FIR Podcast Network
656 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★ - 3 ratingsFor Immediate Release: Podcasts for Communicators
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Episodes
CWC 96: Resiliency and remote teams in an agency (featuring Xaña Winans)
November 08, 2023 14:00 - 29 minutes - 23.7 MBXana Winans says that resiliency may be her supowerpower, and that's a characteristic many agency owners needed to tap into as the pandemic upset existing business structures. Continue Reading → The post CWC 96: Resiliency and remote teams in an agency (featuring Xaña Winans) appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
How Communicators Can Give the Gift of Communication
November 06, 2023 17:35With the holiday season upon us, it is appropriate to talk about a gift communicators can give: the gift of communication. For several years, the day before the IABC World Conference begins, communicators spend a day with local nonprofits from the host city, providing their advice and recommendations to organizations that don't have the resources to employ or contract strategic communication counsel. The practice has spread to regions and chapters and beyond. In this live stream, four Fellow...
ALP 210: Real talk about agency websites
November 06, 2023 14:00 - 26 minutes - 21.4 MBIn this episode, Chip and Gini talk about what matters — and what doesn't — when it comes to your website design and content. Continue Reading → The post ALP 210: Real talk about agency websites appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #364: Managers’ Most Important Communication Role
November 03, 2023 02:11 - 15 minutes - 7.02 MBInternal communicators have long known how important employees' immediate supervisors are to the communication process. Based on the results of a new study, communicators need to shift their focus. Managers still need to serve as a conduit of information in both directions, but there's an even more important role they play that communicators are best suited to help them learn and apply. Shel and Neville discuss the study and its implications for internal communications professionals in this ...
ALP 209: Chaos is not a virtue for agencies
October 30, 2023 13:00 - 22 minutes - 18.4 MBChaos is the sign of a problem that needs to be solved, not an acceptable condition that leaders and their teams should adapt to. Continue Reading → The post ALP 209: Chaos is not a virtue for agencies appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #363: Is the Israel-Hamas War a Communications No-Win Situation?
October 30, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 37.8 MBA review of the trove of articles about how brands have addressed the conflict in the Middle East suggests that there is no way to satisfy everybody, even for brands that opt to say nothing at all. Neville and Shel explore the peril of speaking out, even as expectations continue for companies and their CEOs to address societal issues. Also in this monthly long-form episode: The closure of Pebble (formerly T2) has implications for the entire fractured social media ecosystem A global PR body...
FIR #362: Why Did Pebble Sink?
October 27, 2023 15:53 - 24 minutes - 10.8 MBT2 rebranded as Pebble because when tossed in water, pebbles create ripples (except in the song "Ripple," in which "there is no pebble tossed, nor wind to blow"). The microblogging social network created by former Twitter staffers never created enough ripples to sustain it. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel lament Pebble's passing, consider the reasons it is shutting down, and ponder what it means for the post-Twitter social media landscape. Continue Reading → The post FIR #36...
FIR #361: Is There A Seat At The Table in Corporate Communication’s Future?
October 25, 2023 16:17 - 14 minutes - 6.67 MBA new study from Edelman polled hundreds of Fortune 500 Chief Communication Officers about the future of corporate communications. The results include some surprises, including the scope of the CCO's role and what they're spending their time on. The study also addresses the old canard about the communicator's quest for a "seat at the table." Neville and Shel dig into the report in this short midweek episode. Continue Reading → The post FIR #361: Is There A Seat At The Table in Corporate Com...
ALP 208: The rising salary demands of agency employees
October 23, 2023 13:00 - 22 minutes - 18.5 MBIn this episode, Chip and Gini talk about why salary expectations are on the rise and what agencies can — and should — do about it. Continue Reading → The post ALP 208: The rising salary demands of agency employees appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
Circle of Fellows #96: Leadership in Communication
September 30, 2023 15:01 - 59 minutes - 24.6 MBThis month's panel of IABC Fellows explored the intersection of leadership and communication and how those at the top can leverage their communication skills to drive business success. The panelists shared their insights on communicating vision, values, and purpose; creating alignment around the business plan; motivating teams; and more. Continue Reading → The post Circle of Fellows #96: Leadership in Communication appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
#756: Marla Blaylock w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility
September 29, 2023 01:28 - 5 minutes - 2.42 MBThis episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Marla Blaylock. Continue Reading → The post #756: Marla Blaylock w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
EPISODE #71: KRISTI MUNNO ON REACHING FRONTLINE BY REINVENTING OZINGA TOWN HALLS
September 28, 2023 18:43 - 27 minutes - 31.3 MBThe best communicators are versatile; they proactively seek out opportunities to meet audiences and develop creative ways to deliver messages. Some of our greatest successes come when we recognize that one-size may not fit-all, leading us to develop new methods to reach unique sets of stakeholders. Few understand these challenges more than Kristi Munno, who leads a full slate of communications initiatives for Ozinga, a fifth-generation family-owned company in the construction materials indu...
FIR #356: The Long Arc of Network Disruption
September 27, 2023 17:36 - 18 minutes - 8.43 MBIt's easy to believe that the internet has already demonstrated its disruptive capabilities by pointing to everything from the transformation of the audience to publishers and the rise of disinformation. However disruptive these changes are, they are mainly uses of technology to do things we were already doing -- just doing it more easily and efficiently. Real disruption -- the invention of entirely new processes and approaches -- could take years, decades, even centuries to manifest, accord...
ALP 205: Getting agency-client contracts done right
September 25, 2023 13:00 - 23 minutes - 19.2 MBIn this episode, Chip and Gini talk about some of the common mistakes that they have seen agency owners make with contracts and how to go about it in the best way. Continue Reading → The post ALP 205: Getting agency-client contracts done right appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #355: The Future for Hashtags
September 25, 2023 10:30 - 7 minutes - 11.5 MBIn this short-form episode, we look at how hashtags have evolved over time and what’s next. Proposed by Chris Messina in 2007 for use on Twitter, hashtags were initially meant to categorize and connect conversations on social media platforms. However, in articles published on Medium in recent months, Messina explains his belief that hashtags have... Continue Reading → The post FIR #355: The Future for Hashtags appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
#755: Errol Doebler w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility
September 22, 2023 02:15 - 6 minutes - 2.75 MBThis episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Errol Doebler. Continue Reading → The post #755: Errol Doebler w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
#754: Aidan Sowa w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility
September 22, 2023 02:07 - 4 minutes - 1.95 MBThis episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Aidan Sowa. Continue Reading → The post #754: Aidan Sowa w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
CWC 93: How to make conversations with your agency employees less difficult (featuring Allyns Melendez)
September 20, 2023 13:00 - 30 minutes - 24.3 MBIn this episode, Chip and Allyns talk about ways that you can solicit ongoing feedback from agency employees and build a management structure that encourages meaningful two-way conversations. Continue Reading → The post CWC 93: How to make conversations with your agency employees less difficult (featuring Allyns Melendez) appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
ALP 204: The aftermath of firing agency employees for cause
September 18, 2023 13:00 - 23 minutes - 19.5 MBIn this episode, Chip and Gini discuss when you should (and shouldn't) terminate an employee for cause. Continue Reading → The post ALP 204: The aftermath of firing agency employees for cause appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #354: Law and PR Combine to Protect Reputations
September 14, 2023 10:30 - 5 minutes - 8.51 MBThe court of law is not the only place where reputations must be defended. Increasingly, it’s also in the court of public opinion. In response, British law firm Schillings takes on the PR industry by setting up its own agency for clients seeking a different way to manage their reputation. In this short midweek episode, Neville solo (Shel is away) discusses what it means for the PR industry and considers the challenges and opportunities for both professions. Continue Reading → The post FIR #...
#749: Tom Schmidt w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility
February 11, 2023 02:53 - 5 minutes - 2.62 MBThis episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Tom Schmidt. Continue Reading → The post #749: Tom Schmidt w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
#748: Jon Mertz w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility
February 11, 2023 02:49 - 6 minutes - 2.79 MBThis episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Jon Mertz. Continue Reading → The post #748: Jon Mertz w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #315: Does Every Company Need A CCO?
February 08, 2023 20:31 - 16 minutes - 7.65 MBIn a lot of companies, the PR and communications functions live under Marketing. For a variety of reasons, that is not the best approach. Marketing, after all, has a distinct role to play in short-to-mid-term lead generation and other outcomes based mostly on paid outreach. PR, on the other hand, is all about earned media designed to build reputation and promote thought leadership. Someone needs to sit at a senior level to ensure these efforts and other communication functions, like advertis...
ALP 179: Relying on third parties to deliver agency services
February 06, 2023 14:00 - 19 minutes - 16.5 MBMost agencies depend on vendors and contracts to help provide at least some of the results that their clients expect. Continue Reading → The post ALP 179: Relying on third parties to deliver agency services appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
#747: Guest Gabriel Blanc-Lainé w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility
February 04, 2023 01:36 - 6 minutes - 2.94 MBThis episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Gabriel Blanc-Lainé. Continue Reading → The post #747: Guest Gabriel Blanc-Lainé w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
#746: Amanda Setili w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility
February 04, 2023 01:28 - 5 minutes - 2.44 MBThis episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Amanda Setili. Continue Reading → The post #746: Amanda Setili w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #314: Show Or Tell?
February 02, 2023 21:02 - 13 minutes - 6.33 MBAre written and spoken recommendations received equally? Contrary to what may seem logical, they are not, according to new research. In this short midweek FIR episode, Shel and Neville explore what the study's findings could mean for how marketers and communicators wield influence over the decisions people make. Continue Reading → The post FIR #314: Show Or Tell? appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
At the Crossroads of Communication Counsel and Ethics
January 31, 2023 17:02As communication professionals grow in their careers, they’re expected to provide strategic counsel to company executives about communication and its impact on business. This week's hot topic might be new legal regulations; next week, it could be stakeholder relations. No matter the issue, IABC’s Code of Ethics serves as a roadmap for communication professionals, guiding them to make consistent, responsible, ethical, and legal choices. Join this international panel of IABC Fellows as they sh...
EPISODE #68: SHEL HOLTZ – EMBRACING CHATGPT FOR INTERNAL COMMS
January 30, 2023 23:20 - 28 minutes - 32.9 MBArtificial intelligence (AI) is here, and no one is less surprised than Shel Holtz. So many of us know Shel from his 40-plus years as a consultant, speaker, blogger, author, and co-founder of the FIR Podcast Network, but it is his fascination with emerging technologies that make him the ideal person to discuss AI models like ChatGPT. “Mark my words,” Shel wrote in 2016, “Bots are coming to the workplace, to media relations, to public relations. They are coming just as surely as the web was...
ALP 178: Beware of dangerous agency RFP terms and conditions
January 30, 2023 14:00 - 21 minutes - 18.1 MBRegular listeners know that Chip and Gini aren't fans of most agency RFP processes and believe that most of them should be avoided. Continue Reading → The post ALP 178: Beware of dangerous agency RFP terms and conditions appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #313: Will Gen Z Finally Kill Email?
January 25, 2023 20:45 - 18 minutes - 8.34 MBThere's a perception that people in their 20's, raised with digital technology and accustomed to more effective messaging technologies, simply don't use email. Could that spell the beginning of the end of this clunky, 50-plus-year-old business tool? Neville and Shel consider the possibility in this short, midweek FIR episode. Continue Reading → The post FIR #313: Will Gen Z Finally Kill Email? appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
Circle of Fellows #88: The Global Communication Certification
January 23, 2023 14:45 - 1 hour - 24.7 MBAccording to the Global Communication Certification Council, “Professional certifications through GCCC® give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise and provide evidence of your outstanding abilities. Becoming certified engages you in the process of life-long learning that elevates your career and provides a structure for keeping your skills fresh and applicable.” On January 19, four IABC Fellows joined moderator Shel Holtz, SCMP, and four IABC Fellows for a conversa...
FIR #305: We See You And You Can’t Come In
December 26, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 35.3 MBA petulant venue owner is using facial recognition software to keep people with whom he has issues from entering his spaces -- including a mom with a Girl Scout troop. Also in this monthly long-form episode of the "For Immediate Release" podcast, Neville and Shel discuss the value of virtual goods and whether brands should start taking them seriously; business schools are exploring the potential for teaching in the metaverse -- especially classes about digital technology; it hasn't been a gr...
FIR #304: Reaching Employees Through Social Media
December 23, 2022 15:56 - 16 minutes - 7.43 MBSocial media consultant Arik Hanson wrote recently in a LinkedIn article that companies should consider devoting some of their LinkedIn activities -- 20 percent is the volume he suggests -- to matters of interest to employees. That's because data shows that 30 percent of a brand page's engagement comes from the company's employees. In this short mid-week episode of "For Immediate Release," Neville and Shel discuss the opportunity for communicators to reach employees on LinkedIn, along with t...
EPISODE #66: OUR BEST IC EXPERT ADVICE FROM 2022
December 21, 2022 20:26 - 16 minutes - 19.1 MBAs we prepare to take a brief pause for the holidays – and hope you do, too! – we’ll first take a moment to reflect on the challenges we faced this year: increasingly passionate employee bases; global, domestic, and online uncertainty; developing data and communication methods; and the many other factors that contributed to the year that was for internal communicators in 2022. In looking back, we’re happy to continue our holiday tradition of a year-end roundup episode: one podcast with high...
FIR #303: The Quest for a Twitter Alternative
December 20, 2022 21:47 - 20 minutes - 9.13 MBOne list includes 50 potential Twitter replacements -- none of which will offer every one of Twitter's features and none of which includes everyone you're currently following on the bird site. How do you decide where to go when you conclude that maintaining your current Twitter activity is no longer feasible? Neville and Shel sort it out -- with a focus on Mastodon -- in this short mid-week episode of "For Immediate Release." Continue Reading → The post FIR #303: The Quest for a Twitter Alt...
Circle of Fellows #87: Year-End Reflections
December 19, 2022 22:49 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBFour IABC Fellows looked back on 2022, which was a consequential year for communicators, in this final Circle of Fellows of the year. The evolution of COVID-19 from pandemic to endemic led companies to bring employees back to the office, creating a need to communicate the new hybrid work reality (or, in some cases, why employers were insisting everyone come back full-time while others retained a remote work arrangement). “Quiet Quitting” became a topic of discussion as dissatisfied employees...
ALP 175: Get to Know Your Clients Better
December 19, 2022 14:00 - 25 minutes - 21 MBIn this episode, the co-hosts discuss Gini's recent article with 11 questions you should ask your clients so that you know how they work and how you can best engage with them. Continue Reading → The post ALP 175: Get to Know Your Clients Better appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #302: Blockchain’s Widely Exaggerated Demise
December 13, 2022 23:06 - 17 minutes - 8.07 MBNew York Times columnist and Nobel economics laureate Paul Krugman wrote recently that the crypto crash is far worse than even the direst descriptions and that it is proof that blockchain was never a viable technology. At the same time, Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon sees value in blockchain technology, but only if companies like his control it. The truth is, blockchain is thriving outside of speculative crypto investing. Neville and Shel explore blockchain's future in this sho...
FIR #301: A Communicator’s Look at ChatGPT
December 08, 2022 22:27 - 17 minutes - 8 MBChatGPT is the latest buzzworthy Artificial Intelligence tool. Released just this month by OpenAI, ChatGPT has stirred up a considerable amount of conversation, much of it about experiments people have conducted, while others now seriously question how much longer writers will be employable. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel look at ChatGPT from the communicator's perspective. Continue Reading → The post FIR #301: A Communicator’s Look at ChatGPT appeared first on FIR Podcast ...
The Year in Communications
December 08, 2022 16:48Join four IABC Fellows for a look back on 2022, which was a consequential year for communicators. The evolution of COVID-19 from pandemic to endemic led companies to bring employees back to the office, creating a need to communicate the new hybrid work reality (or, in some cases, why employers were insisting everyone come back full-time while others retained a remote work arrangement). "Quiet Quitting" became a topic of discussion as dissatisfied employees dialed back the effort they gave to...
EPISODE #65: AUTHOR CALEB GARDNER – ALL LEADERSHIP IS CHANGE LEADERSHIP
December 05, 2022 16:52 - 31 minutes - 35.9 MBWhat is it they say about “the best laid plans?" In this episode of the EE Voice podcast, we are joined by Caleb Gardner to discuss his new book – No Point B – and how leaders must embrace change and use effective communication in the face of developing technology, social activism, and other key elements in today’s tranformational world. “All leadership has to be change leadership,” Caleb told us. “Because we just have so much inbound, so much new data, so much going on in the world that w...
Circle of Fellows #84: What Communication Is…And Isn’t (Part 2)
August 18, 2022 20:53 - 1 hour - 138 MBIn July, four IABC Fellows gathered to discuss what communication is…and isn’t. That conversation will continue at noon EDT on Thursday, August 18. Too often, communicators are called upon to engage in activities some might consider communication. It may even qualify as communication under some definitions. But in the business world, simply distributing a routine notice is far from communication. It may be messaging, but even that is questionable if nobody reads it. Conversely, modifying a ...
FIR #278: For Every News Outlet: Churn, Churn, Churn
August 18, 2022 20:22 - 18 minutes - 43.6 MBAs news media outlets that traffic in the written word -- print and online -- economic pressures have led to more repurposed content and less original material. What impact does this have on trust in these media sources, and is there a role businesses and their communication teams can play? Continue Reading → The post FIR #278: For Every News Outlet: Churn, Churn, Churn appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #277: Do Graphic Designers Have A Future?
August 16, 2022 21:17 - 14 minutes - 33.2 MBMore and more people are experimenting with a growing collection of Artificial Intelligence-based graphics tools. Some of these tools produce stunning images in a variety of artistic styles, leading some to wonder if art directors will generate their own images rather than continue to pay for graphic design services. Neville and Shel discuss the possibilities in this short mid-week episode. Continue Reading → The post FIR #277: Do Graphic Designers Have A Future? appeared first on FIR Podca...
FIR #276: Should I Tay Or Should I Go?
August 09, 2022 23:29 - 14 minutes - 35 MBRemember Microsoft Tay? The 2016 Twitter chatbot suffered from a concerted effort to teach it all manner of vile things, prompting Microsoft to withdraw the service and apologize. That experience is top of mind for pretty much everyone talking about Meta's new chatbot, now available in public testing in the U.S. The developers behind BlenderBot 3 insist that they, too, had the Tay experiment in mind when they developed the process for teaching this new chatbot to behave. In fact, the beta is...
FIR #275: Will You Have An NFT With Your Coffee?
August 05, 2022 17:22 - 15 minutes - 36.9 MBBrands have been tripping over themselves to jump on the Web3/metaverse/NFT bandwagon, but few have articulated a strategic and comprehensive approach at the level Starbucks has. In this short mid-week FIR episode, Neville and Shel look at how Starbucks plans to build loyalty and community using these emerging tools, along with some other organizations that are starting to give Web3 similarly serious looks. Continue Reading → The post FIR #275: Will You Have An NFT With Your Coffee? appeare...
FIR #274: Is Unbranded Unethical?
August 02, 2022 22:49 - 16 minutes - 38.4 MBAccording to one definition, unbranded content "isn’t specifically about your company but is relevant to your industry or product in some way." There are unbranded videos like this one from WREN, an online clothing retailer. Released in 2014, it's a film in which the filmmakers asked 20 couples who had never met to kiss. The only reference to WREN is at the very beginning of the video, "WREN Presents." There isn't even a link to the retailer in the film or on its YouTube page. And there are...
The Conversation About What Communication Is and Isn’t Continues on August 18
August 02, 2022 16:32In July, four IABC Fellows gathered to discuss what communication is...and isn't. That conversation will continue at noon EDT on Thursday, August 18. Too often, communicators are called upon to engage in activities some might consider communication. It may even qualify as communication under some definitions. But in the business world, simply distributing a routine notice is far from communication. It may be messaging, but even that is questionable if nobody reads it. Conversely, modifying ...
FIR #273: What Is The Metaverse? It’s A Network
July 28, 2022 21:02 - 16 minutes - 38.9 MBIf you peruse search results for "the metaverse," it will seem like half the content you find focuses on defining it. At Nvidia, executive Richard Kerris thinks it's pretty easy to define. "The metaverse is not a place," he says. "It's the network for the next version of the Web." Neville and Shel explore that definition and related developments in this short midweek FIR episode. Continue Reading → The post FIR #273: What Is The Metaverse? It’s A Network appeared first on FIR Podcast Networ...