Nick Martin

Public relations, particularly earned media, is having a moment. That's because nearly all citations in ChatGPT answers are pulled from media mentions (think articles, analyst reports, podcast interviews, even Reddit). It makes sense. Your blog, website, and social media (owned channels) is what you say about yourself. Earned media is what a third party says about you. If you want to show up in searches, start landing meaningful press hits.

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Just got a very basic email pitch noting "off the record" at the top. Folks, this is not how journalism works. In case anyone needs a reminder: reporters get to choose if we want to agree to OTR or not. It is reserved for sensitive sources; PR pitches about some company's shiny new thing are not that.

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What you should have on your press page: --A press contact email (preferably an actual person's email but DEFINITELY not a form) --Your recent press statements AND press releases. The former is especially important in a crisis situation. --High-quality artwork with republication rules clearly posted (Logo, physical location with sign, major products, leadership if appropriate/safe) --Basic facts about your organization, including its proper name with correct styling, HQ, number of employees, etc. Inspired by Monica Earle's thread.

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There’s a lot of noise about whether or not AI can replace PR professionals. After diving in deep lately – and using it on a near-daily basis, here’s my take: ✍ Can it build pitches, media lists, and press releases? Sure, first drafts at least. 🤔 Can it analyze research, past coverage, and find angles that might be of interest to media? Yep, that’s pretty much what it should do at a baseline level. 🧠 Can it brainstorm creative earned-first ideas that breakthrough in a crowded media landscape? Not by itself, no. An executive at IBM once told me “AI” doesn’t stand for "artificial" intelligence but rather "augmented" intelligence. Giving the bot proper direction and it will spit out a pitch note on a specific topic, based on a reporter’s past coverage or a first draft of a press release. (As with everything, the output will need to be reviewed for hallucinations and other errors.) As PR pros, our biggest strengths lie in strategy, creativity, and relationships. AI can’t replace our human intuition, emotional intelligence, or the ability to navigate a complex crisis. But what it can do – and how we should use it - is help us work smarter, not harder. Cutting the time spent on drafting press releases, brainstorming headlines, summarizing media coverage, or organizing campaign notes can free up the space for us to focus on big-picture strategy and storytelling. 💬 What’s your take? Are you already using AI in your workflow, or are you concerned about its role in PR? Let’s discuss in the comments!

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When you’re approaching your web professional colleagues (emphasis on professional), please don’t say you want a “high-quality website.” It’s not like we’d have built crap without that vague and unnecessary requirement. It’s insulting. Other words to avoid: Slick Fancy Beautiful (again vague … and we don’t go out of our way to build ugly). What others would you add? Or, as they say over on Reddit, AIO?

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In 2023, if you asked a room full of marketers and communicators if they're regularly using generative AI tools, a handful might put their hands up. Fast forward to today and you'd be hard pressed to find 1 person who hasn't used it in the last hour, let alone the last day or week. Personally, I think a healthy dose of humility and a learner mindset are key here, especially for us Gen X-ers who, as Fiona Black pointed out at this morning's MMA Global NEXT! Conference, might risk being left behind by Gen Z who are twice as likely to use AI! (thanks for having me Melis Ertem & team MMA 🙏) What's the bottom line? Using AI to reinvent the way we approach our craft has to become a daily habit - it's a must-have vs. a nice to have, and something that not only helps us get things done quicker (pro tip: creating an agent in Microsoft Copilot can save HOURS on content drafting based on existing messaging), but also frees up time to focus on deep thinking & strategic work. And the cherry on the cake? It can lead to increased employee satisfaction...who doesn't want that?! How are you using AI to help reinvent Comms and/or Marketing - any tips or tricks 💡? More inspiration on how AI is reshaping the PR industry here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dW7yZJpM #microsoft #AI #ReinventingCommsWithAI

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Forbes Google And Pollster Scott Rasmussen Will Use AI To Survey Americans’ Political Views: A collaboration between the tech giant and a polling nonprofit will gather five to 10 people each from every congressional district to answer questions about the nation’s most pressing issues. If it works, it could upend the fraught world of political polling. https://lnkd.in/eRy_JPp9 #google #ai #polling — Reporter: Richard Nieva Editor: Katharine Schwab and John Paczkowski Design and illustration: Samantha Lee Art direction: Fernando Capeto

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One of the biggest surprises I hear from many authors: How much of the marketing and publicity still falls on them. Even with the best publishing team, the reality is that book promotion is a shared effort—one that works best when expectations are clear from the start. Here’s where transparency makes all the difference: 📖 Publishers explaining their contribution to marketing & publicity – Every publisher has different resources, approaches, and levels of support. Asking what they provide (and what they don’t) enables you to plan accordingly. 📖 As an author, take ownership of your platform & audience engagement – While publishers bring expertise and connections, your personal network, thought leadership, and visibility play a huge role in your book’s long-term success. 📖 Understanding the full scope of what’s needed – Whether it’s hiring a publicist, engaging with a marketing team, or setting up pre-launch efforts, knowing what’s needed can help you set realistic goals, plan finances, and build momentum. The best book launches happen when publishers and authors work as true partners, each bringing their strengths to the table. If you’ve been through this process, what’s one thing you wish you had known earlier? Let’s discuss in the comments! #Publishing #Marketing #Author #Leadership #ThoughtLeadership

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City leaders: your communications team is *much* more than a newsroom Too often, city leaders see their communications staff as the “news release and social media” department. But a strategic communications professional is so much more than a content creator, they’re a key advisor in shaping public perception, building trust, and ensuring residents feel heard. And that advice extends to internal communication as well. Think about it: 🔹 Communication professionals can predict how residents and/or staff will react to a decision before it’s even announced. 🔹 They know how a single word choice can change the entire tone (and public response) of an initiative. 🔹 They understand when transparency is needed most and how to prevent messaging missteps that erode trust. When cities leave communicators out of leadership conversations, they risk miscommunication, backlash, and lost opportunities for meaningful engagement. But when communication pros have a seat at the table, the result is stronger, clearer, and more effective leadership. City managers—do you treat your communications team as a strategic partner? If not, it’s time to start. #CityLeadership #StrategicCommunication #CommunityEngagement #LocalGovernment #PublicRelations

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