The PRovoke Media Podcast

Public relations and search engine optimisation should be natural bedfellows, yet few PR firms have actively invested in substantial SEO capabilities. One that has is Threepipe, which recently acquired an SEO firm in the UK. Threepipe CEO Jim Hawker joins the Echo Chamber to discuss why the deal makes sense for his agency, and also explores the broader difficulties of genuine digital integration, four years after Threepipe merged with Blowfish Digital.

Show notes:
Threepipe Makes SEO Play With Spot Digital Acquisition
Future Proofing Your PR Business

Data can tell a great story, and research campaigns are how you find that data. In this Hacks & Flacks episode, the hosts talk to March Research Manager Jeremy Guterl, Account Manager Steph Jackman and Senior Account Executive Samantha Bell about their recent work developing, distributing and promoting a successful PR research campaign.

Jeremy defines the difference between media-genic and strategic research, and walks us through every step of the research process. Steph provides a blueprint for conducting media outreach for a campaign, and Sam explains why clear, impactful data points help you capture the interest of readers and the media.

The host of the Hacks & Flacks podcast Manny Veiga talks about the rise of podcasting — and the role for PR agencies and brands. Then Matt Kelly, founder & CEO of Radical Compliance joins to talk about the intersection of corporate compliance and reputation.

The Echo Chamber podcast is produced by Markettiers4DC and sponsored by March Communications, producer of the Hacks & Flacks podcast.

Agency veteran Neil Backwith, who now consults for a number of highly-regarded UK PR firms, talks to Arun Sudhaman about how firms can optimize their commercial performance, and why so many continue to find this difficult. Cohn & Wolfe digital innovation head Chad Latz also visits the show to talk about his key digital trends from Cannes and beyond.

The Holmes Report's Arun Sudhaman catches up with MSLGroup CEO Guillaume Herbette in Cannes to discuss the continued restructuring at the Publicis Groupe PR network. In Delhi, meanwhile, Sudhaman discusses the evolution of India's PR industry and political communication with Promise Foundation founder Amith Prabhu.

Holmes Report editor Arun Sudhaman previews next week's Cannes Lions with a host of industry figures. Daniel Franklin, executive editor at the Economist, discusses the title's expanded presence at Cannes, along with how marketers are grappling with the rise of technology. Vikki Chowney from H+K Strategies previews her highlights from the 2016 festival, including the curious appearance at Cannes of Katie Hopkins. Business Insider global advertising editor Lara O'Reilly also joins the show to update us on the "explosive" ANA Report, which raises serious concerns about media kickbacks and ad agency transparency.

Show notes
12 Cannes Lions events to plan your week around
Bombshell report claims US ad agencies unethically pad their profits with secret rebate schemes

Hacks & Flacks talks to Erin Callanan, co-chair of PRXNE16, the annual conference for PRSA’s North East district. She talks about the challenges of organizing an event, previews the PRXNE16 lineup — plus a session on client messaging from March Communication's managing director Cheryl Gale.

Hacks & Flacks – produced by March Communications — is the sponsor for the Echo Chamber. You can follow Hacks & Flacks on Twitter @hacksflacks. 

Podcasting live from the World PR Forum 2016 in Toronto, Holmes Report editor Arun Sudhaman talks to Ford Canada VP of communications Lauren More about how in-house communications departments are modernising their offering, and how the CCO role is changing in accordance. We also catch up with MEPRA vice-chair Alex Malouf to discuss the challenges affecting the growth of the Middle East PR industry. 

The Echo Chamber is sponsored by March Communications.

Show notes

Middle East PR Industry Faces Talent Challenges

This week, the Echo Chamber is hosting content from its podcast partner March Communications that puts on the popular Hacks & Flacks podcast. In this episode, Katie Delahaye Paine  — also known as the Measurement Queen — explains how to create a culture of measurement within a PR agency or internal marketing department, and also shares her perspective on the tech businesses use to monitor and measure their work. You can follow Hacks & Flacks on Twitter @hacksflacks. 

Golin CEO Fred Cook joins the show to discuss the first Global Communications Report, which predicts good PR agency sector growth over the next five years, but raises several questions especially when it comes to attracting and retaining the right talent. Capstone Hill CEO Jamie McLaughlin also joins to talk more about talent. 

Show Notes: 

Global Top 250 PR Agency Ranking 

Industry Growth Slowed To 5% Last Year