September 20, 2016
The latest Echo Chamber episode explores how agencies can improve their new business presentations, the role PR has played in the rise and fall of unicorns and AMEC's Measurement Month. Aarti Shah talks to Steve Astle who — until recently — was head of communications at FICO about what wowed him during agency business presentations, then Blueshirt CEO Alex Wellins talks about the US tech IPO landscape and the show closes with AMEC's Jeni Chapman discussing the organization's new measurement framework.
September 13, 2016
Two of the PR world's leading creative lights join the Echo Chamber after their agencies — Edelman and Unity — came top of the Holmes Report's recent Global Creative Index. In conjunction with Arun Sudhaman, the group discuss what sets the best public relations work apart, talk about the PR industry's efforts to become more creative, and explore differences between creativity in PR and advertising.
August 19, 2016
Whether you’re hiring for a PR agency or an in-house marketing team, it’s helpful to know as much as possible about the capabilities, expectations and possibilities of your potential future employees. That’s why Hacks and Flacks brought in Amy Shanler, associate professor of Public Relations at Boston University and the head of BU’s PRLab, for a glimpse into how tomorrow’s professionals are being trained for a PR career.
The student-staffed PRLab is the nation’s oldest student-run PR agency and supports real-world clients, with access to BU’s state-of-the-art resources (including a Communication Research Center with a faux living room outfitted with biometric sensors).
PRLab has worked on a number of compelling, creative and inspiring campaigns – including a partnership with March Communications to support the nonprofit Adaptive Sports New England. March VP Liz Swenton Hosman oversaw that project, and she also joins the conversation with Amy to talk about PR training and hiring today, career expectations and anxieties for students coming out of college looking for their first PR job, and what employers need to know about the next generation of communications talent.
Show Notes:
August 8, 2016
Public relations and search engine optimisation should be natural bedfellows, yet few PR firms have actively invested in substantial SEO capabilities. One that has is Threepipe, which recently acquired an SEO firm in the UK. Threepipe CEO Jim Hawker joins the Echo Chamber to discuss why the deal makes sense for his agency, and also explores the broader difficulties of genuine digital integration, four years after Threepipe merged with Blowfish Digital.
Show notes:
Threepipe Makes SEO Play With Spot Digital Acquisition
Future Proofing Your PR Business
July 20, 2016
Data can tell a great story, and research campaigns are how you find that data. In this Hacks & Flacks episode, the hosts talk to March Research Manager Jeremy Guterl, Account Manager Steph Jackman and Senior Account Executive Samantha Bell about their recent work developing, distributing and promoting a successful PR research campaign.
Jeremy defines the difference between media-genic and strategic research, and walks us through every step of the research process. Steph provides a blueprint for conducting media outreach for a campaign, and Sam explains why clear, impactful data points help you capture the interest of readers and the media.
July 10, 2016
The host of the Hacks & Flacks podcast Manny Veiga talks about the rise of podcasting — and the role for PR agencies and brands. Then Matt Kelly, founder & CEO of Radical Compliance joins to talk about the intersection of corporate compliance and reputation.
The Echo Chamber podcast is produced by Markettiers4DC and sponsored by March Communications, producer of the Hacks & Flacks podcast.
July 6, 2016
Agency veteran Neil Backwith, who now consults for a number of highly-regarded UK PR firms, talks to Arun Sudhaman about how firms can optimize their commercial performance, and why so many continue to find this difficult. Cohn & Wolfe digital innovation head Chad Latz also visits the show to talk about his key digital trends from Cannes and beyond.
July 1, 2016
The Holmes Report's Arun Sudhaman catches up with MSLGroup CEO Guillaume Herbette in Cannes to discuss the continued restructuring at the Publicis Groupe PR network. In Delhi, meanwhile, Sudhaman discusses the evolution of India's PR industry and political communication with Promise Foundation founder Amith Prabhu.
June 17, 2016
Holmes Report editor Arun Sudhaman previews next week's Cannes Lions with a host of industry figures. Daniel Franklin, executive editor at the Economist, discusses the title's expanded presence at Cannes, along with how marketers are grappling with the rise of technology. Vikki Chowney from H+K Strategies previews her highlights from the 2016 festival, including the curious appearance at Cannes of Katie Hopkins. Business Insider global advertising editor Lara O'Reilly also joins the show to update us on the "explosive" ANA Report, which raises serious concerns about media kickbacks and ad agency transparency.
Show notes
12 Cannes Lions events to plan your week around
Bombshell report claims US ad agencies unethically pad their profits with secret rebate schemes
