Covid-19 - Navigating

For the first time in most of our lifetimes, we are watching one common crisis play out across every country in the world. It’s a unique opportunity to study how different cultures and different approaches fare in dealing with a common crisis.This report includes perspectives from IPREX partners in 14 countries – examining how these countries’ leaders communicated with the public and the level of public support. It covers the period from February to July 2020. These real-time case studies on communications best practices, provide a unique comparison of how different countries responded to the pandemic.VIEW REPORT & MORE INFORMATION HERE 

Together Forward

Join our NEW LinkedIn GroupJoin our weekly forums (principals and senior leaders)Join our speciality forums (staff)Sign up for our weekly Covid-19 newsletters

We live in unprecedented times.IPREX partners already work in a time of immense speed and change. Now with the coronavirus pandemic, we are stressed, stretched, and trying to operate within much uncertainty. Many of you are seeing client budgets slashed or completely withdrawn. Not only do you have professional concerns, but it’s likely you’re facing personal ones too.IPREX is here to help. Always.While we don’t have a vaccine for the virus, we do have a network of hundreds of people who can share, learn and help one another.That’s why we’ve built this page, to give you a single place to go to get the latest news from the network on what’s happening around the world and across our industries regarding coronavirus.Quick links• Forums• Get involved in the Pandemic Behavioral Working Group• IPREX Professional Network (Structural)• Resources• Grouped Resources• FAQ• Social media• Noticeboard

 

FORUMS

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CONFIDENTIAL DISCUSSIONS FOR PRINCIPALS AND SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Join your IPREX peers for confidential discussions about views of Covid 19 pandemic and the economic and operational impacts on agencies.These sessions are for agency principals and senior leaders only.IPREX continues to listen to partners and devote ourselves to the things that matter most to you. That's why we're pausing our regional Covid calls for now and focusing our efforts on other forms of engagement for you, like our online AGC, fortnightly/bi-weekly deep-dive sessions, and peer-to-peer senior leader coffee and cocktail hour. We will still be hosting our Global Covid calls every other Monday. Next call 17 August 8.30am PDT | 4.30pm GMT+1.Our regional COVID calls have been suspended. If they're still showing in your calendar, please delete them.Let us know if you need a calendar invite contact us.

SPECIALTY FORUMS – CONFIDENTIAL DISCUSSIONS FOR STAFF

Staff Forum DiscussionsThese forums are a safe place for you to connect with your peers around the world.Topics we will cover: how the pandemic is impacting our agencies; how people are managing their teams; the opportunities this environment has presented (for our agencies, clients and us); and any other challenges people are facing.

Catch up with past Discussions ICYMI: Deep Dive: Diversity,Equity and Inclusion in the workplaceHosted by Dawn Fallon from Makovsky (New York, USA) & and Shireen Khinda from DH (Washington, USA)Watch it here.(Password IPREX2020)ICYMI: Deep Dive: Self-Care in the return to work phaseHosted by Darrah Pilieri, Account Manager at AKCG (New Jersey USA) & Jessica Wade from DH (Spokane, WA)Watch it here.(Password IPREX2020)

ICYMI:How COVID-19 will change your business strategyHosted by Patrick Milan from Tunheim (Minneapolis, USA) & Jessica Wade from DH (Spokane, WA)Watch it here.(Password IPREX2020)

ICYMI:Deep Dive Forum: How Account Teams are Adjusting Client Service Strategies During COVID-19.Tracy Williams from Olmstead Williams (LA, California) & Darrah Pilieri from AKCG (New Jersey USA)Watch it here .(Password IPREX2020)

PEER-TO-PEER SENIOR LEADER SESSIONSWe've heard from you that succession planning is hard. That's why we're starting a program of engagement for your future agency leaders and owners. Encourage your staff to join this session where they can learn from their peers around the world. This is for staff who fall between emerging leaders (that is, someone you would send along to the ELC) and principals (that is, someone you would send along to the AGC).We'll update you when our next session is running

 

GET INVOLVED: PANDEMIC BEHAVIORAL WORKING GROUP (PBWG)

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We’re pleased to announce that IPREX has joined an international Pandemic Behavioural Working Group (PBWG) along with iHeartMedia and other behaviour change experts. The PBWG’s mission is to encourage the use of effective behaviour change communications techniques in the development and implementation of communications about pandemics, and to spur effective actions among target audiences. We’re announcing our partnership via press release next week.Here are specific ways your agency can benefit:

• Get access to in-the-moment perceptions of the market, valid research, message testing (A/B testing) and case studies to help us start planning “recovery” and next phases of pandemic communications.• Invite existing clients to participate in virtual forums to share experiences and guide next steps in April and May.• Connect your clients with behavioural experts who can inform communications best practices.• Can provide data and proprietary data and analytics from any of our suite of tools.• Combine our media buying power (rather than going it alone) to negotiate ad rates and get value-adds from iHeartMedia (US only).• Help us develop an international speakers bureau.• Possibility to co-develop a branded campaign we launch together.

If you’re interested in participating in any of these activities or want to discuss other ideas for how your agency can benefit from the PBWG, contact Christene Jennings, COO at Marketing for Change (Florida, USA).

 

THE VALUE OF IPREX PROFESSIONAL NETWORK (STRUCTURAL)

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Hear from Tunhiem Partner and IPREX Business Development Committee Chair Patrick Milan on how to use Structural (also known as the ACES Talent Platform and IPREX Professional Network) to build your business during a period in time where all partners are facing capacity and pipeline concerns. Specifically, Pat explains how we can share our underutilised staff across the network so everyone wins. How can you help? Pleasekeep your staff detailsup-to-date and send in any staff biographies and contact information. The platform will be relaunched with all of your new information shortly. Watch this space.

 

RESOURCES

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We translated a small research summary made by sostav.ru site devoted to changes in PR industry during COVID.Read it here. [29 July]

Shared by: the Robin team

As organizations re-evaluate their approach to the workplace experience, here are some features based on thought leader feedback about workplace distancing.Take a look. [25 June]

Shared by: PRHub (India)

The Economist - The 90% economy that lockdowns will leave behind.Read it here. [8 June]

Gatesman (Pittsburgh, USA)

Life in Balance: Shannon Baker says, ‘women are carrying an even heavier load’ – published by Biz Journals.Read it here. [8 June]

French/West/Vaughan (Raleigh, USA)

Reach out.Read it here. [8 June]

Yellow Jersey (London, UK)

In Testing Times, Family Is Best – An Unusual CEO Growing A Remarkable Family – published by CEO Review.Read it here. [8 June]

Orca Affairs (Berlin, Germany)

How Crowdsourcing Aided a Push to Preserve the Histories of Nazi Victims – published by New York Times.Read it here. [8 June]

Orca Affairs (Berlin, Germany)

The right solution for a crisis: ORCA produces branded hand sanitizer.Read it here. [8 June]

Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock (Nashville/Chicago, USA)

Returning to the officeBack to the Barn Safety Demonstration.Posters.Back to the Barn Guidelines. [4 June]

LLYC (Barcelona, Spain)

The COVID-19 Effect: Conversation Territories in the New NormalRead it here. [4 June]

Marketing For Change Co (Orlando, USA)

Office Reopening Survey Results and What’s NextRead it here. [28 May]

Oscar Iniesta, LLYC (Barcelona, Spain)

THE ROLE OF CEOS IN THE RECOVERY: Download.CONSUMERS AND BRANDS IN THE COVID-19 CRISIS: Download. [19 May]

Cambre Associates (Brussels, Belgium)

#BrusselsCalling – Reporting under lockdown: "The best source at the moment would be a hacker"Read it here. [19 May]

10 to 1 Public Relations (Scottsdale, USA)

750 news stories in four days, and I wish not one was necessaryRead it here. [19 May]

Gatesman (Pittsburgh, USA)

Hot and fresh out of the oven, Gatesman is proud to serve Ads for Lunch, a weekly YouTube podcast series, which is released every Thursday at noon. The 15-minute podcast covers the most captivating, creative and surprising ads in-market and dissects their importance and relevancy in today’s ever-changing landscape.Podcast is available here.If you want to join an episode of Ads for Lunch, please email B Thompson. [19 May]

Cambre Associates (Brussels, Belgium)

Read News & Insights here. [19 May]

Walsh:PR (Dublin, Ireland)

Return to Work Safely ProtocolRead it here. [12 May]

Shared by: Mower (Boston, USA)

With the US economy in shambles amid coronavirus, advertising industry reinvents itselfRead it here. [12 May]

Shared by: SalterMitchell PR (Tallahassee, USA)

Guidance for Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced OperationRead it here. [12 May]

Shared by: French/West/Vaughn (Raleigh, USA)

Reopening the Coronavirus-Era Office: One-Person Elevators, No CafeteriasRead it here. [12 May]

Shared by: Horacio at Dextera Comunicación (Mexico City, Mexico)

The Risks - Know Them - Avoid ThemRead it here. [12 May]

Shared by: SalterMitchell PR (Tallahassee, USA)

This is a helpful guide with a checklist at the bottom with good planning considerations.Read it here. [12 May]

Pat Milan: Tunhiem (Minneapolis, USA)

Will the office be ready?Read it here. [12 May]

Shared by: French/West/Vaughn (Raleigh, USA)

MY VIEW: Why your business should be concerned over PPP scrutinyRead it here. [12 May]

Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock (Chicago, USA)

Jarrad Inc: Patients are fearful of returning to the hospital or doctor's office. How do providers acknowledge that fear and tell the story of how they're ensuring everyone's safety? Dr. David Pate and David Jarrard discuss.Listen to the full conversation here. [12 May]#hcldr#healthcare#covid19

Wells Haslem Mayhew Strategic Public Affairs (Sydney, Australia)

The thought leadership boom - another child of COVID-19?Read it here. [12 May]

Walsh:PR (Dublin, Ireland)

Think Before You SpeakRead it here. [12 May]

Makovsky + Company (New York, USA)

My Three CentsRead it here. [8 May]

Vehr Communications (Cincinnati, USA)

MY VIEW: Why your business should be concerned over PPP scrutiny.Read it here. [8 May]

DH (Spokane, Washington USA)

Getting back to business during COVID-19.Read it here. [8 May]

Spotlight PR (Stockholm, Sweden)

Thought Leadership is even more important in times of crisis.Read it here. [8 May]

Shared by: Karen Johnson (Seattle, USA)

Madrona Venture Group webinar and toolkit.Watch it here. View toolkit. [5 May]

Shared by: Makovsky + Company (New York, USA)

Directive from the Davis & Gilbert law firm of "Actions to Take" when you bring the workforce from home back to the office.Read it here and here. [5 May]

Marketing For Change (Orlando, Florida, USA)

COVID-19 sick policy from our policy manual.Read it here. [5 May]

Shared by: Marketing For Change (Orlando, Florida, USA)

US Department of Labor: Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements.Read it here. [5 May]

Susan Davis International (Washington DC, USA)

Everybody’s Talking At Me [30 April]Oh My Confucius, the Pangolin Has Hit the Fan [30 April]

Pat Milan – Tunhiem (Minneapolis, USA)

COVID-19 Preparedness Plan template. Read here. [30 April]

Peter Mitchell – Marketing For Change (Florida, USA)

Working from home norms. Read here. [30 April]

Mark O'Toole, Mower (Boston, USA)

Work From Home Survey Questions: Display Questions... [30 April]

1. Do you have an area in your house dedicated for work?2.  How well would you say that you have adjusted to working from home?- Not so well, I find it really frustrating- Pretty well, but there are a few bumps- Great, I'm totally in a groove3.  Are you able to step away from work and take care of yourself and your family?- Yes, I've found a pattern that works- Some days are better than others- No, I could use some help4.  Do you have the tools and technology you need to access resources and effectively do your job?- Yes- No5.  Which technologies are you finding most helpful?6.  Which technologies are you finding most frustrating?7.  Do you have any suggestions for tools, resources or technologies that can help the firm be more efficient?8.  How often are you typically seeing co-workers and/or clients on video calls/conference calls?- Several times a day- At least daily- A few times a week- Less often than a few times a week9.  Compared to working in the office, how connected would you say that you feel to your co-workers?- Must less connected- A little less connected- The same- A little more connected- Must more connected10.  What is your biggest challenge working from home?11.  What is the highlight of your WFH day?12.  In addition to your scheduled weekly 1:1 meetings with your manager, would you like to connect with your manager...- Less often, we're over communicating- No change, it's working well- More often, I'd like more opportunities to connect13. Are you a parent with kids at home?- Yes- No14.  PARENTS:  Would you benefit from any of the following:- Flexible schedule- Shift in workload- PTO- Learning more about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)- No, I am good right now15.  PARENTS: Would you like to discuss these options with your Connected Manager?- Yes- No16.  Do you feel that Signal Theory keeps you well informed about our changing environment and firm happenings?17.  Is there anything you'd like to know more about?18.  As shelter-in-place order begin to lift and we start developing Signal Theory's return to work policy, which option below best describes your current mindset:- I can't wait to be back in the office full time as soon as it is safely possible- A combination of working from home and working in the office sounds like a good way to phase back in- I would prefer to continue working from home full time until a viable medical treatment/vaccine for COVID-19 is widely available19.  As we look ahead to when a viable medical treatment/vaccine for COVID-19 is widely available and schools/daycares are open, which option below would best describe your future mindset?- I would be ready to return to the office full time, knowing that I have an allotment of work from home days- I would be interested in working from home up to 50% of my time- I would want to continue working from home full time20.  Would you like additional resources to help manage stress or anxiety?21.  Would you like to share anything else with the HR team?

DH (Spokane, Washington USA)

How DH is approaching new business in the face of Covid. Read here. [23 April]

Mower (Boston, USA)

What Will Day One Look Like? Read here. [22 April]

MBE Group (Detroit, USA)

11 Essential Checklist Items For Successful External Crisis Communications. Read here. [21 April]

tcgpr (Toronto, Canada) & Fahlgren Mortine (Columbus, USA)

5 tips for effective internal communications in a coronavirus world – As published in Building Excellence. Read here. [17 April]

Shared by AKCG (Glassboro, USA)

PR Council: HR community coronavirus call notes. Read here. [17 April]

Vehr Communications (Cincinnati, USA)

Are there opportunities as we head down the curve? [16 April]

Vehr Communications (Cincinnati, USA)

A return to business as usual post-COVID-19 is unlikely. [16 April]

Shared by: MC2 (Manchester, UK)

McKinsey Report [16 April]

Shared by: MC2 (Manchester, UK)

Plimsoll Analysis  Display Summary... [16 April]

Do you know the 497 leading Marketing Agencies most likely to fail over the next 12 months or the 163 high-growth, aggressive competitors set to dominate the UK market heading into 2020?The latest Plimsoll Analysis will give you this up to date insight and much more in one, easy to read study. You will receive an individual opinion, health assessment, valuation and acquisition rating on each of the UK Marketing Agencies market’s 2380 biggest companies. You will have exclusiveintelligence not available anywhere else, putting you many steps ahead of your key rivals.Here is an overview of the amazing insight the Plimsoll Analysis will give you instantly:

Key rivals:

• 746 of your rivals are losing money
• 163 companies are capturing large chunks of market share
• 497 companies are most likely to fail
• 357 are ripe for takeover with many being the ideal size for you

Key benchmarks:

• Sales growth: 5%
• Average Profit Margin: 3%
• Increase in company value: -2%
• Avg. sales per employee: £144,000

Key trends:

• Sales growth: UP
• Average Profit Margin: UP
• Increase in company value: DOWN
• Ave. sales per employee: UP

French/West/Vaughan (Raleigh, North Carolina, USA)

French/West/Vaughan supports its pro-bono client, Teen Cancer America, with its launch of CovidAYACancer.org, a global initiative and online resource for Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer patients. AYA cancer patients face significant risk as a result of COVID-19. Global Initiative [16 April]

Marketing for Change (Florida, USA)

IPREX Parent Normal Survey [16 April]

Susan Davis International (Washington DC, USA)

How Coronavirus Can Help Crisis Planning – published in PR News. Read here. [15 April]

Gatesman (Pittsburgh, USA)

Lessons for the New Normal: How COVID-19 Will Reshape Reaching the Consumer. Read here. [13 April]

MBE Group (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

Healthy Work From Home Tips. Read it here. [13 April]

Shared by: Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock, Inc. (Nashville, Tennesse USA)

Gould+Partners’ reports on How the Coronavirus Financial Crisis is Impacting the PR Profession- Analysis. [External resource] [7 April]

• Coronavirus Financial Crisis Impact- Report #1- By SIZE
• Coronavirus Financial Crisis Impact- Report #2- By REGION

Tunheim (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA)

A letter/email/content to push to clients to encourage them to think ahead and use IPREX help to plan for the re-start. Read it here. [3 April]

Tunheim (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA)

A step-by-step process an agency can utlise to guide clients in an exercise to figure out how to come back strong. Read it here. [3 April]

Altezza Communications (Moscow, Russia)

Brands & Covid: How to protect your brand. Read it here. [BBH - External Resource] [3 April]

Tunhiem (Minneapolis, USA)

AGENCIES OF THE FUTURE PODCAST: Solving the big problems to form enduring relationships, with Kathy Tunheim, CEO and Principal at Tunheim Partners. Listen here. [2 April]

Olmstead Williams Communications (LA, USA)

The Ultimate Approach to Coronavirus Communications. Read here. [2 April]

Prosper Group (New York, USA)

What agency owners are doing – findings and a guide. Read it here. [2 April]

Prosper Group (New York, USA)

Practical thoughts for managing your firm. Read it here. [2 April]

Altezza Communications (Moscow, Russia)

Covid-19 Briefing Note: Global Health and Crisis Response. Read it here. [McKinsey & Company - External Resource] [25 March]

Susan Davis International (Washington DC, USA) blog

Tom Davis, Vice President, Susan Davis International, offers some suggestions on how we might be able to more effectively communicate against a background of fear and uncertainty. Read it here. [25March]

Gatesman (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA) LinkedIn artcle.

Susan English, SVP, Director of PR and Social at Gatesman helps us with our arguments in the face of clients looking to reduce their marketing activities. Read it here. [19 March]

Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock, Inc. (Nashville, Tennessee USA) Covid resources page

Jarrad Inc. has a dedicated COVID-19 page that is updated daily. It includes the webinar deck to its recent and highly successful (with over 700 participants) webinar. View it here. [25 March]

AM O'Sullvan PR (Cork, Ireland) daily client update – an example for you

AM O’Sullivan has been issuing clients a daily email with all of the latest relevant news on the Covid-19 crisis. Many IPREX partners are issuing similar emails, but if you’re not, it’s something to think about as a value add for your clients right now. Take a look to get some ideas. Read it here. [25 March]

The PR Agency Owner's Coronavirus Survival Kit by Art Stevens and Rich Jachetti [External Resource]

If your business is eroding somewhat because of client defection and reduced budgets, take these steps now for the next four months. Read it here. [19 March]

Listen to Tunheim’s (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) webinar

Crisis communication webinar from 19 March, featuring David Croasdale from Newell PR (Hong Kong) and Allen Montrasio from Imageware (Milan, Italy). Listen here.

Olmstead Williams Communications (LA, USA)

Blunders & Wonders of Coronavirus Business Communications with Tracy Williams. View here. [18 March]

Olmstead Williams Communications (LA, USA)

How To Avoid Coronavirus Communication Blunders. Read here. [18 March]

Wells Haslem Mayhew Strategic Public Affairs (Sydney, Australia)

Outlines the best ways to communicate during a crisis. Read it here. [18 March]

Vehr Communications (Cincinnati, Ohio, USA)

List business resources that you can use to make this time a little easier, including what employers should be asking and the best video conferencing tools. Read it here. [17 March].

Tunheim (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA)

Leader Lou Ann Olson has put together quick tips that may give a jump start to communicators who haven’t yet tackled the covid-19 challenge Read it here. [9 March]

IPREX Global President Andrei Mylroie with Desautel Hege (Spokane, Washington, USA) and David Crossdale with Newell PR (Hong Kong)

Share what it is like in Hong Kong and mainland China. Read it here. [5March]

Fahlgren Mortine (Columbus, Ohio, USA)

Share some communication tips when dealing with public health issues of this magnitude. Read it here. [28 February]

Mower (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)

Provides five communications and operational tips for companies to prepare for the coronavirus in the U.S. Read it here. [27 February]

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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We suggest you join us on our social channels for the most breaking news.• LinkedIn◦ We have set up a private group so there’s an easy place for your staff to connect and chat with their IPREX peers.• Facebook Internal Group◦ A great place for informal chats and for you to promote what you’re up to directly to the network. For example, check our Wes Robinson’s post about Tracy Williams livestreaming event on the coronavirus. [18 March]• Facebook Page• Twitter• Instagram