In this episode, Josh Rosenberg, CEO of Day One Agency, joins Fred Cook to discuss the results of a real-time ethnographic study about Gen Z media habits that Day One and the USC Annenberg collaborated to conduct. The discussion uncovers the nontraditional news sources and the 'always on' media engagement that characterize Gen Z's unique media landscape. Josh shares his insights on how brands can tap into these behaviors to make a meaningful impact on a generation that is reshaping the rules of engagement. Fred and Josh discuss how the concept of "prime time" has evolved into a continuous phen ..read more

M&M’s is Gen Z’s favorite brand. Its spokescandies are beloved by all, so much so that any minor change to their cadence can cause a political discourse and polarize the nation. How does a legacy brand stay relevant in the modern world and remain pervasive in the minds of millions?  In honor of the upcoming Super Bowl, we’re revisiting the 2023 M&M Super Bowl campaign with Jessica Adelman, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications at Mars Wrigley. She gives insights into the captivating integrated advertising strategy, as well as tips for how world-famous brand ..read more

In this episode, we navigate through the transformative impact of AI on the PR industry, discussing its potential for crisis communication, risk assessment, and countering disinformation. We reflect on the potential for AI to revolutionize PR, comparing it to the invention of electricity. Listen to our insights on how AI could bring about a culture change in the industry and why it's important to view technology as an investment. We wrap up with a discussion on the ethical considerations of AI in communication and encourage our listeners to approach AI tools thoughtfully and responsibly. Downl ..read more

How is AI transforming the public relations industry, and what does it mean for PR professionals? We recently hosted a captivating discussion with a panel of AI pioneers, including Aaron Kwittken of PRophet, Ed Clarke of Cometrics, and Bobby Lincoln of PeakMetrics, to explore this fascinating topic. Our conversation delves into the need for communicators to become more data-savvy and how these tools can support our gut instincts with solid data. In our conversation, we focus on the crucial issues of ethics and accuracy as we explore the initial reactions to AI-powered tools. We also delve into ..read more

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most significant disruption of our lives. Its impact has been far-reaching, altering our work habits, communication styles, and even our priorities. Most importantly, it sparked a widespread discussion about mental health.  In this episode, we are joined by guests who wrote about mental health in USC Center for PR’s 2023 Relevance Report. They take a deep dive into how workplaces have addressed mental health issues and its growing relevance in contemporary society. We will uncover the factors driving the growing awareness of mental health concerns, from ..read more

The USC Center for PR’s 2023 Relevance Report found that 47% of consumers believe corporations should get involved with social issues by focusing on internal policies and issues. But what does that look like in action? In this episode, we talk with communication leaders spearheading various corporate social engagement efforts at their organizations. Discover the philosophy behind the creation of corporate social engagement programs such as NBCUniversal's Creative Impact Lab, Grubhub's initiatives to assist independent restaurants during the pandemic and Union Pacific Railroad's strategies for ..read more

TikTok has knocked down the wall between public figures and their audiences, putting celebrities and high profile individuals in closer contact than ever before. Inspired by the Harry and Megan interview with Oprah Winfrey, ColorMeLoverly has blown up on TikTok for her comedic and relatable takes on the public relations field and the irony of this new transparent communication. Public relations TikTok accounts are few and far between when compared to news accounts, something Clara has properly taken advantage of. Her personal know-how of pop culture, the current social media buzz, and awarenes ..read more

How far should a company go with corporate activism? Lyft is setting the example for how companies should use corporate activism to speak out on issues. Last year, Texas passed the Heartbeat Act, which banned women from receiving abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat. The bill went even further, putting Lyft drivers who take women to abortion clinics at legal risk. The team at Lyft was quick to speak out against the legislation, and ensured drivers that they would cover legal fees and offer additional support if they were caught in trouble for bringing people to access essential h ..read more

As a bookend to our third season of episodes, we are presenting a replay of our Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium on Public Relations, held at USC Annenberg, on the topic of “The Future of Corporate Activism.” The panel was moderated by our Dean, Willow Bay, and featured leaders from companies that are actively engaged in communicating about and supporting social justice issues:  K. Corley Kenna, head of communications and policy, Patagonia  Dominic Carr, vice president, communications, Lyft  Elyse Cohen, vice president, social impact and inclusion, Rare Beauty  Sean Greenwood ..read more

Inspired by Selena Gomez’s own mental health journey, Rare Beauty was built with a focus on mental health as the heart of its brand. When Rare Beauty was launched in September 2020, its commitment to truly making a difference through de-stigmatizing mental illness and spreading resources and self-love through their products and programs was evident.  But when the brand was being conceptualized, incorporating social responsibility and community impact into the products and everyday practices of a beauty brand was uncharted territory. Enter Elyse Cohen, Vice President of Social Impact ..read more