Brands join blackout on social media; How to measure trust; COVID-19's impact on social connection; and more

DAILY SCOOP

Spotify adds silent tracks for #BlackoutTuesday, Facebook donates $10M amid employee criticism, and Starbucks embraces conversation

Also: OKCupid, Verizon and Peets Coffee focus on strategic plans to fulfill Black Lives Matter efforts, Microsoft highlights black employee voices, and more.

MEASUREMENT

Measurement experts: Solid metrics and trust go hand in hand

Learn what matters in the ‘new normal’ and why frequent pulse surveys are key. You can’t succeed without engaged employees, so ‘test, test, and test some more.’

COVID-19

How COVID-19 rewrites the cultural rules of connection

This crisis is changing what consumers want from brands and changing the social contract for how we interact with each other.

RAGAN AWARDS

Showcase your comms campaigns, publications and events

Ragan’s PR Daily Awards will recognize the best work in PR, marketing and communications. The deadline for entries is Friday, June 19.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

Amid unrest, CEOs and brands denounce racism in Floyd killing

Organizations offer anguished responses to the killing of a black man in Minneapolis while remaining silent on the vandalism and looting of their stores.

BRAND JOURNALISM

How Gen Z is shaping trends during COVID-19

For brand managers looking to bounce back post-crisis, a careful look at what young consumers demand is a crucial first step.

PR INDUSTRY

4 thematic shifts to consider for tech PR during COVID-19

What worked just a couple of months ago won’t fly during this crisis. Here are some essential ways to rethink doing outreach about your tech company or client.

DAILY SCOOP

Target closes stores in light of protests, YouTube, others donate to equality efforts, and Nike says ‘Just don’t do it’

Also: The business case for diversity, and the NBA, The Cheesecake Factory and U.S. Airforce are criticized for tone-deaf tweets. Plus, Wendy’s and HBO Max hit pause on campaigns, and more.

THE CONSULTANT IS IN

Anatomy of a leadership video

Needed more than ever, even a simple CEO message can get complicated in a pandemic.

RAGAN AWARDS

Ragan’s PR Daily Awards will tell your story

Enter the industry’s top benchmarking program to showcase your outstanding comms campaigns, events and publications. The entry deadline is Friday, June 19.

COVID-19

How a college’s spirit—and spirituality—came forth amid the pandemic

At Wheaton College in suburban Chicago, the brand journalism team pivoted its storytelling to connect alumni and administrators, students and faculty, and the community at large.

PR INDUSTRY

How Texas Roadhouse envisions purpose during COVID-19

The steakhouse chain had to adapt during the pandemic, and prioritized employees to avoid layoffs and launched an employee assistance fund.

DAILY SCOOP

IAB chief slams Trump’s social media EO, Google to use ‘page experience’ in search rankings, and Twitter rolls out scheduled tweets

Also: George Strait and other celebrities extend the reach of Texas’ COVID-19 messages, how social media affects language, Burger King and Google focus on social distancing, and more.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

Keys to a successful global crisis communications response

Communicators should bear in mind key cultural differences and adapt their crisis messages accordingly to engage a worldwide workforce. And speakers, watch your speed and diction.