Lowdown: Banking on change

February 01, 2012

Intense regulatory and media scrutiny of the financial services industry has placed added pressure on bank marketers, who now have to rethink outreach.
 

Scandals teach schools some vital lessons in crisis comms

February 01, 2012

In 2006, Duke University was propelled into a frenzy of media scrutiny following allegations of sexual abuse by three lacrosse players that were later dismissed.
 

How do you work with the CEO or CMO to identify which metrics matter most?

February 01, 2012

Identifying metrics that matter most requires asking the obvious questions first.
 

Habits: Miles Nadal, CEO, chairman, MDC Partners

January 01, 2012

I travel approximately 250 days a year, so a "morning ritual" is a bit of a foreign concept to me.
 

Companies equip employees to be effective brand champions

January 01, 2012

Beginning in June 2011, about 65 US PepsiCo employees of various career levels and functions began the first of their monthly WebX lunch meetings.
 

Is it always necessary for companies to apologize following a comms crisis?

January 01, 2012

Your parents taught you that when you do something wrong, you should apologize.
 

Lowdown: Who do Americans trust?

December 01, 2011

The Public Affairs Council sought to gauge general sentiment on how much trust still exists in major corporations and with their employees.
 

Increased call for transparency intensifies spotlight on CEOs

December 01, 2011

Since the passing of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, many recount his legacy as an innovator and creative thinker.
 

Lowdown: Ethical behavior

November 01, 2011

On September 28, the Ethisphere Institute rang the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell with some NYSE-listed World's Most Ethical Companies.
 

Traditional outreach channels remain vital for remote staff

November 01, 2011

While the digital discussion remains top of mind in the communications space, traditional methods continue to make a significant mark when transmitting the overall corporate message to a remote workforce.
 

Anatomy of a corporate communicator [INFOGRAPHIC]

October 03, 2011

The job of a corporate communications professional is multifaceted.
 

CSR Roundtable: Embedded throughout

October 01, 2011

CSR program leaders from top organizations joined Bernadette Casey at this Cone-sponsored roundtable in New York City to discuss how the function is making its presence felt in every aspect of companies' efforts.
 

Corporate Survey 2011: Streamlined operation

October 01, 2011

As information travels faster, reducing response lead times, the pervading ambition among those leading corporate communications is to flatten and centralize their teams.
 

Habits: Silvia Davi, head, corporate comms and brand, Marsh & McLennan

October 01, 2011

Be passionate about what you do, lead by example, and never stop learning.
 

Upcoming spinoffs require a shift in outreach philosophy

October 01, 2011

A number of large corporations, including Sara Lee and ITT, are embarking on new business plans - the impending spinoffs of their various businesses into independently traded companies.
 

Brand focus spurs companies to broaden global bandwidth

September 01, 2011

Several years ago, communications at Samsung North America was primarily driven by the leadership teams within its business units.
 

How do you best engage employees about corporate/internal CSR efforts?

September 01, 2011

When deciding to allocate resources to corporate CSR efforts, employee engagement and alignment with core business strategies are key.
 

Lowdown: Powerful combination

August 01, 2011

A recent study by Synaptic Digital and WPP's Kantar Video measured the influence of various forms of media.
 

Digital platforms help elevate outreach for b-to-b companies

August 01, 2011

More b-to-b companies are seeking out social media platforms as a valuable tool to keep their business partners engaged and elevate corporate reputation.
 

The global agency power brokers

July 22, 2011

The bosses of the big five global marcoms agency networks reveal what keeps them awake at night and outline the key trends they believe will shape the future.
 

Lowdown: Understanding today's youth

July 01, 2011

Companies are always trying to get into the heads of today's youth, which remains a key audience for their branding efforts.
 

Inktel honors the innovative spirit

Matthew McGevna July 01, 2011

Inktel Direct, a business process outsourcer for Fortune 500 companies, was seeking ways to embrace the American tradition of innovation.
 

As the marketplace heats up, the fight for talent intensifies

July 01, 2011

American Airlines recently ushered in a number of new hires to its corporate communications team, which had been affected by departures from mid- to high-level managers and directors earlier this year.
 

Lowdown: Reputation report

June 01, 2011

For the 12th year running, Harris Interactive polled the US public to determine the reputation of America's biggest corporations.
 

C-suite recognizes necessity of having CCOs at their table

June 01, 2011

Bill Wohl, former VP of PR at software firm SAP, joined Hewlett-Packard to assume the newly created role of chief communications office.
 

McDonald's takes on unemployment

Matthew McGevna May 01, 2011

It would take massive hires from a major corporation to put a dent in the US' unemployment numbers, but McDonald's might do just that after it announced its intention to hire 50,000 people in a single day.
 

Small businesses face a large comms task in going public

May 01, 2011

In 2003, a one-time political attorney and her entrepreneurial husband opened a local bakery on New York's Upper West Side, and introduced a new twist on cupcakes with out-of-the-ordinary fillings, frostings, and toppings.
 

Lowdown: Strategic thinking

April 01, 2011

A weakened economy and compromised opportunities for growth have caused a notable shift in the focus of corporate comms efforts, found the FD/Forbes Insights Strategic Initiatives Study.
 

Leading companies find new home in the Lone Star State

April 01, 2011

HMS Holdings, a healthcare services company, completed the final stage of its main headquarters move from Manhattan with the purchase of a 225,000- square-foot building in Irving, TX, several months ago.
 

Molycorp raises public and investor profile

March 04, 2011

In 2008, an investment group led by private equity firm Resource Capital bought a dormant mine near the Mojave National Reserve from Chevron.
 

Building BRIC

March 01, 2011

Markets are becoming truly global as a new generation of companies in growing economies influence the marketplace. Danielle Drolet examines how BRIC-based businesses tailor their IR efforts.
 

CEO departures pose varying challenges to outreach plans

March 01, 2011

Though only two months into the new year, a number of well-known CEOs have already stepped down from their posts.
 

Isilon bounces back with campaign

February 25, 2011

Isilon provides scale-out data storage for enterprise customers. After a strong IPO in 2006, the company suffered reputation issues and SEC legal action.
 

Finance sector turns to social media to rebuild public trust

February 01, 2011

An angry populace has lost its faith in the financial services industry, but many corporations in the sector have come to realize social media is a key tool in reversing that trend.
 

Generalist audience prompts changes in analyst relations

January 01, 2011

Analyst relations has become more and more challenging as IR pros attempt to cut through the clutter and capture the attention of individuals who don't necessarily have in-depth knowledge of their business or industry, yet whose pronouncements can markedly impact a share price.
 

Lowdown: Leadership qualities

December 31, 2010

TLG Communications, a London-based thought-leadership consultancy, releases an annual study, the Thought Leadership Index, to discover the brands considered to be thought leaders and how that categorization impacts the reputation of those companies.
 

Cloud Sherpas raises profile

December 23, 2010

As Google's largest reseller and systems integrator, Cloud Sherpas helps businesses adopt the Google cloud computing platform and Google Apps.
 

Progress report

December 01, 2010

From holding companies to clients to consumers, the demand for diverse talent at PR firms is stronger than ever - and agencies are responding with newfound dedication.
 

Brands reap the benefits of marketing-comms integration

December 01, 2010

Procter & Gamble is known for being the guardian of dozens of high-profile beauty, health, and household products, but during this year's Vancouver Winter Olympics the company chose to focus part of its marketing on overall corporate image.
 

Lowdown: The Rising CCO

November 01, 2010

A recent study by Weber Shandwick and executive search firm Spencer Stuart looks at where the CCO role stands today and how it will evolve.
 

Crises prompt companies to rein in social media tactics

November 01, 2010

When launching a new product or engaging consumers, social media is a necessity for brands and businesses. Companies and their agency partners, however, are taking a more cautious approach to this forum when it comes to issues and crises, especially in heavily regulated industries such as financial services.
 

Third quarter earnings indicate holding company rebound

October 22, 2010

Earning reports released this week by Havas, Omincom Group, Next Fifteen Communications, and Publicis all showed revenue increases.
 

After the Great Recession: advancing your career in the new normal

Judith Harrison October 19, 2010

Last month we learned that the Great Recession that began in December 2007 was officially over in June 2009. Lasting a full 18 months, it was the longest downturn since the Great Depression.
 

Social media propels Dell's CEO network

October 01, 2010

Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network (DWEN), a PR-conceived global network of women CEOs who exchange ideas and share best practices, launched at the World Expo in Shanghai June 20 to 22.
 

Habits: Renee Wilson, MD, president, Northeast region, MS&LGroup

October 01, 2010

Renee Wilson, MD, president, Northeast region for MS&L talks about her daily routine and reflects on her career.
 

Corporate Survey 2010: Beyond a seat at the table

October 01, 2010

Corporate communicators' jobs have changed greatly recently, as they are more concerned than ever with corporate reputation, social media, and measurement.
 

Kitties give IKEA a good feeling inside

October 01, 2010

What would you do if someone unleashed 100 cats in your house? Now what if someone unleashed 100 cats in your house and started filming a documentary with the cats' owners? Now what if your house was Ikea?
 

Cartoon Network deals with bullies

October 01, 2010

Bullying is an issue that affects children and teenagers across the US. Cartoon Network decided to launch an anti-bullying campaign in October, which is National Bullying Awareness Month.
 

Communications' stock soars as the IPO process plays out

October 01, 2010

General Motors and Skype are just two of the major companies that filed an IPO in 2010 and, as the market returns to a sense of normalcy after a fallow period, communications around IPOs is being increasingly scrutinized.
 

Goodyear drives results with 'Troops' campaign

September 24, 2010

Goodyear is the exclusive supplier of racing tires for NASCAR's top three circuits, and this year it used branding space on racing tires to benefit the nonprofit Support Our Troops (SOT)
 

Company promotes RFID for anniversary campaign

September 02, 2010

The "100 Uses of RFID" campaign was devised with AOR Lois Paul & Partners to expand awareness of RFID as ThingMagic prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary on September 20.
 

Crises prompt companies to increase focus on the brand

September 01, 2010

In the wake of the corporate crises of the past 18 months, including those at Goldman Sachs, BP, and Toyota, companies are increasingly looking to corporate branding and reputation management to go beyond focusing on product PR. To accomplish this, companies are leveraging employee engage- ment, CSR, thought leadership, executive visibility, and social media to engage stakeholders on a broader corporate level.
 

Master Class: What's the best way to communicate with staffers during a company crisis?

September 01, 2010

A crisis can hit any company at any time. When things go wrong and the media call, don't overlook communications to one of the most vital stakeholders: your employees.
 

Overland uses product launch to overhaul image

August 27, 2010

Jillian Mansolf hired Bhava Communications to help overhaul the company's image by modernizing all external touchpoints and simplifying messaging.
 

"How can I make the most of a business networking event?"

Laura Smith August 03, 2010

For many, a dentist appointment is more appealing than a networking event.
 

Habits: Dani Dudeck, GM, corporate communications, Zynga

August 01, 2010

Dani Dudeck, GM of corporate communications at Zynga, discusses her proudest career moment and affinity for London.
 

Job market rebound boosts efforts to engage employees

August 01, 2010

Wal-Mart got some positive buzz in early June when it announced a new partnership with online school American Public University that benefited its own employees.
 

Should a CEO be a company's primary spokesperson during a crisis?

August 01, 2010

Chris Gidez of Hill & Knowlton and Mike Lawrence of Cone debate whether or not a company's CEO should serve as the primary spokesperson during a crisis.
 

RV sales get a boost from centennial celebration

July 16, 2010

Campaign honoring the 100th anniversary of the first mass-produced RVs to generate industry and consumer excitement.
 

Twins put transport at top of new stadium agenda

July 01, 2010

Target Field, the new home of Major League Baseball's (MLB) Minnesota Twins, opened on March 27. Twins' executive director of public affairs Kevin Smith says the new downtown Minneapolis location posed potential traffic challenges and decided to educate fans and the public about transportation options.
 

Habits: Kim Hunter, president and CEO, Lagrant Communications

July 01, 2010

Kim Hunter, president and CEO of Lagrant Communications, discusses his affinity for New York City and proudest career achievement.
 

Boost in M&A work reflects rising economic confidence

July 01, 2010

HP acquired Palm at the end of April, while airlines United and Continental merged as of May 3, signaling an increase in M&A activity with big names attached.
 

How can I make best use of an exploratory interview during the hunt for a job in PR?

Rachel Wallins June 08, 2010

"We don't have any openings right now" can look like a dead end to many PR applicants.
 

CSR Roundtable: Responsible business

, June 01, 2010

CSR has evolved from a separate business practice to an integrated part of many organizations' PR strategies.
 

Habits: Geoff Day, director of comms, Mercedes-Benz

June 01, 2010

Geoff Day, director of comms with Mercedes-Benz, talks to PRWeek about his superb alarm clock and mentor Sir Martin Gilliat.
 

Public ire demands account for excessive CEO payments

Douglas Quenqua June 01, 2010

When CNBC unveiled its 2010 list of America's 10 Most Stressful Jobs on April 22, it was little surprise that "corporate executive" placed second only to firefighter.
 

CSR is not a shield against corporate missteps

Robert Tappan May 28, 2010

The recent fortunes and misfortunes of BP demonstrate how fragile a corporate reputation can be in the face of a crisis.
 

Hispanic PR professionals promote inclusion as good business sense

May 24, 2010

The Hispanic community, and PR around it, is poised for growth as the country waits on the results of the 2010 Census.
 

I was fired from my last job. How do I address that on a job interview?

Jane Waldman May 03, 2010

During the interview process, you are going to at some point be asked why you left your last job.
 

Employee involvement vital to success in sustainability

, May 01, 2010

Last month, Verizon launched an employee communications campaign designed in part to generate ideas on how the company can improve its sustainability efforts.
 

Kraft's Yeatman focuses on brand identity

May 01, 2010

In the nearly five years that Perry Yeatman, SVP of corporate affairs, has been at Kraft Foods, she has seen the food company through several watershed moments.
 

Practitioners' rising status means more influence in the boardroom

May 01, 2010

Welcome to my first editor's letter since taking over as editor-in-chief of PRWeek.
 

Seventh Generation makes a move toward change

April 23, 2010

Seventh Generation's director of PR Chrystie Heimert explains that as a maker of environmentally responsible household products, the company is naturally interested in toxic chemical reform legislation.
 

Habits: Andrew Giangola, NASCAR, director of business comms

April 01, 2010

Andrew Giangola, director of business comms at NASCAR, talks to PRWeek about his most regrettable career moment related to Magic Johnson, his personal office style, and his morning trips to Starbucks.
 

Global passage: Brands focus on India and China

April 01, 2010

India and China continue to solidify their place as emerging markets that are necessary growth-strategy targets for both global and domestic companies.
 

Recalls intensify the need for efficient, transparent comms

April 01, 2010

When Graco issued a voluntary recall in January of more than 1 million of its strollers, the manufacturer was praised by members of the blogosphere for its prompt consumer outreach, which was conducted almost entirely through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Graco's corporate blog.
 

Master Class: How do you best incorporate real-world client experience into PR education?

April 01, 2010

This month's panel looks at the value of real, working experience in PR education.
 

Ann Taylor Loft gift gaffe annoys media

March 01, 2010

How many social media mistakes can a company make with one event? Ann Taylor Loft may have been trying for the record with its "Exclusive Blogger Preview" event for the summer 2010 collection on January 26.
 

Companies' revamped press sites extend audience appeal

March 01, 2010

A year ago, Hilton Hotels was receiving a few consumer queries a week through its press site.
 

Sheffer navigates GE challenges with political savvy

March 01, 2010

Gary Sheffer, GE's VP of communications and public affairs, is helping to build a more skilled team to deal with the myriad messages coming out of the conglomerate.
 

How can new parents advocate for themselves to facilitate a successful transition back into the workplace?

Laura Smith February 25, 2010

With new and often overwhelming responsibilities, the need to shift priorities and redefine personal balance can make the transition into working parenthood really difficult.
 

Financial services community tries to rebuild trust

February 01, 2010

From reputation management to social media, the financial services community is working hard to address a variety of challenges.
 

Habits: Monica Mitro, EVP of PR, Victoria's Secret

February 01, 2010

Monica Mitro, EVP of PR at Victoria's Secret, talks about her first PR job and mentor. She also divulges what's in her office drawer.
 

Dell goes mobile to bolster its employee engagement

February 01, 2010

As a global company, Dell's communications team deals with releasing technology information to consumers on a daily basis.
 

Naked Pizza eyes US expansion with healthy dose of social media

February 01, 2010

Last fall, Naked Pizza, a New Orleans-based takeout joint that touts healthy pizza, mapped out its goal for success beyond "The Big Easy" as it activated a franchising model and PR drive to woo investors and developers.
 

How can my follow up to an interview make an impression?

Tara Lilien January 28, 2010

It is said that first impressions are the most lasting ones.
 

How should I present both online and print media placements during an interview?

Heather Flynn January 27, 2010

Sharing the results you have achieved is a critical piece of the interview process. There are a variety of ways you can do this.
 

Habits: Chris LaPlaca, SVP of comms, ESPN

Chris LaPlaca January 01, 2010

Chris LaPlaca, SVP of comms at ESPN, divulges who he'd call in a crisis, his most regrettable career moment, and the most distinct aspect of his personal office.
 

Economic tumult forces CEOs to consider value of visibility

January 01, 2010

The economy has impacted CEO visibility in two significant ways, according to corporate PR pros. Some CEOs have retreated, in part because they don't want to expose themselves as a media target.
 

Those committed to comms are worth watching in the new year

January 01, 2010

Beginning a new year - and in this case a new decade - inevitably becomes a time for predictions.
 

Bellator goes viral to give itself a fighting chance in the MMA arena

January 01, 2010

Bellator Fighting Championships entered the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) arena with its first season in April 2009.
 

Clear identification emerges as a focal point of messaging

December 01, 2009

As a retailer-owned hardware cooperative, True Value Company provides guidance to almost 3,000 individual owners (or "associates", as it calls them) nationwide.
 

What bases do I need to cover when I've been laid off?

Jane Waldman November 17, 2009

There are several important things you need to do after being laid off. First, figure out how much money you will need to meet your monthly obligations.
 

Cause Survey 2009: Committed to the cause

November 01, 2009

While consumers struggle to maintain financial contributions to charities, corporate efforts are trying to fill the gap, finds the 2009 PRWeek/Barkley PR Cause Survey.
 

Day is helping Ford tell a story of survival

November 01, 2009

Ford's VP of communications Ray Day is tasked with keeping the company's current momentum going in the midst of a tough year for the US auto industry.
 

Companies have good news to tell - and people want to hear it

November 01, 2009

Though there now seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel that has been this recession, when the books close on 2009 it will go down as one of the worst financial years in history.
 

Downturn spurs businesses to shed light on the positive

November 01, 2009

Given the damage that corporate reputations have suffered over the course of the past year, many companies have recognized the need to engage with consumers, establish competitive dominance, or simply shed some positive light on their organizations.
 

Habits: Jon Harris, global comms SVP, Sara Lee

November 01, 2009

Jon Harris talks to 'PRWeek' about his first PR job, proudest career achievement, and most regrettable career moment.
 

How do I give constructive feedback to my millennial staff without demotivating them?

Laura Smith October 29, 2009

It's actually characteristic for millennials to crave constant feedback, so frequently they will be receptive to it.
 

Master Class: What kind of research should be done before the launch of a new product?

October 01, 2009

This month's panel discusses the best type of research to conduct ahead of a new product launch.
 
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