Kate Gardiner

Extra caution continues when professionals in journalism and PR gather information since it can be taken out of context and become misleading. The public/consumers must also work harder to find accuracy where they consume information. Reading and doing research on their own is vital since finding trustworthy information from credible and reliable sources is dwindling. Here is an interesting study: "But a recent study co-authored by researchers affiliated with the University of Maryland indicates that some social media users deliberately repurpose credible journalism to advance misleading claims."

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🚨 FTC Seeks More Info on Omnicom, Interpublic Deal  Companies received new requests for information from Washington, signaling the agency is reviewing whether the transaction could be anti-competitive under U.S. law. https://lnkd.in/eKCGt4rq

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🎥 5 Crisis Comms Lessons from the NYC Boot Camp From navigating polarization to managing deepfakes and legal alignment—these are the biggest lessons shared by industry leaders today at the Crisis Communications Boot Camp in New York. Essential insights for every communicator in 2025.👇

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Reputation management in the United States has entered a new era of complexity and volatility says Amy Binder, founder and CEO of RF|Binder, an integrated communications and consulting firm headquartered in New York City. I interviewed Amy while in New York City last week for my SenateSHJ Future of Reputation 2030 sabbatical paper. Says Amy: “The US right now probably has one of the biggest reputation management problems globally.  For businesses leaders, navigating this landscape requires an acute understanding of societal divides, shifting values and an era of profound distrust. Binder points first to the deep polarization that defines the US political and cultural climate. “A major challenge in the United States is it’s so divided and everyone is in their own echo-chamber, making it very difficult to have conversations across viewpoints.” This division, she warns, creates significant consumer and employee risks: “If you appeal to one set of consumers, you may alienate another. And the same is true for employees.” Adding to these challenges are global crises and environmental concerns. Binder predicts climate change will increasingly create reputational risks: “As the climate issues continue to grow, not doing anything to address the risks an organization faces, over time there could be negative repercussions. Companies are also vulnerable to geopolitical issues—where they manufacture, who they partner with all have the potential to create challenges. It’s much more complex today than ever before.” Against this backdrop, she sees a retreat by corporate leaders who were once more vocal. “People are looking for rational, middle-of-the-road voices,” Binder says. “CEOs used to be those voices, but now they are being very careful about taking a stand on an issue that could be controversial.” She emphasizes that many Americans no longer trust the government and instead look to CEOs, and other leaders for guidance: “Starting during Covid, there was a movement to see CEOs as the voice of reason,  Unfortunately, with CEOs retreating to a certain extent, there is a vacuum and a real need for leadership. However, Binder warns against performative commitments. “We’re working with many of our clients to move away from using the term ESG,” she notes. “Forget about the environment? Absolutely not, but it is best to talk about these issues in a way that is preferably grounded in human values which makes it more relatable to a larger group of people.” She says there are some companies that are maintaining their commitments while avoiding the political extremes: “These companies,” says Amy, “have done a very good job of standing behind their values without totally going silent.” For reputation managers, Binder’s advice is clear: resist cookie-cutter solutions. “Reputation management is very individualized and nuanced,” she says. “You really need to look at the specifics of the company, the situation, and the culture to create strategies that work.”

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Last week, the Washington Post cut a third of its newsroom. Over 300 journalists. That's devastating — for the people affected, for journalism, and for the communities that rely on that reporting. But there's a signal here that communications leaders need to pay attention to. Many of these journalists will go independent. Newsletters. Podcasts. YouTube. The same path hundreds of talented reporters have already taken. The media landscape is decentralizing. If your comms strategy still revolves around pitching five marquee outlets, it's time to rethink the playbook. Read more on my Substack: https://lnkd.in/gFYaMYfP

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Recently, I had the privilege of moderating the ‘Mind the Gap’ panel at the USC Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium, alongside communications leaders representing four generations in today’s workplace. Our conversation covered several of the most important issues facing the communications industry today – including the impact of AI, the changing media landscape and the role of business as a force for societal good. This is our moment to both mind and galvanize the gap. With Gen Zs, Millennials, Gen Xers and Boomers listening to and learning from each other, we have an unprecedented opportunity to make our work that much more interesting, insightful and impactful. It is no longer years on the resume that get you to the table but rather life experience, informed insights, and relevancy. The future of our industry truly depends on each of us doing our part to uplift and champion the generations behind and in front of us.    As the inimitable Fred Cook said, “The future of the PR industry depends upon how tomorrow’s leaders tackle today’s critical issues – and Gen Z seems equipped and eager to confront those challenges. If we educate and support them on this mission, our profession will be in good hands.” WATCH THE VIDEO for key takeaways: bit.ly/43QbA8C READ THE REPORT to learn more about issues facing our industry: bit.ly/3FLt7Vv USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Ron Antonette, Kelly McGinnis, Sona Iliffe-Moon, Bill Imada, Kyndall L. Echols, M.A.

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Your comms team needs to start acting like a newsroom… or risk falling behind. Comms teams that rely on static plans and reactive strategies are already at a disadvantage. Newsrooms thrive because they anticipate change, adapt quickly, and own their stories. Why shouldn’t your comms team do the same? 🗞️ Every day in a newsroom starts with deciding what matters most and how to tell that story. There’s room for planned coverage and scheduled events, but the unexpected always takes center stage. The best comms teams build agility into their culture, planning for the unknown while shaping an editorial vision that amplifies their organization’s message. 📢 Telling your own story ensures you’re not waiting on earned media to get your message out. As you find big wins across departments, new stories emerge. Soon, others will come to you with ideas. This process creates a treasure trove of content for pitches and can even flip the script, drawing media outlets to you instead. Running your comms team like a newsroom isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about thriving under pressure, adapting at lightning speed, and staying ahead of the story. 💡 What’s holding your organization back from adopting this mindset?

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In a time when everyone has access to the same digital tools, budgets, and platforms—the real edge in public affairs is clarity. Not activity. Not volume. Not visibility. Clarity. Strategy is the last true differentiator—and in a world spinning louder and faster, it’s also the sharpest. I wrote about that idea and what it looks like in practice at Accelerate Advocacy—where every engagement starts from scratch, built around what the client needs, not what we already do. I would love your take on this. 🧠 Read the full post: https://lnkd.in/efHBW8MP #PublicAffairs #AdvocacyStrategy #InfluenceLab #Leadership #StrategicCommunications

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MSNBC continues to build. Just in - the network has inked a multi-year deal to bring Sky News' global reporting to its U.S. audiences across all platforms. This marks a major development as the network will now be able to tap into Sky News' 11 international bureaus and 500+ journalists. https://lnkd.in/eafyYaFX

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