Jessica Marabella

“We’re looking for a PR agency that can provide guaranteed placements across various tiers of publications.” 🤦🏼 A prospective client reached out last week with this request, but "guaranteed placements" made it a hard pass and we referred them to a "pay-to-play" firm. Several firms touting guaranteed placements have popped up recently, but here’s the hard truth: They are ad agencies masquerading as PR firms. 🎭 Just like another agency that’s mass-blasted me a dozen InMails this year. Here’s what they said: “We help companies get viral news coverage in publications like Forbes, Oprah, Bloomberg, and Inc. Through our media connections, we can boost your organic traffic and build massive authority. Top-tier coverage is guaranteed.” If coverage is "guaranteed," they're paying for it. 💰 💵 Sponsored content can be effective when promoted on a news outlet’s homepage or via paid social. But that’s not "viral news coverage." It won’t “boost your organic traffic” or “build massive authority.” People rarely share sponsored content on social media, and that content won’t outrank legitimate journalism on search result pages. What a legit PR firm WON’T do: ❌ Guarantee earned media outcomes What a legit PR firm WILL do: ✅ Craft compelling stories and news hooks ✅ Pitch real media contacts (not sales people) ✅ Amplify visibility of real coverage, create buzz and drive stakeholders to action Good PR is not cheap and won’t happen overnight, but its successful outcomes can change the long-term trajectory of a brand, issue, or idea — and get people talking!

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Every industry needs a HERO, and in this case, it's Peter Shankman. We've all been griping about the demise of one of the #PR industry's most useful tools, the formerly great (and formerly free) HARO, aka Help A Reporter Out. It served as a matchmaking tool of sorts between reporters who needed sources for their stories, and the sources themselves. Ah, the good old days. But our prayers have been answered and Peter just announced a brand new version!! 👏 🎉  Check out the link below. You can sign up as a source (or representative of a source) or a journalist. And both options are free! A few friendly rules of engagement from Peter before you jump in: -"Only reply to queries if you have something productive to add" (This should be common sense by now, folks. In other words, keep your Chat GPT-generated responses to yourself.) -"...ask yourself before you send a response: Is this response really on target? Is this response really going to help the journalist, or is this just a BS way for (you) to get in front of the reporter? If you have to think for more than three seconds, chances are, you shouldn’t send the response." (Enough said. 💪 ) I'm hopeful that this tool will allow more subject matter experts at all stages of their business to access media opportunities and gain visibility.   One more thing - HERO (Help Every Reporter Out) is just one of many resources and places where journalists engage and post their story needs. A good PR person should consider this one of many tools in their arsenal. https://lnkd.in/gTxJ9jGP Thanks for being a HERO, Peter!! #pr #mediarelations

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We have a saying at Comprise: PR does not stand for "press release." Of course, press releases (I really prefer to call them news releases) can often play an important role in a public relations (PR) program. But if your agency's entire approach is planning for "the next press release," they're only helping you see about 10% of the landscape. Today's media landscape is dramatically different from just a few years ago, and there are myriad options for effectively telling your story. Contributed content, interviews, blogs, podcasts, infographics and much more should all be a part of an all-encompassing plan. Just as you can't build a house with only a Phillips-head screwdriver, you can't build a reputation as an industry authority by having press releases as the only tool in your communications toolbox. Don't even get me started on those who think a press release or two every week is a PR strategy. Well, I guess it is -- a strategy for wasting money, not meeting goals and irritating the very people you're trying to reach (reporters). We've had the misfortune of working with a couple of clients who held this belief. It didn't end well -- but it did end. Demand that your agency develop ideas and programs to tell your story, not simply blast out press releases.

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How does your website display your list of clients and services? Is it a random jumble? Alphabetical order? By category and alphabetical order? This arrangement should make it easy for readers to confirm that you have the knowledge of their industry and the experience of their situation to resolve their problem. See an example here: https://lnkd.in/e_zJrjdr #marketing #website

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What is CommsConsultants.com? A global directory of elite independent communications talent, handpicked and pre-vetted individually. With more than 200 top-tier communications consultants across 20+ countries, this platform brings together the best experts from every communications specialty, all in one streamlined place. You can easily filter, search, and browse talent at a glance. Whether you’re a Chief Communications Officer whose top executive speechwriter is going on maternity leave, a start-up needing a fractional Comms or MarComm experts to boost brand engagement, or an agency leader working on a complex biopharma project that demands niche expertise (and fluency in French), we’ve got you covered. Here’s what we offer: - 25+ specialties - 20+ countries - 25+ languages - 30+ industries With 200+ highly specialized experts, each bringing 10-40 years of experience, this directory provides quick access to trusted professionals. Every profile includes all the key information you need to make an informed decision, and many even have booking links for immediate scheduling of intro meetings. What we eliminate: 🚫 No middleman delays. 🚫 No more relying on your network for qualified leads. 🚫 No endless scrolling through LinkedIn profiles. What we provide: ✅ Easy, on-demand access to curated communications talent for a fraction of the cost of a recruiter. Visit CommsConsultants.com and discover the future of communications consulting. I’m delighted to be part of this global network and look forward to working with some top tier comms talent across the globe. Thank you Ashley Dennison for all your hard work on this. We appreciate you a lot! #communications #marketing #internalcomms #mediarelations #smallbusiness #founder #entrepreneur #agency #global #CCO #CEO #COO #launch #innovation #consulting #commslife #efficiency #costcutting #strategiccomms #PR

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Regardless of business acumen and/or success, many leaders simply don’t understand the value of EARNED media/PR. And thus, they are leaving growth, credibility and opportunity on the table. Hiring PR pros to help strategically navigate the process is well worth the investment. (And yes! It’s a core strength of Pickett and Associates, LLC )

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Let's keep learning! So many lessons came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the importance of clear communication about what we know and what we DON'T know about emerging infections. I'm happy to be part of the Council for Quality Health Communication: a group working to improve the quality of health information and increase trust among the public. New article by founding members Ken Rabin and Scott C. Ratzan on H5N1 in MedPage Today.

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The evolution of influence - how is public relations changing? The new Notified/PRWeek report examines this very question. We surveyed 155 leading PR pros to learn how to build stronger trust with stakeholders, the best ways to combat misinformation and how corporate storytellers feel about AI in 2024.   Get the findings now: https://lnkd.in/gayFpq9J #PublicRelations #PR #AI

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“News influencers are secondary sources who rely on the primary reporting of journalists to provide relevant content to their audiences. Without this work, they would have little to share, which means the role of journalism remains invaluable.” “News influencers are also constantly scrutinized for spreading misinformation since they’re not required to follow editorial guidelines and standards.”

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In today’s crowded media landscape, trust is a rare commodity… Consumers are inundated with ads and promotional content but are drawn to stories that come from credible, independent sources. Earned media isn’t just a way to get noticed — it’s a strategy to build trust and authority that stands the test of time. Learn more at the 🔗 in the ⬇️ #earnedmedia #pr #publicrelations

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You might know Brilliant Ink as a (powerhouse 😉) internal communications agency but what sets us apart from the rest is our dedicated approach to research. We begin every client engagement with a right-sized research plan to inform perfect solutions for your company and your people. Recognizing the growing need for standalone research and data analytics, we built a range of services to empower companies to turn their data into meaningful action. 🌟 Brilliant Research Support 🌟 ✅ Survey Design or Review Whether you’re surveying communications preferences or engagement, we know a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. We customize surveys to reflect your people's unique experiences. ✅ Survey Data Analysis Our deep dive into your results will turn complex numbers into digestible, actionable takeaways. You’ll get the big picture as well as audience-specific insights. ✅ Survey Data Storytelling We deliver so much more than a findings report – we’ll build a compelling business case based on data-backed insights. ✅ Practical Recommendations and Prioritization We translate your data into actionable recommendations – and determine together how to prioritize and plan your next steps for high-impact change. Ready to make research work for you? Book a free chat with us! #GeekOut #Research #IC #EmployeeExperience #DataForDays https://lnkd.in/evywYyZ5

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TUESDAY'S TOP TIP: Meeting media deadlines in PR shows respect for the agency’s time and builds trust, increasing your chances of positive coverage. It also demonstrates professionalism and ensures your message is included in their publication cycle. #prandbrandcommunication #pr #PRandCommunications #communication #comms #BrandCommunications #publicrelations #PublicRelationsAgency #BrandfundiPR #PRPartner #PublicRelations

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You've Got It All Wrong: The Real Driving Force Behind Your Content Marketing Strategy Think you know who's really steering your content marketing ship? Think again. The battle between CMO and COO for content marketing supremacy isn't as clear-cut as you might believe. You're probably assuming the CMO is the obvious choice to lead your content marketing efforts. After all, they're the marketing expert, right? But here's where things get interesting: 1. → The CMO's Strategic Vision:  You can count on your CMO to bring the creative flair and audience insights. They're the ones who understand your brand voice and can craft messages that resonate. But vision alone isn't enough to drive results. 2. → The COO's Operational Prowess:  Don't underestimate the power of your COO in this equation. They're the efficiency experts, ensuring your content strategy is actually executable and scalable. Without their input, even the most brilliant ideas can fall flat in implementation. 3. → Data-Driven Decision Making:  You need both perspectives to truly harness the power of data. Your CMO interprets customer behavior to shape strategy, while your COO uses metrics to optimize processes and resource allocation. 4. → The Collaboration Sweet Spot:  You'll find the real magic happens when these roles work in tandem. The CMO's creative vision combined with the COO's operational expertise creates a powerhouse content marketing machine. 5. → Adapting to the Digital Landscape:  You can't ignore the rapidly evolving digital world. Both your CMO and COO need to be agile, embracing new technologies and platforms to keep your content strategy cutting-edge. The truth is, you need both your CMO and COO working together to drive a truly effective content marketing strategy. It's not about one role dominating the other, but rather finding the perfect balance of creativity and execution. So, the next time you're mapping out your content marketing plans, remember to involve both your CMO and COO. You'll be amazed at the results when you harness the power of both strategic vision and operational excellence.

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