AI searches vital, but SEO far from dead
I've just seen some interesting new research on the increasing role of AI assistants in searches for information and recommendations.
The main points that stand out for me:
1. A signficant 28% of all searches globally are now carried out via AI tools. And I’m sure this proportion ...
Travelodge: what not to say in a crisis
What’s the wrong thing to say and do in a reputational crisis?
This week, budget hotel chain Travelodge gave us some pointers.
Its CEO Jo Boydell is due to meet MPs shortly following the shocking case where ...
Disastrous Olympics press conference
What a spectacular example of how not to handle a press conference!
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry was asked three questions she was unable to answer. To the first, she retorted: "Frankly, and I'm looking at my team because I was not aware Germany had made any comments around 2036, I don't really have an opinion on it."
To the next, she snapped: "OK, I'm really looking at my team now and maybe someone needs to be dismissed because ...
Gartner’s five big predictions for communications
Gartner has been gazing into its crystal ball and has published its five major predictions for communications for this year and beyond in a world being rapidly shaken up by AI.
Its initial two prophecies warrant particular attention. Gartner’s first is that media relations budgets will double by 2027, driven by ...
Lessons from The Co-op’s reputational crisis
I was intrigued to see today’s BBC news story about claims of “fear and alienation” and a “toxic culture” at the top of The Co-Op.
The story is based on the leak of a letter sent two weeks ago to the grocery giant’s board. This apparently blows the whistle on a culture of intimidation which applies even to senior managers, who “feel scared to raise concerns about the direction of the business in front of the ...
Utter nonsense from Sir Martin Sorrell
I just heard the Radio 4 Today programme segment - with contributions from ad industry veteran Sir Martin Sorrell and Sarah Waddington, CEO of the Public Relations & Communications Association - which unexpectedly turned into a bunfight about the role of public relations.
For someone who's been in the industry so long, what a load of nonsense ...
The BBC: a reputational crisis from defending the indefensible
I’m glad the BBC has apologised to President Trump today about the editing of footage of Trump’s 6 January 2021 speech by its Panorama programme – rightly saying it gave "the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action".
I’m equally glad the Corporation is resisting calls to shell out compensation. With threats of $1 billion in damages, we know who’d have to foot the bill – and Trump doesn’t need our money.
But despite the editorial failing ...
Winning the argument – with the power of three
I’ve just rediscovered a fascinating article by Steve Martin of Influence at Work – the ‘science behind business success’ people. It summarises a research exercise addressing the matter of, when trying to persuade people of the merits of a product or argument, how many reasons you should give.
The six secrets of persuasion
I came across an entertaining animation illustrating the ‘Universal principles of persuasion’ from Robert Cialdini, Professor of Marketing at Arizona University. It is itself highly persuasive and has clear implications for many sales, marketing and communications campaigns.
Is the FT wrong about PR?
Today's FT article – titled When CEOs should ditch the "PR polish" – has upset a lot of people in the marketing and PR business.
It’s easy to react to the headline – coupled with parts of the article recognising Ecotricity founder Dale Vince for “bucking the trend of media-managed executives” – and assume it’s a piece bashing the whole discipline of public relations. But it’s not. On closer reading, it's ...