Luke Budka
The importance of solid messaging and storytelling
During the COVID-19 pandemic, being able to deliver on communications goals has been a matter of life and death.
Content Marketing
Beki Winchel
Walgreens cuts 4,000 UK jobs at Boots, Starbucks requires masks, and Tinder tests video chat feature
Also: AP Styleguide tweets guidance on gender neutral terms, 47% of professionals will move because of WFH opportunities, Quibi trial fails to convert most viewers, and more.
Roula Amire
Take our survey: The State of Communication Summer 2020
Tell us how your job as a communicator has changed, including what’s working for you in this short survey. Use the results to benchmark your efforts.
Beki Winchel
Hasbro and Scrabble association ban slurs, United Airlines might lay off up to 36,000 employees, and 51% of PR pros are burned out
Also: Microsoft reveals new Teams features to complement virtual meetings, Potbelly’s drops wellness reminders, get $1,000 to play Animal Crossing, and more.
Beki Winchel
Retailers pull Boohoo amid workers’ rights claims, LinkedIn introduces pronunciation tool, and Walmart prepares to compete with Amazon
Also: Spotify offers customized workout playlists, Instagram launches feature to pin top comments, trending articles are shared more than evergreen content, and more.
Beki Winchel
Networks highlight Black-owned businesses for #BlackOutDay2020, TikTok promises to leave Hong Kong, and OKCupid opens pronouns feature to all
Also: Microsoft shares employee insights in a ‘Disability in the Workplace’ series, Instagram is gaining marketing budgets, Harvard and Princeton prepare for fall, and more.
Beki Winchel
Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians consider rebrands, Vogue Portugal pulls psych ward cover, and Uber acquires Postmates for $2.65B
Also: Netflix hires Bozoma Saint John as new chief marketer, Stouffer’s pleases a fan with birthday drawing, employees want more diverse workforces, and more.
Beki Winchel
The Academy boasts diversity efforts, Essence chief steps down, and 47% of marketers are creating more emotional content
Also: Ford and Disney team up on historic product launch, Facebook refuses to budge amid advertiser boycott, shift your attention to increase productivity, and more.
Ragan Insider Roula Amire
Video series about race relations put words into action at Encompass Health
Candid conversations about diversity and inclusion go beyond a statement of support for racial equality in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Ragan Insider Meghan Madhavan
3 tips to improve messaging to diverse audiences
Apply the principles used by The Trevor Project to craft messages that respect your audience’s diverse, intersectional identities.
Jodi Petrie
Consumer brands must tap technology to stay relevant post-pandemic
Traditional brand experiences are being replaced by virtual interactions and activations—but consumers desires haven’t changed. Authenticity and empathy still lead the way.
Beki Winchel
Cirque du Soleil cuts 3,000 jobs in bankruptcy filing, Target and Chobani join social media ad boycott, and Amazon offers $500M in employee bonuses
Also: Philadelphia Flyers’ Gritty gets a ‘Queer Eye’ makeover, Pizza Hut franchisee declares bankruptcy, Walmart stops selling ‘All Lives Matter’ shirts, and more.
Ragan Insider Stephanie Quilligan
Why you should follow the ‘hygiene, hub, hero’ strategy during COVID-19
PR pros on social media should focus on providing value to their audience. Here’s what that might look like in practice.
Ragan Insider Mike Kuczkowski
How to measure the efficacy of your channels
Orangefiery’s Mike Kuczkowski shares how his team worked with a client to quantify the success of various communications channels for messages to employees.
Ragan Insider Beki Winchel
Social media platforms ban groups for hate speech, Wendy’s speaks out after Twitter silence, and brand managers celebrate #NationalSocialMediaDay
Also: Starbucks celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, many employers are looking at employees’ social media feeds, European companies brace for thousands of layoffs, and more.
