PRGN Presents: PR News & Views from the Public Relations Global Network

Balancing personal life and work can be tough for business owners. In this episode, we explore how leaders can step back, let their teams step up, and find clarity along the way. Louise Oliver, president of Peritus PR, shares her story of how stepping away from her role led to unexpected growth for her team. Louise opens up about the doubts she had before her recent maternity leave and how complet...

The European Union's new regulatory landscape is setting the stage for transformative changes in how companies report sustainability. With pending regulations set by the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), companies are facing new challenges in how they report on sustainability and environmental impact. Michael Diegel...

Bringing Hope to the Family, a nonprofit organization founded in Uganda, has successfully expanded its mission to the United States, focusing on supporting vulnerable children and communities. Christine Deschaine, Executive Director and Founder of the USA division, shares her journey of introducing the organization to American audiences, highlighting the challenges and strategies involved in effec...

"Creativity cannot be forced; it must be invited to the party." Amanda Hill, CEO of Three Box, shares her insights on fostering a creative environment within a PR firm. She explains why leaders must prioritize creating the time and space necessary for creativity to flourish, as she discovered through her own experiences during the pandemic. By taking intentional breaks and embracing new environmen...

As the United States gears up for a significant presidential election, the political climate has become an omnipresent factor influencing journalism and PR strategies. David Fuscus, CEO of Xenophon Strategies and founder of Précis AI, shares some insights on navigating the complex landscape of political communications in an increasingly polarized environment. David emphasizes the need for public r...

In the dynamic world of brand marketing, integrating the voices of consumers is not just a best practice — it's a necessity. In this episode, Jen Belcastro and Bill Southard explain why listening to the consumer is crucial for brand success. They discuss how understanding consumer behavior, preferences, and emotional connections can lead to more effective marketing campaigns and business strategie...

Lauren Reed-Williams has a passion for creating PR campaigns that not only drive business success but also make a meaningful difference in the community. In this episode, she discusses the significance and impact of cause marketing in today’s business landscape. Lauren emphasizes that cause marketing should not be seen as an either-or alternative to traditional marketing tactics but rather as an a...

Nick Leighton returns to the podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of Generative AI and its impact on marketing and public relations. Gen AI represents a significant departure from traditional content creation methods, harnessing algorithms to generate original content based on learned patterns from data. We discuss the rapid growth of Gen AI, challenges and risks associated with its use, the...

In the world of change management, having a well-crafted narrative is essential for guiding leaders and employees through times of transition. Marjaana Toiminen, Head of Change Management at Ellun Kanat, emphasizes the importance of a change narrative that is aligned with the leadership team and resonates with all staff members. This narrative serves as a roadmap for understanding why change is ne...

In response to changing demand, public relations agencies must continuously evolve their service offerings to meet client needs. They must adapt to new market dynamics and emerging trends to remain competitive. In this episode, Bill Southard explains that PR professionals are increasingly being seen as key strategic counselors to clients, rather than just media relations experts. Clients today wan...

In a world inundated with controversy, the age-old adage of "silence is golden" no longer holds true. The role of PR professionals is evolving to not only manage crises but also to companies on when and how to address contentious topics. In this episode, Abbie Fink explains that the key to navigating turbulent times lies in aligning organizational values with communication strategies. The decision...

In May 2024, members of the Public Relations Global Network gathered in Hong Kong for their Spring Conference. In this episode, outgoing PRGN President Andy See from Malaysia, Hong Kong member and conference host Joanne Chan, and PRGN's Executive Director Gábor Jelinek share some insights and takeaways from the conference. They discuss the significance of hosting the conference in Hong Kong, the b...

Sustainability communication has become a core component of modern corporate trust-building, as consumers increasingly prioritize businesses that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. In this episode, Martin Lucander discusses the importance of sustainability communication in building trust with consumers and stakeholders. He focuses on the European Union's Green Claims Directive, which aims...

In this episode, Abbie Fink talks with Leeza Hoyt and James Mowdy about the client perspective on building a communications team and working with an external public relations agency. James shares his experience transitioning from being a consultant to working in-house at CHOC and assembling a team of external communications professionals. They discuss the organizational structure of CHOC’s communi...

Effective communication is crucial for success in mergers and acquisitions, as it helps to build trust, transparency, and alignment between the parties involved. Brad Kostka of RoopCo discusses the importance of communication strategies during the M&A process. He emphasizes the need for sellers to market their businesses effectively to attract potential buyers, and advises on the timing and au...

Ariane Hofstetter discusses the importance of sustainability reporting and what goes into creating a quality sustainability report. A sustainability report is not just a marketing brochure but an official document that allows companies to track their efforts, inform stakeholders about their progress, and manage non-financial risks. Ariane explains the key features of a good sustainability report,...

Michael Diegelmann, co-founder of the Global ESG Monitor , discusses the role of award programs in recognizing and promoting sustainability efforts. He highlights the importance of awards having a clear meaning and criteria, especially in the field of sustainability. Diegelmann emphasizes the risks of using misleading logos and claims, citing examples of companies facing lawsuits for false sustain...

In this episode, Nick Leighton discusses the role of AI in public relations and how it has revolutionized the industry. He walks through a typical PR campaign and explains how AI can be used at each stage, from market analysis to media monitoring. Nick emphasizes the importance of human intelligence and creativity in conjunction with AI tools, as they complement each other in delivering effective...

Public policy, public affairs, and public relations are interconnected fields that shape the relationship between government, civil society, and the public. In this episode, Chip Taylor discusses the role of public relations in influencing public policy. He explains the differences between public affairs, public policy, and public relations, highlighting how lobbying and advocacy are subsets of PR...

The terms integrated marketing and integrated communications are often used interchangeably. Whether you call it your marketing mix, communication mix, or strategy, the goal is to have a holistic approach that considers all channels and touchpoints. Deborah Spencer, the Chief Marketing Officer of the Castle Group, discusses the concept of integrated marketing and its importance in strengthening re...

This episode provides valuable insights into the world of media relations and offers practical tips for successfully engaging with the media. David Wills, senior vice president at Media Profile, discusses the evolving landscape of media relations and the challenges faced by public relations professionals in breaking through the clutter. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the news cycle...

Gábor Jelinek, Executive Director of the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), and Abbie Fink, a founding member of PRGN, discuss the value proposition of joining a global PR network. They highlight the importance of building relationships and friendships within the network, the opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing, and the unique insights and perspectives that come from working...

Andy See, President of the Public Relations Global Network and Managing Director of Perspective Strategies, shares his observations on the past year in public relations. He discusses the excitement surrounding technology, particularly generative AI, and its impact on the industry. He also acknowledges the challenges posed by slow global economic growth and geopolitical issues. Looking ahead to 202...

Alexandra Dinita argues that ESG is not just a trend but a moral and business imperative. By embracing ESG, organizations can build trust, transparency, and peace of mind. In today's world, plagued by crises and moral dilemmas, Alexandra higher moral standards and values are essential. ESG provides a global conversation that can address these issues and create a better future for businesses and so...

Public relations and marketing communications have evolved significantly over the past decade, requiring a shift in how we define and measure success. In today's landscape, it is crucial to frame success in terms of business outcomes rather than expected PR wins. By understanding the results that matter to an organization and aligning PR efforts to those goals, we can create strategies that drive...