Podcast topics: - Marquis runs down his history with BNY Mellon and the intricacies of his role as global head of external comms, the future of hybrid work as the latest COVID variant recedes, how students and new graduates experience the job hunt differently now and more. - The communications components of the Russia-Ukraine conflict; how the Biden White House is communicating information to important stakeholders — both domestic and foreign — how Russian president Vladimir Putin is trying to c...
Feb 24, 2022•28 min•Ep. 67
Podcast topics: - Anderson talks about the origins of Nike Communications, the Black Acceleration Initiative — pro bono PR and marketing support for Black-owned businesses — and how the industry can better serve Black professionals’ career development beyond Black History Month; Garba talks about how the Black Acceleration Initiative propelled LoveLee Wine, how she developed her own brand and more; - Recapping Super Bowl LVI, the best and worst advertisements, the blockbuster halftime and the ac...
Feb 17, 2022•40 min•Ep. 66
Podcast topics: - Asche talks about his career move from CMO at anti-tobacco advocacy group The Truth Initiative to the president of climate-focused nonprofit Potential Energy; the similarities and differences in advocacy targeting the big tobacco and big oil industries; how to communicate complex or controversial advocacy ideas to a broad audience and more. - Looking at Edelman’s 2021 results , which saw revenue at world’s largest PR firm jump 15.4%, moving closer to the $1 billion mark; And re...
Feb 10, 2022•39 min•Ep. 65
Podcast topics: - Pulizzi talks about Kyndryl's $19 billion spinoff from IBM in November 2021, how to organize and tell the brand story of a new business under COVID-19 restrictions, Pulizzi's career path in the Clinton Administration, Citi, World Bank and GE, and more; - Discussing how media companies' crisis comms around controversial public figures, from Joe Rogan’s podcast and allegations of spreading of vaccine misinformation to Whoopi Goldberg’s suspension from The View over insensitive re...
Feb 03, 2022•40 min•Ep. 64
Podcast topics: - Littman talks about her three-year tenure as MSL U.S. CEO, how the agency's culture shifted during COVID-19, how MSL redefined and repositioned itself as a "midsized" agency while staying true to its identity and more; - How Korean K-pop supergroup BTS created an organic branding opportunity for fast-food chain Chipotle Mexican Grill and how the restaurant quickly created an activation to target BTS’s super-fan “army” ; - On the drama surrounding M&M's mascot redesign , whi...
Jan 27, 2022•41 min•Ep. 63
Podcast topics: - Rafferty talks about starting a new role and taking on more responsibility during her largely remote tenure at Wells Fargo, moving from the agency world to running comms for a large financial institution, the future of live events and business conferences and more. - Discussing the details of IPG Dxtra CEO Andy Polansky’s plans to retire after a 38-year career and the future of Weber Shandwick and IPG Dxtra; - The implications of Edelman’s latest Trust Barometer report , which ...
Jan 20, 2022•42 min•Ep. 62
Podcast topics: - Levick talks about running a boutique agency focused on crisis commutations, the evolution of crisis communications over the last several decades — especially during the turbulent Trump administration — working with potentially controversial foreign governments, what mainstream media gets wrong about PR professionals and more; - Discussing the details of IPG Dxtra CEO and Weber Shandwick executive chairman Andy Polansky’s planned retirement , which he announced on January 12. W...
Jan 13, 2022•37 min•Ep. 61
This week on the podcast, PRWeek editorial director Steve Barrett and executive editor Frank Washkuch are joined by Sabrina Sanchez, reporter for PRWeek and Campaign US. Podcast topics: - What does "Web 3.0" really mean? What's going on in "the metaverse?" And what does it all mean for communicators in the year ahead? A look at the evolving tech sector with a focus on brands, including Twitch , Rec Room , Zynga and more; - The future of the media landscape, including Ben Smith's exit from The Ne...
Jan 06, 2022•41 min•Ep. 60
Creative + connected = effective. This is an equation for modern marcomms. Some exciting new ways technology brings this to fruition are discussed during this podcast. AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com . Use code POD at check out fo...
Jan 05, 2022•17 min
Developing the corporate brand has become paramount to most organizations. As this conversation highlights, the best way to get it right is to involve PR early and a lot. AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out ...
Dec 21, 2021•31 min
Meredith Klein, head of consumer and product communications at Pinterest, discusses upcoming trends for 2022, new celebrity partnerships, sales strategies, and more. AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $...
Dec 16, 2021•43 min•Ep. 59
Making a workplace attractive for Gen-Z professionals is a unique proposition. The counsel offered during this podcast will bolster recruitment and retention efforts of this crucial segment of the workforce. AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aideciphereds...
Dec 13, 2021•35 min
Podcast topics: - Teranishi talks about the PR scene in Hawaii, the branding around and misconceptions of Hawaii regarding tourism, business and culture, the resurgence of indigenous Hawaiian culture and more; - Recognizing this year’s class of six influential inductees into PRWeek’s Hall of Fame , which comprised General Mills’ Jano Cabrera, Golin’s Fred Cook, Joe Evangelisti from JPMorgan Chase, Flowers Communications’ Michelle Flowers Welch, HP’s Karen Kahn and Zeno’s Barby Siegel; - On this ...
Dec 09, 2021•42 min•Ep. 58
Podcast topics: - Ross talks about her position as Edelman US CEO six months into her tenure, how her work in the public political comms sector informs her work in the private sector, what a "great day" at Edelman looks like, the strides that have been made regarding diversity at the top of the PR industry (and how much work remains to be done) and more; - Discussing the onset of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and its potential — and realized — impacts on the comms industry and larger economic ...
Dec 02, 2021•44 min•Ep. 57
The importance of scientific communications has never been more evident as it is now. A major reason stems from the myriad comms pitfalls that appeared during COVID-19, particularly the early days. From real-time information challenges to opinions being misinterpreted as fact, Real Chemistry’s Jennifer Gottlieb dissects the root of the COVID-19 comms problems that kept leaders such as her so busy from the get-go. When she confronts a particularly difficult scenario, one of the first questions sh...
Nov 30, 2021•24 min
Podcast topics: - The future of work and plans to return to a weekly office commute — is there a new normal? How are agencies and other businesses adapting? And what do employees want?; - The highly competitive competition to hire and retain PR talent across the industry and the disruption that started with COVID-19 and has continued months later; - Edelman’s response after being targeted by a celebrity-driven push for the firm to stop working with fossil-fuel clients and to recommit to working ...
Nov 18, 2021•38 min•Ep. 56
This week on the podcast, PRWeek editorial director Steve Barrett and executive editor Frank Washkuch are joined by Erica Jefferson, associate commissioner for external affairs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Podcast topics: - Jefferson talks about working through no “average days” at the FDA, what frontline comms work at the FDA was like during each stage of the agency’s COVID-19 response, making sure the public has accurate and timely information about vaccinations and other COVID tr...
Nov 11, 2021•36 min•Ep. 55
Brands and their leaders are expected to get involved in matters impacting society. Increasingly, consumers are judging organizations on their purpose and ESG initiatives, making key decisions based on their perceptions. Social channels and platforms are where many of these conversations and activities take place. This podcast, featuring Coyne PR’s Tim Schramm and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business’ Kimberly Whitler, drills deep into the opportunities and pitfalls that await br...
Nov 10, 2021•22 min
Podcast topics: - Leslie talks about his recently announced plans to step down as chairman at Weber Shandwick after more than two decades at the agency, his early political comms work in the U.S. and abroad, his plans for the future and more; - On narratives, implications, outcomes and strategies of government officials and climate activists during the COP26 climate change summit ; - Highlighting the execs and professionals who comprise PRWeek’s Health Influencer 30: Class of 2021 , including Me...
Nov 04, 2021•53 min•Ep. 54
Podcast topics: - Lund talks about her position at pharmaceutical company Organon, which spun off from Merck in June, how Organon positions itself to address an industry deficit in women-centric healthcare, what’s next for Organon and more; - Discussing longtime Weber Shandwick chairman Jack Leslie’s decision to step down in March 2022 after more than two decades in the role and his history in the industry; - On Facebook’s financial results and the series of scandals that have put the social med...
Oct 28, 2021•38 min•Ep. 53
Podcast topics: - Garrett talks about the origins of his firm, Redwood Climate Communications — which Garrett created to serve clients in the “climate tech” sector — working with clients communicating on major climate-related issues, emerging technology in the climate tech sector, breaking through the “doom and gloom” of environmental news and more; - Recounting the life and extensive legacy of public relations pioneer David Finn, who passed away on October 18 at 100; - Medtronic’s promotion of ...
Oct 20, 2021•25 min•Ep. 52
This week on the podcast, PRWeek editorial director Steve Barrett interviews Kristal Howard, director of media relations and corporate communications at Kroger and PRWeek's chair of jury for the 2021 Purpose Awards . Podcast topics: - Howard talks about how Kroger, the largest supermarket chain in the country, took steps to protect its employees during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of frontline essential workers in other industries from airlines to hotels; - Discussing the work of vir...
Oct 15, 2021•26 min•Ep. 51
Every industry was impacted notably by COVID-19, including the home and building sector. While myriad challenges were presented to all entities in the space, many opportunities arose, as well. In either case, though, communicators had to adjust to new realities on a daily basis – and they still must to this day and into the foreseeable future. This conversation, featuring Ben Boyd, VP of comms and community relations, Lowe’s Companies, and Meredith Topalanchik, MD at G&S Business Communicati...
Oct 13, 2021•29 min
Podcast topics: 2:49 - Ponzio talks about her career path from Edelman to the origins of APC Collective, activating authentic DE&I initiatives, working through 2020’s civil rights protests and COVID-19 and more. 18:14 - How Facebook responded to two crises this week: whistleblower allegations that it had purposely prioritized “ growth over safety ” and an hours-long outage on Facebook and Instagram. Plus, how brands reacted to the outage on Twitter . 25:21 - Catching up on the ongoing develo...
Oct 07, 2021•42 min•Ep. 50
For every brand in every sector, a commitment to purpose is reaching table-stakes level in terms of being a necessity for success. Of course, this manifests itself differently depending on the type of organization you are. The good news, though: Inspiration and education can be gleaned for all brands from any entity in any industry. That is proved in this podcast, featuring Harvey Mason, Jr., CEO of The Recording Academy, and Sean Smith, EVP and head of corporate counsel practice, Porter Novelli...
Oct 07, 2021•30 min
Podcast topics: 1:57: Ford talks about how companies and organizations can go beyond just words on DEI initiatives, the legacy of Black public relations pioneer and social justice advocate Ofield Dukes and more. 16:01: Edelman has named Taj Reid as its first global chief experience officer , tasking Reid with driving creative technology prototyping and innovative experience design across the Edelman network. 17:17: In a $11.4 billion joint venture, Ford and South Korean battery cell supplier SK ...
Sep 30, 2021•36 min•Ep. 49
Podcast topics: 0:54 - Ellis talks about her work at foundation with Prosek Partners, how to attract students and retain them, diversifying the PR industry and more. 27:22 - Omnicom Group has won Mercedes-Benz’s global agency consolidation , edging out incumbent Publicis Groupe. 29:51 - Weber Shandwick has launched a media security center in partnership with threat-intelligence company Blackbird.AI to advise clients on potential information risks. 33:57 - Robinhood has hired Okcoin’s Will McCorm...
Sep 24, 2021•37 min•Ep. 48
Podcast topics: 2:57 - Valdes-Fauli talks about his Hispanic-American-focused agency, Pinta, the intricacies of targeting the very diverse Hispanic-American market, the pros and cons of remaining an independent agency versus joining a holding company and more. 16:13 - Running down the insights and findings of the fourth-annual PRWeek/Boston University Communications Bellwether Survey after the unprecedented industry disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. 22:57 - Recognizing the six latest...
Sep 17, 2021•41 min•Ep. 47
Podcast topics: 1:01 - Cherwin talks about the mission of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, how the organization prepared for the 20th anniversary, working with singer John Legend on communication to a generation that has little or no memory of September 11, 2001 , and more. 21:50 - Barrett and Washkuch reflect on their memories of 9/11, as well as those of several Haymarket Media employees . 25:56 - Remembering financial services agency Cantor Fitzgerald, which lost almost 70% of its employees in...
Sep 08, 2021•39 min•Ep. 46
Podcast topics: 1:51- Baum talks about the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship and how the Bucks’ communications team handled media coverage and access, Baum’s own career path in sports communications, growing a global sports brand and more. 20:20 - PR pioneer David Finn turned 100 on Monday , August 30. Friends, families and colleagues shared memories of Finn’s storied career with PRWeek to recognize the living legend’s impact on the PR industry. 23:43 - Some notable companies are giving staff this w...
Sep 02, 2021•44 min•Ep. 45
