This is the first blog in a series that aims to help you successfully prepare for a media interview. Media interviews can help your organization reach its communication goals in many ways. Here are just a few benefits: Allows your organization to communicate directly to both your stakeholders and a broad audience Helps inform your […]
Communicating with Empathy
“Thoughts and prayers.” This may be one of the most cliche phrases in modern times. In a 2018 article about this phrase, journalist AJ Willingham referred to its use as “semantic satiation,” a phenomenon in which a phrase is used so often that it loses its meaning. The phrase now even has its own hashtag, […]
Importance of Media Relationships
When something newsworthy happens with your business, you might be inclined to share that with the news media in your area. Earning a placement is a great opportunity to spread the word about your business and its recent achievements. However, oftentimes this is no easy feat. When contacting a newspaper or television station, you are […]
Guiding Future Industry Leaders
In March, our team had an opportunity to connect with the PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) Student-Run PR Firm, Ut Prosim PR of Virginia Tech. Each year, Ut Prosim PR takes on new clients, pro-bono, and will create public relations plans, execute strategies and tactics, and provide communications counsel to its clients. The firm gives […]
Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising – Is there a difference?
By: Ellie Forkins When thinking about marketing, advertising and public relations, it can sometimes be challenging to know the difference. But trust me, there is. Despite the various terms used interchangeably throughout these professions, each industry functions in its own way. And although these three industries tend to fall under the same umbrella, they […]
We’re Hiring! Account Executive
Commonwealth Public Relations & Marketing is a full-service public relations, marketing, and social media firm located in historic Shockoe Slip. The firm and its team have won numerous PR and marketing awards since its founding in 2009 and prides itself on providing a wide range of services for clients from strategy development and research, to […]
Media Relations and Building Brand Authority
By: Julia Brewster When you think of media relations, you might think about an interview with your company’s CEO about company news or a story about your brand’s new product. Media relations can also serve as a way to build brand awareness and educate your key publics – not necessarily to “sell” something, but to […]
Boosting Your Creativity
By: Alana Stillitano When many people see the word “creative” an image forms of an art student painting on a canvas in a busy street. Lots of colors are splattered around until a beautiful and unique work of art is revealed. However, creativity and creative thinking involve so much more than just art. Whether your […]
Three Observations From a College Student (and PR Intern) During the Pandemic
By: Alexa Shockley (Intern) I am, proudly, an Emory & Henry College student from Southwest Virginia. Being a college student and experiencing higher education is a unique experience for each person lucky enough to partake in it. Like most activities, the college experience has undergone some major changes in 2020 and 2021. Virtual classes, online […]
PR Myths and Misconceptions
I don’t know about you, but I was over the moon when the cast of Sex and the City confirmed a reboot of the hit television series. Cosmos, anyone? But one noticeable cast member missing from the reboot will be Samantha Jones played by Kim Cattrall. While I envisioned what the show’s storyline will be […]