PR Doesn’t Have To Be All Bad News: Making The Most Of A Billion-Dollar Gift To The Albert Einstein College of Medicine

The announcement of a billion-dollar gift from Chair of the Board of Trustees and former faculty member Ruth Gottesman (and her late husband Sandy) to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine means free tuition for hard-working medical students who would otherwise graduate with a mountain of debt.  The video of students and faculty leaping out …

Oklahoma’s 988 Campaign: Promoting The Use Of Mental Health Help By Applying Basic PR Principles

Last year, a national campaign was launched for 988, a helpline that provides a live, local person to talk with, 24/7, over the phone – and if need be, a mobile crisis team to dispatch to your location — during times of personal crisis. Jones Public Relations, partnering with Insight Creative and their client, Oklahoma’s …

Southwest Airlines: A Case Study On How Quickly Reputational Tides Can Turn

Oh, how fast the mighty can fall. In February of 2022, Southwest Airlines was named one of Forbes 2022 America’s Best Employers – their 7th time on this list SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ONCE AGAIN RANKED AMONG FORBES’ BEST EMPLOYERS IN AMERICA | Markets Insider (businessinsider.com). As recently as March 2022, J.D. Powers ranked Southwest Airlines at …

Lessons From An Entrepreneur: Using Basic PR Principles To Grow Your Business

Last week, the Yankee Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) hosted its annual summer social at the LaBelle Winery in Derry, NH LaBelle Winery – Amherst, Derry & Portsmouth NH. As part of the fun, members heard directly from founder Amy LaBelle the story of overcoming obstacles to realize her dreams, and …

Talking About Suicide: A PR Strategy for raising awareness of a difficult subject

The NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention, spearheaded by the Brain Injury Association of NH, was recently launched to raise awareness about the issue of suicide among members of vulnerable populations like people with brain injuries, people with disabilities, Veterans, first responders, police and the elderly.  Their work complements the efforts of other NH organizations focusing …

Beyond COVID-19: Issue Anticipation For 2022

If we can force ourselves to peek beyond COVID and see what issues/crises might be coming in 2022, we may be able to prepare ahead of them.  That was the topic of the panel presented prior to the Yankee Chapter of PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) annual meeting, moderated by Robin Schell, APR, Fellow …

Helping Others To Take Care of Our Veterans: Campaigns Encourage Sharing of Resources and Support While Building Teamwork and CSR

In the month of November, and on Veterans Day in particular, we focus on those who have served, or are currently serving our country, and we thank them for their service.  JJ&W “Ask the Question” Listens Then Shares Resources In its effort to listen and better serve the community, the NH Legislative Commission on PTSD …

How to Change Behavior around the Dangerous Behavior of Drink Spiking

True story.  Just two weeks ago, two 25-year old women walked into a local, popular Boston bar, accompanied by a young man who is a friend. It is 10 p.m. It was their first and only stop of the evening.  After dinner and a few drinks prior at home, they ordered one round of drinks …

Life Is Good: How To Live With Purpose & Enjoy The Ride!

The authors of the Life Is Good book (and founders of the Life Is Good company), Bert and John Jacobs, grew up in my hometown of Needham.  They lived across the street from the Cricket Playground where we spent summers playing kickball, singing silly songs, and playing games in the field house on rainy days.  …

Pearls of Wisdom from PR Road Warriors

Last week I had the pleasure of moderating a panel at the PRSA Northeast District Conference called, “Pearls of Wisdom From PR’s Road Warriors.”  One of the things I value most about my membership in the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is the willingness of our members to share their experiences (as well as …