Category: Digital & Creative

What do the American president, the French president and a Chinese ambassador all have in common? At first glance, not much, but all three were recently targets of a French-speaking Twitter group recognizable by their profile pics of a bald Lionel Messi: they call themselves “Pessi.”..

Although the hope is that these tools would help bridge the divide between class, race, gender, socio-economic status and more, when data from the real world is tainted with bias and misinformation, AI will inevitably fail us. How do we consciously and ethically use AI to reduce the inequities in society? ..

Disinformation isn’t new, but in today’s digital world, it's as omnipresent as it is nebulous. How can we combat such a pervasive threat without finding ourselves playing an endless game of whack-a-mole? What role do individuals, platforms, and companies play in turning the tide against bad actors and towards a renewed emphasis on fact-based reporting and messages grounded in truth?..

With the publication of the Digital Services Act (DSA) draft legislation on 15 December, the European Commission is now overhauling its framework for digital services, adopted in 2000 with the e-Commerce Directive...

The Chinese Communist Party leadership recently came together at the Fifth Plenum to review and formulate the country’s next Five-Year Plan (FYP). This context provides insight into the role “dual circulation” will play in future reforms...

Even with Germany’s EU Council Presidency coming to an end, it is expected that digital transformation in the financial sector will still be a widely discussed topic in 2021, in particular, as it intertwines with other legislative plans at the European level...

The core digital principles of knowing your audience, listening, having a clear message, building trust with your audiences in credible ways, and being authentic and transparent still matter...

APCO's digital team in Europe used a qualitative approach, that focused on the cultural contexts surrounding online conversations, to gained interesting insights into how various audiences interacted online to create a unique fan experience that was more virtual and unlike any other Champions League final ever before...

A rising social consciousness fueled by the rapid evolution of digital communications has compelled companies to make social impact a core tenet of strategic program development. Corporate social responsibility has evolved from sidecar activities to bolster reputation to strategic investments in concrete action connected to larger purpose and impact strategies for the business, more and more often with C-Suite buy-in...

Like America’s major political parties, companies all over the world are grappling with how to re-engineer a live event, especially one that has strategic importance to their business. There are some useful lessons emerging from the Democratic and Republican National Conventions about what’s working, and what’s not, in virtual event programming...

During these unprecedented times, it is essential that the public and private sectors work together in building the post-COVID-19 reality. Italy will value such exchange now more than ever...

Here some critical principles for organizations to keep top of mind as they plan and execute new campaigns and optimize existing ones...

Achieving technological sovereignty is one of the EU’s key priorities, not just in terms of its digital agenda, but also its strategic autonomy and place in the world. While digital hasn’t always been Europe’s strength, if German leadership can foster solidarity it may help Europe achieve its goal...

While person-to-person interaction is at an all-time low as we struggle to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases, grassroots advocacy and social media engagement is at an all-time high. Phone2Action’s Stephanie Stouffer, an APCO alumna, joins our hosts on the latest episode of Essential Bytes to discuss the unique opportunities presented by the unified collectives emerging online in the wake of COVID-19 and renewed calls for social justice...

Media relations and social media communications are more important than ever during this time of fast-paced news cycles and endless Twitter debates, driven by the global COVID-19 pandemic...

Research demonstrates that it is critical for brands to use their advertising to amplify their COVID-19 efforts and solidify their role in the community. As you develop advertising messaging here are three things to focus on as you build the right message...

Welcome to Essential Bytes, where APCO’s team of digital strategists discuss their perspectives on the latest digital news, reveal challenges they’re facing and highlight the opportunities that lie ahead for brands online...

COVID-19 has had a profound impact around the world. The use of digital technology to facilitate effective communication has intensified and cutting-edge tech is booming...

Regulating big tech is complex. But establishing harmonized and consistent tech regulation across Europe is even harder and the recent developments around online hate speech prove that. While the French constitutional court rejected, on June 18, a new law combating hate speech online, Germany is determined to double down on the issue by strengthening its existing legislation. These diverging national developments deepen the conundrum European lawmakers are facing in the digital realm, making it harder for the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, to design its new key digital legislation on platform liability: the Digital Services Act (DSA)...

As more of the world works remotely, video allows us to remain seen and heard. But when the situation calls for recording video with a mobile phone, how can you ensure you look and sound your best?..

One of the most jarring consequences of a pandemic in our interconnected world has been the restriction of individual movement. The freedom to travel, locally or abroad, has been limited. Beyond canceled vacations, the travel, tourism and hospitality industries have been crippled and only recently, experts began imagining the future of travel in a post-COVID-19 world...

The world has changed and while you need to be aware and evolve, you can’t go quiet until you need your advocates again. A campaign that is nimble in managing against the evolving landscape and demonstrates an understanding of who its advocates are and what information they need to be able to take meaningful action is always going to be impactful. ..

COVID-19 has forced the 2020 campaigns—much less our connections with friends and family—into virtual mode for the foreseeable future...

While in-person events may be the preferred method for many gatherings, virtual events can—with proper planning—be an effective way to educate, engage and inspire your audience...

Intelligence from APCO Worldwide’s proprietary COVID-19 Response Index (CRI) show that brands such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Pepsi are underperforming in consumer online conversations despite having pushed out messages of reassurance, hope, and health...

As industry professionals, we have a responsibility to seek the truth and only share information from credible sources. As people and a community, we must always strive for an univocal relationship with the truth in everything we share...

As we look ahead to 2020, at least in an ideal world, every designer should be aware of the implications and effects of the tools we use, and the products, services, campaigns and brands we research, plan and enable across societies...

There have been countless 2020 trends posts written as we enter the new decade. APCO's European digital team takes a closer look at which of the many-predicted trends will matter most to our industry in 2020 and beyond...

For people working in public relations and political communications, the notion of alternative facts presents many challenges. As an industry, we need to become more discerning about fact-checking to recognise exploitation for what it is, and more importantly to have an unambiguous relationship with the truth, whatever the channel or form of communication...

In the coming year, we will see brands investing more in analytics and finding new ways to leverage data sets to create customized, transparent and credible experiences that continue to inform and achieve quality (over quantity) results...

While watching Evil Dead 2 recently for the 20th time, I suddenly realized horror tropes are metaphors for what it’s like to be a career creative sometimes. Here's how:..

We’re operating in a divisive digital environment where people are actively advocating for issues, only engaging with brands that align with their values and being openly vocal about brands they think are doing it wrong. The pressure is on for companies to continually push towards and build authentic connections with their key audiences...

APCO's Flor Marenco-Adelberg shares key lessons and takeaways from the Design Matters 19 conference in Copenhagen...

For organizations looking to use digital targeting to support their public affairs efforts, it’s important to understand what is and isn’t possible when it comes to individual or small group targeting using paid social, as well as best practices for reaching the right individuals and achieving the best result possible...

In today's world, how can organizations engage with important events that they weren't invited to? APCO's Dan Smith shares a few digital tips and tricks to make your presence felt at events, even if you don't have any boots on the ground...

For a long time, communicators have said that we need to reach, target and engage our consumers with great creative. Instead, we need to be expanding how we talk about creative to reach the consumers of the future...

Communicators are often asked to help corporate executives strengthen their thought leadership efforts through the use of social channels. Our Dominique Scott shares tips and tricks for how to build an impactful senior executive thought leadership program on social media via PR News...

Twitter is stepping back from political ads; what does that mean for issue and advocacy campaigns?..

Understanding who and what influence decision makers online allows communicators to make more informed decisions about indirect influence strategies..

UNGA Week is one of the most inclusive and anticipated events on our global calendar, encompassing the most prolific voices and organizations that are working to shape a more prosperous future for all. Here are some tips and tricks on how people and brands can make their voice heard during one of the most crowded weeks in the digital space...

The expertise and frameworks to ensure that the mathematical foundation of AI and machine learning algorithms are ethical and fair has not kept up...

When I was a child, I knew when I grew up, I wanted to be a horse. Yes. A horse...

The rise of the internet has brought many advantages to society and connected people around the world. But the Digital World can be a harrowing place, and it can be particularly treacherous for women...

Settlers of Catan is an apt metaphor for the geopolitical developments that accompany China’s rise to the world stage...

There are reasons to be optimistic and excited about the promise of machine learning in medicine, but the path and speed towards wider implementation is hard to predict...

To better understand the future of health care, members of APCO’s global team took a closer look at the industry and shared analysis on the issues that will define the sector moving forward...

Health is always undergoing change – what is new today, will certainly be old by tomorrow. Actors in the industry need to understand how patient preferences are evolving and driving innovation...

EU policymakers are keen on driving the Digital Agenda: digital technologies are regarded as a key enabler to advance societies and the overall European economy. This includes the health care sector and health services as a whole...

This year’s final round of the presidential election on May 7th will force voters to choose between two non-traditional political parties. Cody LeBlanc takes a look at the conversations surrounding it...

If President-elect Donald J. Trump calls – or tweets – are you ready? ..

Given the fraught political and social times we’re living in today, brands are stepping up to take a stand on issues seemingly more than ever. This is primarily due to consumers becoming more informed, louder and organized to put pressure on brands – all through the ubiquity of engagement on social media platforms...

APCO Partners with Crowdskout and the Grassroots Professional Network on New e-Book, “The Intersection of Innovation and Advocacy” ..

The future of digital in Seattle is rooted in the optimization of SEO, the implementation of niche influencer programs and the individualization of content...

A new survey from APCO Insight reveals some interesting trends on the U.S. public’s perceptions of the power of social media...

A strong resistance has given birth to a newfound explosion of creativity since Trump's inauguration: Individually, collectively and organizationally...

Jo Kimble responds to The Times' "Big Brands Fund Terror" story...

To say that Super Bowl advertisers were operating in a new era this year is a bit of an understatement. ..

The sanctity of the courtroom has been invaded by the Inter-net and the use of social media. Courtroom justice is played out across the globe in the nanoseconds it takes to put information online for use and abuse by interested and committed parties...

Bay Area technology professionals think their industry can solve major domestic and global problems. D.C. policy elites are less confident, but agree that tech should take the lead in trying...

To grow your audience and spread your message in today’s noisy digital landscape, you need to change the way you communicate. This means working backwards from the traditional model and starting small...

Across categories—from apparel to automotive, food and beverage to personal care—global competition, new domestic entrants, and digital transformation are making it more difficult for brands to stand out, to differentiate, to win new customers, to maintain loyalty, and to achieve word of mouth buzz. ..

Second only to “blue sky thinking,” “thought leadership” may be the most irritating and overused corporate phrase. What does thought leadership mean? Is it more than just jargon? Can it ever make a positive contribution? These were some of the questions our Dani Lebor was interested in exploring at the European Digital Advocacy Summit in Brussels. ..

Through my time as a community manager, I have learned these six key elements to successfully advocate for an entity’s brand on social media:..

On the surface, it can be difficult to understand how artificial intelligence has anything to do with communications because communicators are most likely to understand their consumers, right?..

As internal social media (ISM) becomes more prevalent in the workplace, how is this impacting employee engagement? wwwwwww..

As the global business and political communities prepare to turn the page to 2019, APCO’s team of global experts took a closer look at trends in areas key to businesses and our clients...

Even in a moment when brands are publicly embracing diversity and inclusion, we are still not talking about one of the most crucial pillars of our society: money...

Bill Dalbec, managing director of APCO Insight, takes a closer look at the Super Bowl LIII ads and what they mean for the brands behind them...

A digital analysis of Americans’ perception of Emmanuel Macron...