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[lucycyril]

9 Figure Media Explains Why Brands Must Get Real in 2025

Brands are having a tough time right now. People are just... tired of being sold to. They can spot fake stuff from a mile away. And honestly? They're calling it out.

9 Figure Media has been watching this happen for months. Their data shows something pretty clear. Brands that drop the act and get real aren't just doing better. They're crushing it.

"Everything that worked two years ago is basically broken now," their creative director told me. "Those super polished campaigns? They're actually making things worse."

This isn't just about Instagram posts or TikTok videos. It's bigger than that. Companies need to rethink how they talk to people. Period.

And yeah, some brands are freaking out about it.

Nobody Wants to Be Sold To Anymore

Here's what's really happening. A publicist today has to deal with stuff that didn't exist before. What a publicist does has completely changed because people have changed.

Old school PR was all about control. Press releases, media kits, carefully written statements. But now? People want to see how the sausage is made.

What does a publicist do when their client's biggest strength is admitting they screwed up? It's weird, right? You're basically paid to make mistakes look intentional.

The numbers don't lie. Brands that share their failures get 40% more engagement. That's from 9 Figure Media's research. Here's the thing though. You can't fake being real. Either you are or you aren't.

Perfect Brands Are Boring

Think about the last brand that made you actually care. I bet it wasn't because everything looked perfect.

• Real stories beat stock photos every single time 

• People want to see actual humans behind the brand 

• When you mess up and own it, people trust you more 

• Behind-the-scenes stuff performs better than ads

A publicist working with big brands sees this shift immediately. What a publicist does now is finding those real moments and making them bigger without ruining them.

It's actually harder than old school PR. Anyone can write a press release. Finding genuine stories? That takes work.

"The best campaigns we ran this year all felt like conversations," 9 Figure Media's strategy person said. "Not ads."

The New Way to Talk

Forget everything you learned about corporate messaging. It doesn't work anymore. What does a publicist do when their client wants to sound human? They throw out all the corporate speak.

No more "leveraging synergies" or "driving growth through innovation." Real people don't talk like that. So why should brands?

The campaigns that work now sound like your friend texting you. That's not an accident. Here's what actually works:

• Saying "I don't know" when you don't know 

• Showing the messy parts of your journey 

• Taking criticism without making excuses 

• Letting your team be real people, not corporate robots

A publicist today spends more time teaching executives how to sound human than writing press releases. What a publicist does has expanded way beyond just media stuff.

The Weird Thing About Being Real

Here's where it gets tricky. The harder brands try to be authentic, the faker they seem. It's like trying to be spontaneous on a schedule. What does a publicist do when authenticity becomes just another marketing trick? They help brands avoid that trap.

The answer isn't more authenticity campaigns. It's building real practices into how you actually run your business. Some brands get it right. They share their supply chain problems. They talk about when employees are struggling. They admit when products don't work.

Others completely miss the point. They hire agencies to create "authentic" content that feels fake from the start. People can tell the difference. And it's costing brands serious money.

What Smart Brands Actually Do

9 Figure Media's best clients aren't following some playbooks. They're making their own rules.

A publicist working with these brands focuses on being consistent over being perfect. What a publicist does becomes less about fixing problems and more about amplifying real stuff.

These brands:

• Show how they make decisions 

• Admit when they change their minds 

• Talk about their values through what they do, not mission statements 

• Let employees speak for themselves

What does a publicist do when their client's biggest asset is being vulnerable? They help turn that into a competitive advantage.

Here's What This Means for 2025

Being real isn't going anywhere. It's not a trend. It's the new normal.

A publicist today needs totally different skills than five years ago. What a publicist does now involves understanding people as much as understanding the media.

The brands that figure this out first will have a huge advantage. The ones that don't will keep wondering why their perfect campaigns fall flat.

What does a publicist do when the old rules are dead? They help brands write new ones. This shift isn't just changing marketing. It's changing how businesses work entirely. And that's probably good.

People are smarter than we think. They know when brands are being real and when they're just acting. The choice is simple: get real or get left behind.

A publicist's job in 2025 is helping brands make that choice. What a publicist does matters more now because the stakes are higher. The brands that embrace this won't just survive. They'll win. The ones that fight it will become examples of what not to do.

The future belongs to the real ones. Are you ready?

[lucycyril]

9 Figure Media Explains Why Brands Must Get Real in 2025

Brands are having a tough time right now. People are just... tired of being sold to. They can spot fake stuff from a mile away. And honestly? They're calling it out.

9 Figure Media has been watching this happen for months. Their data shows something pretty clear. Brands that drop the act and get real aren't just doing better. They're crushing it.

"Everything that worked two years ago is basically broken now," their creative director told me. "Those super polished campaigns? They're actually making things worse."

This isn't just about Instagram posts or TikTok videos. It's bigger than that. Companies need to rethink how they talk to people. Period.

And yeah, some brands are freaking out about it.

Nobody Wants to Be Sold To Anymore

Here's what's really happening. A publicist today has to deal with stuff that didn't exist before. What a publicist does has completely changed because people have changed.

Old school PR was all about control. Press releases, media kits, carefully written statements. But now? People want to see how the sausage is made.

What does a publicist do when their client's biggest strength is admitting they screwed up? It's weird, right? You're basically paid to make mistakes look intentional.

The numbers don't lie. Brands that share their failures get 40% more engagement. That's from 9 Figure Media's research. Here's the thing though. You can't fake being real. Either you are or you aren't.

Perfect Brands Are Boring

Think about the last brand that made you actually care. I bet it wasn't because everything looked perfect.

• Real stories beat stock photos every single time 

• People want to see actual humans behind the brand 

• When you mess up and own it, people trust you more 

• Behind-the-scenes stuff performs better than ads

A publicist working with big brands sees this shift immediately. What a publicist does now is finding those real moments and making them bigger without ruining them.

It's actually harder than old school PR. Anyone can write a press release. Finding genuine stories? That takes work.

"The best campaigns we ran this year all felt like conversations," 9 Figure Media's strategy person said. "Not ads."

The New Way to Talk

Forget everything you learned about corporate messaging. It doesn't work anymore. What does a publicist do when their client wants to sound human? They throw out all the corporate speak.

No more "leveraging synergies" or "driving growth through innovation." Real people don't talk like that. So why should brands?

The campaigns that work now sound like your friend texting you. That's not an accident. Here's what actually works:

• Saying "I don't know" when you don't know 

• Showing the messy parts of your journey 

• Taking criticism without making excuses 

• Letting your team be real people, not corporate robots

A publicist today spends more time teaching executives how to sound human than writing press releases. What a publicist does has expanded way beyond just media stuff.

The Weird Thing About Being Real

Here's where it gets tricky. The harder brands try to be authentic, the faker they seem. It's like trying to be spontaneous on a schedule. What does a publicist do when authenticity becomes just another marketing trick? They help brands avoid that trap.

The answer isn't more authenticity campaigns. It's building real practices into how you actually run your business. Some brands get it right. They share their supply chain problems. They talk about when employees are struggling. They admit when products don't work.

Others completely miss the point. They hire agencies to create "authentic" content that feels fake from the start. People can tell the difference. And it's costing brands serious money.

What Smart Brands Actually Do

9 Figure Media's best clients aren't following some playbooks. They're making their own rules.

A publicist working with these brands focuses on being consistent over being perfect. What a publicist does becomes less about fixing problems and more about amplifying real stuff.

These brands:

• Show how they make decisions 

• Admit when they change their minds 

• Talk about their values through what they do, not mission statements 

• Let employees speak for themselves

What does a publicist do when their client's biggest asset is being vulnerable? They help turn that into a competitive advantage.

Here's What This Means for 2025

Being real isn't going anywhere. It's not a trend. It's the new normal.

A publicist today needs totally different skills than five years ago. What a publicist does now involves understanding people as much as understanding the media.

The brands that figure this out first will have a huge advantage. The ones that don't will keep wondering why their perfect campaigns fall flat.

What does a publicist do when the old rules are dead? They help brands write new ones. This shift isn't just changing marketing. It's changing how businesses work entirely. And that's probably good.

People are smarter than we think. They know when brands are being real and when they're just acting. The choice is simple: get real or get left behind.

A publicist's job in 2025 is helping brands make that choice. What a publicist does matters more now because the stakes are higher. The brands that embrace this won't just survive. They'll win. The ones that fight it will become examples of what not to do.

The future belongs to the real ones. Are you ready?

[lucycyril]

Overrated PR Tactics? Here’s What 9 Figure Media Recommends Instead

I’ve been watching the PR world for a while now. And honestly? A lot of what people call “breakthrough” PR is just noise. Here’s what I mean.

Most publicity stunts make headlines for a couple of days. Then everyone forgets. The buzz fades, and the brand is back to square one. I looked at 50 major stunts last year, and only 12% actually delivered long-term business results. That’s not great.

It feels like every PR stunt agency is running the same playbook: big splash, loud headlines, and short-term attention. But what happens after that?

9 Figure Media’s Take on PR Stunts

9 Figure Media has been calling this out for a while now. In their view, most PR stunts are flashy, expensive, and often a waste of money. They believe PR should actually do something like build trust, attract real customers, and move the needle for your business. Not just create 48 hours of buzz.

Why Most Publicity Stunts Don’t Work

Most stunts are built for shock value. Agencies promise viral hashtags, trending topics, and big media splashes. And sure, you might get that initial attention.

But then what? The buzz fades. People scroll past. Your brand gets forgotten.

The problem isn’t that stunts never work. It’s that most PR stunt agencies only think short-term. There’s no strategy behind it. No follow-up. No real brand building.

So What Actually Works?

9 Figure Media takes a different path. Instead of chasing headlines, they focus on things that actually matter, like:

Building real relationships (not one-off media hits)

Creating content people actually care about

Tracking real results—like leads and revenue

Thinking long-term, not just for one news cycle

Here’s an example: Instead of pulling off one big splash for a tech startup, they helped the brand roll out a series of smart campaigns. Each one built on the last. Six months later, that brand is still getting press and leads and is now seen as an expert in its space. That’s the power of doing it right.

What’s Just Not Working Anymore

Let’s talk about what’s losing steam fast:

Celebrity shoutouts without context – If it feels forced, people notice.

Shock tactics – What went viral last year barely makes a ripple now.

Mass-emailed press releases – Journalists are overwhelmed. These get ignored.

Fake controversy – You’ll get attention, sure—but at the cost of trust.

These tactics are easy to pull off, which is why PR stunt agencies love them. But easy doesn’t mean effective. In fact, 78% of people say they can spot fake or inauthentic PR stunts immediately. And when they do, it often hurts the brand.

9 Figure Media’s Smarter Strategy

So, what’s their alternative? Here’s what 9 Figure Media does instead:

Story-driven campaigns – Not one big bang, but a series of thoughtful messages.

Real partnerships – Not just paid endorsements, but meaningful collaborations.

Insightful content – Based on research and data, so it actually says something.

Community building – Creating loyal audiences, not just grabbing headlines.

They used this approach for a B2B brand recently. No loud stunts. Just smart storytelling and steady relationship-building. The CEO became a go-to expert for media, and the business saw a real boost not just in mentions, but in growth.

Why This Matters Right Now

The media landscape is noisier than ever. People have shorter attention spans and higher standards. Old-school stunts aren’t cutting through anymore.

9 Figure Media gets this. They’re not trying to be louder. They’re trying to be smarter. They believe in creating content that means something. In building trust over time not tricking people into caring for a day or two.

Final Thoughts

Are PR stunts totally useless? No. They can still work in the right context, with the right strategy. But if your PR stunt agency is offering the same tired ideas, maybe it’s time to look elsewhere.

The brands winning today aren’t just the loudest. They’re the ones who build real, lasting connections.

9 Figure Media’s approach is fresh, smart, and built to last. And in a world where audiences are getting harder to impress, that might be exactly what your brand needs.

[lucycyril]

UK Visa Fraud: How 9 Figure Media and Others Are Fighting Back

You know what's keeping me up at night lately? Visa fraud. And I'm not even in immigration.

But here's the thing: this stuff affects everyone. I was grabbing coffee with my friend last week. She's an immigration lawyer and has been doing this for fifteen years. Smart woman, seen it all. Or so she thought.

She starts telling me about this case that landed on her desk. Seemed straightforward at first. The company wants to sponsor a worker from overseas. All the paperwork looked perfect. The website looked professional. Reviews were glowing. Everything checked out.

Except it was all fake. Every single bit of it.

The company? Didn't exist. The reviews? Written by bots. The website? Created three months ago specifically for this scam. Even the office address was just a virtual mailbox service.

My friend's been doing this for years, and she almost got fooled. That's when she dropped the bomb on me. Fraudulent visa applications have jumped 38% in just one year. 38 percent. In one year.

I nearly choked on my coffee.

This isn't just about fake passports and forged documents anymore. These scammers have gotten scary good at what they do. They're using the same travel public relations tricks that legitimate businesses spend thousands on. Except they're using them to commit fraud.

And honestly? They're winning more often than they should be.

What's Really Going On

So here's what's happening out there. It's pretty wild when you break it down.

Fraudsters aren't just making fake documents now. They're building entire fake companies from scratch. I'm talking about businesses that look totally real online. Professional websites, active social media, glowing customer reviews, the works.

But it's all smoke and mirrors. These companies exist for one reason only: to write fake job offers for visa applications. The scary part? They're using proper travel PR strategies to pull it off. Like, the same stuff legitimate travel companies pay big money for.

How They're Gaming Everything

This is where it gets really sneaky. And kind of brilliant, if I'm being honest.

These criminals have cracked the code on travel public relations. They know exactly what immigration officers look for when they're checking if a company is legit.

So what do they do? They create fake Google reviews by the hundreds. They build elaborate LinkedIn profiles for employees who don't exist. They write fake news articles about their fake companies and get them published on sketchy websites.

The travel PR tactics they use are seriously sophisticated. They understand SEO, social media algorithms, and review platforms. I mean, the whole digital ecosystem.

When immigration officers search for these companies online, everything looks perfect. Too perfect, actually. But that's the point.

Enter Top Travel PR Firms

So here's where things get interesting. 9 Figure Media and Top travel PR firms are fighting fire with fire.

They're using the same travel public relations tools that scammers use, but they're turning them around. Instead of building fake reputations, they're tearing them down.

Their teams are pretty cool, actually. They've got former immigration officers, tech experts, and people who really understand how travel PR works online.

Here's what they do:

They dig deep into fake social media profiles

They track down coordinated review campaigns

They cross-check business records with online presence

They look for travel public relations patterns that seem artificial

The remarkable part is that they can spot fake travel PR campaigns from a mile away. Once you know what to look for, it's pretty obvious.

It's Not Just One Travel PR Agency

Top travel PR firms aren't alone in this fight. There are other travel PR agencies jumping in, too. Some focus on the data side of things. Others are all about corporate investigations. A few have built their tech specifically for catching fake identities.

What's cool is they're all starting to work together now. They share information about new scam patterns. They help each other in big cases. But honestly, it feels like playing whack-a-mole sometimes. You shut down one fraud ring, and two more pop up.

The Tech Side of Things

The technology behind all this is actually fascinating. And terrifying. Machine learning can spot patterns that humans would never catch. But scammers are using the same tech to get better at what they do.

It's like an arms race. Good guys develop better detection tools. Bad guys develop better fraud techniques. Round and round it goes. Travel public relations software that was made to help businesses now helps investigators catch fake ones. Kind of ironic when you think about it.

Travel PR firms are using AI to analyze fake reviews. They can tell when reviews are written by the same person using different accounts. They can spot bot networks trying to boost fake companies.

Pretty wild stuff.

What This Means for Real Businesses

Here's where it gets tricky for legitimate companies. How do you prove you're real when criminals are so good at faking it? Travel public relations has become way more complicated. You can't just get some good reviews and call it a day anymore.

Real businesses need to show their history. They need proof of real employees, real customers, and real growth over time.

Some companies are partnering with travel PR agencies just to make sure they look authentic. Which is weird when you think about it, paying someone to prove you're not fake.

The verification process has gotten intense. Some businesses are using blockchain now. Others are getting third-party audits of their online presence.

The Human Touch Still Matters

Even with all this fancy technology, you still need humans in the loop. Experienced investigators can spot things that computers miss. They understand context. They can read between the lines.

This is where top travel PR firms shine. They don't just rely on algorithms. Their people actually understand how scammers think. They can look at a company's travel public relations strategy and tell you if it's authentic or artificial. That takes real expertise.

What's Next in This Mess?

The technology is getting better too. Travel PR firms are developing tools that can spot artificial travel public relations campaigns before they even fully launch. They're predicting fraud patterns instead of just reacting to them.

But the human element will always matter most. You need people who understand both sides of this game. People who know how legitimate travel public relations works and how criminals twist it for their own purposes.

My friend mentioned something interesting when I checked on her again.  She said travel public relations used to be about building trust with customers. Now it's also about proving you're not a criminal. Kind of depressing when you think about it.

But that's the world we're living in now. Travel public relations isn't just marketing anymore. It's about survival in a landscape where criminals have gotten really good at looking legitimate.

The good news? The good guys are getting better, too. Travel PR firms are proving that you can beat sophisticated fraud with even more sophisticated detection methods. They're turning the scammers' own travel PR tactics against them.

It's going to be a long fight. New schemes will pop up. New detection methods will emerge. The cycle will continue. But every victory matters.  Because at the end of the day, this isn't just about visa fraud. It's about trust. It's about making sure the system works for honest people trying to do honest things.

And that's worth fighting for.

[lucycyril]

PR Agency Review: Who’s Steering Crisis Management in 2025?

Crisis management in 2025 is a different game. It’s not enough to draft a quick apology or hope a scandal blows over. Today’s crises explode online in minutes, and brands need PR agencies that can keep pace. 

I’ve been looking into which agencies are leading the charge, and honestly, it’s a fascinating mix. Some are thriving, others are playing catch-up, and a few seem to just coast along. Let’s unpack what’s happening in the good, the bad, and what’s next.

What’s changed? The speed of everything. A single post on X can spark a firestorm before you’ve even had your morning coffee. Agencies have to act fast, but it’s not just about being quick. 

They need to be sharp, strategic, and let’s be real humans. Nobody trusts a robotic statement anymore. People want authenticity, and the best agencies know how to deliver it without sounding like they’re trying too hard.

Here’s what I’ve seen from the agencies making moves in 2025:

Tech-Savvy but Human-Centered: 

Top players like Weber Shandwick are nailing the balance between tech and intuition. They use AI to track sentiment and spot crises early, like catching a bad review before it trends. But they don’t stop there. 

Their teams translate that data into responses that feel real. For example, they helped a retail client dodge a PR bullet when a supply chain issue went viral. Their fix? A transparent video from the CEO, posted within hours. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked because it felt honest. Smaller agencies, though, often can’t afford that kind of tech.

Specialists Shine: 

Some firms are doubling down on specific industries. Take Brunswick Group, they’re the go-to for corporate meltdowns, especially in finance. When a bank’s CEO got dragged for a tone-deaf comment, Brunswick crafted a response that calmed investors and the public. Their edge? They know the industry’s ins and outs. But if your crisis is, say, a consumer brand flop, they might not be as agile. It’s a trade-off.

Boutiques Bring Creativity: 

Don’t overlook smaller firms like Prosek Partners. They’re lean but inventive. I heard they helped a food startup recover from a product recall by launching a grassroots campaign on X, with real customers sharing positive stories. It was low-budget but effective. The catch? Boutiques can get overwhelmed. If they’re swamped, your crisis might not get the focus it needs.

But here’s the flip side, not every agency is keeping up. Some are stuck in the past, churning out press releases like it’s 2010. I came across one firm that still pushes clients to hold press conferences for every issue. 

Seriously? By the time you set up the podium, the internet’s already moved on. These agencies are losing ground because they don’t get how fast things move now. It’s kind of frustrating to see, honestly.

Technology’s another sticking point. Everyone’s hyping AI, and it’s useful, don’t get me wrong. It can flag risks or analyze thousands of posts in seconds. But it’s not foolproof. A friend in the industry told me their agency’s AI misjudged a meme as a “crisis,” and they spent hours chasing a ghost while a real issue grew. 

The agencies that stand out, like Edelman, use tech as a starting point, not the whole strategy. They let humans make the final call, which makes all the difference.

Something else caught my eye: 

Prevention is becoming a big deal. Smart agencies aren’t just putting out fires, they’re stopping them before they start. FleishmanHillard, for instance, runs “war games” for clients, simulating crises to find weak spots. 

It’s like training for a marathon instead of just running one. Sounds great, but it’s pricey, and some companies balk at the cost. I get it, why pay for something that hasn’t happened? Still, the brands that do this seem to handle real crises better.

Here’s where I’m a bit conflicted. Part of me thinks agencies are over-relying on influencers. Firms like Ogilvy are all-in on using influencers to manage crises, especially for lifestyle brands. When a fashion company got heat for a bad campaign, Ogilvy tapped influencers to share “authentic” apologies. 

It worked, mostly. But it can feel manipulative if the audience catches on. I’m not sure how sustainable that is. What happens when people stop trusting influencers altogether? It’s a question I don’t have an answer for.

If I had to sum it up, the agencies driving crisis management in 2025 are the ones that move fast, think smart, and stay human. They blend tech with gut instinct, specialize without being rigid, and plan ahead. 

But it’s not a perfect picture. Some agencies are lagging, and even the best ones can miss the mark if they’re not the right fit for a client. Choosing a PR partner isn’t just about who’s got the biggest name or the fanciest tools. It’s about who gets your brand and your audience.

I’m still curious about where this is headed. Are we going to see more AI-driven PR? Will boutiques keep punching above their weight? And what about clients, are they even picking the right agencies, or just chasing hype? If you’re a brand, do your research. Look at case studies, talk to past clients, and don’t just sign with the first big name you hear. 

Who’s your pick for crisis management in 2025? I’d love to know what others are seeing out there.

[lucycyril]

Real PR Strategies That Impress Venture Capitalists

I used to think PR was just getting your startup mentioned online. Man, was I wrong? I've watched a bunch of startups try to raise money. The ones that actually get funded aren't always the best companies. They're just better at telling their story.

Most People Do This Wrong

Everyone wants to be in every blog and podcast. More mentions means more credibility, right? Wrong. This one founder I know got featured in like 20 different places. Still couldn't raise a dime. Another guy only got three articles about his company. But he raised millions.

What's the difference? The second guy worked with a PR agency that knew what investors actually care about.

What Investors Really Want

Investors see tons of pitches every week. They know what's real and what's not. When they see good PR, they think "this founder gets it." They're not just building something. They're thinking about the bigger picture.

I've been in meetings where investors said "I like this founder's PR strategy." Not because he was famous. Because he seemed smart about his market. The right PR agency helps with this. They don't just get you mentioned. They help you look like someone worth betting on.

The Expert Thing

Here's what most founders miss. Investors want to back people who see the future before everyone else. The best PR makes you look like an expert in your field. Not just "hey, check out our app." More like "here's what's going to happen in this industry."

I know this guy who wrote about fintech trends for months. Didn't even talk about his product much. Just shared his thoughts on where things were going. When he started fundraising, investors already knew him.

His PR agency understood something important. Investors don't just fund products. They fund people who understand what's coming next.

Getting the Timing Right

You can't just do PR whenever you feel like it. It has to match when you're raising money. Some founders blow their PR budget too early. They get attention when they can't use it. By the time they're actually fundraising, nobody remembers them.

Smart founders work with a PR agency that gets fundraising timelines. They build buzz right when they need it most.

Why Credibility Matters

Investors bet on stories they believe. They believe stories that other smart people are talking about. When you've been getting good coverage, when other founders mention your ideas, when customers say nice things about you publicly, investors notice.

I see this all the time. Founders with good PR get better meetings. Investors have heard of them already. They start with credibility instead of starting from zero.

A good PR agency knows where to get you mentioned. Not just anywhere. The right places at the right time.

Think Bigger Than Your Product

The founders who get funded understand something. Their story is bigger than whatever they're building right now. They're not just making an app. They have a vision for how their whole industry should work.

I know this founder who changed his product three times while fundraising. Completely different products each time. But his big idea about changing e-commerce never changed. His PR agency helped him tell that consistent story.

Investors funded the big vision, not the specific produce

[lucycyril]

Why Stardom Can't Save a Bad Brand (on Wattpad) https://www.wattpad.com/1548889612-why-stardom-can%27t-save-a-bad-brand?utm_source=web&utm_medium=tumblr&utm_content=share_reading&wp_uname=daimond31 Just because your brand hires a celebrity doesn't mean it's ready for the spotlight. In "Why Stardom Can't Save a Bad Brand," we break down why flashy PR stunts often backfire and what brands should be focusing on instead. For a fact, substance beats stardom every time.

[lucycyril]

How Celebrities Handle PR Disasters

Have you ever noticed how one screenshot can ruin someone's entire career? I've been thinking about this lately, how celebrities deal with going viral for all the wrong reasons.

It's insane how fast things move now. One minute you're scrolling, the next some celebrity's old tweet is everywhere and everyone's mad. Unlike before when scandals would just fade away, screenshots stick around forever.

The Panic Mode

When something goes wrong, celebrities have maybe hours before the internet decides their fate. Their teams are probably freaking out, phones going crazy, trying to figure out what to say while millions of people are watching.

But here's the weird part, rushing usually makes it worse. You can tell when an apology was thrown together quickly. It sounds fake and robotic. But waiting too long? Everyone thinks you're guilty.

It's this impossible balance.

What Actually Works

From what I've seen, the celebrities who survive do a few things:

They own up to it immediately. No "sorry if I offended anyone" stuff. Just straight up "I messed up."

They try to change the conversation. You can't delete screenshots, but you can give people something else to talk about. I remember one comedian who explained their whole thought process. Risky, but it worked.

They don't fight everyone online. Smart ones pick their battles instead of arguing with every angry person on Twitter.

The Screenshot Problem

This is what really gets to me. Every single thing you've ever posted is sitting there like a bomb waiting to go off. Imagine having people dig through years of your old posts looking for anything problematic.

How can you be real when everything might be used against you later? Are we making it impossible for celebrities to be human?

The Long Road Back

One apology never fixes everything anymore. These celebrities spend months trying to prove they've changed. Partnering with charities, taking classes, carefully sharing their "growth."

Sometimes it feels real. Sometimes it feels like an act.

Can You Ever Really Recover?

Some celebrities bounce back stronger. Others disappear forever, no matter how good their response was. What decides it? How bad was it? How did they handle it? Just luck?

Maybe it's simpler, whether people want to forgive them or not.

Final Thoughts

Living in the screenshot era means nothing ever goes away. Every celebrity is one viral moment from disaster. Sometimes I think the internet never forgives anyone. But then someone handles a crisis with real grace, and it gives me hope. Maybe it's not about perfect PR, maybe it's just about being human and owning your mistakes.

Makes you think twice about what you post, right?

[lucycyril]

How We Sparked Change (on Wattpad) https://www.wattpad.com/1547717163-how-we-sparked-change?utm_source=web&utm_medium=tumblr&utm_content=share_reading&wp_uname=daimond31 This is the story of how our social media platform set out to do more than just compete with the 9 figure media giants, we wanted to create real, authentic connections in a noisy digital world. With the help of a skilled publicist, we shaped a narrative that embraced our flaws, like owning a server crash with humor and transparency. Through late-night brainstorming and a relentless focus on authenticity, we're building a platform that feels human, messy, and alive sparking change one real moment at a time.

[lucycyril]

How AI Is Transforming PR And What Agencies Are Still Getting Wrong

AI is becoming increasingly prevalent in public relations. However, most agencies continue to approach it as if it were a magic wand that could solve everything instantly. I've been watching this happen for months, and honestly? The disconnect is quite wild.

While everyone is chasing the shiny new item, they are losing out on the true transformation that is taking place right in front of them. The agencies who get it are quietly redefining the standards for client service, media relations, and campaign strategy. What about those who don't? They're about to discover why arriving late to the AI party is more than simply embarrassing; it's existential.

Here's what's actually going on behind the agency curtain, and why most public relations agencies continue to get it so wrong.

The AI Revolution That's Actually Happening

Let me start with what's working. AI tools are genuinely changing how publicists approach their daily work. Content creation has become faster. Media monitoring happens in real-time now. Data analysis that used to take hours gets done in minutes. But that's just the surface stuff.

What a publicist does today looks different than it did two years ago. The core work remains the same,  building relationships, crafting narratives, managing crises. Yet the tools have evolved dramatically.

A publicist I know at a 9 figure media company told me something interesting last week. She said AI helps her identify trending topics before they explode. That's powerful. It means getting ahead of conversations instead of reacting to them.

Where Agencies Are Missing the Mark

Here's where things get messy. Most PR agencies are implementing AI wrong. They're focusing on automation instead of augmentation. Big difference.

• Over-relying on AI-generated content – Clients can tell when copy feels robotic 

• Ignoring the human touch – Relationships still matter more than algorithms

• Treating AI as a replacement – Instead of viewing it as an enhancement tool 

• Forgetting about authenticity – Automated responses lack genuine connection

What does a publicist do that AI can't? Build trust. Navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. Read between the lines during a crisis call. These skills aren't going anywhere.

The Smart Integration Approach

The agencies getting AI right aren't replacing their teams. They're making them more effective. What a publicist does now includes prompt engineering. Understanding which AI tools work for specific tasks. Knowing when to step in and add human judgment.

I've seen this work at several 9 figure media operations. They use AI for:

• Research and competitive analysis 

• Initial draft creation

• Social media scheduling 

• Media list building 

• Sentiment tracking

But humans handle strategy, creative direction, client relationships and crisis management. This balance feels sustainable. It also feels honest.

The Relationship Problem

Here's something agencies keep getting wrong, they think AI can handle relationship building. It can't. What does a publicist do when a journalist calls with questions about a sensitive story? They listen. They understand context. They navigate nuance.

AI might help prepare talking points. But the actual conversation? That requires human intelligence. I talked to several reporters recently about this shift. Most said they can immediately identify AI-generated pitches. The language feels off. The personalization seems fake.

One entertainment journalist put it bluntly: "If you're sending me AI pitches, I'm deleting them." That's a problem when relationship-building drives PR success.

What's Actually Working

The publicists thriving right now use AI strategically. Not everywhere. Just where it makes sense. Content ideation works well with AI assistance. So does initial research. Media monitoring has become incredibly sophisticated.

A publicist at a 9 figure media agency showed me her workflow recently. She uses AI to analyze sentiment across hundreds of mentions daily. Then applies human judgment to decide which issues need attention.

The Future Reality

What a publicist does will continue evolving. But the core value proposition won't disappear. Clients need strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, relationship management and crisis navigation. AI enhances these capabilities. It doesn't replace them.

The agencies figuring this out are seeing better results. Faster turnaround times. More comprehensive analysis. Deeper insights. But they're not losing the human element that makes PR work.

Moving Forward

Here's what I think agencies should focus on:

• Training teams on AI tools – But emphasizing human oversight 

• Maintaining authentic communication – AI-assisted, not AI-driven 

• Preserving client relationships – Technology supports, doesn't replace 

• Balancing efficiency with authenticity – Speed matters, but so does connection

What does a publicist do in this new landscape? They become more strategic. More analytical. More focused on high-value activities. The mundane tasks get automated. The complex thinking stays human.

That seems like the right direction. Even if some agencies are still figuring it out. The transformation is real. The opportunities are significant. But success requires understanding what AI can and cannot do.

Most importantly, it requires remembering that PR is fundamentally about people. Technology should enhance those connections, not replace them. That's the balance forward-thinking publicists and 9 figure media companies are striking. And honestly? It's working pretty well.

[lucycyril]

PR Agency Review: How Micro-Communities Are Powering Big Brand Wins in 2025

Something weird is happening in PR right now. And I mean that in a good way. The whole "spray and pray" approach to marketing? It's dying. Fast.

Instead, I'm seeing agencies like BCW PR Agency and APCO Worldwide focus on tiny groups of people. Like, really tiny. We're talking 50 to 500 people max. These are micro-communities. And they're crushing it.

The Numbers Hit Different

Here's what I found when I dug into this:

• People engage more in small communities than on regular social media 

• Sales go up when brands work through these groups 

• Trust jumps compared to big audience campaigns

BCW PR Agency told me they're getting better results from 12 small communities than campaigns that used to reach millions of people. That's insane when you think about it.

Why This Actually Makes Sense

When did you last click on a brand post in your Instagram feed? Probably never. But what about that group chat where everyone shares workout tips? Or the forum where people argue about coffee brewing methods? You probably check those daily.

That's the difference. APCO Worldwide gets this. They're not just finding existing groups for brands to join. They're creating new communities from scratch. But here's where it gets complicated.

It's Not That Simple

I came across this story about the BCW PR Agency. A tech company wanted to reach "young professionals who care about productivity." Sounds easy, right? Wrong. They found out productivity people split into totally different groups like:

• Parents trying to balance everything 

• Students cramming for exams 

• Remote workers feeling lonely 

• Entrepreneurs building companies 

• People switching careers

Same interest. Completely different problems.

This is why APCO Worldwide spends months just mapping out these communities before doing anything else.

The Trust Problem

Here's the thing nobody talks about. These small communities can smell fake from a mile away. BCW PR Agency learned this hard lesson with a wellness brand. They made beautiful, polished content for meditation groups. Nobody cared. Actually, people got annoyed.

So they tried again. This time the brand founder shared real stories about struggling with meditation. Same groups, totally different responses. People actually started conversations. Shared their own stories. Asked questions. The difference? It felt real.

Platforms Are Everywhere

Another headache, these communities exist literally everywhere. A few are Reddit, Discord, Facebook Groups, WhatsApp, Telegram, Email lists, Private forums etc. BCW PR Agency manages campaigns across 47 different platforms for one client. Forty-seven.

You can't automate that. You need real people building real relationships. APCO Worldwide has community managers who spend months just watching and occasionally commenting before they ever mention a client.

What's Actually Working

From what I'm seeing, here's what gets results:

• Getting community members to create content about your brand 

• Brand people becoming real community members first 

• Making stuff that actually helps the community 

• Connecting community members with each other 

• Supporting their events and projects

The key word is "first." BCW PR Agency says brands need to help before they ask for anything.

Questions I Still Have

Can this work for huge brands? Or just niche products? BCW PR Agency thinks you can do both. Big campaigns for awareness, micro-communities for sales. APCO Worldwide disagrees. They think even massive brands should focus on smaller, engaged audiences. Honestly? I'm not sure who's right yet.

The Authenticity Thing

Let me be real about this. Most brands suck at being authentic. They just do. They're used to controlling every word, every image, every message. Micro-communities don't work that way.

BCW PR Agency had a client freak out because community members were joking around with their brand mascot. The client wanted to "maintain brand integrity." Bad move. The jokes were friendly. People were having fun with the brand.

APCO Worldwide calls this "letting go of the steering wheel." Brands that can't do this fail in micro-communities.

Platform Chaos

The platform situation is honestly a mess. These communities pop up everywhere. I found a thriving community of 200 plant parents on a random Slack workspace. Another group of 400 vintage watch collectors living entirely in email threads.

BCW PR Agency tracks over 1,000 different micro-communities across 30+ platforms just for their consumer goods clients. The tools barely exist to manage this properly.

What's Coming Next

I think we're just getting started with this stuff. APCO Worldwide is testing AI tools to find and map micro-communities automatically. BCW PR Agency is building software to help brands participate in multiple communities without losing that personal touch. Both agencies think micro-communities will be essential for every brand within two years.

Real Talk

This approach isn't for everyone. If you want quick results or can't handle uncertainty, stick with traditional PR. But if you're willing to invest time and actually care about building relationships? The results speak for themselves. BCW PR Agency and APCO Worldwide are ahead of most agencies on this. But I expect everyone will catch up soon. The brands that start now will have a huge advantage. Just remember, these communities can tell when you're faking it. Don't even try.

[lucycyril]

PR Agency Review: Where Government PR Misses the Mark in Public Affairs

Government PR is a mess right now. I've been watching how these agencies handle public communications, and it's pretty frustrating.

There's this huge gap between what people actually need to know and what government agencies tell us. Companies like APCO Worldwide and FleishmanHillard do great work for their corporate clients. But when they work with the government? Something goes wrong.

They Get the Timing All Wrong

Government agencies have terrible timing. Like, really bad.

• They drop news on Friday afternoons when nobody's paying attention 

• Big policy changes come out during holidays 

• Crisis updates show up days after everyone's already talking about it 

• Important stuff gets buried in massive documents nobody will read

APCO Worldwide knows how to time things for their business clients. They understand when people are listening and when they're not. But put them on a government account and that skill just disappears.

Same thing happens with FleishmanHillard. Their corporate campaigns hit at exactly the right moments. Government work? Not so much. Maybe it's not entirely their fault. Government clients probably make things complicated. But still.

They Forget About Real People

This might be the biggest problem. Government PR talks about policies like they exist in a vacuum. Numbers without stories don't mean anything. Policy changes without examples leave people scratching their heads. Announcements that ignore what people are actually worried about feel dismissive.

APCO Worldwide's corporate work includes real people and their stories. Their consumer campaigns connect with how people actually feel. Government communications read like instruction manuals.

FleishmanHillard is great at making emotional connections for their business clients. They help brands feel human and relatable. Government accounts strip all that humanity away. This is weird because government work should be the most human-centered of all. These policies affect people's actual lives.

Always Playing Defense

Most government PR is just damage control. Everything's urgent and reactive.

This creates problems:

• Messages sound defensive and sorry 

• Good news gets buried under crisis management 

• Long-term strategy goes out the window 

• People stop trusting because agencies only talk when they're in trouble

APCO Worldwide prevents crises for their corporate clients. They think ahead and build strategies that avoid problems. But government clients seem to only call when everything's already falling apart.

FleishmanHillard does the same proactive work for businesses. They help companies stay ahead of conversations instead of playing catch-up. With government accounts, both agencies end up firefighting instead of fire prevention.

Too Many People to Please

Government agencies have to talk to everyone. Politicians, employees, reporters, interest groups, regular citizens. Everyone wants something different. So messages get watered down. Clear positions become vague statements that make nobody happy.

APCO Worldwide handles multiple audiences well for corporate clients. They know how to segment and target. Different groups get relevant information without mixed signals. Government work loses this precision. APCO Worldwide tries to talk to everyone at once and ends up connecting with no one.

FleishmanHillard shows the same expertise with business clients. They deliver consistent messages while adapting details for different groups. Government accounts seem to overwhelm this approach. Everything becomes generic.

What Actually Works

Some government PR does work. It's rare, but it happens. The good stuff has these things:

• Plain English that normal people understand 

• Same message everywhere, all the time 

• Getting ahead of issues instead of reacting 

• Real examples of how policies affect actual people 

• Regular updates, not just crisis announcements

Both APCO Worldwide and FleishmanHillard have done good government work sometimes. But it feels accidental, not systematic. They clearly have the skills. Their corporate work proves it. The problem is using those skills with government clients.

What Needs to Change

Government PR doesn't have to suck. Agencies like APCO Worldwide and FleishmanHillard know how to communicate well. They just need to apply that knowledge better. Maybe government clients need to back off and let agencies do what they do best. Or maybe agencies need to push back harder against bad government communication habits.

People deserve better. Government communications should help us understand what's happening, not confuse us more. The difference between great corporate PR and terrible government PR shows it's not about skill. It's about execution in a system that fights against good communication.

APCO Worldwide and FleishmanHillard have the tools. The question is whether their government clients will let them actually use them. When APCO Worldwide works with a tech startup, they create clear, engaging messages that people want to share. When FleishmanHillard handles a consumer brand, they build genuine connections with audiences.

Government work should be at least that good. People's lives depend on understanding these policies and decisions.

Both APCO Worldwide and FleishmanHillard could transform government communications if they were allowed to apply their best practices consistently. The expertise is there. The willingness might be the missing piece.

[lucycyril]

How B2B Tech PR is Finally Getting Boardroom Respect

I've been watching something interesting happen lately. CEOs who used to roll their eyes at PR are now asking their marketing teams about media coverage. Every week. A few Tech PR firms I have spoken with tell me they're getting 40% more calls from C-suite executives. That's a big shift from where we were even two years ago.

What Stirred the Boardroom to Action

The pandemic changed everything. Suddenly every business became a tech business whether they wanted to or not. Your corner restaurant needed delivery apps. Your dentist started doing virtual consultations. Banks rebuilt their entire customer experience from scratch. Everyone had technology stories to tell. Problem was, most had no clue how to tell them.

Best tech PR agencies started getting calls from industries they'd never worked with. Healthcare companies wanted to sound innovative. Manufacturing firms needed to explain AI without confusing everyone. Banks realized their boring compliance language was putting people to sleep.

The smart executives figured it out first. PR wasn't just about getting your name in the paper anymore. It actually moved the needle on business metrics.

The Numbers Game

Here's what really got their attention:

• Media coverage directly affects stock prices 

• Thought leadership content generates actual leads

• Good PR helps recruit top talent 

• Crisis management saves millions when things go wrong

Tech pr agency teams can now prove ROI in ways that make CFOs happy. When you can show that earned media brought in $2.3 million in new business, that's a different conversation entirely.

How the Game Changed

Three big things shifted the landscape for tech pr agencies.

First, everything became measurable. Modern PR tools track share of voice, pipeline attribution, sentiment analysis. All the stuff finance teams care about.

Second, traditional advertising stopped working as well. People trust recommendations from industry experts more than banner ads. Tech pr companies suddenly held the keys to authentic audience engagement.

Third, the talent war heated up. Top engineers research companies before interviewing. They read TechCrunch, follow industry podcasts, judge companies by their media presence.

Tech PR companies weren't just managing reputation anymore. They became recruiting tools.

What Actually Works Now

The spray-and-pray press release approach died. Best tech PR agencies completely rebuilt their playbooks. Executive positioning became huge. CEOs need personal brands, not just company brands. A cybersecurity startup founder sounds different from a fintech CEO. Both sound different from a healthcare tech leader.

Tech pr agency teams spend months crafting executive voices before pitching stories. Story threading connects everything. Product launches tie back to company vision. Hiring announcements reinforce growth stories. Partnership news supports market expansion narratives.

Industry plays matter more than individual company stories. Tech pr agencies position clients within bigger industry conversations. They don't just announce new features. They explain how those features solve problems everyone in the industry faces.

The Measurement Challenge

Here's where it gets tricky. Boardrooms want PR measurement to look like advertising measurement. Clean attribution, clear conversion paths, predictable outcomes. But PR doesn't work that way. It never has.

Tech pr agencies are getting creative though. They track brand mention sentiment, share of voice in target publications, executive social engagement, website traffic from earned media. It's not a perfect attribution. But it's directional enough for most boards.

Some tech PR companies are experimenting with sophisticated tracking. They use marketing automation to follow earned media prospects through sales funnels. The data gets interesting when you can prove prospects who engaged with thought leadership convert 23% faster.

Integration is Everything

Tech PR firms are partnering more closely with demand gen teams now. They share audience insights, coordinate messaging with product launches, and think about the entire customer journey. Best tech PR agencies are becoming more like brand marketing agencies. They consider retention metrics alongside acquisition metrics.

Crisis management evolved too. Tech pr agency teams prepare for different types of crises now. Data breaches, yes. But also supply chain issues, regulatory changes, competitive attacks, talent departures. Tech pr companies that only prepared for traditional crises got caught off guard when engineers started publicly criticizing company cultures on Glassdoor and Twitter.

The Real Change

Boardrooms pay attention to tech pr agencies now because they deliver business outcomes, not just media clips. The tech pr agency world professionalized fast. Account managers understand SaaS metrics. Strategists read earnings calls. Writers follow analyst reports.

Tech PR companies that haven't made this shift are losing clients to best tech PR agencies that have. Look, PR used to be seen as fluffy marketing stuff. Something you did when you had extra budget. Now it's a competitive necessity. And boardrooms finally get why.

The conversation changed. Tech pr agencies prove their value in language executives understand. Revenue impact, market positioning, talent attraction, crisis prevention.

That's why the phone keeps ringing.

[lucycyril]

PR Agency Review: Greenwashing or Groundbreaking? The Battle for Climate Credibility

Climate PR is a mess right now. Companies want to talk about going green, but say the wrong thing and everyone calls you a faker. That puts PR agencies in a tough spot. Help your client look good while not getting them destroyed online? Good luck with that.

I've been watching how the big agencies handle this stuff. FleishmanHillard and Hill+Knowlton Strategies keep popping up whenever people talk about climate PR. But honestly? I'm not sure if they're helping or making things worse.

Everyone's Watching Now

Corporate green talk used to be easy. Slap some trees on your website, talk about recycling, call it a day. Not anymore. People actually check if you're telling the truth. Environmental groups have whole teams dedicated to catching fakes. Even the government is starting to pay attention.

But companies still need to talk about their environmental stuff. The question is how do you do it without getting roasted? FleishmanHillard built these special teams just for sustainability. They hire people who actually know environmental stuff instead of just regular PR folks.

Hill+Knowlton Strategies went the other way. They train everyone to handle climate topics instead of having dedicated green teams. Both sound good on paper. I'm just not convinced either one actually works.

Real Talk About Results

You can't judge agencies by their websites. You have to look at what they actually do for clients. FleishmanHillard worked on some big green campaigns last year. A few were pretty good. Others felt like they were trying to make tiny changes sound like they saved the world.

Hill+Knowlton Strategies seems to spend a lot of time doing damage control. When their clients get called out for greenwashing, they swoop in to clean up the mess. This shows the problem with the whole industry. Agencies want to help clients talk about environmental progress. But they also need to protect those clients when things go wrong.

Sometimes you can't do both.

The Truth Problem

Here's what bugs me about climate PR: you can't fake your way to credibility. FleishmanHillard gets this more than most agencies. When they work on green campaigns, they actually push clients to do real stuff before talking about it.

Hill+Knowlton Strategies is more old school. They focus on crafting messages and managing relationships. Less about what clients actually do, more about how they talk about it.

Both agencies run into the same wall though. Clients want to announce things before they've actually done much. This creates pressure to make small wins sound huge or talk about future plans like they're already happening.

What I've Seen Lately

Looking at recent work from both agencies tells you a lot:

• FleishmanHillard worked with some renewable energy companies. Pretty straightforward stuff. They stuck to facts and avoided the usual marketing fluff.

• Hill+Knowlton Strategies helped a big oil company announce their carbon neutral plans. Technically well done but felt pretty tone deaf given who the client was.

• FleishmanHillard managed PR for a tech company's supply chain cleanup. They focused on specific partnerships and actual numbers. Refreshing.

• Hill+Knowlton Strategies launched an electric car for an auto company. Clear messaging but they completely ignored that the same company still makes gas guzzlers.

You can see how agency philosophy affects the final product.

Nobody Wants to Show Their Work

Both agencies have a transparency problem.

FleishmanHillard talks a big game about helping clients with environmental communication. But good luck finding out which clients they work with or what actually happened with those campaigns.

Hill+Knowlton Strategies is just as secretive. Their case studies either hide client names or focus on process instead of results. Kind of weird, right? Agencies telling clients to be transparent while keeping their own work secret.

Maybe that's just how PR works. But it doesn't help when you're trying to figure out who's actually good at this stuff.

What Actually Works

After watching both agencies handle climate stuff, some patterns stand out:

• Campaigns about specific achievements work better than vague sustainability promises.

• FleishmanHillard's thing about getting outside experts to back up claims seems to help with credibility.

• Hill+Knowlton Strategies is good at crisis management when campaigns go sideways, but maybe preventing problems is better than fixing them.

• Both agencies do better when clients make long-term commitments instead of one-off stunts.

The best campaigns share similar elements no matter who runs them.

Things Keep Changing

Climate PR five years ago is nothing like climate PR today. What used to work doesn't work anymore. FleishmanHillard adapted by hiring people who actually worked in environmental stuff before. Former nonprofit folks, sustainability consultants, people who know the space.

Hill+Knowlton Strategies decided to train their existing people instead of hiring specialists. Everyone learns climate basics rather than having dedicated experts. Not sure which approach wins long-term. The whole industry is still figuring this out.

What's Next

Climate communication is only getting harder. People expect more. Regulators are getting stricter. Environmental groups are getting smarter about catching greenwashing.

Both FleishmanHillard and Hill+Knowlton Strategies need to keep evolving. The agencies that survive will be the ones that help clients actually do environmental stuff instead of just talking about it.

The difference between greenwashing and genuine work usually comes down to substance, not spin. Right now, FleishmanHillard seems to understand this better. Hill+Knowlton Strategies has the crisis management skills to handle problems when they happen.

But neither agency has completely figured it out yet. The fight for climate credibility keeps going, and the rules keep changing. The agencies that make it will be the ones that adapt fast while staying authentic. That's harder than it sounds in an industry built on making things look good.

[lucycyril]

PR Agency Review: How PR Shapes Public Opinion in Healthcare

Public opinion in healthcare is a big deal. It’s not just about facts, it’s about trust, emotions, and how people feel about the organizations they rely on for their health. Messing up can cost a hospital or a pharma company big time. That’s where PR agencies like Weber Shandwick and BCW step in. They’re pros at shaping how people see healthcare brands, and I’ve been looking into how they do it. Let’s break it down, because it’s interesting, messy, and not as straightforward as you’d think.

Why Public Opinion in Healthcare Matters

People don’t just pick a doctor or a hospital like they pick a coffee shop. It’s personal. It’s about their lives. A bad news story or a viral tweet can make people lose faith in a healthcare provider overnight. Weber Shandwick and BCW know this, and they work hard to build trust for their clients. But it’s not easy; people are skeptical, especially when it comes to “Big Pharma” or corporate hospitals.

What Weber Shandwick and BCW Do

These two agencies are heavy hitters in healthcare PR. They don’t just throw out press releases and hope for the best. They’ve got strategies that mix data, storytelling, and connections. Here’s what they’re good at:

Handling Crises: When a healthcare company gets hit with bad news like a drug recall or a data leak, Weber Shandwick and BCW jump in to manage the fallout. They write clear, honest messages to calm things down.

Building Trust: Weber Shandwick loves creating thought leadership content, like articles from experts. BCW focuses more on getting key people like community leaders or regulators on board.

Running Campaigns: Both agencies create public health campaigns, like pushing vaccinations or mental health awareness, that hit home with different audiences.

Digital Smarts: Social media can be a nightmare in healthcare. Weber Shandwick and BCW use analytics to figure out what people are saying and how to respond.

For example, Weber Shandwick worked with a hospital network on a flu shot campaign. Instead of boring ads, they shared stories about real patients and doctors. It felt human, and it worked. BCW, meanwhile, pulled off a diabetes awareness campaign by getting nonprofits, government folks, and companies to team up. Their approach was quieter but super effective.

The Tough Stuff

Healthcare PR is no joke. You’ve got to deal with skeptical people, strict regulations, and a ton of misinformation. During COVID, Weber Shandwick and BCW were all over this. Weber Shandwick helped a pharma company fight vaccine myths with clear social media posts. BCW teamed up with public health groups to boost trusted voices. But here’s the thing: no matter how good the message is, some people just won’t trust it. They see “Big Pharma” and tune out. Weber Shandwick tries to fix this with authentic stories, like patient testimonials. BCW leans on endorsements from respected doctors or organizations. Both work, but it’s not a perfect fix.

Where They Differ

Here’s something I noticed. Weber Shandwick loves big, flashy campaigns. Think bold ads or viral videos. They’re great at grabbing attention, but sometimes I wonder if they simplify things too much. BCW, on the other hand, plays the long game. They focus on relationships and steady, consistent messaging. It’s solid, but it can feel slow when everyone wants instant results. For instance, Weber Shandwick ran a mental health campaign with eye-catching visuals and hashtags. It got buzz, but some said it skipped over deeper policy issues. BCW did a similar campaign but focused on quieter work, like roundtables with advocates. Less flashy, but maybe more impactful. It’s hard to say which is better, it depends on what you need.

Why This Matters

If you’re running a healthcare organization, picking the right PR agency is huge. Got a crisis? Weber Shandwick can swoop in with quick, bold moves. Need to build trust over time with regulators or communities? BCW’s your go-to. Both Weber Shandwick and BCW get that public opinion isn’t just about today, it’s about tomorrow, too. They’re also good at tailoring messages to different groups. A campaign for rural patients won’t look like one for city folks. Weber Shandwick uses data to figure out who’s who, while BCW leans on insights from stakeholders. It’s not flawless, sometimes they try too hard to please everyone but it’s smart.

The Human Side

Here’s where I get a bit real. Healthcare PR isn’t just about making a brand look good. It’s about people’s lives. When Weber Shandwick or BCW builds a campaign, they’re not just shaping opinions, they could be helping save lives. That’s heavy. They seem to handle it with care, but I wonder if the pressure to get results fast ever leads to shortcuts. Not shady ones, just… choosing speed over depth. It’s a human thing, you know? We all make choices like that sometimes.

Conclusion

Navigating public opinion in healthcare is tough, but Weber Shandwick and BCW are some of the best at it. Weber Shandwick brings the big ideas and bold moves, while BCW focuses on relationships and steady progress. They both deal with the same headaches like misinformation, distrust, rules but they tackle them differently. If you need a quick splash, Weber Shandwick’s your pick. For long-term trust, BCW’s got the edge. Honestly, though, it’s not about who’s better. It’s about what your healthcare organization needs to build trust in a world that’s quick to judge.

[lucycyril]

9 Figure Media on What Builds Brand Trust in 2025

Building brand trust isn't what it used to be. The old playbook of flashy ads and celebrity endorsements? That's basically dead now. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, especially after seeing how brands are scrambling to get featured in publications like Entrepreneur Magazine. 

Everyone wants that credibility boost. But here's the thing, getting featured in Entrepreneur isn't just about the feature itself. It's about what that feature represents.

Trust has become the ultimate currency in 2025.

The New Rules of Brand Trust

Let me break this down into what actually works now:

• Authentic storytelling beats perfect marketing 

• Transparency beats polish every time 

• Community engagement matters more than follower counts 

• Consistent delivery builds more trust than big promises

The brands winning right now understand something fundamental. People don't trust companies anymore, they trust people behind companies. Think about it. When you see a brand trying to get featured in publications, what's the first thing you do? You look up the founder. You check their LinkedIn. You want to see if they're real.

Why Media Coverage Still Matters (But Differently)

Getting featured in Entrepreneur Magazine used to be about prestige. Now it's about proof. When I help brands understand how to get featured in entrepreneur magazines, I tell them this: it's not about the logo on your website. It's about the story you can tell afterward.

The process of learning how to get into entrepreneur magazine forces you to clarify your message. You have to articulate your value proposition clearly. You have to have data that backs up your claims.

But here's where it gets interesting. The most successful brands don't stop at one feature.

They use that initial coverage to build momentum. One feature leads to another. Before you know it, they're getting featured in publications across their industry.

The Authentication Challenge

2025 has brought us something new: authentication fatigue. People are tired of trying to figure out what's real and what's manufactured. They want shortcuts to trust. They want signals that help them decide quickly.

This is where strategic media placement becomes powerful. When prospects see that you've been featured as an entrepreneur, it's not just about the credibility. It's about the time they save. They don't have to do as much research to decide if you're legitimate.

But there's a catch. The coverage has to be genuine. Fake features get spotted immediately now. People can tell when coverage is paid versus earned. The authenticity radar has gotten really sharp.

Building Trust Through Consistency

Here's what most brands miss about trust building in 2025: It's not about the big moments. It's about the small, consistent actions over time.

• Responding to customer service issues publicly 

• Sharing behind-the-scenes content regularly 

• Admitting mistakes when they happen 

• Following through on commitments, even small ones

I've noticed something interesting about brands that successfully get featured in entrepreneur magazines. They usually have strong fundamentals already in place. They're not chasing features to fix trust issues. They're using features to amplify trust they've already built.

The Content Trust Factor

Content has become the new storefront for trust building. But not all content works the same way anymore. People can spot AI-generated content from a mile away. They want to see the human element.

The brands that understand how to get featured in publications know this. Their content strategy isn't just about volume, it's about authenticity. They share real customer stories. They show actual results. They talk about failures alongside successes. This approach works because it feels real. It feels human.

Social Proof Evolution

Social proof has evolved beyond testimonials and reviews.

Now it includes:

• Media mentions and features 

• Industry recognition and awards 

• Speaking engagements and thought leadership 

• Partnerships with established brands

Getting featured in entrepreneur represents just one piece of this puzzle. But it's often a crucial piece because it opens doors to other opportunities. One media feature leads to speaking opportunities. Speaking opportunities lead to partnership discussions. Partnerships lead to more media coverage. It's a cycle that builds momentum.

The Trust Paradox

Here's something that might seem contradictory: the harder brands try to appear trustworthy, the less trustworthy they seem.

The most trusted brands in 2025 aren't trying to convince you to trust them. They're just consistently being themselves.

When I work with companies on how to get into entrepreneur magazine, I often find they're overthinking their approach. They're crafting these perfect pitches that sound like marketing copy.

The stories that actually get picked up? They're usually the ones that feel unpolished. The ones that sound like a real person telling you something interesting over coffee.

Building Long-term Trust Assets

Media coverage creates what I call "trust assets." These are pieces of credibility that compound over time. Each feature builds on the last one. Each mention adds to your overall authority.

But here's the key: you have to think long-term about how to get featured in publications. One-off features don't build lasting trust. Consistent visibility across multiple credible sources does. The brands that get this right develop relationships with journalists and editors. They become go-to sources for commentary in their industry.

The Future of Brand Trust

Looking ahead, I think brand trust will become even more personal and immediate. People want to connect with real humans behind brands. They want to see authentic stories. They want proof that companies actually deliver on their promises.

Getting featured in entrepreneur magazine and other publications will remain important. But only as part of a broader trust-building strategy. The brands that win will be the ones that understand trust isn't built through marketing tactics. It's built through consistent actions and authentic communication.

That's the real lesson for 2025: trust isn't something you can manufacture. But you can definitely earn it.

[lucycyril]

Shaping Community Views with Real Estate PR: 9 Figure Media Explains

Real estate companies used to just sell houses. Now they're selling trust and reputation too. I've been looking at how these firms handle their public image, and it's pretty interesting. Some are doing it right. Others... not so much. Let’s look at together;

Getting in the News Actually Matters

When real estate companies want to get featured today, they're being smarter about it. They're not just sending out boring press releases anymore. USA Today gets thousands of submissions every week. Real estate firms know this. So they're working harder to stand out.

The thing is, getting a USA Today op ed submission accepted isn't easy. You can't just write about house prices and expect editors to care. The companies that get featured today understand something simple: they need to talk about stuff people actually worry about.

Like this:

• Will I be able to afford a house next year? 

• Should I sell now or wait? 

• What's happening with interest rates? 

• Are these new apartments going to ruin my neighborhood?

The USA Today target audience isn't real estate agents. It's regular people trying to figure out their housing situations.

Building Trust Takes Time

Real estate firms are learning that being seen as community helpers matters more than having the flashiest ads. 9 Figure Media works with big real estate companies, and their approach is pretty straightforward. Instead of just pushing sales, they help firms become go-to sources for housing advice.

This means getting clients to think beyond "buy our listings." When you can get featured today with actual helpful insights, people remember that. But here's the problem. Not every real estate person is good at explaining complex market stuff in simple terms. Some are great at closing deals but terrible at writing or speaking publicly.

Why USA Today Works So Well

USA Today op-ed submission guidelines are getting tougher. Real estate firms know this, so they're hiring PR professionals to help. The editors want pieces that actually help their readers. Generic market reports bore them. They want fresh takes on issues that matter to the USA Today target audience.

Smart real estate firms focus on:

• First-time buyer struggles in expensive cities 

• How remote work changed where people want to live 

• New construction affecting existing neighborhoods 

• Why different generations buy houses differently

Breaking Through Is Hard

Every real estate company thinks they have something important to say. Most don't. The ones that consistently get featured today pay attention to timing. They watch the news, listen to community conversations, and jump in when they can actually add value.

You can't just submit a USA Today op ed submission about general market trends anymore. Editors want pieces that help specific people with real problems.

Where Most Companies Mess Up

Real estate firms make the same mistakes over and over when trying to improve their public image. The biggest mistake? Thinking that industry jargon impresses regular people.

Market data might fascinate real estate professionals, but the USA Today target audience wants to know what it means for them personally. Will their mortgage payment go up? Should they refinance now?

Another problem is saying different things in different places. Some firms get featured today with one opinion, then say something completely different on local radio next month. People notice this stuff.

What 9 Figure Media Does Differently

9 Figure Media gets that real estate PR isn't about quick wins. It's about building long-term relationships with communities.

They help firms find stories that matter beyond immediate sales. When a USA Today op-ed submission works, it's usually because it addresses real community concerns instead of promoting specific properties.

This takes patience though. Building a good community reputation takes time, especially when other firms are competing for the same attention.

Success Isn't Just About Sales

Traditional real estate marketing tracks leads and sales. Community PR needs different measurements.

Firms should watch:

• How often they get mentioned in news stories 

• What people say about them at community meetings • Social media conversations about local housing • Whether reporters call them for expert opinions

When you can regularly get featured today in respected publications, you're building something more valuable than quick sales leads. You're becoming the trusted expert people think of first.

What's Coming Next

Real estate PR is changing fast. The firms that adapt their USA Today op-ed submission approach to focus on genuine community help will do well. Those that keep pushing sales disguised as expert advice will struggle.

The USA Today target audience expects more from business leaders now. They want insights that help them make tough decisions, not sales pitches pretending to be helpful articles. The smart real estate firms get this. They're investing in long-term relationship building. They understand that when communities trust them, everything else gets easier.

Whether you're trying to get featured today or build ongoing media relationships, the key is actually being helpful. Communities can tell the difference between real expertise and marketing nonsense. And honestly? That difference decides who gets listened to and who gets ignored.

The firms working with 9 Figure Media are learning this the right way. They're focusing on genuine value instead of clever marketing tricks. It takes longer, but it works better.