June 26, 2024
Philanthropy Fills Gaps in Media Funding
As media organizations restructure and news models shift, philanthropy is filling gaps in coverage. The Associated Press is establishing an independent nonprofit group to raise at least $100 million to expand state and local news coverage. In recent years, the shuttering of local outlets has led to more involvement by foundations to fund journalism.
Philanthropic efforts are aiming to combat news deserts specifically, with over 25 funders injecting more than $500 million into local news across underserved areas. More philanthropic dollars mean greater calls for transparency. Organizations can cultivate trust among boards, staff, and funders with intentional communications and clear leadership transitions.
PR Pros Can Level Up to Expand Value
Communications are changing at a rapid pace, upending traditional PR and media practices. PR pros can stay ahead of the curve by adopting new practices that add value for clients and employers. Consultants should consider optimizing technology for speed, identifying personal productivity triggers, consistently document tasks and ideas, and tackle challenging tasks first.
Earned media also remains essential. PR pros should tailor their pitches, maintain strong relationships, provide timely and relevant information, and ensure they have high-quality visuals readily available. Muck Rack’s State of Journalism 2024 report sheds light on how journalists are grappling with a changing landscape, from AI adoption to an influx of weekly pitches.
Gen Z Prefer Personalized Communications
New insights on how Gen Z communicates are impacting outreach and PR tactics. Recent research show younger audiences are particularly open to personalized communications, with one-third preferring email for updates and 91% favoring personalized outreach. Media consumption also continues to be disrupted by Gen Z. A study by a Google subsidiary found a heavy reliance on influencers rather than traditional news outlets.
Academic research is helping shape understanding of consumer habits. PR master’s students at USC Annenberg collaborated with industry experts to research and understand Gen Z consumer behaviors. The study revealed Gen Z’s preferences for inclusivity, satirical marketing, and the role of social currency in decision-making.
Sequence Summaries: Philanthropy Funds, PR Prowess, and Audience Insight
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