Sarah and Stephen Waddington review some of the big issues in management and public relations over the past 12 months and look forward to 2025.

They discuss:

• The Omnicom-Interpublic merger creates the largest marketing and public relations group. This will create opportunities for independent agencies as the merged entity focuses on cost efficiencies rather than innovation.
  
  
• AI in PR is overhyped. We need to see harder evidence of efficiency and effectiveness gains and better consideration of risk issues. There will be a back-to-basics focus on authentic communication and human relationships in 2025.
  
  
• Despite 2024's challenging economic climate, with many organisations still managing post-pandemic effects, there is greater certainty around areas of risk, and encouraging signs for the public relations sector moving forwards.
  
  
• Notable management and public relations failures in 2024 include the Grenfell Tower and Post Office crises. Reputation was prioritised over victims in both cases.
  
  
• Successful campaigns included the Northumberland National Park's response to the Sycamore Gap tree felling and Led by Donkeys’ activist work to highlight children’s deaths in Gaza.
  
  
• Looking ahead to 2025, key focus areas include employee wellbeing, organisational culture and the ongoing challenge of establishing public relations' value within management structures.

Presented by Sarah Waddington and Stephen Waddington

For more information visit https://www.wadds.co.uk/
With thanks to our production partners at What Goes On Media

In this episode, Stephen Waddington discusses the measurement and performance management of public relations with Johna Burke, CEO, AMEC.

They discuss:

• How data helps practitioners prove their value to senior leaders and gain credibility and influence in management.
  
  
• The importance of reliable, ethically sourced data, ensuring that data is properly vetted to maintain trust and integrity.
  
  
• How to use real-time data to manage the performance and effectiveness of public relations campaigns.
  
  
• How the AMEC framework helps link public relations work to business goals and helps understand outputs, outtakes, and outcomes.
  
  
• Why is comparing media coverage to advertising value equivalent (AVE) outdated and unhelpful?

Presented by Sarah Waddington and Stephen Waddington

For more information visit https://www.wadds.co.uk/
With thanks to our production partners at What Goes On Media

In this episode, hosts Sarah and Stephen Waddington cover key industry topics and share insights from recent events in management, public relations and communications.

They discuss:

• Creative challenges in leadership and how to stay motivated as a director, including using practical tools such as the wheel of life.
• The latest Wadds Inc. research report for NewsWhip which explores the digital transformation of the communication function and the use of technology in corporate communications.
• A recent Co-op and DEMOS event that explored how social mobility drives innovation and business growth in the UK. It’s aligned with the vision of Socially Mobile.
• CommsHero in Leeds featuring sessions on internal communications and sustainability and a powerful talk by Socially Mobile graduate Karl Connor.
• UK government research that sets out the impact of late payments on SMEs and potential solutions.
• A new PRCA report called Pitch Forward which concludes that the pitch process is broken and recommends greater transparency in the client-agency relationship and sales process.

Presented by Sarah Waddington and Stephen Waddington

For more information visit https://www.wadds.co.uk/
With thanks to our production partners at What Goes On Media