For Immediate Release
In addition to news items and in-depth discussion of trends and issues, you'll hear the Internet Society's Dan York report on technologies of interest to communicators.
Thu, April 03, 2025
FIR #458: Preparing Managers to Manage Human-AI Hybrid Teams
The most common refrain we hear about society and the rapid advances in Generative Artificial Intelligence is, “We’re not ready.” We’re not ready for Artificial General Intelligence, and we’re certainly not ready for Artificial Superintelligence. Yet both are approaching uncomfortably quickly. Business (along with government) is near the top of the list of unprepared entities; in business, managers lead the list of employees who need to get up to speed…fast. It could be as soon as this year that managers will be asked to lead hybrid teams of human employees and AI agents that autonomously perform multiple tasks — emulating what a skilled employee can do sitting at a computer, but much faster and perhaps more accurately. This will need to result in a new approach to managing. In this midweek FIR episode, Neville and Shel look at what this means for managers and how far business is from enabling their managers to succeed in this new work reality. Links from this episode: AI Agents Mean We Are The ‘Last Generation Of Managers To Manage A Wholly Human Workforce’ The rise of the AI manager “The Manager’s Job,” 50 Years Later AI has more emotional intelligence than many people. Here’s what human managers can learn from it Will AI Agents Join the Workforce This Year? Q&A: ManpowerGroup exec explains how to manage an AI workforce <p style="text-align:
Fri, March 28, 2025
FIR #457: Communicating Tariff Impacts`
There are few business leaders who won’t need to explain to various stakeholders the impacts of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the trade war it will initiate. How they position those impacts could determine whether they find their organizations in the Administration’s crosshairs. Communicators should counsel leaders on how to address the impacts. Neville and Shel share their thoughts in this short midweek FIR episode. Links from this episode: Trade associations: PR’s secret weapon during tariff battle More pocketbook, less politics: How C-suites should talk about tariffs Trump’s tariffs – how should the EU react? Adapting Communication Strategies During Trump 2.0 The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, April 28. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com. Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog. Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine. You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Raw Transcript: Shel Holtz: Hi everybody, and welcome to episode number 457 of four immediate release. I’m Shell Holtz. Neville Hobson: And I’m Neville. Hobson. Today’s episode, we’re gonna have a talk about
Mon, March 24, 2025
FIR #456: Does AI Put Communication Expertise At Risk?
It’s not just jobs that AI will affect. It’s the perception that employees have important expertise. After all, if AI can do the work, it’s easy to view employees’ special knowledge and experience as less important to the organization. Neville and Shel examine the steps communicators can take to continue to be viewed by leaders as subject matter experts who expertise brings value to the company. Also in this episode: The publishing platform Ghost is enabling technology to embed it in the fediverse. New studies reveal that bad communication is leading employees to leave their jobs. A national UK newspaper has launched AI-curated news for “time-poor audiences.” Unilever is stepping back from its purposeful activities, opting to invest heavily in influencer marketing. Have fans of your brand given it a nickname? New research suggests you probably shouldn’t use it. Dan York reports on the Internet Engineering Task Force’s work on a way for websites to signal what AI can collect and process. Links from this episode: The social web beta is here Social web (beta) Substack rival Ghost is now connected to the fediverse Newsletter platform Ghost adopts ActivityPub to ‘bring back the open web’ Ghost Connects Creators Across the Social Web The Social Web Foundation Communication br
Mon, March 17, 2025
FIR #455: Traditional PR is Dead (Again)
In the early days of Web 2.0, several pundits told us that traditional PR was dead, especially for startups, where founders would be better served by handling their own public relations. After some disasters, along with many founders finding themselves overwhelmed by the need to build their business and craft thought leadership pieces while handling media inquiries, that philosophy faded. But now it’s back, and getting a lot of attention as Lulu Cheng Meservey, founder and CEO at the agency Rostra, has released a manifesto calling on leaders to skip the agency and “go direct.” Neville and Shel share their thoughts about the advice in this short midweek episode. Links from this episode: Rostra’s “Go Direct” Manifesto ‘Traditional PR is dead’: Inside Lulu Cheng Meservey’s radical in-your-face playbook Dissecting the “go direct” communications debate Lulu Cheng Meservey on When You Need an Agency and Who You Should Hire (on X) Is PR to Blame for “DEI” Becoming a Four-Letter Word in Corporate America? The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, March 24. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com. Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog. Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine. You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Raw Transcript:</str
Mon, March 10, 2025
FIR #454: When the Media Rewards Spectacle Over Substance
At the now-infamous press conference that turned out to be an orchestrated ambush of Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Real American’s Voice correspondent Brian Glenn lobbed a hand grenade of a question to Zelenskyy. That single question was emblematic of an entire shift in the way the media works, requiring a comprehensive rethink of how public relations practitioners prepare for a media environment in which engineered outrage is rewarded by the press because spectacle earns more clicks than substance. In this short midweek episode of For Immediate Release, Neville and Shel break down the many implications for the practice of PR and the actions required to prepare brands to be targets of the same kind of treatment Zelenskyy got at the hands of the leaders of the free world and the complicit media at the press conference. Links from this episode: When a Trump-supporting journalist heckled President Zelensky for not wearing a suit Trump and Vance attack Zelenskyy in remarkable Oval Office exchange Antisemitism in the Oval Office The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, March 24. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com. Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog. Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine. You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Raw Transcript: Shel Holtz (2): [00:00:00] Hi everybody, and welcome to episode number 454 of four immediate release. I’m She Holtz.</p
Tue, March 04, 2025
FIR #453: Humor Us -- How Playful Teasing Strengthens Brand Relationships
It may seem counterintuitive, but playful teasing between brands and customers can produce unexpected benefits. Inspired by research from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, we explore why strategically “roasting” customers with humor and lighthearted banter can enhance brand loyalty and deepen customer connections. Discover how embracing a bit of playful provocation might be the surprising secret ingredient your brand needs to stand out, build lasting relationships, and keep your audience coming back for more. Also in this episode, we follow up our report from FIR #442 (December 26, 2024) about the publicity battle between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively: A report in the Hollywood Reporter finds that the fallout from this conflict is affecting publicists everywhere. Links from this episode: Why ‘Roasting’ Your Customers May Help Your Brand FIR #442: Justin Baldoni’s Attack on Blake Lively Explains Why PR is a Dirty Word Lively vs. Baldoni Has Already “Change Hollywood Publicity Forever” The Ethics of PR: Lessons from the Blake lively Smear Campaign (Neville’s Blog) The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, March 24. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com. Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog. Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine. You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Raw Transcript: Well, hi everyone, and welcome to four immediate Release. This is episode 4 53. I’m Neville Hobson. I’m Shell Holtz, and all of our reports of late have been very serious in tone and nature. So we’re gonna lighten it up a lit
Mon, February 24, 2025
FIR #452: Communicating in Chaos
“We are once again at a moment in time where things will not — and cannot — be the same again. However it unfolds, the only certainty is chaos will follow.” So wrote global PR practitioner Catherine Arrow in a post on LinkedIn. In this monthly longform episode, Neville and Shel discuss Catherine’s observation that communicators are caught in the thick of conflict in which division is actively cultivated and truth is disputed and weaponized. Also in this episode, YouTube viewing has shifted from mobile phones to television sets, with implications for the way communicators and marketers produce video for YouTube; there is much for communicators to consider when engaging on platforms that have shrugged off content moderation (part of the chaos Catherine Arrow referenced); Gallup’s Global Leadership Report is out and we’ll share what people want from their leaders; you can now create personas using AI — does that mean it’s a good idea to ask them questions instead of convening a panel of humans for your research? And LinkedIn is de-platforming the value of hashtags — does this spell the end of hashtags on LinkedIn? In his Tech Report, Dan York discussed Mastodon Quote Posts, Apple’s ending of end-to-end encryption in the UK, and WikiTok, a TikTok alternative that delivers an endless scroll of Wikipedia. The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, March 24. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Links from this episode: CEO Says TV Overtakes Mobile as “Primary Device” for Viewing <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/i-was-watching-youtube-on-my-tv-before-it-became-more-popular-than-phones-here-are-3-reasons-wh
Mon, February 17, 2025
FIR #451: Return-to-Office-Obsessed Execs Are Minimizing the Employee Voice
Leaked audio of JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon reveals an executive who has dug in his heels and has no interest in listening to the voice of the employee. In the clip, he essentially tells employees, “My way or the highway.” While the return-to-office mandates don’t represent a majority of businesses, they have been high-profile, as have employee responses, most of which plead for continued accommodation of remote or hybrid work schedules. Executives, of course, are empowered to make the final decision, but ignoring the voice of the employee comes with high risks, including the loss of top talent and disengagement among those who remain. The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that productivity and morale are higher with remote workers, but that ultimately depends on the culture the organization has established to support it. In this short midweek FIR episode, Neville and Shel listen to Dimon’s rant and offer their thoughts on the state of work in this volatile era. Links from this episode: Leaked Audio: Here’s What JPMorgan CEO Dimon Said About Hiring and Remote Work “I’ve had it”: JP Morgan boss rails against Gen Z in expletive-laden outburst Meta CTO says employees who think ‘everyone has to like’ its policy changes should ‘quit’ and ‘consider working elsewhere’ Meta censors internal dissent over Mark Zuckerberg cozying up to Trump: report Dimon Says He’d Be Cutting ‘Stupid’ DEI Costs Even Without Trump <a class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/terry-szuplat-456
Thu, February 13, 2025
FIR #450: Senior Leaders Doubt Communicators' Abilities
Listen to communicators talk about their impact on their organizations and you would be forgiven for thinking that executives find their communication teams to be indispensable. Recent research says otherwise. As complexities mount in the worlds of business, media, and politics, less than 20 percent of senior executives are confident their communicators and public affairs professionals are up to the task of navigating the current environment. Neville and Shel outline the research results and discuss ways communicators can reverse this troubling trend. Links from this episode: CEO confidence in communications dwindles, new report Study: Only 17% of Executives Have High Confidence in Their Comms Function The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, February 24. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Raw transcript: Hi everyone, and welcome to episode four 50 of four immediate release. I’m Neville Hobson. And I’m Shell Holtz. And there’s a very troubling trend emerging one that might be surprising given all the rhetoric we’ve heard about how communications Star Rose during the CO pandemic four years ago. What we’re seeing today is. Kind of the opposite of that the declining confidence that CEOs have in their co
Thu, February 06, 2025
FIR #449: Employees' Use of Shadow AI Surges
Employees everywhere are using AI to save time and be more productive. The thing is, many of them are using tools their employers have not approved and they’re not telling anyone. Companies are benefiting from this stealth approach to using generative AI, but there are plenty of risks, too. Neville and Shel look at the data and discuss approaches companies can take that will benefit both them and their employees. Links from this episode: Why employees smuggle AI into work FIR #419: Is Shadow AI an Evil Lurking in the Heart of Your Company? The Rise of Shadow AI is a Double-Edged Sword for Corporate Innovation – NevilleHobson .com Chasing Shadows: Getting ahead of Shadow AI Half of all employees are Shadow AI users, new study finds The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, February 24. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. <
Wed, January 29, 2025
FIR #448: Has Night Fallen on Change Management and Enterprise Social Networks?
Change leadership consultant Caroline Kealey thinks change management is dead. Communication leader Sharon O’Dea thinks Enterprise Social Networking (ESN) is dead. That’s right: It’s time for another installment of “X is Dead.” In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel outline the cases these two communication thought leaders make and offer our own thoughts. Links from this episode: 2025: The Year Change Management Died Sharon O’Dea’s LinkedIn post on Enterprise Social Networks The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, February 24. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Raw transcript: Hi everyone and welcome to four immediate release. This is episode 4 4 8. I’m Neville Hobson. And I’m Shell Holtz. And it is time for another segment of our recurring series X is dead. This is X as the algebraic symbol, not former elite Twitter. It’s been a long time, but we do occasionally dedicate some time to arguments that something we’ve been all. Taken for granted is dead. And in just the last week, I saw two of these both on LinkedIn and both making pretty compelling cases. We’ll discuss both of them right after this. Let’s start with change management. Carolyn Keeley wrote this one titled 2025, the Year Change Management Died. I’ve known Carolyn for years through IEBC, and she has a global practice in change leadership. A point she makes in the article. She calls it a sobering realization given her work in change management for the last 20 years.[0
Mon, January 27, 2025
FIR #447: Decisions, Decisions: The Struggle to Communicate in the Age of Ubiquitous Malignancy
The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer characterized the current communication environment as one infected by grievance. Another commentator claimed that we are living in an age of ubiquitous malignancy. Communicating with a broad audience of stakeholders is especially challenging in this landscape. While the Trust Barometer identifies business as the only one of the four sectors trusted enough to do anything about it, the options at this point are anything but clear. Also in this long-form episode for January: Different AI large language models (LLMs) portray brands differently, making it a new requirement that communicators consider how AI will position them when developing their messaging. Muck Rack’s 2025 survey on how PR professionals are using AI is out, and it contains a few surprises. The state of content marketing is at the heart of a new report from the Content Marketing Institute. It is apparently harder to quit Meta than it is to ditch X, leaving a lot of people sitting on the fence (your co-hosts included). Meanwhile, Bluesky’s growth is surging, and the company is planning to introduce an Instagram competitor as some of the most important voices that had made their home on Twitter have made the transition. In his Tech Report, Dan York explores the tale of two TikTok bans. The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, February 24. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Links from this episode: 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer Reversing the Descent into Grievance <a class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://
Mon, January 20, 2025
FIR #446: Navigating Grievance: Insights from the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer
In this short midweek episode, Shel Holtz and Neville Hobson unpack the findings of the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, revealing a global crisis of grievance and eroding trust in societal institutions—government, business, media, and NGOs. Key topics include the impact of trust inequality, the rise of hostile activism, and the expectations placed on CEOs to address societal issues. Neville and Shel explore the challenges and opportunities for businesses and communicators, emphasizing the need for empathetic leadership, authentic dialogue, and community engagement. They also discuss the implications of income disparity, the role of stakeholder capitalism, and how communicators can help foster trust through two-way listening and collaboration. Links from this episode: Edelman Trust Barometer: Welcome to the Age of Grievance 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer Economic grievances fuel support for hostile actions, Edelman global survey shows Trust in CEOs erodes, new report shows We Are on the Precipice of a Grievance-Based Society The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, January 27. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog .
Tue, January 14, 2025
FIR #445: Media Relations in a Turbulent Media Landscape
The media landscape is in turmoil. It may not be exactly the turmoil we hear about, though, based on research release in a new Poynter Institute report. For example, it is taken as gospel that “people don’t trust the media,” but a survey finds that’s not necessarily accurate. Local news reporters, for example, are highly trusted, mainly because they have established relationships in the community. That supports a broader notion: These days, connection matters more than credentials, for better or for worse, leading to the rise of the “newsfluencer,” who can be anybody from an experienced journalist with a Substack newsletter to a citizen journalist with no training to a provocateur who is able to build an audience. If your job involves getting coverage for your company’s news or brand, what was once a straightforward assignment is now a complex maze full of mines. Should you get your CEO onto a podcast? Elevate a frontline employee with a strong personal brand to help get the word out? Start sharing information in small social communities? Or any of dozens of other options? Neville and Shel delve into this one aspect of the OnPoynt Report in this short midweek episode. Links from this episode: OnPoynt Report – Poynter Christopher Penn on LinkedIn Mayra Báez on LinkedIn Journalism, media, and technology trends and predictions 2025 The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, January 27. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening
S444 Enull · Thu, January 09, 2025
FIR #444: Preparing for Trump 2.0
Media outlets around the world — and in particular in the U.S. — are strategizing how to cover the incoming Trump Administration. Some are even planning to shift their focus to more soft news in order to retain readers and avoid drawing the president’s ire. We look at the implications for the media relations industry in this short midweek episode. Links from this episode: How publishers are strategizing for a second Trump administration: softer news and more social media The Trump to-do list: How communicators are getting ready for the MAGA takeover Communicating Successfully Amid Political and Social Dissent The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, January 27. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Raw transcript: Hi everybody, and welcome to episode number 444 4 4 4 of four immediate release. I’m Shell Holtz. And I’m Neville Hobson As we record this episode on the 8th of January. It’s just under two weeks until Donald Trump prepare assumes the US presidency. That’s 20th of January is the inauguration day. That’ll be a second term for him. We’ve got a story about news publishers that face the challenges of unpredictability and polarization. These realities necessitate strategic shifts to adapt to a fast-paced, erratic political environment for US-based news publishers. The challenges of co
Fri, January 03, 2025
FIR #443: From RSS to ChatGPT -- FIR's 20-Year Tech Communications Chronicle
For Immediate Release launched on January 3, 2005. Episode #1 explained what podcasting is, then looked at the role blogs played in the tsunami tragedy in Asia. On our 20th anniversary, Neville and Shel recall FIR’s origins and the many changes the show has undergone in two decades, some significant milestones, memorable moments, some of the challenges we have faced over the years, and other recollections. We will return to our normal programming next week. Links from this episode: FIR Episode #1 First mention of podcasting for business (Rex Hammock) in September 2024 FIR Interview: Michael Whiley at GM on the GM Blog (February 22, 2005) FIR Interview with Steve Rubel (March 26, 2005) FIR #100 (January 5, 2006) FIR #191 : Two Decades in 2.5 Hours (January 20, 2020) Pivoting the FIR Podcast (January 10, 2022) FIR at 19: A Milestone in Podcasting FIR #377: Two Decades of Podcasting (January 5, 2024) Podcast Statistics and Data, Buzzsprout The Future of Podcasting: 9 Trends for Creators & Companies”, Riverside “The Power of Podcasts: Why Every Business Needs a Voice in 2025”, One Zero Creative The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, January 27. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog<
Thu, December 26, 2024
FIR #442: Justin Baldoni's Attack on Blake Lively Explains Why PR is a Dirty Word
Astroturfing, smear campaigns, social media manipulation, unauthorized release of private information, defamation, character assassination, whisper campaigns, media planting, and gaslighting. These activities are undertaken by the seamiest, most ethically challenged public relations practitioners. While there are far more PR professionals who abide by ethical codes, the bad actors get all the attention, leading to a sordid reputation for the industry that some believe we will never be able to overcome. The latest example comes from the agency representing actor/producer/director Justin Baldoni, who responded to accusations of inappropriate behavior by engaging an agency that employed all of the tactics listed above. Initially, the campaign had the desired effect but ultimately backfired as the campaign itself drew more attention than the original allegations. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel examine the controversy and address the idea of requiring licensing or certification of all PR practitioners and whether it would weed out those who find codes of ethics to be mere inconveniences to be ignored. The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, January 27. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Links from this episode: Blake Lively’s claims against Justin Baldoni put spotlight on ‘hostile’ Hollywood tactics New York Times’s TikTok report <a class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bobpickard_we-can-bury-anyone-inside-a-hollywood-activity-7276392466470035456-01zF/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-qa="message_attachment_title_
Mon, December 23, 2024
FIR #441: PR, AI, and Social Media Are All Shook Up
The world’s biggest PR agency laid off five percent of its global staff. It’s a sign of the headwinds facing the industry, including reduced opportunities for earned media, which is what PR agencies spend a lot of their time trying to achieve. We’ll explore what’s happening in the PR agency world in the long-form FIR episode for December 2024. Also in this episode, an update on the social media landscape, with Reddit surpassing X (formerly Twitter) in the U.K.; a look at some of the key findings in “AI Activated,” the latest relevance report from the USC Annenberg School; there’s a waiting list for an app that’s being called a feed reader for the fediverse; communicators are gearing up for challenges that face them as Donald Trump prepares to return to the U.S. presidency; and there’s new information about how businesses are adapting to Artificial Intelligence. In his Tech Report, Dan York, recounts his trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the United Nations’ internet governance body’s meeting; he also shares his thoughts on efforts to protect children from social media’s harms. The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, January 27. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Links from this episode: Reddit launches AI-powered Reddit Answers to upgrade platform search Bluesky promises to shake up social media. It might finally succeed. <a class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/media/tiktok-young-news-publisher
Wed, December 18, 2024
FIR #440: Experimenting for Influence
Even when they know it has been rigged, people assign a lot of credibility to experiments. When they see the experiment produce favorable results, for example, potential customers might be more inclined to buy. Experiments can also influence decision-makers in your company — again, even if they assume you put your thumb on the scale. The phenomenon is similar to wrestling, with audiences knowing the match is staged by enjoying it all the same. Neville and Shel review some research on the subject and discuss ways communicators can apply experimentation to their work in this short midweek episode. Links from this episode: Socializing an Idea? Experiments Can Help Convince Your Audience | Working Knowledge The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, December 23. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Raw transcript: Hi everyone, and welcome to four immediate release episode four 40. I’m Neville Hobson. And I’m Shel Holtz, and Marketing. Is hard. Seriously it’s getting more and more difficult to influence people. Some businesses are finding that experimentation can be a powerful tool, not just for making decisions about the marketing approach that you’re gonna take, but as an actual instrument of influence. A recent study by Harvard Business School’s, Rebecca Karp and her colleagues, reveals that business experiments can serve. Two purposes, gathering data and persuading stakeholders. We’ll dive into how this plays out in two distinct complimentary approaches right after this. First, let’s examine how experiments influence I internal decision makers. Carps research shows that business experiments frequently become what she calls staged pe
Fri, December 13, 2024
FIR #439: Agentic AI Tops Digital Trends for 2025
There is a common thread among many of the predictions and trends posts that typically blossom across the web as the year draws to a close: AI agents are poised to revolutionize (a word we don’t use lightly) work in 2025. The frontier AI models — ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Llama, and a few others — have captured imaginations and led to various uses throughout the business world. But these chatbots, which deliver answers to natural-language queries, will pale compared to agentic AI, which sets off to complete tasks that require multiple steps autonomously. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel delve into agentic AI and its possibilities for communicators, along with five other digital marketing trends. Links from this episode: Top 2025 digital marketing trends: AI, MMM, and more Greg Isenberg’s list of agentic AI possibilities on LinkedIn The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, December 23. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Raw transcript: Hi everybody, and welcome to episode number 439 of four immediate release. I’m She Holtz. And I’m Neville Hobson. We are close to Christmas, the time of year when marketers, communicators, and everyone comes out with predictions and trends for 2025, the come following year which is that year, we have one here. We’ve talked about a couple recently, and this one’s actually quite interesting. Last week Google celebrated 25 years of they say transforming how we search and discover and shared its vision for the top marketing trends shaping 2025. From smarter
Wed, December 04, 2024
FIR #438: Google's AI Overviews Upend SEO
It doesn’t seem to be a big deal at first glance. A Google AI Overview answers a search query at the top of a Search Engine Results Page (SERP). Beneath it, all those traditional links and snippets are still there. However, analyses reveal that many people are reading the AI Overview and calling it quits — they never click a link to visit a website. That’s concerning to organizations that have relied on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to drive traffic to their pages. In this short midweek FIR podcast episode, Neville and Shel look at the data and the trends and recommend actions communicators can take to ensure their web properties still get attention as the shift to AI search continues. Links from this episode: How brands can stay competitive as AI Overviews transform search New Report Shows AI Overviews Trends Are Stabilizing How Google’s AIO Is Affecting SEO How to monitor brand visibility across AI search channels Alphabet Inc. (GOOG)’s AI Overviews Impact: Traffic and Engagement Drops for Publishers Will AI search suck the personality out of your brand? The impact of AI on keyword research and SEO optimisation The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, December 23. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused <a href="https://flipboard.com/@shelholtz/welcome-to-the-m
Mon, December 02, 2024
FIR #437: AI Takes Root in the Workplace
Research finds that corporations no longer see AI as a novelty; it’s a full-blown business tool, one that is so critical that its development is mostly being done in-house. In the November long-form episode of “For Immediate Release,” Neville and Shel review new research about AI’s place in the business world and among employees. Also in this episode, we take a look at social media in 2024 — a consequential year — and what to expect in 2025. Beutler Ink has published its principles for ethically engaging with Wikipedia. Companies will twist themselves in knots deciding whether, and how, to respond to social and political issues that arise during the next four years of the second Trump Administration. Bluesky’s growing popularity, and an open API, has led to a burgeoning collection of third-party apps. And Coca-Cola misfired with an AI-generated holiday commercial…or did they? In his Tech Report, Dan York looks at the post-Twitter social media world, Bluesky’s looming challenges, X’s reminder that it owns your account; the impending court decision on the TikTok ban, and Australia’s new law banning social media for children under 16. The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, December 23. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Links from this episode: How Are Companies Really Using AI? A New Report Has Answers How generations feel about AI at work <a class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.reworked.co/employee-experience/employees-and
Wed, November 27, 2024
FIR #436: Nothin' But Bluesky (and TikTok and Threads, and Instagram and WhatsApp...)
Bluesky — the Twitter-esque social network that has suddenly started attracting refugees from Elon Musk’s X — had its start when Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey asked software engineer Jay Graber to introduce federation to Twitter. She told him she couldn’t, but she could create a new social network based on a new federation protocol called AT, a decentralized foundation for public social media. At first, Bluesky was an invitation-only network. Many of those who scored invites were underwhelmed. But a surge of migrations from X has reinvigorated Bluesky, which is also adding features as a further incentive for people to join and stay. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel discuss Bluesky’s potential and whether communicators should consider establishing a presence for their companies or clients. Links from this episode: Bluesky’s Boom: Are We Watching the Next Big Shift? – NevilleHobson .com Journalists Are Leaving X for Bluesky. Will They Stay There? Bluesky Is Growing Up. Maybe Too Fast. Benefits of an open network Inside Bluesky’s big growth surge Mass X-odus: professionals desert Elon Musk’s network Number of users on Bluesky How Bluesky, Alternative to X and Facebook, Is Handling Explosive Growth Journalists Are Leaving X for Bluesky. Will They Stay There? Like ‘old Twitter’: The scientific community finds a
Wed, November 20, 2024
FIR #435: Physical Presence is Not a Collaboration Magic Bullet
When executives justify their return-to-office mandates, they almost universally cite the collaboration and innovation that result from serendipitous encounters between employees. They also point to the need to boost productivity. The problem with these arguments is that the evidence does not support them. In this short midweek FIR episode, Neville and Shel look at one financial services company that has seen eye-popping increases in performance metrics since listening to its employees and adopting a policy that lets employees work where they want. We also review a report on what it actually takes to build connections and collaboration in organizations. Links from this episode: RTO mandates aren’t for everyone. Here’s what we did instead—and it’s working: Synchrony CEO Synchrony’s Rick Hartnack: ‘Remote Work Model Is A Competitive Advantage’ What Employers Get Wrong About How People Connect at Work How to Improve Employee Engagement in the Workplace 5 Strategies To Boost Employee Engagement In The Workplace The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, November 25. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog
Wed, November 13, 2024
FIR #434: Podcasts Defeat Mainstream Media in 2024 U.S. Election
Among the many post-election analyses flooding media channels are reports that mainstream media and social media wielded far less influence than they have in the past. Instead, influencers and podcasts held sway. In this short midweek FIR episode, Neville and Shel break down the reports and discuss the impact on communicators far beyond the election and politics. Links from this episode: Borkowski Media Trends: US Election Special Donald Trump’s America: Reflections on a Country in Flux – NevilleHobson .com Trump’s Win Cemented It: New Media Is Leaving the Old Guard Behind How AI shaped the 2024 election: From ad strategy to voter sentiment analysis Victorious Trump campaign spent far less on social media than in 2020 The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, November 25. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Raw Transcript: Hi everybody, and welcome to episode number 434 of four immediate release. I’m She Ho
Mon, October 28, 2024
FIR #433: Something Old, Something New
Blogs have been with us for 30 years, which qualifies as “something old.” In this long-form episode of FIR for October, we’ll examine the state of the oldest social media category. We’ll also examine the state of generative Artificial Intelligence, which has been around, for all practical purposes, since November 2022, which makes it “something new.” In this episode, we’ll also explore Reddit’s potential as a channel for government agencies and businesses to engage with stakeholders during a crisis and which agencies and brands are already there. Intuit’s chief communication officer didn’t like the direction a podcast interview with his CEO took, so he demanded the podcast trim the parts he didn’t like. Was he justified? The news media has gained a reputation for clickbait, but it recently took a dark turn. And, executives justify their return-to-office push by citing the need for greater collaboration and connection among employees. But does having everyone in the office produce those results? We’ll look at the research. In his Tech Report, Dan York (joined by a special guest) shares details of a VC investment round for Bluesky, and how competitors like Mastodon reacted. The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, November 25. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Links from this episode: Is Reddit the Future of Crisis Communications? From the technology community on Reddit: Intuit asked us to delete part of this Decoder episode – we declined <a class="c-li
Fri, October 18, 2024
FIR #432: The CEO Authenticity Balancing Act
CEOs and other senior executives are increasingly expected to nurture a presence on social media—especially LinkedIn, which has seen a 35-percent increase in C-suite professionals in the U.S. over the last five years. These executives are also expected to be authentic in their online engagements, even sharing some details of their personal lives. Professionals also expect their leaders to speak out on pressing societal issues. It’s rare to find an executive who is comfortable displaying vulnerability. That’s where communicators need to step in, helping leaders find the most comfortable way to engage authentically online. Links from this episode: Power and influencers: CEOs on social media Authenticity is the New Trend for CEOs to Forge Stronger Connections, According to the Weber Shandwick Report Why being “real” is the new power play for CEOs The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, October 28. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #432: The CEO Authenticity Balancing Act appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Wed, October 02, 2024
FIR #431: The Evolution of Influence
In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel dive into PRWeek’s “The Evolution of Influence” report, exploring the dynamic shifts in how public relations professionals exert influence in today’s fast-changing landscape. We break down the seven key themes revealed by the survey, including the growing challenges of decentralization, the increasing importance of AI in PR, and the ever-present threat of fake news and deepfakes. Join us as we unpack these insights and discuss how communicators can stay ahead of the curve in maintaining consumer trust, authenticity, and influence in a digital-first world. Links from this episode New Notified/PRWeek Survey Sheds Light on the Evolving Nature of Influence The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, October 28. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #431: The Evolution of Influence appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Mon, September 30, 2024
FIR #430: Influencers, Memes, and AI Boost Marketing Transparency Mandate
Much of the content in this monthly long-form episode of FIR spotlights rising trends in marketing, including employee influencers, Gen Z’s rising power as influencers, the role of influencers in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and AI’s growing presence in the marketing space. All of this is raising alarms about the need for marketers to be transparent and laser-focused on what matters to their stakeholders. Also in this episode: the dominance of chat podcasts and Dan York’s money-focused Tech Report. The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, October 28. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Links from this episode: NotebookLM Drives AI Audio Conversations That Feel Human – NevilleHobson .com Gen Z powers the rise of the corporate influencer Will This Be The First Influencer Election? How to Do Meme Marketing, According to Memelord Jason Levin What is Meme Marketing and How to Use Memes to Boost Brand Voice What is Meme Marketing? Strategy, Benefits and Example Case Study: Le
Fri, September 27, 2024
FIR #429: Fake Podcasters Dusciss Debunkbot
Debunkbot was designed to talk people out of their beliefs in conspiracy theories — and it works. To discuss this remarkable chatbot, we turned to PDF2Audio, which creates an audio podcast discussion (or summary or lecture) from any uploaded PDF. It’s not Google’s NotebookLM, which features a similar capability within a more robust note-keeping tool, nor does it replicate the easy-going, conversational flow that Notebook LM delivers. However, it offers multiple voices, avoiding the sameness of NotebookLM’s outputs. Both tools — though jaw-dropping — have flaws, but given that the technology is just months old, it’s not hard to imagine what it will be capable of in the next few years. Links from this episode: Durably reducing conspiracy theories through dialogues with AI Meet ‘DebunkBot’: Can AI truly combat conspiracy theories? How an AI ‘debunkbot’ can change a conspiracy theorist’s mind NotebookLM NotebookLM Drives AI Audio Conversations That Feel Human (Neville Hobson) Christopher S. Penn’s LinkedIn post on NotebookLM PDF2Audio The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, September 30. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #429: Fake Podcasters Discuss Real Debunkbot appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Wed, September 25, 2024
FIR #428: Which AI Tool Is Best For What?
Edelman, the global PR agency, has vetted the current crop of AI tools, winnowing out those not enterprise-ready, categorizing them, and identifying those that excel at various tasks. Given the dozens (if not more) of new AI tools that appear every day, this can be a big help to overwhelmed communicators who can’t take the time to try out every app that looks potentially useful. Does the report measure up to its promise? Find out in this short midweek episode. Links from this episode: Edelman’s 2024 AI Landscape Report The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, September 30. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #428: Which AI Tool Is Best For What? appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Wed, September 04, 2024
FIR #427: The Metaverse Lives! Just Don't Call It The Metaverse.
When OpenAI released Chat GPT 3.5 in November 2022, conversations about virtually any other technology were sucked into the vacuum of space. Venture capitalists and other investors shifted priorities overnight, sinking billions into Gen AI and often turning their backs on other endeavors. That and the colossal failure that is Meta’s Horizon Worlds fueled a belief that the metaverse is dead. It is not. Considerable work is still being done while well over 1 billion people use existing metaverse technologies. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel look at the state of the metaverse, which is more vibrant and active than you may have thought. Links from this episode: You’re thinking of the metaverse all wrong, says Matthew Ball The future of the metaverse and Extended Reality Navigating beyond the hype: the metaverse, take two Metaverse Development Complete Guide — What You Need to Know About the Metaverse in 2024 The State of the Metaverse 2024 | Challenges & Opportunities Metaverse in 2024 The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, September 30. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #427: The Metaverse Lives! Just Don’t Call It The Metaverse. appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Fri, August 30, 2024
FIR #426: We've Got Your Share of Model Right Here
“Share of model” refers to the frequency or prominence with which a particular brand, keyword, or phrase appears in an LLM’s responses to user prompts relative to competing brands or related terms. It measures how often and favorably an LLM mentions or discusses a specific entity or concept in its outputs. Marketers and PR practitioners were accustomed to measuring share of voice in search results as part of the SEO efforts. As searches shift to generative AI models, a new approach is needed. Hubspot has just introduced one, and Neville and Shel take a look at AI Search Grader in this short midweek episode. Links from this episode: AI Search Grader AI Search Grader: A New Era in Brand Awareness and Sentiment Analysis From SEO to LMO: HubSpot launches the first free tool for AI discovery FIR #417: As AI Adoption Grows, Is Share of Model the New Metric? The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, September 23. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #426: We’ve Got Your Share of Model Right Here appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Mon, August 26, 2024
FIR #425: Stand Up, Stand Out, or Shut Down?
The desire to stand out has declined significantly over the last 20 years, according to a new study. That has serious implications for society, business, and communicators. Meanwhile, shutting off comments on your social media channel could have worse repercussions than putting up with comments you don’t want to see. Also in this episode, The fediverse is gaining traction, which leads one commentator to wonder if it’s time for governments to set up their own instances. Corporate boards are bracing for more anti-DEI backlash, but does that mean they’re backing away from their goals? Gen Z’s enthusiasm for Kamala Harris’s U.S. presidential bid is no accident, as her campaign cracks the content code, notably on TikTok. Generative Artificial Intelligence is changing the search engine optimization (SEO) game. In his Tech Report, Dan York reports on new Threads features, Spotify and YouTube taking Apple’s podcast crown, the photo manipulation capabilities of Google’s new Pixel 9 line of phones, and one company’s stand against AI. The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, September 23. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Links from this episode: Fediverse for Freedom Fewer people want to stand out in public than 20 years ago Corporate boards brace for DEI backlash <a class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link"
Wed, August 21, 2024
FIR #424: The Rise of the Hybrid Communication Officer
As we reported nearly a year ago, communication’s influence is growing among organizational leadership. However, in many companies, executive acceptance of communication may be taking a worrisome turn as additional responsibilities are being tacked onto the communication role, including sustainability and DEI. Is this because some companies see a natural synergy between these roles? Is it because the roles are viewed as soft, less important, and easily lumped together? Whatever the reason, it’s worth wondering whether coupling these roles dilutes the communication executive’s ability to do either well. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel explore the trend of coupling communication with another C-suite job. Links from this episode: Chief communications officers are absorbing more corporate functions, new report New report: Communication’s growing influence in the C-suite FIR #361: Is There a Seat at the Table in Corporate Communication’s Future? The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, August 26. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #424: The Rise of the Hybrid Communication Officer appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Thu, August 15, 2024
FIR #423: As Op-Eds Fade into History, Where Does Thought Leadership Belong?
Op-eds pay off. According to one analysis, New York Times opinion articles get 37 percent more readers than the newspaper’s general news coverage. Wall Street Journal op-eds attract 571 percent more readers than its general news. (That’s not a typo. Five hundred seventy-one percent.) However, more and more news outlets are shuttering their opinion sections or severely reducing the space available for op-eds. Celebrity CEOs may well be able to pitch op-eds, but this channel is no longer an option for the leaders of most organizations. Many leaders are turning to LinkedIn to share their insights. Is that the only option? In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel examine the state of thought leadership and the channels communicators may not be considering. Links from this episode: Thought leaders flock to social media as opinion sections shutter The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, August 26. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #423: As Op-Eds Fade into History, Where Does Thought Leadership Belong? appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Wed, August 14, 2024
FIR #422: Will AI Kill the Consulting Billable Hours Model?
Neville and Shel both spent time at a global Human Resources consulting firm in addition to their long tenures as independent consultants. At the core of all consulting is the labor-intensive work that takes time, and time is money. Every consultant has an hourly billable rate, and even when quoting project fees, those fees are based on the hours required to complete the project. This model has been under strain for decades, leading to concepts like “value-add,” in which hourly fees are supplemented by the additional value the consultant supposedly brings to the project (which is, after all, supposed to be reflected in their hourly rate). Now, AI may be the nail in the coffin for the billable hour model, in addition to fundamental consultant structures and offerings. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel examine the state of consulting in the AI age. Links from this episode: The Business Consulting Industry Is Being Disrupted, and Nothing Can Stop It How AI is Changing the Consulting Game – NevilleHobson .com Re-evaluating consultancy pricing in the age of AI The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, August 26. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #422: Will AI Kill the Consulting Billable Hours Model? appeared first on <a href="
Tue, August 06, 2024
FIR #421: GenAI Is Paying Off for Individual Employees
The End of the Generative Artificial-Intelligence Bubble The End of Investors’ Generative AI Honeymoon Will Generative AI Really Pay Off? Generative AI Seed Funding Drops 76% As Investors Take A Wait-and-See Approach Is Generative AI Worth the Investment? These are all headlines from the last several weeks suggesting, as Gartner believes, that generative AI has arrived at the trough of disillusionment (the low point in Gartner’s technology hype cycle). This skepticism can be attributed to the fact that there haven’t been any breakthrough products that have produced huge revenues. Instead of companies making big investments in AI, individual employees are using free or low-cost tools independently. While those enterprise tools are undoubtedly coming, employees using ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, and Copilot are seeing big gains in productivity and even creativity. A new report from Microsoft — which looks at Copilot use by 6,000 employees in more than 60 organizations — reinforces this view. In this midweek episode, Neville and Shel dig into the report, along with a Washington Post study that ranks how individuals are using generative AI. Links from this episode: Generative AI in Real-World Workplaces (Microsoft report) What do people really ask chatbots? It’s a lot of sex and homework The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, August 26. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #421: GenAI Is Paying Of
Mon, July 29, 2024
FIR #420: How Well Did CrowdStrike Handle Its Crisis Communications?
A faulty software update caused the biggest IT outage in history, affecting everything from commercial airline flights to hospitals. The crisis communication demands on CrowdStrike were enormous. How well did the company acquit itself? Neville and Shel look at the company’s response and share what some crisis experts have said. Also in this episode, there’s increased reporting on the strike between journalists and media relations professionals. People are still searching on Google, but they are not clicking on any of the results, creating headaches for websites that need visitors to survive. Ogilvy has introduced a service to deal with rogue influencers. A newsletter has made its way into the fediverse as social networks like Threads continue to expand their fediverse presence. NATO is taking its case to the public in a novel format: a graphic novel. In his tech report, Dan York shares his thoughts on the U.S. Supreme Court decision dealing with content moderation and why it’s important for communicators, the release of WordPress 6.6, and the CrowdStrike outage. The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, August 26. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Links from this episode: Mark Borkowski on the journalist-PR rift (LinkedIn) ‘So many damn follow-ups’ – journalist Jay Rayner slates ‘unfocused’ PR outreach <a class=
Wed, July 24, 2024
FIR #419: Is Shadow AI an Evil Lurking in the Heart of Your Company?
The headline is a bit dramatic but it was hard to pass up the “Shadow” reference. In fact, Shadow AI refers to employees covertly using generative AI tools at work without IT, HR, and other departments knowing about it. A recent report found vthat 27.4% of the content employees fed into AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini was sensitive, a 10.7% increase from a year ago. The most sensitive data types shared with AI tools are customer support (16.3%), source code (12.7%), research and development material (10.8%), and unreleased marketing material (6.6%). HR and employee records represent 3.9% of sensitive information uploaded to AI chatbots, including confidential HR details, employee compensation, and medical issues. Neville and Shel examine the problem and the role internal communicators can play in this short midweek episode. Links from this episode: WTF is Shadow AI? Cyberhaven Report: Surge in ‘Shadow AI’ Accounts Poses Fresh Risks to Corporate Data Shadow AI: how employees are leading the charge in AI adoption and putting company data at risk The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, July 29. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #419: Is Shadow AI an Evil Lurking in the Heart of Your Company? appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Fri, July 19, 2024
FIR #418: These Are Our Rock-Solid Beliefs -- Unless You Don't Like Them
For years, Tractor Supply has touted its values and how firmly it has committed to them, as demonstrated by the fact that the Tennessee-based retailer recently set new targets, having already met the ones it established in 2018. But a vitriolic campaign by a right-wing podcaster led the company to summarily abandon those values, leading some employees to quit and diverse members of the company’s customer base to speak up. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel discuss how firmly a company should stand up for what it believes, especially as political divides threaten organizations’ ability to do what’s best for the business. Links from this episode: Tractor Supply retailer drops diversity efforts, and employees quit Black farmers’ group calls for Tractor Supply CEO’s resignation after DEI cuts Lessons From Tractor Supply’s Sudden Reversal On Its Commitment To DEI Tractor Supply’s Customers Cheer as It Dumps ESG, Says Survey Tractor Supply may have thought it solved a big problem. Now it has a few more. DEI Might Be Dying: John Deere and Microsoft Make Big Changes The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, July 29. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blo
Wed, July 17, 2024
FIR #417: As AI Adoption Grows, Is Share of Model the New Metric?
Share of voice, share of search, share of conversation—brands are forever measuring their share in whatever space they want to dominate. Now that people are seeking answers from generative AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, brands will need to know whether they show up in the responses these models deliver. There is already a proposal to call this measurement “share of model.” In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel will explain what it means and how brands can get the same out of GenAI models that they have been getting out of Google (i.e., share of search) using SEO techniques. Links from this episode: ‘Share of model’ is the new marketing measure for the AI era Share of Model: A New Metric for Marketing Strategies Understanding Share of Model: a vital metric for progressive marketers Marketers Are Tracking a New Metric: Share of Model The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, July 29. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #417: As AI Adoption Grows, Is Share of Model the New Metric? appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Thu, July 11, 2024
FIR #416: No Likes. No Follows. No Stress!
Maven is a new social network that eschews likes and follows — the features of other social networks that induce stress and anxiety in users who feel compelled to grow their numbers rather than have meaningful conversations. But if brands can’t build a follower base or measure engagement on their posts, is there a use case for establishing a presence on Maven? Neville and Shel look at the possibilities in this short midweek episode. Links from this episode: Maven Maven Is a New Social Network That Eliminates Followers—and Hopefully Stress All you need to know about Maven, the social network with no likes and followers Reviving Social Media Interest with Maven’s AI-Powered ‘Serendipity Network’ Anxiety-free social media? Maven thinks it has a formula for it The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, July 29. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post <
Wed, July 03, 2024
FIR #415: A Staggering Failure of Leadership and Communication
The UK Post Office scandal is a stark example of leadership and communication failures. When a faulty computer system was implemented, it erroneously flagged financial discrepancies, leading to the wrongful conviction of numerous subpostmasters for theft and false accounting. Instead of addressing the software’s errors, the Post Office’s crisis communication strategy focused on concealment and covering up misdeeds. This approach exacerbated the situation and severely damaged the organization’s reputation and trust. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel discuss how transparency and accountability should have been the focus of leadership and how other companies’ crises could have been instructive for the Post Office’s leaders. Links from this episode: Opinion: Public relations lessons from the Post Office scandal British Post Office scandal (Wikipedia) The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, July 29. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #415: A Staggering Failure of Leadership and Communication appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Fri, June 28, 2024
FIR #414: Companies Treat Remote/Hybrid Like It's Temporary. It's Not.
Organizations need to adopt policies and communication strategies based on the acknowledgment that remote/hybrid work is here to stay. The current state of play is rooted in an assumption that it’s temporary, creating tensions between workers and leaders and leaving pre-pandemic company cultures in shambles. In a survey conducted jointly by the International Association of Business Communicators ( IABC ) and the USC Annenberg School of Communication , communicators shared their views about how remote/hybrid is going four years after it was thrust on organizations and its impact on the internal communication function. These results were presented on June 26 at a session of the IABC World Conference in Chicago. A press release is set for distribution the week of July 1, with survey results available soon after. Links from this episode: Check back for links after the survey has been released The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, July 29. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #414: Companies Treat Remote/Hybrid Like It’s Temporary. It’s Not. appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Thu, June 20, 2024
FIR #413: AI is Coming for Copywriters
We are told, “AI won’t take your job.” Instead, “Someone who knows how to use AI will take your job.” Tell that to the scores of copywriters who have already lost their jobs to generative AI. With ChatGPT and its competitors in the frontier LLM space being used to write more than anything else, agencies and organizations are figuring out how to craft prompts that turn out decent copy. Some copywriters are figuring out how to stay relevant, though, including taking gigs improving the copy these AI tools churn out. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel examine these trends and wonder what they mean for other communication jobs. Links from this episode: AI took their jobs. Now they get paid to make it sound human Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Future of Copywriting The Impact of AI on Copywriting Jobs in the Next 5 Years Facebook post on using an AI tool instead of a ghostwriter Don’t Be Naive, AI Will Take Jobs, by David Armano Marshall Goldsmith’s AI Bot The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, July 29. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #413: AI Is Coming for Copywriters appeared first on <a href="https://www.firpodcas
Mon, June 17, 2024
FIR #412: Don't Let the Door Hit You on Your Way Out
You work for one of the biggest consulting firms in the world. You’ve been told that taking a voluntary separation package from the company is in your best interest. When you agree (not that you had much choice), you’re asked to sign an agreement that not only won’t you disparage the company, but you’ll use the language provided to you to let your colleagues know why you’re leaving (nothing bad about the company) and how great your time there has been. With more than 330,000 employees in this company, won’t anybody think identical farewell messages from multiple employees find this a bit suspicious? That’s what happened at PwC, our lead topic in this monthly long-form FIR episode for June 2024. Also in this episode: Megainfluencers charge as much as $1.5 million for a single post. Could you do better with a bunch of mico and nanoinfluencers? New studies are out from Deloitte and McKinsey on the state of AI in the workplace. AI avatars and coworkers are starting to show up in some companies as the tools to create them get easier to deploy. Publishers worldwide have been hit by Facebook deleting posts that have been inaccurately identified as spam. And your favorite brand that showed such commitment to that social cause a few years ago? They don’t care about being “woke” anymore. Dan York is focused on policy in his Tech Report, looking at age verification laws that are popping up all over the place, Canada imposing a tax on streaming services (after a less-than-optimal experience with a link tax), and a U.S. Supreme Court Decision is due about content moderation. The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, July 29. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. Links from this episode: PwC asks for silence from departing staff in programme of UK job cuts <a class="c-l
Wed, June 12, 2024
FIR #411: Are We Unnecessarily Panicked About Online Disinformation?
Several studies seem to suggest that a small cadre of “supersharers” was responsible for spreading 80 percent of “fake news” on X (formerly Twitter) in 2020. Further, by removing these supersharers from the platforms they use to spread misinformation and disinformation, the number of lies appearing on the social network plummeted. What’s more, another study found that most people aren’t swayed by online misinformation and disinformation. As a result, all the panic about online misinformation and disinformation could be overblown. Or not. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel examine the data and what’s missing to reach a conclusion about communicators’ role in addressing what’s true and what’s not online. Links from this episode: The misinformation panic may be over Misinformation works, and a handful of social ‘supersharers’ sent 80% of it in 2020 AI image misinformation has surged, Google researchers find Majorities in most countries surveyed say social media is good for democracy Are concerns about misinformation and disinformation online overblown? The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, June 17. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. To obtain the credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request them in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and d
Fri, June 07, 2024
FIR #410: Who's Behind All Those Fake LinkedIn Profiles?
PRovoke Media broke a story about at least 11 fake profiles of people who listed a PR recruitment firm as their employers. LinkedIn removed them as fakes—an action with which the business-centric social network is all too familiar. So far, no other media outlets seem interested in the story. Still, Neville and Shel wonder about the motivation behind the profiles — under other circumstances, fake profiles can easily be used for illicit purposes — and the amount of effort organizations will need to take to ensure profiles listing them as employers are legitimate. Links from this episode: LinkedIn Removes Fake Employee Profiles Tied To PR Recruitment Firm The next monthly, long-form episode of FIR will drop on Monday, June 17. We host a Communicators Zoom Chat most Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. For credentials needed to participate, contact Shel or Neville directly, request the credentials in our Facebook group, or email fircomments@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jay Moonah for the opening and closing music. You can find the stories from which Shel’s FIR content is selected at Shel’s Link Blog . Shel has started a metaverse-focused Flipboard magazine . You can catch up with both co-hosts on Neville’s blog and Shel’s blog . Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are Shel’s and Neville’s and do not reflect the views of their employers and/or clients. The post FIR #410: Who’s Behind All Those Fake LinkedIn Profiles? appeared first on FIR Podcast Network .
Wed, June 05, 2024
FIR #409: Just Another Fad
Despite the excitement over the possibilities generative AI provides, it was easy to predict that doubters would insist it’s just a fad — the same naysaying we heard about email, the web, social media, podcasting, live streaming, and a host of other digital technologies. In this case, the reports conflict with other research showing rapid adoption, even if we’re not anywhere close to widespread consumer use of gen AI tools, which nobody expects after only 18 months since ChatGPT 3.5 was unveiled. In this short midweek episode, Neville and Shel compare the reports and look at the potential for communicators to fall behind with yet another important technology. Links from this episode: Is AI all a fad? A new report suggests very few people are using tools like ChatGPT and the hype is being misconstrued for actual public interest What does the public in six countries think of generative AI in news? New AI tools much hyped but not much used, study says Forward Thinking on the brave new world of generative AI with Ethan Mollick A.I. Promised to Upend the 2024 Campaign. It Hasn’t Yet. How Tech Journalists Are Fueling the AI Hype Machin
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