The phrase "brand ambassador" has become something of a buzzword these days, and who better to represent your brand than the people who work for you? In theory, it's a great concept. But in practice, many business leaders struggle with finding high-quality employees and training them to be effective brand advocates. In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre talk about internal and external communications, culture, and what it takes for your employees to become your best brand advocates...
Sep 28, 2021•24 min•Ep. 15
After 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic, an increasing number of people are attending in-person business events. From media events and brand activations to industry conferences and local networking opportunities, we're seeing a gradual return to the public sphere. But many questions remain. In this episode, Abbie and Adrian share their thoughts on attending in-person events. How do we make decisions about which events to attend? What health and safety protocols are hosts and venues putting in p...
Sep 14, 2021•28 min•Ep. 14
What makes someone a good candidate for a job at a public relations firm or a role in communications or marketing at a business or non-profit? As the nature of work and careers continues to evolve, it turns out that the "obvious" answers to this question aren't always the best ones. In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre talk about the essential skills for anyone seeking to work as a "modern-day communicator" and what it takes to be successful in a PR or communications role, whether...
Aug 31, 2021•34 min•Ep. 13
It's important to keep your messaging and social media marketing consistent with your brand values and company goals. But how do you do this in a world where every employee, customer, client, and vendor is active on their own social media accounts? What social media policies should your organization have in place in 2021, when the lines between personal and professional are blurred more than ever? What strategies should you use to coordinate your communication across all channels? What are the e...
Aug 17, 2021•33 min•Ep. 12
The Olympic Games are not just international sporting events. They have become a platform for discussions about branding, sponsorship, sportsmanship, politics, nationalism, and many other important topics. In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre share their thoughts on the Olympics and the lessons we can all learn about teamwork, mental health, and striving to do better together by facing our challenges with grace. Read Abbie Fink's blog post for this episode: "The Olympics is About ...
Aug 03, 2021•19 min•Ep. 11
Common sense is increasingly uncommon. And when it comes to the media, there’s a lot of common nonsense that circulates all too easily, making it harder and harder for ordinary, well-intentioned folks to find reliable sources of accurate information about the issues we face today. “Media literacy” is more important – and more elusive – than ever. In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre are joined by Ilana Lowery of Common Sense Media, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to h...
Jul 20, 2021•33 min•Ep. 10
It's more important than ever to become "news literate" and to develop the critical thinking skills needed to evaluate the sources of our information. In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre talk about news literacy, "fake news," and the responsibility we all have to be smart, active consumers of news and information. Read Abbie Fink's blog post for this episode: "Why it is Important to be News Literate" Additional Resources "How To Combat Misinformation" "How Can Games Enhance News ...
Jul 06, 2021•26 min•Ep. 9
Whether you're a celebrity, a CEO, or a regular ol' person just going about your business, there's a good chance you've had to apologize at least once or twice in your life. In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre talk about the art of apologizing in a sincere and meaningful way -- and why so many people (ourselves included) struggle to do this well. Read Abbie Fink's blog post for this episode: "Is it Enough to Just Say You’re Sorry?" Additional Resources "What are the Pitfalls that...
Jun 22, 2021•24 min•Ep. 8
When a company has a problem, a breakdown, a crisis -- something goes wrong and the whole world is talking about it -- it's often said that they have a PR problem. But what if that whole situation could have been avoided? And what if including your communications pros earlier in the conversation could have prevented all of that? In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre talk about why executives should make sure their marketing, communications, and public relations team has a seat at t...
Jun 08, 2021•30 min•Ep. 7
In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre discuss the pitfalls and possibilities of social media for marketing and corporate communications in 2021. Someone posed the question the other day—are you really a business if you don’t engage on social media? Good question. Social media connects us with the world at large. Social media can replace email. For many people, social media is their only source of news. And it is no doubt a worthwhile tool for any company that wants to engage with i...
May 25, 2021•24 min•Ep. 6
We’ve all heard that it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. But when it comes to the media, especially in today’s contentious political climate, it’s hard to know who to know and even who to trust … let alone how to get them to trust you. In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre talk about why it's important to build relationships with the media and how to do it. If you want to earn media coverage and build real relationships with journalists and editors, you need to learn what ma...
May 11, 2021•31 min•Ep. 5
Is "influencer marketing" new? Do influencers make traditional public relations and marketing communications obsolete? These are questions Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre discuss in today's episode. Merriam-Webster defines influence as "the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways." In marketing, the use of "influencers" existed long before the digital era. Any celebrity, athlete, public figure, or scientific expert who could influence a buyer's decision was (and ...
Apr 27, 2021•31 min•Ep. 4
Giving back to the community is good for business. Whether through cash contributions, board or volunteer service, businesses that make a commitment to community will reap the benefits. Beyond the buzzwords like CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), community relations is an essential part of public relations practice -- and a key corporate strategy for "do-good programming" that is mutually beneficial for the company and the community. In this epi...
Apr 13, 2021•31 min•Ep. 3
Whether you are President of the United States or the president of a small business, managing media relations and fielding questions from journalists requires careful planning, preparation, and practice. There are tried and true communication tips and techniques everyone can use whether you are being interviewed by the media, addressing your investors, or communicating internally with your employees. In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre share media training strategies and examples...
Mar 30, 2021•22 min•Ep. 2
HMA Public Relations is a full-service marketing communications and public relations agency. Founded in 1980, they are the oldest continuously operating PR firm in Arizona and celebrated their 40th year in 2020. HMA Public Relations’ capabilities are not limited to any industry, nor bound by geographic boundaries. In addition to their headquarters office in Phoenix, they are a founding member of the Public Relations Global Network, a comprehensive network of independent public relations firms ar...
Mar 16, 2021•38 min•Ep. 1
COMING SOON: Copper State of Mind is a new podcast for Arizona executives and directors of marketing and communications who want to increase the effectiveness of their public relations and marketing campaigns. From messaging and media relations to content strategy and crisis management, the dollars your organization spends on integrated marketing communications are an investment that helps boost your brand, break through the noise, and drive business results. Join Abbie Fink , Vice President/Gen...
Mar 02, 2021•6 min
