Stuart Bruce’s Post

Reflecting on a great two days at PRWeek UK PR360 on the sunny south coast. Fantastic to hear from so many leaders driving change across the industry. Several themes emerged across the sessions, and a few key takeaways are: 🧠 “Earnfluence” and “brandformance” were just a couple of portmanteaux bandied around to demonstrate how in-house comms teams are leading the way in marketing, and to quote one speaker “stealing budget from other teams”. By telling stories in a more compelling way, we can provide fuel across a wealth of other marketing functions ✨Shiny campaigns win awards, but it’s the drumbeat which makes the real difference. Building a profile is good for your business and good for corporate reputation. By establishing trust and a positive relationship with the media, journalists are likely to take a more nuanced stance when your business is faced with an issue 📢If you’re not part of the conversation, it doesn’t mean the conversation isn’t happening. Brands need to be bold and take a stand on issues. If you want to build a profile for your business, you have to have views 📰 The traditional media still hold significant power - and with this power comes responsibility, in the face of unprecedented misinformation and disinformation. As PRs we have a role to play in holding the media to account. If you don’t set the record straight on every factual inaccuracy, the incorrect narrative becomes the truth 📈We often hear awareness touted as the key measure of PR success, but time and again we heard from businesses where the main focus of PR was to drive brand goals, from moving the dial on reputation, to shifting perceptions and changing customer behaviour 🤖 AI isn’t coming for our jobs, but it is coming for the specific tasks it can do better than us. As humans, where we will always have value is around personal relationships, context, guardrails, and empathy #pr360 #prinsight #prconference #pragency

First and Last PR, a renowned communications agency serving legacy brands, introduces two new public relations offerings tailored for indie and emerging beauty, wellness, and lifestyle brands: PR Powerboost for emerging brands and Seasonal Spotlights focused on inclusion during key holiday times. 'With over 25 years of industry experience, the one thing that remains consistent is that emerging brands need support and should not have to choose between a great communications team and packaging,' said Stephanie Scott-Bradshaw, First and Last PR's CEO & Communicator-in-Chief. The PR Powerboost Program caters to indie brands looking to increase visibility and establish a strong presence. It includes representation from experienced specialists who will craft press releases, media pitches, form media relations, create strategic PR plans, and more. The Seasonal Spotlights Pitch Program targets indie clients during key gifting seasons like the holidays, Black History Month, Women's History Month, and graduation time. Each comprehensive four-month campaign focuses solely on pitching brands to top-tier holiday gift guides. #publicrelations #indiebrandmarketing #beautybrands @firstandlastpr Line breaks between paragraphs and the end of post the and hashtags / @menthions content.

📣 PR's Comeback: From Struggle to Spotlight at Cannes 🏆 This post sums up a few recent PRWeek articles ('Consider the Code Cracked' and 'Richard Edelman reflects on Cannes') with POSITIVE NEWS for the PR industry!!! YIPPIEEE! As Richard Edelman noted, "The market has moved toward PR firms." We're not just supporting clients; we're driving their most successful campaigns with earned-first ideas." (He also expects an uptick in business for the second half of 2024, citing a more robust pipeline across tech and healthcare) 📈📈📈📈LFG! The PR industry has recently faced hurdles, but Cannes Lions 2024 showcased our incredible resurgence! 🌱➡️🌳 Key highlights: -PR firms dominate with purpose-driven, action-oriented campaigns 💪 -Multiple agencies securing recognition across various categories 🏅 -First-ever PR agency sole credit for Grand Prix in PR category (Golin, 2024) 🥇 -Innovative campaigns like "The Misheard Version" and "Michael CeraVe" showcasing PR's creative prowess 💡 Industry evolution: -Improved storytelling in award submissions 📽️ -Emphasis on ideas over technology 💡>🖥️ (TAKE THAT, AI!) -Blending creativity with strategic problem-solving 🎨🧠 PR's emerging strengths: -Ability to shape and inhabit culture 🌍 -Flexibility to adapt across platforms 📱🎬 -Understanding of brand safety in uncertain times 🛡️ -Tackling complex, politicized issues head-on 🌎 Looking ahead: -Richard Edelman predicts strong end to 2024, with tech and healthcare sectors rallying 📈🖥️🏥 -Increased confidence for PR-led creative campaigns 🚀 -Greater agency collaboration and integrated approaches 🤝 This renaissance isn't a fluke – it's our new normal. As we continue to push boundaries and showcase our capabilities, the future of PR looks brighter than ever. #TWSearchPartners #PRWeek #PRAgency #PublicRelations #CannesLions

As we approach 2025, we’re excited to release our third annual PR trends report, highlighting the shifts that will shape the future of our industry. Brands that stay ahead of these changes are better positioned to build meaningful connections with their audiences. Ready to integrate these insights into your strategy? Contact #PurposeCommunications for expert guidance 🙏 #purposetrends #prtrends2025 #insights

Best Practice Media is thrilled to announce the acquisition of We Wild Women, a renowned PR agency, coaching, and training company. This strategic move positions Best Practice Media as a full-service agency, now offering an expansive suite of public relations services alongside its robust social media marketing and digital advertising capabilities. "We Wild Women integrates seamlessly into our organization, and we are eager to collaborate with the brands they represent to achieve their media and digital marketing goals," said Claire Winslow, CEO of Best Practice Media. "Our combined expertise in social media and digital marketing, coupled with We Wild Women's PR prowess, will continue to elevate the brands we serve." Founded by Renée Warren, We Wild Women has empowered thousands of entrepreneurs with game-changing media strategies. Warren will continue to lead her team within Best Practice Media, ensuring continuity and strategic growth for her clients. "I sought a partner who could elevate our clients through innovation and strategy," said Warren. "Best Practice Media is the perfect fit, offering expanded services that will significantly benefit our client base." This acquisition allows Best Practice Media to offer comprehensive services to current and future clients, extending their reach and influence. Integrating We Wild Women's expertise in public relations enhances Best Practice Media's ability to provide a full spectrum of marketing solutions, ensuring clients thrive in the digital landscape. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gmmNJsSk

How can a PR agency elevate lifestyle brands and navigate the evolving media landscape through creativity, adaptability, and strong relationships? In this episode, Matt Kovacs, president of BLAZE PR, shares his expertise on transforming a boutique agency into a powerhouse known for its innovative strategies and award-winning culture. Despite the challenges of a shrinking media pool and the rise of AI, Matt's unwavering commitment to delivering results and fostering genuine connections has been instrumental in Blaze PR's success. Matt discusses the importance of understanding clients' unique goals and leveraging data-driven insights to demonstrate the value of PR efforts. He also emphasizes the power of unconventional strategies, such as creative stunts and partnerships, to generate buzz and build brand awareness in a crowded market. As a dynamic and insightful leader, Matt aims to inspire other PR professionals to embrace change and continually adapt to the shifting media landscape. He shares his experiences navigating the challenges of measuring success in PR, building strong relationships with journalists, and maintaining the human element in an increasingly AI-driven industry. Matt sees Blaze PR as more than just a way to generate media coverage - it's an opportunity to create a positive impact in the lives of his employees, clients, and the communities they serve. Through his agency's efforts, he hopes to continue elevating lifestyle brands and setting new standards for excellence in the PR industry. Mentors and resources that inspired Matt:  💡The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell - a book that reinforces the concept of putting in the necessary hours to achieve success and expertise in one's field. Tune in for valuable insights on navigating the world of PR, building strong client relationships, and adapting to the ever-changing media landscape from Matt Kovacs, a seasoned expert in the field. #publicrelations #PRagency #TheInspiredStoriesPodcast

On today’s #NationalPRDay, there were one too many things that I pondered about the communications industry. One such incident was at the very beginning of my career where a well intentioned colleague had shared that PR is the first thing that businesses often do away with when under loss. I wondered if it was because they had a strategy in mind that they would implement on their own or if they viewed us a “luxury “. To be honest, neither holds weight today. Every company, no matter what the size, needs to foster good relationships with the public. That is where there is a growing dependence on us PR folk making us an integral part of the company. From setting strong narratives for our clients, establishing meaningful stakeholder relationships, amplifying our client’s brand identity, reputation management, building goodwill and more importantly working towards earned media for building a trustworthy reputation for our brand; the PR industry is here to stay. PS - a special shout out to all journalists who work tirelessly with us and bring out the best stories !

Discover innovative strategies to extend the reach of your news well beyond the confines of a traditional press release. While press releases are undeniably vital to any robust communications strategy, their impact can be maximized by employing a multichannel approach that ensures your message reaches the right audience across various platforms. Learn from top communications teams how they repurpose press release content to engage diverse audiences across different channels effectively. We're excited to unveil five unconventional methods for amplifying your brand's news and broadening your message's audience base. By utilizing your press release as the cornerstone of your communications campaign, you can streamline your efforts and achieve greater visibility. Explore these fresh approaches in our latest resource: 5 Creative Ways to Amplify Your News / https://lnkd.in/gfhmEkxU #Connectwithme to elevate your press release or brand narrative, gaining exposure through premium media outlets. Leverage PR Newswire's leading content distribution network to ensure your message reaches its intended audience.

Are you looking to elevate your industry authority? Look no further! Our digital PR services can help position your brand as a thought leader. Gain massive exposure on top-tier news platforms like Forbes, The Guardian, Marketwatch, and more. Partner with us to amplify your brand's presence and reach a wider audience. Elevate your industry authority with the right PR agency for your brand. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you stand out in the digital landscape. #DigitalPR #IndustryAuthority #PRServices #YomiJosephDPR