EXCLUSIVE FOR PRLN MEMBERS "London Bridge" is a masterpiece in crisis comms The PR of saying goodbye RESEARCH & DATA Earlier this year, Adobe surveyed 5,000 U.S. emoji users to uncover the role and impact of emoji in digital communications. The results found that the vast majority of U.S. emoji users (91%) agree that emoji makes it easier for them to express themselves. Nine out of 10 respondents said they use emoji to lighten the mood of a conversation, with 69% saying the use of emoji in communications has improved their mental health. The results also found that it has never been cooler to use emoji. Almost three-fourths of respondents (73%) think people who use emoji are friendlier, funnier and cooler than those who don’t. Not all emoji are popular, however. The “pile of poo” is U.S. emoji users’ least favorite emoji to use, followed by “angry face.” Respondents also said there is more work to be done in regards to representation. 92% of U.S. emoji users who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community believe emoji should strive for more inclusivity. U.S. emoji users who are disabled (86%) or who are Black (89%), Asian (88%) or Hispanic (87%) also agree on the need for diverse emoji. Because emoji are so integrated into communication methods, it’s vital that they reflect the lives of as many people as possible. More and more, we’re using emoji to bridge conversations across age, race and culture. MEDIA RELATIONS A tough lesson in "off the record" requests How to claim credit when a reporter goes around you How to make reporters your partner in pitching DE&I & PURPOSE The big, diverse, multicultural Hispanic web How companies are making a stand in Ukraine SOCIAL MEDIA New in social media: What you need to know this week How to create a data-driven social plan How Instagram's algorithm works STRATEGY & TOOLS Tips for when you're sick of writing the same thing How to use the ellipsis in AP style 6 tips for better emails How to budget for holiday gift guide season CAREER AND THE WORKPLACE 5 mistakes you're making with employee branding ON THE HORIZON September 15: Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 25 – Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown Oct. 10: Indigenous People's Day/Columbus Day Oct. 31: Halloween Nov. 24: Thanksgiving CALENDAR OF EVENTS Sept. 21-23: Ragan’s Social Media Conference at Disney World Oct. 19-20: Strategic Communications Conference Nov. 1-2: Future of Communications Conference CONTACT US Allison Carter, executive editor, AllisonC@ragan.com Justin Levine, Manager of Councils, justinl@ragan.com