something, and do something. With the same frameworks you have always used. Dianne Chase has written a book that argues the profession needs a North Star more than it needs another tactical playbook. She’s the past International Chair of IABC, past Chair of the IABC Southern Region, and current president of IABC Charlotte. Her book is called The Seven C's of the New Communications Compass. And the argument she makes is both simple and urgent: in an era of collapsing trust, the communicators who will matter most are not the ones with the best tools. They’re the ones who remembered to be human. This episode was recorded on location in Toronto in June 2026 at IABC World Conference   Listen For 3:16 What Are the Seven Cs of the New Communications Compass? 6:16 Why Should Organizations Build Relationships Instead of Transactions? 8:19 How Does Compassion Become Empathy in Action? 13:09 Why Does Community Matter to Purpose-Driven Brands? 17:10 How Should Communicators Measure What Really Matters? Guest: Dianne Chase, President IABC Charlotte, past International Chair IABC, past Chair IABC Southern Region Website | LinkedIn Doug Downs Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Communications has always been built around a sender mentality. We decide what people need to know, we package it, we push it out. That model came from journalism and broadcasting, three networks, eleven o'clock news, one message for everyone. It made sense then.  The infrastructure has changed completely since. Audiences have become producers. People choose what they consume, when they consume it, and they unsubscribe from what no longer serves them. That transformation happened entirely in the outside world. Inside organizations, almost nothing changed. And the question this episode keeps coming back to is a simple and uncomfortable one: why are we still broadcasting when everything outside us has already moved on? This episode was recorded ON LOCATION at IABC World Conference in Toronto in June 2026. Listen For 4:34 How did audiences become producers of their own news and information? 6:16 Why does internal communication need to become recipient-driven? 9:33 How can communicators create identity moments that cut through white noise? 11:28 How did opening in Spanish create a powerful diversity and inclusion moment? 16:51 How is AI changing the communicator’s role from creator to prompt strategist?   Guest: Brad Whitworth LinkedIn  The IABC Handbook of Organizational Communication The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication: A Global Standard Primer Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Every communications campaign you have ever built had a choice architecture inside it. The order you sequenced your calls to action. The option you listed first in a petition. The default you set in an employee survey. The way you structured a crisis response.  You made all of those decisions. Some of them deliberately. Most of them by instinct, habit, or convention. And the difference between those two things, between deliberate design and accidental design, is the difference between a campaign that moves people and one that wonders why nobody moved.  This episode was recorded live on stage at the IABC World Conference in Toronto on June 14th, 2026, in front of an audience of communications professionals from around the world.  Listen For 4:20 What Choice Architecture Means 5:52 The Default Effect 6:50 Printer Defaults Example 8:15 Removing Friction from Sign-Ups 9:31 The EAST Framework   Guest: Ann-Marie Blake Website | True Website | LinkedIn Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Recognized as the most listened-to PR podcast in the World by Podchaser, Goodpods, and data from Rephonic. Also recognized as one of best Independent Interview podcasts by the Ear Worthy Newsletter https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

“Journalism is dead.”  You've heard it. You've probably said it.  And honestly, the evidence seems pretty hard to argue with.  Newsrooms gutted, trust in tatters, cable news turned into a gladiator sport.   But what if that story, the one we keep telling about journalism, is itself bad journalism?  Neil Brown thinks so. He’s a 40-year editor and president of the Poynter Institute, and he is, by his own admission, an optimist about the media. When he tells you why, it might genuinely change how you think about where good information comes from.   Listen For: 04:09 What Makes Someone a Journalist Instead of Just a Publisher? 06:22 Why Does Democracy Need Real Journalism? 12:24 Can Local Journalism Rebuild Public Trust? 13:03 How Did the Baltimore Banner Turn Bus Data Into Accountability? 17:30 What Responsibility Does the Audience Have in Fighting Misinformation? Guest: Neil Brown, Chairman of the Board and President at Poynter Institute for Media Studies Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | TikTok | BlueSky | Threads | YouTube  Doug Downs Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Every PR professional has sat in a meeting where leaders ask you to “show up in AI” Here’s the problem. The AEO/GEO industry has built an entire measurement apparatus around citations… the moment an AI visibly names your brand. But the research shows that moment is essentially an echo of a decision that was already made, upstream, in conversations that left no trace.  Brands have been optimizing for the receipt, when the purchase decision happened days ago. The deeper irony is that the work which does move the needle in those invisible conversations looks exactly like what PR teams have always done. Original research. Expert voice. Earned credibility. Third-party validation. The toolkit that has historically been the hardest to attribute is, it turns out, the one doing the most work in the AI era. The people who were always right about what good looks like just never had the data to prove it… until now. Listen For 3:35 Why Does AI Influence Start Before the Conversion Stage? 7:41 Is AEO Really Just Earned Media Strategy in Disguise? 10:09 What Are the Three Levers That Shape AI’s View of a Brand? 13:13 Are “Hey AI” Pages and Schema Tricks Ethical or Effective? 15:49 How Can PR Teams Prove Earned Media Builds AI Influence?   Guest: Tom Rudnai, Founder and CEO Demand-Genius Website | X | LinkedIn  Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

There is a prayer that crisis communicators have been quoting for decades.  “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” It sounds right. It feels grounding.  But maybe it’s been pointing us in the wrong direction the whole time.  The problem is the concept of CONTROL. Because control, in a crisis, is a myth. And every strategy built on the assumption that you can control the outcome of a crisis is a strategy built on sand.  Let’s replace that idea with INFLUENCE. Doing that replaces an entire philosophy. Alongside that shift comes something more uncomfortable… the suggestion that when a crisis hits, the quality of your advice has almost nothing to do with your frameworks, your playbook, or your years of experience. It has to do with who you are as a human being. As a parent. As a citizen. As a person who is also living through the same world your client is trying to navigate.  The professional and the person are not separate. And pretending they are, may be the most dangerous crisis communication strategy of all.   Listen For 3:41 Why Are Global Risks Becoming More Connected and Harder to Manage? 6:09 Is Employee Mental Health a Bigger Business Risk Than AI? 9:32 Why Do Companies Know the Risks but Still Fail to Prepare? 11:20 What Is “Agency” in Crisis Communications and Why Does It Matter? 14:29 How Can Leaders Use Empathy and Understanding to Respond to a Crisis? Guest: Rod Cartwright, Principal, Rod Cartwright Consulting Email | Website | LinkedIn  2026 Reputation, Risk, and Resilience Report  Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com  Support the show Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This episode first published in April, 2021 We haven't always seen color the same way. Pink used to be for men. Blue for women. People HATED colorful outfits when they first emerged. One aristocrat complained of "loud, swearing colors," because the new bright fabrics distracted him from his reading. In this episode Carolyn Purnell takes us on a magical journey through the history of color. Guest Carolyn Purnell, Ph.D. https://www.carolynpurnell.com/contact Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn  Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This episode first published in July 2024. Those big networking events. Many of us enjoy those but the repetitive small talk can be exhausting and challenging especially when conversations are frequently interrupted. In this episode we look at strategies for engaging storytelling in brief interactions, making meaningful connections, and ensuring your conversations stand out.   Listen For 5:06 The Power of Listening 9:13 When You’re an Introvert 13:30 Finding Your Wedge into Group Conversations 20:14 Tailoring Your Stories  Guest: Robert Kennedy III Website | You Tube  Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com  Support the show Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This episode first published in January 2025. Communication is the most important weapon a Navy SEAL can carry. More vital than physical strength, endurance, or even firepower. I was in Salt Lake City recently at a conference and saw former Navy SEAL William Branum speak. He served for 26 years with the US Navy and 23 of those years was a Navy SEAL. In his presentation he talked about how clear, concise, and often nonverbal communication plays a critical role in high-stress, life-or-death situations—whether underwater, in a firefight, or clearing a house. He broke down the lessons SEALs learn on the battlefield that can be applied to leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. So, when I had a chance to sit down with him in the lobby, I grabbed my mobile phone, and we recorded an episode together. This is a conversation about the power of communication and how simplifying your message can lead to greater impact. Listen For 4:26 The Power of Nonverbal Communication 6:36 Simplicity is Key in High-Stress Environments 10:33 Self-Communication Shapes Success 12:24 Adaptability in Crisis Situations Guest: William Branum, former Navy SEAL Website | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies Website Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Support the show Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This episode was first published in May 2021. Nudge Theory burst onto the scene in 2008 when Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler published their book “Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness.” The simplest models of economics take preferences as given, but nudge ideas suggest we can be moved, steered, and in some cases manipulated.  Nudge has influenced politicians around the World. There are “Nudge Units” in government in the UK, US, Germany, Japan, and even Canada. The World Bank, United Nations, and European Commission have “Nudge” teams. Guest Rory Sutherland, Vice chairman Ogilvy UK Website  To book Rory for your event email Canadian Nudge Team = BeSci Team  UK Nudge Team = Behavioural Insights Team  Australian Nudge Team = Behavioural Economics Team of Australia  American Nudge Team = Social and Behavioural Sciences Team  Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com  Support the show Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

You’ve been in that room. Maybe you are in it right now. The table is full, the voices are loud, and somewhere between the agenda and the first agenda item, you go quiet. Not because you don't know what to say. Because something in the room tells you it isn't your turn. You leave and you call it imposter syndrome. You make it about yourself. You wonder what's wrong with you. Nothing is wrong with you. The room did that. Confidence is not something you’re both with. It’s not the absence of nerves. And it’s not volume. It’s not the ability to dominate. It’s trust. Trust in yourself that no matter what gets put in front of you, you will handle it. And the confidence gap that so many communicators feel is not a personal failing. It is an environmental one.  Listen For: 3:26 Is imposter syndrome really a personal problem, or is the room the problem? 6:40 What kinds of rooms make professionals feel safe or excluded? 9:14 How can you speak up when someone dominates the conversation? 11:17 How did Advita Patel build confidence after years of self-doubt? 15:09 What is an energy audit, and how can it protect your wellbeing? Guest: Advita Patel, Founder Comms Rebel, former President CIPR Website | Confidence Coaching site | LinkedIn Book Decoding Confidence     Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Your client is wrong. You know it. They know it, somewhere underneath the certainty.  And you have two choices. You can tell them they're wrong, which will end the conversation and cost you the relationship. Or you can find the thing they want more than being right and take them there instead. This is something most communications professionals learn the hard way and never quite put into words. Every difficult client, every resistant leader, every person digging into a position that will hurt them, they are not just wrong. They are running two competing motivations at the same time.  The need to be right. And the need to succeed.  And those two things are almost never the same thing. The PR professional who understands that distinction doesn't argue. They redirect. And the client ends up exactly where you needed them to go, convinced it was their idea all along. Listen For 4:40 Can communicators actually motivate people to act? 7:17 Is PR returning to behavioral science, or losing its way? 8:55 What are system one, system two, and system three thinking? 11:17 How do you challenge a client without losing trust? 14:08 Will AI replace PR professionals or reveal who thinks strategically?   Guest: Roger Hurni, Founder & Chief Brand Strategist, Off Madison Ave Website | Agency | LinkedIn  Outthink. Outperform. Transform Your Organization Through Behavioral Marketing   Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

50 percent. That's how much of the global population now trusts generative AI when searching for information about companies and brands.  More than Instagram. More than Facebook. More than social media in general.  And that number climbed 7 points in a single year.  The data comes from the Page Society's annual Harris Poll study. 14 countries, more than 15,000 people surveyed in December 2025. Consumers aren't just using AI more. They're believing it more. And most of them aren't clicking through to the source. They're reading the AI answer and moving on.  For communicators, this changes the job. It's no longer enough to optimize for search engines, you now need to optimize for the AI that sits on top of them. What does generative AI say when someone types in your brand name? Is it accurate? Is it current? Or is it surfacing something you said or did 20 years ago that no longer represents who you are?  Listen For 3:26 How is declining consumer trust reshaping the role of communication leaders? 4:52 Why do consumers now trust generative AI more than social media for brand information? 12:28 What are the biggest risks of disinformation and AI hallucinations for brands? 15:45 Why can’t AI replace human experience and critical thinking in communications? 20:22 How should brands optimize for AI search while maintaining trust and accuracy? Guest: Rochelle Ford, Ph.D., APR, CEO The Page Society LinkedIn | Website  Page-Harris Poll: Confidence in Business Index 2026 Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Your Organisation says it's aligned. It probably isn't. And the problem starts at the top. Zora Artis and Wayne Aspland have spent 7 years studying the gap between what leadership teams say they're doing and what's actually happening inside organizations. And their findings are uncomfortable.  In their latest global study, drawing on interviews with 55 CEOs and senior executives across five continents, they found that leaders routinely leave strategy meetings carrying completely different understandings of the direction they just agreed on.  Nobody admits it. And communications professionals get handed the impossible job of aligning everyone else around a strategy the leadership team hasn't genuinely aligned on themselves.  In this episode, we break down why the gap has barely moved in seven years, what's actually driving it, and what communications professionals are uniquely positioned to do about it.    The full findings are being presented IABC World Conference 2026 in Toronto this June. Register  https://wc.iabc.com/    Download the full Report and Infographic Summary here.   Listen For 4:11 What does true organizational alignment actually mean beyond agreement? 7:44 Why do leaders think they’re aligned but act differently after meetings? 9:09 How do fear and ego silently destroy alignment in executive teams? 12:18 What is “glass head syndrome” and why does it derail strategy execution? 17:18 Is AI making organizational alignment better or worse? Guests: Zora Artis Website Artis Advisory | Website Clear Leaders | Email | LinkedIn Wayne Aspland Website Clear Leaders | Email | LinkedIn  Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Every comms professional knows the playbook. A crisis hits, you move fast. Holding statement, talking points, media plan, stakeholder map. You do it well because you've trained for it. You bring the plan to the CEO expecting alignment and instead you get a polite nod and silence. Not pushback. Not disagreement. Just silence.  And that silence is worse than any argument because it means the CEO has already stopped listening. Not because your plan was bad, but because it was solving a problem they weren't thinking about. This is the gap that quietly erodes the comms function's credibility in organizations everywhere. Communicators are passionate people. That passion is their greatest asset, until it becomes a bias that pulls them toward issues that feel urgent but aren't connected to the core business.  And when that happens enough times, the CEO doesn't fire you. They just stop inviting you into the room.  Listen For 3:09 How Do CEOs vs. Comms Leaders Actually Respond to Global Crises? 4:26 When Should You Speak—and When Are You Giving an Issue Oxygen? 6:28 Do PR Professionals Need Financial and Data Literacy to Be Strategic? 11:44 Why Is Reporting Not Enough? And What Does Real Analysis Look Like? 15:13 Can AI Truly Make Your Communications Strategy More Effective? Guest: Johna Burke, CEO and Global Managing Director, AMEC (International Association for the Measurement and Evaluation of Communication) Email | Website | LinkedIn   Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Every PR firm knows the drill. Client says here's my budget. Firm divides by twelve. Monthly retainer, same amount, January through December, whether the work demands it or not.  Need a press release? Flat rate. Need ten? Multiply.  Need an editor or a videographer? That's by the hour, and one minute is one hour.  The pricing isn't creative. It isn't strategic. It's arithmetic dressed up as a business model. And it worked fine, until AI started doing the arithmetic faster. Suddenly teams are twice as productive in half the time, and if you're still selling hours, you're punishing yourself for getting better. Meanwhile, the client's procurement department is happy to keep paying by the hour, because now those hours cost less. So, who's really winning?  The firms who don't rethink how they price will be replaced. Not by AI, but by hungrier competitors who already have. Listen For 3:42 Why Are PR Firms the Least Creative in Pricing? 6:34 Are You Losing Money by Defaulting to Retainers? 9:08 How Should Agencies Identify Where They Create the Most Value? 12:19 How Do You Avoid the “Bait and Switch” With Senior Talent? 15:27 Is AI Killing Hourly Pricing Models for Good? Guest: Blair Enns, Win Without Pitching Website | LinkedIn | Podcast 2Bobs David’s books including Pricing Creativity   Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Most communicators assume that if people reject a message, they must not understand it. Lord David Evans argues the opposite. Backlash often isn’t confusion. It’s threat. When people feel insecure, unheard, or looked down on, they don’t lean in. They shut down. And in that moment, facts don’t persuade, values don’t inspire, and “better messaging” can make things worse. In this episode Lord David Evans breaks down what political campaigning can teach PR professionals about trust, psychological safety, and why populist narratives spread so quickly. This isn’t about copying tactics. It’s about understanding what your audience needs before they will even give you permission to listen.  Listen For 2:22 Who is Lord David Evans and why does his perspective matter right now? 3:54 Why is behaviour change almost never an information problem? 6:36 Why do people get drawn to extreme political movements? 10:36 Are politicians themselves fueling fear and insecurity? 12:48 Is social media pushing people into fight-or-flight mode? Guest: Lord David Evans LinkedIn | Email    Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Public relations used to be seen as the function that shaped the message after the decisions were made. That is not enough anymore. In a world shaped by geopolitical shocks, cultural division, AI disruption, and rising reputational risk, communications leaders are being pulled closer to the centre of power. They are no longer just storytellers or spokespersons. They are becoming strategic sensemakers: the people expected to read the moment, interpret the pressure, and help leadership decide what to say, what to do, and sometimes whether to say anything at all.  Our job is evolving to help brands survive the storm. If you work in PR, corporate affairs, or communications leadership, this episode will feel familiar fast, because it names the job as it is now, not as it used to be. And if you have not yet felt that shift in your own role, you will soon.   Listen For 3:00 How Has the PR Professional Evolved into a Strategic Sense-Making Role? 5:58 When Should CEOs Speak Out. And When Should They Stay Silent? 10:23 What Is Strategic Ambiguity, and Why Are Companies Using It Now? 13:09 What Skills Do Future PR Professionals Need to Succeed? 15:01 How Do Communication Leaders Really Feel About AI? Guest: Tom Fife-Schaw, Uk Managing Director of Corporate Reputation, Ipsos Email | LinkedIn | Navigating Through Turbulence Report  Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Communications is often described as a female-led profession, but that label can hide a harder truth. Women may make up much of the industry, yet the balance often shifts when it comes to senior leadership, influence, and decision-making. So, what’s still standing in the way, and why has progress been slower than it should be?  Natasha Plowman argues gender equity cannot remain a women-only conversation, yet many men still hold back because they are afraid of saying the wrong thing, unsure how to contribute, or feel the issue is not theirs to address.  In this episode, why silence protects the status quo. And change usually starts when more than the excluded group speaks up. Listen For 2:33 Why Does a Female-Powered Industry Still Struggle to Put Women in Leadership? 5:12 Why Are Men Reluctant to Join Gender Equity Conversations? 7:24 What Does Real Allyship from Men in the Workplace Look Like? 11:45 Is the Backlash Against DEI Actually About Performative Policies? 14:21 Would Simply Adding More Women to Leadership Solve the Problem? Guest: Natasha Plowman Spinning Red Website | Antiquoted Website | Email Break the Silence | Natasha LinkedIn Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

You know that feeling when you look at your own brand and it somehow doesn’t feel like you anymore? The logo is the same, the words are mostly right, and the message is still “on brand”… but the visuals have started to wander.  A new template here. A new font there. Someone’s “quick” Canva edit. A LinkedIn graphic that looks like it came from a different company.  None of it is a big mistake. It’s just… a hundred small ones.  And in PR, you can’t afford that moment when a stakeholder sees your work and thinks, Wait—who are we today? Because we’re living in a scrolling, skimming world where people decide in seconds. They don’t stop to decode your intent; they feel something fast, or they move on. So how do you keep creativity alive without letting your brand drift into a different personality every week? And what actually makes a visual work now? What makes someone feel something immediately?  Listen For :15 Why did Boaty McBoatface become the perfect lesson in brand control? 3:17 What is visual drift and how does it quietly damage brand credibility? 4:53 Why should brands resist changing logos and colors too often? 6:14 How are Canva and easy design tools changing the role of visual experts? 8:55 How do brands win attention in the first 0.3 seconds of scrolling? Guest: Stewart Cohen Website | Email | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn     Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What if the best market research started by IGNORING what people say? What if, instead, you started modeling them based on proven behaviour? Right down to the regional level? And what if political polling was done this way too  A new term is showing up in research and strategy circles with major implications for communicators: synthetic populations. This is not a cheap AI focus group. It is a data-built population model that reflects how people are distributed and behave at scale using high-quality inputs like official statistics, mobility patterns, and registration data, rather than relying only on interviews and surveys. That matters because self-reported data is often aspirational, incomplete, or socially filtered. Synthetic populations offer another path: estimating market potential, testing where campaigns should start, understanding regional differences, and pressure-testing assumptions before rollout. The real question is not just what synthetic populations are, but what happens when strategy shifts from asking people to modeling populations.   Listen For 3:07 What’s the difference between a synthetic panel and a synthetic population? 5:13 How can a synthetic population be realistic without using real individuals? 8:49 Why do surveys over-claim luxury brands? And how does official data correct it? 11:58 What did Germany’s flat-rate transit ticket reveal about commuting by region? 14:15 Could synthetic populations change how political polling is done?    Guest: Eike Hartmann, Vice President Custom Research & Insights Business at Statista+ Website | LinkedIn White Paper on Synthetic Populations   Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In today’s world, PR leaders need to build and protect their brand’s reputation in an AI-shaped, polarized world, where owned media matters more than ever.  Reputation is no longer a soft metric but an economic multiplier and an insurance policy. From the difference between brand and reputation to the growing tension between character and competence, this episode explains what actually moves corporate standing up or down in today’s environment. We also share why owned media now plays a disproportionate role in shaping not just earned coverage, but AI-generated search results and stakeholder perception.  Listen For 3:45 What Is the Real Difference Between Brand and Reputation? 5:07 What Are the Seven Drivers That Shape Reputation? 6:28 How Has AI Changed Third Party Advocacy and Media Influence? 9:58 Do Character Crises Damage Reputation More Than Competence Failures? 16:13 Why Is Reputation a Business Tool Rather Than Just an Image Strategy? Guest: Stephen Hahn-Griffiths, RepTrak Website | LinkedIn   Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Trust used to flow upward. To experts, institutions, and authority.  Then it shifted to “people like me.”  Now even that circle is tightening.  The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals a growing insularity: smaller tribes, hardened perspectives, and a widening mass-class divide driven by whether people believe the system works for them.  Persuasion is shifting to trust brokerage, and what communicators, leaders, and businesses can do when trust itself has become the battleground. Listen For 3:10 Skip the opening story and go right to the interview with Tim Weber 3:47 What does it mean that we’ve moved from echo chambers to “turtle shells” 7:21 Is polarization economic, cultural, technological—or all three? 12:35 How can companies blunt fear and become true trust brokers? 20:13 Will AI reinforce our biases and deepen our personal echo chambers? Guest: Tim Weber, Managing Director & EMEA Head of Editorial, Edelman LinkedIn | Instagram | Bio | Website 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer   Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Can a joke really sell a brand? Or save it from sameness? Most campaigns sound the same because they’re afraid to sound wrong. Safe language, serious faces, purpose-heavy messages that all blur together.  And yet one of the most successful creative agencies in North America has built its reputation by doing the opposite. Zulu Alpha Kilo lives by a simple motto… Fight Sameness… and they do it with humor, sarcasm, and a willingness to say the quiet part out loud. Why does that work? Why does making people laugh end up being the fastest way to earn trust?  Why does honesty often land better as a joke than a lecture.  Listen For 3:01 Fast-forward to the start of the interview 5:19 Check out an example of a funny (sarcastic) ad by Zulu Alpha Kilo 5:36 Why does ad satire feel so personal to marketers? 9:11 What tiny detail annoyed people in that absurd ad?   Guest: Michael Siegers, Zulu Alpha Kilo  Website | Instagram Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn  Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

You can be the same person across every channel.  Your social media accounts. Your YouTube. Your newsletter. Your blog. The same principles. The same voice. Often even the same message.  And many of the people following you on LinkedIn are the same people who see you on Instagram, hear you on a podcast, or read your newsletter. Yet those same people can understand you, trust you, and remember you very differently simply because they encounter you in a different place. Not because you changed. Because they did. They arrive with different expectations. Different attention. Different patience. The channel shapes what they notice, what they believe, and what stays with them, even when the words don’t change at all.  In this episode, we explore how platforms shape perception, why fractured identities are now the norm, and what that means for communicators who already know better but are running out of time and headspace. Listen For 4:30 How do you tailor one piece of content for different platforms? 6:04 Is it better to master one channel or be on many? 7:49 Can AI help create content that still feels human? 12:21 What’s the right way to use emojis on LinkedIn? 16:35 Are we choosing content or are algorithms choosing for us?   Guest: Molly Demellier, Sounds Profitable Email | Website | Sounds Profitable LinkedIn Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

You’re using LinkedIn wrong Not because you’re not smart… you are.  It’s because you’re using yesterday’s LinkedIn.  The platform is changing fast. The feed has changed, and the rules for reach have changed with it.  This episode shows you what’s different now, and how to adapt without turning into a “content person.”   Listen For 3:29 What happens when you hit publish on LinkedIn? 7:21 What makes a post perform well—and why does so much content flop? 10:23 Should leaders be posting at all, and if so, how? 14:49 Why did Alicia double down on LinkedIn as a career focus? 20:42 Why are professionals afraid of being visible on LinkedIn? Guest: Alicia Teltz, The Hype Department LinkedIn | Website    Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

When the streets erupt, the headlines explode, and public pressure hits boiling point… can business leaders still afford to say nothing?   In this episode tackle the growing tension between corporate responsibility and political risk. From a CEO letter in Minnesota addressing immigration-fueled violence to Keir Starmer’s high-stakes diplomacy in China, we ask: when the world demands clarity, is strategic ambiguity still a safe PR move?  Listen For 2:08 What is safety in numbers for corporate protest 5:03 Is strategic ambiguity a smart way to stay neutral 7:12 What is the Business and Democracy Commission 9:48 How do leaders speak when policy moves faster than people 12:09 Can the UK and EU trade with China and India without angering the US The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream   Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Personal branding is changing in real time. The first impression is no longer a handshake or a conversation. It is a clip you did not choose, a post someone else shared, a comment you left, or a quote that gets passed around without context. What actually builds trust across today’s platforms? It’s the different channels and how they shape different versions of you. Consistency matters more than polish. Algorithms and AI search now “interpret” your reputation.  Today you need to build a personal brand that holds up when you’re not in the room.   Listen For :22 What if people meet your story before they meet you? 4:00 How does media reshape your message? 5:23 How do you stay consistent across platforms? 8:40 How do algorithms impact your brand? 14:34 Why does personal branding really matter? Guest: Liz Brooks, Interview Valet Website   Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stood up in Davos and didn’t waste words. He gave a speech that cut through the noise.  The room stood. The world noticed.  He said, “If you're not at the table, you're on the menu.”  People replayed that line like it was a lifeline.  This episode of The Week Unspun comes straight from the snowy peaks of Davos, but the questions are sharp and wide-reaching.  Can speeches still move people to action?  Can we trust the Edelman Trust Barometer, or has its credibility fractured like the world it measures?  And as the World Economic Forum eyes cities like Detroit and Dublin, what happens when the name “Davos” no longer fits the map?  Listen For :51 What made Mark Carney’s Davos speech go viral? 6:54 Why do some PR pros hate the Edelman Trust Barometer? 9:38 Are we living in a “retreater” era of trust and communication? 12:40 Should Davos be moved to Detroit or Dublin? 18:15 Is short-form, flashy content reshaping public opinion?  The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

PR teams are being asked to win attention in a world that barely gives it. The problem is not reach. The problem is what happens after the click, after the view, after the impression. If your audience does not stay, nothing sticks. Not the message, not the trust, not the reputation you are trying to build. In this episode, we unpack why depth beats scale and why time spent is one of the most overlooked drivers of influence. You will hear a fresh way to think about loyalty, attention, and what it means to create content that people actually choose to come back to, even when the feed is endless. Listen For 3:42 How do you separate scale from depth in brand storytelling? 6:57 What makes podcast audiences stay or leave? 10:20 How can stories compete for time in today’s distracted world? 12:42 Why does audio create such a deep connection with listeners? 15:28 Who really listens to podcasts today? And how is that changing? 20:03 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Jenny Manchester Guest: Roger Nairn, Jar Podcast Solutions Website | Jar LinkedIn | Roger LinkedIn | YouTube   Doug Downs Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Baduel Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In this week’s The Week UnSpun, the panel takes on three high-stakes stories where influence, identity, and global perception collide.   First, the team unpacks the latest flashpoint over Greenland, where the U.S. talks security, Denmark talks sovereignty, and Greenland quietly navigates the space in between. But is this really about narrative control, or something deeper, as David suggests, like the importance of alliances over authorship?   Then, the conversation turns to Minnesota, where deadly ICE encounters have sparked a communications crisis over trust, legitimacy, and who gets to define the truth.   Finally, the group turns to Davos, joined by 18-year World Economic Forum veteran Joanna Gordon, who lifts the curtain on how the global summit has evolved, and whether it still lives up to its founding ideals.   Listen For 2:03 Can Greenland Strengthen Partnerships Without Losing Autonomy? 3:25 Are Small Nations Heard? Or Just Spoken For? 6:43 Is the Real Crisis in Minnesota About Trust? 11:45 Has Davos Lost Its Way in the Age of Attention? 15:41 Does the World Economic Forum Have a PR Problem? Guest: Joanna Gordon LinkedIn The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

It doesn’t matter whether you’re 25 or 55.  If you speak and people listen politely but not seriously, it hurts.  Too young to be trusted. Too old to be creative. The message lands the same way.  You are not seen. You are not heard. You are not valued. Ageism cuts in both directions and it leaves a quiet bruise that people carry long after the moment passes. How does this happen in Public Relations, a profession built on understanding people?  It does. And ageism is a major component of the profession.  That’s why a Cultural Reset is needed.   Listen For 4:50 What does a "cultural reset" in PR mean when addressing ageism? 7:30 How does ageism quietly impact training and promotion in PR agencies? 9:54 Do certain sectors of PR treat older professionals more fairly than others? 15:55 Will AI help or hurt age diversity in PR careers? 17:25 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Cindy Lang   Guest: Jenny Manchester Centre for Ageing Better Website | LinkedIn Jenny’s Report An age-old problem: What can we do to tackle ageism in PR?   Follow Farzana on Substack Follow Doug on Substack Curzon Substack   Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

A headline-grabbing raid, a revolution-in-the-making, and a “beige” prime minister walk into the attention economy… who wins the story?   Farzana and Doug unpack three global flashpoints through a PR and narrative-control lens: the shock capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and the split-screen battle between “law enforcement” framing versus “illegal act of war” backlash; Iran’s surging unrest as the rial collapses alongside a fractured top-level message (empathy from President Pezeshkian, crackdown language from Ayatollah Khamenei, and a mobilizing call from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi); and the UK’s debate over Keir Starmer’s “beige” leadership, whether voters truly want competent quiet or charismatic spectacle in a 24/7 scroll-and-click media world. Listen For 00:37 How did the Maduro raid become a communications battle overnight? 01:33 Why did calling Maduro a “narco-terrorist” change the debate? 04:57 Does winning the domestic narrative matter if the world disagrees? 07:56 How is Iran’s leadership sending mixed signals during unrest? 13:05 Is quiet leadership still viable in today’s attention economy? The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream   Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This is a special audio time-jump episode. It’s an immersive journey ten years into the future to explore how public relations has managed three of the biggest challenges: the rapid rise of AI, the disappearing entry-level job, and the ongoing gender gap in leadership. Doug and Farzana volunteer for a guided “time crossing” to see how the next generation of PR leaders navigated a decade of disruption. What they find isn’t just smarter tech, it’s smarter systems, layered cities, holographic hosts, and workplaces where AI and humans collaborate with clarity and conscience. This isn’t an episode about how will we fix it, it’s about how they already did… and what we can start implementing right now. Welcome to 2036   Listen For 5:01 How has technology reshaped the world of PR? 6:56 What does it feel like to communicate in a city designed to respond? 9:57 How does personalized media target people in real time? 10:36 What are holographic briefs and how do they change communication? 16:31 Are women finally stepping into more leadership roles? 17:44 How did society move beyond the culture war over being ‘woke’? 12:59 What’s changed most in how we communicate at work? 14:55 What does it take to guide AI with real nuance? 18:18 How is emotional labor being measured, and addressed, in the future? 19:02 What are the future rules of ethical communication with AI?   Doug Substack | Website | LinkedIn Farzana Substack | Website | LinkedIn   Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What happens when protests shake a regime built on control, not consent?  We look at Iran’s largest wave of unrest since 2022. Fueled by economic collapse and skyrocketing inflation, the protests are no longer just about hardship, they’ve become openly anti-government, spreading even into rural areas. We break down Iran’s unprecedented tone shift in crisis comms, explore the influential role of the Iranian diaspora, and consider how narratives are being shaped despite media restrictions.  And we pivot to examine Donald Trump’s striking effort to brand U.S. institutions with his name, followed by a look into 2026 with helpful resources for PR pros preparing for global risks.  Listen For :47 What’s really fueling Iran’s latest wave of protests? 4:28 How does Iran’s diaspora influence global perception? 5:39 Can Trump gain political advantage from Iran’s instability? 6:14 Why is Trump rebranding national institutions with his name? 12:46 What tools can help PR pros prepare for global risks in 2026? The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream     Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Public relations shapes what people believe, how communities respond, and which ideas earn trust. It influences elections, corporate crises, government decisions, reputations, and public sentiment.  Yet unlike medicine, law, or engineering, anyone can call themselves a PR professional. No license. No minimum standard. No consequences when things go wrong. What happens when a profession with this much power has almost no guardrails? Some say that freedom is essential for open societies. Others say it leaves the public exposed. What happens if we build those guardrails too strong?  In this episode we walk the line of tension between protection and freedom. Listen For 4:28 What problem is PR regulation really trying to solve? 9:47 Does regulation protect the public, or just PR pros? 12:38 Could PR regulation threaten free speech? 14:23 Is there a middle ground on PR regulation? 18:37 Can licensing and ethics training reshape PR? Rate this podcast with just one click  Follow Farzana on Substack Follow Doug on Substack Curzon Substack   Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What happens when war, resilience, and optimism collide on a tiny island in the Indian Ocean?  In this special Boxing Day episode of The Week UnSpun, David Gallagher is off so Doug Downs and Farzana Baduel trade headlines for heart as Farzana shares her recent three-week journey through Sri Lanka, a country shaped by civil war, natural disasters, and powerful recovery. From her work with the Halo Trust, the world’s largest demining organization, to meeting the Prime Minister and local heroes reclaiming their land, Farzana brings vivid stories of courage and transformation.   The episode shifts gears into lighter fare with a fun, AI-generated “Board of Advisors,” exploring 2026 PR trends and cheeky questions like everyone’s favorite ice cream. It’s a soulful blend of global awareness, digital imagination, and strategic storytelling, all wrapped in warmth, wit, and curiosity.   GPT Board Members (and Good Sports): ·       Anne-Marie Blake  ·       Catherine Arrow  ·       Candace Kuss  ·       Rod Cartwright  ·       Aaron Berger Listen For :54 Why is Sri Lanka so heavily mined? 3:42 What happens when families reclaim lost land? 4:53 How should Sri Lanka rebrand itself? 7:44 What’s Sri Lanka’s relationship with India like? 8:15 What if you could build your own AI-powered board of advisors? 10:06 What are the top PR trends for 2026? The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This is not just one podcast.  It’s a feed with two. First is Stories and Strategies with Curzon Public Relations. A weekly show hosted by Doug Downs and Farzana Baduel. Every Tuesday, we tackle the real work of public relations. The strategy behind the stories. The decisions behind the headlines. No fluff. No profiles. Just the issues shaping modern communications. Also in this feed is The Week UnSpun. A live, weekly look at global news through a public relations lens. Hosted by Doug Downs, Farzana Baduel, and David Gallagher of Folgate Advisors. Streaming every Friday at 10 a.m. Eastern, 3 p.m. UK time. With the audio released later the same day. Two shows.  One feed.  Follow now, and stay ahead of the story. Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What do you say when there’s nothing to say? Most workplaces think they handle grief through policy, a few days of bereavement leave, a checklist, and a quiet expectation that people will return “ready” to work. But grief doesn’t follow policy. It walks back into the office with someone long before they’re prepared, reshaping their focus, their energy, their confidence and their sense of safety.  And while HR manages the paperwork, it’s the hallway conversations, the team dynamics, the awkward silences and the well-meaning but painful clichés that shape a grieving person’s real experience.  That isn’t an HR problem. That’s a communications problem. And yet almost no one prepares for it. Teams don’t know what to say. Leaders fear saying the wrong thing. Colleagues avoid eye contact because they’re anxious, not uncaring.  In this episode, grief expert Cindy Lang shows why communication is the most powerful support any workplace can offer, and how simple, compassionate language can make the difference between someone feeling invisible and someone feeling understood.    Listen For 4:11 Why Is Grief First a Communications Issue, Not Just HR's Job? 6:45 What Is the “Three-C Model” for Grief-Informed Communication? 8:05 How Does Grief Physically and Emotionally Impact a Person at Work? 14:51 What Small Act of Kindness Made the Biggest Impact After Loss? 19:29 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Marc Whitt Guest: Cindy Lang Website | Facebook | Instagram    Rate this podcast with just one click  Follow Farzana on Substack Follow Doug on Substack Curzon Substack   Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What happens when a top political strategist forgets the rules of media engagement?   This episode of The Week UnSpun strikes a nerve for PR professionals as Doug unpacks Susie Wiles’ widely criticized Vanity Fair interviews, where a lack of structure, message control, and audience awareness turned rare access into a strategic failure. It’s a masterclass in what not to do when the stakes are sky-high.   Then, the conversation pivots to a claim that’s rippling through the industry in the UK. Sir Martin Sorrell declared on BBC Radio that PR no longer exists, prompting fierce pushback from Farzana. The team’s defense of the industry is both impassioned and insightful, raising a critical question for anyone in communications. Is PR losing ground, or is it finally stepping into its own power? Listen For 1:23 What went wrong in Susie Wiles’ interviews? 4:10 What are the 8 media mistakes she made? 6:51 Is PR really dead, as Martin Sorrell claims? 10:34 Why can’t PR pros explain what they do? 12:09 Is PR losing ground or evolving fast? The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript    Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Nonprofits often describe themselves with a strange sense of pride: “We’re the best kept secret.” But in an era where funding is shrinking, donor expectations are shifting, and public trust must be earned every single day, staying a secret is no longer a virtue. It’s a liability.  So why do so many NGOs still hide behind humility, overwhelm, or the hope that their good work will somehow speak for itself? It’s same problem everywhere. Leaders who underestimate the power of strategic communication. Teams overwhelmed by tactical delivery. Fundraisers separated from PR staff. And organizations with extraordinary missions that remain invisible. In this episode, how nonprofits can step out of the shadows, communicate their value with confidence, and build the visibility they need to survive and serve. Listen For 5:11 Why doesn't good work speak for itself anymore? 10:12 How can NGOs attract top talent without top salaries? 18:52 What are the first PR steps for nonprofits to grow visibility? 21:04 Answer to Last Week’s Question from Cindy Lang Guest: Marc Whitt Website | Email | LinkedIn | X Rate this podcast with just one click  Follow Farzana on Substack Follow Doug on Substack Curzon Substack   Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Who’s Really Writing the Stories That Shape Our World? This week, we dive into the high-stakes power play unfolding in Hollywood as Netflix and Paramount battle to take over Warner Bros. What looks like a blockbuster business deal is, in fact, a global struggle over who gets to shape the stories that define how we think, feel, and remember. Farzana explores the soft power implications of the deal, asking what happens when control of cultural narratives shifts to private or even foreign-backed hands. Doug examines the potential impact on creators, especially if Netflix, known for tight content licensing, wins control of vast historical archives. David brings in insider chatter from Hollywood, where some fear the deal could spell the end of cinema as we know it. Also in this episode, we unpack why the UK is launching a legal PR offensive to keep English law as the gold standard for global deals and how Singapore is emerging as a serious contender. Plus, is the US hurting its tourism brand with new visa requirements demanding access to social media history? And what can Australia’s ban on under-16s using social media teach us about digital policy and parental reality?   Listen For 3:53 How would this merger reshape global storytelling and soft power? 6:58 Why is the UK promoting English law as a global standard? 10:12 What makes Singapore law a serious competitor to English law? 15:39 Will new US visa rules scare away global travelers and harm tourism? The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel   Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In every corner of the world the public mood is shifting, sometimes quietly and sometimes all at once. Climate anxiety, pandemic fears, economic pressure, geopolitical tension and a surge in concern about data security have all reshaped what people expect from companies.  For organizations trying to build trust across borders the rules keep changing. What mattered in 2019 did not matter in 2021. What mattered last year may not matter next year. And unless communicators understand these shifts they will miss the signals that determine whether a message lands or falls flat. That is why this conversation with Steve Shepperson-Smith is so valuable. Drawing from Vodafone’s 75,000+ annual reputation data points and RepTrak’s million-strong global dataset, Stephen shares compelling insights on the critical 60/40 split between capability and character, and why the latter matters more than ever in polarized, politicized times. Listen For 4:37 What does global data say about what drives reputation today? 6:52 Have public views on social and environmental issues shifted? 8:41 Are ESG and DEI labels now hurting more than helping? 10:57 Why is data security now a top consumer concern? 16:38 How can brands stay local in a divided global landscape? 20:40 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Andy West Guest: Steve Shepperson-Smith, Vodaphone LinkedIn Rate this podcast with just one click  Follow Farzana on Substack Follow Doug on Substack Curzon Substack   Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Most agencies can tell you how their clients are doing but ask how they are doing and the room gets quiet. The truth is that even the best run firms skip their own checkups. Margins thin out, teams burn out, and culture drifts while the spotlight stays fixed on the next pitch.  But what if agencies treated their operations the way a doctor treats a patient, tracking vital signs, diagnosing problems early, and prescribing real solutions before things spiral. From hidden symptoms to running a full-scale agency fitness test, in this episode we look at what separates a healthy firm from one that just looks good on paper.    Listen For 3:56 What vital signs show if your agency is healthy or just surviving? 5:25 Are agency leaders really surprised by their own problems? 8:57 Is AI a threat or a tool for agencies to grow? 12:25 What four pillars make an agency profitable and strong? 18:15 What aha moment helped an agency turn things around? 20:03 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Lionel Zetter Guest: Andy West, West of Center Website | Email | LinkedIn | X | Substack   Rate this podcast with just one click  Follow Farzana on Substack Follow Doug on Substack Curzon Substack   Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This week, we look into the murky ethics of media leaks and their growing role in shaping political, corporate, and cultural narratives. From leaked peace plans that spark international diplomacy to budget details released minutes before parliamentary debate, we dissect whether leaks are ethical whistleblowing or manipulative PR tactics.  Farzana argues that leaks often reveal broken internal cultures, while Doug, from a journalistic perspective, explores how leaks are used to test narratives and steer public perception.  Also in this episode, David wonders if written reports are becoming relics in a world obsessed with video and visual storytelling.   And we ask: Can AI help restore strategic thinking in PR? And should public relations finally be regulated like other professions?   Watch/Listen For 1:45 How will AI reshape PR, tactically or strategically? 5:36 Should PR be regulated like law or finance? 9:28 Are media leaks ethical, or just PR strategy? 14:33 Can visual storytelling replace traditional comms? 22:04 Are algorithms killing media access for everyone? The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream   Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Trust isn’t built in boardrooms or over Zoom. It’s built in the quiet moments. A conversation that lingers, a promise kept, a drink shared between people who still believe words matter.  In this episode, we explore how the foundations of influence have shifted from handshakes to hyperlinks, and what that means for anyone trying to shape opinion or policy in a world that’s forgotten how to connect. You’ll hear stories from inside the world of public affairs, where relationships once forged in the late hours of party conferences now play out on screens and social feeds. We unpack why the human side of persuasion still decides who gets heard, who gets trusted, and who gets left behind. Because in the end, every message, every movement, and every bit of influence still comes down to people. Listen For 6:42 Can you build real relationships online? 9:13 Is polarization killing cross-party lobbying? 12:52 Are autocrats on the rise? 15:00 How is public affairs different from stakeholder work? 16:05 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Nick Usborne Guest: Lionel Zetter Website | X | LinkedIn   Lionel’s new book The Lobbyist   Rate this podcast with just one click  Follow Farzana on Substack Follow Doug on Substack Curzon Substack   Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode   Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What happens when PR meets scandal, tech chaos, and gender bias?  This episode of The Week UnSpun is a whirlwind of explosive headlines. The trio of David Gallagher, Doug Downs, and guest host Miranda Mitchell look into the renewed Epstein files controversy and its potential to dominate headlines well into 2025.  They unravel Cloudflare’s swift crisis response and debate the alleged gender bias in LinkedIn’s algorithm.  Add a healthy dose of Cracker Barrel branding blunders and viral live-TV moments, and you’ve got a jam-packed show. Listen For 2:03 What’s coming with the Epstein files and who could be impacted? 6:57 How could media coverage of the Epstein case harm innocent people? 10:46 How did Cloudflare’s apology turn disaster into a win? 13:27 Does LinkedIn’s algorithm favor male voices? 18:47 Is AI helping or hurting your brand voice?   Watch For 2:10 What will the release of the Epstein files reveal, and who gets hurt? 6:00 Should we worry about innocent people in raw investigative data dumps? 13:21 Is LinkedIn’s algorithm biased against women, and how do we know? 20:02 Will AI kill or save PR agencies in the era of LLMs and brand drift? 26:09 Did Cracker Barrel’s rebrand backfire, and what’s the PR lesson? Guest Host Miranda Mitchell, Pretail Website | LinkedIn | Contact The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel We publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it’s no longer available. Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

AI can imitate your voice, your words, even your face, but it can’t steal your story.  What happens when companies hand their storytelling to machines that don’t understand who they are?  As businesses race to automate, they risk losing the very thing that makes them distinct: the human truth that built their brand. Listen For 3:15 How are story, narrative, and voice different? 7:00 What is brand drift and how does AI cause it? 10:04 Why do people distrust AI-generated content? 11:33 How does story protect brand identity? 14:54 How can you fight disinformation about your brand? 15:25 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Jessica Hope Guest: Nick Usborne Website | Email | LinkedIn | Instagram | Link to Nick’s Courses Follow Farzana on Substack Follow Doug on Substack Curzon Substack Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Is the BBC losing its grip on journalistic credibility? Or is it being pushed?   This episode of The Week Unspun unpacks a chaotic week in media and politics with sharp insight from PR veterans Farzana Baduel, David Gallagher, Doug Downs, and special guest Adrian Monck. The BBC’s controversial editing of a Donald Trump speech for Panorama sparks a fierce debate on ethics, institutional accountability, and media governance. From internal BBC politics to the broader implications for press freedom, the team dissects why this incident led to resignations at the highest levels.   The conversation then pivots to the political circus of the U.S. government shutdown and the erosion of trust in public institutions, before exploring the branding brilliance behind Dubai’s appeal to wealthy expatriates fleeing taxation and uncertainty in the UK.   Audio Chapters 4:06 Should One Edit lead to Top BBC resignations? 13:49 Are Governments Held to the Same PR Standards as Corporations? 17:45 Why are UK Tech Billionaires Fleeing to Dubai? 20:58 Is the UAE Winning the Global Nation Branding Game?    Video Chapters 2:02 What did the BBC really edit out of Trump’s speech, and why does it matter? 4:06 Should one error lead to top BBC resignations? 13:49 Are governments held to the same PR standards as corporations? 17:45 Why are UK tech billionaires fleeing to Dubai? 20:58 Is the UAE winning the global nation branding game? Guest: Adrian Monck Wikipedia | Website   The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at Noon ET/5pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel   We publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it’s no longer available.   Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In public relations, success often depends on one quiet skill: knowing how to adapt. The best communicators read the room, sense the temperature, and adjust their tone without losing their message.  In this episode, we explore what it really means to be a PR chameleon – someone who can blend into the cultural landscape enough to connect, yet still stand out enough to be remembered.  Jessica Hope, founder of Wimbart, has built one of Africa’s most respected tech PR agencies by mastering that balance. From WhatsApp-based storytelling to navigating privilege, identity, and power across 54 distinct markets, Jessica reveals how empathy, adaptability, and emotional intelligence have become the true currencies of influence in global communications.   Listen For 4:36 How Do You Break the “One Africa” Myth in PR? 7:40 What Is Emotional Intelligence in African Business? 9:22 How Do Comms Channels Differ in Africa? 12:06 Should Brands Adjust Their Values in Africa? 16:26 What’s Africa’s Media Landscape Really Like? 18:30 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Jo Jamieson Guest: Jessica Hope, Wimbart Website | Contact Page | Email | LinkedIn | X | Instagram Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Ted Talk Farzana mentioned https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg     Rate this podcast with just one click  Follow Farzana on Substack Follow Doug on Substack Curzon Substack Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In this audience-driven “mailroom” episode of The Week Spun, the conversation opens with a provocative idea from the PRovoke Summit: AI is now being discussed in full-time equivalent (FTE) terms, signaling a shift in how agencies and organizations think about synthetic labor. Guest host Kim Sample, President of the PR Council, joins Doug Downs and David Gallagher to explore what this means for the future of work in PR. From there, the trio digs into listener-submitted questions on everything from Apple’s conspicuous silence in the podcasting space, to why PR professionals struggle with personal branding, how fairness is driving consumer outrage, gender representation in politics, and the surprising TikTok-fueled backlash to a Halloween ad campaign from Hatch Sleep. Audio Episode Chapters  1:51 What is a “synthetic FTE” and how is AI reshaping PR teams  4:29 Are brands finally taking owned content like blogs and podcasts seriously  8:11 Does Apple still care about podcasts or is their silence a statement  13:05 Why do PR pros struggle with confidence and self promotion  21:03 Does visibility for women in politics actually equal shared power  Video Episode Chapters 1:54 What is a “Synthetic FTE” and How Will AI Change PR Teams?  5:16 Are Brands Finally Getting Serious About Owned Media and Podcasts?  10:51 Does Apple Still Care About Podcast? Or Are They Quietly Quitting?  13:15 Why Do PR Pros Struggle With Their Own Personal Branding?  26:14 Does Representation Equal Power in Politic? Or Just PR Optics?  Guest Kim Sample, PR Council Website | Email | LinkedIn The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel We publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it’s no longer available. Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Afraid of posting on LinkedIn? You’re not alone, and it’s not about time or talent, it’s about confidence. In this episode we look at why communicators, especially women, struggle to show up confidently on LinkedIn.  Fear, not time or skill, is the biggest barrier to visibility. PR professionals who are used to writing for others often stumble when the byline is their own.  From how to post authentically without oversharing, to navigating gendered expectations in professional visibility, to practical LinkedIn content strategies (yes, including algorithm hacks!), we’ve got smart, tactical advice for anyone looking to show up and stand out online. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome or just wondering what to post next, this conversation is your confidence booster and content guide in one. Listen For 4:25 Why don’t communicators post on LinkedIn?6:44 How do you stay authentic without oversharing?9:40 Why is visibility harder for women online?13:25 What’s a simple LinkedIn strategy?16:07 Can you beat the LinkedIn algorithm?17:59 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Tina McCorkindale Guest: Jo Jamieson Email | X | LinkedIn | Website   Rate this podcast with just one click  Follow Farzana on Substack Follow Doug on Substack Curzon Substack   Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What do a billionaire climate pivot, AI-fueled layoffs, and a scandalous Italian election have in common? They all got the PR treatment in this episode.   Farzana Baduel, David Gallagher, and Doug Downs peel back the media layers behind some of the week’s most buzzworthy stories, from Bill Gates’ controversial “climate realism” memo and its impact on corporate sustainability narratives, to Amazon’s AI-framed mass layoffs and what that messaging means for employer branding.   They also take a wildly entertaining detour into Italian politics where ex-lovers are facing off at the polls, with leaked documents and social media drama in full swing.   Add in royal baseball cap faux-pas and you’ve got a sharp, witty, and deeply PR-savvy breakdown of the week’s biggest headlines.  Listen For :58 Is Bill Gates backtracking? Or just reframing climate change? 7:54 How is Amazon using AI to spin layoffs as progress? 13:43 How does branding tie into an Italian political scandal? 16:05 What if your opponent knows all your political secrets? 19:26 Did Prince Harry’s hat choice betray Canada? The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel We publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it’s no longer available. Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

We live in a moment where artificial intelligence can write our emails, plan our meetings, even give us life advice. But here’s the problem: these systems are often too agreeable for our own good. They’re less like truth tellers and more like digital echo chambers. They nod along, validate our choices, and tell us exactly what we want to hear.  To use an outdated term… GenAI is too often like a Yes Man. In this episode we’re looking at the rise of sycophancy in generative AI, the tendency of machines to flatter us instead of challenging us. What does this mean for employees, for leaders, and especially for communicators who rely on AI as a tool? And how do we make sure our AI mirrors are giving us clarity, not just compliments?   Listen For 3:49 Is ChatGPT too nice for our own good? 6:55 Can AI flattery mislead leaders? 8:52 Do AIs just tell you what you want to hear? 14:36 Is generative AI breaking social unity? 20:45 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Mark Lowe   Guest: Tina McCorkindale, PhD Website | LinkedIn | Google Scholar Profile Link to Tina’s LinkedIn article on The Danger of Sycophancy in GenAI Check out the IPR Video Series In a Car with IPR   Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Can a cyclist-turned (accused) communist New York mayoral candidate teach the PR world a thing or two about emotional storytelling?   This week we unpack the “Mamdani effect” how Zohran Mamdani is rewriting the rules of political communications with cultural fluency, TikTok charm, and unforgettable soundbites.   Other topics, what are the comms implications of the Omnicom-IPG mega-merger, and what is the likely impact on agency identities, client retention, and the war for talent?  From Alberta, Canada… a Teacher’s Stike and the Government is paying parents. Is that to help them manage or is it a PR bribe? Are there ethical implications here?  Listen For :34 What makes Mamdani a standout communicator? 3:10 Can Mamdani’s social strategy work outside NYC? 10:00 What’s the real impact of the Omnicom-IPG merger? 14:55 Is Alberta’s $30/day tactic good PR or spin? 18:49 Are PR communities key in turbulent times?  The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel We publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it’s no longer available. Folgate Advisors Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream   Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Is attention the new currency? Politicians, brands, influencers, even your neighbor’s viral TikTok are all competing for the same scarce resource: your focus.  But attention is slippery. It can make you a household name overnight and it can vanish just as quickly.  In an age where algorithms decide what we see and artificial intelligence rewrites how we discover information, the fight for attention has never been more intense. What happens when public relations and communications agencies find themselves at the same crossroads media once faced? How do you win attention when the competition is everything else in the feed? How do you turn fleeting visibility into lasting credibility? And how do you build narratives that not only go viral but endure? Listen For 5:14 What is attention as a commodity in PR? 8:48 How has the attention economy changed branding? 11:22 What can PR learn from politics? 14:05 Are we paying too much for lost attention? 17:51 Are attention spans shorter or content louder? 18:53 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Richard Bagnall Guest: Mark Lowe, Third City Website | Email | X | Instagram | YouTube Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

The call for better measurement in public relations is not new. For decades, leaders in the field have warned that counting impressions, likes, and advertising value equivalents is not enough. Yet here we are, still leaning on the same empty numbers while the C-suite is asking for proof of outcomes that matter.   The urgency has been with us for years, but too often the industry has not listened to its own advice.   We aren’t listening to ourselves!  Now, as budgets are cut and communications teams risk being sidelined, the pressure to finally get measurement right has never been greater.  Richard Bagnall is recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts in PR measurement, past chair of AMEC, and co-creator of the Integrated Evaluation Framework. He has worked with global organizations from NATO to the World Bank and continues to remind practitioners that vanity metrics will not protect their budgets or their jobs.   Listen For 4:48 Why does PR measurement matter now? 7:27 What are outputs, outtakes, and outcomes? 11:41 How do you measure with no budget? 14:05 What is “crawl, walk, run”? 18:40 Jonathan Mast’s answer to last episode’s question? Guest: Richard Bagnall X | LinkedIn     Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Search is changing faster than most PR professionals realize. For years, SEO was about keywords and backlinks. Now, with AI-driven tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity shaping how people find information, the game is shifting to AEO (Answer Engine Optimization). Instead of tricking algorithms, brands need to prove expertise, authority, and trustworthiness at every turn. To stay discoverable, we need to craft smarter prompts, produce content that actually engages, and choose the right AI tools for visibility.  AI is rewriting the rules of credibility and your PR efforts might get left behind.  Listen For 5:32 What’s the difference between SEO, AEO, and GEO? 8:32 Is Google losing its dominance in the search space to tools like ChatGPT? 11:24 Can AI-generated thought leadership be trusted? 13:28How should PR professionals train AI tools to deliver better content results? 18:19 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Susana Mendoza Guest: Jonathan Mast Website | Email | X | Facebook   Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Getting Hispanic communications wrong is not just a slip. It can cost brands credibility, trust, and millions in wasted campaigns. Too often, companies think a simple translation is enough, only to find their carefully crafted message falls flat or even offends the very audience they are trying to reach. With more than 65 million Hispanics in the United States, representing one of the fastest growing and most influential communities, PR professionals cannot afford cultural blind spots. In this episode Susana Mendoza, who helps brands authentically connect with Hispanic audiences, shares where campaigns most often go wrong, how to segment messaging without stereotypes, and why understanding generational and cultural nuances is critical to success.  From Univision and Telemundo to influencers and radio, Susana lays out the media landscape and offers practical insights for PR teams navigating sensitive issues such as immigration, healthcare, and public safety. Ask us for the Spanish version of this transcript Listen For 4:38 Translation Traps & Cultural Missteps  8:27 The Power of Spanish-Language Radio  11:17 Can ChatGPT Really Translate Culture?  15:38 Build Trust Before the Campaign Starts  17:21 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Jackson Wightman   Guest: Susana Mendoza LinkedIn  Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Ask us for the Spanish version of this transcript. Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What happens when your newsfeed becomes a battlefield? In the US and UK, political leaders trade accusations, social media thrives on outrage, and communities are left simmering in distrust. What used to be disagreements over policy now look more like open hostility, with violence creeping closer to the center of public life.  Attacks on lawmakers, threats to schools, and the killing of high-profile figures are no longer shocking outliers but part of a troubling pattern. This episode asks a difficult but urgent question: how much of this violence is rooted in the way we communicate? Words frame identities, assign blame, and sometimes push people toward radical action.  Sticks and stones may break bones… but in today’s world, it’s the words that are drawing blood.  Listen For 3:17 Identity-Based Polarization 6:22 How Algorithms Divide Us 10:20 The Rush to Blame 14:49 Messaging That Can Prevent Violence 19:33 Teaching Kids to Resist Radicalization and Disinformation Guest: Amy Pate Email | Website | X  Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Google Search still holds about 90% of global search volume as of mid‑2025, but change is underway as more users begin turning to AI.  AI search is rewriting the rules of discovery, and PR needs to adapt. With ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity each scraping different corners of the web, the old focus on big-name publications is no longer enough. The most influential sources may now be niche review sites, specialized forums, or content hubs you have never pitched. Knowing what each Large Language Model (LLM) values and how to optimize for it, is becoming a core PR skill. In this episode, we explore how Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is reshaping PR. From the rise of “dual websites” for humans and bots to the ethical tensions between LLMs and media outlets, we discuss how PR teams can rethink targeting, adapt content, and position clients for visibility in an AI‑first world.   Listen For 5:49 Dual Websites: One for Humans, One for Machines 8:39 LLMs as New Media Channels 11:38 What AI Tools Scrape (and Why It Matters) 14:45 Can Bots Get Past Paywalls? The Legal and Ethical Minefield 17:01 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Heather Blundell   Guest: Jackson Wightman, Founder Proper Propaganda Website | Email | LinkedIn    Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

More women are now leaving the PR industry because of perimenopause and menopause than because of childbirth.  That’s a staggering, often invisible, that’s shift happening right at the top. It’s not burnout or work-life balance pushing them out, but a phase of life that’s rarely acknowledged and even more rarely supported. This episode is an unflinching conversation about the real pressures senior women face.  Why is menopause still a taboo topic at work?  How misunderstood are its impacts on confidence, performance, and retention?  And what must organizations and agencies do to support their best talent before they quietly walk away?  Listen For 4:22 The Invisible Workplace Crisis 7:01 The “Rush Hour” of Women’s Lives 10:01 Emotions, Gender, and Professionalism 13:37 Finding Balance in Psychological Safety 18:53 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Fred Cook Guest: Heather Blundell, CEO Grayling Website | X | LinkedIn | Email Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

PR really is at a crossroads… we’ve got old playbooks and new players coming in who want to change the rules.  In its report Mind the Gap, USC’s Center for Public Relations reveals sharp divides between Gen Z and older professionals on everything from AI and hybrid work to media influence and corporate purpose.   While Boomers and Gen X cling to the belief that human creativity will always be irreplaceable, Gen Z is charging ahead, optimistic about technology, eager for flexibility, and expecting brands to stand for something more than just profit. But will that energy survive once they step into leadership — or will they, too, get swallowed by the system? In this episode, we sit down with Fred Cook, Director of USC’s Center for Public Relations and author of the Mind the Gap report, to explore whether we’re training young professionals for a world that no longer exists. Are we too obsessed with purpose and not focused enough on performance? Are old myths about PR holding us back? And most importantly — can Gen Z avoid the mistakes their predecessors made, or are they destined to repeat them?  Listen For 3:04 The Weight on Gen Z’s Shoulders 5:15 Communicating Across Generations in a Fragmented Media Landscape 8:08 Polarization as a Business Model 12:02 The Death of Corporate Purpose? 17:56 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Ayeni Samuels   Guest: Fred Cook, Director USC Center for Public Relations Email | X | LinkedIn  Mind the Gap Study Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Ayeni Adekunle Samuel argues that Africa is often misunderstood or reduced to oversimplified stereotypes by global brands, agencies, and even tech platforms.   Despite Africa’s complexity, diversity, and economic importance, key decisions — including PR, marketing, and tech strategies — are still shaped in places like New York and London, often without African expertise or context.  Ayeni shares his personal journey as a Nigerian entrepreneur building a pan-African and international PR firm, highlighting both the structural barriers (like bias, access to capital, lack of representation) and the opportunities (especially in areas like AI and local innovation). Listen For 4:15 The Africa Strategy Mistake Global Brands Keep Making 7:41 The Case for Local Advisors 12:36 PR Prejudice: The Hidden Hurdles African Firms Face Abroad 16:30 Africa Has Talent, But Not Opportunity 17:10 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest David Gallagher Guest: Ayeni Adekunle Samuel Website | Email | Instagram Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Why is the PR industry still having the same tired conversation? Year after year, event after event… while the world moves on without us?  We talk about getting a seat at the table, then sit quietly when we do.  We debate metrics like we haven’t had decades to solve them.  We celebrate awards for campaigns that often say nothing and change even less. We hold events that are same panel conversations… different year. Somewhere along the way, the industry built for cultural leadership got stuck in a cycle of repetition, imposter syndrome, and comfort.  David Gallagher of Folgate Advisors is a veteran voice who’s seen the industry from the inside and isn’t afraid to say what others won’t. It’s time to stop outsourcing our thinking and start redefining what this industry is actually for.  Listen For 4:58 Are We Really as Dynamic as We Claim? 10:22 Why PR Avoids True Innovation 11:34 How PR Lost Its Science-Driven Edge 17:43 Following the Wrong Model: PR as Advertising’s Shadow 19:30 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Bill Welser  Guest: David Gallagher, Folgate Advisors Email | LinkedIn | Folgate LinkedIn  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What does it take to rebrand an entire nation? Not just a logo or slogan—but the name itself. Gökhan Yücel helped lead the campaign to officially shift the international name from Turkey to Türkiye.   It’s a move that goes far beyond semantics—touching diplomacy, identity, and global perception. Gökhan pulls back the curtain on how such a monumental change has been communicated to the world and why it matters more than most of us think.  But this conversation goes even deeper. From repositioning Türkiye as the “nexus of the world” instead of merely a bridge between East and West, to attracting the next generation of global investors, to reshaping the way governments confront disinformation and how strategic storytelling can reshape the image of an entire country.  Listen For 3:06 Renaming a country… where do you even start? 6:53 How “country as brand” became a global strategy 9:42 “Hype is the new narrative”  13:57 Branding Türkiye for audiences in the West 16:33 From SEO to AEO — marketing in the AI era 18:15 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Bill Welser IV Guest: Gökhan Yücel, Campaign Designer Hello Türkiye Country Rebranding Campaign Email | X | LinkedIn  Hello Türkiye Campaign (YouTube) Türkiye Century Campaign (Official Site)   Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What if the most powerful tool in public relations isn’t a pitch deck or media list, but your own story? In this episode, we’re joined by technologist-turned-storytelling-evangelist William Welser IV, founder of Lotic, a platform that uses artificial intelligence to help people uncover the data hidden inside their own narrative. From his days building satellites to his unexpected pivot into behavioral science, Bill shares why he believes personal storytelling isn’t just therapy, it’s strategy.  The most powerful communication connects the head and the heart, the human and the machine and yes, the PR and the AI.  Listen For 4:36 Why Story is the Richest Data Set  6:34 What lotic.ai Actually Does  12:15 Why PR Pros Need Self-Awareness Tools  17:28 How lotic.ai Makes Money (Hint: It’s Not Your Data)  21:09 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Brett Farmiloe Try lotic.ai for yourself, FOR FREE Guest: Bill Welser, Lotic Website | Email | X | Instagram  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What if the expert quote you just read in a news article wasn’t written by a human — but by AI?  That’s already happening.   A PR tool called Synapse is selling agencies the ability to fire off automated expert pitches to journalists, complete with research, personal-sounding anecdotes, and polished email copy — all with minimal human input. It promises one person can do the work of five and crank out twenty media pitches an hour.   But is this innovation, or is it a warning sign for the future of public relations?  In this episode, we’re unpacking what Synapse means for PR and media. We’ll explore why this kind of automation raises ethical alarms, how journalists are likely to respond, and what PR professionals need to do right now to protect trust, credibility, and the real value we bring to the table.   Listen For 6:12 Creepy or Clever? How Synapse Targets Reporters 7:48 Fabricated Experts: Ethical Red Line Crossed 10:35 Should the PR Industry Be Regulated? 11:16 How Journalists Will Fight Back With Closed Networks 22:40 Don’t Blame the AI—Blame Ourselves Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In today’s media landscape, journalists are drowning in pitches while PR professionals scramble for attention—often missing the mark entirely. But what if the problem isn’t the story, but the way it’s being told—and the tools we’re using to tell it?  In this episode, we sit down with Brett Farmiloe, the revivalist behind Help a Reporter Out (HARO), to unpack why this once-iconic platform fell off the radar, how he brought it back to life, and what it now takes to genuinely stand out in a journalist’s inbox. Listen For 5:56 Why Journalists Are Still Drowning in Spam 7:05 The HARO Pitch Formula: Helpful, Authentic, Relevant, On-Time 10:20 Is the Definition of “Journalist” Changing? 14:05 What Journalists Really Want from PR People 20:15 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Graham Goodkind  Guest: Brett Farmiloe Website | Email | X | LinkedIn | HARO LinkedIn Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What if everything you’ve been taught about pricing your work—tracking time, logging hours, justifying effort—was wrong? What if the real value of what you do isn't how long it takes, but what impact it has?  In a world where generative AI can draft press releases in seconds and churn out strategy decks before your coffee cools, PR professionals face a crossroads: race to the bottom by charging less for faster work—or redefine what clients are actually paying for. In this episode, Graham Goodkind, founder and chairman of Frank, one of the UK’s most creatively disruptive PR agencies challenges how we think about pricing, pitching, and protecting our creative value—because if you’re still selling time, you’re selling yourself short. Listen For 3:25 Why Time Is Not Your Currency in PR  4:49 Building Frank PR on Selling Ideas Not Hours 7:57 Frank PR Revenue and Profitability Stats 10:37 AI’s Role in Creativity and Workflow 17:42 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Lauren Passell 21:17 Graham’s Best Advice for Starting in PR  Guest: Graham Goodkind, Frank PR Website | Email | LinkedIn    Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What if the smartest pitch you ever sent didn’t sound smart at all—but sounded real?  In a world where inboxes are flooded with AI-polished messages, Lauren Passell makes a strong case for going the other way: writing like a human, listening like a fan, and leading with a story—not a sales hook. This episode unpacks how to stand out by showing up differently, not louder. Listen For 6:44 Authenticity: Real or Just a Buzzword? 9:43 The Empathy Wake-Up Call for PR Pros” 10:59 Pitching as Love Letters, Not Spam 12:00 Tink’s Radical No-AI Policy 18:34 Why PR Has a Reputation Problem 21:53 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Bradley Davis    Guest: Lauren Passell, Tink Media Website | Email | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | You Tube | Substack Podcast the Newsletter   Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Your reputation is your most valuable asset — but also the most fragile.  In today’s world, a single tweet, leaked email, or bad headline can trigger a crisis faster than you can hit "refresh." But reputation isn’t just about avoiding scandal — it’s about building trust, culture, and resilience before anything goes wrong.  In this episode, we speak with Emma Woollcott, one of the UK’s top legal experts in reputation protection, about what organizations need to know now to prepare for the headlines they hope they never make.  Listen For 4:42 Reputation Redefined: It's About Feeling, Not Thinking 7:54 Avoidable Crises: Most Disasters Don’t Come Out of Nowhere 9:38 Simulate the Storm: Why Crisis Drills Are Gamechangers 12:56 Crisis Command: Cutting Through Chaos and Ego 17:19 Rise of the Newsfluencers: The New Media Landscape 20:23 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Mark Burey    Guest: Emma Woollcott Website | Email | LinkedIn    Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Is your media diet making you smarter? Or just more stubborn?  In this episode, we sit down with senior communicator and former journalist Mark Burey to explore how the collapse of shared truth is reshaping public relations. From the erosion of local journalism to the rise of AI-generated content. What does media literacy really looks like today? And what role do PR professionals play in rebuilding trust?  Listen For 7:33 What media literacy means in 2025 10:13 The decline of local journalism and its ripple effects 11:08 How PR has absorbed the watchdog role 13:39 What to do when misinformation feels like fact 15:43 Appreciative inquiry: changing minds without confrontation 21:23 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Bradley Davis   Guest: Mark Burey Website | Email | LinkedIn    Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Are public relations and marketing two distinct disciplines—or is PR simply one piece of the broader marketing puzzle? It’s a question that stirs up strong opinions in boardrooms, agencies, and comms teams alike.  Some argue PR is strategic storytelling aimed at building relationships, while marketing is focused on driving sales. Others say that in today’s world of integrated messaging, the separation is outdated. In this episode, we take on the debate head-on, exploring how the roles overlap, where they diverge, and whether the modern media landscape has blurred the lines beyond repair. Is PR still its own function—or has it become just another lane on marketing’s highway? Listen For: :10 Fyre Festival The Luxury Mirage  4:02 Influence vs Image Showdown  6:25 PR Is the Pie  10:14 The Sad Fate of Local Media  13:02 Metrics KPIs and the Dashboard Wars  18:54 Who Owns the Message  25:10 The Final Prediction Marketers Report to PR Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Most PR strategies still focus on the big three: social, legacy media, and search. But while everyone’s watching the headlines, the real conversations—the ones shaping trust, behavior, and brand reputation—are happening in people’s ears. Podcasts aren’t just a trend or another content format. They’re a strategic intelligence channel, and if you’re not monitoring them, you’re missing critical signals.  In this episode of Stories and Strategies, we talk to Bradley Davis, co-founder and CEO of Podchaser, the platform often called the “IMDb of podcasts.” From how global brands like Starbucks and Amazon use podcast data to shape campaigns, to why the most valuable audience insights aren’t public-facing at all,  PR pros need to know what they can no longer afford to ignore. Listen For 1:29 The Crackle That Started It All 3:33 Podchaser: IMDb for Podcasts 5:25 Podcasting as a Third Dimension of Analytics 8:20 Guest Pitching vs. Starting a Podcast 10:32 How Rogan, Newsom & Trump Changed the Game 13:05 Key Messages Out. Vibe Is In. 21:09 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Irene Lungu Guest: Bradley Davis, Co-Founder & CEO, Podchaser  Podchaser | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | About Bradley Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What does public relations look like in a country where radio is still growing, social media still exploding, and communication reaches from rural villages to global platforms?   In this episode, we take a closer look at Zambia — a nation with a vibrant, evolving PR landscape shaped by both tradition and innovation.   Irene Lungu is one of Zambia’s leading voices in public relations and a board member of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management. She joins us to talk about ethics, communication trends, and the responsibilities that come with influence in today’s media environment.   We explore how Zambian practitioners are navigating rapid change, and what global conversations they're helping to shape.  Listen For 3:50 Why Zambia Regulated Its PR Industry 6:14 Resistance and Discomfort: Who Pushed Back 8:00 Is PR Regulation a Threat to Free Speech? 14:36 Global Standards, Local Contexts 16:14 The World’s #1 Risk: Misinformation 18:52. Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Olivia Fajardo Guest: Irene Lungu LinkedIn | Global Alliance Board Profile    Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Employee engagement is evolving — and the old assumptions no longer hold. Today, workers want more than a paycheck. They want growth, flexibility, and to feel like their voices matter. In this episode, we unpack surprising new research on what really drives engagement, retention, and belonging inside organizations. Olivia Fajardo joins us to explain why internal communications has become mission critical — and how companies can move from simply talking to truly connecting. If you care about building teams that stay and thrive, this conversation is for you.  Listen For 4:14 PR: As Stressful as Firefighting 5:05 Why Communicators Feel More Purpose 6:34 Career Stagnation: The Hidden Threat 9:27 The Hybrid Challenge for Internal Comms 12:05 The Listening-Action Gap 12:10 Olivia’s Strategies to Build Trust and Accountability 20:05 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Helena Humphrey Guest: Oliva Fajardo, Director of Research, Institute for Public Relations LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Link to IPR Study Employee Engagement in the Communications Industry   Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

More Americans are turning down the volume on domestic news — and turning up British voices instead. From BBC to The Guardian, outlets across the Atlantic are reshaping how U.S. audiences see their own country.  Why is this happening? And what does it say about trust, tone, and the global conversation?  Listen For 3:48 British Media’s Rising Credibility in the U.S. 7:23 Could BBC Influence U.S. Culture? 12:29 Feminism, TikTok, and the Tradwife Dilemma 18:47 Femininity and Power Around the World 21:32 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Sarah Waddington  Guest: Helena Humphrey, BBC Email | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook   Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Feeling stuck or stressed at work? You might just need to GROW your way out.   Executive coach Sarah Waddington shares the power and practicality of the GROW model — Goal, Reality, Options, Way forward — in transforming workplace performance, especially within high-pressure environments like PR.  Sarah breaks down how this deceptively simple coaching framework fosters self-awareness, reduces stress, builds resilience, and helps individuals and teams move from dependency to interdependency.  From managing difficult clients and workplace lethargy to unlocking mindset shifts for career advancement, this conversation offers actionable tips to leaders and middle managers alike on how to introduce coaching into fast-paced and demanding cultures. Listen For 5:15 Why GROW works for both work and life 7:04 Applying GROW in the pressure cooker of PR 11:52 Nightmare client scenario: Using GROW in real-time challenges 14:40 Resilience in PR: Avoiding burnout with GROW 16:37 — Baby steps for senior leaders to start using GROW 19:20 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Mark Borkowski  Guest: Sarah Waddington, CBE Website | Email | X | LinkedIn | Wadds Inc.  #FuturePRoof Community https://www.futureproofingcomms.co.uk/  Socially Mobile https://www.sociallymobile.org.uk/    Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Reputation is often treated like an invisible asset—vital but fragile. And while we insure everything from homes to art collections, very few think to protect their name.  In this episode, we speak to PR pioneer Mark Borkowski about a bold new product: crisis insurance for individuals. It’s not just an idea—it’s a rethinking of how we prepare for the worst-case scenario in a world where reputation can be destroyed with just one social media post. Listen For 4:10 The Power of Optimism Bias 10:33 Delivering Bad News to Powerful Clients 13:25 Why Killing Your Ego Matters 18:12 What Is Reputational Risk Insurance? 21:39 Building an Insurance Product for Reputation 22:50 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Jo Carr  Guest: Mark Borkowski Website | Email | X | LinkedIn  See the LONGER FULL INTERVIEW on our YouTube Channel You Tube Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us: LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What makes a workplace culture truly thrive—especially in the pressure-cooker world of creative agencies?  Can you REALLY be tough on the work but kind to your people without compromise? Jo Carr, co-founder of Hope and Glory and President of Women in PR breaks down the complexities of workplace culture, empathy-driven leadership, and how to create spaces where people—and their diverse lives—can flourish.  From crafting policies that acknowledge the full spectrum of life’s moments to challenging outdated hiring mindsets, Jo brings wisdom, warmth, and a welcome dose of honesty. She shares how high standards and human kindness aren’t mutually exclusive, why culture should be additive rather than restrictive, and what it takes to keep women in the leadership pipeline.  Listen For 4:27 Culture = Environment + Experience 8:15 The House Metaphor: Building Structure, Allowing Individuality 9:17 From Culture Fit to Culture Add 16:57 How Do You Build Culture With Cultural Diversity? 19:13 Women in PR: From Majority to Minority in Leadership 23:09 Presence Over Perfection: Being Fully There, Wherever You Are 23:26 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Suhel Seth Guest: Jo Carr, founder Hope & Glory PR, Women in PR Website | Email | X | LinkedIn | Women in PR   Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In an age where opinions form faster than facts and headlines spark outrage before understanding, how do brands, leaders, and storytellers stay credible?  Is your opinion truly yours? Or just an echo of your tribe? In this episode, Suhel Seth unpacks the transformation of communication in the era of attention deficit — from the collapse of nuance to the rise of instant outrage, and why the art of thoughtful messaging might just be the most urgent skill of our time.  Listen For 3:07 The Cult of Immediacy: A Communication Crisis 7:59 The Lost Art of Contextualization 12:26 Social Identity & Tribal Thinking 14:32 Why Modern Society Fears Disruption 19:14 India: A Market or a Civilization? 23:57 Why India Didn’t Create Google or Facebook 24:50 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Andy Coulson  Guest: Suhel Seth Wikipedia Page | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Web site Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What happens when the man behind the headlines becomes the headline?   Former tabloid editor and Downing Street comms chief Andy Coulson opens up about his very public fall from grace — from resignations and scandal to serving time in prison — and how he rebuilt his life and career in the shadow of cancel culture.   With raw honesty and sharp insight, Andy talks about the realities of recovery, the myth of reinvention, and why consistency and character matter more than ever in a world obsessed with outrage.  Listen For 10:57 How to Recover from Cancellation: Strategy Over Reinvention 15:45 Attention Deficit and the New Rules of Reputation 17:48 Crisis Management vs. Political Strategy: Don’t Follow the Trump Playbook 20:28 In a Polarized World, How Do You Define Good and Bad? 23:16 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Tina McCorkindale, PhD   Guest: Andy Coulson Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Wikipedia Page  Andy’s Podcast Crisis? What Crisis?   Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

The media landscape is changing – and fast.  In this episode, Tina McCorkindale, President and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations, breaks down the shift away from traditional news and the rise of emerging media. Drawing on insights from a recent survey with PepperCom, she explores how trust in media is evolving and what that means for public relations.  From the rise of podcasts and influencers to the decline of legacy outlets, Tina offers essential strategies for communicators in today’s fractured media world.  Listen For 6:54 The New Media Relations Battlefield 8:56 The Rise of News Avoidance 14:22 Broccoli vs. Mars Bar: Explaining News to a Teen 19:59 The Power of Owning Your Channels 20:55 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Sue Heuman Study with Peppercom Navigating a Changing Media Landscape | Institute for Public Relations Guest: Tina McCorkindale, PhD Website | LinkedIn | Google Scholar Profile Check out the IPR Video Series In a Car with IPR   Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

The public relations industry has long been recognized as a female-dominated field, with women making up approximately two-thirds of the workforce. However, when it comes to leadership, women remain significantly underrepresented, comprising just one-third of top-tier roles. This disparity raises critical questions about the systemic barriers that prevent women from rising to senior leadership positions in PR agencies and organizations. In this episode, we examine the challenges faced by women in their careers, the personal and societal factors that hinder their progress, and the strategies they’ve employed to overcome these obstacles.  Sue Heuman is a strong female leader in the PR industry, a designated Master Communicator through IABC, Past Chair of the IABC Global Communication Certification Council, and an executive leader.  Listen For 7:35 Where Are the Mentors? 9:38 Too Harsh or Too Soft? The Impossible Standards for Female Leaders 12:23 Sue’s Jaw-Dropping Boardroom Story 14:23 The Confidence Gap: Why Women Don’t Apply 22:48 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Carmine Gallo    Guest: Sue Heuman, IABC Fellow, Master Communicator Website | LinkedIn    Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Curzon Public Relations CEO, Farzana Baduel, joins the world’s most-listened-to PR podcast, as Guest Resident Co-Host! Alongside host Doug Downs, SCMP and producers Emily Page and David Olajide MPRCA, this season will explore PR through a truly global lens—tackling industry challenges, leadership insights, and the evolving media landscape. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘗𝘙 – 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 75% 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯, 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺’𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘥-𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘨𝘢𝘱 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵. 𝘈 𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 – 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘍𝘢𝘳𝘻𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘒, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘰𝘶𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘢, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘥𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥, 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴. Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Ideas shape the world, but only when they’re communicated effectively. Some individuals have a remarkable ability to present their ideas in a way that captivates, influences, and inspires. A well-crafted and powerfully delivered idea doesn’t just inform—it transforms.  Imagine if you could unlock the exact techniques used by the world’s best communicators, watch them deliver unforgettable presentations, and apply their secrets to engage your own audience. Carmine Gallo, has studied hundreds of TED Talks, interviewed top speakers, and worked alongside neuroscientists and psychologists to uncover why certain presentations resonate so deeply.   Listen For 8:02 Make Others Feel Like the Most Important Person in the Room 11:43 The Rule of Three: Why Simplicity Wins 16:27 Energy and Passion: Your First 20 Seconds Matter 22:22 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Anne Gregory Guest: Carmine Gallo LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Check out Carmine’s newest book “The Bezos Blueprint” Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This episode is in honour of Podcasthon and in support of the Canadian Cancer Society When facing a life-altering cancer diagnosis, how much does communication—between doctors, patients, and loved ones—truly matter?  In this deeply moving episode, Doug Downs sits down with Tim Kelter and Pete Paczko, two men with firsthand experience navigating cancer’s devastating impact.  Tim shares the heartbreaking story of losing both his daughter and wife to cancer, while Pete, currently battling stage 4 liver cancer, discusses the power of resilience and the role of community support.  They dive into the failures and successes of medical communication, the well-meaning but sometimes misguided reactions from friends and family, and how music and simple human connection help them process their grief. This is an emotional and eye-opening conversation about love, loss, and the urgent need for better conversations around cancer. Listen For 7:25 "Dad, I Don’t Want to Die" – Tim’s daughter, Carolyn, breaks down upon hearing her diagnosis, expressing her deepest fear, while Tim struggles to find the right words to comfort her. 9:35 "You Should Expect to Be Dead" – Pete recalls a temporary oncologist bluntly telling him he had only 12–18 months to live, only for his regular doctor to later dismiss the claim as unknowable. 29:35 "The Song That Woke Her Up" – Tim shares how his son played Bennie and the Jets for Carolyn while she was in a coma, and when she woke up, she remembered hearing it. Guests: Tim Kelter and Pete Paczko  Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What if the key to development isn’t learning more—but unlearning first?  In this episode, we explore how rural communities in underdeveloped nations can shape their own futures by moving beyond Western-imposed models of engagement.  Professor Anne Gregory, shares insights from her research in rural Indonesia, where micro-hydro powerplants are transforming villages, and explains how a new approach to participatory communication is empowering communities to take charge of their development.  Listen For 7:15 Why Top-Down Strategies Fail Without Community Input 9:35 The Importance of Local Partnerships in Community Engagement 14:51 The Problem with Western KPIs in Southeast Asian Communities 19:26 The True Meaning of Empowerment in Development Work 24:46 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Michelle Baty, PhD   Guest: Anne Gregory, Ph.D., BA, FRSA, HonFCIPR, Huddersfield University University Website page | Email | X | LinkedIn   Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In a world where technology is increasingly intertwined with human emotions, a new frontier is emerging—artificial intelligence that can understand how we feel. Imagine an AI system that doesn’t just analyze data but senses our emotional state through the words we choose, the way we describe our experiences, and even how consistently we check in with ourselves. This isn't science fiction. Advances in natural language processing, psychology, and machine learning are making it possible for AI to interpret human emotions with surprising accuracy. Researchers are now using AI-powered systems to classify mood states based on self-reported text, combining insights from neuroscience and behavioral psychology to enhance human decision-making. But how does an AI system detect emotions through words? What psychological theories guide its ability to distinguish between stress, motivation, or disengagement? And could this technology reshape how we interact with machines—perhaps even with one another? Listen For 9:46 AI Can Accurately Estimate YOUR Emotional State 12:34 AI Detects Emotions Before Humans Do 18:41 Is this Ethical? 22:48 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Greg Wasserman Guest: Michelle Baty, Neuro Psychologist Threads | Instagram | Facebook Listen to Michelle on the Stronger by Design podcast with Michelle MacDonald Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This episode originally published in May 2024. At the end of 2023, PRSA assembled a group of 25 senior communicators from a wide range of industries, in-house and firms, for an additional meeting, with several follow-up meetings with subject matter experts, all spearheaded by Ray Day, 2024 PRSA Chair-elect. Three main actions emerged: We need to champion honesty and transparency, recognizing the need to enhance message strategies to outpace misleading information (which will always exist)We need to emphasize the importance of community-based listening and education, advocating for civil discussion to foster a more informed and respectful publicThe PR industry needs to become a trusted entity by reinforcing integrity and reliability across all communication channelsListen For 4:54 A Stakeholder Engagement Process for Addressing Misinformation 11:04 Community Level Education Strategies 14:56 Focus on Building Trust 19:26 Civility and Constructive Discourse Guest: Ray Day, 2024 chair PRSA LinkedIn PRSA News Release Download the Guidebook Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Support the show Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Personal branding isn’t just for influencers or CEOs—it’s for anyone who wants to stand out, build trust, and create new opportunities.  Whether you’re an employee, entrepreneur, or freelancer, the way you present yourself can open doors or close them.  In today’s digital world, people aren’t just hiring résumés—they’re hiring reputations.  A strong personal brand can make you the go-to expert in your field, help you attract new clients, and even future-proof your career. But crafting a brand that feels authentic and powerful doesn’t happen by accident—it takes strategy, consistency, and a clear message. It’s the business of being YOU. Listen For 7:08 Why if You Fake it... You WON'T Make it 10:35 The Rise, and Risks, of Influencers 11:54 Imposter Syndrome and Personal Branding 16:58 How to Build a Personal Brand from Scratch 18:58 Your LinkedIn is your Resume – is it Working for You? 21:07 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Michelle Garrett  Guest: Greg Wasserman LinkedIn | Linktr.ee   Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Ever created a PR or communications plan, only to stash it away and forget about it? You’re not alone.   Guest Michelle Garrett breaks down why so many businesses struggle to execute their PR strategies—and what they can do to fix it.  You need to set clear goals, measure meaningful metrics beyond just media mentions, and ensure consistency in PR efforts instead of relying on one-off campaigns.  Michelle also shares insights on the rising importance of personal branding, the evolving media landscape with AI-driven searches, and how companies can effectively identify and reach their target audiences.  Listen For 06:02 The Wrong Metrics: What NOT to Track in PR 07:39 Common Mistakes in Evaluating PR Success 11:03 The Rise of Personal Branding in PR 13:06 How AI is Changing PR and Searchability 14:34 Finding Your Audience in a Fragmented Media Landscape 15:49 Why Trade Publications Matter More Than Ever 18:23 How Leaders Can Lend Their Voice to PR Without It Eating Up Their Time 19:34 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Kendall Breitman Guest: Michelle Garrett Website | Email | X  Michelle’s book B2B PR That Gets Results  Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

As brands seek to cut through the digital noise, a fascinating trend has emerged: recording conversations with CEOs and decision-makers to create authentic, shareable content that humanizes their leadership. Kendall Breitman shares her insights on why this strategy is resonating with brands and audiences and how storytelling and transparency are becoming key drivers of brand trust in today’s world. Listen For 5:25 Turning Internal Meetings into Public Content 8:26 The Shift from Logos to Personal Branding 20:30 Authenticity vs Message Control in CEO Storytelling 22:45 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Jim Rudolph Guest: Kendall Breitman Website | X | LinkedIn | Instagram Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Fractional Leadership is a growing, and possibly permanent, trend of fractional leadership and why it’s becoming a permanent shift in the business world. As organizations face leadership gaps, budget constraints, and rapidly evolving challenges, fractional leaders—experienced executives hired on a part-time basis—are stepping in to provide strategic guidance and stability. What is the unique value they bring? How do they differ from consultants and full-time executives? And what does it take to succeed in these high-impact roles? Listen For 4:02 Fractional Leadership as an Agile Solution 8:16 Building Trust Quickly as a Temporary Leader 16:14 Leadership Without an Agenda 20:50 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Farzana Baduel Guest: Jim Rudolph, JGR Communications Website | Email | LinkedIn  Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

TikTok is a powerful social media tool in the United States. About 170 million Americans use the platform and for many marketing and PR agencies it’s the preferred go to tool. The average time on TikTok in 2024, per user, is estimated to be 58 minutes per day.  But several governments have banned TikTok from being used on Government devices – including the United States, Canada, the UK and Australia. In India, TikTok is banned altogether. In late April 2024, President Biden signed a bill into law that has bipartisan support. It’s called the National Security Act, 2024. Under the new law, ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, has until late January 2025 to divest itself of TikTok and find new ownership for the social media company. TikTok is fighting back saying the law is unconstitutional.  What does the potential ban mean for marketing and PR pros? Listen For 5:10 The Impacts a Ban on Tiktok Will Have on Different Sectors 6:07 Platform Contingency Plans 21:12 Regulation and Market Dynamics Guest: Cayce Myers, PhD, LL.M., JD, APR Email | X | LinkedIn | Website Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Communication is the most important weapon a Navy SEAL can carry—more vital than physical strength, endurance, or even firepower. I was in Salt Lake City recently at a conference and saw former Navy SEAL William Branum speak. He served for 26 years with the US Navy and 23 of those years was a Navy SEAL. In his presentation he talked about how clear, concise, and often nonverbal communication plays a critical role in high-stress, life-or-death situations—whether underwater, in a firefight, or clearing a house. He broke down the lessons SEALs learn on the battlefield that can be applied to leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. So, when I had a chance to sit down with him in the lobby, I grabbed my mobile phone, and we recorded an episode together. This is a conversation about the power of communication and how simplifying your message can lead to greater impact. Listen For 4:26 The Power of Nonverbal Communication 6:36 Simplicity is Key in High-Stress Environments 10:33 Self-Communication Shapes Success 12:24 Adaptability in Crisis Situations Guest: William Branum, former Navy SEAL Website | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Soft Power. It’s the concept of influence… not control – and it can shape global perceptions, drive brand loyalty, and create lasting impact. In this episode we learn what soft power really means, how it differs from traditional PR, and how companies can use it to build trust, foster connections, and stand out in a competitive market (or even world order). Through storytelling, cultural identity, and corporate responsibility, discover how your organization—or personal brand—can expand its reach and impact… all done softly. Listen For 6:24 Defining Soft Power 7:48 Soft Power in Nation Branding and Campaigns 9:42 Psychological Impact of Familiarity in Marketing 14:21 Building a Corporate Soft Power Strategy 22:16 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Jason Cercone Guest: Farzana Baduel, Curzon PR, President CIPR Website | Email | Bluesky | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

She made the internet howl with one absurd phrase. Haliey Welch, the self-proclaimed “Hawk Tuah Girl,” turned a bizarre street interview viral fame almost overnight. What started as a joke spiraled into a full-blown phenomenon, with memes, merchandise, and her very own cryptocurrency. But it was the viral cry that became a crypto crash. In this episode, we unpack the wild story of Haliey Welch’s meteoric fame. Her viral catchphrase to the lawsuits surrounding her failed crypto venture, the absurdity of meme culture, the dangers of influencer hype, and what it all says about us as a society. Listen For 1:46 Virality is Unpredictable 5:07 Leverage Authenticity and Quality Content 12:51 Influencer Responsibility Matters 14:35 Sustainability of Fame Requires 21:28 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Karl Mawhinney Guest: Jason Cercone Website | Email | LinkedIn | YouTube Listen to Jason’s podcast Let’s Blow this Up  Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Rate this podcast with just one click In today’s crowded digital landscape and with marketing budgets tighter than ever, brands are looking for fresh, innovative ways to connect with younger audiences. One emerging frontier? K-12 schools. These classrooms are no longer just hubs of learning—they’re evolving into powerful spaces where brands can make a meaningful impact while building long-term affinity. Whoa… you mean vending machines for soft drinks and chips? No. From sponsoring STEM programs to supporting arts initiatives and even helping address teacher burnout, brands are finding creative, value-driven ways to engage.  But how can marketers navigate this opportunity ethically, ensuring their efforts genuinely support students and educators? Let’s explore how to strike the right balance in this delicate but promising space. Listen For 6:45 Kleenex’s “Heroes of the Classroom” Campaign 9:12 Key Metrics and Emotional Engagement 12:16 Core Principles: Jersey Mike’s Community Engagement 19:16 Recognition Programs: Kroger’s High School Initiative 21.42 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Frank Strong Guest: Karl Mawhinney Website | X | LinkedIn | Instagram   Campaigns Karl mentioned Costco/Kleenex Big 5 Sporting GoodsCM Facebook  Stories and Strategies Website Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Wikipedia is one of the top the most-visited websites in the world. Additionally, it has influence. The information on Wikipedia is also disseminated across the web on Google’s Knowledge Graph and associated search page components, quick summaries of topics on Siri and Alexa, and even into news articles, podcast discussions, and government websites. Wikipedia is also of interest for SEO practitioners, heavily influencing Google search results and now impacting outputs from generative AI software like Chat-GPT. Everyone from journalists, investors, and your customers are using Wikipedia to understand your company. Do you understand how it works and what you can do about it? Guest: Rhiannon Ruff Email | LinkedIn | Lumino Digital’s website | Rhiannon’s book Managing a Crisis on Wikipedia Rate this podcast https://ratethispodcast.com/storiesstrategies Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Rate this podcast with just one click Time to explore predictions for the coming year in public relations, marketing, and the evolving role of AI. There are conflicting views on AI's future, its role in content generation, and whether the hype has peaked or we're still climbing the AI rollercoaster.  But there’s no arguing with the importance of transparency and authenticity rising to the challenges of disinformation. Frank Strong of Sword and Script conducted an industry survey and shares the results with us. Listen For 6:43 Is the Future of AI Utopian or Dystopian? 9:31 Tough of Disillusionment: Are we There Yet? 10:06 Transparency as a Competitive Advantage 12:12 Why Differentiation Matters in an AI World 17:21 Trust in Influencers: Hollywood vs Niche Experts 21:22 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Brian Porter Guest: Frank Strong, Sword and the Script Media LLC Website | X | LinkedIn | Instagram Read the survey results Subscribe to Frank’s blog   Stories and Strategies Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Rate this podcast with just one click We think we can tell when bots take the pen, When AI spins words again and again. "Deep dives" and "delves" in their usual tone, The cadence, the phrasing, they’re not quite our own. But the line’s getting blurred, it’s harder to see, Is this human or machine-crafted poetry? The last bastion, they said, where humans excel, Was poetry’s heart, its unbreakable shell. Yet now a new study has shattered the view, At Pittsburgh, they’ve found something striking and new: When placed side by side, the verdict is clear, AI’s verses are what we hold dear. From Chaucer to Whitman, and Dickinson’s art, AI poems are stealing the heart. So the boundary fades, as the data suggests, The machine's taken hold in humanity’s text. Listen For 3:42 Why AI Poems are Preferred 4:48 Straightforward Nature of AI Poetry 8:06 Impact of Cognitive Bias 18:42 Potential of AI in Broader Art Forms 19:39 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Jess Jensen Guest: Brian Porter, University of Pittsburgh Website | LinkedIn Read the Abstract by Brian and his team Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode (and a human will respond) Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Rate this podcast with just one click Executives are finally beginning to understand the power of participating in digital channels. “What if I mess up?” “Why would anyone want to hear from ME?” Those WERE the common excuses until about five years ago when the trend lines changes and it was more common for executive leaders to BE on social media than not. Still, most sound like cheerleaders for their company don’t they? We aren’t REALLY getting to know them, just where they work and a less-than-subtle message about why we should support or even patronize their organization. How to help them sound more authentic? More real? Maybe there is a way. Listen For 08:12 Playing it Safe: Executives “Dipping Toes” in Social Media 09:11 Frank Cooper’s LinkedIn Masterclass 10:30 Sarah Blakely’s Authentic Instagram Approach 14:05 Injecting Personality Into Executive Communication 15:42 Connecting Through Emotion, Humor, and Value 22:20 The Professional-Authentic Balance for Executives 23:18 Crafting a Narrative Framework for Digital Success 24:35 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Dr Karen Hills Pruden Guest: Jess Jensen Website | email| LinkedIn | X Stories and Strategies Website Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Rate this podcast with just one click There’s a striking imbalance in the PR industry: while women make up two-thirds of the workforce, they hold only a third of executive positions. For Dr. Karen Hills Pruden the strategy to help women close this leadership gap is to focus strongly on provable analytics. She shares how to amplify your value through metrics, finding your unique selling proposition, and why silence is NOT a superpower when it comes to self-advocacy. Listen For 4:34 Amplifying Your Value at the Table 6:21 Immediate vs Delayed ROI in PR 10:55 Analytics Every Aspiring Leader Needs 12:42 The Three Pillars of Leadership Metrics 14:05 Barriers Women Face in Leadership 17:31 The Value of a Unique Selling Proposition 20:18 Silence is NOT a Superpower 22:16 Advocating for Yourself at the Leadership Table 23:29 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Matt Krayton Guest: Dr Karen Hills Pruden Website | Email | LinkedIn Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

We want to hear from you https://podcast.storiesandstrategies.ca/survey Rate this podcast with just one click What can political campaigns teach us about the art of public relations? Political strategist Matt Krayton explores how modern political campaigns have become masterclasses in PR strategy. From messaging and media to influencers and voter vibes, Matt breaks down what worked in the recent US election, what didn’t, and why. Listen For 8:09 The Role of Social Media in Shaping Voter Perceptions 9:10 Were Democrat Messages on Target? 11:29 Celebrity Endorsements. Do They Work Anymore? 13:10 Podcasts and Niche Media: The New Political Battleground 14:19 Why Influencers Resonate More than Celebrities 16:44 The Double Edged Sword of Traditional Media 17:48 How “Horse Race” Reporting Impacts Political Narratives 20:11 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Adrian Cropley Guest: Matt Krayton, Publitics Website | Email Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

We want to hear from you https://podcast.storiesandstrategies.ca/survey Rate this podcast with just one click Jaguar is one of the most iconic luxury car brands in the world, known for its sleek designs and powerful engines. But has the company made a fatal mistake that could impact its future? It’s rebranding, launched last week, has drawn widespread and almost universal criticism. One writer even called it “Imminent Brand Immolation.” Is this the end of Jaguar? Or does a cat always land on its feet? Listen For 4:59 The Cat is Dead: First Reactions to the Jaguar Rebrand 6:38 Blue Steel, But Make it Jaguar 7:46 Did Jaguar Set its Identity on Fire? 14:26 Pissing Off Your Loyal Audience: Bold or Brain Dead? 17:27 Living Your Values vs Alienating Your Base? 19:30 Save the Cat: Imagine a Jaguar Brand Turnaround Guest: Tyler Chisholm Website | Email | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook Listen to Tyler’s podcast Collisions YYC Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

We want to hear from you https://podcast.storiesandstrategies.ca/survey Rate this podcast with just one click In many ways, the ground is shifting beneath our feet. PR professionals are shifting from traditional roles to becoming trusted advisors in a world where AI and data are reshaping the landscape. Generative AI and advanced analytics are changing the way PR pros build strategies, measure success, and influence public perception. But how can AI be used responsibly? How do we go beyond simple metrics to understand true impact? And what skills are essential in this new era of PR? Listen For 7:38 Why PR Pros Must Shape AI Development 13:41 Outcomes-based Dashboards. The Future of PR Analytics 17:38 How PR Hiring Needs to Change in the AI Era 19:03 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Raphael Labbe Guest: Adrian Cropley, OAM, FRSA, IABC Fellow, GCSCE, SCMP Website | Email | X | LinkedIn CSCE link to training offerings Check out Adrian’s podcast Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

We want to hear from you https://podcast.storiesandstrategies.ca/survey There’s a rising tide of disinformation threatening corporate communication and financial stability. It’s increasingly influential and at times very well-funded. Most recently there was the infamous Adidas hoax, where activists manipulated public perception to spark conversations about workers' rights. A new tool called Wiztrust Protect is a blockchain-based solution designed to certify and verify corporate information, helping companies safeguard their reputation and ensure the truth prevails in an increasingly deceptive digital landscape. Listen For 3:51 The Rising Tide of Corporate Misinformation 8:10 Examples of Stock Market Manipulation Hoaxes 12:27 How Wiztrust’s Blockchain Verification Works 18:45 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Rod Cartwright Guest: Raphaël Labbé, Wiztrust Website | Email Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

We want to hear from you https://podcast.storiesandstrategies.ca/survey Our World faces a lot of big problems all at once right now. Wars, disinformation, climate change, and money troubles. A new report suggests these problems actually reinforce each other, creating a “new abnormal” state of constant risk. Life feels uncertain and that’s becoming normal. The report emphasizes we need to shift our focus, not just by using technology but by focusing on people. Shift resources toward human preparedness and critical human infrastructure rather than relying solely on technical systems. Listen For 7:12 Why Crises Deserve a Human Response 10:23 Poly-Crisis: The New Normal in Crisis Management 14:24 Crisis as a Turning Point 16:59 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Brittany Brown Guest: Rod Cartwright LinkedIn Download the Full Report “Reputation, Risk and Resilience Article for UK’s National Preparedness Commission o the crucial role of human preparedness and critical human infrastructure Rate this podcast with just one click Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

We want to hear from you https://podcast.storiesandstrategies.ca/survey Why is strategic communications so important to NASA? And what strategies do they use? What audiences do they target? Brittany Brown of NASA shares how NASA tailors messages for different audiences - ranging from super fans to untapped communities and stakeholders. She shares insights into memorable campaigns, including the Apollo 11 moon landing and the Parker Solar Probe.   Listen For  5:21 Segmenting NASA's Audiences 9:38 Making Complex Science Relatable 11:02 Collaborating with Partners - There's Space for Everybody 21:30 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Arik Karani   Guest: Brittany Brown NASA Contact | Website | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube  Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

We would love to hear about your experience with the Stories and Strategies podcast https://form.jotform.com/242954786599279 Arik Karani, the President of the African Public Relations Association shares why three African nations have introduced mandatory certification for public relations professionals. It’s intended to standardize the PR practice and enforce ethical practice but they also standardize pay rates and even protect practitioners from being fired needlessly. Is it working in Africa? Would it work in the United States? Listen For 4:37 Elevating Professional Standards 8:57 Penalties for Unlicensed Practice 12:58 Standardizing Pay for PR Professionals 19:22 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Sia Papageorgiou   Guest: Arik Karani, President African Public Relations Association X | LinkedIn  Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

We would love to hear about your experience with the Stories and Strategies podcast https://form.jotform.com/242954786599279 Is professional certification is becoming a must for the industry? Sia Papageorgiou challenges the traditional idea of accreditation and argues that certification is the real game-changer for PR professionals. She shares insights on why the Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC) stands out with its internationally recognized standards, and why it’s crucial for communication professionals to continually update their skills to stay relevant in a rapidly changing field.   Listen For 2:43 Certification over Accreditation 6:02 Ongoing Education and Accountability 12:55 Mandatory Certification in Some Countries 17:00 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Vince Nero   Guest: Sia Papageorgiou, FRSA, FCSCE, SCMP Website | Email | X | LinkedIn CSCE link to training offerings  Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

We perform a tricky balancing act every day – writing for both the human eye and the search engine algorithm. As content creators, we’re constantly faced with the dilemma: Should we prioritize crafting engaging, meaningful stories that resonate with our readers, or should we focus on hitting those all-important keywords that boost our SEO rankings?   The rise of semantic SEO adds yet another layer to this puzzle, as it pushes us to consider not just the words we use, but the intent and sentiment behind them.   In this episode, the Search Dilemma: Human Eye or Algorithm?  Listen For 3:34 Prioritizing Human-Centric Content 5:31 Google’s Evolution and its Impact on SEO 15:27 Testing and Personalization 21:20 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest Dallas Taylor   Guest: Vince Nero, Buzzstream X | LinkedIn  Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This episode first published in May 2023.  It’s as if we have a new toy. When Open AI released Chat GPT-3 last November, and made it fully accessible to the public, it suddenly changed how we can create engaging and relevant content for our audiences, with just a few prompts.  Not only can we CREATE content, but we can also gather valuable insights into customer behaviours and preferences like never before. By analyzing the data generated by customer interactions, businesses can identify patterns and trends they can use to optimize their strategies.  But it’s all so new for so many of us. What exactly can we do with this NEW TOY?  Listen For 2:00 Understanding Generative AI as a Tool 6:35 Mega Prompting for a Consistent Brand Voice 8:06 Personalizing Content with AI 19:41 Ethical Considerations in AI  Guest:  Brad Williamson, Lead Strategist Catch Digital Website | Email Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Sound is powerful.  Doug connects Dallas Taylor of the Twenty Thousand Hertz podcast to explore the remarkable influence of audio on human connection and branding. From the hidden magic of Sonic branding to how podcasts create lasting bonds, they uncover why audio remains one of our most potent yet underutilized senses.   They also dive into the darker side of audio, discussing the rise of deep fake technology and its impact on trust in the digital age. Whether you’re a PR professional or just curious about sound’s role in our lives, this episode offers valuable insights into the world of audio.  Listen For 4:17 Audio’s Hidden Powers 6:58 Sonic Branding’s Emotional Impact 11:41 Audio and Deep Fakes 20:55 Answer to Question Posed Last Week by Dean Heuman  Guest: Dallas Taylor Website Dallas’ podcast 20 Thousand Hertz Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

How do you navigate leadership changes, even when the decisions make little sense?  In this episode, Doug and Dean Heuman tackle the challenges of handling leadership transitions, especially when the choices seem controversial. Using the recent example of the Edmonton Oilers hiring a new GM, they explore the delicate balance between maintaining trust, managing emotions, and ensuring transparency. Heuman introduces the EFA (Emotion, Fact, Action) approach as a framework for communicators to manage such transitions effectively, stressing the importance of addressing internal and external concerns.  When leadership decisions ripple across employees, sponsors, and the broader community – the challenges become intricate, and the stakes are higher. Listen For: 5:51 The Ripple Effect of Leadership Changes 7:59 Edmonton Oilers: A Leadership Change Breakdown 12:42 The EFA Method: Managing Emotions First 18:19 When to Question a Leadership Change 20:12 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Akeem Anderson  Guest: Dean Heuman, Focus Communications Website | Email | LinkedIn  Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

As the stakes grow higher in today's fast-paced, interconnected world, top executives are increasingly turning to social and other digital platforms to shape their public personas, engage with critical social issues, and build direct connections with key stakeholders. A new report explores the public relations and communications strategies behind these efforts and how this shift is redefining leadership in the digital age.  Listen For 6:32 Executives are Moving Beyond Just Sharing Company News 9:51 Authenticity and Thumb-Stoppers 13:33 Building a Consistent Voice 16:24 Multi-Channel Presence 19:14 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Shayoni Lynn  Guest: Akeem Anderson, H Advisors Abernathy LinkedIn Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

There is an anatomy of a disinformation campaign.   In this episode we reveal the tactics that make false narratives so dangerously effective. From the subtle beginnings of a lone post to the orchestrated amplification by bots, and finally, the unwitting spread by receptive hosts. These campaigns infect the public psyche faster than you can blink.   But we can fight back. We can invest in early warning systems, develop proactive diagnosis and intervention, and perhaps most uniquely, we can conduct experiments to test different interventions and techniques on audiences – simulating exposure to disinformation in a controlled environment.  Listen For: 4:40 Understanding the Life Cycle of Disinformation 9:36 The Role of Receptive Hosts (or DisInfluencers) 11:15 Importance of Early Warning Systems 15:06 Experimentation and Simulated Exposure  Guest: Shayoni Lynn, Lynn Group Website | LinkedIn How Hate Spreads: How Hate Spreads: A briefing note from The Misinformation Cell - Lynn Mpox and Conspiracy Theories:  Mpox and conspiracy theories - Lynn Rate this podcast with just one click  Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This is a Replay from Episode 79 which first published in January 2023. In this age of misinformation and disinformation we can all agree lies and deception are bad right?  Aren’t they? Philosophers, psychologists, economists – and all those morality experts on social media have always insisted deception harms trust. Four Behavioral Science studies done through the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania show that assertion just isn’t true. In fact, there lies we hear, knowing they are lies, that make us trust those liars even more.  So what’s the truth about lying? Listen For 4:02 Pro Social Lies and Trust 11:06 Altruistic Lies and Moral Credit 14:14 Cultural Differences in Lying 18:08 Lying in Politics  Guests Maurice Schweitzer, PhD and Emma Levine, PhD: [email protected] [email protected]  Link to Emma and Maurice’s study Prosocial Lies: When deception breeds trust  Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Support the Show. Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Narratives matter.  In a world where information spreads faster than ever, understanding and managing the stories that shape public perception is crucial. Constellation is an advanced narrative intelligence platform by Blackbird.AI designed to identify and mitigate reputational risks before they spiral out of control. For marketing and public relations professionals, the stakes have never been higher. With a single post capable of damaging a brand's reputation, knowing how to detect and respond to harmful narratives is essential.  Listen For: 3:23 The Importance of Narrative Intelligence in Managing Public Perception 4:41 AI Powered Risk Assessment for Organizations 10:30 Real World Applications and Case Studies 13:31 Mitigating Narrative-Driven Risks in Financial and Political Sectors  Guest: Dan Lowden Website| LinkedIn   Articles Indian Disinformation Aims to Sow Division in Bangladesh Following Ousting of Prime Minister Go Inside the UK Riot’s Harmful Narratives and Disinformation Campaigns Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Helping a brand within a heavily regulated industry develop a positive reputation can be a challenge.   Tobacco, alcohol, adult entertainment, pharmaceuticals, firearms, cryptocurrency, or cannabis. These sectors face stringent regulations and significant public scrutiny.   They also present incredible opportunities for marketers willing to navigate these hurdles. In this episode we explore the strategies needed to effectively promote products and services in tough industries, where traditional marketing approaches often fall short, and innovative, compliant strategies are keys to success.  Listen For 9:05 Overcoming Industry Challenges Through Earned Media 11:45 The Importance of “Receipts” 14:32 Engaging the Canna-Curious Segment 19:11 Leveraging Testimonials and Case Studies for Older Demographics  Guest: Michael Mejer, Green Lane Communication Website | Email | Michael’s LinkedIn | Green Lane Communication’s LinkedIn |  Instagram   Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

It’s an often overlooked but critical sin. Taking too many shortcuts in our work. The allure of quick fixes can lead to long-term damage and tank a brand’s reputation and trustworthiness. In this episode we uncover the hidden costs of cutting corners and the ethical implications that come with it. Listen For 4:42 Cutting Corners Using AI 6:26 Prioritizing Your Unique Strengths 11:00 Impacts of Cross Posting Content on Social Media 16:12 Cold Email Campaigns. Yea or Nay?  Guest: Jeremy Enns Jeremy Enns is the Founder of Podcast Marketing Academy where he helps scrappy brands & podcast creators make sense of marketing and hit their next growth milestone with step-by-step playbooks and approachable marketing education. Website | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Free Podcast Marketing Audit | Scrappy Podcasting Newsletter   Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Double the output – but lose the human touch? From automating media monitoring and sentiment analysis to optimizing content and reshaping billing practices. AI tools are revolutionizing the PR landscape. But while AI can handle many tasks efficiently, there are critical areas where human creativity and emotional intelligence remain irreplaceable.  It’s not all rosy predictions for AI and PR – there are very real challenges of AI adoption and the surprising inertia many in the field are experiencing.  Listen For 3:36 An example of AI Adoption Dramatically Increasing Productivity 7:44 Why PR and Marketing Pros Will Need to Shift to Value-Based Billing 15:29 AI Excels at Certain PR Tasks 21:55 Authenticity Will Stand Out in an AI-Saturated World  Guest: Michael Smart Subscribe to Michael's popular weekly newsletter on PR and AI tips   Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

We all use mental shortcuts to make decisions. Those mental shortcuts are the reason that first sentence in this episode description is so short.  Savvy marketers tap into these cognitive biases to influence out choices and drive success. In this episode, Nathan Yeung shares why understanding these shortcuts is crucial for creating effective marketing strategies and how trust and avoiding overconfidence play pivotal roles in winning over consumers.  Listen For 4:21 Utilizing Availability and Accessibility Heuristics 9:08 Channel Strategy and Consumer Habits 11:35 Ethical Use of Cognitive Biases 14:15 Trust and Overconfidence in Marketing Guest: Nathan Yeung, Find Your Audience Website | Email | LinkedIn  Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This episode was originally published September 13, 2022. Enter Behavioural Science, which is an umbrella term capturing economics, anthropology, cognitive neuroscience, sociology, psychology, and political science. It’s the study of when and why individuals engage in specific behaviours by experimentally examining the impact of factors such as conscious thoughts, motivation, social influences, contextual effects and habits.  There are hundreds of firms exploring in this field now, working for clients trying to convince people to buy the right soap, vote for the preferred candidate, or choose the right behaviour. It’s a shift away from just best practices and intuition – to seek an understanding of human behaviour as best we can. One is standing out from the field and the industry has noticed. Lynn, in Wales. It’s won dozens of awards including “Fastest Growing Communications Business in the World.” In this episode we meet the founder, Shayoni Lynn. Listen For 4:15 Understanding Behavioural Science 6:15 An Integrated Behavioural Science Approach 20:43 Misinformation and Disinformation Management 18:43 Sludge Audits  Guest: Shayoni Lynn, Lynn Website | Email | X | Instagram | LinkedIn Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Support the Show. Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Those big networking events. Many of us enjoy those but the repetitive small talk can be exhausting and challenging especially when conversations are frequently interrupted. In this episode we look at strategies for engaging storytelling in brief interactions, making meaningful connections, and ensuring your conversations stand out.   Listen For 5:06 The Power of Listening 9:13 When You’re an Introvert 13:30 Finding Your Wedge into Group Conversations 20:14 Tailoring Your Stories  Guest: Robert Kennedy III Website | You Tube  RK3’s August 2024 Webinar http://learnwithrk3.com/3swebinar  Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Instagram Reels has become critical for brand promotion. Of all the things you can do on IG (Stories, Posts, Carousels…), Reels is number one. SocialInsider studied this recently and found brands have increased their use of reels by 40% compared to the previous year because they’re more engaging than single images or carousels. Brands should have a consistent calendar for creating reels, but also use other content formats like carousels to reach their goals on Instagram. And, as in any PR campaign, it’s important to understand your audience and tailor content to their preferences. The “Reel” success for brands just might be in creating smaller, niche communities for more effective engagement. Listen For 3:38 Why Reels is Number One on Instagram and How Brands have responded 6:30 The Importance of a Content Mix 9:18 Understanding Your Audience 12:00 Why You Need to Get Their Attention in Three Seconds Guest: Adina Jipa, Founder and CMO Social Insider Email | LinkedIn | Instagram | Instagram Benchmarks Report Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

The debate was a disaster. In this episode, we look at the chaotic political showdown between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, exploring the “What Now” for each party. Janet Brown is an extremely well-respected pollster in Canada with NO political affiliation to either US party. We talk about what she would do if she was in charge of communications strategy for the Democrats and the Republicans. Listen For 6:38 The Need to Focus on Donors 8:40 Utilize Private Meetings for Recovery 14:06 Emulate Ronald Reagan’s “Morning in America” Campaign 21:32 How to Monitor Grassroots Indicators Guest: Janet Brown Website | Email | X | LinkedIn   Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres's has made a controversial suggestion that public relations professionals should sever ties with fossil fuel companies. While his comments are aimed at combating climate change, they overlook the crucial role PR pros play in driving innovation and transparency within these companies.  By disengaging, PR experts could inadvertently hinder progress towards net-zero goals, as their expertise is vital in communicating and facilitating the transformative changes necessary for a sustainable future.  But this raises another question – when should we say no to working with a company? Listen For 4:02 Understanding the Influence of Public Relations 4:40 The Role of Public Relations in Environmental Progress 6:10 Ethics vs Morality in Public Relations 17:45 Driving Positive Change Guest: Stuart Bruce Website | Email | LinkedIn Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This is a Replay from Episode 73 which first published in October 2022. You know how this feels. You’re called into a meeting on something important where a decision or action must be determined. But in the meeting, everyone takes turns making different points (presumably so they feel they’ve contributed to the meeting in front of their superior), the conversation goes wayward and when it comes time to making the decision, everyone’s confused or (worse) misled. This is typically the point where the most senior person in the room then makes decisions, essentially based on what they thought before they entered the room, and the meeting has been a waste of time. It just doesn’t have to be this way.  The ORID method (Objective, Reflective, Interpretive, Decisional) traces its origins to a person named Joseph Matthews, a US army Chaplin who had just come home from World War Two. When he returned to his university professorship, he was consumed with the need to help people process the events of their lives – to help people build meaning from their own trials.  Matthews met an art professor who showed him that any encounter with art involves a trialogue – or three-way conversation – between the art, the artist, and the observer. The Professor explained:    "First you have to take the work of art seriously by observing carefully what's there, and what's not. Then you must look seriously at what is going on inside of you as you observe the art to see how you are reacting, what repels you? What delights you? You have to peel back layers of awareness so that you can begin to ask what it means to you. Art, the professor explained, is like listening. You must work to create your own meaning from an artwork, or a conversation.”  Matthews recalled his exposure to phenomenology - the study of phenomena and brought to mind readings of Soren Kierkegaard. Matthews used this structure to create, what was called the art form conversation, and what facilitators affectionately call the focused conversation method. The idea is a structured conversation that helps participants develop their thinking in a logical manner but following a natural human process for focused communication. Logic and facts are introduced first, then emotion is welcomed, followed by interpretation, and then a decision or resolution to the thinking process.  In this episode we talk with Robin Parsons, a seasoned professional facilitator who uses the ORID method all the time.  Listen For 5:09 Definition and Role of a Facilitator 7:38 The ORID Method Explained 10:03 The Importance of Reflective Thinking 17:42 The Challenges with Surveys in Capturing Full Thinking Processes Guest: Robin Parsons, MBA, CPF, CTF Parsons Dialogue Ltd. Website https://www.parsonsdialogue.com/ Email [email protected]  Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube |  Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Leadership, and leadership communication, is evolving. The rules from even just five years ago (pre COVID) have shifted. In this episode Paige Williams shares how we can transform communication and leadership effectiveness by asking the right questions and staying rooted in curiosity. These are strategies that can enhance creativity, engagement, and resilience in your team, whether you’re leading a small group or a large organization. Listen For 5:22 The Importance of Asking the Right Questions 7:09 Modern Leadership and the Ecosystem 10:14 Holding Plans Lightly 18:29 Positive Deviance Guest: Paige Williams, Ph.D. Organisational Behaviour Website | Email| LinkedIn | Instagram | You Tube | Books on Amazon Books by Dr Paige The Leaders’ Ecosystem What Does Good Look Like? Own It! Becoming Antifragile Your Leadership Blueprint Surviving to Thriving Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Awareness is likely the most compelling element of purchase decisions. Hunter, a top consumer marketing communications firm says its studies show the power of awareness in purchase decisions. It’s also critical to have a multi-channel strategy that can capture your audience’s attention and drive them to action. And there’s a surprising amount of strength to in-store communication and word of mouth shaping consumer behavior. In this episode… what makes us buy. Listen for: 5:53 Key Insights from the Diagnostic Phase of the Hunter Study 8:26 The Importance of a Multichannel Strategy 10:59 The Surprising Dominance of In-Person Communication 19:35 Demographic Tendencies of Their Influence on Communication Channels Guest: Heddy DeMaria Website | Email | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, effective communication is more crucial than ever for organizations aiming to maintain a positive public image. Public relations (PR) advisors play a vital role in shaping these communications, ensuring that messages align with company values, respond appropriately to crises, and enhance the brand's reputation. However, a recurring issue is the reluctance of senior executives to heed the advice of their PR professionals. This disconnect can have significant repercussions for both the executive and the organization. Why don’t they get us? Listen For: 3:57 Senior Execs Who Misstep then Double Down 5:03 Importance of Media Training for Execs 7:44 Executive-Level Overconfidence 10:36 Effective Collaboration Between Executives and PR Teams Guest: Michelle Garrett Website | Email | X Michelle’s new book B2B PR That Gets Results  Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Here’s a different perspective. What if we didn’t regard AI as a technology? What if we thought of it as a stakeholder? AI has the power to influence and even revolutionize industries from sustainable development to climate intervention. At the same time, we know the risks involve navigating ethical complexities and misinformation. Maybe we need to expand our perspective beyond this tool we’re learning to use, and accept it as a complex voice we need to influence for the greater good. Guest: Rupert Younger, Founder and Director of the Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation X | LinkedIn | Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation | Enacting Purpose Initiative | Activist Manifesto    Publications Rupert’s original article in Oxford Answers The reputation game: the art of changing how people see you Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This episode was originally published September 13, 2020 but it's just as relevant today as then. Easily one of the most thoughtful episodes we've ever done. "Society is changing... there's a new elite emerging and those elite have huge amounts of power." Professor Anne Gregory, Ph.D., BA, FRSA, HonFCIPR, Huddersfield University, [email protected] "The problem with algorithms is they... discriminate almost by design. They're missing on diversity and inclusion, so you have to get in there as PR people." Jean Valin, BA, BA (Hons), APR, FCPRS, HonFCIPR, Valin Strategic Communications,  [email protected]   The Artificial Intelligence in Public Relations panel was founded in 2018. It’s a global volunteer committee, developed through the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) comprising senior communications professionals and leading PR academics and researchers. Recently CIPR and the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) partnered to publish the AI in Ethics Guide which seeks to improve ethical decision-making of algorithms and other automated tools to avoid harmful impacts on individuals. To access the Ethics Guide to Artificial Intelligence in PR: https://www.cipr.co.uk/ai Support the Show. Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This week we’re featuring an episode of the “Building Better CMO’s” podcast with Greg Stuart. GE has changed a whole lot since Global CMO Linda Boff started working there, more than 20 years ago. It was once a sprawling portfolio company that made everything from microwaves to television shows; recently, it spun off its healthcare, energy, and aerospace divisions into three distinct public companies, and executives like Linda take these core areas of focus very seriously.    Linda and MMA Global CEO Greg Stuart discuss how to punch above your weight with a smaller marketing team, why B2B businesses don't have to be boring, the importance of communicating to the rest of the C-Suite in their language. Guest Linda Boff LinkedIn This episode was produced and edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm.  Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Andrea Rooz has been a professional voice actor for two decades. In this episode she shares the intricacies of voiceover work, including the importance of acting classes and improvisation skills. She also highlights the shift in the industry from seeking traditional "radio voices" to preferring more relatable, everyday voices. Andrea outlines some of her techniques for maintaining a clear voice, such as chewing gum, staying hydrated, and munching on green apples. She also discusses the challenges of the job, including dealing with demanding clients and the increased competition due to the rise of home studios during the pandemic. Listen For 4:25 – The Industry Shift from “Voice of God” to “Voice of the Everyday Person” 5:19 – How to Adapt Voice to the Product or Service and Audience 10:12 – The Role of Demographics in Voiceover Choice 13:06 – Technical Aspects and Preparation for Voiceover Work Guest: Andrea Rooz Website | LinkedIn | One of Andrea’s TTC reads for the TTC  Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

TikTok is a powerful social media tool in the United States. About 170 million Americans use the platform and for many marketing and PR agencies it’s the preferred go to tool. The average time on TikTok in 2024, per user, is estimated to be 58 minutes per day. But several governments have banned TikTok from being used on Government devices – including the United States, Canada, the UK and Australia. In India, TikTok is banned altogether. In late April 2024, President Biden signed a bill into law that has bipartisan support. It’s called the National Security Act, 2024. Under the new law, ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, has until late January 2025 to divest itself of TikTok and find new ownership for the social media company. TikTok is fighting back saying the law is unconstitutional. What does the potential ban mean for marketing and PR pros? Listen For 5:10 The Impacts a Ban on Tiktok Will Have on Different Sectors 6:07 Platform Contingency Plans 21:12 Regulation and Market Dynamics Guest: Cayce Myers, PhD, LL.M., JD, APR Email | X | LinkedIn | Website  Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Travel marketing is changing. This episode explores the impact of shifting seasonal travel trends, evolving social media search habits, and the new booking landscape on marketing strategies. Learn how generations differ in their travel planning, how VR and AI are reshaping the industry, and why rich storytelling matters. Discover how to connect with travelers at every stage and measure campaign success through cutting-edge analytics. Listen For: 3:26 Seasonal Travel Trends Shift 4:07 From Bleisure to Lissness 6:11 The Power of TikTok in Travel Marketing 19:58 Data-Driven Measurement Guest: Dani Hannah and Allegra Demerjian Website | E-Book | Dani’s Email  | Allegra’s Email | Dani’s LinkedIn | Allegra’s LinkedIn Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

The Public Relations Society of America has united communication professionals across industries to combat misinformation. It’s a critical challenge and a battle we need to be honest about… we’re losing. At the end of 2023, PRSA assembled a group of 25 senior communicators from a wide range of industries, in-house and firms, for an additional meeting, with several follow-up meetings with subject matter experts, all spearheaded by Ray Day, 2024 PRSA Chair-elect. Three main actions emerged: We need to champion honesty and transparency, recognizing the need to enhance message strategies to outpace misleading information (which will always exist)We need to emphasize the importance of community-based listening and education, advocating for civil discussion to foster a more informed and respectful publicThe PR industry needs to become a trusted entity by reinforcing integrity and reliability across all communication channelsListen For 3:54 A Stakeholder Engagement Process for Addressing Misinformation 10:04 Community Level Education Strategies 13:56 Focus on Building Trust 18:26 Civility and Constructive Discourse Guest: Ray Day LinkedIn PRSA News Release Download the Guidebook Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This episode examines the current state of each of the big social media channels. Which platforms are the most used? Which ones are we engaging the most on? Where are content creators sinking their energy? And what can we predict in the near-term future for each? Listen For 5:57 X (formerly Twitter) 8:45 Facebook 9:54 Instagram 13:36 Threads 16:56 TikTok 18:34 YouTube 20:50 LinkedIn 21:59 Pinterest 22:56 Medium Guest: Stephanie Huston Website | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | TikTok Follow and Add us to a List on Podchaser Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Frankie is the dinosaur that went digital. The emergence and impact of virtual influencers can be seen in the United Nations' innovative climate change awareness campaign featuring a dinosaur named Frankie. This multifaceted initiative, which spanned a video in 38 languages, social media outreach, a children’s book, and various global events, successfully reached an audience of 2.2 billion. In this episode we dig into the strategies behind the campaign's broad reach, including content repurposing for diverse platforms and audiences, and the compelling use of personal narratives to forge a community rather than just an audience. Guest: Nicholas Bruneau Website | Email | Skype | LinkedIn Engage with Impact Website Engage with Impact on Amazon Check out the YouTube Trailer for the Engage with Impact book Watch Frankie the Dinosaur Video Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In his new book Engage with Impact, Nicholas Bruneau uses interviews and case studies from the UN, EU, World Bank and nonprofit organizations to demonstrate the power of agility in corporate communications today. A – Adopt a Startup Mentality G – Go Digital First I – Inspire with Personal Stories L – Leverage Your Content E – Empower Your Community Listen For 7:32 Utilizing Digital Strategies Effectively 9:32 Developing On-Message Tools 16:54 Optimizing SEO Guest: Nicholas Bruneau Website | Email | Skype | LinkedIn Engage with Impact Website Engage with Impact on Amazon Check out the YouTube Trailer for the Engage with Impact book Watch the original 2012 video Science, It’s a Girl Thing  Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In today’s competitive market, exceptional customer service is not just a luxury but a crucial element for business success. With the rise of digital interactions over traditional shopping experiences, customer service agents have become more than problem solvers; they are guides, educators, and relationship builders. Their ability to effectively interact with various types of people, in various kinds of moods, can be the defining factor between gaining loyal customers or losing them.  Studies show the cost of acquiring new customers can be five to 25 times higher than the expense involved in retaining existing ones. So investing in the training and development of these agents is not merely an option, it’s a business imperative. Their role as the primary point of contact makes them vital in shaping customer experiences and sustaining the company’s competitive edge. Guest: Priscilla Brooke Website | Email | X | Instagram Priscilla’s podcast Happy to Help Priscilla Brooke is the Head of Podcaster Success for Buzzsprout, a podcast-hosting service, based in Jacksonville Florida. Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

What are the rules?  In an era where artificial intelligence is revolutionizing communications and marketing, this episode dives into the critical conversation about the impact of AI, the void of formal regulations, and the industry's quest for ethical self-regulation.  It may well be up to us as a profession to craft our own ethical guidelines and envision what effective self-regulation could look like to safeguard the future of communications.  In this episode, a glimpse into what those regulations might look like. And should we even have rules for something we don’t really understand yet? Listen For 5:29 The Revolutionary Impact of AI and the Need for Self-Regulation 6:47 The Broader Influence of AI and the Challenge of Regulation 9:53 The Premature Nature of AI Regulation and the Importance of Education 14:07 Self-Regulation, Ethical Guidelines, and the Potential Role of Gen Z Guests: Professor Christian Stiegler LinkedIn | Guiding Light | Website Prof. Dr. Christian Stiegler is the Director of Guiding Light - an international organisation for ethics and sustainability in technologies. As an award-winning researcher and internationally renowned expert on emerging technologies, he writes and speaks extensively on subjects such as XR, AI, technology ethics, the metaverse and emerging technologies. Manuel Hűttl, CEO Milk & Honey PR LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Website Manuel Hüttl is Partner and CEO of Milk & Honey PR, a global Public Relations agency dedicated to shaping brand reputation. He is an industry veteran with over twenty years of experience, and opened Milk & Honey’s first continental Europe office in 2022. Manuel Hüttl holds various board positions and leads the AI Steering Group at Milk & Honey PR. Download the AI Ethical Playbook by Milk & Honey Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Tyler Chisholm is the CEO of a leading marketing firm and the creative force behind a popular Calgary-based podcast that shines a spotlight on local leaders and innovators. In this episode Tyler shares his strategic insights on how podcasting can be a powerful tool for developing brand affinity, engaging with a community of listeners, and creating a loyal customer base. Listen For 7:01 Overcoming Initial Hesitations 10:10 Podcasting as a Business Tool 18:59 Content Repurposing and Engagement Metrics Guest: Tyler Chisholm Website | Email | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook Listen to Tyler’s podcast Collisions YYC Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Stories capture imagination and can entertain but they’re most powerful when they also serve a strategic purpose. In this episode, Doug, and Mike Nachshen dive into the profound impact of narrative alignment with business goals. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of strategic intent behind stories, citing examples by Marriott Hotels, a Fortune 50 company, and Ronald Reagan at the Berlin Wall. Listen For: 03:44 Strategy Over Story 07:19 The Physical Power of Messaging 10:01 Audience Desires vs. Business Goals 18:53 The Historic Call to Action Guest: Mike Nachshen, Fortis Strategic Communications LLC Website | LinkedIn Read Mike’s article in PR Daily about Why Strategy Beats Storytelling Every Time Reagan Library Berlin Wall Speech Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In this episode we’re cross-examining a recent warning from Canada's Competition Bureau that has businesses buzzing and reevaluating their online review strategies. The Bureau has put the spotlight on the potential bias of employee-generated reviews and testimonials, signaling a need for companies to monitor these contributions closely. Yet, in the realm of internal communications, encouraging employees to be brand champions is considered foundational. So, where does the line between advocacy and bias lie? And it isn’t just Canada moving in this direction. There are signs the United States, UK, and Australia may be too. How can organizations navigate this complex landscape? Listen For 4:32 Is it Still Legal for Your Employees to Leave Reviews Without Declaring They are Employees? 10:37 This is Happening in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia 15:43 The Role of Disclosure in Employee Reviews 18:38 Influencers and Native Advertising Ethics Guests: Gavin Tighe and Stephen Thiele Website | Gavin email | Stephen email Listen to Gavin and Stephen’s podcast Beneath the Law Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

For the past 2+ years nights have been tense in Kyiv and throughout Ukraine. Julia Petryk, one of the co-founders of the Ukrainian PR Army joins us one evening to share what life is like now and the critical role of communications in the ongoing conflict. The efforts of the PR Army have helped mobilize a formidable information front to combat disinformation and keep Ukraine's situation in the international consciousness. This episode offers a unique look at the power of strategic communication in times of war and the unyielding fight for national identity and sovereignty. Listen For 3:15 The Role of PR in Conflict Zones 4:37 Founding the Ukrainian PR Army 13:56 Utilizing AI in Counteracting Disinformation 23:25 How PR Pros can Help Guest: Julia Petryk Website | Ukraine PR Army Website | Email | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Read Kateryna’s Story on the PR Army website Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Managing public relations for the British Royal Family is an intricate world, particularly now amidst the backdrop of King Charles III's health concerns. Two people who’ve been very close to that world are David Yelland, former editor of the Sun in the UK, and Simon Lewis who… managed public relations for the Royal Family under Queen Elizabeth II. In this episode we explore the evolution of public relations strategies within the Royal Family. Simon and David share their insider perspectives based on their experience. What are the biggest PR challenges facing the Royals today with the health of King Charles III in question? How has the Royal Family adapted to the digital age? And what advice would they give today? Listen For 3:11 The Evolution of Royal Communications Strategy 4:42 Reviewing the Importance of Simon’s Role as the First Comms Director for the Royal Family 5:54 Transparency and Openness Within the Palace 10:03 The Importance of Duty and Public Service Guests: Simon Lewis, former Communications Director for Queen Elizabeth II David Yelland, former Editor of the Sun Listen to Simon and David on their podcast “When it Hits the Fan” as produced by Raconteur for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

The third edition of the Asia-Pacific study by PRovoke Media flags Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) as a key driver behind rising optimism and budgets for communications leaders. But underneath the top layers, there’s uncertainty. Listen For 4:21 The Importance of ESG in Asia Pacific 7:50 The Role of Communications Teams and ESG 9:25 Measurement of ESG Efforts 13:32 DEI Challenges Guest: Arun Sudhaman Website| X | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Read the PRovoke Media 2023 Asia-Pacific Communications Index Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Last week we had a look at how to make an apology when you should – and why most apologies are just awful. But there’s another side to that human interaction – forgiveness. Accepting an apology. An apology can be the key that unlocks forgiveness, yet forgiveness can also occur in its absence, driven by personal growth and healing. In this episode we look at the psychological journeys involved in embracing forgiveness. Listen For 5:22 Why Apologies are Mandatory but Forgiveness is Not 8:13 Forgiveness Benefits the Forgiver 10:10 The Importance of Acknowledging Apologies 15:09 Self-Forgiveness and its Role in Personal Growth Guests: Marjorie Ingall Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Wikipedia Page | Contact Susan McCarthy X | LinkedIn SorryWatch.com The Meagan Napier Foundation Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

There are a lot of apologies out there. And a lot of them only serve to make things worse. “I’m sorry if you were offended” “We’re sorry if what we said was misunderstood” “The situation is regrettable” “Sorry but we have the right to do it and we reserve the right to do it again” Sometimes a bad apology is because someone wants to hold on to their pride, or deep in their heart an apology can’t be right because they know they’re the hero of their own story. In this episode Susan McCarthy and Marjorie Ingall of SorryWatch.com share some of what they see behind the bad apologies and offer good advice for doing better. Listen For 4:23 Why Apologies are Important to Society 5:54 The Challenges (and Benefits) of Apologizing 9:59 The Key Elements of a Good Apology 13:15 Why Sometimes You Shouldn’t Apologize Right Away Guests: Marjorie Ingall Website |Facebook| LinkedIn | Instagram | Wikipedia Page | Contact | Publishers Website for Book Susan McCarthy X | LinkedIn SorryWatch.com Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

The report shows two-thirds of senior leaders say they would describe their role as both marketing and communications but there’s a clear shift happening toward marketing. More focus on brand awareness, broader reach, building media relationships, and managing brand reputation. What does that mean for budgets in 2024? For content strategy? Muck Rack helps us understand the trends. Listen For 4:14 The Roles of Marketing and Communications are merging 6:21 How Budget is Being Allocated 10:41 The Focus on B2B or B2C? 12:38 Is Enough Attention Being Paid to Internal Communications?  Download the Muck Rack State of PR Report Guest: Linda Zebian, Muck Rack senior director, communications and community LinkedIn Muck Rack X | Instagram | LinkedIn | Threads | Website Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Historically, our approach to setting objectives and evaluation criteria has been organizational-centric. What is the company trying to achieve? What behavioural changes are needed by our key audiences to accomplish those goals? How do we nudge or persuade the behaviours of our key audiences? But is that satisfying those audiences? Is it ethical for us to think our job is to influence their behaviour? Are we considering how those audiences are evaluating us? In this episode Anne Gregory, a past chair with the Global Alliance and CIPR, and a recipient of Lifetime Achievement awards from both the PRSA and CPRS, says a new approach is needed. One that marks a step toward a new direction, emphasizing a more inclusive and responsive evaluation framework that aligns with the dynamic nature of modern communications and stakeholder engagement. Listen For 5:45 Anne’s Challenge of Traditional Evaluation Methods 8:28 Redefining the Purpose of Public Relations 10:46 Bridging the Gap Between Organizational Goals and Stakeholder Expectations 20:12 Aligning Communication with Your Societal Role and Stakeholder Expectations Guest: Anne Gregory, Ph.D., BA, FRSA, HonFCIPR, Huddersfield University University Website page | Email | X | LinkedIn You can download An evaluation u-turn: From narrow organisational objectives to broad accountability by Anne Gregory and Jim MacNamara here Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In March 2021 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey that was absolute gold for fake You Tube body language experts. Some said it was a significant moment when she touched her nose. Others said she revealed all when she showed the tip of her tongue. And another said the tell-all moment was that one particular blink. The top five videos of those “analyses” generated 5.9 million views. The Royals aren’t alone. A video analyzing the nonverbal communication of family murderer Chris Watts was watched by more than 38 million people. After the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard court case there were numerous body language experts on You Tube giving analysis like “when she licks her lips here, that’s when she’s lying.” Even Dr Phil has done videos analyzing precise body movements he said have definitive meaning. The problem? It’s all voodoo. There is no acceptable scientific method to decode body language. There is no “language of the body.” It is pseudoscience wrapped in bells and whistles to delight and amaze. And it’s based on our human tendency, in our everyday lives, to make judgements based on what see and interpret which is influenced by our internal prejudices. In this episode, the truth about nonverbal behaviour, and why misinterpretation can be downright dangerous to society. Listen For 6:02 Debunking the Famous Myth that 93% of all Communication is Non-Verbal 14:21 How Misconceptions Influence Decision-Making 17:16 Non-Verbal Communication in Credibility Assessment 19:28 Challenges in Applying Non-Verbal Communication Guest: Vincent Denault, Ph.D. , McGill University Postdoctoral Fellow Website | LinkedIn | You Tube Rate this podcast with just one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

There may be an emerging overreliance on generative AI in marketing and public relations. While artificial intelligence can enhance efficiency and creativity, it shouldn't overshadow fundamental marketing strategies. PR and marketing often focus too much on tactics like AI, neglecting the importance of a coherent, overarching strategy. Maybe Generative AI is part of a bigger problem. Listen For 4:47 Strategic Focus Over Tactical Execution 8:27 The Role of Generative AI in Marketing and PR 11:01 The Value of Human Insight in Content Creation 13:27 The Emerging Role of Prompt Engineers Guest: Joe Zappa, Founder Sharp Pen Media LinkedIn | Sharp Pen Media LinkedIn | X | Website | Email Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This is a FEED DROP of an episode of the Parenting and Personalities Podcast Imagine your child still hasn’t cleaned their room although you’ve asked them to numerous times. You probably don’t need to imagine. You remind them again, this time in a stronger tone, perhaps even demanding. And they either don’t or they do but the communication between you is strained. Another approach to this might be the “Curiosity Approach.” Your child doesn’t care about a clean room, they care that it’s THEIR room. They care about the ownership of it. So imagine interacting with your child on the possibilities they could do with THEIR room. Possibilities they realize for themselves can only happen if they straighten some things up. The Curiosity Approach is just one of the tools Life Coach Ellie Bambury uses working with parents and their kids to help them forge real communication. Guest: Ellie Bambury, The Big Sister Project Instagram: @thebigsisterproject_ Facebook LinkedIn Contact Kate Mason: Email | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | X Kate's book on Amazon Connect with Stories and Strategies LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Hurricanes, floods, wildfires. Depending on where you live there are times when authorities tell you it’s in your best interests to leave your home. This gets people to safety and creates necessary room for emergency teams they so desperately need. Evacuation is scary for residents. Some may have a chronic illness, some are afraid their home or property may be damaged or looted, and yes good old-fashioned stubbornness is another factor. Sometimes people feel they can do a better job of protecting their property than emergency officials and they aren’t necessarily always wrong. But emergency teams are beginning to notice a trend. The percentage of people refusing to leave is growing and that’s creating more danger. Additionally, there are stories of verbal abuse and intimidation toward emergency personnel trying to do a very difficult job. What is a communications pro to do? Guest: Tim Conrad, APR, Butterfly Effect Communications Email | Website | Facebook | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | You Tube Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies  Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Politicians, like any public figures, sometimes make verbal slips or misspeak, leading to memorable and often humorous moments. Here are a few notable examples: George W. Bush: Known for his malapropisms, one of his most famous misspeaks was when he said, "They mis underestimated me," combining "misunderstood" and "underestimated." Barack Obama: In 2008, while campaigning, Obama mistakenly said he had visited "57 states" in the U.S., obviously misspeaking the number of states. Dan Quayle: As Vice President, Quayle famously misspelled "potato" by adding an unnecessary "e" at the end during a school spelling bee. Donald Trump: Known for his unique speaking style, Trump once referred to the CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, as "Tim Apple," which became a widely discussed gaffe. Joe Biden once introduced Barack Obama as Barack America. Keeping politicians on message and on strategy can be tough. In this episode we explore a few ways to do it. Listen For 4:35 Storytelling in Political Communication 5:40 Understanding Your Audience and Choosing the Right Channels 7:26 Utilizing Digital Media 13:10 Crisis Management and Reputation Building Guest: Krysten Copeland, KC & Co Communications Website | Email | X | Instagram Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website   Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies   Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

The University of Oregon has introduced the first master's program in immersive technologies, focusing on augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR). The program aims to create thought leaders and strategists in the field, helping organizations understand and utilize these technologies. Despite slower adoption rates than expected, AR and VR technologies are still experiencing steady growth. The program also highlights successful uses of AR and VR, such as the Australian wine brand 19 Crimes, which uses AR to animate the images of convicts on their wine bottles, providing a richer brand experience for consumers. But are we ready to use these tools? Are our audiences ready to consume them? And how do we ensure they’re used to address not only business opportunities but social and environmental challenges? Listen For: 5:11 The Emergence of Immersive Media in Marketing 7:40 The Challenges in Adopting AR, VR and XR Technologies 10:22 The Impact of Hype-Cycles on Technology Adoption 15:28 The Importance of Media Literacy and Strategic Communication in Emerging Technologies Guest: Donna Z. Davis, Ph.D., APR Associate Professor + Director, Immersive Media Communication Master’s Program + Director, Oregon Reality (OR) Lab | SOJC Link to the Immersive Media Communications Master’s Program X | Link to Donna’s VR publications Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website   Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies   Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This week we’re offering another bonus episode in the form of a “Feed Drop” by The Speak Good Podcast. This episode was first published by Throughline Group in June 2022.  Brad Phillips and Christina Mozaffari reveal six advanced public speaking tips – from how to present more effective slides to how to improve your look during a virtual presentation.    Throughline Group Website | Email | Blog | Listen to The Speak Good podcast    Connect with Stories and Strategies LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In today’s crowded digital landscape, standing out as a genuine thought leader amidst the cacophony of voices is a unique challenge. Many voices may be influential, but all can claim the title of a true thought leader. Some naturally gravitate to this role, others pursue it, a few stumble into it. Some are bold visionaries. Others are evolved communicators, or they have a consistent presence (you know what they’re about). And then some are action-minded community builders. Regardless of how one attains the status of “Thought Leader” it’s important for companies to provide the time and resources for thought leadership development. It should be an intentional part of a leader’s role, rather than just a side project. When nurtured correctly, it can yield significant benefits for the companies and individuals. Guest: Kathleen Lucente LinkedIn | X Red Fan Communications LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Website Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

In 1917 the US Government found a unique way to reach a mass audience before mass media even existed. Movies. When projectionists needed to change the reel mid-movie, that took about four minutes. That was the perfect window of time to deliver a patriotic message and support an effort that ultimately changed the world. The four-minute speeches used an old tool (speeches) but embraced a newer technology (movies). And the true brilliance of the delivery was finding that window of time when people were most likely to listen. In this episode we speak with the chair of the Public Relations Society of America (2023) Michelle Egan, exploring the modern role of communications professionals as we embrace emerging artificial intelligence. And we look at how the role might change over the next 50 years as technologies continue to evolve. Listen For: 5:22 The adoption and perception of AI tools 7:13 Ethical considerations in AI 12:10 The evolution of the PR professional 15:29 The future of PR and professional communications Guest: Michelle Egan, APR, Fellow PRSA, 2023 PRSA Chair LinkedIn | Facebook |Instagram | X | PRSA | PRSA Code of Ethics Read Michelle’s editorial “How Important is it for Your Organization to Have a Code of Ethics?” Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Wikipedia is one of the most-visited websites in the world. Additionally, it has influence. The information on Wikipedia is also disseminated across the web on Google’s Knowledge Graph and associated search page components, quick summaries of topics on Siri and Alexa, and even into news articles, podcast discussions, and government websites. Wikipedia is also of interest for SEO practitioners, heavily influencing Google search results and now impacting outputs from generative AI software like Chat-GPT. Everyone from journalists, investors, and your customers are using Wikipedia to understand your company. Do you understand how it works and what you can do about it? Listen For 4:17 The importance of Wikipedia for PR and SEO 5:51 The role of Wikipedia editors 10:38 Brand presence on Wikipedia 12:13 Common mistakes Brands make on Wikipedia Guest: Rhiannon Ruff Email | LinkedIn | Lumino Digital’s website | Rhiannon’s book Managing a Crisis on Wikipedia Rate this podcast with just one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

The benefits of a multicultural campaign should be obvious by now but let’s document some of them so it’s clear. Reflect societal trends and valuesYou’re able to actually understand more of your audience/stakeholdersInvolve people in appropriate settings and contextCreate tailored marketing content and strategiesBroaden your brand’s story as inclusive of diverse culturesSeptember 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s recognized in the United States, but also in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela. There’s also recognition in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In this episode we connect with Cuban American Manuel Machado from CCOM Group which specializes in multicultural campaigns. Guest: Manuel Machado, Co-Chair CCOM Group Email | X | LinkedIn | CCOM Website |Forbes Article by Manuel Leave a rating for this podcast with one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website  Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

It’s an area of the world so few of us in the west really understand. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia. All countries that make up what we can refer to as Central Asia. The list of Global Top 100 companies is growing there as Google, Coca Cola and others understand how important it is. In the midst of this region’s rapid growth and transformation, PR and Marketing specialists must consider the unique rules governing their work. The media landscape is different across the region with some nations embracing freedom of speech and press, while others follow a more government-controlled media approach and others still are influenced by powerful oligarchs. In this diverse media landscape traditional media is still powerful but now social media’s influence is growing rapidly and has become a powerful tool in shaping narratives and influencing public opinion. Guest: Alexander Likhtman Email [email protected] Alexander’s bio and articles he’s written On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram Leave a rating for this podcast with one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Propel Media has released its Q3 2023 Media Barometer and again it’s showing journalists responded to only 2.99% of nearly 500,000 pitches sent to them. It’s the third straight quarter in which journalist response rates are below three percent and a rather clear signal to PR pros we need to shift our pitching tactics to beyond just mainstream media. This year alone Buzzfeed News shut its doors, Vice filed for bankruptcy, ESPN laid off 20 on-camera personalities, the LA Times laid off 74 newsroom staff, and Insider nixed 100 jobs. Outside the US in Canada, Australia, and Great Britain similar stories are unfolding. In this episode, why response rates are so low and which pitches have a glimmer of hope. Guest: Zach Cutler, Propel https://www.propelmypr.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/propel-crm/ Twitter @propelprm Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PropelPRM  Download the Propel Media Barometer – Q3 2023 Leave a rating for this podcast with one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Understanding the structural changes that happen in our brain when we change our minds adds a fascinating dimension to the study of this cognitive phenomenon. We already recognize that external factors such as new information, social influences and familiarity play significant roles in our decisions but exploring the underlying neural transformations provides deeper insights. When we alter our perspectives or revise our beliefs, intricate neuronal connections within our brains undergo modifications. These changes involve the strengthening or weakening of synaptic connections between neurons to form new neural pathways. Change your mind and you change you. Guest: Allyson Andrade, Ph.D. Candidate Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Guelph [email protected]  Leave a rating for this podcast with one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies   Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

An online survey of 300 people in the United States, Germany, and South Korea explores consumer perceptions of media brands vs other brands. Among the findings: When people trust the content shown on the platform, they were more likely to trust the platform (and vice versa)The media channel being used (i.e., television news) has a significant impact on the level of trust in the content being consumedWe think of television, radio, film, music, social media, print, outdoor ads, and video chats as media brandsWe don’t think gaming, online retailing, influencers or global tech brands are mediaGuest: Steffen Heim LinkedIn   Download the study Exploring Trust in Media Brands today: Definition, Dimensions and Cross-National Differences Leave a rating for this podcast with one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website  Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook  Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies  Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

One might use social media in a social marketing campaign but they are starkly different things. Social marketing is a marketing approach designed to influence behavior with the primary goal to be achieving the common good. The first evidence of social marketing was in 1963 at the Indian Institute of Management when they introduced a national family planning program with high quality, government brand condoms distributed and sold throughout the country at low cost. Other campaigns you know have followed the social marketing approach including anti-tobacco campaigns, skin cancer campaigns promoting the use of sunscreen with slogans like “Slip! Slop! Slap!” AIDS, water conservation, and numerous health industry campaigns have also followed the social marketing approach.   Guest: Julie Colehour, Partner C+C Julie is the co-author of Social Marketing: Behavior Change for Good, Edition 7 Connect with Julie on LinkedIn Connect with Julie on Twitter www.cplusc.com Leave a rating for this podcast with one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebookOur NEW You Tube ChannelRequest a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Measurement is a key part of the success of any professional communications plan. And it’s the same with internal communications. But the right kind of measurement, and measuring the right things is just as important.   A 2023 Deloitte Study shows 58% of corporate affairs leaders consider data and insights to be their top area for improvement. Good internal communication should go beyond proving value, it should be a strategic tool, helping leaders diagnose issues, find resources, create programs and take action based on insights from data analysis.   Guest: Aniisu Verghese, Ph.D. https://www.aniisu.com/ [email protected]   Look for Aniisu’s newest book Inclusive Internal Communications on Amazon   Leave a rating for this podcast with one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebookOur NEW You Tube ChannelRequest a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has launched an initiative to find the ultimate Campaign that Changed the World over the last three quarters of a Century. CIPR is asking YOU to vote on one of the seven PR Campaigns shortlisted below as the best in the last 75 years:  1948-59 Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott 1960-69 Civil Rights Movement in the United States 1970-79 The first Earth Day 1980-89 AIDS activism: a medical breakthrough 1990-99 Virgin Atlantic vs British Airways 2000-09 iPhone Launch 2010-19 Climate Change: The Paris Agreement 2020-23 Covid, vaccinating the world You’re familiar with each of these including some iconic moments and sound bites, but how much do you know about the actual campaigns? We cover them all in this episode. If you were to pick just one… JUST ONE… what would it be?   Read the CIPR News Release SPOILER - Voting closed June 23, 2023 and the winner was... 2000-09 iPhone Launch    Guest: Anne Gregory, Ph.D., BA, FRSA, HonFCIPR, Huddersfield University Email [email protected]  On Twitter @gregsAnne  Leave a rating for this podcast with one click  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: ·        LinkedIn ·        Twitter ·        Instagram ·        Facebook ·        Our NEW You Tube Channel Request a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

With the emergence of more generative AI (see Chat GPT3 or GPT4…) there’s a new required skillset emerging in Communications – we are going to need skilled people who know how to prompt the AI software successfully. Prompt engineering is a concept in artificial intelligence in which the description of the task the AI software is supposed to accomplish, is embedded in the input.    Those who know how to speak with the software, to prompt the most effective outputs, become extremely valuable. Very quickly this is changing how young people prepare for a career in PR, with many including data science now in their studies.   Aaron Kwittken saw this coming. He built a new PR platform that leverages natural language processing and machine learning to help brands more effectively target and pitch journalists around the world. It’s an idea that makes perfect sense now, but it was a tougher sell to investors when it first started.   Guest: Aaron Kwittken, founder and CEO Prophet and Stagwell Marketing Cloud’s Comms Tech Unit Web page https://www.prprophet.ai/ Aaron’s personal weg page https://aaronkwittken.com/  Email [email protected]   Leave a rating for this podcast with one click Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebookOur NEW You Tube ChannelRequest a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

It’s as if we have a new toy. When Open AI released Chat GPT-3 last November, and made it fully accessible to the public, it suddenly changed how we can create engaging and relevant content for our audiences, with just a few prompts. Not only can we CREATE content, but we can also gather valuable insights into customer behaviours and preferences like never before. By analyzing the data generated by customer interactions, businesses can identify patterns and trends they can use to optimize their strategies. But it’s all so new for so many of us. What exactly can we do with this NEW TOY? Leave a rating for this podcast with one click Guest:  Brad Williamson, Lead Strategist Catch Digital Catch Digital website https://www.catchdigital.io/ Email [email protected]  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebookOur NEW You Tube ChannelRequest a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

We’ve seen this coming for a long time, but thanks to skepticism, and maybe a little sleepwalking, it’s never really bubbled to the top.  But with the launch of Open AI’s ChatGPT Tool in November 2022 based on the GPT-3 dataset there’s a sudden surge of interest in in the PR industry around what’s happening with Artificial Intelligence and how we might be either impacted or supported (depending on your personal level of optimism). An exceptional new report by Stephen Waddington and Andrew Bruce Smith, available through CIPR looks at 10,000 marketing tools and focuses its analysis on those related to public relations. And if you suspected Chat GPT is just the tip of the iceberg – you’re right. Download the Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and the impact on public relations (PR practice (2023)   Guest: Stephen Waddington, Founder and Managing Partner of Wadds Inc. Website https://www.wadds.co.uk/  Email [email protected]  Follow on Twitter @wadds  Follow on LinkedIn   Listen to our 2020 episode with Jean Valin and Anne Gregory examining the AI in PR Ethics Report.   Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebookOur NEW You Tube ChannelSend us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

This week we’re offering a bonus episode in the form of a “Feed Drop” by the podcast Woman Up With the Sister Brand. This episode was first published by Woman Up in early March 2023 Macro influencers offer huge audience numbers, sometimes in the millions. But right now the trend is toward micro influencing and there are all kinds of reasons for that not the least of which is there are “fake” macro influencers out there charging insanely high fees AND THEY’RE BEING FOLLOWED BY BOTS. Micro influencers also tend to bring, not only a targeted audience but a loyal one. Forbes estimated micro influencers offer a 60% higher engagement rate which leads to a 20% higher conversion rate. They’re often more willing to work with new or smaller brands and best of all they provide access to niche communities. But how do you know the right micro influencer to choose? How do you know they’re “On Target?” And what kinds of fees are the going rate? Listen to, and follow, Woman Up With the Sister Brand https://thesisterbrand.com/podcast  What do you think of the Feed Drop Concept? Let us know in this anonymous survey Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

A 2023 new study by Social Insider reveals what most social media experts already know. Engagement by followers on social media – ALL social media channels – is down… again. While Tik Tok ranks by far the highest for engagement, it too is in decline. But more and more leaders, PR pros, marketers, continue to rely on social media. Many think it’s just a matter of “going viral” or growing their following to the point they can be considered an influencer. None of that is impossible but maybe more than a little exaggerated. While social media has value, it’s increasingly evident it’s only a tool in the box. In this episode, PR veteran Robert Wynne has some cautious words about putting all your eggs in the social media basket. Guest: Robert Wynne, President Wynne Communications Email Robert [email protected] Website https://www.wynnepr.com/ Robert’s Book: The Persuasion Business on Amazon Check out the Med-PR Networking Conference in New York https://www.wynneevents.com/med  Read the Social Insider blog referenced in these show notes.  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebookOur NEW You Tube ChannelRequest a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Web3 marketing refers to marketing strategies and tactics specifically designed to reach audiences within the Web3 ecosystem. Web3 refers to the decentralized and distributed internet and the technologies that enable it. There are many ways to interpret Web3 communications. It might include using a decentralized social network or web forum to engage with audiences, using blockchain-based systems to track and verify the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, or using decentralized apps (often called dApps) to create interactive and immersive marketing experiences in a digital world.  Guest: Robert Lund, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder Studio TBD Website https://studio-tbd.io/ Twitter https://twitter.com/StudioTBD_NYC Insta https://www.instagram.com/tbd.products/ Email [email protected]  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebookOur NEW You Tube ChannelRequest a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Trust is at the core of all great relationships. With it, the living and working environment is energetic, productive, a joy to be in. Without it there’s lethargy and it’s almost impossible to move forward. Trust provides a sense of safety. For the last 23 years the Edelman Trust Barometer has helped leaders gauge who people believe in and who they expect to step up. Right now it’s business leaders who are assuming the leadership mantle. Business has emerged as an ethical force for good in an increasingly polarized world. In this episode we speak with the executive director of Intellectual Property of the Edelman Trust Institute. Guest Tonia Ries, Executive Director, Thought Leadership, Edelman Trust Institute [email protected] 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer https://www.edelman.com/trust/2023/trust-barometer Read the Facial Resemblance Enhances Trust study from McMaster University Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebookOur NEW You Tube ChannelRequest a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

If you aren’t accustomed to hearing your own voice it’s one of the first things that stands out… all those umms and uhhs.  One out of every 60 words we say is umm or uhh. Interview guests will frequently ask “Could you edit all those out?”  At Toastmasters someone is even assigned to count your umms and uhhs as you present and report them to you (that’s not distracting at all). But what do those verbal fillers really mean? Are they necessarily negative? Is there a threshold whereby too many suddenly becomes negative? Should you work to eliminate them from your speech? Or is it possible these little expressions are essential pieces of the fabric and machinery that make up verbal conversation and understanding? Guest Nick Enfield, BA (Hons) (ANU), PhD (Melbourne), FAHA FASSA FRSN Professor Linguistics, Director Sydney Social Sciences and Humanities Advanced Research Centre Email: [email protected] Website: http://nickenfield.org/  Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebookOur NEW You Tube ChannelRequest a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show

Things happen fast in the world of public relations and marketing and Ragan’s PR Daily is one of the best ways to keep on top of industry best practices and new ideas. In this episode we chat with the Executive Editor of PR Daily, Allison Carter about: 2:43 ChatGPT – Read the article in Ragan’s6:26 Netflix’ Password Sharing Nightmare – Read the article in Ragan’s10:13 Is Social Media Heading in the Right Direction? – Read the article in Ragan’s12:48 Journalist Response Rates are Down – Read the article in Ragan’s15:59 Culture Wars Claim M&M’s – Read the article in Ragan’s Guest Allison Carter, executive editor of PR Daily @allisonlcarter on LinkedIn and Twitter Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebookOur NEW You Tube ChannelRequest a transcript of this episode Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Support the show