The PR Week

The industry is buzzing about the role of the chief communications officer, a topic jumpstarted this month by this op-ed in PRWeek by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Torod Neptune, a former top comms exec himself.  Adding her expertise on this week’s episode is Candace Steele Flippin, VP of thought leadership and professional development at Page, who talks about her organization’s new research on the topic.  Plus, the biggest marketing and communications news of the week, including why Converse apologized for a new campaign, layoffs at Edelman, the launch of Trump TV and the latest provocative Sydney Sweeney ad.  PRWeek.comTheme music provided by TRIPLE SCOOP MUSICJaymes - First One Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s definitely something on the minds of in-house communications execs: How is the chief communications officer position changing? Does it matter if it reports to the CEO? Is it shrinking in importance? The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Torod Neptune raised those questions in an op-ed last week, and Jon Harris discusses them further on this week’s edition of The PR Week. Plus, Harris talks about his expectations for entries for the PRWeek Awards 2027 and discusses the biggest PR and communications news of the week, including Frank Shaw stepping down at Microsoft and concerns about safety — human safety, to be specific — related to AI.   PRWeek.comTheme music provided by TRIPLE SCOOP MUSICJaymes - First One Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s a very special episode as Steve Barrett makes his return to The PR Week. The guest on the September 10, 2026, edition of The PR Week is Kenny Gold, who was appointed this year as Edelman’s first chief creator officer. He talks about the changing creator economy and creators as media outlets and news sources in their own right, as well as how his agency advises brands that are working with them. Plus, the biggest marketing, PR and communications news of the week, including how Publicis Groupe ended up handling media for both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, the start of the 2026 NFL season and the legacy of Gloria Steinem.   PRWeek.comTheme music provided by TRIPLE SCOOP MUSICJaymes - First One Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 Kelly McGinnis has worked across technology and consumer PR, most recently as chief communications officer at Levi Strauss & Co. Now, she’s teaching students about having a seat at the table in a graduate course at the University of San Francisco.  On the agenda for this week’s episode:  Why she’s inviting current and former top communications executives to interact with students on the topic of problem-solving.  What most people don’t realize about the San Francisco PR market.  The work that inspires her.  Her away-from-work life as an amateur equestrian.  PRWeek reporter Jeremy Sodergren discusses the top PR and communications news of the week, including: His upcoming feature about Microsoft chief communications officer Frank Shaw.  New comms executive appointments at Stellantis and Airbnb.  Chipotle’s influencer push.  Campaigns and brands at the US Open.  PRWeek.comTheme music provided by TRIPLE SCOOP MUSICJaymes - First One Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The latest guest on The PR Week is Charlotte West, VP of global corporate communications at Lenovo.  She talks about how Lenovo’s role as official technology partner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was much more than a sponsorship, improving operations and even the broadcast of the tournament. West also talks about how her team is using AI, balancing one global message with regional specifics and making earnings calls more interesting.  Plus, the biggest marketing and communications news of the week, including crises at Callaway Golf and Neutrogena, people moves at Walmart and Wendy’s, the start of the US Open and the death of entertainment legend and philanthropist Dolly Parton. PRWeek.comTheme music provided by TRIPLE SCOOP MUSICJaymes - First One Follow us: @PRWeekUSReceive the latest industry news, insights, and special reports. Start Your Free 1-Month Trial Subscription To PRWeek Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.