The PR Week

Every industry was impacted notably by COVID-19, including the home and building sector. While myriad challenges were presented to all entities in the space, many opportunities arose, as well. In either case, though, communicators had to adjust to new realities on a daily basis – and they still must to this day and into the foreseeable future.This conversation, featuring Ben Boyd, VP of comms and community relations, Lowe’s Companies, and Meredith Topalanchik, MD at G&S Business Communications, delved deep into the unique world of communicating in a sector that means just as much – a lot – to the heartstrings of consumers as it does to their purse strings.The home and home renovation market is booming right now, with more than half of consumers preferring to either build a new home or renovate the one they’re in. Some semblance of remote working is very likely here to stay, so the “home office” is a common consideration now. The importance of reputation and brand evangelists is unique in this sector, especially now. These are just some of the topics tackles during Boyd’s and Topalanchik’s conversation with PRWeek managing editor Gideon Fidelzeid. We welcome you to listen in.This podcast was the fourth in the G&S/PRWeek “Reshaping the future” series. We encourage you to check out the previous installments focusing on the financial sector, agribusiness and healthcare. AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket!  Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek

Podcast topics:2:49 - Ponzio talks about her career path from Edelman to the origins of APC Collective, activating authentic DE&I initiatives, working through 2020’s civil rights protests and COVID-19 and more.18:14 - How Facebook responded to two crises this week: whistleblower allegations that it had purposely prioritized “growth over safety” and an hours-long outage on Facebook and Instagram. Plus, how brands reacted to the outage on Twitter.25:21 - Catching up on the ongoing developments around Ozy Media’s decisions to dissolve its board of directors, not to retain its law firm, or its PR firm. 32:14 - Discussing the Pandora Papers leak, the largest-ever look behind the curtain at how wealthy individuals and organizations utilize tax havens around the world.33:43 - How Budweiser co-opted the viral success of Home Depot’s giant skeleton decoration.35:07 - Allison + Partners is expanding into Latin America, opening an office in partnership with Grupo Garnier, an affiliate of Allison + Partners’ parent holding company, Stagwell.37:09 - On former Trump White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham’s new book, I'll Take Your Questions Now: What I Saw in the Trump White House. AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket!  Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek

For every brand in every sector, a commitment to purpose is reaching table-stakes level in terms of being a necessity for success. Of course, this manifests itself differently depending on the type of organization you are.The good news, though: Inspiration and education can be gleaned for all brands from any entity in any industry.That is proved in this podcast, featuring Harvey Mason, Jr., CEO of The Recording Academy, and Sean Smith, EVP and head of corporate counsel practice, Porter Novelli.The pair of leaders share some examples of how the Academy uses its powerful platform to advance DE&I and help broader society. They discuss how younger staffers at both organizations are leading the charge on purpose initiatives. The strength the Academy and Porter Novelli draw from their partnership is also on full display.All this and more are revealed in Mason’s and Smith’s conversation with PRWeek managing editor Gideon Fidelzeid. We welcome you to listen in. AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket!  Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek

Podcast topics:1:57: Ford talks about how companies and organizations can go beyond just words on DEI initiatives, the legacy of Black public relations pioneer and social justice advocate Ofield Dukes and more.16:01: Edelman has named Taj Reid as its first global chief experience officer, tasking Reid with driving creative technology prototyping and innovative experience design across the Edelman network.17:17: In a $11.4 billion joint venture, Ford and South Korean battery cell supplier SK Innovation will create three BlueOvalSK battery factories.19:42: Next 15 has reported a 69% rise in pre-tax profit in the six months to July 31, naming PR agencies Archetype and MBooth among its strong performers.22:08: Dating platform OkCupid is taking “an even bigger stand on inclusion” in response to viral videos of a woman tearing down its inclusive Every Single Person ads on a New York City subway.26:18: Looking to refresh your brand’s logo? Why not hire TikTok star Emily Zugay for the job. Zugay has gone viral after redesigning brand logos including the Detroit Lions and McDonald’s.29:31: Where are they now? PRWeek catches up with ordinary people brands made famous on YouTube and social media. AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket!  Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek

Podcast topics:0:54 - Ellis talks about her work at foundation with Prosek Partners, how to attract students and retain them, diversifying the PR industry and more.   27:22 - Omnicom Group has won Mercedes-Benz’s global agency consolidation, edging out incumbent Publicis Groupe.29:51 - Weber Shandwick has launched a media security center in partnership with threat-intelligence company Blackbird.AI to advise clients on potential information risks. 33:57 - Robinhood has hired Okcoin’s Will McCormick as crypto communications lead as the financial services company plans to launch a cryptocurrency wallet offering later this year.35:20 - Real-estate technology company Compass has hired Adam Sohn as its first chief communications officer.  AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket!  Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek

Podcast topics:2:57 - Valdes-Fauli talks about his Hispanic-American-focused agency, Pinta, the intricacies of targeting the very diverse Hispanic-American market, the pros and cons of remaining an independent agency versus joining a holding company and more.   16:13 - Running down the insights and findings of the fourth-annual PRWeek/Boston University Communications Bellwether Survey after the unprecedented industry disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.  22:57 - Recognizing the six latest inductees into the PRWeek Hall of Fame: Jano Cabrera from General Mills, Golin’s Fred Cook, Joe Evangelisti from JPMorgan Chase, Flowers Communications’ Michelle Flowers Welch, Karen Kahn from HP and Zeno’s Barby Siegel.26:15 - Hispanic Heritage Month is observed every year from September 15 to October 15. How are agencies and brands responding — and are they hitting the mark? 30:58 - Recapping the in-depth interviews with GM comms head Craig Buchholz and Subway CMO Carrie Walsh. 36:22 - McDonald's social listening tools struggled to keep up with a wildly popular activation with K-pop super group BTS.  AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket!  Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek

Podcast topics:1:01 - Cherwin talks about the mission of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, how the organization prepared for the 20th anniversary, working with singer John Legend on communication to a generation that has little or no memory of September 11, 2001, and more.21:50 - Barrett and Washkuch reflect on their memories of 9/11, as well as those of several Haymarket Media employees.25:56 - Remembering financial services agency Cantor Fitzgerald, which lost almost 70% of its employees in the 9/11 attacks; and Bingham Group founder Mark Bingham, who was a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93 and later confirmed to have fought back against the hijackers.30:17 - How airlines’ crisis comms strategies evolved after 9/11.33:31 - Recounting PRWeek’s Jonah Bloom and Gideon Fidelzeid’s experiences on 9/11. AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket!  Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek

Podcast topics:1:51- Baum talks about the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship and how the Bucks’ communications team handled media coverage and access, Baum’s own career path in sports communications, growing a global sports brand and more. 20:20 - PR pioneer David Finn turned 100 on Monday, August 30. Friends, families and colleagues shared memories of Finn’s storied career with PRWeek to recognize the living legend’s impact on the PR industry. 23:43 - Some notable companies are giving staff this week off for mental health and wellbeing leading up to Labor Day; Also, Edelman, Google delay office return as Delta variant concerns grow and the PRSA conference goes online (again).27:57 - Sports talk — Athletes, sports, PR and branding; Mets "thumbs down"; Naomi Osaka reflects on Paris presser; Ronaldo comes home.34:45 - The U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan was completed on August 31, ending America’s longest war just weeks before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. How did President Joe Biden's communications strategy play out?41:30 - Notable people moves, including a new head of comms at SAIC and more. AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket!  Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek

Podcast topics:2:24 - Brod talks about the ingredients for PR agency success at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, how to actually measure the value of PR, working with influencers and more.   18:12 - Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been officially approved by FDA —What are the implications for marketing and mandates?22:32 - Zeno Group has bought a stake in multicultural and Black woman-owned communications firm Egami; Zeno CEO Barby Siegel says the partnership will benefit her agency’s goals on multicultural communications and diversity, equity and inclusion.26:03 - The 9/11 Memorial & Memorial is launching a Never Forget PSA ahead of the terrorist attacks’ 20th anniversary, specifically to reach a generation of younger Americans who have no memory of the attacks.30:11 - People moves, including Marina Maher Communications hiring its first president of healthcare and corporate businesses.  31:34 - What’s trending on social — Is it too early for Pumpkin Spice Latte?; Tony Hawk uses his own blood to promote skateboards; Is the #CrateChallenge brand safe? AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket!  Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek

Podcast topics:2:18 - Evangelisti talks about heading communications at a major international financial institution, working through the 2008 financial crisis, coming out in the world of PR and more. 18:03 - How global enterprises and governments have reacted to crises in Afghanistan and Haiti.24:28 - It’s the second anniversary of the Business Roundtable Statement on Corporate Purpose. Have companies made good on their word?31:44 - On Naomi Osaki’s continued mental health advocacy and her exchanges with reporters during her most recent press event.37:18 - News in brief: Australian holding company Enero Group’s latest financial report; Notable people moves: Catherine Hernandez-Blades joins SAIC, Sade Ayodele heads to Tidal, Michael Kaye leaves OkCupid for LinkedIn.39:46 - The PRWeek Purpose Awards 2021 shortlist has been unveiled. Learn more here. AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket!  Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek