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By Jennifer R. Farmer It is becoming more challenging than ever to secure earned media, or media one doesn’t have to pay for. Not only do public relations pros outnumber journalists 4 to 1, but journalists are increasingly asked to do more with less. Further, it appears the media is consumed with the latest offering …

Continue reading “In Today’s Media Landscape, Opinion Essays Are a Communicator’s Best Friend”

By Jennifer R. Farmer Throughout my career, I’ve met countless people who had lofty dreams and larger-than-life aspirations. Most of them were passionate about a particular issue, and they wanted the world to know. It’s not hard to understand why; media attention offers a type of validation that signals to clients, potential clients, funders, allies …

Continue reading “The Path to Media Attention is Action”

It’s been 50 years since the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, better known as the Kerner Commission, declared “our nation is moving towards two societies, one Black, one white – separate and unequal.” Named after Illinois Gov. Otto Kerner, Jr., the panel consisted of 11 elected officials, labor and civil rights leaders from across …

Continue reading “Kerner at 50: A Lot Has Changed, and Much Remains the Same”

As we approach 2018, your organization may be looking to expand your communications team, or build one (assuming you’ve received funding to do so) from the ground up. If you’re looking to hire communications and public relations all-stars, here are four things you should do

Early in my career, I learned public relations professionals should dutifully manage relationships with the media. Above all, I was instructed to guard my credibility; without it, I’d be of no use to my employer or the causes I represent.

There’s no escaping the fact that communications and public relations work involves an element of rejection. In PR, the rejection likely comes from reporters who may not be interested or available to cover a story idea you’ve pitched.