The Talking Points Podcast

In our December 2020 episode, we discuss:Pinterest's "soon-to-be trending" report (4:00)Short-form content (6:50)Comms predictions for 2021 (7:30)Spotlight: KFC's sexy Colonel Sanders movie (10:10)The state of brand journalism (14:20)PRWeek and Cision's Comms Report (30:05)The interview questions job candidates hate (39:50)INTRO SEGMENT12 Days of Christmas: Eight communications podcasts QUICK NEWS & QUICK TAKESPinterest predicts: The soon-to-be trending report for 2021Consumers are obsessed with feel-good short-form content right now9 comms predictions for 2021SPOTLIGHTWhy KFC is pushing a sexy Colonel Sanders movieFull movieTALKING POINTSWhy and how companies are turning to brand journalismPRWeek and Cision's fourth annual Comms ReportFacebook is dead (It just doesn’t know it yet)These are the interview questions candidates hate the most5 new questions hiring managers are asking in interviews nowMORE INFORMATIONHansonandHunt.comApple Podcasts pageSpotify pageSubscribe to Arik's weekly emailSPONSORS   Brandpo

Arik and Kevin interview Blois Olson of fluence media. He shares his insights on the political landscape, social media, the impact of COVID-19 on communications, 2021 planning, local media and PR, the benefits of email newsletters and more.LINKSBlois Olson (LinkedIn and Twitter)fluence mediafluence media email newslettersUPCOMING EVENTSocial Media Trends to Watch in 2021: A Conversation with Arik HansonMORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts pageSpotify pageSubscribe to Arik's weekly emailSPONSORBrandpoint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our November 2020 episode, we discuss:The 2021 Relevance Report from the USC Center for Public Relations (4:00)The latest IGTV research (7:50)How brands are using sports Twitter to connect with fans (9:50)Spotlight: The Cheetos holiday cookbook (13:55)Social Media Trends 2021 Global Report (16:20)The career path of social media managers (22:10)Generational differences about the return to the office (33:10)QUICK NEWS & QUICK TAKES2021 Relevance Report from the USC Center for Public RelationsThe latest research into 2020 IGTV statsHow brands are using sports Twitter to connect with NFL, NBA and MLB fansSPONSOR NEWSMarsha Pitts-Phillips receives national diversity and inclusion honor from PRSASPOTLIGHTCheetos' holiday cookbook reflects evolving home-cooking needs amid new coronavirus waveTALKING POINTSSocial Media Trends 2021 Global ReportSocial media managers lack clear path to senior leadership rolesOffice life in 2020 sparks debate across generationsMORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts

Plenty of communicators are posting their thoughts on politics on their social media accounts. Should you? Arik discusses that and shares some advice for how to do it.MORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts pageSpotify pageSubscribe to Arik's weekly emailSPONSORBrandpoint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our October 2020 episode, we discuss:Social media marketing on Reddit, Twitch and Quora (2:20)New blogging statistics (4:05)LinkedIn Stories (5:20)Spotlight: Ocean Spray and TikTok (8:40)Spotlight: Monster Cereal Sweepstakes (10:45)Social media hot takes (13:45)Refining your approach to employee comms (24:45)Advice if you're in-between jobs (31:25)QUICK NEWS & QUICK TAKESSocial media marketing on Reddit, Twitch and QuoraBlogging still works, especially for the 10% of bloggers who do things very differently8 initial reactions to LinkedIn Stories for users (and brands, eventually)SPONSOR EVENTOktoberfest with IABC, PRSA & MIMASPOTLIGHTOcean Spray finally reacts to viral skateboarding TikTokOcean Spray surprises Tik Tok star with a new cranberry-colored truck after his Fleetwood Mac video went viralInstagram/Monster Cereal SweepstakesA Monster of a sweepstakesTALKING POINTSWhat's your biggest social hot take that will cause a stir with other social media pros? Four digital strategies for “Always-On” employee

Arik interviews Laura King, a director at CorTalent - who manages the company's recruiting and business development - and a co-founder of Marketers'​ Community. She offers advice for your job search, the importance of LinkedIn, ways to stand out, networking tips and more.LINKSLaura KingCorTalentMarketers'​ CommunityMORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts pageSpotify pageSubscribe to Arik's weekly emailSPONSORBrandpoint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our September 2020 episode, we discuss:Email makes a comeback in internal comms (3:20)Facebook sets limits on ads (5:20)Microsoft's deepfake detector (6:30)Spotlight: Red Wing Shoes and #LaborDayOn (9:00)Communications planning advice (11:45)PR ethics (24:35)Networking in a pandemic (33:00  )QUICK NEWS & QUICK TAKESEmail is the most-used channel for employee messaging in pandemicFacebook to impose limits on number of adsMicrosoft launches a deepfake detector tool ahead of US electionSPONSOR EVENT"The Intersection of Ethics and Diversity and Inclusion"SPOTLIGHTRed Wing Shoes is doing something cool for Labor DayTALKING POINTSSome emerging themes to guide 2021 digital marketing plansCode of PR ethics? The gray area of communicating a point of viewMORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts pageSpotify pageSubscribe to Arik's weekly emailSPONSORS   BrandpointMinnesota PRSA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arik examines the complex topic of companies and brands making the decision to take a public stand on politics and key societal issues.LINKSMost Loved Brands 2020Survey reaffirms consumers are serious about brands taking standsBest Buy says 30% of 1,000 new tech hires will be people of color or womenMORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts pageSpotify pageSubscribe to Arik's weekly emailSPONSORBrandpoint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our August 2020 episode, we discuss:Instagram Reels (3:00)Cision’s State of the Press Release (5:50)Employee perspectives on COVID-19 (9:05)Spotlight: Country Time's bailout relief fund (13:25)Our "hills to die on" (15:10)The benefits of mixternal collaboration (28:55)How to brag better (35:45)QUICK NEWS & QUICK TAKESFacebook launches its new TikTok clone, Instagram ReelsLet’s be Reels! Can Instagram’s newest feature take on TikTok?We tested Instagram Reels, the TikTok clone. What a dud.Cision’s State of the Press ReleaseEmployee perspectives vary on COVID-19 as companies chart the next normalSPONSOR EVENTCareer Coffee: Creating and Energizing a Personal Advocacy NetworkSPOTLIGHTCountry Time launches littlest bailout relief fund for kids’ lemonade standsTALKING POINTSHot takes wanted: What's a marketing/advertising hill you're willing to die on?11 benefits of mixternal collaboration“Brag Better” by Meredith FinemanBrag Better: Master the art of fearless self-promotion.Brag Better x INGO: How to brag better

In our July 2020 episode, we discuss:Edelman's Trust Barometer Special Report: Brand Trust in 2020 (3:40)What Black Lives Matter supporters want brands to do (4:45)What companies and employees are posting on LinkedIn (5:55)COVID-19’s impact on marketing (7:00)Spotlight: Arby’s audio tweets (9:05)The impact of the Facebook boycott (11:15)Andy Krall of Brandpoint (18:00)Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2020 (20:30)Preventing comms burnout (28:45)OPENINGCONVERGENCE Summit 2020QUICK NEWS & QUICK TAKESTrust Barometer Special Report: Brand Trust in 2020What Black Lives Matter supporters want brands to doCompanies continue to speak up as the conversation on LinkedIn shifts to injusticeFour points about COVID-19’s impact on marketingMINNESOTA PRSA EVENTThe Power of Language: Understanding Complexities when Communicating with Diverse AudiencesSPOTLIGHTArby’s audio tweetsTALKING POINTSFacebook's future keeps getting murkierFacebook has a PR problem, not a long-term revenue problemWalmart, McDonalds, and Geico are

Arik interviews Marsha Pitts-Phillips, the Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, and the president and founder of MRPP & Associates Communications. They discuss a variety of topics relevant to the communications landscape right now, including what companies are saying during this period of social unrest, the vulnerability of leaders, increasing diversity in PR and communications, and more.LINKSTown Hall (Video): Ethical Public Relations, Press Conferences, and Public Engagement During CrisisOther Town Halls from the University of Minnesota's Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass CommunicationsMinnesota PRSA helps establish National Multicultural Endowment Scholarship FundMarsha Pitts-PhillipsMRPP & Associates CommunicationsMORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts pageSpotify pageSubscribe to Arik's weekly emailSPONSORBrandpoint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our June 2020 episode, we discuss: The aftermath of the death of George Floyd and the communications aspects (2:30) Instagram's new payouts for influencers (12:00) How podcasting has weathered the pandemic (14:00) Muck Rack's "The State of Journalism 2020" (16:35) Spotlight: 'Your job seems too boring' (20:05) The impact of partisan politics on PR and comms (21:20) The return of the video news release (31:10) Preparing for virtual job interviews (37:40) QUICK NEWS & QUICK TAKESInstagram will (finally) pay influencersPodcasting: Connection and Community During QuarantineThe State of Journalism 2020SPOTLIGHT'Your job seems too boring'TALKING POINTSPartisan politics complicates PR and comms for businessAmazon’s TV package about warehouse safety puts an old practice back in the spotlightHow to make a good impression in a virtual job interviewMORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts pageSpotify pageSubscribe to Arik's weekly emailSPONSORS   BrandpointMinnesota PRSA Learn more about you

Arik interviews Casey Hall of Lumberjack Social. They discuss several trends in social media to pay attention to during the COVID-19 pandemic: Executive use of social media, brand journalism, Instagram, TikTok, pandemic-related content from brands, and Twitch.LINKSLumberjack SocialKey insights: Day one post COVID-19, the mobile app economy takes centre stage, the martech-scape and moreU.S. consumers are flocking to TikTokMORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts pageSpotify pageSubscribe to Arik's weekly emailSPONSORBrandpoint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our May 2020 episode, we discuss: Cision's 2020 Global State of the Media Report (3:50) CEOs seeing record engagement on LinkedIn (5:20) The role of social during COVID-19 (7:50) Spotlight: Kaiser Permanente's TikTok win (10:10) Disastertising (12:55) Ideas to prepare for the pandemic rebound (24:50) Bosses who micromanage remote workers (30:35) QUICK NEWS & QUICK TAKESCision's 2020 Global State of the Media ReportCEOs see record engagement on LinkedIn during pandemicCEO social profiles critical comms tools during COVID-19Do The Right Thing: The role of social In COVID-19SPOTLIGHTHow Kaiser Permanente owned TikTok with its #OwnTheCurve COVID-19 campaignTALKING POINTSHow to advertise in a pandemicEvery COVID-19 commercial is exactly the sameLeading with action can reduce the risk of a COVIDwashing backlash26 ways to get ready for the rebound: A playbook for what to do right nowHow to deal with a boss who micromanages your work from homeMORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts pageSp

GlobalWebIndex Social media flagship report: The latest social media trends to know for 2020MORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts pageSpotify pageSubscribe to Arik's weekly emailSPONSORBrandpoint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you for listening. We understandably devoted most of our time in this episode to discussing various aspects of COVID-19 communications.Please take note of a Minnesota PRSA event you also may find helpful, that we mention toward the end of the show: "Communicating during COVID-19: A virtual town hall for communicators by communicators."In our April 2020 episode, we discuss: COVID-19: Observations (6:40) COVID-19: Internal comms (8:25) COVID-19: Brands and social media (14:25) COVID-19: Scott Severson of Brandpoint (22:15) COVID-19: The aftermath (24:45) COVID-19: Job hunting (29:05) COVID-19: Our last few weeks (34:10) The updated PESO Model (42:55) Imposter syndrome (47:15) Minnesota PRSA event: Communicating during COVID-19 (57:30) Spotlight: The Getty Museum's social media challenge (58:00) TALKING POINTS2020 Edelman Special Report on COVID-19People want to hear from brands during the pandemicWhen this is over: The comms community’s 10 hopes for the post COVID-19 worldPRSA resources for co

LINKSHow social networks are surging and changing during the COVID-19 outbreak Content marketing that is truly making a difference during the COVID-19 outbreakBlue Cross joins Allina to launch skilled volunteer effort to create masks for hospitals and clinics LinkedIn: Life Time Inc.How to take your next conference call from your "tent"Brands are creating Zoom backgrounds to class up your quarantineMORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts pageSpotify pageSubscribe to Arik's weekly emailSPONSORBrandpoint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Note: One of our discussion items this month is about the communications aspects of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This episode was recorded before March 11, before the most recent developments (the classification of the virus as a pandemic, the restrictions on U.S. travel related to Europe, the NBA's decision to suspend its season, etc...)In our March 2020 episode, we discuss: The impact of the coronavirus on communications (5:30) New data from Shareablee on brand social engagement (7:40) The "State of Writing 2020" report (8:55) Spotlight: McDonald's teams up with Oreo (10:50) The date-less blog post dilemma (12:50) Jessica Smith's 2020 outlook for content strategy (19:15) The connection between being personally active on social media and working in social media (28:10) OPENINGTwitter: Mary Worley at UWECGreg Swan/WTF is Social Media in 2020? (Video)QUICK NEWS & QUICK TAKESLead your business through the coronavirus crisisA working guide to communicating about coronavirusHow to communicate COVID-19 info

Arik interviews Shahbaz Khan, director of digital content for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx.LINKS Shahbaz Khan - TwitterTimberwolves - TwitterTimberwolves - InstagramTimberwolves - FacebookMORE INFORMATIONTheTalkingPointsPodcast.comApple Podcasts pageSpotify pageSubscribe to Arik's weekly emailSPONSORS   David James GroupBrandpoint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our February 2020 episode, we discuss: Is it time for brands to hold their tongues on hot topics? (2:05) Poppulo's Employee Communications Report 2020 (3:55) LinkedIn's growth (5:40) Spotlight: An IG account mocking influencers (8:55) Spotlight: Winona, Minnesota's response to Winona Ryder (10:40) Are we in the era of antisocial social media? (16:25) Lessons from the 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer (24:00) Job-hopping in communications (31:00) QUICK NEWS & QUICK TAKESTime for brands to hold their tongues on (some) hot topicsPoppulo Employee Communications Report 2020LinkedIn reaches 675 million membersSPOTLIGHT Influencers in the WildThis new Instagram account is dedicated to capturing the hilarious fourth wall of people taking photos for InstagramBONUS SPOTLIGHTWatch Winona Ryder's Super Bowl commercial, a love note to Winona, Minn.Long-form version of Winona Ryder's video featureWinona Ryder commercial (Super Bowl)Winona Ryder commercial (Extended)Welcome to Winona websiteWinona, Minnesota's "Welco