Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Public Relations Stories and Strategies
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The LinkedIn Confidence Gap for Public Relations Pros | 04 Nov 2025 | 00:22:14 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Afraid of posting on LinkedIn? You’re not alone, and it’s not about time or talent, it’s about confidence. In this episode we look at why communicators, especially women, struggle to show up confidently on LinkedIn. Fear, not time or skill, is the biggest barrier to visibility. PR professionals who are used to writing for others often stumble when the byline is their own. From how to post authentically without oversharing, to navigating gendered expectations in professional visibility, to practical LinkedIn content strategies (yes, including algorithm hacks!), we’ve got smart, tactical advice for anyone looking to show up and stand out online. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome or just wondering what to post next, this conversation is your confidence booster and content guide in one. Listen For
Guest: Jo Jamieson Email | X | LinkedIn | Website
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| Rebranding Climate: Alarmism vs. Optimism in PR | 31 Oct 2025 | 00:21:28 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode What do a billionaire climate pivot, AI-fueled layoffs, and a scandalous Italian election have in common? They all got the PR treatment in this episode. Farzana Baduel, David Gallagher, and Doug Downs peel back the media layers behind some of the week’s most buzzworthy stories, from Bill Gates’ controversial “climate realism” memo and its impact on corporate sustainability narratives, to Amazon’s AI-framed mass layoffs and what that messaging means for employer branding. They also take a wildly entertaining detour into Italian politics where ex-lovers are facing off at the polls, with leaked documents and social media drama in full swing. Add in royal baseball cap faux-pas and you’ve got a sharp, witty, and deeply PR-savvy breakdown of the week’s biggest headlines. Listen For :58 Is Bill Gates backtracking? Or just reframing climate change? The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channel We publish the audio from these livestreams to the Stories and Strategies podcast feed every Friday until Sunday evening when it’s no longer available. Curzon Public Relations Website Stories and Strategies Website Request a transcript of this livestream | |||
| The Hidden Reason Women are Leaving Public Relations | 09 Sep 2025 | 00:26:00 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode More women are now leaving the PR industry because of perimenopause and menopause than because of childbirth. That’s a staggering, often invisible, that’s shift happening right at the top. It’s not burnout or work-life balance pushing them out, but a phase of life that’s rarely acknowledged and even more rarely supported. This episode is an unflinching conversation about the real pressures senior women face. Why is menopause still a taboo topic at work? How misunderstood are its impacts on confidence, performance, and retention? And what must organizations and agencies do to support their best talent before they quietly walk away? Listen For 4:22 The Invisible Workplace Crisis 7:01 The “Rush Hour” of Women’s Lives 10:01 Emotions, Gender, and Professionalism 13:37 Finding Balance in Psychological Safety 18:53 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Fred Cook Guest: Heather Blundell, CEO Grayling Website | X | LinkedIn | Email Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| PRovoke Media Asia-Pacific Comms Leader Study | 18 Feb 2024 | 00:20:47 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode The third edition of the Asia-Pacific study by PRovoke Media flags Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) as a key driver behind rising optimism and budgets for communications leaders. But underneath the top layers, there’s uncertainty. Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| How to Forgive and Accept an Apology | 11 Feb 2024 | 00:22:49 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Last week we had a look at how to make an apology when you should – and why most apologies are just awful. But there’s another side to that human interaction – forgiveness. Accepting an apology. An apology can be the key that unlocks forgiveness, yet forgiveness can also occur in its absence, driven by personal growth and healing. Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| Saying Sorry: Why is it so Hard? | 04 Feb 2024 | 00:24:17 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode There are a lot of apologies out there. And a lot of them only serve to make things worse. Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Muck Rack’s 2023 State of Marketing and PR Leadership Report | 28 Jan 2024 | 00:22:06 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode The report shows two-thirds of senior leaders say they would describe their role as both marketing and communications but there’s a clear shift happening toward marketing. Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| Challenging the Status Quo in PR Metrics | 21 Jan 2024 | 00:25:19 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Historically, our approach to setting objectives and evaluation criteria has been organizational-centric. What is the company trying to achieve? What behavioural changes are needed by our key audiences to accomplish those goals? How do we nudge or persuade the behaviours of our key audiences? Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Exploring the Myths of Body Language Analysis on TV and YouTube | 14 Jan 2024 | 00:27:07 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode In March 2021 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey that was absolute gold for fake You Tube body language experts. Some said it was a significant moment when she touched her nose. Others said she revealed all when she showed the tip of her tongue. And another said the tell-all moment was that one particular blink. The top five videos of those “analyses” generated 5.9 million views. Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| The Double-Edged Sword of Generative AI and Why it’s Part of a Broader Problem for Public Relations | 07 Jan 2024 | 00:20:35 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode There may be an emerging overreliance on generative AI in marketing and public relations. While artificial intelligence can enhance efficiency and creativity, it shouldn't overshadow fundamental marketing strategies. PR and marketing often focus too much on tactics like AI, neglecting the importance of a coherent, overarching strategy. Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| FEED DROP – Learning Real Communication With Your Kids | 24 Dec 2023 | 00:34:06 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode This is a FEED DROP of an episode of the Parenting and Personalities Podcast Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| How to Communicate – When People Won’t Evacuate | 10 Dec 2023 | 00:25:44 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Hurricanes, floods, wildfires. Depending on where you live there are times when authorities tell you it’s in your best interests to leave your home. This gets people to safety and creates necessary room for emergency teams they so desperately need. Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Coaching Politicians to be Better Communicators | 26 Nov 2023 | 00:21:13 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Politicians, like any public figures, sometimes make verbal slips or misspeak, leading to memorable and often humorous moments. Here are a few notable examples: Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website
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| What Kind of Public Relations Industry Will Gen Z Inherit? | 02 Sep 2025 | 00:25:53 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode PR really is at a crossroads… we’ve got old playbooks and new players coming in who want to change the rules. In its report Mind the Gap, USC’s Center for Public Relations reveals sharp divides between Gen Z and older professionals on everything from AI and hybrid work to media influence and corporate purpose. While Boomers and Gen X cling to the belief that human creativity will always be irreplaceable, Gen Z is charging ahead, optimistic about technology, eager for flexibility, and expecting brands to stand for something more than just profit. But will that energy survive once they step into leadership — or will they, too, get swallowed by the system? In this episode, we sit down with Fred Cook, Director of USC’s Center for Public Relations and author of the Mind the Gap report, to explore whether we’re training young professionals for a world that no longer exists. Are we too obsessed with purpose and not focused enough on performance? Are old myths about PR holding us back? And most importantly — can Gen Z avoid the mistakes their predecessors made, or are they destined to repeat them? Listen For 3:04 The Weight on Gen Z’s Shoulders 5:15 Communicating Across Generations in a Fragmented Media Landscape 8:08 Polarization as a Business Model 12:02 The Death of Corporate Purpose? 17:56 Answer to Last Episode’s Question From Guest Ayeni Samuels
Guest: Fred Cook, Director USC Center for Public Relations Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Immersing Ourselves in AR, VR and XR Technologies. The Next Wave in Communications | 12 Nov 2023 | 00:24:50 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode The University of Oregon has introduced the first master's program in immersive technologies, focusing on augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR). The program aims to create thought leaders and strategists in the field, helping organizations understand and utilize these technologies. Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website
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Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| FEED DROP: Six Presentation Tips for Advanced Speakers | 05 Nov 2023 | 00:36:08 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode This week we’re offering another bonus episode in the form of a “Feed Drop” by The Speak Good Podcast. This episode was first published by Throughline Group in June 2022. Brad Phillips and Christina Mozaffari reveal six advanced public speaking tips – from how to present more effective slides to how to improve your look during a virtual presentation.
Throughline Group
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| The Four Traits of Inspiring Thought Leaders | 29 Oct 2023 | 00:20:32 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode In today’s crowded digital landscape, standing out as a genuine thought leader amidst the cacophony of voices is a unique challenge. Many voices may be influential, but all can claim the title of a true thought leader. Some naturally gravitate to this role, others pursue it, a few stumble into it. Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| Finding the Four Minute Window | 15 Oct 2023 | 00:20:54 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode In 1917 the US Government found a unique way to reach a mass audience before mass media even existed. Movies. When projectionists needed to change the reel mid-movie, that took about four minutes. That was the perfect window of time to deliver a patriotic message and support an effort that ultimately changed the world. LinkedIn | Facebook |Instagram | X | PRSA | PRSA Code of Ethics Read Michelle’s editorial “How Important is it for Your Organization to Have a Code of Ethics?” Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| Harnessing the Influence of Wikipedia for Your Brand | 01 Oct 2023 | 00:19:55 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Wikipedia is one of the most-visited websites in the world. Additionally, it has influence. The information on Wikipedia is also disseminated across the web on Google’s Knowledge Graph and associated search page components, quick summaries of topics on Siri and Alexa, and even into news articles, podcast discussions, and government websites. Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| Diverse Perspectives, Powerful Results: Multicultural Marketing Insights | 17 Sep 2023 | 00:20:07 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode The benefits of a multicultural campaign should be obvious by now but let’s document some of them so it’s clear.
September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s recognized in the United States, but also in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela. There’s also recognition in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In this episode we connect with Cuban American Manuel Machado from CCOM Group which specializes in multicultural campaigns. Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies | |||
| The Role of Marketing and Public Relations in Central Asia: Explained | 03 Sep 2023 | 00:25:25 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode It’s an area of the world so few of us in the west really understand. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia. All countries that make up what we can refer to as Central Asia. The list of Global Top 100 companies is growing there as Google, Coca Cola and others understand how important it is. Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Cracking the Code to Low Journalist Response Rates | 20 Aug 2023 | 00:19:56 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Propel Media has released its Q3 2023 Media Barometer and again it’s showing journalists responded to only 2.99% of nearly 500,000 pitches sent to them. It’s the third straight quarter in which journalist response rates are below three percent and a rather clear signal to PR pros we need to shift our pitching tactics to beyond just mainstream media. Download the Propel Media Barometer – Q3 2023
Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| Change Your Mind = Change Your Brain | 06 Aug 2023 | 00:25:12 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Understanding the structural changes that happen in our brain when we change our minds adds a fascinating dimension to the study of this cognitive phenomenon. We already recognize that external factors such as new information, social influences and familiarity play significant roles in our decisions but exploring the underlying neural transformations provides deeper insights. Aandra02@uofguelph.ca Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Connect with us Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies
Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Exploring Trust in Media Brands Today | 23 Jul 2023 | 00:21:16 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode An online survey of 300 people in the United States, Germany, and South Korea explores consumer perceptions of media brands vs other brands. Among the findings:
Guest: Steffen Heim Download the study Exploring Trust in Media Brands today: Definition, Dimensions and Cross-National Differences Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook Hey, we’re on Threads under Stories and Strategies Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| Africa’s Missing Seat at the Global Public Relations Table | 26 Aug 2025 | 00:25:05 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Ayeni Adekunle Samuel argues that Africa is often misunderstood or reduced to oversimplified stereotypes by global brands, agencies, and even tech platforms. Despite Africa’s complexity, diversity, and economic importance, key decisions — including PR, marketing, and tech strategies — are still shaped in places like New York and London, often without African expertise or context. Ayeni shares his personal journey as a Nigerian entrepreneur building a pan-African and international PR firm, highlighting both the structural barriers (like bias, access to capital, lack of representation) and the opportunities (especially in areas like AI and local innovation). Listen For 4:15 The Africa Strategy Mistake Global Brands Keep Making 7:41 The Case for Local Advisors 12:36 PR Prejudice: The Hidden Hurdles African Firms Face Abroad 16:30 Africa Has Talent, But Not Opportunity 17:10 Answer to Last Episode’s Question from Guest David Gallagher Guest: Ayeni Adekunle Samuel Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Are you a brand with a podcast that needs support? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Influencing Behaviors Through Social Marketing | 09 Jul 2023 | 00:20:39 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode One might use social media in a social marketing campaign but they are starkly different things. Social marketing is a marketing approach designed to influence behavior with the primary goal to be achieving the common good. The first evidence of social marketing was in 1963 at the Indian Institute of Management when they introduced a national family planning program with high quality, government brand condoms distributed and sold throughout the country at low cost. Other campaigns you know have followed the social marketing approach including anti-tobacco campaigns, skin cancer campaigns promoting the use of sunscreen with slogans like “Slip! Slop! Slap!” AIDS, water conservation, and numerous health industry campaigns have also followed the social marketing approach.
Guest: Julie Colehour, Partner C+C
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| How to Make Internal Communications More Inclusive | 25 Jun 2023 | 00:21:49 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Measurement is a key part of the success of any professional communications plan. And it’s the same with internal communications. But the right kind of measurement, and measuring the right things is just as important.
A 2023 Deloitte Study shows 58% of corporate affairs leaders consider data and insights to be their top area for improvement. Good internal communication should go beyond proving value, it should be a strategic tool, helping leaders diagnose issues, find resources, create programs and take action based on insights from data analysis.
Guest: Aniisu Verghese, Ph.D. Look for Aniisu’s newest book Inclusive Internal Communications on Amazon
Leave a rating for this podcast with one click Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| The Best PR Campaign that Changed the World | 11 Jun 2023 | 00:37:31 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has launched an initiative to find the ultimate Campaign that Changed the World over the last three quarters of a Century. CIPR is asking YOU to vote on one of the seven PR Campaigns shortlisted below as the best in the last 75 years:
Read the CIPR News Release
Guest: Anne Gregory, Ph.D., BA, FRSA, HonFCIPR, Huddersfield University Email a.gregory@hud.ac.uk On Twitter @gregsAnne
Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| The Evolution of the Communications Engineer | 28 May 2023 | 00:24:59 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode With the emergence of more generative AI (see Chat GPT3 or GPT4…) there’s a new required skillset emerging in Communications – we are going to need skilled people who know how to prompt the AI software successfully. Prompt engineering is a concept in artificial intelligence in which the description of the task the AI software is supposed to accomplish, is embedded in the input.
Those who know how to speak with the software, to prompt the most effective outputs, become extremely valuable. Very quickly this is changing how young people prepare for a career in PR, with many including data science now in their studies.
Aaron Kwittken saw this coming. He built a new PR platform that leverages natural language processing and machine learning to help brands more effectively target and pitch journalists around the world. It’s an idea that makes perfect sense now, but it was a tougher sell to investors when it first started.
Guest: Aaron Kwittken, founder and CEO Prophet and Stagwell Marketing Cloud’s Comms Tech Unit Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Oh the Things We Can Do With Generative AI (including Chat GPT) | 14 May 2023 | 00:25:20 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode It’s as if we have a new toy. When Open AI released Chat GPT-3 last November, and made it fully accessible to the public, it suddenly changed how we can create engaging and relevant content for our audiences, with just a few prompts. Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| How AI Tools Are Already Impacting the PR Profession – And Where It’s All Going | 30 Apr 2023 | 00:22:23 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode We’ve seen this coming for a long time, but thanks to skepticism, and maybe a little sleepwalking, it’s never really bubbled to the top. But with the launch of Open AI’s ChatGPT Tool in November 2022 based on the GPT-3 dataset there’s a sudden surge of interest in in the PR industry around what’s happening with Artificial Intelligence and how we might be either impacted or supported (depending on your personal level of optimism). An exceptional new report by Stephen Waddington and Andrew Bruce Smith, available through CIPR looks at 10,000 marketing tools and focuses its analysis on those related to public relations. And if you suspected Chat GPT is just the tip of the iceberg – you’re right. Download the Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and the impact on public relations (PR practice (2023)
Guest: Stephen Waddington, Founder and Managing Partner of Wadds Inc. Website https://www.wadds.co.uk/ Email stephen.waddington@wadds.co.uk Follow on Twitter @wadds
Listen to our 2020 episode with Jean Valin and Anne Gregory examining the AI in PR Ethics Report.
Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: | |||
| FEED DROP – Micro Influencers – When Smaller is Better | 23 Apr 2023 | 00:19:02 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode This week we’re offering a bonus episode in the form of a “Feed Drop” by the podcast Woman Up With the Sister Brand. This episode was first published by Woman Up in early March 2023 Macro influencers offer huge audience numbers, sometimes in the millions. But right now the trend is toward micro influencing and there are all kinds of reasons for that not the least of which is there are “fake” macro influencers out there charging insanely high fees AND THEY’RE BEING FOLLOWED BY BOTS. Micro influencers also tend to bring, not only a targeted audience but a loyal one. Forbes estimated micro influencers offer a 60% higher engagement rate which leads to a 20% higher conversion rate. They’re often more willing to work with new or smaller brands and best of all they provide access to niche communities. But how do you know the right micro influencer to choose? How do you know they’re “On Target?” And what kinds of fees are the going rate? Listen to, and follow, Woman Up With the Sister Brand https://thesisterbrand.com/podcast What do you think of the Feed Drop Concept? Let us know in this anonymous survey | |||
| Social Media is OVERRATED!! | 16 Apr 2023 | 00:20:17 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode A 2023 new study by Social Insider reveals what most social media experts already know. Engagement by followers on social media – ALL social media channels – is down… again. While Tik Tok ranks by far the highest for engagement, it too is in decline. But more and more leaders, PR pros, marketers, continue to rely on social media. Many think it’s just a matter of “going viral” or growing their following to the point they can be considered an influencer. None of that is impossible but maybe more than a little exaggerated. While social media has value, it’s increasingly evident it’s only a tool in the box. In this episode, PR veteran Robert Wynne has some cautious words about putting all your eggs in the social media basket. Guest: Robert Wynne, President Wynne Communications Read the Social Insider blog referenced in these show notes. Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Follow us on: Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| PR and Marketing for Web 3.0 | 02 Apr 2023 | 00:24:09 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Web3 marketing refers to marketing strategies and tactics specifically designed to reach audiences within the Web3 ecosystem. Web3 refers to the decentralized and distributed internet and the technologies that enable it. There are many ways to interpret Web3 communications. It might include using a decentralized social network or web forum to engage with audiences, using blockchain-based systems to track and verify the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, or using decentralized apps (often called dApps) to create interactive and immersive marketing experiences in a digital world. Guest: Robert Lund, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder Studio TBD Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Digging Deeper Into the Edelman Trust Barometer | 19 Mar 2023 | 00:18:18 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Trust is at the core of all great relationships. With it, the living and working environment is energetic, productive, a joy to be in. Without it there’s lethargy and it’s almost impossible to move forward. Trust provides a sense of safety. For the last 23 years the Edelman Trust Barometer has helped leaders gauge who people believe in and who they expect to step up. Right now it’s business leaders who are assuming the leadership mantle. Business has emerged as an ethical force for good in an increasingly polarized world. In this episode we speak with the executive director of Intellectual Property of the Edelman Trust Institute.
Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| It’s Groundhog Day in the Public Relations Industry | 19 Aug 2025 | 00:30:48 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Why is the PR industry still having the same tired conversation? Year after year, event after event… while the world moves on without us? We talk about getting a seat at the table, then sit quietly when we do. We debate metrics like we haven’t had decades to solve them. We celebrate awards for campaigns that often say nothing and change even less. We hold events that are same panel conversations… different year. Somewhere along the way, the industry built for cultural leadership got stuck in a cycle of repetition, imposter syndrome, and comfort. David Gallagher of Folgate Advisors is a veteran voice who’s seen the industry from the inside and isn’t afraid to say what others won’t. It’s time to stop outsourcing our thinking and start redefining what this industry is actually for. Listen For 4:58 Are We Really as Dynamic as We Claim? Guest: David Gallagher, Folgate Advisors Email | LinkedIn | Folgate LinkedIn Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| The Truth About Umms and Uhhs | 05 Mar 2023 | 00:24:46 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode If you aren’t accustomed to hearing your own voice it’s one of the first things that stands out… all those umms and uhhs. One out of every 60 words we say is umm or uhh. Interview guests will frequently ask “Could you edit all those out?” At Toastmasters someone is even assigned to count your umms and uhhs as you present and report them to you (that’s not distracting at all). But what do those verbal fillers really mean? Are they necessarily negative? Is there a threshold whereby too many suddenly becomes negative? Should you work to eliminate them from your speech? Or is it possible these little expressions are essential pieces of the fabric and machinery that make up verbal conversation and understanding? Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Headlines with Ragan’s PR Daily – Chat GPT and Other News | 19 Feb 2023 | 00:18:45 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Things happen fast in the world of public relations and marketing and Ragan’s PR Daily is one of the best ways to keep on top of industry best practices and new ideas. In this episode we chat with the Executive Editor of PR Daily, Allison Carter about:
Guest Allison Carter, executive editor of PR Daily Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| Is the Person You’re in Conversation With – Faking it? | 05 Feb 2023 | 00:21:39 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode We all fake human connection from time to time. We’re tired, the person we’re speaking with just doesn’t get it, or they’re deliberately trying to be difficult. Sometimes, and we wouldn’t want to admit this out loud, but sometimes the person talking to us just isn’t important enough for us to care. One form of this happens with interviews celebrities, athletes, and politicians give every day. With some of those interviews you can see the person being interviewed is enthused and interested but other times they’re either uninterested or giving us that “Fake Personality.” Guest: Kayley Hamilton, CEO Kayley Media
Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| Do Sales Funnels Still Work? Or Is the Concept Springing Leaks? | 22 Jan 2023 | 00:17:51 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode The concept of the sales funnel is more than a century old. But depending on which Marketing Guru you listen to today – the funnel concept is either long dead or consistently proving itself alive and well. Common criticisms:
Are funnels being replaced? Or do they still capture the customer journey? Guest: Megan Dougherty, One Stone Creative Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| When Lies Build Trust | 08 Jan 2023 | 00:22:50 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode In this age of misinformation and disinformation we can all agree lies and deception are bad right? Aren’t they? Emma has a PhD from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; a BA (philosophy, politics, and economics) and BS (economics) from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an Associate Professor of Behavioral Science and the Charles E Merrill Faculty Scholar at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Emma.Levine@chicagobooth.edu Schweitzer@wharton.upenn.edu
Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: | |||
| Integrating the Newer Tools Into Traditional Marketing and PR | 25 Dec 2022 | 00:21:32 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Things move so quickly now it almost seems wrong to consider digital marketing, SEO, influencer marketing, and even social media as “newer tools.” But the way in which we use them, our habits, and even connected applications, are changing fast. Our clients still need us to help them strengthen their brands, make breakthroughs into new markets, launch products and services. We had better know how to use these newer tools as well as the tools and applications built to go with them. Guest: Anna Crowe MBA, CEO Crowe PR Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: Request a transcript of this episode | |||
| A Close Look at Today’s Social Media Channels With Grey Group | 11 Dec 2022 | 00:28:23 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode According to the Datareportal July 2022 global overview more than half the world now uses social media (59%). 4.7 billion people around the world are using social media. The question is no longer whether people are using social media but what they’re using them for and how can comms pros and marketers harness this growing habit? Grey Group ranks among the world’s top advertising and marketing agencies and in this episode, two of their social media leaders helps go beyond what’s trending to actually understand what’s happening with social media and how we can harness its true power most effectively. In this episode we talk about the latest trends in social media and forecast what’s next for each channel. Will Twitter survive? Will Snapchat? Guests: Joey Scarillo, Caine Fair – Grey Group Listen to Grey Group’s Podcast 5Things: This Week in Social Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca Follow us on: Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Taking an Organizational Stand on Social and Political Issues. Is it Worth it? | 27 Nov 2022 | 00:27:00 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode In February 2022, the New York Times reported findings from interviews with undergraduate seniors entering the workforce as well as a recent survey of millennials (some of whom are now in their 40’s), about their expectations of companies for whom they intend to work. 61 percent said they preferred companies who take a stand on social issues. Half said they would quit their job if it didn’t align with their values. None of this is surprising, it’s been a trend for years. To engage in Corporate Social Responsibility means in the ordinary course of business a company is operating in ways that enhance society and the environment. But does CSR require taking a stand publicly on social and political issues? Many say it does. Critics say if a company embraces diversity and inclusion, how can it also “take a stand?” One company that’s not just talking the talk but walking the walk when it comes to social and political issues, is Cision, a comprehensive communications platform serving public relations and marketing professionals widely known for its global newswire services. Guest: Jay Webster, Cision Chief Product & Technology Officer and Cision Comms Cloud President Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Building Reputation Capital Before the Crises | 13 Nov 2022 | 00:25:03 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode No doubt you already know tenets of good crisis planning: Be prepared, be accountable, respond quickly (or at least timely), tell the truth… Several years of living in a COVID World and the sudden emergence of all those crisis experts has the basics of crisis management drilled into our heads. But one aspect doesn’t get as much hype: The need to build a solid reputation in advance so, like armor, it will protect you when the crisis hits. A new book by TJ Winick dives into this principle. Guest: TJ Winick Contacting Stories and Strategies Stories and Strategies Website Do you want to start a podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Follow us on: Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Halloween Special: Those Career Moments That Terrify Us | 30 Oct 2022 | 00:31:33 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode We’ve all had those moments in our careers. Moments of sheer terror. That time we emailed to “Reply All,” that time we put the wrong phone number or website in the news release, that spelling error you didn’t catch before distributing the newsletter to thousands of people. And sometimes the terror is out of our control. That horrible, unethical boss, that huge project you’re assigned that you aren’t ready for, and co workers from Hell! That time you were fired. It’s little comfort but these moments have happened to everyone. And if you haven’t experienced a moment of terror yet… it’s your turn next. Guests: Doug (Danger) Lacombe Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| Rebranding a Country | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:25:40 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode What does it take to rebrand an entire nation? Not just a logo or slogan—but the name itself. Gökhan Yücel helped lead the campaign to officially shift the international name from Turkey to Türkiye. It’s a move that goes far beyond semantics—touching diplomacy, identity, and global perception. Gökhan pulls back the curtain on how such a monumental change has been communicated to the world and why it matters more than most of us think. But this conversation goes even deeper. From repositioning Türkiye as the “nexus of the world” instead of merely a bridge between East and West, to attracting the next generation of global investors, to reshaping the way governments confront disinformation and how strategic storytelling can reshape the image of an entire country. Listen For 3:06 Renaming a country… where do you even start? Guest: Gökhan Yücel, Campaign Designer Hello Türkiye Country Rebranding Campaign Hello Türkiye Campaign (YouTube) Türkiye Century Campaign (Official Site)
Stories and Strategies Website Curzon Public Relations Website Apply to be a guest on the podcast Connect with us LinkedIn | X | Instagram | You Tube | Facebook | Threads | Bluesky | Pinterest Request a transcript of this episode Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| The ORID Method for Structured Conversation | 16 Oct 2022 | 00:24:33 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode You know how this feels. You’re called into a meeting on something important where a decision or action must be determined. But in the meeting, everyone takes turns making different points (presumably so they feel they’ve contributed to the meeting in front of their superior), the conversation goes wayward and when it comes time to making the decision, everyone’s confused or (worse) misled. This is typically the point where the most senior person in the room then makes decisions, essentially based on what they thought before they entered the room, and the meeting has been a waste of time. It just doesn’t have to be this way. The ORID method (Objective, Reflective, Interpretive, Decisional) traces its origins to a person named Joseph Matthews, a US army Chaplin who had just come home from World War Two. When he returned to his university professorship, he was consumed with the need to help people process the events of their lives – to help people build meaning from their own trials. Matthews met an art professor who showed him that any encounter with art involves a trialogue – or three-way conversation – between the art, the artist, and the observer. The Professor explained: "First you have to take the work of art seriously by observing carefully what's there, and what's not. Then you must look seriously at what is going on inside of you as you observe the art to see how you are reacting, what repels you? What delights you? You have to peel back layers of awareness so that you can begin to ask what it means to you. Art, the professor explained, is like listening. You must work to create your own meaning from an artwork, or a conversation.” Matthews recalled his exposure to phenomenology - the study of phenomena and brought to mind readings of Soren Kierkegaard. Matthews used this structure to create, what was called the art form conversation, and what facilitators affectionately call the focused conversation method. The idea is a structured conversation that helps participants develop their thinking in a logical manner but following a natural human process for focused communication. Logic and facts are introduced first, then emotion is welcomed, followed by interpretation, and then a decision or resolution to the thinking process. In this episode we talk with Robin Parsons, a seasoned professional facilitator who uses the ORID method all the time. Guest: Robin Parsons, MBA, CPF, CTF Leave us a voice message we can share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Visit the Stories and Strategies website Do you want to podcast? Book a meeting with Doug Downs to talk about it. Email Doug directly doug@storiesandstrategies.ca Follow us on: Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| New Research Suggests We Each Have 6,200 Thoughts Per Day | 02 Oct 2022 | 00:29:40 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Researchers at Queen’s University in Canada have established a method that, for the first time, can detect indirectly when one thought ends and another begins. Dr Jordan Poppenk and his team call them “Thought Worms,” consisting of consecutive moments when a person is focused on the same idea. This is an extraordinary window into the mind for anyone in professional communications and marketing. Scientifically understanding how consciousness flows from one thought to the next, and the rate at which this happens, gives us keen insight into understanding, and yes, the ability to persuade effectively. For example, how many thoughts will a person actually have while drinking a cup of coffee? And does the action itself (sitting down for coffee) influence how we think? In this episode we talk with the lead researcher, Dr Jordan Poppenk to better understand our Thought Worms. Guest: Dr Jordan Poppenk Share your Halloween story via https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies Stories and Strategies Website Stories and Strategies is the Official Podcast Sponsor of IABC World Conference in Toronto June 14-16, 2026 Click here to check it out https://wc.iabc.com | |||
| How to Pitch Micro Media (Like Podcasts) | 18 Sep 2022 | 00:21:35 | |
Send us a note about this episode. We'll reply and thank you on a future episode Micro media is a somewhat new term we can use to describe media created by companies, brands and individuals housed (mainly) online. Personal blogs and corporate sites that invite fans and industry leaders to contribute, are two other examples. In the olden days (circa 1980) the most common way to promote your business was to buy advertising in macro media outlines – usually via a big PR firm. But technology and social trends have changed. Micro media outlets are gaining significance as they grow larger and larger audiences. Podcasts are a perfect example. There are 120 million podcast listeners in the United States but according to the podcast index there are barely 300,000 podcasts with new episodes in the last month. So, micro media outlets are beginning to sway the narrative of public opinion away from the traditional media gatekeepers. And micro media sources give the best opportunity to drill down into niche audiences which have always been extremely valuable. In this episode, how to hone your pitch to micro media sources. Guest: Shelby Janner, Zilker Media Share your Halloween story via https://www.speakpipe.com/StoriesandStrategies | |||