Lena Ahad

Thanks to John Johnston for the POLITICO Europe London Influence story on the training gap between white PR Professionals and those from BME backgrounds. The Chartered Institute of Public Relations State of the Profession survey showed that white practitioners are: - more likely to have received training in the previous 12 months (81% vs. 74%) - are more likely to have agreed training needs with managers - and are less likely to have had requests for training turned down (36% vs. 47%).   This represents statistically significant gap in the training experiences and opportunities of UK BME PR professionals compared to their white colleagues. Not only is training vital for an individual’s progression, and internal profile, as it can shape how an employer views their ability and seniority, lack of access can impact overall achievements as well as retention - a key point brought up by Matthew Otubu. And based on previous research and people's lived experience, it’s also a red flag for other missed work opportunities and unspoken barriers to fairness and inclusion. Sadly the training gap is not surprising but it is unacceptable and, in an age of skills shortages, inexcusable. #PR #Comms #DiversityandInclusion #Training https://lnkd.in/eCZypZM8

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The October monthly episode of our For Immediate Release podcast explores critical communication trends. Shel Holtz, SCMP, and I discuss six compelling topics, including Reddit's potential for crisis comms, the state of blogging in 2024, ethical concerns in celebrity news coverage, workplace connection challenges, and AI's impact across industries. In a blog post, I've set out some key takeaways that present opportunities for communicators, including leveraging Reddit for stakeholder engagement and preparing to guide organisations through AI adoption. Read more and listen now for valuable perspectives and insights on navigating today's complex communication landscape. https://lnkd.in/e5_CcMR2

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This really resonated - when thinking about where internal comms will be in the next five years. Some things we're already seeing: ✅ A shift in roles from content creators to guardians. As we empower our employees to create more content and own their corporate narrative, internal comms professionals are stepping up to the plate of managing their own 'influencers.' ✅ Regulation from an AI perspective and what that means for how we communicate. This is top of mind when it comes to ensuring maximizing efficiencies but also balancing quality control ✅ Building more targeted, strategic communications efforts to drive real engagement and change behaviors. Finding your niche audience, really helps move the needle, more than any 'push' communications Here's to another 10 years! Happy 75th Institute of Internal Communication! #internalcommunications #futureready

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Check out how creating clarity with complex subjects is building trust, developing understanding, and driving adoption for the financial and technology sector. RF|Binder Armel Leslie https://lnkd.in/eUV3QBj7 #contentmarketing #video #fintech #digitalmarketing #financialservices

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2025 promises to be a year of new opportunities and challenges for nonprofits. In my latest blog, I have highlighted some of what we see being the key trends for the next 12 months. I would be interested to hear your thoughts and if there are any you would add…

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You can’t manage what you can’t measure. Public affairs, like many aspects of corporate communications, is challenging to measure and benchmark because it’s deemed to be intangible and relationship based. But if you want to realise the full value of the public affairs function and be taken seriously by management, you need a robust approach to measurement. We’ve identified three models in this guide for DeHavilland. These include tactical scorecards, and strategic approaches focused on advocacy models and campaign models. Read on 👉

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 The impact of dishonesty can prolong PR crises.Register for #PRfundiMasterclass to discuss this and more.

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How to best prepare for #AGM disruption 🔫 , 2025 #AI & #Digital trends 🔮 and a tricky #IR question❓: does knowledge of large champagne order prior to a #shareholder meeting count as insider trading ⁉️🍾 🍾 🍾 Read about these and more in FTI Consulting Strategic Communications weekly IR Monitor: https://lnkd.in/eBYnDSGG #investorrelations

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A big thank you to Maja Pawinska Sims at PRovoke Media for covering the 2024 edition of my 'Reputation, Risk and Resilience' report, which I released yesterday. You'll find access links to an overview and to the full report in the comments. I'd love to hear people's views on these crucial, interlocking issues. If there is one sentiment that seems to have resonated almost universally it is this: that with the right mindset, preparation and action, leaders can use risk management, crisis preparedness and resilience-building as sources of huge positive value, rather than viewing them as irksome, costly insurance policies. I'll be running interactive primer sessions and practical deep-dive workshops, exploring how to apply the report’s findings to individual organisations. Just get in touch if you’d like to hear more. https://lnkd.in/eKGU5cT3 #trust #risk #resilience #reputation #crisiscommunications #publicrelations #pr #crisismanagement #riskmanagement #leadership #management #communications #business #marketing

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The impacts of the strengthening blizzard of noise/misinformation mean corporate decision makers are increasingly reliant on trusted sources to inform their future direction. Day in day out the FT delivers a level of accuracy that meets this requirement.

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Sharing with my network - the photo after the first paragraph in this article makes me smile every time I see it and is the catalyst for my thoughts! Follow us at FYLD to hear the latest AI updates from multiple sectors of our economy 🚀

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🚀 How is AI transforming the media, journalism, social media and brand engagement? Dive into our latest FIR Interviews podcast, where Shel Holtz, SCMP, and I interview Pete Pachal, founder and CEO of The Media Copilot, to explore the evolving landscape of AI in these fields. Pete shares how generative AI is not just a tool but a transformative force in content creation, research, and brand engagement. We discuss the potential of AI-driven chatbots and platforms like Maven, which prioritise meaningful conversations over traditional metrics like likes and follows. Pete also offers predictions for the next 3-5 years, where AI could redefine how we interact on social media, with an emphasis on filtering and summarising content. 🔹 We discuss how ethical guidelines are crucial to managing AI's impact on misinformation, and how the future of social media engagement will be driven by AI that will make interactions more substantive and personalised. 🎧 Tune in to a must-listen conversation for communicators, media professionals, and brands looking for insights into how to stay ahead in the AI era ⬇️ #AI #brandengagement #podcast https://lnkd.in/egU35qnz

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As mentioned, l am honoured by the Quantum Innovation Summit vote of confidence. But supporting women in #technology #finance ain't no rocket science. We can all do our bit. A few practical tips from The City Quantum and AI Summit. 🚀 In its four-year existence we've insisted on #genderbalance on all panels - yes, more effort than just going for the men but doable and WHAT AN INSPIRATION to young women in the sector. 🚀 #accessibility in making the Summit digitally free, and in posting every single panel with its #quantuminsights. 🚀 No lingo, no jargon, plain English only - that principle supports all those who wish to enter a scientifically complex sector, including the C-suite, sales people, office managers, marketing, and the like. We don't only need quantum scientists. 🚀 Involving The Inclusion Initiative at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in reports on #diversityandinclusion in the sector. Lessons from #finance are valid in #quantum.

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Applecart Senior Managing Director, Joe Farren, shares insight into how C-suite leaders can navigate a public affairs environment where the public has lost trust in mainstream media and consume information in a fundamentally different way in his article “The Brave New World of Public Affairs”. Click here to read more: https://bit.ly/4de6nJI

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