Sebastian Hamirani

Misinformation and disinformation, the threat of deepfakes, the rise of AI, dwindling workforces and resources - are converging trends undermining the quality of and trust in the media? Have a read of this excellent piece by Tom Harper, APCO European head of media and former Sunday Times journalist, in POLITICO today.

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Avōq just released insightful research into the changing media preferences of D.C. policy insiders. LinkedIn is up, Twitter is down... but there is a lot more to it than that! To get a deeper look, download the topline and schedule a full briefing to learn what these changes mean for your policy communications strategy: https://lnkd.in/eMpRhMZh

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SPOILER ALERT 🚨🚨🚨 I don't think TikTok is going anywhere. But, the debate happening among policymakers makes for pretty good conversation. In my latest thought piece for H/Advisors Abernathy, I examined the newscycle to see how a potential #TikToK ban could play a big role in the 2024 election cycle, rankle #BigTech data collection and lay the groundwork for more #dataprivacy advocacy. https://bit.ly/T1kT0kban

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Putting a human being at the center of a story was always the most effective way to talk through a bigger narrative, and as a journalist, getting to the core of a narrative was a critical part of my work. Now, with Prosek Partners, my work centers on establishing similar relationships with our clients that I once did with my sources, competitively developing a messaging that stands out, and putting it to work with our colleagues in the press. https://lnkd.in/edCPU_8m

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How do policymakers in D.C. and those who engage them get their information? It depends on their partisan leanings. Check out the results of Avōq's research below.

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Thank you to PRNEWS for publishing my piece on lessons brands and communications leaders can learn from the recent fallout at NBC News and the pitfalls of binary thinking. "This debacle is one of many scenarios that remind us of why deliberate, well-coordinated and consistent internal communications are even more important in today’s climate where sensitive information leaks are becoming commonplace." If you're so inclined, you can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eSjSG26d

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NPR can and should exist. All viewpoints, even bias, are part of a robust free and independent media landscape. Yet, it has been clear for decades that NPR has an ingrained outlook that should not require public funding. This is also the case for PBS and the aged Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Both relics, of a Great Society effort in 1967 to upgrade and expand choices when there were three networks, no cable and no internet. Government needs to take its hand out of so called " public broadcasting" and allow its viewers to embrace it- if you prefer BBC and Anglophilia , leftist politics, and kids programming , and other valuable fare- support it and pay for it.

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Hey news friends in North America, We've just announced a new lab for publishers who want to improve their engagement and retention of audiences that spike around major news events. Yes, that means elections, but there are so many other stories that lead to similar behaviors: influx of audiences around a story or topic who then leave when that thing is over. This Lab will focus on middle- and bottom-of-the-funnel strategies with the full Blue Engine experience: audits, workshops, a dedicated coach, sharing outcomes and learnings as a group, and lots of GIFs. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gJJR7RtN

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One fun fact about public relations (PR) that people barely know is that the term "public relations" was first coined by Thomas Jefferson. In 1807, Jefferson used the term in the preface to his "Seventh Address to the Congress." Although he didn't use it in the modern context we understand today, this early use highlights the concept's deep roots in history. Jefferson's idea was more about communicating with the public transparently and honestly, a principle that remains at the core of modern PR practices. #beatricesargin #beatriceprglobalstrategies #prfunfact #publicrelations Full address here - https://lnkd.in/eY2Apdxw

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A brilliant new column in Observer by Roy Swan that will unpack how we can strive for a better form of capitalism that can work for all of us, rooted in innovation, prosperity, and fairness. Check it out!!

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PRWeek's great 2024 Business Report highlights the key challenge facing our industry. Communications is more important than ever. Comms and policy leaders are being asked to play far larger roles as business partners supporting ever more stakeholders. So why did the industry suffer so much in 2023 after many years of growth? As an sector, we are not adapting fast enough to the needs. Organizations are desperate for help but also under tremendous financial strain. They now need both senior level counsel and advisory support as well as deep domain expertise to actually produce. By and large, our industry is still split by this chasm - between strategic and tactical. Clients cannot afford to separate these, either in time or money. At Bully Pulpit International our goal is to bridge this divide, building a team that can both 'think and do' at the highest levels. It's not always easy. Last year was a challenge. But if you share this vision for the future, please check out some of our open roles: https://lnkd.in/dGQwJUSG

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"Best Practices For Pitching In 2024, a cold outreach email probably isn’t going to suffice. With journalists receiving hundreds of email pitches daily, we must get creative to ensure our messages stand out." Read more at the Forbes article here: https://lnkd.in/e7PQGP53 #pr #mediarelations #pitches

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Is change coming for D.C. policy news sources? I think so. And I crunched the data, so lemme tell you about it :) Schedule a briefing for our 2024 Policy Insiders Media Habits findings to learn more.

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How will AI impact the world of journalism? This report from Columbia Journalism Review is worth a read (or skim, it's lengthy). Felix M. Simon examines the use of AI across editorial, commercial, and technological domains and looks at the structural implications of AI in news organizations. Based on 134 interviews with news workers at 35 news organizations in the US, UK, and Germany and 36 international experts, the report explores the integration of AI with newsrooms and the question of whose interests are served by the increasing adoption of AI in the news and how this shift stands to reshape the public arena.

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PRWeek’s Agency Business Report rankings dropped yesterday. It’s the publication’s annual breakdown + analysis of PR firms based on self-reported numbers. A few themes emerged in Diana Bradley’s deep dive from the client POV that mirror what I’m seeing brands prioritize in their agency partners: ✅ BROAD PERSPECTIVE: How much should an agency niche when it comes to industry expertise? Is it better to have a partner that serves multiple industries? There’s nuance to this debate, but at the very least, agencies need to bring to the table cross-industry visibility, insights, and best practices. ✅ WILLINGNESS TO PUSH BACK: This comes up a LOT in my searches. Yes, clients are busy and want their agencies to be an extra set of arms and legs. But what they’re really looking for is a partner who pushes them to deliver more impactful results. Sometimes, that means engaging in a little healthy debate. ✅ TEAM ALIGNMENT: I could go on ad nauseum about how the most successful client-agency partnerships boil down to great relationships. But it’s no longer enough to have a strong “core team.” As brands’ needs evolve, agencies need to be open to dynamic team structures, bringing in the right external experts or partner agencies to support their core expertise. ✅ ABILITY TO PIVOT: Being accountable when things don’t go as planned is crucial. Equally important is an agency’s ability to listen to the client and to be flexible and responsive to the needs of the business. ✅ EXPERT AT NAVIGATING ISSUES: Businesses are facing potential reputational risks from all sides. That’s why companies of all sizes and industries are increasingly looking for partners who understand the regulatory and political environments in which they operate and who can provide counsel at the drop of a hat. Would love to hear your thoughts... Clients: What qualities do you value most in an agency partner? Agencies: Where are you seeing potential clients dig in most?

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This article from Columbia Journalism Review is fascinating, and an argument for the importance of a reputation management communication plan. There are volumes authored by PR pros advising against ignoring reporters inquiries, yet this article documents how frequently it happens. Throughout my career, I can count on one hand the number of times I have made a calculated decision not to respond to a media request, and 99.9% of the time it was after multiple engagements with a reporter who repeatedly misrepresented or distorted information (even if not intentionally). I suspect, more often than not, reporters get ghosted because the brand is caught off guard. They haven't planned how they will respond in a reputation crisis. Or haven't socialized the planned response with stakeholders. If the PR team is haggling with executives and lawyers on what to say or how to say it when the reporters' questions start rolling in, the opportunity to frame the narrative is quickly lost. Thanks for sharing the article Jennifer Johnson Avril! https://lnkd.in/gYmTA9CW

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With today's news that Waystar is aiming to raise up to $1B through its IPO, we took a look at what its S-1 can tell us from a communications perspective. Read the takeaways here: https://lnkd.in/ekEpVic2

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The reinstatement of Net Neutrality regulations got buried under news coverage of the TikTok “ban” bill, but last week’s FCC decision shouldn’t go unnoticed by marketers. Affordable, accessible bandwidth is essential to our business and our clients’ business. The video and tech heavy experiences that have come to define so much of modern PR and marketing rely upon broadband. I’ve long been a proponent of a broadband program similar to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (which helped get bypassed Americans on the power grid). While we aren’t there yet, restoring Net Neutrality and looking at broadband through the regulatory lens of public utilities will likely speed infrastructure expansion. To use a railroad metaphor: the fastest train in the world can only run at the speeds its track allows. Comms and PR people can create the most innovative experiences, but they will always be constrained by bandwidth. The more that true broadband coverage is available, the faster our ideas will run. NPR published a great primer on net neutrality last week that is worth a read if you need to get up to speed: https://lnkd.in/ecNp9vmf #broadband #netneutrality #PR #digitalmarketing #bandwidth #FCC #BidenAdministration #ruralbroadband #InternetAccess

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Great insights from Jack Murphy on Waystar's S-1 filing! As the IPO market heats up with Waystar following #Rurik, #Reddit, and #AsteraLabs, it's essential for comms teams to understand the strategic elements in these filings. Check out how Waystar uses various levers like customer testimonials, AI integration, and its diverse client base to help build investor confidence. A must-read for anyone navigating the path to public markets. If you have an IPO on the horizon, check out our IPO Playbook: https://lnkd.in/gc-VvN5h ....or get in touch with the Brands2Life team. #IPO #CommsStrategy #Waystar #AI #CustomerSuccess #InvestorRelations

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