Insights

On Sunday I watched the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards along with some 17 million people. Instead of tuning in through cable, I found a nifty live stream at VIP Box, thanks to a Twitter search. Yes, I cut the cord and I'm no longer a cable subscriber, but that's another post in waiting. The evening's lowlights included Gervais' softballs to the crowd, Madonna speaking without the added benefit of a track and Helen Mirren's topsy turvy tribute to Morgan Freeman.The evening's BIG winner, in my mind: the Internet. Sorry, Meryl but I too have an iron-clad story to support this distinction.

The idea for Digital Sizzle was born one Saturday afternoon on the rooftop of The Queen of Hoxton pub in Shoreditch. A start-up project manager with experience in both the Cambridge and London tech scenes, a web designer and a digital PR guy that sat down and wondered if there was a way to make a real contribution to this community? How could we create a space to share stories, work, lessons and laughs? We decided on something as simple as the common BBQ.

One of the essential tasks at Cohn & Wolfe is to come up with new and innovative campaigns for our clients. Whether that entails thinking of the product from a different viewpoint or pitching novel ideas for media usage, Cohn & Wolfe aims to make a big impact with each and every campaign we’re involved in.

In this article from PR Week, one of our recent campaigns for client Hill’s Science Diet was highlighted for its fresh take on marketing dog food. By incorporating digital components and a celebrity endorsement, the Hill’s Science Diet campaign is bringing awareness to pet nutrition and the client alike.

The post-recession era has been characterized by intense scrutiny of corporations by government, NGOs and the media. The world is on high alert for any suspected misdemeanor, be it greed (the banks), environmental damage (BP) or dubious practices (News International). In this digital age, every customer has a public voice with which to alert others to corporate misbehavior. But has the response of corporate PR professionals to this increased pressure been effective?

A few weeks ago, as part of Cohn & Wolfe's "Dinner & Dialogue" series, I was fortunate enough to hostdinner for 20 senior communicatiors from some of the world's largest financial service companies. The goal was not to dwell on the Great Recession oand the global financial crisis, but to discuss new opportunities in the new financial landscape.

From the "I Love Boobies" campaign brought to you by Keep a Breast Foundation to the often graphic illustrations of rotting organs in antismoking ads, cause marketing has gone rogue in the battle for consumer attention. But is the shock approach truly effective in the nonprofit world?

The influence of NGOs in Western Europe is probably at its highest level right now. Their emotive and compelling campaigns, combined with a skilful mastery of communications channels, means attacks on corporations are frequent, sophisticated occurances and the pressure to act according to NGO wishes and demands can be immense.

In 2010, the US Census Bureau reported that more than 30% of Americans belong to ethnic minority groups. As the face of America changes, more companies are looking for ways to recruit, retain and develop diverse talent. 

The Green Brands study explores consumer attitudes and perceptions towards green issues. This year's is the largest yet surveying nearly 9,000 people in eight countries and ranking nearly 350 brands.

In this PRWeek Master Class from May 2010, Chad Latz, Global Digital Media Practice Leader, explains how brands can leverage the growing popularity of location-based social media platforms.

In a PRWeek Op-Ed, Cohn & Wolfe Digital encourages companies to establish a cross-functional digital council to centralize the ongoing management and deployment of its strategy, policies, standards and ongoing digital training.

The role of digital and social media in healthcare marketing and communications is rapidly evolving. In this white paper, Rachelle Spero provides a framework for managing the transformation.

In recessionary times, purveyors of food need to deeply understand their consumer’s revised set of values and how they want to be communicated to instruct efficient, effective brand communications.

The blunt truth is that politicians will only start taking Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) seriously if they believe there is widespread support for it. And at present, the opposite is true.

How did Eon, a UK utility, get to be in the top ten greenest brands? The lesson from Eon’s brand campaign is that simplicity pays dividends.