What does it take for a brand to place a story that breaks through to media and intended audiences in the crowded post-pandemic media landscape?

National Cliché Day is observed on Nov. 3, along with National Sandwich Day. I only became aware of this riveting fact last week.

All communicators have been there before: Having to write a quote that sounds intelligent, insightful and impressive. Oh, and make it personalized. Memorable, too. And quick!

With impacts from the global pandemic, mental health finally seems to have emerged from the backburner—and it’s about time. Global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25% during the first year of the pandemic alone, according to the World Health Organization, bringing forth an even greater need for employee wellness programs. 

One of the greatest challenges facing global communicators and content creators today is finding a common language — literally. For every communication we prepare, we have to think about not only how to stand out in the crowded content marketplace and make a meaningful connection with our audiences, but how to actually get through and be effectively understood.

Whether you are in a new role with a new organization being told they have always done it that way, or in a well-established position knowing what that way is, a style guide can make your life as a communicator significantly easier. Beyond spelling out that way, it has the power to foster clarity, relevancy and consistency, set the right tone, promote the right messages and eliminate buzzwords, saving time and money, and ensuring the brand is accurately represented. 

What does purpose, management, empathy, content, inclusion and burnout have in common? As it happens, they are what most conversations, coverage and case studies related to employee engagement and experience are focused on these days. We spent some time on these six topics to observe what’s changing and why, what it means for the future and how we can make the most of it in the present. Our findings were summarized in Red Havas’ newest white paper, The (Six) Biggest Waves in Employee Engagement — and How to Ride Them. 

Not all of us are born – or even care about – being good at spelling and grammar. Some thrive on writing beautifully crafted stories, catchy headlines, memorable speeches or witty remarks, while others dread stringing a few words together for an email – especially if it’s an important email.

It’s true. I once gave a lecture at my alma mater titled “B2B: The Hidden World of Public Relations.” At that time business-to-business communications was, indeed, hidden away — invisible to the average consumer. Practical and transactional in tone and purpose, these comms were tucked away and separate from the other internal and external communications streams. 

2020 was the year of the Capital P: pandemic, polarized politics and protests. It was also a seminal moment for businesses to reflect on who they are and where they are going — to really understand their moral compass and get serious about their corporate purpose. Over the last 18 months, we have seen purpose pressure tested by stakeholders and society like never before — it has led to it being redefined, refocused and realigned. 

2020 was the year of the Capital P: pandemic, polarized politics and protests. It was also a seminal moment for businesses to reflect on who they are and where they are going — to really understand their moral compass and get serious about their corporate purpose.