PR Future, the USC Center for Public Relations Podcast

Welcome to this bonus episode of PR Future where we are focusing on the transformative world of artificial intelligence, tied to our release of the 2024 Relevance Report on the topic. We've brought together an expert panel including Steve Clayton from Microsoft, Torod Neptune of Medtronic, USC Annenberg's Christina Bellantoni, Grant Toups of Hill & Knowlton, Heather Rim from Optiv, PRophet's Aaron Kwittken, and USC graduate student Michael Kittleson to shed light on AI's importance in PR's future. Listen in as they discuss the pace of AI advancements, its role in communication and media, and the challenges and opportunities that come with it.

In this episode, we also 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.

Download the 2024 Relevance Report on the Center for Public Relations website at USC Annenberg.

AI is poised to have an impact on almost every industry, but what are the implications of AI in PR? In this episode, we hear from people who are pioneering the use of AI in the communications industry.

Dive into the issue of mental health in the hybrid workplace and college campuses, exploring challenges and solutions that employers should consider.

Explore how companies like Grubhub, NBCUniversal, and Union Pacific Railroad are prioritizing employee involvement, designing social impact campaigns and staying true to their core values by actively engaging in social causes.

Clara, also known on TikTok as ColorMeLoverly, sits down to discuss her satirical public relations takes on current pop culture topics, and what they can tell us about how social media impacts the PR industry.

Dominic Carr, EVP of Communications & Marketing at Lyft, discusses how the company is driving the narrative of corporate activism with strategic communications and marketing on this week's episode of #PRFuture.

The #PRFuture podcast returns on Tuesday, January 31 with new episodes and new interviews with industry leaders!

This end of semester episode is a discussion about “The Future of Corporate Activism ” as seen through the lenses of communication leaders at four companies very active in communicating about and supporting social justice issues: Patagonia, Ben & Jerry's, Lyft and Rare Beauty. It was recorded live at USC Annenberg, and moderated by Dean Willow Bay.