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Tag: trends

Staying on Top in 2021: PR Trends

Staying on Top in 2021: PR Trends

February 1, 2021January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, Public Relations, Raleigh PR Agency2021, artificial intelligence, diversity and inclusion, LinkedIn, Media, online, PR, trends

This time last year, no one anticipated the economic and social disruption that would be caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nor could we have predicted the months of social and professional acclimating that lay ahead — wearing masks in public, distancing from loved ones and friends, and working from home.

As we approach the one-year “anniversary” of when our lives turned upside down, it remains difficult to imagine what this year will hold. Luckily, public relations is all about identifying creative and strategic ways to come out on top — even in the toughest of situations. While we don’t have a crystal ball (otherwise we’d be able to tell you when this whole thing would be over … ), we are keeping a close eye on the following PR trends that we think will emerge in 2021.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will take a front seat.

The new relationship between humans and intelligent machines is enabling PR professionals to create data-driven campaigns, automate repetition-based tasks, analyze online conversations, predict a crisis and even produce personalized content. AI offers brands an unprecedented ability to increase revenue and reduce costs through more intelligent automation and machine-powered predictions. That’s why McKinsey predicts AI will create up to $2.6 trillion in business value in marketing and sales alone.

New communication channels are here to stay (and will continue to grow!).

The heightened use of software like Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Slack is a rising tide that can’t be turned. From broadcast news to press conferences, the pandemic has forced all organizations to consider other ways to connect with stakeholders. What was once unconventional is now less expensive, less taxing and helps brands connect with an audience like never before. In 2021, PR and marketing collateral with virtual and digital elements will have even more reach and engagement.

2021 will be a new era for accountability.

For all the talk around issues like diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in 2020, this year will be a time for action to speak louder than words. For example, Forbes offers a list of six DEI resolutions that companies should focus on in order to thrive in 2021 and beyond. There’s no “one size fits all” strategy, but there are innumerable DEI lessons that 2020 showed us and that companies must commit to in order to be sustainable. This year, try making a commitment to donate a percentage of revenue to organizations that support the inclusion of underrepresented groups or to diversify the workplace. Actions will speak louder than words!

Earned, paid, social and owned media will continue to integrate.

Gone are the days where we had three teams in their own silos: advertising, public relations and marketing. The pandemic fully reinforced the intersection of these disciplines and today is about integrating paid, earned, shared and owned media because it is true what they say … three heads are better than one. When the PESO Model is working at its best, it can help you establish authority. This is your industry golden ticket. 

LinkedIn will take center stage.

2020 became one of the most fruitful years for LinkedIn. The platform rolled out LinkedIn Live, Events, Polls and Stories. This year will become the year when marketers get a hold of all these different tools and explore LinkedIn opportunities in a new way. To implement these features into your PR strategy, focus on encouraging conversation with your followers. Create polls that your audience will want to vote on, ask irresistible open-ended questions in updates, share candid photos from your workday in stories, or post about celebrating career milestones.

We’re excited to see how the industry will evolve this year, and we hope you are too. Let us know your 2021 prediction in the comments!

Curious about what was in vogue last year? Check out our blog reflecting on the biggest trends of 2020.

By Clairemont intern Maia Guterbock, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill.

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Looking Back on 2020 Trends

Looking Back on 2020 Trends

December 18, 2020January 31, 2023 Clairemont InternBlog, Marketing, Social Media + Influencer Engagement#2020, #socialmedia, #TikTok, Instagram, Marketing, trends

This year has undoubtedly been an eventful (ahem, crazy) one! Just like 2020, trends are hard to predict but vital to stay on top of as a communications professional. Changes in the marketing landscape can be influenced by huge global events (i.e. COVID-19) as easily as an unexpected effort to create a Broadway musical via TikTok (see Ratatouille the Musical).  

Check out these trends that made an appearance in 2020.

Lockdown, Laptops and Laying Low at Home

The COVID-19 pandemic kept most Americans behind closed doors and away from others throughout this year. Inevitably, this led to a widespread consumer shift to increased time online, with 39 percent of people polled saying that they spent more time on social media sites like Instagram and Twitter this year. 

Here are a few stats that show how marketers are handling the pandemic … and how consumers are responding: 

73 percent of advertisers held back campaign launches, with 52 percent anticipating to resume or increase their advertising budgets during the summer of 2021. 

87 percent of consumers have said they appreciate brands that make an effort to provide updated and important information amid the pandemic. 

37 percent of customers said they want advertising to make them feel safe and give them a feeling of normalcy, and 31 percent said they want ads that evoke positive feelings. 

76 percent of small- and medium-sized businesses have leveled up in SEO, social media and data analytics skills. 

Email marketing, websites and social media marketing are top tactics that businesses leveraged during 2020.

Incredible Internet Trends

From April’s Tiger King craze to TikTok’s sudden rise in popularity, 2020 has been a wild ride filled with interesting social media moments. 

Let’s dig into a few of them, shall we?

  1. TikTok tapped into popular culture, taking it from a Gen-Z-dominated app to something people of all ages enjoy. Starting in March, TikTok was downloaded onto people’s devices more than 115 million times, breaking the record for the most app downloads in a quarter. TikTok caused skates to be sold out almost everywhere and convinced almost everyone to attempt whipped coffee in April. Its users once trolled the president himself. 
  2. Instagram Live saw a 40 percent increase in usage, with brands figuring out new ways to tout their products and services. 
  3. This year, activism and political discussion took the limelight on social sites that previously prioritized light-hearted content. More than ever, users took to their socials to share their political beliefs and support causes they hold dear.

Yearning to read up on more of this year’s trends? Scroll through this site’s synopsis. 

Artificial Intelligence Yields Tangible Results

Amid an age of technology, artificial intelligence has proven to be a significant way to gain a competitive advantage this year. 

Why else have companies made the choice to incorporate AI into their business plan? A recent survey shows that 75 percent of respondents adopted AI because they believed that it will allow them to “move into new businesses” and be an incentive for new organizations to enter their market, among other reasons. From helpful chatbots to in-depth analyses on consumer behavior, artificial intelligence will soon be behind basic communication, product recommendations, content creation and so much more. 

According to artificial intelligence education site, Techgrabtye: 

“Artificial intelligence is the biggest commercial opportunity for companies, industries, and nations over the next few decades” and “will increase global GDP by up to 14% between now and 2030,” which means that “AI latecomers will find themselves at a serious competitive disadvantage within the next several years.”

Sounds pretty convincing! 

Curious about curating content to tackle every up-and-coming trend? Browse our top content creation resources here! 

By Clairemont intern Anna Beth Adcock, a senior at NC State.

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Blogger Q&A – Courtney Fashionista

Blogger Q&A – Courtney Fashionista

May 23, 2016January 31, 2023 Jasmin SessomsBlog, Fashion, Marketingblogger, fashion, fashion blogging, influencer, social media marketing, summer clothing, summer fashion, summer trends, trends

Last week, I caught up with a blogger turned friend for lunch to find out more about the summer trends for clothing. Courtney is a Pittsburgh-native who moved to Raleigh, N.C. two years ago during a quarter-life crisis. Her cat, Cleo, holds the key to her heart – despite the fact that Cleo would rather sleep than cuddle. Courtney says that she can’t live without Chapstick or “Sex and the City.” She is also a firm believer that everything happens for a reason in life.

When did you start blogging?

I started blogging in January 2014, so it has been about 2.5 years. I moved here from Pittsburgh and transitioned from working in fashion merchandising to marketing. It was a great way to stay connected to the world of fashion, which I love. Not to mention blogging helps to fuel my creativity.

How do you stay up to date on the latest trends?

I am an avid magazine reader, and I probably have six to eight subscriptions. Harpers Bazzar is my favorite. I get butterflies in my stomach when it arrives in the mail. I love investigating high fashion and seeing how it trickles down into clothing that everyday people can wear. I find myself constantly looking at online e-retailers and boutiques.

What are the hottest fashion summer trends for 2016?

I absolutely love embroidered pieces for summer. I was exploring online to see how they are incorporating it into dresses and jackets and learned the whole Mediterranean feel is trendy this summer. By Mediterranean I mean white and light colors– clean and crisp flowy pieces are always in style. This summer shop for clothes as if you’re headed to the French Rivera. Sometimes denim pieces are even a classic look for summer even though it is a heavier fabric.

Pineapples have been a big deal this spring, what other fruits should we think about for the summer?

I think the pineapple is just fun and feminine, and people are gravitating towards it. Our generation is excited about imagery. I think the pineapple has been the biggest deal, but I have a watermelon clutch. I think it is reminiscent of summer and aesthetically pleasing to wear. The cactus is new this year.

I saw on your blog that the ‘90s are making a comeback, what pieces should every woman have in her closet for this trend?

I think the flannel tied around your waist look is amazing – this is a look that I remember from my childhood. I love when people can wear things differently and use them as accessories. Even if you aren’t going to wear it for a functional purpose, it is a cool trend to layer in a styled way. Also making a comeback: fanny packs and jean skirts.

How do you feel about the mixed-print trend? What are the best prints to mix together?

Stripes are always pretty easy to start with when mixing prints. Stripes and florals or stripes and polka dots are a good mix for me. I love stripes! I could wear them every single day.

How would you advise women to feel comfortable mixing prints?

First I would say make sure that you absolutely love what you are wearing. People can tell when women are uncomfortable with what they are wearing, so make sure that it is something you feel confident wearing. The most important thing to consider when you are mixing prints is to keep the colors consistent so that they complement each other.

What store never fails you?

Honestly, nothing makes me happier than the Macy’s shoe department.

What are three words to describe your style?

Creative, feminine and edgy.

Want to learn more about the pineapple trend this summer? Read our post about pineapples here.

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Emojis vs. Emoticons

Emojis vs. Emoticons

February 29, 2016January 31, 2023 Jasmin SessomsBlog, Marketing, Public Relationscommunication trends, creative PR agency, emojis, emoticons, imessage, Social Media, text message, trends

A few days ago, Facebook released a new way to share your emotions on posts. You can now select from five emojis ranging from love to sad. CEO Mark Zuckerberg claims that the Facebook community has been asking for a dislike button for years, but he wanted to showcase a variety of emotions. To see the new reactions options, hold down the like button and then tap either like, love, haha, wow, sad or angry.

How do you feel about Facebook’s newest change? Were you really hoping for a dislike button, or do the new additions have you seeing the heart-eyed emoji?

What does this all mean for emoticons? Well, nothing. That’s because emojis and emoticons are two different things and using the two terms interchangeably in conversation isn’t correct. So what’s the difference?

Emoticons

According to The Guardian, an emoticon is a facial representation used to convey emotion in a text only medium. The last time I remember using an emoticon would have to have been in high school (okay, maybe my freshman year in college before I morphed into an iPhone-carrying, FaceTime-obsessed diva). No one is just smiling 🙂 anymore.

Emojis

Instead of showcasing only facial expressions, emojis are actual pictures, ranging from people and families to cars, trucks and specific flags of different countries. Emojis are the colorful, playful characters that make our text conversations a tad bit juicier. Seriously, why settle for a few combinations when you can scroll through what seems like thousands of choices to describe your mood, location and even the food that you’re nibbling that day?

As PR professionals, we have to make sure that we are always sensitive to dialects, trends and different generations’ perspectives on communication. Since emojis and emoticons are a language of their own, they may be able to break down language barriers and even assist in awkward conversations. As social media continues to grow, pictorial representations of feelings play a huge role in our communication. However, we should be mindful of the usage of emojis in business settings. Sending the kissy face to clients may not be the best choice in the professional world.

What do you think about using emojis and emoticons in our industry? How often do you use them? Comment to us on Facebook!

heart eyes

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Real Estate: Trends to Watch in 2015

Real Estate: Trends to Watch in 2015

July 8, 2015January 31, 2023 Jasmin SessomsBlog, Real Estate PRPR trends, real estate, real estate PR, trends

The future of home design is looking more and more well-organized, compact and personalized. At Clairemont, we love our real estate clients, and we are well versed in master planned communities as well as the industry’s leading developers. Whether you are buying new or looking to spruce up your old home, here are a few tips from the team that we are watching as the hot trends for real estate in 2015.

Freestanding Tubs: Imagine the luxurious amenities of a spa-like experience in the comfort of your own home. Now, you can dip into your own freestanding tub after a long day at the office. Although they may evoke mental images of the Victorian age, the newest designs from companies like Kohler show modern twists to an age-old idea.

Heated Floors: Stepping out of a warm shower onto the cold tile bathroom floor is a thing of the past. Heat your bathroom floors and bask in the warmth and the comfort of your bathroom. Not only does radiant floor heating keep your feet warm, but it also ensures that the rest of your body will be toasty as well.

Open spaces: An open floor plan may feel like old news, but it’s proving to be a trend that is here to stay. Homeowners are knocking down barrier walls in their homes to offer larger spaces. Airy living rooms and open kitchens are all the rage for 2015.

Charging Stations: In this day and age, we are lost without our smart devices. With the size of our electronic devices shrinking and the huge explosion of Wi-Fi, the need for a separate home office is diminishing by the minute. Homeowners are seeking spaces for charging their devices conveniently all around their homes. The new trend: wall outlets that are catered to Apple chargers and Android devices alike. Change the way you think about sockets and outlets and have your home almost ready for the Jetsons.

Outdoor living: Private dog washing stations, outdoor showers and hot tubs are all trends exploding for 2015. Families are flocking to the idea of taking the living room outdoors and outfitting patios and porches by enhancing and utilizing the natural exterior space.

What new trend will you use to spruce up your home? What are some features that you can’t live without?

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