The recent controversy involving the U.S. men’s hockey team and President of the United States was not just a viral clip. For many people, it reinforced a familiar frustration: Women fighting for equal respect, equal visibility and equal celebration. The backlash was swift, and it reflected a larger tension that has existed for years. What […]
If there is one thing communicators should be preparing for in 2026, it is this: the fundamentals of visibility are changing. AI is no longer a tool you occasionally tap into. It is becoming an ecosystem that sits between brands and the people trying to understand them. GEO is no longer something to experiment with; […]
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 […]
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, […]
With the 157th anniversary of Juneteenth coming up this Sunday, June 19, it’s important to remember why we celebrate this momentous day. The holiday commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people of Texas, then the most remote region of the Confederacy, finally learned slavery had been abolished and they were free. Honoring Juneteenth means […]
Wait, what? Lake Superior State University recently released its annual “Banished Words List”—the top 10 misused, overused or useless phrases submitted by people across the world, and the No. 1 offender was a phrase consisting of two four-letter words the university’s judges ruled should never go together, under any circumstances: the exceedingly common “Wait, what?” If […]
From corporations modifying their logos to a rainbow design with an empty promise of allyship to Pride parades with people looking for an excuse to party, the true themes behind pride can be overlooked by many. Being a member and/or ally of the LGBTQ+ community in any shape or form doesn’t happen once a year […]
Each day brings a new announcement of a brand or organization repudiating the Capitol riot and the officials who opposed the presidential vote certification. Among the latest: Marriott announced Sunday that it had cut support for the Republican senators, including Republican Sens. Josh Hawley (Mo.) and Ted Cruz (Texas), who opposed the Electoral College count following the deadly mob […]
Over the past month, we have all watched one of the most highly anticipated presidential elections play out before us. It’s been stressful, confusing, messy, and hard, and in many of our cases, it’s probably led to some pretty intense and emotionally charged conversations. As PR professionals, we’re taught to tap into our emotional intelligence […]
After months of ads, rallies and debates, the 2020 presidential election has been called. However, with President Trump’s claims of voter fraud and a slew of lawsuits to boot, a recount in some states is inevitable. It is safe to say that the election chaos is here for the long haul. So, where does this […]
At A.wordsmith, we’re always staying one step ahead of PR trends, current news, what’s happening in our clients’ industries and social media best practices. Yet an often overlooked, but equally important element of our jobs, is honing our expertise on the latest Associated Press Style (AP Style) guidelines. While there are many types of writing […]
By now, we’ve all (mostly) adjusted to a routine where most day-to-day work interactions happen on Zoom, Webex and Microsoft Teams. This change has also bled over into how media interviews are being held – while many reporters or producers traditionally would have interviewed sources over the phone or in person, there’s new expectations that […]