With a strong background in writing for large, diverse audiences, Lanetta Williams, is passionate about driving employee engagement and the communications experience for global above-restaurant employees at Yum! Brands. As associate manager of communications, Williams supports employees across KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill, leading initiatives like the launch of a global omnichannel communications platform and crafting messaging for the company’s Equity, Inclusion and Belonging strategy.

With over 20 years of experience, the comms pro began her career in journalism, working as a reporter for The Detroit News before moving into TV news production and employee communications. 

My first comms profession was:

I started my career as a journalist. Most notably, I was a reporter for The Detroit News and later an associate producer for WDIV, the NBC affiliate in Detroit. It was in newspapers that I honed my storytelling skills, learning how to ask the right questions and thrive under tight deadlines. Working in one of the top media markets, I had the privilege of learning from some of the best journalists and writers in the country. The skills I gained during those early years helped me learn how to share critical and complex information in an understandable and relatable way with diverse audiences.

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I:

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to work on a messaging strategy around Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Yum! Brands. This role gave me greater visibility and a voice in shaping how we embody one of our core values, “Believe in All People.” I wanted to express what I desired to hear and stay true to our identity as the world’s largest restaurant company. With my leaders’ support, I crafted a simple yet powerful statement: “We’re making room for all people and voices at our tables.” Today, this statement is proudly displayed on our company’s website, T-shirts, pens, and an internal video, serving as a guiding light and reminding all of us of our responsibility to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging where everyone can be their authentic selves.

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is:

I attended the Ragan Internal Communications Conference in October, and one line stood out: “Don’t be worried about AI replacing you. Be worried about the person who knows AI replacing you.” In internal communications, there’s a lot of anxiety about AI’s role in our future. However, I believe AI, when used correctly, can transform our work, increase efficiency, and improve the final product. We’re just beginning to explore AI’s potential, and I’m excited to see where it will take us and the new opportunities it will create.

The most underrated skill in my profession is:

One of the key skills I’ve honed is a strategic mindset. We’re not just order takers or copy-pasters; we’re the dot-connectors who see the bigger picture. We understand where the business is headed and where it’s been, balancing the strategic vision with employee needs. Our broad perspective across the organization gives us insights into decisions and projects that most employees aren’t aware of, making us valuable thought partners. We can spot potential issues and add value in unexpected ways. To do this, we need to believe in ourselves and trust our instincts, which come from experience and a willingness to step into uncomfortable situations that promote growth.

The key to excellence in storytelling is:

Authenticity and our humanity are the key ingredients to our success. I learned to write before AI, mastering what makes a good lede, building a story to its crescendo, and following through to a logical conclusion. The human element in writing is innate, and the authenticity of one’s voice should always shine through.

The most rewarding part of my job is:

I love having a seat at the table and being able to influence key decisions. We’re often invited into rooms where critical discussions happen. Companies that value communicators as thought partners and recognize our ability to drive positive business outcomes are the ones leading their industries.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: Lanetta Williams of Yum! Brands on the key ingredients for successful storytelling appeared first on PR Daily.

A year of ‘yes’ led Sara Ng to join ING Americas in 2019. As Vice President of Communications and Brand Experience, Ng initially focused on managing internal communications for the Amsterdam-based bank. “It was the tail end of my year of yes and it was one more yes for the year,” Ng shared with Ragan. “I thought, we’ll see where it goes.” 

Her work has centered on creating touchpoints that reflect ING’s values, such as championing the company’s new hybrid work model and promoting best practices that support employee wellness. Ng’s role has evolved to include executive communications, supporting both local and global leaders. “Dedicating a lot of my time now to executive communications is far different from managing our internal communications channels, our editorial calendar and doing executive comms in the background,” she shared. “It’s a different head space to get into because I’m talking to people in a different way.”

I’m inspired by:

My children.  I say that because they see things with a different lens. They talk to me as if the world is growing. And I think sometimes that’s what helps me bring myself back down to earth  when I’m really stressed with a project. I realize that their world is still so small and it’s constantly expanding in different ways. And if I see it through that lens, I could approach a project a different way. I think I could look at it differently, because if I kept on looking at the way that I looked at it, it might just seem redundant, repetitive, kind of boring after a while. So I think, as cliche as it sounds, my children actually inspire me quite a bit. 

But also I think the work that I do can be quite inspiring in itself, because communications, I think, is changing so much, and the way people not just receive information, but absorb it. Oftentimes, I talk to my senior leaders about tone all the time, because it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. I think my work, inherently, is quite inspiring, because the way that our workforce is changing. I see so many new hires that are of different generations. When I think about inspiration, I look at our colleagues who do a ton of things outside of our day to day, who generally have a need or want or willingness to help each other, which I think is really nice to see. I think it’s just being able to adapt, be agile, and be open. I think you can find inspiration everywhere if you’re open.

The key to excellence in storytelling is:

Finding purpose. I think oftentimes we can tell a great story but we need to understand what do you want your reader to leave with or your audience to leave with. People can write and talk all day, but by the end of it, if you have nothing to leave them with, if they don’t remember anything of substance, then I think you kind of failed. I also think about channels, and the proper ones to use so our work and storytelling doesn’t get lost. It’s understanding what the purpose is and what the takeaway is because you build the story around what you want to leave your audience with.

A lesson I learned the hard way is:  

The first thing I learned the hard way, which I don’t think was a bad thing, is finding out what I didn’t like, experiencing what I didn’t like to do or didn’t want to do. And for me, I took four years of fashion school to realize in my fourth year, I didn’t want to be in fashion. I think I needed to go through that process to realize I didn’t want to do it. But ironically enough, I just realized I didn’t want to be in fashion in the traditional sense, to be a designer, for example, or to be a buyer. I think where I found my calling was in communications, such as comms in fashion, comms in this space. It took me four years to get to that point, but it also took me fours of what I need to know to continue. It took that time to help me hone my comms skills in a different way.

When I’m feeling overwhelmed at work, I:

Chip away at it. I never used to love lists. Initially, that used to overwhelm me, but I found that when I do have a list, especially now, when I’m juggling different stakeholders and they have different needs and they work in different time zones, I actually find that really helpful, because then I can then look at each item on my to do list and I can chip away at these small things. It lets me see what my top three priorities for each of these things are.

I think for me, it was understanding that I can’t finish everything at once, but I can make progress over the course of time when I need to get it done. That mindset helped me. And you know what? I’m not a doctor. I’m not saving lives. It’s understanding what my role is, and understanding the difference I make, but putting it into perspective. It’s not like my job is  life-changing, but it’s important. So I think just keeping perspective is really helpful, and not letting other people add noise to your head. 

I also find that giving myself my own deadlines helps to manage my own workload. So even if something’s not ready or doesn’t need to be done until Monday of next week, if I tell myself Thursday of this week, I’ve given myself a goal in mind so I don’t have everything piling up next week.

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is:

You are your own best competitor. Professional growth and development can be quite straightforward as your career progresses, but striving to be a better person, both at work and in life, isn’t as linear. Self-improvement can take on so many different forms, and it’s this mindset of continuous learning that I find inspiration and motivation.   

My professional motto/mantra is:

I can do anything, but not everything.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: Sara Ng of ING Americas finds inspiration in colleagues, evolving communications appeared first on PR Daily.

From the sixth grade, Heidi Otway knew she would become a professional journalist one day. Growing up with the Miami Herald, she delved into big words, discovering their meanings along the way. As a writer for her school’s newspaper, she inspired her classmates to explore the dictionary through her articles. “I remember that moment,” Otway shared with Ragan. “I learned the power of what it means to be a journalist.”  Her innate curiosity propelled her from a budding writer for the school newspaper to an associate producer, eventually leading her to a successful career in PR and her role as president and partner at SalterMitchell PR.

With decades of experience, the president has experience in media, communications, marketing and audience engagement. Otway has spearheaded public relations initiatives, managed the reputations of leading corporations, and crafted targeted campaigns for diverse stakeholders across Florida. 

Otway also finds time to mentor the younger generation, often reminding them: “PR is not about publicity. It’s not about being an influencer. It’s really about shaping people’s lives.”

My first profession was:

My career started almost right after I graduated. I was one of the youngest members of the Florida Capitol Press Corp. in Tallahassee, Florida, covering the legislature in the governor’s office with big cameras on my shoulder, and doing interviews with policymakers. I didn’t know anything about policy, but I knew I was a reporter and I was having a great time. 

I stay on top of trends by:

I read so much. I follow everything PR Daily and PR Newswire I try to not become an expert (for every industry) but enough to be dangerous for whatever industry cause or issue that we’re working on.  I always try to stay on top of what’s happening. It’s like drinking from a fire hose, but I’m a nerd and I want to know.  I don’t like not knowing, so it’s always my goal to know enough to hold a conversation or I ask for them to tell me more.

One thing that worries me about the future of my profession is:

It’s important for people to believe that you’re genuine, especially with the rise of AI. There are challenges here, as many people see things they don’t trust anymore, even if they appear real. The media landscape has changed significantly, and I remind my clients that when we’re making news, it’s crucial to ensure our message isn’t misrepresented or just to attract clicks or eyeballs.

I like to spend my free time by:

Enjoying football. I’m a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I have three amazing kids and a wonderful husband of 34 years. We travel, and we’re having our best life. I also have my first grandchild. Family is everything to me. I am also involved in issues and causes that I believe in so I serve on a lot of boards in Florida and beyond. I just became the Americas regional president for IPREX and that has been fun. I get to be a voice for them in the global network.

A book or song that changed the way I think about my career is:

The song is “Positive” by Erica Campbell. I listen to it every morning on my drive to work. I drive in silence to prepare for the day, and then I put the song on. I sing it at the top of my lungs, and I don’t care who’s watching me. I’ve listened to that song for the last two and a half years, and that’s because I’m leading the firm. Running an agency is not easy. Thankfully, the founder trusts me enough. I take this very seriously, and I love what I do.

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is:

I’m big on mentoring young people. I just started a program at Florida A&M University to get more students of color into PR agencies because we don’t have a lot of people of color leading or running agencies. I tell them: ‘Go out and get as much experience as you can. Be a sponge. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Find a mentor.’ All of those things have gotten me to where I’m at. I have not gotten here by myself. I am a curious person. I ask a lot of questions. I am not afraid to ask for help. I’m not afraid to be vulnerable because I’m human. I know a lot, but I don’t know everything. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway on championing authenticity appeared first on PR Daily.

Bill Hicks serves as the senior associate director of leadership engagement for the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) central division, which spans 16 states. In this role, he is instrumental in cultivating leadership opportunities and actively seeking out and nurturing individuals committed to championing the organization’s mission. Through his efforts, Hicks is empowering a new generation of leaders to drive meaningful change in their communities.

Hicks joined the ADL in 2019 as the associate education director, where he played a pivotal role in shaping and delivering a dynamic range of anti-bias training programs for Pre-K through 12th-grade institutions across the Midwest. Driven by a passion for fostering inclusive environments for students and educators, Hicks embodies the belief that “at the end of the day, I can only control the effort, not the outcome.”

My first profession was:

 My first nonprofit role was front desk assistant at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, Indiana. In this role, I managed all aspects of the front desk from answering the phone, checking kids in and out of the facility, overseeing membership records, etc. In my mind, I had one of the lowest-level positions in the organization, but I had a great supervisor who emphasized the importance of my role and would call me the “director of first impressions.” It was a pivotal moment in which I learned that regardless of title or position everyone within an organization/company has a key role in helping to advance the mission or goals of the organization.

One way I stay creative and motivated is:

 I have spent over 25 years working in the nonprofit sector and still consider myself more of a continuous learner versus a content expert on any topic. Being a continuous learner allows you to navigate changing job markets and better adapt to internal or external challenges. Beyond the professional benefits, continuous learning has been my impetus for personal growth.

Someone who has helped me be successful in my career is: 

My mother was a labor and delivery nurse for over 40 years. I can remember as a child, her waking up early each morning to prepare for her shift, and that work ethic, skill development, and focus on helping others is a model that has been present in my career journey. When she retired her colleagues (doctors and nurses) didn’t just speak about all of the babies that she helped to deliver but about how she showed up as a person each day for work. I want to add that same value to the colleagues and various stakeholders that I work with.

The key to excellence in storytelling is:

To be effective in storytelling takes consistent work and effort to not only be skilled in sharing the story but also knowing how to convey it in a way that evokes emotion in others. I often remind myself that “connection” before “content” can go a long way with an audience. Whether it is written, verbal, one-on-one conversation, small group, or large group presentation, putting in the effort to know the audience and what messages would resonate best with them is crucial. Authenticity is another aspect of storytelling that I believe is essential and a value that I try to center myself in for everything that I do.

A book or song that changed the way I think about my career is: 

About 15-20 years ago, a mentor recommended the book How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald Clifton. It was a simple yet powerful message about relationship building. The metaphor of a dipper and a bucket helped me profoundly view the impact of our daily interactions with family, friends, colleagues, and customers.

A lesson I learned the hard way is: 

There was a point early on in my career journey in which I was a workaholic and prioritized climbing the career ladder over my own mental and physical health. Burnout is a real thing and can have significant consequences on one’s well-being. After several years of attempting to navigate professional and personal challenges, I hit my wall and had to step away from a leadership role to focus on my mental health. It was a hard decision and one that changed the trajectory of my career but also one of the first moments that I put myself first personally and professionally.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: Anti-Defamation League’s Bill Hicks on the key to personal growth appeared first on PR Daily.

Lauren Love has dedicated over 15 years to shaping narratives in the nonprofit and higher education arenas. As the Communications Director for the Office of the Vice President for Government Relations at the University of Michigan, Love works to illustrate the vital role of higher education, research, and innovation to a diverse audience, including government officials, alumni, and internal stakeholders.

Before stepping into this role, the communications director served as a senior media relations and public affairs representative at U-M, managing high-stakes institutional news and crisis communication. Her background also includes roles at the University of Notre Dame Law School, the Chicago Urban League, and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, where she served as press secretary for Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

A strong advocate for authentic communication, Love believes that narratives grounded in honesty resonate more deeply with audiences, who are quick to identify disingenuous messaging. “The key to excellence in storytelling is authenticity,” she told Ragan.

My first comms job was:

My first role in communications was with a boutique PR firm founded by a former African American journalist from Chicago. Working at a smaller firm gave me the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a diverse range of clients early in my career.

I was able to dive into all aspects of the business, from media relations to event planning, and even crisis communications. Being part of a smaller team meant that I had the chance to work directly with some truly dynamic clients, which was both challenging and rewarding. This experience laid a strong foundation for my career, teaching me the importance of adaptability, resourcefulness, and the value of building authentic relationships.

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is:

The potential to blend technology with storytelling in ways we haven’t seen before. With advancements in AI, data analytics, and digital platforms, we have more tools at our disposal to reach audiences in meaningful, personalized ways.

But what really excites me is how these tools can enhance—not replace—the human element in PR. For example, AI can handle data analysis and trend forecasting, allowing us to make more informed decisions and connect with people on a deeper level. We’re also able to measure our impact more accurately, which helps us align more closely with business objectives and demonstrate our value to leadership.

At the same time, I think there’s a growing emphasis on authenticity and transparency, especially as consumers become more discerning. As PR professionals, we’re in a unique position to bridge that gap between organizations and their audiences by crafting narratives that resonate on a human level. I believe the future of PR will be about combining high-tech tools with timeless storytelling skills to create trust and build lasting relationships. It’s an exciting time to be in this field!

One thing that worries me about the future of my profession is:

The increasing polarization and the way influencer culture has shifted perceptions of expertise. We’re living in a time when anyone can claim to be an expert, often without the experience or knowledge to back it up. This creates a challenge for communications professionals who are committed to accuracy and integrity, especially in a landscape where misinformation can spread rapidly and deeply influence public opinion.

The polarization we’re seeing also means that audiences are more likely to seek out information that reinforces their existing beliefs, rather than engaging with a diverse range of perspectives. This makes our work harder, as we strive to create messages that can break through echo chambers and resonate across different viewpoints.

We have a responsibility to elevate informed voices and promote fact-based narratives. I think our role will become increasingly important in helping people distinguish credible information from noise. It’s both a challenge and an opportunity to reinforce the value of true expertise and foster a more informed, engaged public. Despite these concerns, I’m hopeful that we can adapt and continue to make a positive impact by standing firm in our commitment to ethical communication and promoting authentic, meaningful dialogue.

A book or song that changed the way I think about my career is:

Three books that have profoundly shaped the way I think about my career are Fabulosity: What It Is & How to Get It by Kimora Lee Simmons, More than Enough by Elaine Welteroth, and Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes.

Each of these books has offered me unique insights and inspiration. Fabulosity taught me about embracing my own confidence and celebrating my individuality—it’s a reminder that success comes from being true to yourself and standing proudly in your own power. More than Enough resonated with me deeply, as Elaine Welteroth’s story of breaking barriers and pushing for representation in media reinforced the importance of owning your worth and believing that you are more than enough in any room you walk into.

Finally, Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes inspired me to step out of my comfort zone. Rhimes’ commitment to saying yes to new opportunities reminded me of the power of embracing challenges and pushing past fear. Together, these books have encouraged me to be bold, authentic, and unapologetically ambitious in my career.

I’ll add that Beyonce continues to provide the soundtrack of my life. Her Renaissance album continues to get regular rotation while I get dressed for work or make my short commute.

Someone who has helped me be successful in my career is:

Two people who have been instrumental in my success are two of my former managers:  Rick Fitzgerald and Roderick Hawkins. Rick, who retired as vice president for public affairs at the University of Michigan, was an extraordinary leader. He had a unique talent for engaging every team member on a project and made sure that everyone felt their contributions—big or small—were integral to the project’s success. He led with unwavering integrity and empathy, and he taught me that you don’t need to be unkind to be an effective leader. Rick truly believed that senior leaders don’t have to be intimidating to inspire respect and dedication.

Roderick Hawkins, who is now the associate dean of external affairs and chief of staff at Northwestern University’s school of communication, has also been a tremendous influence. Roderick brings vibrant energy and a genuine passion for building relationships across sectors. He continues to demonstrate how powerful it is to connect with people from all walks of life, and his ability to foster partnerships and collaborations has been a great source of inspiration for me. Both Rick and Roderick have shaped my career by modeling the kind of leadership that combines strength with compassion, and I am grateful for their guidance and support.

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is:

One piece of advice I would give to others in my profession is to never underestimate the power of relationships. In PR and communications, our work is all about connecting with people—whether it’s building trust with stakeholders, cultivating media contacts, or engaging with your audience. Take the time to genuinely understand and listen to others, and prioritize relationship-building as much as you would any other strategic goal.

By investing in meaningful relationships, you not only create a strong network but also position yourself as a trusted resource. These connections often open doors to new opportunities, amplify your messages, and help you navigate challenges more effectively. Remember, at the heart of every great PR campaign is a foundation of trust, respect, and genuine connection.

The key to excellence in storytelling is:

The key to excellence in storytelling is authenticity. True storytelling resonates when it’s grounded in honesty and reflects the genuine values, mission, and voice of the organization. Audiences today are incredibly savvy, and they can sense when a story is disingenuous or overly polished.

Excellence in storytelling requires a deep understanding of both the audience and the organization. It’s about knowing what makes people care and connecting on an emotional level. This means digging deeper to find those real, human moments that capture attention and inspire trust. A good story doesn’t just promote a product or idea—it creates a connection, fosters empathy, and ultimately builds lasting relationships.

In my experience, authenticity in storytelling not only enhances credibility but also helps communicate the essence of a brand or organization in a way that resonates. By staying true to the core message and delivering it with empathy and integrity, we can tell stories that not only inform but also leave a lasting impact.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: University of Michigan’s Communications Director Lauren Love on authentic storytelling appeared first on PR Daily.

Nick Loui is the co-founder and CEO of PeakMetrics, a leader in AI-driven narrative threat intelligence that helps organizations identify and forecast adversarial messages online.

Before launching PeakMetrics, Loui served as chief marketing officer for an ad-tech startup, where he scaled the team from one to over 80 members and secured more than $70 million in funding. His career began in engineering and digital marketing, famously helping Ashton Kutcher become the first person to reach a million followers on Twitter. When the CEO isn’t working, he spends time giving his dog belly rubs. 

My first comms job was:

I recently pulled up an old family newsletter that talked about how I was building my first computer company and attempting to raise venture capital. I was 10—clearly a kid with big ambitions. But, my first work in marketing/comms came during college when I interned at Lionsgate. I organized tapes and convinced public radio stations to use our collection for giveaways. It wasn’t the most glamorous, but I loved those early experiences.

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is:

The increasing level of data sophistication, data science, and analytics being applied to the field. The media landscape is constantly shifting with technological advances. We’ve seen the internet revolutionize communications—first with publications moving online, then with the rise of social media, and now with the proliferation of generative AI. As technology evolves, so must communications teams, and I’m inspired to see more of my colleagues becoming proficient in data and engineering, adapting to the demands of this environment.

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is:

Build a community of peers who are at the same stage as you. This has been one of the most valuable things in my journey. Having that support system of people who understand the same challenges and milestones makes a huge difference.

The key to excellence in storytelling is:

The Hero’s Journey. My own path hasn’t been a straight line—I began as a film major and started my career at the intersection of entertainment and technology. From those roots, I learned the power of storytelling and how it transcends industries. The Hero’s Journey is foundational to countless narratives and can be applied in diverse contexts, including business. Even Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, has discussed how this timeless structure plays a role in shaping the journey of both companies and their customers

The most rewarding part of my job is:

Seeing the real-world impact of our work and knowing it’s helping with incredibly important use cases. Whether we’re working with clients to uncover digital deception and emerging threats around their brand or collaborating with journalists to provide critical insights into the disinformation flooding news cycles, it’s fulfilling to know we’re making an impact. 

And, of course, working alongside a team that’s just as passionate makes it all the more rewarding.

I stay on top of trends by:

Tons of email newsletters and blogs are centralized by Readwise Reader. I personally love Ben’s Bites for all things AI and NewsGuard’s newsletter for all things mis/disinformation. 

A lesson I learned the hard way is:

Listen to constructive criticism, but don’t let skepticism or negativity hold you back. Cherish and nurture relationships with the people who genuinely support and celebrate you.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: Nick Loui of PeakMetrics champions a peer community for support, growth appeared first on PR Daily.

Ashli Bobo, director of communications for Infiniti Americas, oversees public relations, employee communication, and retailer strategies. She’s responsible for all things related to product, brand, and corporate communications in the Americas.

With over 20 years of experience, Bobo has a wealth of knowledge in strategic planning, media relations, content development, and employee communications. She’s worked on various cross-functional teams and even co-founded the Black Employees of Nissan, part of the company’s Business Synergy Teams.

When she’s not at work, the PR pro loves spending time with her daughter and makes it a goal to read one book a month, thanks to the book club she joined earlier this year.

On top of all that, she uses her PR skills and business know-how to help friends who are starting their ventures. “We’re all given a talent and a skill to help and support others,” Bobo shared with Ragan. “I always think, how can I leverage what I know to support my friends and family?”

My first comms profession was: 

The NBC station in Detroit at WDIV where I was an associate producer and writer. I worked on the morning show. I started that job in college and if you work on the morning show that means you have to be to work at 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. I would leave work at 7 a.m. and go straight to class, but it was such an incredible opportunity as a journalism student in my senior year to be able to land a job at the top news station. Also, at that time Detroit was a top 10 market so that was my first communications job that helped to open my eyes to storytelling and what is truly news.

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is:

How we leverage AI is an untapped space across several disciplines. As communicators, there’s so much to explore with AI, and that excites me. Another important question is how we reach audiences. When I first started my career, the best way to do it was through traditional media, but now we’ve evolved to social media, and it’s time to understand what’s next. As we continue to evolve, I look at my daughter, who is one year old, and consider how she will consume information in 18 or 19 years.

One thing that worries me about the future of my profession is:

Automation. I don’t think you can fully trust technology across the board, I think there needs to be some human influence. When I talk to journos and comms majors now, I tell them to not lose that skill of writing, that is important. That is the value you bring to a job or opportunity. You can’t just rely on an automated system to write it for you. You need to keep that strategic muscle going. As technology evolves, it’s awesome, but it can also create opportunities for people to become lax as well. 

A tool or a piece of software I cannot live without is:

 Excel. For me, especially now at this point in my career when I’m managing budgets, excel is my accountability partner when it comes to numbers. It is also the best tracking tool. If we have a media program and we need to write notes, I can make updates and the team can see it.

One way I stay creative and motivated is:

I talk to other people. I have that type of rapport to stay connected. It could be a text exchange, and sometimes it’s over email. Another way I stay motivated is by reflecting. We move so quickly, especially in communications. I feel like when you finish one thing, you are immediately thinking about what’s next instead of taking a moment to reflect on what I have done and what the team has done as well. When I think about that, it motivates me to see that we accomplished something and that we can do so much more. I also send emails with the subject line often just saying “idea,” and I use that to motivate the team, and they, in turn, motivate me as well.

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is:

Mentorship doesn’t only come from people with a higher title than you. I believe in cross-level mentorship. I have learned so much from some people I have worked with directly or indirectly within different organizations or groups who are wicked smart, who have opened my eyes to different perspectives, and who have shared new information with me. Sometimes, when we talk about mentorship, learning, or growth and development, we always look ahead or up to those with higher titles, but I don’t believe it only comes from that direction. It comes from above, from your peers, from the side, and also from those who may not hold a title with “senior” or “executive” in front of it.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: Ashli Bobo of Infiniti on the power of cross-mentorship for professional growth appeared first on PR Daily.

Linda Zebian joined Muck Rack as its first-ever director of communications in 2022. As the comms technology platform’s senior communications director, Zebian sets the communications strategy for the company’s enterprise, both internally and externally, including messaging, issues management, media relations and employee communications. 

Before her current role, the comms leader was with The New York Times Company, where she spent 10 years in various communications positions, developing and executing communications strategies for the business side of the company including growth, product and technology to reinforce The Times’ innovation and financial success, drive subscription growth and improve retention, strengthen brand affinity and attract top talent. 

Like many other comms pros, Zebian is excited about AI’s potential to revolutionize workflows and elevate productivity, she told Ragan. On the other hand, she recognizes it may chip away at the very skills—like writing and storytelling—that make our work uniquely human. The tool that excites her the most also raises the biggest question: how do we embrace innovation without losing the craft?

 The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I: 

When I was at The New York Times, our brand marketing team created a television ad, “The Truth is Hard,” to highlight how difficult it is to create original, independent journalism and why it’s worth paying for. Outside of the Super Bowl, advertisements typically don’t generate much press coverage, but I was able to secure hundreds of top-tier media hits on the creative through my pitching. It went viral, even attracting the attention of the sitting president at the time. It was so rewarding to help spread the message about how important independent journalism is to our democracy.

 The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is: 

The potential of AI to transform and streamline our workflow. AI will only get better the more it understands how we work, so I’m excited to see what’s to come in recommendation tools. The idea of, “you did this so I think you might want to do that, next,” could help drive efficiencies across research, pitching, monitoring and reporting in a way we’ve never seen before. I can picture AI tools guiding us through who to pitch a story to, how to respond to a media mention, which reports and metrics we should use to showcase our success, and so much more, all based on our previous actions and outcomes. 

One thing that worries me about the future of my profession is: 

The potential of AI to eliminate the need for young professionals to build the skills required for original storytelling. In particular, I’m concerned people may not build essential writing and editing skills, which I’m already seeing is the case. If we all produce content that sounds like ChatGPT, what will happen to original stories and voices? 

A tool or a piece of software I cannot live without is: 

Muck Rack Dashboards (shameless plug) because they are so customizable to what we need for each report and so easy to reference when I want to get a quick view of how our team is performing. I can see how our coverage is changing over time, what authors are covering us the most, our sentiment and what words and phrases our brand is most associated with in real time, any time. Plus we’ve integrated Google Analytics with our main Dashboard so I can see how my team’s work is impacting traffic to our site. This helps me understand and communicate our impact to internal stakeholders and also shows which outlets are driving the most referrals, which helps us direct our efforts to the outlets that are performing well for us. 

The most rewarding part of my job is: 

One of the reasons I joined Muck Rack was to help PR pros like me drive efficiency and outcomes in their work and get the resources, recognition and opportunities we deserve for our professional growth. Leading comms for a comms technology platform is super meta, and I’ve loved the opportunities I’ve had to be more ingrained in the PR and communications community and make so many connections. One thing I didn’t anticipate was the opportunity to influence the Muck Rack product itself. I’ve had the privilege to work with our engineering and product teams to help create new tools and features to help PR pros like me be more successful. Seeing my ideas come to life on the Muck Rack platform has been pretty awesome. 

My professional motto/mantra is: 

Use fewer words.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

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Michael Johnson, section chief for strategic communications in the FBI Office of Public Affairs, oversees the development of OPA’s strategic communication strategies, manages the bureau’s public online presence, handles speechwriting for the director and senior FBI executives, and internal employee communications.

 Johnson most recently served as the division chief of digital engagement in the Office of Public Affairs at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Before becoming a full-time federal employee, he joined ICE in October 2005 as a contract multimedia production specialist. 

My first comms profession was:

Right out of college. A few weeks before graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in broadcast journalism, I was hired by Medill News Service to be a photojournalist and video editor. That led to a year working in news bureaus around D.C. These were the days of big, shoulder-mounted cameras and actual videotape. I eventually followed my love of video production away from the news, but those days slamming together a package to make a satellite hit instilled a sense of urgency in how I approach work and allowed me to look at a story and cut right to the heart of the message.

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I:

Was selected for my current position with the FBI. My journey with the federal government began almost out of necessity. The video production industry was going through some significant changes in the early 2000s and the boutique post-production house I was working for let me go. I was bartending to keep busy as I looked for a new job when a mentor was contracted to create a video unit for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the newly created Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She brought me on as a producer and set me on my path for the next 20 years.

As I realized the opportunities that were available to me in the federal government, both as an employee and a storyteller, I was determined to be a full-time federal employee. After seven years as a contractor, I was hired into my first federal position with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also part of DHS. Over the next 15 years, I developed my skillset as a communicator and a leader, taking advantage of any opportunity to learn new things. While joining the Senior Executive Service, the federal government’s corps of executive management, was on my long-term roadmap, I didn’t anticipate pursuing that for another five years or so. However, the description for my new role with the FBI was such a perfect match that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I mean, this is the FBI! The moment I got the call saying I’d been selected instantly became a core memory for me.

One thing that worries me about the future of my profession is:

The attention span of the audience. I’m sure the generation before me worried about what MTV was doing to our attention spans, so maybe this is only pearl clutching on my part. But as the content we consume on YouTube and social media becomes more condensed and edited within a frame of its life, the ability to sit and read a long-form articles, listen to a meaty speech or podcast, or settle in for a longform video seems to be an increasingly rare skill. When all you have is a few hundred characters or 30 seconds of video, how can you tell the deeper story? You can give the bullet points and the headlines, but I want more. But that’s our challenge, isn’t it? To meet the audience with our message, presented in a way they want.

A tool or a piece of software I cannot live without is:

OmniFocus! It is a task management app that’s been around from the early days of the iPhone. I’ll use it for jotting down quick tasks I need to stay on top of, but it is also ideal for larger projects that need to be broken down into steps. It is location and context aware, so it only shows me work tasks when I’m at the office or reminds me that I have items on my grocery list when I’m near a grocery store. And most importantly, if I don’t want to deal with a particularly nagging task, I can snooze it to deal with later. When used in combination with Drafts, a text-entry app, I’m able to quickly get a task or reminder into my phone.

One way I stay creative and motivated is:

Listening to music. I have music playing almost all the time when I’m working. Prog, metal, punk, alt-country, metal, classical, electronic, jazz; you name it. Sometimes the music will help me get into my flow state, other times I just let it take my mind away from a problem for a few minutes or get my energy back up. Either way, I’ve always relied on music to get me through life. For anyone wondering: Pink Floyd, Rush, The Beatles, Ron Pope, Dream Theater, R.E.M., Taylor Swift, Low, Anathema, David Bowie, Radiohead. The list goes on and on.

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is:

Stay curious. As marketers and communicators, we are storytellers. Whether that means telling the story of a person, a government agency, or a product, it is our job to figure out how to tell the audience what we need them to know in a way that they want to hear it. When we lose that sense of curiosity, that desire to find a good story, we lose the spark that allows our work to resonate with an audience.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

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Nicole Bamber, head of US communications at the Daily Mail, began her communications career in the heart of Hollywood’s entertainment industry. As she was building her comms chops, she contributed to award campaigns for some of the most renowned film and television projects of that era – iconic productions like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Social Network, and The Walking Dead. 

She also collaborated on a diverse range of foreign films and engaged with organizations such as the Art Directors Guild. “From this initial experience, I gained valuable insights into the entertainment industry, setting the stage for my professional development and shaping my comprehension of its intricacies,” Bamber told Ragan.

Her communications expertise spans North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM.

Bamber also carves out time for her adventures, often in places where cell service and Wi-Fi are nonexistent, allowing her to fully immerse herself in the experience—whether she’s exploring the Exumas by boat or the French Polynesia by jet ski.

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I: 

 During my time as Director of Global Communications at Paramount, our team undertook a uniquely challenging yet profoundly rewarding project: Cher & The Loneliest Elephant. The central focus of the project was rescuing Kavaan, the titular loneliest elephant, from Islamabad, Pakistan, where he had been kept in terrible conditions for 35 years and without his deceased mate for eight years. Our objective was to airlift Kavaan to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia, which is as difficult as it sounds, especially when you take into account that it all took place in the midst of the 2020 pandemic. To achieve this, my team had to facilitate the reopening of a previously closed airport and secure an aircraft free of charge to airlift the 100-ton Kavaan to freedom. For a multitude of reasons, I take immense pride in this accomplishment. 

The most underrated skill in my profession is: 

Active listening. Active listening is crucial in fostering meaningful relationships and effective communication. It’s not just about hearing the words, but also engaging with the person who’s speaking. 

By paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues, you can better understand the speaker’s perspective and build a deeper connection with them. Active listening can help resolve conflicts and build trust, as it demonstrates that you value the other person’s thoughts and feelings. 

One way I stay creative and motivated is by: 

Unplugging and immersing myself in new environments. During unplugged moments, whether it’s while traveling, hiking in nature, biking along the Hudson on the West Side Highway, or even during a staycation, I find that my mind is free to wander and explore. This allows me to tap into my creativity and recharge my motivation.  

The key to excellence in storytelling is:  

Understanding who and where your audience is and taking a multi-platform approach. By identifying your target audience’s demographics, interests, and preferred platforms, you can tailor your content to resonate with them. This multi-platform approach involves repurposing and adapting your content into different formats across all platforms.  

The toughest moment in my career was:  

Early on in my career, I spent three months living in Mexico teaching the local government how best to leverage social media and volunteering to build a preschool – all while trying to use my limited grasp of the Spanish language. While it was a difficult task and pushed me far from my comfort zone, it was also one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I had the unique opportunity to embrace a new culture, test my Spanish skills, and play soccer with the local preschoolers until the sun went down.  

A lesson I learned the hard way is: 

 Impact over intention. While intentions might be good, the impact of a decision, statement, or action is surprisingly more important. This is because the impact of our words and actions can have far-reaching consequences that we may not have anticipated. It is essential to consider the potential impact of our choices before we make them, as even the smallest actions can have a ripple effect. 

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: Daily Mail’s Head of US Communications Nicole Bamber leads with impact appeared first on PR Daily.

Aaron Kwittken, founder and CEO of PRophet, is a seasoned communications pro with over 30 years of experience, starting with public affairs on the hill and then transitioning to tech entrepreneurship. He founded PRophet, the first AI-powered platform for PR professionals, after a successful career leading a global PR and brand strategy firm, KWT. 

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is: 

Being able to bring the power of AI to revolutionize stakeholder engagement. With AI, we can better predict which stakeholders will be most receptive to a company or brand’s content – journalists, creators, influencers, prospects, employees, competitors, and the list goes on. We are finally in a position to be able to unlock data to backstop our instincts and replace the guessing game with knowledge when it comes to strategy, creativity and engagement to maximize impact.  

A tool or a piece of software I cannot live without is: 

I can’t live without Peak Metrics,an AI-powered narrative monitoring and analysis platform. 

And of course, The PRophet Suite to improve pitch performance and influencer engagement.  

Someone who has helped me be successful in my career is:  

There are a few individuals that come to mind for me. I am very grateful for Joe Gleason, Bob Feldman and David Gallagher’s support over the years. They have been my professional sounding board and have given me the confidence and inspiration to take on new ventures. Bob and David are what I consider to be my “professional Rabbis.”  

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is: 

I have several pieces of advice:  

• It’s important to prioritize your physical and mental health.  

• Stay curious to stay ahead. 

•  Never stop innovating.  

• Always remember that excellence and comfort can’t co-exist — comfort is a career killer.   

One way I maintain my work-life balance is: 

Spending time with my human and canine family and staying physically and mentally fit through open water swimming, long-distance running and cycling, hot yoga and daily meditation.  It’s crucial for me to prioritize these things to maintain the balance.  

The toughest moment in my career was: 

During the height of COVID, I managed my agency, KWT, launched PRophet, and served as president of my temple—all with a clear goal: to keep as many people employed as possible, safeguard everyone’s mental and physical health, and position each entity for long-term success amid the storm of panic and uncertainty. 

The most challenging moment during that time was the murder of George Floyd. While I was proud of our agency’s commitment to DEIB, it became clear that we needed to evolve further in both our culture and hiring practices. I was also shocked by the weak and uninformed responses from some clients when advising them on communication strategies during that period. 

 Fast forward to today, the Israel-Hamas war has sparked a pervasive, yet often silent, anxiety, especially with the rise of antisemitism and hate toward the Jewish community. I have been outspoken and believe it’s crucial for the non-Jewish community to show stronger allyship and stand with us. 

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

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Jarryd Boyd is a certified life and relationships coach and the senior director of global communications at the global dating app Hinge—where he’s an expert at helping people find the right connection, whether it’s through their words or their profiles.

“I’m passionate about cross-functional collaboration, driving a brand’s reputation and visibility in alignment with its target audiences, and penetrating the evolving cultural and media landscape,” Boyd told Ragan.

With over 10 years of public relations experience, Boyd empowers individuals to communicate confidently and connect deeply with both themselves and others. He blends his communications and coaching experience to help people get clear on their goals and achieve them.

Boyd’s dating advice, fun date night ideas, and relationship insights are featured across platforms like PopSugar and Bustle. 

Before matching with Hinge, the communications director, honed his craft in consumer lifestyle, tech, and social impact communications at Edelman, Praytell, and Weber Shandwick.

My first comms job was:

My first comms job was at a hospitality-focused PR agency after my first year in college. I had a summer job where I worked in InDesign to “clip” client coverage and ensure it looked polished, especially when pulling an article from a website or scanning a story from a print magazine. It was a great example of building foundational experience and knowledge.

First, I saw the full range of what it looked like to secure a placement for a client, including multi-page features, roundup inclusions, or quick mentions within a broader piece. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to see how each team would socialize the story to their clients. From reiterating the original strategy to educating the stakeholder about the impact of this specific piece, earned media most likely requires context setting.

Additionally, I learned a lot about formatting and paying attention to detail in any role I’m in. These skills build micro-moments of trust with your team members. 

The most rewarding part of my job is:

The media relations geek in me will always love seeing a story go live, especially when you’ve been steadily nurturing a relationship with a journalist. Yet, these days, I love the process of coaching spokespeople and executives. 

From developing a strategy, working on messaging, and understanding the person’s strengths and opportunities to prepping for an interview, seeing how they do live, and seeing the story go live, it’s a fulfilling iterative process for me. 

Being a company spokesperson can be a vulnerable and time-intensive experience, and they trust their comms team to coach and guide them. I enjoy supporting them, seeing how they grow over time, and watching their impact. Talk about public relations!

The most difficult part of my job is:

Naturally it’s navigating how media and culture change each year. To have an impactful communications career, you have to stay attuned to your target audiences and how their mindsets, needs, and interests evolve over time — along with how to reach them. I believe that requires sustained curiosity, adaptability and grit in an already demanding industry. 

Candidly, you have to work at being a wise elephant and not an extinct dinosaur. You have to experiment with different digital platforms, even if you think they’re temporary, and always search for new inputs of information that challenge what you already know.

One way I maintain my work-life balance is:

My friends will tell you that I live by Google Calendar. I’m a visual person, so time blocks on a calendar help me prioritize what matters most to me each week. Each block becomes sacred time. 

It’s easy to get into a cycle of starting work early and staying online late, and I believe creating interventions is essential for working against that. I’ll look ahead at my week and say to myself that I want to go to a workout class at this date/time, run a long overdue errand at a place that closes by 6:30p.m., or make plans with my friends that require me to leave the office by X time. 

The way to my heart? Be the first person to send the calendar invite. 

A tool or a piece of software I cannot live without is:

I don’t ever again want to know what it is to write on a computer without Grammarly, but also, email newsletters by media outlets or reporters are just fantastic for curating the information you’re interested in.

A few of my favorites are:

• Axios Communicators by Eleanor Hawkins 
• Compass by Fast Company
• Deez Links by Delia Cai
• Pew Research’s Weekly Roundup
• Today, Explained by Vox and Vox Culture

Warning: you need to pause them when you go on vacation or unsubscribe/resubscribe when you get back. 

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is:

Consistently network without a timely ask for the other person but come up with personalized questions to make the conversation worthwhile.

When I cold message someone, I’m straightforward with the “why” behind the meeting. When the other person doesn’t know if you’re being friendly or if you’re waiting to ask something of them, it puts their guard up. When someone knows that you just want to build a connection with them – and that you’re on no timeline to meet – that’s when authentic and special relationships build between the right people.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post Hinge’s Jarryd Boyd on staying relevant through adaptability appeared first on PR Daily.

Duyen Truong, senior vice president of public relations at Sage Communications, is a seasoned PR pro with over 20 years of experience across the public sector, commercial, and nonprofit industries. She has led high-impact campaigns for global and national brands, government agencies like the USDA, Defense Department, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and nonprofits. In 2019, Duyen was recognized with PR News’ Top Women in PR Award for her leadership and client successes.

When she’s not leading public relations efforts, Duyen enjoys spending time with her family. This summer, they spent three weeks traveling through Vietnam and Japan. “The trek allowed us to indulge in everything that brings us joy: travel, exploration of other cultures, food and making memories together as a family,” she said. Outside of travel, you’ll often find Duyen and her family exploring the outdoors or teaching their goldendoodle, Luna, new tricks.

My first comms (or HR or marketing or whatever profession) position:

I was a PR coordinator for Advanced Micro Devices, a global semiconductor manufacturer of processors, in Austin, TX. I had interned for them as a senior at UT Austin. It was an exhilarating learning experience – being an underdog in a hot market with titans like Intel, traveling to the largest computing and gaming shows in San Francisco and New York City, and seeing the inner workings of a global operation bringing innovative products to market. The growth opportunities were endless, and I was hungry to learn from sharp professionals. More than 20 years later, I’m still connected with the folks who mentored me during my start in the tech PR field.

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is:

 When I supported the Military Child Care Program (MCC), one of our longest-running Sage clients. MCC is a driving force in the Department of Defense’s efforts to provide military families with access to quality, affordable childcare. In 2012, military spouses in each of the four service branches were finding and requesting childcare differently. This decentralization made it hard for families to find the care they needed for their infants and school-aged kids, particularly before transferring to a different military installation, an already stressful period.

As a result, the DoD developed MilitaryChildCare.com — a secure, single online gateway to military-operated and military-subsidized childcare worldwide. The DoD partnered with Sage to brand and launch this important initiative to support military families in any service branch anywhere in the world.

I was part of a field team that traveled to Nellis Air Force Base and Pearl Harbor, where we conducted workshops with military families, program staff and command representatives. The launch involved coordinating and disseminating information to the program’s installation stakeholders throughout the system development and pilot rollout. Sage worked side-by-side with other contractors to develop, implement and test the site’s user interface design. We also created MCC Central — the hub for all marketing communications materials, training resources and operating procedures needed to support this initiative on a global scale.

Our support continues to this day. Sage provides continuous website management and supports the ongoing development of new features to accommodate the program’s evolving needs worldwide. The Military Child Care Program sets the gold standard nationally, and I’m proud that Sage is helping the DoD address a workforce issue that directly affects military readiness.

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is:

The promising, yet much overdue and still-insufficient focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in communications.

DEI is having a moment of great debate, but I see debate as healthy to ensure engagement is meaningful, promoting transparency and accountability.

It is an unfortunate and unacceptable reality that higher education is less accessible to marginalized groups. This inequity leads to ripples in the professional world. As storytellers, diversity in communications is paramount for us to better reflect the diversity of our world.

These startling statistics put a finer point on it: in 2021, the Diversity Action Alliance reported in its “Race and Ethnicity in Public Relations and Communications Benchmark Report” that only 21% of employees are racially and ethnically diverse among over 100 U.S.-based PR and communications organizations. In 2022, the Association of National Advertisers reported that the overall ethnic skew of the marketing and advertising industry is now 32.3%.

We at Sage strongly believe that providing educational pathways and opportunities to underserved individuals strengthens our community. That’s why our Sage DE&I Taskforce launched a scholarship program to uplift and support students from historically underrepresented communities or backgrounds who are interested in a career in communications, graphic design, journalism, marketing or public relations.

The most underrated skill in my profession is:

 Active listening. In our increasingly noisy, always-on digital world, many feel inclined to talk first without listening. We have to remember that the goal of all communications is human connection. Active listening is the first step towards understanding someone else’s perspective, journey and destination.

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is:

Leaders see possibilities to grow where others see hurdles. Leaders pause and reflect on how they can improve instead of casting judgment on others. And with their words, actions and empathy, leaders lift others who doubt themselves.

The most rewarding part of my job is:

To be able to work with government agencies that are changing people’s lives, as well as the hardworking companies that support the mission of government. I’ve seen the transformative power of government to improve the lives of my family, friends and communities here and around the world.

As a naturalized citizen, my family and I escaped from the shores of Hue, Vietnam after the war. Government aid programs enabled us as refugees to have the chance for a new life – from housing and nutrition security to education and social mobility. These government programs served as the safety net that gave us the chance to thrive. Between federal student loans and grants that made college affordable or Social Security and Medicare to cushion retirement for my parents, the government has been there to help me and my family during defining life events, and I know it’s done the same for millions of Americans.

Moreover, I’ve seen the grit and tenacity of technology companies of all sizes that have made it their mission to help the government overcome the most complex problems to improve and protect the American people. I’m indebted to our service members and public servants for their service and sacrifice. Without their courage, I would not be where I am today, and I would not be enjoying everyday freedoms.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

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Kelly Liyakasa, director of communications at Disney, supports the company’s global advertising business and its advanced advertising businesses such as streaming advertising and data-driven/advertising technology. Liyakasa helped support the launch of the ad-supported tier of Disney+ from a comms perspective.

Before stepping into Disney’s magical realm, Liyakasa was a communications director at WarnerMedia, where she helped support communications strategy around the launch of HBO Max with ads.

A seasoned marketing comms pro with over a decade of industry experience, Liyakasa is dedicated to mentoring the next generation by sharing her insights with aspiring media and communications students. She has also lent her advice on media strategy to nonprofits like Come out with Pride Orlando through Disney’s VoluntEARS program, and proudly completed Disney’s IGNITE leadership development program.

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I: 

When I transitioned from reporting and journalism to communications, I made a pivot and embraced a new career path. It’s not too dissimilar from the original—just the flip side! Something I learn every day from the leaders and executives I have the privilege of working with is that there is no “right” or linear path. There is no one right way to reach your destination—sometimes the best path to take is the unexpected detour. When I look back to 2018, when I had that first meeting that led to a new opportunity and career journey, it’s one of my proudest moments because I pushed through the fear and those nagging questions in the back of my mind, such as “Could I do this?” Oftentimes, our fear or worry is there for a good reason, to keep us safe. But that’s when we have to tap into our intuition or silent knowing to determine when something is right for us.

The most underrated skill in my profession is:

 Communication! The best communicators I know are fearless when it comes to connecting with anyone and everyone they encounter. The best communications professionals I know are tireless networkers, social butterflies and connectors with an incomparable ability to find a common thread, which, ironically, isn’t always intrinsic or natural to our personalities. This willingness and passion for conversation and connection, or to still show up at the social event or networking hour solo, or without knowing anyone in the room, is what inspires me and distinguishes the communications professionals I admire. Writing for key stakeholders and audiences is also critically important. Writing will be one of the most – if not THE most – used tactic in your toolkit to create copy that resonates, inspires and drives action. And we all need daily practice to get better, clearer and cut through.

The most rewarding part of my job is: 

The people. This is a relationship business, and every single opportunity or break I’ve had, came about as a result of my peer network both personally and professionally. Now, doing communications in the media, entertainment and advertising space, I’m constantly reminded what a small world the media and advertising industry is and how everyone knows somebody who knows someone else in your network. The professional and personal opportunities this career path can provide, are limitless. I’m also lucky to work with some of the most talented, strategic, and most importantly – diverse – professionals and teams that bring unique perspectives from many different walks of life. Every day, I learn something new – and I believe that’s a result of surrounding yourself with differing views, mindsets, and expertise – something that’s been engrained by our leadership to do, not just say.

A book or song that changed the way I think about my career is: 

There are so many incredible reads, that it’d be impossible to name them all, but one I’m working through is “Four Thousand Weeks” by Oliver Burkeman. The whole premise of his theory is that we each (if we’re lucky) have 4,000 weeks on Earth, and with finite time here – are we optimizing against the best and right metrics. For better or worse, we do live in an ultra-connected, always-on world where, admittedly, we’re all hoping to tackle our to-do lists faster and our bucket lists sooner. Oliver’s approach makes you consider traditional concepts of time management, efficiency, and productivity, in a new light and the pressure we often put on ourselves to get it all done. His philosophy gets you thinking about how you can improve productivity and your life by saying yes to the right things, and embracing the unexpected even if it doesn’t fit into your “plan” on paper.

I’m inspired by: 

Music and art. I’m a big believer in supporting the arts, especially locally when you have the opportunity. I’m lucky to live in one of the most vibrant ecosystems for artists in the world that is New York City, and a big reason why I was able to pursue a career in media, journalism and communications. When I’m not working, one of my favorite hobbies is checking out live music. Just this June, I saw four artists in New York – all from different walks of life- including Gary Clark Jr., Bob Moses, Odesza and BBMAK. That’s a curious mix of country, blues, soul, electronic and boy band pop, but the point is – the beauty of New York is it’s the epicenter of the arts.  I collect a lot of creative inspiration from music and other artists doing what they love. Fun fact: I am also a classically trained violinist who played in orchestra for years growing up, before my “retirement” to pursue writing. Learning how to read music, and to hear the rhythm of a song, is something that inspired me as a musician. I find so many similarities between music and the creative process for writing that can take you into a meditative space that I love to come back to for creative inspiration in my work today.

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is:

 Be an avid news consumer. Read headlines and outlets and authors outside of your usual favorites. The best thing about this profession and industry is many of us got into it because we LOVE to read, and are obsessed with the news. Always make time for it.

And send hand-written notes and cards! Many communicators are words people, and we still smile whenever we receive a hand-written note or message. Yes, we’re always scrolling through email or social, but we still love the tangible.

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is: 

I feel like the immediate response might be technology, and how it’s advancing or disrupting the media business, but I would say- the role of the communicator continuing to evolve to where many have a strategic seat now at the table in the businesses we support. I’ve been lucky to have worked in several organizations where communications is considered to be a strategic voice, consultant and partner to the C-suite and overall business.

I think you’ve seen the perception of communications continue to positively evolve, to where it’s not only associated with “press releases,” but how we communicate internally as much as we do externally, the multi-platform and multimedia assets we use to storytell and create, and how we can move the needle on business metrics – and sentiment – because of narrative. I don’t think there’s ever been a greater need – or more opportunity – for strategic comms professionals.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: Disney’s Kelly Liyakasa on the evolution of the communicator’s role appeared first on PR Daily.

Raised by a single mother who taught her the value of hard work, Tiffany Guarnaccia, the CEO and founder of Kite Hill PR, learned important life lessons. She landed her first job managing an ice cream parlor on the Jersey Shore, and these experiences have helped shape her into the leader she is today.

Guarnaccia founded Kite Hill PR in 2013, and under her leadership, it has become an award-winning tech PR and B2B communications agency, recognized by Forbes as a “Top PR Agency in the US”.

A passionate PR pro, Guarnaccia began her career at the center of the music industry’s most disruptive years as a PR director at LimeWire and eMusic. She later became the head of communications at The Huffington Post. Throughout her career, The CEO and founder has been recognized as a Top Women in Communications by Ragan Communications, and most recently, a Top Woman in Media and Ad tech.

Guarnaccia is also the founder of Ragan’s Communications Week and sits on our Communications Week Board.

My first comms (or HR or marketing or whatever profession) was:

Throughout my career, I spent about a decade in-house and a decade on the agency side. I kicked off my PR journey in-house in a marketing and public relations role for a growing AdTech startup. My early start in this particular industry shaped Kite Hill PR’s initial client focus. In 2013, we launched as a specialist agency centered on the advertising, marketing and media industries. It was during that first job interview that I confidently told my future boss that in 10 years, I saw myself starting and running a leading PR agency. 

I’ve always had a passion for entrepreneurship, and that started well before my first comms role. My first job ever was managing an ice cream parlor on the Jersey Shore. I gained invaluable experience on what it means to be a team leader — I still reference lessons learned from that job with my team today.

It was in college that I fell in love with public relations. While I started in the ad tech space, I also held positions at two music companies (LimeWire and eMusic) during, arguably, the industry’s most disruptive years. I later joined the Huffington Post — a job in which I rose to handle PR for the Huffington Post Media Group in its entirety, including international editions — before founding Kite Hill PR. I like to say that the best career paths are not linear. Mine certainly wasn’t, and I’m grateful for every step and opportunity along the way because it led me to where I am today.

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I:

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when we hit the 10-year anniversary of Kite Hill PR in 2023. I’ve been fortunate to celebrate so many business milestones with my team. The road to success is often paved with failures and launching a bootstrapped business and growing over a decade through some pretty volatile market conditions was no easy feat. We held a team retreat to celebrate together and focused on our value of collaboration. Since day one, “teamwork makes the dream work” has been a Kite Hill PR team motto. When we got together, we talked about how we worked as a team to accomplish big things like launching Communications Week (now Ragan’s Communications Week) and introducing the PR Sprint Workflow. We also talked about the work we’ve done with clients, from IPOs to product launches and more. 

It has been a journey filled with growth and transformation. In the past 10 years, we’ve transformed from a specialist agency solely focused on the ad tech and media industry into a leading B2B tech PR agency that spans many categories including climate tech and AI — and, even better, one that prides itself on a great culture. Our values of passion, candor, collaboration, agility and balance are infused in everything we do.  

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is:

Today, and in the future, I’m excited to continue to prove the value of PR through the work that we do and the experiences that we create. This topic comes up in conversations with even the most seasoned industry professionals and continues to evolve. The introduction of new metrics and AI-enabled measurement solutions is promising. In an agile and fast-moving industry, we continue to set the standard and demonstrate the importance of delivering highly strategic communications during business transformation and growth.

The most underrated skill in my profession is:

The best PR professionals I’ve worked with are skilled strategic thinkers, writers and media relations professionals. Beyond the basics and necessary hard skills, the soft skills are the ones that will help you excel in communications – namely being proactive and having an agile mindset. Agility is one of our core agency values, and any effective communications leader knows that proactivity is a guaranteed way to show your value as a PR partner and prove how in tune you are with your client’s needs. Good, proactive communications professionals consistently bring new ideas and opportunities to the table, stay ahead of their clients’ needs, and showcase how knowledgeable they are about their clients’ businesses. 

I’m inspired by:

It is an exciting time to be in PR. I’m inspired to be a part of a team that represents the future of the PR industry and aims to always produce best-in-class work. Today embodying the future of the PR industry includes embracing AI. We are at the precipice of tremendous technology-driven changes that we can embrace. For example, at Kite Hill PR we are committed to staying at the forefront of the PR industry. Currently, we use AI to complement our creative thinking and execution and absorb administrative tasks. Leveraging AI allows us to focus the majority of our time on high-value work, which ultimately leads our business and our clients’ businesses to attain stronger, more valuable business outcomes. 

I’m also excited by the way that we have reset the workforce to focus on the individual and have evolved our definition of the future of work. For instance, we pivoted during the pandemic to embrace the future of work and roll out a “work from anywhere” policy, ahead of most. Fast forward to today and our current business climate, our agency prides itself on our ability to help our clients navigate seismic shifts in industry cultures. Change is the only constant. It’s important to plan, readjust that plan, and continue to adapt. 

The key to excellence in storytelling is:

The key to excellence in storytelling is to remember that a good communicator is a storyteller, not a story spinner. When working with clients, we’re inspired by their stories and oftentimes start with the end in mind. For instance, our agency takes a unique approach to thought leadership. When we identify a moment where we think it’s pertinent for one of our client’s thought leaders to have a voice, we act like a journalist. We survey the media landscape and uncover the unique story angles that are not being told. We then ask that same executive some hard-hitting questions, working closely with them to build and define a messaging narrative, previously unseen in the press. It’s all about taking a bird’s eye view of the problem and working backward to solve it. 

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: Kite Hill PR’s CEO Tiffany Guarnaccia on the future of work appeared first on PR Daily.

Adrienne Chance, senior vice president of communications for SpartanNash, leads the vision, strategy and implementation of the approach to purpose-driven internal and external communications for the company.

Before joining SpartanNash, Chance served as senior director of corporate communications for Borden Dairy Company. She also established the communications department and led internal and external communications across all five global divisions of Topgolf Entertainment Group. Chance has been recognized as a Trailblazer in Ragan’s 2024 Top Women in Communications Awards and as a 2022 Top Woman in Grocery by Progressive Grocer.

As an experienced communications professional, Chance has faced challenges and doubts and now shares this wisdom with other communication professionals: “Embrace the difficulties, expect to hear ‘no’ every day, and always have multiple plans in place. This way, you won’t be caught off guard or feel stuck when plan A doesn’t work out,” she said. “Be the kind of person who gets things done. Push through objections and roadblocks with determination.”

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I:

Any time I receive a call or message from a current or former teammate, whether they want to share their success, discuss a problem, or seek advice, it makes me feel really proud and fulfilled. I deeply value the relationships I’ve built with my team and want them to know that I’m in their corner, cheering them on and invested in their success. So, when they reach out, sometimes years later, and say, “I’ve got to tell you what’s going on,” I feel proud. It shows that the time we spent together extended beyond that one career chapter.

One thing that worries me about the future of my profession is:

I’m really concerned with the rise of misinformation and disinformation and deep fake videos. Even for trained people, it’s getting very difficult to recognize what’s real and what’s true. We need to find better ways of verifying and authenticating the information we’re presented with every day. There has to be an efficient way for that to happen, not only for communications professionals but for the readers and viewers of this information.

One way I stay creative and motivated is: 

 By talking to new people wherever I am. I love meeting new people and asking them about what they’re working on, what problems they’re dealing with, and what their aspirations are. You just never know where those conversations will lead. The conversations can lead to interesting ideas; sometimes they lead me to explore something I wasn’t aware of, like a podcast or new technology or a show on Netflix that’s going to spark the next great idea. The more people I talk to and meet, especially those who are different from me or not in my day-to-day life, is where I tend to get the most creativity and build connections and associations that I may not have otherwise.

Someone who has helped me be successful in my career: 

My dad. He was the CEO of his own company and has been the most influential person in my  career. He set me up for success by demonstrating what it means to be a servant leader. During tough times at his company, when they couldn’t afford housekeeping, he would come in on the weekends to clean the toilets and scrub the floors himself. He never wanted to detract from the associates’ experience; instead, he aimed to make sure they had a great work environment. I witnessed him having courageous conversations, putting himself out there, and not being afraid to fail. Despite having many restaurants, he never stopped learning and trying again. He showed me what it’s like to find joy in your work. I don’t think he ever viewed his job merely as a job or career; it was his purpose, his calling, and his passion. Witnessing that is a rare gift and something to strive for. It shapes who I am at work.

The most rewarding part of my job is: 

Seeing other people on my team grow and succeed, have their wins, build their confidence, achieve their dreams, and support their families—that’s probably the most fulfilling thing to me. On a broader scale, beyond my team, it’s how our communications function can support all the SpartanNash associates. I want them to feel: “Hey, my job matters. It’s part of something bigger. It connects to the vision and purpose of the company as a whole, and I’m a part of something where I feel I belong.” That is extremely fulfilling to me.

I stay on top of trends by:

By constantly breaking routine. It’s by talking to different people and being more observant in new environments. If I’m in a new store what can I learn from how they are serving their customers or merchandise their assortments or if I’m just trying to discover something new. I am doing something out of my normal routine and trying to experience something. I always find ideas and inspiration from uncommon places. 

A book or song that changed the way I think about my career is:

How Will You Measure Your Life by Clayton Christensen is a book that explores how to apply strategies and frameworks from business and game theory to create an impactful and successful life. It examines how to use these frameworks to make decisions that provide the most purpose. One nugget from the book is that where you invest your blood, sweat, and tears reveals what you truly care about. If you don’t invest your blood, sweat, and tears into the things you claim to care about, you will never become the person you aspire to be. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of being intentional with our time and doing the things that help us become the person we want to be.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: SpartanNash SVP Adrienne Chance on overcoming obstacles appeared first on PR Daily.

Lindsay Nahmiache, co-founder and CEO of Jive PR and Digital, established the Manhattan Beach-based public relations, social media and influencer marketing agency in 2009. Before she was a founder, Nahmiache spent several years working at E! Entertainment in London, UK and Contiloe Films in Mumbai, India. Despite facing challenges in securing a job in North America, Nahmiache persevered, ultimately creating her own opportunity with a global agency dedicated to helping brands scale.

In addition to running an award-winning marketing agency, Nahmiache is one of the founding members of Legacy 8, an early stage venture capital fund that focuses on technology and consumer brands.

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is: 

Storytelling will never go out of style. New tools will always pop up but the ability to tell stories that resonate with audiences will stand the test of time. 

A book or song that changed the way I think about my career is: 

Book: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza. This book is a great scientific look at how you can rewire your brain through meditation in order to be happier and have higher performance. Working in an agency environment can be challenging, and while I thrive in this sort of controlled chaos, everything needs balance, especially as I also have a young child. I try to meditate daily and do a solo trip (2-3 days every year) to recalibrate. 

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is: 

Think big! Thinking small requires the same amount of effort, if not more. There is actually another GREAT book on that that everyone should read – The Magic of Thinking Big.

A tool or a piece of software I cannot live without is: 

We live and breathe Slack. We’re a fully remote team, spaced out all over the globe, so having everyone and everything all in one place is not only essential for business needs, but for the team’s social needs as well. On top of Slack, and with the increase of AI platforms popping up, we are implementing new practices into our daily routines to help work efficiently and stay ahead of the curve. 

I stay on top of trends by: 

Making it a point to dive into as much material as possible, I understand that staying on top of trends in this constantly evolving industry is a full-time job. I regularly read top publications, blogs, and newsletters like The Holmes Report to keep up with the latest developments. I also attend networking events and conferences to learn from my peers. Plus, I listen to industry podcasts like The PR Week podcast and follow Instagram accounts real-time updates and discussions with influential thought leaders and organizations. 

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I: 

Came back to North America after spending six years working in the UK and Mumbai. Finding a job was extremely difficult. Companies didn’t want to hire me because I had no North American experience. So, I started contract work and grew from there until it only seemed right to start an agency. I went from not being able to get a job to owning an award winning, global agency. 

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: Jive PR CEO Lindsay Nahmiache leads with big ideas in business and life appeared first on PR Daily.

Renee Sieli, founder and CEO of ERPR Group, began her career in media relations by applying to a blind posting straight out of college. Working a challenging job in media relations for Fox News helped her develop her current approach to media relations and her professional conduct, marking one of the early chapters in her extensive career in the industry. 

Sieli launched ERPR, a boutique firm specializing in media relations, in 2013. The founder and CEO has managed media relations for several leading brands, including Boston Dynamics, The AI Institute (owned by Hyundai and led by Boston Dynamics’ founder), Cox Media Group’s Gamut, Rhiza (acquired by Nielsen), Autodesk, PubMatic and more.  

Throughout her career, Sieli has shaped how her clients engage with the media and the stories they share.  

My first job in communications was right out of school:  

I applied to a blind posting without knowing which company it was for. It turned out to be with Fox News in their media relations department. It was a very tough job, but it laid the foundation for how I approach media relations and conduct my work today. It was a great learning experience, providing me with extensive exposure. The way they handled media relations was unlike any other company I had seen. To this day, they still have some of the best publicists and communications professionals I’ve ever worked with. There was a lot happening in the news cycle at the time, so being embedded in that team was really interesting. 

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is:  

The rapidly evolving media landscape, which presents many new opportunities for different storytelling avenues. As a media relations professional, I find this incredibly exciting. It allows us to tap into our creativity and explore innovative ways to implement PR campaigns. I think about not only the new sister networks emerging but also the impact of social media on traditional media relations. Platforms like In the Know and Now This have revolutionized storytelling, offering diverse approaches beyond traditional TV and newspapers. This shift provides an opportunity to fuel creative ideas and execute campaigns that feel fresh and innovative. We can generate new concepts and implement them in exciting and new ways.” 

 A tool or a piece of software I cannot live without is:  

I use a lot of tools, but the one I gravitate to the most is Critical Mention. It’s a media monitoring tool, and what I find really interesting about it is it enables you to search things on the fly; it’s not stagnant. If you have a company that has a lot of product announcements, you can build those searches. It also allows you to build coverage reports in a really unique way, and I think that gives insight into what sort of impact one story has. How does a placement in one outlet influence the way others will report on a story? Because you are able to break things down that way, it gives a lot of intelligence to the job. I found it impactful for getting more strategic advice and also understanding the ROI of particular media relations campaigns. 

The most underrated skill in my profession is:  

Creative storytelling, not just thinking about media relations as putting out a press release and sending it to a media list. I don’t believe that’s the best way to engage with the press; I think there are much more creative ways to get a story out there. A caveat to that is a deep understanding of how the media functions. I believe that being really good in a media relations role means being able to work cohesively with the media, meeting deadlines, and understanding that when you pitch something, you need to be responsive. The more you can complement how the media functions, the more successful you can be. 

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is:  

I am a big believer in internal learning and curiosity. I am a very curious person, but in this career, it’s particularly important because you have to continually invest in your skill set in order to be at the top of your game. I had an old boss who told me, ‘you have to start reading the news like a publicist, and you have to read the news every day to understand what the media focuses on.’ Fifteen years into my career, it’s still something I do every day. The moment you take your finger off the pulse is the moment you lose your edge. Investing in that and making it a priority is really important. 

One way I maintain my work-life balance is:  

As a business owner and being in the media, on either side, it can be very difficult because you never know when there is breaking news, or when there is a deadline. It has taken me a while, but I’ve had to really learn to be intentional about it. Intentional about taking time away from work. I love what I do and that also makes it hard, but I’ve had to really learn that rest is an important part of being productive, whereas previously I might’ve thought that rest was counterproductive. Being intentional about scheduling that time is really important, not just for resetting and being at the top of your game, but also for stoking creative thinking. When you give yourself space away, it gives you the opportunity for your mind to clear and really think creatively.  

 Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn. 

The post How I Got Here: Renee Sieli of ERPR Group on creative storytelling and media savvy appeared first on PR Daily.

Violet PR President April Mason brings over two decades of PR expertise, specializing in captivating storylines and campaigns for diverse clients. Formerly VP at Development Counsellors International, she excelled in economic and real estate development across various destinations. Prior to founding Violet PR, Mason is proud to have earned a national PRSA Silver Anvil Award for Tacoma, Washington’s “America’s #1 Wired City” campaign. Founded in 2010, the PR firm aims to shine light on community leaders, developers and designers making a difference in the world. Mason champions women-owned and minority-owned businesses, and leads influential groups in brownfield site restorations.

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I: 

Rather than just one moment, there are a series of moments I can cite, starting with moving to New York from Kansas City for my first agency job in 1999. Just two years later, we won national accolades for a national PR campaign I managed on behalf of Tacoma, Washington: America’s #1 Wired City. We changed the image of Tacoma from an industrial center to a high-tech destination through coverage in the New York Times, Seattle Times, BusinessWeek, Associated Press, Inc. magazine and dozens of other outlets. My excitement for my PR career was officially off to the races. 

Another huge moment was the decision to form Violet PR in 2011 and quit a full-time job I had at the time. I had always envisioned I would work for other people, and the leap to business ownership seemed risky and impossible. Yet, market forces (i.e., the Great Recession) pushed me to reach out to my network and solicit my own clients for the first time. Realizing I could make it on my own without a safety net felt huge.

Finally, just this year in 2024, Violet PR achieved status as the top boutique agency in the economic development space, winning a PRSA Silver Anvil. I couldn’t be prouder of this accomplishment as it represents a true pinnacle in my nearly 30-year career working with cities, regions, states and countries in telling their economic development stories. I love the work we do to generate news coverage for our clients – particularly those “underdog” regions that are often overlooked by top tier NYC/DC-based media.  

One thing that worries me about the future of my profession is:

The rise of artificial intelligence. While I don’t fear that it can replace humans (yet!), I do think people graduating from college aren’t necessarily developing the writing, critical thinking and creative skills needed to do public relations as effectively. AI can also blur the lines between what’s real and what’s fake, complicating the accuracy and integrity goals of our jobs. 

The decline of journalism is equally concerning, with reporters having fewer resources and being paid far too little to do real, meaningful journalism. There has been a lot of damage done to journalists by politicians’ claims of “fake news” – and at the same time, outlets are now sometimes even owned by billionaires with agendas. Will the next generation know what sources to trust, and how to report and understand news? 

As public relations professionals, we have a duty to share correct information, quotes, images and videos. I hope it doesn’t get to the point where distinguishing between fact and fiction becomes nearly impossible. 

The most underrated skill in my profession is:

Understanding what makes news. Many people come out of college with exceptional social media and technology skills, enabling them to design graphics and shoot / edit videos. But the core reason clients hire us is to generate news coverage that reporters and influencers will want to share. If you don’t know how to spot and shape a news story, you won’t make it in this business. It’s a very hard skill to teach.

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is:

I have several pieces of advice:

• Make sure you read the news all the time – from many sources and points of view. 
• Listen more than you talk. PR people are often talkative, but it’s more important to wait to speak and think your responses through carefully. 
• Do not attempt to fake it or B.S. anyone as it will come back to bite you in the end. Clients often think their stories are newsworthy when they aren’t, and there are PR people that will promise coverage when they can’t. Don’t do that!! 
• Finally, honesty is always the best policy when it comes to your mistakes. I’ve had situations where we inadvertently put out inaccurate information and, though difficult, I’ve had to fall on my sword and apologize to a client or a reporter. 

My professional motto/mantra is:

Never stop learning and growing.

A lesson I learned the hard way is:

In certain cases, there is no way to make a client happy. Be honest when this happens. Serve clients with integrity, and if they are unhappy and you can’t fix it, recommend someone else. Apologize if you are wrong and pledge to do better next time. There will be other clients that value your services; focus on finding and serving them well.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: April Mason of Violet PR on the rise of AI and upholding integrity appeared first on PR Daily.

Bill Skrief, partner and co-founder of DeadLizard, has expertise in crafting engaging, memorable, and impactful visual stories. Skrief emphasizes collaboration, integrity, and perspective as essential components of successful design. But he credits long-lasting relationships as key to his personal success. 

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I:

Personally, it was a groundbreaking moment when I started my first company, Iguana Interactive, down on Wall Street back in 1999. However, it wasn’t until the internet bubble burst a few years later, forcing us to shutter our doors, that the real professional opportunity presented itself. A number of our previous clients had independently reached out to me to continue working with them, but only on the condition of reincorporating as a new company. I partnered with Todd Reinhart, and we began our 20+ year creative journey as DeadLizard. 

It’s difficult, to say the least, to rebound after the demise of something you’ve poured your heart and soul into, but I quickly learned that creating long lasting relationships is the key to success. That’s why I feel DeadLizard, though it spans a couple decades, and as a whole, is my proudest “moment.”

One thing that worries me about the future of my profession is: 

AI has the ability to automate and streamline many creative tasks that have historically required human judgment and input. AI presents questions about the originality and distinctiveness of creative production, even though it can increase productivity and efficiency in jobs like data processing, pattern recognition, and even basic design or content generation.

AI algorithms run the risk of imitating human ingenuity to the point that it becomes difficult to distinguish between content created by humans and content created by AI. A glut of generic, algorithmically-driven creative work devoid of the complexity, emotional resonance, and original thought could result from this.

Furthermore, employing AI to complete creative work will probably limit the chances available to human creatives, which could have an effect on job responsibilities and career prospects in the field. Additionally, there is the ethical consideration of AI in creative professions, which includes concerns about ownership, copyright, and the appropriate use of content generated by AI.

In the end, it presents the design industry with exciting opportunities to use cutting-edge tools and insights, but it also calls for a careful balance between utilizing its advantages and maintaining the unique qualities of human creativity & expression in the area.

One way I stay creative and motivated is:

Maintaining a curiosity-driven learning approach is one method to stay innovative and motivated as a designer. Always be on the lookout for fresh insights, methods, and understanding from a variety of fields outside of design (sometimes the further afield the better). 

A few examples of how creatives might stay inspired and motivated include studying subjects like psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Understanding human behavior and emotions through psychology can help designers create works that have a strong emotional connection with people (ex.: understanding that something as simple as a stimulating environment can assist with the creative thought process). Sociology offers insight into cultural dynamics and societal trends, which influences meaningful and significant design decisions (ex.: different cultures have very distinct aesthetics). By studying human cultures and histories, anthropology provides insights that might guide inclusive and culturally aware design. These disciplines enrich creatives’ perspectives, fostering empathy, creativity, and innovation in their work.

This exploration not only broadens your creative toolkit but also fuels inspiration and keeps your mind engaged with fresh ideas.

The most difficult part of my job is:

My greatest struggle and most persistent endeavor is juggling my dual roles as a creative and a business owner. I’m so passionate about my work that I find it hard to put it down and walk away because it blurs the boundaries between my personal and professional lives. My wife would attest to this: she just doesn’t understand the neurotic love I have for typography…and how I have an adverse physical reaction to fonts like comic sans and hobo.

Since I have to balance the needs of my business and my personal life, this blending of roles requires not only imagination but also discipline. Setting limits, assigning priorities, and occasionally having to make difficult decisions about how best to use my energy are all part of the process of aiming for balance. Ensuring that my well-being is not compromised as my business succeeds is a dynamic process that involves juggling time and resources.

One way I maintain my work-life balance is:

One of the most important things I do to keep my duties as a creative, a business owner, and a family man balanced is to create and closely follow a timetable. I set aside definite blocks of time, clearly assigning hours to managing business operations, as well as for unbroken creative activity. I make sure that specific periods are set aside for family activities and personal downtime. I can fully engage in all aspects of my life without any one area taking precedence over the others because of the intentional structuring of my day. It all comes down to being mindful and concentrated, whether I’m coming up with ideas for a new design, planning how to build my business, or just spending quality time with my loved ones.

I focus on setting time aside for one-on-one personal moments with my wife and three children—enjoying time with my son at the driving range, sharing my daughter’s love of the arts by going to a museum, taking much-needed alone time with my wife on date night, or even doing something as simple as watching videos with my oldest son on his phone. It truly is being mindful of the time spent in the moment.

Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that my daughter will be working with us this summer as a graphic designer intern. I’m so appreciative that I can encourage her passion for art and design and give her the opportunity to pursue it in a formal setting.

A book or song that changed the way I think about my career is:

It isn’t necessarily about “how I think about my career,” but more about inspiring me to follow my dream of becoming an artist. The Prophet by Khalil Gibran provided me with a great deal of inspiration as a teenager, as well as direction throughout my journey as a creative. This masterwork’s poetry essays—especially the ones about work, love, and beauty—resonated deeply with me. His beautifully written passages about loving what we do and appreciating the beauty around us inspired me to follow my passion for art and design.

Khalil Gibran’s profound insights in the essay on ‘Children’ from The Prophet deeply resonated with me, particularly his ideas about the intrinsic freedom and individuality of each soul. His assertion that children are not merely extensions of their parents but their own persons with their own destinies encouraged me to connect with my own early aspirations. Gibran’s philosophy helped me see that pursuing my childhood dream of becoming an artist was not just a nostalgic wish, but a calling that had been with me since the very beginning. His words—about the parent being the bow that sends the child forth as a living arrow—inspired me to honor my truest self by following that innate urge to create, ensuring that my life’s work is a testament to living authentically and passionately as an artist.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

The post How I Got Here: DeadLizard’s Bill Skrief balances it all with a structured timetable appeared first on PR Daily.

Travis Parman, vice president, chief communications officer at Philip Morris International (PMI), plays a key role in role in crafting a unified narrative that resonates across the organization. He’s led major brand communications while counseling C-Suite executives and managing corporate challenges.

Since joining PMI in Nov. 2023, Parman has been involved in PMI’s LGBTQ+ and Allies employee resource group, STRIPES GLOBAL, that focuses on creating an environment where all members of the community feel safe and comfortable to bring their true selves to work.

The ERG first launched in Lausanne, Switzerland, at PMI’s operational center and continues to  grow with regional chapters, Parman said. “I’ve had more allies in this organization and more members of the community than I think in any other workplace that I’ve been in, which is a refreshing change.”

“(I’ve been) hearing from folks around the world that have started chapters and what their experience has been,” the CCO said. “It’s encouraging that the company supports that in every region of the world and that it’s making a difference.” One of the goals for PMI is to get a 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index. PMI currently ranks at 70. 

In his free time, Parman enjoys cooking with his husband, a Navy surgeon he met in Japan during his time at Nissan. They also spoil their rescue dog, Stevie Nicks.

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I: I reached a point in my career where I could give back. Building a network of folks you genuinely enjoy working with and having the opportunity to collaborate with them again is incredibly rewarding. They might seek mentoring, support, or value your opinion. Getting to that point, I had a personal pride moment because I established a rapport where I respect you and you respect me and we have a great relationship, whether at the peer level or reporting structure.

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is: PR practitioners becoming broader counselors for the business. I’m seeing a lot of PR practitioners being tasked with broader responsibility for general management. I think it makes a lot of sense because outside of the HR function, PR probably works more cross functionally than any other group. They really have to understand the business from top to bottom and all the elements that impact it, so they are in a unique position to counsel the CEO and other senior leadership and really forge consensus on important issues. 

A tool or a piece of software I cannot live without is: I rely on my voice assistant a lot because as those get fused with more AI, the responses that they can give are increasingly complex and better. 

The most underrated skill in my profession is: Folks are losing the ability to write in a succinct and compelling way. I ask for writing that’s memorable and repeatable. I’ve had to ask several times for folks not to hand me something that sounds like it was written by AI. If you have leveraged AI to support your writing and that’s more efficient for you, great. But when it comes to me, please don’t let it sound like it’s AI-generated.

The key to excellence in storytelling is: Understanding the interest of your audience. I’ve seen so many folks who have really interesting ideas that they’re most interested in but they overlook framing these ideas in a context that highlights their relevance and importance to others. Make them excited and happy about it too, and frame your story in a way that achieves that. 

My professional motto/mantra is: What would Dolly (Parton) do? For me, what makes Dolly so successful is her humility. It’s always an issue of hubris and presumptions that tend to get people in trouble. Introducing humility, with a touch of humor for relatability, I believe, is key in many situations.

Piece of advice you would give to someone in their career: Be intellectually curious and don’t put anyone on a pedestal. I think early on, I would put more of the senior executives on pedestals. People appreciate your expressing interest in them and they really like when you demonstrate intellectual curiosity about your profession and about the business. Don’t be afraid early on to make those connections and at the same time, don’t rely on them so that all you’re doing for your career trajectory is putting together a network of top professionals, thinking that’s going to get you where you need to go. You have to do the peer network development at the same time.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

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Michelle Mekky’s career journey spans experience in broadcast journalism, public relations, entrepreneurship, and motivational speaking. As the founder and president of Mekky Media Relations, Inc., she has garnered widespread acclaim for her agency’s growth and innovative campaigns, serving clients across various industries from startups to established leaders both in Chicago and nationwide. 

Mekky was named the 2021 Ragan and PR Daily Communicator of the Year, a 2020 PR News Top Women in PR Honoree, and a 2019 Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Entrepreneur, just to name a few of her accolades. 

Beyond her professional achievements, the founder is a firm believer in the power of kindness and support towards others.She also champions the idea of cultivating meaningful connections and nurturing relationships, drawing from her own experience where her network played a key role in the expansion of her agency.

My first comms (or HR or marketing or whatever profession) was:

After I graduated with my master’s degree from Northwestern University, I couldn’t break into television right away so I decided to take a public relations job. The first job I had the opportunity of having was Director of Public Relations at the Israel Tourist Office. My experience was full of exciting opportunities, I got to lead press trips and received my first taste of what the PR world had to offer. After this position, I quickly got a job at WFLD-TV, the local FOX affiliate here in Chicago after my professor gave my name to their management. After that, I stayed in television for over 12 years before returning to PR! 

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is:

The most exciting is the prevalence of AI in PR and the possibilities of how it can be used to be even more effective in our campaigns. It is incredibly powerful and we are only scratching the surface of how we are currently utilizing it. I am excited to see how we can better serve our clients and further integrate it with our current processes.  

A tool or a piece of software I cannot live without is:

My phone! It is attached to me like a glove. I have a terrible habit of checking it first thing in the morning and all the way up until I go to bed. It is like my lifeline! I am working on practicing detachment, as in detaching myself for short periods of time but it has proven quite difficult. The other is SLACK! Best invention ever. So amazing for staying connected in real-time with my team and encouraging remote collaboration. 

The most underrated skill in my profession is:

I would say having strong interpersonal communication skills is crucial. PR is way more than good writing – you have to know how to sell – whether that’s your story, yourself or your services. It is all connected. We have to earn the trust of the journalists and clients we work with. We look for passionate people who are strong communicators in PR. My ability to walk in a room and make an impact has carried me far in my career. I think that’s imperative to succeed these days in our industry. 

One way I stay creative and motivated is:

I joined a Masters Business Group this year to get inspired by other CEOs and their success stories. I also love sharing our individual business challenges and coming up with creative ways to solve them and grow. Our facilitators are incredible coaches who give me great inspiration every time we meet. 

I also need to take breaks and protect my mental health to stay creative and inspired. Exercise, healthy eating and meditation go a long way to restore and help me balance the intense stressors entrepreneurship brings. 

Someone who has helped me be successful in my career is:

There have been many mentors and advisors in my life over the years. I always say I am very coachable no matter how much experience I have. But someone who has made an impactful difference in my life is my mentor Chaya Friedman. When I was so unsure about starting a business and really struggled to believe in myself, she pushed me to do it, even pulling out her checkbook and presenting me with a $10,000 check saying: “This is a loan, no repayment terms on the loan but go start your business. I know you will succeed.” This was a turning point in my decision and truly made me feel that if someone has that much faith in me then I have no choice but to give it a shot. It taught me to believe in myself when the doubt creeps in and that I can truly do anything.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

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Kym White, chief corporate affairs officer at Generate:Biomedicines, has decades of experience in corporate affairs and healthcare communications. Most recently, White advised Verily and Isomorphic Labs within the Alphabet ecosystem before joining the biotechnology company.  She’s been recognized as a healthcare influencer by PR Week and Medical Marketing & Media. Beyond her professional commitments, she also extends her influence by serving on the boards of Public Policy Holding Co. (PPHC) and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF).

One way the CCAO maintains her work life balance is by walking. Whether starting or ending her day, she uses this time as she walks to and from work for reflection and preparation. “That transition period helps me to prepare and be fully where I need to be by the time I arrive,” said White.

I joined Generate:Biomedicines because: 

I spent the last three years working in the Alphabet ecosystem, running communications for Verily and Isomorphic Labs. I discovered that I loved the build – being a part of younger companies that were well capitalized and on strong growth trajectories, figuring out where we fit in the world and how to define and distinguish the company. I also became convinced that Generative AI would fundamentally change drug development. I wanted to be a part of the vanguard for this new era and to infuse more technology experience into my career in healthcare.

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I:

Led the “CVS Quits” campaign while at Edelman. That was the moment when CVS announced that they would voluntarily stop selling cigarettes and tobacco products in 2014. It was a bold, brave move to walk away from $2 billion in revenue. The company made this move of their own volition because they wanted to become a leader in healthcare and knew that selling cigarettes was not something they could reconcile with that goal. That move paved the way for CVS Health to emerge and become the company it is today – and to my joining them as CCO a few years later.

One thing that worries me about the future of my profession is:

The rise of disinformation and the decline of traditional news organizations. Each of these trends is concerning in its own right, but the combination is especially worrisome.

 I stay on top of trends by:

 Reading. Listening and watching voraciously – trade, business and consumer media. Good ideas come from so many places, and there are so many lessons to be learned from different industries. I also make it a point to maintain friendships with people of different ages – people older and younger than me sensitize me to things that may not come from my own experience.

 A book I am reading right now is: 

The Genius Makers by New York Times reporter Cade Metz. It’s about AI and the companies and academic centers that have been involved in its advancement since the 1950s. It’s a fascinating read that underscores the interconnectedness of academia and business, and that makes clear AI is not something that just emerged in the last few years with ChatGPT – it’s been in development for a long time.

 Outside of work, what is a hobby or passion that inspires you? 

 Travel. I have been fortunate through my work and personal life to have visited so many places around the world. Visiting places like Cuba, Indonesia, South Africa and China opens your eyes to how others live and makes you question your assumptions and biases. It can also make you grateful for what we may take for granted and aware that there are many ways of doing things.

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

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Michael Sherman is the chief communications officer at the SIFMA Foundation, where he drives initiatives to advance youth financial literacy. Working closely with former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the CCO gained expertise navigating high-pressure media environments. As press secretary, Sherman contributed to rebuilding and redefining New York City. The experience helped shape Sherman’s approach as a leader and stay poised under pressure.

My first comms job was: 

As a journalist with Bloomberg News. Reporting on the media and entertainment sectors, I developed a passion for storytelling and a deep respect for the power of clear, impactful communication. I learned the importance of accuracy and the impact of words, which have guided me throughout my career. 

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I: 

Had the privilege of working on the press strategy for the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan following the tragic events of 9/11. As a press secretary in Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration, I had the opportunity to contribute to rebuilding and redefining New York City, which was both professionally and personally rewarding. As an immigrant to America, serving the Mayor of New York during this pivotal time held special significance for me. 

A tool or a piece of software I cannot live without is: 

A cocktail! Establishing a personal connection with reporters significantly boosts your chances of garnering press coverage. Face-to-face meetings in a casual setting help build trust and rapport, making it easier to collaborate on stories. As an early mentor once said to me, if you’re pitching a reporter you’ve never met then you’ve already failed. 

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is: 

Always stay curious. The field of communications is constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires a commitment to continuous education. On occasion, young people starting out in PR ask me for advice: I always say, ‘Read the Wall Street Journal every day.’ If you don’t understand how money works, you don’t know how the world works.  

A book or song that changed the way I think about my career is: 

Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms.” Growing up in Philadelphia, I wasn’t much of a reader. All I cared about were the sports pages in the Philadelphia Daily News. One day as a business major in college, however, I picked up this book and it changed my life. Hemingway’s writing style taught me the value of clarity and simplicity. The emotional depth of his work also reminded me to always seek the human element in every story I tell. 

 A lesson I learned the hard way:  

Mike Tyson said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” No matter how well-prepared or strategic one may be, unforeseen challenges and setbacks can disrupt even the best-laid plans. It’s not how you fall; it’s how you get back up.  

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Tara DiMilia is the founder, managing director and CEO of TellMed Strategies, a life science communications agency that creates marketing campaigns for biopharma companies. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare public relations, DiMilia has played key roles in starting and restructuring three companies before founding TellMed. Guided by her professional mantra, “Be curious. Ask questions. Rely on the insights of others, and trust your own expertise,” she has built a reputation for understanding the viewpoints of patients, reporters, and other audiences.

The moment I’m proudest of in my entire career is when I:

 Any single moment of pride that I can think of would be the culmination of years of work and the collaboration of many people. One such moment that rises to the top for me is when TellMed Strategies was awarded the corporate communications business for EMD Serono, the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, many years ago. It was the first time that our team worked tirelessly, energetically, and collaboratively on such a big proposal.  I honestly doubted we would get the business, but that didn’t stop us. We had so much fun carefully crafting strategies and creative ideas, which our designer interpreted into amazing visuals. I was incredibly proud of the effort we put into it. Winning the account took my pride to a whole different level, as it not only reinforced the incredible team being built at TellMed but also demonstrated that we had successfully made the transition from a media-focused force to a true full-service agency, laid the groundwork for future pitches and doubled the size of our firm. The five years during which we served EMD Serono helped to springboard us toward other amazing clients including Anthos Therapeutics and Lantheus, among others whom we work with today, and I remain immensely proud of the collaboration, strategies, and creativity of our teams today.

The most underrated skill in my profession is:

The ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. 

I’m inspired by:

 My colleagues. I’m inspired by their enthusiasm, drive and creativity.  I thrive on their courage in saying, we should turn this on its head and do it differently. Consistently, we learn from one another and I am humbled by the way they support one another, from catching each other’s typos and expanding on a good idea all the way to offering one another childcare support. 

Inspired for the future of our profession. There was a time during COVID when every executive worried about communications. Particularly with the rise in social media, company leaders are seeing the value of communications more than ever. It was exciting to see our direct client contacts rise within their organizations. And with the complexities of science and technology quickly increasing, the need for our services will only expand. It’s an exciting time for our industry. 

A tool or a piece of software I cannot live without is:

 Outlook. It’s our guide. As a virtual company, it keeps us connected. It allows us all work-life balance and allows us each to peek into our colleague’s virtual office to know what they are up to. Some colleagues chunk their day. So their calendar is literally their to-do list and some keep their kids sports schedules so we can help each other with the juggle. 

When I am feeling overwhelmed at work: 

I dig in. In the flight or fight model, I’ve found that I’m a fighter. When things aren’t going the way I planned, I tend to get hyper focused on the issue. There are pros and cons to this approach, and I’m grateful to my family for both supporting me in this and ensuring I seek balance, and grateful to my colleagues for diving in with me so that we can collectively find solutions. 

The most challenging part of my job:

 The most challenging part of my job is also the most rewarding. Everyday feels like a puzzle that needs solving. As a company, we are either in hiring mode, seeking talent, or in growth mode, tapping the talent we identified. For clients, I am constantly trying to conceive better ways to achieve their goals, (should we be more creative? Are we leaning into the strategy enough?) For employees, I am always concerned if we are challenging each of them enough and supporting their growth. And, managing work-life balance for myself is a daily puzzle.  I love what I do and am excited for these challenges.  

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.

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