Mary Blanton Ogushwitz

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

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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!

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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

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Anyone who has founded and run a company knows the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. It was so fun to talk to Nate and Eric about their journey and also provide some insight on what PR is (and isn't). Thanks for having me! #thoughtleadership #entrepreurship

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Join our experts as they dive into PR Newswire's groundbreaking AI innovations. We'll explore: ✨ How AI is revolutionizing #PR & comms ✨ Our unique solution that leverages historical data to offer press release insights ✨ Findings from our State of the Press Release Report on how PR pros are embracing #AI Save your spot now and join us as we drive the AI conversation forward!

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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

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I first saw Duncan Meisel present "The Pledge" and the work they're doing at Clean Creatives at Sustainable Brands last year. He was on a panel with Paul Moinester of The Outdoor Policy Outfit, and Kate Ogden at Seventh Generation (both of whom I'd also like to have on this show! 😁). It was one of the sessions where I went, "Wow, that's a fresh topic/concept that wasn't really on my radar..." I hit him up after the panel, we planted a seed, and eventually pinned down a time for a chat. Clean Creatives is a movement of advertisers, PR professionals, and their clients cutting ties with fossil fuels. Their pitch to creatives: fossil fuel clients represent a threat to our shared future. And since their founding, over 900 agencies have pledged to not work with them. Dive in and hear how the movement started, why pledging not to work for fossil fuels polluters is the best way to show you are committed to a sustainable future for the creative industry, and about the real reputational risks associated with working with problematic industries. Lots to unwrap in this one - thanks for the time, Duncan! Got a guest or a topic we should consider? Hit me up! #sustainability #cleanenergy #pr #advertising #marketing #nonprofit #cleancreatives #inspiringperspectives #podcast #esg

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Building Influence Through Thought Leadership. Thought leadership has become essential for brands to connect with today's informed consumers seeking expertise. By sharing industry insights and guidance, brands establish credibility while navigating complex markets. This article reveals how thought leadership helps brands demonstrate knowledge and commitment, building trust with customers and partners. It discusses how providing valuable content positions brands as reliable resources and positively affects purchasing decisions. Brands attain higher visibility and influence by developing authentic, expert-driven materials addressing industry challenges and trends. This approach requires a careful balance of education and branding. Are you curious about how your brand can become a respected thought leader? The Pollack Group's Leadership Now and Connect to Lead solutions provide roadmaps on cultivating an influence platform distinct from competitors. #PR #ThoughtLeadership #LeadershipNow #ConnectToLead #branding

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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

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As a Gen Xer writing about and interacting with different generations personally and professionally, I am more than up for learning Gen Z lingo! Education and open communication are key to avoiding disconnection and misunderstanding.

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Smith Publicity, Inc.'s VP of Publicity, Janet Shapiro was in NYC today at Yahoo Finance with our wonderful client Jamie Woolf from Creativity Partners talking about the negative impact of having a bad boss--and how employees can help these navigate difficult personalities. “If you talk to employees, your average employee, about 75% will say that their boss is the most stressful part of their job — not deadlines, not the work — the boss," Woolf explains. "So with bad bosses, there's really high turnover, and turnover, we know, is costly." For the more information: https://lnkd.in/eRztegeA

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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

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Did you know I never started out in PR? 🫢 That's right - my background is in tech. 👨🏼‍💻 Over the past few years, especially since being an early adopter and launching our Thai first Digital PR Agency, it's been incredibly rewarding seeing how creative use of technology is becoming more and more deeply and ubiquitously embedded in public relations. This is some advice that I hope will help PR teams just starting out on their AI integration journey, especially if (like most) pitching is a huge part of your success. #PR #AI #pitching

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PR is changing, and we have to adapt with it—evolving in real time, just like our clients. The way we approach our work today can’t look the same as it did even five years ago. I’ve always operated with that idea in mind, constantly adjusting, refining, and rethinking strategies. But it wasn’t until recently that I realized there’s been a method to my madness all along. I just hadn’t put it into words—or given it a name. So, here it is, officially theorized: The PR Convergence-Feedback Loop—or, as I like to call it, “give the people what they want.” This isn’t just a fancy label; it’s a framework designed to help us, as PR professionals, approach client strategy and execution with more intention and structure. At its core, this theory emphasizes the cyclical and collaborative nature of modern PR. It integrates digital media channels, social media influencers, and audience-driven campaign evolution. It moves beyond the traditional, linear “plan, execute, measure” models, proposing a fluid, multi-directional framework built for today’s fragmented media landscape. Over the years, I’ve noticed a common trend in our industry: so much of what we do lacks a cohesive framework. Instead, it often feels tactical—like we’re throwing things at the wall and hoping something sticks. And it’s not entirely our fault. The market is aggressive, clients are impatient, and the pressure to deliver immediate results can feel suffocating. But something needs to change. I’m tired of seeing young PR professionals working like hamsters on a treadmill, repeating the same tasks day in and day out. Draft press release, send press release, repeat. Copy-paste strategies across clients with no clear purpose beyond ticking off a checklist. I get it—this isn’t the easiest market for experimentation. But brands like Spinneys are already excelling at this. Have you seen their TikTok? They’ve embraced the principles behind this framework, even if they don’t call it that. Imagine what we could achieve if we all worked with the same level of intention. Small, thoughtful changes in how we approach our work could lead to big transformations in how PR is practiced and perceived. This theory isn’t about revolutionizing the market overnight—it’s about equipping us with the tools to steer the ship in the right direction, one intentional step at a time.

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We’re only a few days into 2025 and the year is already throwing communicators challenges. These events remind us that while we can’t predict everything, we *can* prepare to face the unexpected with strategic, empathetic communications. In Matter Communications’ latest blog, I share predictions for the challenges companies are likely to encounter with increasing frequency and strategies for fostering a culture where crisis communications is proactive and integral, not an afterthought. https://bit.ly/3DOjuUR Our team actively supports organizations with protocol development, team trainings (including crisis drills), and real-time crisis management. If 2025 is your year to prioritize being crisis-ready, let’s connect. #CrisisCommunications #CrisisPlanning #PR #StrategicCommunications

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Over the past 20+ years, Mission North has supported companies through critical milestones and communications opportunities – such as launching out of stealth, creating a category, entering the public markets, or driving catalyzing industry movements. Many of our clients come to us for support during “champagne moments,” and stick with us to differentiate as they evolve, which often requires educating skeptics and confronting challengers. Our goal: to provide clients with a guide to what’s most impactful to their business — reputation management, thought leadership, content marketing, digital marketing, and beyond — to help them navigate and operate from a position of strength. We’ve codified our approach with Brand Navigator (unveiled today on our updated website!), which crystallizes our approach to support clients through critical moments: ⚒️ Build: Rally people around an audacious vision and category-defining opportunity. 🚀 Scale: Grow from idea to IPO with an undeniable performance narrative. 🗽Lead: Own the category and become the industry standard for your peers. 🔒Protect: Defend your license to operate while managing increased risk and stakeholder complexity. 🌱 Renew: Reclaim the lead and offer new reasons to believe your best days are still ahead. This framework helps us adapt to companies’ changing comms needs over time and partner with them for the long haul. When we all have so much flying at us at once, it can be hard to prioritize where to begin. It can be grounding to lean on Brand Navigator as a framework to guide clients, and reassure them that while their situation is unique and often decisions need to be made quickly, there are tried and true approaches we can lean on to craft a communications strategy that we are confident will work. Check out our blog on Brand Navigator and try to plot your business on the map. Where does your company fit? #communications #corporatecomms #PRstrategy #brandstrategy https://lnkd.in/eZkpTqzN

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If you’re in the restaurant industry, you know that Nation's Restaurant News is a powerhouse and wealth of knowledge, insight, and resources. They have focused significant editorial time on exploring the power of influence within the restaurant industry in this year‘s Power List. It was an honor to contribute to this list development and work closely with Sam Oches and his team. Read more via the link below, listen to the full podcast and be sure to attend our upcoming webinar. #RestaurantIndustry #Influence #Restaurants #Franchises #Restaurant #FoodService #fastCasual #RestaurantOperators

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Let's keep learning! So many lessons came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the importance of clear communication about what we know and what we DON'T know about emerging infections. I'm happy to be part of the Council for Quality Health Communication: a group working to improve the quality of health information and increase trust among the public. New article by founding members Ken Rabin and Scott C. Ratzan on H5N1 in MedPage Today.

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