FIR Interviews FIR Interviews

Google searches link to Wikipedia more than any other website. It is the largest and most-read reference work in history. It is consistently ranked as one of the 10 most popular websites in the world, and as of 2024 is the fifth most visited website on the net. Wikipedia is also one of the richest sources of information for AI training models. With all those eyes on Wikipedia, it's no surprise that PR professionals want relevant entries to reflect their priorities and messages. Yet Wikipedia's rules generally prohibit people and representatives of organizations from editing their own entries. Some people try to game the system, frequently with consequences. Others work with companies like Beutler Ink, a reputation agency that specializes in Wikipedia entries based on founder William Beutler's knowledge of how to work with Wikipedia's volunteer editors to achieve the best possible results for his clients.

In this FIR Interview, Shel and Neville talk with Bill about the current state of Wikipedia's relationship with the PR industry, how AI is affecting Wikipedia, and a host of toher topics of interest to communicators.
Continue Reading →

The post FIR Interview: William Beutler on PR and Wikipedia appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

Volumes have been written in the last year about how to apply ChatGPT and other generative AI tools to the practice of public relations and organizational communication. In this midweek episode, we let ChatGPT speak for itself about how it can enhance communicators’ work — and whether communicators are at risk of being replaced by AI.

Shel is solo in this episode, so he interviews ChatGPT to ask about its processes for press releases and other PR writing and editing, its non-media and non-writing capabilities, ethical considerations, crisis communication functionality, and much more. Hear ChatGPT in her own words articulate the best approaches professional communicators can take to optimizing their work with an AI collaborator.
Continue Reading →

The post FIR Interviews: ChatGPT Speaks for Itself About Its PR Capabilities appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

The latest research report out of communication agency Edelman is rich with takeaways. The 2023 Corporate Communications Study follows a 2021 edition that explored the implications of the pandemic on the role of organizational communication. The report revealed that Chief Communication Officers (CCOs) now spend nearly 20 percent of their time counseling CEOs on issues unrelated to communication. That's just one sign that the CCO's stock has risen in organizations, with 91 percent of top communicators involved in crafting strategy before or during the decision-making process. Speaking to Axios, U.S. Corporate Practice Chair Radina Russell said, "These stats are indicative of (CCOs) informing decision making, having a seat at the table, and helping to steer the enterprise."

Neville and Shel spoke with Russell in this FIR Interview about other findings from the report.
Continue Reading →

The post FIR Interview: Radina Russell on Edelman’s “Future of Corporate Communications” Study appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

Robert L. Dilenschneider has learned a lot about power and influence during his storied career. The former president and CEO of global PR firm Hill & Knowlton has led his own agency, The Dilenschneider Group, since 1991. The author of several books, Bob is about to launch his latest work, "The Ultimate Guide to Power and Influence: Everything You Need to Know," which hits bookstores on July 25.

In this FIR Interview, co-host Shel Holtz speaks with Bob about the nature of power and influence and the various ways to acquire and use it. Of particular interest is Bob's perspective on what power and influence are: tools that help you get things done.
Continue Reading →

The post FIR Interview: Bob Dilenschneider on Power and Influence appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

Allan Schoenberg has spent much of his career as a communication leader in the financial services space, including a stint as Sr. VP and Global Head of Communications and Social Media for NASDAQ.  Allan, former co-host of the FIR Podcast Network's "FIR B2B," recently pivoted to become Chief Communication Officer at Vinson & Elkins, a New York-based law firm. In this FIR Interview, Allan discusses the move along with a culture audit he undertook at the firm. He also shares his views on the current state of Twitter (and its potential alternatives), Artificial Intelligence, and more.
Continue Reading →

The post FIR Interview: Allan Schoenberg on His New Job, Twitter, AI, and More appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

Jeremiah Owyang has a habit. Whenever a new digital technology emerges that seems to be poised to disrupt business and society, Jeremiah dives in, talking to everyone he can, attending conferences, meetings, and talks,  and undertaking a deep dive into every research resource available. In his eighth FIR interview, Jeremiah shares his perspectives on Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has been around for some time but has only recently taken the world by storm with the release of ChatGPT.
Continue Reading →

The post FIR Interview: Jeremiah Owyang on the Artificial Intelligence Marketplace appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.