The PR Wine Down

April and Laura are back with another fabulous guest interview! This week, our hosts welcome award-winning PR pro, Rachel Griffin, to the virtual recording booth. Rachel is the co-founder at PlayWise Partners and April's friend and colleague from our favorite industry award event — The Stevie Awards for Women in Business! Rachel has won gold awards two years in a row for her creative PR activations. On the show today, she discusses her favorite campaigns, including activations for ToyMonster and FAO Schwarz. She also shares some insight into her latest activation for a new fashion doll brand at New York Fashion Week!

Later in this episode, in honor of Valentine’s Day, April and Laura dive into some creative holiday promotions from Pizza Hut and P.F. Chang’s. Tune in for a chat about Pizza Hut’s promo to break up with your significant other via Hot Honey "Goodbye Pies" and P.F. Chang’s Dumplings for customers who have recently been... well, dumped.

Follow Rachel’s work here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelhgriffin/ 

Learn about PlayWise Partners here: https://www.playwisepartners.com/ 

PR NEWS OF THE WEEK:

Connect with Trust Relations:

Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at [email protected].

You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio.

You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com.

Send in a voice message here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown 

Season three of the PR Wine Down is officially here! Today, we’re introducing a new episode format called “April’s Reads.” In these episodes, April will get in front of the mic to slow down and address an important topic impacting the PR industry that could benefit from a deeper dive.

Don't worry, your favorite interviews and conversations with Laura Schooler and our wonderful guests from in and around the PR industry aren’t going anywhere. Our hosts will be back in your feed for another classic episode in two weeks.

Today’s episode features an article that April wrote for the Forbes Agency Council, “How Does AI Fit Into The Future Of Good PR?” and includes some additional advice about the impact of AI on crisis communications.

You can read the article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2023/06/14/how-does-ai-fit-into-the-future-of-good-pr/?sh=698352ae2f77 

Connect with Trust Relations:

Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at [email protected].

You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio.

You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com.

Send in a voice message here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown 

April and Laura discuss an Anonymous PR Horror Story from a listener who is feeling the pressure of agency ownership. They also offer advice to help the writer reconcile his/her relationship with a manager after a tense moment on an internal call and move forward with a more positive approach to management. 

In PR News of the Week, April and Laura analyze a recent report from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, which found that a shocking one-third of U.S. newspapers (as of 2005) will be gone this year. Together, they chat about the state of local news, the rise of news deserts in the U.S., and the role of social media in and subscription content in the decline of local newspapers.

Read the PR News of the Week here:  https://www.axios.com/2023/11/16/newspapers-decline-hedge-funds-research?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&stream=top 

Connect with Trust Relations:

Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at [email protected].

You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio.

You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com.

Send in a voice message here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown 

Today, April and Laura are ringing in the new year with a one-on-one conversation about the ethical issues facing PR practitioners as we enter 2024. 

The conversation covers some familiar challenges that everyone in the PR industry faces  – from new graduates entering the industry to seasoned practitioners with decades of experience. Topics include:

If you enjoyed this expanded discussion about PR ethics, or if you missed the Anonymous PR Horror Story April referenced in this episode, make sure you go back and listen to our 2023 HOLIDAY SPECIAL. Find it on the platform where you’re listening now, or on our website here: https://trustrelations.agency/podcasts/holiday-special-your-2024-guide-to-agency-ownership-and-pr-ethics-feat-doug-spong/ 

Read the PR News of the Week: https://www.prdaily.com/exploring-prs-ethical-gray-areas/ 

Connect with Trust Relations:

Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at [email protected].

You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio.

You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com.

Send in a voice message here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown 

Today, April and Laura welcome our annual honored guest, Doug Spong, to discuss the defining trends of PR past, present and future. Thank you for joining us! 

Pour some nog and tune in for an episode that’s jam-packed with information that’s sure to keep your spirits bright. In this episode, we’ll discuss advice to help PR pros navigate: 

Today’s Anonymous PR Horror Story comes from a listener who was accused of an ethics misstep — and was put on blast by a reporter in a few industry forums as a result. Doug, April and Laura share advice to help that PR practitioner move through this semi-viral incident, preserve his reporter relationships, and confront the often-toxic culture of tearing other publicists down online. 

About Our Special Guest: Doug Spong has an Accreditation in Public Relations and is a PRSA Fellow. He is also the founder and CEO of The Doug Spong Co. Prior to founding The Doug Spong Co., Doug was the founder, president and managing partner of Minneapolis-based Carmichael Lynch and Spong, which is owned by Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). He is also April’s longtime mentor, former colleague and dear friend. You can follow Doug’s work and get in touch here: https://www.dougspong.com/ 

Read the PR News of the Week: https://www.businessinsider.com/super-commuters-hybrid-work-wfh-business-travel-office-2023-10 

Connect with Trust Relations:

Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at [email protected].

You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio.

You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com.

Send in a voice message here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown

Today, April and Laura welcome Jenna Guarneri, CEO & Founder of JMG Public Relations. She is here to discuss her book, “You Need PR: An Approachable Guide to Public Relations for Early-Stage Companies.” Tune in for a conversation about this go-to guide for rookie PR practitioners and startup brand leaders alike. Also in this episode, April and Laura chat about the rise of super commuting —  and the impact it will have on the future of work and internal communications at large companies.

Get “You Need PR” here: https://www.youneedpr.co/ 

Follow Jenna’s work here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennaguarneri/ 

Read the PR News of the Week: https://www.businessinsider.com/super-commuters-hybrid-work-wfh-business-travel-office-2023-10

Connect with Trust Relations:

Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at [email protected].

You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio.

You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com.

Send in a voice message here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown 

Today, we are celebrating 100 episodes of the PR Wine Down podcast! To our long-time listeners and newcomers alike — thank you for “wining down” with us! 

On today’s episode, April and Laura welcome Clayton Fletcher, acclaimed comedian and Chief Comedy Officer at Peppercomm. He is here to discuss the book he recently co-authored with Peppercomm CEO Steve Cody, “The ROI of LOL.” Tune in for an interesting discussion about what PR professionals can learn from best practices in comedy — and why Peppercomm makes it a requirement that new team members take a stand-up class. Tips include: how to use best practices from stand-up and improvisation to improve communication skills, how comedy tricks can improve client relations and workplace culture, and why it’s important to have fun in the workplace. 

Later in this episode, April and Laura take a walk down memory lane by revisiting our first-ever Anonymous PR Horror Story, to see if they still have the same advice, 100 episodes later.

Get “The ROI of LOL” here: https://roilol.com/

Follow Clayton’s work here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-fletcher-88625b52 

Connect with Trust Relations:

Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at [email protected].

You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio.

You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com.

Send in a voice message here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown 

Today on the PR Wine Down, April and Laura welcome Rhiannon Ruff to the show! As Founding Partner & Wikipedia Expert at Lumino, Rhi is here to deliver a crash course in Wikipedia tips, tricks and policies for PR pros to know. In today's episode, Rhi discusses: what it takes to have a new Wiki page created or updated for a brand; what brands should do if their page contains false information; how brand crises can play out on the Wikipedia platform; and more. Later in this episode, April and Laura discuss a PR ethics conundrum with an analysis of the recent scandal involving Anita Dunn, White House advisor and co-founder of the communications firm SKDK. Tune in for a chat about conflicts of interest, crisis (mis)management, and how to avoid ethical missteps as an agency owner or PR practitioner.

Learn about Rhi’s work with Lumino here: https://www.kitehillpr.com/ 

Learn more about CommsWeek 2023 here: https://www.commsweek.com/ 

Watch the PR News of the Week, from user @emiliemacfie, on TikTok: https://bit.ly/3tPDdyJ 

Connect with Trust Relations:

Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at [email protected].

You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio.

You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com.

Send in a voice message here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown 

Today on the podcast, April and Laura welcome special guest Tiffany Guarnaccia! Tiffany is the CEO of Kite Hill PR — which recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. She is also the Founder of Communications Week, which takes place this year from November 6-10. Tune in as Tiffany discusses her journey to agency ownership, with advice to help up-and-coming PR practitioners find the most fulfilling career path. She also shares an inside look at her decision to found the first-ever Communications Week. Tune in to get the scoop on this year’s event, including a line-up of webinars, workshops, panel discussions, networking, research, industry forecasts, Ragan’s Future of Communications Conference, and more!

Later in this episode, April and Laura discuss the latest PR theory to take social media by storm with a look at the possible SEO strategy behind Taylor Swift’s recent appearance at the Kansas City Chiefs vs. New York Jets at MetLife stadium.

Learn about Tiffany’s work and Kite Hill PR here: https://www.kitehillpr.com/ 

Learn more about CommsWeek 2023 here: https://www.commsweek.com/ 

Watch the PR News of the Week, from user @emiliemacfie, on TikTok: https://bit.ly/3tPDdyJ 

Connect with Trust Relations:

Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at [email protected].

You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio.

You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com.

Send in a voice message here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown 

Halloween is just around the corner, so this Friday the 13th, April and Laura are back with an annual tradition: It’s time for the PR Wine Down Halloween Special! Get ready to pour yourself a brew and tune in as we share a terrifying tale from the PR realm. This week’s PR Horror Story features a mortifying write-in from one listener who was reprimanded at work for allegedly over-indulging in the agency’s office snack supply.

As an added treat, we have a new segment to share with you! In How to Pitch Me, your favorite hosts will share reporter write-ins that outline their top three tips for pitching. Today, we’re featuring tips from Olivia Morley, a senior reporter from Adweek covering agency news and trends. 

Today’s guest of honor is Jennifer Berson, the founder and president of Jeneration PR and host of the Pitching Powerhouse podcast. She's here to discuss the best strategies to secure top-tier media coverage for lifestyle industry clients, as well as her career journey from practicing attorney to established PR professional. It's going to be a scream!

Follow Jen Berson’s work here: https://www.jenerationpr.com/

Get the latest from Olivia Morley, including her contact information and coverage for Adweek, here: https://www.adweek.com/contributor/olivia-morley/ 

Connect with Trust Relations:

Have an anonymous PR horror story to share or questions you want to be answered on the show? Email us at [email protected].

You can stream the show live at 2:00 pm ET every Saturday, on ElectroMagnetic Radio.

You can also connect with Trust Relations on our website or on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com.

Send in a voice message here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prwinedown