In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the prevalent issue of burnout among agency owners. They explore the different types of burnout, including cyclical and long-term burnout, and offer strategies to identify, cope with, and prevent it. Key recommendations include taking regular breaks, understanding personal energy drains and boosts, and adjusti…

A Columbia University student was expelled for developing an AI-driven tool to help applicants to software coding jobs cheat on the tests employers require them to take. You can call such a tool deplorable or agree with the student that it’s a legit resource. It’s hard to argue with the $5 million in seed funding the student and his partner have ra…

Videos from virtual influencers are on the rise, according to a report from YouTube. And AI will play a significant role in the service’s offerings, with every video uploaded to the platform potentially dubbed into every spoken language, with the speaker’s lips reanimated to sync with the words they are speaking. Meanwhile, the growing flood of AI-…

Zora Artis is a leading voice in strategic internal communication with a passion for how IC can lead the integration of AI into the workplace in ways that reinforce, rather than replace, human connection. In this FIR Interview, Neville Hobson and Shel Holtz speak with Zora about how artificial intelligence is reshaping internal communication, promp…

Misinformation and disinformation aren’t just problems for the news media—they’re also becoming critical concerns for corporate and organizational communicators. Whether it’s a viral post spreading false claims about your company, a deepfake video targeting a leader, a cloned voice trying to trick employees into transferring funds, or AI-generated …

In this episode, Chip talks with Rachel Sales from the PR agency Enunciate about managing client communications in a chaotic world. Rachel discusses the importance of empathy and strategy in addressing news and its impact on clients. They explore whether brand leaders should comment on current affairs, emphasizing the need for authenticity and alig…

The tide is turning. For several years, workers have enjoyed a seller’s market. Unemployment has been low, and companies have competed for the best employees. Now, for a variety of reasons, we are experiencing a surge in layoffs, exacerbated by sizable staff reductions in U.S. federal agencies. With so many newly-unemployed workers on the street, e…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the latest quarterly SAGA owner survey, which provides a mixed bag of results for agencies. They explore key findings, including the cautious optimism displayed by respondents, concerns about economic conditions, and the impact of government policies. Despite the varied performance of agencies, many are still …

In this episode, Shel Holtz and Neville Hobson discuss the evolving landscape of podcast consumption, particularly in light of Satya Nadella’s innovative approach to engaging with audio content through AI. They explore the significance of transcripts, the potential for AI to facilitate interactive experiences, and the challenges that come with adop…

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…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss what agency owners can do to weather the current climate of economic uncertainty and potential recession. Continue Reading → The post ALP 266: Preparing your agency for an uncertain future appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

We are swimming in data. Are we using it as effectively as we could? Join four Fellows of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) for a lively discussion on leveraging data to enhance organizational communication. In this episode of Circle of Fellows, our panel will explore how communication professionals can use data to shap…

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…

In this episode, Chip and Patrick Rogan discuss the balance between being supportive and maintaining business operations, emphasizing the importance of creative solutions and understanding regulatory requirements. Continue Reading → The post CWC 107: How to support your team in times of stress (featuring Patrick Rogan) appeared first on FIR Podcast…

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... Continue Reading …

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 handlin…

In this episode, Chip and Gini explore strategies for agency owners contemplating an exit plan. Continue Reading → The post ALP 265: Choosing the right exit strategy as an agency owner appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

In this episode, Chip chats with Lee McKnight, Jr. from RSW/US about the findings from their latest survey on agency and marketer perspectives. Continue Reading → The post CWC 106: Client perspectives on agencies in 2025 (featuring Lee McKnight, Jr.) appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

AI-powered search is fundamentally changing how reputations are built, managed, and perceived online. In this FIR Interview, we’re joined by Sam Michelson, founder and CEO of digital reputation management company Five Blocks, to discuss how companies and executives must rethink their approach to digital reputation management in a world where search…

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 pub…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the ongoing challenge of managing remote workers in the PR and marketing agency world. Continue Reading → The post ALP 264: Managing remote workers without micromanaging appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

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…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the practical uses and pitfalls of AI in agency lead generation and business development. Continue Reading → The post ALP 263: Using AI the right way for agency biz dev appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

Chip and guest Karen Swim of Solo PR Pro discuss the impact of economic, political, and societal issues on public relations and communications, emphasizing the need for adaptability in business strategies. Continue Reading → The post CWC 105: Communicating in the face of chaos, confusion, and conflict (featuring Karen Swim) appeared first on FIR Po…

For nearly 20 years, Steve Rubel was a key figure at the global public relations and marketing consultancy firm Edelman, shaping its approach to media strategy and digital communication. A pioneer in blogging and digital PR from the early 2000s, Steve has long been at the forefront of emerging media trends, helping businesses navigate the... Contin…

As the digital age continues to evolve, communicators face unprecedented challenges in maintaining ethical standards. Recent incidents, from a PR agency spreading false stories about a client’s rival through social media channels to a New York Times reporter’s alleged breach of privacy within a private WhatsApp group, the challenges to ethical beha…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the transition from being a freelancer to an agency owner. Continue Reading → The post ALP 262: What freelancers should know before they become agency owners appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

“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... Continue Reading → The post FIR…

Leaked audio of 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 …

Chip and Gini discuss the need for managers to support and mentor their employees, leveraging both internal and external resources, and the value of making time to mentor individuals outside one's own organization. Continue Reading → The post ALP 261: How to get your team the mentorship they need appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.…

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 communic…

Steve Guberman of Agency Outsight shares insights into setting realistic expectations with clients, avoiding over-servicing, and adjusting scopes and pricing appropriately. Continue Reading → The post CWC 104: How agency owners can avoid scope creep (featuring Steve Guberman) appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the complaint from owners that AI is preventing junior employees from learning how to do their jobs the right way. Continue Reading → The post ALP 260: AI no threat to agency employees learning fundamental skills appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

How AI is transforming communication beyond content creation to curation AI, including predictive analytics and sentiment analysis, is at the heart of this FIR Interview with Silvia Cambie, an independent communicator with deep expertise in journalism, internal communication, and AI-driven change management. Much of the conversation around AI in co…

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 c…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of satisfaction from the work you do for clients, both for agency owners and their teams. Continue Reading → The post ALP 259: The value of getting satisfaction from client work appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

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 o…

In this episode, Chip and Gini address the topic of pivoting for small agencies in response to changing economic and political climates. Continue Reading → The post ALP 258: Should your agency pivot to a new focus amid economic shifts? appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

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 on…

In this episode, Chip talks with Jody Sutter of the Sutter Company about identifying and leveraging agency owners' strengths for effective business development. Continue Reading → The post CWC 103: Building Effective Business Development Systems (featuring Jody Sutter) appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.…

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 …

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the pros and cons of agencies doing subcontracted work for other agencies. Continue Reading → The post ALP 257: Should your small agency be subcontracting for larger agencies? appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

2025 is sure to present a new set of challenges for communication professionals. Solving them will require creativity, innovation, and new thinking (which is not something AI can do!). This team of Fellows from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) explored breakthrough thinking in a January 16, 2025, live stream, sharing i…

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 the…

Chip and Gini discuss a Reddit user’s question about managing a $2 million account and emphasize the importance of involving key team members throughout the business development process, rather than afterward. Continue Reading → The post ALP 256: Mastering Client Staffing for Small Agency Success appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.…

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…

In this FIR Interview, recorded on 19 December 2024, Shel and Neville chat with Martin Waxman about the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on public relations. From relational AI and synthetic personas to crisis management and ethics, the discussion highlights opportunities and challenges for PR professionals. Martin shares insights f…

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 challe…

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…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the findings from the SAGA quarterly survey of small agency owners. Continue Reading → The post ALP 255: What the Q4 SAGA Survey tells us about agency talent appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.