Russell Working
PR Daily
Chicago, IL, United States
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Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
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Past articles by Russell:
7 ways to get out a Labor Day message
Wait! Before you get in a car and drive somewhere—as everyone else in North America seems to be doing this weekend—there’s still time for a Labor Day tweet, post or email from the CEO. Hang on—summer’s ending already? While many of us have been distracted making barbecue plans or scrambling to get the kids off […] → Read More
Amid unrest, CEOs and brands denounce racism in Floyd killing
Organizations offer anguished responses to the killing of a black man in Minneapolis while remaining silent on the vandalism and looting of their stores. Editor’s note: This article is a re-run as part of our countdown of top stories from the past year. How should an organization respond when a civil rights outrage—the death of […] → Read More
5 crisis comms tips from the FBI
Be first with information, says former FBI spokesman Jeff Lanza. Know the three things the public wants in a crisis. And never compare the boss’s wife to an Incan mummy. Editor’s note: This piece is part of Ragan’s Crisis Communications Guidebook, 2020 Edition. Get your copy of the full book here. When Jeff Lanza—now a […] → Read More
Offer strategy to leaders, not measurement datapoints
Looking to prove your social media team’s return on investment? Become a strategic adviser to your senior leaders, not a numbers nerd. Dissatisfied with your ability to measure effectiveness and return on investment? You’re not alone. Forty-four percent of respondents are dissatisfied with their ability to measure communications’ effectiveness, Ragan’s State of Communications 2020 survey […] → Read More
Social media is the top channel in external communications, Ragan survey reveals
Seventy-eight percent of survey respondents tout social media as the most important external channel, while press releases win the loyalty of 54%. Here’s a look at how you should be using social media in these uncertain times. What is your organization trying to accomplish on social media in a time of COVID-19, civic unrest and […] → Read More
4 ways to prepare for a crisis—and respond where it counts
Controlling the narrative often isn’t possible in the free-for-all of social media. From educating leaders to responding in the right medium, a Florida International University expert offers tips. “Control the narrative” is advice often heard in PR circles when the conversation turns to crisis communication. It’s also a trope that sets unrealistic expectations for PR … → Read More
7 ways to take a stand, engage talent and communicate internally
Organizations are enhancing their respective brands as they seek to reach a new generation of employees who embrace social purpose. Here’s how to do that authentically. You’re ready to take a stand as an organization—to embrace an issue, push for a social good or up your game in attracting potential employees. Experts agree that before … → Read More
Purpose, diversity and inclusion: Why take a stand?
The idea that companies should focus solely on products and profits is losing ground. Employees—and external audiences—are increasingly demanding a deeper ethic. It’s a trend you see everywhere: organizations taking stands on issues that go beyond shareholder value. Companies are redefining their organizational purpose to include stances on societal issues and the challenge of diversity … → Read More
6 ways Domino’s reaches far-flung franchisees
It’s hard enough communicating with a dispersed workforce. That’s compounded when most employees work for a franchise, not the parent company. Editor’s note: This story is taken from Ragan Communications’ distance-learning portal Ragan Training. The site contains hundreds of hours of case studies, video presentations and interactive courses. Finding it difficult to communicate with your … → Read More
6 changes to get employees to open email
Who the message is from and what it’s about is key to getting employees to open broadcast email. Keep it brief, and let them know ‘What’s in it for me?’ → Read More
Strunk and White: Parentheses and misused phrases
Wrapping up our series on the influential writing gurus’ centennial, we delve into punctuation and the perplexing persistence of purple prose. As we conclude our centennial appreciation of William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White, let’s ponder parentheses and muse about misuses and misspellings. One would be hard-pressed to find another 100-year-old writing manual that retains the influence … → Read More
6 lessons from a never-delivered Apollo 11 disaster statement
In 1969, a speechwriter had a statement ready for President Nixon in case the astronauts died on the moon. How prepared are you for a fatal crisis? The White House prepared for the worst as Apollo 11 lunar landing vehicle approached the moon July 17, 1969. Speechwriter William Safire—later a New York Times columnist—wrote a … → Read More
How metrics sharpen email comms at 3 organizations
Whether it’s a hospital closure or an all-faculty announcement, your message must reach its intended audience. Find out how email metrics help. Wherever you work—hospital, university, pharmaceutical giant or a startup manufacturing bathmats on Mars—email is likely your go-to means of communication. So how do you better use it to get essential messages to employees, … → Read More
Helpful writing habits from Strunk and White
Avoid loose sentences. Keep related words together. And don’t write your copy with beer. “These are tools, not rules,” writing coach Roy Peter Clark once said in a lecture to journalists about writing. That’s a helpful approach to take when one is tempted to chafe against William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White’s “The Elements of Style.” One … → Read More
6 ways Fitbit uses fun to spark innovation
From laptop stickers to an on-campus campout, the device-maker is finding ways to inspire a sense of community. Editor’s note: This story is taken from Ragan Communications’ distance-learning portal Ragan Training. The site contains hundreds of hours of case studies, video presentations and interactive courses. The world is full of advice for internal communicators, but here’s … → Read More
Why we should begin sentences with ‘and’ or ‘but’
The fights over grammar and usage are bitter here at Ragan. But we all know when to call it a day. We at Ragan Communications are nothing if not passionate wordsmiths, so our leaders tend to forgive us for the brawls that occasionally break out over style and grammar. Just the other day, staffers set … → Read More
To observe D-Day anniversary, brand managers lean toward reverence
Commemorating the Normandy invasion, pivotal in altering the course of World War II, organizations and politicians alike turned to stories, photos and sober salutes to its heroes. D-Day’s 75th anniversary has presented a challenge to PR pros, marketers and others in the business of managing organizations’ reputations. How would they commemorate a world-shaking historical event, … → Read More
5 ways Bayer avoids internal email headaches
Simplification and targeting keep U.S. corporate communications relevant at the life sciences company. Popups also do their part. In a large organization → Read More
How Target hit the bull’s-eye in employee engagement
After layoffs and a customer data breach, the retailer worked hard to rebuild trust within and without. That included a successful focus on employee communication. Editor’s note: This story is taken from Ragan Communications’ distance-learning portal Ragan Training. The site contains hundreds of hours of case studies, video presentations and interactive courses. In 2011, things were … → Read More
Uber leads—and Oracle lags—in survey of CEO comms skills
In a poll of 10,000 employees conducted by Ragan and Blind, the transportation company rebounded after controversies. Not every firm, nor their top leaders, fared so well. After years of controversy surrounding Uber’s leadership, its employees appear confident in the communication skills of its new chief executive officer. Technology giants Oracle, Intel and Google, however, … → Read More