The Big Story TikTok Takes on Congress TikTok CEO Shou Chew testified before the House Committee for Energy and Commerce this month over concerns of the app’s potential national security threats and connections to China in addition to its potential harmful effect on children. The hearing, which lasted for more than five hours, consisted of combative back-and-forth led by US lawmakers, like Washington Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers who opened the hearing by telling Chew: “Your platform should be banned.” Chew argued for TikTok’s independence from China by stating how the company…
Making Your Ingredients Stand Out in a Sea of Sameness
All it takes is a scroll through TikTok to learn that Gen Z is completely turning the concept of eating on its head. From tips on intuitive eating to the return of the Mediterranean diet, this generation is ditching rigid rules to proclaim that food isn’t just fuel, it’s a personal tool that should evolve with our ever changing needs. CPG companies must consistently innovate and renovate their products to meet this demand and stay ahead of the competition. The stakes are high, with 85% of new consumer packaged goods…
The Deadline: March 21 2023
Shifting Tides in Media: Labor Qualms, Record-Breaking Audiences, and Top Leadership Strategy Pushes Fall Short Key Highlights: Industry News Labor Controversies at the New York Times Intensifies The labor strifes at the New York Times are intensifying, dividing staff members. After two years and over 50 bargaining sessions, the union and management have been unable to agree on wages and healthcare benefits, among other issues. Divisions have also surfaced among staffers over whether the union is playing a constructive role in the newsroom. In February, Times contributors and some staff…
Five Tips to Transform Influencers into Impactful Brand Ambassadors
The digital space – and by extension, the world of influencer marketing – is constantly evolving; yet one thing is certain: the value of influencers has never been stronger, and the appetite for reaching their coveted audiences has never been more competitive. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, in just over half a decade the $1.7 billion industry expanded to a $16.4 billion industry as of 2022. With the space becoming more crowded and brands looking to engage increasingly discerning consumers, a strategic and nuanced approach to influencer marketing must be…
The Power of HBCUs – Tapping into the Professional Pipeline
For RF|Binder’s latest Hour to Empower, we had the opportunity to learn from Dean Julia Wilson of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications at Hampton University, who spoke to us about the history and critical role HBCU’s play in creating opportunities and increasing diversity in the communications field and beyond. RF|Binder hosts Hour to Empower sessions on a quarterly basis, bringing in a diverse mix of speakers and thought leaders to inspire reflection, strike up meaningful conversations with our colleagues, and drive impact for our clients. This event…
Adfactors PR to host PROI Worldwide Global Summit in Delhi
Over 100 PR agency owners from 45 countries will be attending the Summit Chicago/Mumbai: Adfactors PR, the leading public relations firm in India, is set to hostcommunications agency entrepreneurs from around the world at the PROI Worldwide GlobalSummit in New Delhi during March 13-16. PROI Worldwide is the largest global consortiumof independent communications agencies with 85 partners in more than 60 countries. Adfactors PR Co-Founder and Managing Director Madan Bahal said, “It is an absolutehonour and pleasure to host the PROI Worldwide Global Summit. I look forward towelcoming all the…
Recognizing the Progress Made and the Progress to Come This International Women’s Day
The below is a memo from Amy Binder to the RF|Binder team on International Women’s Day Happy International Women’s Day! I couldn’t let today go by without taking a moment to reflect on the history of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month and why it is so important that we remember how far we have come. International Women’s Day (IWD) has been observed since 1911, starting in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, focusing on women’s right to work, vote and hold public office. In 2011, on the 100th anniversary, President…
In marketing ESG investments, mind the (generation) gap
Investment managers and financial advisor firms have long contended with the challenges of marketing to individual investors with significantly different financial profiles and objectives. Clients vary widely in terms of the size of their portfolios, their risk tolerance, their tax situations and whether they’re at an age when they’re building wealth or trying to conserve assets and generate retirement income. Now a Stanford University study has underscored the extent to which ESG investing has added another layer of complication in conversations with individual investors – sharp differences in personal values…
The Deadline: March 6 2023
Media Industry Shake-Up: Layoffs and Leadership Changes Continue to Make Their Mark Key Highlights Industry News Once Promising Online News Magazine Ozy Media That Caught the Eye of Silicon Valley VCs Now Faces Fraud Charges Ozy Media, the once buzzing online news magazine founded in 2013 that caught the eye of several prominent Silicon Valley VCs and saw investments from conglomerates NBC Universal and Time Warner Inc., is now in a heated legal scandal. The company’s CEO Carlos Watson is facing fraud charges on allegations of repeatedly lying to investors…
The Gen Z Brand Experience: A Look at What Gen Z Values in Brands and How Brands Can Win
As Gen Z continues to come of age, brands are spending more time (and money) trying to grab a share of the $360 billion in spending power the group has. Born between 1997 and 2012, the group is the most diverse and educated generation yet. They create their own trends, aesthetics and micro-communities, and have ever-changing interests and constantly evolving identities. This constantly evolving generation is keeping brands on their toes – with many asking the question, “how do I stay relevant?” As an integrated communications firm, we counsel our…