Ruth Mortimer

This is a very inspiring and insightful podcast discussion of PRWeek UK with Cision, straight with the hottest trends from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity this year when #PR was in the spotlight. ✨ It’s not about just including influencers in brand campaigns or being an influencer, it’s about deep understanding of audiences, content creation and storytelling, brands and their products’ benefits to be truelly authentinc and engaging in the story doing. 🚀 Our industry is facing the same challenges with influencers no matter the location. Happily, MSL (Global) brings the value of its own platform Fluency to clients to plan and create the most efficient influencer campaigns regarding size and market. 🔝🤹‍♂️🏅 Of course knowing local specifics are a must! That’s why MSL Sofia is publishing The Pulse of Influencer Marketing in Bulgaria for few years now. Stay tuned for 2024 edition! It’s coming in the fall! 🔜 Even more, in a world where everybody can be creator the blur line between influencers and journalists is becoming thinner, there is a need to be better at research and evaluate, before you go live. 🔈🔇 Did you know of Jinfluencers (journalist-influencer) by the way? They are true opinion leaders in the media landscape. Let’s keep and help the authentinc content in media and social media flourish the best way possible for consumers, brands, or any audiences and communities! #InfluenceImpact https://lnkd.in/dPRMZ_GV

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In the second article in EOS at Federated Hermes Limited's Q3 Public Engagement Report, Joanne (Jo) B. and George Watson explain how we engage with companies on water #stewardship, to address scarcity and quality issues. #ESG #nature #humanrights #biodiversity https://bit.ly/3AsXTQy

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Would you trust AI to manage your corporate crisis? No, me neither! Listen to the latest episode to find out more and should we laugh or cry at the rise of gilet-man.

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‘You can’t really measure the impact of PR’. I hear that said so often that sometimes even those of us working in the sector can be at risk of internalising that belief. Which is why it’s so uplifting when a client takes the time to write in on a Friday afternoon to say ‘the result of the press coverage [that Rostrum generated] is a 25% increase in website traffic and a 50% increase in form completions’. That’s a measurable return on investment from your PR programme.

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The modern public expects more than just acknowledgements of mistakes; genuine remorse and a commitment to change are crucial. Regret, once stigmatised, is now seen as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. Explore the significance of engaging with #apologyculture and #ageofregret for authentic transformation and effective #reputationmanagement. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ekr7GCRU

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Why brands need to turn to the creative industries to retain their customers. As the UK slumps further into a black hole, the creative industries will become the beacon of light brands need to reach for. #CulturalRelevance #CommunityandCulture Quick read! https://lnkd.in/escReNVT

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The PRCA has published a thoughtful report into the pitching process which makes for interesting reading for all those in agency and, I believe, on the client side. https://lnkd.in/eX8bd5EH As one who has particpated in more pitches than I care to mention - both good and bad - the data in the report, and the recommendations being by the PRCA, resonate strongly. That said, I don't feel the recommendations go far enough to addressing the poor state of the pitching process. The four conclusions in the report go a long way to addressing the issues facing agencies but the elephant in the room is: 👻 Ghosting - it is simply unacceptable to put an agency through a pitch process only to then fail to return calls and ultimately not appoint. Sections one and two cover off agency specific insights and the challenges in the pitching process. These sections provide helpful data on the frequency of agency participation in pitches, number of pitch opportunities, pitch conversion rates, pitch investment etc. All very relevent but the findings that stand out and need addressing are: 1️⃣ 49% of respondents experienced their idea being used by the client without a contract being awarded 2️⃣ 77% report these instances between 1 and 2 times in the past 12-months 3️⃣ 71% say the lack of budget transparency is a major challenge 4️⃣ 68% highlight unrealistic deadlines that negatively impact the pitching process 5️⃣ 63% have experienced ghosting during the pitch process Section three of the survey digs into PRWeek UK data insights (from its monthly trading tracker) and again highlights lack of budget transparency, clarity and specificity in briefs, unrealistic demands, timelines and the role of procurement. The conclusions from the report call for clients to take the following steps: 1️⃣ Budget transparency 2️⃣ Clear and specific objectives 3️⃣ Access to and involvement of, key decision makers 4️⃣ Streamline procurement processes And most encouragingly, 88% of organisations believe that a voluntary code of conduct would improve the pitching process but interestingly, this support drops to 63% when it comes to having a mandatory code. Why?? So now the question is: where next? I will watch where this excellent initiitiave heads to and I offer up my help should it be required.

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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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As 2024 comes to a close and we head into the new year, effective communication remains more crucial than ever. Our regional directors have shared their predictions for the next 12 months, including the importance of demonstrating value and ROI, the rise of targeted messaging in a fragmented media landscape, and the need for authentic, purpose-driven storytelling. Take a look.

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A few days ago, I published the post below here on LinkedIn and on other social networks about my blog being in Vuelio's listing of the Top 10 UK PR blogs 2024. Some nice reactions here (thanks!) and there. On LinkedIn, though, within a few hours, I'd received email pitches and DMs from people wanting me to publish guest posts, with the promise that they'd promote the posts and "amplify my SEO presence," to quote one. All in exchange for "just a few carefully selected links," to quote another. It’s clear that LinkedIn is fast becoming a breeding ground for inauthentic, spammy, approaches. But the real question is: How do we maintain trust and authenticity in a space that’s increasingly being exploited?

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Will digital exclusion ever really disappear? It's great to see our work with LINK and Adrian Roberts launch today, casting a fresh look at digital exclusion. Despite ongoing efforts to combat digital exclusion, our research shows that it continues to be felt across all age groups - either as a result of affordability or through our increasing reliance on digital skills in all aspects of our life and work. Today's young workforce are acutely aware that having the right digital skills today will not necessarily equip them for the workplace of tomorrow. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/et7w8WF6

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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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Currys plc, a leading British electronics retailer, is setting an example for marketers by expertly leveraging Gen Z and millennial #socialmedia trends. This recent example, with over 8 million views and more than 600,000 likes, demonstrates that aligning your strategy and content with what resonates with your target audience—while ensuring relevance to your products—is not only achievable but impactful. By embracing humor, relatability, and a deep understanding of the cultural moments driving engagement on Gen Z-dominated platforms, Currys has successfully transformed its brand identity. It's no longer just a tech retailer but a cultural participant that connects with younger audiences on a personal level, building both loyalty and brand affinity. #currys #retail #marketing #advertising

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I first wrote on the subject of a coming “convergence” of internal and external communication more than 10 years ago.  It keeps coming up, like it did in Sophie Drummond’s piece titled "Rest In Peace, Internal Communication" in the newly resurrected EACD publication, Communication Directors Magazine (link in comments). Sophie makes a lot of solid points.  I don’t disagree, but I bristle at the idea that it’s internal communication that needs to be subsumed into external communication, a conclusion some might jump to if skimming her piece.  In fact, I’d argue the opposite, that internal communication should be seen as a fundamental driver of external communication - and as a discipline with its own distinct dynamics and leverage. Nevertheless, it’s also long overdue for today’s #internalcomms practitioners to get their heads around why the distinction between internal and external comms is becoming more permeable - and a lot more dynamic. My latest post on the Changing The Terms Blog: Internal Comms and External Comms are not the same. And never will be. https://lnkd.in/ercBY_Kq

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What’s driving the evolution of brand purpose? 🌏 🧒 ❤️ ✊ Last week we hosted a thought provoking roundtable with comms leaders across private, public, and non-profit sectors, who shared their experiences and views of a rapidly changing landscape. There's only so much you can cover in an hour, but some of the key takeaways: - We're moving from purpose vs profit > to purpose with profit - Purpose can be a north star, but it must be anchored to something more than the end goal, such as values - Australia once led on progressive issues, but not so much anymore - Society's rage presents an opportunity for brands to educate and unite - There is strength in numbers when tackling sensitive issues - Purpose is evolving from planet to people-first - Youth are demanding rapid change from inside and out - There's a cost of not investing in purpose The findings will feed into Havas Red's global Purpose white paper, coming out in October. Massive thanks to James Walmsley Allison Lee Nhan Chiem 🎯 Charmaine Glase Kate Hawke (GAICD) Kerry Kalcher Anne Wall James Wright HAVAS Red AU

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Finding your north star story Our bespoke storytelling workshops will bring your brand to life. If you want to create a compelling and consistent north star narrative that will guide every conversation and all marketing collateral, then it's time to spread the word through storytelling. Through the power of narrative, we elevate brand messages to become more memorable. Why? Because, web sites become more welcoming, pitches and presentations become more powerful, social media more shareable, speakers more striking, content more colourful and PR more influential. Through storytelling, we care less about facts and more about feelings. This is how we help you cut through the noise. #global #PR #brandstorytelling #contentmarketing #marketresearch

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Do you realise that you’re sat on PR content? Content that will get you into the media- so you can reach more people and build your credibility and visibility through being elevated and celebrated. So often in business we just get on with what we think is normal. Book launches, event planning, thought leadership - we often forget to capitalize on it. The media can amplify your message, it can shine a light on your work, it creates a new level of energy around you when you step into celebration mode What are you doing in your business that you should be celebrating?? I’ll bet there’s something!!!

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Grab this insightful survey report on predictions for AI and PR in the coming year. As Gini Dietrich notes, it's likely no surprise that "AI-powered PR" is the biggest deal coming according to those surveyed. Most interesting to see that 74% is the sum of all responses who believe this will be so, with wide variances depending on roles - solopreneurs are in the lead at 86% saying this. Download the PDF for all the insights ⬇️

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Culture and commerce, never the two shall meet. I disagree 👆 In fact, I strongly disagree. These two 'camps' actually need each other to survive and exist. In an age where our government is not valuing the economic impact culture has within the UK or the value proposition it delivers for us globally. Commercial businesses and brands have an opportunity to support and galvanise the creative communities. When I read last week's news that the US Justice Department had initiated a legal challenge against Live Nation Entertainment, alleging the company functions as a monopoly, my first thought was "what a missed opportunity". Since Live Nations' merger with Ticketmaster in 2009, it is clear that the UK's independent music culture has found it much harder to thrive. It's important to note that there are many factors to this, COVID-19, recession etc. Small live music venues, independent music events and festivals have been challenged by the Live Nations' size and power across every element of the live music sector. But, I'm not here to bash Live Nation, what would be the use in that, instead I am here to suggest there might be another way. Imagine a world where Live Nation became a beacon of independent music culture by supporting, galvanising and funding live music in the UK. Why would a commercial business fund its competitors I hear you ask? Well, let's be real, these venues, events, and ticketing platforms are not a threat to Live Nations' commercial business, they just don't have the scale. Simon Sinek said, "Competition is the fuel that ignites innovation." So why can't Live Nation use its resources, its network and its weight to ignite innovation and support the sector as a whole? Tell me what you think. #LiveMusic #CulturalEconomy #MonopolyInvestigation

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