PR Future, the USC Center for Public Relations Podcast

By: USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations Fred Cook University of Southern California
  • Summary

  • The PR Future podcast from the USC Center for Public Relations (CPR) shares the latest trends and provides insight into the future of public relations and strategic communication. Produced at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and hosted by CPR Director and Golin Chairman Emeritus Fred Cook, #PRFuture features discussions with communication executives, academics, students and more as part of our mission to define the future of our industry and to develop those who will shape it. Our fall 2024 and spring 2025 seasons will include interviews with our Board of Advisers members and their agency teams discussing recent research, reflecting on the ethical use of AI, and examining upcoming themes in our 2025 Global Communication Report.
    2020-2024 University of Southern California
    Show more Show less
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
Episodes
  • AI In Your Workplace, with WE Communication’s Lindsey Bastani and Michael Sullivan
    Nov 26 2024
    Episode Guests:Lindsey Bastani, EVP, Technology, WE CommunicationsMichael Sullivan, VP, Strategic Insights, WE CommunicationsDescription:This episode is grounded in a year-on-year study showing communicators are now more familiar with AI's capabilities and key use cases, including content creation, data analysis, and media landscape research. The conversation also highlights the importance of senior leadership in fostering a culture of AI adoption, learning, and experimentation, as this leads to increased job satisfaction and value perception. Despite initial concerns, communicators are now more confident and see AI as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, their roles. The discussion also touches on the need for training and the potential for AI to streamline tasks and improve efficiency.Highlights:Discussion on the changing perceptions of AI within the PR industry over the past year [1:21] Strategies for creating a culture that encourages AI adoption, including leadership support and employee autonomy [5:32]How PR professionals are using AI to create content, analyse data, and research the media landscape [8:51]Importance of developing AI skills and expertise, especially for new / young professionals [13:07]Decreased concern and untapped use cases, particularly enhancing media relations [15:58]Future predictions, including the rise of more specialized AI tools tailored to communicators' needs [24:04]Advice for students and professionals on incorporating AI into their work [28:39]Resources:Energized by AI: How Technology is Changing Communicators’ Relationship to Work - we-worldwide.com/energized-by-aiUSC Center for PR research reports - https://annenberg.usc.edu/research/center-public-relations/center-public-relations-research Host:Fred Cook (@fredcook), Chairman Emeritus of Golin. Author of “Improvise - Unorthodox Career Advice from an Unlikely CEO” and Director of the USC Center for Public RelationsExecutive Producer: Ron AntonetteProducers: Marshall Winfield and Isadora Binder-Helenchilde Follow us: @USCCenterforPR (BlueSky, X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Threads) Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/usccenterforprNewsletter: News from the USC Center for Public RelationsVisit our website: https://annenberg.usc.edu/research/center-public-relations A production of the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations at the University of Southern California.
    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • Strengthening workplace culture through communication, with David Michaelson, PhD
    Nov 4 2024

    USC Research Fellow and Burson, Ogilvy, and Teneo alum David Michaelson, PhD, joins Fred Cook to discuss USC’s latest research on internal communications and the future of work. They note challenges in maintaining corporate culture following shifts to hybrid and remote working and emphasize how internal communications can be used to build employee engagement and preserve company identity.

    Reports: Staffbase: https://staffbase.com/en/pressreleases/communication-breakdown-61-of-employees-unlikely-to-stay-in-their-job-cite-poor-communication-among-top-reasons/

    Research by USC Annenberg & Staffbase Highlights the Critical Role of Internal Communication in Retention and Engagement Communicating Culture During A Hybrid Revolution: https://annenberg.usc.edu/sites/default/files/2024/07/24/USC-IABC_FOW__Report_Jul244.pdf

    Featuring: Dr. David Michaelson, USC Research Fellow and Principal of David Michaelson & Company

    Host: Fred Cook (@fredcook), Chairman Emeritus of Golin. Author of “Improvise - Unorthodox Career Advice from an Unlikely CEO” and Director of the USC Center for Public Relations

    Executive Producer: Ron Antonette

    Producers: Isadora Binder-Helenchilde and Marshall Winfield

    Follow us: @USCCenterforPR (X, Facebook and Instagram) Newsletter: News from the USC Center for Public Relations Visit our website: https://annenberg.usc.edu/research/center-public-relations A production of the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations at the University of Southern California.

    A production of the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations at the University of Southern California.

    Show more Show less
    36 mins
  • A Deep Dive into Gen Z's Scrolls with Day One Agency's Josh Rosenberg
    Mar 21 2024

    In this episode, Josh Rosenberg, CEO of Day One Agency, joins Fred Cook to discuss the results of a real-time ethnographic study about Gen Z media habits that Day One and the USC Annenberg collaborated to conduct. The discussion uncovers the nontraditional news sources and the 'always on' media engagement that characterize Gen Z's unique media landscape. Josh shares his insights on how brands can tap into these behaviors to make a meaningful impact on a generation that is reshaping the rules of engagement.

    Fred and Josh discuss how the concept of "prime time" has evolved into a continuous phenomenon for this generation, with many waking up and immediately reaching for their phones. And they reflect on the rise of the "recommendation generation," where influencers and peers hold significant sway over brand perceptions. From the importance of trend-responsive content to the creation of 'writer's rooms' for monitoring platform trends, Josh emphasizes the need for agility in content creation.

    For the complete study and more on media and how to reach Gen Z, visit the Day One Agency website at https://d1a.com/perspective. This study is published at https://d1a.com/perspective/day-one-agency-usc-annenberg-gen-z-study Still have questions? Ask GenZ directly at askgenz.com.

    Disclaimer: This conversation was recorded prior to the introduction of H.R. 7521, a bill that could effectively ban TikTok in the United States. As such, this podcast episode only provides insight into how organizations and Gen Z thought about TikTok without the implications of a ban.

    Featuring:

    Josh Rosenberg, Co-founder & CEO, Day One Agency

    Host:

    Fred Cook (@fredcook), Chairman Emeritus of Golin, a global PR firm. Author of “Improvise - Unorthodox Career Advice from an Unlikely CEO” and Director of the USC Center for Public Relations

    Follow us: @USCCenterforPR (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram)

    Newsletter: News from the USC Center for Public Relations

    Visit our website: https://annenberg.usc.edu/research/center-public-relations

    A production of the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations at the University of Southern California.

    Show more Show less
    27 mins

What listeners say about PR Future, the USC Center for Public Relations Podcast

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.