Michelle Golden

In the dynamic world of PR and Communications, 2024 brings both challenges and opportunities. Media landscapes are shifting constantly, key topics are polarized, and with that comes uncertainity. But amidst this flux, there's a chance for bold, proactive actions. It starts with a mindset shift. We must rewrite the playbook to embrace disruption, challenge conventions, and deliver meaningful messages. So we know when to enter the conversation - and how! Join our free webinar on May 16th, "Focus Amidst the Frenzy: Communications Strategies in a State of forever Crisis", to explore scenario planning and crisis management with myself and Lauren Condoluci So, dive in, embrace the uncertainty, and secure your spot. https://lnkd.in/ekk94Hmi #webinar #innovation #CrisisComms #PR #comms

16

In this recent article with Authority Magazine, I discuss the barriers women face in advancing to leadership roles and share actionable strategies to overcome these challenges. It's an honor to be part of this conversation and to continue advocating for a future where equity is not just an aspiration but a reality. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dXx-XWxK 💪🏽 #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #Equity #DEI #HopeForTheFuture #AmiraBarger

45

12 Comments

Hey there PR friends. I’m debuting a new line of particularly surly thinking and writing, and I’m calling it “Pop Culture PR”. I’m a nerd, so I’ll be tying particularly stupid story lines of the day to moments in pop culture history to help my non-comms friends understand how our profession thinks. Today I give you: It’s (not always) good to be the King Mike King's recent comments on alcohol use are being strongly rebuked by experts for trivialising a serious public health issue.  Just like King Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones, all of a sudden he’s found that he holds immense power and wealth. But for now, it seems, without the capability or wisdom to wield it effectively. Do either have advisors? Yes. But are they listening to them and taking the advice and guidance of their experts? It doesn't look like it to me. Both make impulsive, harmful statements that reflect immaturity and lack of understanding and insight. They inflame the relationships around them and make enemies of friends. Like young Joffrey, King’s struggles are only starting. I think all of us in PR Land are keen to see the how this episode’s ending shakes out. Public figures with authority and control of taxpayer dollars must remember who they ultimately serve. Hint, it’s the people. King must exercise caution because he has accepted the burden that accompanies power and money whether he recognises it or not. Should he break the people’s trust, well, I refer you to Game of Thrones season 4, episode 2, "The Lion and the Rose."

34

5 Comments

Grateful to Agility PR Solutions for featuring my brand new book, 𝐁2𝐁 𝐏𝐑 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬! "New Book from Influential PR Vet Michelle Garrett, B2B PR That Gets Results, Just Released" "I felt there was a need for this type of book that explains—in a straightforward fashion—the work of PR professionals and the challenges they face so that companies can get the most out of engaging with a PR consultant or agency and achieve their public relations goals." #B2BPRbook #newauthor #publicrelations

30

2 Comments

I shared my thoughts about going "off the record" for Ragan Communications and PR Daily: 1) "I don't know," is quotable and has implications. 2) The idea that "nothing is off the record" is not true. Off-the-record conversations are valuable and sacred to independent journalism. Every communicator should know these basics! Read more in this great piece 👇

22

2 Comments

The inhumanity of the professional world is sometimes too much to bear. Omnicom / Interpublic have noted that their merger will lead to "$750 million in cost synergies." (𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. 🙄) While Edelman's recent layoffs clock in at over 5% of their workforce, more than 330 people. Nearly one year ago, I lived through my own "cost synergy" layoff, just two weeks before Christmas. 🎄 There is a special kind of despair, a desperate level of loneliness that comes with being laid off during this most joyous time of year. And no one should have to go through it. And having just lived this terrible experience a year ago, I'm offering a few words of advice and encouragement to the talented PR folks who are hitting the job market: • 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲, 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 LinkedIn, 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗽-𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲. These are your assets and your face to the professional world. Don't get caught off balance here. Having to update these items when you're feeling your lowest makes it really tough to brag about yourself the way you should on these platforms. • 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀. Nurture them now. Nurture them when you don't need them. Nurture them with small gestures like engagement on #LinkedIn and big gestures like donating to causes they're fundraising for or providing them with referrals and recommendations. Your personal network -- NOT your professional job -- is your security net. And you never know when you're going to need it. • Self-employment may not be your long-term aspiration, but 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 are a great way to keep your morale high and earn a few grand a month while you job hunt. This can be a lifeline until the right opportunity comes along. • 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. I'm not saying to accept help just because you feel like you HAVE to, but don't let pride or ego be the reason you say no to an introduction, a resume review, or someone buying you lunch. I made it through my own storm because of generosity of time and spirit not just from people in my day-to-day life, but complete strangers here on LinkedIn. If you're hit by the Edelman layoffs or nervous about the Omnicom / Interpublic Group merger, I'd be happy to lend an ear, offer support, or chat about the world of self-employment. Just send me a note. You can do this. You got this.

66

2 Comments

Used right, data = authenticity for PR, especially in the age of social media. I love how powerfully renowned chef and TV host @Tyler Florence explains here how PR pros can put the "why" behind the "what". #PR #socialmedia #data

4

"Why aren't we getting more press?!?!?!" Once someone asks the question, executives, in-house teams, and PR agencies are all quick to point the finger. The reality is, they're all to blame. The media landscape is rapidly evolving, and most companies have failed to keep pace. PR isn't dead (there is always value in telling a differentiated story) but with PR pros outpacing reporters 9:1, companies must rethink their approach all together. This candid interview with John Hallock, Christina Farr, and Jared S. Taylor is an absolute must watch for any company or PR pro interested in building a strategy that leads to media attention. Slice of Healthcare Full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gUCAwc99

41

6 Comments

One of the many things PR and Comms pros share on this site is what we can't control when working with reporters. Here's another one for the list: Headlines We don't have any impact what the reporters or their editors decide to run here. Or do we? Recently set up an interview with a source to talk about a pressing economic issue with a national outlet. The journalist pulled one of his quotes and used it in his headline. Good sources will deliver solid content in a press interview. Great sources will give the reporter irresistable points that make solid headlines because they pull people in and encourage them to read the story. Be a great source in your next interview. #pr #communications #leadership #publicrelations

16

3 Comments

We're just 3 full work weeks away from the end of year and that clean slate new year feeling is just around the corner. We are helping our clients start on a strong foot by using December to: - reinvigorating visual presence on web and social platforms - examining communications practices to explore whether a pivot is necessary to drive the impact we want to see in the marketplace - dusting off goals, mission statements, and values to see where things have gotten sidetracked - leveraging AI and other new technologies to help those busy tasks get done faster, better, and in a more affordable way - auditing paid plugins and platforms to trim, enhance performance, and save Am I missing something? How is your team getting ready for 2025? Comment below!

6

1 Comment

Are you ready for it? The 2024 US Election further accelerated a media shift that's been coming - one that's a game changer for brands and organizations. Our Earned Media Innovation Lead Brad Burke explains more in PRWeek.

17

2 Comments

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

41

3 Comments

Journalists are spilling the tea about what they like and don't like. Frank Strong of The Sword and the Script shared the results of a recent Cision survey. He pulled the stats that PR pros need to know about to improve their odds of success. 42% of reporters say credibility is the top challenge facing journalism. Tip: Avoid adjectives and hyperbole when you pitch. 67% of journalists use social media to source information. Tip: Keep your social feeds active and relevant. 55% of journalists want exclusives. Tip: Consider using them judiciously. #PR #publicrelationsagency #journalism

7

If you work in the communications/media, you need to be reading SEMAFOR. This piece by Ben Smith and Maxwell Tani captures the fundamental changes in our industry centered around how mainstream news outlets aren’t the only ones influencing public opinion. "The biggest shift in contemporary politics and PR may be that the cost of an error has dropped, while the value of ubiquity has risen...Conversely, a fragmented media landscape means that you need to go on ten podcasts to reach the scale of audience a cable television show used to command. And so a new wave of public figures, and their advisers, will need to navigate in a looser and more forgiving media landscape."

9

2 Comments

We need to stop suggesting youth audiences are impossible to reach. How Gen Z news media habits can inform your approach to designing and developing campaigns with and for youth audiences. https://lnkd.in/eqY7ejDE

13

1 Comment

Ok so really this is just about everyone wanting to be Bloomberg News And why not? High-quality journalism-led by the print side Niche but large target audience Also has its own billionaire exec convening execs But recreating all of that isn’t really feasible Yet you still want to be part of the news game Bezos (of The Washington Post fame) certainly does So, what is the opportunity if you’re maybe not so bullish on WaPo? Well, mass appeal broadcast TV – especially news – is on the decline And getting folks to a new platform for streaming news (aka CNN+) is too difficult So why not just have them watch it on a platform they already have Like Amazon Prime? Which will potentially be ‘testing the waters' with special election night coverage With Brian Williams who will lead a ‘non-partisan’ discussion of it Will people watch? Eh Regular folks have said for ‘eons’ that they have wanted TV political coverage to be Non-partisan Less sensational But that’s not reality especially at a time when boot-strapped, scrappy YouTube-based political creators are cutting into mainstream tv broadcast political audiences You can certainly be corporate but there must be an edge to the coverage So, the clips can also go viral on social media And folks tune in If I was Amazon Prime, and wanted to build a streaming news commentary service in the future, I would act almost like I was in pro wrestling and try to recruit talent from the ‘Independents’ aka large YouTube channels with dedicated followers, etc., to anchor coverage / programmatic aspects And leave some distance from the main company brand, some elbow room for them to have their own biases I would just ensure that those biases are balanced against another anchor’s And ensure everyone is supported by a fleet of homegrown reporting talent Whose profiles you really invest in And if they go off one day to do their own thing and have their own real following for that? Good – in this day and age that means you’re probably winning 

2

Today’s Cynopsis newsletter sparked some thoughts on how traditional media relations and newer communication channels are blending more than ever. It’s a shift we see daily in our industry—and one that offers exciting opportunities for communicators. Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Blending Media Channels: Journalists and influencers now work in overlapping spaces. While journalists bring credibility and depth, influencers amplify messages to reach broader audiences. This makes a multi-channel approach essential. 2️⃣ Pitching Influencers Thoughtfully: Influencers deserve the same care as media outlets. Tailored strategies, exclusive content, and early access can create strong partnerships and deliver impactful results. Why this matters: According to Pew Research, 37% of adults aged 18–29 regularly get their news from influencers—a number significantly higher than the 21% of all Americans. News influencers are most active on X (85%), followed by Instagram (50%) and YouTube (44%). These insights are a great reminder of the importance of balancing traditional and modern communication channels to meet audiences where they are and drive meaningful results. How are you adapting your strategies to bridge the gap between traditional media and new influencer-driven platforms?

14

1 Comment

This is important for #communications pros and our subject matter experts to remember. An interview is a conversation not a rote question asked, prepared answer given. Using talking points rather than scripted answers is more effective for a SME and makes for a better interview. Unfortunately that path isn’t taken as often as it should be.

3

1 Comment

My understanding is that Omnicom and IPG are struggling in part because they lack a clear vision and the ability to streamline/execute against it. It's unclear that a larger organization helps with that. By contrast, if you look at Publicis, they're pitching an extremely clear vision: 1. Media has never been more fragmented, making it harder than ever for marketers to reach their customers and deliver targeted advertising / personalized experiences. 2. Publicis has one of the world's best views of consumers through Epsilon, and they can activate that view anywhere thanks to their investments in emerging channels (Influential, Mars United, CitrusAd, etc). 3. Epsilon also allows Publicis' advertisers to measure and optimize those targeted ads and personalized experiences, driving measurable outcomes (which is what really matters in the current Outcomes Era of digital marketing). What Omnicom and IPG seem to need is to clarify the vision, make investments to support it, and streamline their organizations to adhere to it. A merger could be part of that. Or it could add more bloat that accelerates the sinking of the ship.

218

46 Comments