#FuturePRoof podcast: Socially Mobile update

With Stephen and Sarah Waddington

Socially Mobile is a not for profit public relations school that aims to help practitioners achieve their earning potential. It is applying an executive education model to help address socio-economic diversity within the industry.

The project expects to launch its first cohort of students in October. The learning design is complete and content production underway. We're looking for support sharing the story of Socially Mobile with industry networks, candidate recruitment, and assessment and marketing.

We're grateful to the growing Socially Mobile community but especially donors, sponsors and teachers. Our sponsors include Astute.Work, CoverageBook, Curzon PR, Don't Cry Wolf, Porter Novelli, Story Comms and Wadds Inc.

For further information please visit sociallymobile.org.uk

www.futureproofingcomms.co.uk/

#FuturePRoof podcast: Socially Mobile launch

With Stephen and Sarah Waddington

In this latest edition of the #FuturePRoof podcast we discuss:

• Big news as Sarah is awarded a CBE for services to public relations and the voluntary sectors in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
• The launch of Socially Mobile – we’d love your support and will shortly be recruiting assessors – please watch this space and get involved.
• Research from the National Centre for Universities and Business and the University of Cambridge shows the pandemic has caused a hiatus in R&D and innovation. The findings are a matter for concern considering the necessary role of innovation and R&D as the UK moves to strengthen its position as a global science superpower, as set out in the 2021 Queen’s Speech.
• The lockdown boom for agency startups following publication of the latest Wadds Inc. report.
• The federal government in Nigeria has banned Twitter. It has serious implications for democracy and public discourse.
• The Brandwatch Customer Loyalty Report published in conjunction with GWI is worth a look for retailers wanting to know which issues they should be focusing on in 2021.
• Ethics – the good, bad and the ugly of recent corporate behaviour.

www.futureproofingcomms.co.uk/

#FuturePRoof: Rethink and reconnect

With Stephen and Sarah Waddington

The Conservatives had a good local election last week however Labour seems more disconnected than ever. Meanwhile the SNP has extended its lead in Scotland and is demanding a second vote on independence.

Actor, director and writer Noel Clarke was awarded the prize for outstanding British contribution to cinema by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Two weeks earlier BAFTA was informed about the existence of several allegations of verbal abuse, bullying and sexual harassment.

Income for the top 150 agencies was down 4.3% to £1.36 billion in 2020 compared to £1.42 billion in 2019, according to PRWeek. However more than 50 agencies launched during the COVID-19 pandemic between January 2020 to March 2021.

The PRCA UK National Conference: Communications and influence in the post-pandemic erais planned as an in-person event on 8 July. The CIPR (19 May) and PRFest (14-18 June) have also announced conferences on sustainability. Both are virtual.

ESG is both a label and an organising principle that represents everything about people and the planet. A new report by Stephen and Dr Jon White, published by Vuelio, explores the role of PR in supporting planning, horizon scanning, metrics and reporting.

David Gallagher and John O’Brien’s book Truth Be Told is Stephen’s recommendation of the month. Sarah’s shout out is for Rich Leigh and the team at RadioActive who have organised meetups in London and Manchester on 1 and 22 July respectively.

www.futureproofingcomms.co.uk/