Deirdre Breakenridge

For my PR Peeps...this one is worth your time -- earned or paid/with AI? "In this modern ecosystem, the goal is no longer just to guide a user through a journey, but to secure the product’s presence within the moment of choice. To achieve this, brands must understand the data sources fueling these AI systems." https://lnkd.in/e8Kj3xsJ

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A must-read article for PR professionals and soon-to-be PR professionals alike! "For communications professionals, the practical implications are clear. Traditional SEO and AEO tactics—formatting for clarity, using structured data, anticipating popular queries—remain relevant. But GEO broadens the strategic horizon. It requires integration with modern PR, disciplined message management, authority-building and relentless clarity and consistency across all digital assets."

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As every strategic communicator should already know: “One of the most important people in the newsroom is the person who decides that they’re going to press a button that sends an immediate notification to millions of people’s phones.” https://lnkd.in/eV9zh9bd #publicrelations #mediarelations #newsalerts

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A colleague told me that she knew of a company that had recently hired its first Director of AI Communications. A smart move. AI tools rely heavily on credible, consistent, third-party sources to shape their responses. That validation comes from earned opportunities. And that’s where communications professionals shine. We shape credible narratives. We help organizations earn the trust that both people and AI recognize. What’s your organization’s plan to handle this new communications challenge?

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✨Get ready to transform your PR workflow! ✨ Imagine seamlessly managing every aspect of your PR strategy – from planning and execution to amplification and reporting – all in one place. Stay tuned for the big reveal on Sept. 22! #PR #comms #CommsStrategy #PRWorkflow

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Excellent blog by Blair Williamson covering a recent session with LumApps where I laid out six key pathways to effective communication leadership: * Ask good questions. Good questions can impact or frame outcomes more effectively. * Share new ideas. Provide alternatives and spark discussions. * Bring the data. Data strengthens your arguments. * Combine that data with words and stories * Tap informal networks. Make use of the existing trust and credibility. * Mobilize your allies. Amplify the voices of internal supporters. Go deeper: https://lnkd.in/eT7U-ghs

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Why transparency matters in media relations As we struggle with the post-truth age, honesty and integrity matter more than ever. Thanks Kathryn Goater for an excellent piece for the IPRA thought leadership series. "Public relations professionals play a crucial role in fostering transparency in media engagement and client interactions. Our responsibility extends beyond safeguarding and enhancing a client’s or organisation’s brand and reputation—we must also uphold the integrity of our personal or agency brand and our wider industry, especially in the age of social media." Read the whole piece here: https://lnkd.in/e_sXXtiw

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The future of #PR is already here. From Shakespearean reports to deepfakes, #AI is reshaping the industry in unprecedented ways. As technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives, PR pros must #upskill and navigate the ethical minefields of AI. Continuous learning is key to thriving in this ever-evolving landscape via Jessie Peng The Pollack Group #PRFuture Museum of Public Relations

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A powerful set of insights from our off‑the‑record Zeno breakfast at FT House in Davos. Davos 2026 didn’t offer one defining narrative — it revealed a series of tensions that communicators now need to translate, not simply amplify. Three themes stood out: 1. Clarity has become the primary leadership currency 2. Consistency matters more than vision 3. Confidence is becoming emotional, not institutional For communicators, the work ahead is clear: opportunity is no longer amplification, it is translation.

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Interesting findings from Korn Ferry in this survey of Fortune 500 CCOs: Almost half of respondents (47%) report to CEO today, compared to 40% in 2023 51% of respondents report serving on their organization’s executive committee or equivalent Around one in 10 have teams of more than 250 The core of the CCO function continues to involve corporate reputation, executive communications, and crisis and issues management Most CCOs are also responsible for internal communications (91%) A much smaller number include public policy (18%), government affairs (14%) and investor relations (3%) in their remit Nearly half earn seven-figure compensation; about 1 in 7 earn $2 million or more More than half (54%) report budgets above $5 million https://lnkd.in/eJdNXSsf

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💡 Chief and The Harris Poll surveyed 1000 senior women leaders to understand how they're navigating AI and its effects on the work force: Key findings: ➡️ 85% have already taken team-level action — establishing guidelines, creating space for human skill development, and defining what good judgment looks like alongside AI. ➡️ 81% agree we won't have capable managers in the future if organizations don't invest in developing humans NOW. ���️ 84% have made smarter AI-related decisions because of insights from their peers and community My takeaway? We need each other now more than ever. AI and technology will always build efficiency and effectiveness, but will never diminish the power of collective design, community and our connections. Thank you Alison Moore for leading the way.

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This week on Stories and Strategies, Doug Downs and I speak with Johna Burke of AMEC Measurement and Evaluation about what it takes for communications professionals to earn and keep a seat at the the C-suite table. Many CEOs come from financial or operational backgrounds. Their focus is on risk, performance and outcomes. For communicators, bridging that gap requires stronger planning, clearer measurement and a more disciplined approach to strategy. Johna draws an important distinction: talking about strategy is not the same as applying it. True application requires considering multiple scenarios, weighing outcomes, and debating trade‑offs.” 📺 Watch the clip below. 🔗 Full episode in the comments.

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Strategy in 60 Seconds: AI’s Credibility Problem Spells Opportunity for PR Pros Generative AI is writing everything from emails to op-eds... but it can also make mistakes that hurt reputations. Law firms, government agencies and brands -- honestly, everyone -- must avoid AI missteps like hallucinated facts or uncredited sourcing. AI is a great brainstorming and editing partner, but "Human in the Loop" is CRITICAL in order to make sure what you put into the world is accurate. What it means for PR pros: Your content is your brand voice. One error, and trust can diminish or disappear, both with humans and (ironically) with LLMs. Three things to do now: 1. Disclose when AI helps. Transparency builds credibility. I use AI on everything I write (it's called spell check!). It's more than OK to let folks know about the tools you use. At the same time, let everyone know that you have edited to the same exacting level as everything else you produce. Going back to the spell check example, just because you use spell check doesn't mean it's OK if a typo slips through. 2. Establish guardrails. Every AI-assisted press release, blog or piece of content MUST be fact-checked and edited by a human -- without exception. And this doesn't mean just a cursory glance. Edit every piece with the same eye as the most critical editor you've ever worked with. 3. Make it a message. Position your brand or client as a leader in responsible AI adoption. Professional use of AI isn't lazy or something to hide. It demonstrates you're on top of the tools that are changing the way we communicate. This isn’t just about avoiding mistakes. It’s a chance to own the story of how you’re using AI as a professional should, not as a "shortcut to thinking" (nod to Jim Morrison of the Doors for the quote).

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⏰ Better Press Release Timing with AI ⏰ This week’s Association Insights explores how AI can strengthen press-release timing and distribution. AI can help you: 📅 Identify high-impact release windows 📰 Avoid competing news cycles 🎯 Target reporters more strategically 📢 Build smart embargo plans AI doesn’t replace strategy—it sharpens it. 💬 How do you currently plan the timing of your releases? #AssociationInsights #PressReleases #AI #PRStrategy #OnWrdUpWrd

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🖋️ Op-Eds in Advocacy 🖋️ This week’s Association Insights explores the role of op-eds in advocacy campaigns: ✅ Shape public opinion with compelling arguments. 🎯 Position your association as a thought leader. 📅 Tie op-eds to current events for relevance. 🤝 Collaborate with members to amplify your message. Op-eds drive influence and support advocacy goals. 💬 How do you use op-eds in your campaigns? Share below! #AssociationInsights #Advocacy #OpEds #OnWrdUpWrd

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New thinking worth your time A grounded take on AI just went live. Written by Patrick Shea of AdDaptive Intelligence, Inc. explains how AI won’t replace marketers, but it will redefine how we work, what we own, and where human judgment matters most. This piece cuts through the hype and fear to land in the practical middle: Where AI actually creates value today Why orchestration beats automation And how the best marketers will evolve, not disappear If you’re a marketing leader trying to separate signal from noise, this is a smart, honest read. Worth a few minutes. Curious how others are thinking about this shift. https://lnkd.in/eCKeKVkP

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