Tag: Covid-19
When Should MNCs Expect China to Shift Away From “Zero-COVID” Strategy?
Nina Zholudeva
While much of the world is easing COVID-19 restrictions despite persistent waves of infections, China remains unwaveringly committed to the “zero-COVID” strategy...
Read MoreEight Rules for Communicating Public Health Risk in a Crisis–From Horsemeat to Covid
Lydia Martin
By evaluating government communications during threats to public health, we can identify fundamental rules for communicating risk...
Read MoreTen Ways to Improve Pandemic Communications
Wayne L. Pines
Here are 10 recommendations for how we could do a better job of educating the public about the pandemic...
Read MoreCOVID-19’s Unending Impact on the Maternal Mental Health Crisis
Katie Milgrom
As we continue to ride out the waves and variants of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must reckon with the current and ongoing maternal mental health crisis...
Read MoreClimate Déjà Vu in the Global Vaccination Campaign
Elena Riva
& Mikaela Zimmermann
It’s hard to miss the pattern stressed by activists who have observed that low-income countries are left behind in the fight against climate and COVID-19...
Read MoreUntangling Vaccine Diplomacy
Diego de Leon Segovia
The influence of COVID-19 vaccinations extends beyond the pandemic, changing how we conduct scientific research, travel and even geopolitics...
Read MorePreventing and Fighting Disease Through Food Security
Dan Glickman
With global leaders understanding the impact of food security on the global economy, we must adjust our understanding of how to combat food insecurity...
Read MoreLessons Learned from One Year into COVID-19
Linda Barnhart
We have now arrived at a significant milestone where companies and organizations should take stock of what’s worked, what hasn’t and what they can and should be doing to prepare themselves for the next “unprecedented” event...
Read MoreCOVID-19: A Sign to Address Climate Change
Anusha Sharma
Although there is no country that is not experiencing the drastic effects of climate change, as a populous, tropical emerging economy, India faces a bigger challenge than others in coping with the consequences. ..
Read MorePortugal Prepares for the Aftermath of the Pandemic
Christoph Mielke
& Gregoire Zammit
Portugal will take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2021. Lisbon is following Germany and preceding Slovenia as part of the so-called ‘GPS-presidency’ trio, marking the fourth Portuguese EU Council Presidency since the country joined the European Economic Community in 1986. The following overview has been developed in cooperation between the APCO team in Brussels and our partner agency in Portugal, ATREVIA. This Presidency Guide outlines the challenges that lie ahead and how companies can address them...
Read MoreFor Health, 2021 Will Be More Than a New Year…it Will Be a New Era
Nancy Turett
2020 has delivered certainty to us all about health. We now know that it is an existential asset not only for individuals but for business and society as a whole. Now, as vaccination makes working, playing and loving without wearing a mask a realistic prediction for 2021, leaders of all ilk need to make operating as the one humanity we are a new status quo...
Read MoreCOVID-19 in 2021: Is Your Company Ready?
Barie Carmichael
& Charlene Wheeless
If COVID-19 ushered in new issues for your company in 2020, just wait until 2021. Bridging the period between the pandemic and widespread COVID-19 immunity will require thoughtful policies that further define your corporate legacy and how you live your values...
Read MoreWill 2021 Be a Year of Rebound for Retail?
Lars Petersson
The retail sector is going through a disruption accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are several important cornerstones of the transformation that successful retail companies need to have in order to survive and grow through 2021 and beyond...
Read MoreThe COVID-19 Pandemic: A New Public-Private Balance
Claudia Trivilino
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...
Read MoreComparing Public Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Around the World
Chrystine Zacherau
The APCO Reset Indicator monitors global public attitudes and behaviors as the world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest study in our series tracks views of Americans and adds perspectives from Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Singapore and India. Across these markets, we assess three core dimensions: where the public see themselves today, who is supporting (or supported) them during the pandemic and how they feel about the future...
Read MoreCelebrating Women’s Equality Day 2020
Margery Kraus
To help commemorate Women's Equality Day, we hosted a special conversation featuring Irene Khan, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and Opinion, to discuss COVID’s disproportionate impact on women, the changing expectations of balancing work and family life and the work still ahead to ensure women’s equality...
Read MoreC-Suites Need Communicators!
Liam Clarke
At a time when hyper-connectivity makes decisions and their consequences widely visible and with perceptions affecting an organization’s bottom line, communicators need to be part of the C-suite...
Read MoreMore to UK Health Reforms Than Just Obesity and COVID-19
Burhan Al-Gailani
& Lisa Neiss
& Gabriel Phillips
Two major reforms to the UK’s public health system were announced in recent weeks—refreshed efforts to fight obesity, and the creation of a new body specifically to prevent a second wave of COVID-19. Both announcements represent an evolution, rather than a revolution, but are arguably more interesting for what they say about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s approach to government, and how businesses should engage with his administration...
Read MoreRecap: Brazda Breakfast Briefing with Dr. Anthony Fauci
William Pierce
At the August 6th Brazda Breakfast briefing, an event sponsored by APCO and hosted by our partner, The Alliance for Health Policy, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci walked over 60 reporters through what we know now about COVID-19, how it spreads, where it is spreading, the status of vaccine development, and most importantly, what we all can and should do to slow the spread...
Read MoreFor U.S. Organizations, Recovery Plans Begin Within
Linda Barnhart
It is important for organizations to understand that while the pandemic has tested their resiliency like never before, their long-term viability depends upon the consumers who will ultimately judge them on their ability to effect real change...
Read MoreThe Road Ahead Beyond Pandemic and Shutdowns
Jack Kalavritinos
As we have discovered over the past few months, the construction industry has shown that staying open safely during the COVID-19 pandemic can lead many sectors—from energy to transportation—to continue serving the public...
Read MoreHow Restaurants & Retail Businesses Can Outsmart COVID-19
Scott Conklin
& Ellie Rutland
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in certain parts of the United States, restaurant and retail sectors are caught in the middle of a political and public health tug-of-war. While tactics to safely reopen stores and restaurants continue to evolve, discussions are turning to how to adapt to phased reopening orders while building consumer confidence and coming up with new ways to secure financial viability. With uncertainty abound, how are restaurant and retail businesses charting the future?..
Read MorePublic Affairs in the COVID-19 World
Masayo Nagai
Leading experts in the field share their insights on conducting public affairs in the COVID-19 era...
Read MoreMaintaining Public Trust Through Responsible Privacy Practices
Kim Gagné
The aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis will inevitably feature renewed efforts to protect the privacy of individuals...
Read MoreCSR and Advocacy After COVID-19
Deanna Javadi
While there still are many uncertainties about what the post-COVID-19 reality will look like for society, observers and experts agree that the format, focus and expectations around social advocacy will change. As a result, companies should evolve their original CSR pathway to meet new social and consumer environment...
Read MoreMapping Digital Transformation in India During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Swati Sudhakaran
The COVID-19 pandemic has nudged Indian decision makers to escalate their focus on harnessing technology in various sectors. Recently, newer technology solutions have helped achieve key results in crucial issues and segments like healthcare, food security, education and supply chain in the entire manufacturing space...
Read MoreCompanies Risk “Digital Doomsday” as Employees Return to Offices
Jay Solomon
Corporate offices in the United States are beginning to reopen as social distancing mandates tied to COVID-19 ease. The hope is that businesses across the country can return to normal. But a lasting threat from the pandemic exists on the cyber front. Companies are now facing a potential “doomsday” scenario that could play out over months, if not years...
Read MoreThe Silver Lining to Our Struggles with Online Learning
Jennifer Butte-Dahl
The COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges we have faced globally to support learning have also, once again, brought to light significant inequities in the opportunities available to young people who have access to high-speed internet and those who do not...
Read MoreCOVID-19 Made the Case for More EU on Health, but will There be any Meaningful Changes?
Christoph Mielke
& Gregoire Zammit
The COVID-19 crisis has given a boost to those who want the EU to play a bigger role in health. Only time will tell if EU Member States are really willing to take the jump and commit to a true “Europe of Health.”..
Read MoreCommunicating in a Post-COVID-19 Landscape
Nicole Monge
& Bedoor Khalil
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...
Read MoreWill COVID-19 Be the Catalyst for an E-learning Revolution?
Tom Short
The COVID-19 crisis has proved that while it’s possible to provide the vast majority of learning virtually—and schools and universities around the world should be given huge credit for achieving what they have in such a short space of time—the sudden and complete shift to e-learning has put significant pressure on the families of school-aged children...
Read MoreChina’s 2020 Two Sessions: What It Means for Your Business
APCO Forum
China's Two Sessions opened on May 21 and served as an opportunity to demonstrate control over the pandemic and outline a blueprint for the country’s future development...
Read MoreMay’s Mental Health Awareness Month Hit Differently; What Will Summer Bring?
Howard Pulchin
Mental health and mental wellbeing are obvious points of consideration during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. What have historically been taboo discussion topics—both inside and outside the corporate world—are now easily looming as a true known second-order health crisis...
Read MoreRecognizing the Role and Responsibility the Food Industry Plays in All of Our Lives
Howard Pulchin
& Maureen Dempsey
The COVID-19 crisis has put a unique spotlight on food and food systems, revealing both strengths and weaknesses across sectors and practices. In some ways, it has placed consumers on a level playing field, but also exposed some deep inequalities...
Read MoreHow Can CEOs Generate Media and Social Media Attention During a Crisis?
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...
Read MoreLooking Ahead: The New Israeli Government’s Main Challenges and Themes
Noam Ivri
& Tal Been
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new Israeli government will operate under “emergency” status for the first six months, advancing legislation solely related to the virus and its impact...
Read MoreIsrael’s New Government: Two Camps Under One Roof
Noam Ivri
& Tal Been
On May 17, 2020, Israel’s 35th government was sworn in, actualizing a power-sharing agreement between incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party chief Benny Gantz...
Read MoreHow to Make Your Advertising Stand Out in the Crowded COVID-19 Pandemic Landscape
Mac Struthers
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...
Read MoreThis Time It’s Different for Financial Services
Jeff Zelkowitz
In the financial sector, leaders who are able to read the emerging social landscape—and are willing to lead through their values and actions—will have the most opportunities to come back from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger...
Read MoreThe German Constitutional Court’s Ruling and the EU’s Constitutional Certainty
Nicholas Whyte
The German constitutional court recently caused huge waves with its 5 May ruling on the legality, under German law, of the European Central Bank's bond purchasing programme—an essential element of the EU’s plan to reduce the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic...
Read MoreHow can the Food Industry Come Back Stronger from the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Eliot Hoff
& Dan Glickman
The food industry, from farms to restaurants to retail to the tables of consumers, has been upended by COVID-19. This has resulted in a forced shift in the supply chain and could change how the world produces and consumes food well into the future...
Read MoreThe Future of Travel: Mapping Predictive Trends in the Tourism Industry
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...
Read MoreWe’re Spending More Time Online: What Does That Mean for Digital Advocacy?
Rachael Mierzwa
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. ..
Read MoreHow Can Health Systems Come Back Stronger From the COVID-19 Pandemic?
William Pierce
& Kavita Patel
& Peter Urbanowicz
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally impacted how health systems and hospitals operate. In a recent roundtable discussion, APCO Worldwide Senior Director Bill Pierce spoke with APCO International Advisory Council Members Kavita Patel and Peter Urbanowicz about what health organizations must do to Come Back Stronger from this crisis...
Read MoreWill the Coronavirus Truly Make Every Company a Tech Company?
Travis Bullard
New research from APCO Insight on the COVID-19 pandemic shows that Americans view technology as more important than ever, with three in four saying that the industry has an important role to play in finding innovative solutions...
Read MoreChallenges and Opportunities for Health Companies in the Post-Pandemic Era
Katie Milgrom
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep countries around the world under lockdown, there is an increased focus on the health sector, from the brave frontline health workers and critical researchers to biopharmaceutical companies and academic institutions racing to find a treatment and vaccine. The pandemic has highlighted, albeit in a painful manner, the critical role of these healthcare professionals in ensuring a healthy, productive society, the continued need for innovation and access to essential health services...
Read MoreStart Today to Come Back Stronger Tomorrow
Kelly Stepno
& James Robinson
Resilient organizations must act now to establish their foothold to come back stronger, recognizing there will be varying degrees of coming back...
Read MoreThree Reasons Why the Green Party Is Set to Dominate German Energy Policy
Heinrich Nachtsheim
With the COVID-19 pandemic currently dominating the public discourse and political decision making, it appears that the climate debate has somewhat become less prominent on the public agenda. However, this does not mean that green issues have become less relevant...
Read MoreThe Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Brexit
Yves Bertoncini
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has made agreement on the future of the UK-EU relationship by December 2020 quite unrealistic...
Read MoreMaking this Moment Matter
Denielle Sachs
The current crisis has brought to the fore some of the most salient issues we face as humanity. The decisions we make now will either leapfrog our progress on these major challenges or cause us to slide back in time as we retrench and de-risk...
Read MoreAmericans Impacted by COVID-19 Look for Corporate Leadership and Empathy
Jeff Zelkowitz
The economic shock of COVID-19 is being felt by American workers and retail investors as the country registers 17 million applications for unemployment and absorbs painful stock market losses. A recent survey of 1,000 Americans conducted by APCO Worldwide offers insights for business leaders and communicators as they work to navigate the weeks and months ahead...
Read MoreIt Sure Doesn’t Feel Like an Election Year Anymore
Dan Smith
COVID-19 has forced the 2020 campaigns—much less our connections with friends and family—into virtual mode for the foreseeable future...
Read MoreJuggling Life During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Katie Sprehe
To get a better sense of how working parents are faring and how employers can help, APCO Insight conducted a pulse survey on March 31 of the U.S. general public and singled out parents working from home...
Read MoreProtecting Reputation and Engaging Healthcare Workers During and After COVID-19
Richard James
COVID-19 is creating challenges never seen before in many of the nation’s hospital health systems. The new normal is creating a threat to staff health, morale and confidence in their leadership...
Read MoreA ‘New Normal’ for Healthcare Communicators Post COVID-19
Sara Cruz
As painful, bewildering and traumatic as the past few weeks have been for businesses and society at large, one thing is clear: what we should really be hoping for is a return to ‘a new normal’—a world where we apply the many learnings of the current crisis and emerge stronger...
Read MoreSeven Pointers for Turning an In-Person Event Virtual
Dave Burke
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...
Read MoreBeijing’s COVID-19 Stimulus Will Be Aimed at Tomorrow’s Infrastructure
Ryan Morgan
The greatest opportunity in this time of crisis are for companies to demonstrate their know-how and expertise through partnering in “new infrastructure” projects. Besides the potential to partner on large-scale endeavors, companies that are actively engaging with China will shape tomorrow’s infrastructure standards and lay the foundations for long-term success...
Read MoreHow Social Media Can Help and Hurt During COVID-19
Nicole Monge
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...
Read MoreExplore:
Careers, Culture & Company NewsCatalyst for ProgressCorporate Responsibility & Sustainable GrowthCrisis and Reputation ManagementDigital & CreativeDiversity & InclusionEnergyFinanceFood & Consumer Products & RetailGovernmentHealthPublic AffairsResearchStrategic Communication & Stakeholder EngagementTechnologyTradeTransportation & InfrastructureNotice
APCO Forum blog posts represent the voice of the author and not necessarily the corporate position or policy of APCO Worldwide.