Public Relations Stories and Strategies Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:25:47 -0400 https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ en-us © 2026 Stories and Strategies no Support this Podcast 82e5c930-1be8-5cfb-8a82-d5155456bd16 Stories and Strategies https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ episodic false Every organization has a story people believe about it. Most leaders didn't choose that story. They inherited it, stumbled into it, or lost control of it somewhere along the way.


Stories and Strategies is the podcast that changes that.


Host Doug Downs talks with the communicators, executives, and strategists who understand that narrative isn't a marketing function. It's a leadership one. Each episode unpacks what actually shapes reputation, trust, and public perception at the highest levels, drawing on behavioral science, media intelligence, and the ethics that keep persuasion honest.


This is public relations at the level serious leaders need it. Not tactics and press releases. The thinking behind why some stories win and others disappear.

Ranked among the most listened-to public relations podcasts in the world, Stories and Strategies reaches leaders and communicators across six continents every week.


If you are responsible for the story people believe about your organization, you cannot afford to guess. Follow Stories and Strategies wherever you listen to your public relations content.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Media, Community Engagement, Government Relations, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, PRSA, IAP2, PR Stories and Strategies https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ https://storage.buzzsprout.com/o6hvniacjt0z15nrpzzjivt7648x?.jpg Public Relations Stories and Strategies https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Doug Downs | Public Relations, Expert | Strategic Communications | Crisis Communications | Marketing Emily Page | Podcasting Expert Public Relations in Egypt Public Relations in Egypt 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 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19326752 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1301 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 245 full false The Mentorship Myths Holding PR Professionals Back The Mentorship Myths Holding PR Professionals Back 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

]]> 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19681327 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1267 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 244 full false Can this AI Tool Spot Your Next PR Crisis Before You Do? Can this AI Tool Spot Your Next PR Crisis Before You Do? 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

]]> 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19636921 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1396 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 243 full false Two Thirds of the Room but Almost NONE of the Corner Offices Two Thirds of the Room but Almost NONE of the Corner Offices 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

]]> 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19616466 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1224 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 242 full false Good Girls Are Quiet Good Girls Are Quiet 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19534871 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1191 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 241 full false The Paradox of Polarization… Division Makes PR More Valuable The Paradox of Polarization… Division Makes PR More Valuable 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19506070 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 03:00:00 -0400 907 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 240 full false Sticky Stories Start with the Itch Your Audience is Already Scratching Sticky Stories Start with the Itch Your Audience is Already Scratching 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19493823 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1250 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 239 full false Reputation Management vs Reputation Architecture Reputation Management vs Reputation Architecture 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

]]> 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19460168 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1411 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 238 full false Why the Future of IABC May Be Less Stage and More Circle Why the Future of IABC May Be Less Stage and More Circle 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

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]]> 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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19420132 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1329 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 237 full false Communications Needs a New Compass Communications Needs a New Compass 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.

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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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19391870 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1359 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 236 full false The “Transmission” Problem in Public Relations The “Transmission” Problem in Public Relations 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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19375556 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1253 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 235 full false Choice Architecture: The Framework You're Already Using Choice Architecture: The Framework You're Already Using 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.

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Connect with us

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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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19351232 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1030 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 234 full false Stories and Strategies Trailer Stories and Strategies Trailer 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Buzzsprout-19328467 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400 52 trailer false The Case for Good Journalism in Today’s World The Case for Good Journalism in Today’s World “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.

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Connect with us

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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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19294218 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1306 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 233 full false Why Public Relations May Be the Secret Weapon in AI Search Why Public Relations May Be the Secret Weapon in AI Search 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

]]> 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19248827 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1167 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 232 full false The Human Blind Spot in Crisis Communications The Human Blind Spot in Crisis Communications 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

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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

]]> 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19173147 Tue, 26 May 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1224 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 5 231 full false The History of Color The History of Color 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

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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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Buzzsprout-19166393 Mon, 25 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400 1361 full false Networking: Effective Communication at Those Big Events Networking: Effective Communication at Those Big Events 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

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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 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

]]> Stories and Strategies https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Buzzsprout-19166354 Sun, 24 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400 1640 full false Why Communication is a Navy Seal's Greatest Asset Why Communication is a Navy Seal's Greatest Asset 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
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Rate this podcast with just one click
Stories and Strategies Website

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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
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]]> Stories and Strategies https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Buzzsprout-19166333 Sat, 23 May 2026 02:00:00 -0400 1164 full false Nudge Theory | Rory Sutherland Nudge Theory | Rory Sutherland 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Buzzsprout-19166303 Fri, 22 May 2026 02:00:00 -0400 1706 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false The Confidence Gap Is a Room Problem, Not a YOU Problem The Confidence Gap Is a Room Problem, Not a YOU Problem 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

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]]> 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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19141569 Tue, 19 May 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1365 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 230 full false How Behavioral Science Can help PR Pros Understand Motivation and Decision-Making How Behavioral Science Can help PR Pros Understand Motivation and Decision-Making 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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19141210 Tue, 12 May 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1186 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 229 full false AI vs Social Media. Which do we Trust More? AI vs Social Media. Which do we Trust More? 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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> 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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19105466 Tue, 05 May 2026 03:00:00 -0400 1300 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 228 full false Why Misalignment from Senior Leadership Rolls Downhill Why Misalignment from Senior Leadership Rolls Downhill 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

]]> 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19071927 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1304 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 227 full false Crisis Communication Gaps: What CEOs Aren't Saying Crisis Communication Gaps: What CEOs Aren't Saying 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 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-19029451 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1338 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 226 full false Why Selling Time Is Killing Your Public Relations Agency Why Selling Time Is Killing Your Public Relations Agency 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

]]> 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18996913 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1321 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 225 full false People Don’t Resist Change, They Resist Being Changed People Don’t Resist Change, They Resist Being Changed 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

]]> 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18947353 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1123 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 224 full false The New Role of Public Relations | Ipsos The New Role of Public Relations | Ipsos 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.

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]]> 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

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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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18919982 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1382 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 223 full false Why Public Relations Still Has a Leadership Problem Why Public Relations Still Has a Leadership Problem 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

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Farzana

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Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.

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]]> 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

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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-18870038 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400 1315 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 222 full false Visual Drift: Why Brands Stop Looking Like Themselves Visual Drift: Why Brands Stop Looking Like Themselves 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

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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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18837068 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0400 1354 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 221 full false Synthetic Populations & Their Impacts on Public Relations Synthetic Populations & Their Impacts on Public Relations 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

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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

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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-18797484 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0400 978 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 2 220 full false The 7 Reputation Drivers Every Leader Should Know The 7 Reputation Drivers Every Leader Should Know 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

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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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18758879 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0500 1350 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 219 full false Public Relations in the Age of Insularity Public Relations in the Age of Insularity 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

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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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18720197 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 1313 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 218 full false Why Brands are Too Serious… and Paying the Price Why Brands are Too Serious… and Paying the Price 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

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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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18671480 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 01:00:00 -0500 1276 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 217 full false When Your Message is Consistent, But Your Audience Isn’t When Your Message is Consistent, But Your Audience Isn’t 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 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18638635 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:00:00 -0500 1219 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 216 full false The New LinkedIn: How Reach Actually Works now The New LinkedIn: How Reach Actually Works now 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

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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

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Request a transcript of this episode

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18602022 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 01:00:00 -0500 1439 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Farzana Baduel, Doug Downs, Curzon PR, Curzon Public Relations, Stories and Strategies 4 215 full false Is Silence Still Strategic When the World’s on Fire? Is Silence Still Strategic When the World’s on Fire? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18597205 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500 868 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false How Personal Branding is Changing… and What You Need to Do Now How Personal Branding is Changing… and What You Need to Do Now 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

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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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18543601 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 01:00:00 -0500 1041 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Farzana Baduel, Doug Downs, Curzon PR, Curzon Public Relations, Stories and Strategies 4 214 full false The Mark Carney Mic Drop in Davos The Mark Carney Mic Drop in Davos 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18559794 Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500 1556 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false How to Compete for Attention in a Distracted World How to Compete for Attention in a Distracted World 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

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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 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18521291 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 01:00:00 -0500 1359 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Farzana Baduel, Doug Downs, Curzon 4 213 full false Is Davos Still a Forum? Or Just a Stage? Is Davos Still a Forum? Or Just a Stage? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18520773 Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500 1072 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false Too Old for Public Relations? Why Age is Still the Industry’s Blind Spot Too Old for Public Relations? Why Age is Still the Industry’s Blind Spot 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18464819 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 01:00:00 -0500 1284 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 212 full false The Capture of Maduro… Arrest or Act of War? The Capture of Maduro… Arrest or Act of War? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18481520 Fri, 09 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0500 1073 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false Public Relations… Ten Years in the Future Public Relations… Ten Years in the Future 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18441452 Tue, 06 Jan 2026 01:00:00 -0500 1356 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 211 full false Is Iran’s Regime Really Listening? Or Just Buying Time? Is Iran’s Regime Really Listening? Or Just Buying Time? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18444223 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0500 1020 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false Should Public Relations be Regulated? Should Public Relations be Regulated? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18419420 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0500 1436 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Farzana Baduel, Doug Downs, Curzon 4 210 full false Sri Lanka Beyond the Headlines… What the World Misses Sri Lanka Beyond the Headlines… What the World Misses 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18416781 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0500 1265 full false The Stories and Strategies Podcast Trailer The Stories and Strategies Podcast Trailer 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18409427 Tue, 23 Dec 2025 19:00:00 -0500 76 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR trailer false Grief is a Communications Challenge… Not an HR Process Grief is a Communications Challenge… Not an HR Process 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 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18375019 Tue, 23 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0500 1457 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Farzana Baduel, Doug Downs, Curzon PR, Curzon Public Relations, Stories and Strategies 209 full false Susie Wiles and the Cost of Poor Media Strategy Susie Wiles and the Cost of Poor Media Strategy 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18386975 Fri, 19 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0500 908 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false Why Your NGO Can’t Afford to be the “Best Kept Secret” Why Your NGO Can’t Afford to be the “Best Kept Secret” 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18338018 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0500 1569 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 208 full false Who Will Control Hollywood’s Future? Netflix vs. Warner Bros Who Will Control Hollywood’s Future? Netflix vs. Warner Bros 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18345182 Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:00:00 -0500 1198 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false Winning Trust When the World is Skeptical Winning Trust When the World is Skeptical 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18310225 Tue, 09 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0500 1609 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 207 full false The Agency Checkup: How Healthy Is Your PR Firm? The Agency Checkup: How Healthy Is Your PR Firm? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies, Curzon Public Relations Buzzsprout-18268404 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0500 1516 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 206 full false Are Leaks Strategic PR Tools or Signs of Corporate Decay? Are Leaks Strategic PR Tools or Signs of Corporate Decay? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18268287 Fri, 28 Nov 2025 16:00:00 -0500 1434 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false The Old Fashioned Deal: Trust and Influence in a Digital Age The Old Fashioned Deal: Trust and Influence in a Digital Age 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18219350 Tue, 25 Nov 2025 01:00:00 -0500 1395 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 205 full false Releasing the Epstein Files and is LinkedIn Gender Biased? Releasing the Epstein Files and is LinkedIn Gender Biased? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18231595 Fri, 21 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500 1468 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false Is AI Quietly Rewriting Your Brand? Is AI Quietly Rewriting Your Brand? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18174481 Tue, 18 Nov 2025 03:00:00 -0500 1384 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 204 full false BBC’s Trump Edit – Mistake or Malice? BBC’s Trump Edit – Mistake or Malice? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18192566 Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0500 1436 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false How Cultural Intelligence Shapes Great Public Relations How Cultural Intelligence Shapes Great Public Relations 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 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18136356 Tue, 11 Nov 2025 01:00:00 -0500 1412 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 203 full false Is AI the Newest Entry on Your Public Relations Org Chart? Is AI the Newest Entry on Your Public Relations Org Chart? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18151021 Fri, 07 Nov 2025 13:00:00 -0500 1389 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false The LinkedIn Confidence Gap for Public Relations Pros The LinkedIn Confidence Gap for Public Relations Pros 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18106661 Tue, 04 Nov 2025 01:00:00 -0500 1334 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 202 full false Rebranding Climate: Alarmism vs. Optimism in PR Rebranding Climate: Alarmism vs. Optimism in PR 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18113121 Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:00:00 -0400 1288 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false Flattered to Death: The AI Sycophant in the Room Flattered to Death: The AI Sycophant in the Room 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

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]]> 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

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Request a transcript of this episode

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18058015 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1483 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 201 full false The Mamdani Effect: Can TikTok Win a Mayoral Race? The Mamdani Effect: Can TikTok Win a Mayoral Race? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-18070108 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:00:00 -0400 1368 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false Is Attention the New Currency in Public Relations? Is Attention the New Currency in Public Relations? 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

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]]> 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

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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-17978485 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1486 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 200 full false What’s the Point of Public Relations if You Can’t Prove it Worked? What’s the Point of Public Relations if You Can’t Prove it Worked? 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 

  

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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

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Connect with us

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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-17964904 Tue, 14 Oct 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1364 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 199 full false Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is here… is Public Relations Ready? Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is here… is Public Relations Ready? 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

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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

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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-17900162 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1480 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 198 full false Public Relations for Hispanic Audiences Public Relations for Hispanic Audiences 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 


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Stories and Strategies Website

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Connect with us

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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

]]> 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


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Connect with us

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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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-17849531 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1459 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Farzana Baduel, Doug Downs, Curzon 4 197 full false The Dangerous Echo of Polarized Voices The Dangerous Echo of Polarized Voices 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 

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Connect with us

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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 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

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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-17879791 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1427 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Farzana Baduel, Doug Downs, Curzon 4 196 full true Beyond SEO: Understanding Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) Beyond SEO: Understanding Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) 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

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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

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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-17824066 Tue, 16 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1424 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 195 full false The Hidden Reason Women are Leaving Public Relations The Hidden Reason Women are Leaving Public Relations 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

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Request a transcript of this episode

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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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-17782963 Tue, 09 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1504 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 194 full false What Kind of Public Relations Industry Will Gen Z Inherit? What Kind of Public Relations Industry Will Gen Z Inherit? 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

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Mind the Gap Study

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-17717675 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1497 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 193 full false Africa’s Missing Seat at the Global Public Relations Table Africa’s Missing Seat at the Global Public Relations Table 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

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-17680145 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1449 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 192 full false It’s Groundhog Day in the Public Relations Industry It’s Groundhog Day in the Public Relations Industry 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 

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]]> 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

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Connect with us

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies, Curzon Public Relations Buzzsprout-17654920 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1792 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 191 full false Rebranding a Country Rebranding a Country 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)

 

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]]> 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

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Apply to be a guest on the podcast

Connect with us

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Request a transcript of this episode

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-17601304 Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1483 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 190 full false AI that Maps the Mind AI that Maps the Mind 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

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]]> 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

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Stories and Strategies Website

Curzon Public Relations Website

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies, Curzon Public Relations Buzzsprout-17578199 Tue, 05 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1739 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 189 full false When the Media Quote isn’t Human: Fake Quotes – Real Damage When the Media Quote isn’t Human: Fake Quotes – Real Damage 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

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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

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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 and Strategies, Curzon Public Relations Buzzsprout-17559911 Tue, 29 Jul 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1515 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 188 full false HARO Reloaded: How to Pitch Like It’s 2025 HARO Reloaded: How to Pitch Like It’s 2025 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

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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

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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 and Strategies, Curzon Public Relations Buzzsprout-17502513 Tue, 22 Jul 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1575 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 187 full false Selling our Value – Not our Time Selling our Value – Not our Time 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.

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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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-17490356 Tue, 15 Jul 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1471 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 186 full false Authenticity Isn’t a Buzzword, It’s a Business Model Authenticity Isn’t a Buzzword, It’s a Business Model 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

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Request a transcript of this episode

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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

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Request a transcript of this episode

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies, Curzon Public Relations Buzzsprout-17432149 Tue, 08 Jul 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1778 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 185 full false Name, Blame, and Damage Control Name, Blame, and Damage Control 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

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]]> 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


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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-17411189 Tue, 01 Jul 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1661 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 184 full false Media Literacy in the Age of Misinformation Media Literacy in the Age of Misinformation 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 

 

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]]> 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 

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Curzon Public Relations Website

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Connect with us

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies, Curzon PR Buzzsprout-17371065 Tue, 24 Jun 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1678 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 183 full false Public Relations: Independent Function or Marketing Tool? Public Relations: Independent Function or Marketing Tool? 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


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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-17345741 Tue, 17 Jun 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1723 4 182 full false The Missing Channel in Your PR Strategy The Missing Channel in Your PR Strategy 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

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]]> 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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-17275095 Tue, 10 Jun 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1768 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Doug Downs, Farzana Baduel, Bradley Davis, Podchaser 4 181 full false Zambia’s Public Relations Revolution Zambia’s Public Relations Revolution 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 

 

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Stories and Strategies Website

Curzon Public Relations Website

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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

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Request a transcript of this episode

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-17241508 Mon, 02 Jun 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1426 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 180 full false Employee Engagement Inside PR: What the Research Reveals Employee Engagement Inside PR: What the Research Reveals 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

 

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Stories and Strategies Website

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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


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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-17204040 Tue, 27 May 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1588 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Farzana Baduel, Doug Downs, Curzon 4 179 full false British Voices, American Ears: A Shift in News Consumption British Voices, American Ears: A Shift in News Consumption 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

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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

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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-17158369 Tue, 20 May 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1560 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 178 full false GROW Your Way Out of PR Workplace Stress GROW Your Way Out of PR Workplace Stress 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


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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

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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 and Strategies, Curzon PR Buzzsprout-17117950 Tue, 13 May 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1492 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 177 full false Crisis Insurance: The New Safety Net for Reputations Crisis Insurance: The New Safety Net for Reputations 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.

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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:

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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 and Strategies, Curzon PR Buzzsprout-17068235 Tue, 06 May 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1735 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 176 full false Culture Add – NOT Culture Fit Culture Add – NOT Culture Fit 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

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Apply to be a guest on the podcast

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Request a transcript of this episode

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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

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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-17031049 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1636 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 175 full false Why Modern Communication is Making Us LESS Connected | Suhel Seth Why Modern Communication is Making Us LESS Connected | Suhel Seth 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

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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


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]]> Stories and Strategies, Curzon Public Relations Buzzsprout-16998154 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1902 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 174 full false Cancelled. Convicted. Came Back: Andy Coulson’s Story Cancelled. Convicted. Came Back: Andy Coulson’s Story 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?

 

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies, Curzon PR Buzzsprout-16878176 Tue, 15 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1869 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 173 full false Who Do You Trust? Rethinking Media in a Fractured World Who Do You Trust? Rethinking Media in a Fractured World 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

 

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Stories and Strategies Website

Curzon Public Relations Website

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]]> 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.

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Request a transcript of this episode

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]]> Stories and Strategies, Curzon Public Relations Buzzsprout-16866237 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1519 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 172 full false Talked Over and Ignored: PR Occupational Hazards for Women Talked Over and Ignored: PR Occupational Hazards for Women 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

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]]> 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

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Request a transcript of this episode

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies, Curzon Public Relations Buzzsprout-16860392 Tue, 01 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0400 1552 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 4 171 full false Welcome CoHost Farzana Baduel - Season Four Trailer Welcome CoHost Farzana Baduel - Season Four Trailer 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

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]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies, Curzon PR Buzzsprout-16875523 Fri, 28 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0400 81 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Curzon PR 4 full false The Science of How to Talk Like Ted The Science of How to Talk Like Ted 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

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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

]]> 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

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Request a transcript of this episode

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16802056 Tue, 25 Mar 2025 02:00:00 -0400 1743 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 170 full false The Words We Need: Communicating with Someone in Times of Grief and Tragedy The Words We Need: Communicating with Someone in Times of Grief and Tragedy 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

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Apply to be a guest on the podcast

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Request a transcript of this episode

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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

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Request a transcript of this episode

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16787811 Tue, 18 Mar 2025 03:00:00 -0400 1971 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 169 full false Case Study: Rethinking Community Engagement in the Global Southeast Case Study: Rethinking Community Engagement in the Global Southeast 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  

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]]> 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  

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Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16732899 Tue, 11 Mar 2025 02:00:00 -0400 1862 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 168 full false How AI is Learning to Understand Human Emotions (Polyvagel Theory) How AI is Learning to Understand Human Emotions (Polyvagel Theory) 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


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]]> 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 

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16648437 Tue, 04 Mar 2025 02:00:00 -0500 1650 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 167 full false FLASHBACK SUNDAY - PRSA’s Strategy to Out-Communicate Misinformation FLASHBACK SUNDAY - PRSA’s Strategy to Out-Communicate Misinformation 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:

  1. We need to champion honesty and transparency, recognizing the need to enhance message strategies to outpace misleading information (which will always exist)
  2. We need to emphasize the importance of community-based listening and education, advocating for civil discussion to foster a more informed and respectful public
  3. The PR industry needs to become a trusted entity by reinforcing integrity and reliability across all communication channels

Listen 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

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]]> 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:

  1. We need to champion honesty and transparency, recognizing the need to enhance message strategies to outpace misleading information (which will always exist)
  2. We need to emphasize the importance of community-based listening and education, advocating for civil discussion to foster a more informed and respectful public
  3. The PR industry needs to become a trusted entity by reinforcing integrity and reliability across all communication channels

Listen 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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16685685 Sun, 02 Mar 2025 02:00:00 -0500 1527 Public Relations Communications Marketing CommsPro PR Global Alliance ICCO PRSA IPR IABC CPRS PRCA CIPR PRIA PRSI Women in PR 3 full false How to Build a Personal Brand That Opens Doors How to Build a Personal Brand That Opens Doors 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

 

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]]> 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 

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16641272 Tue, 25 Feb 2025 03:00:00 -0500 1576 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 166 full false Why Your PR Plan is Gathering Dust… and How to Fix it Why Your PR Plan is Gathering Dust… and How to Fix it 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 

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]]> 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

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Connect with us

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16619388 Tue, 18 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0500 1568 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 165 full false Executive Storytelling: A New Era for Public Relations Executive Storytelling: A New Era for Public Relations 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

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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

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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-16555555 Tue, 11 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0500 1620 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 164 full false The Rise of Fractional Leadership: Filling Gaps, Driving Growth The Rise of Fractional Leadership: Filling Gaps, Driving Growth 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 

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16528160 Tue, 04 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0500 1526 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 163 full false FLASHBACK SUNDAY - How a Ban on TikTok Might Impact PR and Marketing Pros FLASHBACK SUNDAY - How a Ban on TikTok Might Impact PR and Marketing Pros 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 

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16539627 Sun, 02 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0500 1515 Public Relation, Communications, Marketing, Comms Pro, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PCRA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, 3 full false Why Communication is a Navy SEAL’s Greatest Asset Why Communication is a Navy SEAL’s Greatest Asset 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

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]]> 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
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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-16479604 Tue, 28 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 1164 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 162 full false Soft Power in Public Relations: Persuasion over Pressure Soft Power in Public Relations: Persuasion over Pressure 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

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]]> 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.

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]]> https://podcast.storiesandstrategies.ca/episodes/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16429590 Tue, 21 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 1716 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 161 full false Hawk Tuah: Meme Queen – Crypto Scheme. Fame in the Age of Absurdity Hawk Tuah: Meme Queen – Crypto Scheme. Fame in the Age of Absurdity 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

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]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16404092 Tue, 14 Jan 2025 03:00:00 -0500 1618 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 160 full false Reimagining School Marketing: Partnering, Not Promoting Reimagining School Marketing: Partnering, Not Promoting 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

 Stories and Strategies Website

Connect with us
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Request a transcript of this episode

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> 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

 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16339341 Tue, 07 Jan 2025 01:00:00 -0500 1610 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 159 full false SUNDAY FLASHBACK - Harnessing the Influence of Wikipedia for Your Brand SUNDAY FLASHBACK - Harnessing the Influence of Wikipedia for Your Brand 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16228953 Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:00:00 -0500 1290 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false Is AI a Hero or a Villain for Public Relations and Marketing in 2025? Is AI a Hero or a Villain for Public Relations and Marketing in 2025? 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

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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16290914 Tue, 31 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0500 1537 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 158 full false AI Written Poetry is SHOCKINGLY Better Than Human Writers AI Written Poetry is SHOCKINGLY Better Than Human Writers 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

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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16289900 Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0500 1551 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 157 full false Why is My CEO so BORING on Social Media? Why is My CEO so BORING on Social Media? 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

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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16270353 Tue, 17 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0500 1799 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 156 full false WOMEN Can Reach PR Executive Leadership Roles Faster Than You Think! WOMEN Can Reach PR Executive Leadership Roles Faster Than You Think! 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16186539 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0500 1720 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 155 full false Political Campaigns as PR Case Studies Political Campaigns as PR Case Studies 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

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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16144074 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0500 1624 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 154 full false Has JAGUAR Committed Brand Suicide? Has JAGUAR Committed Brand Suicide? 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

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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16172161 Tue, 26 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500 1431 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 153 full false Adapt or Die: PR in the Age of AI Adapt or Die: PR in the Age of AI 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
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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16114411 Tue, 19 Nov 2024 01:00:00 -0500 1450 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 152 full false PROTECT Your Organization from Misinformation with Blockchain Tech! PROTECT Your Organization from Misinformation with Blockchain Tech! 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

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]]> 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

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Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16054661 Tue, 12 Nov 2024 03:00:00 -0500 1391 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 151 full false The Human Element of Crisis Management in PR The Human Element of Crisis Management in PR 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

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]]> 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.
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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-16007103 Tue, 05 Nov 2024 02:00:00 -0500 1525 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 150 full false Why Communications Strategy is NASA’s Secret Weapon Why Communications Strategy is NASA’s Secret Weapon 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 

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]]> 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

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15980758 Sun, 27 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1604 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, NASA 3 149 full false Regulating PR. What Three African Nations are Doing Regulating PR. What Three African Nations are Doing 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 

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]]> 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.

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15933688 Sun, 20 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1417 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 148 full false Accreditation vs Certification for Communications Pros Accreditation vs Certification for Communications Pros 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 

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Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> 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.

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15886326 Sun, 13 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1347 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 147 full false AI Issues in Content Creation: Striking a Balance Between SEO and Authenticity AI Issues in Content Creation: Striking a Balance Between SEO and Authenticity 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 

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15856892 Sun, 06 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1566 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Chat GPT, SEO 3 146 full false Throwback Thursday - Oh the Things We Can Do With Generative AI Throwback Thursday - Oh the Things We Can Do With Generative AI 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

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]]> 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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15828608 Thu, 03 Oct 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1537 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false The Influential Power of Audio The Influential Power of Audio 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


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Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> 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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15823382 Sun, 29 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1622 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Defacto Sound, Dallas Taylor 3 145 full false Public Relations Strategies When Companies Hire Controversial Leaders Public Relations Strategies When Companies Hire Controversial Leaders 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 

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]]> 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.

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Connect with us
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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15750146 Sun, 22 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1435 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 144 full false How CEOs and Other Senior Executives Are Using Digital Media How CEOs and Other Senior Executives Are Using Digital Media 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

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]]> 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.

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15737924 Sun, 15 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1529 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Executive 3 143 full false The Disinformation Playbook The Disinformation Playbook 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

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]]> 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

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15698207 Sun, 08 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1362 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 142 full false Throwback Thursday – When Lies BUILD Trust Throwback Thursday – When Lies BUILD Trust 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:
Emma.Levine@chicagobooth.edu
Schweitzer@wharton.upenn.edu 

Link to Emma and Maurice’s study Prosocial Lies: When deception breeds trust 

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]]> 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:
Emma.Levine@chicagobooth.edu
Schweitzer@wharton.upenn.edu 

Link to Emma and Maurice’s study Prosocial Lies: When deception breeds trust 

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15671317 Thu, 05 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1373 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Lying full false The AI Solution for Navigating Reputational Risks The AI Solution for Navigating Reputational Risks 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



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]]> 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



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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15653370 Sun, 01 Sep 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1366 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 141 full false Marketing For a Tough Industry Marketing For a Tough Industry 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 

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Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15584924 Sun, 25 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1349 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Cannabis, Tobacco, Adult Entertainment, Pharma, Firearms 3 140 full false The Hidden Costs of Cutting Corners in PR and Marketing The Hidden Costs of Cutting Corners in PR and Marketing 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 

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]]> 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 

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Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> Stories and Strategies, Jeremy Enns Buzzsprout-15553806 Sun, 18 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1374 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 139 full false How Everyday PR Pros are Using AI to Shave Hours Off Their Workflows How Everyday PR Pros are Using AI to Shave Hours Off Their Workflows 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

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15533973 Sun, 11 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1470 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, AI, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, AI in PR 3 138 full false Mastering Consumer Shortcuts: How Marketers Leverage Heuristics for Success Mastering Consumer Shortcuts: How Marketers Leverage Heuristics for Success 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

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15511299 Sun, 04 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1522 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Heuristics 3 137 full false Throwback Thursday - The Behavioural Science Communications Firm That's Changing Everything Throwback Thursday - The Behavioural Science Communications Firm That's Changing Everything 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

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15480977 Thu, 01 Aug 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1609 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Behavioral Science, Behavioural Science bonus false Networking: Effective Communication at Big Events Networking: Effective Communication at Big Events 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

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15435150 Sun, 28 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1583 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 136 full false Top Instagram Trends in 2024 Top Instagram Trends in 2024 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

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15362728 Sun, 21 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1279 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Social Media, Instagram 3 135 full false As Communications Director, What’s Your Next Step for the Democrats? Or Republicans? As Communications Director, What’s Your Next Step for the Democrats? Or Republicans? 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

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]]> 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

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Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15400893 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1460 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Trump, Biden 3 134 full false Why Public Relations Shouldn’t Abandon Controversial Industries Why Public Relations Shouldn’t Abandon Controversial Industries 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

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]]> 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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15329477 Sun, 07 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1329 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Aniisu Verghese, Internal Communications 3 133 full false Throwback Thursday - The ORID Method for Structured Conversation Throwback Thursday - The ORID Method for Structured Conversation 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 info@parsonsdialogue.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

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]]> 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 info@parsonsdialogue.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

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Apply to be a guest on the podcast

Connect with us
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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15359168 Thu, 04 Jul 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1501 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, ORID bonus false Shifting Leadership Communication from Command to Curiosity Shifting Leadership Communication from Command to Curiosity 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.

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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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15285801 Sun, 30 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1352 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Paige Williams, Leadership 3 132 full false How Digital Media is Redefining Consumer Behavior How Digital Media is Redefining Consumer Behavior 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

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Connect with us

LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads

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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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15265907 Sun, 23 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1542 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 131 full false Does the C-Suite Still Not Understand Public Relations? Does the C-Suite Still Not Understand Public Relations? 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15252272 Sun, 16 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1178 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 130 full false Embracing AI as a Stakeholder in Public Relations Embracing AI as a Stakeholder in Public Relations 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15200767 Sun, 09 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1205 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Generative AI 3 129 full false Throwback Thursday - The Ethics of AI in PR Throwback Thursday - The Ethics of AI in PR 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, a.gregory@hud.ac.uk

"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,  jvalinpr@gmail.com
 
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 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, a.gregory@hud.ac.uk

"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,  jvalinpr@gmail.com
 
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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15150521 Thu, 06 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1612 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR full false FEED DROP – Punching Above Your Weight With a Smaller Marketing Team FEED DROP – Punching Above Your Weight With a Smaller Marketing Team 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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15124848 Sun, 02 Jun 2024 03:00:00 -0400 3103 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 128 bonus false So… You Want to Be a Professional Voiceover Actor? So… You Want to Be a Professional Voiceover Actor? 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

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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

]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15075079 Sun, 26 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1450 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Voiceover, Andrea Rooz 3 127 full false How a Ban on TikTok Might Impact PR and Marketing Pros How a Ban on TikTok Might Impact PR and Marketing Pros 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

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Apply to be a guest on the podcast

Connect with us

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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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15074530 Sun, 19 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1449 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, TikTok 3 126 full false Travel Marketing Strategies Travel Marketing Strategies 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

]]> 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 

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]]> https://podcast.storiesandstrategies.ca/episodes/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-15034728 Sun, 12 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1377 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Travel Marketing 3 125 full false PRSA’s Strategy to Out-Communicate Misinformation PRSA’s Strategy to Out-Communicate Misinformation 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:

  1. We need to champion honesty and transparency, recognizing the need to enhance message strategies to outpace misleading information (which will always exist)
  2. We need to emphasize the importance of community-based listening and education, advocating for civil discussion to foster a more informed and respectful public
  3. The PR industry needs to become a trusted entity by reinforcing integrity and reliability across all communication channels

Listen 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

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]]> 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:

  1. We need to champion honesty and transparency, recognizing the need to enhance message strategies to outpace misleading information (which will always exist)
  2. We need to emphasize the importance of community-based listening and education, advocating for civil discussion to foster a more informed and respectful public
  3. The PR industry needs to become a trusted entity by reinforcing integrity and reliability across all communication channels

Listen 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14977419 Sun, 05 May 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1474 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Ray Day 4 124 full false A Close Examination of Each of the Major Social Media Channels in 2024 A Close Examination of Each of the Major Social Media Channels in 2024 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

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14936299 Sun, 28 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1497 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Social Media, Stephanie Huston 4 123 full false The Rise of Virtual Influencers and Global Engagement The Rise of Virtual Influencers and Global Engagement 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

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14867367 Sun, 21 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1489 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Nicholas Bruneau, Engage with Impact, Frankie the Dinosaur 3 122 full false Exploring the Agile Framework for Communications Exploring the Agile Framework for Communications 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

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]]> 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.

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Connect with us

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14835866 Sun, 14 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1262 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Engage with Impact, Nicholas Bruneau 3 121 full false Beyond the Script: Effective Customer Service Communication Beyond the Script: Effective Customer Service Communication 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

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]]> 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.

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14823511 Sun, 07 Apr 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1764 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Customer Service, Buzzsprout 3 120 full false Setting the Rules: Why and How to Regulate AI in Public Relations Setting the Rules: Why and How to Regulate AI in Public Relations 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

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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.

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14745126 Sun, 31 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1488 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Milk and Honey, AI, AI Regulations 3 119 full false The Power of Podcasts for Developing Brand Affinity The Power of Podcasts for Developing Brand Affinity 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.

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]]> 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

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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-14733191 Sun, 24 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1551 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Tyler Chisholm, YYC Collisions 3 118 full false The Strategic Storyteller The Strategic Storyteller 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

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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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14670981 Sun, 17 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0400 1295 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, PRovoke Media 3 117 full false The Legal Implications of Employee Reviews The Legal Implications of Employee Reviews 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
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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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14627062 Sun, 10 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0400 1392 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Employee Advocacy 3 116 full false The Ukrainian PR Army The Ukrainian PR Army 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

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14581780 Sun, 03 Mar 2024 03:00:00 -0500 1575 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Ukrainian PR Army, Julia Petryk 3 115 full false The Evolution of Royal PR The Evolution of Royal PR 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.

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14557733 Sun, 25 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 1316 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Royal Family, Simon Lewis, David Yelland, When it Hits the Fan 3 114 full false PRovoke Media Asia-Pacific Comms Leader Study PRovoke Media Asia-Pacific Comms Leader Study 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
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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14460848 Sun, 18 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 1247 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, PRovoke Media, Arun Sudhaman, DEI, ESG 3 113 full false How to Forgive and Accept an Apology How to Forgive and Accept an Apology 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

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]]> 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

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Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> https://podcast.storiesandstrategies.ca/how-to-forgive-and-accept-an-apology/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14416680 Sun, 11 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 1369 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Forgiveness, Apologies, Apologizing, Sorry Watch, Marjorie Ingalls, Susan McCarthy 3 112 full false Saying Sorry: Why is it so Hard? Saying Sorry: Why is it so Hard? 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

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14400753 Sun, 04 Feb 2024 03:00:00 -0500 1401 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, SorryWatch, sorrywatch.com, Marjorie Ingall, Susan McCarthy 3 111 full false Muck Rack’s 2023 State of Marketing and PR Leadership Report Muck Rack’s 2023 State of Marketing and PR Leadership Report 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

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14323562 Sun, 28 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0500 1326 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Muck Rack, Linda Zebian 3 110 full false Challenging the Status Quo in PR Metrics Challenging the Status Quo in PR Metrics 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

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]]> 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
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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-14256520 Sun, 21 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 1463 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, PR Metrics, PR Measurement, Anne Gregory 3 109 full false Exploring the Myths of Body Language Analysis on TV and YouTube Exploring the Myths of Body Language Analysis on TV and YouTube 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
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Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> 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

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Connect with us
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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 and Strategies Buzzsprout-14248887 Sun, 14 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 1570 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, Body Language, Non-Verbal, Vincent Denault 3 108 full false The Double-Edged Sword of Generative AI and Why it’s Part of a Broader Problem for Public Relations The Double-Edged Sword of Generative AI and Why it’s Part of a Broader Problem for Public Relations 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

]]> 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
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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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14167476 Sun, 07 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 1235 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Joe Zappa, Generative AI, Chat GPT, Prompt Engineer 3 107 full false FEED DROP – Learning Real Communication With Your Kids FEED DROP – Learning Real Communication With Your Kids 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

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]]> 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

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14114926 Sun, 24 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 1990 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Parenting, Parenting and Personalities 3 106 full false How to Communicate – When People Won’t Evacuate How to Communicate – When People Won’t Evacuate 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

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]]> 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14095856 Sun, 10 Dec 2023 03:00:00 -0500 1488 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR, EOC, ICS, Wildfires, Emergency Communications, Crisis Communications, Tim Conrad 3 105 full false Coaching Politicians to be Better Communicators Coaching Politicians to be Better Communicators 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

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]]> 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

 

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-14007666 Sun, 26 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500 1273 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Politicians, Krysten Copeland, KC and CO Communications 3 104 full false Immersing Ourselves in AR, VR and XR Technologies. The Next Wave in Communications Immersing Ourselves in AR, VR and XR Technologies. The Next Wave in Communications 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

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]]> 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 

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Stories and Strategies Website

 

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-13921762 Sun, 12 Nov 2023 03:00:00 -0500 1433 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, AR, Augmented Reality, VR, Virtual Reality, XR, Immersive Media, University of Oregon, Donna Davis 3 103 full false FEED DROP: Six Presentation Tips for Advanced Speakers FEED DROP: Six Presentation Tips for Advanced Speakers 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

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]]> 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

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Request a transcript of this episode

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-13817209 Sun, 05 Nov 2023 02:00:00 -0500 2112 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Throughline Group, Brad Phillips, Mr Media Training, Christina Mozaffari, Presentation Training 3 102 full false The Four Traits of Inspiring Thought Leaders The Four Traits of Inspiring Thought Leaders 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

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]]> 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

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-13817127 Sun, 29 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1232 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Kathleen Lucente, Thought Leader 3 101 full false Finding the Four Minute Window Finding the Four Minute Window 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?”

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> 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.

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-13688254 Sun, 15 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1254 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Behavioural Science, Michelle Egan, PRSA, PRSSA, Public Relations Society of America, Communications Strategist 3 100 full false Harnessing the Influence of Wikipedia for Your Brand Harnessing the Influence of Wikipedia for Your Brand 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 

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Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> 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

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-13658239 Sun, 01 Oct 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1195 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Wikipedia 3 99 full false Diverse Perspectives, Powerful Results: Multicultural Marketing Insights Diverse Perspectives, Powerful Results: Multicultural Marketing Insights 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 values
  • You’re able to actually understand more of your audience/stakeholders
  • Involve people in appropriate settings and context
  • Create tailored marketing content and strategies
  • Broaden your brand’s story as inclusive of diverse cultures

September 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

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]]> 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 values
  • You’re able to actually understand more of your audience/stakeholders
  • Involve people in appropriate settings and context
  • Create tailored marketing content and strategies
  • Broaden your brand’s story as inclusive of diverse cultures

September 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 

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-13592032 Sun, 17 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1207 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, PRCA, CIPR, PRSA, CPRS, Multi Cultural Campaigns, CCOM, Manuel Machado 3 98 full false The Role of Marketing and Public Relations in Central Asia: Explained The Role of Marketing and Public Relations in Central Asia: Explained 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 likhtman@itcomms.io
Alexander’s bio and articles he’s written
On Facebook
On LinkedIn
On Instagram

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click 

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]]> 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 likhtman@itcomms.io
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

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-13340341 Sun, 03 Sep 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1468 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgystan, Likhtman, Russia 3 97 full false Cracking the Code to Low Journalist Response Rates Cracking the Code to Low Journalist Response Rates 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 

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]]> 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

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-13330298 Sun, 20 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1196 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Journalism, Reporters, Media, Press Releases, Propel, Zach Cutler 3 96 full false Change Your Mind = Change Your Brain Change Your Mind = Change Your Brain 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

Aandra02@uofguelph.ca 

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]]> 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

Aandra02@uofguelph.ca 

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click 

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-13281907 Sun, 06 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1455 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Allyson Andrade, Amygdala, Hippocampus, Pre-frontal Cortex, Change Your Mind 3 95 full false Exploring Trust in Media Brands Today Exploring Trust in Media Brands Today 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 consumed
  • We think of television, radio, film, music, social media, print, outdoor ads, and video chats as media brands
  • We don’t think gaming, online retailing, influencers or global tech brands are media

Guest: 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 

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]]> 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 consumed
  • We think of television, radio, film, music, social media, print, outdoor ads, and video chats as media brands
  • We don’t think gaming, online retailing, influencers or global tech brands are media

Guest: 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 

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Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies

 Request a transcript of this episode

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-13240511 Sun, 23 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1276 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 94 full false Influencing Behaviors Through Social Marketing Influencing Behaviors Through Social Marketing 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


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]]> 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

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-13155610 Sun, 09 Jul 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1239 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Social Marking, Julie Colehour, C+C 3 93 full false How to Make Internal Communications More Inclusive How to Make Internal Communications More Inclusive 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/
aniisu3@gmail.com  

Look for Aniisu’s newest book Inclusive Internal Communications on Amazon

 

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click
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]]> 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/
aniisu3@gmail.com  

Look for Aniisu’s newest book Inclusive Internal Communications on Amazon

 

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click
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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-13091261 Sun, 25 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1309 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Aniisu Verghese, Internal Communications 3 92 full false The Best PR Campaign that Changed the World The Best PR Campaign that Changed the World 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 a.gregory@hud.ac.uk 

On Twitter @gregsAnne 


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]]> 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 a.gregory@hud.ac.uk 

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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-12990520 Sun, 11 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 2194 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, CIPR, Chartered Institute of Public Relations, Anne Gregory, Rosa Parks, Dr Martin Luther King, Earth Day, AIDS, Virgin Atlantic, iPhone, Apple, Climate Change, Paris 3 91 full false The Evolution of the Communications Engineer The Evolution of the Communications Engineer 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 Info@AaronKwittken.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

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> 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 Info@AaronKwittken.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:

Request a transcript of this episode

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-12906328 Sun, 28 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1443 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Generative AI, Predictive AI, Prophet, Aaron Kwittken 3 90 full false Oh the Things We Can Do With Generative AI (including Chat GPT) Oh the Things We Can Do With Generative AI (including Chat GPT) 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 hello@catchdigital.io 

Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies
Stories and Strategies Website

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> 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 hello@catchdigital.io 

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:

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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-12815898 Sun, 14 May 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1463 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Open AI, Chat GPT, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence 3 89 full false How AI Tools Are Already Impacting the PR Profession – And Where It’s All Going How AI Tools Are Already Impacting the PR Profession – And Where It’s All Going 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 stephen.waddington@wadds.co.uk 

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:

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 stephen.waddington@wadds.co.uk 

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:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-12675436 Sun, 30 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1343 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, AI, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Chat GPT 3 88 full false FEED DROP – Micro Influencers – When Smaller is Better FEED DROP – Micro Influencers – When Smaller is Better 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

]]> 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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-12596577 Sun, 23 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1142 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Influencers, Macro Influencers, Micro Influencers 3 87 full false Social Media is OVERRATED!! Social Media is OVERRATED!! 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 rob@wynnepr.com
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:

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> 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 rob@wynnepr.com
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:

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

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-12597260 Sun, 16 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1217 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Social Media, Robert Wynne, Influencer 3 86 full false PR and Marketing for Web 3.0 PR and Marketing for Web 3.0 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 info@studio-tbd.io 

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.

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Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> 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 info@studio-tbd.io 

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-12489480 Sun, 02 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1393 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Web3, Web 3.0, Blockchain, Robert Lund 3 85 full false Digging Deeper Into the Edelman Trust Barometer Digging Deeper Into the Edelman Trust Barometer 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
trustinstitute@edelman.com
2023 Edelman Trust Barometer https://www.edelman.com/trust/2023/trust-barometer

Read the Facial Resemblance Enhances Trust study from McMaster University

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]]> 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
trustinstitute@edelman.com
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

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]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-12430242 Sun, 19 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0400 1098 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Trust, Edelman, Tonia Ries 3 84 full false The Truth About Umms and Uhhs The Truth About Umms and Uhhs 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: nick.enfield@sydney.edu.au
Website: http://nickenfield.org/ 

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]]> 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: nick.enfield@sydney.edu.au
Website: http://nickenfield.org/ 

Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies
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]]> Stories and Strategies (Podcast Production, Marketing and Public Relations) Buzzsprout-12205793 Sun, 05 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0500 1429 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Linguistics, Umms and Uhhs, Verbal Fillers 3 83 full false Headlines with Ragan’s PR Daily – Chat GPT and Other News Headlines with Ragan’s PR Daily – Chat GPT and Other News 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’s
  • 6:26 Netflix’ Password Sharing Nightmare – Read the article in Ragan’s
  • 10:13 Is Social Media Heading in the Right Direction? – Read the article in Ragan’s
  • 12:48 Journalist Response Rates are Down – Read the article in Ragan’s
  • 15:59 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

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]]> 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’s
  • 6:26 Netflix’ Password Sharing Nightmare – Read the article in Ragan’s
  • 10:13 Is Social Media Heading in the Right Direction? – Read the article in Ragan’s
  • 12:48 Journalist Response Rates are Down – Read the article in Ragan’s
  • 15:59 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

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-12221681 Sun, 19 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0500 1125 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Ragans, Ragan's, PR Daily, Allison Carter, M&Ms, Netflix, Chat GPT 3 82 full false Is the Person You’re in Conversation With – Faking it? Is the Person You’re in Conversation With – Faking it? We all fake human connection from time to time. We’re tired, the person we’re speaking with just doesn’t get it, or they’re deliberately trying to be difficult. Sometimes, and we wouldn’t want to admit this out loud, but sometimes the person talking to us just isn’t important enough for us to care. 

One form of this happens with interviews celebrities, athletes, and politicians give every day. With some of those interviews you can see the person being interviewed is enthused and interested but other times they’re either uninterested or giving us that “Fake Personality.”

Guest: Kayley Hamilton, CEO Kayley Media
Website https://www.kayleymedia.com/
Connect with Kayley on:

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]]> We all fake human connection from time to time. We’re tired, the person we’re speaking with just doesn’t get it, or they’re deliberately trying to be difficult. Sometimes, and we wouldn’t want to admit this out loud, but sometimes the person talking to us just isn’t important enough for us to care. 

One form of this happens with interviews celebrities, athletes, and politicians give every day. With some of those interviews you can see the person being interviewed is enthused and interested but other times they’re either uninterested or giving us that “Fake Personality.”

Guest: Kayley Hamilton, CEO Kayley Media
Website https://www.kayleymedia.com/
Connect with Kayley on:

Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies

Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> Stories and Strategies (Podcast Production, Marketing and Public Relations) Buzzsprout-12133267 Sun, 05 Feb 2023 04:00:00 -0500 1299 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Kayley Hamilton, Red Carpet Interviews, Hollywood Interviews, Fake Smile, Fake Conversation 3 81 full false Do Sales Funnels Still Work? Or Is the Concept Springing Leaks? Do Sales Funnels Still Work? Or Is the Concept Springing Leaks? The concept of the sales funnel is more than a century old. But depending on which Marketing Guru you listen to today – the funnel concept is either long dead or consistently proving itself alive and well.

Common criticisms:

  • Too linear
  • Imply a finite end
  • Focus on conversion
  • Rely on abundant attention 

Are funnels being replaced? Or do they still capture the customer journey?

Guest: Megan Dougherty, One Stone Creative
Send Megan an email https://onestonecreative.net/contact/
On Twitter @oscpodcasting
On Instagram @oscpodcasting
Download the 2022 State of Business Podcasting Report

Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies
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]]> The concept of the sales funnel is more than a century old. But depending on which Marketing Guru you listen to today – the funnel concept is either long dead or consistently proving itself alive and well.

Common criticisms:

  • Too linear
  • Imply a finite end
  • Focus on conversion
  • Rely on abundant attention 

Are funnels being replaced? Or do they still capture the customer journey?

Guest: Megan Dougherty, One Stone Creative
Send Megan an email https://onestonecreative.net/contact/
On Twitter @oscpodcasting
On Instagram @oscpodcasting
Download the 2022 State of Business Podcasting Report

Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies
Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-11906945 Sun, 22 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0500 1071 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Podcasting, Podcast Producer, Marketing Funnel, Sales Funnel, Marketing, One Stone Creative, Stories and Strategies 3 80 full false When Lies Build Trust When Lies Build Trust 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 are lies we hear, knowing they are lies, that make us trust those liars even more.

So what’s the truth about lying?

Guests Maurice Schweitzer, PhD and Emma Levine, PhD: 

Emma has a PhD from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; a BA (philosophy, politics, and economics) and BS (economics) from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an Associate Professor of Behavioral Science and the Charles E Merrill Faculty Scholar at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Emma.Levine@chicagobooth.edu 

Maurice has a PhD in economics, is the Cecilia Yen Koo Professor of Operations, Information, and Decisions and Management at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the Director of the Wharton Behavioral Lab and has published over 100 articles on trust, negotiations, and emotions. 

Schweitzer@wharton.upenn.edu

Link to Emma and Maurice’s study Prosocial Lies: When deception breeds trust


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]]> 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 are lies we hear, knowing they are lies, that make us trust those liars even more.

So what’s the truth about lying?

Guests Maurice Schweitzer, PhD and Emma Levine, PhD: 

Emma has a PhD from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; a BA (philosophy, politics, and economics) and BS (economics) from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an Associate Professor of Behavioral Science and the Charles E Merrill Faculty Scholar at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Emma.Levine@chicagobooth.edu 

Maurice has a PhD in economics, is the Cecilia Yen Koo Professor of Operations, Information, and Decisions and Management at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the Director of the Wharton Behavioral Lab and has published over 100 articles on trust, negotiations, and emotions. 

Schweitzer@wharton.upenn.edu

Link to Emma and Maurice’s study Prosocial Lies: When deception breeds trust


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]]> Stories and Strategies (Podcast Production, Marketing and Public Relations) Buzzsprout-11987270 Sun, 08 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0500 1370 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Lies, Lying, Truth About Lying, Wharton School, University of Chicago 3 79 full false Integrating the Newer Tools Into Traditional Marketing and PR Integrating the Newer Tools Into Traditional Marketing and PR Things move so quickly now it almost seems wrong to consider digital marketing, SEO, influencer marketing, and even social media as “newer tools.” But the way in which we use them, our habits, and even connected applications, are changing fast.

Our clients still need us to help them strengthen their brands, make breakthroughs into new markets, launch products and services. We had better know how to use these newer tools as well as the tools and applications built to go with them.

Guest: Anna Crowe MBA, CEO Crowe PR
https://crowepr.com/
info@crowepr.com 
On Instagram and Twitter @acrowepr

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]]> Things move so quickly now it almost seems wrong to consider digital marketing, SEO, influencer marketing, and even social media as “newer tools.” But the way in which we use them, our habits, and even connected applications, are changing fast.

Our clients still need us to help them strengthen their brands, make breakthroughs into new markets, launch products and services. We had better know how to use these newer tools as well as the tools and applications built to go with them.

Guest: Anna Crowe MBA, CEO Crowe PR
https://crowepr.com/
info@crowepr.com 
On Instagram and Twitter @acrowepr

Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies
Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-11887147 Sun, 25 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0500 1292 Anna Crowe, Crowe PR, PR, Public Relations, Marketing, Influencers, Stories and Strategies, Strategic Communications, CommsPro 3 78 full false A Close Look at Today’s Social Media Channels With Grey Group A Close Look at Today’s Social Media Channels With Grey Group According to the Datareportal July 2022 global overview more than half the world now uses social media (59%). 4.7 billion people around the world are using social media. 

The question is no longer whether people are using social media but what they’re using them for and how can comms pros and marketers harness this growing habit?

Grey Group ranks among the world’s top advertising and marketing agencies and in this episode, two of their social media leaders helps go beyond what’s trending to actually understand what’s happening with social media and how we can harness its true power most effectively.

In this episode we talk about the latest trends in social media and forecast what’s next for each channel. Will Twitter survive? Will Snapchat? 

Guests: Joey Scarillo, Caine Fair – Grey Group
podcasts@grey.com

Listen to Grey Group’s Podcast 5Things: This Week in Social
On Apple Podcasts
On Spotify

Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies

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]]> According to the Datareportal July 2022 global overview more than half the world now uses social media (59%). 4.7 billion people around the world are using social media. 

The question is no longer whether people are using social media but what they’re using them for and how can comms pros and marketers harness this growing habit?

Grey Group ranks among the world’s top advertising and marketing agencies and in this episode, two of their social media leaders helps go beyond what’s trending to actually understand what’s happening with social media and how we can harness its true power most effectively.

In this episode we talk about the latest trends in social media and forecast what’s next for each channel. Will Twitter survive? Will Snapchat? 

Guests: Joey Scarillo, Caine Fair – Grey Group
podcasts@grey.com

Listen to Grey Group’s Podcast 5Things: This Week in Social
On Apple Podcasts
On Spotify

Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies

Stories and Strategies Website

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Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-11802889 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0500 1647 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Grey Group, 5Things, Scarillo 3 77 full false Taking an Organizational Stand on Social and Political Issues. Is it Worth it? Taking an Organizational Stand on Social and Political Issues. Is it Worth it? In February 2022, the New York Times reported findings from interviews with undergraduate seniors entering the workforce as well as a recent survey of millennials (some of whom are now in their 40’s), about their expectations of companies for whom they intend to work. 61 percent said they preferred companies who take a stand on social issues. Half said they would quit their job if it didn’t align with their values. None of this is surprising, it’s been a trend for years.

To engage in Corporate Social Responsibility means in the ordinary course of business a company is operating in ways that enhance society and the environment. 

But does CSR require taking a stand publicly on social and political issues? Many say it does. 

Critics say if a company embraces diversity and inclusion, how can it also “take a stand?”

One company that’s not just talking the talk but walking the walk when it comes to social and political issues, is Cision, a comprehensive communications platform serving public relations and marketing professionals widely known for its global newswire services.

Guest: Jay Webster, Cision Chief Product & Technology Officer and Cision Comms Cloud President
On LinkedIn @Jay Webster

Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies
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]]> In February 2022, the New York Times reported findings from interviews with undergraduate seniors entering the workforce as well as a recent survey of millennials (some of whom are now in their 40’s), about their expectations of companies for whom they intend to work. 61 percent said they preferred companies who take a stand on social issues. Half said they would quit their job if it didn’t align with their values. None of this is surprising, it’s been a trend for years.

To engage in Corporate Social Responsibility means in the ordinary course of business a company is operating in ways that enhance society and the environment. 

But does CSR require taking a stand publicly on social and political issues? Many say it does. 

Critics say if a company embraces diversity and inclusion, how can it also “take a stand?”

One company that’s not just talking the talk but walking the walk when it comes to social and political issues, is Cision, a comprehensive communications platform serving public relations and marketing professionals widely known for its global newswire services.

Guest: Jay Webster, Cision Chief Product & Technology Officer and Cision Comms Cloud President
On LinkedIn @Jay Webster

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.
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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-11739782 Sun, 27 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0500 1563 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Cision, News Release, Jay Webster 3 76 full false Building Reputation Capital Before the Crises Building Reputation Capital Before the Crises No doubt you already know tenets of good crisis planning: Be prepared, be accountable, respond quickly (or at least timely), tell the truth…

Several years of living in a COVID World and the sudden emergence of all those crisis experts has the basics of crisis management drilled into our heads.

But one aspect doesn’t get as much hype: The need to build a solid reputation in advance so, like armor, it will protect you when the crisis hits.

A new book by TJ Winick dives into this principle.

Guest: TJ Winick
More about TJ
TJ’s book Reputation Capital: How to Navigate Crises and Protect your Greatest Asset on Amazon 

Contacting Stories and Strategies
Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies

Stories and Strategies Website

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]]> No doubt you already know tenets of good crisis planning: Be prepared, be accountable, respond quickly (or at least timely), tell the truth…

Several years of living in a COVID World and the sudden emergence of all those crisis experts has the basics of crisis management drilled into our heads.

But one aspect doesn’t get as much hype: The need to build a solid reputation in advance so, like armor, it will protect you when the crisis hits.

A new book by TJ Winick dives into this principle.

Guest: TJ Winick
More about TJ
TJ’s book Reputation Capital: How to Navigate Crises and Protect your Greatest Asset on Amazon 

Contacting Stories and Strategies
Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies

Stories and Strategies Website

Do you want to start a podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-11625848 Sun, 13 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0500 1447 TJ Winick, Issues Management Group, Reputation, Crisis, Crises, Brand, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing 3 75 full false Halloween Special: Those Career Moments That Terrify Us Halloween Special: Those Career Moments That Terrify Us We’ve all had those moments in our careers. Moments of sheer terror. That time we emailed to “Reply All,” that time we put the wrong phone number or website in the news release, that spelling error you didn’t catch before distributing the newsletter to thousands of people.

And sometimes the terror is out of our control. That horrible, unethical boss, that huge project you’re assigned that you aren’t ready for, and co workers from Hell!

That time you were fired.

It’s little comfort but these moments have happened to everyone. And if you haven’t experienced a moment of terror yet… it’s your turn next. 

Guests:
Jolene (Jack O Lantern) Ondrik
Eye on Culture
jolene@eyeonculture.ca
Jolene’s previous episode on Stories and Strategies (Apple link)

Doug (Danger) Lacombe
Communicatto Inc
doug@communicatto.com
Doug’s previous episode on Stories and Strategies (Apple link)

 
Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies
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]]> We’ve all had those moments in our careers. Moments of sheer terror. That time we emailed to “Reply All,” that time we put the wrong phone number or website in the news release, that spelling error you didn’t catch before distributing the newsletter to thousands of people.

And sometimes the terror is out of our control. That horrible, unethical boss, that huge project you’re assigned that you aren’t ready for, and co workers from Hell!

That time you were fired.

It’s little comfort but these moments have happened to everyone. And if you haven’t experienced a moment of terror yet… it’s your turn next. 

Guests:
Jolene (Jack O Lantern) Ondrik
Eye on Culture
jolene@eyeonculture.ca
Jolene’s previous episode on Stories and Strategies (Apple link)

Doug (Danger) Lacombe
Communicatto Inc
doug@communicatto.com
Doug’s previous episode on Stories and Strategies (Apple link)

 
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.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-11544991 Sun, 30 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1837 Doug Downs, Doug Lacombe, Jolene Ondrik, Communicatto, Eye On Culture, Public Relations, PR, Communications, Communications Strategy, Marketing 3 74 full false The ORID Method for Structured Conversation The ORID Method for Structured Conversation 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.

Guest: Robin Parsons, MBA, CPF, CTF
Parsons Dialogue Ltd.
Website https://www.parsonsdialogue.com/
Email info@parsonsdialogue.com  

Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies

Visit the Stories and Strategies website

Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.

Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca  

Follow us on:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> 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.

Guest: Robin Parsons, MBA, CPF, CTF
Parsons Dialogue Ltd.
Website https://www.parsonsdialogue.com/
Email info@parsonsdialogue.com  

Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast  https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies

Visit the Stories and Strategies website

Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.

Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca  

Follow us on:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-11452785 Sun, 16 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1416 ORID Method, Facilitation, Joseph Matthews, Robin Parsons, Public Relations, PR, Mediation, Marketing 3 73 full false New Research Suggests We Each Have 6,200 Thoughts Per Day New Research Suggests We Each Have 6,200 Thoughts Per Day Researchers at Queen’s University in Canada have established a method that, for the first time, can detect indirectly when one thought ends and another begins. Dr Jordan Poppenk and his team call them “Thought Worms,” consisting of consecutive moments when a person is focused on the same idea.

This is an extraordinary window into the mind for anyone in professional communications and marketing. Scientifically understanding how consciousness flows from one thought to the next, and the rate at which this happens, gives us keen insight into understanding, and yes, the ability to persuade effectively. For example, how many thoughts will a person actually have while drinking a cup of coffee? And does the action itself (sitting down for coffee) influence how we think?    

In this episode we talk with the lead researcher, Dr Jordan Poppenk to better understand our Thought Worms.

Guest: Dr Jordan Poppenk
Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience
Contact Dr Poppenk through Queen’s University
Download the research paper 

Share your Halloween story via https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies 

Stories and Strategies Website
Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
Follow us on:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Researchers at Queen’s University in Canada have established a method that, for the first time, can detect indirectly when one thought ends and another begins. Dr Jordan Poppenk and his team call them “Thought Worms,” consisting of consecutive moments when a person is focused on the same idea.

This is an extraordinary window into the mind for anyone in professional communications and marketing. Scientifically understanding how consciousness flows from one thought to the next, and the rate at which this happens, gives us keen insight into understanding, and yes, the ability to persuade effectively. For example, how many thoughts will a person actually have while drinking a cup of coffee? And does the action itself (sitting down for coffee) influence how we think?    

In this episode we talk with the lead researcher, Dr Jordan Poppenk to better understand our Thought Worms.

Guest: Dr Jordan Poppenk
Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience
Contact Dr Poppenk through Queen’s University
Download the research paper 

Share your Halloween story via https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies 

Stories and Strategies Website
Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
Follow us on:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-11389188 Sun, 02 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1724 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Neuroscience, FMRI, Psychology, Poppenk, Queens University 3 72 full false How to Pitch Micro Media (Like Podcasts) How to Pitch Micro Media (Like Podcasts) Micro media is a somewhat new term we can use to describe media created by companies, brands and individuals housed (mainly) online. Personal blogs and corporate sites that invite fans and industry leaders to contribute, are two other examples.

In the olden days (circa 1980) the most common way to promote your business was to buy advertising in macro media outlines – usually via a big PR firm. But technology and social trends have changed. 

Micro media outlets are gaining significance as they grow larger and larger audiences. Podcasts are a perfect example. There are 120 million podcast listeners in the United States but according to the podcast index there are barely 300,000 podcasts with new episodes in the last month. So, micro media outlets are beginning to sway the narrative of public opinion away from the traditional media gatekeepers.

And micro media sources give the best opportunity to drill down into niche audiences which have always been extremely valuable.

In this episode, how to hone your pitch to micro media sources. 

Guest: Shelby Janner, Zilker Media
Zilker Media website
Sign up for Zilker Media’s Podcast Guest Insider
Use the Stories and Strategies Coupon Code with the Podcast Guest Insider: @Stories10
Email Shelby shelby@zilkermedia.com.

Share your Halloween story via https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies
Stories and Strategies Website

Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
Follow us on:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Micro media is a somewhat new term we can use to describe media created by companies, brands and individuals housed (mainly) online. Personal blogs and corporate sites that invite fans and industry leaders to contribute, are two other examples.

In the olden days (circa 1980) the most common way to promote your business was to buy advertising in macro media outlines – usually via a big PR firm. But technology and social trends have changed. 

Micro media outlets are gaining significance as they grow larger and larger audiences. Podcasts are a perfect example. There are 120 million podcast listeners in the United States but according to the podcast index there are barely 300,000 podcasts with new episodes in the last month. So, micro media outlets are beginning to sway the narrative of public opinion away from the traditional media gatekeepers.

And micro media sources give the best opportunity to drill down into niche audiences which have always been extremely valuable.

In this episode, how to hone your pitch to micro media sources. 

Guest: Shelby Janner, Zilker Media
Zilker Media website
Sign up for Zilker Media’s Podcast Guest Insider
Use the Stories and Strategies Coupon Code with the Podcast Guest Insider: @Stories10
Email Shelby shelby@zilkermedia.com.

Share your Halloween story via https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies
Stories and Strategies Website

Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
Follow us on:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-11321520 Sun, 18 Sep 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1295 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Digital Strategies, Micro Media, Zilker Media, Shelby Janner, Doug Downs 3 71 full false The Behavioural Science Communications Firm That’s Changing Everything The Behavioural Science Communications Firm That’s Changing Everything Within Public Relations and Marketing we often use what are considered to be best practices for our strategies. It’s natural. If a methodology, including survey and analysis, has worked in a similar situation previously, that’s the one to use. The challenge with surveys or polls is they’re often unreliable. They’re unreliable because we, humans, often don’t answer in a way that matches our true intentions – because our answers are clouded with aspirational intent, or even more simply, we don’t know our true intentions which are probably based more in habit than we’d like to acknowledge.

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. 

Taking a BS approach to challenges can really begin to move the dial.

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.

Guest: Shayoni Lynn, Lynn
Lynn website https://lynn.global/
Email contact@lynn.global
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn

Stories and Strategies Website
Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
Follow us on:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Within Public Relations and Marketing we often use what are considered to be best practices for our strategies. It’s natural. If a methodology, including survey and analysis, has worked in a similar situation previously, that’s the one to use. The challenge with surveys or polls is they’re often unreliable. They’re unreliable because we, humans, often don’t answer in a way that matches our true intentions – because our answers are clouded with aspirational intent, or even more simply, we don’t know our true intentions which are probably based more in habit than we’d like to acknowledge.

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. 

Taking a BS approach to challenges can really begin to move the dial.

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.

Guest: Shayoni Lynn, Lynn
Lynn website https://lynn.global/
Email contact@lynn.global
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn

Stories and Strategies Website
Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
Follow us on:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-11156536 Sun, 04 Sep 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1496 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Behavioural Science, Shayoni Lynn, Lynn Group, Lynn, PRCA, CIPR 3 70 full false The Five Situations Your Senior Leaders Will See or Hear You The Five Situations Your Senior Leaders Will See or Hear You Stephen Krempl believes if you want to get noticed the right way by your senior leaders you must recognize there are only five situations in which those leaders will see or hear you. And when those situations arise, if you can master the art of turning a negative into either a neutral or a positive, you’ll get much further ahead.”

To use a metaphor, does that mean candy coating everything? And to stretch the metaphor, won’t that make us a little sick?

Stephen Krempl doesn’t think so. He notes there are really only five key situations our senior leaders really see or hear us. Five stages with limited stage time for each. We need to make those opportunities count.

 Guest: Stephen Krempl
Stephen has worked for and with numerous Fortune 500 companies in training or corporate training and development roles. Companies such as Pepsico, Starbucks, Motorola, Visa, BNP Paribas, Schneider Electric, and Barclay’s Bank.

Amazon Link to Stephen’s book Positively Negative: How to Turn Negative Messages into Positive Ones
Stephen’s other book, The 5% Zone: Visibility Strategies That Get You Recognized and Rewarded in Any Organization
Stephen’s website
Email Stephen info@kremplcommunications.com
Stephen on Twitter: @krempl
Stephen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-krempl/   

Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
Follow us on:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stephen Krempl believes if you want to get noticed the right way by your senior leaders you must recognize there are only five situations in which those leaders will see or hear you. And when those situations arise, if you can master the art of turning a negative into either a neutral or a positive, you’ll get much further ahead.”

To use a metaphor, does that mean candy coating everything? And to stretch the metaphor, won’t that make us a little sick?

Stephen Krempl doesn’t think so. He notes there are really only five key situations our senior leaders really see or hear us. Five stages with limited stage time for each. We need to make those opportunities count.

 Guest: Stephen Krempl
Stephen has worked for and with numerous Fortune 500 companies in training or corporate training and development roles. Companies such as Pepsico, Starbucks, Motorola, Visa, BNP Paribas, Schneider Electric, and Barclay’s Bank.

Amazon Link to Stephen’s book Positively Negative: How to Turn Negative Messages into Positive Ones
Stephen’s other book, The 5% Zone: Visibility Strategies That Get You Recognized and Rewarded in Any Organization
Stephen’s website
Email Stephen info@kremplcommunications.com
Stephen on Twitter: @krempl
Stephen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-krempl/   

Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
Follow us on:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-11102488 Sun, 21 Aug 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1391 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Krempl, Leadership 3 69 full false Could Spy Agencies, Like the FBI, MI5, and CSIS, Use Some PR Help? Could Spy Agencies, Like the FBI, MI5, and CSIS, Use Some PR Help? The World’s intelligence agencies have long suffered from a perspective they’re too secretive. That’s not just the stuff of Hollywood movies and books, these are real perceptions backed by studies and reviews critical of the communications in those agencies. They all conclude there’s a need to be more intelligent about Intelligence.

The degree of secrecy in these Agencies has always been a delicate balance. But there are many today who say the level of secrecy in intelligence is a symptom of increasing obsolescence as well as an obstacle to reform. 

In this episode we talk with a former analyst at two of Canada’s intelligence agencies, The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) and Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to get his perspective on how a refreshed view of communication practice might make a world of difference.

Guest: Phil Gurski
Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting
Website https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/
Email borealisrisk@gmail.com
Check out any of Phil’s books
Phil’s Podcast Canadian Intelligence Eh? 

Stories and Strategies website
Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca
Follow us on:
LinkedIn
Twitter
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Facebook

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> The World’s intelligence agencies have long suffered from a perspective they’re too secretive. That’s not just the stuff of Hollywood movies and books, these are real perceptions backed by studies and reviews critical of the communications in those agencies. They all conclude there’s a need to be more intelligent about Intelligence.

The degree of secrecy in these Agencies has always been a delicate balance. But there are many today who say the level of secrecy in intelligence is a symptom of increasing obsolescence as well as an obstacle to reform. 

In this episode we talk with a former analyst at two of Canada’s intelligence agencies, The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) and Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to get his perspective on how a refreshed view of communication practice might make a world of difference.

Guest: Phil Gurski
Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting
Website https://borealisthreatandrisk.com/
Email borealisrisk@gmail.com
Check out any of Phil’s books
Phil’s Podcast Canadian Intelligence Eh? 

Stories and Strategies website
Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca
Follow us on:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-10967663 Sun, 07 Aug 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1314 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Spies, CSIS, CSE, FBI, MI5, Mata Hari 3 68 full false How the Real-Life Siri (GPS Girl) Found Her True Sense of Direction How the Real-Life Siri (GPS Girl) Found Her True Sense of Direction Worldwide Karen Jacobsen is known for her voice – the voice of female Australian SIRI or GPS Karen. She’s been heard on 400 million GPS and smart-enabled devices and today she’s a successful motivational speaker, singer/songwriter, and author.

But the road to success was trickier than you might image shortly after Karen’s voice began appearing on our smartphones she ran into her own, real-life “Recalculating,” moment and needed to find her way back. In her own words, “It’s never too late to recalculate.”

Guest: Karen Jacobsen
Connect with Karen:
Website The GPS Girl
On Twitter
On LinkedIn
On Instagram
YouTube

Karen’s music can be heard here - karenjacobsen.com
Have a listen to Karen’s new single THE SLIPSTREAM 

Karen’s book The GPS Girl’s Road Map for Your Future: Put Yourself in the Driver’s Seat
Karen’s book Recalculate: Directions for Driving Performance Success 

Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
Stories and Strategies Website 

Follow us on:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Worldwide Karen Jacobsen is known for her voice – the voice of female Australian SIRI or GPS Karen. She’s been heard on 400 million GPS and smart-enabled devices and today she’s a successful motivational speaker, singer/songwriter, and author.

But the road to success was trickier than you might image shortly after Karen’s voice began appearing on our smartphones she ran into her own, real-life “Recalculating,” moment and needed to find her way back. In her own words, “It’s never too late to recalculate.”

Guest: Karen Jacobsen
Connect with Karen:
Website The GPS Girl
On Twitter
On LinkedIn
On Instagram
YouTube

Karen’s music can be heard here - karenjacobsen.com
Have a listen to Karen’s new single THE SLIPSTREAM 

Karen’s book The GPS Girl’s Road Map for Your Future: Put Yourself in the Driver’s Seat
Karen’s book Recalculate: Directions for Driving Performance Success 

Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
Stories and Strategies Website 

Follow us on:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-10957472 Sun, 24 Jul 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1328 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, GPS, Siri 3 67 full false Finding Your Niche Skill or Authority to Future-Proof Your Career Finding Your Niche Skill or Authority to Future-Proof Your Career In the work world the true generalist is very different from the specialist.

The specialist tends to have a deep understanding of a certain content area while the generalist has a broader scope of the work landscape. The pros of being a generalist are understanding connections between departments and, theoretically, the ability to adapt to handling many different tasks. The cons include exhaustion from doing too many tasks over time (we tend to reward good workers with more work). 

The benefits to being a specialist include having a deep knowledge with less competition, but the cons include the need to avoid becoming obsolete as technology continually changes.

The school of thought has always been that there are more opportunities for the Generalist. Are there? Has that started to change? As the Gig Economy begins to grow, and the work atmosphere is forever changed by COVID, it’s becoming increasingly clear we are living in a Specialized World.

Guest: Talia Beckett Davis
Pink Pearl PR
Founder Women in PR 

Contact Talia
talia@womeninpr.ca
talia@pinkprfirm.com
publicrelationsacademy.com
https://womeninpr.com/

Listen to Talia’s previous episode on Stories and Strategies
On Apple
On Spotify

Do you want to podcast?
Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Register for the FREE July 13, 2022 Webinar Event "Getting Started With Your Podcast"

Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
Follow us on:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> In the work world the true generalist is very different from the specialist.

The specialist tends to have a deep understanding of a certain content area while the generalist has a broader scope of the work landscape. The pros of being a generalist are understanding connections between departments and, theoretically, the ability to adapt to handling many different tasks. The cons include exhaustion from doing too many tasks over time (we tend to reward good workers with more work). 

The benefits to being a specialist include having a deep knowledge with less competition, but the cons include the need to avoid becoming obsolete as technology continually changes.

The school of thought has always been that there are more opportunities for the Generalist. Are there? Has that started to change? As the Gig Economy begins to grow, and the work atmosphere is forever changed by COVID, it’s becoming increasingly clear we are living in a Specialized World.

Guest: Talia Beckett Davis
Pink Pearl PR
Founder Women in PR 

Contact Talia
talia@womeninpr.ca
talia@pinkprfirm.com
publicrelationsacademy.com
https://womeninpr.com/

Listen to Talia’s previous episode on Stories and Strategies
On Apple
On Spotify

Do you want to podcast?
Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Register for the FREE July 13, 2022 Webinar Event "Getting Started With Your Podcast"

Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 
Follow us on:

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-10845525 Sun, 10 Jul 2022 02:00:00 -0400 1374 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Pink Pearl PR, Women in PR 3 66 full false Four Tips for New PR Grads Four Tips for New PR Grads So, you’re graduating with a Communications or Marketing degree? Congratulations. It’s a growing industry and there are plenty of opportunities.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts employment of PR specialists to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030 with 29,000 new jobs every year.

One Canadian study (McGill University in Montreal) predicts more than 36,000 job openings to become available in the PR Industry in Canada by 2026.

In general, a PR pro is responsible for managing the relationship between an organization and its various audiences, including stakeholders, investors, the media, the government, and the general public. Each audience has different needs and an organization’s objectives with regards to each audience differ. So PR pros are tasked with creating and implementing communication strategies to:

  • Provide information
  • Manage the organization or individual’s reputation
  • Positively influence public opinion
  • Effectively respond to crises
  • Comply with government enforced transparency laws and regulations

If you’re graduating now and entering the workforce, it’s an exciting time – with new technologies daily but accompanied by ever escalating audience expectations for engagement and openness.

In this episode, Communications vet Michelle Garrett offers her thoughts for those starting out to help them navigate the inevitable bumpy roads and choppy waters.

Guest: Michelle Garrett
Email michelle@michellegarrett.com
Website https://michellegarrett.com/
Follow Michelle on Twitter @PRisUs

Listen to Michelle’s other episodes on Stories and Strategies
Snake Oil on Apple Podcasts – on Spotify
PR Trends on Apple Podcasts – on Spotify

Read Michelle's article in Muck Rack on this topic 

PR Associations
The Canadian Public Relations Society
The Canadian Association of Communicators in Education
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations
The Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management
The International Communications Consultancy Organisation
The Institute for Public Relations
The International Association of Business Communicators
The Public Relations and Communications Association
The Public Relations Institute of Australia
The Public Relations Society of America
The Public Relations Society of India
Women in PR

Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 

Follow us on:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Instagram

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> So, you’re graduating with a Communications or Marketing degree? Congratulations. It’s a growing industry and there are plenty of opportunities.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts employment of PR specialists to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030 with 29,000 new jobs every year.

One Canadian study (McGill University in Montreal) predicts more than 36,000 job openings to become available in the PR Industry in Canada by 2026.

In general, a PR pro is responsible for managing the relationship between an organization and its various audiences, including stakeholders, investors, the media, the government, and the general public. Each audience has different needs and an organization’s objectives with regards to each audience differ. So PR pros are tasked with creating and implementing communication strategies to:

  • Provide information
  • Manage the organization or individual’s reputation
  • Positively influence public opinion
  • Effectively respond to crises
  • Comply with government enforced transparency laws and regulations

If you’re graduating now and entering the workforce, it’s an exciting time – with new technologies daily but accompanied by ever escalating audience expectations for engagement and openness.

In this episode, Communications vet Michelle Garrett offers her thoughts for those starting out to help them navigate the inevitable bumpy roads and choppy waters.

Guest: Michelle Garrett
Email michelle@michellegarrett.com
Website https://michellegarrett.com/
Follow Michelle on Twitter @PRisUs

Listen to Michelle’s other episodes on Stories and Strategies
Snake Oil on Apple Podcasts – on Spotify
PR Trends on Apple Podcasts – on Spotify

Read Michelle's article in Muck Rack on this topic 

PR Associations
The Canadian Public Relations Society
The Canadian Association of Communicators in Education
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations
The Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management
The International Communications Consultancy Organisation
The Institute for Public Relations
The International Association of Business Communicators
The Public Relations and Communications Association
The Public Relations Institute of Australia
The Public Relations Society of America
The Public Relations Society of India
Women in PR

Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it.
Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 

Follow us on:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Instagram

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]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-10806336 Sun, 26 Jun 2022 03:00:00 -0400 1484 Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, CommsPro, PR, Global Alliance, ICCO, PRSA, IPR, IABC, CPRS, PRCA, CIPR, PRIA, PRSI, Women in PR 3 65 full false Stories and Strategies Podcast Trailer Stories and Strategies Podcast Trailer Our new trailer for Summer 2022

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Our new trailer for Summer 2022

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Buzzsprout-10833222 Tue, 21 Jun 2022 19:00:00 -0400 108 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Dig Safe, Call Before You Dig, Click Before You Dig, 811, Dial Before You Dig trailer false How Executives Use Social Media to Lead How Executives Use Social Media to Lead A new survey by Brunswick Group makes it clear executive leaders today are not only expected to be online, but to be active and connected. 

2,800 readers of financial publications and 3,600 employees in large companies were surveyed worldwide and in-depth interviews were conducted with more than a dozen leaders and their teams at various companies.

  • 82% of employees said it’s important for business leaders to use social media to communicate about the company’s mission, vision, values
  • 86% of financial publication readers felt leaders should be online
  • By a four to one ratio, employees would rather work for a CEO who uses social media than one who does not

Link to the Study

Guest: Craig Mullaney, Partner Brunswick Group
Craig Mullaney is a Brunswick partner in Washington, DC. Craig advises clients on a broad range of critical issues, with a specialist focus on leadership communications and US-Japan cross-border issues.  He is one of the leading authorities on executives’ use of digital media and pioneered Brunswick Group’s Connected Leadership research. He joined Brunswick from Facebook where he led strategic partnerships and founded Facebook’s Global Executive Program. Craig has provided strategic counsel to leaders ranging from former heads of state and Fortune 50 CEOs to presidents of major charitable foundations, scientific luminaries, and numerous TED speakers.  He is a New York Times bestselling author, and a decorated Army combat veteran. 

Salutatorian / BS, History at United States Military Academy at West Point
Rhodes Scholar / MSt. / MSc. Diplomatic History / Economic History at University of Oxford. 

Follow Craig on Twitter @craigmmullaney and on LinkedIn
Craig’s New York Times Bestseller “The Unforgiving Minute, a Soldier’s Education”

 Connect with Stories and Strategies on Twitter @stories_strats. We follow back.
Let’s talk about the podcast idea doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> A new survey by Brunswick Group makes it clear executive leaders today are not only expected to be online, but to be active and connected. 

2,800 readers of financial publications and 3,600 employees in large companies were surveyed worldwide and in-depth interviews were conducted with more than a dozen leaders and their teams at various companies.

  • 82% of employees said it’s important for business leaders to use social media to communicate about the company’s mission, vision, values
  • 86% of financial publication readers felt leaders should be online
  • By a four to one ratio, employees would rather work for a CEO who uses social media than one who does not

Link to the Study

Guest: Craig Mullaney, Partner Brunswick Group
Craig Mullaney is a Brunswick partner in Washington, DC. Craig advises clients on a broad range of critical issues, with a specialist focus on leadership communications and US-Japan cross-border issues.  He is one of the leading authorities on executives’ use of digital media and pioneered Brunswick Group’s Connected Leadership research. He joined Brunswick from Facebook where he led strategic partnerships and founded Facebook’s Global Executive Program. Craig has provided strategic counsel to leaders ranging from former heads of state and Fortune 50 CEOs to presidents of major charitable foundations, scientific luminaries, and numerous TED speakers.  He is a New York Times bestselling author, and a decorated Army combat veteran. 

Salutatorian / BS, History at United States Military Academy at West Point
Rhodes Scholar / MSt. / MSc. Diplomatic History / Economic History at University of Oxford. 

Follow Craig on Twitter @craigmmullaney and on LinkedIn
Craig’s New York Times Bestseller “The Unforgiving Minute, a Soldier’s Education”

 Connect with Stories and Strategies on Twitter @stories_strats. We follow back.
Let’s talk about the podcast idea doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-10772346 Sun, 12 Jun 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1278 Brunswick Group, CEO, Leadership, Social Media, Executive Leadership, Public Relations, Communications 3 64 full false A Look at the Personality Traits of Some in History Who Had Influence A Look at the Personality Traits of Some in History Who Had Influence In today’s world a social media influencer is one who has the power to affect purchasing decisions of others because of their authority, their knowledge, their title, or their relationship with their audience. Often that means they have a large social following, but it can also mean they just have the right people following them in a position to take action.

 But influence isn’t new. All through history there have been influencers – those who used their positions to make the world a better place and definitely those who used their influence in bad ways.

In this episode we study the influence of people such as Abraham Lincoln; Diana, Princess of Wales; Mother Theresa, Henry the VIII, Adolph Hitler and more…

 What was it about their personalities that gave them rise to influence?

Guest:  Kate Mason, Australia’s personality coach
Check out Kate’s book “Who is this Monster (or Treasure) in my House?”
Listen to Kate’s podcast Personalities, Parenting, and Partners

Connect with Stories and Strategies on Twitter @stories_strats. We follow back.

Let’s talk about the podcast idea doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> In today’s world a social media influencer is one who has the power to affect purchasing decisions of others because of their authority, their knowledge, their title, or their relationship with their audience. Often that means they have a large social following, but it can also mean they just have the right people following them in a position to take action.

 But influence isn’t new. All through history there have been influencers – those who used their positions to make the world a better place and definitely those who used their influence in bad ways.

In this episode we study the influence of people such as Abraham Lincoln; Diana, Princess of Wales; Mother Theresa, Henry the VIII, Adolph Hitler and more…

 What was it about their personalities that gave them rise to influence?

Guest:  Kate Mason, Australia’s personality coach
Check out Kate’s book “Who is this Monster (or Treasure) in my House?”
Listen to Kate’s podcast Personalities, Parenting, and Partners

Connect with Stories and Strategies on Twitter @stories_strats. We follow back.

Let’s talk about the podcast idea doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-10694216 Sun, 29 May 2022 03:00:00 -0400 1659 3 63 full false Case Study – A Simple Message, Easy Call to Action, Complicated Outcomes Case Study – A Simple Message, Easy Call to Action, Complicated Outcomes Utility Safety Partners has a simple message. Like all One-Call services it advocates for people and professional contractors to contact them before they dig a hole. One contact and locate markings result a short time later by any company with buried facilities int eh area, and you can dig that hole for your deck, or fence post, or whatever work needs to be done. 

That’s a message that benefits everyone right? It’s a simple action contacting just one entity for all this, there’s no particular delay to the project… you would think compliance would be 100%? 

Of course it isn’t. 

That’s human nature. And it’s the communications challenge for all One-Call services around the World taking this easy message, and this easy call to action, and making it human habit.

Guest: Mike Sullivan, President Utility Safety Partners
https://utilitysafety.ca/
info@utilitysafety.ca
@utility_safety on Twitter
Check out Mike’s podcast on Apple Prairie Podcast

Connect with Stories and Strategies on Twitter @stories_strats. We follow back.
Let’s talk about the podcast idea doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Utility Safety Partners has a simple message. Like all One-Call services it advocates for people and professional contractors to contact them before they dig a hole. One contact and locate markings result a short time later by any company with buried facilities int eh area, and you can dig that hole for your deck, or fence post, or whatever work needs to be done. 

That’s a message that benefits everyone right? It’s a simple action contacting just one entity for all this, there’s no particular delay to the project… you would think compliance would be 100%? 

Of course it isn’t. 

That’s human nature. And it’s the communications challenge for all One-Call services around the World taking this easy message, and this easy call to action, and making it human habit.

Guest: Mike Sullivan, President Utility Safety Partners
https://utilitysafety.ca/
info@utilitysafety.ca
@utility_safety on Twitter
Check out Mike’s podcast on Apple Prairie Podcast

Connect with Stories and Strategies on Twitter @stories_strats. We follow back.
Let’s talk about the podcast idea doug@storiesandstrategies.ca 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-10613635 Sun, 15 May 2022 03:00:00 -0400 1458 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Dig Safe, Call Before You Dig, Click Before You Dig, 811, Dial Before You Dig 3 62 full false Making Communications More Accessible Making Communications More Accessible This Spring the PRCA (Public Relations and Communications Association) updated its Guidelines for Accessible Communications. They provide more detail on video and animated graphics, thoughtful use of language and representation, and hosting of physical and virtual events.

We talk about making our processes and materials more accessible and at times we even take steps on a specific project to make sure they are. But accessibility is seldom a core value that is delivered on. And yet the numbers of people impacted are staggering globally:

  • Over 400 million people have severe hearing loss
  • Nearly 300 million people are visually impaired
  • Nearly 200 million people have cognitive disability
  • People with disabilities make up 15% of the World’s population
  • People with disabilities control nearly $13 Trillion worth of buying power

Understanding the importance of accessible communications will force us as communications professionals to pay greater attention to engaging people with disabilities in our processes and materials. And accessible communication benefits all audiences, making information clear, direct, and easy to understand.

Guest: George Coleman, CEO, Current Global
Link to Current Global’s Making communications accessible by design
Link to the PRCA Accessible Communications Guidelines

George loves telling stories. Big, tall or short. He’s been doing it for more than 25 years for some of the world’s most iconic brands. He started his career as an electronics engineer, but craved a more creative canvas, and made the leap into marketing communications. Following a stint at the BBC, he joined his first PR agency and the rest, as they say, is LinkedIn profile history.

He founded Interpublic Group agency Creation in 2011 and served as global president, before teaming up with Current Marketing to form Current Global in 2019.

Outside of work he’s often found in his vegetable patch or brewing beer. He’s also a film fanatic, collects original cinema posters and has a cat called Butch Cassidy and a dog called Sundance. 

Email George: gcoleman@currentglobal.com
Connect with George on Twitter @theprmonkey 

Connect with Stories and Strategies on Twitter @stories_strats. We follow back.

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> This Spring the PRCA (Public Relations and Communications Association) updated its Guidelines for Accessible Communications. They provide more detail on video and animated graphics, thoughtful use of language and representation, and hosting of physical and virtual events.

We talk about making our processes and materials more accessible and at times we even take steps on a specific project to make sure they are. But accessibility is seldom a core value that is delivered on. And yet the numbers of people impacted are staggering globally:

  • Over 400 million people have severe hearing loss
  • Nearly 300 million people are visually impaired
  • Nearly 200 million people have cognitive disability
  • People with disabilities make up 15% of the World’s population
  • People with disabilities control nearly $13 Trillion worth of buying power

Understanding the importance of accessible communications will force us as communications professionals to pay greater attention to engaging people with disabilities in our processes and materials. And accessible communication benefits all audiences, making information clear, direct, and easy to understand.

Guest: George Coleman, CEO, Current Global
Link to Current Global’s Making communications accessible by design
Link to the PRCA Accessible Communications Guidelines

George loves telling stories. Big, tall or short. He’s been doing it for more than 25 years for some of the world’s most iconic brands. He started his career as an electronics engineer, but craved a more creative canvas, and made the leap into marketing communications. Following a stint at the BBC, he joined his first PR agency and the rest, as they say, is LinkedIn profile history.

He founded Interpublic Group agency Creation in 2011 and served as global president, before teaming up with Current Marketing to form Current Global in 2019.

Outside of work he’s often found in his vegetable patch or brewing beer. He’s also a film fanatic, collects original cinema posters and has a cat called Butch Cassidy and a dog called Sundance. 

Email George: gcoleman@currentglobal.com
Connect with George on Twitter @theprmonkey 

Connect with Stories and Strategies on Twitter @stories_strats. We follow back.

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-10517177 Sun, 01 May 2022 03:00:00 -0400 1955 Disability, Disabilities, Accessibility, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing 3 61 full false Behavioural Economics and Public Relations Behavioural Economics and Public Relations The hot hand fallacy in basketball. Why we tend to grab a coffee to start our day or to have difficult conversations. The fact IKEA furniture is so hard to assemble sometimes is part of why it’s so popular. How does that make sense?

All examples well-explained by Behavioural Economics. 

Statistically there’s no such thing as a hot hand in basketball.

We need that coffee due to the Anchoring Effect.

And IKEA furniture? We feel a sense of personal pride when we’ve finally solved the puzzle.

In this episode, if we as PR and Marketing people are in the business of persuasive communications then we need to go beyond making people think or feel differently. We need to change or reinforce their behaviours. 

That’s where BE comes in.

Guest: Adrian Wheeler
Twitter @adrianprague

Connect with or DM Stories and Strategies with comments and episode ideas comms_podcast. We follow back.

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> The hot hand fallacy in basketball. Why we tend to grab a coffee to start our day or to have difficult conversations. The fact IKEA furniture is so hard to assemble sometimes is part of why it’s so popular. How does that make sense?

All examples well-explained by Behavioural Economics. 

Statistically there’s no such thing as a hot hand in basketball.

We need that coffee due to the Anchoring Effect.

And IKEA furniture? We feel a sense of personal pride when we’ve finally solved the puzzle.

In this episode, if we as PR and Marketing people are in the business of persuasive communications then we need to go beyond making people think or feel differently. We need to change or reinforce their behaviours. 

That’s where BE comes in.

Guest: Adrian Wheeler
Twitter @adrianprague

Connect with or DM Stories and Strategies with comments and episode ideas comms_podcast. We follow back.

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-10327943 Sun, 17 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1321 3 60 full false How to Respond to a Reputational Crisis How to Respond to a Reputational Crisis LANGUAGE IS CLEAN IN OPENING CLIP

When actor Will Smith went up on stage at the Oscars and slapped comedian Chris Rock – the noise was shocking… the impact reverberating.

At the Oscars, Rock had made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith having a buzzed haircut. Pinkett Smith has spoken publicly about her diagnosis with alopecia, which can cause baldness.

Husband Will promptly stood up, took to the stage, and slapped Rock in the face.

There’s no question one moment can jeopardize your reputation. And this incident can be termed among the more offensive – it was a physical assault. Formal statements are common afterward and Smith did that apologizing within days to Rock but the public downfall can be career-ending.

In this episode we talk with a PR pro who has worked with professional athletes and executives facing this kind of reputational crisis.

Guest: Alee Opuiyo
Website: www.Dynamicpublicrelations.com
Instagram: @DynamicPublicRelations
Twitter: @Dynamicprpro
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Dynamicpublicrelations
Phone Number: 240-393-3100 

Contact Stories and Strategies by email doug@storiesandstrategies.ca

Connect with or DM Stories and Strategies with comments and episode ideas comms_podcast. We follow back.

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> LANGUAGE IS CLEAN IN OPENING CLIP

When actor Will Smith went up on stage at the Oscars and slapped comedian Chris Rock – the noise was shocking… the impact reverberating.

At the Oscars, Rock had made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith having a buzzed haircut. Pinkett Smith has spoken publicly about her diagnosis with alopecia, which can cause baldness.

Husband Will promptly stood up, took to the stage, and slapped Rock in the face.

There’s no question one moment can jeopardize your reputation. And this incident can be termed among the more offensive – it was a physical assault. Formal statements are common afterward and Smith did that apologizing within days to Rock but the public downfall can be career-ending.

In this episode we talk with a PR pro who has worked with professional athletes and executives facing this kind of reputational crisis.

Guest: Alee Opuiyo
Website: www.Dynamicpublicrelations.com
Instagram: @DynamicPublicRelations
Twitter: @Dynamicprpro
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Dynamicpublicrelations
Phone Number: 240-393-3100 

Contact Stories and Strategies by email doug@storiesandstrategies.ca

Connect with or DM Stories and Strategies with comments and episode ideas comms_podcast. We follow back.

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> https://storiesandstrategies.ca/podcast/ Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-10356233 Sun, 03 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0400 1317 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Chris Rock, Will Smith, Oscars 3 59 full false Exploring What the Metaverse Means to Marketing and Communications Strategies Exploring What the Metaverse Means to Marketing and Communications Strategies The Harris Poll conducted a survey recently on how Americans understand and perceive the metaverse. While the majority don’t understand what it is, 70% of Gen Z and Millennials (22-40 year olds) are interested in interacting within it. 

They’re interested in video games yes but also social interactions and virtual meetups. Many want to visit virtual stores and have brand experiences.

What does all this mean for how marketing and communications professionals will adjust their strategies? Will conferences include virtual trade shows where we can buy good and services with non-fungible tokens (NFTs)? Can showcase events like airshows take us on a ride on a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor? Will PR pros pitch new media including a digital version of the product they’re trying to get news coverage for?

In this episode we talk with Matthew Feider of The Harris Poll which has done the research. The future does look META.

Guest Matthew Feider, The Harris Poll
Matthew.feider@harrispoll.com
Website https://theharrispoll.com/ 
Link to Poll results news release

Connect with or DM Stories and Strategies with comments and episode ideas comms_podcast. We follow back

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> The Harris Poll conducted a survey recently on how Americans understand and perceive the metaverse. While the majority don’t understand what it is, 70% of Gen Z and Millennials (22-40 year olds) are interested in interacting within it. 

They’re interested in video games yes but also social interactions and virtual meetups. Many want to visit virtual stores and have brand experiences.

What does all this mean for how marketing and communications professionals will adjust their strategies? Will conferences include virtual trade shows where we can buy good and services with non-fungible tokens (NFTs)? Can showcase events like airshows take us on a ride on a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor? Will PR pros pitch new media including a digital version of the product they’re trying to get news coverage for?

In this episode we talk with Matthew Feider of The Harris Poll which has done the research. The future does look META.

Guest Matthew Feider, The Harris Poll
Matthew.feider@harrispoll.com
Website https://theharrispoll.com/ 
Link to Poll results news release

Connect with or DM Stories and Strategies with comments and episode ideas comms_podcast. We follow back

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-10145412 Sat, 19 Mar 2022 22:00:00 -0400 1430 3 58 full false Intercultural Communication in the Workplace Intercultural Communication in the Workplace Communication between and among cultures has existed for thousands of years. Successful rulers such as Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan built enormous empires because they appreciated and assimilated aspects of different cultures as they expanded.

But fast-forward to 2022 and we as communications professionals can often seem to struggle with the concept.

Some organizations have done very well expanding in this global environment. Others, not so much.

In this episode we talk with the President of IABC India Subhamoy Das who has studied the various academic literature and even led communications efforts for companies who are stepping foot into new cultures.

Guest: Subhamoy Das, President IABC India
Subhamoy.das@gmail.com
The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication: A Global Standard
Hofstede Cultural Dimensions
Cultural Advantage: A New Model for Succeeding With Global Teams, Mijnd Huijser

 Connect with or DM Stories and Strategies with comments and episode ideas comms_podcast. We follow back

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Communication between and among cultures has existed for thousands of years. Successful rulers such as Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan built enormous empires because they appreciated and assimilated aspects of different cultures as they expanded.

But fast-forward to 2022 and we as communications professionals can often seem to struggle with the concept.

Some organizations have done very well expanding in this global environment. Others, not so much.

In this episode we talk with the President of IABC India Subhamoy Das who has studied the various academic literature and even led communications efforts for companies who are stepping foot into new cultures.

Guest: Subhamoy Das, President IABC India
Subhamoy.das@gmail.com
The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication: A Global Standard
Hofstede Cultural Dimensions
Cultural Advantage: A New Model for Succeeding With Global Teams, Mijnd Huijser

 Connect with or DM Stories and Strategies with comments and episode ideas comms_podcast. We follow back

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-10105530 Sat, 05 Mar 2022 21:00:00 -0500 1503 3 57 full false The Future of Corporate Communications The Future of Corporate Communications A lingering pandemic, accelerating technological abilities, in turn creating ever increasing stakeholder demands and expectations – combined with misinformation and disinformation in rampant circulation.

Where are we going? What does the role we fill today look like in the future?

If it is our job as Comms Pros to help our organizations make sense, understand and express values, and navigate social and political minefields… how do we do that when things are changing so fast?

How do we kick the football when the goal posts keep moving?

In this episode, Gini Dietrich, one of the most respected voices in American Public Relations digs deep into new research to help us decipher the playing field.

 Read Gini’s newsletter article on this topic
Access the full Study by Edelman 2021 Future of Corporate Communications 
Gini on Twitter @ginidietrich  

Follow Gini’s podcasts
Spin Sucks
Inside PR
Agency Leadership Podcast

Gini’s Book – Spin Sucks

 Connect with or DM Stories and Strategies with comments and episode ideas on Twitter comms_podcast.
We follow back

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> A lingering pandemic, accelerating technological abilities, in turn creating ever increasing stakeholder demands and expectations – combined with misinformation and disinformation in rampant circulation.

Where are we going? What does the role we fill today look like in the future?

If it is our job as Comms Pros to help our organizations make sense, understand and express values, and navigate social and political minefields… how do we do that when things are changing so fast?

How do we kick the football when the goal posts keep moving?

In this episode, Gini Dietrich, one of the most respected voices in American Public Relations digs deep into new research to help us decipher the playing field.

 Read Gini’s newsletter article on this topic
Access the full Study by Edelman 2021 Future of Corporate Communications 
Gini on Twitter @ginidietrich  

Follow Gini’s podcasts
Spin Sucks
Inside PR
Agency Leadership Podcast

Gini’s Book – Spin Sucks

 Connect with or DM Stories and Strategies with comments and episode ideas on Twitter comms_podcast.
We follow back

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-10018197 Sat, 19 Feb 2022 21:00:00 -0500 1579 3 56 full false PR Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2022 PR Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2022 More working from home, more freelancers, great focus on influencer marketing, and the rising wave of popularity for audio and video formats. 

In her December newsletter, communications trend-setter Michelle Garrett takes stock of many of the things impacting marketing and communications right now. Surveys are showing more than 90% of employers confirm they will permanently offer remote work opportunities compared to just 52% the previous year. Another survey is proving the Gig economy is real and there are distinct advantages to employers hiring skilled consultants. 

And when it comes to measuring the effectiveness of marketing efforts – there could be a revamp in store with a new lens for success to be applied.

Guest: Michelle Garrett

Email michelle@michellegarrett.com

Website https://michellegarrett.com/ 

Follow Michelle on Twitter @PRisUs 

Michelle’s December 2021 Newsletter re PR Trends

Connect with or DM Stories and Strategies with comments and episode ideas comms_podcast. We follow back.

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> More working from home, more freelancers, great focus on influencer marketing, and the rising wave of popularity for audio and video formats. 

In her December newsletter, communications trend-setter Michelle Garrett takes stock of many of the things impacting marketing and communications right now. Surveys are showing more than 90% of employers confirm they will permanently offer remote work opportunities compared to just 52% the previous year. Another survey is proving the Gig economy is real and there are distinct advantages to employers hiring skilled consultants. 

And when it comes to measuring the effectiveness of marketing efforts – there could be a revamp in store with a new lens for success to be applied.

Guest: Michelle Garrett

Email michelle@michellegarrett.com

Website https://michellegarrett.com/ 

Follow Michelle on Twitter @PRisUs 

Michelle’s December 2021 Newsletter re PR Trends

Connect with or DM Stories and Strategies with comments and episode ideas comms_podcast. We follow back.

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-9915802 Sat, 05 Feb 2022 21:00:00 -0500 1611 3 55 full false Using Communications to Power Small Business Using Communications to Power Small Business We know it as comms-pros – communications is the glue that holds a business together. But too often smaller businesses can’t afford professional comms. It’s a pure expense that doesn’t seem to directly generate revenue. In this episode we speak with a New York Agency that has found a solid way to help small businesses succeed – and convince them it’s good ROI.

Guest Tash Benjamin, TKing Enterprises
https://tkingenterprises.com/
tbenjamin@tkingenterprises.com 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> We know it as comms-pros – communications is the glue that holds a business together. But too often smaller businesses can’t afford professional comms. It’s a pure expense that doesn’t seem to directly generate revenue. In this episode we speak with a New York Agency that has found a solid way to help small businesses succeed – and convince them it’s good ROI.

Guest Tash Benjamin, TKing Enterprises
https://tkingenterprises.com/
tbenjamin@tkingenterprises.com 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-8650173 Sun, 06 Jun 2021 02:00:00 -0400 1275 2 54 full false Nudge Theory Part II with Rory Sutherland Nudge Theory Part II with Rory Sutherland One could argue the concept of strategies that are both transparent (fully allowing for freedom of choice) and subtly manipulative at the same time is hardly new – perhaps only the term “Nudge Theory” is what’s new.
 
In this episode we explore whether Nudge Theory is a brilliant concept of behavioural economics making life better for people, or a euphemism for psychological manipulation and social engineering.

Guest Rory Sutherland, Vice chairman Ogilvy UK
Book Rory to speak at your event
Check out Nudgestock 2021
Have a listen to Rory's excellent podcast

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> One could argue the concept of strategies that are both transparent (fully allowing for freedom of choice) and subtly manipulative at the same time is hardly new – perhaps only the term “Nudge Theory” is what’s new.
 
In this episode we explore whether Nudge Theory is a brilliant concept of behavioural economics making life better for people, or a euphemism for psychological manipulation and social engineering.

Guest Rory Sutherland, Vice chairman Ogilvy UK
Book Rory to speak at your event
Check out Nudgestock 2021
Have a listen to Rory's excellent podcast

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-8568361 Sun, 23 May 2021 03:00:00 -0400 2123 2 53 full false Nudge Theory Part I with Rory Sutherland Nudge Theory Part I with Rory Sutherland 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

https://www.ogilvy.com/

Check out Nudgestock 2021

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 

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]]> 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

https://www.ogilvy.com/

Check out Nudgestock 2021

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 

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]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-8482560 Sun, 09 May 2021 03:00:00 -0400 1649 2 52 full false The Sin of Slow in Crisis Communications The Sin of Slow in Crisis Communications Research shows more than one-quarter of crises spread to international media within an hour; two-thirds of crises reach media outlets worldwide within the first 24 hours (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer). The democratization of information means we all have access to a global audience 24-7. First impressions set the narrative within minutes that you may be battling for years to come if you’re slow with initial messaging. 

In this episode we speak with Crisis Communications expert Shawna Bruce about the sin of being slow when crisis strikes.

Guest: Shawna Bruce, M.D. Bruce and Associates

https://www.mdbruceandassociates.com/

bruceandassociatesltd@gmail.com 

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]]> Research shows more than one-quarter of crises spread to international media within an hour; two-thirds of crises reach media outlets worldwide within the first 24 hours (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer). The democratization of information means we all have access to a global audience 24-7. First impressions set the narrative within minutes that you may be battling for years to come if you’re slow with initial messaging. 

In this episode we speak with Crisis Communications expert Shawna Bruce about the sin of being slow when crisis strikes.

Guest: Shawna Bruce, M.D. Bruce and Associates

https://www.mdbruceandassociates.com/

bruceandassociatesltd@gmail.com 

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]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-8440725 Sun, 02 May 2021 03:00:00 -0400 1381 2 51 full false From the Language of Science to the Language of People From the Language of Science to the Language of People There has never been a more important time for good science communication. Not only is it important for us to understand the value of evidence-based solutions but to actually understand the fallibility and imperfection of science too.

Since 2005 Laurentian, University in Sudbury Canada, has delivered graduate education in Science Communication in partnership with Science North, the second-largest science Centre in Canada. It’s the only program in the Country that offers a graduate-level blend of theoretical foundations and experiential learning in science communication. 

Guest: Chantal Barriault, Ph.D. 

Program Director, Laurentian University

https://laurentian.ca/program/science-communication 

cbarriault@laurentian.ca 

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]]> There has never been a more important time for good science communication. Not only is it important for us to understand the value of evidence-based solutions but to actually understand the fallibility and imperfection of science too.

Since 2005 Laurentian, University in Sudbury Canada, has delivered graduate education in Science Communication in partnership with Science North, the second-largest science Centre in Canada. It’s the only program in the Country that offers a graduate-level blend of theoretical foundations and experiential learning in science communication. 

Guest: Chantal Barriault, Ph.D. 

Program Director, Laurentian University

https://laurentian.ca/program/science-communication 

cbarriault@laurentian.ca 

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]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-8396732 Sun, 25 Apr 2021 04:00:00 -0400 1367 2 50 full false How to Be a Great Podcast Guest How to Be a Great Podcast Guest Podcasts are radio but on demand, dedicated to your niche interest, and (for the most part) commercial free. There are two million podcasts worldwide right now and counting. 

And lots of them need guests!!

They are a terrific channel to advance your authority as a subject matter expert but like any media interview, there’s a skill, a science, and an art to the delivery. In this episode, Brad Phillips, the media trainer known worldwide as Mr Media Training becomes the Podfather.

Guest Brad Phillips, Throughline Group
brad@throughlinegroup.com
https://www.throughlinegroup.com/

Have a listen to Brad’s podcast - Tge Speak Good Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-speak-good-podcast/id1571169187

Check out Throughline’s Blog https://www.throughlinegroup.com/blog/

On Twitter - @throughliners and @mrmediatraining

Follow Stories and Strategies on Twitter @comms_podcast

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]]> Podcasts are radio but on demand, dedicated to your niche interest, and (for the most part) commercial free. There are two million podcasts worldwide right now and counting. 

And lots of them need guests!!

They are a terrific channel to advance your authority as a subject matter expert but like any media interview, there’s a skill, a science, and an art to the delivery. In this episode, Brad Phillips, the media trainer known worldwide as Mr Media Training becomes the Podfather.

Guest Brad Phillips, Throughline Group
brad@throughlinegroup.com
https://www.throughlinegroup.com/

Have a listen to Brad’s podcast - Tge Speak Good Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-speak-good-podcast/id1571169187

Check out Throughline’s Blog https://www.throughlinegroup.com/blog/

On Twitter - @throughliners and @mrmediatraining

Follow Stories and Strategies on Twitter @comms_podcast

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-8352883 Sun, 18 Apr 2021 03:00:00 -0400 1527 2 49 full false The Invention of Color The Invention of Color As early as 40,000 years ago humans used a combination of soil, animal fat, burnt charcoal, and chalk to create colour palettes (or color in America).
We know that story… but here’s the one we don’t know. In a world before trains, reliable road networks, automobiles, and urban settings, most people lived rural lives. Colour was seasonal and bound by the natural light and local environment.
Someone living in coastal Wales would have seen the green of the hills, but only occasionally punctuated by pink or yellow wildflowers. Indigo and purple would have been rare and fleeting.
A Shoshone person living in Utah would have seen a world of red, orange, gold, and brown – but green would have been rare. When colour finally did enter into the people’s lives, it was disorienting and somewhat… immoral.

Guest Carolyn Purnell, Ph.D.
https://www.carolynpurnell.com/contact

Links to three part series in Psychology Today available below:
The Invention of Color
The Color Revolution
Taming Color

Link to Tedx Talk given by Carolyn
Link to Carolyn’s book – The Sensational Past: How the Enlightenment Change the Way We Use Our Senses

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> As early as 40,000 years ago humans used a combination of soil, animal fat, burnt charcoal, and chalk to create colour palettes (or color in America).
We know that story… but here’s the one we don’t know. In a world before trains, reliable road networks, automobiles, and urban settings, most people lived rural lives. Colour was seasonal and bound by the natural light and local environment.
Someone living in coastal Wales would have seen the green of the hills, but only occasionally punctuated by pink or yellow wildflowers. Indigo and purple would have been rare and fleeting.
A Shoshone person living in Utah would have seen a world of red, orange, gold, and brown – but green would have been rare. When colour finally did enter into the people’s lives, it was disorienting and somewhat… immoral.

Guest Carolyn Purnell, Ph.D.
https://www.carolynpurnell.com/contact

Links to three part series in Psychology Today available below:
The Invention of Color
The Color Revolution
Taming Color

Link to Tedx Talk given by Carolyn
Link to Carolyn’s book – The Sensational Past: How the Enlightenment Change the Way We Use Our Senses

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-8309262 Sun, 11 Apr 2021 03:00:00 -0400 1361 2 48 full false The Epigenetics of Leadership The Epigenetics of Leadership LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS SERIES - Episode 4
The emerging science of epigenetics explains how our lifestyle and environment have influence on our gene expression over time. It’s a growing field of research that’s changing the nature vs nurture debate as we begin to understand gene expression is influenced by external factors such as our physical environments, homes, neighbourhoods, upbringing, and current lifestyle choices.

Simply, while our genes are fixed, our genetic expression (which is passed to our children) is interconnected with a wide range of environmental factors. This has both a metaphorical and literal impact on how leaders should communicate.

Guest Jayson Krause
https://www.level52.ca/
https://www.level52.ca/contact

The Book – The Science Behind Success The Science Behind Success by Jayson Krause — Level 52

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS SERIES - Episode 4
The emerging science of epigenetics explains how our lifestyle and environment have influence on our gene expression over time. It’s a growing field of research that’s changing the nature vs nurture debate as we begin to understand gene expression is influenced by external factors such as our physical environments, homes, neighbourhoods, upbringing, and current lifestyle choices.

Simply, while our genes are fixed, our genetic expression (which is passed to our children) is interconnected with a wide range of environmental factors. This has both a metaphorical and literal impact on how leaders should communicate.

Guest Jayson Krause
https://www.level52.ca/
https://www.level52.ca/contact

The Book – The Science Behind Success The Science Behind Success by Jayson Krause — Level 52

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-8266591 Sun, 04 Apr 2021 03:00:00 -0400 1270 2 47 full false Communicating with Elite Performers Communicating with Elite Performers LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS SERIES - Episode 3
There are many articles written by psychologists about the “theory” of working with elite-level performers; extremely few people actually get to do it. Duff Gibson is a Canadian Olympic gold medal winner who was hired to coach the next generation of athletes. He knew the sport, he knew the strategies, he knew the mindset required to perform, he knew the psychology of leadership… and he would learn a lot on the job.

Guest: Duff Gibson, Canada Olympic gold medal winner 2006
duffgibson@icloud.com 


Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS SERIES - Episode 3
There are many articles written by psychologists about the “theory” of working with elite-level performers; extremely few people actually get to do it. Duff Gibson is a Canadian Olympic gold medal winner who was hired to coach the next generation of athletes. He knew the sport, he knew the strategies, he knew the mindset required to perform, he knew the psychology of leadership… and he would learn a lot on the job.

Guest: Duff Gibson, Canada Olympic gold medal winner 2006
duffgibson@icloud.com 


Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> Doug Downs Buzzsprout-8222336 Sun, 28 Mar 2021 03:00:00 -0400 1229 2 46 full false You Want a Seat at the Table? Earn it You Want a Seat at the Table? Earn it LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS SERIES - Episode 2
Communications professionals have long stated they “want a seat at the table,” meaning communications needs to be part of the executive decision-making function. And that seat should be filled by someone well-versed in strategy, best-practices, and able to represent the rest of the team so everyone is sharing that seat. In this episode we get some insights from Wendy Beauchesne, someone who has climbed from comms pro to CEO.

Guest: Wendy Beauchesne, CEO Alberta Cancer Foundation
acfonline@albertacancer.ca 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS SERIES - Episode 2
Communications professionals have long stated they “want a seat at the table,” meaning communications needs to be part of the executive decision-making function. And that seat should be filled by someone well-versed in strategy, best-practices, and able to represent the rest of the team so everyone is sharing that seat. In this episode we get some insights from Wendy Beauchesne, someone who has climbed from comms pro to CEO.

Guest: Wendy Beauchesne, CEO Alberta Cancer Foundation
acfonline@albertacancer.ca 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-8177584 Sun, 21 Mar 2021 03:00:00 -0400 1348 2 45 full false The Trust Trifecta of Leadership The Trust Trifecta of Leadership LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS SERIES - Episode 1
There is substantial evidence that cultures of high trust outperform those where trust is low. There’s less employee turnover, higher employee engagement, better aligned organizations and more collaboration if we trust one another. That all begins with strong leadership. In this episode we speak with the author of “The Trust Trifecta,” Jordan Berman.

Guest Jordan Berman

jordanberman8@gmail.com

To purchase a copy of the Trust Trifecta link here The Trust Trifecta | Iguana Books

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS SERIES - Episode 1
There is substantial evidence that cultures of high trust outperform those where trust is low. There’s less employee turnover, higher employee engagement, better aligned organizations and more collaboration if we trust one another. That all begins with strong leadership. In this episode we speak with the author of “The Trust Trifecta,” Jordan Berman.

Guest Jordan Berman

jordanberman8@gmail.com

To purchase a copy of the Trust Trifecta link here The Trust Trifecta | Iguana Books

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-8134212 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 04:00:00 -0400 1313 2 44 full false The Psychology of Giving and Receiving Feedback The Psychology of Giving and Receiving Feedback Adopting a growth mindset, as opposed to a fixed mindset, is one of the best strategies for accepting and giving constructive feedback. A growth mindset thrives on challenge and sees failure, not as evidence of unintelligence but as a springboard for growth and stretching existing abilities. From these two mindsets springs a great deal of our behaviour, our relationship with success and failure both personally and professionally, and ultimately, our ability to be happy.

Guest: Dr Steve Joordens, Psychologist, University of Toronto Scarborough

steve.joordens@utoronto.ca

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]]> Adopting a growth mindset, as opposed to a fixed mindset, is one of the best strategies for accepting and giving constructive feedback. A growth mindset thrives on challenge and sees failure, not as evidence of unintelligence but as a springboard for growth and stretching existing abilities. From these two mindsets springs a great deal of our behaviour, our relationship with success and failure both personally and professionally, and ultimately, our ability to be happy.

Guest: Dr Steve Joordens, Psychologist, University of Toronto Scarborough

steve.joordens@utoronto.ca

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-8089419 Sun, 07 Mar 2021 03:00:00 -0500 1314 2 43 full false Is it Better to be Street-Smart or Book-Smart in PR? Is it Better to be Street-Smart or Book-Smart in PR? Professional communications is about making an impact to help the organization. It must get things done, change attitudes, or at least understand them. At the same time, we need to be evidence-based, use “best practices”, provide ROI and meet KPI. Is our battle on the street or in the boardroom? Is it better to be street-smart or book-smart working in PR and Marketing? 

Guest: Eva Shortt, Zahav PR

https://zahavpr.com/ 

info@zahavpr.com 

Connect with Eva on Instagram: instagram.com/zahavpr

Take the Quiz “Are you more book smart or street smart?” https://play.howstuffworks.com/quiz/are-you-more-book-smart-or-street-smart

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Professional communications is about making an impact to help the organization. It must get things done, change attitudes, or at least understand them. At the same time, we need to be evidence-based, use “best practices”, provide ROI and meet KPI. Is our battle on the street or in the boardroom? Is it better to be street-smart or book-smart working in PR and Marketing? 

Guest: Eva Shortt, Zahav PR

https://zahavpr.com/ 

info@zahavpr.com 

Connect with Eva on Instagram: instagram.com/zahavpr

Take the Quiz “Are you more book smart or street smart?” https://play.howstuffworks.com/quiz/are-you-more-book-smart-or-street-smart

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-8041182 Sun, 28 Feb 2021 03:00:00 -0500 1198 2 42 full false Communication Strategies when De-escalation is Needed Communication Strategies when De-escalation is Needed Those who respond to help people in high-tension, or even life-threatening situations, need strong communication skills and the right training. Police Officers, Security Guards, front-line health care workers, even bus drivers all find themselves, with alarming frequency, in interactions where safety is at risk.  In this episode we speak with an expert in de-escalation and mental health training who has dedicated her professional life to helping those, who must help others.

Guest: Dr Yasmeen Krameddine, Ph.D.

Protraining.com  

yasmeenk@protraining.com

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]]> Those who respond to help people in high-tension, or even life-threatening situations, need strong communication skills and the right training. Police Officers, Security Guards, front-line health care workers, even bus drivers all find themselves, with alarming frequency, in interactions where safety is at risk.  In this episode we speak with an expert in de-escalation and mental health training who has dedicated her professional life to helping those, who must help others.

Guest: Dr Yasmeen Krameddine, Ph.D.

Protraining.com  

yasmeenk@protraining.com

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-7986838 Sun, 21 Feb 2021 03:00:00 -0500 1229 2 41 full false When the Words Mean Nothing – and the Message Means Everything When the Words Mean Nothing – and the Message Means Everything You may have recently heard on social media a song from the early 1970’s, Prisencolinensinainciusol, by Adriano Celentano. The song’s lyrics are in no language – total and utter nonsense. It was a smash hit in 1973 in Italy, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. 

The song resurfaced on social media in 2010 and once again in 2020. Seems every generation finds it and marvels in the creativity and originality. 

The idea itself has a long and storied history going to back to creative arts. It uses Grammelot, a system of language, based on gibberish, popularized by Commedia dell’Arte, a theatrical form that emerged in 16th Century in Italy.

In this episode we speak with a leading professor in business ethics and stakeholder theory who says the creative arts can have powerful impacts to human dignity in organizations, and help managers to develop their moral imagination.

Guest Simone de Colle, Ph.D. in Management and Business Ethics, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia)

Associate Professor of Business Ethics & Strategy, IESEG School of Management in Paris

s.decolle@ieseg.fr 

Dario Fo example of Grammelot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A4n9Ez9O8g&list=RD8A4n9Ez9O8g&index=5 

Professor de Colle’s presentation mentioning grammar of improvisation: https://responsiblecapitalism.it/presentations

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> You may have recently heard on social media a song from the early 1970’s, Prisencolinensinainciusol, by Adriano Celentano. The song’s lyrics are in no language – total and utter nonsense. It was a smash hit in 1973 in Italy, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. 

The song resurfaced on social media in 2010 and once again in 2020. Seems every generation finds it and marvels in the creativity and originality. 

The idea itself has a long and storied history going to back to creative arts. It uses Grammelot, a system of language, based on gibberish, popularized by Commedia dell’Arte, a theatrical form that emerged in 16th Century in Italy.

In this episode we speak with a leading professor in business ethics and stakeholder theory who says the creative arts can have powerful impacts to human dignity in organizations, and help managers to develop their moral imagination.

Guest Simone de Colle, Ph.D. in Management and Business Ethics, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia)

Associate Professor of Business Ethics & Strategy, IESEG School of Management in Paris

s.decolle@ieseg.fr 

Dario Fo example of Grammelot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A4n9Ez9O8g&list=RD8A4n9Ez9O8g&index=5 

Professor de Colle’s presentation mentioning grammar of improvisation: https://responsiblecapitalism.it/presentations

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-7853527 Sun, 14 Feb 2021 03:00:00 -0500 1188 2 40 full false 11 Capabilities of a Communications Professional or Team 11 Capabilities of a Communications Professional or Team The Global Capability Framework is the Global Alliance’s benchmark for how professionals in public relations and communications management perform at their best. It applies to individuals as well as those who assemble teams of communications professionals, including entire departments. The framework took two years to build with contributions from all around the World. In this episode we explore the 11 capabilities, speaking with one of the authors of the Framework, Dr Amy Thurlow.

Guest Professor Amy Thurlow Ph.D., APR, FCPRS

Amy.thurlow@msvu.ca 

Link to the Global Capabilities Framework https://www.globalalliancepr.org/capabilitiesframeworks 

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]]> The Global Capability Framework is the Global Alliance’s benchmark for how professionals in public relations and communications management perform at their best. It applies to individuals as well as those who assemble teams of communications professionals, including entire departments. The framework took two years to build with contributions from all around the World. In this episode we explore the 11 capabilities, speaking with one of the authors of the Framework, Dr Amy Thurlow.

Guest Professor Amy Thurlow Ph.D., APR, FCPRS

Amy.thurlow@msvu.ca 

Link to the Global Capabilities Framework https://www.globalalliancepr.org/capabilitiesframeworks 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-7718389 Sun, 07 Feb 2021 03:00:00 -0500 1146 2 39 full false The Success of Digital News Start-ups The Success of Digital News Start-ups According to World Press Trends 2019, digital news subscriber numbers are up 208% over the last five years. That could be a welcome sign that local news may survive after all. As many legacy news outlets struggle, industry analysts are looking to digital start-ups to fill the need. And without some of the traditional business models, some are showing remarkable creativity. In this episode we speak with the co-founder of an award-winning digital model based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 

Guest: Karen Unland

karen@taprootpublishing.ca 

https://www.taprootedmonton.ca/

“On every continent and in every market context, innovating news publishers are finding ways to adapt and thrive in the face of changing consumer behaviour and competition that is driven, in large measure, by the rapid changes and challenges of digital technology.” 
Dr François Nel, Editor of World Press Trends 2019

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> According to World Press Trends 2019, digital news subscriber numbers are up 208% over the last five years. That could be a welcome sign that local news may survive after all. As many legacy news outlets struggle, industry analysts are looking to digital start-ups to fill the need. And without some of the traditional business models, some are showing remarkable creativity. In this episode we speak with the co-founder of an award-winning digital model based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 

Guest: Karen Unland

karen@taprootpublishing.ca 

https://www.taprootedmonton.ca/

“On every continent and in every market context, innovating news publishers are finding ways to adapt and thrive in the face of changing consumer behaviour and competition that is driven, in large measure, by the rapid changes and challenges of digital technology.” 
Dr François Nel, Editor of World Press Trends 2019

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-7580359 Sun, 31 Jan 2021 03:00:00 -0500 1364 2 38 full false Exploring the Impacts of COVID-19 on Health Care Communications Professionals Exploring the Impacts of COVID-19 on Health Care Communications Professionals In a special report, authors Anne Gregory, Ph.D.,  Bill Nichols, Ph.D.,  and Professor John Underwood examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for professional communicators in the English National Health Service (NHS). Specifically, they look at the first three months of the pandemic from March 2020 to the beginning of June 2020 – the period when communication was initiated and the peak of first-wave infections. Inevitably they found gaps we can all learn from.

Guest: Professor Anne Gregory, Ph.D., BA, FRSA, HonFCIPR, Huddersfield University, a.gregory@hud.ac.uk

The article Anne refers to ““The lived experience of health communication professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic” is not yet available. Once it’s public, we will publish a link to it in these show notes – please check back.

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> In a special report, authors Anne Gregory, Ph.D.,  Bill Nichols, Ph.D.,  and Professor John Underwood examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for professional communicators in the English National Health Service (NHS). Specifically, they look at the first three months of the pandemic from March 2020 to the beginning of June 2020 – the period when communication was initiated and the peak of first-wave infections. Inevitably they found gaps we can all learn from.

Guest: Professor Anne Gregory, Ph.D., BA, FRSA, HonFCIPR, Huddersfield University, a.gregory@hud.ac.uk

The article Anne refers to ““The lived experience of health communication professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic” is not yet available. Once it’s public, we will publish a link to it in these show notes – please check back.

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-7451404 Sun, 24 Jan 2021 03:00:00 -0500 1549 2 37 full false Stirring the Right Pot Stirring the Right Pot Throughout this COVID pandemic we all know frontline healthcare workers have been doing extraordinary work and working under exceptional stress. 

A few weeks ago, between Christmas and New Year’s, one physician in London, part of the NHS system, made a comment on Twitter that caught the ire of public relations professionals not only in the UK, but other parts of the world. Dr Meenal Viz seemed to suggest removing anyone “with the title Communications Manager” from NHS Communications, because “we don’t need to pay someone £30k to update the hospital Twitter feed.”

It’s so hard to communicate on Twitter – that limitation of 280 characters. In this episode we chat with Dr Viz, toss the character limit aside, and get to the heart of the message… and to the right audience intended.

Meenal Viz, Ph.D. Clinical Fellow

info@meenalsworld.com 

Link to Meenal’s World podcast (via apple) https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/meenals-world/id1499166981 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Throughout this COVID pandemic we all know frontline healthcare workers have been doing extraordinary work and working under exceptional stress. 

A few weeks ago, between Christmas and New Year’s, one physician in London, part of the NHS system, made a comment on Twitter that caught the ire of public relations professionals not only in the UK, but other parts of the world. Dr Meenal Viz seemed to suggest removing anyone “with the title Communications Manager” from NHS Communications, because “we don’t need to pay someone £30k to update the hospital Twitter feed.”

It’s so hard to communicate on Twitter – that limitation of 280 characters. In this episode we chat with Dr Viz, toss the character limit aside, and get to the heart of the message… and to the right audience intended.

Meenal Viz, Ph.D. Clinical Fellow

info@meenalsworld.com 

Link to Meenal’s World podcast (via apple) https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/meenals-world/id1499166981 

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-7330294 Sun, 17 Jan 2021 03:00:00 -0500 1241 2 36 full false Progress, in a World of Cancel Culture Progress, in a World of Cancel Culture Cancel Culture is a neologism meaning it’s a newly coined term. It’s essentially the phenomenon of publicly shaming, rejecting, and ceasing to provide support to people, companies, or stores if they are deemed unacceptable. Celebrities are frequent targets but not exclusively. The shaming, for the most part, is done through social media. 

T.S. Eliot once wrote, “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”

But how are we, as people, supposed to progress if accountability, and the inherent ability to “cancel” is left to the unaccountable?

Guest: Alex Malouf, SCMP

alexgmalouf@gmail.com 

@alex_malouf

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]]> Cancel Culture is a neologism meaning it’s a newly coined term. It’s essentially the phenomenon of publicly shaming, rejecting, and ceasing to provide support to people, companies, or stores if they are deemed unacceptable. Celebrities are frequent targets but not exclusively. The shaming, for the most part, is done through social media. 

T.S. Eliot once wrote, “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”

But how are we, as people, supposed to progress if accountability, and the inherent ability to “cancel” is left to the unaccountable?

Guest: Alex Malouf, SCMP

alexgmalouf@gmail.com 

@alex_malouf

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-7214335 Sun, 10 Jan 2021 03:00:00 -0500 1287 2 35 full false Ode to Joy (and Positivity) Ode to Joy (and Positivity) This is an episode about “Positivity” which has everything to do with communication. It’s a state of mind we all want but let’s be honest, it can also be really annoying. False positivity is an irritating personality quirk. 

The official definition from the Oxford Dictionary implies that positivity is not something you are; it's more something you feel. 

Positive Psychology is an investment in who you are and what you can do to live your best life. Your best life looks and feels different every day.

Annoyed yet? 😊

Guest Josephine Tite, Positivity Centre

hello@positivitycentre.com 

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]]> This is an episode about “Positivity” which has everything to do with communication. It’s a state of mind we all want but let’s be honest, it can also be really annoying. False positivity is an irritating personality quirk. 

The official definition from the Oxford Dictionary implies that positivity is not something you are; it's more something you feel. 

Positive Psychology is an investment in who you are and what you can do to live your best life. Your best life looks and feels different every day.

Annoyed yet? 😊

Guest Josephine Tite, Positivity Centre

hello@positivitycentre.com 

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-6820222 Sun, 13 Dec 2020 02:00:00 -0500 1067 1 34 full false Stressing the Benefits… of Stress Stressing the Benefits… of Stress Stress is almost an evil word in our lives today. Nobody wants stress. Do we? Actually, could you imagine life with no stress? In this episode we speak with a neuroscience expert who says we can all benefit from the right kinds of stress.

Guest: Sue Langley, Langley Group, Australia

sue@langleygroup.com.au

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]]> Stress is almost an evil word in our lives today. Nobody wants stress. Do we? Actually, could you imagine life with no stress? In this episode we speak with a neuroscience expert who says we can all benefit from the right kinds of stress.

Guest: Sue Langley, Langley Group, Australia

sue@langleygroup.com.au

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-6712891 Sun, 06 Dec 2020 02:00:00 -0500 1233 1 33 full false Why Are There So Few African American Males in Public Relations? Why Are There So Few African American Males in Public Relations? According to 2015 numbers by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the total number of men working in public relations and related services and advertising, 5.9 percent are African American. In this episode we speak with a PR Executive who has researched the perceptions, experiences, and possible barriers for African American males to getting into, and leading within, the field of communications.

Guest: Chuck Wallington

marketing@conehealth.com 

Link to Ken Chenault address to Barron’s Tech Conference https://bit.ly/2HAhl2B 

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]]> According to 2015 numbers by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the total number of men working in public relations and related services and advertising, 5.9 percent are African American. In this episode we speak with a PR Executive who has researched the perceptions, experiences, and possible barriers for African American males to getting into, and leading within, the field of communications.

Guest: Chuck Wallington

marketing@conehealth.com 

Link to Ken Chenault address to Barron’s Tech Conference https://bit.ly/2HAhl2B 

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-6595303 Sun, 29 Nov 2020 03:00:00 -0500 1250 1 32 full false PRCA in Latin America PRCA in Latin America
By membership the Public Relations and Communications Association is the largest PR Association in the World; 35,000 members and growing. Based in the UK, the PRCA has offices in Dubai and Singapore, and now Buenos Aires as it ventures into Latin America. In this episode we catch up with Isobel Arrowsmith to talk PR throughout Latin America.

Guest Isobel Arrowsmith MPRCA, Director of the Americas, PRCA

isobel.arrowsmith@latam.prca.global 

https://latam.prca.global/

Special thanks to ToDoComunica for promotion:
https://todocomunica.org/2020/11/20/mas-historias-mas-estrategias-mas-america-latina-por-favor/ 

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]]>
By membership the Public Relations and Communications Association is the largest PR Association in the World; 35,000 members and growing. Based in the UK, the PRCA has offices in Dubai and Singapore, and now Buenos Aires as it ventures into Latin America. In this episode we catch up with Isobel Arrowsmith to talk PR throughout Latin America.

Guest Isobel Arrowsmith MPRCA, Director of the Americas, PRCA

isobel.arrowsmith@latam.prca.global 

https://latam.prca.global/

Special thanks to ToDoComunica for promotion:
https://todocomunica.org/2020/11/20/mas-historias-mas-estrategias-mas-america-latina-por-favor/ 

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-6492598 Sun, 22 Nov 2020 02:00:00 -0500 1189 1 31 full false A Little Less Presentation. A Little More Conversation A Little Less Presentation. A Little More Conversation Presentations are stereotyped. A speaker stands in front of an audience, uses PowerPoint to guide a talk. And says very little that departs from the slides being shown. 

Frequently, the speaker provides a handout or electronic version of the PowerPoint as a record of the talk. Depending on the nature of the talk, a few minutes may be left at the end for questions. 

This format is almost universal. And it takes place thirty to forty million times a day, according to some estimates. It’s led to a new expression … Death by PowerPoint … one slide at a time.  

In this episode we speak with Eric Bergman who believes with a little less presentation and a little more conversation … we can make presentations more interesting, and ultimately effective. 

And we can relegate the term Death by PowerPoint to the dust heap of history. 

Guest: Eric Bergman, BPA, ABC, APR, MC, FCPRS 

fwiw@me.com

For a copy of One bucket at a time link here https://amzn.to/2HvnYmc

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Presentations are stereotyped. A speaker stands in front of an audience, uses PowerPoint to guide a talk. And says very little that departs from the slides being shown. 

Frequently, the speaker provides a handout or electronic version of the PowerPoint as a record of the talk. Depending on the nature of the talk, a few minutes may be left at the end for questions. 

This format is almost universal. And it takes place thirty to forty million times a day, according to some estimates. It’s led to a new expression … Death by PowerPoint … one slide at a time.  

In this episode we speak with Eric Bergman who believes with a little less presentation and a little more conversation … we can make presentations more interesting, and ultimately effective. 

And we can relegate the term Death by PowerPoint to the dust heap of history. 

Guest: Eric Bergman, BPA, ABC, APR, MC, FCPRS 

fwiw@me.com

For a copy of One bucket at a time link here https://amzn.to/2HvnYmc

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-6380602 Sun, 15 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0500 1231 Public Relations, Key Messages, Communications, PR, Communications Strategy, Marketing, Eric Bergman, Presentation Coaching, Presentation Training, PowerPoint 1 30 full false Communication Strategies We Learn at Work (and Use at Home) Communication Strategies We Learn at Work (and Use at Home) Work is the place we get learning opportunities through professional development. Many of those opportunities introduce sophisticated communications strategies intended to be work lessons but let’s be honest, they’re life lessons too. Some of those strategies and tips are so good, we can’t help but use them at home and in our personal lives. 

Guest Sheryl Kent
sherylkent@telus.net 

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]]> Work is the place we get learning opportunities through professional development. Many of those opportunities introduce sophisticated communications strategies intended to be work lessons but let’s be honest, they’re life lessons too. Some of those strategies and tips are so good, we can’t help but use them at home and in our personal lives. 

Guest Sheryl Kent
sherylkent@telus.net 

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-6269791 Sun, 08 Nov 2020 02:00:00 -0500 1317 1 29 full false The 2020 US election through a psychological lens The 2020 US election through a psychological lens
The political pundits have lots to say about the 2020 US Presidential election. In this episode we examine the result and the leadership styles through a neuroscience and psychological lens with a leading high-performance team psychologist who works with businesses, sports teams, and the military.

Guest Dr Jeremy Holt, Ph.D.

Chartered Occupational Psychologist

Centre for Team Excellence

jeremy@cfte.co.uk

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]]>
The political pundits have lots to say about the 2020 US Presidential election. In this episode we examine the result and the leadership styles through a neuroscience and psychological lens with a leading high-performance team psychologist who works with businesses, sports teams, and the military.

Guest Dr Jeremy Holt, Ph.D.

Chartered Occupational Psychologist

Centre for Team Excellence

jeremy@cfte.co.uk

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-6221779 Wed, 04 Nov 2020 12:00:00 -0500 1277 1 28 full false Media? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Media Media? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Media
Earned media is always valuable but the opportunities to create your own channels and your own stories have never been better. Gone are the days organizations needed to rely on the news media filter to get their story out there… today it’s Journalism DIY. And best part? This works great for pitching your story to the news media. We speak with former Edmonton Journalist Shawna Randolph.

Guest: Shawna Randolph, Randolph Communications

info@randolphcommunications.com 

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]]>
Earned media is always valuable but the opportunities to create your own channels and your own stories have never been better. Gone are the days organizations needed to rely on the news media filter to get their story out there… today it’s Journalism DIY. And best part? This works great for pitching your story to the news media. We speak with former Edmonton Journalist Shawna Randolph.

Guest: Shawna Randolph, Randolph Communications

info@randolphcommunications.com 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-6164935 Sun, 01 Nov 2020 01:00:00 -0500 1018 1 27 full false Creativity – the UNcommon sense Creativity – the UNcommon sense It’s a powerful tool that can solve complex problems, build resilience, create empathy, and develop space for human determination. 

Psychologists have found creativity is more a personality trait than the result of a high IQ; and those traits are most commonly found in people we might call nonconformists, curious, or persistent. In short, creativity is borne from divergent thinking as opposed to convergence.

Guest: Helen (Hel) Reynolds

hi@commscreatives.com 

To see Hel’s cartoons, visit https://commscreatives.com/

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]]> It’s a powerful tool that can solve complex problems, build resilience, create empathy, and develop space for human determination. 

Psychologists have found creativity is more a personality trait than the result of a high IQ; and those traits are most commonly found in people we might call nonconformists, curious, or persistent. In short, creativity is borne from divergent thinking as opposed to convergence.

Guest: Helen (Hel) Reynolds

hi@commscreatives.com 

To see Hel’s cartoons, visit https://commscreatives.com/

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-6048355 Sun, 25 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0400 1305 1 26 full false Change Management Needs to Change Change Management Needs to Change Change Management exists as a process and strategy because change is both inevitable and critical in business. In simple terms, it’s so important, the change must be managed. But modern trends are moving away from controlling every aspect of those strategies and are seeking to empower team members to play a more active design role in the change. In this episode we speak with a corporate leader from a global corporation steering through significant change.

Tammy Arseneau, MBA

tarseneau@suncor.com

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]]> Change Management exists as a process and strategy because change is both inevitable and critical in business. In simple terms, it’s so important, the change must be managed. But modern trends are moving away from controlling every aspect of those strategies and are seeking to empower team members to play a more active design role in the change. In this episode we speak with a corporate leader from a global corporation steering through significant change.

Tammy Arseneau, MBA

tarseneau@suncor.com

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-5942506 Sun, 18 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0400 884 1 25 full false Why Professional Comedians Have Serious Presentation Skills Why Professional Comedians Have Serious Presentation Skills Watch a good comedian on stage and it just seems so easy. But we all know what goes into it… timing, structure, body language, the ability to think on their feet, heckler management… everything that goes into a great presentation at work. Those are serious skills and many leaders looking to advance in their careers begin to see the only impediment is their ability to learn what comedians have mastered.

Guest: Lars Callieou, professional stand-up comedian

https://extralars.com/ 

Facebook Firepit Comedy Tour https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=firepit%20comedy%20tour 

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> Watch a good comedian on stage and it just seems so easy. But we all know what goes into it… timing, structure, body language, the ability to think on their feet, heckler management… everything that goes into a great presentation at work. Those are serious skills and many leaders looking to advance in their careers begin to see the only impediment is their ability to learn what comedians have mastered.

Guest: Lars Callieou, professional stand-up comedian

https://extralars.com/ 

Facebook Firepit Comedy Tour https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=firepit%20comedy%20tour 

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-5836471 Sun, 11 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0400 1254 1 24 full false Women in PR – Canada, USA, the Americas Women in PR – Canada, USA, the Americas Everything begins with an idea. Talia Beckett Davis had one a few years ago to start a networking, coaching, idea-sharing, and training group dedicated specifically to women. 
That was in 2014. Today there are chapters all through the Americas from Canada to Buenos Aires. 

Guest: Talia Beckett Davis, Founder of Canadian Women in Public Relations and American Women in Public Relations (Women in PR North America)

talia@womeninpr.ca 

talia@pinkprfirm.com

publicrelationsacademy.com

https://womeninpr.com/

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]]> Everything begins with an idea. Talia Beckett Davis had one a few years ago to start a networking, coaching, idea-sharing, and training group dedicated specifically to women. 
That was in 2014. Today there are chapters all through the Americas from Canada to Buenos Aires. 

Guest: Talia Beckett Davis, Founder of Canadian Women in Public Relations and American Women in Public Relations (Women in PR North America)

talia@womeninpr.ca 

talia@pinkprfirm.com

publicrelationsacademy.com

https://womeninpr.com/

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-5728552 Sun, 04 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -0400 1249 1 23 full false The 2020 IPR Disinformation in Society Report The 2020 IPR Disinformation in Society Report The Institute for Public Relations has issued its 2020 Report measuring how Americans perceive intentionally misleading news or information.

Guest Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D, APR, President and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations

@tmccorkindale 
https://instituteforpr.org/contact

Link to the full study: https://instituteforpr.org/2020-disinformation-report

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]]> The Institute for Public Relations has issued its 2020 Report measuring how Americans perceive intentionally misleading news or information.

Guest Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D, APR, President and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations

@tmccorkindale 
https://instituteforpr.org/contact

Link to the full study: https://instituteforpr.org/2020-disinformation-report

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-5620153 Sun, 27 Sep 2020 03:00:00 -0400 1358 1 22 full false Secrets of Content Marketing Secrets of Content Marketing The Content Marketing Institute defines content marketing as a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience, ultimately driving desired action. Key word? Valuable. In this episode, we speak with Amanda Milligan of Fractl, a Content Marketing Agency based in Washington, DC.

Guest: Amanda Milligan, Marketing Director, Fractl

amanda@frac.tl 

Amanda’s podcast is called “Cashing in on Content Marketing”

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> The Content Marketing Institute defines content marketing as a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience, ultimately driving desired action. Key word? Valuable. In this episode, we speak with Amanda Milligan of Fractl, a Content Marketing Agency based in Washington, DC.

Guest: Amanda Milligan, Marketing Director, Fractl

amanda@frac.tl 

Amanda’s podcast is called “Cashing in on Content Marketing”

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

Support the show

]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-5518348 Sun, 20 Sep 2020 10:00:00 -0400 1079 1 21 full false The AI in PR ethics report The AI in PR ethics report "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, a.gregory@hud.ac.uk

"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,  jvalinpr@gmail.com
 
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

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]]> "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, a.gregory@hud.ac.uk

"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,  jvalinpr@gmail.com
 
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

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-5414797 Sun, 13 Sep 2020 02:00:00 -0400 1460 1 20 full false Coffee may be the best communications strategy of them all Coffee may be the best communications strategy of them all Why is coffee so perfect for conversations? In fact, coffee houses were born in 18th Century Austria as a place for middle-and-upper class society to meet and discuss ideas. They spread to England quickly. Fast-forward to today and it seems everything coffee means every social, and perhaps the secret weapon for communications strategy.

Guest: Professor Thomas Merritt, Ph.D., M.Sc., B.Sc

Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

tmerritt@laurentian.ca

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]]> Why is coffee so perfect for conversations? In fact, coffee houses were born in 18th Century Austria as a place for middle-and-upper class society to meet and discuss ideas. They spread to England quickly. Fast-forward to today and it seems everything coffee means every social, and perhaps the secret weapon for communications strategy.

Guest: Professor Thomas Merritt, Ph.D., M.Sc., B.Sc

Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

tmerritt@laurentian.ca

Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-5316133 Sun, 06 Sep 2020 11:00:00 -0400 1181 1 19 full false Is Digital Media Leaving a False Impression? Is Digital Media Leaving a False Impression? In digital media, Reach can be defined as the total number of people who see your content and Impressions as the number of times your content is displayed. 

But it’s not that simple. 

Older concepts like pass-along rates and generic multipliers are resulting in some fuzzy math leaving us scrounging for “breadcrumbs,” amongst the “rat babies.” We speak with digital media guru Doug Lacombe who does his best to create a positive impression.

Guest: Doug Lacombe, President Communicatto Inc

doug@communicatto.com

https://www.communicatto.com/

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]]> In digital media, Reach can be defined as the total number of people who see your content and Impressions as the number of times your content is displayed. 

But it’s not that simple. 

Older concepts like pass-along rates and generic multipliers are resulting in some fuzzy math leaving us scrounging for “breadcrumbs,” amongst the “rat babies.” We speak with digital media guru Doug Lacombe who does his best to create a positive impression.

Guest: Doug Lacombe, President Communicatto Inc

doug@communicatto.com

https://www.communicatto.com/

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-5207722 Sun, 30 Aug 2020 11:00:00 -0400 1193 1 18 full false Your Brain in Crisis-Mode Your Brain in Crisis-Mode Understanding how our brains operate in a crisis can help leaders think more clearly and effectively manage emergencies. In this episode Dr Steve Joordens, Psychologist at the University of Toronto Scarborough, helps us understand why sometimes our brains have a mind of their own… and what we can do about that.

Guest: Dr Steve Joordens, Psychologist, University of Toronto Scarborough

steve.joordens@utoronto.ca

Centre for Crisis and Risk Communications - https://centreforcrisiscommunications.com/

Secret Code SNSJGR

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]]> Understanding how our brains operate in a crisis can help leaders think more clearly and effectively manage emergencies. In this episode Dr Steve Joordens, Psychologist at the University of Toronto Scarborough, helps us understand why sometimes our brains have a mind of their own… and what we can do about that.

Guest: Dr Steve Joordens, Psychologist, University of Toronto Scarborough

steve.joordens@utoronto.ca

Centre for Crisis and Risk Communications - https://centreforcrisiscommunications.com/

Secret Code SNSJGR

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-5109931 Sun, 23 Aug 2020 10:00:00 -0400 1257 1 17 full false The Value of Mentorship in Professional Communications The Value of Mentorship in Professional Communications Some of the key benefits of mentorship in professional communications include the ability to foster an exchange of ideas, friendship, and expertise in an industry that is constantly changing. 

Guest Tamara Vineberg

@TamaraVineberg

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]]> Some of the key benefits of mentorship in professional communications include the ability to foster an exchange of ideas, friendship, and expertise in an industry that is constantly changing. 

Guest Tamara Vineberg

@TamaraVineberg

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-5016395 Sun, 16 Aug 2020 10:00:00 -0400 957 1 16 full false Working From Home and the Impacts to Communication and Leadership Working From Home and the Impacts to Communication and Leadership Are office workers really more productive working from home? Truth is, the idea is so novel, we aren’t too sure. With COVID-19, there’s a better opportunity to explore the medium and long-term effects of the concept. One thing is for sure, there will be substantial impacts to how we communicate and how we lead.

Guest: Professor Nita Chhinzer, Ph.D., 

Assistant Professor Human Resources, Department of Management

University of Guelph, ON, Canada
chhinzer@uoguelph.ca
nitachhinzer.com 

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]]> Are office workers really more productive working from home? Truth is, the idea is so novel, we aren’t too sure. With COVID-19, there’s a better opportunity to explore the medium and long-term effects of the concept. One thing is for sure, there will be substantial impacts to how we communicate and how we lead.

Guest: Professor Nita Chhinzer, Ph.D., 

Assistant Professor Human Resources, Department of Management

University of Guelph, ON, Canada
chhinzer@uoguelph.ca
nitachhinzer.com 

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-4917278 Sun, 09 Aug 2020 10:00:00 -0400 1107 1 15 full false Interviewing Professional Athletes Interviewing Professional Athletes In a world of seemingly never-ending clichés the best interviewers find a way to make it not feel like an interview at all, but rather, a conversation. In this episode we speak with Bryn Griffiths, a broadcaster who has conversed with athletes around the world, always seeking to help them get from “110%” to a more authentic 100%.

Guest Bryn Griffiths
Bryn's website
mightymouth@shaw.ca

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]]> In a world of seemingly never-ending clichés the best interviewers find a way to make it not feel like an interview at all, but rather, a conversation. In this episode we speak with Bryn Griffiths, a broadcaster who has conversed with athletes around the world, always seeking to help them get from “110%” to a more authentic 100%.

Guest Bryn Griffiths
Bryn's website
mightymouth@shaw.ca

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-4815575 Sun, 02 Aug 2020 11:00:00 -0400 1348 1 14 full true CIPR State of the Profession Survey CIPR State of the Profession Survey For a decade the Chartered Institute of Public Relations in the UK has been reporting on trends, issues, and challenges impacting the communications profession. What are the skills we need? What are the challenges we face? How much are we being paid? And is there pay equity yet? Institute President Jenni Field joins Stories and Strategies to talk about the 2020 Report released this summer.

Guest Jenni Field
President Chartered Institute of Public Relations
info@redefiningcomms.com
Link here to download a copy of the 2020 report

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]]> For a decade the Chartered Institute of Public Relations in the UK has been reporting on trends, issues, and challenges impacting the communications profession. What are the skills we need? What are the challenges we face? How much are we being paid? And is there pay equity yet? Institute President Jenni Field joins Stories and Strategies to talk about the 2020 Report released this summer.

Guest Jenni Field
President Chartered Institute of Public Relations
info@redefiningcomms.com
Link here to download a copy of the 2020 report

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-4716161 Sun, 26 Jul 2020 02:00:00 -0400 895 1 13 full false Tweeting a Social Movement - Black Lives Matter and its use of Twitter Tweeting a Social Movement - Black Lives Matter and its use of Twitter Through a content analysis of all public tweets sent by Black Lives Matter over a four-year period, this study examined the message strategies used on Twitter by the social movement as a means to share information, build community, and promote action.

Guest Candice LaShara Edrington, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication, High Point University, North Carolina

cedringt@highpoint.edu

Link to download Study 

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]]> Through a content analysis of all public tweets sent by Black Lives Matter over a four-year period, this study examined the message strategies used on Twitter by the social movement as a means to share information, build community, and promote action.

Guest Candice LaShara Edrington, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Strategic Communication, High Point University, North Carolina

cedringt@highpoint.edu

Link to download Study 

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-4624496 Sun, 19 Jul 2020 08:00:00 -0400 930 1 12 full false Snake Oil in the PR business? Say it ain't so... Snake Oil in the PR business? Say it ain't so... According to the Urban Dictionary, the term "Snake Oil" comes from the 19th century American practice of selling cure-all elixirs with false claims. On this week’s episode, award-winning public relations consultant Michelle Garrett helps us differentiate between good stories and strategies and the stuff sold in traveling medicine shows.

Guest Michelle Garrett

Garrett Public Relations, Columbus, Ohio

michelle@michellegarrett.com

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]]> According to the Urban Dictionary, the term "Snake Oil" comes from the 19th century American practice of selling cure-all elixirs with false claims. On this week’s episode, award-winning public relations consultant Michelle Garrett helps us differentiate between good stories and strategies and the stuff sold in traveling medicine shows.

Guest Michelle Garrett

Garrett Public Relations, Columbus, Ohio

michelle@michellegarrett.com

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-4535222 Sun, 12 Jul 2020 12:00:00 -0400 1218 1 11 full false COVID-19 Brand Pulse Report COVID-19 Brand Pulse Report Human beings have been described as emotional beings who think. We're also emotional beings who buy things. This May 2020 report tracks how changing attitudes are changing our behaviours, and what brands should do about it. 

Guest Nick Bond

Emotive Technologies

nick@emotiveinc.com

Download the Brand Pulse Report here

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]]> Human beings have been described as emotional beings who think. We're also emotional beings who buy things. This May 2020 report tracks how changing attitudes are changing our behaviours, and what brands should do about it. 

Guest Nick Bond

Emotive Technologies

nick@emotiveinc.com

Download the Brand Pulse Report here

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-4443791 Sun, 05 Jul 2020 08:00:00 -0400 1027 1 10 full false Public Engagement: Finding Rumi's Field Public Engagement: Finding Rumi's Field Beyond the ideas of key messages and social media posts, there is a place for us to talk and listen to one another... I’ll meet you there. On this episode we speak with one of the most experienced public participation practitioners (and trainers) in Canada, about the power of engagement

Guest Gay Robinson

canadiantrainerscollective.ca 

Link to IAP2 Spectrum

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]]> Beyond the ideas of key messages and social media posts, there is a place for us to talk and listen to one another... I’ll meet you there. On this episode we speak with one of the most experienced public participation practitioners (and trainers) in Canada, about the power of engagement

Guest Gay Robinson

canadiantrainerscollective.ca 

Link to IAP2 Spectrum

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-4359008 Mon, 29 Jun 2020 02:00:00 -0400 1260 1 9 full false The History (and Future) of Mass Media The History (and Future) of Mass Media Canadian broadcast legend Marty Forbes reflects on his 50 years in broadcasting and print, the influences at the time and how those who truly understand the mediums are able to harness today’s technologies to make those personal impressions that last so much longer.

Guest Marty Forbes

Radiowise Inc

Mforbes07@shaw.ca

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]]> Canadian broadcast legend Marty Forbes reflects on his 50 years in broadcasting and print, the influences at the time and how those who truly understand the mediums are able to harness today’s technologies to make those personal impressions that last so much longer.

Guest Marty Forbes

Radiowise Inc

Mforbes07@shaw.ca

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-4266383 Mon, 22 Jun 2020 01:00:00 -0400 1323 1 8 full false Ready or Not... Here Comes the "Recovery" Ready or Not... Here Comes the "Recovery" Many have said the world simply wasn’t ready for COVID-19 the pandemic. Months in, we’re all anxious to get back to our lives, but are we ready for the recovery? And what does “recovery” look like?

Crisis Communications expert Amanda Coleman, former Director of Corporate Communications of the Greater Manchester Police, walks us through her Recovery Communication Readiness Assessment Guide.

Guest Amanda Coleman
Amanda Coleman Communications
amanda@amandacolemancomms.co.uk

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]]> Many have said the world simply wasn’t ready for COVID-19 the pandemic. Months in, we’re all anxious to get back to our lives, but are we ready for the recovery? And what does “recovery” look like?

Crisis Communications expert Amanda Coleman, former Director of Corporate Communications of the Greater Manchester Police, walks us through her Recovery Communication Readiness Assessment Guide.

Guest Amanda Coleman
Amanda Coleman Communications
amanda@amandacolemancomms.co.uk

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]]> JGR Communications Buzzsprout-4172543 Sun, 14 Jun 2020 19:00:00 -0400 1177 1 7 full false Culture Club - Looking Beyond Fit Culture Club - Looking Beyond Fit For many companies the 2020 pandemic creates an opportunity to reexamine foundational pillars such as values and culture. It's the same for employees who should take this opportunity to step-back and decide if the company they work for is a fit for them.

Guest: Jolene Ondrik
Eye on Culture Inc.
jolene@eyeonculture.ca 

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]]> For many companies the 2020 pandemic creates an opportunity to reexamine foundational pillars such as values and culture. It's the same for employees who should take this opportunity to step-back and decide if the company they work for is a fit for them.

Guest: Jolene Ondrik
Eye on Culture Inc.
jolene@eyeonculture.ca 

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-4080617 Sun, 07 Jun 2020 21:00:00 -0400 1076 1 6 full false Why it's Important to be a Member of a Professional Communications Association Why it's Important to be a Member of a Professional Communications Association In a field of practice that features few certainties, there is this one - membership in a professional communications association will make you a better professional and help your career. In this episode, Sue Heuman of Focus Communications explains how.

Guest Sue Heuman, Master Communicator
Focus Communications
sueh@focuscom.ca 

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]]> In a field of practice that features few certainties, there is this one - membership in a professional communications association will make you a better professional and help your career. In this episode, Sue Heuman of Focus Communications explains how.

Guest Sue Heuman, Master Communicator
Focus Communications
sueh@focuscom.ca 

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-3969575 Fri, 29 May 2020 16:00:00 -0400 944 1 5 full false Change-Up, the Modern Way to "Pitch" the Media Change-Up, the Modern Way to "Pitch" the Media It's all changed. Today you need to reach out to specific reporters, producers, and editors to give your story pitch a fighting chance. In this episode, award-winning journalist Tony Tighe takes us for a virtual tour of the modern newsroom and explains what does and doesn't work

Guest Tony Tighe
tonytighe@shaw.ca 

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]]> It's all changed. Today you need to reach out to specific reporters, producers, and editors to give your story pitch a fighting chance. In this episode, award-winning journalist Tony Tighe takes us for a virtual tour of the modern newsroom and explains what does and doesn't work

Guest Tony Tighe
tonytighe@shaw.ca 

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-3879020 Fri, 22 May 2020 18:00:00 -0400 1348 1 4 full false Lights Camera Crisis! Lights Camera Crisis! "There were no exercises for the one in 100 year flood with a complete loss of the downtown core, the massive evacuation of 80,000 people from 26 communities, a power grid failure, the evacuation of the local Zoo, and a diesel train stalled above a river on a bridge that was about to fail."

In conversation before the 2020 health pandemic, Ben Morgan of the Centre for Crisis and Risk Communications joined us to talk about why preparation is critical and yet you're never fully ready for the real thing.

Ben Morgan, Centre for Crisis and Risk Communications
bmorgan@centreforcrisiscomms.ca

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]]> "There were no exercises for the one in 100 year flood with a complete loss of the downtown core, the massive evacuation of 80,000 people from 26 communities, a power grid failure, the evacuation of the local Zoo, and a diesel train stalled above a river on a bridge that was about to fail."

In conversation before the 2020 health pandemic, Ben Morgan of the Centre for Crisis and Risk Communications joined us to talk about why preparation is critical and yet you're never fully ready for the real thing.

Ben Morgan, Centre for Crisis and Risk Communications
bmorgan@centreforcrisiscomms.ca

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-3817808 Mon, 18 May 2020 17:00:00 -0400 1483 1 3 full false Changes to How We Communicate When Life Returns to Normal Changes to How We Communicate When Life Returns to Normal Managers seeking better connections with staff, the rise of the introverts, and opportunities for businesses and governments to communicate differently and more effectively. As the cloud of COVID eventually begins to lift, what does the new world of professional communications look like? There’s no way to know exactly but respected Communications consultant Pamela Munoz of PR Consult gives us some ideas.

Guest Pamela Munoz
PRConsult
pamela@prconsult.co 

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]]> Managers seeking better connections with staff, the rise of the introverts, and opportunities for businesses and governments to communicate differently and more effectively. As the cloud of COVID eventually begins to lift, what does the new world of professional communications look like? There’s no way to know exactly but respected Communications consultant Pamela Munoz of PR Consult gives us some ideas.

Guest Pamela Munoz
PRConsult
pamela@prconsult.co 

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-3711242 Mon, 11 May 2020 11:00:00 -0400 1188 1 2 full false The Spin Doctor Will See You Now The Spin Doctor Will See You Now Spin Doctors, Brand Police, Jedi mind-controllers with magic words to make people think differently - all misconceptions about professional communications. So, what is it PR people really do for a living? Introducing Stories and Strategies - the real world of professional communications.

Guest Jim Rudolph, jim@jgrcommunications.com 

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]]> Spin Doctors, Brand Police, Jedi mind-controllers with magic words to make people think differently - all misconceptions about professional communications. So, what is it PR people really do for a living? Introducing Stories and Strategies - the real world of professional communications.

Guest Jim Rudolph, jim@jgrcommunications.com 

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]]> Stories and Strategies Buzzsprout-3698354 Sun, 10 May 2020 12:00:00 -0400 1299 1 1 full false