612: Where should communications live in an org chart? A Chat with Grace Williams of BLASTmedia
Aug 30, 2023
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Grace Williams, a PR professional, joins the Business Storytelling Show to discuss the role of communications in organizations. They explore its definition, importance, placement in org charts, and KPIs. The conversation touches on internal podcasts, earned and paid coverage in journalism, the value of a dedicated communications team, and the skills needed for communications professionals.
Having a chief communications officer or a head of communications can help determine when to ramp up different functions based on organizational needs.
By showcasing successes, communicating directly with the executive team, and demonstrating the value of communications in various areas of the organization, communications can stand on its own as a distinct department.
Deep dives
The Importance of Communications in Organizations
Communications is a broad function that encompasses various activities for organizations. It involves managing messaging to different audiences such as employees, investors, customers, media, government bodies, and industry peers. Different subspecialties exist within communications, including media relations, analyst relations, crisis communications, internal communications, executive communications, and customer communications. Communications plays a crucial role in maintaining relationships, reputation, and brand image. Having a chief communications officer or a head of comms can help determine when to ramp up different functions based on organizational needs. Relationships with journalists and earned coverage are critical in communications, but paid placements also have their place in integrating promotional messaging.
Creating a Communications Team
When it comes to creating a communications team, it is essential to have someone with a strong writing ability and a background in brand marketing. The ideal hire for leading a communications team may have experience in journalism or have been a journalist in the past. They should possess skills in persuasive communication, relationship building, and understanding marketing campaigns and goals. While historically communications has resided within marketing, there are benefits to having communications as a separate team. By showcasing successes, communicating directly with the executive team, and demonstrating the value of communications in various areas of the organization, communications can stand on its own as a distinct department.
The Evolving Role of Communications and the Integration of Paid and Earned Placements
In the realm of media relations and communications, both paid and earned placements play critical roles. Relationship-building with journalists is crucial for securing earned coverage. While earned coverage involves not paying for media placement, paid placements can offer more promotional messaging and direct calls to action. Integrating paid and earned placements can help organizations reach different objectives, whether it's addressing pain points, sharing human interest stories, promoting company culture, or generating coverage about industry-specific topics. Communications professionals should stay knowledgeable about changing journalism standards and the various avenues available for securing coverage.
Communications has a role in building up businesses but where should it fall in an org chart and why? Grace Williams of BLASTmedia joins me on this live recording of "The Business Storytelling Show" to discuss the topic, including: What's the definition of communications for a company? Why is this an important function? Where should it fall in an org chart? What are the KPIs companies should go after? Join us and connect with Grace here: https://lnkd.in/giEQAgft
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