Workplace Mental Wellbeing Audit 2021: Francis Ingham Forward

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Francis Ignham, PRCA Director General

The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), Opinium Research and The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) have published new research on the state of mental health in the UK industry. PRCA Director General Francis Ingham reflects on the findings and shares his own battle with mental health.

I thought long and hard about what to say in this foreword. And after a great deal of hesitation, I reached the conclusion that honesty was best. So here goes…

I have suffered from appalling mental health my whole life. Frequent bouts of depression; destructive and pointless anxiety; an underlying lack of confidence. All of which I’ve hidden from almost everybody.

Why do I say this now having kept quiet about it for decades? Because it would be disingenuous to do otherwise given the content of this report, and given the recommendations it makes, particularly about the need for candour.

Covid threw a powerful spotlight on mental health. I have never before had so many conversations about how people were feeling. And they were honest conversations, not the ‘Oh fine thanks. How about you?’ type. That’s one positive of Covid, and I can’t see it going away.

This report delivers data on where we are, and recommendations on what we should do. Some of its findings -such as nine out of ten practitioners have suffered mental ill health over the past year- are shocking. Others -such as three out of four have found their workplace to be supportive- are very welcome.

The four recommendations are simple, sensible, and sound. You shouldn’t feel guilty because you’re feeling unwell. You definitely should talk about the issue. We need to take better care of ourselves, and for many, that’s about workload. And where hybrid working works well, keep on with it -we’ve certainly embraced it at the PRCA and ICCO: some people like working from an office -cool. Some people like working from home -that’s cool too. Most people like a mix.

For many of us, this has been the most stressful, challenging period of our lives. Many people have been broken by it. Even more have come close to breaking point. But every crisis is a catalyst for change, whether for the better or for the worse. If we embrace the recommendations made here, then that change can definitely be for the better.

Csenge Maller & Gerda Scheirich, Hungary’s ICCO Next-Gen PR World Cup Finalists

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The finals of the ICCO Next Generation PR World Cup will be underway this Wednesday, October 13th. Having won the local PR cup in Hungary, Gerda Scheirich and Csenge Maller are set to compete against 10 other teams in the final round of the inaugural event. Join us as we get to know two of Hungary’s trailblazing young PR professionals.

Gerda Scheirich, PR Consultant at Open Communications & ICCO Next-Gen PR World Cup Finalist

Gerda Scheirich

PR Consultant at Open Communications

 

What’s your favourite PR campaign that you’ve been involved in or have seen?

My favorite campaign I worked on is ”rEGGelem* campaign” (*reggelem means ‘My Morning’ or in a creative way: ‘BrEGGfast’). The Hungarian Egg Association’s CSR campaign, rEGGelem, that is a school program launched in 2019, emphasizes the importance of having breakfast for young people. But it could not continue within the usual school framework due to the pandemic. Therefore, we proposed that the program should move to social media platforms, including TikTok, which is the most dynamically developing platform in Hungary and globally.

 

What does being creative mean to you?
For me, being creative means being able to solve a problem in a unique way. And as a result, creating something valuable that has a positive impact on others: making them laugh, think, take action or “simply” making their life better.

 

Favourite social media account to follow?

Gulyás Lídia  and Formula 1 official Instagram page.

 

 

Csenge Maller, Junior PR Consultant at Open Communications & ICCO Next-Gen PR World Cup Finalist

Csenge Maller

Junior Public Relations Consultant at Open Communications

 

What’s your favourite PR campaign that you’ve been involved in or have seen?

One of my favorite campaigns is related to support premature babies. It included among others expert interviews, media and influencer collaborations,  and also a strong online presence. This theme always warms my heart.

 

What does being creative mean to you?
For me, being creative means to create something unique that grabs attention and leaves a lasting mark in people.

 

Favourite social media account to follow?

Neubeller Réka. I’m impressed by her thoughts, style and perspective on life.

 

To read more about the competition, click here.

ICCO Next-Gen PR World Cup Finalists – Onyeka Iyoha & Hameed Olanrewaju

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Last week, it was announced that Modion Communication’s Onyeka Iyoha and Hameed Olanrewaju won the PR World Cup regionals in Africa and are set to compete globally against 10 other teams from October 13th to October 18th, in the ICCO’s Next Generation PR World Cup. Now it’s time to get to know our finalists!

Onyeka Iyoha, Research Executive/Data Analyst at Modion Communications & ICCO Next-Gen PR World Cup Finalist

Onyeka Iyoha

Research Executive/Data Analyst at Modion Communications

 

What’s your favourite PR campaign that you’ve been involved in or have seen?

For me PR is essentially a storytelling and image-shaping tool and the best campaign I have had the opportunity to be a part of is the disruptive #Gokada2.0 campaign by Modion Communications. Our team successfully reshaped the image of the Gokada brand and re-instated public goodwill. The campaign also elevated and repositioned the brand as safe for commute, tech led and customer first. #Godaka2.0 was not only impactful but clenched a Diamond Sabre Award as best Crisis Comms Campaign in 2020.

 

What does being creative mean to you?

Being creative means executing a concept that has never been done or developing a campaign in a different approach from the norm.

Favourite social media account to follow?

Food Network on Instagram

 

Hameed Olanrewaju, Head of Innovation & Insights at Modion Communications & 2021 Next-Gen PR World Cup finalist

Hameed Olanrewaju

Head of Innovation & Insights at Modion Communications

 

What’s your favourite PR campaign that you’ve been involved in or have seen?

I love the very talked about See Finish teaser campaign for Leadway Assurance, but my all-time favourite campaign is #DeterminedDele also by Modion Communications. The determination of Dele Fathia a schoolgirl who was pictured doing her homework at night with the illumination from an ATM facility exemplifies the Nigerian can do spirit and is worthy of reward. It is pure genius by Modion Communications to have conceptualised an award-winning PR strategy for Lumos Nigeria to improve Dele’s living conditions by installing a free solar power system in her home in less than 48 hours. The campaign is very touching, highly relatable and depicts the power of using one person’s story to illuminate a broader social issue.

What does being creative mean to you?

Creativity for me is an idea or concept that improves the way we live our lives. One of the core reasons I find #DeterminedDele campaign creative and alluring.

Favourite social media account to follow?

Mercedes-Benz on Instagram

 

The outcome of the finals will be announced on October 21st.

To read more about the competition, click here.

Iknoor Kaur & Neha Chandra, ICCO Next Generation PR World Cup Finalists

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Get to know Iknoor Kaur and Neha Chandra, who won first place at the local PR cup in India. The duo will go on to compete against 10 other teams, from October 13th to October 18th, in the ICCO’s Next Generation PR World Cup finals.

To read more about the competition, click here.

Iknoor Kaur

Corporate Brand & Communications Lead at SPAG Asia

 

Iknoor Kaur, Corporate Brand & Communications Lead at the Strategic Partners Group Asia & 1st place winner of the PCRAI PR World Cup

What’s your favourite PR campaign that you’ve been involved in or have seen?
A campaign close to my heart is Mission Medicine: Delivering Life – a campaign for Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance during the pandemic in June 2020. Amidst the ongoing COVID- 19 pandemic, the agency created a campaign that showcased technical expertise as well as the emotional drivers behind the pharmaceutical industry. It was an integrated (PR & Digital) campaign that celebrated unseen heroes, not only doctors but also those behind the scenes involved in the supply chain as they work tirelessly to ensure that medicines reach us all on time, in the toughest of times.

The 360-degree integrated nature of the campaign clicked with me. The campaign was driven through a series of videos entailing the stories that shed light on the challenges faced by the pharma employees – right from manufacturers to logisticians and pharmacists as a result of the lockdown. The messaging was supported by a systematic PR campaign which created an all-round impact.

I believe in this rapidly changing world of today, integrated communications plays a crucial role. Moreover, cause-related and purpose driven campaigns hold way more impact and connect with audiences at a much deeper level. For me, it’ll always be those campaigns that’ll leave a mark.

         

What does being creative mean to you?
Creativity is all about looking within and going with the flow. I don’t think creativity is something that can be learnt. It’s a soft skill that needs nurturing. It’s almost a mindset, in my opinion. An ability to constantly unlearn and learn, to be aware, mindful, open to change and ever evolving; where every new idea is an opening into a new possibility. A creative world is a world without limits.

Favourite social media account to follow?

It’s tough to pick only one, but I think I’ll go with Kunal Shah on Twitter.

 

 

Neha Chandra

Senior Account Executive at SPAG Asia

 

Neha Chandra, Senior Account Executive at SPAG & 1st place winner at the 2021, PCRAI PR World Cup

What’s your favourite PR campaign that you’ve been involved in or have seen?
My favourite would be Medela’s Back to Work campaign. Medela, a breast pump and nursing accessories manufacturer, had found that many Indian women either gave up breastfeeding when they went back to work or quit their jobs when they gave birth. They took to PR to solve this unique challenge. Medela conducted a survey to study trends on maternity leave, breastfeeding practices, and work-life balance for a new mother and the results showed that nearly 42% of working mothers quit breastfeeding due to the inability to manage work and motherhood. The survey results also showed that many women didn’t know how to use breast pumps. An integrated communications campaign was designed to educate mothers on using Medela’s products through a mix of on-ground activities, video storytelling, blogger engagement, print and broadcast outreach and social media in an engaging and relatable way. Encouraging the dialogue further were the Medela Experts and the Lactoclave – a series of webinars designed for experience sharing.

I have always been passionate about healthcare communication and the power PR holds in changing the narrative, and so when I came across this campaign I knew there was something so new and refreshing about it. In India, breastfeeding is still seen as an under the covers act and women often get ogled at for feeding their children in public.  Breastfeeding in itself is such a taboo topic so when the conversation started on encouraging women to go back to work, once they feel fit and creating a suitable environment for them, it was bound to catch eyeballs. The campaign showed that while biologically, mothers are responsible for carrying and delivering the baby, taking care of the baby then on must be a shared responsibility. Women should not feel like they have to give up their passion professionally to take care of their baby. And that actually paved way for the next campaign I got to work on with Medela.

What does being creative mean to you?
Being creative means to let loose, to eliminate any bias/pre conceived notion you may hold, to not be afraid to question, and not be afraid to be questioned, to let your imagination run wild.

Favourite social media account to follow?

Tough one. At present I am immersed in healthcare content created by doctor influencers so I would say @dr_cuterus, who talks about everything we should have learnt in sex ed at school.

 

The winners Of  the PR World Cup will be announced on October 21st.

BHM Announced as First African Platinum Sponsor at ICCO Global Summit

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ICCO has today announced BHM as its first-ever African platinum sponsor of the ICCO Global Summit. The Summit has been ICCO’s flagship annual conference for more than twenty-five years. The international public relations and communications company has committed to partner the London event on November 17th and 18th as well as bringing insights to the speaker programme.

Ayeni Adekunle, Founder, BHM said,

“By putting BHM at the forefront of activities like the ICCO Summit, we are making ourselves heard and deepening our engagement with the international PR community. I hope to see greater African participation and representation at every level in global organisations and events. This is just the beginning.”

Nitin Mantri, President, ICCO said:

“ICCO is a global organisation, and it is important that is reflected not just in our diverse, international speaker programme and membership but also our sponsor line up, so I am delighted that Ayeni has taken this step to support the event, which is a really positive statement of intent and ambition from him and his agency”.

The Global Summit can be joined virtually or in person, with speakers including Heather Kernahan, Hotwire; Gail Heinemann, Weber Shandwick; Kathy Bloomgarden, Ruder Finn. Full details here.

Inaugural PR World Cup Finalists Announced!

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Eleven countries will compete for gold in the first ever ICCO Next Generation PR World Cup Final later this month.

To qualify for the global final, contestants had to win a national or regional competition, overseen by their local ICCO PR association. In each national competition, participants fulfilled a brief set by a local charity in less than 48 hours. The winning pitch was then determined by a panel of judges.

The final will take place virtually between 13th and 18th October. Answering a global charity’s brief, participants will have five days to put together a five-minute recorded video pitch, which will then be judged by a panel comprised of PR experts from around the world.

Rob Morbin, ICCO Deputy Chief Executive said:

“One of ICCO members’ priorities is to ensure the pipeline of PR talent is nurtured and that we support the next generation of global creative thinkers and internationally minded PR professionals. Winners from different associations across the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East have done incredibly well to win, and the next stage will be even tougher!”

The winner being announced on 21st October.

The full list of finalists:

Name Agency Team/ Country ICCO Association
Nina Kenakkala Novart Oy Finland MTL
Vilma Suokko Lehto Group Ojy Finland MTL
Maria da Silva Agence Proches France SCRP
Vasileios Vrakas (learn more about team France here) Omnicom PR Group France France SCRP
Gerda Scheirlich Opencom Hungary HUPRA
Csenge Miller (Lear more about team Hungary here) Opencom Hungary HUPRA
Iknoor Kaur SPAG Asia India PRCAI
Neha Chandra (Learn more about team India here) SPAG Asia India PRCAI
Flavia Perricone Omnicom Italy Italy UNA
Ludovica Marchese Omnicom Italy Italy UNA
Jessica Openheim Porter Novelli Mexico Mexico PRCA Americas
Leticia Villegas (Learn more about team Mexico here) Porter Novelli Mexico Mexico PRCA Americas
Hameed Olanrewaju Modion Comms Nigeria APRA/ PRCA Africa Network
Onyeka Iyoha (Learn more about team Nigeria here) Modion Comms Nigeria APRA/ PRCA Africa Network
Valeriya Yudina Elefante Porter Novelli Russia PRCA Russia
Julia Kurbatova (Learn more about team Russia here) Elefante Porter Novelli Russia PRCA Russia
Heather Seet Mutant Communications Singapore PRCA Asia Pacific
Victoria Brown (Learn more about team Singapore here) Mutant Communications Singapore PRCA Asia Pacific
Sweta Fernandes (Lear more about Sweta here) Golin MENA UAE PRCA Middle East and North Africa
Hazem Beshr Golin MENA UAE PRCA Middle East and North Africa
Elliot Payne Boldspace UK PRCA UK
Sophie Webster (Learn more about Team UK here) Boldspace UK PRCA UK

ICCO and The Trust Project Announce Partnership to Promote Freedom of Media and Trusted News Ecosystem

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The International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) has announced a partnership with the media and journalism organisation, The Trust Project (TTP), to address misinformation, support free news media, and strengthen the public’s access to reliable news and information around the globe.

Appropriately this announcement comes as we are immersed in ICCO’s PR Ethics Month, which emphasises the responsibility of communications professionals to centre their work in truth, facts, and ethical practices.

ICCO has been a specialist advisor to the Council of Europe (COE) on issues including media literacy and free speech, and TTP will support this work going forward.

The partnership will also allow ICCO, together with TTP, to promote the Trust Indicators® as a powerful news literacy tool for PR professionals, clients and the general public. The organisations will collaborate to create new resources, tools, standards and a series of activities across our geographies that will promote freedom of speech, media literacy and education.

The Trust Project is a US-based not-for-profit that works with news organizations around the world to amplify journalism’s commitment to transparency, accuracy, inclusion, and fairness so that the public can make informed news choices. TTP’s News Partners include CBC, The Economist, El País, The Washington Post, Il Sole 24 Ore and more than 200 other online, print and television media from around the world.

“Misinformation spreads quickly, damaging the work of PR and communications, therefore it is essential we support trusted, credible media. PR also relies on a free media to report information without fear of punishment. Without a free press, there is no free communications. I look forward to partnering with The Trust Project in our work with the Council of Europe and with our members, on building productive networks, campaigns and shared practices between trusted media and trusted PR” said Massimo Moriconi, Europe President, ICCO.

“I am pleased that public relations professionals, led by ICCO, are helping to lead the effort to elevate honesty over misleading reports and claims,” said Sally Lehrman, chief executive and founder of the Trust Project. “The rise of both misinformation and attacks on the press make our collaboration urgent and essential.”

For further information about ICCO’s work with TTP or COE, please contact rob.morbin@iccopr.com

-ENDS-

About ICCO:

The International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) is the voice of public relations consultancies around the world. The ICCO membership comprises 41 associations representing 70 countries across the globe: from Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, and Australasia. Collectively, these associations represent over 3,000 PR firms. For more visit http://iccopr.com/

 

About the Trust Project:

The Trust Project is a global network of news organizations working to affirm and amplify journalism’s commitment to transparency, accuracy and inclusion. The project created the Trust Indicators®, which are a collaborative, journalism-generated standard for news that helps both regular people and the technology companies’ machines easily assess the authority and integrity of news. The Trust Indicators are based in robust user-centered design research and respond to public needs and wants. For more visit thetrustproject.org/faq/

 

Ethical challenge facing PR practitioners in 2021

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Isil Aridag, CEO, Unite Edelman Turkey

Reality Versus Truth

In this unprecedented era of pandemics; rising social tensions; unstable politics; financial uncertainty; mass unemployment; misuse of technology; and escalating natural disasters; trust matters more than ever.

According to the 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer Global Report; among NGOs, governments, and media – only companies and brands are seen as having both the competencies and the ethical resolve needed to tackle today’s problems. Nevertheless, people still question the gap between the projected reality of a company and the truth of how they actually behave.  As comms consultants, we are tasked with a huge and vital mission to foster sustainable, purposeful, ethical business models that protect people, society, and the environment; and to create economic and social value. Consequently, communication in this new age will shift from the traditionally assumed roles of B2B and B2C to a new norm B2H. Business to Human.

The Edelman Trust Barometer Global Report also states that most consumers believe they have the power to force brands to change to take purposeful actions.  Communication practitioners should keep in mind that while acting as loyal ambassadors, consumers may also easily turn into hardened activists and jaded protestors.

The report shows that in our current age, trust in all information sources is at record lows. The public are more sceptical than ever; they doubt the reliability of information; and are wary of disinformation and misinformation; and are confused by knowledge inflation. The challenge for the communication industry, then, is to establish an accountable platform to reach out to, influence, and convince the mistrustful audiences.

The other challenge for communication people is the enormous effort needed to adapt to rapidly developing technology and guide constantly changing social media policies while protecting the privacy rights of all stakeholders. Legal and ethical regulations are a “must-have”. Yet these, sometimes curtail the possibilities of a competitive communications program that stands out among competitors. Alongside this, “strategic creativity” seems to be another challenge.

A trustworthy communication climate and excellent ethical standards can only be achieved when all stakeholders plan, pledge, and act in a collaborative effort. Furthermore, businesses must also “say” and “do” the same. Then, reality becomes truth.

Using these truths to appeal honestly and transparently to the audiences, we can leverage true B2H communications and begin to navigate the multi-layered and integrated landscape of the present day, where trust is needed more than ever.

Follow the hashtag #prethics for more throughout ethics month

High standards and professional ethics are the industry’s crucial raison d’être and an everyday call to action

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By Kresten Schultz Jørgensen, CEO, Oxymoron Communication & Board Member, Kreativitet & Kommunikation (The Association of Advisory Creative Business in Denmark)

& Boline Skovly, Communication Officer, Kreativitet & Kommunikation

If recent history has taught us anything, the most important lesson for communication practitioners and the global industry is that communication has for all practical purposes become means in modern warfare. For some, this might sound as a postulate, however reality backs it up. And indeed, we professionals must acknowledge that our expertise can be used in the service of both good and evil. Good, is the articulation of knowledge and valid opinions. Bad, is propaganda and fake news.

Today, the communications industry is challenged by the commercialization of a few tech giants. The platforms are not only distorted with noise. Over the last years we have witnessed state propaganda, fake news and disinformation that has twisted rule of law and altered societies. As a concrete example, the world witnessed an American election in 2016 that was heavily influenced by Russian interests. This is ultimately what is at stake and this calls for self-reflection within the industry.

Finetune your ethical compass

High standards and professional ethics have always been the foundation of the communications industry, but today they are the most vital competitive parameters in a world where communication is the primary component in both geopolitics and social development. Communication governs the world–and with that follows a great responsibility, ethical behavior, and standards.

Within the Public Relations and Public Affairs discipline, we often work under the radar. Our work and expertise every so often take place in closed spaces, such as dealing with a crisis before it becomes a public crisis or the drafting of political legislation before it is made public. It is our job to participate in policy development for the whole of society, and every communication consultant needs to finetune his or her ethical compass to navigate. Why? Because we are a guarantee of reliable sources of information. But adjusting your ethical compass is not a static exercise. More is it a dynamic process that calls for constant attention.

Furthermore, Public Relations and Public Affairs often start with a problem–other communication disciplines have different starting points e.g., an opportunity, a solution, or a product. The political and crisis-related angles in our professionalism imply that we cannot, nor must we take the wrong shortcuts. In other words, there lies a great responsibility on the individual communications consultant and company in relation to working in accordance with the adopted standards.

Helsinki, Stockholm, and Danish national ethical guidelines

The most urgent challenge today is to value and nurture the ethics of the industry. We believe that we must be at the forefront of standing together with and about high standards. On a national level, we work under a collection of ethical guidelines in Denmark and on an international level we support and conform to ICCO’s Helsinki Declaration and Stockholm Charter.

New Next Generation PR World Cup Competition Announced

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A new global competition for PR professionals under 35 will take place in October 2021.

ICCO is committing to nurturing, encouraging, and promoting the next generation of talent in PR. Sourcing and retaining top talent is something that ICCO members battle with every day, no matter what region of the world they are based. The latest ICCO initiative to support this effort is a new competition, the Next Generation PR World Cup, offering a fresh opportunity for talented PR professionals under 35 to shine.

Participating PR associations around the world will source their teams of 2 over the next two months, and those chosen will go on to represent their country or region in the inaugural Next Generation PR World Cup in October. The final competition will take place over the course of one week, in which finalists will be tasked with creating a short video to fulfill a challenging brief.

National and Regional PR Associations confirmed to submitting teams to PR World Cup include:

  • Kreakom Denmark
  • MTL Finland
  • SCRP France
  • HUPRA Hungary
  • PRCA India
  • PR Hub Italy
  • PRCA Russia
  • PRCA Africa Network
  • PRCA Middle East and North Africa
  • PRCA Latin America
  • PRCA Southeast Asia
  • PRCA UK
  • More to be confirmed

Local ‘qualifier’ competitions and processes for unearthing a team of two under 35s that will compete in the global finals will take place up to the 30th September, when the final line up of teams for the Next Generation PR World Cup will be announced.

A student competition for full-time PR students will also run in September and October.

For details of the final competition – visit the ICCO World Cup Page

To find out how about your local competition or to get in touch with your local association, contact support@iccopr.com or find them here