Ned’s Job of the Week (JOTW) and Sword and the Script Media, LLC conducted an online survey of JOTW subscribers in February 2018. Most respondents were senior in-house or corporate communications professionals with extensive experience in the field. Below are some of the survey highlights and detailed demographics can be found at the end.
Less budget to do more. Most respondents – 63% – cited budget as their top challenge, even as businesses and employers expected PR pros to do more and added to a growing list of duties. A majority (51%) said they expect their budget to remain the same over the next year.
Hiring and firing agencies. When corporate communications hires an outside agency, most (54%) said they do it because they need an extra pair of hands. Another 50% noted that expertise or a specialization was a compelling reason to seek outside help. When communications agencies are fired, the top reasons can be traced to a trio of cost (79%), service (50%) and results (40%).
Hot PR trends and tactics. Respondents identified storytelling (79%), content marketing (71%) and thought leadership (67%) as the trends or tactics that would be more important in the next 12 months. While no trend or tactic earned 50% or more of the votes for “less important” or “much less important,” there are three that earned the most: press releases (34%), white papers (35%) and award programs (39%).
Some communications tasks are getting harder. 51% said media relations is getting harder; 50% say organic social media is getting harder; views vary on whether or not PR measurement is getting harder – 38% say harder, while 20% say easier and 37% say about the same. Sentiment analysis suggests while digital channels are easier to track there are more things to track, which requires time and consensus.
Employed but open to new opportunities. Most respondents are employed full time but many are open to a conversation about a new position. More than half or 55% said they’d be open to new opportunities.
10 Ways to use Twitter for Media Relations | Social Media Club Atlanta presen...Frank Strong
If you job is media relations, the people you want to reach are on Twitter. And they are sharing news, yes, but also views, interests, frustrations, and even details like their favorite ice cream flavors. If you want to have a relationship with someone, it starts by understanding what makes them tick and how to make yourself useful for them.
Ned’s Job of the Week (JOTW) newsletter and Sword and the Script Media conducted the third annual JOTW Communications Survey for 2020 to understand trends in the field of communications. The survey examines trends in communications, public relations (PR), public affairs, marketing communications and related fields. It covers important topics including: the effects of partisan politics on communications; top challenges facing communicators, the state of media relations, media bias, PR ethics, PR firms, top tactics in PR and communications, PR measurement, PR technology, employment and organizational structure of the in-house communications department. A total of 300 professionals took the survey: 95% of respondents are based in the U.S.; 92% report having 11 or more years of experience; 52% of respondents are in-house communicators (corporate communications); and respondents come from more than a dozen different industries. Detailed demographics are included at the end.
Ned’s Job of the Week (JOTW) newsletter and Sword and the Script Media conducted the fourth annual JOTW Strategic Communications Survey to understand trends in the field of communications. About 300 professionals took the survey: 97% of respondents are based in the U.S.; 88% report having 11 or more years of experience; 62% of respondents are in-house communicators; and respondents come from more than a dozen different industries. Detailed demographics are included at the end.
From October 21, 2009 to November 3, 2009, Vocus surveyed approximately 1,800 public relations professionals about their perceptions of PR planning for 2010 amid a changing and dynamic landscape. Key findings include the following: Social media to be a key focus in 2010. 80 percent of respondents say they will focus on social media in 2010; multimedia is not far behind with 63 percent, while measuring results, SEO (search engine optimization) and viral campaigns trail with 58, 57 and 56 percent, respectively.
The 2019 JOTW Communications Survey | Trends in Corporate Communications and ...Frank Strong
The 2019 JOTW Communications Survey examines trends in corporate communications and PR. This year’s survey polled 223 communications and public relations (PR) professionals. Some 68% of respondents report holding in-house communication roles and 90% have 10 years or more experience in the industry.The second annual survey was conducted by Sword and the Script Media, LLC in collaboration with Ned Lundquist. Ned launched “Job of the Week” (JOTW) email newsletter in 2001 as a free resource for PR and communications professionals looking for work.
Key findings in this survey include:
>> Budget is the top communications and PR challenge. Budget (59%) was the top challenge for the second year in a row. This was followed by limited staffing or headcount (55%); ever-expanding duties (52%); balancing priorities (49%); and measuring the impact of comms (49%). Just 18% anticipate budgets rising; 51% say they will remain flat and 29% expect budgets to fall.
>> More PR work is being taken in-house. Some 47% of respondents said they’ve observed more PR work being taking in-house. This mirrors broader trends in marketing, where CMOs have slashed agencies in favor of in-house teams. The top reasons for hiring an agency are: execution, expertise and for strategic projects; the top reasons for firing a firm are cost, poor client service and an inability to measure ROI.
>> Storytelling, analytics and thought leadership are the top tactics and trends. The respondents identified storytelling (76%); data & analytics (75%); thought leadership (70%); measurement (66%) and content marketing (64%) as growing more important. While not a majority, those with the most votes for less important were press releases (33%), award programs (31%) and white papers (36%).
>>Media relations continues to get harder. Most respondents (68%) said media relations is harder or much harder – up from 51% last year. Respondents cited reporter turnover, veteran reporters being replaced with junior ones, and “in-your-face-journalism” as contributing causes. Money and standards distinguish media relations from influencer marketing.
>>Top metrics PR pros track. About one-third (29%) think they do an adequate job of communications measurement while 46% say it needs improvement. The most common metrics comms pros said they track includes web traffic (73%); impressions (66%); estimated site traffic (60%); mentions (57%) and email open rates (52%).
>>More communicators report to the CEO than to marketing. More respondents (38%) say the comms function reports to the CEO, versus 35% that say they report to marketing. This was followed by the chief operating officer (9%), strategy (7%) and human resources (5%).
A presentation given at the PR Consultants Group (PRCG) annual meeting. Include:
-Perspectives of the PR tech landscape
- Review: 5 all-in-one PR tools
-Briefly: other all-in-one PR software tools
-Innovations in PR tech to watch
10 Ways to use Twitter for Media Relations | Social Media Club Atlanta presen...Frank Strong
If you job is media relations, the people you want to reach are on Twitter. And they are sharing news, yes, but also views, interests, frustrations, and even details like their favorite ice cream flavors. If you want to have a relationship with someone, it starts by understanding what makes them tick and how to make yourself useful for them.
Ned’s Job of the Week (JOTW) newsletter and Sword and the Script Media conducted the third annual JOTW Communications Survey for 2020 to understand trends in the field of communications. The survey examines trends in communications, public relations (PR), public affairs, marketing communications and related fields. It covers important topics including: the effects of partisan politics on communications; top challenges facing communicators, the state of media relations, media bias, PR ethics, PR firms, top tactics in PR and communications, PR measurement, PR technology, employment and organizational structure of the in-house communications department. A total of 300 professionals took the survey: 95% of respondents are based in the U.S.; 92% report having 11 or more years of experience; 52% of respondents are in-house communicators (corporate communications); and respondents come from more than a dozen different industries. Detailed demographics are included at the end.
Ned’s Job of the Week (JOTW) newsletter and Sword and the Script Media conducted the fourth annual JOTW Strategic Communications Survey to understand trends in the field of communications. About 300 professionals took the survey: 97% of respondents are based in the U.S.; 88% report having 11 or more years of experience; 62% of respondents are in-house communicators; and respondents come from more than a dozen different industries. Detailed demographics are included at the end.
From October 21, 2009 to November 3, 2009, Vocus surveyed approximately 1,800 public relations professionals about their perceptions of PR planning for 2010 amid a changing and dynamic landscape. Key findings include the following: Social media to be a key focus in 2010. 80 percent of respondents say they will focus on social media in 2010; multimedia is not far behind with 63 percent, while measuring results, SEO (search engine optimization) and viral campaigns trail with 58, 57 and 56 percent, respectively.
The 2019 JOTW Communications Survey | Trends in Corporate Communications and ...Frank Strong
The 2019 JOTW Communications Survey examines trends in corporate communications and PR. This year’s survey polled 223 communications and public relations (PR) professionals. Some 68% of respondents report holding in-house communication roles and 90% have 10 years or more experience in the industry.The second annual survey was conducted by Sword and the Script Media, LLC in collaboration with Ned Lundquist. Ned launched “Job of the Week” (JOTW) email newsletter in 2001 as a free resource for PR and communications professionals looking for work.
Key findings in this survey include:
>> Budget is the top communications and PR challenge. Budget (59%) was the top challenge for the second year in a row. This was followed by limited staffing or headcount (55%); ever-expanding duties (52%); balancing priorities (49%); and measuring the impact of comms (49%). Just 18% anticipate budgets rising; 51% say they will remain flat and 29% expect budgets to fall.
>> More PR work is being taken in-house. Some 47% of respondents said they’ve observed more PR work being taking in-house. This mirrors broader trends in marketing, where CMOs have slashed agencies in favor of in-house teams. The top reasons for hiring an agency are: execution, expertise and for strategic projects; the top reasons for firing a firm are cost, poor client service and an inability to measure ROI.
>> Storytelling, analytics and thought leadership are the top tactics and trends. The respondents identified storytelling (76%); data & analytics (75%); thought leadership (70%); measurement (66%) and content marketing (64%) as growing more important. While not a majority, those with the most votes for less important were press releases (33%), award programs (31%) and white papers (36%).
>>Media relations continues to get harder. Most respondents (68%) said media relations is harder or much harder – up from 51% last year. Respondents cited reporter turnover, veteran reporters being replaced with junior ones, and “in-your-face-journalism” as contributing causes. Money and standards distinguish media relations from influencer marketing.
>>Top metrics PR pros track. About one-third (29%) think they do an adequate job of communications measurement while 46% say it needs improvement. The most common metrics comms pros said they track includes web traffic (73%); impressions (66%); estimated site traffic (60%); mentions (57%) and email open rates (52%).
>>More communicators report to the CEO than to marketing. More respondents (38%) say the comms function reports to the CEO, versus 35% that say they report to marketing. This was followed by the chief operating officer (9%), strategy (7%) and human resources (5%).
A presentation given at the PR Consultants Group (PRCG) annual meeting. Include:
-Perspectives of the PR tech landscape
- Review: 5 all-in-one PR tools
-Briefly: other all-in-one PR software tools
-Innovations in PR tech to watch
How to modernise a public relations agency or communications teamStephen Waddington
This paper tackles the opportunities and challenges for our profession as we face up to modernity and the role of public relations in organisational management leadership.
There is much said at conferences and events, and written on blogs and in traditional media, about the fundamental shifts taking place in the media and the impact on the business of public relations.
These conversations focus on who (practitioners, agencies and communication teams), what (modernise public relations), why (media change and opportunity) and when (now) but very rarely how. This paper explores the how.
It started out as a blog post ahead of speaking opportunities at the World PR Forum in Madrid, and the PRSA International Conference in Washington.
Proving that proper PR measurement is just as crucial for your brand as PR itself is the quickest way to begin tracking success and evolving as a communicator.
But how do you get the C-suite to care as much about your data as you do?
We've done the legwork for you, and surveyed upper-level executives about how to get PR metrics front and center and in line with an organization's goals.
Want to download a copy of this SlideShare? Get it here: https://go.agilitypr.com/pr-measurement-matters/
The Brunswick Group conducted an online survey among buy-side investors and sell-side analysts to understand how investors use digital media platforms to research and make an investment decision.
Digital media in this report is defined as social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as online tools such as search engines.
Brunswick surveyed 150 investor and analysts across North America, Europe, the UK, and Asia between November and December of 2017. Tracking data from previous waves in 2016 and 2015 is included for comparison.
The new Global Communications Report, produced by the Holmes Report in conjunction with University of Southern California’s Center for Public Relations, is the definitive study of the global public relations industry, featuring research, agency rankings and industry analysis.
"Investigación internacional promovida por Corporate Excellence - Centre for Reputation Leadership en colaboración con Cees BM van Riel, profesor de Comunicación Corporativa de la Rotterdam School of Management - Erasmus University, para conocer los factores de éxito de los Chief Communications Officer (CCO). La investigación fue realizada entre junio de 2011 y diciembre de 2012 mediante cuestionarios y entrevistas en profundidad a 117 Directores de Comunicación de grandes empresas de Estados Unidos, Reino Unido, Alemania, Francia, España, Italia, Países Bajos, Brasil, México y Chile.
¿Qué determina el éxito del Chief Communications Officer (CCO)? ¿Hasta qué punto las habilidades personales juegan un papel en ese éxito? ¿Cuáles son esas habilidades necesarias? ¿En qué medida el negocio en el que opera la organización es importante? ¿Es un perfil más operativo, táctico, estratégico o una combinación de todos ellos? La investigación señala tres aspectos fundamentales: el CCO debe jugar un papel relevante tanto en su desempeño interno, como directivo de la empresa, así como tener impacto externo a través de su gestión de la comunicación. Y además, debe desarrollar habilidades personales que le permitan ocupar funciones cada vez más estratégicas."
An international research study sponsored by Corporate Excellence – Centre for Reputation Leadership in collaboration with Cees BM van Riel, Corporate Communication Professor at Rotterdam School of Management - Erasmus University. The study addresses the success drivers of Chief Communications Officer (CCO). It was carried out from June 2011 to December 2012, and it used questionnaires and in-depth interviews with 117 Communications Director from large corporations in the U.S., UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico and Chile.
What determines the success of Chief Communications Officer (CCO)? To what extent do personal skills play a role in that success? What are those skills? To what extent does the business in which the organization operates play a role? Is it more operational, tactical, strategic or a combination? The research points out three main aspects: the CCO must play an important role both internal and externally, the CCO should implement an impacting communication, and he or she should have the personal skills enable them to carry out strategic tasks.
Exploring the public relations agency business | #FuturePRoof | ICCO | PRCAStephen Waddington
Progressive public relations agencies are rapidly modernising. They are embracing new skills in data, research and paid media, and are investing in creative teams.
The public relations agency sector is strong. Profits are healthy in well-managed businesses, and the market overall is growing according to both the PRCA and ICCO.
Innovation is everywhere in practice from freelancers through to the largest agencies.
However one area in which there remains surprisingly little innovation is around billing models. The dominant structure continues to be fees charged on an hourly basis, albeit on retainer or project basis.
These are the headline findings of this #FuturePRoof project on the future of the public relations agency, backed by ICCO and the PRCA.
You'll find eight drivers of change in the agency business identified by this project, outlined in this report. We hope that you find it useful.
World PR Report 2014, the most comprehensive study of the global PR industry created by the International Communications Consultancy (ICCO) and The Holmes Report, includes the 250 Top PR agencies Global Rankings and data on the latest trends and issues that these and other agencies are facing worldwide.
MSLGROUP Reputation Impact Indicator Study 2015MSL
MSLGROUP has chosen to take a somewhat atypical approach to the study of reputation. Moving beyond simple rankings, or analyses of ‘drivers’ of reputation alone, we take a more holistic look at how a company must act to build a strong reputation that can facilitate success over time. The result of our research is this, the Reputation Impact Indicator study, part of MSLGROUP’s ongoing efforts to create better knowledge and tools for corporations to better understand how they can influence their reputation.
In the study, we have chosen to look at corporate reputation among a global general public. General public, because how they, as consumers and citizens, view corporations has a substantial and increasingly important impact on how other audiences view them. Global, because we live in an ‘always on’ and ‘on-demand’ world, where different audiences are constantly connected to each other. Today, more than ever, a multistakeholder perspective is necessary.
We hope you enjoy reading it and invite you to share your feedback and tips with us on Twitter @msl_group.
Follow #ReputationImpact on Twitter for insights from the report.
ROI and Results: How to Quantify Word of Mouth's Sales Impact and Uncover Act...Keller Fay Group
AT&T Mobility and Keller Fay presented new research on the topic of “ROI and Results: How to Quantify Word of Mouth’s Sales Impact” at a recent WOMMA conference. The results could not be clearer: “Word of Mouth is a powerful and statistically significant sales driver” for AT&T Mobility.
Amp Agency - The Psychology of Social - February 2012Steven Duque
Once considered a fad, social media has become the epicenter of online experience. Many social media users express a profound connection to sites like Facebook and Twitter, while others prefer smartphone apps like foursquare. Understanding and exploring why social media has such strong behavioral and psychological connections with users can help marketers better identify strategies for outreach, interaction and content creation. In this report, AMP's Insights Lab has partnered with a team of psychologists and consumers to explore the behavioral and psychological philosophies that bond consumers to social media and then translate those principles into business strategies.
Social Listening in Practice: Social SellingBrandwatch
This paper, one of the Social Listening in Practice use case series, is going to show you how social selling will bring your business into the sights of the 81% of consumers who are undertaking pre-purchase research online right now.
This is a planning exercise that I developed for a workshop at Thinking Digital in London today.
The Internet Marketing Workshop uses free and low cost tools to identify or characterise an audience, or public, and explores different forms of digital and social media to understand behaviour and the best means of engagement.
The objective of the exercise is to gain as much information as possible about your audience or public, and then to develop insights that help influence creative, content and channel or media decisions.
An overview of the 5 trends that are shaping the future of public relations, based on global industry research. Presented to the UK\'s PRCA in January 2011.
The WOMMA Influencer Guidebook is a practitioner’s resource intended to address the needs of the association membership.This is not an update to the 2008 WOMMA Influencer Handbook - this is a complete rewrite taking into context not only how much the digital and social landscape has
changed, but also the nuance and sophistication of the now ubiquitous practice of influencer marketing.
trnd is a proud member of the WOMMA since 2006.
The 5th Annual JOTW Strategic Communications Survey for 2022Frank Strong
5th annual survey of 483 professionals working in communications, public relations and public affairs.
This survey was a joint effort between Ned’s Job of the Week (JOTW) and Sword and the Script Media, LLC. Subscribers to both organizations were solicited to take the survey through mentions in the weekly newsletter, dedicated email requests and social media. Gini Dietrich and Karen Swim also solicited respondents from their respective communities at Spin Sucks and Solo PR Pro.
In total 483 respondents took the survey online, using Survey Monkey, from Friday, May 6, 2022, until June 14, 2022.
Survey takers were incentivized to take the survey with an offer to be entered for a chance to win one of three gift cards ($100, $50 and $25).
How to modernise a public relations agency or communications teamStephen Waddington
This paper tackles the opportunities and challenges for our profession as we face up to modernity and the role of public relations in organisational management leadership.
There is much said at conferences and events, and written on blogs and in traditional media, about the fundamental shifts taking place in the media and the impact on the business of public relations.
These conversations focus on who (practitioners, agencies and communication teams), what (modernise public relations), why (media change and opportunity) and when (now) but very rarely how. This paper explores the how.
It started out as a blog post ahead of speaking opportunities at the World PR Forum in Madrid, and the PRSA International Conference in Washington.
Proving that proper PR measurement is just as crucial for your brand as PR itself is the quickest way to begin tracking success and evolving as a communicator.
But how do you get the C-suite to care as much about your data as you do?
We've done the legwork for you, and surveyed upper-level executives about how to get PR metrics front and center and in line with an organization's goals.
Want to download a copy of this SlideShare? Get it here: https://go.agilitypr.com/pr-measurement-matters/
The Brunswick Group conducted an online survey among buy-side investors and sell-side analysts to understand how investors use digital media platforms to research and make an investment decision.
Digital media in this report is defined as social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as online tools such as search engines.
Brunswick surveyed 150 investor and analysts across North America, Europe, the UK, and Asia between November and December of 2017. Tracking data from previous waves in 2016 and 2015 is included for comparison.
The new Global Communications Report, produced by the Holmes Report in conjunction with University of Southern California’s Center for Public Relations, is the definitive study of the global public relations industry, featuring research, agency rankings and industry analysis.
"Investigación internacional promovida por Corporate Excellence - Centre for Reputation Leadership en colaboración con Cees BM van Riel, profesor de Comunicación Corporativa de la Rotterdam School of Management - Erasmus University, para conocer los factores de éxito de los Chief Communications Officer (CCO). La investigación fue realizada entre junio de 2011 y diciembre de 2012 mediante cuestionarios y entrevistas en profundidad a 117 Directores de Comunicación de grandes empresas de Estados Unidos, Reino Unido, Alemania, Francia, España, Italia, Países Bajos, Brasil, México y Chile.
¿Qué determina el éxito del Chief Communications Officer (CCO)? ¿Hasta qué punto las habilidades personales juegan un papel en ese éxito? ¿Cuáles son esas habilidades necesarias? ¿En qué medida el negocio en el que opera la organización es importante? ¿Es un perfil más operativo, táctico, estratégico o una combinación de todos ellos? La investigación señala tres aspectos fundamentales: el CCO debe jugar un papel relevante tanto en su desempeño interno, como directivo de la empresa, así como tener impacto externo a través de su gestión de la comunicación. Y además, debe desarrollar habilidades personales que le permitan ocupar funciones cada vez más estratégicas."
An international research study sponsored by Corporate Excellence – Centre for Reputation Leadership in collaboration with Cees BM van Riel, Corporate Communication Professor at Rotterdam School of Management - Erasmus University. The study addresses the success drivers of Chief Communications Officer (CCO). It was carried out from June 2011 to December 2012, and it used questionnaires and in-depth interviews with 117 Communications Director from large corporations in the U.S., UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico and Chile.
What determines the success of Chief Communications Officer (CCO)? To what extent do personal skills play a role in that success? What are those skills? To what extent does the business in which the organization operates play a role? Is it more operational, tactical, strategic or a combination? The research points out three main aspects: the CCO must play an important role both internal and externally, the CCO should implement an impacting communication, and he or she should have the personal skills enable them to carry out strategic tasks.
Exploring the public relations agency business | #FuturePRoof | ICCO | PRCAStephen Waddington
Progressive public relations agencies are rapidly modernising. They are embracing new skills in data, research and paid media, and are investing in creative teams.
The public relations agency sector is strong. Profits are healthy in well-managed businesses, and the market overall is growing according to both the PRCA and ICCO.
Innovation is everywhere in practice from freelancers through to the largest agencies.
However one area in which there remains surprisingly little innovation is around billing models. The dominant structure continues to be fees charged on an hourly basis, albeit on retainer or project basis.
These are the headline findings of this #FuturePRoof project on the future of the public relations agency, backed by ICCO and the PRCA.
You'll find eight drivers of change in the agency business identified by this project, outlined in this report. We hope that you find it useful.
World PR Report 2014, the most comprehensive study of the global PR industry created by the International Communications Consultancy (ICCO) and The Holmes Report, includes the 250 Top PR agencies Global Rankings and data on the latest trends and issues that these and other agencies are facing worldwide.
MSLGROUP Reputation Impact Indicator Study 2015MSL
MSLGROUP has chosen to take a somewhat atypical approach to the study of reputation. Moving beyond simple rankings, or analyses of ‘drivers’ of reputation alone, we take a more holistic look at how a company must act to build a strong reputation that can facilitate success over time. The result of our research is this, the Reputation Impact Indicator study, part of MSLGROUP’s ongoing efforts to create better knowledge and tools for corporations to better understand how they can influence their reputation.
In the study, we have chosen to look at corporate reputation among a global general public. General public, because how they, as consumers and citizens, view corporations has a substantial and increasingly important impact on how other audiences view them. Global, because we live in an ‘always on’ and ‘on-demand’ world, where different audiences are constantly connected to each other. Today, more than ever, a multistakeholder perspective is necessary.
We hope you enjoy reading it and invite you to share your feedback and tips with us on Twitter @msl_group.
Follow #ReputationImpact on Twitter for insights from the report.
ROI and Results: How to Quantify Word of Mouth's Sales Impact and Uncover Act...Keller Fay Group
AT&T Mobility and Keller Fay presented new research on the topic of “ROI and Results: How to Quantify Word of Mouth’s Sales Impact” at a recent WOMMA conference. The results could not be clearer: “Word of Mouth is a powerful and statistically significant sales driver” for AT&T Mobility.
Amp Agency - The Psychology of Social - February 2012Steven Duque
Once considered a fad, social media has become the epicenter of online experience. Many social media users express a profound connection to sites like Facebook and Twitter, while others prefer smartphone apps like foursquare. Understanding and exploring why social media has such strong behavioral and psychological connections with users can help marketers better identify strategies for outreach, interaction and content creation. In this report, AMP's Insights Lab has partnered with a team of psychologists and consumers to explore the behavioral and psychological philosophies that bond consumers to social media and then translate those principles into business strategies.
Social Listening in Practice: Social SellingBrandwatch
This paper, one of the Social Listening in Practice use case series, is going to show you how social selling will bring your business into the sights of the 81% of consumers who are undertaking pre-purchase research online right now.
This is a planning exercise that I developed for a workshop at Thinking Digital in London today.
The Internet Marketing Workshop uses free and low cost tools to identify or characterise an audience, or public, and explores different forms of digital and social media to understand behaviour and the best means of engagement.
The objective of the exercise is to gain as much information as possible about your audience or public, and then to develop insights that help influence creative, content and channel or media decisions.
An overview of the 5 trends that are shaping the future of public relations, based on global industry research. Presented to the UK\'s PRCA in January 2011.
The WOMMA Influencer Guidebook is a practitioner’s resource intended to address the needs of the association membership.This is not an update to the 2008 WOMMA Influencer Handbook - this is a complete rewrite taking into context not only how much the digital and social landscape has
changed, but also the nuance and sophistication of the now ubiquitous practice of influencer marketing.
trnd is a proud member of the WOMMA since 2006.
The 5th Annual JOTW Strategic Communications Survey for 2022Frank Strong
5th annual survey of 483 professionals working in communications, public relations and public affairs.
This survey was a joint effort between Ned’s Job of the Week (JOTW) and Sword and the Script Media, LLC. Subscribers to both organizations were solicited to take the survey through mentions in the weekly newsletter, dedicated email requests and social media. Gini Dietrich and Karen Swim also solicited respondents from their respective communities at Spin Sucks and Solo PR Pro.
In total 483 respondents took the survey online, using Survey Monkey, from Friday, May 6, 2022, until June 14, 2022.
Survey takers were incentivized to take the survey with an offer to be entered for a chance to win one of three gift cards ($100, $50 and $25).
Impact of Employee Engagement on Performance (Harvard Business Review)Pinky Gonzales
Employee engagement has become a top business priority for senior executives. Yet while most executives see a clear need to improve employee engagement, many have yet to develop tangible ways to measure and tackle this goal. However, a growing group of best-in-class companies says they are gaining competitive advantage through establishing metrics and practices to effectively quantify and improve the impact of their engagement initiatives on overall business performance.
Executive Summary
Employee engagement has become a top business priority for senior executives. In this rapid
cycle economy, business leaders know that having a high-performing workforce is essential
for growth and survival. They recognize that a highly engaged workforce can increase innovation,
productivity,
and bottom-line
performance
while reducing
costs related
to
hiring
and
retention
in highly competitive
talent
markets.
But while most executives see a clear need to improve employee engagement, many have
yet to develop tangible ways to measure and tackle this goal. However, a growing group of
best-in-class companies says they are gaining competitive advantage through establishing
metrics and practices to effectively quantify and improve the impact of their engagement
initiatives on overall business performance.
Executive Level Recruitment Insights In Marketing TheCandidateLtd
This area investigates key areas surrounding current Executive Level Recruitment Trends. These aspects include the number of Executive Level roles that exist in industries, traits and skills needed, what recruiters are looking for, and how the roles are being filled in an internal and external context.
Broken links: Why analytics investments have yet to pay off, sponsored by ZS, draws on the survey findings, interviews with senior corporate executives and desk research to explore the current state of sales and marketing analytics.
Will Your Team Make or Break Your Project?
Current studies indicate that 97% of all projects fail to meet their time, budget, and delivery goals. And if the truth be known, it’s not for technical reasons that most of these projects are failing, but rather because of people problems. As a manager, your ability to select and engage the right team members is the most important part of your job. Get it wrong and you really will have failure on your hands.
Joe Kolinger reveals “5 Keys to Building a Great Team” using a widely accessible tool, together with a proven process to help build great teams that perform with excellence. This is fully sponsored by OfficeWork Software and Kolinger Associates.
Access OfficeWork Software’s web seminar "5 Keys to Building a Great Team"
This presentation addresses 5 of the frequently overlooked keys to getting the right team in place to make your project a success. Learn how to assess and overcome the top issues plaguing project teams:
1. Warning signs you have the wrong people assigned
2. Unclear, ‘squishy’ understanding of roles and responsibilities
3. Casual indifference to the project’s success
4. Chronic interruptions to progress from the sponsor, other projects and operational work
5. Lack of communication tools that help members easily identify and contact the right people to resolve problems
Hey - So what if you have the ‘perfect’ project plan and your sponsors have endorsed your initiative? Unless you have the right team, effectively engaged your project is doomed! Attend this FREE webinar and learn how to spot and fix problems with your team structure before they derail your well-laid project plans.
Watson Helsby's FTSE 100 Group Director of Corporate Communications / Affairs...Samantha Rogers
Each year, to enhance our executive search advisory offer, Watson Helsby publishes a FTSE 100 Group Director of Corporate Communications/Affairs Survey. This provides an intriguing picture of everything from reporting lines and Executive Committee membership to the – ever fascinating – subject of remuneration. The 2018 Survey has just been published.
This has become the most comprehensive and insightful survey of its type, in terms of both the number of companies surveyed and the range of questions we ask/themes we investigate.
Findings include:
• 79% of FTSE 100s employ a Corporate Communications/Affairs Director, a decline year-on year of 2%.
• The percentage of FTSE 100 Corporate Communications/ Affairs Directors who are formal members of the Executive Committee has dropped to 49% this year (from 51%).
• Budgets are generally flat or down (90%). Given a number of factors, including the economic uncertainty created by Brexit. This compares with only 73% reporting flat or down in 2016/17.
• The year 2017/18 has, again, seen considerable change at the top, with 15 companies in the FTSE 100 making changes (vs. 20 the previous year and 16 the year before that). This means that 51 companies have changed their corporate communications/affairs director since 2015 or disbanded the role.
We would welcome any questions or comments.
Nick Helsby is the CEO of Watson Helsby, a specialist communications (external and internal) and corporate affairs/government relations executive search and leadership firm. He has over twenty years headhunting experience, in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa, placing senior communications, PR and corporate affairs professionals in some of the world’s leading organisations. He can be found at nickh@watsonhelsby.co.uk for any questions or comments.
The full report is available to download on http://www.watsonhelsby.co.uk/assets/files/FTSE_Report_2018.pdf
Watson Helsby's Annual FTSE 100 Group Director of Corporate Communications/Af...Nick Helsby
Each year, to enhance our executive search advisory offer, Watson Helsby publishes a FTSE 100 Group Director of Corporate Communications/Affairs Survey. This provides an intriguing picture of everything from reporting lines and Executive Committee membership to the – ever fascinating – subject of remuneration. The 2018 Survey has just been published.
This has become the most comprehensive and insightful survey of its type, in terms of both the number of companies surveyed and the range of questions we ask/themes we investigate.
Findings include:
• 79% of FTSE 100s employ a Corporate Communications/Affairs Director, a decline year-on year of 2%.
• The percentage of FTSE 100 Corporate Communications/ Affairs Directors who are formal members of the Executive Committee has dropped to 49% this year (from 51%).
• Budgets are generally flat or down (90%). Given a number of factors, including the economic uncertainty created by Brexit. This compares with only 73% reporting flat or down in 2016/17.
• The year 2017/18 has, again, seen considerable change at the top, with 15 companies in the FTSE 100 making changes (vs. 20 the previous year and 16 the year before that). This means that 51 companies have changed their corporate communications/affairs director since 2015 or disbanded the role.
We would welcome any questions or comments.
Nick Helsby is the CEO of Watson Helsby, a specialist communications (external and internal) and corporate affairs/government relations executive search and leadership firm. He has over twenty years headhunting experience, in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa, placing senior communications, PR and corporate affairs professionals in some of the world’s leading organisations. He can be found at nickh@watsonhelsby.co.uk for any questions or comments.
The full report is available to download on http://www.watsonhelsby.co.uk/assets/files/FTSE_Report_2018.pdf
Watson Helsby's Annual FTSE 100 Group Director of Corporate Communications/Af...Nick Helsby
Each year, to enhance our executive search advisory offer, Watson Helsby publishes a FTSE 100 Group Director of Corporate Communications/Affairs Survey. This provides an intriguing picture of everything from reporting lines and Executive Committee membership to the – ever fascinating – subject of remuneration. The 2018 Survey has just been published.
This has become the most comprehensive and insightful survey of its type, in terms of both the number of companies surveyed and the range of questions we ask/themes we investigate.
Findings include:
• 79% of FTSE 100s employ a Corporate Communications/Affairs Director, a decline year-on year of 2%.
• The percentage of FTSE 100 Corporate Communications/ Affairs Directors who are formal members of the Executive Committee has dropped to 49% this year (from 51%).
• Budgets are generally flat or down (90%). Given a number of factors, including the economic uncertainty created by Brexit. This compares with only 73% reporting flat or down in 2016/17.
• The year 2017/18 has, again, seen considerable change at the top, with 15 companies in the FTSE 100 making changes (vs. 20 the previous year and 16 the year before that). This means that 51 companies have changed their corporate communications/affairs director since 2015 or disbanded the role.
We would welcome any questions or comments.
Nick Helsby is the CEO of Watson Helsby, a specialist communications (external and internal) and corporate affairs/government relations executive search and leadership firm. He has over twenty years headhunting experience, in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa, placing senior communications, PR and corporate affairs professionals in some of the world’s leading organisations. He can be found at nickh@watsonhelsby.co.uk for any questions or comments.
The full report is available to download on http://www.watsonhelsby.co.uk/assets/files/FTSE_Report_2018.pdf
PoliteMail Software surveyed global internal communications professionals to learn more about their challenges and tools they use to measure results of employee engagement.
2016 Global Communications Report is produced by University of Southern California’s Center for Public Relations and The Holmes Report.
Landmark survey predicts that global PR agency sector will approach $20bn by 2020, but questions remain over the industry’s ability to adapt to a rapidly shifting landscape.
Corporate communications executives around the world believe both they and their public relations agency partners will be expected to deliver more—more strategy, more content, more channels, more creativity and more measurement—over the next five years.
But questions remain over the industry’s ability to attract the right talent, adapt to new technologies and increase the level of investment required to capitalize on these opportunities.
These are some of the headline findings from the first Global Communications Report, a comprehensive worldwide survey of more than 1,000 senior public relations executives, led by the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations in conjunction with the Holmes Report.
According to the study, PR agency leaders predict that the worldwide PR agency business will grow from its current estimated size of $14 billion to $19.3 billion over the next five years. To accommodate this growth, agency leaders anticipate their headcount will increase over the same period by about 26%.
RMD24 | Retail media: hoe zet je dit in als je geen AH of Unilever bent? Heid...BBPMedia1
Grote partijen zijn al een tijdje onderweg met retail media. Ondertussen worden in dit domein ook de kansen zichtbaar voor andere spelers in de markt. Maar met die kansen ontstaan ook vragen: Zelf retail media worden of erop adverteren? In welke fase van de funnel past het en hoe integreer je het in een mediaplan? Wat is nu precies het verschil met marketplaces en Programmatic ads? In dit half uur beslechten we de dilemma's en krijg je antwoorden op wanneer het voor jou tijd is om de volgende stap te zetten.
[Note: This is a partial preview. To download this presentation, visit:
https://www.oeconsulting.com.sg/training-presentations]
Sustainability has become an increasingly critical topic as the world recognizes the need to protect our planet and its resources for future generations. Sustainability means meeting our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It involves long-term planning and consideration of the consequences of our actions. The goal is to create strategies that ensure the long-term viability of People, Planet, and Profit.
Leading companies such as Nike, Toyota, and Siemens are prioritizing sustainable innovation in their business models, setting an example for others to follow. In this Sustainability training presentation, you will learn key concepts, principles, and practices of sustainability applicable across industries. This training aims to create awareness and educate employees, senior executives, consultants, and other key stakeholders, including investors, policymakers, and supply chain partners, on the importance and implementation of sustainability.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts that form the foundation of sustainability within corporate environments.
2. Explore the sustainability implementation model, focusing on effective measures and reporting strategies to track and communicate sustainability efforts.
3. Identify and define best practices and critical success factors essential for achieving sustainability goals within organizations.
CONTENTS
1. Introduction and Key Concepts of Sustainability
2. Principles and Practices of Sustainability
3. Measures and Reporting in Sustainability
4. Sustainability Implementation & Best Practices
To download the complete presentation, visit: https://www.oeconsulting.com.sg/training-presentations
Buy Verified PayPal Account | Buy Google 5 Star Reviewsusawebmarket
Buy Verified PayPal Account
Looking to buy verified PayPal accounts? Discover 7 expert tips for safely purchasing a verified PayPal account in 2024. Ensure security and reliability for your transactions.
PayPal Services Features-
🟢 Email Access
🟢 Bank Added
🟢 Card Verified
🟢 Full SSN Provided
🟢 Phone Number Access
🟢 Driving License Copy
🟢 Fasted Delivery
Client Satisfaction is Our First priority. Our services is very appropriate to buy. We assume that the first-rate way to purchase our offerings is to order on the website. If you have any worry in our cooperation usually You can order us on Skype or Telegram.
24/7 Hours Reply/Please Contact
usawebmarketEmail: support@usawebmarket.com
Skype: usawebmarket
Telegram: @usawebmarket
WhatsApp: +1(218) 203-5951
USA WEB MARKET is the Best Verified PayPal, Payoneer, Cash App, Skrill, Neteller, Stripe Account and SEO, SMM Service provider.100%Satisfection granted.100% replacement Granted.
RMD24 | Debunking the non-endemic revenue myth Marvin Vacquier Droop | First ...BBPMedia1
Marvin neemt je in deze presentatie mee in de voordelen van non-endemic advertising op retail media netwerken. Hij brengt ook de uitdagingen in beeld die de markt op dit moment heeft op het gebied van retail media voor niet-leveranciers.
Retail media wordt gezien als het nieuwe advertising-medium en ook mediabureaus richten massaal retail media-afdelingen op. Merken die niet in de betreffende winkel liggen staan ook nog niet in de rij om op de retail media netwerken te adverteren. Marvin belicht de uitdagingen die er zijn om echt aansluiting te vinden op die markt van non-endemic advertising.
Putting the SPARK into Virtual Training.pptxCynthia Clay
This 60-minute webinar, sponsored by Adobe, was delivered for the Training Mag Network. It explored the five elements of SPARK: Storytelling, Purpose, Action, Relationships, and Kudos. Knowing how to tell a well-structured story is key to building long-term memory. Stating a clear purpose that doesn't take away from the discovery learning process is critical. Ensuring that people move from theory to practical application is imperative. Creating strong social learning is the key to commitment and engagement. Validating and affirming participants' comments is the way to create a positive learning environment.
Improving profitability for small businessBen Wann
In this comprehensive presentation, we will explore strategies and practical tips for enhancing profitability in small businesses. Tailored to meet the unique challenges faced by small enterprises, this session covers various aspects that directly impact the bottom line. Attendees will learn how to optimize operational efficiency, manage expenses, and increase revenue through innovative marketing and customer engagement techniques.
3.0 Project 2_ Developing My Brand Identity Kit.pptxtanyjahb
A personal brand exploration presentation summarizes an individual's unique qualities and goals, covering strengths, values, passions, and target audience. It helps individuals understand what makes them stand out, their desired image, and how they aim to achieve it.
Taurus Zodiac Sign_ Personality Traits and Sign Dates.pptxmy Pandit
Explore the world of the Taurus zodiac sign. Learn about their stability, determination, and appreciation for beauty. Discover how Taureans' grounded nature and hardworking mindset define their unique personality.
Cracking the Workplace Discipline Code Main.pptxWorkforce Group
Cultivating and maintaining discipline within teams is a critical differentiator for successful organisations.
Forward-thinking leaders and business managers understand the impact that discipline has on organisational success. A disciplined workforce operates with clarity, focus, and a shared understanding of expectations, ultimately driving better results, optimising productivity, and facilitating seamless collaboration.
Although discipline is not a one-size-fits-all approach, it can help create a work environment that encourages personal growth and accountability rather than solely relying on punitive measures.
In this deck, you will learn the significance of workplace discipline for organisational success. You’ll also learn
• Four (4) workplace discipline methods you should consider
• The best and most practical approach to implementing workplace discipline.
• Three (3) key tips to maintain a disciplined workplace.
1. The 2018 JOTW Communications Survey
A survey of current trends among public relations, public
affairs and modern communicators
conducted in partnership with
Sword and the Script Media, LLC
2. The “Job of the Week” network began as a simple experiment to build
a community of communication professionals that could help each
other find employment opportunities.
Today we have more than 5,500 communicators in the network, and
we engaged them to share some of their thoughts on the state of
corporate communications in 2018.
This survey demonstrates the value of the JOTW network and
suggests that the network would be a useful group for subsequent
surveys.
The JOTW newsletter comes out every Monday. To join the JOTW
network, send me an email at lundquist989@cs.com. It’s free.
~ Ned Lundquist, ABC
March 19, 2018
3. “Public relations is an approach, not series of tasks
to be done every day."
~ @frank_strong
4. Table of Contents
Executive summary
Top challenges
Selecting agencies
Firing agencies
Tactics and trends
Media relations
Organic social media
PR measurement
Tech tools
Comms budgets
Job seekers
Open ended comments
Demographics
Methodology
About
……………..………..Slide 5
…………..………..………Slide 6
……...………..………Slide 7
…………………..………Slide 12
……..………..………Slide 15
…………………..………Slide 21
….………..………Slide 24
………………..………Slide 27
……………….………..………Slide 30
……….………..………Slide 33
…………….………..………Slide 36
………..………Slide 39
………….………..………Slide 42
……………………..………Slide 47
……………………………..………Slide 48
5. Executive Summary
Ned’s Job of the Week (JOTW) and Sword and the Script Media, LLC conducted an online survey of JOTW
subscribers in February 2018. Most respondents were senior in-house or corporate communications professionals
with extensive experience in the field. Below are some of the survey highlights and detailed demographics can be
found at the end.
• Less budget to do more. Most respondents – 63% – cited budget as their top challenge, even as businesses
and employers expected PR pros to do more and added to a growing list of duties. A majority (51%) said they
expect their budget to remain the same over the next year.
• Hiring and firing agencies. When corporate communications hires an outside agency, most (54%) said they
do it because they need an extra pair of hands. Another 50% noted that expertise or a specialization was a
compelling reason to seek outside help. When communications agencies are fired, the top reasons can be
traced to a trio of cost (79%), service (50%) and results (40%).
• Hot PR trends and tactics. Respondents identified storytelling (79%), content marketing (71%) and thought
leadership (67%) as the trends or tactics that would be more important in the next 12 months. While no trend or
tactic earned 50% or more of the votes for “less important” or “much less important,” there are three that earned
the most: press releases (34%), white papers (35%) and award programs (39%).
• Some communications tasks are getting harder. 51% said media relations is getting harder; 50% say organic
social media is getting harder; views vary on whether or not PR measurement is getting harder – 38% say
harder, while 20% say easier and 37% say about the same. Sentiment analysis suggests while digital channels
are easier to track there are more things to track, which requires time and consensus.
• Employed but open to new opportunities. Most respondents are employed full time but many are open to a
conversation about a new position. More than half or 55% said they’d be open to new opportunities.
8. Budget, scope and proving value; the struggle is real.
The modern communicator, like public relations and public affairs professionals, face a seemingly impossible challenge: their
budgets are under constant pressure while businesses ask them to complete an ever-growing list of duties. In addition,
organizations are demanding more proof that communications is contributing to success. Surprisingly, cross-functional alignment
with other teams such as sales, marketing and creative was not a concern, suggesting communications has made progress in these
areas.
The top five challenges respondents identified are as follows:
1. 63% cited budget as their top challenge;
2. 57% point to an ever-expanding list of duties;
3. 54% said proving value or ROI of communications to the business;
4. 52% reported headcount limitations; and
5. 51% said finding an effective means to measure communications.
The open-ended comments provided important sentiment and cited competing priorities, evolving technologies, commercial noise
and fake news as contributing factors.
“Hiring and finding talented people,” wrote one respondent of their top challenge. “They are out there, but where are they looking for
jobs?”
11. In-house shops need an extra pair of hands.
If an expanding scope of duties is among the top challenges, then it’s natural that in-house communications professionals need help
getting work done. Interestingly, planning and strategy, a category of work agencies typically like to perform because it’s usually
both interesting and profitable work, trailed in fourth place by a wide margin.
Rounding out the top five reasons corporate communicators hire agencies were:
1. 54% said execution or an extra pair of hands;
2. 50% hire agencies for expertise in a niche, vertical market or subject matter;
3. 35% need help with strategic launches, such as product launches;
4. 26% seek planning and strategy consulting; and
5. 25% said agencies provide a better cost-to-value than additional headcount.
Agency work is often described as a mile wide, but an inch deep, which often brings big picture perspective. This value was
reflected in the commentary on this question.
That goes hand in hand with credibility which can come with an agency. About a quarter, or 23% of respondents cited “outside
objectivity and advice” as a reason to hire an agency. One respondent noted that external help was needed to influence leadership
decision making in favor of a given communications idea or plan.
14. The triangle of termination: cost, service quality and results
If corporate communications budgets are tight, it shows up in the reasons an agency gets fired. By far the biggest reason agencies
are let go is related to cost – according to 79% of respondents. Client service followed closely behind with half (50%) of
respondents citing it as the second primary reason for termination. Finally, ROI, or the ability the prove results landed third with
40%.
When we consider these in aggregate, it seems to reason that cost, service quality and results are inextricably linked. This only
serves to reinforce what many in the profession already believe, but it’s still interesting to see this reflected so clearly in the
numbers.
Other factors influencing the decision to end agency relationship, though smaller, are not insignificant. “Too much hand-holding”
(25%) is a classic example, especially in the more technical markets, such as technology. Bringing new ideas – breathing life into a
story – earned 17% of the votes, which is close to one-fifth.
Finally, staff turnover, with 15%, rounded out those factors earning double-digit percentages. While it can be bittersweet to see a
beloved member of an external account team grow into a new position and leave, too much places the risk on the client. This
because there is a level of education in ramping up new account team members to learn the culture and process of the client
organization.
Among the “other” reason provided (8%) varied widely:
• Taking more work back in-house;
• Poor writing skills among junior agency staff;
• Inability to understand the business; and
• Client fears the communications function would be entirely outsourced due to high agency performance.
As incredible as that last bullet is, agencies probably shouldn’t sweat the last bullet; it happens less than one-percent of the time.
16. The next few charts are *busy* but there’s no way around it. However,
these charts are also packed with information worth your while to slow
down and study. Here’s the key to interpreting the data:
17. Chart 1 of 2 for
Question #5
38%41%17%
1%
> 50% say
either
“more
important”
or “much
more
important”
3%
18. Chart 2 of 2 for
Question #5
15%27%37%15%5%
> 50% say
“about the
same”
Most votes
for “not
important”
or “less
important”
19. Note: For this question only, we removed
“not applicable” answers. Generally this
meant just 10 or less answers with the
exception of analysts relations.
You can see the total number of responses,
and a weighted average on the far right of this
detail chart.
Notice that “executive speaking” earned
greater than 50% for “more important” or
“much more important” but it’s overall
weighted average is lower.
This is why averages need to be examined
carefully.
20. This data tells a story about content marketing and thought leadership
Storytelling, content marketing and thought leadership topped the list of more than 20 tactics or trends related to PR in terms of
importance. For example, over the next 12 months:
• 79% of respondents said storytelling will be “more important” or “much more important;”
• 71% said content marketing will be “more important” or “much more important;” and
• 67% said thought leadership will be “more important” or “much more important.”
Thought leadership and the ability to communicate through effective stories – challenge, tension, climax and denouement – are
classic elements in traditional public relations. Content marketing, which is distinctly different than marketing content is a fairly new
trend that naturally aligns with the PR profession given their work with editorial contacts.
Additional trends or tactics where 50% or more of respondents said they’d be more or much more important included: alignment
with marketing, influencer relations, organic social media and infographics.
Several trends or tactics will be no more or less important in the next year, according to 50% or more of respondents. These
included: native ads, PPC, analyst relations and both first and third party events. It’s worth pointing out tactics like PPC and native
ads tend to be less central to the typical PR professional’s role.
While no trend or tactic earned 50% or more of the votes for “less important” or “much less important” in the next 12 months, there
are three that earned the most: press releases (34%), white papers (35%) and award programs (39%).
Open-ended comments on this question revealed tactics and trends not listed such as account-based marketing, one-to-one
communications, video, editorial meetings, web redesigns, cause marketing and issue management.
23. Fewer bona fide journalists charged with producing more stories
The break out of this question yields a stark comparison: a majority (51%) believe media relations is getting harder, about one-third
(32%) say it’s about the same and just 3% think it’s easier. The rest are unsure.
While publishers have made gains with paid digital subscriptions, content studios and native advertising, the last decade has been
widely one marked with cuts to editorial staff. The open-ended commentary on this question – 53 comments – makes the analysis
clear. Here’s a representative sample of some of those comments:
“It's getting more and more difficult to break through the clutter and get directly to the media representative you're trying to
reach.”
“It is more challenging to cut through the cacophony of competing messages and conflated vocabularies with unique and
compelling messages. The media is looking for the biggest headline rather than the significance of the story.”
“Opinion rather than straight news coverage is increasingly prevalent and prioritized and harder to shape.”
“Competition for media attention; digital media has made it easier, but also harder; traditional means of getting attention
doesn't work any longer.”
“Demands on journalists time has made them more open to well-developed pitches.”
“Fewer reporters, high turnover of journalists, lack of beat reporting.”
“The changing face of journalism has left many newsrooms bereft of veterans and reporters with historical knowledge.”
26. The future of social media is a path paved in payment
The data on organic social media – which like media relations is earned rather than paid – looks very similar to media relations.
There's no doubt many of the major social media platforms have tweaked their algorithms in such a way that it reduces organic
reach for brands.
Individuals can still cut through the clutter, but for most brands, even those with large fan bases, paying the platform for reach is the
only way to gain notable traction.
On this question too, the comments submitted by respondents were illustrative including:
“Social is unabashedly pay-to-play.”
“Revelations about bots and manipulation of social media.”
“It really depends on how you define "result." E.g., number of followers as a metric = easier. Getting people to engage with
your content = harder.”
“Continued changes to feeds/algorithms decreases visibility even among large organic follower bases.”
“Constantly changing algorithms. It's hard to keep pace while also managing against my own business objectives AND
demonstrating ROI across all activities.”
“Marketing efforts are being automated, increasing the volume of messages and content being pushed out. Combined with
changing algorithms that in essence create an echo chamber of opinions, all of this is drowning out the possibility of true
organic growth/spreading of content.”
“Every platform needs to grow and show ROI, so it needs to charge for its services.”
“People don't like to be bothered by corporate entities on social media.”
“Social media is a tool, not a standalone function, so it is harder to be heard when everyone says something daily.”
29. PR measurement gets harder and easier at the same time
Precisely how to measure communications is a timeless debate and respondents to this survey were fairly divided as to whether or
not communications and PR is getting easier or harder to measure.
On one hand, digital formats are easier to trace and new technology tools have provided some level of automation. On the other
hand, the proliferation of channels leaves PR with many more possibilities in measurement. While deciding which measures are
useful is hard enough, this often requires gaining consensus across the business.
In addition, the new technology tools for measurement can vary in cost widely. For example, some web analytics are free, while
premium monitoring tools can easily run into five and six-figure costs.
Fifty-four respondents provided viewpoints in open-ended commentary associated with this question including:
“Measuring communication activity is relatively easy. The hard part is measuring its value.”
“Measurement is always tricky and always has been. There's nothing that truly and definitively measures the quality of a
placement - traditional or social.”
“Advanced tools for measurement and metrics makes it easier, yet more data inputs can make it more difficult to draw
actionable insights.”
“In more than 20 years, I haven't found a method that satisfies the CEO and isn't insulting to the staff.”
32. Staple tools of PR pros
The tools communications professionals use tend to be the staples – web analytics and social media management for example.
Press releases topped the list too, though the data on a previous question indicated press releases may have a less prominent role.
What this survey did not ask – and perhaps we can in the future – is which of these tools are premium solutions. Many web, social
media management and content management tools are free to use, while media monitoring and project collaboration tend to require
some level of investment.
The five tools communications professions say they use the most are:
1) 78% web analytics
2) 75% social media management
3) 66% press release distribution
4) 66% media monitoring
5) 50% content management systems
It’s somewhat surprising that media databases ranked at just 38%. However, the cost-benefit of these systems – often with
erroneous or out-of-date information in vertical segments – can be a difficult case to make.
35. The same story for many; a mix of hope and concern for others
The majority of respondents (51%) predict their budget will remain flat over the next year. However, one-fifth (20%) thought their
budgets would “increase” or “increase significantly” in the next 12 months. This is interesting since budget constraints has been a
theme throughout the survey. By the same token, nearly one-fifth (19%) thought their budgets would “decrease” or decrease
significantly in the next year.
Open ended comments provided a window into sentiment and shifting ideas around budgeting:
“There will be a shift from traditional marketing modes such as sponsorships and direct mail to digital media marketing and
advertising and content-rich programs.”
“We are continually asked to do things with close to zero budget.”
“We saw a significant decrease the past two years but expect next year to remain the same.”
“Company executives believe first place to gain savings is cutting communications because the company won’t feel any loss.”
“Budget will stay the same however how it is spent is being looked at not such a diverse mix of PR and marketing channels.
Digital was over 80 percent and this is being scaled back to include grassroots and event marketing to talk to customer.”
“More on paid social content, significantly less on print ads. More spent on video and graphics.”
38. Many PR pros are gainfully employed but open to opportunities
Nearly three-quarters of PR pros (74%) are gainfully employed, however many are open to a conversation. More than half of
respondents (55%) reported being fully employed but open to new opportunities. Another 7% are employed part-time and
expressed a willingness to entertain a new position.
At the time of this writing, the unemployment rate has dropped to roughly 4% nationally. The most recent jobs report showed better
than expected hiring and suggested many unemployed people who had given up looking for a job, have returned to the search. By
many measures, signs point towards an employee’s market causing businesses to compete more aggressively for talent.
39. What is one thing you wish you could get senior
leaders to understand about communications that
you don’t think they understand today?
40. For the final question of the survey, we asked respondents an optional open ended question and 126 of the 155 survey
takers obliged. The question asked was, “What is one thing you wish you could get senior leaders or senior management
to understand about communications that you don’t think they understand today?” and what follows is a representative
sample of their answers in their own words:
“I wish more would get how much more audiences appreciate communications than marketing. Buyers are looking for great
marketing when they’re deciding what they need to meet their needs.”
“That the cost of a well-run communications program is not measured the same way as their sales or business development
programs.”
“That it plays a critical role across the organization - like no other function; key to sales, marketing, handling crises/public
perception, motivating employees, communicating mission/vision/values to all stakeholders, including employees, customers,
stockholders. So ALL messaging needs to be consistent, one voice: Communications is the core of a thriving organization.”
“It's a foundational necessity. So many think of it as a nice to have, but it supports so many other functions and strategies of
an organization.”
“The communications team must be thought of as collaborators in developing products and services, not just the ones
charged with selling them.”
“That reporters don’t write corporate profiles, they cover NEWS.”
“Internal communications is as important as external.”
“That one tactic isn't king. It's not just about content, or search, or conferences, or advertising, or a webinar, etc. It's all of
those combined, and each is valuable and necessary.”
“The overall importance of consistent messaging, particularly when it comes to crisis and strategic communications, and not
to play it as it comes.”
41. In their own words (continued):
“Senior leaders are more comfortable with advertising - it is something they can control and with sponsored content, can push
a message out via social media. We can pitch with social media, but actual editorial coverage is not necessarily predictable,
not is the tone or content angle.”
“That communications isn’t a quantitative measure, it is a qualitative measure.”
“Organic media relations is MUCH harder these days.”
“Corporate communications is a fire marshal and not a fire chief. Use it to assure problems do not happen, rather than using it
to fix problems that have occurred.”
“How difficult media relations is compared to what is was even 10 years ago.”
“Press releases do not guarantee coverage, interest, likes, follows, awareness.”
“The difference between paid, owned and earned and why it's important to allow PR the time and freedom to manage all three
and the patience to allow PR to generate results.”
“It's not as simple as sending out ‘an email’ or one kind of communication. There is a thought process and it includes
customer experience.”
“With all of the noise in social media and differing angles in the press, it is hard to cut through the clutter and say something
compelling that people will hear and understand.”
“That it can take time to execute a campaign and the ROI may not be apparent within the first week.”
46. Primarily experienced in-house professionals
The vast majority of survey responses – 70% – hail from in-house positions. Just 30% were comprised of agency or freelancers
combined.
Most have extensive experience, with 99% reporting six or more years experience and 90% report 11 or more years in the field.
More than half, or 60% say they have 20 years experience or more.
The industries or vertical markets represented are very diverse; among the top five include:
• 20% non-profit or charitable;
• 16% government;
• 16% health, pharma or life sciences;
• 11% marketing, advertising or creative; and
• 11% financial services.
47. Survey methodology
The survey was a joint effort between Ned’s Job of the Week (JOTW) and Sword and the Script Media, LLC. Subscribers to the
JOTW, a weekly newsletter and online community of communications professionals, were solicited to take the survey. Respondents
were asked to take the online survey both through mentions in the weekly newsletter and thought dedicated email requests. In total
155 respondents took the survey online from Monday, January 29, 2018 until Wednesday February 28, 2018. Survey takers were
incentivized to take the survey with an offer to be entered for a chance to win one of three gift cards ($100, $50 and $25). Winners
were publicly announced in the March 5, 2018 edition of the newsletter.
48. Behind the survey
About Ned’s JOTW
Ned Lundquist’s “Job of the Week” is a free email networking newsletter for professional communicators started way back at the
dawn of the 21st century and attracted a cult following of more than 5,500 newsletter subscribers today. The job leads are just one
reason his faithful followers begin their Mondays (and sometimes Tuesdays through Fridays). To subscribe or submit a job for
posting, please email lundquist989@cs.com or subscribe online at www.nedsjotw.com.
Ned Lundquist, ABC, is a communication professional who has been publishing the “Job of the Week” e-mail newsletter since
January 2001. He served on active duty with the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer and as a Public Affairs Officer. Today, he
works for MCR Federal LLC as a senior science writer. Heck, he’s the only science writer. He supports clients such as the Office of
Naval Research, NATO’s Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation, and commercial companies serving the naval,
maritime and defense sectors.
About Sword and the Script Media, LLC
Sword and the Script Media, LLC is veteran-owned public relations agency dedicated to business-to-business (B2B) technology.
The firm builds consistent, repeatable, and process-driven programs for PR, content marketing and social media. The agency
publishes weekly blog posts and a monthly newsletter, both of which are available for subscription by email. Visit or subscribe
online at www.swordandthescript.com.
Frank Strong is the founder and president of Sword and the Script Media, LLC, a veteran-owned business focused on PR, content
marketing and social media for the B2B market space. His agency grew out of a humble marketing blog Strong started nearly a
decade ago. @Frank_Strong
50. Looking for more? Here are some good reads:
Breaking Down the Results from the 2018 PR Salary Survey; Are You Earning What you are Worth?
12 Things You Should do to Amplify a Media Mention Once You’ve Earned It
Why Content Marketing and Public Relations Need Each Other
The Future of Marketing Looks More like Public Relations
51. Sword and the Script Media, LLC
www.swordandthescript.com
“Effective communication is complicated:
Just because a message is sent doesn’t mean it’s been received.
Just because it’s been received doesn’t mean it’s been
understood. Just because it’s been understood doesn’t mean it
will affect behavior. Just because it affects behavior doesn’t mean
it will affect it in the manner in which we had hoped.”