You searched for in memoriam - PR Daily https://www.prdaily.com/ PR Daily - News for PR professionals Tue, 21 Apr 2020 14:36:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 London Fashion Week goes digital and gender-neutral, business leaders weigh recession, and Getty Mueum’s Animal Crossing strategy https://www.prdaily.com/london-fashion-week-goes-digital-and-gender-neutral-business-leaders-weigh-recession-and-getty-mueums-animal-crossing-strategy/ https://www.prdaily.com/london-fashion-week-goes-digital-and-gender-neutral-business-leaders-weigh-recession-and-getty-mueums-animal-crossing-strategy/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2020 14:34:37 +0000 https://www.prdaily.com/?p=307391 Also: Facebook launches gaming app early, why Disney turned to employee furloughs, remembering Prince, join our Twitter #RaganChat, and more. Hello, communicators: The Recording Academy is airing its special “Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince” in memoriam of the late singer, who died on April 21, 2016. “He was respected by so many, […]

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]]> Also: Facebook launches gaming app early, why Disney turned to employee furloughs, remembering Prince, join our Twitter #RaganChat, and more.

Hello, communicators:

The Recording Academy is airing its special “Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince” in memoriam of the late singer, who died on April 21, 2016.

Star Tribune reported:

Revolution drummer Bobby Z thinks the timing of this TV special is so quintessentially Prince-like. In an era of low-budget Zoom television performances from stars’ living rooms, leave it to Prince to bring a fully staged spectacle into America’s living rooms.

“It’s the right artists, it’s the right time and the right medium. People need this at this moment. This music can help get you through this day,” said Bobby Z. “Leave it to Prince to have an old-fashioned big-time TV show when it’s going to be hard to do these kind of things for a long time. He pulled it off again: Being the biggest thing on national television when nobody else can get on. I’ve been watching him do that my whole life.”

It’s another example in a growing line of early releases and product launches, as organizations scramble to respond to the pandemic. Consider what you can offer in the way of virtual entertainment and engagement as you seek to uplift your community, as well as stay at the forefront of consumers’ minds.

Here are today’s top stories:

London Fashion Week goes digital and gender neutral

The British Fashion Council announced that for the next year, all London Fashion Weeks will “merge womenswear and meanswear into one gender neutral platform, to allow designers greater flexibility.”

London Fashion Week will now take place virtually on June 12-14, which replaces London Fashion Week: Men’s. The digital platform will house podcasts, designer diaries, digital showrooms, interviews and webinars, and be open to the public as well as the organization’s trade audiences.

 In a press release, the organization’s chief executive, Caroline Rush, said:

It is essential to look at the future and the opportunity to change, collaborate and innovate. Many of our businesses have always embraced London Fashion Week as a platform for not just fashion but for its influence on society, identity and culture. The current pandemic is leading us all to reflect more poignantly on the society we live in and how we want to live our lives and build businesses when we get through this. The other side of this crisis, we hope will be about sustainability, creativity and product that you value, respect, cherish. By creating a cultural fashion week platform, we are adapting digital innovation to best fit our needs today and something to build on as a global showcase for the future.  Designers will be able to share their stories, and for those that have them, their collections, with a wider global community; we hope that as well as personal perspectives on this difficult time, there will be inspiration in bucketloads. It is what British fashion is known for.

Why it matters: The COVID-19 timeline is still uncertain, with many states and countries still sheltering in place. Digitizing your offerings can not only help you reach consumers now, but also can help safeguard your organization as the crisis continues.

Don’t just react to the pandemic. Instead, make decisions that can pave the way for the future of your brand, including the way you engage your stakeholders.

[RELATED: Does your agency or agency partner belong on our list of Top Agencies? Enter by May 10!]

TACTICALLY SPEAKING

 The Getty Museum has given Animal Crossing fans a way to digitally showcase its artwork:

The Victoria and Albert Museum jumped in for the virtual fine art appreciation by offering William Morris wallpaper to players:

The efforts show lucrative opportunities for organizations to gain consumer favor and boost brand recognition online—if you’re willing to take risks and venture into new digital territories. On April 7, The New York Times reported that the game had racked up “more than 38 million tweets since its release.”

The Times reported:

“It’s now the No. 1 most talked-about game in the world, dethroning the likes of Fate/Grand Order—which held that title for nearly two years—and Fortnite,” said Rishi Chadha, global head of gaming partnerships at Twitter. “The growth in conversation has been astronomical. Conversation volume since launch has grown over 1,000 percent and the number of people tweeting about the game has grown over 400 percent.”

CRISIS LEADERSHIP BOARD

Looking for more insight on how to address the current global crisis and lead your organization into a strong recovery?

Join Ragan’s Crisis Leadership Board to network and brainstorm with peers, get the latest intelligence and research, and start to strategize for the future of your organization.

Learn more about this exclusive membership here.

FROM THE EXPERTS

COVID-19 has transformed workplaces in a matter of weeks, sending internal communicators and employee relations pros scrambling to connect with their now dispersed workforces.

Learn how Phillips 66 is keeping its employees engaged during the crisis in a Q&A with the company’s senior advisor of digital projects, corporate communications, Laurie Madden. Read it here.

MEASURED THOUGHTS

A recent survey of executives, directors and managers from Business Insider Intelligence revealed that 78% think it’s either “very likely” or “extremely likely” we’re heading toward a recession, with several COVID-19 effects causing the decline.

Nearly half (48%) say that limited travel is contributing to worsening economic conditions, with 46% pointing to quarantine effects and 44% calling out shortages with supply chains as well as reduced purchases:

Image courtesy of Business Insider Intelligence.

 Of the leaders Business Insider Intelligence surveyed, 45% said the pandemic has already left a “small negative impact” on their organizations, with an additional 20% saying that impact was large. As COVID-19 continues, 27% say they expect a “small negative impact” in the next three months, with nearly half (48%) bracing for a “large negative impact.”

Image courtesy of Business Insider Intelligence.

Disney furloughs up to 100,000 employees

The entertainment company has temporarily suspended pay for “nearly half of its workforce,” Financial Times reported. The pay cuts should save up to $500 million monthly as Walt Disney Company’s theme parks and hotels in both the U.S. and Europe remain closed.

CNBC reported:

Over the last few weeks Disney has laid out its plans to impose unpaid leave, first for some non-union employees, then in a subsequent deal with 43,000 union workers. The media giant will pay 100% of health insurance costs for workers currently covered for up to 12 months. While the majority of those furloughs are at the theme parks, they also extend to all of Disney’s other divisions, including the movie studio and TV division. Disney’s also asked its senior executives to accept a pay cut, with no set end.

Why it’s important: Disney is bracing itself for extended closing dates of its theme parks and hotels as the world grapples to control the spread of COVID-19. If your organization is similarly cutting employees’ pay or furloughing its workforce to stay afloat as the crisis continues, make sure you communicate often and transparently to your employees. Address their concerns as you lay out your plan forward, and update them as the crisis continues and your business model—as well as communications—adjusts in response.

#RAGANCHAT

Today at 3 p.m. Eastern time, we’ll discuss tactics and tips behind outstanding virtual meetings. Join us under the hashtag #RaganChat, and invite your network to join you by sharing the tweet below:

SOCIAL BUZZ

Facebook has released its gaming app two months ahead of schedule in response to COVID-19:

CNBC reported:

Facebook lags behind Twitch and YouTube when it comes to live video game broadcasts. In the first three months of 2020, the firm’s game streaming platform clocked almost 554 million hours of viewing time, compared to 1.1 billion for YouTube and 3.1 billion for Twitch, according to research from Streamlabs and Stream Hatchet.

But the company says over 700 million of its users already interact with gaming content on the main Facebook app.

Facebook might be up against tough competition, but the company is taking advantage of consumers staying at home and looking for entertainment. The New York Times reported that 2.5 billion Facebook users already engage with gaming content.

WHAT YOU SAID

We asked how often you’re communicating with employees during the pandemic, and more than 33% of you said you reach out daily. Roughly 26% connect with workers every few days, and more than 21% touch base weekly:

Along with keeping employees informed, regularly ask them how they’re doing. Assessing their mood and outlook can help you identify concerns and needs to address.

SOUNDING BOARD 

What phrase are you using for “going back to work” following shelter-in-place orders? Are you calling it “re-entry”? “Return to normal?”

Share your thoughts, along with how you’re positioning employee messages, under the #DailyScoop hashtag.

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]]> https://www.prdaily.com/london-fashion-week-goes-digital-and-gender-neutral-business-leaders-weigh-recession-and-getty-mueums-animal-crossing-strategy/feed/ 1 Employee emails worsen Boeing’s reputation, Taco Bell offers $100K salaries, and Carnival bans offensive clothing https://www.prdaily.com/employee-emails-worsen-boeings-reputation-taco-bell-offers-100k-salaries-and-carnival-bans-offensive-clothing/ https://www.prdaily.com/employee-emails-worsen-boeings-reputation-taco-bell-offers-100k-salaries-and-carnival-bans-offensive-clothing/#comments Fri, 10 Jan 2020 16:14:22 +0000 https://www.prdaily.com/?p=304636 Also: Remembering Harold Burson, Booking.com welcomes 2020 in style, H-E-B crowned as consumers’ top grocer, and more. Good morning, PR pros:  Booking.com is helping people achieve their New Year’s resolutions with 20 themed ”Resolution Suites” in New York City. You can book a two-night stay for Jan. 17–19 in the one- and two-bedroom Manhattan apartments […]

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]]> Also: Remembering Harold Burson, Booking.com welcomes 2020 in style, H-E-B crowned as consumers’ top grocer, and more.

Good morning, PR pros:

 Booking.com is helping people achieve their New Year’s resolutions with 20 themed ”Resolution Suites” in New York City. You can book a two-night stay for Jan. 17–19 in the one- and two-bedroom Manhattan apartments starting Jan. 13 at noon Eastern time for the low price of $20.20.

Each suite contains the backdrop and items to inspire a specific resolution, including spending more time with your pet, getting into shape, learning how to code or mastering the art of cooking and baking.

Image courtesy of Booking.com.

 Communicators looking to hone their skills might enjoy the “resolution suites” aimed at expanding your network, building a business or cultivating photography skills that can boost your social media content.

Image courtesy of Booking.com.

 The suites are part of the travel company’s New Year’s campaign, which also includes 20 prizes of $2,020 to the most “creative and inspirint travel-related resolutions” and accommodation advice to fulfill your goals for the year:

The tactics showcase fun and creative ways you can highlight your organization’s offerings with a timely trend.

Here are today’s top stories:

Taco Bell announces $100,000 salaries

The fast-food chain is testing higher manager salaries at selected company-owned locations in the Midwest and Northeast this year—an increase of $30,000 to $50,000, based on current management salary ranges in those stores. Along with boosting some leaders’ salaries, Taco Bell said employees at company-owned stores can also receive at least 24 hours of paid sick leave each year, which previously was only available to management.

MarketWatch reported:

“We are constantly exploring new ways to invest in our people, enhance morale and boost recruitment and retention,” Ferril Onyett, Taco Bell’s senior director of global training and international HR, told MarketWatch in an emailed statement. Managers have “a huge impact” on the restaurant performance, customer experience, and “team member satisfaction,” she added.

… “We hope we can evaluate the effect of increased salaries on manager and team morale, restaurant performance, recruitment and retention, and customer experience,” Onyett said.

Why you should care: Your front-line employees are often the first (and sometimes the only) interaction consumers make with your organization, so it’s important to find and retain top talent that can deliver your mission and boost your brand image. Finding and keeping the best workers requires competitive salaries and benefits, but don’t forget to nuture your company culture. That’s another big reason employees stay (or leave) organizations.

IN MEMORIAM

Harold Burson, founder of Burson-Marsteller and called “the century’s most influential PR figure,” has died. He was 98 years old.

Memorial services will be held in New York City and at the University of Mississippi. In lieu of flowers, Burson’s family asks those wanting to celebrate their father’s life—and to ensure that his teachings endure—to make a donation to the Harold Burson Legacy Scholarship Fund at the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi.

Friends, colleagues and “Burson-Persons” worldwide are invited to leave a comment, an anecdote or a note of remembrance at the following email: mmburson99@gmail.com.

MEASURED THOUGHTS

 H-E-B dethroned Trader Joe’s to become the top grocer in the United States, dunnhumby recently reported in its Retailer Preference Index. Amazon, Market Basket, Wegmans Food Markets, Costco, Aldi, Sam’s Club, Walmart and Publix rounded out the top 10.

Image courtesy of dunnhumby.

 The survey found that relevance and convenience pushed the top grocers into consumers’ hearts, with convenience becoming the most important factor in customers’ choosing where to shop.

Image courtesy of dunnhumby.

[RELATED: Does your agency or agency partner belong on our list of Top Agencies? Enter by May 10!]

Carnival Cruise Line’s new dress code

 The cruise line has banned clothing that carries “any message that may be considered offensive or contain nudity, profanity, sexual innuendo/suggestions.” Passengers’ clothing also cannot “promote negative ethnic or racial, commentary, or hatred or violence in any form.”

 The Washington Post reported:

“At Carnival, we want to make sure that all of our guests feel comfortable when cruising with us, and that includes being around guests wearing clothing with inappropriate or threatening images or language,” said Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen in an email. “Like other cruise lines, we have long had some basic clothing guidelines in place, and our guests respect them and understand we are a family-focused business.”

Why it matters: Inclusivity is an important consideration for any organization—not just those who are “family-focused.” Measures to increase inclusivity can include making social media content more accessible for those with hearing or sight limitations, finding ways to welcome and involve employees of all backgrounds, and limiting ways that your products and services might be featured negatively. In Carnival’s case, a viral photo of a passenger lounging on the Lido deck in an offensive shirt doesn’t bode well for reputation management.

SOCIAL BUZZ

 Subaru Forester’s newest edition is making the rounds online, but not for its features. Instead, the “Forester Ultimate Customised Kit Special” is racking up snark on Twitter because of the edition’s acronym.

Many are wondering if the name is unintentionally crass, or if it’s an attention-seeking move. What do you think? Share your thoughts under the hashtag #MorningScoop.

Boeing’s reputation dinged by internal emails

 The aerospace manufacturer’s lastest PR crisis involves hundreds of emails between employees that were delivered to congressional investigators on Thursday. The messages contained conversations about software and other issues with the 737 Max flight simulators—the model involved in 2018 and 2019 crashes that killed 346 people. The emails also include marketing employees cheering the decision to not require simulator training for the 737 Max planes.

The New York Times reported:

“I still haven’t been forgiven by God for the covering up I did last year,” one of the employees said in messages from 2018, apparently in reference to interactions with the Federal Aviation Administration.

… In another set of messages, employees questioned the design of the Max and even denigrated their own colleagues. “This airplane is designed by clowns, who are in turn supervised by monkeys,” an employee wrote in an exchange from 2017.

After the messages were made public, Boeing issued a mea culpa, The New York Times reported:

“We regret the content of these communications, and apologize to the F.A.A., Congress, our airline customers and to the flying public for them,” Boeing added. “The language used in these communications, and some of the sentiments they express, are inconsistent with Boeing values, and the company is taking appropriate action in response. This will ultimately include disciplinary or other personnel action, once the necessary reviews are completed.”

Why it’s important: The emails do nothing to help Boeing as it continues to grapple with its crisis response, because they showcase a troubling company culture and lack of regard for the safety of its products. Workforce culture can be a crucial boost or nail in the coffin of your reputation management strategy, so don’t let it be an afterthought. Instead, align your culture with your organization’s mission, and make sure all employees are on the same page. The emails can also serve as a reminder not to put in writing anything that you wouldn’t want on the front page of a newspaper.

WHAT YOU SAID

 We asked how you celebrate your PR successes, and more than half of you (57%) crow about their wins on social media. A quarter celebrate with office parties, and nearly 11% enter awards programs. Only 7% write press releases.

SOUNDING BOARD

How are you thinking about “fake news” and disinformation in 2020? Is it a bigger concern for you this year than it was last year?

Please share your thoughts online or in the comments, using our hashtag #MorningScoop.

 

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]]> https://www.prdaily.com/employee-emails-worsen-boeings-reputation-taco-bell-offers-100k-salaries-and-carnival-bans-offensive-clothing/feed/ 1 11 takeaways for PR pros from last night’s Oscars https://www.prdaily.com/11-takeaways-for-pr-pros-from-last-nights-oscars/ https://www.prdaily.com/11-takeaways-for-pr-pros-from-last-nights-oscars/#respond Tue, 06 Mar 2018 14:52:00 +0000 https://www.prdaily.com/11-takeaways-for-pr-pros-from-last-nights-oscars/ What was a predictable and plodding affair for some was win for others after last year’s awards gaffe. Here’s what veteran communicators can learn from the big night. They came; they schmoozed; they were honored for their work. While the stars glittered in their gowns and the best films of the year took home accolades, […]

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]]> What was a predictable and plodding affair for some was win for others after last year’s awards gaffe. Here’s what veteran communicators can learn from the big night.

They came; they schmoozed; they were honored for their work.

While the stars glittered in their gowns and the best films of the year took home accolades, there are always takeaways for those of us in the PR world.

Communicators, what lessons can be learned from the Oscars? Here are 11 takeaways:

1. Grab attention with your opening.

The Academy Awards are known for their opening numbers. The ones that stand out in our memories tend to be those that flopped (think Rob Lowe singing with Snow White—or Seth McFarlane’s opening song and dance number).

Host Jimmy Kimmel stepped outside the box with last night’s opening, featuring retro-style black and white news clips, with funny headlinesfrom today.

For Emma Stone, who claimed an Oscar last year for “La La Land,” he asked: “Will she do it again tonight?” followed by a “No.”

For “Darkest Hour” star and nominee Gary Oldman, Kimmel offered: “If you loved Gary in ‘Forrest Gump,’ you’re thinking of Gary Sinise.”

2. Speak to the issues – but keep it light.

The last thing most people who watch the Oscars want to see is three and a half hours of heavy-handed political commentary. But, Jimmy Kimmel managed to work in issues like MeToo and Times Up without missing a beat, making jokes that kept the mood lighthearted.

“I remember a time when the major studios didn’t believe a woman or a minority could open a superhero movie – and the reason I remember that time is because it was March of last year,” Kimmel quipped.

[RELATED: Leverage your intranet with Simpplr’s free report, “Your Intranet: The Secret to Employee Retention?”]

3. If it’s a special occasion, go big.

The awards telecast went big for its 90th anniversary with a super glittery stage that sparkled throughout the night. While ostentatious, it fit the occasion, proving you can get away with a little glam if it’s a big night.

4. Stunts work.

To liven up the evening, Kimmel did a bit last night to thank movie goers for their support. It involved gathering a collection of stars in attendance like Gal Gadot, Margot Robbie and Mark Hamill and marching them into a theater full of moviegoers to hand out snacks. A couple of the actors were armed with hot dog cannons that fired sandwiches into the crowd.

The stunt drew praise as a fun way to break up the event. As the Los Angeles Times reported this morning, “Armie Hammer had a hot dog cannon at the Oscars and nothing elsematters.”

5. Do your homework—and check your facts.

The “In Memoriam” reel is always a part of the show—although it often seems to be a magnet for criticism.

Last year, the reel included the wrong photo (there was a picture of Jan Chapman—who’s still living—when the name Janet Patterson, a costume designer, appeared).

This year, the reel is taking heat for omitting some major names like Adam West and John Mahoney. These weren’t low-profile actors, so whoever compiled the reel should be checking—and double-checking—their work.

6. Think of a different way to tell your story.

One of the standout moments of last night’s show was a montage of diverse filmmakers featuring female director Greta Gerwig, screenwriter and actor Kumail Nanjani and others talking about why more diversity is needed in Hollywood. Some thought this was a much more effective way to tell the story, versus airing a montage of films they’ve worked on.

7. Sometimes a second chance is in order.

Last year’s Best Picture envelope debacle made great fodder for host Kimmel, who referenced it throughout the show.

Then, when it was time to announce this year’s Best Picture winner, out came Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty—the same team who were at the center of last year’s fiasco. This year, lo and behold, they managed to get it right. Although Guillermo Del Toro did check to make sure when he came up on the stage to accept the award, then smiled and nodded after he’d checked to make sure “The Shape of Water” was listed.

8. If you fail, take steps to correct what didn’t work.

This year the envelopes were printed with the category in large letters – perhaps to avoid another mistake. It went off without a hitch. Sometimes you must tweak the process to get it right.

9. Run long and you may lose your audience .

The Oscar broadcast is known for running long. Last night’s show was scheduled for three hours, but it ended running nearly 45 minutes over. Oomph.

If you’re producing an event, try to stay on time. If you see you’re running long, take steps to reign it in before it gets out of hand. Otherwise, you may lose your audience.

10. Save the best for last.

If you watched last night, you may have noticed they saved the popular “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman” as the final performance of the evening in the Best Song category. Why? It was the most mainstream and recognizable of those nominated.

Keala Settle’s performance was one of the most anticipated moments of the night, and she brought down the house. So, if you’re trying to keep people tuned in, keep them wanting more by saving the best for last.

11. After a debacle, maybe a ho-hum event is a win.

This year’s show has been deemed a bit dull. But, after last year’s chaos with the Best Picture mix-up, the producers might be pleased with the staid atmosphere.

“It only stands to reason that the most surprising Oscars might be followed by the least surprising Oscars,” says an NPR article, “A Year After Envelope Pandemonium, A Ho-Hum Night Is Just What TheOscars Ordered.”

“There are probably a lot of people adjacent to the Oscars who just didn’t want any surprises Sunday night,” the article concludes. “And the biggest takeaway from the evening — the good news and the bad news — is that there weren’t any.”

Michelle Garrett is a PR consultant and writer at Garrett Public Relations. Follow her on Twitter @PRisUs or connect with her on LinkedIn.

(Image via)

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]]> https://www.prdaily.com/11-takeaways-for-pr-pros-from-last-nights-oscars/feed/ 0 Saying farewell to a cherished colleague https://www.prdaily.com/saying-farewell-to-a-cherished-colleague/ https://www.prdaily.com/saying-farewell-to-a-cherished-colleague/#respond Fri, 20 Jan 2017 14:49:59 +0000 https://www.prdaily.com/saying-farewell-to-a-cherished-colleague/ Readers should know the name ‘Brett Spearing.’ Without him, this publishing company wouldn’t be where it is today—nor anywhere close. I called him Superman. He’d swat me away and shrug off that nickname, but it was true. Brett Spearing was my right-hand man at work and jumped in to save me professionally on countless occasions […]

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]]> Readers should know the name ‘Brett Spearing.’ Without him, this publishing company wouldn’t be where it is today—nor anywhere close.

I called him Superman. He’d swat me away and shrug off that nickname, but it was true.

Brett Spearing was my right-hand man at work and jumped in to save me professionally on countless occasions with an ever-present smile on his face and a seemingly endless reserve of patience. If you knew Brett, you knew he never said no. Anything was fixable and doable.

He armed himself with that spirit in the face of his chronic lymphocytic leukemia diagnosis. He passed away on Jan. 14. He was 46.

Although the collective Ragan Communications family carries a heavy heart, it also beats with immense gratitude for having known and worked alongside him. Our office will close Thursday, Jan. 19, in memoriam.

Many readers may not recognize his name. But what you should know, dear readers, is that without him, you wouldn’t be reading this article, getting our daily headlines or visiting our websites. Without him, our online presence wouldn’t exist.

As our CEO Mark Ragan said:

Brett worked for Ragan for more than two decades and was one of the most beloved employees in the 50-year history of the company. He was also one of the most effective.

Brett ushered our company into the digital age. Without his steady leadership, and without his talent for matching Ragan’s services to the right technology, the company could never have survived.

Everything you see online carrying the Ragan name was a Brett Spearing Production.

That’s no exaggeration.

I oversaw the editorial department, and Brett ran IT. We ground out long hours, days and weeks launching Ragan.com, PR Daily and, in later years, HealthCareCommunication.com. Teaching HTML code to an English major like me was no easy feat, but he did, and with a grin on his face.

He loved this company and solved many a crisis during his career. He was everyone’s go-to guy.

As Mark said:

He was a colleague who would shoulder any burden. If a fellow employee fell ill, or if a job needed to be done and there was no one around to do it, Brett was invariably the guy who stepped in.

He was an eternal optimist and fighter at heart. That didn’t waver when faced with cancer. He fought like hell.

Here’s what he wrote prior to his stem-cell transplant a year ago:

This is hard, but being hard doesn’t mean it should be overwhelming and terrifying. The cancer left unchecked or untreated is terrifying and the result dire. I tend to approach this the way I do many things, straight forward, armed with information that helps me make informed decisions and a positive outlook. With those three things I have found that you end up with the best chance for success at the end of the day. You also end the day in a positive light, which is always good.

I joked that if I knew how eloquent a writer he was, he would have been writing for the websites all these years. We are thankful to his wife, Sarah, for keeping us informed on his CaringBridge page. He was in no better hands than hers.

Brett’s mark is left in everything we do at Ragan. We will always be indebted to him and all he gave us. It was an honor to call him a colleague and friend. His spirit and essence will undoubtedly live on in his two children, who were the apple of his eye.

We will miss you, Brett. We will toast to you as we tell tales of crazy former co-workers and late-night dance parties—he was always the last man standing—just as you would have wanted us to.

I’ll close with Brett’s wise advice for us all:

If I can ask one thing it’s that you try to worry or stress a little less and enjoy as many of the little wonderful things that present themselves to you each day. Go out and enjoy life, it’s fleeting.

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]]> https://www.prdaily.com/saying-farewell-to-a-cherished-colleague/feed/ 0 Thousands turn to Twitter to remember John Glenn https://www.prdaily.com/thousands-turn-to-twitter-to-remember-john-glenn/ https://www.prdaily.com/thousands-turn-to-twitter-to-remember-john-glenn/#respond Mon, 12 Dec 2016 14:46:33 +0000 https://www.prdaily.com/thousands-turn-to-twitter-to-remember-john-glenn/ Politicians, reporters and organizations tweeted memorials as astronauts shared memories of the late space explorer, Marine and former senator, who died Thursday. Tributes to John Glenn have run the gamut from national hero to “American badass.” John Glenn: American badass https://t.co/gH6pICNpxU — Alex Parker (@AlexParker) December 8, 2016 Glenn, the first American astronaut to orbit […]

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]]> Politicians, reporters and organizations tweeted memorials as astronauts shared memories of the late space explorer, Marine and former senator, who died Thursday.

Tributes to John Glenn have run the gamut from national hero to “American badass.”

Glenn, the first American astronaut to orbit Earth, died Thursday. He was 95.

Glenn was also a former Marine and United States senator, but it was primarily his forays into space that inspired those who knew him or knew of him.

“His achievement marked the moment the US caught up with the Soviet Union in manned space exploration,” the BBC reported.

The Wall Street Journal reported:

Glenn’s flight transfixed the nation. Most people watched it on the small screens of black and white TV sets. Their young President was John F. Kennedy. This was happening in the shadow of World War II and amid the Cold War with the Soviet Union, a competitor in space. To Americans then it seemed like the dawn of an age of possibility. In hindsight, it was that indeed.

John Glenn went on to serve as a distinguished U.S. Senator from his native Ohio. He made an unsuccessful run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 against Walter Mondale.

His political misses didn’t matter much to his legacy. Those two words, John Glenn, are now part of the American vocabulary for a nation of dreamers, strivers and achievers.

President Barack Obama said Glenn “had the right stuff” and “reminded us that with courage and a spirit of discovery there’s no limit to the heights we can reach together”:

The United States Marine Corps tweeted a tribute:

NASA tweeted that Glenn’s “contributions will forever be remembered,” and it filled its timeline with tweets remembering the late astronaut and senator:

Other organizations associated with Glenn tweeted statements and memorials:

Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin issued a statement that he later tweeted. It read, in part:

I was very saddened to hear the John was ill over the past year. Since he was the last remaining Mercury astronaut, I was always lobbying him to encourage the Apollo guys to do regular reunions annually since we’re not getting any younger. With the news today I’m saddened again to hear that we have lost the pioneer of space flight for the United States, second only to Yuri Gagarin, and he will always go down in history as certainly one of the most influential officers in the Marine Corps and of course as one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts. I am very sorry that he has departed us with his wisdom. I join that crowd of people and the entire nation and the world in paying homage to his service.

The @NASA_Astronauts Twitter account was filled with memorials from Glenn’s colleagues and other astronauts who drew inspiration from him:

Reporters, politicians, executives and brand managers also took to Twitter in memoriam:

Free download: 10 ways to boost senior executives’ communications

Even Kermit the Frog joined in, quoting from “The Rainbow Connection”:

How has your organization saluted the late John Glenn?

 

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]]> https://www.prdaily.com/thousands-turn-to-twitter-to-remember-john-glenn/feed/ 0 5 Nancy Reagan quotes to inspire PR pros https://www.prdaily.com/5-nancy-reagan-quotes-to-inspire-pr-pros/ https://www.prdaily.com/5-nancy-reagan-quotes-to-inspire-pr-pros/#respond Tue, 08 Mar 2016 14:48:16 +0000 https://www.prdaily.com/5-nancy-reagan-quotes-to-inspire-pr-pros/ Politicians, public figures and social media users remembered the former first lady on Sunday by sharing her famous quotations and beliefs. Political views were recently set aside as politicians, celebrities, public figures and social media users paid their respects to Nancy Reagan. On Sunday, the former first lady died of congestive heart failure. She was […]

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]]> Politicians, public figures and social media users remembered the former first lady on Sunday by sharing her famous quotations and beliefs.

Political views were recently set aside as politicians, celebrities, public figures and social media users paid their respects to Nancy Reagan.

On Sunday, the former first lady died of congestive heart failure. She was 94.

Nancy was known for the grace and elegance that she brought to the White House while her husband, Ronald Reagan, was president. She was also remembered for her love for and fierce loyalty to him.

“It is a very sad day,” Ken Duberstein, former chief of staff to Ronald Reagan, told NBC News. “Every time she was in the room, [Ronald] was better, and every time [Ronald] was in the room she was better. She brought a sense of class and dignity and elegance that everybody admired.”

Many social media users turned to Twitter in memoriam, sharing many of Nancy Reagan’s quotations. Here are five from which PR pros can gain inspiration:

1. “I am a big believer that eventually everything comes back to you. You get back what you give out.”

Reagan’s maxim isn’t only an admirable way to live your life. PR pros who skirt ethical boundaries or seek to boost their influence or brands’ messages through shortcuts can find themselves in hot water when the truth comes out.

Conversely, brand managers who spend time building a community and building relationships with their consumers can have an easier time with crisis communications.

PR pros who also pay it forward—whether through mentoring, giving time at networking events or sharing their insights through guest posts—can find greater satisfaction, increased influence and a larger pool of clients and job opportunities.

2. “As I’ve said before, time is short, and life is precious.”

A day in the life of a PR pro is often hectic, filled with writing and pitching press releases, working with clients on traditional and social media tactics, networking, putting out brand fires and more.

Though many PR pros take their work home with them—either in hand or emotionally—Reagan’s words can remind us that there are important things beyond strategy meetings and analytics reports.

If you find that work is seeping too much into your personal life, assess what you can change to get a better work/life balance. Your work will be more effective, and you won’t get burnt out as easily.

3. “A woman is like a tea bag—you never know how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”

Though women in the PR industry might take this quote especially to heart, its message can apply to pros of both genders who build and protect brands’ reputations.

You can see the strength and skill set of a PR pro or team when a firestorm breaks out and the damage is mitigated through a calculated plan, timely responses and well-placed messages.

RELATED: Join speechwriters for three U.S. presidents in our executive comms and speechwriters conference in Washington, D.C.

4. “You learn something out of everything, and you come to realize more than ever that we’re all here for a certain space of time, and, and then it’s going to be over, and you better make this count.”

The message for PR pros—as well as professionals in any industry—is straightforward: Learn from your mistakes, and seize the day.

Though it can be hard to recover from a crisis or disappointing to lead a lackluster campaign, the future holds much for communicators that take note of what they missed or did wrong and then try a new approach.

5. “There’s a big, wonderful world out there for you. It belongs to you. It’s exciting and stimulating and rewarding. Don’t cheat yourselves out of this promise.”

Though Reagan was speaking to younger crowds when she said this during her “Just Say No” speech—part of the campaign against drugs that she spent years promoting—young communicators can apply this to their lives as they enter the PR industry.

PR Daily readers, please offer any Nancy Reagan quotations that have inspired you.

(Image via)

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]]> https://www.prdaily.com/5-nancy-reagan-quotes-to-inspire-pr-pros/feed/ 0 Academy takes on diversity issue, marketers (mainly) stay clear https://www.prdaily.com/academy-takes-on-diversity-issue-marketers-mainly-stay-clear/ https://www.prdaily.com/academy-takes-on-diversity-issue-marketers-mainly-stay-clear/#respond Tue, 01 Mar 2016 14:48:08 +0000 https://www.prdaily.com/academy-takes-on-diversity-issue-marketers-mainly-stay-clear/ Twitter was active last night during the Academy Awards, social media managers skirted the controversy—except for one brand representative’s misstep. During Sunday night’s Academy Awards, diversity and Leonardo DiCaprio took center stage, while brand managers jostled to be recognized as well. The New York Times reported that Rock approached the diversity controversy both early and […]

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]]> Twitter was active last night during the Academy Awards, social media managers skirted the controversy—except for one brand representative’s misstep.

During Sunday night’s Academy Awards, diversity and Leonardo DiCaprio took center stage, while brand managers jostled to be recognized as well.

The New York Times reported that Rock approached the diversity controversy both early and often:

Mr. Rock spent virtually the whole monologue on the subject of diversity, mostly spoofing it but occasionally adding more biting commentary, as when he quipped that the annual “In Memoriam” tribute would honor black people who were “shot by the cops on their way to the movies.”

The controversy caused some celebrities to boycott the event and social media users to criticize the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences under the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite.

Rock’s opening monologue was certainly not the only time that diversity took a front-and-center spot, The New York Times reported:

Thirty minutes into the show, Mr. Rock was still hitting the diversity theme, hard. He introduced a skit that had Whoopi Goldberg and others trying to edge their way into acting roles reserved for whites. Ms. Goldberg swished a mop next to Jennifer Lawrence in a scene supposedly from “Joy.” In another spoof, Jeff Daniels declined to spend $2,500 to save a stranded black astronaut, played by Mr. Rock, on Mars, in a takeoff on “The Martian.”

Ms. Goldberg was back later to introduce a video recap of the Governors Awards, which went to Gena Rowlands, Debbie Reynolds, and Spike Lee. “It’s easier to be president of the United States as a black person than be head of a studio,” Mr. Lee had said then. Cheryl Boone Isaacs, the academy’s president, immediately followed Ms. Goldberg with comments addressing the diversity issue.

“It’s not enough just to listen and agree,” Isaacs said. “We must take action.” RELATED: Keep cool in a crisis with these 13 tips.

Brand managers avoid the diversity issue

Social media managers for fashion brands such as Tiffany & Co.,Kenneth Cole, Burberry and Gucci were active throughout the awards ceremony:

Kohls’ marketers threw an Oscars Twitter party. Many brand’s social media managers chimed in with reactions to Oscars announcements or congratulations, especially to DiCaprio:

Some brand managers highlighted their organizations’ event sponsorships—or shamelessly (though sometimes cleverly) promoted their products:

UK-based advertising pro Mark Borkowski told The Guardian that brand managers avoid controversies such as #OscarsSoWhite unless the backlash turns toward them.

“It’s a controversy, and not a particularly good one because of its political nature,” Borkowski said.

He also told The Guardian that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences would weather the storm over the controversy, partially due to its quick pledge to increase diversity in its organization:

“In this day and age there’s no such thing as terminally bad publicity, because everything comes and goes so quickly,” he said. “But if they have the same thing next year, then the Academy will have a real problem.”

The award for misstep goes to…

Though the Academy handled its controversy head on while most brand managers stayed safely away from it, Total Beauty’s social media team learned the hard way that a misstep can become a crisis when done at the worst time.

The brand’s social media team tweeted the following reaction to Whoopi Goldberg’s red-carpet appearance:

The tweet, which mistook Goldberg for Oprah Winfrey, stayed up for 45 minutes before being deleted. The apology came after an even longer period of time:

Though some Twitter users called it an honest mistake, many blamed brand managers for doing it on purpose to get attention. Other Twitter users lashed out at the brand for being insensitive:

After the Oscars, brand managers followed up on the apology with a move to charm critics and stem the social media backlash:

(Image via)

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]]> https://www.prdaily.com/academy-takes-on-diversity-issue-marketers-mainly-stay-clear/feed/ 0 What a marketing firm did when a former client killed Cecil the lion https://www.prdaily.com/what-a-marketing-firm-did-when-a-former-client-killed-cecil-the-lion/ https://www.prdaily.com/what-a-marketing-firm-did-when-a-former-client-killed-cecil-the-lion/#respond Mon, 28 Dec 2015 14:56:56 +0000 https://www.prdaily.com/what-a-marketing-firm-did-when-a-former-client-killed-cecil-the-lion/ Social media users jumped to attack a marketing firm that formerly worked with the dentist that killed Cecil the lion. Here’s how the firm handled the scrutiny. What should a small business do when a former client kills one of the most beloved animals in the world and the social media backlash turns into a […]

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]]> Social media users jumped to attack a marketing firm that formerly worked with the dentist that killed Cecil the lion. Here’s how the firm handled the scrutiny.

What should a small business do when a former client kills one of the most beloved animals in the world and the social media backlash turns into a tidal wave? My marketing firm, Page 1 Solutions, recently found itself in that situation when a former client, Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer, admitted to killing internationally revered lion Cecil during a hunting expedition in Zimbabwe. The story exploded on social media, and Page 1 began receiving negative attention from people under the mistaken impression that our company managed Palmer’s dental website.

As our president explained in a post, Page 1 Solutions hasn’t worked with Palmer since 2013. Nevertheless, our company was swept up in the online outrage. When news about Cecil’s death broke Tuesday, we started receiving angry calls, emails and social media posts accusing us of hiding our relationship with Palmer and continuing to market his dental practice.

Several members of our team have been in crisis management mode since this situation arose, devoting substantial energy responding to the myriad of online comments we’ve received, answering client concerns and talking to local reporters to get the facts out. In doing so, we’ve pulled together as a team, strengthened our skills and emerged stronger than ever.

In responding to this crisis, we have identified several key takeaways that other small businesses can use when they get caught in the middle of controversy. [Keep your cool in a crisis with these 13 tips.]

1. Get in front of the issue.

When we realized the connection people were (incorrectly) making between Palmer and our agency, we took action.

Our senior IT specialist discovered that Palmer failed to transfer his practice’s domain name when he moved to a new marketing company, which meant people could still find an association between Page 1 Solutions and Palmer’s dental practice, River Bluff Dental. Meanwhile, one of our social media specialists immediately began responding individually to the harsh, sometimes frightening sentiments people were expressing on our Facebook page and Twitter feed. These individual responses resolved many people’s concerns.

We also released a series of statements on our blog: an initial response followed by our president’s more detailed post. An account manager also began positioning our story with local news outlets about the impact that the online outrage against Palmer had on us.

By the next day, the website registration information was updated, the tide of negative social comments was turning and our president had already been interviewed four times by Denver TV, radio and print outlets.

2. Don’t be afraid to take a stance.

At Page 1, we too were genuinely outraged. The challenge was showing the people who shared our feelings that their anger at Palmer was being misdirected at us.

Our message was based in fact: The business relationship between Page 1 Solutions and Palmer’s practice had been nonexistent for years. With each response, each interview and even conversations between team members around the office, our anger at Cecil’s death came through.

This crisis was an opportunity to clear our company’s name and reaffirm our commitment to the community by discussing a love of nature that not only underlies many employees’ leisure activities but is a frequent source of our charitable contributions and volunteering activities.

3. Internal communication is critical.

Though no emergency situation is ever easy to weather, it’s not uncommon for large companies to have a crisis management plan in place and even employees with designated duties in the event of a crisis. As a small business with little experience with crises (and certainly not one so big and well-publicized), we did not have procedures in place to respond.

In light of these events, we are creating a crisis plan. Even though we had no blueprint when this crisis took place, the Page 1 team endured and even rose above the challenges this situation threw at us. Your organization can, too.

One of the biggest benefits of a small company is the flexibility of roles. By hiring talented people passionate about protecting your brand, you can harness their diverse skill sets and fluidly deal with the public-facing and behind-the-scenes issues attending any crisis.

The key component is division of labor. Keeping the lines of communication open makes it possible for employees involved in resolving the crisis to figure out who is doing what and keep each other abreast of relevant updates. Here at Page 1, we first communicated via a series of emails, followed by a company meeting. Team members then began communicating with our clients by email and phone.

A team member took responsibility for monitoring each of our social channels for spiteful comments or unfair reviews. These employees were then able to communicate what was happening to the director of account services and determine the appropriate response. Later, when the news media began covering our story, management and employees from different departments maintained active correspondence about requests for interviews, where reports and mentions of Page 1 were being published and where further opportunities might lie for distributing our message.

4. Take an active approach.

Once your business is in crisis, start taking active steps to extricate yourself from the situation. It can be a daunting task to start responding to criticism and tough questions when you aren’t prepared, but diving in makes it possible for you to start controlling the message.

Even if your organization is small, you have means at your disposal to elucidate the truth and be heard. Always lead with the facts. Social media is likely your first line of defense, followed by traditional media.

In Page 1’s case, we sought not only to clear our company’s name but also make an effort to right the situation. Using a portion of profits, our subsidiary Altrumedia adopted a lion at the Colorado Wild Animal Sanctuary. His name is Orion, and we hope our support for him will be a fitting memoriam for the loss of Cecil.

Every crisis is a crucible. You and your employees will feel the heat, but you can emerge from the situation stronger with an immediate, truthful response executed by dedicated team members. Since this situation arose, Page 1 Solutions has received overwhelmingly support both internally and externally from clients, friends and even people we have never met. ​

Adam Rowan is a content specialist at Page 1 Solutions in Golden, Colorado.

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]]> https://www.prdaily.com/what-a-marketing-firm-did-when-a-former-client-killed-cecil-the-lion/feed/ 0 2014’s best and worst communicators https://www.prdaily.com/2014s-best-and-worst-communicators/ https://www.prdaily.com/2014s-best-and-worst-communicators/#respond Fri, 26 Dec 2014 09:00:12 +0000 https://www.prdaily.com/2014s-best-and-worst-communicators/ Spanning politics and pop culture, business mavens and sports idols, these tandem lists highlight the silver-tongued and cast a harsh glare on the tongue-tied. There is no such thing as private speaking, and Decker Communications’ Top Ten Best and Worst Communicators of 2014 list proves it. These famous examples from business, politics, sports and pop […]

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]]> Spanning politics and pop culture, business mavens and sports idols, these tandem lists highlight the silver-tongued and cast a harsh glare on the tongue-tied.

There is no such thing as private speaking, and Decker Communications’ Top Ten Best and Worst Communicators of 2014 list proves it.

These famous examples from business, politics, sports and pop culture have left indelible impressions this year—both for better and for worse.

10 Best

1. Robin Williams

Robin Williams deftly employed crucial assets of all top communicators-spontaneity and the ability to live in the moment. He was uniquely funny and deserving of in memoriam honors for his work. He used his brilliant mind, as well as his body and props, to add physical expression to his words and humor in the moment.

2. Richard Branson

Sir Richard Branson is just so darn likable. In a world that judges quickly, his smile immediately engages and draws his audience right in. He can also be serious in a crisis. Branson swiftly and empathetically addressed the situation (though we wish we could work with him to eliminate those “ums” and “uhs”).

3. Wendy Clark

Wendy Clark presents herself differently from most executives. A senior marketer at Coca-Cola, Clark’s natural and funny opening may be a bit canned (pun intended), but she consistently comes to play in an authentic way, using tons of SHARPs, big gestures and concrete language. Whether she’s commanding from the stage or engaging one on one, her passion radiates. She demonstrates the kind of executive presence we advocate, teach and admire.

4. Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter embodies all-American humble confidence. When he took the mic at Yankee Stadium, he was thankful, articulate and humorous in front of a huge live and televised audience. With a surprising lack of arrogance, Jeter is grateful to his parents, humble, well-mannered-the kind of role model we want for our kids.

5. Jimmy Fallon

Viewers will invite you into their homes if they trust you, and Jimmy Fallon comes across as sincere, authentic and trustworthy. Humble, engaging and conversational, Fallon is an attentive and encouraging listener. (Watch how he leans in with a wide-open expression—wanting the person sitting in the other chair to succeed.)

6. Adam Silver

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver deftly handles Q-and-A exchanges, knows how to communicate a strong point of view and bridges the needs of the owners with the desires of the fans. His quick, concise, firm yet fair communication of the consequences for Donald Sterling was a great example of clear messaging. Articulate and accessible, Silver has found a way to make seriousness an asset in communicating.

7. Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o inspired us with so many speeches this year. Articulate and intentional, she uses strong SHARPs, excellent transitions, a steady voice and vulnerable revelations into her own experiences, hopes, empathy and emotion. In interviews, she is just as steady, light, intentional and direct.

8. Kathy Murphy

Kathy Murphy shakes off stiff, scripted corporate speak by pairing polish with passion. Her conversational credibility comes from a naturally deep, authoritative voice that is full of expression, along with a quick smile. Murphy is known for her straight talk and candor, sharing personal stories and experiences (as in her 2013 TEDx Talk).

9. Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has phenomenal customer-centricity . Swift’s lightness, enthusiasm and willingness not to take herself too seriously helps people connect with her. She puts herself in the audience’s shoes, always relating her own experiences to theirs and focusing on similarities, not differences. Always acknowledging and thanking her fans, she thanks them for a chance to share her life.

10. Tony Fadell

Tony Fadell knows that jargon is for “single, geeky guys,” and he boils his products down for families. He breaks down his crazy-scientific-specialized knowledge into nuggets that we can understand, focusing the conversation on the benefits we want, such as cost savings. He’s great in front of a crowd (as in this 2012 clip) because he uses big gestures, vocal variety, lightness and movement.

10 Worst

1. Donald Sterling

In the digital age the world is an open mic, as Donald Sterling knows so well. What you say always matters-as in this grossly racist conversation between Sterling (then owner of the Los Angeles Clippers) and his girlfriend. The media backlash was intense, and Sterling’s monthlong silence didn’t help. When he did apologize, he failed miserably, exhibiting neither humility nor remorse. There is no such thing as private speaking. His “private” comments were heard and judged, to his detriment.

2. Chuck Hagel

At Chuck Hagel’s Senate hearing about his nomination as Secretary of Defense (in January 2013), he underwhelmed us with non-words and rambling comments. It got worse and worse when he was under pressure. In speech after speech, Hagel continued to reflect a low energy with ums and uhs not fitting for his role and position.

[RELATED: Take the first step in achieving communications excellence]

3. Michael Bay

Michael Bay had a massive disaster at the Consumer Electronics Show when he got out of sync with his teleprompter. He could not “wing it,” and he actually walked off the stage in embarrassment. It was painful but offered a good lesson: Familiarize yourself with your key points. Then, when you lose your train of thought (as we all do), pause, think, then continue.

4. Roger Goodell

Roger Goodell is a lousy communicator. (He made the Worst Communicator list in 2011 for being meek and ineffective.) This year, Goodell’s tactics were dismissive and tardy instead of action-oriented or timely. His wooden speaking “performances,” in which he typically reads from scripts, generally seem insincere.

5. Jill Abramson

For someone who is so well-written (and who can prepare powerful words, as she did for this commencement speech about resilience), Jill Abramson, former executive editor of The New York Times, is especially rough in free-flowing dialogue (here, too). Abramson’s upspeak and slurred cadence undermine her credibility, and her audience tunes out.

6. Kanye West

Arrogant, dismissive and self-absorbed, Kanye West contributes to a conversation about himself with only fidgeting and self-focused (rather than listener-focused) rambling. Here in an interview, he explains that he couldn’t care less about the interviews. Yeezus, Kanye, take a slice of humble pie.

7. Stephen A. Smith

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith’s arrogant caricature is grating because he speaks so loudly and with a monotonous cadence that feels like he is beating issues, not discussing them. It’s exacerbated when he pauses between words, rather than between sentences, as if he is holding court.

8. Rikk Wilde

Chevrolet’s Rikk Wilde during the World Series MVP Presentation botched one of the biggest opportunities of his entire life. In this case, it was the handlers, those who “prepped” him with a detail-laden script. The solution? Craft a couple of key points, and then embrace the moment. (“Have fun with this-you get to give away a car!”) The communication experience is about way more than the specific words you say.

9. Richard Ledgett

NSA Deputy Director Richard Ledgett’s inconsistent behaviors,boatloads of filler words and telltale eye darts detract from his entire experience. Sure, regulations prohibit him from giving more details, but Ledgett’s behavioral skills eroded all trust. Stiff as a board, he doesn’t show energy or humanity, with his monotone voice and lack of facial expressions.

10. Barack Obama

Given his capacity for captivating oratory, we are disappointed to see President Obama’s lack of authority and eye communication persist—even with the camera. This started as a reliance on teleprompters, and lately Obama frequently closes his eyes, making him seem distant and uninterested. That and the lack of energy in his voice convey that he is just plain tired. So are we—of having to put the president of the United States on the Worst list.

Ben Decker is the CEO and Kelly Decker is the president of Decker Communications, a training, coaching and consulting firm to Fortune 500 companies. A version of this article originally appeared on the Decker Communications blog.

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]]> https://www.prdaily.com/2014s-best-and-worst-communicators/feed/ 0 15 tech advances that will be forgotten in a generation https://www.prdaily.com/15-tech-advances-that-will-be-forgotten-in-a-generation/ https://www.prdaily.com/15-tech-advances-that-will-be-forgotten-in-a-generation/#respond Tue, 15 May 2012 13:49:16 +0000 https://www.prdaily.com/15-tech-advances-that-will-be-forgotten-in-a-generation/ In memoriam, landlines. Plus, the neighborhood social network, Mark Zuckerberg turns 28, Newsweek’s Obama cover gives Time a run for its money, Ron Swanson for vice president, ‘Fifty Shade of Grey’ in under four minutes, and more. It wasn’t long ago that DOS computer systems and landline telephones were cutting-edge. But like their predecessors, they […]

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]]> In memoriam, landlines. Plus, the neighborhood social network, Mark Zuckerberg turns 28, Newsweek’s Obama cover gives Time a run for its money, Ron Swanson for vice president, ‘Fifty Shade of Grey’ in under four minutes, and more.

It wasn’t long ago that DOS computer systems and landline telephones were cutting-edge. But like their predecessors, they were eclipsed by newer, more advanced technologies. Today, Live Science helps us honor 15 current innovations that future generations probably won’t know a thing about.

Among the most influential tech game-changers in recent history is digital media, as new social networks seem to pop up constantly. In fact, with sites such as Nextdoor.com, some are even popping up in your very own neighborhood.

And what’s talk of social media without Facebook. The online community’s IPO is expected to be mere days away, but today the social network is celebrating something else—its CEO’s 28th birthday. IBN Live collected 28 little-known facts on the birthday boy and inventor of “poking.”

Biff Tannen Tom Wilson must be tired of sharing all the little-known facts about himself. The “Back to the Future” actor has reportedly been handing out this business card of sorts with answers to some of his most-commonly asked questions from fans who presumably inquire so often he needed to create something like this. (via Gawker)

Speaking of creating something, OPEN Forum gives some tips on how to boost creativity around the office. I didn’t see 3 o’clock afternoon dance party or tequila shots listed, but I’ll assume that was simply an oversight.

Creative is exactly the word I’d use to describe Newsweek‘s latest cover. Stealing a page from the Time magazine playbook on how to be provocative, the publication declares Obama the “First Gay President,” accompanied by a headshot of our Commander-in-Chief with a rainbow halo above his head.

As for Obama’s opponent, College Humor took a shot at a few potential running mate recommendations for Mitt Romney. We’d go with Ron Swanson. I mean, have you seen his canoe-rowing video? It’d certainly make for more interesting campaign ads.

If you hadn’t seen that filmmaking masterpiece, I can’t say I’m all that surprised. As Advertising Age reports, videos—particularly those on YouTube— aren’t accumulating the same number of views they once did. Now marketers must learn how to engage their audience with a focus on a new, longer-format.

Speaking of YouTube, if you haven’t read the controversial E.L. James piece of mommy porn—otherwise known as “Fifty Shade of Grey”—here’s a video that does a pretty decent job summing the whole thing up. (NSFW)

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