“In July 2019 I did something I have never done before: I went viral. A friend and I quickly filmed a parody of the #BottleCapChallenge, where participants kick a cap off a bottle in epic fashion. Little did I know that, in less than 36 hours, the video would make it to TikTok’s ‘For You Page’ and accrue more than 155,000 views. I was officially famous.” — Patrick Mazuca
Often...
Influencer marketing grew on the basis of trust. It’s simple — people appear more trustworthy than corporations. But in recent years, the influencer marketing terrain has faced a loss of authenticity. As brands continue to spend more on influencers, it’s important to consider how they can maximize the effects of their partnerships and what the future of influencer marketing will hold....
It’s an incredible time to be in communications. Our roles have always provided the opportunity to shape how a company creates and communicates its strategy and help leaders form their approach as they convey where the company is headed. What’s exciting now is the expectation that a company’s leaders will help solve major societal problems and what that means for our profession.
When...
Privacy is one of our society’s most crucial social constructs. The history of privacy is largely responsible for the freedom to think, to formulate free speech and to challenge artificial social barriers across society. Time and time again, those generations that enjoyed strong privacy protections have been free to make the world a better and more inclusive place for all who follow.
I...
We are living in an era where misinformation, or worse yet, disinformation campaigns are far too common. From the mudslinging in politics, to the safety — or lack thereof — of e-cigarettes and vaping, to innovative startups disrupting Wall Street, how do you know where the truth lies? And when it comes to your career in the communication industry, how do you know you are working for the “good...
In the previous Relevance Report, I addressed the major shift in the tech industry, in which tech companies are experiencing recurring scandals and are “no longer a source of good, but also a source of the bad.” I claimed, “Consequently, the tech spokespeople need to adjust their crisis management know-how to manage the new combat era of Techlash.”
Since the Techlash keeps evolving, we...
Investing in trust is an investment in long-term business performance.
It’s been a hard year for trust. If it were a product we were trying to sell, we’d be alarmed about its future. We’re surrounded by headlines of trust gone wrong. From employees staging walkouts over business practices to intensifying scrutiny on who to do business with, companies are standing in a big bright...
Welcome to the 2020 edition of the USC Annenberg Relevance Report — a look into the future of one of the most dynamic professions on Earth. As in past years, we have curated a series of short essays from leading executives, academics and students in the public relations field, who are all connected to the University of Southern California.
Their stories cover a wide spectrum of topics...