According to a study conducted by MIT Sloan Management Review and The Boston Consulting Group, three-quarters of executives believe that artificial intelligence (AI) will enable their companies to move into new businesses, and roughly 85% believe AI will allow their companies to obtain or sustain a competitive advantage. At noon ET on Thursday, June 20,… Continue Reading →

In May’s Circle of Fellows panel, four IABC Fellows will explore the steps organizations need to take to mitigate the risk of reputational crises and address the challenges of consumer activism in highly politicized environments by listening to your customers, understanding their concerns and shaping communication to build trust, clarify and dispel myths. The panel is set for noon ET on Thursday, May 16. Join us in real time as Shel Holtz moderates a panel that will include Jim Lukaszewski, George McGrath, Bish Muhkerjee, and Angela Sinickas.
Continue Reading →

At noon ET on Thursday, April 18, four Fellows will discuss the evolution of the communication function into one that adds measurable value to the organization in episode 45 of the “Circle of Fellows” program. Join us in real time as Shel Holtz moderates a panel that will include Mary Hills, Jim Lukaszewski, Jim Shaffer, and Angela Sinickas.
Continue Reading →

Diverse, inclusive workplaces are essential to business success. But how does a company achieve authentic representation without resorting to stereotypes? On March 21, join four IABC Fellows for a discussion about how to define rubrics and criteria to evaluate diversity and inclusiveness, as well as best practices in language and visual representation. The hour-long panel discussion kicks off at noon ET. You will be able to ask questions and share observations via Twitter by using the hashtag #COF43. If you can’t watch live, catch the video replay on YouTube or subscribe to the Circle of Fellows podcast for the audio version.
Continue Reading →

In a recent Weber Shandwick study, among executives who reported working in companies with world-class reputations, 63% favored companies taking a public stance on social or political issues. On Circle of Fellows’ February episode, four IABC Fellows will look at how to coach leaders on when and how to take a stand on political/social issues, the pitfalls of CEO activism, and how to maintain a productive, inclusive tone that seeks consensus and solutions. The panel discussion is set for 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 21. Watch the video here on this page or on YouTube. We’ll take questions in real time via Twitter with the hashtag #COF42. The session will bed available later as a YouTube video and as a Circle of Fellows podcast.
Continue Reading →

FIR host Shel Holtz will moderate a panel discussion with four IABC Fellows: Alice Brink, John Deveney, Jim Lukaszewski, and Brenda Siler. The discussion will cover the role of a free press in supporting a free economy:  how communicators can support their business’s efforts to support a free press and the value a free press brings to organizations (such as providing transparency and delivering information on which companies can reliably base decisions). Other topics related to media relations are also on the agenda, including why companies should respond when news organizations come calling, the important role of earned media, and whether press releases still matter.
Continue Reading →

oin four Fellows of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) for a real-time conversation about what technology exists to help you measure your programs, package and present the results, and produce more complex analyses to present to leadership.  We’ll also explore non-technology means of measurement and other approaches to demonstrating that your communication efforts are paying off.
Continue Reading →

How do you build a strong brand? And what role can communicators — from the PR function to internal communications — play a pivotal role? On November 15, four IABC Fellows will discuss how positioning varies, why strong brands are necessary today, and new trends in branding, including how to make employees a part of your brand… Continue Reading →

Chip Griffin and Gini Dietrich have teamed up to co-host the Agency Leadership Podcast. Each week, the duo will discuss the business side of PR and marketing agencies. The show will feature practical advice and useful insights for agency owners and executives to help them manage and expand their firms. Chip and Gini will draw on their own successes (and failures) to share important lessons.
Continue Reading →

How do you know if you’re using the best structural model for communication? Can hybrid models co-exist successfully? On October 18 at noon ET, four IABC Fellows will explore the latest thinking on department structures, including how to work with agencies and freelancers (on goal-setting, budgeting, etc.). The panel will also look at whether departments should be consolidated or employ an agency model (with staff embedded in parts of the organization), as well as whether all communications departments should be grouped together, and where they should report. The panel, moderated by IABC Fellow Brad Whitworth, will include Mary Ann McCauley, George McGrath, Barbara Puffer, and Jennifer Wah
Continue Reading →