Github apologizes for HR mistake; How to bolster brand authority; Developing your business IQ; and more

DAILY SCOOP

GitHub apologizes for firing employee over ‘Nazi’ remark, hospitals and governments turn to influencers for COVID-19 campaigns, and the NRA declares bankruptcy

Also: Ford calls for unity, search engine DuckDuckGo reports 62% daily search growth in 2020, Oscar Mayer seeks Weinermobile spokesperson, and more.

MEDIA RELATIONS

2 steps for using earned media to build brand authority

Getting that third-party validation is PR’s superpower, but what are the tactics that will lead to great media placements?

LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS

Why—and how—communicators should bolster their business IQ

Getting a grasp on financial terms and bottom-line budget matters can dramatically increase your internal authority. Here’s what you should know.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

2021 and the rise of identity economics

As businesses become more scrutinized in the wake of political turmoil, protecting your brand reputation requires adherence to these fundamental rules.

LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS

The words of MLK serve as inspiration for communicators

Comms pros seeking to build community, calm factions and find common ground should reflect on the civil rights leader’s teachings.

THE WORKPLACE

Survey: Majority of employees support mandatory vaccination as a condition for returning to work

But the research also suggests strong pushback by some. Businesses face a tough call on whether to make shots mandatory for employees.

WRITING & EDITING

Who did this? How the passive voice hides the subject of your sentence

Consider these problems the passive voice can create in PR writing.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

Can the boss fire you for taking part in the Capitol Hill incident?

A prominent employment attorney discusses the limits of speech and expression in today’s heated, hyper-partisan environment.

DAILY SCOOP

Disneyland axes annual pass program, Axios declares audience ‘Bill of Rights’ to gain reader trust in local news, and Edelman reports burst trust bubble

Also: YouTube tests shopping features on videos, Yorkshire Tea shows a fun way to use Twitter polls for engagement, PR pros virtually network on Twitter, and more.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

BlastMedia’s Lindsey Groepper’s message for 2021: ‘We got this’

The president of the PR outfit looks forward to bringing everyone back to the office and shares what is working for her team to start the new year.

OP-ED

In the war over credibility, everyone loses

The strong rebuke from Forbes of those who have refused to acknowledge the truth of the 2020 election is a warning for the PR profession, one pro argues.

INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

What are the key skillsets for internal communicators in 2021 and beyond? 6 comms pros share their views

Here’s what professional communicators should prioritize this year.

RAGAN AWARDS

Announcing Ragan's 2020 Top Women in HR Awards honorees

Congratulations to these influential women!

DAILY SCOOP

Airbnb blocks D.C. reservations during inauguration, Snapchat bans Trump, and Sephora releases DE&I commitments

Also: Google blocks political ads, Grubhub offers Girl Scout cookie delivery, Xbox’s social media team offers gaming recommendations, and more.