Ted Kitterman
Degree turns to user-generated content for Final Four campaign
The deodorant brand, under Unilever, is working to engage fans of the NCAA basketball tourney with a Twitter and Instagram contest.
Social Media
Justin Joffe
Brands tone down April Fools’ Day gags, Microsoft and others speak out against Georgia voting law, and Johnson & Johnson loses 15 million vaccines
Also: New York’s message on legalizing cannabis centers racial equity, trust in leadership declines, Hasbro’s job opening for TikTok expert goes viral, and more.
Kasey Thomas
6 tips for integrating PR and sales to increase ROI
Prove the value of your efforts by tying your work to measurable business goals. Here are some tactics to consider.
Ted Kitterman
Volkswagen cops to name-change stunt—and reporters share their fury
The automaker teased a new name for its U.S. operations, ‘Voltswagen’ to highlight its electric vehicle offerings. But when the effort was revealed as an April 1 prank, media pros said they had been fed lies.
Justin Joffe
Spotify and LinkedIn to launch social audio apps, YouTube refuses employee request to remove rap song with anti-Asian lyrics, and Netflix touts plan for net-zero carbon footprint
Also: Volkswagen’ launches pun-laden electric car campaign with playful pun, Nike responds to bootleg Satan sneakers with lawsuit, businesses drastically reduce political donations, and more.
Ragan Insider Ted Kitterman
PR agencies must look inward amid race to counsel brands on climate
Understanding your carbon footprint and taking steps to neutralize climate impact are complex problems—but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
Ted Kitterman
How Volkswagen’s name-change gambit played online
The company renamed its U.S. operations ‘Voltswagen’ to tout its hybrid and electric vehicle manufacturing plans. Does the stunt have more legs than similar efforts, such as IHOPs ‘IHOB’ ploy?
Justin Joffe
Vaccine passport privacy concerns loom large for comms, authorities and nonprofits provide resources on Twitter after Nashville flood, and CDC director goes off script
Also: Facebook offers advice for brands on combatting anti-Asian rhetoric, Jeff Bezos orders Amazon social accounts to attack, Journalists share their most trusted sources, and more.
Justin Joffe
GM omits specifics in response to racism allegations, Volkswagen holds former leaders accountable for emissions scandal, and Twitter offers new tool to target select audiences
Also: More tech companies announce partially reopening offices, communicators distance themselves from oil and gas companies, PR pros want more measurement and less staff on agency calls, and more.
Justin Joffe
Cruise industry responds CDC’s sailing ban, H&M retracts statement on Chinese labor following boycotts, and Twitter takes responsibility for Capitol riot
Also: Microsoft reports large increases in email over the past year, Snapchat shares user data on holiday celebrations, readers weigh in on their feelings about flying, and more.
Justin Joffe
Facebook’s Zuckerberg proposes new systems to police social media content, General Mills defends reputation after shrimp-tail scandal, and Jay Leno apologizes for history of anti-Asian jokes
Also: Slack instantly removes its ‘DM anyone’ feature, journalists share top reasons for rejecting pitches, Chrissy Teigen leaves Twitter, and more.
Justin Joffe
AstraZeneca dinged for inaccurate vaccine data in press release, productivity on collaborative tasks falters during WFH, and Citigroup bans Friday video calls
Also: Facebook shares tips for in-platform fundraising, NYC announces end to remote work for city employees, Goldman Sachs’ CEO responds to internal survey results, and more.
Ragan Insider Ted Kitterman
Are you asking the right questions about your social media content?
T.J. Barber with BET Networks shares her tips on telling a compelling story with strong visuals and videos.
Dustin Siggins
How to build a stronger brand to withstand the social media haters
The new rules of business branding are becoming clear, and organizations that have found big success should be prepared for a backlash online.
Justin Joffe
Tokyo Olympics clarifies foreign spectator ban, Miami Beach declares state of emergency over spring break crowds, and Facebook makes first PR announcement on Clubhouse
Also: CDC relaxes physical distancing measures for schools, TikTok ‘aggressively banned’ violent videos in Myanmar, PR pros crave agencies with global reach, and more.
