FIR Interviews FIR Interviews

Three Whiskey conducted extensive research into online anti-vaccination sentiment, identifying distinct groups, all of whom are critical of vaccination campaigns. Based on this research, the agency posted recommendations for public health institutions to consider when introducing vaccination campaigns. This approach is repeatable in other campaigns in which a group digs in its heels in opposition to the recommended course of action, vocally opposing the initiative. In this FIR Interview, Neville and Shel talk with Ben about the research and its application to marketing planning and execution.
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Anyone working in communications has learned that storytelling is a vital element of influence. (An old Indian proverb proclaims, "Tell me a fact and I will learn, tell me the truth and I will believe, but tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.") There is a wealth of literature and research that supports the value of a narrative approach to reinforcing or changing behaviors and for building support for an initiative or point of view.

Does it always work? In one case, in one study, it did not. In fact, using a narrative strategy in the argument presented in this study actually led some in the audience to move even further away from the desired position than they already were.

In this FIR Interview, Shel Holtz speaks with Dr. Liana Winett and Dr. Jeff Niederdeppe, co-authors of "When 'Tried and True' Advocacy Strategies Backfire." There are clear lessons from this study for public relations and public advocacy professionals.
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The post FIR Interview: When Narrative Strategies Fail appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

Faisal Saeed Al Mutar is the founder and CEO of Ideas Beyond Borders, a non-profit organization based in New York. We recently connected on Twitter and Faisal was telling me about a project to rebuild the library of the University of Mosul in Iraq that had been destroyed by the Islamic State or ISIS during... Continue Reading →

The post FIR Interview: Faisal Saeed Al Mutar and Bringing Books Back to the University of Mosul appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

Eric Schwartzman, an early contributor to the "For Immediate Release" podcast, has written a new book, "The Digital Pivot," and discussed it with Shel and Neville. In the book, Eric explains what successful digital marketers do differently.
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The post FIR Interview: Eric Schwartzman on His New Book, “The Digital Pivot” appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

David Murray's new book, "An Effort to Understand," is a collection of essays drawn from many years of posts to his blog, Writing Boots. Addressing the challenges of communicating with one another in a polarized society, the book is structured first to define communication, then move from the personal to the organizational. Like the society on which the book is focused, not everyone will agree with everything in the book, but Murray offers sage wisdom about how to engage in conversations about these matters.

In this interview, FIR co-host Shel Holtz talks with Murray about the book, including his assertion that it is not communication if you know the outcome and that communication should not be civil.
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The post FIR Interview: “An Effort to Understand” Author David Murray appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.

Andrea Weckerle first appeared in an FIR Interview a decade ago after she had founded CiviliNation, a non-profit that is "taking a stand against online harassment, character assassination, misinformation, and violence." That's a tall order given the state of civil discourse these days. In this FIR Interview, Andrea is joined by CiviliNation's new president, veteran technology journalist Jolie O'Dell. The conversation covers the organization's approach to addressing the issues that underlie outrage culture, doxxing, and other behaviors that undermine the potential of online conversation.
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The post FIR Interview: CiviliNation President Jolie O’Dell and VP/Founder Andrea Weckerle appeared first on FIR Podcast Network.