Wadds Inc. newsletter

The Wadds Inc. newsletter offers insights, data, and strategies to management and public relations professionals for improving business outcomes. It covers the evolving role of public relations, AI's impact, trust in media, industry trends, election influences, and the importance of strategic communication and relationship building.

Public Relations Industry AI in Public Relations Media Trust and Ethics Industry Trends Elections and Democracy Strategic Communication Management and Corporate Strategy Social Media Impact Economic and Environmental Risks

The hottest Substack posts of Wadds Inc. newsletter

And their main takeaways

✅ Monday briefing: WaddsCon, Digital news report, local reporting, climate politics, CSR debunked, SEO insights, AI tool audit, and more...

19 implied HN points • 20 Jun 22
📰 News Media Environment Research Social media Technology
  1. Many people are avoiding the news because they don't trust it anymore, especially after events like COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine.
  2. Local news is struggling as social media takes its place, which makes it harder for communities to stay engaged and informed.
  3. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts aren't working well and can distract from what businesses really contribute to society.

Monday briefing #3: digital ad woe, fake journalists, workplace serendipity, tackling diversity, Zoom alternative, COVID-19 map, and more…

59 implied HN points • 13 Jul 20
💼 Business Marketing Media Public Relations Workplace Diversity Technology
  1. The digital ad market is facing serious issues, with problems like fake websites and bots causing trouble. It's important to focus more on real outcomes in advertising.
  2. There needs to be more diversity in the PR industry to tackle its ongoing problems. Making recruitment briefs more open could help with this issue.
  3. New tools are emerging for remote work, like Mmhmm, which allows for better video collaboration during virtual meetings. These new options can help make online interactions more engaging.

✅ Monday briefing: Socially Mobile, news startup, language test, sportswashing, brand activism, growing pains, childcare crisis, Johnson SEO woe, and more...

19 implied HN points • 13 Jun 22
📰 News Media Social media Research
  1. Socially Mobile offers a 10-week program to help people improve their skills and earning potential. It's a great opportunity for those looking to boost their careers.
  2. Many businesses, like Ryanair and Ben & Jerry's, are taking strong stances on social issues. This shows how brands can influence conversations around important topics.
  3. There's a growing need for skilled workers in the public relations field. Despite the industry's growth, many positions remain unfilled due to a talent shortage.

✅ Monday briefing: Audit reform, influencer culture, blogging benefit, Socially Mobile graduation, nowhere office, B2B PR ROI, football brands, GCS strategy, and more...

19 implied HN points • 16 May 22
💼 Business Marketing Public Relations Media Data insights Corporate strategy
  1. Audit reform proposals are weak and don't address major corporate failures.
  2. Influencer culture is growing rapidly and needs better regulation to address challenges.
  3. Blogging can help with personal growth and reflects the importance of thinking aloud.

✅ Monday briefing: #Rexit, pitching BBC producers, streaming woe, recession warning, Insta algo update, TikTok book sales, podcast media databases, and more...

19 implied HN points • 25 Apr 22
💼 Business Media Finance Marketing Economy Technology
  1. Over 750 companies have pulled back from operations in Russia, showing a strong response to the situation there. This action goes beyond what is legally required.
  2. Netflix is struggling, losing many subscribers and even shutting down CNN+ after its disappointing launch. Competition in the streaming market is tough right now.
  3. Social media is changing, with Instagram adjusting its algorithm to favor original content and TikTok boosting book sales by getting readers excited about their favorite titles.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

✅ Monday briefing: Dasgupta review, ASA filters ruling, Reddit monitoring, Twitter calendar, Kollaboraoke, AMEC mentors, lockdown unconference and more

39 implied HN points • 08 Feb 21
💼 Business Marketing Media Insights Social media Events
  1. Many people struggle to differentiate between true and false information, which is why public health officials are seeking volunteers to help combat COVID-19 misinformation.
  2. Social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit are vital for organizations to gather insights and improve services, showing how online discussions can impact real-world decisions.
  3. Upcoming events like Kollaboraoke and the Lockdown Unconference provide great opportunities for networking and sharing knowledge in the marketing and PR fields.

✅ Monday briefing: Ukraine PR support, WaddsCon March, crisis communication, agency bite back, not so Innocent, LinkedIn newsfeed changes, fake agency, ad fraud, and more...

19 implied HN points • 28 Feb 22
💼 Business Public Relations Marketing Social media Advertising
  1. WaddsCon is a monthly conference where people share stories and ideas about media and public relations. It's fun and covers important topics like pitching and data storytelling.
  2. LinkedIn is changing its newsfeed to give users more control over what they see. This means less irrelevant content and a focus on community conversations.
  3. Digital ad fraud is a big problem, costing around $68 billion in 2022. Many major countries, including the US and the UK, are greatly affected by this issue.

✅ Monday Briefing #21: Academic insight, Exploring PR, reputational risk, tool gig, less type more talk, 24-hour tweet, mental health half hour, and more

39 implied HN points • 23 Nov 20
💼 Business Marketing Media Research Technology Events
  1. Sharing academic research with local media can help spread valuable information more widely.
  2. Companies are finding new ways to use social media tools like Twitter to connect with their audiences.
  3. It's important to focus on mental health, and experts are holding sessions to help people understand their feelings better.

✅ Monday briefing: Word play, training new talent, agency globalisation stalls, data science analysis, levelling up, ad platform data failure, web accessibility, and more…

19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 22
💼 Business Media Marketing Data science Training
  1. There's a new training program called 3THINKR'S Academy that offers free sessions for people starting their careers in communications. It's a great chance to learn skills like time management and social media strategy.
  2. Big advertising agencies are slowing down their global expansion plans. Many are focusing more on local markets due to challenges like supply chain issues and political situations.
  3. Facebook experienced a decline in daily users for the first time recently, partly because of competition from platforms like TikTok. This has worried investors about the future of the company's ad revenue.

✅ Monday briefing: WaddsCon, connections counter misinformation, print plummets, book review, saying sorry, royal communication, global risks, Wikipedia guidance, image to text, and more…

19 implied HN points • 17 Jan 22
📰 News Media Misinformation Digital Research Social media
  1. WaddsCon is looking for media case studies and new ideas to help improve media relations. If you have something to share, they want to hear from you.
  2. Connections and trustworthy communities can help fight misinformation. Most people just consume content, so good information sharing is really important.
  3. Most print media is losing readers, moving towards digital as audiences change. The only print that saw growth recently was The Metro as commuters returned to offices.

✅ Monday briefing #13: COVID-19 comms, informed retweets, overshadowed sisters, pandemic paralysis, say do gap, troll spotting, pitch bitch, CommsHero Week…

39 implied HN points • 28 Sep 20
💼 Business Marketing Public Relations Crisis Management Social media Campaigns
  1. Social media talks about COVID-19 are getting more divided. People prefer memes and local health messages over brand-written content.
  2. Twitter is introducing prompts that encourage users to read articles before sharing them. This helps to stop the spread of false information.
  3. Venues like CommsHero Week show that professionals are sharing knowledge and experiences during the pandemic, aiming to improve how they communicate.

✅ Monday briefing #12: AI bias, hype and creativity, search alerts, lockdown lookup tool, BAME voices, dark social primer, and freelance talent

39 implied HN points • 21 Sep 20
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Digital Tools Public Relations Crisis Management Remote work
  1. AI bias is a big issue, as shown by problems where software can misidentify people of different races. It's important to recognize and address bias in technology.
  2. There is a lot of hype around AI, especially in marketing, but much of it is just automation or data analysis. We need to focus on the real capabilities and limitations of AI.
  3. Freelancers are often underused in the PR industry, and companies need to be clearer about how they use freelance talent to improve their services.

✅ Monday briefing #11: Web accessibility, image rights, purpose washing, Social Dilemma, TripAdvisor replies, HDTV zoom, agencies in recovery, and more

39 implied HN points • 14 Sep 20
💼 Business Marketing Public Relations Social media Digital Tools Industry Trends
  1. Web accessibility is becoming important. New laws in the UK require public websites to be user-friendly for everyone.
  2. Photographers are taking action to protect their images. They are using copyright agencies and small claims courts to deal with image theft.
  3. Purpose washing is a problem. Companies need to back up their claims with real actions; otherwise, they lose credibility.

✅ Monday briefing #9: NHS comms, Twitter transparency, tackling Qanon, PR hiring, women forward, RIP Sir Ken, AI generated media, accessibility primer...

39 implied HN points • 24 Aug 20
💼 Business Public Relations Social media Industry Analysis Marketing Strategy
  1. The COVID-19 crisis led to better communication practices in the NHS, allowing healthcare workers to showcase their dedication and innovate in sharing important info.
  2. Twitter and Facebook are making moves to be more transparent and tackle misinformation, including taking down harmful groups like Qanon on their platforms.
  3. There's growing support for women in PR, including new awards to recognize their contributions, while companies are actively hiring again in the communications sector.

✅ Monday briefing: Wadds Inc. Almanac 🎄🎁⛄

19 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
💼 Business Public Relations Marketing Media Strategy Diversity
  1. In 2022, there will be big challenges in marketing, media, and public relations. It's important for professionals in these fields to stay informed about these issues.
  2. Key topics include the impact of big tech, misinformation online, and the need for more diversity in PR practices. These issues will shape the industry going forward.
  3. The importance of internal and external communications is growing, and businesses should adapt to changes in media and audience engagement to succeed.

Monday briefing #4: agencies hiring, PR in a state, freelance recovery, faking LinkedIn influence, and more...

39 implied HN points • 20 Jul 20
💼 Business Marketing Public Relations Freelancing Social media Media industry
  1. There are many agencies hiring right now, offering great opportunities for those looking for new jobs in PR.
  2. Freelancers in the PR industry are seeing a comeback, with many reporting that their work is back to normal after the crisis.
  3. Some people are using tricks on LinkedIn to fake their influence, like forming groups to boost each other's posts, which can be misleading.

Monday briefing #2: marketing optimism, Klopp letter, Indian app ban, new tools...

39 implied HN points • 06 Jul 20
💼 Business Marketing Finance Media Technology Communication Research
  1. Many marketing leaders are feeling hopeful about their business performance in the next couple of years despite the challenges of COVID-19.
  2. The Indian government has banned several Chinese apps to protect its sovereignty, which shows how tech politics can impact users.
  3. New tools are emerging to help with things like writing better headlines and monitoring websites, making it easier for businesses and journalists.

✅ Monday briefing: Pandora Papers, PR pathways, graduate jobs, environmental marketing code, content effectiveness, analytics attribution, annual Foodbank fundraiser, and more...

19 implied HN points • 11 Oct 21
💼 Business Marketing Public Relations Analytics Research Social media
  1. The Pandora Papers reveal secret financial dealings of billionaires and leaders, highlighting issues of wealth secrecy. It's important to stay informed about these findings.
  2. Public relations job opportunities are on the rise, especially for fresh graduates, with agencies actively hiring. This is a good time for job seekers in PR.
  3. New guidelines on environmental marketing have been introduced to ensure businesses are honest about their eco-friendly claims. Consumers should look for transparency in environmental messaging.

✅ Monday briefing: Met comms slammed, employee culture, reputation of PR, pay gaps, hidden salaries, AI strategy, NHS backlash, foodbank fundraiser, and more...

19 implied HN points • 04 Oct 21
💼 Business Public Relations Corporate strategy Media Studies Compensation
  1. Companies need to pay attention to employee culture. Red flags include high turnover rates and excessive working hours, indicating issues within the organization.
  2. Salary transparency is important, but many companies avoid sharing salary information. This practice can contribute to pay gaps and employee dissatisfaction.
  3. There's a growing focus on the role of AI in business strategy. Governments are starting to invest in AI technologies to support economic growth and address skills shortages.

✅ Monday briefing: fake press release, new CIPR President, resting WaddsCon, GDPR consultation, influencer marketing code, behavioural science toolkit, and more...

19 implied HN points • 20 Sep 21
💼 Business Marketing Media Communications Regulations Research
  1. A fake press release claimed that Walmart would accept cryptocurrency, causing a temporary boost in their stock price. This shows the importance of checking news sources before spreading information.
  2. Steven Shepperson-Smith has been named the new President of the CIPR for 2023. He has a lot of experience in corporate communications and has been involved with CIPR for many years.
  3. The UK government is consulting on changes to GDPR rules to simplify data sharing. This could help small businesses with compliance and make it easier to manage data.

✅ Monday briefing: Kremlin comment trolls, news audiences, in-house comms effectiveness, functional comms standard, links limited, Twitter communities, and more

19 implied HN points • 13 Sep 21
📰 News Media Social media Research Audience
  1. Kremlin comment trolls are influencing Western news sites to promote Russian interests. This shows how public opinion can be swayed by online comments.
  2. For in-house communication teams, strong internal relationships are key to their performance. It's not just about size or money; how you connect with each other matters a lot.
  3. Twitter is introducing features like Safety Mode and Communities to help users manage interactions better. These changes aim to create a safer and more focused online space.

✅ Monday briefing: WaddsCon, culture wars, influencer economy, COVID-19 comms skills, share of search, disinformation dozen, budgets up, and more...

19 implied HN points • 19 Jul 21
🎭️ Culture Media Society Marketing Public Relations Digital Trends
  1. Culture wars can divide people. Politicians should focus on building a vision that everyone can be part of.
  2. Influencer marketing is growing, but it's important to discuss issues like online harassment and how brands work with influencers.
  3. Marketing budgets are increasing as the economy stabilizes, which is a good sign for businesses as they plan for recovery.

✅ Monday briefing: BBC link standards, Sky data journalism, corporate crime, brand vandals, PR capitalism, voice transcription, WaddsCon July, Socially Mobile launch, and more…

19 implied HN points • 12 Jul 21
💼 Business Media Marketing Corporate Governance Public Relations Social media
  1. BBC News has strict rules about linking to outside websites, ensuring links are fair and not influenced by outside pressures.
  2. Sky News is focusing more on data journalism because people's trust in news has grown during the pandemic.
  3. There are ongoing discussions about ethical practices in business, including a utility company dumping sewage to cut costs and recent controversies with brand advertisements.

✅ Monday briefing: Journalist safety, media distribution, tackling burnout, agency startups, SEO guide, jab confidence, Twitter blue and more…

19 implied HN points • 07 Jun 21
💼 Business Media Industry Social media Events
  1. Journalists are facing more online abuse, and there's a push for them to share their experiences to improve safety measures.
  2. COVID-19 has led to a rise in new PR agencies, showing a positive outcome from difficult times.
  3. There's a new guide for businesses to market on TikTok, offering tips and tools to help them succeed.

✅ Monday briefing: WaddsCon, Future of the office, creative unlocked, menopause support, ESG webinar, and more...

19 implied HN points • 17 May 21
💼 Business Media Industry Mental health Social media Events
  1. WaddsCon is discussing important topics like agency-client relationships, new measurement frameworks, and the rise of print in PR. It's an event for professionals in the industry to learn and connect.
  2. The PR industry is focusing more on mental health, with organizations launching surveys to understand and address mental wellbeing among professionals. This shows a growing awareness of mental health challenges.
  3. Companies are exploring how to support employees better, especially through menopause guidance and parental identity features on platforms like Instagram. This highlights the importance of employee welfare in the workplace.

✅ Media Briefing #26: New UK media group, unpublishing, ad fraud, trend porn, People Also Ask, censoring Trump, automating local news, age positive image library and more…

19 implied HN points • 11 Jan 21
📰 News Media Journalism Social media Industry Advertising Public Relations
  1. A new UK media group called GB News is launching soon and aims to create 140 journalism jobs. This reflects ongoing changes in the media landscape.
  2. Ad fraud continues to be a major issue that the advertising industry is not addressing well. Experts believe recent security breaches should prompt a reevaluation of their practices.
  3. There's a push for more honest representation of older people in media, with a new age-positive image library launched to counter negative stereotypes.

✅ Monday Briefing #20: UK obesity ad consultation, comms conspiracy, Guinness recall, PDR tool, productivity apps, Parler boom and more…

19 implied HN points • 16 Nov 20
💼 Business Public Relations Marketing Media Research Social media
  1. The UK Government is consulting on new rules to limit online ads for unhealthy food products. This aims to tackle obesity issues, especially among children.
  2. Many influencers are seen the same way as journalists by the public, which raises questions about the trustworthiness of news and information sources.
  3. There has been a surge in popularity for the app Parler, especially among conservatives, following the US elections and changes in how Twitter manages disinformation.

✅ Monday briefing #18: Influencer insights, ad budgets, remote presentations, COVID-19 creativity challenge, DIY app builder, data skills and Instagram business guide, and more

19 implied HN points • 02 Nov 20
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Influencer Data Analysis Social media Remote work
  1. More marketers are spending more on influencer marketing than before, showing its growing importance in advertising.
  2. Presenting online requires different skills than in-person presentations, as remote work changes how we share ideas.
  3. Creating apps is now easier with no-code platforms, allowing more people to build their own apps without needing to write code.

✅ Monday briefing #17: PR start-ups, search metrics, propaganda media, sustainable local media, COVID-19 data, LinkedIn hack, foodbank fundraiser, and more

19 implied HN points • 26 Oct 20
💼 Business Public Relations Media Data Analysis Social media Entrepreneurship
  1. PR start-ups in the UK are adapting to challenges by finding new business models during COVID-19.
  2. Using search metrics like Google Trends can help marketers measure the success of their campaigns better.
  3. Local media needs to focus on publishing fewer but higher-quality articles to survive and create a sustainable business.

✅ Monday briefing #16: Industry report, conversational surveys, buzzword busting, Google analytics update, talk to me, Facebook group therapy, Zoom marketplace, personal data control, and more

19 implied HN points • 19 Oct 20
🕹 Technology Data Tools Social media Market Trends Communication
  1. The COVID-19 Communications Industry Report highlights how professionals adapted and innovated during the crisis, showing resilience and new opportunities.
  2. There are new tools designed to help with research, time tracking, and media relations, aimed at making marketing and PR work more efficient.
  3. A new privacy standard allows users to control their personal data better by instructing websites not to sell or share their information.

✅ Monday briefing #15: Twitter moderation, channel planning, influencer inequality, brand banter, podcast directory, meeting a troll, anti-trust TLDR, AI fail…

19 implied HN points • 12 Oct 20
🕹 Technology Social media Artificial Intelligence Digital Tools Online Marketing Content creation
  1. Twitter is changing how it moderates content ahead of elections to reduce the spread of misleading information, including notifying users when they share such tweets.
  2. Black influencers face pay inequality compared to white influencers, which highlights a major issue in the influencer marketing industry.
  3. AI technology can have major flaws, as seen when Facebook mistakenly blocked a harmless image of onions, showing how these systems can misinterpret content.

✅ Monday briefing #14: Beating ennui, Blockbuster moment, CIPR election, local people Ofcom data dump, Social Dilemma rebuttal, Facebook groups boom...

19 implied HN points • 05 Oct 20
🕹 Technology Social media Digital Tools Media Trends Online Communities Data Privacy
  1. People are feeling a bit down due to the ongoing crisis, but experts say this feeling will pass with time.
  2. Cinemas are closing in the UK, which is a big loss for communities that enjoy the shared movie experience.
  3. Facebook groups have become super popular, with 1.8 billion users connecting through them during the pandemic.

✅ Monday briefing: Changing newsrooms, journalism booming, media plurality, Socially Mobile deadline, industry data, AI in PR report, and more...

0 implied HN points • 29 Nov 21
📰 News Media Journalism Research Social media Industry
  1. Newsrooms are changing as organizations adapt to flexible work due to COVID-19. They are redesigning their offices and updating technology to fit the new working style.
  2. There’s a boom in journalism jobs as the industry recovers. In the UK alone, there are over 112,000 people working in journalism and many open positions.
  3. Media plurality is a concern with big companies like Google and Meta influencing what news people see online. This raises challenges for smaller news publishers trying to survive.

✅ Unlocking the strategic value of internal communications

0 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
💼 Business Corporate Communications Public Relations Employee engagement Organizational Culture
  1. Internal communications can really help businesses succeed when they align with company goals. It's important for management to see how this work connects to the bigger picture.
  2. Practitioners in internal communication should focus on improving their skills and knowledge. This helps them gain respect and be able to make a bigger impact in their organizations.
  3. A recent study shows that most companies aren't using internal communications effectively. There’s a lot of room for improvement to make it work better for everyone involved.

✅ AI tool explosion set to disrupt public relations

0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
💼 Business Public Relations Technology impact AI Tools Innovation Ethics
  1. AI is set to change public relations a lot, in both good and bad ways, just like the internet did.
  2. There are now many new AI tools that can help with different tasks in public relations, but the market is still catching up.
  3. People in public relations are split on AI's impact; some see it as a threat while others view it as a way to enhance their work.

✅ Monday briefing: Shell suit, ESG and PR pod, TikTok Promote, Twitter reach, missing links, AI misinformation, PR for company directors, risk report, Algorithms for Her, and more...

0 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
💼 Business Public Relations Corporate Governance Social media Artificial Intelligence Sustainability
  1. A group of investors is suing Shell for not handling climate risks properly, despite the company making big profits.
  2. New tools on TikTok are available to help accounts increase views and engagement with targeted audiences.
  3. A recent demonstration of Google's new AI tool made headlines for providing false information, highlighting the need for careful fact-checking.

✅ Monday briefing: Accessibility and diversity, digital news, new holding group, authenticity gap, consumer personas, YouTube trends, SEO spellers, and more…

0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 21
💼 Business Media Marketing Social media Consumer Trends
  1. Accessibility and diversity are really important topics in today's media. Events like WaddsCon help raise awareness and explore these issues.
  2. Digital news is becoming more trusted, especially since the pandemic pushed many people to consume news on their phones. It’s interesting to see how this shift is changing news consumption.
  3. Brands need to pay attention to their impact and behavior to build trust with consumers. Authenticity matters, as people's perceptions are shaped by what companies do.

✅ Monday briefing: Press freedom, best practice content, communication design, accessibility advice, audio branding, Sorrell on PR, ESG survey, Facebook manipulation and more…

0 implied HN points • 19 Apr 21
💼 Business Media Marketing Public Relations Content Strategy Corporate Governance
  1. Press freedom is a serious issue, with the recent murder of a journalist in Europe highlighting ongoing dangers. More awareness and action are needed to protect reporters.
  2. Content creation and communication design are improving, with government guidelines helping people write better for specific audiences. It's important to understand who you're talking to.
  3. Audio branding is becoming popular, meaning companies are paying attention to how they sound. For example, car manufacturers are creating unique sounds for their electric cars.

✅ Media Briefing #22: NHS comms book, coverage to capital. remote working culture, demanding BAME change, PR tool stack, 2020 in words, Mental Health Half Hour and more…

0 implied HN points • 30 Nov 20
💼 Business Media Relations Public Relations Digital Transformation Remote work Mental health
  1. The NHS has documented how communication staff adapted during COVID-19. They shared their digital transformation experiences during the crisis.
  2. Research shows that media coverage helps startups raise funds. Good public relations can make a significant difference.
  3. It's important to create a positive culture for remote workers. Building community and being transparent helps keep teams connected.

✅ Monday briefing: 2022 industry Almanac, WaddsCon, CIPR President Q&A, audio events, fake influence, tool mashup, news grid, and more...

0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 22
💼 Business Marketing Media Public Relations Technology Innovation
  1. WaddsCon is looking for speakers to share new ideas in media relations. It's a great chance to show off innovation and excellence.
  2. Fossil fuel companies are spending a lot on ads that resemble Google search results. This shows the tricky side of advertising and how it can be misleading.
  3. Australia created a fake influencer account to learn about influencer marketing. They found that many brands and influencers don't follow the rules meant to protect consumers.