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

✅ Media Briefing #27: Inferred links, everybody lies, connected leadership, declining trust, Parler pile in, Twitter planner, 2021 PR trends, and more…

0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 21
💼 Business Marketing Media Public Relations Social media Crisis Management
  1. Journalists need to focus on being unbiased and defending the media against false information. This is important as trust in news sources declines.
  2. Many marketing agencies in the UK are reducing their fees to attract new clients and help boost the economy. This might seem helpful but could lead to lower standards in the industry.
  3. Trust in various leaders and institutions is dropping, while people tend to trust local communities and scientists more. This highlights the changing landscape of trust in society.

✅ Media Briefing #23: Words matter, PR planning, agency metrics, sludge vs nudge, TikTok tiers, sock puppet PR, and more…

0 implied HN points • 07 Dec 20
💼 Business Public Relations Marketing Social media Metrics
  1. Words are important in media and can change how information is understood. It's crucial to be mindful of the language used when reporting.
  2. Effective PR planning relies on good data and metrics. Agencies need to track performance to grow and improve their strategies.
  3. Social media platforms continue to evolve, with features like TikTok tiers and Spotify stories. Staying updated on these changes is key for effective communication.

✅ Apply now: Socially Mobile funded places open for September

0 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
💼 Business Management Public Relations Marketing Media Technology
  1. Applications are open for funded places in a ten-week executive education program aimed at helping mid-career professionals from diverse backgrounds gain management skills.
  2. The recent Post Office scandal reminds companies that prioritizing reputation over transparency can lead to serious trust issues and ethical challenges.
  3. Social media is becoming the main source of news for many people, especially younger generations, while some public relations practices need to improve to avoid overwhelming journalists with irrelevant pitches.

✅ An optimistic call for civil discourse ahead of the General Election

0 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Civil Discourse Media influence Campaign strategies Political Communication
  1. Civil discourse is important, especially before elections. People should talk respectfully and listen to differing opinions.
  2. Businesses have a role to play in reducing societal polarization by promoting unity and balancing values with stakeholders.
  3. The upcoming UK General Election is on July 4, 2024. Voters need to register by June 18 to participate in person, by post, or through a proxy.

✅ Public relations and management GPT

0 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
💼 Business Public Relations Management Marketing Artificial Intelligence Ethics
  1. Generative AI is popular in marketing, but there's a belief that reductive AI might be even more useful for public relations and management tasks.
  2. OpenAI recently added a feature letting users create and customize their own GPTs, which can analyze a lot of information but should be used carefully with privacy in mind.
  3. Public relations practices are under scrutiny, with examples of both good and bad actions highlighting the industry's influence on sustainability and social responsibility.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

✅ Monday briefing: Threadbare

0 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Social media Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy Digital Culture Media Trends
  1. Meta launched a new app called Threads, similar to Twitter, and it quickly gained 90 million users. It's seen as a part of the ongoing rivalry between tech billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
  2. Meta is collecting a lot of user data through Threads, which could help improve their AI tools. People should be careful about what they share on the platform.
  3. There’s a noticeable trend in media where AI is being tested for editorial tasks but needs to be combined with human input for the best results. Relying solely on AI can lead to errors.

✅ Monday briefing: Obscuring print data, Government FOI review, UK AI strategy, PR talent market, office return data, content analyser, Zuck image washing, and more...

0 implied HN points • 27 Sep 21
💼 Business Media PR Strategy Technology Research
  1. The UK government is reviewing its Freedom of Information unit after concerns about transparency were raised. This change aims to improve how information is shared with the public.
  2. The UK is experiencing a strong job market in public relations, with many employers needing to adapt to the new employee-focused landscape. This means job seekers have more power than before.
  3. There's a push for better tools in PR and marketing, with new digital solutions and social media tools being introduced. These aim to help professionals analyze content and improve their strategies.

✅ Monday briefing: Institutional racism, new books, state of journalism, relevance report, Wikipedia engagement, COVID-19 PR toolstack, April WaddsCon and more…

0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Racism Journalism Social media Public Relations Research
  1. There is ongoing debate about institutional racism, especially regarding how government's findings may overlook significant issues faced by minority groups.
  2. The future of office spaces is shifting towards comfort and calming designs to fit the post-pandemic world.
  3. The relationship between journalists and PR professionals is generally positive, but both sides see areas where it can improve.

✅ Monday briefing: Build back better, misinformation at COP26, African UK agency launch, budget pitches, digital data dump, death of the cookie, WaddsCon line-up, and more...

0 implied HN points • 08 Mar 21
💼 Business Media Marketing Public Relations Digital Strategy Events
  1. The 'Build Back Better' plan aims to promote economic growth by investing in infrastructure and skills. It's important for anyone looking to create investment strategies.
  2. There is a focus on combating misinformation related to climate change, especially leading up to important conferences like COP26. It shows how vital accurate information is for tackling big issues.
  3. Social media is growing, with more users in the UK than ever before. Platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp remain very popular among adults.

✅ Media Briefing #28: Murdoch family issues, Google search, PR measurement guide, agency start-ups, Post Corona, PR at the kitchen table, and more...

0 implied HN points • 25 Jan 21
💼 Business Media Marketing Public Relations Digital Media Advertising
  1. James Murdoch criticized US media for its role in 'toxic politics,' suggesting it threatens democracy. His brother is the CEO of Fox Corporation, which has faced criticism over its COVID-19 coverage.
  2. Google and Facebook are threatening to restrict their services in Australia due to a proposed regulation that would make them pay for including news in search results. This could change how people access news online.
  3. The pandemic has changed how we communicate and innovate in PR. There's a rise in agency start-ups, indicating a shift in the industry, as many are adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

✅ Searching for the Missing Women in senior public relations roles

0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 24
💼 Business Public Relations Corporate Communications Gender inequality Workplace Diversity
  1. There are fewer women in senior public relations roles compared to lower positions, indicating a clear gender gap in leadership. This situation shows that women's progression in the field is facing serious challenges.
  2. A new study called the Missing Women study is being launched to explore the barriers that prevent women from advancing in public relations. The aim is to gather insights from women currently in the field as well as those who have left.
  3. The problem of missing women in senior roles is not just a women's issue; it's something the whole industry needs to address. The data reveals a significant shortfall and highlights the need for change and inclusivity in public relations.

✅ Final call for applications for Socially Mobile management training

0 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
💼 Business Management Communications Diversity Public Relations Education
  1. There are two weeks left to apply for a free management training program called Socially Mobile, which helps people from underserved communities in corporate communications.
  2. The program lasts 10 weeks and offers modules on important topics like ethics, financial management, and crisis management.
  3. Most graduates say the program has helped their careers, with many reporting promotions, better job opportunities, and salary increases.

✅ We're all going on a summer holiday

0 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
💼 Business Management Public Relations Media Economics Technology
  1. CrowdStrike had a big mistake that caused computers worldwide to break down, and fixing them could take a long time. Businesses might struggle for weeks to get everything back to normal.
  2. The UK is planning new laws to improve the economy and public services, with a focus on things like employment rights and healthcare. This is a major step in making positive changes in the country.
  3. Mumsnet is suing OpenAI for using its content without permission, claiming it threatens their site. This lawsuit highlights the ongoing issues around how data is collected and used online.

✅ Study explores tools and workflow in corporate communications

0 implied HN points • 15 Jul 24
💼 Business Corporate Communications Public Relations Management Media Crisis Management
  1. Corporate communications teams are looking for new tools and better processes to make their work more effective. This helps improve how they plan and make decisions in large companies.
  2. There's a gap in how corporate communication roles are viewed by different people in organizations. Communication experts see their role as strategic, while others see it as more tactical. Better alignment is needed.
  3. New laws and initiatives from the Labour government are aiming for more transparency in public inquiries. This should help in managing the reputations of public organizations better.

Introducing Jobs in PR

0 implied HN points • 04 Jul 24
💼 Business Public Relations Hiring Trends Job Market Economic Indicators
  1. There's a free monthly newsletter called Jobs in PR that focuses on job openings in the UK's public relations agencies.
  2. The number of job roles in the PR sector has been stable with opportunities for all experience levels, suggesting the industry is recovering.
  3. Overall business confidence in the UK is increasing, which could lead to more job openings in the PR field later this year.

✅ Join Socially Mobile: Empowering diversity and driving change in public relations

0 implied HN points • 17 Jun 24
💼 Business Public Relations Diversity Education Employment Management
  1. Socially Mobile is a program that helps increase diversity in public relations by providing education and support for practitioners from underrepresented backgrounds. It aims to give them better job opportunities and higher salaries.
  2. Graduates from the Socially Mobile program highlight how it expands their skills and networks, making them feel more hopeful about their careers. The supportive environment helps them believe in their potential.
  3. The program offers fully funded places for people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and other underrepresented groups. This helps ensure that everyone has a chance to succeed in the public relations industry.

✅ Navigating polarisation: Download our latest report on the role of corporate communications

0 implied HN points • 20 May 24
💼 Business Management Public Relations Stakeholder engagement Crisis Management
  1. Corporate communications play a key role in managing polarization within organizations. They help balance how a company interacts with both its internal teams and the public.
  2. Issues in the media, especially social media, can trigger polarization. Companies need to be aware of how these topics affect their reputation and relationships with stakeholders.
  3. It's important for companies to shift from a reactive to a proactive stance on polarization. This involves carefully managing values and risks to navigate complex social and political landscapes.

✅ Unlock your management potential in public relations

0 implied HN points • 13 May 24
💼 Business Management Public Relations Education Media Industry
  1. There are funded places available for a leadership training program in public relations. It's designed for people from low-income backgrounds and aims to help them move into management roles.
  2. New features on WhatsApp will make it easier for users to plan events within the app and respond to group announcements. This can help communities connect better.
  3. Instagram is changing its algorithm to support original content creators more. This means smaller accounts will get more visibility, which is good news for new creators.

✅ Socially Mobile empowers diverse talent, drives industry transformation

0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
💼 Business Public Relations Diversity Education Industry News
  1. Socially Mobile helps people from different backgrounds get training in public relations. This way, more diverse talent can succeed in the industry.
  2. In 2023, many graduates found better jobs, got promoted, or received salary increases after completing the program. It's making a real difference in their careers.
  3. The program is looking for funding to continue helping more students in the future. People can contribute to support places for those in need.

✅ Making sense of the UK market for corporate communications and public relations

0 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business Corporate Communications Public Relations Market research Employment Trends Data Analysis
  1. A new project is starting to collect and share important job data in the UK public relations and corporate communications market. This will help people understand job trends and opportunities better.
  2. Many people in PR change jobs every year, and there are lots of freelancers, making it a mixed and active job market. The project aims to help track these changes.
  3. There will be a monthly newsletter featuring job openings in PR, and the project will gradually expand to include more data sources over time.

✅ When should an organisation take a stand on a social or political issue?

0 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
💼 Business Corporate strategy Public Relations Social Responsibility Management Practices Communication Strategies
  1. Organizations are feeling pressure to share their views on social and political issues as corporate purpose becomes important. It's a balancing act between business needs and leadership values.
  2. Different companies have varying opinions on whether to take a stand. Some believe in being vocal, while others prefer to stay neutral on political matters.
  3. A decision-making framework can help guide organizations on when and how to speak out on these issues, as understanding public sentiment becomes increasingly crucial.

✅ Measuring the value of public relations in terms that management understands

0 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
💼 Business Public Relations Management Corporate Communication
  1. Public relations need to show their value in ways that management understands, such as through measurable data related to profits. Many practitioners struggle to do this and instead rely on media coverage examples that don't fully represent their impact.
  2. Recent awards recognized public relations professionals who are using measurement tools to better demonstrate their contributions to companies. This is important for aligning public relations with overall business goals.
  3. There's a growing importance of data and insights in public relations that can aid management in decision-making, especially during crises. This helps reinforce the role of public relations in a company's success.

✅ Exploring the contribution of comms and public relations to management

0 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
💼 Business Management Public Relations Media Marketing Communication
  1. Comms and public relations play a crucial role in helping management respond to issues and understand public opinion. It's important to know when to listen and when to speak out.
  2. Female CEOs tend to have shorter tenures than their male counterparts, especially during crises. This highlights the challenges women face in leadership roles.
  3. Many CMOs are struggling more now than during the pandemic due to economic pressures, but most recognize the need to keep investing in brand marketing.

✅ Monday briefing: Socially Mobile open for applications for 2024

0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
💼 Business Public Relations Management Marketing Media Education Technology
  1. Applications for the Socially Mobile program in 2024 are now open. This program helps people from diverse backgrounds in public relations develop important management skills.
  2. AI tools can help public relations professionals analyze data better and extract useful insights. This can improve strategies and make sense of complex information.
  3. YouTube is making its platform more inclusive by adding multi-language audio descriptions for videos. This change helps those with visual impairments enjoy and access content more easily.

Your ✅ Monday briefing: Wishing you a happy and relaxing summer

0 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🕹 Technology AI Media Tools Business Ethics
  1. The Wadds Inc. newsletter is taking a summer break and will return on September 4. It's a good time to relax and enjoy the season!
  2. NME is going back to print because of the renewed interest in vinyl and retro vibes, showing that old-school media still has a place today.
  3. Gen Z prefers social media, especially Instagram, for news instead of traditional media. This marks a big shift in how younger people get their information.

✅ Monday briefing: Pandemic whiplash for public relations

0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
💼 Business Public Relations Data Analysis Crisis Management Industry Trends Social media
  1. The public relations industry has seen a significant drop in investment, losing over $1 billion in the past year.
  2. Employee-employer relationships in PR have changed, with many hiring freezes and layoffs instead of raises.
  3. The connection between PR roles and company leadership is weakening, with fewer executives reporting directly to top management.

✅ Monday briefing: Socially Mobile is open for applications for the final cohort of 2023

0 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Social media Public Relations Media Communication
  1. Socially Mobile is accepting applications for its last cohort of 2023, aiming to help people from diverse backgrounds improve their PR skills. The deadline to apply is August 20, and classes start on September 14.
  2. AI tools for identifying fake content are not very reliable, which raises concerns about misinformation online. It's important to be cautious and critical about what we see and share.
  3. LinkedIn has updated its algorithm to boost posts that provide useful knowledge and insights. This change means that sharing advice relevant to your expertise can help your posts reach a wider audience.

✅ Monday briefing: Understanding the impact of AI on public relations

0 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
💼 Business Public Relations Artificial Intelligence Management Corporate strategy Communication
  1. AI is changing public relations like the internet did. It can help improve relationships and reputations but needs attention from practitioners.
  2. AI might replace some junior jobs in PR, but it will also create new roles, especially in advisory and policy work.
  3. Historically, PR has been slow to adopt new tech. Many professionals aren't upgrading their skills to use AI tools, but ignoring them isn't an option anymore.

✅ Monday briefing: The public relations economy

0 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
💼 Business Public Relations Media Marketing Technology Finance
  1. The public relations industry is facing a slowdown after a period of growth during COVID-19. Companies are being cautious and delaying spending, which affects how agencies operate.
  2. Agencies need to balance growth expectations with environmental and social concerns. This includes finding opportunities related to issues like diversity, employee engagement, and even artificial intelligence.
  3. There's a rise in the use of AI tools in PR and media, but not all experts agree on their effectiveness. Some think the hype around AI might overstate its actual capabilities.

✅ Monday briefing: Agency M&A, AI and jobs, new jobs for old, journalism disrupted, plagiarism machines, copyright and AI, CMA investigates AI, and more...

0 implied HN points • 15 May 23
💼 Business M&A AI Economy Journalism Copyright
  1. The UK economy is facing challenges like rising interest rates and inflation, slowing growth and investment decisions. It's important for agency managers to focus on the basics and be ready for future opportunities.
  2. Artificial intelligence is expected to impact many jobs, but it will also create new ones. AI could help global productivity and GDP but requires adaptation from the workforce.
  3. The use of AI in journalism and creative fields is causing concerns about quality and originality. There's an ongoing debate about copyright ownership when AI generates content.

✅ Monday briefing: Phone hacking, teens on screen, EDI basics, downsizing ethics, AI slowdown call, AI white paper, AI tools, mouse leaves metaverse, and more...

0 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Media Ethics Social media Innovation
  1. High-profile individuals are suing a newspaper over privacy violations related to phone hacking. This case highlights ongoing concerns about media ethics.
  2. Many teens prefer watching short videos on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. This shows how social media habits are changing among younger audiences.
  3. Tech companies are cutting teams that focus on AI ethics just when they are needed the most. There's a growing call for more oversight and careful handling of AI developments.

✅ Monday briefing: Francis Ingham remembered, Socially Mobile impact report, AI ethics, AI copyright, OpenAI blackbox, TikTok ban, Microsoft Copilot, and more...

0 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Social media Software Tools Data Privacy
  1. Francis Ingham, a significant figure in public relations, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and influence in the industry.
  2. AI tools present risks like copyright issues and misinformation, which organizations need to consider before using them.
  3. Microsoft is enhancing its Office products with AI features, while TikTok faces bans on corporate devices due to security concerns.

✅ Socially Mobile reports on graduate career progression

0 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
💼 Business Career development Education Workplace Diversity Leadership
  1. 25% of graduates have either gotten promoted or found new jobs after the program. This shows that the program helps people advance in their careers.
  2. 75% of graduates feel that the program positively impacted their career. This suggests that many found the training valuable for their growth.
  3. Three in five graduates reported immediate benefits at work, like more confidence and better management skills. This indicates the program has a direct effect on their job performance.

✅ Monday briefing: BBC backlash, influence business, PR measurement, SEO and earned media, AI feedback, GPT-4 launch, AI goes mainstream, AI and PR workflow, and more...

0 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
💼 Business Public Relations Artificial Intelligence Influencer Marketing SEO
  1. Public relations is often unfairly blamed for a company's problems. An example of this is the backlash against the BBC, which highlights the challenges of managing public communication.
  2. There's a push for better measurement in public relations. Companies need to focus on engaging their audience rather than just counting media mentions.
  3. AI tools, like GPT-4, are becoming more mainstream and are being used in everyday tasks. This includes helping people write appeal letters or generating ideas, showing how AI is changing how we work.

✅ Monday briefing: Council papers, BBC local strikes, Fox false news, green claim, PDF AI, AI For Marketing, PR slow on AI, Twitter slow death, LinkedIn crowdsourcing, and more...

0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Social media Digital marketing Public Relations Media
  1. Council-run newspapers are doing well with high circulation numbers. Some local papers have seen significant increases in readership recently.
  2. Many public relations leaders are hesitant to use AI tools, with some stating they will never adopt them. This reflects ongoing concerns about ethics and copyright in the industry.
  3. Twitter is struggling with performance and user engagement while other platforms like LinkedIn are growing. More users are moving towards platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

✅ Monday briefing: AI in PR, future skills, Coke adopts AI, PR education survey, broken news cycles, turnip for Brexit, Citizens Advice, Google misdirection, Artifact sign-up, and more...

0 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Media Public Relations Tools Management
  1. AI is changing public relations in big ways, and it can be both helpful and harmful. It's important to be aware of how it can create misinformation.
  2. Companies like Coca-Cola are starting to use AI for marketing, showing that businesses are becoming more tech-savvy. However, some organizations like JP Morgan are blocking AI tools for safety reasons.
  3. There is a growing need for skills like fact-checking and critical thinking. As misinformation spreads, being able to separate fact from fiction is becoming really important.

✅ Monday briefing: Waddscon on AI in PR, levelling up, PR as promotion, tool survey, green claims, crisis book review, prompt engineering, and more...

0 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
💼 Business Public Relations Artificial Intelligence Marketing Crisis Management Digital Tools
  1. AI tools are changing public relations and are a big topic of discussion at events like Waddscon. It's important to understand how these tools can improve our work.
  2. Diversity in the public relations field is still a challenge. More effort is needed at various levels, like schools and hiring practices, to address this issue.
  3. Public relations can help promote ethical practices, especially regarding claims like 'carbon neutral.' It's essential for organizations to be accurate and clear in their messaging.

✅ Monday briefing: Waddscon on AI in PR, issues radar, Google Analytics switch, GPT3 Google docs, TikTok for text, IP overreach, British Gas fury, and more...

0 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
🕹 Technology AI Tools Media Trends Data Analytics
  1. Waddscon is an event focused on how AI is changing public relations and marketing. It will feature experts discussing tools and the future of work.
  2. Google Analytics will switch to GA4 soon, and users need to set it up to avoid automatic changes. It's important to take control of your data tracking.
  3. A new app called Artifact is like TikTok but for text, helping users discover and read articles based on their interests.

✅ Monday briefing: AI threat to search, LinkedIn engagement, Twitter lists, pitch woe, management gap, shades of green, and more...

0 implied HN points • 23 Jan 23
🕹 Technology AI Impact Social media Public Relations Corporate Governance
  1. AI is changing the search market, making Google nervous and leading to job cuts. It's a big shift that's shaking up the industry.
  2. LinkedIn is seeing more users engaging with posts since people are looking for new platforms during Twitter's downsizing. It's a great time for businesses to connect there.
  3. It's getting harder for businesses to get media coverage, with fewer pitches being answered by journalists. This makes getting attention for news harder than before.

✅ Monday briefing: Local news literacy, ITVX launch, Les Binet on evaluation, AVE status, Socially Mobile applications, AI images, AI builder, generative AI, and more...

0 implied HN points • 12 Dec 22
🕹 Technology AI Tools Media Literacy Streaming services Digital marketing
  1. More people care about local news than international events. Local stories seem more relevant and trustworthy to the community.
  2. ITV has launched a new streaming service, ITVX, which focuses heavily on news content. This is a shift that adds more journalism jobs and provides unique video packages.
  3. AI tools are becoming easier to use, like a free add-on for Google Sheets that lets anyone create machine learning models. This opens the door for more people to work with AI without needing special skills.