AKCG Named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies

AKCG – Public Relations Counselors (AKCG) was recently named to Forbes’ inaugural list of America’s Best PR Agencies 2021. The distinction recognizes 200 outstanding public relations firms across the country, based on peer- and client-reviewed criteria.

To develop the list, Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista, which surveyed more than 12,700 public relations experts and 20,500 PR or marketing department employees and decision-makers who nominated more than 5,000 firms. Statista then narrowed the list down to the top 200 agencies and gave those that received at least the median score a four-star rating and those that exceeded the median score a five-star rating.

How to Run Successful Virtual Public Meetings

In the age of coronavirus, virtual meetings are quickly becoming the norm – including for public meetings designed to engage with local communities near active industrial site remediation projects (known as Superfund sites at the federal level).

When the virus first hit hard in March, most agencies simply postponed meetings required by state and federal law. But now that more than six months have passed and with no end in sight, the shows must go on. Here’s how to make them work:

Here’s a Treat: Tricks for Navigating the Spookiest Questions a Reporter May Ask You

Believe it or not, we’ve only recently entered the spookiest time of the year. From COVID-19, to a social justice reckoning, to the presidential election, this fall continues the year’s trend of being riddled with hot-button issues. It should come as no surprise that difficult years can lead to difficult media inquiries, and ultimately, to tricky interviews.

For those of us who may one day find ourselves in front of a journalist’s camera, few things are more frightening than watching a spokesperson stumble through an interview. After all, we’ve all witnessed an interview or two that have made the role of being a spokesperson just about as appealing as [insert your least favorite Halloween candy here].

How to Choose the Best Media Target for Your Pitch

“I want our news to run in The New York Times.”

Raise your hand if your organization’s leaders have ever asked this of you.

Leaders zoned in on the pulse of an organization may view all of the company’s news – from anniversary celebrations and executive changes to new product launches – as appropriate for a big media push targeting top-tier media.

It certainly might be exciting news for your organization. And no matter your experience, industry or product, PR professionals know the right story, pitch and savvy media relations skills can help get placed in prominent media. However, as the organization’s communicator, you must identify the media targets most appropriate for sharing this news, whatever it may be.

Keeping Staff Engaged During the Next Phase of the Pandemic

In responding to the pandemic, senior living providers have had to ramp up communications with so many audiences — state agencies, regulators, hospitals and families, among others. But one audience too often is overlooked, and that audience is, without question, one of our most essential in protecting the company’s goodwill for the long-term. Your front-line and direct-care workers are your organization’s most effective and critical ambassadors. At the same time, they also can be your biggest critics.