The hottest Public Relations Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways

✅ Owning public relations as a management discipline

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 179 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Public relations is more than just writing press releases; it should be seen as a management discipline. Practitioners need to highlight its strategic role in building relationships and trust.
A recent Deloitte report shows that public relations has become important in top management roles. It emphasizes that practitioners should contribute to decision-making and planning before diving into tactical communications.
There is a need for public relations practitioners to own their identity and definition. Using alternative terms can weaken their position and influence, making it harder to communicate its true value and potential.

How I Built This In Public: Khe Hy

Build In Public Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Start building in public early in your startup journey to share your progress and attract a community.
Building in public can lead to personal and professional benefits like creating a supportive community and demonstrating your work.
Overcome hesitations about building in public by adding transparency and sharing both successes and challenges.

✅ A call for fresh, bold thinking to reimagine Britain’s future and its role in the world

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Relations

A new project called Renewal aims to gather fresh ideas on Britain's future through contributions from public relations experts. They want to address important topics affecting society and the economy.
David Miliband outlines four crucial questions for Britain's future: where to start, what values to uphold, where to build relationships, and what resources are available.
The public relations community is encouraged to share essays that provoke thought and inspire change, with a submission deadline set for mid-July.

✅ Notes on the UK public relations agency market

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 119 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23

💼 Business Public Relations

The UK public relations market is facing a slowdown, making it harder for agencies to hit their business targets. Clients are being cautious, leading to delays in contracts and payments.
There’s a shift in the relationship between agency employers and employees, with hiring freezes replacing discussions about pay increases. Many agencies are holding back on new hires except for key roles.
Despite challenges, areas like health, DE&I, and AI are still seen as important. Agencies are encouraged to focus on their fundamentals and prepare for future opportunities as the market stabilizes.

✅ Edelman and the trust business

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 159 implied HN points • 19 Jan 23

💼 Business Public Relations

People are losing faith in institutions due to disinformation and economic issues. Only businesses are seen as ethical and competent right now.
Edelman uses its Trust Barometer to guide public relations practices, but it also faces criticism for not being transparent about its own issues, like its work with high-emission clients.
While Edelman’s Trust Barometer is valuable for the PR industry, it's important to also question its methods and ethics to ensure trust and understanding.

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✅ Wadds Inc. back to school

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Management often does public relations work but doesn't call it that. They typically seek help from PR experts only when absolutely needed.
PR practitioners lack the qualifications and standards that management recognizes. If both sides can address this, PR can be more effective.
The rise of AI tools is changing the PR landscape. PR agencies need guidelines to use these tools ethically and effectively.

✅ New book: AI tools for public relations

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23

🕹 Technology Public Relations

The book covers how AI tools like large language models can help public relations by making writing and understanding information easier.
It showcases productivity tools that can make tasks like transcribing and media monitoring faster and more efficient.
The book emphasizes the importance of human skills in PR, like emotional intelligence and ethics, even when using advanced AI tools.

✅ Hacking AI in PR: using AI tools to write a press release

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 99 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23

💼 Business Public Relations

AI tools can help speed up tasks in public relations, like writing press releases. They make it easier to summarize information and generate content.
While AI can do a lot, it still needs human oversight. The outputs can be rough and may require changes to make them useful.
It's important for PR teams to explore how AI can work in their daily tasks. By testing tools together, teams can find the best ways to use AI effectively.

✅ Status report: artificial intelligence in public relations

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Public relations is using AI mainly for testing new ideas, but there's a need for better tools and data management. Companies need to be more organized with their use of AI technology.
AI can help create basic drafts but often lacks quality and can make mistakes. As AI gets better, the quality of its writing is improving.
Jobs at the entry level may be at risk because AI can automate basic writing tasks. Skills like adaptability and managing relationships will be important for staying relevant in the industry.

✅ Planning for sustainable agency growth

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24

💼 Business Public Relations

Using the Traction business planning model can help agencies grow sustainably. It aligns everyone in the team around shared goals and values.
Agencies should aim to reduce the reliance on founders for daily operations. This makes the business more efficient and allows for smoother growth.
Many companies are seeing positive results from a four-day work week, improving employee well-being and job satisfaction. This change could be a sustainable management strategy.

✅ Using AI for tactical and strategic applications in public relations

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23

💼 Business Public Relations

AI tools can help public relations pros improve their writing by checking spelling and grammar, making them better at their jobs. Many people already use these tools without realizing how much they help.
Focusing on using AI for just generating content can ignore its potential in strategy and management, which could provide even bigger benefits for PR practices.
While AI can save a lot of time and make work easier, there's a risk of spreading misinformation, so it's important to use AI wisely and question its outputs.

✅ AI in corporate communications and public relations

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23

💼 Business Public Relations

AI is changing the conversation in public relations by highlighting reputational risks and strategies that companies need to consider. It has become an important topic for discussions in management.
Using AI tools can help PR professionals be more efficient and effective in their work. These tools can take on tasks traditionally done by human roles in PR.
There's a growing emphasis on understanding how to regulate AI, with the EU working on an AI Act. This shows that as AI becomes more common, we also need clear rules to manage its impact.

✅ Monday briefing: Postcard from India

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23

💼 Business Public Relations

The World PR Forum and PRAXIS10 in India showcased a vibrant and confident public relations community, highlighting the importance of professional development.
There is a growing demand for public relations to adopt a socially conscious approach, focusing on creating shared value rather than just improving the organization's image.
AI is changing the landscape of public relations, with tools helping efficiency but still requiring human oversight for tasks needing ethical reasoning and strategic advice.

✅ Monday briefing: Trust, management and technology

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Building trust in organizations is a big challenge for public relations right now. It's important to gather data and motivate teams to succeed in this area.
The rise of deepfake technology poses major risks for spreading false information, making it hard for authorities to keep digital content trustworthy.
Microsoft is stepping up by defending users against copyright issues with AI content. This move suggests that companies are starting to recognize the legal challenges surrounding generative AI.

✅ In praise of the press release

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 79 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Press releases have been around for over 100 years and are still used because they are familiar to everyone involved, making them easy to understand and distribute.
Even though there are many new ways to communicate, organizations keep using press releases because they serve multiple purposes and are required in some legal contexts.
Modern approaches are being added to the traditional press release format, like incorporating social media elements, but the core importance of press releases in communication remains unchanged.

✅ AI adoption in public relations limited, so far

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 18 May 23

🕹 Technology Public Relations

AI is not being widely used in public relations yet, with many professionals unsure how to apply it. Only a few people in the industry are actively using AI tools.
Most PR practitioners see the potential benefits of AI, like making work easier and more efficient. However, they have yet to change their workflows significantly because of it.
There's a need for PR professionals to learn about AI and its impacts quickly. If they don't, they might fall behind as other industries integrate AI more effectively.

✅ Navigating agency growth through economic uncertainty

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23

💼 Business Public Relations

When facing tough economic times, it's important to keep a close eye on budgets. Start from scratch each year to really understand all your costs.
Keep your team in the loop about the financial situation. Being open helps reduce their stress and builds trust.
Going through tough periods can actually make agencies stronger and better prepared for the future. It's all about focusing on saving and balancing finances.

✅ Monday briefing: Horizon scanning and strategy

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Organizations should use the Three Horizons tool to plan for the future. It helps to identify current issues and predict upcoming trends.
Public trust in police is at an all-time low. There are calls for the police to focus more on community issues and rebuild that trust.
AI technology is growing, but many people still haven't tried it. Concerns also exist about the content generated by AI, which is sometimes seen as lacking quality.

✅ Public relations: ESG management advisory or a communication function?

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Public relations should play a role in driving real change in businesses, not just focus on communication after decisions are made. It's important for PR to influence management to act responsibly.
Many oil and gas companies report huge profits but do not address their negative impact on the environment. This gap can lead to greater issues in society and the economy.
There's a shift towards considering environmental and social factors in business strategies. PR can help highlight these issues, but it must go beyond surface-level communication to truly make an impact.

✅ Monday briefing: Greenwashing, LinkedIn boom, Twitter affiliation tag, podcasting matures, pitching is a bitch, management function, comms tech trends, AI tool research, wellbeing in PR, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 30 Jan 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Greenwashing is a big issue, where companies falsely claim to be eco-friendly. The UK will be checking how accurate these green claims really are.
LinkedIn is becoming more popular as Twitter loses users. More people are engaging on LinkedIn, especially for job-related networking.
The world of podcasting is stabilizing, with fewer new shows being launched. However, existing podcasts are still producing a lot of new episodes.

✅ Grab your copy of the AI in PR tools bestseller

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23

💼 Business Public Relations

The book on AI in PR became a bestseller on Amazon in just one day, showcasing its popularity and relevance.
It discusses both the advantages and ethical issues of using AI in public relations, emphasizing the importance of human skills like emotional intelligence.
Many employees are using AI tools at work without proper guidelines, highlighting a need for companies to create training and policies on AI usage.

What happened in marketing: Google's gift to marketers, OpenAI's response to Deepseek and Meta's weird future

The Social Juice • 31 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25

💼 Business Public Relations

Google launched a new tool to help marketers measure their advertising effectiveness across different platforms. This tool should make it easier to understand what works best for their campaigns.
OpenAI introduced a smaller version of their AI model, making it available for free. This aims to provide more people access to AI tools for their projects.
There are concerns about privacy and safety in social media, especially with bills being proposed to limit access for kids under 13. This shows a growing tension between tech companies and government regulations.

✅ The GPT-3 marketing and public relations practitioner

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23

🕹 Technology Public Relations

AI tools like GPT-3 can help with content creation, but you must fact-check the information they give you. Sometimes they can mix reality with fiction.
GPT-3 can quickly summarize text and analyze topics, which is helpful for tasks in public relations and marketing. This makes work faster and easier.
However, there's a risk of spreading misinformation if we rely too much on these tools. It's important to be careful and ensure content is accurate.

✅ African public relations agency recognised by The Financial Times

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 04 May 23

💼 Business Public Relations

BHM, an African public relations agency, was named one of Africa's Top 100 fastest-growing companies by The Financial Times. This is a big deal for a privately owned firm.
The agency focuses on helping African businesses reach international markets and helping foreign companies understand Africa. This is important as businesses look for new opportunities.
BHM values hard work and community involvement, with a strong team made up of people who have grown within the company. They even created World PR Day to highlight the importance of public relations.

✅ Monday briefing: Leaving the door open and the ladder down

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Talking to experts can give you a lot of valuable insights. It’s great when someone is willing to spend extra time discussing important topics.
News publishers are facing challenges with search visibility due to recent changes in Google's algorithm. Many are seeing their online reach drop.
AI is becoming more inclusive with new models designed to better represent diverse cultures and experiences. This is an important step for fairness in technology.

✅ Monday briefing: Accidental managers

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Many managers are promoted without proper training, which can hurt business performance. It's important for organizations to invest in management training.
Good management leads to happier employees and better productivity, while bad management can cause stress and make people want to leave their jobs.
The lack of training for managers is linked to lower confidence and worse skills in handling change and issues, showing how training can help improve their performance.

✅ Monday briefing: A new #PRstack book will review AI in PR tools

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23

💼 Business Public Relations

A new book about AI in public relations will be released soon. It focuses on how AI can help in marketing and PR tasks.
The book includes insights from developers and covers more than 20 AI tools. This aims to help professionals use AI more effectively in their work.
The BBC is being careful with how it uses AI, focusing on human creativity and transparency. They have set principles to guide their use and tackle risks like disinformation.

Trial Balloons

Brain Lenses • 19 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Relations

A trial balloon is a test of messaging or direction to gauge public response.
Using trial balloons can help predict reactions to potential decisions.
Trial balloons are widely used in politics, business, and other areas to shape public opinion.

✅ Outputs from the European Communication Monitor and AI business models

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Trust and alignment with management are key challenges in public relations. It's important for organizations to build trust to operate effectively in their markets.
Data and digital tools can help improve public relations efforts. Professionals should focus on developing special skills to adapt to the fast-changing communication landscape.
AI tools are becoming more powerful and cheaper, but it's important to be cautious. Ensure your budget accounts for new AI services because costs can quickly add up.

Levelling up the public relations profession

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Public relations needs to work harder on diversity, focusing not just on race or gender but also on socio-economic backgrounds, education, and geography. This broader view can help make the industry more inclusive.
There is a significant gap in public relations jobs for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Many PR professionals come from fee-paying schools, which limits opportunities for others.
Creating awareness of public relations careers in schools is essential. Programs like apprenticeships can help, but strong partnerships with educational organizations need to be revived to support future talent.

✅ Media pitching is harder than ever

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Media pitching is really tough right now. Many organizations struggle to get attention because there are fewer media outlets and lots of competition.
Journalists are super busy and get overwhelmed with pitches. Right now, less than 3% of media pitches even get a response, making it hard for PR professionals to connect.
Instead of only pitching to traditional media, organizations should create their own content, like newsletters and podcasts. This way, they can build their own audiences and have better media relations.

✅ Monday briefing: WaddsCon replay, newsroom targets, trust in news declines, interview technique, dirty rosters, board operator, pricing dispute, brand backlash, BledCom report, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 04 Jul 22

📰 News Public Relations

Trust in news is falling, especially for major UK outlets like The Times and the BBC. This change shows people are becoming more skeptical of the news they read.
Brands need to stand by their values and be clear about who they support. Companies like Halifax are taking a bold stance, making it clear what they stand for.
Getting media attention requires new skills like knowing how to navigate interviews. Interviewees should understand that everything said can be quoted, and they shouldn't try to control the quotes.

✅ How can we level up regional public relations in the UK?

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Public relations grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but now it's slowing down, especially in London where the number of practitioners is rising fast compared to other regions.
Many PR professionals moved out of London to smaller cities during the pandemic, but as remote work decreases, people are returning to the capital, leading to a strong community outside London but still much smaller.
Diversity in public relations is key, as it should reflect the communities it serves. The rising cost of living in London makes it hard for newcomers, which raises questions about how to support more equitable growth across the UK.

✅ Monday briefing: WaddsCon, media challenges, COVID-19 lessons, timesheet debate, value of public relations, B Corp and big business, shit posting, anti social strategy, non apology, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 30 May 22

💼 Business Public Relations

Building good relationships with journalists is important for public relations. Learning how to pitch effectively can make a big difference in communication.
Public relations played a crucial role during COVID-19, helping organizations manage crises and support transformations. This has increased the value of PR in many businesses.
Some companies are criticized for being B Corp certified, but it's actually a positive step towards driving change in the business world. Large companies can still have a big impact.

✅ Monday briefing: Journo to comms, diversity and media, social trends, strategic value of PR, ESG clampdown, AI warning, Adidas, practitioners abused, Twitter alternatives, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 31 Oct 22

💼 Business Public Relations

Many companies are now using push notifications, but not all alerts are truly newsworthy. The way publishers use these alerts varies a lot, from excessive to almost none.
The FCA is working to prevent greenwashing by proposing new terms and rules for using 'sustainable' and 'green' in marketing. This aims to make sure companies are honest about their environmental impact.
Twitter's future is uncertain after Elon Musk's takeover, leading to more abuse on the platform. Niche communities on other platforms like Discord and WhatsApp might be where discussions shift to.

✅ Monday briefing: Wadds Inc. 2.0, planning tool for creative agencies, local democracy boost, govt blames comms, dodgy digital data, PR and management, Twitter deal, charger standard, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 10 Oct 22

💼 Business Public Relations

Wadds Inc. is relaunching as a family business to focus on supporting their family and community-based projects. This new approach aims to create a more regenerative business model.
A new strategic planning tool for creative agencies has been introduced, helping them navigate important issues over the next eighteen months using a detailed framework.
The European Union is enforcing a standard charger requirement, meaning all devices will need to use USB-C connectors by 2024, which will impact companies like Apple.

✅ Monday briefing: Back to the future, AI over claims, sewage clean-up, Labour briefing, news verification, words to axe, and more

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 22 May 23

🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Relations

The public relations field is slow to adopt new technology like AI, which limits innovation and effectiveness in the industry.
Many people working in public relations don't fully understand the metrics they use, which can lead to problems in measurement and reporting.
There's a growing focus on cleaning up environmental issues, like pollution from sewage, but some investments are criticized as being mainly for show.

✅ Monday briefing: Last call to book WaddsCon, journalists as brands, ESG washing, client and agency relationships, Socially Mobile deadline, AI garbage, Twitter GIFs, ALT tag SEO, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 28 Mar 22

💼 Business Public Relations

Local newspapers are merging to stay afloat, which affects local news coverage.
Many journalists are building their own brands on social media to secure their careers and reach more people.
AI-written content isn't reaching the quality that humans expect, so it's still important to have real writers.

Mr. Sima Nan goes to the U.S. Embassy

Pekingnology • 60 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23

🌍 World Politics Public Relations

Sima Nan, known as a critic of the U.S., attended an Independence Day event at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, indicating unusual non-governmental interactions between China and the U.S.
The enthusiastic defense and publicizing of the event by Sima Nan may help reduce the taboo around attending such events at the U.S. embassy, bringing unusual attention and normalization.
The diplomat who invited Sima Nan likely earned praise for public diplomacy for bridging divides and facilitating interactions between individuals with differing ideologies.

✅ The opportunity for public relations to build on management status earned during COVID-19

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23

💼 Business Public Relations

Public relations has gained importance during COVID-19, helping organizations manage changes and communicate with stakeholders. This role is now more recognized in leadership decisions.
Corporate affairs directors are seen as important advisers who help balance business goals with social needs. They work closely with top management to guide the company’s direction.
There’s a shift towards using data and technology in public relations to understand society better. Companies are focusing on employee engagement and societal issues as key parts of their communication strategy.