How to Create a Winning Thought Leadership PR Campaign

By Ann Smith | Jun 3, 2025

Thought leadership works best when it’s more than a buzzword. It’s a strategic PR effort designed to position your brand — and the humans behind it — as voices of authority, clarity, and forward-thinking. But what does a great thought leadership campaign look like from start to finish? Here’s our guide to building a winning […]

Top 5 Hospitality PR Trends in 2025

By Ann Smith | May 24, 2025

The hospitality world is always evolving but in 2025, the shift is more about meaning than novelty. Travelers are craving connection, experience and values alignment. Hospitality brands that understand this are rewriting the rules of PR. Here are five trends we’re seeing in hospitality PR right now: 1. Local Storytelling Wins Forget the broad strokes. […]

May Memories: A Portland-Inspired Month of Motherhood and Milestones

By Ann Smith | May 8, 2025

May has always been a meaningful month in our family. Obviously, Mother’s Day is this month, but for us May is the sweetest because both of my daughters celebrate their birthdays. It’s a month that invites reflection, celebration and a bit of nostalgia as I think about all the moments we’ve shared, many right here in […]

5 Podcasts I’m Loving Right Now (and Why You Might Too)

By Ann Smith | Apr 23, 2025

There’s no shortage of great podcasts out there, but a few gems really rise to the top of my queue. Whether I’m getting ready in the morning, commuting to work or making dinner, these five shows have been keeping me company, sparking fresh ideas, and yes, occasionally making me laugh out loud. Here’s a mix […]

How to Pitch Thought Leadership (So Editors Actually Say Yes)

By Ann Smith | Apr 10, 2025

Thought leadership isn’t just about being smart — it’s about being seen as smart in the right places. Whether you’re trying to land an op-ed, podcast interview, or byline in a top-tier outlet, your pitch needs to do more than explain what you know. It needs to tell a story that connects your expertise to […]

Don’t Forget to Live Your Life

By Ann Smith | Apr 3, 2025

As March rolls into the distance, I’m thinking back about my favorite month of the year that has the distinct honor of including “spring break.” Question: Once our kids are grown and out of the house, do we still get to use this time as excuse to sneak away somewhere sunny? Yes, absolutely and we shall. My […]

The Trump White House and its Press Corps

By Ann Smith | Mar 6, 2025

Last week it was announced that President Trump’s administration plans to change the way the White House press corps is constructed, breaking what is a long-standing process and structure created to ensure freedom of press in this country.  It gave me pause as I thought about all of the incredible moments in our country’s history when […]

The PR Behind the Headlines: January 2025

By Ann Smith | Jan 29, 2025

Well, if we were hoping for a calm start to the new year, we better look ahead to 2026. January 2025 has been full of everything from natural disasters, national and global political shifts and star-studded drama. Behind each of these news-making issues lives a team of communication pros who are working overtime on messages, […]

Ann’s December Checklist 

By Ann Smith | Dec 3, 2024

I’m making my end-of-year list and checking it twice! What am I missing that’s on your December to-dos? 1. Writing client strategy addendums Each year we go through a planning process with our clients. This is our chance to understand their business goals and priorities for the year ahead and adapt our communication strategies accordingly. […]

Making Summer Productive: 5 Tips for Agency Owners

By Ann Smith | Jul 25, 2024

Agency life gets weird in the summer. Things get kind of quiet, schedules become irregular, and the overall pace of work slows.  I hope everyone’s summer is full of travel, friends and sunshine but when you must work, here are five things to consider doing as time allows.  Market yourself. We all backburner our own marketing […]

Steps to Effective Change Communications

By Lisa Hildebrandt | Jun 24, 2024

Change is a constant and ever-accelerating force that compels leaders to redirect visions, capitalize on new ideas, adjust course, or chart new paths forward. Against this landscape, it’s more important than ever to craft change communications strategies that engage audiences, inspire skeptics and stick in the fabric of an organization.  Whether you’re navigating a leadership […]

9 Steps to Strengthen Employee Engagement

By Lisa Hildebrandt | Mar 22, 2024

“Courage, innovation and discipline help drive company performance, especially in tough economic times. Effective internal communications can keep employees engaged in the business and help companies retain key talent, provide consistent value to customers and deliver superior financial performance to shareholders.” – Harvard Business Review I’m a passionate believer that people are the heart of […]