FIR Podcast Network
636 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingFor Immediate Release: Podcasts for Communicators
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Episodes
ALP 235: AI should be your agency’s friend, not foe
July 01, 2024 13:00 - 18 minutes - 15.2 MBIn this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the widespread apprehension about AI in the agency world, urging listeners to embrace the technology rather than fear it. Continue Reading → The post ALP 235: AI should be your agency’s friend, not foe appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #414: Companies Treat Remote/Hybrid Like It’s Temporary. It’s Not.
June 28, 2024 15:19 - 18 minutes - 17.6 MBOrganizations need to adopt policies and communication strategies based on the acknowledgment that remote/hybrid work is here to stay. The current state of play is rooted in an assumption that it's temporary, creating tensions between workers and leaders and leaving pre-pandemic company cultures in shambles. In a survey conducted jointly by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the USC Annenberg School of Communication, communicators shared their views about how ...
ALP 234: Adapting your agency for risk-averse clients
June 24, 2024 13:00 - 21 minutes - 17.9 MBIn this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the increased risk aversion and prolonged decision-making processes among clients and prospects in the agency industry, especially in light of economic uncertainties and the 2024 U.S. election. Continue Reading → The post ALP 234: Adapting your agency for risk-averse clients appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #413: AI Is Coming for Copywriters
June 20, 2024 17:41 - 20 minutes - 29.4 MBWe are told, "AI won't take your job." Instead, "Someone who knows how to use AI will take your job." Tell that to the scores of copywriters who have already lost their jobs to generative AI. With ChatGPT and its competitors in the frontier LLM space being used to write more than anything else, agencies and organizations are figuring out how to craft prompts that turn out decent copy. Some copywriters are figuring out how to stay relevant, though, including taking gigs improving the copy th...
ALP 233: Building an agency culture where everyone can take time off
June 17, 2024 13:00 - 16.2 MBIn this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of ensuring that no one in an agency, including owners and key employees, is too indispensable to take time off. Continue Reading → The post ALP 233: Building an agency culture where everyone can take time off appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #412: Don’t Let the Door Hit You on Your Way Out
June 17, 2024 09:00 - 1 hour - 123 MBYou work for one of the biggest consulting firms in the world. You've been told that taking a voluntary separation package from the company is in your best interest. When you agree (not that you had much choice), you're asked to sign an agreement that not only won't you disparage the company, but you'll use the language provided to you to let your colleagues know why you're leaving (nothing bad about the company) and how great your time there has been. With more than 330,000 employees in thi...
FIR #411: Are We Unnecessarily Panicked About Online Disinformation?
June 12, 2024 16:10 - 6.82 MBSeveral studies seem to suggest that a small cadre of "supersharers" was responsible for spreading 80 percent of "fake news" on X (formerly Twitter) in 2020. Further, by removing these supersharers from the platforms they use to spread misinformation and disinformation, the number of lies appearing on the social network plummeted. What's more, another study found that most people aren't swayed by online misinformation and disinformation. As a result, all the panic about online misinformation...
ALP 232: Setting honest expectations for your agency employees from the start
June 10, 2024 13:00 - 17.5 MBDon’t sugarcoat it when writing up a job description or interviewing potential new hires – painting a rosy picture that doesn’t match reality will only cause you headaches down the road. Continue Reading → The post ALP 232: Setting honest expectations for your agency employees from the start appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #410: Who’s Behind All Those Fake LinkedIn Profiles?
June 07, 2024 03:31 - 6.92 MBPRovoke Media broke a story about at least 11 fake profiles of people who listed a PR recruitment firm as their employers. LinkedIn removed them as fakes—an action with which the business-centric social network is all too familiar. So far, no other media outlets seem interested in the story. Still, Neville and Shel wonder about the motivation behind the profiles -- under other circumstances, fake profiles can easily be used for illicit purposes -- and the amount of effort organizations will ...
FIR #409: Just Another Fad
June 05, 2024 18:47 - 9.23 MBDespite the excitement over the possibilities generative AI provides, it was easy to predict that doubters would insist it's just a fad -- the same naysaying we heard about email, the web, social media, podcasting, live streaming, and a host of other digital technologies. In this case, the reports conflict with other research showing rapid adoption, even if we're not anywhere close to widespread consumer use of gen AI tools, which nobody expects after only 18 months since ChatGPT 3.5 was unv...
The 2024 IABC Fellows Class Will Share Their Views on June’s Circle of Fellows
June 03, 2024 23:56Three IABC members comprise the 2024 class of IABC Fellows. Join moderator Shel Holtz for a conversation with Andrea Greenhous, Juli Holloway, and Theomary Karamanis to discuss their career paths and views on the day's pressing communication issues. The live stream begins at noon ET on Thursday, June 20. By watching the live stream, you will be able to participate in the conversation by submitting questions and observations through YouTube's live chat function. If you're unable to join us o...
ALP 231: Agencies need to adapt to effectively manage Gen Z employees
June 03, 2024 13:00 - 17 minutes - 14.6 MBGen Z employees tend to have a different (not worse!) approach to their jobs than the older generations do. Which means that as an owner, you need to evolve the way you communicate with and manage them. Continue Reading → The post ALP 231: Agencies need to adapt to effectively manage Gen Z employees appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #108: AI’s Impact on Jobs, Quantified
May 30, 2024 14:58 - 7.22 MBPwC has released a detailed report analyzing over half a billion job ads from 15 companies representing over 30 percent of global GDP. The goal: unearth empirical evidence of AI's impact on jobs. The results are remarkable, if unsurprising. For example, the analysis found 4.8 times higher growth in labor productivity in AI-exposed sectors and 25 percent higher skills change in AI-exposed occupations. Jobs that require specialist AI skills are growing 3.5 times faster than all jobs. Neville a...
ALP 230: Should you start your own agency because your boss is making too much off of your work?
May 27, 2024 13:00 - 22 minutes - 18.6 MBMany agency employees complain that clients pay so much more than they are making, so the owner must be reaping a huge profit. Continue Reading → The post ALP 230: Should you start your own agency because your boss is making too much off of your work? appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
Circle of Fellows #104: Communication Ethics
May 24, 2024 23:36 - 24.5 MBThe need to promote ethical behavior in communications has never been greater as the volumes of misinformation and disinformation continue to rise with the growing use of AI fueling the speed with which unethical behavior intensifies. Marketers debate whether using AI in marketing is ethical in the first place, and when it is used, and whether and when it needs to be disclosed. And all the ethical dilemmas communicators faced before AI remain as challenging as ever. Four International As...
FIR #407: AI Is Changing How Managers Manage
May 24, 2024 19:58 - 7.87 MBWhite-collar employees everywhere are embracing AI, even if they're using their own accounts and not telling their colleagues or bosses. This widespread adoption of AI among workers is already creating challenges for managers, who traditionally evaluate their team members based on outputs that may now be coming in whole or in part from an AI. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel explore what this means for managers and the internal communicators who recognize them as a discrete au...
ALP 229: What new rules on overtime and non-competes mean for agencies
May 20, 2024 13:00 - 21 minutes - 18.1 MBChip and Gini discuss recent updates from the federal government affecting agency owners, including a ban on non-compete agreements and changes to salary thresholds for overtime exempt employees. Continue Reading → The post ALP 229: What new rules on overtime and non-competes mean for agencies appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #406: Alas, SEO, We Knew You Well
May 20, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 35.1 MBAmong a flood of AI announcements in the last week -- including remarkable advances in ChatGPT -- Google's move to produce narrative results called "overviews" instead of web links caused the most consternation. Neville and Shel break down all the news and focus in on Google's overviews in this long-form episode for May. Also in this episode, a Baidu executive wound up in hot water after remarks that offended employees and customers; Australian media manipulated a photo of a member of parlia...
EPISODE #78: CRAFTING STORIES THAT RESONATE – FELICITY BARBER ON EXECUTIVE COMMS
May 16, 2024 15:18 - 34 minutes - 39 MBFelicity Barber, founder of Thoughtful Communications, has penned speeches and spearheaded executive communications for some of the world's most prominent financial institutions, including BlackRock, the Federal Reserve and Lloyds of London. Through her extensive experience, Felicity has discovered that storytelling—or as she calls it, "spinning a good yarn"—is one of the most effective ways to convey complex topics. In this episode, Felicity shares how humor and openness can transform exec...
CWC 100: Practical HR advice on new overtime and non-compete rules (featuring Patrick Rogan)
May 15, 2024 13:00 - 39 minutes - 31.8 MBPatrick Rogan of Ignition HR joins Chip to discuss the FTC’s new ruling on non-compete agreements and expected adjustments to overtime pay regulations. Continue Reading → The post CWC 100: Practical HR advice on new overtime and non-compete rules (featuring Patrick Rogan) appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
ALP 228: Should your small agency hire senior-level pros?
May 13, 2024 13:00 - 20 minutes - 16.9 MBIn this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of balancing senior and junior hires in agencies, highlighting the pros and cons of primarily staffing with senior level talent. Continue Reading → The post ALP 228: Should your small agency hire senior-level pros? appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #405: Gen Z’s Connection with Influencers
May 08, 2024 15:41 - 14 minutes - 6.83 MBJust how much influence do online influencers wield? According to a Sprout Social report, nearly half of all consumers make purchases based on influencer recommendations, and influencers appear to nobody more than Gen Zers. Those born between 1997 and 2012 -- the oldest of whom are now in their mid-20s with increasing buying power -- are even partial to AI-generated influencers, casting doubt on the importance of authenticity (and even how authenticity is defined). Neville and Shel break dow...
CWC 99: Modernizing leadership in meetings (featuring Brad Farris)
May 06, 2024 13:00 - 29 minutes - 24.1 MBIn this episode, Chip and Brad Farris of Anchor Advisors discuss the importance of effective leadership and meetings in agencies, emphasizing the owner's unique role in providing vision and direction. Continue Reading → The post CWC 99: Modernizing leadership in meetings (featuring Brad Farris) appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
New Ethical Challenges Face Communicators. Learn How to Address Them.
May 04, 2024 18:47The need to promote ethical behavior in communications has never been greater as the volumes of misinformation and disinformation continue to rise with the growing use of AI fueling the speed with which unethical behavior intensifies. Marketers debate whether using AI in marketing is ethical in the first place, and when it is used, and whether and when it needs to be disclosed. And all the ethical dilemmas communicators faced before AI remain as challenging as ever. Join four International ...
FIR #404: Purpose Without the Peril
May 03, 2024 15:15 - 17 minutes - 7.86 MBFor several years, bolstered by research showing the public trusts business more than any other institution to address societal issues, companies have taken positions on everything from the environment to LGBTQ rights. As the U.S. population grew more polarized, though, those on the other side of a company's position made things increasingly difficult for those organizations. Yet companies understand that the younger workers they want to attract put a high premium on working for purposeful o...
ALP 227: Building trust and letting your team shine
April 29, 2024 13:00 - 19 minutes - 16.2 MBChip and Gini discuss the importance of agency owners letting go of micromanaging, trusting their team, and focusing on building a scalable business. Continue Reading → The post ALP 227: Building trust and letting your team shine appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #403: Does Marketing Need a Separate Ethics Standard for AI?
April 29, 2024 09:00 - 1 hour - 34 MBThe author of an AI-focused newsletter suggests that companies need to establish discrete ethics policies for using Artificial Intelligence (AI). With all the codes of ethics out there designed to address anything and everything, is this really necessary? Neville and Shel don't see eye to eye in April's monthly long-form FIR episode. Also in episode 403, there's a new beauty pageant -- just for AI-generated women. While critics pile on with their disdain for this idea, the Dove brand is comi...
Circle of Fellows #103: IS IT WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT TO GET A PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION CERTIFICATION?
April 28, 2024 22:32 - 1 hour - 24.7 MBFour distinguished IABC Fellows discussed the myriad benefits of earning the Communication Management Professional (CMP) or Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP) certification offered through the Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC). The panel shed light on how becoming a CMP or SCMP not only elevates your credibility but also significantly enhances your strategic communication skills. Whether you’re looking to advance in your career, expand your network, or sta...
EPISODE #77: IN YOUR CORNER – MASTERING MANAGING UP
April 25, 2024 20:28 - 13 minutes - 15.5 MBLet’s debunk a myth today: managing up isn't about sucking up. In our second installment of “In Your Corner,” our career coaching segment, Sharon and I dive deep into what it really means to "manage up" and why it's a critical skill for communicators. Managing up effectively is about making your indispensability known—creating a symbiotic relationship that helps support your career as well as enhances your team's success. We discuss: How understanding and aligning with your boss’s expectat...
FIR #402: Your Favorite Social Network Just Shut Down. Now What?
April 24, 2024 18:07 - 24 minutes - 10.5 MBIt has been five years since Google Plus closed down. While it never amassed the number of users of some of its rivals, many called it home and were cast adrift after its demise, unable to find an alternative that offered the same features and vibe. One Goole Plus user lamented the loss and reflected on the lessons learned from her attempts to find a new social network to call home. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel discuss the fragmented nature of social networks and how the f...
FIR #401: The Battle Between PIOs and Journalists
April 18, 2024 22:47 - 18 minutes - 8.17 MBWhile public corporations employ (or contract with agencies that provide) media relations professionals, government agencies are likelier to have Public Information Officers (PIOs). Agencies, however, are not the only entities with PIOs, who differ from media relations practitioners by virtue of their engagement with multiple external stakeholder audiences, not just media. PIOs have plied their craft for NGOs, educational institutions, civic organizations, religious institutions, and even so...
Love Them Or Hate Them, Press Releases Can Still Deliver Value
April 12, 2024 16:31 - 19 minutes - 9.02 MBIn a LinkedIn post, Techcrunch Sr. Enterprise Editor Frederic Lardinois lamented the ineffectiveness of an event-related press release he received. To date, 42 comments have agreed, many coneming the utter uselessness of press releases and the incompetence of those who produce them. Neville and Shel understand their frustration based on the poor quality of most press releases but defend the practice, when done right, for various reasons in this short midweek episode. Continue Reading → The ...
FIR #400: Love Them Or Hate Them, Press Releases Can Still Deliver Value
April 12, 2024 16:31 - 5 MBIn a LinkedIn post, Techcrunch Sr. Enterprise Editor Frederic Lardinois lamented the ineffectiveness of an event-related press release he received. To date, 42 comments have agreed, many coneming the utter uselessness of press releases and the incompetence of those who produce them. Neville and Shel understand their frustration based on the poor quality of most press releases but defend the practice, when done right, for various reasons in this short midweek episode. Continue Reading → The ...
FIR #399: No More Cookies For You
April 10, 2024 17:21 - 19 minutes - 8.67 MBGoogle is ending third-party tracking cookies on Chrome, the last of the major browsers to take this privacy-enhancing action. Without these cookies, advertisers could see as much as a 70-percent decline in revenue from online ads. What are the alternatives? Neville and Shel break it all down in this short midweek episode. Continue Reading → The post FIR #399: No More Cookies For You appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
ALP 226: Should your agency sell itself as a fractional CxO to clients?
April 08, 2024 13:00 - 21 minutes - 17.7 MBChip and Gini discuss the intricacies of fractional leadership roles within clients. Continue Reading → The post ALP 226: Should your agency sell itself as a fractional CxO to clients? appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
Is It Worth the Time and Effort to Get a Professional Communication Certification?
April 04, 2024 18:37This month, join four distinguished IABC Fellows for a conversation about the myriad benefits of earning the Communication Management Professional (CMP) or Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP) certification offered through the Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC). The panel will shed light on how becoming a CMP or SCMP not only elevates your credibility but also significantly enhances your strategic communication skills. Whether you're looking to advance in you...
FIR #398: The AI Version of Your (or Anybody’s) Voice
April 03, 2024 15:35 - 19 minutes - 8.88 MBArtificial intelligence (AI) is making significant strides in various domains, and voice technology is no exception. OpenAI, a prominent player in the AI industry, has recently announced Voice Engine, a groundbreaking development in AI text-to-voice technology that will create natural-sounding voices based on a 15-second clip of your (or anybody's) voice. OpenAI claims Voice Engine will deliver unparalleled realism and naturalness in computer-generated speech, surpassing the capabilities of ...
FIR #397: Some Thought Leadership on Thought Leadership
March 29, 2024 16:24 - 22 minutes - 9.78 MB"Thought leadership" is a term that gets bandied about a lot. (A Google search for the term produced over 100 million results.) You have to question whether everything labeled thought leadership actually is, suggesting the quality of thought leadership leaves something to be desired. In fact, a recent study from Edelman and LinkedIn finds doubts about the quality of thought leadership but also reveals that when it's done right, it can be huge dividends for organizations, from building trust ...
FIR #396: Will AI End Google’s Search Dominance?
March 27, 2024 15:55 - 22 minutes - 9.84 MBAI-powered tools like Perplexity are replacing Google as the go-to search resource for a growing number of people. Even AI tools that are not focused on searching the web, like Microsoft's Copilot and Claude's pro version, provide links to resources in their results. Is it enough to dethrone Google, which has held sway over search for decades? Some say yes, while others question whether AI is best for the variety of different uses to which people put Google. Neville and Shel are not in compl...
CWC 98: Storytelling and a helpfulness mindset for agency owners (featuring Kristian Alomá)
March 27, 2024 13:00 - 31 minutes - 25.6 MBIn this episode, Kristian shares insights about his agency, Threadline, and the art of crafting a narrative that is relevant, meaningful, and inspiring to the audience. Continue Reading → The post CWC 98: Storytelling and a helpfulness mindset for agency owners (featuring Kristian Alomá) appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
ALP 225: Accepting equity as payment for agency services
March 25, 2024 13:00 - 17 minutes - 14.9 MBIn this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the potential pitfalls of receiving equity as payment for service. Continue Reading → The post ALP 225: Accepting equity as payment for agency services appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #395: Extra! Extra! Read All About It! (In Print!)
March 25, 2024 09:00 - 1 hour - 33.7 MBWe have expectations from our use of social media, but in two recent studies, there is evidence that the outcomes we expect aren't necessarily what we get. Also in this episode, we look at Gini Dietrich's latest update to her PESO model for using various media channels in integrated communication efforts, the schoolkids who are bringing back print (along with advertisers, marketers, and others), insights from the 2024 Ragan Communications Benchmark Report, the kerfuffle that ensued when Merr...
Circle of Fellows #102: Research, Plan, and Manage Your Communication Career
March 23, 2024 21:22 - 1 hour - 24.7 MBMaintain a flexible approach to professional growth by joining IABC Fellows as they explore key topics essential for communication professionals at any career stage. Delve into important areas like the IABC Global Standard, Career Self-Assessment, and the IABC Proficiency Matrix. Learn from experts about negotiating salary, bonuses, and job titles when considering a new role, collaborating with recruiters, and effectively showcasing your skills in interviews and resumes. Discover strategies ...
FIR #394: Marketers, Boards, and AI
March 20, 2024 15:44 - 21 minutes - 9.31 MBCompanies whose boards include a member with marketing experience deliver higher investor returns than those whose boards lack marketing expertise. That higher return increases among companies losing market share. Does Artificial Intelligence (AI) threaten the path to board membership by dramatically reducing the number of marketers? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman thinks 95 percent of the work marketers do could become AI tasks. (Of course, the number of boards that take advantage of that marketing e...
ALP 224: Get over your fear of hiring employees
March 18, 2024 13:00 - 23 minutes - 19 MBIn this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the fear of hiring employees, the implications of using contractors, the financial considerations, and the benefits of having employees. Continue Reading → The post ALP 224: Get over your fear of hiring employees appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #393: Will Jinfluencers Eclipse Traditional Journalism?
March 15, 2024 16:06 - 15 minutes - 7.01 MBA new type of influencer, known as "Jinfluencers," is emerging in the media landscape. These influencers, who combine the roles of journalists and influencers, are gaining attention and challenging traditional media outlets. The media landscape has become fragmented, catering to niche interests and creating opportunities for trusted sources with loyal audiences. However, concerns have been raised about whether influencers can uphold journalistic standards. Neville and Shel explore the pros a...
CWC 97: Agency salary and compensation trends in 2024 (featuring Nicholas Petroski)
March 13, 2024 13:00 - 27 minutes - 22.1 MBIn this episode, Chip and Nick discuss digital agency salaries and the findings of a recent research report on the topic. Continue Reading → The post CWC 97: Agency salary and compensation trends in 2024 (featuring Nicholas Petroski) appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #392: Going Below the Surface into Dark Social Media
March 12, 2024 23:05 - 16 minutes - 7.98 MBUnsavory and nefarious things happen on the Dark Web. But the Dark Web and Dark Social Media are not exclusively a place for ne'er-do-wells, criminals, and extremists. Dark Social includes messaging apps, private discussion groups on popular public forums, and even email. An increasing share of conversations about brands is taking place on the Dark Web, according to new research. How can communicators monitor it and influence the conversation in their favor? Neville and Shel dive into the De...
ALP 223: Handling frustration as an agency owner
March 11, 2024 13:00 - 19 minutes - 16.3 MBIn this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the challenges and frustrations of owning an agency, emphasizing the importance of seeking accountability and support, and reflecting on one’s own role in addressing issues. Continue Reading → The post ALP 223: Handling frustration as an agency owner appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #391: Match Group Swipes Right on AI-Generated Press Release
March 08, 2024 17:12 - 19 minutes - 8.91 MBMatch Group wanted the world to know it had secured 1,000 business licenses from OpenAI. In a press release, the company claimed that giving employees access to the full suite of ChatGPT tools has not only improved productivity but also altered the culture. The company disclosed in the press release that it was written by ChatGPT and edited by the company's communication professionals. Opinions about the propriety of using AI to craft press releases run the gamut. Neville and Shel consider t...