DAILY SCOOP

Twitch removes Hispanic Heritage Month emoticons, YouTube ‘Shorts’ to compete with TikTok, and McDonald’s offers ‘spicesurance’ and free McNuggets

Also: How PR and marketing pros are responsible for fighting disinformation, Red Lobster, PepsiCo and Taco Bell offer signature drinks, Airbnb turns to the Fresh Prince, and more.

HOW WE DID IT

Enabling purpose-driven culture during the COVID-19 pandemic

Here’s how Astellas U.S. responded to the demands of a global pandemic and ensured that employees were able to give back to their communities.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

5 crisis comms tips from the FBI

Be first with information, says former FBI spokesman Jeff Lanza. Know the three things the public wants in a crisis. And never compare the boss’s wife to an Incan mummy.

BRANDING

How new workforce policies are crucial for protecting your brand

Here’s how your organization should think about protecting its reputation as plans for long-term remote work and a new work environment are considered.

DAILY SCOOP

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade goes virtual, Facebook launches climate change hub and Lego promises to eliminate plastic packaging

Also: Paul Rudd gives a PSA on wearing masks, Deloitte issues a visual breakdown of its performance, Amazon launches designer stores, and more.

MEASUREMENT

How Edmunds measures the quality of earned media

A look at how the consumer car shopping website quantifies media coverage.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

How to communicate when morale stinks

Be transparent, and use your work to create an emotional high tide that raises every boat in the harbor.

LEADING NOW

Kroger’s Kristal Howard shares the blueprint for thriving amid disruption

The head of corporate comms for the grocery chain casts a wide net with media to deliver key messages during a time of intense disruption and innovation for her industry.

CONTENT MARKETING

Valuable content can strengthen your brand more than any promotion

Take inspiration from REI’s recent offering around campaign as the retailer experiences increased demand for outdoor gear during social distancing from COVID-19.

STORYTELLING

How Visa Canada is helping its community during COVID-19

The company looked at how small business owners were hurting during the pandemic and came up with a campaign to try and help them find new customers.

DAILY SCOOP

Microsoft loses TikTok bid, Amazon to hire 100,000 employees, and Peeps won’t be on shelves for holidays

Also: The conundrum of long-term branding strategies, print publications’ decline accelerates during COVID-19, Instagram might charge for links in descriptions, and more.

RESEARCH

Survey: Email dominates; intranets get a rebirth

A new report reveals the most used channels, what employees want to hear about most right now, and much more.

COVID-19

3 crisis PR lessons from a #CoronaBride

Events big and small have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are the lessons one PR pro is taking from a more personal event that had to be reimagined: her wedding.

RAGAN AWARDS

Announcing Ragan’s Employee Communications and Top Places to Work Awards

Showcase your best internal communications work—and amazing workplace—in the premier awards program for employee communications. Enter by Friday, Oct. 23.