Steve Barrett on PR
Steve Barrett is VP, editorial director of PRWeek US. Each week he shares his views on the trends and stories that are shaping the PR industry.
Contact Steve at steve.barrett@prweek.com.
Power Listers step up to the plate
In a complex world where businesses must lead on trust and repair fractures in society while also transforming their enterprises amid fundamental technological change, senior comms counsel has never been more important.
5 final takeaways from Cannes
The dust has settled on Cannes for another year and millions of words have been written about it. Here are 5 thoughts to fulfil your curiosity and fuel your creativity as we head into summer.
PR Lions: Many a slip ’twixt cup and lip for comms firms
PR agencies were once again left frustrated about their apparent inability to make a mark in the Cannes Lions category that bears their name, as ad firms continued to dominate.
The full skinny on the Cannes PR shortlist
The contenders for the coveted PR Lions have been announced early this year, giving the industry more time to ruminate on the trends in play and a longer sense of hope and anticipation.
AI. Climate protests. Spike Lee. All in a week’s work at Cannes
With COVID disappearing in the rear-view mirror, this year’s celebration of communications and marketing is set to be bigger and better than ever – in more ways than one.
Pride in PR: Genuine allyship is required more than ever
The LGBTQ+ community is under fire like never before and brands must be prepared to play the long game and demonstrate authentic values if they are serious about being supportive.
Disinformation is the new pandemic
Pfizer’s comms chief Sally Susman addressed the Project Veritas sting and other big issues for PR professionals as part of PRWeek’s first live podcast, in conversation with Richard Edelman.
Global Awards winners reflect increasing industry impact
As the milestone of a decade of PRWeek Global Awards winners is reached, the quality of work honored bodes well for an industry at the top of its game across the whole world.
Agency Business Report 2023: Editor's letter
Another year of double-digit growth proves PR is being taken seriously at the highest echelons of organizational management.
Remembering a top one percenter in financial communications
This week’s tribute event for David Wells highlighted his contribution to the closely knit tribe of PR professionals operating in the finance space.
9 trends to look out for in the Agency Business Report
PRWeek’s annual deep dive into the PR agency sector is almost finished and will once again be the ultimate bellwether of the industry — here is a preview of some big trends emerging from conversations with 46 agencies.
How to balance red-blooded capitalism with purposeful business
As emotions run high amid layoffs and economic uncertainty, business leaders are moderating their messaging around ESG and sustainability while staying true to their missions.
Common themes define PRWeek’s Women of Distinction
Women bring so many strengths to the table in leading a profession that has never been more crucial to the future of business, brands and organizations.
Celebrations of excellence and impact
From the Nasdaq stock exchange in Times Square down to Cipriani on Wall Street, PRWeek this week toasted a profession at the top of its game in high-profile fashion.
Gender pay gap closing, but not fast enough
PRWeek’s latest research shines a bright light on all aspects of salaries in the PR industry, but especially progress on closing one of the most egregious elements of pay.
Why PR leads on hybrid creativity
Creativity in advertising has declined in the aftermath of COVID-19, which many put down to a lack of in-person collaboration — but PR is faring better due to its agile heritage.
2022 agency numbers were good but headwinds loom on horizon
PR continued its growth as a pivotal business function across several discipline areas but it’s not immune to the wider economic trends playing out in 2023.
Super Bowl still delivers unique marketing value
Despite a less than stellar crop of ads this year from a creative point of view, a nail-biting finish and vast audience meant marketers could justify their big spending on Super Bowl activations.
How CEO comms is shaping Capitalism 2.0
The leaders of the biggest companies in the world have realized communication is vital to plotting the next phase of capitalism and explaining to often skeptical audiences that profit needn’t be separated from purpose.
Pfizer: Damned if you do, damned if you don’t
The pharma giant’s run-in with Project Veritas demonstrates why every brand needs a plan to contend with social media crises.
We’ll all be replaced by robots eventually. But not yet.
Everybody’s getting excited about ChatGPT and the potential for the AI chatbot to accomplish extraordinary things, but it’s not yet time for the human race to hand over to the robots entirely.
PRWeek US starts its 25th year covering the PR industry
Through thick and thin PRWeek has tracked the fortunes of a profession that has evolved incredibly in two and a half decades.
9 things for the PR agenda in 2023
After a busy and effective year for a PR industry on top of its game, there’s sure to be no slowdown in 2023 given the massive and multiple challenges ahead.
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Lessons from purposeful and creative Hall of Famers
The PR industry celebrated six more outstanding inductees to the PRWeek Hall of Fame on Monday evening amid an atmosphere of achievement, anticipation and bullishness about the future.
Health comms is an unstoppable force
Despite economic headwinds, the health communications sector shows no signs of slowing down.
A stain on the glorious game
As the most controversial soccer World Cup in history gets set to kick off, fans, players and marketers are venturing into unknown and potentially dangerous territory.
Midterms provided hope for a more civil discourse
Pre-election predictions failed to come to fruition as many voters rejected election deniers and low-quality candidates.
Brands should push the pause button on Twitter
Marketers and advertisers crave certainty and stability, but the first week under the leadership of Chief Twit Elon Musk has demonstrated precisely the opposite of that.
Let’s not talk ourselves into a recession
Financial results season has increased talk of an economic downturn in 2023 but the picture is still very confused and many companies continue to post good numbers — so the prevailing narrative should not be all doom and gloom.
Advertising addresses the climate emergency
The Ad Net Zero global climate action initiative aims to convene international efforts to decarbonize the marketing industries.
Evolution of purpose: Lessons from PRDecoded
An inspiring trip to Chicago for PRWeek’s big annual conference showed business is committed to keeping purpose top of mind despite a challenging economy and detractors attacking “woke capitalism.”
5 things for your immediate PRWeek to-do list
The next eight days are super-important on the PRWeek calendar – make sure you have all your ducks in a row regarding the PRWeek Awards, PRDecoded, Purpose Awards and other brand milestones.
Crisis and listening now top PR skills hierarchy
While writing is still important, PRWeek’s latest in-depth research shows it has dropped to third place in the skills league table.
PR can help fix the world’s addiction to fossil fuels
The PR industry must push back against the narrative played out at this week’s UN General Assembly where the profession was portrayed in pejorative fashion as a dark art practiced by spin doctors.
The Changemakers diversity conundrum
Diverse PR pros are invited to the ball but their dance cards are still empty.
Thank you for your service: 'A jewel to the world and not just the UK'
Queen Elizabeth II was Britain’s longest-serving monarch and often acted as its chief communications officer.
PR has a PR problem
Public relations is a valuable and rewarding career on a par with professional services such as law and finance – but the PR industry needs to do a better job of communicating that to the brightest graduates.
5 things to watch post-Labor Day
With COVID-19 finally disappearing into the rear-view mirror the PR industry is returning from its summer break with plenty of items on its to-do list.
The sun is rising in the east and west for TikTok
Every communicator and marketer now needs to know how to operate effectively on TikTok, which has rapidly established itself as the most important social network for young consumers.
40 Under 40: Inspiring communications drawn from inspiring talent
This year's diverse group of 40 Under 40 honorees lead by example in both expertly addressing the evolving challenges of modern-day PR while also giving back.
A wake-up call for PR agency leaders
This week’s news that former Weber Shandwick COO Frank Okunak embezzled over $16 million from Interpublic Group’s largest PR firm came as a shock to most people in the industry.
Omnicom farmers have been replaced by hunters
This week’s holding company financials provided valuable insight into the likely impact of a recession on the PR economy and suggested the sector is continuing on a growth trajectory even in these troubled times.
An industry at the top of its game
PR is a people business and this year’s PRWeek Power Listers comprise those individuals blazing a trail in vitally important functions.
Changemakers will reward PR agencies that truly embrace DE&I
PRWeek’s new initiative in partnership with Google revolves around a Changemakers Advisory Council of in-house comms leaders that will identify firms that are walking the walk rather than just talking the talk.
A devastating development for women’s rights
Every company will need to engage employees on the new rules surrounding abortion given the fundamental link between healthcare and employment in the U.S.
PR is the next trend at Cannes
PR agencies may once again have struck out in their own Lions category but earned media was an intrinsic part of every successful activation at the first in-person Festival of Creativity in three years.
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Continued energy required to defeat diversity complacency
As the second annual official federal Juneteenth holiday approaches, there is still a vast amount of work to do to combat inequality in the PR industry.
Women of Distinction inspire excellence
PRWeek’s annual salute to female PR leaders and the generation coming up behind them never fails to disappoint.
Pride is not just for the month of June
Amid a febrile and fractured environment that is increasingly frightening for marginalized members of society, the pride movement will only grow and flourish if it extends year round.
5 takeaways from the PRWeek Global Awards
Plus, a gallery of images from the first in-person PRWeek Global Awards in three years.
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Brand Entertainment Awards
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Pride in PR
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Gen Zeitgeist
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Healthcare Conference + Awards
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Global Awards
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Agency Business Report
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PRDecoded
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Crisis Comms Conference
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Purpose Awards
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Women of Distinction
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PRWeek US Awards
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Salary Survey
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The Future of Work
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Dashboard 25
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Best Places to Work
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Hall of Fame
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Health Influencer 30
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Bellwether Survey
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Changemakers
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40 Under 40
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The Power List
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Webinars
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Podcasts
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