Ms. InterPReted Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/ms-interpreted Public Relations stands as one of the most misunderstood, misinterpreted areas of business and organizational management. With Fletcher Marketing PR Founder and CEO Kelly Fletcher and Senior Strategist Mary Beth West, we’re here to turn around PR’s own bad PRess, cut through the nomenclature, and demystify public relations as the best pathway to create, grow and amplify the roots of positive management, communications, culture and careers -- for success that matters. Fletcher PR, LLC 50c91c80-2bd1-536d-a21d-e7456e0f94ef no en Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:12:57 -0400 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:30:09 -0500 https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/ https://img.transistor.fm/QBWUTiYO7_Vf4YoZzwP8ZtdnG45Qt23Cvr-USPXTqgY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS84YzI5/NjAyYmRlN2IxZTNh/OTBlZjQwM2I5MTIw/ODMxNC5qcGc.jpg Ms. InterPReted https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/ serial Fletcher Marketing + PR Public Relations stands as one of the most misunderstood, misinterpreted areas of business and organizational management. With Fletcher Marketing PR Founder and CEO Kelly Fletcher and Senior Strategist Mary Beth West, we’re here to turn around PR’s own bad PRess, cut through the nomenclature, and demystify public relations as the best pathway to create, grow and amplify the roots of positive management, communications, culture and careers -- for success that matters. Public Relations stands as one of the most misunderstood, misinterpreted areas of business and organizational management. Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship Fletcher Marketing & PR No No Introducing #MsInterPReted 1 1 1 1 Introducing #MsInterPReted full 71c31b16-9f15-4a8b-821e-98c58aa66b6c https://share.transistor.fm/s/8722410d About Kelly Fletcher & Mary Beth West

  • Since 2008, Kelly Fletcher has built her Fletcher Marketing PR into a thriving marketing and PR team whose vision is to influence positive social change. She is a sought-after national speaker on the topic of marketing to women.  Working with regional, national and Fortune 500 companies, Fletcher has 25 years’ experience in the full spectrum of integrated communications. 
  • Mary Beth West’s experience also spans 25 years and includes in-house and consulting posts for a range of publicly traded and privately held corporations as well as government agencies and not-for-profit organizations. 

Show Notes

  • So what’s in a name?  Download our “Intro” episode of #MsInterPReted and learn from Kelly and Mary Beth why they’re turning the conversation on its head about public relations’ impact points for diverse businesses, organizations and society.
  • In the #MsInterPReted podcast, Kelly and Mary Beth talk about Public Relations’ “MsInterPRetations,” as well as why their being Southern is a positive point of differentiation, what agency entrepreneurship means, and how women’s voices carry influence. 

Links

]]> About Kelly Fletcher & Mary Beth West

  • Since 2008, Kelly Fletcher has built her Fletcher Marketing PR into a thriving marketing and PR team whose vision is to influence positive social change. She is a sought-after national speaker on the topic of marketing to women.  Working with regional, national and Fortune 500 companies, Fletcher has 25 years’ experience in the full spectrum of integrated communications. 
  • Mary Beth West’s experience also spans 25 years and includes in-house and consulting posts for a range of publicly traded and privately held corporations as well as government agencies and not-for-profit organizations. 

Show Notes

  • So what’s in a name?  Download our “Intro” episode of #MsInterPReted and learn from Kelly and Mary Beth why they’re turning the conversation on its head about public relations’ impact points for diverse businesses, organizations and society.
  • In the #MsInterPReted podcast, Kelly and Mary Beth talk about Public Relations’ “MsInterPRetations,” as well as why their being Southern is a positive point of differentiation, what agency entrepreneurship means, and how women’s voices carry influence. 

Links

]]> Mon, 23 Sep 2019 19:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1089 Introducing . . . Ms. InterPReted – Public Relations, Demystified. Public relations (PR) stands as one of the most misunderstood, misinterpreted areas of business and organizational management. Fletcher Marketing PR’s CEO Kelly Fletcher and Senior Strategist Mary Beth West turn around misconceptions about the public relations management function by cutting through the nomenclature and setting the record straight. Join Kelly and Mary Beth on #MsInterPReted as they demystify PR as the best pathway to create, grow and amplify the roots of positive management, communications, culture, and careers -- for success that matters, from the workplace front-lines to the C-Suite to the board room to society-at-large. Introducing . . . Ms. InterPReted – Public Relations, Demystified. Public relations (PR) stands as one of the most misunderstood, misinterpreted areas of business and organizational management. Fletcher Marketing PR’s CEO Kelly Fletcher and Senior Strateg MsInterPReted, misinterpreted, Ms. InterPReted, public relations, PR, marketing, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, Fletcher Marketing PR, Fletcher PR, Fletcher No Where Is the PR Profession on the Issue of #PRethics? 1 1 2 2 Where Is the PR Profession on the Issue of #PRethics? full d849af7b-dc82-4936-bc9d-3a495487226d https://share.transistor.fm/s/2ab58708 About Kelly Fletcher & Mary Beth West
Since 2008, Kelly Fletcher has built Fletcher Marketing PR into a thriving marketing and PR team whose vision is to influence positive social change. She is a sought-after national speaker on the topic of marketing to women.  Working with regional, national and Fortune 500 companies, Fletcher has 25 years’ experience in the full spectrum of integrated communications. 

 

Mary Beth West’s experience also spans 25 years and includes in-house and consulting posts for a range of publicly traded and privately held corporations as well as government agencies and not-for-profit organizations. She has gained prominence in recent years as an outspoken advocate for ethical compliance and accountability in the public relations profession and in the U.S.-based professional association.

Show Notes
Kelly and Mary Beth will reveal why #PR is so misunderstood in large part because of ethical missteps, how reactionary communicators shoot ethical strategy in the foot, how journalism now faces a credibility crisis, the wisdom of industry legend (and Tennessee native) Harold Burson, why working in collaboration with legal teams is essential, and how the London-based Public Relations and Communications Association (@PRCA_UK) is now leading the global profession with an accountability-driven ethical compliance model. 

]]> About Kelly Fletcher & Mary Beth West
Since 2008, Kelly Fletcher has built Fletcher Marketing PR into a thriving marketing and PR team whose vision is to influence positive social change. She is a sought-after national speaker on the topic of marketing to women.  Working with regional, national and Fortune 500 companies, Fletcher has 25 years’ experience in the full spectrum of integrated communications. 

 

Mary Beth West’s experience also spans 25 years and includes in-house and consulting posts for a range of publicly traded and privately held corporations as well as government agencies and not-for-profit organizations. She has gained prominence in recent years as an outspoken advocate for ethical compliance and accountability in the public relations profession and in the U.S.-based professional association.

Show Notes
Kelly and Mary Beth will reveal why #PR is so misunderstood in large part because of ethical missteps, how reactionary communicators shoot ethical strategy in the foot, how journalism now faces a credibility crisis, the wisdom of industry legend (and Tennessee native) Harold Burson, why working in collaboration with legal teams is essential, and how the London-based Public Relations and Communications Association (@PRCA_UK) is now leading the global profession with an accountability-driven ethical compliance model. 

]]> Wed, 25 Sep 2019 13:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1472 The first full-length #MsInterPReted podcast episode features #PRethics during #EthicsMonth, with Fletcher Marketing PR Founder and CEO Kelly Fletcher interviewing Senior Strategist Mary Beth West – who’s made no secret of her passion on the subject. The first full-length #MsInterPReted podcast episode features #PRethics during #EthicsMonth, with Fletcher Marketing PR Founder and CEO Kelly Fletcher interviewing Senior Strategist Mary Beth West – who’s made no secret of her passion on the subject. Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Marketing to Women: Segmentation on the Edg(y) 1 1 3 3 Marketing to Women: Segmentation on the Edg(y) full c5bd36b5-70fb-404a-83c1-1d1fd1406e6f https://share.transistor.fm/s/3bcb896f About Kelly Fletcher & Mary Beth West:

Fletcher Marketing PR Founder and CEO Kelly Fletcher has built Fletcher Marketing PR into a thriving marketing and PR team whose vision is to influence positive social change. She is a sought-after national speaker on the topic of marketing to women.  Working with regional, national and Fortune 500 companies, Fletcher has 25 years’ experience in the full spectrum of integrated communications. Fletcher has offices in Knoxville, TN, and Atlanta, GA. 

 

Fletcher Senior Strategist Mary Beth West, MPRCA, offers experience spanning 25 years, with in-house and consulting posts for a range of publicly traded and privately held corporations as well as government agencies and not-for-profit organizations.  She founded, grew and later sold her 15-year PR firm to Fletcher Marketing PR in 2018. West is an authority on the topic of public relations ethics. 

In this episode, Kelly Fletcher reveals:

  • Her approach to Marketing to Women and how she arrived at her fundamentals of one-concept-never-fits-all and why #PRdiversity is so important;
  • Her favorite national niche campaign developed by Fletcher PR for spermicide brand Conceptrol®, with an edgy flair that won two Gold ADDYs (and spurs Mary Beth’s nervous laugh); 
  • Why advance test-marketing of more risky campaign concepts should never be overlooked; 
  • The essential role of market research;
  • How risky waters should be navigated with research taking the lead, particularly when delving into socially or politically oriented campaign messaging;
  • How #MeToo marketing arguably has been exploited for commercial gain . . . and why it’s never a smart move to pander or insult women’s (or anyone’s) intelligence.


Links:

]]> About Kelly Fletcher & Mary Beth West:

Fletcher Marketing PR Founder and CEO Kelly Fletcher has built Fletcher Marketing PR into a thriving marketing and PR team whose vision is to influence positive social change. She is a sought-after national speaker on the topic of marketing to women.  Working with regional, national and Fortune 500 companies, Fletcher has 25 years’ experience in the full spectrum of integrated communications. Fletcher has offices in Knoxville, TN, and Atlanta, GA. 

 

Fletcher Senior Strategist Mary Beth West, MPRCA, offers experience spanning 25 years, with in-house and consulting posts for a range of publicly traded and privately held corporations as well as government agencies and not-for-profit organizations.  She founded, grew and later sold her 15-year PR firm to Fletcher Marketing PR in 2018. West is an authority on the topic of public relations ethics. 

In this episode, Kelly Fletcher reveals:

  • Her approach to Marketing to Women and how she arrived at her fundamentals of one-concept-never-fits-all and why #PRdiversity is so important;
  • Her favorite national niche campaign developed by Fletcher PR for spermicide brand Conceptrol®, with an edgy flair that won two Gold ADDYs (and spurs Mary Beth’s nervous laugh); 
  • Why advance test-marketing of more risky campaign concepts should never be overlooked; 
  • The essential role of market research;
  • How risky waters should be navigated with research taking the lead, particularly when delving into socially or politically oriented campaign messaging;
  • How #MeToo marketing arguably has been exploited for commercial gain . . . and why it’s never a smart move to pander or insult women’s (or anyone’s) intelligence.


Links:

]]> Wed, 02 Oct 2019 05:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1387 This #PRdiversity month, Mary Beth prompts Kelly to explain why Marketing to Women matters, how "edgy" campaigns can promote good medicine, how #MeToo has impacted messaging, what pet peeves and stereotypes ("Pink It & Shrink It") rear their heads in the Marketing to Women sphere (and what some companies / campaigns do wrong), and what must-have elements are required for solid communications to the increasingly segmented space of reaching the economically powerful female consumer / decision-maker. This #PRdiversity month, Mary Beth prompts Kelly to explain why Marketing to Women matters, how "edgy" campaigns can promote good medicine, how #MeToo has impacted messaging, what pet peeves and stereotypes ("Pink It & Shrink It") rear their heads in #PRdiversity, #MsInterPReted, marketing, women, female, PR, Fletcher, Agency, Knoxville, Atlanta, Public Relations, Advertising, Digital, Spin the Sperm, #PRSAICON, #MeToo No Tennessee Tourism PR: It’s All That & A Sip of Whiskey 1 1 4 4 Tennessee Tourism PR: It’s All That & A Sip of Whiskey full f9bdb642-3e23-4a1d-8d51-e539b8800564 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f50edd3b In the Tourism World, effective public relations, marketing and brand-storytelling make the world go ‘round to drive visitor interest, overnight-stays, destination ticket sales and positive economic outcomes.  

 

And that reality is only amplified across the Volunteer State: Tennessee, where tourism is a major driver of statewide as well as local economies.


 

Join Fletcher Marketing PR Founder and CEO Kelly Fletcher and Senior Strategist Mary Beth West, as they take #MsInterPReted on a tour of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, with special guests Chris Fletcher (Assistant Master Distiller of famed global brand Jack Daniel Distillery of Lynchburg, TN); Alexandra Castle (Master Distiller – and the first female master distiller in Tennessee – of Memphis-based Old Dominick Distillery); and “Peaceful Side of the Smokies” Tourism Director of the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority, Kim Mitchell (Fletcher Marketing PR client). 


 

Together, Alex, Chris and Kim explain “whiskey mystique” and share with Kelly and Mary Beth the finer points of brand storytelling with whiskey’s unique identity as part of Tennessee culture and Southern lore – and how the female market segment is such a growing part of Tennessee tourism as well as the spirits industry. 


 

Don’t miss the Tennessee Whiskey Trail’s “Grains and Grits” Festival in partnership with the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, 6:00-9:00 p.m., in Townsend, TN.


In this episode, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West uncover:

  • Why their home state of Tennessee is a must-see on the global tourism map . . . and how PR, marketing and brand storytelling are essential parts of generating tourism’s economic impact
  • The competitive impact of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail (in friendly competition with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail 
  • What makes distillers like Chris Fletcher (Jack Daniel Distillery) and Alex Castle (Old Dominick Distillery) excited about going to work every day as part of Tennessee’s growing and dynamic distilling community
  • The role of events like the upcoming Nov. 2, 2019, Grains and Grits Festival on the Tennessee spirits scene (watch for upcoming coverage in Wine Spectator!)
  • How visitors to Tennessee can immerse themselves in rich, diverse experiences on the culinary, music, cultural and social scenes 

Links

]]> In the Tourism World, effective public relations, marketing and brand-storytelling make the world go ‘round to drive visitor interest, overnight-stays, destination ticket sales and positive economic outcomes.  

 

And that reality is only amplified across the Volunteer State: Tennessee, where tourism is a major driver of statewide as well as local economies.


 

Join Fletcher Marketing PR Founder and CEO Kelly Fletcher and Senior Strategist Mary Beth West, as they take #MsInterPReted on a tour of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, with special guests Chris Fletcher (Assistant Master Distiller of famed global brand Jack Daniel Distillery of Lynchburg, TN); Alexandra Castle (Master Distiller – and the first female master distiller in Tennessee – of Memphis-based Old Dominick Distillery); and “Peaceful Side of the Smokies” Tourism Director of the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority, Kim Mitchell (Fletcher Marketing PR client). 


 

Together, Alex, Chris and Kim explain “whiskey mystique” and share with Kelly and Mary Beth the finer points of brand storytelling with whiskey’s unique identity as part of Tennessee culture and Southern lore – and how the female market segment is such a growing part of Tennessee tourism as well as the spirits industry. 


 

Don’t miss the Tennessee Whiskey Trail’s “Grains and Grits” Festival in partnership with the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, 6:00-9:00 p.m., in Townsend, TN.


In this episode, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West uncover:

  • Why their home state of Tennessee is a must-see on the global tourism map . . . and how PR, marketing and brand storytelling are essential parts of generating tourism’s economic impact
  • The competitive impact of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail (in friendly competition with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail 
  • What makes distillers like Chris Fletcher (Jack Daniel Distillery) and Alex Castle (Old Dominick Distillery) excited about going to work every day as part of Tennessee’s growing and dynamic distilling community
  • The role of events like the upcoming Nov. 2, 2019, Grains and Grits Festival on the Tennessee spirits scene (watch for upcoming coverage in Wine Spectator!)
  • How visitors to Tennessee can immerse themselves in rich, diverse experiences on the culinary, music, cultural and social scenes 

Links

]]> Wed, 09 Oct 2019 10:50:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2617 Join Fletcher Marketing PR Founder and CEO Kelly Fletcher and Senior Strategist Mary Beth West, as they take #MsInterPReted on a tour of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, with special guests Chris Fletcher (Assistant Master Distiller of famed global brand Jack Daniel Distillery of Lynchburg, TN); Alexandra Castle (Master Distiller – and the first female master distiller in Tennessee – of Memphis-based Old Dominick Distillery); and “Peaceful Side of the Smokies” Tourism Director of the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority, Kim Mitchell (Fletcher Marketing PR client). Together, Alex, Chris and Kim explain “whiskey mystique” and share with Kelly and Mary Beth the finer points of brand storytelling with whiskey’s unique identity as part of Tennessee culture and Southern lore – and how the female market segment is such a growing part of Tennessee tourism as well as the spirits industry. Join Fletcher Marketing PR Founder and CEO Kelly Fletcher and Senior Strategist Mary Beth West, as they take #MsInterPReted on a tour of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, with special guests Chris Fletcher (Assistant Master Distiller of famed global brand Jack Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No #BrandsTakingStands? Or #GetWokeGoBroke?... Brand Activism's Toxic Risks 1 1 5 5 #BrandsTakingStands? Or #GetWokeGoBroke?... Brand Activism's Toxic Risks full fe552f9f-e2f5-41f2-86d0-5611a7a7b654 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d23d3dd6 Brand and CEO activism exists as a so-called strategic extension of brand awareness and engagement campaigns, often targeting younger audiences in particular and seeking to score loyalty points with consumers in general.

 

  • But is the #BrandsTakingStands advocacy trend a consistently reliable strategy in the marketing toolbox, with big pay-off potential?  After all, major and minor brands alike now are sinking big money into activist stances for the almighty marketing campaign.  


  • Or is #GetWokeGoBroke another trending hashtag for a valid reason . . . with cautionary tales littering the marketing and reputation-management scene, given that too many brands are “stepping in it” and getting CEO activism irreversibly wrong – with disastrous financial results? 


At what point is the commercialization of activism an inauthentic enterprise . . . only ratcheting up public divisiveness and other side-show issues (such as children / youth being used as campaign pawns) in our already divisive and hostile society, news media and social media environment?

 

Mary Beth peels back the actual data of two fairly recent, highly publicized studies sponsored by well-known global PR agencies that tout CEO activism as a categorical “Must-Do” item in strategic communications . . . 

 

And as Mary Beth and Kelly reveal, there is undisclosed fine print as well as hidden asterisks to each study’s publicly reported data, telling an entirely different story than the one being promoted in agency news release headlines and Tweets favoring aggressive corporate activist stances. 

 

Kelly and Mary Beth offer cautionary points and expose how some PR firms may overtly promoting their own revenue-generating bottom lines instead of clients’ best interests. 

In this episode, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West uncover:

  • Does it make sense to go political with your brand?
  • What are the risks… or the rewards… and what should be the ethics of PR firms as they guide their clients?
  • Does corporate activism position client companies in a contrived manner as “The Hero” – when more modern storytelling techniques eschew this approach as a brand-development best practice?
  • How do you make this approach successful in today’s era of echo chambers and tunnel vision?
  • Are there “safe” issues – like equal pay or women’s rights?  Or does ANY sociopolitical issue pose a risk of unintended rabbit holes, misinterpretations and consequences?
  • Might social activism ideas and tactics actually fly in the face of #PRdiversity values?
  • How did the University of Tennessee recently hit a major PR home-run using activism in a non-political and highly effective way?


Links

]]> Brand and CEO activism exists as a so-called strategic extension of brand awareness and engagement campaigns, often targeting younger audiences in particular and seeking to score loyalty points with consumers in general.

 

  • But is the #BrandsTakingStands advocacy trend a consistently reliable strategy in the marketing toolbox, with big pay-off potential?  After all, major and minor brands alike now are sinking big money into activist stances for the almighty marketing campaign.  


  • Or is #GetWokeGoBroke another trending hashtag for a valid reason . . . with cautionary tales littering the marketing and reputation-management scene, given that too many brands are “stepping in it” and getting CEO activism irreversibly wrong – with disastrous financial results? 


At what point is the commercialization of activism an inauthentic enterprise . . . only ratcheting up public divisiveness and other side-show issues (such as children / youth being used as campaign pawns) in our already divisive and hostile society, news media and social media environment?

 

Mary Beth peels back the actual data of two fairly recent, highly publicized studies sponsored by well-known global PR agencies that tout CEO activism as a categorical “Must-Do” item in strategic communications . . . 

 

And as Mary Beth and Kelly reveal, there is undisclosed fine print as well as hidden asterisks to each study’s publicly reported data, telling an entirely different story than the one being promoted in agency news release headlines and Tweets favoring aggressive corporate activist stances. 

 

Kelly and Mary Beth offer cautionary points and expose how some PR firms may overtly promoting their own revenue-generating bottom lines instead of clients’ best interests. 

In this episode, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West uncover:

  • Does it make sense to go political with your brand?
  • What are the risks… or the rewards… and what should be the ethics of PR firms as they guide their clients?
  • Does corporate activism position client companies in a contrived manner as “The Hero” – when more modern storytelling techniques eschew this approach as a brand-development best practice?
  • How do you make this approach successful in today’s era of echo chambers and tunnel vision?
  • Are there “safe” issues – like equal pay or women’s rights?  Or does ANY sociopolitical issue pose a risk of unintended rabbit holes, misinterpretations and consequences?
  • Might social activism ideas and tactics actually fly in the face of #PRdiversity values?
  • How did the University of Tennessee recently hit a major PR home-run using activism in a non-political and highly effective way?


Links

]]> Wed, 16 Oct 2019 05:53:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2388 Kelly and Mary Beth stir up some potential heat with this episode, taking to task the growing trend of brands (and their PR / marketing departments and even CEOs) adopting and pushing social debates and hotly contested political issues . . . all on the advice of some PR firms out there that may not be telling the full story of high risks vs. uncertain rewards. Kelly and Mary Beth stir up some potential heat with this episode, taking to task the growing trend of brands (and their PR / marketing departments and even CEOs) adopting and pushing social debates and hotly contested political issues . . . all on the ad #BrandsTakingStands, #GetWokeGoBroke, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, Fletcher PR, Fletcher Marketing PR, PR, Marketing, Activism, Cause, CEO, Corporate, Social, Responsibility, Storytelling, Toxic, Risk No The State of Influencer Marketing 1 1 6 6 The State of Influencer Marketing full b9baeb8f-96cc-4e08-8424-2f1c9c2e9e0b https://share.transistor.fm/s/c84082cb About Mark Weaver
Mark Weaver started his marketing career as a blogger, photographer and social media influencer in the motorcycle industry.  He moved to Knoxville, TN, from Louisville, KY, where he created digital marketing content for GE Appliances. He has a BA from Purdue University in Communications with Minors in Computer Technology and Organizational Leadership & Supervision. 

 

Now as content marketing manager for Radio Systems Corporation in Knoxville, TN (home of the Invisible Fence®, PetSafe® and SportDOG® brands), Mark has dreamed of living in Knoxville to be in a city full of personality and surrounded by so many opportunities for outdoor adventures and activities.

 

Mark loves exploring nature with his wife and two kids. He loves to travel and experience new cultures, snowboarding, mountain biking, and of course dogs! Fun fact: Mark won the Showcase Showdown on the nationally televised game show “The Price is Right” and sold the two cars he won to live in Uganda, Africa to help out orphanages.

Show Notes

  • Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West explore Mark Weaver’s insights about why influencer marketing “isn’t just the future; it’s the NOW.”  
  • Mark explains:
    • What “influencer marketing” is by definition
    • How he started on his pathway as an influencer himself for the motorcycle industry
    • How influencers tap into the trust factor that impacts the buyer’s journey
    • How Mark is managing the influencer strategy and selection process at Radio Systems (which includes the PetSafe®, Invisible Fence®, and SportDOG® brands) with specific tools that all strategic communicators might consider for their technology toolbox
    • Why Instagram commands a lead role
    • Why huge budgets may not be required to achieve significant results
  • Kelly also discusses the Julius / Lippe Taylor “State of Influencers Report 2019” Report; the role of macro-, micro- and nano-influencers; and the ethics / Federal Trade Commission legalities of influencer marketing transparency.

Links

]]> About Mark Weaver
Mark Weaver started his marketing career as a blogger, photographer and social media influencer in the motorcycle industry.  He moved to Knoxville, TN, from Louisville, KY, where he created digital marketing content for GE Appliances. He has a BA from Purdue University in Communications with Minors in Computer Technology and Organizational Leadership & Supervision. 

 

Now as content marketing manager for Radio Systems Corporation in Knoxville, TN (home of the Invisible Fence®, PetSafe® and SportDOG® brands), Mark has dreamed of living in Knoxville to be in a city full of personality and surrounded by so many opportunities for outdoor adventures and activities.

 

Mark loves exploring nature with his wife and two kids. He loves to travel and experience new cultures, snowboarding, mountain biking, and of course dogs! Fun fact: Mark won the Showcase Showdown on the nationally televised game show “The Price is Right” and sold the two cars he won to live in Uganda, Africa to help out orphanages.

Show Notes

  • Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West explore Mark Weaver’s insights about why influencer marketing “isn’t just the future; it’s the NOW.”  
  • Mark explains:
    • What “influencer marketing” is by definition
    • How he started on his pathway as an influencer himself for the motorcycle industry
    • How influencers tap into the trust factor that impacts the buyer’s journey
    • How Mark is managing the influencer strategy and selection process at Radio Systems (which includes the PetSafe®, Invisible Fence®, and SportDOG® brands) with specific tools that all strategic communicators might consider for their technology toolbox
    • Why Instagram commands a lead role
    • Why huge budgets may not be required to achieve significant results
  • Kelly also discusses the Julius / Lippe Taylor “State of Influencers Report 2019” Report; the role of macro-, micro- and nano-influencers; and the ethics / Federal Trade Commission legalities of influencer marketing transparency.

Links

]]> Wed, 23 Oct 2019 06:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1586 In this episode, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West explore Mark Weaver’s insights about why influencer marketing “isn’t just the future; it’s the NOW.” In this episode, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West explore Mark Weaver’s insights about why influencer marketing “isn’t just the future; it’s the NOW.” Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Differentiating True PR Strategy from Mere Tactics 1 1 7 7 Differentiating True PR Strategy from Mere Tactics full 087b41a8-a420-4ce7-9512-3c2ba2cad244 https://share.transistor.fm/s/807e689f In this episode, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West warn against a tactics-centric marketing / PR plan, which generally yields money ill-spent, piecemeal results and little cohesiveness with overarching business goals . . . hardly a formula for success. 

Strong, strategic systems of promotional communications and brand reputation-building require marketers, the C-Suite team and boards of directors to engage in a meaningful, data-driven process.  Kelly and Mary Beth reveal the critical elements. 

  • Kelly and Mary Beth explain:
    • How Marketing / PR RFPs go wrong with prescriptive tactics seeking a price list, rather than seeking agencies that offer a research-based, strategic approach
    • How to avoid misspending marketing dollars
    • Ways that social media methodology requires special treatment, given how fast-moving it’s changing
    • Why “the process is the product” in strategic communications development
    • Timing considerations to bear in mind when seeking to develop a strategy ahead of the necessary execution timeline
    • How competitive and situational analyses must factor in and how to engage input from the larger team
    • What a strategic mindset looks like through the marketing / PR lens and how it can be cultivated – and making sure the PR / marketing agency delivers the goods strategically with a “fiduciary” level of care for the marketing budget

 

Links

]]> In this episode, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West warn against a tactics-centric marketing / PR plan, which generally yields money ill-spent, piecemeal results and little cohesiveness with overarching business goals . . . hardly a formula for success. 

Strong, strategic systems of promotional communications and brand reputation-building require marketers, the C-Suite team and boards of directors to engage in a meaningful, data-driven process.  Kelly and Mary Beth reveal the critical elements. 

  • Kelly and Mary Beth explain:
    • How Marketing / PR RFPs go wrong with prescriptive tactics seeking a price list, rather than seeking agencies that offer a research-based, strategic approach
    • How to avoid misspending marketing dollars
    • Ways that social media methodology requires special treatment, given how fast-moving it’s changing
    • Why “the process is the product” in strategic communications development
    • Timing considerations to bear in mind when seeking to develop a strategy ahead of the necessary execution timeline
    • How competitive and situational analyses must factor in and how to engage input from the larger team
    • What a strategic mindset looks like through the marketing / PR lens and how it can be cultivated – and making sure the PR / marketing agency delivers the goods strategically with a “fiduciary” level of care for the marketing budget

 

Links

]]> Wed, 30 Oct 2019 06:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1434 Q4 is “Strategic Planning Season” for many companies and organizations in ramp-up to the next calendar year. Comprehending the drivers of relationship-building success starts with differentiating true PR strategy from mere tactics. Business owners and teams often misinterpret a smattering of tactics as strategy . . . and that confusion wreaks havoc on expectations and budgetary ROI. In this episode, Kelly and Mary Beth peel back the layers of cogent strategic development and how to avoid common missteps in the process. Q4 is “Strategic Planning Season” for many companies and organizations in ramp-up to the next calendar year. Comprehending the drivers of relationship-building success starts with differentiating true PR strategy from mere tactics. Business owners an Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Crafting the Entrepreneurial Story: Marcus Hall 1 1 8 8 Crafting the Entrepreneurial Story: Marcus Hall full 1e86c3f2-c00f-4612-8484-4f8fc2aae8a6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f763a219 Links:

]]> Links:

]]> Wed, 06 Nov 2019 06:00:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2341 Marcus Hall’s entrepreneurial journey can be described as anything but conventional. A visionary of his work and of his desired brand, Marcus worked for years developing Marc Nelson Denim into a widely known and respected name – not only in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area where he grew up, but also as an emerging nameplate in the fashion industry. But then it all came crashing down in sudden crisis. Join Kelly and Mary Beth, as they gain insight from Marcus on what went wrong in his journey, how taking responsibility meant taking charge, and why that empowerment is now enabling Marcus and his business to forge a stronger, more well-rooted path. Marcus Hall’s entrepreneurial journey can be described as anything but conventional. A visionary of his work and of his desired brand, Marcus worked for years developing Marc Nelson Denim into a widely known and respected name – not only in the Knoxville Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Leading from the Front: A Chat with PRCA’s Francis Ingham (Part 1 of 2) 1 1 9 9 Leading from the Front: A Chat with PRCA’s Francis Ingham (Part 1 of 2) full dff668e5-0f7b-48de-83a6-0ff1b8993af8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/08f06173 In Episode 9 (Part 1 of this two-part interview), Kelly Fletcher, MPRCA, and Mary Beth West, MPRCA, welcome Francis Ingham, MPRCA – global leader of PRCA and Chief Executive of ICCO – who explains many issues of critical importance to the global public relations profession... like the importance of non-partisanship in professional associations, ethics in strategic communications, mental well-being among professionals working in high-pressure PR jobs, diversity & inclusion (and how D&I must factor into meaningful workforce development strategies to go beyond mere lip service in the PR field).

Watch for Part 2 of this interview in the next episode of #MsInterPReted, when Francis delves into the topic of ethics and PRCA's most world-renowned case study of accountability standards for ethical compliance -- the expulsion of Bell-Pottinger.
 
In Part 1: Francis discusses:

  • How PRCA’s explosive growth is impacting the industry, in service to the highest standards of public relations practice;
  • Why having an international outlook in the public relations profession is essential today, to help tackle the global industry’s shared issues and challenges;
  • Why “taking a stand on issues that matter” is one of PRCA’s most important tasks… and how PRCA most recently helped forge a positive reversal-of-decision by an elected member of the Scottish Parliament who planned to serve part-time for a lobbying firm (an overt conflict of interest);
  • Why professional membership associations that use their platforms toward overtly political or divisive ends have “lost their way”; 
  • How PRCA is undertaking the issue of mental / emotional well-being for public relations professionals, conducting its own research on this topic and providing tools to help agencies and employers to address these matters for their teams;
  • How PRCA’s Apprenticeship Program and its just-announced Schools Outreach Programme (to younger ages) seeks to bring diverse communities into the PR workforce;
  • Why the U.K. Government tasked PRCA-UK with assisting in Brexit preparations (and how PRCA is undertaking this task in a non-partisan manner). 

Listen for Part 2 of this Interview with Episode 10 of #MsInterPReted, when Francis explains the tough realities – and shocking repercussions – of taking a stand in the Bell-Pottinger ethics-violation case in 2017. 

 

Links:


]]> In Episode 9 (Part 1 of this two-part interview), Kelly Fletcher, MPRCA, and Mary Beth West, MPRCA, welcome Francis Ingham, MPRCA – global leader of PRCA and Chief Executive of ICCO – who explains many issues of critical importance to the global public relations profession... like the importance of non-partisanship in professional associations, ethics in strategic communications, mental well-being among professionals working in high-pressure PR jobs, diversity & inclusion (and how D&I must factor into meaningful workforce development strategies to go beyond mere lip service in the PR field).

Watch for Part 2 of this interview in the next episode of #MsInterPReted, when Francis delves into the topic of ethics and PRCA's most world-renowned case study of accountability standards for ethical compliance -- the expulsion of Bell-Pottinger.
 
In Part 1: Francis discusses:

  • How PRCA’s explosive growth is impacting the industry, in service to the highest standards of public relations practice;
  • Why having an international outlook in the public relations profession is essential today, to help tackle the global industry’s shared issues and challenges;
  • Why “taking a stand on issues that matter” is one of PRCA’s most important tasks… and how PRCA most recently helped forge a positive reversal-of-decision by an elected member of the Scottish Parliament who planned to serve part-time for a lobbying firm (an overt conflict of interest);
  • Why professional membership associations that use their platforms toward overtly political or divisive ends have “lost their way”; 
  • How PRCA is undertaking the issue of mental / emotional well-being for public relations professionals, conducting its own research on this topic and providing tools to help agencies and employers to address these matters for their teams;
  • How PRCA’s Apprenticeship Program and its just-announced Schools Outreach Programme (to younger ages) seeks to bring diverse communities into the PR workforce;
  • Why the U.K. Government tasked PRCA-UK with assisting in Brexit preparations (and how PRCA is undertaking this task in a non-partisan manner). 

Listen for Part 2 of this Interview with Episode 10 of #MsInterPReted, when Francis explains the tough realities – and shocking repercussions – of taking a stand in the Bell-Pottinger ethics-violation case in 2017. 

 

Links:


]]> Wed, 13 Nov 2019 03:00:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2156 In Episode 9 (Part 1 of this two-part interview), Kelly Fletcher, MPRCA, and Mary Beth West, MPRCA, welcome Francis Ingham, MPRCA – global leader of PRCA and Chief Executive of ICCO – who explains many issues of critical importance to the global public relations profession... like the importance of non-partisanship in professional associations, ethics in strategic communications, mental well-being among professionals working in high-pressure PR jobs, diversity & inclusion (and how D&I must factor into meaningful workforce development strategies to go beyond mere lip service in the PR field). Watch for Part 2 of this interview in the next episode of #MsInterPReted, when Francis delves into the topic of ethics and PRCA's most world-renowned case study of accountability standards for ethical compliance -- the expulsion of Bell-Pottinger. In Episode 9 (Part 1 of this two-part interview), Kelly Fletcher, MPRCA, and Mary Beth West, MPRCA, welcome Francis Ingham, MPRCA – global leader of PRCA and Chief Executive of ICCO – who explains many issues of critical importance to the global public re Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Leading from the Front: A Chat with PRCA’s Francis Ingham (Part 2 of 2) 1 1 10 10 Leading from the Front: A Chat with PRCA’s Francis Ingham (Part 2 of 2) full c5fa2bcb-e784-4e88-bf06-1b10d483f8e0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e73adb2b In Episode 10 (Part 2 of 2) of this interview with PRCA Director General Francis Ingham, Francis explains the tough realities – and shocking repercussions – of taking a stand in the Bell-Pottinger ethics-violation case in 2017. 

 

Links:

Learn more about the PRCA Bell Pottinger case study:
https://www.prca.org.uk/campaigns/ethics/bell-pottinger-case-study]]> In Episode 10 (Part 2 of 2) of this interview with PRCA Director General Francis Ingham, Francis explains the tough realities – and shocking repercussions – of taking a stand in the Bell-Pottinger ethics-violation case in 2017. 

 

Links:

Learn more about the PRCA Bell Pottinger case study:
https://www.prca.org.uk/campaigns/ethics/bell-pottinger-case-study]]> Wed, 20 Nov 2019 05:00:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1092 Kelly and Mary Beth welcome back PRCA's Director General Francis Ingham, as he joins Ms. InterPReted from London for Part 2 of "Public Relations: Leading from the Front." In this segment, Francis provides an overview of the world-renowned Bell Pottinger case study ... one of the most high-profile examples of a public relations firm being held to account for ethical misconduct, in the history of the profession. PRCA's (and Francis's) bold stance on ethics in the Bell Pottinger case represents a ground-breaking moment of both courage and commitment in PR leadership that all professionals, academicians and students should consider, going forward. This PRCA case stands in stark contrast with the U.S.-based PR association's ethics code (an "inspiration"-only model of practice that includes no accountability mandate or credible adjudication process for firms or practitioners breaking rules of professional conduct) -- an ongoing compliance failure that Kelly and Mary Beth speak out against. Francis explains why ethical compliance and accountability matter -- and must be taken with utmost seriousness -- if the profession is to advance globally and achieve respect. Kelly and Mary Beth welcome back PRCA's Director General Francis Ingham, as he joins Ms. InterPReted from London for Part 2 of "Public Relations: Leading from the Front." In this segment, Francis provides an overview of the world-renowned Bell Pottinger MsInterPReted, PRCA, PRSA, Ingham, Francis, ethics, PRethics, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, Bell Pottinger, accountability, South Africa, BEPS, compliance No Cartoons, Creativity & Courage: Editorial Cartoonist Marshall Ramsey 1 1 11 11 Cartoons, Creativity & Courage: Editorial Cartoonist Marshall Ramsey full 9e5a8671-5328-4065-a3a6-70d2cb25d87f https://share.transistor.fm/s/1b3da606 Marshall keeps listeners laughing as well as riveted as he shares:

  • How his memorial cartoons in 2018 of the late First Lady Barbara Bush and President George H. W. Bush became overnight, national media sensations while being embraced by the Bush Family (Marshall will be speaking at the Bush Presidential Library in December 2019);
  • How his 9/11 cartoons helped unify a grieving nation; and 
  • How Jesus's Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) served as a catalyst to change Marshall's life in the face of adversity -- including a serious bout with cancer, 18 cycles of career lay-offs in the newspaper business and the occasional animosities and even personal threats against his safety when a disenchanted reader fails to find either humor or good-natured irony in his work. 

 Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West and the whole Fletcher PR team join Marshall in wishing everyone a safe, blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

Links:

  • Follow the #MsInterPReted hashtag in social media 
  • Follow Marshall Ramsey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarshallRamsey 
  • Follow Mississippi Today: https://twitter.com/MSTODAYnews 
  • Follow Dave Ramsey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaveRamsey 
  • Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/  
  • Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR https://twitter.com/fletcherpr 
  • Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher https://twitter.com/kdfletcher 
  • Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest https://twitter.com/MaryBethWest  
]]> Marshall keeps listeners laughing as well as riveted as he shares:

  • How his memorial cartoons in 2018 of the late First Lady Barbara Bush and President George H. W. Bush became overnight, national media sensations while being embraced by the Bush Family (Marshall will be speaking at the Bush Presidential Library in December 2019);
  • How his 9/11 cartoons helped unify a grieving nation; and 
  • How Jesus's Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) served as a catalyst to change Marshall's life in the face of adversity -- including a serious bout with cancer, 18 cycles of career lay-offs in the newspaper business and the occasional animosities and even personal threats against his safety when a disenchanted reader fails to find either humor or good-natured irony in his work. 

 Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West and the whole Fletcher PR team join Marshall in wishing everyone a safe, blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

Links:

  • Follow the #MsInterPReted hashtag in social media 
  • Follow Marshall Ramsey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarshallRamsey 
  • Follow Mississippi Today: https://twitter.com/MSTODAYnews 
  • Follow Dave Ramsey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaveRamsey 
  • Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/  
  • Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR https://twitter.com/fletcherpr 
  • Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher https://twitter.com/kdfletcher 
  • Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest https://twitter.com/MaryBethWest  
]]> Wed, 27 Nov 2019 04:00:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 3399 In this special Thanksgiving holiday episode, "Ms. InterPReted" hosts two-time Pulitzer Prize nominated editorial cartoonist and editor at-large of Mississippi Today, Marshall Ramsey, to share his creative process as well as the poignant experiences of both his childhood and career that have contributed to nearly three decades as -- now -- one of only some dozen editorial cartoonists currently working in the United States. A sidebar: Marshall is a cousin of #MsInterPReted Co-Host Mary Beth West's husband (as well as cousin to the family's other famous media celebrity, "Financial Peace" author and radio host / media expert, Dave Ramsey). In this special Thanksgiving holiday episode, "Ms. InterPReted" hosts two-time Pulitzer Prize nominated editorial cartoonist and editor at-large of Mississippi Today, Marshall Ramsey, to share his creative process as well as the poignant experiences of bo Marshall Ramsey, MsInterPReted, Mary Beth West, Kelly Fletcher, Dave Ramsey, Mississippi, editorial, cartoon, cartoonist, #MsInterPReted, UT, Tennessee, Bush, 9/11, @MarshallRamsey, @marybethwest No The PoweR of Strategic Charitable Giving: Mike McClamroch 1 1 12 12 The PoweR of Strategic Charitable Giving: Mike McClamroch full d417f6f9-3987-4696-9d34-e5f46ab8b14a https://share.transistor.fm/s/b228b6bb About Mike McClamroch:
A Knoxville, Tennessee native, Mike McClamroch has been East Tennessee Foundation’s chief executive since 2001. With his constant emphasis on excellent stewardship of the resources entrusted to the Foundation and on top-notch constituent services, Mike has overseen dramatic growth in the asset size and grantmaking of ETF. 

Prior to leading ETF, Mike practiced law and was an active volunteer with a variety of charitable organizations in the Knoxville area. In 2019, Mike received The Legacy Award for outstanding philanthropic leadership, presented by the Great Smoky Mountain Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. 

In Episode 12, Kelly and Mary Beth welcome Mike, who talks about the combination of passion, focus and expertise community foundations like East Tennessee Foundation deliver to the fabrics of local communities nationwide.

 
Mike discusses:

  • How and why philanthropy is relevant… now more than ever
  • Why it’s so important to merge what you’re passionate about with your vocation (and how he’s personally accomplished this outcome through his leadership career path with ETF)
  • How Mike’s personal collaboration with the late Lady Vols Head Coach Pat Summitt resulted in a national legacy through creation of the Pat Summitt Foundation (housed at ETF), to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s
  • How charitable organizations serve strategic needs in any community (and how public relations professionals can broker necessary relationships and programs to meet those needs)
  • The types of nationwide community needs that philanthropic donors should consider when undertaking the task of investing dollars for local community impact
  • What types of communications challenges community foundations encounter, in seeking to advance their missions
  • Why careers in philanthropy are a direct path toward action-based impact… making the biggest differences to the most people
  • Why measuring impact is essential
  • Top mistakes that well-meaning philanthropists can easily make in the process of participating in charitable work / giving
  • What “the new model” of charitable giving entails
  • Why it’s important for employees of companies to be involved in the corporate giving process – such as by serving on a grant panel
  • How the power of endowment works as a core function of ETF to generate permanent grant-making opportunities, with benefits to grantees, donors and communities
  • How Millennials and women are helping drive philanthropy today

Links:


]]> About Mike McClamroch:
A Knoxville, Tennessee native, Mike McClamroch has been East Tennessee Foundation’s chief executive since 2001. With his constant emphasis on excellent stewardship of the resources entrusted to the Foundation and on top-notch constituent services, Mike has overseen dramatic growth in the asset size and grantmaking of ETF. 

Prior to leading ETF, Mike practiced law and was an active volunteer with a variety of charitable organizations in the Knoxville area. In 2019, Mike received The Legacy Award for outstanding philanthropic leadership, presented by the Great Smoky Mountain Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. 

In Episode 12, Kelly and Mary Beth welcome Mike, who talks about the combination of passion, focus and expertise community foundations like East Tennessee Foundation deliver to the fabrics of local communities nationwide.

 
Mike discusses:

  • How and why philanthropy is relevant… now more than ever
  • Why it’s so important to merge what you’re passionate about with your vocation (and how he’s personally accomplished this outcome through his leadership career path with ETF)
  • How Mike’s personal collaboration with the late Lady Vols Head Coach Pat Summitt resulted in a national legacy through creation of the Pat Summitt Foundation (housed at ETF), to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s
  • How charitable organizations serve strategic needs in any community (and how public relations professionals can broker necessary relationships and programs to meet those needs)
  • The types of nationwide community needs that philanthropic donors should consider when undertaking the task of investing dollars for local community impact
  • What types of communications challenges community foundations encounter, in seeking to advance their missions
  • Why careers in philanthropy are a direct path toward action-based impact… making the biggest differences to the most people
  • Why measuring impact is essential
  • Top mistakes that well-meaning philanthropists can easily make in the process of participating in charitable work / giving
  • What “the new model” of charitable giving entails
  • Why it’s important for employees of companies to be involved in the corporate giving process – such as by serving on a grant panel
  • How the power of endowment works as a core function of ETF to generate permanent grant-making opportunities, with benefits to grantees, donors and communities
  • How Millennials and women are helping drive philanthropy today

Links:


]]> Wed, 04 Dec 2019 03:00:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2704 With the holiday season in full swing, Fletcher Marketing PR’s thoughts turn toward ways to give back, with the help of community foundation thought leader, East Tennessee Foundation. ETF President & CEO Mike McClamroch shares his decades of experience, helping both corporate and individual / family donors effectively focus their philanthropic intent toward significant community or even nationwide impact . . . among them: the Pat Summitt Foundation. Kelly and Mary Beth explore with Mike how the power of PR as a driver of strategic charitable giving delivers lasting legacies and authentic relationships. With the holiday season in full swing, Fletcher Marketing PR’s thoughts turn toward ways to give back, with the help of community foundation thought leader, East Tennessee Foundation. ETF President & CEO Mike McClamroch shares his decades of experienc PR, PublicRelations, PatSummitt, Philanthropy, #MsInterPReted, Fletcher, FletcherPR, ETF, East Tennessee Foundation, @etfoundation, @webackpat, @patsummitt, #GivingTuesday No PR & Entrepreneurship: Managing Stress & Burnout 1 1 13 13 PR & Entrepreneurship: Managing Stress & Burnout full 489933c0-d840-402c-aed3-4dd025b80131 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6a54f5e3 The holiday season at year-end can be spiritually fulfilling and laden with good cheer . . . but it's also a time of over-booked calendars, never-ending "to do" lists (both personally and professionally) and -- in the agency business -- year-end tasks coupled with plans for the upcoming New Year Q1 that might derail well-meaning intentions to take peaceful R&R with family and friends.

Every PR professional encounters workplace stress at any time of the year . . . but what happens when stresses go into overdrive and start resulting in deeper, more negative impacts on one's mindset, energy level and an ability to bring one's best self to their teams (and to their own personal lives)?

In this episode, Kelly and Mary Beth share what some of the unique challenges entail of founding, launching and sustaining over many years a thriving public relations agency . . . and how both employers and employees alike should be more aware of one another's challenges and needs in order to create a healthy workplace culture, conducive to great business results and healthy mindsets year-round.

Links:

]]> The holiday season at year-end can be spiritually fulfilling and laden with good cheer . . . but it's also a time of over-booked calendars, never-ending "to do" lists (both personally and professionally) and -- in the agency business -- year-end tasks coupled with plans for the upcoming New Year Q1 that might derail well-meaning intentions to take peaceful R&R with family and friends.

Every PR professional encounters workplace stress at any time of the year . . . but what happens when stresses go into overdrive and start resulting in deeper, more negative impacts on one's mindset, energy level and an ability to bring one's best self to their teams (and to their own personal lives)?

In this episode, Kelly and Mary Beth share what some of the unique challenges entail of founding, launching and sustaining over many years a thriving public relations agency . . . and how both employers and employees alike should be more aware of one another's challenges and needs in order to create a healthy workplace culture, conducive to great business results and healthy mindsets year-round.

Links:

]]> Wed, 11 Dec 2019 01:00:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2554 Few careers offer the dynamic, exciting day-to-day work diversity, fast pace and intellectual stimulation as the public relations field. But alongside the adrenaline rush also comes PR's dubious honor of being ranked consistently as one of the most high-stress careers ... and the impact can take a real toll on both agency entrepreneurs and the larger PR workforce alike. To compound the issue further, openly discussing the issue has -- for decades -- been an unspoken taboo . . . but finally, this compounding factor is starting to change. Kelly and Mary Beth share with striking candor and transparency their own career experiences with challenges of work/life balance and managing the daily hamster wheel -- and how others can manage these stresses with preventative self-care in ways that help lift themselves up -- and hopefully, those around them as well. Few careers offer the dynamic, exciting day-to-day work diversity, fast pace and intellectual stimulation as the public relations field. But alongside the adrenaline rush also comes PR's dubious honor of being ranked consistently as one of the most high-s #MsInterPReted, Ms. InterPReted, PR, podcast, workplace, work/life balance, mental, health, well-being, stress, satisfaction, holidays, 2020, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, burnout No #MsInterPReted -- Season 1 Memorable Moments 1 1 14 14 #MsInterPReted -- Season 1 Memorable Moments full 66e7fb4b-cae0-4afb-b1b7-4acfc1933672 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5073f3ff Join Kelly and Mary Beth as they take a walk down memory lane of "Ms. InterPReted" / Season 1 and revisit their favorite on-air moments, as well as some of the key take-aways from the first 13 episodes of the podcast . . . including their amazing guests' wit, humor, wisdom, insights and incredible storytelling -- all about the power of strategic communications, human relationships and the fundamentals of good PR. 

As the Fletcher Marketing PR team takes a podcast hiatus for the holidays, don't forget to tune back in to #MsInterPReted on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020 for the launch of Season 2. . . Kelly and Mary Beth will have some interesting tweaks and new offerings to announce for the podcast in the New Year!

Links:

]]> Join Kelly and Mary Beth as they take a walk down memory lane of "Ms. InterPReted" / Season 1 and revisit their favorite on-air moments, as well as some of the key take-aways from the first 13 episodes of the podcast . . . including their amazing guests' wit, humor, wisdom, insights and incredible storytelling -- all about the power of strategic communications, human relationships and the fundamentals of good PR. 

As the Fletcher Marketing PR team takes a podcast hiatus for the holidays, don't forget to tune back in to #MsInterPReted on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020 for the launch of Season 2. . . Kelly and Mary Beth will have some interesting tweaks and new offerings to announce for the podcast in the New Year!

Links:

]]> Wed, 18 Dec 2019 01:00:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2636 With year-end of 2019 closing in, Kelly and Mary Beth conclude Season 1 of #MsInterPReted for the calendar year with a look back at some of the most memorable moments, guests, interviews, laughs, revelations -- and even a few tear-jerkers -- from the podcast's kick-off of Episodes 1-13. Revisit compelling interviews with guests as well as Kelly's and Mary Beth's top picks of their own best-practice discussions and insights. With year-end of 2019 closing in, Kelly and Mary Beth conclude Season 1 of #MsInterPReted for the calendar year with a look back at some of the most memorable moments, guests, interviews, laughs, revelations -- and even a few tear-jerkers -- from the podc #MsInterPReted, Memorable, moments, Season 1, recap, PR, podcast, ethics, storytelling, holidays, 2019, 2020, Mary Beth West, Kelly Fletcher, @marybethwest, @Kdfletcher, Humblepod No Direct Sales: Why Entrepreneurial Women are the Driving Force 2 2 1 1 Direct Sales: Why Entrepreneurial Women are the Driving Force full b61af772-6787-4d9e-a42b-06d9573273c7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/33dc0b11 About Bob Dickie

As CEO of Bonvera, Bob Dickie leads a premium health, wellness, and lifestyle company where entrepreneurs are celebrated.  

Prior to the private sector, Bob served more than six years as a captain in the United States Air Force in various assignments that led to extensive duty in Europe and Asia. Post-military, Bob became the CEO for an international retail and training company supplying the direct sales and network marketing industry, which led to deep working relationships with Amway and MonaVie, to name a few. 

Leading a company turn-around, Bob’s team rebuilt the entire organization, with new technology and product lines helping the organization more than triple in size from 2004 to 2009.

As a college athlete, U.S. Air Force Athlete of the Year, and 3rd US finisher in the Boston Marathon (23rd overall), Bob enjoys physical challenges as well as immersing himself in turn-around environments with team-building and scaling operations. He is married and the father of six children.

Show Notes
Kelly welcomes Bob Dickie, who talks about his CEO journey to Bonvera and explains how direct-selling works, as it has evolved to a significant market force in the U.S. and abroad. 


 Bob discusses:

  • How the seeds of the direct-selling industry decades ago (with such companies as Avon and Tupperware) have now flourished through the power of word-of-mouth and direct-to-consumer marketing, amid so many people tuning out traditional marketing methods to inform their purchasing choices and drive their product passions;
  • How 80% of Bonvera’s sales-team entrepreneurs are women;
  • Why women are flocking to the direct-selling self-employment model due to a global economy; pressures for diversified U.S. household incomes; the growth of the gig economy / freelancer economy – particularly for the Millennial Generation; low cost to entry and other factors;
  • The “love-it-or-you-hate-it” reputation of direct-selling and what drives misconceptions about the industry;
  • The finer points of best-in-class product development and how systems of integrity must be upheld to build and earn positive brand reputation;
  • How “fast-moving streams” and trends in society are reflective of the direct-selling evolution;
  • How to overcome “fear of salesmanship” and find a product passion, to best consider opportunities in the field.


Links:

]]> About Bob Dickie

As CEO of Bonvera, Bob Dickie leads a premium health, wellness, and lifestyle company where entrepreneurs are celebrated.  

Prior to the private sector, Bob served more than six years as a captain in the United States Air Force in various assignments that led to extensive duty in Europe and Asia. Post-military, Bob became the CEO for an international retail and training company supplying the direct sales and network marketing industry, which led to deep working relationships with Amway and MonaVie, to name a few. 

Leading a company turn-around, Bob’s team rebuilt the entire organization, with new technology and product lines helping the organization more than triple in size from 2004 to 2009.

As a college athlete, U.S. Air Force Athlete of the Year, and 3rd US finisher in the Boston Marathon (23rd overall), Bob enjoys physical challenges as well as immersing himself in turn-around environments with team-building and scaling operations. He is married and the father of six children.

Show Notes
Kelly welcomes Bob Dickie, who talks about his CEO journey to Bonvera and explains how direct-selling works, as it has evolved to a significant market force in the U.S. and abroad. 


 Bob discusses:

  • How the seeds of the direct-selling industry decades ago (with such companies as Avon and Tupperware) have now flourished through the power of word-of-mouth and direct-to-consumer marketing, amid so many people tuning out traditional marketing methods to inform their purchasing choices and drive their product passions;
  • How 80% of Bonvera’s sales-team entrepreneurs are women;
  • Why women are flocking to the direct-selling self-employment model due to a global economy; pressures for diversified U.S. household incomes; the growth of the gig economy / freelancer economy – particularly for the Millennial Generation; low cost to entry and other factors;
  • The “love-it-or-you-hate-it” reputation of direct-selling and what drives misconceptions about the industry;
  • The finer points of best-in-class product development and how systems of integrity must be upheld to build and earn positive brand reputation;
  • How “fast-moving streams” and trends in society are reflective of the direct-selling evolution;
  • How to overcome “fear of salesmanship” and find a product passion, to best consider opportunities in the field.


Links:

]]> Wed, 08 Jan 2020 01:00:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2497 Kelly kicks off 2020 and Season 2 of #MsInterPReted with a hot topic within the growing U.S. economy: the trajectory of the direct-selling industry – with Fletcher PR client and CEO of Bonvera, Bob Dickie, spotlighting many of the lesser-known and even “MsInterPReted” facts of the industry . . . including its reach and impact with female sales entrepreneurs. According to the Direct Selling Association, in 2018, direct selling generated $35.4 billion in retail sales across the United States ($192 billion globally), with “more than six million entrepreneurs in the U.S….selling products or services through the direct selling channel, providing a personalized buying experience for more than 36.6 million customers.” Kelly kicks off 2020 and Season 2 of #MsInterPReted with a hot topic within the growing U.S. economy: the trajectory of the direct-selling industry – with Fletcher PR client and CEO of Bonvera, Bob Dickie, spotlighting many of the lesser-known and even “M #directsales, #directselling, direct, sales, selling, entrepreneurship, Bonvera, PR, marketing, Fletcher Marketing, Fletcher PR, Kelly, Fletcher, Bob, Dickie, #MsInterPReted, podcast, Ms. InterPReted, Knoxville, advertising, digital No Melissa Carter: Reaching the Big ‘L’ in the LGBT Market 2 2 2 2 Melissa Carter: Reaching the Big ‘L’ in the LGBT Market full 1417b3fb-7803-4b1f-bd3d-08e792848ab6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4b7e13ad In Episode 16, Kelly, Mary Beth and long-time Atlanta radio personality and LGBT trailblazer Melissa Carter explore what brands, marketers and strategic communicators are getting right (and wrong) about reaching the lesbian segment of the market. 

 Melissa shares:

  • Her personal coming-out journey, and what teenage and early-adult life was like for her in a Bible-belt, Middle Tennessee small town;
  • How coming-out to her family set the pace for her to embark on an authentic life in her mid-20s, and how her father’s reaction as a Christian (and his comment about Jesus) was such a critical moment in her life;
  • Her experience as an organ-donation recipient (kidney) and how finding a nephrologist in a gay-friendly Atlanta medical directory saved her life;
  • Fairness issues of being “branded” gay / lesbian (given that straight people are not branded “straight”);
  • What it means when marketers give lesbians “the scraps from the straight table” and why only lukewarm LGBT brand support never works well;
  • What brands like Absolut Vodka, Subaru, Disney, The Hallmark Channel and Chik-fil-A are doing right or wrong in their messaging;
  • Differences between supporting the gay community versus a willingness to SEE the gay community;
  • How societal messages and conditioning of boys versus girls when they’re growing up feed lifelong behaviors that impact women’s ability to achieve career success;
  • What elements of brand-experience and authenticity drive loyalty within the lesbian community;
  • What legacies of inclusion versus exclusion mean for brands long-term.

 

Links:

  1. Follow the #MsInterPReted hashtag
  2. Tune in to Melissa Carter’s “She Persisted” podcast: https://shepersistedshow.com/ 
  3. Follow Melissa Carter on Twitter: @MelissaCarter https://twitter.com/MelissaCarter 
  4. Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/ 
  5. Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR https://twitter.com/fletcherpr 
  6. Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher https://twitter.com/kdfletcher 
  7. Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest https://twitter.com/MaryBethWest 
]]> In Episode 16, Kelly, Mary Beth and long-time Atlanta radio personality and LGBT trailblazer Melissa Carter explore what brands, marketers and strategic communicators are getting right (and wrong) about reaching the lesbian segment of the market. 

 Melissa shares:

  • Her personal coming-out journey, and what teenage and early-adult life was like for her in a Bible-belt, Middle Tennessee small town;
  • How coming-out to her family set the pace for her to embark on an authentic life in her mid-20s, and how her father’s reaction as a Christian (and his comment about Jesus) was such a critical moment in her life;
  • Her experience as an organ-donation recipient (kidney) and how finding a nephrologist in a gay-friendly Atlanta medical directory saved her life;
  • Fairness issues of being “branded” gay / lesbian (given that straight people are not branded “straight”);
  • What it means when marketers give lesbians “the scraps from the straight table” and why only lukewarm LGBT brand support never works well;
  • What brands like Absolut Vodka, Subaru, Disney, The Hallmark Channel and Chik-fil-A are doing right or wrong in their messaging;
  • Differences between supporting the gay community versus a willingness to SEE the gay community;
  • How societal messages and conditioning of boys versus girls when they’re growing up feed lifelong behaviors that impact women’s ability to achieve career success;
  • What elements of brand-experience and authenticity drive loyalty within the lesbian community;
  • What legacies of inclusion versus exclusion mean for brands long-term.

 

Links:

  1. Follow the #MsInterPReted hashtag
  2. Tune in to Melissa Carter’s “She Persisted” podcast: https://shepersistedshow.com/ 
  3. Follow Melissa Carter on Twitter: @MelissaCarter https://twitter.com/MelissaCarter 
  4. Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/ 
  5. Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR https://twitter.com/fletcherpr 
  6. Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher https://twitter.com/kdfletcher 
  7. Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest https://twitter.com/MaryBethWest 
]]> Wed, 22 Jan 2020 00:05:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 4704 Long-time Atlanta radio personality and LGBT trailblazer Melissa Carter (@MelissaCarter) shares her life journey as well as her insights about reaching the lesbian segment (and sub-segments) of the LGBT market, as well as why proper audience research and messaging for this widely misunderstood community should never be underestimated. A high school friend of Mary Beth’s, Melissa recalls her teenage revelations about discovering she was a lesbian while coming of age in the mid to late-1980s, in a Bible-belt, Middle Tennessee small town. With humor, candor and even a few mic-drop moments, Melissa sheds light on The “L” and why brands should take notice. Long-time Atlanta radio personality and LGBT trailblazer Melissa Carter (@MelissaCarter) shares her life journey as well as her insights about reaching the lesbian segment (and sub-segments) of the LGBT market, as well as why proper audience research and #MsInterPReted, #PublicRelations, #PR, #Marketing, #MarketingToWomen, #MelissaCarter, #LGBT, #Lesbian, Atlanta, Kidney, Donor, Awareness, Bert Show, Melissa, Melissa Carter, Mary Beth West, Kelly Fletcher, Fletcher Marketing, Fletcher PR, Fletcher No Women Helping Women: Mentorship & Community Engagement 2 2 3 3 Women Helping Women: Mentorship & Community Engagement full 7b038706-3936-4551-a94c-ddb3807ab1c5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5ee4c46c Show Notes:

In Episode 17, Kelly and Mary Beth interview two women whose wit, grit and wisdom on the subjects of career and community success make for one of the most compelling episodes yet of #MsInterPReted.

  • Sharon Hannum and Joy Bishop share:
  • Their personal stories of entering their respective careers in male-dominated work environments (heavy manufacturing and military, respectively) and in an era when the women’s movement was only just beginning (the 1970s) and racial equality ethics were not widely discussed – much less implemented – in many workforce environments;  
  •  How both dealt with overt incidents of discrimination in their careers while forging positive careers forward;
  • How the strategies and techniques of getting a career foothold have changed over the years… and what aspects have stayed the same; 
  • Why it’s so important that woman-to-woman support systems are positive ones and not of a negative scarcity-mentality that play into common stereotypes;
  • What companies often do wrong in the area of community involvement … and what changes they should make to get things right.


 Links:


]]> Show Notes:

In Episode 17, Kelly and Mary Beth interview two women whose wit, grit and wisdom on the subjects of career and community success make for one of the most compelling episodes yet of #MsInterPReted.

  • Sharon Hannum and Joy Bishop share:
  • Their personal stories of entering their respective careers in male-dominated work environments (heavy manufacturing and military, respectively) and in an era when the women’s movement was only just beginning (the 1970s) and racial equality ethics were not widely discussed – much less implemented – in many workforce environments;  
  •  How both dealt with overt incidents of discrimination in their careers while forging positive careers forward;
  • How the strategies and techniques of getting a career foothold have changed over the years… and what aspects have stayed the same; 
  • Why it’s so important that woman-to-woman support systems are positive ones and not of a negative scarcity-mentality that play into common stereotypes;
  • What companies often do wrong in the area of community involvement … and what changes they should make to get things right.


 Links:


]]> Wed, 05 Feb 2020 01:00:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 3880 In the category of female mentorship and the servant-leader model, there could be no more compelling a duo than these two guests, who’ve advised countless organizations and mentored hundreds of colleagues in their careers . . . Sharon Hannum and Joy Bishop are two East Tennessee powerhouses in the business and philanthropic communities, each with careers spanning decades – including Sharon’s 30 years with Alcoa Inc. (now Arconic) and Joy’s 30 years with the U.S. Air Force civil service. Both Athena Award winners, Joy’s and Sharon’s careers as trailblazing women include numerous “firsts” in several of the organizations they served, as either the first women to hold certain posts, or, in Sharon’s case, the first African American as well. Their wisdom and insights for women and men alike to realize career success are informed by the realities of the cultures they encountered when first starting their careers, as well as modern-day evolutions of workforce, employer and employee expectations. In the category of female mentorship and the servant-leader model, there could be no more compelling a duo than these two guests, who’ve advised countless organizations and mentored hundreds of colleagues in their careers . . . Sharon Hannum and Joy Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No PR, Metrics, and Nudge Theory: Shayoni Lynn 2 2 4 4 PR, Metrics, and Nudge Theory: Shayoni Lynn full 3e52216f-9fe0-4d92-9c8f-e751e05fe537 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c386f37a In Episode 18 (Episode 4 of Season 2), Mary Beth speaks with Shay Lynn about several essential components of nudge theory and how nudge communications can make strategic communications initiatives even more valuable to organizations.

Shay and Mary Beth also discuss the complexity of PR metrics and how "too much of a good thing" can result in meaningless data overload for both PR teams and clients, without necessary directional insights that prove the real value of managing data in the first place.

Among Shay's insights:

  1. How her new journey as an entrepreneur is unfolding, in leading her own public relations consultancy -- already to much industry attention and acclaim
  2. What "nudge communications" is, examples of how it's integrated into campaigns, what the benefits are, and how public relations professionals can use nudge as an effective, well-planned technique
  3. Why metrics -- while important -- also can be mismanaged in ways that take the focus off the core benefits of campaign outcomes (or even make entire companies go awry, such as in the precedent-setting case example of Wells Fargo in the U.S. banking industry)
  4. How ethics factor into both nudge communications as well as use of metrics
  5. How a PRCA-UK PR Council initiative Shay is overseeing on ethics is looking to undertake its work in 2020
  6. What three things public relations professionals should focus on today to achieve meaningful behavioral change with targeted stakeholders


Links:

]]> In Episode 18 (Episode 4 of Season 2), Mary Beth speaks with Shay Lynn about several essential components of nudge theory and how nudge communications can make strategic communications initiatives even more valuable to organizations.

Shay and Mary Beth also discuss the complexity of PR metrics and how "too much of a good thing" can result in meaningless data overload for both PR teams and clients, without necessary directional insights that prove the real value of managing data in the first place.

Among Shay's insights:

  1. How her new journey as an entrepreneur is unfolding, in leading her own public relations consultancy -- already to much industry attention and acclaim
  2. What "nudge communications" is, examples of how it's integrated into campaigns, what the benefits are, and how public relations professionals can use nudge as an effective, well-planned technique
  3. Why metrics -- while important -- also can be mismanaged in ways that take the focus off the core benefits of campaign outcomes (or even make entire companies go awry, such as in the precedent-setting case example of Wells Fargo in the U.S. banking industry)
  4. How ethics factor into both nudge communications as well as use of metrics
  5. How a PRCA-UK PR Council initiative Shay is overseeing on ethics is looking to undertake its work in 2020
  6. What three things public relations professionals should focus on today to achieve meaningful behavioral change with targeted stakeholders


Links:

]]> Wed, 19 Feb 2020 01:00:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2629 #MsInterPReted welcomes another guest from “across the pond” in the U.K., Shayoni Lynn, FCIPR, CM-PRCA, of Lynn PR, based in Wales – an industry expert in data-management and insight-driven communications, strategic stakeholder engagement, measurement and evaluation. Born in India, Shay holds Associate Lecturer status at Cardiff University and shares membership with Kelly and Mary Beth in the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA-UK) – in which Shay is spearheading ethics initiatives in 2020 for PRCA’s PR Council. Shay’s expertise spans numerous behavioral-science topics, including the emerging area of “nudge” communications. Shay is also a regular speaker at industry events in Europe. Last year, Shay was recognized in the WalesOnline “35 under 35” list of top young business and professional women in Wales. Early in 2020, Shay’s firm, Lynn PR, was named “One to Watch in 2020” by PRWeek UK. #MsInterPReted welcomes another guest from “across the pond” in the U.K., Shayoni Lynn, FCIPR, CM-PRCA, of Lynn PR, based in Wales – an industry expert in data-management and insight-driven communications, strategic stakeholder engagement, measurement and #PublicRelations, #PR, #Marketing, #Nudge, public relations, PR, nudge, theory, ethics, Shayoni Lynn, Lynn PR, Wales, UK, PRCA, Cardiff, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, MsInterPReted, #MsInterPReted, #PRethics, #EthicsMatter No #EthicsWashing: The New Authenticity Fail? 2 2 5 5 #EthicsWashing: The New Authenticity Fail? full d16f3d5b-71c5-426b-9f61-9a75e50126aa https://share.transistor.fm/s/0fb81527 Kelly and Mary Beth have a candid chat about #EthicsWashing and how it’s damaging the public relations industry – particularly when PR industry associations are the ones doing it. Included in the discussion:

  • How the #MeToo movement’s authenticity demands have changed some aspects of the automotive industry; How #Greenwashing, #Pinkwashing and #Gaywashing have joined the line-up of authenticity fails under public scrutiny… and why walking-the-talk is so essential;
  • How #EthicsWashing is the latest iteration of the same phenomenon;
  • How some simple questions Mary Beth asked the Global Alliance – originally in December 2019 – snowballed into an “international incident”;
  • Background of what the Global Alliance is and confusion about its mission versus known deliverables / impacts;
  • What other kinds of non-transparency behaviors by PRSA are transpiring that undermine member trust (and PRSA’s own ability to lead its U.S.-based membership in a credible manner);
  • What value systems of accountability are supposed to look like … and how certain leaderships have drifted away from that mandate


Links: 

]]> Kelly and Mary Beth have a candid chat about #EthicsWashing and how it’s damaging the public relations industry – particularly when PR industry associations are the ones doing it. Included in the discussion:

  • How the #MeToo movement’s authenticity demands have changed some aspects of the automotive industry; How #Greenwashing, #Pinkwashing and #Gaywashing have joined the line-up of authenticity fails under public scrutiny… and why walking-the-talk is so essential;
  • How #EthicsWashing is the latest iteration of the same phenomenon;
  • How some simple questions Mary Beth asked the Global Alliance – originally in December 2019 – snowballed into an “international incident”;
  • Background of what the Global Alliance is and confusion about its mission versus known deliverables / impacts;
  • What other kinds of non-transparency behaviors by PRSA are transpiring that undermine member trust (and PRSA’s own ability to lead its U.S.-based membership in a credible manner);
  • What value systems of accountability are supposed to look like … and how certain leaderships have drifted away from that mandate


Links: 

]]> Wed, 04 Mar 2020 01:00:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2242 #MsInterPReted Co-Host Mary Beth West made history in February 2020, by being officially banned by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communications Management (GA) during its #EthicsMatter Month – a move the GA admonished Mary Beth (in its written reprimand to her) as being unprecedented. And why the ban?... Mary Beth revealed on an #EthicsMatter Twitter thread that she had directly asked ethical-compliance policy questions -- which the GA had failed (or refused) to answer for months. In the wake of this intimidation tactic by the GA’s nearly all-male Executive Committee, Kelly and Mary Beth break down the ethical hypocrisies and #PRfails of #EthicsWashing . . . a.k.a., when industry authorities tout codes of conduct that they themselves reject and fail in practice. Kelly and Mary Beth discuss transparency and authenticity issues that plague the public relations profession and how industry groups like the GA and PRSA let down their stakeholders through censorship, secrecy and obstructed channels of communication, when they refuse to disclose basic information that their own members rightfully request and should receive. The GA’s and PRSA’s stonewalling (including PRSA’s recent policy decision to start concealing the members of its own Audit Committee) stands in stark contrast to their joint-campaign in 2018 that touted the virtues of “a free press” and the right to “speak honestly and fearlessly on behalf of ourselves…” What are the implications of the GA’s and PRSA’s credibility and leadership posture in the PR industry? Will the GA or PRSA accept Kelly’s and Mary Beth’s invitation to appear on a future episode of #MsInterPReted, to clarify their viewpoints? Stay tuned! #MsInterPReted Co-Host Mary Beth West made history in February 2020, by being officially banned by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communications Management (GA) during its #EthicsMatter Month – a move the GA admonished Mary Beth (in its writ #MsInterPReted, #PublicRelations, PR. Fletcher #EthicsMatter #Prethics #EthicsWashing; PRSA, Global Alliance, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West No SPECIAL EDITION: Crisis Planning for Business Continuity 2 2 6 6 SPECIAL EDITION: Crisis Planning for Business Continuity bonus 92790aa3-0f39-4fa6-aa6d-b861101e2889 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3a8704f0 Kelly and Mary Beth delve into the general considerations all management teams should consider when undertaking crisis preparedness … with the first mandate being – Don’t Delay!  Included in the discussion:

  • How human reactions such as denial and “paralysis by analysis” universally stymie the best crisis-planning intentions… and how to overcome initial inertia;
  • Why there is a major difference between having an operational crisis plan and a communications-driven crisis plan (including both internal and external stakeholders) … and that you can’t have an adequate plan until you have bothcomponents;
  • How Kelly and Mary Beth have managed crisis consultations in their careers for a wide range of clients, including Mary Beth’s own former PR firm’s business crisis, when her office was destroyed in an office fire, requiring the displacement of her full agency team for nearly two months;
  • Ways in which crisis communications planning have changed in recent decades, evolving from the “traditional media” paradigm to the past two decades’ far more dynamic, complicated and Citizen Journalism-driven platform of digital media;
  • Critical considerations of IT systems back-ups, off-site employee work continuity, adequate insurance coverages and other operational / practical aspects for businesses of all sizes / scales to keep in mind;
  • How interdepartmental, interdisciplinary inclusion across management team functions must be integrated in the planning and execution process;
  • Why having employee contact-with-media and employee social media policies are so important;
  • And much more.


 

 

Links:

 

]]> Kelly and Mary Beth delve into the general considerations all management teams should consider when undertaking crisis preparedness … with the first mandate being – Don’t Delay!  Included in the discussion:

  • How human reactions such as denial and “paralysis by analysis” universally stymie the best crisis-planning intentions… and how to overcome initial inertia;
  • Why there is a major difference between having an operational crisis plan and a communications-driven crisis plan (including both internal and external stakeholders) … and that you can’t have an adequate plan until you have bothcomponents;
  • How Kelly and Mary Beth have managed crisis consultations in their careers for a wide range of clients, including Mary Beth’s own former PR firm’s business crisis, when her office was destroyed in an office fire, requiring the displacement of her full agency team for nearly two months;
  • Ways in which crisis communications planning have changed in recent decades, evolving from the “traditional media” paradigm to the past two decades’ far more dynamic, complicated and Citizen Journalism-driven platform of digital media;
  • Critical considerations of IT systems back-ups, off-site employee work continuity, adequate insurance coverages and other operational / practical aspects for businesses of all sizes / scales to keep in mind;
  • How interdepartmental, interdisciplinary inclusion across management team functions must be integrated in the planning and execution process;
  • Why having employee contact-with-media and employee social media policies are so important;
  • And much more.


 

 

Links:

 

]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2020 01:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2894 As worldwide business, governmental and organizational entities face crisis-preparedness demands for coronavirus contingency planning – and as crisis issues and incidents of all forms are part of each daily news cycle – CEOs, management teams and boards of directors must stand accountable to make sure their organizations are prepared for the completely unexpected… or, in the coronavirus case, a fast-evolving and foreseeable disruption with a full-scale impact that is yet unknown. As worldwide business, governmental and organizational entities face crisis-preparedness demands for coronavirus contingency planning – and as crisis issues and incidents of all forms are part of each daily news cycle – CEOs, management teams and boards o #MsInterPReted #PublicRelations #PR #Fletcher, crisis, communications, coronavirus, emergency, business, continuity, planning, plans, training No COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITION: Employment Legal Impacts of Federal Aid Legislation 2 2 7 7 COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITION: Employment Legal Impacts of Federal Aid Legislation full 358bddfc-1391-4ed2-887c-43f3ab00bbc4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e6e4bee4 Chad Hatmaker's on-point advice for employers – which PR teams must bear in mind as well as they think through employee-focused communications strategies – spans a diverse gamut, tied to passage of recent COVID-19 Aid legislation. 

Included in the discussion:

  • How remote work / virtual team transitions are impacting workplaces in critical ways
  • How the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (signed into law March 18 and taking effect April 1) is already impacting the workplace, in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, with caregiver and emergency paid sick leave components. (FFCRA “provides for expanded FMLA and Emergency Paid Leave in certain limited circumstances related to the Coronavirus pandemic,” as noted on Chad’s blog – tnemploymentlawblog.com)
  • The law of unintended consequences?... How the funding of these mandates expected by employers with fewer than 500 employees will impact companies in the short-term versus long-term
  • Aspects of consideration for those who are self-employed 
  • How much risk employers may be in for, relative to employee lawsuits down the pike
  • Anti-retaliation considerations and potential employee claims that employers must bear in mind to avoid legal risk
  • A cursory overview of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
  • How recent Pew Research statistics on teleworkers and the COVID-19 “new normal” on Work from Home #WFH arrangements may permanently change the workplace landscape
  • Discussion of whether working from home may or may not be a part later of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), relative to a “reasonable accommodation”
  • How the public relations profession is well-suited to telework platforms and how the new-normal of work-from-home arrangements may unleash an upending of traditional workplaces, both in the PR profession and in countless other knowledge-based fields
  • The Legal Side vs The PR Side: Chad’s take on how both disciplines need to work together, whether in response to COVID-19 or in any crisis
  • And much more.

 

 

Links:

]]> Chad Hatmaker's on-point advice for employers – which PR teams must bear in mind as well as they think through employee-focused communications strategies – spans a diverse gamut, tied to passage of recent COVID-19 Aid legislation. 

Included in the discussion:

  • How remote work / virtual team transitions are impacting workplaces in critical ways
  • How the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (signed into law March 18 and taking effect April 1) is already impacting the workplace, in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, with caregiver and emergency paid sick leave components. (FFCRA “provides for expanded FMLA and Emergency Paid Leave in certain limited circumstances related to the Coronavirus pandemic,” as noted on Chad’s blog – tnemploymentlawblog.com)
  • The law of unintended consequences?... How the funding of these mandates expected by employers with fewer than 500 employees will impact companies in the short-term versus long-term
  • Aspects of consideration for those who are self-employed 
  • How much risk employers may be in for, relative to employee lawsuits down the pike
  • Anti-retaliation considerations and potential employee claims that employers must bear in mind to avoid legal risk
  • A cursory overview of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
  • How recent Pew Research statistics on teleworkers and the COVID-19 “new normal” on Work from Home #WFH arrangements may permanently change the workplace landscape
  • Discussion of whether working from home may or may not be a part later of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), relative to a “reasonable accommodation”
  • How the public relations profession is well-suited to telework platforms and how the new-normal of work-from-home arrangements may unleash an upending of traditional workplaces, both in the PR profession and in countless other knowledge-based fields
  • The Legal Side vs The PR Side: Chad’s take on how both disciplines need to work together, whether in response to COVID-19 or in any crisis
  • And much more.

 

 

Links:

]]> Mon, 30 Mar 2020 08:45:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2830 COVID-19 has taken over the world as we once knew it, and almost nowhere is the brunt being absorbed like the employer and employee sectors. Countless employers – who just weeks ago were likely having a normal or strong year – have had the rug pulled out from under them, through no fault of their own. And the same goes for employees and the self-employed. In the U.S., what does new federal legislation portend for employers? What should they be thinking about, bracing for and – to the extent possible – getting out ahead of, to survive? Employment law Attorney Chad Hatmaker of Woolf McClane joins Kelly and Mary Beth to break down the technical as well as the strategic points of employer considerations . . . as well as how management teams must coordinate between both the Legal and PR sides to ensure that C-Suites are acting in good faith, on the best information and wise counsel possible. COVID-19 has taken over the world as we once knew it, and almost nowhere is the brunt being absorbed like the employer and employee sectors. Countless employers – who just weeks ago were likely having a normal or strong year – have had the rug pulled out #MsInterPReted #PublicRelations #PR #Fletcher, crisis, communications, coronavirus, #COVID19, employment, law, employer, employee, legal, emergency, business, continuity, planning, plans, training, #FSCRA, #FFCRA, #CARESact, Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, ADA No COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITION: PR Done Well or Wrong in the Coronavirus Era 2 2 8 8 COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITION: PR Done Well or Wrong in the Coronavirus Era full 0d4a30f6-83db-4342-8791-8836042d1108 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d10929cc Included in Kelly’s and Mary Beth’s discussion with Molly and Jules:


  • What to do as an independent practitioner, when faced with sudden loss of bookings and business
  • How a “rising tide lifts all ships” mentality in the PR profession and a sense of connectivity between public relations professionals will help our community of colleagues 
  • Why being bold and calling out bad PR examples is important for the improvement of the profession to elevate trust and ethical codes in public relations
  • Entities doing PR wrong or right during COVID-19: WeWork, Gov. Cuomo, Texas Roadhouse, the tourism / hospitality industry, mega-brands versus small-businesses (among other examples)
  • What happens when there are disparate value systems, mixed motives and disconnects between leaders and staff
  • How PR needs to be mobilized to fight fear that’s pervasive in teams, organizations, communities and entire societies right now
  • What it means to “have the difficult conversation” to acknowledge from the beginning of a crisis situation that a crisis is – indeed – happening (and how skipping this key incremental step is a major mistake)
  • Why information-hoarding is one the most common – yet most damaging – behaviors leaders engage in, that damages (or even destroys) trust
  • What roles ACCOUNTABILITY and TRANSPARENCY play in the current crisis
  • Is COVID-19 the PR industry's “moment of truth” to prove our worth in serving our clients / employers AND the public… and if it is that moment, are we making effective use of it?
  • Observations of small and regional PR firms being the culprits of bad PR pitches tied specifically to coronavirus
  • How LEADERSHIP is the common (yet uncommon) thread that must undergird strategy and basic good decision-making 
  • What it means when “doing the right thing” can mean completely different realities to completely different entities (such as a commercial retail interest versus public health official)
  • Use of humor as a coping mechanism by individuals (such as on social media) versus as a connectivity tactic by brands in their advertising
  • How strategic communicators should help brands stay human and real in this crisis
  • How COVID-19 is going to force companies to build better, stronger cultures of communications
  • How being labeled an “essential” versus a “non-essential” business factors into messaging and decision-making during COVID-19
  • And much more.

 

 

Links:

]]> Included in Kelly’s and Mary Beth’s discussion with Molly and Jules:


  • What to do as an independent practitioner, when faced with sudden loss of bookings and business
  • How a “rising tide lifts all ships” mentality in the PR profession and a sense of connectivity between public relations professionals will help our community of colleagues 
  • Why being bold and calling out bad PR examples is important for the improvement of the profession to elevate trust and ethical codes in public relations
  • Entities doing PR wrong or right during COVID-19: WeWork, Gov. Cuomo, Texas Roadhouse, the tourism / hospitality industry, mega-brands versus small-businesses (among other examples)
  • What happens when there are disparate value systems, mixed motives and disconnects between leaders and staff
  • How PR needs to be mobilized to fight fear that’s pervasive in teams, organizations, communities and entire societies right now
  • What it means to “have the difficult conversation” to acknowledge from the beginning of a crisis situation that a crisis is – indeed – happening (and how skipping this key incremental step is a major mistake)
  • Why information-hoarding is one the most common – yet most damaging – behaviors leaders engage in, that damages (or even destroys) trust
  • What roles ACCOUNTABILITY and TRANSPARENCY play in the current crisis
  • Is COVID-19 the PR industry's “moment of truth” to prove our worth in serving our clients / employers AND the public… and if it is that moment, are we making effective use of it?
  • Observations of small and regional PR firms being the culprits of bad PR pitches tied specifically to coronavirus
  • How LEADERSHIP is the common (yet uncommon) thread that must undergird strategy and basic good decision-making 
  • What it means when “doing the right thing” can mean completely different realities to completely different entities (such as a commercial retail interest versus public health official)
  • Use of humor as a coping mechanism by individuals (such as on social media) versus as a connectivity tactic by brands in their advertising
  • How strategic communicators should help brands stay human and real in this crisis
  • How COVID-19 is going to force companies to build better, stronger cultures of communications
  • How being labeled an “essential” versus a “non-essential” business factors into messaging and decision-making during COVID-19
  • And much more.

 

 

Links:

]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2020 01:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2974 Need a jolt of PR wisdom as you're navigating the COVID-19 crisis (or ANY crisis) for your organization? Then this episode of #MsInterPReted offers it in spades... As the public relations profession absorbs its share of the COVID-19 impact with job, contract and revenue losses, practitioners are seeking to help their clients and employers craft truthful, productive and forward-looking messages. Yet examples of both good and poor PR practice abound, in the current environment. How is COVID-19’s global societal impact bringing out the best – and the worst – in brands’ public relations and marketing communications? Two veteran practitioners who – like Kelly and Mary Beth – are no shrinking violets about speaking the unvarnished truth as they see it, Julia Angelen Joy and Molly McPherson join #MsInterPReted with the latest they’re witnessing from the PR front lines of the crisis. Need a jolt of PR wisdom as you're navigating the COVID-19 crisis (or ANY crisis) for your organization? Then this episode of #MsInterPReted offers it in spades... As the public relations profession absorbs its share of the COVID-19 impact with job, co #MsInterPReted #PublicRelations #PR #Fletcher, crisis, communications, coronavirus, #COVID19, business, continuity, planning, plans, training, #PRfail, Molly McPherson, Julia Angelen Joy, #PrimeTimePRChat No COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITION: PRCA Ramp-Up of COVID-19 PR Industry Resources 2 2 9 9 COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITION: PRCA Ramp-Up of COVID-19 PR Industry Resources full 23c014a9-265f-40ca-b371-90859e92562f https://share.transistor.fm/s/6a88bede Included in Kelly’s and Mary Beth’s discussion with Koray: 

  • What the citizen experience has been in the UK with the COVID-19 onslaught … being some 2-3 weeks ahead of the United States in absorbing the realities of the situation
  • How the PRCA’s new COVID-19 Task Force is on the forefront of the industry to produce in-depth resources to the industry – beyond just communications issues but also core business issues, including for the agency community
  • How the PRCA is extending meaningful professional community and a supportive network to its individual and organizational network, across countries, sectors and situational challenges in the industry
  • The importance of mental health and wellness and the PRCA’s proactive response to at-risk communities as well as for all industry professionals who are being impacted in such sudden, sweeping ways
    • The PRCA has a free-access Mental Health Tool Kit to provide resources for agency owners, line managers and front-line staff
  • How the PRCA will take full steps to help mitigate serious outcomes for practitioners and agencies alike
  • How the PRCA works to impact governmental policy that affects practitioners in their ability to do their jobs, to compete and to perform the most ethical, effective work for their organizations and clients
  • And more.

Links:


]]> Included in Kelly’s and Mary Beth’s discussion with Koray: 

  • What the citizen experience has been in the UK with the COVID-19 onslaught … being some 2-3 weeks ahead of the United States in absorbing the realities of the situation
  • How the PRCA’s new COVID-19 Task Force is on the forefront of the industry to produce in-depth resources to the industry – beyond just communications issues but also core business issues, including for the agency community
  • How the PRCA is extending meaningful professional community and a supportive network to its individual and organizational network, across countries, sectors and situational challenges in the industry
  • The importance of mental health and wellness and the PRCA’s proactive response to at-risk communities as well as for all industry professionals who are being impacted in such sudden, sweeping ways
    • The PRCA has a free-access Mental Health Tool Kit to provide resources for agency owners, line managers and front-line staff
  • How the PRCA will take full steps to help mitigate serious outcomes for practitioners and agencies alike
  • How the PRCA works to impact governmental policy that affects practitioners in their ability to do their jobs, to compete and to perform the most ethical, effective work for their organizations and clients
  • And more.

Links:


]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2020 09:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1437 Based in London, U.K., Koray Camgoz, MPRCA, serves as Head of Communications and Marketing for the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA). He is an internationally experienced, post-graduate communications specialist with an eye for news, a passion for digital and a track record of crafting impactful communications strategies that deliver business results. On this episode of #MsInterPReted, Koray lends a wide-ranging view of how COVID-19 has impacted the UK and larger global market, and how the PRCA has undertaken fast-paced, diverse response. As the PRCA’s full focus has shifted toward COVID-19 PR industry crisis resource-development, Koray is working with the full PRCA team (working for weeks now under the UK government’s national lockdown from home-based / remote locations) as well as volunteer senior leadership team based in locations spanning the globe, to deliver solutions and resources to its 35,000 members worldwide. On April 2, 2020, the PRCA announced that it is providing six months of free individual membership to anyone who has lost their job in the public relations industry, or to anyone who is self-employed and has seen a significant decline in their income. The offer is open to members and non-members alike from across the globe – including the U.S. – and the PRCA says it will take the word of self-employed practitioners who claim they have suffered losses. Based in London, U.K., Koray Camgoz, MPRCA, serves as Head of Communications and Marketing for the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA). He is an internationally experienced, post-graduate communications specialist with an eye for news, #MsInterPReted #PublicRelations #PR #Fletcher, crisis, communications, coronavirus, #COVID19, business, continuity, planning, plans, training, PRCA, PRCA UK, Francis Ingham, Koray Camgoz, mental wellness, tookit, task force No COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITION: Coronavirus & the Community Hospital Impact 2 2 10 10 COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITION: Coronavirus & the Community Hospital Impact full c49e48aa-54c2-437a-85ce-1b65828769d9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/00eb1672 Blount Memorial Hospital CEO Don Heinemann and Assistant Administrator Connie Huffman discuss with Kelly and Mary Beth:

  • Why current physical distancing measures are not only essential to citizen safety but also critical toward health-worker safety, to prevent healthcare provider shortages when the community needs these professionals most in combating the virus locally
  • Key challenges many community hospitals nationwide faced even prior to the current COVID-19 crisis -- and how the coronavirus pandemic is now hitting health systems on both the expense and revenue sides
  • How Blount Memorial’s disaster-response plan is structured and is currently being actioned in phases, as the coronavirus makes its march across Tennessee and into smaller, non-metro communities
  • What many healthcare administrators are worrying about most, due to the unpredictable nature of the virus
  • How the fight against shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is one arena where community involvement and support is making an impact
  • Biggest myths and misconceptions within the public that the healthcare community is seeking to overcome, regarding public awareness and call-to-action
  • What the shortage of mental-health resources for emotional wellness and stability through the crisis means for local communities
  • How the Blount Memorial Foundation board of directors and the separate Blount Memorial Hospital board of directors are pitching in personally to rally the local community around strategic charitable giving, to help make sure the hospital and its dedicated team are supported, in service to citizen health and recovery
    • #COVIDgiveWhereYouLive 
  • And more

 

 

Links


]]> Blount Memorial Hospital CEO Don Heinemann and Assistant Administrator Connie Huffman discuss with Kelly and Mary Beth:

  • Why current physical distancing measures are not only essential to citizen safety but also critical toward health-worker safety, to prevent healthcare provider shortages when the community needs these professionals most in combating the virus locally
  • Key challenges many community hospitals nationwide faced even prior to the current COVID-19 crisis -- and how the coronavirus pandemic is now hitting health systems on both the expense and revenue sides
  • How Blount Memorial’s disaster-response plan is structured and is currently being actioned in phases, as the coronavirus makes its march across Tennessee and into smaller, non-metro communities
  • What many healthcare administrators are worrying about most, due to the unpredictable nature of the virus
  • How the fight against shortages of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is one arena where community involvement and support is making an impact
  • Biggest myths and misconceptions within the public that the healthcare community is seeking to overcome, regarding public awareness and call-to-action
  • What the shortage of mental-health resources for emotional wellness and stability through the crisis means for local communities
  • How the Blount Memorial Foundation board of directors and the separate Blount Memorial Hospital board of directors are pitching in personally to rally the local community around strategic charitable giving, to help make sure the hospital and its dedicated team are supported, in service to citizen health and recovery
    • #COVIDgiveWhereYouLive 
  • And more

 

 

Links


]]> Mon, 06 Apr 2020 11:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 3297 The coronavirus impact continues to infiltrate the globe … and the “new” front lines of the battle are beginning to emerge in smaller, more rural communities. But are those communities prepared with health systems that can respond? In the U.S., the fact is that in huge swaths of non-metropolitan, smaller communities, the answer 10 years ago would have been “yes,” but today, the answer may be a definitive “no.” For one smaller community immediately south of the Knoxville, Tennessee DMA, in Blount County (Maryville / Alcoa), citizens are fortunate to have a well-sustained, forward-thinking hospital that's addressing the crisis head-on and in a well-planned manner (full disclosure: #MsInterPReted co-host Mary Beth West serves as a volunteer on the hospital’s foundation board). On this episode of "Ms. InterPReted," two top administrators from Blount Memorial deep-dive into challenges and concerns smaller communities and their health infrastructures face, across Tennessee and the nation – particularly in the face of COVID-19. The coronavirus impact continues to infiltrate the globe … and the “new” front lines of the battle are beginning to emerge in smaller, more rural communities. But are those communities prepared with health systems that can respond? In the U.S., the f #MsInterPReted #PublicRelations #PR #Fletcher, crisis, communications, coronavirus, #COVID19, business, continuity, planning, plans, healthcare, hospital, community, Tennessee, Blount, Foundation, Blount Memorial, Don Heinemann, Connie Huffman, Blount Chamber No COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITION: Coronavirus’s Impact on Mental Wellness 2 2 11 11 COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITION: Coronavirus’s Impact on Mental Wellness full 76901677-0d07-4be5-9aec-2dd6229280ba https://share.transistor.fm/s/de2da998 Alicia Aebersold, CCO of the American Psychological Association (APA) discusses with Kelly and Mary Beth:

  • Her early communications / public relations career path that led her to the position she now holds, in leading the communications function for the world’s largest professional association of psychology 
  • Why the relationship a CCO has with one’s CEO and executive team is so important, particularly in times of crisis
  • How the APA’s clear, simple purpose “to benefit society and improve lives” provides the driving force behind the organization’s work plan in service to its members and to the public as well, whether in times of relative normalcy or in times of global crisis
  • How “communication” plays a major role in the overall mission of the organization: 
    • APA’s mission statement: “Our mission is to promote the advancement, communication, and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives.”
  • What APA’s major initiatives included prior to COVID-19’s impact on the world, such as implications of gun violence, immigration issues’ family / children impact, America’s opioid crisis, increasing impact of climate change on people’s emotional wellness / eco-anxiety, governmental efforts on The Hill, etc.
  • Specifics of APA’s vast COVID-19 response agenda
  • How APA’s deep richness in professional expertise – as represented by its diverse membership base – is being leveraged in service to APA’s members and also in service to many types of external audiences
  • What is included within APA’s continuously evolving COVID-19 Resource
  • How the immediacy aspect of one’s communications-leadership role as a CCO – such as the position Alicia leads for APA – requires a constant balance between strategic insight and tactical nimbleness . . . and how other communications professionals can develop these critical skills 
    • Keeping one’s eyes and mind open and aware of creative, strategic ideas – including cultivation of ideas from other diverse sources
    • Exploring fresh approaches and knowing how to prioritize / focus on the ones with strongest promise, based on key-audience needs and expectations
    • Developing the overarching mindset of maintaining creativity while staying in one’s lane of specific subject-matter expertise and knowing precisely where the association can make a meaningful impact
  • How the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis may be felt downstream for decades to come… and how psychological resources must be available “for the long-haul”
  • Ways that APA is helping employers and providing both research / data-driven content and coping resources
  • How the larger APA Communications Team is working together to execute across both strategic and tactical action plans
  • How APA is executing outreach efforts in collaboration with other professional sectors for “a psychologically health workplace” via Office of Applied Psychology at APA
  • What Alicia thinks is “misinterpreted” most about psychology in general
  • And more


Links: 



]]> Alicia Aebersold, CCO of the American Psychological Association (APA) discusses with Kelly and Mary Beth:

  • Her early communications / public relations career path that led her to the position she now holds, in leading the communications function for the world’s largest professional association of psychology 
  • Why the relationship a CCO has with one’s CEO and executive team is so important, particularly in times of crisis
  • How the APA’s clear, simple purpose “to benefit society and improve lives” provides the driving force behind the organization’s work plan in service to its members and to the public as well, whether in times of relative normalcy or in times of global crisis
  • How “communication” plays a major role in the overall mission of the organization: 
    • APA’s mission statement: “Our mission is to promote the advancement, communication, and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives.”
  • What APA’s major initiatives included prior to COVID-19’s impact on the world, such as implications of gun violence, immigration issues’ family / children impact, America’s opioid crisis, increasing impact of climate change on people’s emotional wellness / eco-anxiety, governmental efforts on The Hill, etc.
  • Specifics of APA’s vast COVID-19 response agenda
  • How APA’s deep richness in professional expertise – as represented by its diverse membership base – is being leveraged in service to APA’s members and also in service to many types of external audiences
  • What is included within APA’s continuously evolving COVID-19 Resource
  • How the immediacy aspect of one’s communications-leadership role as a CCO – such as the position Alicia leads for APA – requires a constant balance between strategic insight and tactical nimbleness . . . and how other communications professionals can develop these critical skills 
    • Keeping one’s eyes and mind open and aware of creative, strategic ideas – including cultivation of ideas from other diverse sources
    • Exploring fresh approaches and knowing how to prioritize / focus on the ones with strongest promise, based on key-audience needs and expectations
    • Developing the overarching mindset of maintaining creativity while staying in one’s lane of specific subject-matter expertise and knowing precisely where the association can make a meaningful impact
  • How the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis may be felt downstream for decades to come… and how psychological resources must be available “for the long-haul”
  • Ways that APA is helping employers and providing both research / data-driven content and coping resources
  • How the larger APA Communications Team is working together to execute across both strategic and tactical action plans
  • How APA is executing outreach efforts in collaboration with other professional sectors for “a psychologically health workplace” via Office of Applied Psychology at APA
  • What Alicia thinks is “misinterpreted” most about psychology in general
  • And more


Links: 



]]> Wed, 15 Apr 2020 01:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2803 Aside from the rush to discover a vaccine and a cure for COVID-19 – as well as to forge an economic recovery from the sudden stall of the global economy – one of the most pervasive topics in society today hinges on mental wellness and emotional well-being. People from all walks of life, professions and vocations have had their lives upended – all in a matter of days, mostly beginning in March 2020, for those based in the U.S. Persistent and profound uncertainties add an additional layer of stresses on the global population. And for those working in an already high-stress field as public relations, the urgency to find a “release-valve” for emotional tension presents a daily struggle. Alicia Aebersold – chief communications officer of the Washington-D.C.-based, 121,000-member American Psychological Association – joins Kelly and Mary Beth to discuss the importance of mental wellness and how her role in such an important and relevant organization today is helping shape APA's outreach for the betterment of humanity and the world. Aside from the rush to discover a vaccine and a cure for COVID-19 – as well as to forge an economic recovery from the sudden stall of the global economy – one of the most pervasive topics in society today hinges on mental wellness and emotional well-being #MsInterPReted #PublicRelations #PR #Fletcher, crisis, communications, coronavirus, #COVID19, business, continuity, planning, plans, healthcare, mental, wellness, health, emotional, well-being, care, support, APA, American Psychological Association, psychology, psychological No Data in the Details: A Better Advocacy Model 2 2 12 12 Data in the Details: A Better Advocacy Model full d15e0835-2d11-4fd7-8329-828b345a4bae https://share.transistor.fm/s/04fb20ff Professor Adi discusses with Mary Beth:

  • Her career path in public relations and how the field has evolved – including the issue of how public relations itself is defined
  • Her early life experience growing up in Romania, within a country under a Communist government, and its impact on her perspective
  • Perspectives of “having something to say” and how that parlays into creation of her own #WomenInPR podcast
  • How gender diversity is missed in history and how the legacy impacts workforce issues, including in a specific way in public relations and how ideas in this field are influenced by lack of gender diversity
  • How practitioners must apply data in the best ways and why it matters
  • Why data must be – in part – a “What have you achieved…?” question
  • How data should not simply exist as some “shiny box, where you take data in and take data out” – and instead, make sure it is a holistic enterprise for the set-up of a research program
  • The ways in which “vanity metrics” fill meaningless spaces without read value to a relationship-management program 
  • What her frustration points are about AVE as a form of false measurement
  • Why “the sale is not closed by PR” but rather exists as part of a larger ecosystem while still being behavioral-objective driven
  • How the “media relations” paradigm of PR has evolved massively… but how too many clients think through this narrow prism, to their own limitation – and their data priorities (or lack thereof) often reflect this limitation
  • How clients should consider data as part of potential corporate activism… and exactly what qualities define “an activist” – and they don’t always confirm with “rage” or “dissent” / opposition (“We are ALL activists.”) 
  • What the ethics implications are of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how well (or poorly) postured the public relations profession is; and how “digital literacy” is a much more germane overarching skill set in PR
  • What type of “voice” strategic communicators must have to be relevant in the AI conversation … with meaningful impact.
  • And more

Links:

]]> Professor Adi discusses with Mary Beth:

  • Her career path in public relations and how the field has evolved – including the issue of how public relations itself is defined
  • Her early life experience growing up in Romania, within a country under a Communist government, and its impact on her perspective
  • Perspectives of “having something to say” and how that parlays into creation of her own #WomenInPR podcast
  • How gender diversity is missed in history and how the legacy impacts workforce issues, including in a specific way in public relations and how ideas in this field are influenced by lack of gender diversity
  • How practitioners must apply data in the best ways and why it matters
  • Why data must be – in part – a “What have you achieved…?” question
  • How data should not simply exist as some “shiny box, where you take data in and take data out” – and instead, make sure it is a holistic enterprise for the set-up of a research program
  • The ways in which “vanity metrics” fill meaningless spaces without read value to a relationship-management program 
  • What her frustration points are about AVE as a form of false measurement
  • Why “the sale is not closed by PR” but rather exists as part of a larger ecosystem while still being behavioral-objective driven
  • How the “media relations” paradigm of PR has evolved massively… but how too many clients think through this narrow prism, to their own limitation – and their data priorities (or lack thereof) often reflect this limitation
  • How clients should consider data as part of potential corporate activism… and exactly what qualities define “an activist” – and they don’t always confirm with “rage” or “dissent” / opposition (“We are ALL activists.”) 
  • What the ethics implications are of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how well (or poorly) postured the public relations profession is; and how “digital literacy” is a much more germane overarching skill set in PR
  • What type of “voice” strategic communicators must have to be relevant in the AI conversation … with meaningful impact.
  • And more

Links:

]]> Wed, 13 May 2020 01:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2952 How must strategic communicators use data effectively in their communications campaigns, advocacy work and in counsel to senior management? Professor Ana Adi of Quadriga University in Berlin, Germany, delves into this topic, with a passion for making our work stronger through the power of the best information and insights. How must strategic communicators use data effectively in their communications campaigns, advocacy work and in counsel to senior management? Professor Ana Adi of Quadriga University in Berlin, Germany, delves into this topic, with a passion for making #MsInterPReted, #PublicRelations, #PR, #Fletcher, #WomenInPR, Mary Beth West, Kelly Fletcher, gender, women, marketing, PR, Berlin, Ana Adi, research, data, metrics No PR & Crisis at Mach Speed: Lt. Col. Ashley Nickloes 2 2 13 13 PR & Crisis at Mach Speed: Lt. Col. Ashley Nickloes full 068d5f23-7d30-4d24-84f6-4dd2247737fc https://share.transistor.fm/s/629ec138 Lt. Col. Nickloes shares with Kelly and Mary Beth:


  • Why Faith, Family & Service have guided her way throughout her life and career: “Good things come to those who work hard”;
  • How evil in the world is a reality and how it factors into military service missions for the United States of America; 
  • What the statistics include of women working in the military and in military aviation;
  • How she managed through overt sexism in her early entry in her career field;
  • How being a woman (and a mother) has included a real-world impact to her role;
  • What her experience of losing her son Gabriel during a pre-term birth meant to her and her husband -- and how it further unified her marriage and strengthened her faith;
  • What life is like during overseas deployments in hostile territory;
  • How elitist attitudes inaccurately inform public perception about who serves in the military;
  • Ways in which the military mission poses a stark disconnect with softer-society ideals … and how this disconnect drives misconceptions of what the military is even supposed to be doing;
  • An overview of the situation in Afghanistan 
  • How a public self-expectation of resilience and self-reliance is being lost in society … and how this issue is relevant in the current COVID-19 reality
  • How placing personal priorities must drive our can-do spirit in any crisis.
  • And more


Links: 

]]> Lt. Col. Nickloes shares with Kelly and Mary Beth:


  • Why Faith, Family & Service have guided her way throughout her life and career: “Good things come to those who work hard”;
  • How evil in the world is a reality and how it factors into military service missions for the United States of America; 
  • What the statistics include of women working in the military and in military aviation;
  • How she managed through overt sexism in her early entry in her career field;
  • How being a woman (and a mother) has included a real-world impact to her role;
  • What her experience of losing her son Gabriel during a pre-term birth meant to her and her husband -- and how it further unified her marriage and strengthened her faith;
  • What life is like during overseas deployments in hostile territory;
  • How elitist attitudes inaccurately inform public perception about who serves in the military;
  • Ways in which the military mission poses a stark disconnect with softer-society ideals … and how this disconnect drives misconceptions of what the military is even supposed to be doing;
  • An overview of the situation in Afghanistan 
  • How a public self-expectation of resilience and self-reliance is being lost in society … and how this issue is relevant in the current COVID-19 reality
  • How placing personal priorities must drive our can-do spirit in any crisis.
  • And more


Links: 

]]> Fri, 22 May 2020 11:30:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 3883 Tennessee Air National Guard Lt. Col. Ashley Nickloes’ grandfather died as a U.S. military pilot in the Pacific Theater of World War II after running out of fuel on a weather reconnaissance and bombing-raid mission … and his life sacrifice drove his granddaughter’s life-inspiration to become a pilot and – ultimately – a military mid-air refueling mission combat aviator. She shares her story and her leadership tenets, on this special Memorial Day Edition of #MsInterPReted. Tennessee Air National Guard Lt. Col. Ashley Nickloes’ grandfather died as a U.S. military pilot in the Pacific Theater of World War II after running out of fuel on a weather reconnaissance and bombing-raid mission … and his life sacrifice drove his grand MsInterPReted, PublicRelations, PR, Fletcher, Mary Beth West, Kelly Fletcher, gender, women, military, Ashley Nickloes, combat, equality, aviator, pilot, Nickloes, leadership, Memorial Day No The PR Industry’s Diversity Problem 2 2 14 14 The PR Industry’s Diversity Problem full b0299075-e5eb-4b08-af81-db9c13dd0b20 https://share.transistor.fm/s/703048e9 Mike Paul (@ReputationDr) shares granular insights on the practical aspects of bringing true racial inclusion into practice in the PR industry and beyond.

Links:

]]> Mike Paul (@ReputationDr) shares granular insights on the practical aspects of bringing true racial inclusion into practice in the PR industry and beyond.

Links:

]]> Fri, 12 Jun 2020 12:30:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 5119 (Recorded June 4, 2020). The public relations industry has a diversity problem. A big one. And one leader who’s proven most effective as an industry whistle-blower is @ReputationDr Mike Paul – a globally respected strategic communications and crisis PR executive, who has resigned from the PR industry Diversity Action Alliance (sponsored by PRSA and the PRSA Foundation), due to inaction and lack of measurable commitment to change. Hear Mike’s insights on the challenges and solutions, and chime into the conversation online, at hashtag #MsInterPReted. (Recorded June 4, 2020). The public relations industry has a diversity problem. A big one. And one leader who’s proven most effective as an industry whistle-blower is @ReputationDr Mike Paul – a globally respected strategic communications and crisis PR #MsInterPReted, #PublicRelations, #PR, #Fletcher, Mary Beth West, Kelly Fletcher, diversity, inclusion, race, George Floyd, Mike Paul, Reputation Dr, Reputation, ReputationDr, workplace, DEI, Diversity Action Alliance, PRSA, PRSA Foundation, Inaction No #MsInterPReted Season 2 Memorable Moments 2 2 15 15 #MsInterPReted Season 2 Memorable Moments full e7adfad0-cb6e-4ac4-a760-f775c3edff60 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6cc986b5 Follow Fletcher PR and the Co-Hosts:

Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/ 

  • @FletcherPR
  • @kdfletcher
  • @marybethwest


Follow our guests across social media (Twitter handles):


MINUTE 9:30: Shayoni Lynn, Lynn PR: @shayonislynn https://twitter.com/shayonislynn 


MINUTE 11:58:  Dr. Ana Adi, Quadriga University: @ana_adi https://twitter.com/ana_adi

MINUTE 13:40: Sharon Hannum and Joy Bishop

MINUTE 20:20: Melissa Carter @MelissaCarter https://twitter.com/MelissaCarter
   
MINUTE  23:50: Mike Paul @reputationdr https://twitter.com/reputationdr

MINUTE 26:30:  <Crisis Management insights / Kelly & Mary Beth>

MINUTE 28:20: Chad Hatmaker, Woolf McClane: @JChadHatmaker https://twitter.com/JChadHatmaker

MINUTE 31:21:  Blount Memorial Hospital -- Don Heinemann @Blount_Memorial https://twitter.com/Blount_Memorial

MINUTE 32:30: Alicia Aebersold, American Psychological Association: @aliciacollin https://twitter.com/aliciacollin

MINUTE 35:25: Koray Camgoz, @PRCA_UK @KorComms https://twitter.com/KorComms

MINUTE 37:40:  Julia Angelen Joy @JuliaAngelenPR https://twitter.com/JuliaAngelenPR


   AND Molly McPherson @MollyMcPherson https://twitter.com/MollyMcPherson 


MINUTE 41:30:  Bob Dickie, Bonvera: @RobertDickie https://twitter.com/RobertDickie
Bob's Podcast / "Taking the Leap" -- https://www.takingtheleappodcast.com/

MINUTE 43:24: Lt. Col. Ashley Nickloes, Tennessee Air National Guard: @Ashley_Nickloes https://twitter.com/Ashley_Nickloes

MINUTE 47:42:  BLOOPER

]]> Follow Fletcher PR and the Co-Hosts:

Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/ 

  • @FletcherPR
  • @kdfletcher
  • @marybethwest


Follow our guests across social media (Twitter handles):


MINUTE 9:30: Shayoni Lynn, Lynn PR: @shayonislynn https://twitter.com/shayonislynn 


MINUTE 11:58:  Dr. Ana Adi, Quadriga University: @ana_adi https://twitter.com/ana_adi

MINUTE 13:40: Sharon Hannum and Joy Bishop

MINUTE 20:20: Melissa Carter @MelissaCarter https://twitter.com/MelissaCarter
   
MINUTE  23:50: Mike Paul @reputationdr https://twitter.com/reputationdr

MINUTE 26:30:  <Crisis Management insights / Kelly & Mary Beth>

MINUTE 28:20: Chad Hatmaker, Woolf McClane: @JChadHatmaker https://twitter.com/JChadHatmaker

MINUTE 31:21:  Blount Memorial Hospital -- Don Heinemann @Blount_Memorial https://twitter.com/Blount_Memorial

MINUTE 32:30: Alicia Aebersold, American Psychological Association: @aliciacollin https://twitter.com/aliciacollin

MINUTE 35:25: Koray Camgoz, @PRCA_UK @KorComms https://twitter.com/KorComms

MINUTE 37:40:  Julia Angelen Joy @JuliaAngelenPR https://twitter.com/JuliaAngelenPR


   AND Molly McPherson @MollyMcPherson https://twitter.com/MollyMcPherson 


MINUTE 41:30:  Bob Dickie, Bonvera: @RobertDickie https://twitter.com/RobertDickie
Bob's Podcast / "Taking the Leap" -- https://www.takingtheleappodcast.com/

MINUTE 43:24: Lt. Col. Ashley Nickloes, Tennessee Air National Guard: @Ashley_Nickloes https://twitter.com/Ashley_Nickloes

MINUTE 47:42:  BLOOPER

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2020 18:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 3072 Knoxville-based Fletcher Marketing PR's CEO Kelly Fletcher and Senior Strategist Mary Beth West recap a memorable Season 2 of "Ms. InterPReted," with highlights and lessons learned from multiple diverse guests from four different countries, three different generational cohorts, multiple racial / ethnic backgrounds and a variety of professional communities -- from PR to academia / market research, military, law, broadcasting, consulting, consumer products, and healthcare. The season's themes fall into three core categories: 1) Responding to COVID-19, 2) Diversity and 3) Patriotism. Knoxville-based Fletcher Marketing PR's CEO Kelly Fletcher and Senior Strategist Mary Beth West recap a memorable Season 2 of "Ms. InterPReted," with highlights and lessons learned from multiple diverse guests from four different countries, three differen Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Learning, Leading & Coping During Complex Times: Rod Cartwright 3 3 1 1 Learning, Leading & Coping During Complex Times: Rod Cartwright full 5ea5518b-f5df-4115-8a4a-ea55f2143860 https://share.transistor.fm/s/5b236240 Rod Cartwright shares:

  • What the COVID-19 experience has been like in the U.K., as of early-summer 2020;
  • How Public Relations must lead from the front in this sustained crisis by showing a genuine understanding of business;
  • What "contextual understanding" means in the scope of our role as communicators and as the conscience of the organization;
  • Why cross-disciplinary approaches are vital and how PR must be able to broker those opportunities for collaboration;
  • What different types of Auditing tools and techniques can deliver toward meaningful analysis for clients;
  • Amid the racial unrest and global charge for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, how PR should seek to lead by listening first;

And more...

Follow Rod on Twitter: @RodCartwright https://twitter.com/RodCartwright 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-cartwright-6771384/

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR: https://twitter.com/fletcherpr
Follow Kelly: https://twitter.com/KDfletcher
Follow Mary Beth: https://twitter.com/marybethwest 

]]> Rod Cartwright shares:

  • What the COVID-19 experience has been like in the U.K., as of early-summer 2020;
  • How Public Relations must lead from the front in this sustained crisis by showing a genuine understanding of business;
  • What "contextual understanding" means in the scope of our role as communicators and as the conscience of the organization;
  • Why cross-disciplinary approaches are vital and how PR must be able to broker those opportunities for collaboration;
  • What different types of Auditing tools and techniques can deliver toward meaningful analysis for clients;
  • Amid the racial unrest and global charge for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, how PR should seek to lead by listening first;

And more...

Follow Rod on Twitter: @RodCartwright https://twitter.com/RodCartwright 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-cartwright-6771384/

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR: https://twitter.com/fletcherpr
Follow Kelly: https://twitter.com/KDfletcher
Follow Mary Beth: https://twitter.com/marybethwest 

]]> Tue, 21 Jul 2020 22:00:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2733 In this episode focused on learning, leading and coping in *The Year That is 2020 in the PR Profession*, Kelly and Mary Beth welcome Rod Cartwright, a London-based colleague and leader of Rod Cartwright Consulting, who also serves as Deputy Chair of the PRCA's Global COVID-19 Taskforce. Rod delivers wit, wisdom and a no-nonsense spirit to the topic of PR pros surviving and thriving through a nonsensical year, from both sides of the Atlantic. Rod discusses with Kelly and Mary Beth a variety of management-consulting techniques and fine-tuned methodologies that he brings to his public relations consultations -- and how he complements them with a human-factors sensibility and an appreciation for true humanity-centered empathy for others. Listeners will gain rich insights from Rod's strategic yet caring approach. In this episode focused on learning, leading and coping in *The Year That is 2020 in the PR Profession*, Kelly and Mary Beth welcome Rod Cartwright, a London-based colleague and leader of Rod Cartwright Consulting, who also serves as Deputy Chair of the P Public Relations, PR, Fletcher Marketing PR, Kelly Fletcher, Fletcher, Mary Beth West, Rod Cartwright, PRCA, COVID, COVID-19, Taskforce, Communications, Women in PR No WATE-TV's Tearsa Smith & Community Journalism 3 3 2 2 WATE-TV's Tearsa Smith & Community Journalism full e72dd722-78ce-4664-886b-56aecd9844d1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/388c2cb4 Tearsa talks about the values she brings to the newsroom:

  • Her early career experience and what shaped her pathway as a student and a new professional in the field, as well her early influences
  • How the Black Lives Matter movement has evolved and transformed in messaging and meaning in the community over recent years (and what it means to Tearsa in her work and in her family life as a woman of color)
  • How Tearsa has built a national network of fellow female journalists of color to share career experiences and support one another in ways that may be difficult for them to find in their own workplaces alone
  • How she responds to viewers and how they react in different ways to news coverage 
  • Importance of diversity of news sources for all Americans
  • How telling stories of race in the community brings unique complexities, and how those issues are handled in the newsroom in service to the expectations of the community
  • Why true care for fellow human beings really matters... but how all community members are not experiencing the same things -- and why true empathy for those differences is so important.

Connect with Tearsa on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TearsaSmith @TearsaSmith


https://www.wate.com/author/tearsa-smith/ 

]]> Tearsa talks about the values she brings to the newsroom:

  • Her early career experience and what shaped her pathway as a student and a new professional in the field, as well her early influences
  • How the Black Lives Matter movement has evolved and transformed in messaging and meaning in the community over recent years (and what it means to Tearsa in her work and in her family life as a woman of color)
  • How Tearsa has built a national network of fellow female journalists of color to share career experiences and support one another in ways that may be difficult for them to find in their own workplaces alone
  • How she responds to viewers and how they react in different ways to news coverage 
  • Importance of diversity of news sources for all Americans
  • How telling stories of race in the community brings unique complexities, and how those issues are handled in the newsroom in service to the expectations of the community
  • Why true care for fellow human beings really matters... but how all community members are not experiencing the same things -- and why true empathy for those differences is so important.

Connect with Tearsa on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TearsaSmith @TearsaSmith


https://www.wate.com/author/tearsa-smith/ 

]]> Tue, 04 Aug 2020 23:50:23 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 3863 Kelly and Mary Beth proudly welcome the powerful energy and insights of Tearsa Smith, Morning Anchor of WATE-TV Channel 6 News -- the ABC affiliate of Knoxville, Tennessee, to "Ms. InterPReted." Tearsa shares her experiences from the front lines of fielding, delivering and managing community news in the Year 2020, a time of massive global chaos at every level ... and how that chaos unfolds in a Middle-America market like East Tennessee, from COVID-19, to racial injustice and demonstrations, to the day-to-day roller-coaster of the newsroom with daily life. Tearsa shares her career journey, how she managed obstacles along the way, and how she forged success from a very early age with creativity and vision. She also shares her secrets for managing success, career and life in general with a positive spirit and resilience, as well as a focus on giving to others, that invariably always gives back to oneself. Kelly and Mary Beth proudly welcome the powerful energy and insights of Tearsa Smith, Morning Anchor of WATE-TV Channel 6 News -- the ABC affiliate of Knoxville, Tennessee, to "Ms. InterPReted." Tearsa shares her experiences from the front lines of fieldi Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No #19thAmendment at 100: Where are Women Now? 3 3 3 3 #19thAmendment at 100: Where are Women Now? full 5997fa05-7632-44ae-8b65-5841ca658b8d https://share.transistor.fm/s/b531403e In this episode spotlighting the historical significance of the 19th Amendment (and with a National Public Radio clip via Knoxville's WUOT referring to Tennessee's historic role), Kelly and Mary Beth discuss:

  • How -- 100 years later (in the year of COVID-19) -- women's rights in the voting booth have evolved to rights in the workplace, albeit with shortfalls in rights of equal pay for equal work
  • What the implications of COVID-19 have been, particularly in the PR industry, given disproportionate numbers of women in this workforce
  • How women dominating the PR industry have not translated into power in the executive or decision-making levels
  • Misogyny and male-dominated culture issues in the communications industry ... including particular sub-sectors (like ad agency "bro" cultures) that result in qualified and talented women being held back, passed over, dismissed, marginalized and otherwise treated in ways that create exit-ramps from career pathways
  • Key statistics reflective of inequities
  • Anecdotal examples of male cultures that demonize women and gaslight legitimate concerns or calls for accountability
  • Why women must push cultures of accountability -- not only for their own benefit or self-protection, but also for the industries they predominantly work within, such as public relations, to prove value and earn respect


Links:

Follow the #MsInterPReted hashtag

Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/ 
Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR https://twitter.com/fletcherpr  
Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher https://twitter.com/kdfletcher 
Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest https://twitter.com/MaryBethWest 

]]> In this episode spotlighting the historical significance of the 19th Amendment (and with a National Public Radio clip via Knoxville's WUOT referring to Tennessee's historic role), Kelly and Mary Beth discuss:

  • How -- 100 years later (in the year of COVID-19) -- women's rights in the voting booth have evolved to rights in the workplace, albeit with shortfalls in rights of equal pay for equal work
  • What the implications of COVID-19 have been, particularly in the PR industry, given disproportionate numbers of women in this workforce
  • How women dominating the PR industry have not translated into power in the executive or decision-making levels
  • Misogyny and male-dominated culture issues in the communications industry ... including particular sub-sectors (like ad agency "bro" cultures) that result in qualified and talented women being held back, passed over, dismissed, marginalized and otherwise treated in ways that create exit-ramps from career pathways
  • Key statistics reflective of inequities
  • Anecdotal examples of male cultures that demonize women and gaslight legitimate concerns or calls for accountability
  • Why women must push cultures of accountability -- not only for their own benefit or self-protection, but also for the industries they predominantly work within, such as public relations, to prove value and earn respect


Links:

Follow the #MsInterPReted hashtag

Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/ 
Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR https://twitter.com/fletcherpr  
Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher https://twitter.com/kdfletcher 
Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest https://twitter.com/MaryBethWest 

]]> Wed, 26 Aug 2020 00:05:06 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1491 It's Women's Equality Day (Aug. 26, 2020)! One-hundred years ago, women earned the right to vote in the U.S., by taking charge, stating their case, taking to the streets over decades, and pushing for the accountability of the vote. As ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution -- giving women the right to vote -- celebrates 100 years and included a significant role for East Tennessee (with one determined mother of a young Tennessee legislator), Kelly and Mary Beth mark the significance of Fletcher Marketing PR's East Tennessee roots, its focus on lending voice to the power of women, and just how much women still confront in seeking equality, 100 years later ... including in the Public Relations industry, which is female-dominated. It's Women's Equality Day (Aug. 26, 2020)! One-hundred years ago, women earned the right to vote in the U.S., by taking charge, stating their case, taking to the streets over decades, and pushing for the accountability of the vote. As ratification of t Public Relations, PR, marketing, women, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, ethics, 19th, Amendment, #19thAmendment, #MsInterPReted, #WomensEqualityDay, vote, equality, suffrage, Tennessee, history No Rax Lakhani: PR, Diversity & the International Perspective 3 3 4 4 Rax Lakhani: PR, Diversity & the International Perspective full e25e93d8-6525-47f9-95fc-0f3089fa23dd https://share.transistor.fm/s/0cc42218 Rax Lakhani, CMPRCA, and his family -- immigrants to the UK -- have been no strangers to discrimination, but many of the stories he's heard shared in 2020 among PR colleagues of color as well as across many diverse communities in the industry have given him pause.

His sense of urgency to make positive Diversity & Inclusion outcomes a reality mirror that of the PRCA, the PRCA's Diversity Network as well as PRCA's Race and Ethnicity Equity Board (REEB), in light of events this year to make substantive change a reality.

In this episode, listeners from inside the United States in particular will gain tremendous perspective on the global issues tied to D&I and how the challenges at hand may not differ all that much from what we face in the U.S. -- yet must be undertaken with a universal commitment and in solidarity as a global industry.

Follow on social media:

Rax Lakhani:

LinkedIn -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/raxlakhani/

Twitter -- @RaxLakhani  https://twitter.com/RaxLakhani 


PRCA -- @PRCA_UK  https://twitter.com/PRCA_UK   

PRCA Diversity Network -- @PRCA_Diversity  https://twitter.com/PRCA_Diversity

PRCA Race and Ethnicity Equity Board (REEB) -- @PRCA_REEB  https://twitter.com/PRCA_REEB


Fletcher PR:

https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fletcherpr

Kelly Fletcher:  https://twitter.com/KDfletcher

Mary Beth West:  https://twitter.com/marybethwest 

]]> Rax Lakhani, CMPRCA, and his family -- immigrants to the UK -- have been no strangers to discrimination, but many of the stories he's heard shared in 2020 among PR colleagues of color as well as across many diverse communities in the industry have given him pause.

His sense of urgency to make positive Diversity & Inclusion outcomes a reality mirror that of the PRCA, the PRCA's Diversity Network as well as PRCA's Race and Ethnicity Equity Board (REEB), in light of events this year to make substantive change a reality.

In this episode, listeners from inside the United States in particular will gain tremendous perspective on the global issues tied to D&I and how the challenges at hand may not differ all that much from what we face in the U.S. -- yet must be undertaken with a universal commitment and in solidarity as a global industry.

Follow on social media:

Rax Lakhani:

LinkedIn -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/raxlakhani/

Twitter -- @RaxLakhani  https://twitter.com/RaxLakhani 


PRCA -- @PRCA_UK  https://twitter.com/PRCA_UK   

PRCA Diversity Network -- @PRCA_Diversity  https://twitter.com/PRCA_Diversity

PRCA Race and Ethnicity Equity Board (REEB) -- @PRCA_REEB  https://twitter.com/PRCA_REEB


Fletcher PR:

https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fletcherpr

Kelly Fletcher:  https://twitter.com/KDfletcher

Mary Beth West:  https://twitter.com/marybethwest 

]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2020 10:52:24 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2307 As the U.S. PR industry approaches Diversity and Inclusion Month in October (which is also Global Diversity Awareness Month), Fletcher PR takes a look at D&amp;I from the international perspective. Rax Lakhani, CMPRCA, chairs the Public Relations &amp; Communications Association (PRCA) Diversity Network and shares his insights based in London, as a PR practitioner with nearly two decades of experience across a wide spectrum of organizations. Rax has worked for brands such as Smirnoff, Marmite, Jet2.com, Kodak, Hallmark Cards, Royal Mail and Park Plaza Hotel Group, as well as in-house within U.K. Government as Head of Digital Communications at the Ministry of Justice. His conversation with Fletcher PR brings energy and clarity to the #PRdiversity conversation -- particularly to the common challenges faced across continents and nations, and that the struggles faced by brands in the U.S. are not a unique phenomenon. As the U.S. PR industry approaches Diversity and Inclusion Month in October (which is also Global Diversity Awareness Month), Fletcher PR takes a look at D&amp;I from the international perspective. Rax Lakhani, CMPRCA, chairs the Public Relations &amp Public Relations, PR, podcast, #MsInterPReted, Rax, Lakhani, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, @FletcherPR, MsInterPReted, #PRdiversity, diversity, inclusion, PRCA, REEB, equity, 2020, race, industry, #PRCAethics, #PRCA, #PRCAnatconf, #PowerofPR, ethics, #PRethics, #EthicsMonth No Rax Lakhani: PR, Diversity & the Int'l Perspective (Part 2) 3 3 4 4 Rax Lakhani: PR, Diversity & the Int'l Perspective (Part 2) full 611e3fc4-6036-419a-861c-21fd8e54d99e https://share.transistor.fm/s/60e9cf1f Follow on social media:

Rax Lakhani:

LinkedIn -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/raxlakhani/

Twitter -- @RaxLakhani  https://twitter.com/RaxLakhani 


PRCA -- @PRCA_UK  https://twitter.com/PRCA_UK   

PRCA Diversity Network -- @PRCA_Diversity  https://twitter.com/PRCA_Diversity

PRCA Race and Ethnicity Equity Board (REEB) -- @PRCA_REEB  https://twitter.com/PRCA_REEB


Fletcher PR:

https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fletcherpr

Kelly Fletcher:  https://twitter.com/KDfletcher

Mary Beth West:  https://twitter.com/marybethwest 

]]> Follow on social media:

Rax Lakhani:

LinkedIn -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/raxlakhani/

Twitter -- @RaxLakhani  https://twitter.com/RaxLakhani 


PRCA -- @PRCA_UK  https://twitter.com/PRCA_UK   

PRCA Diversity Network -- @PRCA_Diversity  https://twitter.com/PRCA_Diversity

PRCA Race and Ethnicity Equity Board (REEB) -- @PRCA_REEB  https://twitter.com/PRCA_REEB


Fletcher PR:

https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fletcherpr

Kelly Fletcher:  https://twitter.com/KDfletcher

Mary Beth West:  https://twitter.com/marybethwest 

]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2020 01:01:07 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2239 In Part 2 of this enlightening conversation with London-based Rax Lakhani -- Public Relations &amp; Communications Association (PRCA) Diversity Network Chair -- Rax delves into the heart of more granular issues that public relations practitioners and leaders in all management disciplines must grapple with ... if they truly want to see inclusive, productive outcomes unfold for their organizational cultures, leading to desired business results and stronger relationships. Through his insights shared with Mary Beth West, Rax lends voice, empathy and advocacy to all communities who are part of these conversations, and he shares innumerable take-aways for listeners to integrate back into their work during this most challenging of eras. In Part 2 of this enlightening conversation with London-based Rax Lakhani -- Public Relations &amp; Communications Association (PRCA) Diversity Network Chair -- Rax delves into the heart of more granular issues that public relations practitioners and lead #MsInterPReted, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, Rax Lakhani, Lakhani, #PRdiversity, Diversity, Inclusion, DEI, D&I, PRCA, ethics, #PRCAethics, #prcadiversity, @prca_diversity, REEB, Ingham, PRSA, PR, public relations, advertising, marketing, racism, BLM, #BLM, election, purpose, women No Women Entrepreneurship & Voice: The Patricia Nash Story 3 3 5 5 Women Entrepreneurship & Voice: The Patricia Nash Story full 55dc97ff-7dbd-4760-8207-0685e3cc8b97 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d34e3b31 After a full career of global experience and noted success, followed by 10 years owning her own namesake designer handbag and accessories brand that's grown to a global business, Patricia Nash thought she had it all figured it out... and that nothing could phase her.

Then 2020 came along, and the COVID-19 Pandemic hit.

In the wake of industry chaos and an historic upending of the global retail sector at-large, Patricia and her daughter, CCO Jennifer Evans, have managed to navigate the waters of this year with cool heads, quick-witted responsiveness and an ability to take the decisive actions necessary to position Patricia Nash Designs for the future, not only to survive but also to thrive.

On this edition of Ms. InterPReted, Patricia and Jennifer join Kelly and Mary Beth, in a revealing conversation to share their story and lessons learned as a mother-daughter team building a worldwide brand -- who also take the time to be purposeful about the meaning of their company's product and how to register true connections in the lives of their loyal customers, team members and larger community.


Discover more about Patricia Nash Designs:

WEBSITE: https://patricianashdesigns.com/  


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricianashdesigns 


Twitter: https://twitter.com/patricianashbag/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricianashdesigns/ 


Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/patricianash/ 

Fletcher PR:

https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fletcherpr

Kelly Fletcher:  https://twitter.com/KDfletcher

Mary Beth West:  https://twitter.com/marybethwest 

]]> After a full career of global experience and noted success, followed by 10 years owning her own namesake designer handbag and accessories brand that's grown to a global business, Patricia Nash thought she had it all figured it out... and that nothing could phase her.

Then 2020 came along, and the COVID-19 Pandemic hit.

In the wake of industry chaos and an historic upending of the global retail sector at-large, Patricia and her daughter, CCO Jennifer Evans, have managed to navigate the waters of this year with cool heads, quick-witted responsiveness and an ability to take the decisive actions necessary to position Patricia Nash Designs for the future, not only to survive but also to thrive.

On this edition of Ms. InterPReted, Patricia and Jennifer join Kelly and Mary Beth, in a revealing conversation to share their story and lessons learned as a mother-daughter team building a worldwide brand -- who also take the time to be purposeful about the meaning of their company's product and how to register true connections in the lives of their loyal customers, team members and larger community.


Discover more about Patricia Nash Designs:

WEBSITE: https://patricianashdesigns.com/  


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricianashdesigns 


Twitter: https://twitter.com/patricianashbag/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricianashdesigns/ 


Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/patricianash/ 

Fletcher PR:

https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fletcherpr

Kelly Fletcher:  https://twitter.com/KDfletcher

Mary Beth West:  https://twitter.com/marybethwest 

]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2020 21:37:56 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2299 When it comes to inspirational women in entrepreneurship, steeped in the power of creativity and one's own unique sense of vision and style -- look no further than the story of Patricia Nash Designs. Patricia Nash is the namesake founder and CEO of a global brand with a decade in business, all based from her headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee. She and her daughter Jennifer oversee the company with a dedicated team, managing Patricia Nash Designs' full product line at retailers and venues such as Patricia Nash Retailers: Patricianashdesigns.com, Dillard’s and Dillards.com, Macy’s and Macys.com, Belk and Belk.com, Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com, HSN, QVC, TSC (The Shopping Channel Canada), Von Maur and Vonmaur.com, Marmaxx, Buckle and Buckle.com, Amazon.com, Navy Exchange, USMC Exchange, and Zappos.com. On this episode, Patricia and Jennifer join together to share their story of building the business as well as overcoming the trials and challenges of the 2020 Pandemic. Patricia reveals her insights on what the future holds for her company in the year ahead, as Patricia Nash Designs excels in keeping the brand real, authentic, and family-rooted with its loyal worldwide following, and all the while, seeking to contribute back to women's causes -- in particular, the challenge of homelessness, via a unique partnership just launched with the YWCA. When it comes to inspirational women in entrepreneurship, steeped in the power of creativity and one's own unique sense of vision and style -- look no further than the story of Patricia Nash Designs. Patricia Nash is the namesake founder and CEO of a MsInterPReted, Ms. InterPReted, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, PR, public relations, women, business, retail, Patricia Nash, Designs, Patricia Nash Designs, Knoxville, podcast, Jennifer, voice, pandemic, patricianashdesigns, crisis, COVID, response No Social Media & Surveillance Capitalism: Dr. Candace White 3 3 6 6 Social Media & Surveillance Capitalism: Dr. Candace White full a04cd97a-9a3a-4771-903d-504cbc53dffc https://share.transistor.fm/s/da85bc33 In this episode, the University of Tennessee's Dr. Candace White (Twitter: @trasversa) shares insights about her latest paper published by Public Relations Review, co-authored by Brandon Boatwright of Clemson University.

Candace White / Bio (source: https://adpr.utk.edu/profile/candace-white) 

Candace L. White is a professor of public relations in the School of Advertising and Public Relations. Her research interests include the role of global corporations as non-state actors in public diplomacy, and how corporate social responsibility and CSR communication affect the image and national reputation of the country with which the corporation is associated. She is a Faculty Fellow at the Howard H. Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy in the area of global security and an Arthur W. Page Legacy Scholar. She serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Public Relations Research and the International Journal of Strategic Communication. She was a Fulbright Senior Specialist at the University of Salzburg, Austria (2010) and at the University of Siena, Italy (2020); with support from the University of Tennessee, she has lectured in Denmark, Scotland, Wales, Austria, Croatia, and Italy. White holds a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia

Education:
Ph.D., University of Georgia
M.P.A., Georgia College
B.A., Winthrop College

Research Interests:
Comparative global public relations
Public relations as a component of public diplomacy (corporate diplomacy)
Intercultural communication
Perceptions of public relations practices
Public diplomacy
Corporate social responsibility

International Interests: 

Dr. White is interested in studying how cultural differences affect how messages are received, and how the practice of public relations varies in different countries. Recent studies look at the role of private sector corporations as non-state actors in public diplomacy.  She has been involved in teaching, research, and professional activities in Denmark, Austria, Scotland, Wales, Croatia, and Italy. She taught for the Consortium for International Business Studies in Asolo, Italy, and leads a study abroad program in international public relations each summer in Urbino, Italy.


FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

]]> In this episode, the University of Tennessee's Dr. Candace White (Twitter: @trasversa) shares insights about her latest paper published by Public Relations Review, co-authored by Brandon Boatwright of Clemson University.

Candace White / Bio (source: https://adpr.utk.edu/profile/candace-white) 

Candace L. White is a professor of public relations in the School of Advertising and Public Relations. Her research interests include the role of global corporations as non-state actors in public diplomacy, and how corporate social responsibility and CSR communication affect the image and national reputation of the country with which the corporation is associated. She is a Faculty Fellow at the Howard H. Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy in the area of global security and an Arthur W. Page Legacy Scholar. She serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Public Relations Research and the International Journal of Strategic Communication. She was a Fulbright Senior Specialist at the University of Salzburg, Austria (2010) and at the University of Siena, Italy (2020); with support from the University of Tennessee, she has lectured in Denmark, Scotland, Wales, Austria, Croatia, and Italy. White holds a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia

Education:
Ph.D., University of Georgia
M.P.A., Georgia College
B.A., Winthrop College

Research Interests:
Comparative global public relations
Public relations as a component of public diplomacy (corporate diplomacy)
Intercultural communication
Perceptions of public relations practices
Public diplomacy
Corporate social responsibility

International Interests: 

Dr. White is interested in studying how cultural differences affect how messages are received, and how the practice of public relations varies in different countries. Recent studies look at the role of private sector corporations as non-state actors in public diplomacy.  She has been involved in teaching, research, and professional activities in Denmark, Austria, Scotland, Wales, Croatia, and Italy. She taught for the Consortium for International Business Studies in Asolo, Italy, and leads a study abroad program in international public relations each summer in Urbino, Italy.


FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2020 14:32:28 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2864 In this gripping conversation about the underbelly of social media outlets' unethical non-disclosures and the larger societal and PR implications, University of Tennessee Public Relations Professor Dr. Candace White discusses her latest published paper in the December 2020 edition of Public Relations Review (co-authored by UT alumnus and Clemson University faculty Brandon Boatwright), "Social media ethics in the data economy: Issues of social responsibility for using Facebook for public relations." In this conversation, Dr. White exposes why Facebook's and other prominent social media outlets' policies are damaging societal discourse, information-exchange and public trust through an often-times insidious combination of non-transparency of their own data-management operations (and to whom they're selling users' data and for what purposes) combined with overt manipulation and obstruction of free flow of information . . . enabling these unregulated technology companies to ratchet up their power at an alarming clip, largely under the radar from either government or news media questions or public accountability. Is Big Social Media's era of laissez-faire data-wielding and manipulation about to come to an end with government intervention? Or will the current lack of checks-and-balances continue, unabated, with even more public censorship and agenda-setting contrived in the process? Hear Dr. White's insights in a spirited conversation with Kelly and Mary Beth, and weigh in with your opinions, at hashtag, #MsInterPReted. In this gripping conversation about the underbelly of social media outlets' unethical non-disclosures and the larger societal and PR implications, University of Tennessee Public Relations Professor Dr. Candace White discusses her latest published paper in Public Relations, #MsInterPReted, Ms. InterPReted, InterPReted, Facebook, Candace White, UT, University of Tennessee, CCI, social media, ethics, PR ethics, #PRCAethics, PRCA, Fletcher PR, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, Biden/Harris, Trump, Zuckerberg, Twitter, privacy, privacy policy, policy, data, Congress, Dorsey, PRSA, Code of ethics, journalism, consumer, protection, regulation, No Niche Influencers in Social Media: Fletcher PR's Sarah Merrell 3 3 7 7 Niche Influencers in Social Media: Fletcher PR's Sarah Merrell full d349a861-27d8-450e-b8ca-ade2fbdd8708 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0bb1a936 "I was a girly-girl," says Sarah Merrell -- VP of Fletcher Marketing PR -- of her initial trepidation about embracing motorcycling as a hobby, alongside her husband, Jud, an experienced rider.

She may have felt intimidation as a new rider at first, but Sarah Merrell now commands a social media following well into the tens of thousands.

How did she do it?... and how does she continue growing and managing her following base?

In this episode of Fletcher Marketing PR's #MsInterPReted podcast, Sarah speaks candidly about her journey of venturing far beyond her comfort zone to become a widely followed motorcycling enthusiast -- and one who is often pursued by brands within the industry for product recommendations and endorsements.

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

  • Follow Sarah Merrell on Instagram (sarah__merrell); https://www.instagram.com/sarah__merrell/?hl=en 
  • Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/  
  • Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR 
  • Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher 
  • Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest 
]]> "I was a girly-girl," says Sarah Merrell -- VP of Fletcher Marketing PR -- of her initial trepidation about embracing motorcycling as a hobby, alongside her husband, Jud, an experienced rider.

She may have felt intimidation as a new rider at first, but Sarah Merrell now commands a social media following well into the tens of thousands.

How did she do it?... and how does she continue growing and managing her following base?

In this episode of Fletcher Marketing PR's #MsInterPReted podcast, Sarah speaks candidly about her journey of venturing far beyond her comfort zone to become a widely followed motorcycling enthusiast -- and one who is often pursued by brands within the industry for product recommendations and endorsements.

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

  • Follow Sarah Merrell on Instagram (sarah__merrell); https://www.instagram.com/sarah__merrell/?hl=en 
  • Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/  
  • Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR 
  • Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher 
  • Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest 
]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2020 21:13:23 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2795 A newly minted Vice President at Fletcher Marketing PR with her recent promotion at the firm, Sarah Merrell combines an achievement-driven career in public relations with her newfound (and literal) fame as a social media influencer in the motorcycling enthusiast space. Her vision of helping bring more women into motorcycling powers the torque behind her own meteoric rise in social media, with a perfect marriage of interweaving professional focus with a personal passion (not to mention literal marriage to her husband Jud, who initially inspired her path to the sport and routinely joins her on the road, on his own two wheels!). With nearly 70,000 Instagram followers (sarah__merrell), Sarah has cultivated an enthusiastic fan base as an authentic rider and motorsports aficionada. In this episode, Sarah explains how she evolved from a timid rider always on the back of her husband's bike, to becoming an accomplished and noteworthy bike-owner and rider in her own right ... and how she carefully cultivates that following in a niche sport of dynamic brands at every turn. Sarah shares her work and perspectives as a VP at Fletcher Marketing PR, where she integrates her personal experience and knowledge as an influencer and an accomplished woman in business into achieving campaign-traction for clients across the spectrum of strategic brand communications. A newly minted Vice President at Fletcher Marketing PR with her recent promotion at the firm, Sarah Merrell combines an achievement-driven career in public relations with her newfound (and literal) fame as a social media influencer in the motorcycling ent Public Relations, motorcycling, motorcycles, motorsports, motor sports, women, PR, marketing, influencer, Instagram, social media, Sarah Merrell, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, Jud Merrell, Fletcher PR, PR, advertising, branding, brands, marketing to women, helmets, bikes, #MsInterPReted, Ms. InterPReted, podcast, niche, niche influencers, Merrell Racing No #MsInterPReted Season 3: Memorable Moments 3 3 8 8 #MsInterPReted Season 3: Memorable Moments full e9f1061b-2850-49c2-aaeb-76b92162c02b https://share.transistor.fm/s/87db4e6e Kelly and Mary Beth wrapped up Season 3 of "Ms. InterPReted" with a retrospective of chats with Q3-4 2020 guests. 

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/  
Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR 
Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher 
Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Kelly and Mary Beth wrapped up Season 3 of "Ms. InterPReted" with a retrospective of chats with Q3-4 2020 guests. 

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/  
Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR 
Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher 
Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Thu, 11 Feb 2021 15:02:12 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 3234 In the Season 3 Wrap-Up of the #MsInterPReted Podcast, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West embark on a New Year in 2021 with a look back to highlights of recent guests: MINUTE 6:38 / Rod Cartwright, FRSA, FPRCA: Rod shared insights of the PRCA's COVID-19 Taskforce and his other insights on the state of the industry and how the PRCA is helping lead the way. MINUTE 12:26 / Tearsa Smith, Anchor / WATE-TV Ch. 6 Knoxville: Tearsa shared how community journalism and its coverage of race / equality / justice issues are so important for helping citizens know and understand the authentic, real experiences of all people, of all diverse backgrounds. MINUTE 20:00 / Kelly and Mary Beth talked about Mary Beth's struggle with PRSA (the U.S.-based PR industry association) and issues of how women who ask tough questions are treated... particularly in the face of being a bona fide Whistleblower of organizational wrongdoing. MINUTE 31:45 / Patricia Nash and Jennifer Evans: Patricia Nash Designs Founder / CEO Patricia Nash (on the podcast with her daughter, COO Jennifer Evans) gave candid commentary on what the COVID-19 pandemic has meant to her business, in navigating the crisis -- and what her definition of *nimble leadership* is all about. MINUTE 36:00 / Rax Lakhani, CMPRCA: Rax provided a razor-sharp analysis of the Diversity &amp; Inclusion issue, from the international perspective, as head of the PRCA Diversity Network. His on-point, empathetic, pro-business approach advocated for important action steps all PR professionals should take, to make D&amp;I a reality. MINUTE 39:00 / Sarah Merrell -- VP, Fletcher Marketing PR (and Instagram Social Media Influencer): Sarah talked about realities of media relations and influencer work in today's COVID environment, particularly with pressures faced right now by newsrooms. MINUTE 42:50 / Dr. Candace White: This chat invited Dr. White to share her well-studied observations and concerns about non-disclosures inherent to the digital communications / social media platform environment. Join Kelly and Mary Beth throughout 2021, with new episodes of #MsInterPReted to launch Season 4, upcoming! In the Season 3 Wrap-Up of the #MsInterPReted Podcast, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West embark on a New Year in 2021 with a look back to highlights of recent guests: MINUTE 6:38 / Rod Cartwright, FRSA, FPRCA: Rod shared insights of the PRCA's COVI #MsInterPReted, Ms. InterPReted, public relations, podcast, podcasts, ethics, social media, Rod Cartwright, Tearsa Smith, Rax Lakhani, Patricia Nash, Candace White, University of Tennessee, women in PR, #WomenInPR No Behind the Data: Turning Market Research into Actionable Strategy 4 4 1 1 Behind the Data: Turning Market Research into Actionable Strategy full f0d35cf7-27a6-495e-b71d-1161b000551d https://share.transistor.fm/s/d59e9d93 FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/  
Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR 
Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher 
Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/  
Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR 
Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher 
Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Mon, 08 Mar 2021 16:16:58 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 3472 Catherine Porth -- a market researcher and data strategist -- shares her insights about putting information to strategic use for the best branding and marketing-communications outcomes. And -- this International Women's Day (#IWD2021) -- Kelly Fletcher discusses with Catherine the non-profit organization she has started -- LetHerSpeakUS.com. Catherine Porth -- a market researcher and data strategist -- shares her insights about putting information to strategic use for the best branding and marketing-communications outcomes. And -- this International Women's Day (#IWD2021) -- Kelly Fletch Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Dolly Parton's Imagination Library 4 4 2 2 Dolly Parton's Imagination Library full e2ad1d72-c2a6-4de5-bc31-8623689a0315 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6edc3113 Nora Briggs has a degree in finance and accounting and an Executive Master’s Degree in Global Strategic Communications. She has previously worked in construction management with both Jacobs and Hilton Worldwide and as Chief Data Officer and Vice President of CoreLogic. Nora has also volunteered for quite a few charitable organizations including The Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity.

Dr. Marion Gillooly has a Doctorate in Respiratory Pathology from Edinburgh University Medical School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Anatomy from the University of Aberdeen. She also has a Diploma from the Institute of Leadership and Management. She is also Vice-Chair of the Scottish Commission for people with Learning Disabilities.

FOLLOW DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY:

Website: https://imaginationlibrary.com/
Follow Dolly Parton's Imagination Library on Twitter: @DollysLibrary https://twitter.com/dollyslibrary
Follow Dolly Parton on Twitter: @DollyParton https://twitter.com/DollyParton
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dollysimaginationlibrary
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imaginationlibrary/ 

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/ 
Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR
Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher
Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Nora Briggs has a degree in finance and accounting and an Executive Master’s Degree in Global Strategic Communications. She has previously worked in construction management with both Jacobs and Hilton Worldwide and as Chief Data Officer and Vice President of CoreLogic. Nora has also volunteered for quite a few charitable organizations including The Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity.

Dr. Marion Gillooly has a Doctorate in Respiratory Pathology from Edinburgh University Medical School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Anatomy from the University of Aberdeen. She also has a Diploma from the Institute of Leadership and Management. She is also Vice-Chair of the Scottish Commission for people with Learning Disabilities.

FOLLOW DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY:

Website: https://imaginationlibrary.com/
Follow Dolly Parton's Imagination Library on Twitter: @DollysLibrary https://twitter.com/dollyslibrary
Follow Dolly Parton on Twitter: @DollyParton https://twitter.com/DollyParton
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dollysimaginationlibrary
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imaginationlibrary/ 

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

Discover Fletcher Marketing PR: https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/ 
Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on Twitter: @FletcherPR
Follow Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDfletcher
Follow Mary Beth West on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Thu, 25 Mar 2021 08:38:30 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 3078 Dolly Parton is easily one of the most recognizable celebrity names worldwide -- and in Tennessee (Dolly's home state) where Fletcher Marketing PR is also based, Dolly is widely regarded as a "Patron Saint." And there are good reasons for the sainthood status: In addition to Dolly being Dolly (with a consistent focus on everyday servant-leadership), Dolly Parton's Imagination Library -- Dolly's charity -- provides free books to children across the U.S. and now globally, with a focus on promoting childhood literacy. Hear from two of the Imagination Library's leaders -- Nora Briggs (Executive Director / North America) and Dr. Marion Gillooly (Executive Director / UK) -- as they explain the art, science, compassion and care that go into the Imagination Library's astounding impact on improving lives for children and families, as well as boosting childhood literacy. Dolly Parton is easily one of the most recognizable celebrity names worldwide -- and in Tennessee (Dolly's home state) where Fletcher Marketing PR is also based, Dolly is widely regarded as a "Patron Saint." And there are good reasons for the sainthood MsInterPReted, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Imagination Library, Dolly Parton, Parton's, Nora Briggs, Marion Gillooly, books, Book Lady, literacy, children, childhood, parents, reading, Public Relations, PR, Podcast, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, Fletcher, Fletcher Marketing PR, Knoxville, Sevier County, UK, United Kingdom, global No Brilliant Simplicity: Mike Ragsdale 4 4 3 3 Brilliant Simplicity: Mike Ragsdale full 771f923f-ba30-4f34-8cd5-c94fbc6f3ebe https://share.transistor.fm/s/d752dc21 Mike Ragsdale graduated with a degree in communications from The University of Alabama, and later earned his master’s degree in advertising and public relations. After graduating, Mike enjoyed success as an early pioneer of the internet before working as CMO of a healthcare IT company. He and his wife Angela have four children.

Follow the 30A brand on:

Website:  https://30a.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scenic30A

On Twitter: @30a

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hey30a/


Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

]]> Mike Ragsdale graduated with a degree in communications from The University of Alabama, and later earned his master’s degree in advertising and public relations. After graduating, Mike enjoyed success as an early pioneer of the internet before working as CMO of a healthcare IT company. He and his wife Angela have four children.

Follow the 30A brand on:

Website:  https://30a.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scenic30A

On Twitter: @30a

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hey30a/


Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

]]> Wed, 07 Apr 2021 14:20:00 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 3225 Mike Ragsdale, founder and CEO of the popular 30A lifestyle brand which was inspired by the scenic 30A highway along Florida’s Gulf Coast, says he remains driven by this simple goal: be happy and inspire others to live the life they’ve imagined. When he and his wife Angela relocated their family to Florida, Mike purchased the domain 30A.com to begin as a blog. It’s hard to imagine he had any idea then what an iconic, worldwide brand 30A.com would become. The 30A brand can be found in 380 stores nationwide and boasts eco-friendly clothing, décor, drinkware, electric bikes, skincare and even beer and wine. Listen as Kelly and Mike discuss Mike’s entrepreneurial successes….and challenges…. in the pursuit of happiness and bringing a piece of the laid-back beach lifestyle to people everywhere. Mike Ragsdale, founder and CEO of the popular 30A lifestyle brand which was inspired by the scenic 30A highway along Florida’s Gulf Coast, says he remains driven by this simple goal: be happy and inspire others to live the life they’ve imagined. When he a Mike Ragsdale, 30A, 30A brand, Highway 30A, Beach Happy, Kelly Fletcher, Marketing, Public Relations, Brand Management, Brand Creation, Fletcher Marketing PR, Fletcher PR, Fletcher Marketing, Marketing to women No Leslie Beale: Women & Work in the Post-Pandemic 4 4 4 4 Leslie Beale: Women & Work in the Post-Pandemic full c8f6ebe1-3ea6-405c-8e9b-4d0cd983e34f https://share.transistor.fm/s/e38bc068 Leslie Beale of Profusion Strategies advises companies and organizations on internal development and workforce needs.

As just one aspect of her work, Leslie help clients build awareness of how they are perceived in the workplace… And she helps build strategies to address their weaknesses and highlight their strengths -- very much in alignment with the strategic work Fletcher Marketing PR delivers to clients on the communications- and brand-management side.

On this episode, Leslie joins Kelly and Mary Beth to:

  • speak about the future of remote work and its impact on team trust and cohesiveness
  • peel back the layers of what drives relationships, authenticity and trust 
  • discuss emerging trends that will continue impacting workforce performance standards and expectations … both from the employer perspective and the employee perspective
  • cover the issue of managing business-owner stress
  • delve into whether the "Lean In" mantra of the past decade makes good mental-wellness sense anymore
  • explore how the call-to-action has intensified for employers to offer stronger flexibility, to provide pathways for emotional wellness resources, and to offer more heart to their staff teams
  • recommend how to best begin ramping up now for 2022 Strategic Planning


... and more. 

Follow Profusion Strategies online:

https://profusionstrategies.com/about/

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher
Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Leslie Beale of Profusion Strategies advises companies and organizations on internal development and workforce needs.

As just one aspect of her work, Leslie help clients build awareness of how they are perceived in the workplace… And she helps build strategies to address their weaknesses and highlight their strengths -- very much in alignment with the strategic work Fletcher Marketing PR delivers to clients on the communications- and brand-management side.

On this episode, Leslie joins Kelly and Mary Beth to:

  • speak about the future of remote work and its impact on team trust and cohesiveness
  • peel back the layers of what drives relationships, authenticity and trust 
  • discuss emerging trends that will continue impacting workforce performance standards and expectations … both from the employer perspective and the employee perspective
  • cover the issue of managing business-owner stress
  • delve into whether the "Lean In" mantra of the past decade makes good mental-wellness sense anymore
  • explore how the call-to-action has intensified for employers to offer stronger flexibility, to provide pathways for emotional wellness resources, and to offer more heart to their staff teams
  • recommend how to best begin ramping up now for 2022 Strategic Planning


... and more. 

Follow Profusion Strategies online:

https://profusionstrategies.com/about/

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher
Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Thu, 22 Apr 2021 10:55:12 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2556 Leslie Beale of Profusion Strategies in Knoxville, TN, joins Kelly and Mary Beth on #MsInterPReted for her reflections in spring 2021, as the business world contends with "new-normals" running alongside continuous additional changes, brought about by COVID-19. Leslie, Kelly and Mary Beth talk about the internal workforce implications of the pandemic on business owners, and how companies can best navigate additional onslaughts of workplace change, expectations and demands during the economic recovery. Lessons learned and how the pandemic has specifically impacted women in the workforce headline the topics discussed. Leslie Beale of Profusion Strategies in Knoxville, TN, joins Kelly and Mary Beth on #MsInterPReted for her reflections in spring 2021, as the business world contends with "new-normals" running alongside continuous additional changes, brought about by COVI Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No *Planning* The 2022 Plan: 5 Essentials for Strategic Development 4 4 5 5 *Planning* The 2022 Plan: 5 Essentials for Strategic Development full 9278b9a1-60b2-4094-8434-c8c8e3dd5cc6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1f612f08 1.      Getting the Research Right

2.     Applying the Critical Eye

3.     Capturing What’s Wrong and What’s Right

4.     Committing to Communication

5.     Involving Your Team at Every Level

Kelly and Mary Beth explore these five essential elements of undertaking a meaningful and effective strategic planning initiative -- whether for an upcoming fiscal year, for a new R&D effort / product launch, or any organizational development effort, aimed at future success.

With some 50 years' combined experience in helping clients tackle planning with a data-informed focus, Kelly and Mary Beth discuss what they've seen organizations do well (and not-so-well) in their planning exercises, and how the post-pandemic shifts in "normalcy" for most organizations must factor into the conversation, going forward.

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher
Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> 1.      Getting the Research Right

2.     Applying the Critical Eye

3.     Capturing What’s Wrong and What’s Right

4.     Committing to Communication

5.     Involving Your Team at Every Level

Kelly and Mary Beth explore these five essential elements of undertaking a meaningful and effective strategic planning initiative -- whether for an upcoming fiscal year, for a new R&D effort / product launch, or any organizational development effort, aimed at future success.

With some 50 years' combined experience in helping clients tackle planning with a data-informed focus, Kelly and Mary Beth discuss what they've seen organizations do well (and not-so-well) in their planning exercises, and how the post-pandemic shifts in "normalcy" for most organizations must factor into the conversation, going forward.

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher
Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Mon, 10 May 2021 08:58:47 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1647 It's not too early to begin "planning to get a plan" for strategic development, in anticipation of the upcoming fiscal year -- particularly for organizations that easily fall into the trap of racing through their strategic planning process without proper data and insight or ... worse still ... treat deep-dive planning as an afterthought. Fletcher Marketing PR CEO Kelly Fletcher and Senior Strategist Mary Beth West discuss five essential elements that they urge clients and organizations to consider, as part of the upcoming strategic plan ramp-up. It's not too early to begin "planning to get a plan" for strategic development, in anticipation of the upcoming fiscal year -- particularly for organizations that easily fall into the trap of racing through their strategic planning process without proper Public Relations, PR, strategy, strategic planning, 2021, 2022, COVID, pandemic, organization, corporate, client, development, process, research No Bryan Daniels: Driving Economic Success for Rural Communities 4 4 6 6 Bryan Daniels: Driving Economic Success for Rural Communities full f579fbc7-6933-4463-bd7e-e61dd84c9131 https://share.transistor.fm/s/354a109c In this chat with Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West, Blount Partnership President / CEO Bryan Daniels, CEcD, discusses:

  • The old versus new model of marketing rural communities successfully
  • Ways in which Blount County, TN has differentiated itself as a top quality-of-life community 
  • Blount County's true partnership-driven approach, with collaboration and cooperation among municipalities, elected officials and business community leaders
  • How Blount County is taking a role at the international level to help drive thought-leadership and best-practices (with Bryan Daniels serving on the board of the International Economic Development Council, which will bring its conference to Nashville, TN, later this year)
    • https://www.iedconline.org/index.php?src=directory&view=staff&srctype=detail&refno=804&category=Board%20of%20Directors 
  • How local, high-quality workforce development remains the most critical driver of attracting and retaining employers to a local community
  • Ways in which today's social-responsibility discourse is informing the site-selection process... with some corporations including as part of their due-diligence a request for the voting record of local electorates as a criteria point for moving a headquarters or base of operations to a new community
  • Rationale for rural communities to take a proactive stance versus a reactive stance in their econ-dev approach: 
    • Proactive: Driving site-selection visibility and relationship-building from the front, with a rural community sending its own delegations overseas 
    • Reactive: Relying entirely on one's state department of economic development to send site-selection leads to the local level


Learn more about moving your business to Blount County, Tennessee -- The Peaceful Side of the Smokies:

Blount Partnership: https://www.blountpartnership.com/
Connect with Bryan Daniels: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-daniels-b597283/ 
Follow the Blount Chamber on Twitter: https://twitter.com/blountchamber 

Smokies Vacation: https://www.smokymountains.org/
Peaceful Side of the Smokies / Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacefulsmokies/?hl=en 

Site-Selection / Pellissippi Place: https://blountindustry.com/our-region/sites-and-buildings/pellissippi-place/

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher
Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 


]]> In this chat with Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West, Blount Partnership President / CEO Bryan Daniels, CEcD, discusses:

  • The old versus new model of marketing rural communities successfully
  • Ways in which Blount County, TN has differentiated itself as a top quality-of-life community 
  • Blount County's true partnership-driven approach, with collaboration and cooperation among municipalities, elected officials and business community leaders
  • How Blount County is taking a role at the international level to help drive thought-leadership and best-practices (with Bryan Daniels serving on the board of the International Economic Development Council, which will bring its conference to Nashville, TN, later this year)
    • https://www.iedconline.org/index.php?src=directory&view=staff&srctype=detail&refno=804&category=Board%20of%20Directors 
  • How local, high-quality workforce development remains the most critical driver of attracting and retaining employers to a local community
  • Ways in which today's social-responsibility discourse is informing the site-selection process... with some corporations including as part of their due-diligence a request for the voting record of local electorates as a criteria point for moving a headquarters or base of operations to a new community
  • Rationale for rural communities to take a proactive stance versus a reactive stance in their econ-dev approach: 
    • Proactive: Driving site-selection visibility and relationship-building from the front, with a rural community sending its own delegations overseas 
    • Reactive: Relying entirely on one's state department of economic development to send site-selection leads to the local level


Learn more about moving your business to Blount County, Tennessee -- The Peaceful Side of the Smokies:

Blount Partnership: https://www.blountpartnership.com/
Connect with Bryan Daniels: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-daniels-b597283/ 
Follow the Blount Chamber on Twitter: https://twitter.com/blountchamber 

Smokies Vacation: https://www.smokymountains.org/
Peaceful Side of the Smokies / Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacefulsmokies/?hl=en 

Site-Selection / Pellissippi Place: https://blountindustry.com/our-region/sites-and-buildings/pellissippi-place/

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher
Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 


]]> Thu, 20 May 2021 10:13:01 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1987 As we soon enter Summer 2021, the American South is hot... and in more ways than one, particularly in Blount County, Tennessee, when it comes to rural economic development. Marketing rural communities for economic-development success requires sophistication in approach, creativity and true collaboration among diverse stakeholders... and that's just part of the "secret sauce" that has placed Blount County, Tennessee (located immediately south of Knoxville, in the eastern part of the state) in a position of competitive strength. Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West speak with Bryan Daniels, President and CEO of the Blount Partnership, about his own rural roots in East Tennessee, his pathway to leadership and his team's tried-and-true, long-term strategy of bringing authentic "Partnership" to Blount County's industrial recruitment, tourism development and quality-of-life mantra. According to IEDC, "the Blount Partnership is a five-star accredited Chamber of Commerce by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is the only Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) by the International Economic Development Council in the state of Tennessee (#58 worldwide)." As we soon enter Summer 2021, the American South is hot... and in more ways than one, particularly in Blount County, Tennessee, when it comes to rural economic development. Marketing rural communities for economic-development success requires sophisti Public Relations, PR, Marketing, Rural, Rural Communities, Blount, Blount Partnership, Bryan Daniels, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, economic, development, international, industrial, tourism, Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority, SMTDA, Peaceful Side of the Smokies, Smoky Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Townsend, Alcoa, Maryville, Pellissippi, MsInterPReted, PR, podcast, Kim Mitchell, Cirrus, Arconic, DENSO, State of Tennessee, #MadeInTN, Mule Day, Parade, Maury County, Columbia, Tennessee, Small Town, Metro, Festivals, North Carolina, Innovation Valley, Oak Ridge, Knoxville, Visit Knoxville, #EconomicDevelopmentWeek, #ManufacturingWeek No 2021: The State of Ethics in PR 4 4 7 7 2021: The State of Ethics in PR full 5a9c3a60-bdb1-4707-8cfe-34f9155dbd33 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a8c16b01 During his second visit to the “Ms. InterPReted” Podcast, Francis Ingham shares his latest insights about the state of ethics in the public relations industry, amid real-time issues that have impacted Fletcher Senior Strategist Mary Beth West, MPRCA, who now is serving a second term as PRCA Ethics Council Co-Chair.

Susan Hart, MPRCA, guest-hosts alongside Fletcher Marketing PR CEO Kelly Fletcher, MPRCA. 


Francis Ingham is Director General of the PRCA, and Chief Executive of the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO).


With a background in politics and public affairs, Francis is External Examiner to the American University at Richmond; Trustee of The Speakers' Corner Trust; and the Master of the City of London Company of Public Relations Practitioners. He was educated at Oxford University, where he read Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He appears in both the UK and the Global editions of PR Week’s PowerBook.


Follow the PRCA-UK:



Follow Francis Ingham on Twitter: @ingers1975 https://twitter.com/Ingers1975


U.S. citizens can inquire about PRCA-UK international membership by contacting:

Website: https://www.prca.org.uk/membership/join-today/international-individual-membership 

OR

Melissa Cannon MPRCA

PRCA International Director

T: +44 (0) 207 233 6026 

W: prca.org.uk


Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:



]]> During his second visit to the “Ms. InterPReted” Podcast, Francis Ingham shares his latest insights about the state of ethics in the public relations industry, amid real-time issues that have impacted Fletcher Senior Strategist Mary Beth West, MPRCA, who now is serving a second term as PRCA Ethics Council Co-Chair.

Susan Hart, MPRCA, guest-hosts alongside Fletcher Marketing PR CEO Kelly Fletcher, MPRCA. 


Francis Ingham is Director General of the PRCA, and Chief Executive of the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO).


With a background in politics and public affairs, Francis is External Examiner to the American University at Richmond; Trustee of The Speakers' Corner Trust; and the Master of the City of London Company of Public Relations Practitioners. He was educated at Oxford University, where he read Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He appears in both the UK and the Global editions of PR Week’s PowerBook.


Follow the PRCA-UK:



Follow Francis Ingham on Twitter: @ingers1975 https://twitter.com/Ingers1975


U.S. citizens can inquire about PRCA-UK international membership by contacting:

Website: https://www.prca.org.uk/membership/join-today/international-individual-membership 

OR

Melissa Cannon MPRCA

PRCA International Director

T: +44 (0) 207 233 6026 

W: prca.org.uk


Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:



]]> Fri, 04 Jun 2021 14:08:42 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2775 In 2021 -- and in the post-pandemic world -- dialogues about meaningful public-relations compliance standards reveal just how much #PRethics are of critical concern and keen interest globally, including the attitudes among particular PR trade bodies. The PRCA-UK remains arguably the world's leading edge standard-bearer for public relations ethics and best-practices, thanks to staff and board leadership and vision, from the association's headquarters in London, U.K., with offices across multiple continents and a growing membership (35,000+) worldwide. Long-running issues that have challenged public understanding and respect for the PR industry only intensified in 2020-21, complicated further by the recent pandemic. Susan Hart, MPRCA — who is no stranger to advocating on the front lines of recent years’ intense debates for PR’s ethical core in the United States — co-hosts this edition of Ms. InterPReted, alongside Fletcher CEO Kelly Fletcher, MPRCA, as they welcome Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA-UK) Director General Francis Ingham, MPRCA. On the heels of the June 2021 #PRCAAmericas Conference, Francis shares his organization’s vision of what a strong future for the global industry demands of practitioners worldwide -- and how the PRCA is doing its part to point the way forward on PR Ethics, in an inclusive and credible way. In 2021 -- and in the post-pandemic world -- dialogues about meaningful public-relations compliance standards reveal just how much #PRethics are of critical concern and keen interest globally, including the attitudes among particular PR trade bodies. Public Relations, Ethics, #PRethics, #PRCAethics, PRCA, UK, PRCA-UK, @PRCA_uk, Kelly Fletcher, Susan Hart, Francis Ingham, Ingham, Director General, Mary Beth West, PRSA, Ethics Council, Code, code of ethics, PR, ethics, UK, US, global, standards, ICCO, agency, agencies, firms, industry, MPRCA No AlexAnndra Ontra: The Art (and Importance) of the Presentation 4 4 8 8 AlexAnndra Ontra: The Art (and Importance) of the Presentation full fae9c5a2-dff7-4cf9-b60d-946e9efe79d3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/7bae91c8 AlexAnndra Ontra of Shufflrr discusses the art of the presentation:

  • How to lead with storytelling and more conversational approaches
  • Why presentations are getting more play in the marketing mix
  • Ways in which presentations must keep ever-evolving “in a continual loop” and not remain static over time
  • How it is that some 70% of marketing assets are not used (a data point from 3M) – representing an intellectual-resource waste
  • Methods for avoiding mismanagement or non-accessibility of presentation assets so that there is wider, more searchable usability of presentation data
  • Ways that presentations can remain fresh but have enough content preservation and replicability to save staff time

Discover more about Shufflrr: https://shufflrr.com/ 

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

]]> AlexAnndra Ontra of Shufflrr discusses the art of the presentation:

  • How to lead with storytelling and more conversational approaches
  • Why presentations are getting more play in the marketing mix
  • Ways in which presentations must keep ever-evolving “in a continual loop” and not remain static over time
  • How it is that some 70% of marketing assets are not used (a data point from 3M) – representing an intellectual-resource waste
  • Methods for avoiding mismanagement or non-accessibility of presentation assets so that there is wider, more searchable usability of presentation data
  • Ways that presentations can remain fresh but have enough content preservation and replicability to save staff time

Discover more about Shufflrr: https://shufflrr.com/ 

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

]]> Wed, 23 Jun 2021 13:49:50 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1674 Simple business presentations can be anything but simple. After all, business presentations get a bad rap – from the dreaded all-text PowerPoint Presentation to the myriad ways poor use of technology prevents speakers from connecting with their audiences. AlexAnndra Ontra – president and co-founder of Shufflrr – brings decades of experience helping big-name clients from Starbucks and Royal Caribbean to NASA develop stronger presentation technologies alongside storytelling techniques that become valuable PR assets. Learn some of the most common presentation mistakes as well as today’s best presentation technology and application practices that overcome common stumbling blocks and anxieties. Simple business presentations can be anything but simple. After all, business presentations get a bad rap – from the dreaded all-text PowerPoint Presentation to the myriad ways poor use of technology prevents speakers from connecting with their audiences. Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No 10+ Years of #SocialMediaDay: The Good, The Bad & The Law 4 4 9 9 10+ Years of #SocialMediaDay: The Good, The Bad & The Law full 92bfe799-2d3d-4e28-8de9-7aa2cf821ae1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1629f52a On this #SocialMediaDay2021 episode, Chris McCarty of Knoxville-based law firm Lewis Thomason delves into the larger issues at hand for companies/organizations and individuals alike in managing the good, the bad and the law, when it comes to leveraging the power of social media in productive and legally compliant ways.

Kelly and Mary Beth set the stage by providing a flashback to a November 2020 episode of #MsInterPReted (Social Media & Surveillance Capitalism: Dr. Candace White), and Kelly also shares a recent challenge experienced with a Facebook hacker ... indicative of the power -- much of it unchecked -- that the largest social media companies in particular wield, which can derail any company's ability to do business, at the drop of a hat.

Chris discusses legal implications of these and other challenges, as well as broader issues of free speech and regulatory facts that every PR person and professional communicator should know, in today's dynamic social media environment.

About Chris McCarty of Lewis Thomason, P.C.:

Chris W. McCarty, a shareholder in Lewis Thomason's Knoxville office, practices in the areas of employment law, education law and civil litigation. Chris handles matters before state and federal courts throughout Tennessee, and has argued before the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Chris also presents on employment and education law topics. His articles on those topics have been seen in numerous publications, including HR Magazine, the Tennessee Bar Journal and the Knoxville Business Journal. Chris is approved as a member of the American Arbitration Association’s (AAA) Panel of Employment Arbitrators.

 AFFILIATIONS

  • Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
  • DRI – Employment & Labor Law Committee
  • Society for Human Resource Management
  • American Bar Association
  • Knoxville Bar Association
  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys


PROFESSIONAL HONORS AND ACTIVITIES

  • Tennessee Council of School Board Attorneys, President, 2018-2020
  • Best Lawyers® 2020 Employment Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year” in Knoxville
  • Named to The Best Lawyers in America©, Employment Law Management and Education Law
  • Named a Cityview Magazine Top Attorney
  • Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, Elected Member, 2018
  • Knoxville Bar Foundation, Fellows Program, 2016
  • Member, American Arbitration Association (AAA) Panel of Employment Arbitrators
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers® Rising Star, 2015, 2016
  • Leadership Sevier, 2015
  • Knoxville Zoo, Circle of Friends Leadership Council, 2015
  • Nucleus Knoxville, President, 2014
  • “40 Under 40”, Knoxville Business Journal, 2013
  • Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law, 2012
  • Leadership Tomorrow Sevier, 2010
  • Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, President’s Award, 2009
  • Introduction Knoxville, 2007
  • Knoxville Bar Association, Publications Committee

FOLLOW Chris McCarty and Lewis Thomason:
Twitter: @LewisThomasonTN
LinkedIn: Lewis Thomason / LinkedIn and Chris McCarty / LinkedIn
Website: https://www.lewisthomason.com/

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

]]> On this #SocialMediaDay2021 episode, Chris McCarty of Knoxville-based law firm Lewis Thomason delves into the larger issues at hand for companies/organizations and individuals alike in managing the good, the bad and the law, when it comes to leveraging the power of social media in productive and legally compliant ways.

Kelly and Mary Beth set the stage by providing a flashback to a November 2020 episode of #MsInterPReted (Social Media & Surveillance Capitalism: Dr. Candace White), and Kelly also shares a recent challenge experienced with a Facebook hacker ... indicative of the power -- much of it unchecked -- that the largest social media companies in particular wield, which can derail any company's ability to do business, at the drop of a hat.

Chris discusses legal implications of these and other challenges, as well as broader issues of free speech and regulatory facts that every PR person and professional communicator should know, in today's dynamic social media environment.

About Chris McCarty of Lewis Thomason, P.C.:

Chris W. McCarty, a shareholder in Lewis Thomason's Knoxville office, practices in the areas of employment law, education law and civil litigation. Chris handles matters before state and federal courts throughout Tennessee, and has argued before the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Chris also presents on employment and education law topics. His articles on those topics have been seen in numerous publications, including HR Magazine, the Tennessee Bar Journal and the Knoxville Business Journal. Chris is approved as a member of the American Arbitration Association’s (AAA) Panel of Employment Arbitrators.

 AFFILIATIONS

  • Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
  • DRI – Employment & Labor Law Committee
  • Society for Human Resource Management
  • American Bar Association
  • Knoxville Bar Association
  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys


PROFESSIONAL HONORS AND ACTIVITIES

  • Tennessee Council of School Board Attorneys, President, 2018-2020
  • Best Lawyers® 2020 Employment Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year” in Knoxville
  • Named to The Best Lawyers in America©, Employment Law Management and Education Law
  • Named a Cityview Magazine Top Attorney
  • Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, Elected Member, 2018
  • Knoxville Bar Foundation, Fellows Program, 2016
  • Member, American Arbitration Association (AAA) Panel of Employment Arbitrators
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers® Rising Star, 2015, 2016
  • Leadership Sevier, 2015
  • Knoxville Zoo, Circle of Friends Leadership Council, 2015
  • Nucleus Knoxville, President, 2014
  • “40 Under 40”, Knoxville Business Journal, 2013
  • Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law, 2012
  • Leadership Tomorrow Sevier, 2010
  • Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, President’s Award, 2009
  • Introduction Knoxville, 2007
  • Knoxville Bar Association, Publications Committee

FOLLOW Chris McCarty and Lewis Thomason:
Twitter: @LewisThomasonTN
LinkedIn: Lewis Thomason / LinkedIn and Chris McCarty / LinkedIn
Website: https://www.lewisthomason.com/

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

]]> Wed, 30 Jun 2021 08:24:08 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2535 June 30 is #SocialMediaDay, and with it, the #MsInterPReted Podcast welcomes attorney Chris McCarty of Knoxville law firm Lewis Thomason, to share legal and compliance aspects that continue to evolve tied to social media use by businesses and organizations. Issues tied to free speech (vs. censorship), employee rights, liability, disinformation, and social media regulation dominate many of the struggles that PR firms, client organizations and individuals grapple with today, amid the more positive benefits of connectivity, idea-sharing and relationship-building that social media also afford. Join Chris, Kelly and Mary Beth, as they discuss social media's most pressing issues, this Social Media Day 2021. June 30 is #SocialMediaDay, and with it, the #MsInterPReted Podcast welcomes attorney Chris McCarty of Knoxville law firm Lewis Thomason, to share legal and compliance aspects that continue to evolve tied to social media use by businesses and organization Public Relations, #SocialMediaDay, Social Media, Social Media Day, #SocialMediaDay2021, 2021, Chris McCarty, Lewis Thomason, legal, law, PR, marketing, digital, communications, ethics, #PRethics, #PRCAethics, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, Fletcher Marketing PR, liability, threats, free speech, First Amendment, civility, disinformation, facts, issues No Gini Dietrich: Agencies, Equality & Bringing Our Best to the PR Industry 4 4 10 10 Gini Dietrich: Agencies, Equality & Bringing Our Best to the PR Industry full e7aa49a8-aef2-4cf6-9955-7002ba65114e https://share.transistor.fm/s/567879a7 Recorded on #WorldPRDay (#WPRD), Kelly and Mary Beth welcome one of the PR industry's most prominent and prolific thought leaders, Gini Dietrich of Spin Sucks, an entire learning platform that Gini founded and her team manages, in service to the industry, including consulting work for fellow agency owners and entrepreneurs.

Gini opens up about her passion points for the industry, on both the positive / uplifting front as well as frustrating sides... and on the latter, including discrimination and misogyny that she has experienced first-hand as a business owner and public speaker. 

In this episode of #MsInterPReted, Gini opens up about personal (and shocking) experiences in her own career, and how the up-and-coming generation in PR will not suffer fools gladly or tolerate the discriminatory burdens that have all-too-often persisted in PR and in business / society. 

Gini also shares insights about other professional-practice ethics and qualities that hold great potential for the PR industry's advancement, if colleagues will embrace them. 

FOLLOW Gini Dietrich and Spin Sucks:
Twitter: @SpinSucks @GiniDietrich
Website: http://spinsucks.com/spin-sucks-community

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

]]> Recorded on #WorldPRDay (#WPRD), Kelly and Mary Beth welcome one of the PR industry's most prominent and prolific thought leaders, Gini Dietrich of Spin Sucks, an entire learning platform that Gini founded and her team manages, in service to the industry, including consulting work for fellow agency owners and entrepreneurs.

Gini opens up about her passion points for the industry, on both the positive / uplifting front as well as frustrating sides... and on the latter, including discrimination and misogyny that she has experienced first-hand as a business owner and public speaker. 

In this episode of #MsInterPReted, Gini opens up about personal (and shocking) experiences in her own career, and how the up-and-coming generation in PR will not suffer fools gladly or tolerate the discriminatory burdens that have all-too-often persisted in PR and in business / society. 

Gini also shares insights about other professional-practice ethics and qualities that hold great potential for the PR industry's advancement, if colleagues will embrace them. 

FOLLOW Gini Dietrich and Spin Sucks:
Twitter: @SpinSucks @GiniDietrich
Website: http://spinsucks.com/spin-sucks-community

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

]]> Wed, 28 Jul 2021 06:42:10 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2776 Gini Dietrich of the @SpinSucks Community joins Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West on the #MsInterPReted Podcast, sharing experiences from her own career of PR agency entrepreneurship and thought-leadership ... including the pervasive issues of gender-based discrimination and misogyny in the industry that create unlevel playing fields confronted daily by women in PR, who compose some 70-80% of the PR industry (except in the male-dominated C-suite), depending on market. But not all the news is challenging, as Gini points to the new generation of PR practitioners rising in the profession, as one of the brightest areas of the industry. Gini Dietrich of the @SpinSucks Community joins Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West on the #MsInterPReted Podcast, sharing experiences from her own career of PR agency entrepreneurship and thought-leadership ... including the pervasive issues of gender-base public relations, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, #MsInterPReted, #SpinSucks, Spin Sucks, Gini Dietrich, PR, ethics, misogyny, discrimination, agencies, firms, management, gender, equality, women, students, new professionals No Susan Hart: PRSA, #PRethics and the Urgency of Accountability 4 4 11 11 Susan Hart: PRSA, #PRethics and the Urgency of Accountability full ca44fe45-a961-42dc-8f41-1d8c185fa18b https://share.transistor.fm/s/9237ddcd In this episode during PRSA's #EthicsMonth, Mary Beth West interviews close colleague Susan Hart -- a past president of the PRSA Nashville Chapter, a past PRSA Nashville Chapter Hercules Award honoree, and a now-former / resigned PRSA College of Fellows member. 

Susan voluntarily discontinued her 35-year membership in PRSA in 2018, in disgust with PRSA's National leadership cultural shift, after what she describes as "one of the most stressful experiences of (her) life" at the hands of PRSA National leadership, who infamously opposed ethics-driven bylaw reforms -- after secretly reversing course from prior assurances that measures would be supported. 

In this interview, Susan discusses:

  • Accountability as the essential crux of what any leadership team must offer as a non-negotiable deliverable of its own cultural mindset
  • How leadership quickly falls down a slippery slope and point-of-no-return, when national leaders fail to conduct due diligence
  • "Say-do" disconnects -- when organizational mission and stated principles no longer match leadership behaviors
  • What the modus-operandi of "Operation Incompetence" entails with an escalating lack of financial transparency
  • How the good work of PRSA's local-level chapters is overshadowed and undermined when the national organizational leadership has entrenched unethical and unaccountable practices
  • Why curiosity by members is important and should not be demonized ... and why it's an ethical red-flag when any organizational leadership "kills the messenger" and instills fear of retaliation among a membership who become too fearful to ask valid questions.


FOLLOW #PRethics

FOLLOW Susan Hart:
Twitter: @susanhartpr

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP CALLING FOR A BETTER PRSA:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ABetterPRSA 

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

]]> In this episode during PRSA's #EthicsMonth, Mary Beth West interviews close colleague Susan Hart -- a past president of the PRSA Nashville Chapter, a past PRSA Nashville Chapter Hercules Award honoree, and a now-former / resigned PRSA College of Fellows member. 

Susan voluntarily discontinued her 35-year membership in PRSA in 2018, in disgust with PRSA's National leadership cultural shift, after what she describes as "one of the most stressful experiences of (her) life" at the hands of PRSA National leadership, who infamously opposed ethics-driven bylaw reforms -- after secretly reversing course from prior assurances that measures would be supported. 

In this interview, Susan discusses:

  • Accountability as the essential crux of what any leadership team must offer as a non-negotiable deliverable of its own cultural mindset
  • How leadership quickly falls down a slippery slope and point-of-no-return, when national leaders fail to conduct due diligence
  • "Say-do" disconnects -- when organizational mission and stated principles no longer match leadership behaviors
  • What the modus-operandi of "Operation Incompetence" entails with an escalating lack of financial transparency
  • How the good work of PRSA's local-level chapters is overshadowed and undermined when the national organizational leadership has entrenched unethical and unaccountable practices
  • Why curiosity by members is important and should not be demonized ... and why it's an ethical red-flag when any organizational leadership "kills the messenger" and instills fear of retaliation among a membership who become too fearful to ask valid questions.


FOLLOW #PRethics

FOLLOW Susan Hart:
Twitter: @susanhartpr

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP CALLING FOR A BETTER PRSA:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ABetterPRSA 

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

]]> Thu, 02 Sep 2021 14:19:19 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1122 "Ms. InterPReted" Co-Host Mary Beth West welcomes one of her long-time colleagues -- Susan Hart -- to discuss what's been a culmination of ethics issues witnessed and faced within the U.S.-based public relations trade association, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Susan Hart offers her viewpoints on PRSA's distant-prior years of organizational strengths, followed by a most precipitous descent in recent years of financial non-disclosures + discrepancies, lack of accountability, whistleblower retaliation, national leadership ethics issues, poor judgment . . . all begging the question of how anyone considering membership or certainly leadership in the national organization should approach due-diligence. "Ms. InterPReted" Co-Host Mary Beth West welcomes one of her long-time colleagues -- Susan Hart -- to discuss what's been a culmination of ethics issues witnessed and faced within the U.S.-based public relations trade association, the Public Relations Soc PRSA, #PRethics, ethics, pr, public relations, #EthicsMonth, 2021, bylaws, Susan Hart, Hart/West, reform, unethical, financial, financials, corruption, incompetence, New York Attorney General, NY AG, compliance, legal, Mary Beth West No Travis Parman -- CCO, AppHarvest: The #PRethics of a Strong Sustainability Story 4 4 12 12 Travis Parman -- CCO, AppHarvest: The #PRethics of a Strong Sustainability Story full 9ff84802-0806-4e33-b472-f8a420568bff https://share.transistor.fm/s/35733fd8 In this conversation, Travis Parman shares his insights about:

  • How people sometimes "fall into public relations" from different fields ... and how he has evolved his ideas about what constitutes PR expertise as a former self-confessed "public relations purist"; 
  • Why his favorite Abraham Lincoln quote that he learned in high school helped chart his academic and career course toward public relations: "In this age, in this country, public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; against it, nothing can succeed. Whoever molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes, or pronounces judicial decisions";
  • Why diverse practitioners are so often the best public relations professionals: "They know how to read a room";
  • Ways that PR students should work to position themselves for thriving public relations careers, by bringing their diverse perspectives and backgrounds to the fore;
  • In what ways companies need to avoid knee-jerk responses to "diversity programs" that lump people of one diverse cohort together and inadvertently segregate them; 
  • How one-dimensional, tactical and transactional "understandings" of PR pose some of the industry's biggest limitations that must be countered and overcome;
  • Why being too deferential can be a PR professional's most self-defeating behavioral modus operandi in growing their career;
  • Ways that cross-cultural and international standards differ -- and why public relations practitioners need to advance their game, including in the #PRethics arena and with full team involvement and buy-in.


FOLLOW #PRethics

FOLLOW Travis Parman:
Twitter: @TravisParman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisparman/ 

FOLLOW AppHarvest:
Twitter: @AppHarvest

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

]]> In this conversation, Travis Parman shares his insights about:

  • How people sometimes "fall into public relations" from different fields ... and how he has evolved his ideas about what constitutes PR expertise as a former self-confessed "public relations purist"; 
  • Why his favorite Abraham Lincoln quote that he learned in high school helped chart his academic and career course toward public relations: "In this age, in this country, public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail; against it, nothing can succeed. Whoever molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes, or pronounces judicial decisions";
  • Why diverse practitioners are so often the best public relations professionals: "They know how to read a room";
  • Ways that PR students should work to position themselves for thriving public relations careers, by bringing their diverse perspectives and backgrounds to the fore;
  • In what ways companies need to avoid knee-jerk responses to "diversity programs" that lump people of one diverse cohort together and inadvertently segregate them; 
  • How one-dimensional, tactical and transactional "understandings" of PR pose some of the industry's biggest limitations that must be countered and overcome;
  • Why being too deferential can be a PR professional's most self-defeating behavioral modus operandi in growing their career;
  • Ways that cross-cultural and international standards differ -- and why public relations practitioners need to advance their game, including in the #PRethics arena and with full team involvement and buy-in.


FOLLOW #PRethics

FOLLOW Travis Parman:
Twitter: @TravisParman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisparman/ 

FOLLOW AppHarvest:
Twitter: @AppHarvest

FOLLOW FLETCHER MARKETING PR:

]]> Wed, 22 Sep 2021 12:49:47 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2607 "Ms. InterPReted" welcomes a corporate communications veteran and PR trailblazer, Travis Parman -- chief communications officer of AppHarvest, an applied technology company building some of the world’s largest indoor farms in Appalachia. With some two prior decades of experience in the automotive industry -- most recently as vice president for Nissan Americas and president of the Nissan Foundation -- Travis recently took on the CCO post with AppHarvest, as part of a personal calling to engage his own renewed sense of purpose, tying in sustainable nutrition for diverse communities, alongside his Southern roots as an Appalachian native (Greeneville, Tennessee). Travis discusses with career-long friend Mary Beth West his perspectives about his favorite Abraham Lincoln quote, the ethics of crafting reliable brands alongside an authentic sustainability story, and how to achieve interpersonal trust within publicly traded corporate boardrooms and c-suites. A pioneer for LGBT diversity / inclusion, Travis also relays the story of his career pathway in that regard -- and his advice for others. "Ms. InterPReted" welcomes a corporate communications veteran and PR trailblazer, Travis Parman -- chief communications officer of AppHarvest, an applied technology company building some of the world’s largest indoor farms in Appalachia. With some two Public Relations, PR, Marketing, sustainability, ESG, ethics, #PRethics, Mary Beth West, Travis Parman, Kelly Fletcher, Fletcher Marketing PR, Tennessee, AppHarvest, CCO, Chief Communications Officer, Appalachia, food, nutrition, promotion, students, PRSSA, diversity No Behind #TheBigQuit: Pandemic-Driven Changes in Workforce Law and Comms 4 4 13 13 Behind #TheBigQuit: Pandemic-Driven Changes in Workforce Law and Comms full a26a9a2a-5a91-4643-a10c-cd26b387bf23 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a897f443 In this episode, Woolf McClane's Chad Hatmaker shares:

  • What he's seen employers and management teams do right (or wrong) since the pandemic hit on the employee relations front
  • Specific aspects of emerging employment law that were brought to bear significantly in the past 20 months and that should be tracked going forward, in order for companies to remain compliant yet competitive
  • How employee / front-line team expectations have now changed 
  • Why staying proactive is so important for companies -- in order to avoid much larger problems later
  • Ways in which communications challenges arise throughout workforce-management issues, like vaccinations
  • And much more... 


Links:

View insights from members of the Fletcher Team on WBIR's special news segment on "The Big Quit". 

]]> In this episode, Woolf McClane's Chad Hatmaker shares:

  • What he's seen employers and management teams do right (or wrong) since the pandemic hit on the employee relations front
  • Specific aspects of emerging employment law that were brought to bear significantly in the past 20 months and that should be tracked going forward, in order for companies to remain compliant yet competitive
  • How employee / front-line team expectations have now changed 
  • Why staying proactive is so important for companies -- in order to avoid much larger problems later
  • Ways in which communications challenges arise throughout workforce-management issues, like vaccinations
  • And much more... 


Links:

View insights from members of the Fletcher Team on WBIR's special news segment on "The Big Quit". 

]]> Fri, 19 Nov 2021 13:53:34 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 3009 Nearly 20 months after first hosting Attorney Chad Hatmaker of law firm Woolf McClane on the subject of pandemic-related employment law and legal implications for employers, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West welcome back Chad to the #MsInterPReted PR Podcast, to explore what's changed since the COVID-19 tsunami permanently altered the global workplace landscape. Hear Chad's insights on dynamics he's observed, amid the stresses and strains on business owners and employees alike . . . and what the future may hold in 2022, as companies continue to absorb realities of #TheBigQuit / #TheGreatResignation and the #WFH / #WorkFromHome new-normal. Kelly and Mary Beth also chime in with communications considerations that employers must consider alongside legal requirements, to position organizations competitively for continued recovery and solid growth. Nearly 20 months after first hosting Attorney Chad Hatmaker of law firm Woolf McClane on the subject of pandemic-related employment law and legal implications for employers, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West welcome back Chad to the #MsInterPReted PR Podc Chad Hatmaker, law, legal, employer, employee, employment, workforce, workplace, PR, internal, communications, #TheBigQuit, #BigQuit, #TheGreatResignation, relations, strategic planning, 2020, 2021, 2022, pandemic, COVID-19, COVID, recruitment, retention, Hatmaker, Woolf, McClane, compliance, PR, public relations, crisis, work from home, #WFH No #MsInterPReted Presents: Uplifted for the Holidays 4 4 14 14 #MsInterPReted Presents: Uplifted for the Holidays full 0a99dbde-da1d-41d3-85f3-2341d313db70 https://share.transistor.fm/s/96ad5510 On this special Holiday Season episode of #MsInterPReted, Kelly and Mary Beth share special moments from past episodes of the podcast with:

  1. Marshall Ramsey -- on how some dark moments in his life (from personal loss to being cut to part-time and losing his benefits at his former employer in the wake of his cancer battle) resulted in his "It's the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" attitude, thanks to his late father;
  2. Marcus Hall -- on how taking the wrong path in life and paying the price with incarceration actually set him free to embark on a renewed entrepreneurial journey;
  3. Tearsa Smith -- on how the power of seeing her children's joy and aspirations for their own futures have lifted her up during traumatic societal events of 2020-21... and how she seeks to share that hope with others, through the lens of journalism;
  4. Ashley Nickloes -- on how reading the documentation of her grandfather's death during World War II from running out of fuel in his plane during a combat mission over the Pacific Ocean brought her full-circle, as she has served her nation for many years as a Tennessee Air National Guard refueling-mission aviator;
  5. Melissa Carter -- on how the fear and anxiety of coming out to her family as part of the LGBT Community during her 20s ultimately surprised her in a positive way... and proved to her that her late father was the greatest Christian she ever knew;
  6. Mike McClamroch -- on how a visit one day to the home of Lady Vols Head Coach Pat Summitt changed his life, as he embarked with Coach Summitt in his role as leader of the East Tennessee Foundation to assume management operations for The Pat Summitt Foundation (@WeBackPat), to beat Alzheimer's Disease ... in the late coach's lasting legacy of public service and philanthropy.  


Posted with great affection for our listeners, team members, clients, family and friends -- by Kelly & Mary Beth ... 
Wishing everyone a safe, happy and abundant Thanksgiving and holiday season ahead. 


]]> On this special Holiday Season episode of #MsInterPReted, Kelly and Mary Beth share special moments from past episodes of the podcast with:

  1. Marshall Ramsey -- on how some dark moments in his life (from personal loss to being cut to part-time and losing his benefits at his former employer in the wake of his cancer battle) resulted in his "It's the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" attitude, thanks to his late father;
  2. Marcus Hall -- on how taking the wrong path in life and paying the price with incarceration actually set him free to embark on a renewed entrepreneurial journey;
  3. Tearsa Smith -- on how the power of seeing her children's joy and aspirations for their own futures have lifted her up during traumatic societal events of 2020-21... and how she seeks to share that hope with others, through the lens of journalism;
  4. Ashley Nickloes -- on how reading the documentation of her grandfather's death during World War II from running out of fuel in his plane during a combat mission over the Pacific Ocean brought her full-circle, as she has served her nation for many years as a Tennessee Air National Guard refueling-mission aviator;
  5. Melissa Carter -- on how the fear and anxiety of coming out to her family as part of the LGBT Community during her 20s ultimately surprised her in a positive way... and proved to her that her late father was the greatest Christian she ever knew;
  6. Mike McClamroch -- on how a visit one day to the home of Lady Vols Head Coach Pat Summitt changed his life, as he embarked with Coach Summitt in his role as leader of the East Tennessee Foundation to assume management operations for The Pat Summitt Foundation (@WeBackPat), to beat Alzheimer's Disease ... in the late coach's lasting legacy of public service and philanthropy.  


Posted with great affection for our listeners, team members, clients, family and friends -- by Kelly & Mary Beth ... 
Wishing everyone a safe, happy and abundant Thanksgiving and holiday season ahead. 


]]> Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:17:55 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2711 On this special compilation episode of #MsInterPReted, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West look back at past interviews on the podcast with guests who shared personal stories of resilience, inspiration, hope and care, as listeners enter the Holiday Season 2022. Join Kelly and Mary Beth as they spotlight podcast moments perfect for delivering a spirit of holiday hope, from their interviews over the past two years with Marshall Ramsey (Pulitzer-nominated editorial cartoonist and Editor-at-Large for Mississippi Today / @MSTODAYnews), Marcus Hall (CEO, Marc Nelson Denim), Tearsa Smith (Emmy-nominated Anchor / Journalist, WATE-TV Knoxville), Tennessee Air National Guard Lt. Col. Ashley Nickloes, Melissa Carter (Co-Host, #TheFriendzy Podcast), and Mike McClamroch (CEO, East Tennessee Foundation -- management team for The Pat Summitt Foundation). On this special compilation episode of #MsInterPReted, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West look back at past interviews on the podcast with guests who shared personal stories of resilience, inspiration, hope and care, as listeners enter the Holiday Season 2 Public Relations, PR, Marketing, Ms. InterPReted, #MsInterPReted, MsInterPReted, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, holidays, uplifted, podcast, 2021, 2022, pandemic, COVID, Marshall Ramsey, Tearsa Smith, Pat Summitt, Marcus Hall, Marc Nelson, Ashley Nickloes, Melissa Carter, Mike McClamroch, East Tennessee Foundation, giving, holiday, PRCA, Fletcher No PR & In-the-Moment Crisis Planning 4 4 15 15 PR & In-the-Moment Crisis Planning full 2a6806a2-f646-404b-af6a-2e8ec8b611e3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9bf87910 When crises strike, having a plan is essential -- and most strategists know that rule-of-thumb. 

But what about a crisis that unfolds in real-time, right before one's eyes (and the eyes of hundreds, thousands or even millions of stakeholders), when seconds count and the cameras are on?

Kelly and Mary Beth discuss some recent events and several new pieces of industry data that PR pros and client teams alike should take into consideration.  

]]> When crises strike, having a plan is essential -- and most strategists know that rule-of-thumb. 

But what about a crisis that unfolds in real-time, right before one's eyes (and the eyes of hundreds, thousands or even millions of stakeholders), when seconds count and the cameras are on?

Kelly and Mary Beth discuss some recent events and several new pieces of industry data that PR pros and client teams alike should take into consideration.  

]]> Wed, 15 Dec 2021 11:38:23 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1843 What should a brand's management team do in-the-moment when a crisis erupts... seemingly out of nowhere? Being fast on one's feet -- but avoiding knee-jerk-reaction errors or rookie mistakes (like "kill the messenger" or stifling of truthful information) -- can spell the difference between a winning response to a sudden crisis event ... or failure with long-term consequences to brand reputation. On this episode of "Ms. InterPReted," Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West point out data and best-practices that every public relations practitioner and brand manager should know. What should a brand's management team do in-the-moment when a crisis erupts... seemingly out of nowhere? Being fast on one's feet -- but avoiding knee-jerk-reaction errors or rookie mistakes (like "kill the messenger" or stifling of truthful informati Public Relations, PR, crisis, management, response, misconduct, sudden, emergency, retaliation, honesty, ethics, ECI, Ethics & Compliance, Initiative, PRCA, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, brand, marketing, advertising, 2021, 2022, Ms. InterPReted, #MsInterPReted, PRSA, speak up, #PRethics, Ronan Farrow, Rose McGowan, Weinstein, #MeToo, say/do, procrastination No PR Industry Predictions for 2022 4 4 16 16 PR Industry Predictions for 2022 full 8a296fba-b85a-4773-b0cb-83526772c69f https://share.transistor.fm/s/3e0cd6da In this episode, Kelly and Mary Beth discuss their PR Industry Predictions for 2022, including:

  • How the PR agency business model's pandemic-driven shifts have impacted the industry
  • Why the U.S. PR industry is on a particularly troublesome ethics track -- much of it self-inflicted and further exacerbated by apathy ... particularly in light of disappointing choices and lack of truth / transparency by the domestic PR association -- PRSA
  • Ways that workforce recruitment strains between talent availability, rising payroll demands and follow-on COVID waves will impact budgets
  • Implications of recent industry reports:
    • Public Relations & Communications Association (PRCA-UK) (London): 
      • https://www.prca.org.uk/PR-industry-roars-back-2021-PRCA-UK-Census 
    • International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) World Report: 
      • https://iccopr.com/services/world-reports/download-our-2020-2021-report/  
  • Whether the PR, media and journalism sectors will ever join forces to stave off systemic public-trust root-rot driving disinformation
  • How the Diversity conversation will continue as a merry-go-round until the industry and respective associations set a definitive bar between two separate metrics: 1) Having the PR industry employment base represent all of society demographically, or 2) Having the sector mirror demographics of other professional-service sectors with which PR competes to recruit workforce
  • Ways that politicization and partisanship in news rooms and across the industry drive the very divisiveness that the PR industry should be more competently taking in hand and mitigating (not exacerbating) to bring people and publics together in more positive solidarity around issues
  • How the dearth of men in the PR industry workforce (minus the C-suite) is a far more complex and troubling problem than is adequately discussed ... and if the industry fails to address the gender imbalance in 2022, we can expect to slide more into "pink-collared ghetto" territory relative to compensation and share-of-voice.


Mary Beth also shares a glimpse of work-in-progress currently underway via the PRCA Ethics Council, in partnership with the Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI) in Washington, D.C., as part of its Global Business Ethics Survey to ascertain PR industry ethics issues. 



]]> In this episode, Kelly and Mary Beth discuss their PR Industry Predictions for 2022, including:

  • How the PR agency business model's pandemic-driven shifts have impacted the industry
  • Why the U.S. PR industry is on a particularly troublesome ethics track -- much of it self-inflicted and further exacerbated by apathy ... particularly in light of disappointing choices and lack of truth / transparency by the domestic PR association -- PRSA
  • Ways that workforce recruitment strains between talent availability, rising payroll demands and follow-on COVID waves will impact budgets
  • Implications of recent industry reports:
    • Public Relations & Communications Association (PRCA-UK) (London): 
      • https://www.prca.org.uk/PR-industry-roars-back-2021-PRCA-UK-Census 
    • International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) World Report: 
      • https://iccopr.com/services/world-reports/download-our-2020-2021-report/  
  • Whether the PR, media and journalism sectors will ever join forces to stave off systemic public-trust root-rot driving disinformation
  • How the Diversity conversation will continue as a merry-go-round until the industry and respective associations set a definitive bar between two separate metrics: 1) Having the PR industry employment base represent all of society demographically, or 2) Having the sector mirror demographics of other professional-service sectors with which PR competes to recruit workforce
  • Ways that politicization and partisanship in news rooms and across the industry drive the very divisiveness that the PR industry should be more competently taking in hand and mitigating (not exacerbating) to bring people and publics together in more positive solidarity around issues
  • How the dearth of men in the PR industry workforce (minus the C-suite) is a far more complex and troubling problem than is adequately discussed ... and if the industry fails to address the gender imbalance in 2022, we can expect to slide more into "pink-collared ghetto" territory relative to compensation and share-of-voice.


Mary Beth also shares a glimpse of work-in-progress currently underway via the PRCA Ethics Council, in partnership with the Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI) in Washington, D.C., as part of its Global Business Ethics Survey to ascertain PR industry ethics issues. 



]]> Thu, 30 Dec 2021 17:10:28 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2746 Many recent public relations industry reports and prognostications have painted rosy pictures about the state of the PR industry. As #MsInterPReted Co-Hosts Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West close out the Year 2021 and Season 4 of their podcast with PR Predictions for 2022, both women reflect on the challenges and travails of 2020-21 -- including at very personal levels -- and the hurdles most seriously facing the industry in the year ahead: *Continued pandemic-driven economic uncertainties *Ethics scandals, apathy and PR as well as news-media industry politicization and distrust *Diversity struggles and potential yet unfulfilled Together, Kelly and Mary Beth share insights and observations about why the road ahead is rife with realities that need to be taken seriously by PR leaders and practitioners, alongside the industry's rosier glass-half-full aspirations. While hope and optimism are merited, it's also a time for sober and cautious introspection by the industry -- and a time to bring PR's "A" Game to the table for companies and organizations serious about meaningful and sustained growth, productivity and brand competitiveness in the year ahead. Many recent public relations industry reports and prognostications have painted rosy pictures about the state of the PR industry. As #MsInterPReted Co-Hosts Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West close out the Year 2021 and Season 4 of their podcast with P public relations, PR, 2022, industry, predictions, 2021, 2020, pandemic, COVID, ethics, diversity, New Year, Happy New Year, #NewYear, #PR, #Predictions, #HNY, predict, PRCA, PRSA, ICCO, ECI, Public Relations and Communications Association, Francis Ingham, London, World Report, agency, marketing, advertising, revenues, market share, diversity, inclusion, ethics, #PRethics, Ethics and Compliance Initiative, journalism, SPJ, Society of Professional Journalists, authenticity, trust, prognostications No Podcast for Success: Chris Hill / Humblepod 4 4 17 17 Podcast for Success: Chris Hill / Humblepod full bdb478e0-a071-4f11-81a0-c7fc1a4c016a https://share.transistor.fm/s/22ca3538 Business development for any company (or fund-raising and audience engagement in the non-profit sector) can be driven extensively through sharing the heart, soul and mind of the brand.

Podcasting has emerged as one of the top conduits for sharing brand voice in the competitive marketplace of ideas, through owned-media platforms that brands can directly curate and control.

Chris Hill shares with Kelly and Mary Beth his production recommendations as well as marketing strategies, to help those with something to say in the podcasting space to be successful, in building a podcast from the ground-up.

Discover HumblePod:

Discover Fletcher Marketing PR:

]]> Business development for any company (or fund-raising and audience engagement in the non-profit sector) can be driven extensively through sharing the heart, soul and mind of the brand.

Podcasting has emerged as one of the top conduits for sharing brand voice in the competitive marketplace of ideas, through owned-media platforms that brands can directly curate and control.

Chris Hill shares with Kelly and Mary Beth his production recommendations as well as marketing strategies, to help those with something to say in the podcasting space to be successful, in building a podcast from the ground-up.

Discover HumblePod:

Discover Fletcher Marketing PR:

]]> Sun, 13 Feb 2022 10:54:58 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2233 As brand-generated content, "owned" / in-house digital media, and thought leadership continue to drive reputational building blocks, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West welcome Chris Hill of HumblePod -- the production lead for the "Ms. InterPReted" podcast -- to discuss podcasting best-practices and trends that help achieve measurable business objectives. As brand-generated content, "owned" / in-house digital media, and thought leadership continue to drive reputational building blocks, Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West welcome Chris Hill of HumblePod -- the production lead for the "Ms. InterPReted" podcast public relations, podcast, podcasting, PR, best practices, tips, strategies, help, messaging, advertising, marketing, agency, client, communications, HumblePod, Chris Hill, Mary Beth West, Kelly Fletcher, Fletcher Marketing PR, Fletcher, digital media, owned, leadership No Allison Lester: From the Newsroom to PR's Front Line 4 4 18 18 Allison Lester: From the Newsroom to PR's Front Line full 88d78f1f-99bc-4a71-838d-7f4ca92b6d93 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c8fd27e4 Allison Lester -- director of media relations for Fletcher Marketing PR -- shares insights on transitioning from the pressures and challenges of years working in a media newsroom environment to the front lines of PR strategy and media relations execution for a PR firm.

Among her remarks:

  1. How deadline-driven environments of the newsroom differ from deadlines / workload in PR
  2. Ways in which lifestyle / work-life balance stresses differ on the two "sides," particularly given the pandemic
  3. What "pet peeves" she encountered from PR firms back in her newsroom days
  4. Aspects of pitching for topical / timing relevance to be realistic and newsroom-friendly
  5. What it means to deliver for clients on media relations content and availability 
  6. Best-practices in media contact-development
  7. Practical considerations (such as lead times) that build parameters around what a news outlet will (or even can) cover
  8. How to "turn lemons to lemonade" when media rejection of a pitch can still present a relationship-building opportunity with a reporter 
  9. Differences between needs / opportunities for newsrooms working across different formats (print, broadcast, digital)


Discover Fletcher Marketing PR:

]]> Allison Lester -- director of media relations for Fletcher Marketing PR -- shares insights on transitioning from the pressures and challenges of years working in a media newsroom environment to the front lines of PR strategy and media relations execution for a PR firm.

Among her remarks:

  1. How deadline-driven environments of the newsroom differ from deadlines / workload in PR
  2. Ways in which lifestyle / work-life balance stresses differ on the two "sides," particularly given the pandemic
  3. What "pet peeves" she encountered from PR firms back in her newsroom days
  4. Aspects of pitching for topical / timing relevance to be realistic and newsroom-friendly
  5. What it means to deliver for clients on media relations content and availability 
  6. Best-practices in media contact-development
  7. Practical considerations (such as lead times) that build parameters around what a news outlet will (or even can) cover
  8. How to "turn lemons to lemonade" when media rejection of a pitch can still present a relationship-building opportunity with a reporter 
  9. Differences between needs / opportunities for newsrooms working across different formats (print, broadcast, digital)


Discover Fletcher Marketing PR:

]]> Wed, 30 Mar 2022 11:10:02 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2647 Allison Lester -- Fletcher Marketing PR's director of media relations (and a former news director in broadcast media) -- joins Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West on this episode, discussing best-practices in developing media relationships and forging positive, fair, informative coverage for clients. Allison is a dynamic leader and communication specialist with 13 years of experience in newsrooms across the country. Most recently, she served as the assistant news director at WBIR-TV – Knoxville’s NBC affiliate – for six years. An award-winning journalist and newsroom manager, Allison has covered big news in her career including the April 2011 tornado outbreak during her time producing in Huntsville, AL; the Aurora, CO theatre shooting while working in Denver, CO; the Gatlinburg Wildfire in 2016; and she also led a team of 62 journalists through the COVID-19 pandemic. Focused on research-driven decision-making to recruit audiences and customers, Allison has a proven track record of strategic execution of media projects that have reached millions of people across television broadcasts and digital platforms. Allison graduated from Auburn University in 2008 with a BA in Communication and Psychology. She has won multiple media awards including the 2017 National Edward R. Murrow award for Gatlinburg Wildfire coverage, and Regional Murrow awards for Overall Excellence in 2016, 2017, 2018 &amp; 2019. She won Emmy Awards for Breaking News for wildfire coverage and for coverage of April 27th tornadoes in Alabama. Allison is passionate about the East Tennessee community. She has devoted time to the school system as a community partner with a local Title 1 school, and volunteering with Leaders for Readers, and was awarded a Knoxville Young Professional of the Year award in 2017 for her community efforts. Allison Lester -- Fletcher Marketing PR's director of media relations (and a former news director in broadcast media) -- joins Kelly Fletcher and Mary Beth West on this episode, discussing best-practices in developing media relationships and forging posit Fletcher, Marketing, PR, media relations, Allison Lester, Lester, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, #MsInterPReted, PR, podcast, public relations, coverage, positive, pitching, story, editorial, crisis, Knoxville, Tennessee, PR firm, From the Newsroom to PR's Front Line, best practices, craft, ethics, #PRethics, accuracy, news releases, workforce, news, broadcast, WBIR No Melanie White, Virgin Experience Gifts: Finding Your Why and Making Memories 4 4 19 19 Melanie White, Virgin Experience Gifts: Finding Your Why and Making Memories full 69164b03-a0ca-46dd-af89-6ac6119f6242 https://share.transistor.fm/s/05085510 Melanie White, executive vice president of Virgin Experience Gifts, shares insights from the experiential gifting field about where the market is headed and how Virgin experience gifts is leading the way in the U.S. market.

Among her remarks:

  1. Melanie left her successful career in the fashion industry to find her "why" and search for something more meaningful. She talks about how providing curated experiences to enrich peoples' lives has been fulfilling. 
  2. Virgin Experience Gifts is seeking to lead the way in forging the concept of experiential gifting: providing specially curated, experiential gift-giving that people can purchase for a friend, colleague or loved one.
  3. The COVID pandemic has left Americans with a pent-up desire for travel and adventure. This is helping Virgin Experience Gifts and experiential gifting succeed despite the pandemic.
  4. Woman are some of the top customers, buying experiences for spouses, friends and children.
  5. Millennials and Gen Z are driving the trend toward experiences over traditional "things" as gifts.
  6. Consumers are incredibly diverse. Virgin Experience Gifts is tapping into this diversity by offering experiences across the spectrum on price point and interest.
  7. Experiential gifting is not only more meaningful and unique, but it's also sustainable. Americans are attracted to a more minimal approach to acquiring stuff, and helping to eliminate the clutter.
  8. Virgin Experience Gifts sees their platform as a major opportunity for providers, destinations and retail labels. Virgin Experience Gifts could be a low-risk sales platform for them and a source of referral.  
  9. Virgin Experience Gifts as a brand is in a hyper growth phase and sees big things on the horizon in the coming years.

Discover Fletcher Marketing PR:

]]> Melanie White, executive vice president of Virgin Experience Gifts, shares insights from the experiential gifting field about where the market is headed and how Virgin experience gifts is leading the way in the U.S. market.

Among her remarks:

  1. Melanie left her successful career in the fashion industry to find her "why" and search for something more meaningful. She talks about how providing curated experiences to enrich peoples' lives has been fulfilling. 
  2. Virgin Experience Gifts is seeking to lead the way in forging the concept of experiential gifting: providing specially curated, experiential gift-giving that people can purchase for a friend, colleague or loved one.
  3. The COVID pandemic has left Americans with a pent-up desire for travel and adventure. This is helping Virgin Experience Gifts and experiential gifting succeed despite the pandemic.
  4. Woman are some of the top customers, buying experiences for spouses, friends and children.
  5. Millennials and Gen Z are driving the trend toward experiences over traditional "things" as gifts.
  6. Consumers are incredibly diverse. Virgin Experience Gifts is tapping into this diversity by offering experiences across the spectrum on price point and interest.
  7. Experiential gifting is not only more meaningful and unique, but it's also sustainable. Americans are attracted to a more minimal approach to acquiring stuff, and helping to eliminate the clutter.
  8. Virgin Experience Gifts sees their platform as a major opportunity for providers, destinations and retail labels. Virgin Experience Gifts could be a low-risk sales platform for them and a source of referral.  
  9. Virgin Experience Gifts as a brand is in a hyper growth phase and sees big things on the horizon in the coming years.

Discover Fletcher Marketing PR:

]]> Thu, 21 Apr 2022 12:48:43 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1780 A recent study revealed more than 60% of Americans would prefer to spend their money on travel over traditional wrapped presents for gifts. More Americans are minimizing their "stuff" and gravitating toward more experiences. Melanie White, executive vice president of Virgin Experience Gifts, shares insights from the experiential gifting field about where the market is headed and how Virgin experience gifts is leading the way in the U.S. market. Melanie has had an impressive career, including earning degrees from both Fordham university and the fashion Institute of technology. She has held sales and account executive posts with BCBG Max Azria group and Lacoste before moving to Virgin Experience Gifts six and a half years ago where she started out in product development. After changing careers in search of her "why," she moved up in the ranks to her current post as executive vice president. Virgin Experience Gifts is the leading experience gift company in the United States. They offer top-rated adventures, tours and activities nationwide. A recent study revealed more than 60% of Americans would prefer to spend their money on travel over traditional wrapped presents for gifts. More Americans are minimizing their "stuff" and gravitating toward more experiences. Melanie White, executive vice Fletcher, Marketing, PR, media relationsVirgin Experience Gifts, Virgin, Richard Branson, Melanie White, Gifting, Experiential gift, adventure tourism, Kelly Fletcher, Mary Beth West, #MsInterPReted, PR, podcast, public relations, Knoxville, Tennessee, ethics, #PRethics No Greg Gallant: Muckrack's State of Journalism 2022 4 4 20 20 Greg Gallant: Muckrack's State of Journalism 2022 full 6b435515-da82-440a-94e0-676539fd4d73 https://share.transistor.fm/s/db7bc720 The past few years have been tumultuous in the journalism industry. From shrinking newsrooms, fragmentation, audience mistrust, COVID and other global crisis. Muckrack conducted its annual survey of more than 1,000 journalists to assess the state of journalism in 2022.
Greg Gallant is the co-founder and CEO of Muckrack and speaks on the company's annual report.

Greg talks about his career as an entrepreneur and how he navigated a career from philosophy to what he does now.
"Once you get to any meaningful scale, the number one job of being an entrepreneur or a CEO.
Is communicating ideas boiling down what's happening in the world and coming up with kind of a way to explain it and a way to position your company to be relevant."

Some key findings from the report:
Journalists are busier than ever and are covering more beats than ever before.
Journalists are more likely to respond to pitches in 2022 than they were in 2021.
Journalists feel trust from the public is improving.
Twitter is the go-to social media platform for journalists. But that's not where they want to get their pitches!
Greg offers some tips about how to use Twitter to connect with journalists and how to make authentic connections.
Greg addresses the gender gap in journalism and what his company is doing to combat the issue.
Finally, Kelly and Greg talk about leading in a remote world and the transition to remote work.

]]> The past few years have been tumultuous in the journalism industry. From shrinking newsrooms, fragmentation, audience mistrust, COVID and other global crisis. Muckrack conducted its annual survey of more than 1,000 journalists to assess the state of journalism in 2022.
Greg Gallant is the co-founder and CEO of Muckrack and speaks on the company's annual report.

Greg talks about his career as an entrepreneur and how he navigated a career from philosophy to what he does now.
"Once you get to any meaningful scale, the number one job of being an entrepreneur or a CEO.
Is communicating ideas boiling down what's happening in the world and coming up with kind of a way to explain it and a way to position your company to be relevant."

Some key findings from the report:
Journalists are busier than ever and are covering more beats than ever before.
Journalists are more likely to respond to pitches in 2022 than they were in 2021.
Journalists feel trust from the public is improving.
Twitter is the go-to social media platform for journalists. But that's not where they want to get their pitches!
Greg offers some tips about how to use Twitter to connect with journalists and how to make authentic connections.
Greg addresses the gender gap in journalism and what his company is doing to combat the issue.
Finally, Kelly and Greg talk about leading in a remote world and the transition to remote work.

]]> Wed, 11 May 2022 17:21:28 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2304 The past few years have been tumultuous in the journalism industry. From shrinking newsrooms, fragmentation, audience mistrust, COVID and other global crisis. Muckrack conducted a survey of more than 1,000 journalists to assess the state of journalism in 2022. Greg Gallant is the co-founder and CEO of Muckrack and speaks on the company's annual report on journalism. He is a frequent speaker and a writer on topics related to social media, marketing, PR entrepreneurship, remote work, and journalism. The past few years have been tumultuous in the journalism industry. From shrinking newsrooms, fragmentation, audience mistrust, COVID and other global crisis. Muckrack conducted a survey of more than 1,000 journalists to assess the state of journalism in Public Relations, PR, Marketing, Journalism, News Industry, Muckrack No Brand Stands on Roe v. Wade: Crucial or Fatal? 4 4 21 21 Brand Stands on Roe v. Wade: Crucial or Fatal? full ae824d00-0d3d-4fa4-aa5a-5f05bf9ae220 https://share.transistor.fm/s/761b924f With the possible repeal of Roe v. Wade in the headlines, Mary Beth West and Kelly Fletcher talk about public relations strategies for businesses considering weighing in.
Many people feel corporate brands need to take a definitive stand on these types of hot-button issue.
There seems to now be a high level consumer expectation that corporations take a stand on issues and also consumer criticism if your corporate brand is remaining silent.
Mary Beth and Kelly agree there's a time and a place for companies to speak out on issues that are relevant to their business, interests and industries. And then there are times when it's absolutely not.
They talk through companies that have taken a stand on Roe v. Wade specifically, and the criticism surrounding PR Firm Edelman and Zeno's advice to not.

]]> With the possible repeal of Roe v. Wade in the headlines, Mary Beth West and Kelly Fletcher talk about public relations strategies for businesses considering weighing in.
Many people feel corporate brands need to take a definitive stand on these types of hot-button issue.
There seems to now be a high level consumer expectation that corporations take a stand on issues and also consumer criticism if your corporate brand is remaining silent.
Mary Beth and Kelly agree there's a time and a place for companies to speak out on issues that are relevant to their business, interests and industries. And then there are times when it's absolutely not.
They talk through companies that have taken a stand on Roe v. Wade specifically, and the criticism surrounding PR Firm Edelman and Zeno's advice to not.

]]> Tue, 31 May 2022 16:19:41 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1042 Mary Beth West and Kelly Fletcher discuss the public relations strategies for businesses considering weighing in on hot-button social and political issues. With Roe v. Wade back in the headlines, Mary Beth and Kelly talk about brands that are already taking a stand and public expectations of corporations. Mary Beth West and Kelly Fletcher discuss the public relations strategies for businesses considering weighing in on hot-button social and political issues. With Roe v. Wade back in the headlines, Mary Beth and Kelly talk about brands that are already taki Abortion, Roe v. wade, PR, public Relations, MsInterPreted, Brand No Why Paid Media Should Be a Part of Your PR Strategy 4 4 22 22 Why Paid Media Should Be a Part of Your PR Strategy full cb928209-5316-4048-96e4-efac594f7c56 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3a43283d Paid placement should be considered another tool in your public relations toolbox.
It's an especially good tool when trying to raise awareness about new and emerging brands.
There's paid news release distribution that should be used for big announcements or seeding.
Another form of paid placement is affiliate marketing that is another great tool to get your brand noticed in major media outlets.
Syndicated content is a good way to control the messaging and imagery to release paid content that is prominently displayed and clearly labeled as sponsored content.
Sarah goes through the different ways that these avenues impact SEO which is incredibly important for getting clicks.
One of our favorite options that isn't exactly paid, is content contributor programs where you pay a fee to be considered, but there's still an application process. This option helps to gain credibility for your brand and helps to position you as an expert in thought leadership in your field.

]]> Paid placement should be considered another tool in your public relations toolbox.
It's an especially good tool when trying to raise awareness about new and emerging brands.
There's paid news release distribution that should be used for big announcements or seeding.
Another form of paid placement is affiliate marketing that is another great tool to get your brand noticed in major media outlets.
Syndicated content is a good way to control the messaging and imagery to release paid content that is prominently displayed and clearly labeled as sponsored content.
Sarah goes through the different ways that these avenues impact SEO which is incredibly important for getting clicks.
One of our favorite options that isn't exactly paid, is content contributor programs where you pay a fee to be considered, but there's still an application process. This option helps to gain credibility for your brand and helps to position you as an expert in thought leadership in your field.

]]> Mon, 20 Jun 2022 10:47:02 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1709 There's a lot of debate about paid placement and PR and where it fits into the whole big picture. We talk through the different types of paid media and why paid should be a part of your PR strategy. Plus we explore which scenarios are the best match for different types of paid placement. There's a lot of debate about paid placement and PR and where it fits into the whole big picture. We talk through the different types of paid media and why paid should be a part of your PR strategy. Plus we explore which scenarios are the best match for d Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Robin Wilhoit: Ethics in Journalism 4 4 23 23 Robin Wilhoit: Ethics in Journalism full 3573c19b-97a3-4d1a-a6c0-54f91f3662c2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9503da3e Robin Wilhoit, anchor of Knoxville's NBC affiliate WBIR, shares her insights on journalism, ethics, the changing face of the industry and what it's like being a woman in this ever-changing field.

Robin is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She has been a broadcast journalist for more than 30 years, and has been anchoring the weekday newscasts at WBIR since the 90's.

She is passionate about being a community advocate, serves on several local nonprofit boards and frequently lends her time to serve the people of East Tennessee. In 1998, she helped to launch Buddy Check 10, a program to promote breast cancer awareness.

Beyond being an award-winning journalist, leader, and community advocate, she is also a mother of two. She shares the challenges of managing it all.

Robin shares her experiences on:
Ethics in the newsroom
Trust in the media and how to differentiate truth from fiction in news-gathering
Maintaining humanity in journalism
Sharing your gifts and talents
The importance of mentorship
Being a woman in a male-run industry at the beginning of her career
Maintaining mental health in an emotionally difficult profession


]]> Robin Wilhoit, anchor of Knoxville's NBC affiliate WBIR, shares her insights on journalism, ethics, the changing face of the industry and what it's like being a woman in this ever-changing field.

Robin is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She has been a broadcast journalist for more than 30 years, and has been anchoring the weekday newscasts at WBIR since the 90's.

She is passionate about being a community advocate, serves on several local nonprofit boards and frequently lends her time to serve the people of East Tennessee. In 1998, she helped to launch Buddy Check 10, a program to promote breast cancer awareness.

Beyond being an award-winning journalist, leader, and community advocate, she is also a mother of two. She shares the challenges of managing it all.

Robin shares her experiences on:
Ethics in the newsroom
Trust in the media and how to differentiate truth from fiction in news-gathering
Maintaining humanity in journalism
Sharing your gifts and talents
The importance of mentorship
Being a woman in a male-run industry at the beginning of her career
Maintaining mental health in an emotionally difficult profession


]]> Wed, 28 Sep 2022 13:15:12 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2173 Robin Wilhoit, anchor of Knoxville's NBC affiliate WBIR shares her insights on journalism, ethics, the changing face of the industry and what it's like being a woman in this ever-changing field. Robin Wilhoit, anchor of Knoxville's NBC affiliate WBIR shares her insights on journalism, ethics, the changing face of the industry and what it's like being a woman in this ever-changing field. Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Sharon Fenster: Having the Courage to be an Ally 4 4 24 24 Sharon Fenster: Having the Courage to be an Ally full 85672aae-ed2f-4822-8f85-69547a3581c5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/683f917d Sharon Fenster is a public relations and diversity, equity and inclusion expert. In 2018, while serving as president of the NYC chapter of PRSA, she advocated for greater diversity equity inclusion in the PR world. This included a controversial stance at that time - calling for the release of diversity data among various organizations, not only industry associations, but private companies and agencies.

In this episode, Sharon discusses what it means to be an ally, checking your privilege and using it for good, her personal journey to allyship and the changing landscape of diversity equity and inclusion in corporate America. We discuss how to handle the threat of retaliation for standing your ground and how to handle the possibility of internal or external blow-back.

Learn how allyship feeds into authentic leadership or heart centered leadership and why its so important for workers today.

]]> Sharon Fenster is a public relations and diversity, equity and inclusion expert. In 2018, while serving as president of the NYC chapter of PRSA, she advocated for greater diversity equity inclusion in the PR world. This included a controversial stance at that time - calling for the release of diversity data among various organizations, not only industry associations, but private companies and agencies.

In this episode, Sharon discusses what it means to be an ally, checking your privilege and using it for good, her personal journey to allyship and the changing landscape of diversity equity and inclusion in corporate America. We discuss how to handle the threat of retaliation for standing your ground and how to handle the possibility of internal or external blow-back.

Learn how allyship feeds into authentic leadership or heart centered leadership and why its so important for workers today.

]]> Mon, 17 Oct 2022 13:13:42 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2477 Sharon Fenster is a public relations and diversity, equity and inclusion expert. Sharon has managed the reputations of industry leaders such as Motorola, Microsoft. Samsung, Sharp Electronics, MSNBC, GE, Honeywell and more. Sharon is considered an expert in DEI and is certified in diversity and inclusion by Cornell University. Sharon was president of the NYC chapter of PRSA and has advocated for greater diversity equity inclusion in the PR world. Sharon Fenster is a public relations and diversity, equity and inclusion expert. Sharon has managed the reputations of industry leaders such as Motorola, Microsoft. Samsung, Sharp Electronics, MSNBC, GE, Honeywell and more. Sharon is considered an expert #diversity #PR #equity #DEI No Allison Lester and Sarah Merrell: 2023 PR Predictions 4 4 25 25 Allison Lester and Sarah Merrell: 2023 PR Predictions full dce3e38b-fcc2-4a2c-81ec-ade71285b073 https://share.transistor.fm/s/49aad1d7 Allison and Sarah discuss the Fletcher Marketing PR team’s predictions for public relations trends for 2023. With the end of the year around the corner, it is important to be thinking about strategic plans for the future. They talk through these predictions, the implications and benefits for businesses to look toward in the new year. 


In this episode Allison and Sarah discuss predictions about: 


  • Changes in the economy 
  • The death of influencer marketing
  • The importance of paid media 
  • Gathering and dissemination of data 
  • Increase in need for owned media 
  • Innovation and integration 
  • Taking a stand on social issues 


]]> Allison and Sarah discuss the Fletcher Marketing PR team’s predictions for public relations trends for 2023. With the end of the year around the corner, it is important to be thinking about strategic plans for the future. They talk through these predictions, the implications and benefits for businesses to look toward in the new year. 


In this episode Allison and Sarah discuss predictions about: 


  • Changes in the economy 
  • The death of influencer marketing
  • The importance of paid media 
  • Gathering and dissemination of data 
  • Increase in need for owned media 
  • Innovation and integration 
  • Taking a stand on social issues 


]]> Wed, 23 Nov 2022 10:00:09 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2104 Director of Media Relations Allison Lester and Vice President Sarah Merrell discuss the Fletcher Marketing PR team's predictions for PR in 2023. With the end of the year around the corner, it is important to be thinking about strategic plans for the coming year. Director of Media Relations Allison Lester and Vice President Sarah Merrell discuss the Fletcher Marketing PR team's predictions for PR in 2023. With the end of the year around the corner, it is important to be thinking about strategic plans for the comin Public Relations, Predictions, Fletcher, marketing, pr, podcast, Ms. Interpreted, #MsInterPReted, MarketingToWomen, Fletcher Marketing PR, MsInterPReted Podcast No Tennessee Tourism Trends: Jill Kilgore and Sara Beth Urban 4 4 26 26 Tennessee Tourism Trends: Jill Kilgore and Sara Beth Urban full c12a40cb-79f4-4f44-8dde-7d2033e1668b https://share.transistor.fm/s/5281d70f Jill Kilgore has been with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development for the past five years as the public relations media manager. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is the go-to for all things vacation related in Tennessee. 

 

Sara Beth Urban is the CEO and president of HospitaityTN. Her past experience includes being Executive Director of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and being involved with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development as the Middle Tennessee Division Manager. HospitalityTN represents the interests of Tennessee’s lodging, dining, and tourism establishments and the related businesses involved in the hospitality & tourism industry.

 

In this episode of MsInterPReted, Jill and Sara Beth discuss what they both love about the hospitality and tourism industry in Tennessee. 

They talk about the state of tourism in Tennessee regarding: 

  • TDTD and HospitalityTN efforts in the industry
  • Tennessee Music Pathways https://www.tnvacation.com/tennessee-music-pathways
  • Economic impacts of domestic and international travel 
  • Current trends and attractions
  • Predictions for upcoming trends in tourism
  • The Bill Dance Lake initiative
  • Women in tourism and hospitality 
  • What everyone needs to see when they visit Tennessee

 Listen to this episode of MsInterPReted to find out more about tourism in Tennessee. 

 

Follow  Tennessee Department of Tourism Development on:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tdtdindustry/

Follow Jill on Twitter: @jillrkilgore 

Follow Jill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-kilgore-4909299a/

 

 

Follow HospitalityTN on:

On Twitter: @tnhta 

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hospitalitytn/?hl=en

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HospitalityTN

On LinkedIn: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/company/hospitalitytn/

Follow Sara Beth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-beth-urban-13290143/

 

 

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow CEO Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDFletcher



]]> Jill Kilgore has been with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development for the past five years as the public relations media manager. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is the go-to for all things vacation related in Tennessee. 

 

Sara Beth Urban is the CEO and president of HospitaityTN. Her past experience includes being Executive Director of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and being involved with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development as the Middle Tennessee Division Manager. HospitalityTN represents the interests of Tennessee’s lodging, dining, and tourism establishments and the related businesses involved in the hospitality & tourism industry.

 

In this episode of MsInterPReted, Jill and Sara Beth discuss what they both love about the hospitality and tourism industry in Tennessee. 

They talk about the state of tourism in Tennessee regarding: 

  • TDTD and HospitalityTN efforts in the industry
  • Tennessee Music Pathways https://www.tnvacation.com/tennessee-music-pathways
  • Economic impacts of domestic and international travel 
  • Current trends and attractions
  • Predictions for upcoming trends in tourism
  • The Bill Dance Lake initiative
  • Women in tourism and hospitality 
  • What everyone needs to see when they visit Tennessee

 Listen to this episode of MsInterPReted to find out more about tourism in Tennessee. 

 

Follow  Tennessee Department of Tourism Development on:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tdtdindustry/

Follow Jill on Twitter: @jillrkilgore 

Follow Jill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-kilgore-4909299a/

 

 

Follow HospitalityTN on:

On Twitter: @tnhta 

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hospitalitytn/?hl=en

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HospitalityTN

On LinkedIn: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/company/hospitalitytn/

Follow Sara Beth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-beth-urban-13290143/

 

 

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow CEO Kelly Fletcher on Twitter: @KDFletcher



]]> Wed, 07 Dec 2022 15:18:41 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2038 Fletcher Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester, talks with Jill Kilgore of the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development and Sara Beth Urban of HospitalityTN about the state of tourism in Tennessee. They discuss current and upcoming trends, the efforts of their organizations and all the wonderful things tourism and hospitality in Tennessee has to offer visitors, both domestic and internationally. Fletcher Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester, talks with Jill Kilgore of the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development and Sara Beth Urban of HospitalityTN about the state of tourism in Tennessee. They discuss current and upcoming trends, the ef Public Relations, Tourism, Travel, Women in PR, Women in Tourism, Women in Hospitality No Greg Jarboe and Katie Paine: GA4 is Coming, Are You Ready? 5 5 1 1 Greg Jarboe and Katie Paine: GA4 is Coming, Are You Ready? full fff3a87c-c94f-460e-8fff-1faa80281ce6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d265409a Greg Jarboe is president of SEO-PR, which he co-founded in 2003. Their digital marketing agency has won awards for generating results for a variety of clients, including: The Christian Science Monitor, Get City Dealz, Harlequin Romance, MarketingSherpa, Parents magazine, the SES Conference & Expo series, Southwest Airlines, and Rutgers University. He’s also the author of ‘YouTube and Video Marketing’ and one of the 25 successful online marketing gurus profiled in Michael Miller’s Online Marketing Heroes. 

 

Since 2003, Jarboe’s written more than 1,600 posts for ClickZ, Inked, Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Watch, The SEM Post, and Tubular Insights. He’s spoken at over 80 industry conferences. In addition, he’s an instructor at Coursera, Rutgers Business School Executive Education, and the New Media Academy.


Katie Paine, aka The Measurement Queen, has been a pioneer in the field of measurement for three decades. She was recently awarded the prestigious IPR Jack Felton Medal for Lifetime Achievement, an award made for lifetime contributions in the advancement of research, measurement and evaluation in public relations and corporate communication. Her books, Measure What Matters (Wiley, March 2011) and Measuring Public Relationships (KDPaine & Partners, 2007) are considered must-reads for anyone tasked with measuring public relations and social media. 

 

Her latest company, Paine Publishing is the first educational publishing firm entirely dedicated to making more Measurement Mavens. In her consulting practices, she designs measurement dashboards for some of today’s most admired companies. 

More recently, Katie was named one of “25 women who rock social media” by Lee Odden’s prestigious Online Marketing Blog. 

She contributes to Communications World, PR Week, and Business Marketing. 


They talk with Fletcher Marketing PR’s Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester, about the upcoming transition from Google Analytics to the new GA4. Google Analytics has been utilized by professionals for the better part of a decade and is now being transitioned due to the fast-paced growth of our world. 


They talk about the difference between Google Analytics and GA4 regarding:

  • Measurement of events rather than sessions
  • Engagement rates
  • Adjustments in the attribution model
  • Tracking of cohorts
  • The process of setting up goals 
  • Integrated Marketing 
  • And why you shouldn't wait until Q2 to get started on transitioning your business


Sessions will be held this April to provide information on GA4 to PR professionals. Visit www.painepublishing.com or email Katie at measurementqueen@gmail.com. 


Listen to this episode of MsInterPReted to find out more about the transition from Google Analytics to the new GA4. 

 

Follow Katie Paine on:

Follow Jill on Twitter: @queenofmetrics

Visit: https://painepublishing.com/

 

 

Follow Greg Jarboe on:

On Twitter: @gregjarboe

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-jarboe-876364/


 

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 


]]> Greg Jarboe is president of SEO-PR, which he co-founded in 2003. Their digital marketing agency has won awards for generating results for a variety of clients, including: The Christian Science Monitor, Get City Dealz, Harlequin Romance, MarketingSherpa, Parents magazine, the SES Conference & Expo series, Southwest Airlines, and Rutgers University. He’s also the author of ‘YouTube and Video Marketing’ and one of the 25 successful online marketing gurus profiled in Michael Miller’s Online Marketing Heroes. 

 

Since 2003, Jarboe’s written more than 1,600 posts for ClickZ, Inked, Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Watch, The SEM Post, and Tubular Insights. He’s spoken at over 80 industry conferences. In addition, he’s an instructor at Coursera, Rutgers Business School Executive Education, and the New Media Academy.


Katie Paine, aka The Measurement Queen, has been a pioneer in the field of measurement for three decades. She was recently awarded the prestigious IPR Jack Felton Medal for Lifetime Achievement, an award made for lifetime contributions in the advancement of research, measurement and evaluation in public relations and corporate communication. Her books, Measure What Matters (Wiley, March 2011) and Measuring Public Relationships (KDPaine & Partners, 2007) are considered must-reads for anyone tasked with measuring public relations and social media. 

 

Her latest company, Paine Publishing is the first educational publishing firm entirely dedicated to making more Measurement Mavens. In her consulting practices, she designs measurement dashboards for some of today’s most admired companies. 

More recently, Katie was named one of “25 women who rock social media” by Lee Odden’s prestigious Online Marketing Blog. 

She contributes to Communications World, PR Week, and Business Marketing. 


They talk with Fletcher Marketing PR’s Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester, about the upcoming transition from Google Analytics to the new GA4. Google Analytics has been utilized by professionals for the better part of a decade and is now being transitioned due to the fast-paced growth of our world. 


They talk about the difference between Google Analytics and GA4 regarding:

  • Measurement of events rather than sessions
  • Engagement rates
  • Adjustments in the attribution model
  • Tracking of cohorts
  • The process of setting up goals 
  • Integrated Marketing 
  • And why you shouldn't wait until Q2 to get started on transitioning your business


Sessions will be held this April to provide information on GA4 to PR professionals. Visit www.painepublishing.com or email Katie at measurementqueen@gmail.com. 


Listen to this episode of MsInterPReted to find out more about the transition from Google Analytics to the new GA4. 

 

Follow Katie Paine on:

Follow Jill on Twitter: @queenofmetrics

Visit: https://painepublishing.com/

 

 

Follow Greg Jarboe on:

On Twitter: @gregjarboe

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-jarboe-876364/


 

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 


]]> Thu, 02 Feb 2023 11:20:29 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2352 Google Analytics is transitioning to GA4 this year. Experts Greg Jarboe and Katie Paine talk with Fletcher Marketing PR's Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester, about the transition and the important things that everyone needs to know. Google Analytics is transitioning to GA4 this year. Experts Greg Jarboe and Katie Paine talk with Fletcher Marketing PR's Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester, about the transition and the important things that everyone needs to know. Public Relations, Marketing, PR, women in PR, female PR, Google Analytics, GA4 No Tanisha Baker: Understanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 5 5 2 2 Tanisha Baker: Understanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion full a247e769-8421-4dc2-8a8d-f4e4c011c3f6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/56184957 Tanisha Fitzgerald Baker is the manager of DEI for Knoxville Utilities Board, where she works on creating a diverse and inclusive work environment with equitable opportunities for all. She supports areas that impact the employee and customer experience through the lens of DEI. Tanisha is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee and she's a graduate, valedictorian, and Ms. Austin East from the Austin East High School class of 1988. She continued her education, graduating from both Florida A&M and the University of Tennessee with degrees in Actuarial Science and Education. She spent more than 20 years working for equity, access and education as an educator and leader with Project Grad Knoxville.

She retired from Project Grad in 2021 and started a new career with Knoxville Utilities. 

She completed her certificate in social enterprise effectiveness from the University of Tennessee's Haslam School of Business. She's a graduate of Leadership Knoxville class of 2020. She was one of 30 across the state of Tennessee chosen for the 2021 Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute which she completed, along with the Mosaic Change Fellowship 2021 cohort as one of 21 across the state of Tennessee.

She's the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including the 2020 MLK Community Service Award. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she's a sought-after panelist, presenter and consultant. She's passionate about her calling to educate and elevate others.

She founded Educational Enhancement Services Incorporated in 1998. She's also a founding member and current president of the Five Points Up Community Action Group. Founding member of East Knox Lions Club, founder of the unifying concept of the Village of Knoxville, and the host of a weekly radio show: Talking with T.

She serves on several community boards as well as serving as the chair of the city of Knoxville's African-American Equity Task Force. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and continues to reside in the East Knoxville community. 

On this week’s episode of MsInterPReted, Tanisha, and Kelly talk about what DEI looks like in various spaces and how to apply DEI to a multitude of aspects in the work place:

  • DEI as it relates to hiring and human resources
  • What diversity looks like in different spaces
  • How to integrate DEI practices into every part of business
  • DEI data conversions
  • DEI in virtual workplaces
  • Good DEI practices

Follow Tanisha on:

Website:  https://www.talkingwitht.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingwitht/

On Twitter:  @talkingwitht

 

 

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Tanisha Fitzgerald Baker is the manager of DEI for Knoxville Utilities Board, where she works on creating a diverse and inclusive work environment with equitable opportunities for all. She supports areas that impact the employee and customer experience through the lens of DEI. Tanisha is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee and she's a graduate, valedictorian, and Ms. Austin East from the Austin East High School class of 1988. She continued her education, graduating from both Florida A&M and the University of Tennessee with degrees in Actuarial Science and Education. She spent more than 20 years working for equity, access and education as an educator and leader with Project Grad Knoxville.

She retired from Project Grad in 2021 and started a new career with Knoxville Utilities. 

She completed her certificate in social enterprise effectiveness from the University of Tennessee's Haslam School of Business. She's a graduate of Leadership Knoxville class of 2020. She was one of 30 across the state of Tennessee chosen for the 2021 Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute which she completed, along with the Mosaic Change Fellowship 2021 cohort as one of 21 across the state of Tennessee.

She's the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including the 2020 MLK Community Service Award. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she's a sought-after panelist, presenter and consultant. She's passionate about her calling to educate and elevate others.

She founded Educational Enhancement Services Incorporated in 1998. She's also a founding member and current president of the Five Points Up Community Action Group. Founding member of East Knox Lions Club, founder of the unifying concept of the Village of Knoxville, and the host of a weekly radio show: Talking with T.

She serves on several community boards as well as serving as the chair of the city of Knoxville's African-American Equity Task Force. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and continues to reside in the East Knoxville community. 

On this week’s episode of MsInterPReted, Tanisha, and Kelly talk about what DEI looks like in various spaces and how to apply DEI to a multitude of aspects in the work place:

  • DEI as it relates to hiring and human resources
  • What diversity looks like in different spaces
  • How to integrate DEI practices into every part of business
  • DEI data conversions
  • DEI in virtual workplaces
  • Good DEI practices

Follow Tanisha on:

Website:  https://www.talkingwitht.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingwitht/

On Twitter:  @talkingwitht

 

 

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Wed, 15 Feb 2023 08:01:45 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2253 Tanisha Fitzgerald Baker is the manager of DEI for Knoxville Utilities Board, where she works on creating a diverse and inclusive work environment with equitable opportunities for all. She supports areas that impact the employee and customer experience through the lens of DEI. Tanisha is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee and she's a graduate, valedictorian, and Ms. Austin East from the Austin East High School class of 1988. She continued her education, graduating from both Florida A&M and the University of Tennessee with degrees in Actuarial Science and Education. She spent more than 20 years working for equity, access and education as an educator and leader with Project Grad Knoxville.

She retired from Project Grad in 2021 and started a new career with Knoxville Utilities. 

She completed her certificate in social enterprise effectiveness from the University of Tennessee's Haslam School of Business. She's a graduate of Leadership Knoxville class of 2020. She was one of 30 across the state of Tennessee chosen for the 2021 Complete Tennessee Leadership Institute which she completed, along with the Mosaic Change Fellowship 2021 cohort as one of 21 across the state of Tennessee.

She's the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including the 2020 MLK Community Service Award. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she's a sought-after panelist, presenter and consultant. She's passionate about her calling to educate and elevate others.

She founded Educational Enhancement Services Incorporated in 1998. She's also a founding member and current president of the Five Points Up Community Action Group. Founding member of East Knox Lions Club, founder of the unifying concept of the Village of Knoxville, and the host of a weekly radio show: Talking with T.

She serves on several community boards as well as serving as the chair of the city of Knoxville's African-American Equity Task Force. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and continues to reside in the East Knoxville community. 

On this week’s episode of MsInterPReted, Tanisha, and Kelly talk about what DEI looks like in various spaces and how to apply DEI to a multitude of aspects in the work place:

  • DEI as it relates to hiring and human resources
  • What diversity looks like in different spaces
  • How to integrate DEI practices into every part of business
  • DEI data conversions
  • DEI in virtual workplaces
  • Good DEI practices

Follow Tanisha on:

Website:  https://www.talkingwitht.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingwitht/

On Twitter:  @talkingwitht

 

 

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Beyond the Hype: Examining the Real World Impacts of AI on PR 5 5 3 3 Beyond the Hype: Examining the Real World Impacts of AI on PR full 5049670e-3db4-45cf-91b1-ce3eef3c64ea https://share.transistor.fm/s/b4929e1c Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic idea, it is here. And now programs like ChatGPT are introducing AI to the world of writing, content creation and public relations, bringing with it a myriad of benefits, questions and ethical concerns.

Matthew Pittman is an assistant professor of Advertising and Public Relations at the Tombras School at the University of Tennessee. He has a Ph.D. in Communications and also serves as a consultant. He talks with Sarah Merrell, Fletcher Marketing PR Vice President, about the AI writing software ChatGPT. 


On this episode of MsInterPReted, Sarah and Matthew discuss what AI looks like in the world of PR and marketing, what the limitations of AI are and what the implications are for humans including:

  • The extent to which AI can be utilized for writing. ChatGPT can be utilized for research, organizing outlines, and cutting down on writing time. Where is the line that separates an article written by a person and an article written by ChatGPT?
  • The ethics behind utilizing AI as a writing assistant. Are PR and marketing professionals ethically obligated to notify clients or the public that AI is being utilized in the writing process? 
  • What does the ethical use of AI look like in an academic setting? Are there ways to know when students are using AI to write their entire paper or is AI so close to human writing that it is undetectable?
  • Can AI be used for strategy? 
  • ChatGPT is proving to be a creative tool but still lacks a specific element of creativity. That element is human creativity. ChatGPT works based on prompts that are typed in. The program then spits out suggestions and ideas. Without the initial idea from human creativity, ChatGPT would not be able to create an article or blog post for that idea. 
  • Will AI remove humans from jobs in the communication field? Will there be a time where PR and marketing professionals are no longer needed due to AI taking over the field? 

Follow Matthew on:

On Twitter:  @matthewcpittman

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic idea, it is here. And now programs like ChatGPT are introducing AI to the world of writing, content creation and public relations, bringing with it a myriad of benefits, questions and ethical concerns.

Matthew Pittman is an assistant professor of Advertising and Public Relations at the Tombras School at the University of Tennessee. He has a Ph.D. in Communications and also serves as a consultant. He talks with Sarah Merrell, Fletcher Marketing PR Vice President, about the AI writing software ChatGPT. 


On this episode of MsInterPReted, Sarah and Matthew discuss what AI looks like in the world of PR and marketing, what the limitations of AI are and what the implications are for humans including:

  • The extent to which AI can be utilized for writing. ChatGPT can be utilized for research, organizing outlines, and cutting down on writing time. Where is the line that separates an article written by a person and an article written by ChatGPT?
  • The ethics behind utilizing AI as a writing assistant. Are PR and marketing professionals ethically obligated to notify clients or the public that AI is being utilized in the writing process? 
  • What does the ethical use of AI look like in an academic setting? Are there ways to know when students are using AI to write their entire paper or is AI so close to human writing that it is undetectable?
  • Can AI be used for strategy? 
  • ChatGPT is proving to be a creative tool but still lacks a specific element of creativity. That element is human creativity. ChatGPT works based on prompts that are typed in. The program then spits out suggestions and ideas. Without the initial idea from human creativity, ChatGPT would not be able to create an article or blog post for that idea. 
  • Will AI remove humans from jobs in the communication field? Will there be a time where PR and marketing professionals are no longer needed due to AI taking over the field? 

Follow Matthew on:

On Twitter:  @matthewcpittman

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Wed, 22 Mar 2023 16:32:28 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2122 Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic idea, it is here. And now programs like ChatGPT are introducing AI to the world of writing, content creation and public relations, bringing with it a myriad of benefits, questions and ethical concerns.

Matthew Pittman is an assistant professor of Advertising and Public Relations at the Tombras School at the University of Tennessee. He has a Ph.D. in Communications and also serves as a consultant. He talks with Sarah Merrell, Fletcher Marketing PR Vice President, about the AI writing software ChatGPT. 


On this episode of MsInterPReted, Sarah and Matthew discuss what AI looks like in the world of PR and marketing, what the limitations of AI are and what the implications are for humans including:

  • The extent to which AI can be utilized for writing. ChatGPT can be utilized for research, organizing outlines, and cutting down on writing time. Where is the line that separates an article written by a person and an article written by ChatGPT?
  • The ethics behind utilizing AI as a writing assistant. Are PR and marketing professionals ethically obligated to notify clients or the public that AI is being utilized in the writing process? 
  • What does the ethical use of AI look like in an academic setting? Are there ways to know when students are using AI to write their entire paper or is AI so close to human writing that it is undetectable?
  • Can AI be used for strategy? 
  • ChatGPT is proving to be a creative tool but still lacks a specific element of creativity. That element is human creativity. ChatGPT works based on prompts that are typed in. The program then spits out suggestions and ideas. Without the initial idea from human creativity, ChatGPT would not be able to create an article or blog post for that idea. 
  • Will AI remove humans from jobs in the communication field? Will there be a time where PR and marketing professionals are no longer needed due to AI taking over the field? 

Follow Matthew on:

On Twitter:  @matthewcpittman

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

Follow Mary Beth on Twitter: @marybethwest 

]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Eric Olsen: Navigating PR and Politics in the Era of Mistrust 5 5 4 4 Eric Olsen: Navigating PR and Politics in the Era of Mistrust full 1bc81c4d-2503-44da-acdb-3c2cec8a92e4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1b9e81c4 Eric Olsen has been Senior Advisor and Communication Director for Congressman John Garamendi of California's eighth district in northern California since 2017.


Previously, he managed congressional campaigns and consulted on several presidential campaigns. His work as a senior PR communication staffer on Capitol Hill and for political campaigns has given him unique insight into the relationship between government and public relations. 


He has deployed a broad array of communication tactics throughout his career to communicate the complicated and multifaceted work that takes place in our federal government. He has also worked with major broadcast outlets and media outlets, like 60 Minutes and Meet the Press, and he has managed highly-targeted PR campaigns..


Eric is a graduate of the University of California Davis with the highest honors. In his free time, he works to bring a greater level of awareness and insight into politics and how our government functions.


On this episode of MsInterPReted, CEO Kelly Fletcher and Director of Media Relations Allison Lester talk with Eric about an array of topics pertaining to the world of political communication, including: 

  • The relationship between politics and media 
  • Crafting political messages 
  • How to navigate the mistrust of the media as a PR professional in the world of politics 
  • The value of reputable and trustworthy sources 
  • The relationship between communication professionals of opposing parties 
  • The possible future of AI use in the political communication arena 
  • Crisis management 
  • The myths about the political communications field 


Follow Eric  on:

On LinkedIn: Eric Olsen

On Instagram: @eric_olsen4

On TikTok: @ericolsen44

 

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher


 

]]> Eric Olsen has been Senior Advisor and Communication Director for Congressman John Garamendi of California's eighth district in northern California since 2017.


Previously, he managed congressional campaigns and consulted on several presidential campaigns. His work as a senior PR communication staffer on Capitol Hill and for political campaigns has given him unique insight into the relationship between government and public relations. 


He has deployed a broad array of communication tactics throughout his career to communicate the complicated and multifaceted work that takes place in our federal government. He has also worked with major broadcast outlets and media outlets, like 60 Minutes and Meet the Press, and he has managed highly-targeted PR campaigns..


Eric is a graduate of the University of California Davis with the highest honors. In his free time, he works to bring a greater level of awareness and insight into politics and how our government functions.


On this episode of MsInterPReted, CEO Kelly Fletcher and Director of Media Relations Allison Lester talk with Eric about an array of topics pertaining to the world of political communication, including: 

  • The relationship between politics and media 
  • Crafting political messages 
  • How to navigate the mistrust of the media as a PR professional in the world of politics 
  • The value of reputable and trustworthy sources 
  • The relationship between communication professionals of opposing parties 
  • The possible future of AI use in the political communication arena 
  • Crisis management 
  • The myths about the political communications field 


Follow Eric  on:

On LinkedIn: Eric Olsen

On Instagram: @eric_olsen4

On TikTok: @ericolsen44

 

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher


 

]]> Thu, 13 Apr 2023 12:33:42 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1994 Eric Olsen has been Senior Advisor and Communication Director for Congressman John Garamendi of California's eighth district in northern California since 2017.


Previously, he managed congressional campaigns and consulted on several presidential campaigns. His work as a senior PR communication staffer on Capitol Hill and for political campaigns has given him unique insight into the relationship between government and public relations. 


He has deployed a broad array of communication tactics throughout his career to communicate the complicated and multifaceted work that takes place in our federal government. He has also worked with major broadcast outlets and media outlets, like 60 Minutes and Meet the Press, and he has managed highly-targeted PR campaigns..


Eric is a graduate of the University of California Davis with the highest honors. In his free time, he works to bring a greater level of awareness and insight into politics and how our government functions.


On this episode of MsInterPReted, CEO Kelly Fletcher and Director of Media Relations Allison Lester talk with Eric about an array of topics pertaining to the world of political communication, including: 

  • The relationship between politics and media 
  • Crafting political messages 
  • How to navigate the mistrust of the media as a PR professional in the world of politics 
  • The value of reputable and trustworthy sources 
  • The relationship between communication professionals of opposing parties 
  • The possible future of AI use in the political communication arena 
  • Crisis management 
  • The myths about the political communications field 


Follow Eric  on:

On LinkedIn: Eric Olsen

On Instagram: @eric_olsen4

On TikTok: @ericolsen44

 

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher


 

]]> Public Relations, Marketing, Political Communications, Capitol Hill No Mental Health Awareness Month: Handling Stress and Burnout in the Modern Day Workplace 5 5 5 5 Mental Health Awareness Month: Handling Stress and Burnout in the Modern Day Workplace full 051a4787-438e-41cb-b1e7-61afdf4fb61d https://share.transistor.fm/s/146f8be9 Today, all of us feel the impact of stress and burnout in one way or another. It could be we feel a little extra jittery at the start of the week, or maybe it even prevents us from doing what we need to in our professional and personal lives. Regardless, we need to always try and actively combat and healthfully balance our stressors. 

In Booth Andrew's career, she experienced her own burnout for years but it reached its peak when she went from a successful CEO of a $5 million non-profit, mom of 3, community leader and triathlete to unemployed, broke, divorced, severely ill and separated from her community. 


Over time, Booth found the keys to balancing her stressors so that her burnout and its impact would never impact her the same way again. Booth also found sharing her story and her journey back was helpful to others in understanding they are not alone. She now runs the Knoxville, Tennessee based company, the Booth Andrews company.


On this episode of MsInterPReted, Fletcher CEO Kelly Fletcher talks with Booth about a variety of topics pertaining to balancing stress levels and burnout, including: 

  • Knowing your limits and respecting those boundaries 
  • Giving yourself permission to heal 
  • The physiological impacts of stress
  • Dealing with trauma 
  • De-stigmatizing mental health 

Follow Booth on:
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/booth-andrews-69ba1a13/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theboothandrews/?hl=en
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/theboothandrews

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fletcherpr/
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher


]]> Today, all of us feel the impact of stress and burnout in one way or another. It could be we feel a little extra jittery at the start of the week, or maybe it even prevents us from doing what we need to in our professional and personal lives. Regardless, we need to always try and actively combat and healthfully balance our stressors. 

In Booth Andrew's career, she experienced her own burnout for years but it reached its peak when she went from a successful CEO of a $5 million non-profit, mom of 3, community leader and triathlete to unemployed, broke, divorced, severely ill and separated from her community. 


Over time, Booth found the keys to balancing her stressors so that her burnout and its impact would never impact her the same way again. Booth also found sharing her story and her journey back was helpful to others in understanding they are not alone. She now runs the Knoxville, Tennessee based company, the Booth Andrews company.


On this episode of MsInterPReted, Fletcher CEO Kelly Fletcher talks with Booth about a variety of topics pertaining to balancing stress levels and burnout, including: 

  • Knowing your limits and respecting those boundaries 
  • Giving yourself permission to heal 
  • The physiological impacts of stress
  • Dealing with trauma 
  • De-stigmatizing mental health 

Follow Booth on:
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/booth-andrews-69ba1a13/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theboothandrews/?hl=en
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/theboothandrews

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fletcherpr/
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher


]]> Wed, 17 May 2023 12:51:39 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2707 Today, all of us feel the impact of stress and burnout in one way or another. It could be we feel a little extra jittery at the start of the week, or maybe it even prevents us from doing what we need to in our professional and personal lives. Regardless, we need to always try and actively combat and healthfully balance our stressors. 

In Booth Andrew's career, she experienced her own burnout for years but it reached its peak when she went from a successful CEO of a $5 million non-profit, mom of 3, community leader and triathlete to unemployed, broke, divorced, severely ill and separated from her community. 


Over time, Booth found the keys to balancing her stressors so that her burnout and its impact would never impact her the same way again. Booth also found sharing her story and her journey back was helpful to others in understanding they are not alone. She now runs the Knoxville, Tennessee based company, the Booth Andrews company.


On this episode of MsInterPReted, Fletcher CEO Kelly Fletcher talks with Booth about a variety of topics pertaining to balancing stress levels and burnout, including: 

  • Knowing your limits and respecting those boundaries 
  • Giving yourself permission to heal 
  • The physiological impacts of stress
  • Dealing with trauma 
  • De-stigmatizing mental health 

Follow Booth on:
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/booth-andrews-69ba1a13/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theboothandrews/?hl=en
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/theboothandrews

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fletcherpr/
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher


]]> Public Relations, Marketing, Mental Health, Burnout No Boost Professional Impact by Mastering the Art of Business Writing 5 5 6 6 Boost Professional Impact by Mastering the Art of Business Writing full 8f4b8e1c-eb81-4ca2-9189-c1d7db8be6e3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0a165023 Casey Mank is co-founder of Bold Type and is a Center for Plain Language Board member. She also teaches English at Georgetown University and Virginia Commonwealth University. Casey and her company conduct workshops on writing skills, workplace communication and email etiquette.

In our digital world of communications, it is imperative that we think more strategically and holistically about how we communicate internally and externally with our business partners. Casey shares that, “no matter how good you are at your actual job, even if your actual job has nothing to do with writing, the way that you communicate with people about the work you've done impacts how they perceive your actual work.”

Writing effectively, including emailing, is such an essential skill. Casey highlights the need for more formalized training on how to do that well and what the expectations are within a company. Bold Type’s focus is very specific and they provide formalized training on workplace writing skills.

In this episode of MsInterPReted, CEO Kelly Fletcher talks with Casey about a variety of topics pertaining to effective professional writing including:  

·       Email etiquette

·       Using plain language effectively

·       Overexplaining

·       The importance of a professional pause

Follow Casey Mank:

Casey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-mank/

Bold Type Website: https://www.boldtype.us

Bold Type LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boldtype/

Bold Type Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bold__type/

Plain Language Info: https://www.plainlanguage.gov


Follow Fletcher Marketing PR:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fletcherpr/
 On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

]]> Casey Mank is co-founder of Bold Type and is a Center for Plain Language Board member. She also teaches English at Georgetown University and Virginia Commonwealth University. Casey and her company conduct workshops on writing skills, workplace communication and email etiquette.

In our digital world of communications, it is imperative that we think more strategically and holistically about how we communicate internally and externally with our business partners. Casey shares that, “no matter how good you are at your actual job, even if your actual job has nothing to do with writing, the way that you communicate with people about the work you've done impacts how they perceive your actual work.”

Writing effectively, including emailing, is such an essential skill. Casey highlights the need for more formalized training on how to do that well and what the expectations are within a company. Bold Type’s focus is very specific and they provide formalized training on workplace writing skills.

In this episode of MsInterPReted, CEO Kelly Fletcher talks with Casey about a variety of topics pertaining to effective professional writing including:  

·       Email etiquette

·       Using plain language effectively

·       Overexplaining

·       The importance of a professional pause

Follow Casey Mank:

Casey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-mank/

Bold Type Website: https://www.boldtype.us

Bold Type LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boldtype/

Bold Type Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bold__type/

Plain Language Info: https://www.plainlanguage.gov


Follow Fletcher Marketing PR:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fletcherpr/
 On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

]]> Wed, 19 Jul 2023 16:51:05 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1910 Casey Mank is co-founder of Bold Type and is a Center for Plain Language Board member. She also teaches English at Georgetown University and Virginia Commonwealth University. Casey and her company conduct workshops on writing skills, workplace communication and email etiquette.

In our digital world of communications, it is imperative that we think more strategically and holistically about how we communicate internally and externally with our business partners. Casey shares that, “no matter how good you are at your actual job, even if your actual job has nothing to do with writing, the way that you communicate with people about the work you've done impacts how they perceive your actual work.”

Writing effectively, including emailing, is such an essential skill. Casey highlights the need for more formalized training on how to do that well and what the expectations are within a company. Bold Type’s focus is very specific and they provide formalized training on workplace writing skills.

In this episode of MsInterPReted, CEO Kelly Fletcher talks with Casey about a variety of topics pertaining to effective professional writing including:  

·       Email etiquette

·       Using plain language effectively

·       Overexplaining

·       The importance of a professional pause

Follow Casey Mank:

Casey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-mank/

Bold Type Website: https://www.boldtype.us

Bold Type LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boldtype/

Bold Type Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bold__type/

Plain Language Info: https://www.plainlanguage.gov


Follow Fletcher Marketing PR:

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fletcherpr/
 On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

]]> Public relations, Marketing, Business Writing, Professional Writing No Mary Beth West: Global PR Industry #PRethics Codes 5 5 7 7 Mary Beth West: Global PR Industry #PRethics Codes full 89934a60-c034-46e5-854d-5dc84cd4c42a https://share.transistor.fm/s/f8fa8bcf Fletcher Marketing PR Senior Strategist, Mary Beth West commissioned new worldwide ethics code research through her work on the PRCA Global Ethics Council.

The new London-based Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) research was released in the white paper entitled “The State of Ethics Codes in the Public Relations Industry: A Global Analysis” (available for free download). It documents that among 24 PR industry ethics codes in nearly as many nations worldwide, there is little unified consensus about how ethics codes should be employed as “living documents” in the everyday work of industry leaders and practitioners.

Some PR associations heavily promote simply having an ethics code as a crowning achievement.

But precisely how much dust a long-ago published code has gathered while sitting on a virtual shelf, unrevised for years – perhaps decades – may underscore how seriously its parent PR association authentically engages on the topic of ethics.
In this episode of MsInterPReted, Mary Beth discusses her findings with CEO Kelly Fletcher.


Discussion covers:

  • AI
  • Disclosing Paid Media
  • Disinformation
  • Giving/Receiving Gifts
  • Whistleblower protection
  • Privacy
  • And other industry related ethics codes


This #PRethics Month, PR organizations are urged to take a fresh look at their ethics codes, compare them with best-practices documented in this white paper, and undertake a deep-dive effort to make codes more current, relevant, useful, and prominent.

DOWNLOAD THE ETHICS CODE WHITE PAPER: https://www.marybethwest.com/white-paper/

Mary Beth West, APR, FPRCA, is a long-time advocate of stronger ethical practices in PR, in balanced service to employers, clients, stakeholders, and also the public good. She can be followed on LinkedIn, at @marybethwest, and at marybethwest.com.

]]> Fletcher Marketing PR Senior Strategist, Mary Beth West commissioned new worldwide ethics code research through her work on the PRCA Global Ethics Council.

The new London-based Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) research was released in the white paper entitled “The State of Ethics Codes in the Public Relations Industry: A Global Analysis” (available for free download). It documents that among 24 PR industry ethics codes in nearly as many nations worldwide, there is little unified consensus about how ethics codes should be employed as “living documents” in the everyday work of industry leaders and practitioners.

Some PR associations heavily promote simply having an ethics code as a crowning achievement.

But precisely how much dust a long-ago published code has gathered while sitting on a virtual shelf, unrevised for years – perhaps decades – may underscore how seriously its parent PR association authentically engages on the topic of ethics.
In this episode of MsInterPReted, Mary Beth discusses her findings with CEO Kelly Fletcher.


Discussion covers:

  • AI
  • Disclosing Paid Media
  • Disinformation
  • Giving/Receiving Gifts
  • Whistleblower protection
  • Privacy
  • And other industry related ethics codes


This #PRethics Month, PR organizations are urged to take a fresh look at their ethics codes, compare them with best-practices documented in this white paper, and undertake a deep-dive effort to make codes more current, relevant, useful, and prominent.

DOWNLOAD THE ETHICS CODE WHITE PAPER: https://www.marybethwest.com/white-paper/

Mary Beth West, APR, FPRCA, is a long-time advocate of stronger ethical practices in PR, in balanced service to employers, clients, stakeholders, and also the public good. She can be followed on LinkedIn, at @marybethwest, and at marybethwest.com.

]]> Fri, 29 Sep 2023 13:26:30 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2582 Fletcher Marketing PR Senior Strategist, Mary Beth West commissioned new worldwide ethics code research through her work on the PRCA Global Ethics Council.

The new London-based Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) research was released in the white paper entitled “The State of Ethics Codes in the Public Relations Industry: A Global Analysis” (available for free download). It documents that among 24 PR industry ethics codes in nearly as many nations worldwide, there is little unified consensus about how ethics codes should be employed as “living documents” in the everyday work of industry leaders and practitioners.

Some PR associations heavily promote simply having an ethics code as a crowning achievement.

But precisely how much dust a long-ago published code has gathered while sitting on a virtual shelf, unrevised for years – perhaps decades – may underscore how seriously its parent PR association authentically engages on the topic of ethics.
In this episode of MsInterPReted, Mary Beth discusses her findings with CEO Kelly Fletcher.


Discussion covers:

  • AI
  • Disclosing Paid Media
  • Disinformation
  • Giving/Receiving Gifts
  • Whistleblower protection
  • Privacy
  • And other industry related ethics codes


This #PRethics Month, PR organizations are urged to take a fresh look at their ethics codes, compare them with best-practices documented in this white paper, and undertake a deep-dive effort to make codes more current, relevant, useful, and prominent.

DOWNLOAD THE ETHICS CODE WHITE PAPER: https://www.marybethwest.com/white-paper/

Mary Beth West, APR, FPRCA, is a long-time advocate of stronger ethical practices in PR, in balanced service to employers, clients, stakeholders, and also the public good. She can be followed on LinkedIn, at @marybethwest, and at marybethwest.com.

]]> ethics, Public relations, Mary Beth West, white paper, ethics codes, code, association, IBE, PRCA, #PRethics, #ethicsmonth, #EthicsMatter, Kelly Fletcher, compliance, updates, best practice, Institute of Business Ethics, ECI, research No Compass News' Jesse Mayshark and Scott Barker: Hyperlocal Journalism 5 5 8 8 Compass News' Jesse Mayshark and Scott Barker: Hyperlocal Journalism full 441bbe56-4f82-4aaf-8c3a-03c123b202bc https://share.transistor.fm/s/9e4d8204 On this episode of MsinterPReted, we discuss hyperlocal journalism. This form of journalism focuses on reporting news and information at a very local level, typically targeting specific neighborhoods and communities. It emphasizes coverage of local events, issues, and stories that directly impact the immediate vicinity, including topics like local government, community events, business updates, neighborhood developments, and other hyper-specific news that may not receive attention from larger media outlets

Jesse Mayshark and Scott Barker are both former journalists who also worked on the public relations side and started a hyper-local news media outlet for the city of Knoxville, called Compass. 

Jesse worked as a reporter and editor at the local and national level for 20 years before going into communication for Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero in 2011.

Scott was hired as a reporter at the Knoxville News Sentinel in 1999 and has won numerous national, state and regional journalism awards as a reporter and editorial page editor.


On this episode, Jesse and Scott discuss:

  • The need for local journalism
  • Why they started Compass
  • The business model for making this type of journalism successful
  • PR blunders
  • How PR pros and journalists can better work together
  • The changing face of journalism

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/
On LinkedIn: Fletcher Marketing PR

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

]]> On this episode of MsinterPReted, we discuss hyperlocal journalism. This form of journalism focuses on reporting news and information at a very local level, typically targeting specific neighborhoods and communities. It emphasizes coverage of local events, issues, and stories that directly impact the immediate vicinity, including topics like local government, community events, business updates, neighborhood developments, and other hyper-specific news that may not receive attention from larger media outlets

Jesse Mayshark and Scott Barker are both former journalists who also worked on the public relations side and started a hyper-local news media outlet for the city of Knoxville, called Compass. 

Jesse worked as a reporter and editor at the local and national level for 20 years before going into communication for Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero in 2011.

Scott was hired as a reporter at the Knoxville News Sentinel in 1999 and has won numerous national, state and regional journalism awards as a reporter and editorial page editor.


On this episode, Jesse and Scott discuss:

  • The need for local journalism
  • Why they started Compass
  • The business model for making this type of journalism successful
  • PR blunders
  • How PR pros and journalists can better work together
  • The changing face of journalism

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/
On LinkedIn: Fletcher Marketing PR

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

]]> Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:20:20 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2275 On this episode of MsinterPReted, we discuss hyperlocal journalism. This form of journalism focuses on reporting news and information at a very local level, typically targeting specific neighborhoods and communities. It emphasizes coverage of local events, issues, and stories that directly impact the immediate vicinity, including topics like local government, community events, business updates, neighborhood developments, and other hyper-specific news that may not receive attention from larger media outlets

Jesse Mayshark and Scott Barker are both former journalists who also worked on the public relations side and started a hyper-local news media outlet for the city of Knoxville, called Compass. 

Jesse worked as a reporter and editor at the local and national level for 20 years before going into communication for Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero in 2011.

Scott was hired as a reporter at the Knoxville News Sentinel in 1999 and has won numerous national, state and regional journalism awards as a reporter and editorial page editor.


On this episode, Jesse and Scott discuss:

  • The need for local journalism
  • Why they started Compass
  • The business model for making this type of journalism successful
  • PR blunders
  • How PR pros and journalists can better work together
  • The changing face of journalism

Follow Fletcher Marketing PR on:

Website:  https://www.fletchermarketingpr.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fletchermarketingpr

On Twitter:  @fletcherpr

On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/fletcher.pr/
On LinkedIn: Fletcher Marketing PR

Follow Kelly on Twitter: @KDFletcher

]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No PR Trends to Leave in the Dust 5 5 9 9 PR Trends to Leave in the Dust full 2fe9445b-600c-49ce-b236-c978f536da75 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0d051d65 In this episode of MsInterPReted, Fletcher Marketing PR Vice President, Sarah Merrell, and Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester discuss PR trends that we want to leave in the dust.
As 2023 winds down, we are looking ahead to the new year and new strategies. These are some of the common strategies and trends that are outdated or unnecessary.

We discuss:

  • Overuse of buzzwords/industry jargon
  • An overemphasis on media placement quotas without attention to the quality of placements
  • Overly complicated metrics
  • Vanity metrics
  • Vanity awards/paid awards
  • Hiding/Burying negative news
  • Reactive crisis management vs. proactive strategies
  • Mass/impersonalized pitching
  • Overly complicated press releases

We address these outdated trends as well as the better way to approach metrics, media relations and crisis management. 

]]> In this episode of MsInterPReted, Fletcher Marketing PR Vice President, Sarah Merrell, and Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester discuss PR trends that we want to leave in the dust.
As 2023 winds down, we are looking ahead to the new year and new strategies. These are some of the common strategies and trends that are outdated or unnecessary.

We discuss:

  • Overuse of buzzwords/industry jargon
  • An overemphasis on media placement quotas without attention to the quality of placements
  • Overly complicated metrics
  • Vanity metrics
  • Vanity awards/paid awards
  • Hiding/Burying negative news
  • Reactive crisis management vs. proactive strategies
  • Mass/impersonalized pitching
  • Overly complicated press releases

We address these outdated trends as well as the better way to approach metrics, media relations and crisis management. 

]]> Tue, 07 Nov 2023 13:06:00 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1394 In this episode of MsInterPReted, Fletcher Marketing PR Vice President, Sarah Merrell, and Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester discuss PR trends that we want to leave in the dust.
As 2023 winds down, we are looking ahead to the new year and new strategies. These are some of the common strategies and trends that are outdated or unnecessary.

We discuss:

  • Overuse of buzzwords/industry jargon
  • An overemphasis on media placement quotas without attention to the quality of placements
  • Overly complicated metrics
  • Vanity metrics
  • Vanity awards/paid awards
  • Hiding/Burying negative news
  • Reactive crisis management vs. proactive strategies
  • Mass/impersonalized pitching
  • Overly complicated press releases

We address these outdated trends as well as the better way to approach metrics, media relations and crisis management. 

]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No 2024 Public Relations Obstacles 5 5 10 10 2024 Public Relations Obstacles full 6a6654b0-844a-4771-99b2-996d6fc680ba https://share.transistor.fm/s/b45c48e2 As we head into 2024, Fletcher Marketing PR Vice President, Sarah Merrell and Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester discuss the PR obstacles we foresee clients and firms facing in the year ahead and tactics to overcome these hurdles.

Obstacles include:
AI - The rise of artificial intelligence raises ethical concerns and requires us helping our clients to understand the benefits and limitations of new technologies.
GA4 - With Google Analytics launching its new analytics platform in 2023, many businesses still don't have their GA4 and/or aren't yet using it to its fullest potential.
Other new technologies - as new platforms and software emerge, it requires education for our teams and clients to institute these new tools
Over-reliance on digital marketing - many businesses see digital marketing as a fast-fix for marketing goals, when it should really be viewed as one tool to pair with myriad of other strategies. It requires educating our clients on the benefits, but also limitations of digital marketing to keep them from making the mistake of relying too heavily on this strategy alone.
Media fragmentation - There are more media outlets today than ever before. This provides both an opportunity for media relations efforts, but also an obstacle. Media relations pros have to take the extra time to weed through the options to find the best fit and help clients understand the quality matters more than ever. 
Content overload - With so much content being pumped out into the world today, it's more important than ever to make your content standout. This requires creativity, strategy and research.
The prevalence of paid media - As there are more pieces of the pie, each individual outlet has fewer readers/viewers. This has led to a rise in paid media as media outlets are forced to find new revenue streams. This means clients will need to consider options such as advertorials, affiliate marketing and paid placements in addition to earned media efforts.
Integrated marketing - we know integrated marketing is 300% more effective than silo-ing your marketing efforts, but helping our clients understand the benefits of having one party handle all of the tactics still proves to be an obstacle.
Reputation management - In the day and age of 'cancel culture' it is imperative to give careful extra thought to all messaging - this includes, not only the content you produce, but also responses on social media. It's important to have diverse voices at the table to ensure you are using sensitivity and not overlooking biases. 
Rising labor costs and inflation - both firms and our clients are facing the biggest obstacle of 2024 that all Americans are facing with inflation and rising prices. It costs more to do business, which means many companies will be looking for ways to save. We encourage business owners and CEOs to consider the ROI you get from marketing, and to never save money but cutting good people.

]]> As we head into 2024, Fletcher Marketing PR Vice President, Sarah Merrell and Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester discuss the PR obstacles we foresee clients and firms facing in the year ahead and tactics to overcome these hurdles.

Obstacles include:
AI - The rise of artificial intelligence raises ethical concerns and requires us helping our clients to understand the benefits and limitations of new technologies.
GA4 - With Google Analytics launching its new analytics platform in 2023, many businesses still don't have their GA4 and/or aren't yet using it to its fullest potential.
Other new technologies - as new platforms and software emerge, it requires education for our teams and clients to institute these new tools
Over-reliance on digital marketing - many businesses see digital marketing as a fast-fix for marketing goals, when it should really be viewed as one tool to pair with myriad of other strategies. It requires educating our clients on the benefits, but also limitations of digital marketing to keep them from making the mistake of relying too heavily on this strategy alone.
Media fragmentation - There are more media outlets today than ever before. This provides both an opportunity for media relations efforts, but also an obstacle. Media relations pros have to take the extra time to weed through the options to find the best fit and help clients understand the quality matters more than ever. 
Content overload - With so much content being pumped out into the world today, it's more important than ever to make your content standout. This requires creativity, strategy and research.
The prevalence of paid media - As there are more pieces of the pie, each individual outlet has fewer readers/viewers. This has led to a rise in paid media as media outlets are forced to find new revenue streams. This means clients will need to consider options such as advertorials, affiliate marketing and paid placements in addition to earned media efforts.
Integrated marketing - we know integrated marketing is 300% more effective than silo-ing your marketing efforts, but helping our clients understand the benefits of having one party handle all of the tactics still proves to be an obstacle.
Reputation management - In the day and age of 'cancel culture' it is imperative to give careful extra thought to all messaging - this includes, not only the content you produce, but also responses on social media. It's important to have diverse voices at the table to ensure you are using sensitivity and not overlooking biases. 
Rising labor costs and inflation - both firms and our clients are facing the biggest obstacle of 2024 that all Americans are facing with inflation and rising prices. It costs more to do business, which means many companies will be looking for ways to save. We encourage business owners and CEOs to consider the ROI you get from marketing, and to never save money but cutting good people.

]]> Thu, 30 Nov 2023 11:22:20 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1971 As we head into 2024, Fletcher Marketing PR Vice President, Sarah Merrell and Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester discuss the PR obstacles we foresee clients and firms facing in the year ahead and tactics to overcome these hurdles.

Obstacles include:
AI - The rise of artificial intelligence raises ethical concerns and requires us helping our clients to understand the benefits and limitations of new technologies.
GA4 - With Google Analytics launching its new analytics platform in 2023, many businesses still don't have their GA4 and/or aren't yet using it to its fullest potential.
Other new technologies - as new platforms and software emerge, it requires education for our teams and clients to institute these new tools
Over-reliance on digital marketing - many businesses see digital marketing as a fast-fix for marketing goals, when it should really be viewed as one tool to pair with myriad of other strategies. It requires educating our clients on the benefits, but also limitations of digital marketing to keep them from making the mistake of relying too heavily on this strategy alone.
Media fragmentation - There are more media outlets today than ever before. This provides both an opportunity for media relations efforts, but also an obstacle. Media relations pros have to take the extra time to weed through the options to find the best fit and help clients understand the quality matters more than ever. 
Content overload - With so much content being pumped out into the world today, it's more important than ever to make your content standout. This requires creativity, strategy and research.
The prevalence of paid media - As there are more pieces of the pie, each individual outlet has fewer readers/viewers. This has led to a rise in paid media as media outlets are forced to find new revenue streams. This means clients will need to consider options such as advertorials, affiliate marketing and paid placements in addition to earned media efforts.
Integrated marketing - we know integrated marketing is 300% more effective than silo-ing your marketing efforts, but helping our clients understand the benefits of having one party handle all of the tactics still proves to be an obstacle.
Reputation management - In the day and age of 'cancel culture' it is imperative to give careful extra thought to all messaging - this includes, not only the content you produce, but also responses on social media. It's important to have diverse voices at the table to ensure you are using sensitivity and not overlooking biases. 
Rising labor costs and inflation - both firms and our clients are facing the biggest obstacle of 2024 that all Americans are facing with inflation and rising prices. It costs more to do business, which means many companies will be looking for ways to save. We encourage business owners and CEOs to consider the ROI you get from marketing, and to never save money but cutting good people.

]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Sara Davenport: From Burnt Out News Anchor to Entrepreneur 5 5 11 11 Sara Davenport: From Burnt Out News Anchor to Entrepreneur full ece0cac4-ecc2-412a-a8b7-cb178b29296c https://share.transistor.fm/s/b2094e69 Sara Davenport is an award-winning journalist who followed her dreams and became an anchor in a top-10 market. But after winning all the awards, and covering all the stories, she need a plan B - something that gave her not just a fantastic lifestyle, but also a life.


She has created a life as a media mentor working with others looking to break the breaking news cycle.

  • She wanted to work from home or just work from phone/wifi
  • She wanted to travel and vacation for more than 8 weeks/year
  • She wanted to make 6-figures, from one or multiple businesses
  • She wanted to be a storyteller, content creator, and still remain 
     on-camera
  • She wanted to coach others to success

On this episode of MsInterPReted she discusses how she made a plan and went after it.

Davenport provides valuable insight into writing a resume to highlight transferrable skills, using LinkedIn as a true marketing platform to market and creating multiple revenue streams for profitability and stability.

Through her former and current career, Davenport has collected a plethora of stories about the good, the bad and the ugly of working in broadcast news. She shares the moment that she knew she had to make a change and what she sees as driving the mass exodus from TV News today.

]]> Sara Davenport is an award-winning journalist who followed her dreams and became an anchor in a top-10 market. But after winning all the awards, and covering all the stories, she need a plan B - something that gave her not just a fantastic lifestyle, but also a life.


She has created a life as a media mentor working with others looking to break the breaking news cycle.

  • She wanted to work from home or just work from phone/wifi
  • She wanted to travel and vacation for more than 8 weeks/year
  • She wanted to make 6-figures, from one or multiple businesses
  • She wanted to be a storyteller, content creator, and still remain 
     on-camera
  • She wanted to coach others to success

On this episode of MsInterPReted she discusses how she made a plan and went after it.

Davenport provides valuable insight into writing a resume to highlight transferrable skills, using LinkedIn as a true marketing platform to market and creating multiple revenue streams for profitability and stability.

Through her former and current career, Davenport has collected a plethora of stories about the good, the bad and the ugly of working in broadcast news. She shares the moment that she knew she had to make a change and what she sees as driving the mass exodus from TV News today.

]]> Thu, 14 Dec 2023 11:15:09 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2237 Sara Davenport is an award-winning journalist who followed her dreams and became an anchor in a top-10 market. But after winning all the awards, and covering all the stories, she need a plan B - something that gave her not just a fantastic lifestyle, but also a life.


She has created a life as a media mentor working with others looking to break the breaking news cycle.

  • She wanted to work from home or just work from phone/wifi
  • She wanted to travel and vacation for more than 8 weeks/year
  • She wanted to make 6-figures, from one or multiple businesses
  • She wanted to be a storyteller, content creator, and still remain 
     on-camera
  • She wanted to coach others to success

On this episode of MsInterPReted she discusses how she made a plan and went after it.

Davenport provides valuable insight into writing a resume to highlight transferrable skills, using LinkedIn as a true marketing platform to market and creating multiple revenue streams for profitability and stability.

Through her former and current career, Davenport has collected a plethora of stories about the good, the bad and the ugly of working in broadcast news. She shares the moment that she knew she had to make a change and what she sees as driving the mass exodus from TV News today.

]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No PR Tips from Travel Writers 6 6 1 1 PR Tips from Travel Writers full e80330a8-eebc-4056-b7ce-93aa2c7b0ead https://share.transistor.fm/s/2d10bc9a On this episode of MsInterPReted, Fletcher’s director of media relations, Allison Lester, talks about travel writing, pitching and hosting media tours. We welcome two travel writers to talk about their experiences in travel writing. They provide advice and talk about the trends in the travel journalism industry.

Susan Barnes has more than 20 years of journalism experience and writes for multiple outlets including USA Today, Food and Wine, Garden and Gun, Travel + Leisure - just to name a few. She writes about travel, lifestyle, food and beverage. 

Ashlee Fechino is the founder of the Happiness Function, which is a travel outlet she started to inspire happiness through travel and outdoor recreation in the U. S. She's also a nationally syndicated travel writer.

On this episode, we discuss multiple topics:

·       How our guests got into travel writing and what it’s like as a career.

·       The dos and don’ts of pitching travel journalists.

·       What qualities make for a great press trip.

·       How to get coverage in some of the travel industry’s biggest outlets.

·       Trends in the rise of wellness travel.

]]> On this episode of MsInterPReted, Fletcher’s director of media relations, Allison Lester, talks about travel writing, pitching and hosting media tours. We welcome two travel writers to talk about their experiences in travel writing. They provide advice and talk about the trends in the travel journalism industry.

Susan Barnes has more than 20 years of journalism experience and writes for multiple outlets including USA Today, Food and Wine, Garden and Gun, Travel + Leisure - just to name a few. She writes about travel, lifestyle, food and beverage. 

Ashlee Fechino is the founder of the Happiness Function, which is a travel outlet she started to inspire happiness through travel and outdoor recreation in the U. S. She's also a nationally syndicated travel writer.

On this episode, we discuss multiple topics:

·       How our guests got into travel writing and what it’s like as a career.

·       The dos and don’ts of pitching travel journalists.

·       What qualities make for a great press trip.

·       How to get coverage in some of the travel industry’s biggest outlets.

·       Trends in the rise of wellness travel.

]]> Tue, 30 Jan 2024 12:02:12 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1956 On this episode of MsInterPReted, Fletcher’s director of media relations, Allison Lester, talks about travel writing, pitching and hosting media tours. We welcome two travel writers to talk about their experiences in travel writing. They provide advice and talk about the trends in the travel journalism industry.

Susan Barnes has more than 20 years of journalism experience and writes for multiple outlets including USA Today, Food and Wine, Garden and Gun, Travel + Leisure - just to name a few. She writes about travel, lifestyle, food and beverage. 

Ashlee Fechino is the founder of the Happiness Function, which is a travel outlet she started to inspire happiness through travel and outdoor recreation in the U. S. She's also a nationally syndicated travel writer.

On this episode, we discuss multiple topics:

·       How our guests got into travel writing and what it’s like as a career.

·       The dos and don’ts of pitching travel journalists.

·       What qualities make for a great press trip.

·       How to get coverage in some of the travel industry’s biggest outlets.

·       Trends in the rise of wellness travel.

]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Tennessee Tourism: Sara Beth Urban and Kim Mitchell 6 6 2 2 Tennessee Tourism: Sara Beth Urban and Kim Mitchell full 218cefe4-599f-4389-a097-eb576a4cac77 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d04017b5 In this episode of MsInterPReted, we’re talking about tourism in Tennessee. Tennessee tourism generated $29 billion in direct visitor spending and saw 141 million visitors to the state in 2022, Tennessee ranks 11th in the nation for travel spending, the highest rank ever for our state.

 

Tennessee has approximately 13, 372 restaurants in the state, which is roughly one restaurant per every 500 people if you look at our population numbers and over 1600 hotels.

 

Sarah Beth is the CEO and president of the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association. Her experience includes being Executive Director of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and before that was also a part of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development as the Middle Tennessee Division Manager. HospitalityTN represents the interests of Tennessee’s lodging, dining, and tourism establishments and the related businesses involved in the hospitality & tourism industry.

 

Kim Mitchell joined the Blount Partnership in July 2014 after serving the past 2 ½ years as the special events coordinator for the Helen Ross McNabb Center where she contributed to the successful planning, management and execution of many Blount County special events with specific responsibility for achieving all fundraising goals and community awareness objectives. 

Her position with the Blount Partnership consists of recruiting events in the areas of leisure, business and group travel to the county for overnight stays. 
 
 A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Mitchell has worn many hats in a variety of industries during her career ranging from being director of catering for a national hotel chain to serving as a marketing and public relations specialist for a local marketing group.

 

Topics Discussed:

·        What brought these two professionals to the tourism industry

·        They describe the tourism boom they see in their respective geographic locations

·        How the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association partners with tourism businesses

·        The tactics most effective in getting the word out to travelers about all that Tennessee has to offer

·        The rise of outdoor adventure and leisure travel 

·        The influence of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail on tourism

·        What’s on the horizon for Tennessee tourism


]]> In this episode of MsInterPReted, we’re talking about tourism in Tennessee. Tennessee tourism generated $29 billion in direct visitor spending and saw 141 million visitors to the state in 2022, Tennessee ranks 11th in the nation for travel spending, the highest rank ever for our state.

 

Tennessee has approximately 13, 372 restaurants in the state, which is roughly one restaurant per every 500 people if you look at our population numbers and over 1600 hotels.

 

Sarah Beth is the CEO and president of the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association. Her experience includes being Executive Director of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and before that was also a part of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development as the Middle Tennessee Division Manager. HospitalityTN represents the interests of Tennessee’s lodging, dining, and tourism establishments and the related businesses involved in the hospitality & tourism industry.

 

Kim Mitchell joined the Blount Partnership in July 2014 after serving the past 2 ½ years as the special events coordinator for the Helen Ross McNabb Center where she contributed to the successful planning, management and execution of many Blount County special events with specific responsibility for achieving all fundraising goals and community awareness objectives. 

Her position with the Blount Partnership consists of recruiting events in the areas of leisure, business and group travel to the county for overnight stays. 
 
 A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Mitchell has worn many hats in a variety of industries during her career ranging from being director of catering for a national hotel chain to serving as a marketing and public relations specialist for a local marketing group.

 

Topics Discussed:

·        What brought these two professionals to the tourism industry

·        They describe the tourism boom they see in their respective geographic locations

·        How the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association partners with tourism businesses

·        The tactics most effective in getting the word out to travelers about all that Tennessee has to offer

·        The rise of outdoor adventure and leisure travel 

·        The influence of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail on tourism

·        What’s on the horizon for Tennessee tourism


]]> Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:13:44 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1852 In this episode of MsInterPReted, we’re talking about tourism in Tennessee. Tennessee tourism generated $29 billion in direct visitor spending and saw 141 million visitors to the state in 2022, Tennessee ranks 11th in the nation for travel spending, the highest rank ever for our state.

 

Tennessee has approximately 13, 372 restaurants in the state, which is roughly one restaurant per every 500 people if you look at our population numbers and over 1600 hotels.

 

Sarah Beth is the CEO and president of the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association. Her experience includes being Executive Director of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and before that was also a part of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development as the Middle Tennessee Division Manager. HospitalityTN represents the interests of Tennessee’s lodging, dining, and tourism establishments and the related businesses involved in the hospitality & tourism industry.

 

Kim Mitchell joined the Blount Partnership in July 2014 after serving the past 2 ½ years as the special events coordinator for the Helen Ross McNabb Center where she contributed to the successful planning, management and execution of many Blount County special events with specific responsibility for achieving all fundraising goals and community awareness objectives. 

Her position with the Blount Partnership consists of recruiting events in the areas of leisure, business and group travel to the county for overnight stays. 
 
 A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Mitchell has worn many hats in a variety of industries during her career ranging from being director of catering for a national hotel chain to serving as a marketing and public relations specialist for a local marketing group.

 

Topics Discussed:

·        What brought these two professionals to the tourism industry

·        They describe the tourism boom they see in their respective geographic locations

·        How the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association partners with tourism businesses

·        The tactics most effective in getting the word out to travelers about all that Tennessee has to offer

·        The rise of outdoor adventure and leisure travel 

·        The influence of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail on tourism

·        What’s on the horizon for Tennessee tourism


]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Tiffany Carpenter: Public Relations at the University of Tennessee 6 6 3 3 Tiffany Carpenter: Public Relations at the University of Tennessee full a8c08f0e-9d48-44ca-8788-cefc6d5c22d6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e24922f3 Tiffany Carpenter started her career in the public relations agency world and went on to manage communications for the athletics department at the University of Tennessee, including managing the reins of Mike Hamilton, Joan Cronin, Pat Summitt, Phillip Fulmer, Buzz Peterson, Bruce Pearl the infamous Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley.

She went from there to the University of Tennessee Foundation as Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing and she managed communication with 355,000 alumni across four campuses. She has gone to serve the University of Tennessee system-wide as Vice President of Communications and Marketing; Associate Vice President of Communications and Marketing; and Assistant Vice President of Marketing where she works directly with Randy Boyd, the President of the University of Tennessee System.


She recently launched a successful public relations campaign - the "Everywhere UT" campaign statewide. She was named Public Relations Alumnus of the Year in 2016 by the UT College of Communications and Information Sciences and was included on Knoxville Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Tiffany’s career in communications
  • Stories of working such a high-stress job as a mom
  • Growth plans for the University of Tennessee System
  • Crisis management
  • Public Relations and Marketing tactics to reach students
]]> Tiffany Carpenter started her career in the public relations agency world and went on to manage communications for the athletics department at the University of Tennessee, including managing the reins of Mike Hamilton, Joan Cronin, Pat Summitt, Phillip Fulmer, Buzz Peterson, Bruce Pearl the infamous Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley.

She went from there to the University of Tennessee Foundation as Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing and she managed communication with 355,000 alumni across four campuses. She has gone to serve the University of Tennessee system-wide as Vice President of Communications and Marketing; Associate Vice President of Communications and Marketing; and Assistant Vice President of Marketing where she works directly with Randy Boyd, the President of the University of Tennessee System.


She recently launched a successful public relations campaign - the "Everywhere UT" campaign statewide. She was named Public Relations Alumnus of the Year in 2016 by the UT College of Communications and Information Sciences and was included on Knoxville Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Tiffany’s career in communications
  • Stories of working such a high-stress job as a mom
  • Growth plans for the University of Tennessee System
  • Crisis management
  • Public Relations and Marketing tactics to reach students
]]> Wed, 01 May 2024 09:44:05 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1737 Tiffany Carpenter started her career in the public relations agency world and went on to manage communications for the athletics department at the University of Tennessee, including managing the reins of Mike Hamilton, Joan Cronin, Pat Summitt, Phillip Fulmer, Buzz Peterson, Bruce Pearl the infamous Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley.

She went from there to the University of Tennessee Foundation as Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing and she managed communication with 355,000 alumni across four campuses. She has gone to serve the University of Tennessee system-wide as Vice President of Communications and Marketing; Associate Vice President of Communications and Marketing; and Assistant Vice President of Marketing where she works directly with Randy Boyd, the President of the University of Tennessee System.


She recently launched a successful public relations campaign - the "Everywhere UT" campaign statewide. She was named Public Relations Alumnus of the Year in 2016 by the UT College of Communications and Information Sciences and was included on Knoxville Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Tiffany’s career in communications
  • Stories of working such a high-stress job as a mom
  • Growth plans for the University of Tennessee System
  • Crisis management
  • Public Relations and Marketing tactics to reach students
]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Building Trust to Improve Business Outcomes 6 6 4 4 Building Trust to Improve Business Outcomes full 9eb41af8-ed23-4640-850f-6dac1d10165c https://share.transistor.fm/s/ec721ab0 In this episode of Ms. InterPReted, we’re discussing the importance of trust. It is one of the most important things you can focus on as a brand. Think of it as the currency that fuels revenue and can make or break your business. 71% of people are more likely to buy from brands they trust - those numbers are even higher among Gen Z.

Quick, slick sales pitches don’t work for a lasting impact anymore - today's consumers want authenticity, transparency and a genuine connection.

Fletcher Vice President, Sarah Merrell and our director of media relations, Allison Lester offer advice on how to build trust with your customers.

Tactics discussed:

  • Media Relations
  • Influencer Marketing
  • Thought Leadership
  • Consistent Branding
  • Proactive Solicitation of Testimonials

]]> In this episode of Ms. InterPReted, we’re discussing the importance of trust. It is one of the most important things you can focus on as a brand. Think of it as the currency that fuels revenue and can make or break your business. 71% of people are more likely to buy from brands they trust - those numbers are even higher among Gen Z.

Quick, slick sales pitches don’t work for a lasting impact anymore - today's consumers want authenticity, transparency and a genuine connection.

Fletcher Vice President, Sarah Merrell and our director of media relations, Allison Lester offer advice on how to build trust with your customers.

Tactics discussed:

  • Media Relations
  • Influencer Marketing
  • Thought Leadership
  • Consistent Branding
  • Proactive Solicitation of Testimonials

]]> Tue, 14 May 2024 10:44:56 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1731 In this episode of Ms. InterPReted, we’re discussing the importance of trust. It is one of the most important things you can focus on as a brand. Think of it as the currency that fuels revenue and can make or break your business. 71% of people are more likely to buy from brands they trust - those numbers are even higher among Gen Z.

Quick, slick sales pitches don’t work for a lasting impact anymore - today's consumers want authenticity, transparency and a genuine connection.

Fletcher Vice President, Sarah Merrell and our director of media relations, Allison Lester offer advice on how to build trust with your customers.

Tactics discussed:

  • Media Relations
  • Influencer Marketing
  • Thought Leadership
  • Consistent Branding
  • Proactive Solicitation of Testimonials

]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Martha Jennings and Jeremy Campbell: 2024 State of the Media 6 6 5 5 Martha Jennings and Jeremy Campbell: 2024 State of the Media full 646001be-0ab5-4f5e-ab5b-60e9b9a463d7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/22bdb2ff
On this episode of MisInterPReted Fletcher Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester talks with two newsroom managers about the state of the U.S. media.


Martha Jennings, WRAL's Managing Editor, coordinates assignments and staffing for Raleigh, NC's #1 news station. She was the News Director for WBIR, in Knoxville, TN. an executive producer for WFLA, in Tampa, FL. and a producer for WRAL and WCBD. She's a graduate of the University of South Carolina. 

With over 25 years of media experience, Jeremy Campbell is Managing Director at Spectrum News in New York City, where he oversees coverage and staff within two 24-hour newsrooms: NY1 and NY1 Noticias.


His work has reached millions of viewers through TV, digital, and non-traditional platforms - and has been used as an educational tool by the U.S. State Department to train international journalists.


He believes “one story can make a difference, and a team of journalists can change the world.”


Both have won *numerous media awards from Edward R. Murrow awards to Emmy’s - just to name a few.


As PR professionals, we are always interested in the ever-evolving state of the U.S. media. We have looked over the annual surveys conducted by both Cision and Muckrack - two large PR/Communications platforms. They conduct these surveys every year polling and interviewing thousands of journalists across the country - and found similar findings.

Topics Discussed:


  • Biggest changes in the industry in the past five years
  • Maintaining credibility as a trusted news source
  • The Muckrack survey says 70% of journalists say PR pros are either important or very important to the success of their jobs, but fewer than half actually respond to PR pitches - Why?
  • Tips for pitching journalists?
  • What not to do when pitching a local journalist
  • Predictions for the future of journalism
]]>
On this episode of MisInterPReted Fletcher Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester talks with two newsroom managers about the state of the U.S. media.


Martha Jennings, WRAL's Managing Editor, coordinates assignments and staffing for Raleigh, NC's #1 news station. She was the News Director for WBIR, in Knoxville, TN. an executive producer for WFLA, in Tampa, FL. and a producer for WRAL and WCBD. She's a graduate of the University of South Carolina. 

With over 25 years of media experience, Jeremy Campbell is Managing Director at Spectrum News in New York City, where he oversees coverage and staff within two 24-hour newsrooms: NY1 and NY1 Noticias.


His work has reached millions of viewers through TV, digital, and non-traditional platforms - and has been used as an educational tool by the U.S. State Department to train international journalists.


He believes “one story can make a difference, and a team of journalists can change the world.”


Both have won *numerous media awards from Edward R. Murrow awards to Emmy’s - just to name a few.


As PR professionals, we are always interested in the ever-evolving state of the U.S. media. We have looked over the annual surveys conducted by both Cision and Muckrack - two large PR/Communications platforms. They conduct these surveys every year polling and interviewing thousands of journalists across the country - and found similar findings.

Topics Discussed:


  • Biggest changes in the industry in the past five years
  • Maintaining credibility as a trusted news source
  • The Muckrack survey says 70% of journalists say PR pros are either important or very important to the success of their jobs, but fewer than half actually respond to PR pitches - Why?
  • Tips for pitching journalists?
  • What not to do when pitching a local journalist
  • Predictions for the future of journalism
]]> Mon, 22 Jul 2024 15:43:34 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 2337
On this episode of MisInterPReted Fletcher Director of Media Relations, Allison Lester talks with two newsroom managers about the state of the U.S. media.


Martha Jennings, WRAL's Managing Editor, coordinates assignments and staffing for Raleigh, NC's #1 news station. She was the News Director for WBIR, in Knoxville, TN. an executive producer for WFLA, in Tampa, FL. and a producer for WRAL and WCBD. She's a graduate of the University of South Carolina. 

With over 25 years of media experience, Jeremy Campbell is Managing Director at Spectrum News in New York City, where he oversees coverage and staff within two 24-hour newsrooms: NY1 and NY1 Noticias.


His work has reached millions of viewers through TV, digital, and non-traditional platforms - and has been used as an educational tool by the U.S. State Department to train international journalists.


He believes “one story can make a difference, and a team of journalists can change the world.”


Both have won *numerous media awards from Edward R. Murrow awards to Emmy’s - just to name a few.


As PR professionals, we are always interested in the ever-evolving state of the U.S. media. We have looked over the annual surveys conducted by both Cision and Muckrack - two large PR/Communications platforms. They conduct these surveys every year polling and interviewing thousands of journalists across the country - and found similar findings.

Topics Discussed:


  • Biggest changes in the industry in the past five years
  • Maintaining credibility as a trusted news source
  • The Muckrack survey says 70% of journalists say PR pros are either important or very important to the success of their jobs, but fewer than half actually respond to PR pitches - Why?
  • Tips for pitching journalists?
  • What not to do when pitching a local journalist
  • Predictions for the future of journalism
]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No The Power of Social Media Influencers: Meet the Faces Behind the Influence 6 6 6 6 The Power of Social Media Influencers: Meet the Faces Behind the Influence full 69b25ac7-bd29-4e31-8609-268f08564d9f https://share.transistor.fm/s/55cc1d65 In this episode of MsInterPReted: Public Relations Demystified, we introduce you to two social media influencers we’ve had the pleasure of working with at Fletcher Marketing Communications: Chelsea Davis and Jensen Savannah.

We'd love to help your brand connect with influencers who could expand your reach. Contact us to learn how we can help you up your influencer game.

Chelsea Davis is a freelance journalist and content creator based in San Francisco. With a passion for exploring new places, Chelsea covers everything from food and drink to travel adventures. Her Instagram, @cheycheyfromthebay, and her blog, Chey Chey From The Bay, are filled with vibrant stories and recommendations. Chelsea’s background as a social media specialist for several prominent San Francisco Bay Area restaurants and organizations enhances her ability to craft engaging content. Through her collaborations with tourism boards, restaurants, and lifestyle brands, she shares memorable experiences that inspire her followers.

Jensen Savannah brings the charm of the Carolinas to the forefront through her content creation. She highlights the best restaurants, destinations, events, and local businesses in the Carolinas, aiming to connect her audience with new and exciting experiences. Her work not only showcases the region’s unique offerings but also fosters a deeper connection between her followers and the local culture.

RELATED:  Maximizing Brand Visibility: Media Relations vs. Influencer Marketing

Both Chelsea and Jensen demonstrate the incredible impact that social media influencers can have on brand visibility and consumer engagement. Their dedicated work in their respective niches helps bridge the gap between businesses and audiences, proving that a well-crafted social media presence can be a game-changer.

Topics Discussed on this episode:

  • How has the influencer marketing industry changed in the past five years?
  • The dos and don'ts of contacting influencers.
  • Tik Tok and the ongoing ban battle.
  • Helping brands understand how much time goes into creating content.
  • Obstacles in the future.
]]> In this episode of MsInterPReted: Public Relations Demystified, we introduce you to two social media influencers we’ve had the pleasure of working with at Fletcher Marketing Communications: Chelsea Davis and Jensen Savannah.

We'd love to help your brand connect with influencers who could expand your reach. Contact us to learn how we can help you up your influencer game.

Chelsea Davis is a freelance journalist and content creator based in San Francisco. With a passion for exploring new places, Chelsea covers everything from food and drink to travel adventures. Her Instagram, @cheycheyfromthebay, and her blog, Chey Chey From The Bay, are filled with vibrant stories and recommendations. Chelsea’s background as a social media specialist for several prominent San Francisco Bay Area restaurants and organizations enhances her ability to craft engaging content. Through her collaborations with tourism boards, restaurants, and lifestyle brands, she shares memorable experiences that inspire her followers.

Jensen Savannah brings the charm of the Carolinas to the forefront through her content creation. She highlights the best restaurants, destinations, events, and local businesses in the Carolinas, aiming to connect her audience with new and exciting experiences. Her work not only showcases the region’s unique offerings but also fosters a deeper connection between her followers and the local culture.

RELATED:  Maximizing Brand Visibility: Media Relations vs. Influencer Marketing

Both Chelsea and Jensen demonstrate the incredible impact that social media influencers can have on brand visibility and consumer engagement. Their dedicated work in their respective niches helps bridge the gap between businesses and audiences, proving that a well-crafted social media presence can be a game-changer.

Topics Discussed on this episode:

  • How has the influencer marketing industry changed in the past five years?
  • The dos and don'ts of contacting influencers.
  • Tik Tok and the ongoing ban battle.
  • Helping brands understand how much time goes into creating content.
  • Obstacles in the future.
]]> Mon, 09 Sep 2024 13:50:35 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1723 In this episode of MsInterPReted: Public Relations Demystified, we introduce you to two social media influencers we’ve had the pleasure of working with at Fletcher Marketing Communications: Chelsea Davis and Jensen Savannah.

We'd love to help your brand connect with influencers who could expand your reach. Contact us to learn how we can help you up your influencer game.

Chelsea Davis is a freelance journalist and content creator based in San Francisco. With a passion for exploring new places, Chelsea covers everything from food and drink to travel adventures. Her Instagram, @cheycheyfromthebay, and her blog, Chey Chey From The Bay, are filled with vibrant stories and recommendations. Chelsea’s background as a social media specialist for several prominent San Francisco Bay Area restaurants and organizations enhances her ability to craft engaging content. Through her collaborations with tourism boards, restaurants, and lifestyle brands, she shares memorable experiences that inspire her followers.

Jensen Savannah brings the charm of the Carolinas to the forefront through her content creation. She highlights the best restaurants, destinations, events, and local businesses in the Carolinas, aiming to connect her audience with new and exciting experiences. Her work not only showcases the region’s unique offerings but also fosters a deeper connection between her followers and the local culture.

RELATED:  Maximizing Brand Visibility: Media Relations vs. Influencer Marketing

Both Chelsea and Jensen demonstrate the incredible impact that social media influencers can have on brand visibility and consumer engagement. Their dedicated work in their respective niches helps bridge the gap between businesses and audiences, proving that a well-crafted social media presence can be a game-changer.

Topics Discussed on this episode:

  • How has the influencer marketing industry changed in the past five years?
  • The dos and don'ts of contacting influencers.
  • Tik Tok and the ongoing ban battle.
  • Helping brands understand how much time goes into creating content.
  • Obstacles in the future.
]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No 2025 Public Relations Trend Predictions 6 6 6 6 2025 Public Relations Trend Predictions full 45e3185e-54af-4fed-9dc6-c50658d4e054 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4fc940e2 As we head into 2025, the Fletcher team predicts the public relations trends the industry will see in the next year and how brands and PR firms should adjust for the oncoming changes.

Trends include:

  • An emphasis on authenticity in storytelling
  • Media layoffs and cutbacks resulting in hubbed coverage in local markets and more pay-to-play options and opportunities in national outlets
  • Proactive crisis communications planning after "black swan" events over the past several years
  • Niche PR needs specific to specialization in B2B industries
  • A more divisive, polarized and political social media landscape causing fragmentation
  • The continued growth of reliance on micro-influencers
  • Inflation impacts on public relations firms as hard costs continue to rise but clients are resistant to pay higher fees


The Fletcher team dives into these trends, what they mean for brands and industry professionals and how to navigate the changing landscape in 2025.

]]> As we head into 2025, the Fletcher team predicts the public relations trends the industry will see in the next year and how brands and PR firms should adjust for the oncoming changes.

Trends include:

  • An emphasis on authenticity in storytelling
  • Media layoffs and cutbacks resulting in hubbed coverage in local markets and more pay-to-play options and opportunities in national outlets
  • Proactive crisis communications planning after "black swan" events over the past several years
  • Niche PR needs specific to specialization in B2B industries
  • A more divisive, polarized and political social media landscape causing fragmentation
  • The continued growth of reliance on micro-influencers
  • Inflation impacts on public relations firms as hard costs continue to rise but clients are resistant to pay higher fees


The Fletcher team dives into these trends, what they mean for brands and industry professionals and how to navigate the changing landscape in 2025.

]]> Sun, 01 Dec 2024 21:44:02 -0500 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1345 As we head into 2025, the Fletcher team predicts the public relations trends the industry will see in the next year and how brands and PR firms should adjust for the oncoming changes.

Trends include:

  • An emphasis on authenticity in storytelling
  • Media layoffs and cutbacks resulting in hubbed coverage in local markets and more pay-to-play options and opportunities in national outlets
  • Proactive crisis communications planning after "black swan" events over the past several years
  • Niche PR needs specific to specialization in B2B industries
  • A more divisive, polarized and political social media landscape causing fragmentation
  • The continued growth of reliance on micro-influencers
  • Inflation impacts on public relations firms as hard costs continue to rise but clients are resistant to pay higher fees


The Fletcher team dives into these trends, what they mean for brands and industry professionals and how to navigate the changing landscape in 2025.

]]> Public Relations, Marketing, PR, female pr, woman-owned business, female entrepreneur, entrepreneurship No Introducing Fletcher Financial Communications 6 6 7 7 Introducing Fletcher Financial Communications full 2a04c6f3-bd2a-4948-8bbc-6f0d82464b52 https://share.transistor.fm/s/367c083a In this exciting episode of the Ms. InterPReted podcast, Fletcher Marketing Communications pulls back the curtain on a major new venture that's set to shake up the world of Public Relations and Marketing for financial services brands. Allison Lester and Vice President, Sarah Merrell introduce Fletcher Financial Communications and dive into the inspiration behind this passion project, why this sector has long been underserved in PR, and how Fletcher’s expert team is uniquely positioned to bridge that gap. Whether you're a B2B brand or just curious about where PR is headed in 2025, this is a can't-miss conversation full of insight—and one big reveal. 

]]> In this exciting episode of the Ms. InterPReted podcast, Fletcher Marketing Communications pulls back the curtain on a major new venture that's set to shake up the world of Public Relations and Marketing for financial services brands. Allison Lester and Vice President, Sarah Merrell introduce Fletcher Financial Communications and dive into the inspiration behind this passion project, why this sector has long been underserved in PR, and how Fletcher’s expert team is uniquely positioned to bridge that gap. Whether you're a B2B brand or just curious about where PR is headed in 2025, this is a can't-miss conversation full of insight—and one big reveal. 

]]> Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:12:56 -0400 Fletcher Marketing + PR Fletcher Marketing + PR 1982 In this exciting episode of the Ms. InterPReted podcast, Fletcher Marketing Communications pulls back the curtain on a major new venture that's set to shake up the world of Public Relations and Marketing for financial services brands. Allison Lester and Vice President, Sarah Merrell introduce Fletcher Financial Communications and dive into the inspiration behind this passion project, why this sector has long been underserved in PR, and how Fletcher’s expert team is uniquely positioned to bridge that gap. Whether you're a B2B brand or just curious about where PR is headed in 2025, this is a can't-miss conversation full of insight—and one big reveal. 

]]> Public Relations, B2B, Financial Communications No