FIR Podcast Network
647 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 20 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingFor Immediate Release: Podcasts for Communicators
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Episodes
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...
FIR Interview: William Beutler on PR and Wikipedia
March 07, 2024 16:20 - 36 minutes - 50.8 MBGoogle searches link to Wikipedia more than any other website. It is the largest and most-read reference work in history. It is consistently ranked as one of the 10 most popular websites in the world, and as of 2024 is the fifth most visited website on the net. Wikipedia is also one of the richest sources of information for AI training models. With all those eyes on Wikipedia, it's no surprise that PR professionals want relevant entries to reflect their priorities and messages. Yet Wikipedia...
FIR #390: The Fall and Rise of NFTs
March 06, 2024 17:14 - 15 minutes - 7.25 MBBased on the plunge in the value of NFTs last year and the evaporation of business on NFT exchanges, it would be easy to think these tokens were just a passing fad, like Pet Rocks and Beanie Babies, especially given the resounding death knell produced by media. But NFTs never left, with companies like Starbucks and Nike continuing to invest in them, fashion companies continuing to use them, and artists continuing to offer their work via NFTs. The prices are rebounding, too -- even among the ...
Get Tips on Researching, Planning, and Managing Your Communication Career
March 04, 2024 18:40Maintain 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 ...
ALP 222: How to handle extended payment term requests from agency clients
March 04, 2024 14:00 - 23 minutes - 19 MBIn this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of setting clear expectations from the start and being proactive in following up on overdue invoices. Continue Reading → The post ALP 222: How to handle extended payment term requests from agency clients appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #367: Innovation Thrives When Employees Engage in Professional Networks
November 21, 2023 23:29 - 16 minutes - 7.58 MBIndividual employees can reap a clear benefit from participating in online social networks. The companies for which they work also benefit from smarter employees who can reach out for help that can speed up the completion of projects. New research suggests that the company's advantage goes deeper depending on how many employees are participating robustly in these networks. Neville and Shel share the research and discusses what businesses need to do to tap into that benefit in this short midw...
ALP 212: Hidden overservicing by agency employees
November 20, 2023 14:00 - 24 minutes - 20.4 MBIf you're anything like Chip and Gini, you have discovered employees doing work for clients that is outside of the scope of work you have agreed to. Continue Reading → The post ALP 212: Hidden overservicing by agency employees appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #366: DIY GPT
November 20, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 34.8 MBPundits are proclaiming social media dead (or dying), and they have data to back up their beliefs. If it's true, what does it mean -- for society, for networking, and for business? Neville and Shel examine the evidence and trends and discuss the implications in the monthly long-form episode for November. Also in this episode: ChatGPT pauses new signups and other news A look at ChatGPT's GPT Builder The state of news on social media Generative AI and journalism A high-profile executive's...
Circle of Fellows #98: The Gift of Communication
November 17, 2023 17:50 - 57 minutes - 23.9 MBWith 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...
FIR #365: RyanAir’s Social Media Chief Doesn’t Leave Quietly
November 15, 2023 19:06 - 16 minutes - 7.49 MBRyanAir has a reputation: For the lowest airfares in Europe, you'll get where you're going with the bare minimum of service. The airline's social media accounts -- notably TikTok -- have done a brilliant, irreverent job of setting expectations for anyone planning to fly on RyanAir, which the social media manager's skills were first-rate. When he left the company -- reportedly because of its cultural shortcomings -- he abided by the 90-day quiet period, then applied his social media skills to...
#72: Introducing “in your corner”: Imposter Syndrome
November 14, 2023 13:56 - 12 minutes - 14.7 MBIntroducing “In Your Corner” In boxing, competitors head to their stools in the fighter’s corner for one-minute respites between rounds. They try to catch their breath, have cuts tended to and receive instruction from their trainers, or “cornermen.” A good cornerman builds relationships with their competitors; they are reliable, identify any changing variables and build strategies geared toward competitors’ strengths. As an avid fan of boxing, my aim is to provide similar guidance to coach...
ALP 211: What to do when your agency needs new revenue NOW
November 13, 2023 14:00 - 24 minutes - 20.3 MBMost small agencies at some point experience the sinking feeling of losing a whale client or seeing a sudden sharp reduction in revenue. Continue Reading → The post ALP 211: What to do when your agency needs new revenue NOW appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR Interview: Radina Russell on Edelman’s “Future of Corporate Communications” Study
November 09, 2023 16:11 - 27 minutes - 38.4 MBThe latest research report out of communication agency Edelman is rich with takeaways. The 2023 Corporate Communications Study follows a 2021 edition that explored the implications of the pandemic on the role of organizational communication. The report revealed that Chief Communication Officers (CCOs) now spend nearly 20 percent of their time counseling CEOs on issues unrelated to communication. That's just one sign that the CCO's stock has risen in organizations, with 91 percent of top comm...
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 #300: Communicating Pay Transparency
November 23, 2022 04:36 - 12 minutes - 6.57 MBIn New York, pay transparency is required by law. It will also be a requirement in California after January 1. There's a lot of good that can come from pay transparency, but for organizations with cultures unready for it, the consequences could be dire. Are companies enlisting their internal communicators to help lay the groundwork for this level of disclosure? Continue Reading → The post FIR #300: Communicating Pay Transparency appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
ALP 173: Stop trying to be like other agencies
November 21, 2022 14:00 - 18 minutes - 15 MBWe all have companies and entrepreneurs that we look up to, but that doesn't mean that we should aspire to be just like them. Continue Reading → The post ALP 173: Stop trying to be like other agencies appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #299: From the Metaverse to the Fediverse and Back Again
November 21, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBDespite the forecasts of some pundits, it is still too early to predict Twitter's complete collapse. Still, it is not outside the realm of possibility. (Since we recorded this episode on Saturday, November 19, CBS has halted its activity on Twitter, blaming Elon Musk's "turbulent and potentially devastating moves following his takeover of the company," according to Variety. It is worth considering the consequences of Twitter's demise. How big a loss to society at large would it be? We can ta...
Circle of Fellows #86: Brands and Branding
November 18, 2022 19:01 - 1 hour - 24.7 MBIs your trademark your company’s brand? Your logo? Or is your brand what your customers say about you when you’re not in the room? What’s a brand promise and how do you develop one that everyone can buy into? How do you build the brand internally so every employee projects it externally? What’s the communicator’s role in protecting the brand? And what do you do when your company fails to live up to it? Continue Reading → The post Circle of Fellows #86: Brands and Branding appeared first on ...
FIR #298: Social Listening in a Post-Twitter World
November 17, 2022 23:56 - 17 minutes - 7.86 MBWhile things are not looking good at Twitter, it is not yet time to characterize it as the social network's death spiral. Still, speculation is fun (and inevitable), and one of the prospects about which some people are speculating is the impact a Twitterless world will have on social listening activities. Neville and Shel explore the possibility -- along with some other potential fallout should Twitter shut down -- in this short midweek episode of "For Immediate Release." Continue Reading → ...
FIR #297: A Stirling Example of Augmented Reality
November 15, 2022 22:06 - 12 minutes - 5.84 MBThe Scottish city of Stirling is investing in the creation of Augmented Reality (AR) layers throughout the city, available on a free dedicated app, to become what they claim is "the first augmented reality city." Continue Reading → The post FIR #297: A Stirling Example of Augmented Reality appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
ALP 172: Agencies and Twitter in 2022
November 14, 2022 14:00 - 19 minutes - 16.5 MBWhat should agencies advise clients with regard to Twitter today? It has obviously been a very turbulent couple of weeks since Elon Musk took over, but what does that mean for communicators? Continue Reading → The post ALP 172: Agencies and Twitter in 2022 appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
#744: Allen Geller w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility
November 13, 2022 19:26 - 4 minutes - 2.16 MBThis episode features #ThoughtLeader and #Expert Sam Liebowitz. Continue Reading → The post #744: Allen Geller w/ Mitchell Levy on Thought Leader Life Credibility appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
Spin Sucks 204: Highlights from Muck Rack’s 2022 State of PR Survey
November 13, 2022 19:25 - 8 minutes - 8.04 MBThe MuckRack's 2022 State of PR survey is out and Gini Dietrich is jumping in to explore the findings. Continue Reading → The post Spin Sucks 204: Highlights from Muck Rack’s 2022 State of PR Survey appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
FIR #296: What Elon Musk Can Learn From Patrick Collinson
November 09, 2022 17:37 - 17 minutes - 7.79 MBTwitter and Stripe both laid off employees last week. The contrast between how these layoffs were conducted is striking. One CEO went to great lengths to ensure the employees remaining post-layoff would feel the least amount of survivor's guilt and be ready to move forward. The other didn't seem to care how survivors felt. Neville and Shel examine these approaches and some of the other fallout from Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter in this short midweek episode of "For Immediate Release." C...
FIR #280: What’s Behind the “Quiet Quitting” Trend?
August 25, 2022 20:32 - 17 minutes - 39.9 MB"Quiet quitting" is all over TikTok, with mostly Gen Zers talking about their disdain for going "above and beyond" at work. Is this really anything new, or is it just the first time a generation has used a label to share their feelings online? Or, as some suggest, is it that most Gen Zers entered the workforce during the pandemic when the boundaries between work and life were not clear and now that companies are getting back to what executives perceive as normal, they don't agree with the ex...
FIR #279: Business Buys Into the Metaverse
August 22, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 240 MBAccording to a new PwC survey of 1,000 senior U.S. business leaders from across industry sectors, businesses have bought into the inevitability and utility of the metaverse. The study also surveyed 5,000 U.S. consumers who are less aware and enthusiastic than executives are. Also in this monthly long-form episode of "For Immediate Release": Gartner has released ins 2022 Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies. Consumer trend experts anticipate the impact web3 will have on consumer trends. Uk...
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...
FIR #272: Tick Tick Tick Tick Search
July 26, 2022 21:17 - 15 minutes - 36.7 MBResearch conducted by Google found that nearly 40 percent of Gen Z are using Tik Tok and Instagram for search instead of Google. It's a real-world example of significant shifts exhibited by this group of 10-to-22-year-olds. By 2025, they will represent 30 percent of the workforce and be a considerable presence in the consumer marketplace. Continue Reading → The post FIR #272: Tick Tick Tick Tick Search appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.
Circle of Fellows #83: What Communication Is…And Isn’t (Part One)
July 22, 2022 15:53 - 59 minutes - 138 MBAsk leaders what “communication” is and you are likely to hear a wide range of answers, especially when it comes to the role of a company communication function. Some of those answers may be accurate, others not so much. Too often, leaders see communication as a one-way messaging function, for example. In the first of this two-part discussion, four IABC Fellows explored exactly what communication is…and isn’t. The conversation took place on Thursday, July 21. (The second installment, with an...
FIR #271: Work-From-Home and the Generational Divide
July 20, 2022 16:08 - 13 minutes - 30.9 MBA lot is fueling the debate over whether workers should be able to continue working remotely, at least some of the time, or get themselves back to the office. The debate pits workers against leaders, and the assumption is that it's just a matter of how each side perceives what's best. But anthropologists see another factor at play: most leaders come from a different generation than those employees who want remote or hybrid work to become the new normal. Continue Reading → The post FIR #271:...
FIR #270: Disgust, Convenience, and Reputation
July 18, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 211 MBTopics up for discussion in the monthly long-form episode include the following:L Are holograms about to go mainstream? There is outrage over revelations of massive wrongdoing by Uber. Will everyone keep riding them anyway? Uses of NFTs are expanding far beyond collectible artwork for investment purposes. How Wikipedia remediated dozens of fake articles could be a lesson for the rest of the world. Bad guys are extorting gift cards in exchange for removing negative online reviews. Dan Y...