Author: Miles Perry Page 1 of 4

On May 1, 2025

https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-evolution-of-corporate-activism-with-guest/id1677375263?i=1000650064877

Standing on Social Issues

Organizations should take a stance on social issues such as racial justice, climate change, or LGBTQ+ rights. Businesses hold significant influence and can drive meaningful change by aligning values with actions. Responsible activism fosters confidence with socially conscious consumers and employees; being silent can suggest complicity. However, there are many risks and rewards for a organization to involve itself into politics. It cause their consumers to stop consuming their products and stop spending money. It also can retain loyal consumers.

Photo Courtesy Internet Reputation Management

Rewawrds of Standing on Social Issues

Rewards for organizations that take a stand on social issues and enhance their reputation come in many forms. According to Beaubien (2023), “Those benefits include improved financial performance; better ability to attract and retain top talent; and the power to drive purchase and investment decisions and sustain what the report calls “’a company’s permission to operate” (p.1). Corporate activism can also increase staff motivation, draw purpose-driven customers, and help brand loyalty. When big corporations like the NBA take a stand, for instance, as Black Lives Matter demonstrates, their dedication to ideals beyond profit fosters confidence and a closer emotional bond with their audience. Big corporations that are actively involved in social and political issues can also differentiate their brand in competitive markets, which may enhance public relations and inspire creative ideas grounded in ethical responsibility and long-term sustainability.

Photo Courtesy CNN

Risks of CSA Standing on Social Issues

According to PRSAY (2022), “For organizations, speaking out on controversial topics invites the risk of alienating people and damaging brand reputations. Even as more companies and communicators report taking sides on controversial and divisive social issues, those positions sometimes make people angry” (p.1). Furthermore, if the activism seems theatrical or at odds with a company’s policies, it may generate charges of hypocrisy or “woke-washing,” so compromising the credibility of the company and its brand. The possibility of politicization is another major concern. Even well-meaning advocacy can turn a lightning point for controversy in the polarized society of today. This could lead to viral social media criticism, protests, or boycotts that draw attention away from the main activities of the business. However, there is hope to change polarization. According to PRSAY (2022), “ More than three-fourths of PR professionals surveyed said polarization challenges their communication goals. At the same time, 85 percent believe that business can help reduce polarization in society” (p.1). Good business is good for the community. It will help heal some open wounds we have in our society.

Photo Courtsesy Open Democracy

Sources

https://www.prsa.org/article/report-corporate-reputation-never-more-important-nor-more-fragile

Corporate Activism Brings Benefits and Pitfalls, Report Finds

The Importance of Different Tactics

On April 10, 2025

What Is Earned Media? Definition, Benefits and Examples | PR Newswire. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2025, from https://www.prnewswire.com/resources/articles/what-is-earned-media-definition-benefits-and-examples/https://www.firpodcastnetwork.com/spin-sucks-130-a-peso-model-primer-for-2021/

What Is Earned Media

Earned Media is a PR tactic that uses tactics like word of mouth, content sharing, or even media coverage without paying for it. It can not be bought; it can only be earned. Earned Media is also earned naturally over time, with the help of engagement with that company’s following and engagement on different platforms, earned media will occur. Earned Media is the most crucial PR tactic for professionals in the field. It also is generated through third party sources and other media coverages.What Is Earned Media? How PR Helps

Per Miles Perry

The Importance of Earned Media

The impact of earned media can vary in so many different ways. There is credibility, reach, cost-effectiveness, and direct sales. Trust with the brand’s target audience is also a key factor in earned media. PR Daily (2024) states:

During a CEO change, for example, the Edelman team will use Trust Stream to assess the positive or negative effects of media coverage. They analyze factors like stability, continuity and investor trust or sentiment. This allows them to give the client a clear, data-driven view of the unfolding narrative. It also shows where to focus subsequent efforts to reduce reputational damage, Christopher said.
Not every PR firm or company will have the tools of a large agency like Edelman. But they can still identify data sets and metrics that are most reliable to them to map the coverage to specific business objectives for each client, whether that’s brand awareness, lead generation, sales or reputation. She mentioned setting up Google Alerts and Talkwater Alerts, a free tool that lets brands track mentions of their brand, competitors or specific keywords across the web, including social media platforms like X (paras 8,10).

When a company or brand receives favorable coverage from journalists, celebrity influencers, or happy customers, it will act as a third-party acceptance that will carry more weight than advertising. The reach of earned media is also broader and has a longer-lasting effect, as stories can be communicated across social media. The brand itself will be referenced over time. It enhances a company’s prestige and increases its visibility. It will even drive organic traffic naturally without direct cost. Today’s world is driven by being authentic, and earned media helps companies build real relationships with customers and the public and build strong brand loyalty.

Photo Courtesy Maclyn

The Lego Rebuild

An example of how creative problem-solving can bring people together and stimulate inventive thinking is the LEGO “Rebuild the World” campaign. In the fall of 2021, LEGO tapped into assertive emotional narratives that gained across-the-board media attention. Earned media, including social media shares, influencer partnerships, and organic coverage in major outlets, allowed the campaign to get its message out without spending money on ads. This strategy was a smashing success, raising LEGO’s worldwide profile as a company that encourages imagination and friendship.

Photo Courtesy LEGO®

Citations

Dietrich, G. (2021, January 6). Spin Sucks 130: A PESO Model Primer for 2021. FIR Podcast Network. https://www.firpodcastnetwork.com/spin-sucks-130-a-peso-model-primer-for-2021/https://www.firpodcastnetwork.com/spin-sucks-130-a-peso-model-primer-for-2021/

(Dietrich, 2021)

Weldon, C. (2024, August 26). Tips for determining the true value of earned media. PR Daily. https://www.prdaily.com/tips-for-determining-the-true-value-of-earned-media/https://www.firpodcastnetwork.com/spin-sucks-130-a-peso-model-primer-for-2021/

(Weldon, 2024)

LEGO Rebuild the World 2021—About Us. (2021, September 20). LEGO.Com. https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2021/september/lego-rebuild-the-world-2021 https://www.firpodcastnetwork.com/spin-sucks-130-a-peso-model-primer-for-2021/

(LEGO Rebuild the World 2021 – About Us, 2021)

Diversity and the Changing Public Relations Audience

ernment DEI Programs And Preferencing

On March 14, 2025

In Reflections

What is DEI?

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a framework that was put together to pursue and advance fair treatment for all people, however DEI was really put in place to help people that have been dealing with discrimination or a lack of representation historically in the United States. DEI has done a lot of goood and has brought a lot of change in corporate, education, and social class settings. In 2025, DEI was cut and defunded by the U.S. government. The Trump adminstration sees DEI programs as wasteful and immoral. Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing

AFP/Getty Images

The Importance of Identity

Identity diversity is essential in society and public relations. It creates inclusivity, widens mindsets, and brings communities together. In a society with so much diversity, people bring unique experiences, backgrounds, and viewpoints to decisions that need more than one opinion. Identity diversity helps break down bias. It will also create equitable opportunities for people that are not heard. Organizations in the PR world, like PRSA, are trying to improve the lack of diversity in Public Relations. PRSA (2025) states:

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is devoted to building consciousness by increasing visibility of DEI standards, resources and best practices for racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation and gender differences, as well as diverse skill sets, mindsets and cultures at all levels of the organization.

The DEI Committee commends PR firms and organizations that have established more diverse workplace environments, and those that have established management programs to help minority groups and LGBTQ+ practitioners move up the corporate ladder (paras 1,2).

Identity diversity is critical for original storytelling and effective communication in public relations. PR business professionals must understand and represent different audiences with different cultures and backgrounds. The messages echos with other races, cultures, and gender identities. Without diversity in public relations, campaigns risk being harmful or even threatening to specific cultural groups. This is why DEI is essential in fostering inclusive spaces that are fair to everyone.

Go0gle

Google has faced many problems regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. However, in the public eye, Google has made it clear that it is committed to diversity. The company has struggled with workplace discrimination against employees. It is apparent that Google has Insufficient representation in senior positions and internal opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Glaser (2020) states:

Since 2018, internal diversity and inclusion training programs have been scaled back or cut entirely, four Google employees and two people who recently left the company told NBC News in interviews. In addition, they said, the team responsible for those programs has been reduced in size, and positions previously held by full-time employees have been outsourced or not refilled after members of the diversity teams left the company ( Para 2).

Questions remain about Google’s dedication to diversity in the long run because of the layoffs that have occurred inside its DEI teams due to internal conflicts and political opposition.

Refrences

Current and ex-employees allege Google drastically rolled back diversity programs. (2020, May 13). NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/current-ex-employees-allege-google-drastically-rolled-back-diversity-inclusion-n1206181

About Public Relations. (n.d.). PRSA. https://www.prsa.org/about/all-about-pr

(About Public Relations, n.d.)

On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast (Director). (2021, June 14). Courageous conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion with Tru Pettigrew [Video recording]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwJoPRrfSJE

(About Public Relations, n.d.)

(On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast, 2021)

The Father of PR

On February 19, 2025

In Reflections, Uncategorized

Who is Ivy Ledbetter Lee?

Photo Courtesy Drilled Media

Ivy Ledbetter Lee was an American pioneer in public relations. Some call him the father of public relations. A former newspaper reporter and Princeton University graduate, Lee is believed to have invented public relations walkthroughs, such as press releases and conferences. Lee’s innovative ideas changed mass media and public relations forever.

Photo Courtesy Miles Perry

The Fathers Methods

Ledbetter is credited with many different methods and ideas used today in public relations. According to Shelley Spector, co-founder of the Museum of Public Relations, the essential method Lee created was ethical crisis management. Meade (2020):

It was the creation of ethical crisis management practices is his most important contribution. This is all the more remarkable considering that in Lee’s era, the early 1900s, companies would most likely hide an incident from the press, or even lie about it entirely. (p.1)

However, practicing crisis management was a big deal because Lee showed companies how to avoid bad news press, keep unexpected problems within the organization hidden, and make it positive by creating a fake story to tell the media. This method would help improve the reputation of companies, and it is still used today.

Harris & Ewing Collection/Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (Digital File Number: LC-DIG-hec-19043)

In S3, Ep 1 The Father of Public Relations of The Mad Men of Big Oil series, Amy Westervelt talks about how Ivy Ledbetter Lee used this method to help John Davison Rockefeller Sr solve some interior problems about him and his oil company that became public. Lee’s open door policy helped rebuild the Rockefellers public trust and maintained their image. Lee thought that ethical communication was the key to the groundwork for the principles that still guide public relations today.

Lee’s Influence in the 21st Century

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/ Getty

Lee’s methods have stood the test of time, influencing today’s public relations practices. His press release idea set a standard for clear, convenient, and factual information dissemination, helping to control misinformation. However, one method that seems to be a recurring theme is fake news. Lee used false information to help clear up John Davison Rockefeller Sr’s name and brand, which put up a phony mask for Rockefeller. In today’s society of mass media and politics, you see this more and more. Not to get too deep into politics and social media, but fake news is more accurate than ever before.

Open communication has become a cornerstone of reputation management. In any crisis, PR statements and press conferences address the media and public head-on. Something that Lee would be grateful that did withstand time is people in public relations advocating for truthfulness and directness. Lee wanted organizations to do that, engage the public, and foster relationships, which are essential in today’s public relations.

Photo Courtesy LSU Online

Refrences

About Public Relations. (n.d.). PRSA. https://wwAbout Public Relations. (n.d.). PRSA. https://www.prsa.org/about/all-about-prw.prsa.org/about/all-about-pr

Westervelt, A. (n.d.). The Father of Public Relations (No. 1) [Audio recording]. https://drilled.media/podcasts/drilled/3/drilleds03-e01Westervelt, A. (n.d.). The Father of Public Relations (No. 1) [Audio recording]. https://drilled.media/podcasts/drilled/3/drilleds03-e01

Westervelt, A. (n.d.). The Oil-Nazi-Propaganda Triangle (No. 2) [Audio recording]. https://drilled.media/podcasts/drilled/3/drilleds02-e02http://Westervelt, A. (n.d.). The Oil-Nazi-Propaganda Triangle (No. 2) [Audio recording]. https://drilled.media/podcasts/drilled/3/drilleds02-e02

Meade, J. (2020). Father of PR, Ivy Lee, Pioneered Tactics We Use Today. PR NEWS, 1. https://www.prnewsonline.com/ivy-lee-crisis-history/http://Meade, J. (2020). Father of PR, Ivy Lee, Pioneered Tactics We Use Today. PR NEWS, 1. https://www.prnewsonline.com/ivy-lee-crisis-history/

The Story of Russell Perry

On a cold December night, The year was 2013, and I was ten years old. I was sitting in my grandfather’s office next to my brother Sebastian on the couch. On the other side of the room, my cousins Winston and Matthew were sitting in some chairs. My grandfather was sitting behind his desk; He had his legs crossed and his hand on the side of his face. He was getting ready to tell us the story of Russell Perry living on his own at the age of twelve. The atmosphere in the room was very emotional and severe. Was anyone else a little bit uncomfortable? Was anyone else a little uncertain where this story would go? Ideas started to flood my head as I sat there next to Sebastian. I looked at my grandfather, and he began his story. I was mentally preparing myself for certain things I didn’t know. Something that would make me look at things differently as an eleven-year-old kid.

Before telling us his story himself, I had heard bits and pieces about my grandfather’s rough childhood. When I was about eight years old, my grandmother sat my brother and me down. She talked to us about my grandfather’s childhood. I didn’t know where this conversation was going. I knew only about my grandfather’s childhood as he was a high school all-American in football. He also played in the first integration game in the state of Oklahoma. What my grandmother was about to tell me would change my view on life. She told me that my grandfather was kicked out of his childhood home at a young age. She also told us he lived on his own all of the high school, which shocked me. I sat there thinking about the man that ran the most prominent independent African American broadcasting company.

One day, I was talking to my dad in the car. He told me my grandfather was getting inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. He said I would have to act like my grandfather in a video. In this video, I was supposed to reenact Russell Perry walking with a sack of clothes and looking up at the sky like I was pleading to god. Was it necessary for the video? I was baffled about why I was doing this. So, I asked my father why. He told me my grandfather was about my age when he was on his own and got kicked out of his home by his stepfather. I sat there in disbelief and thought it wasn’t true. I was thinking about my grandfather walking around homeless at the age of eleven. For the rest of that car ride, I asked my dad more questions on the fact that my grandfather was homeless as a kid. Then I sat there again, thinking how privileged I am and how lucky I am to be in my situation.

During the Oklahoma Hall of Fame ceremony, many people were inducted that night. However, I wasn’t worried about them. I was just concerned about my grandfather. It was finally his turn, and I was so nervous. I was shaking in my chair. The reason I was so scared is that me being in the introduction video for my grandfather. I wanted this story I kept hearing about my grandfather to be perfect, and it was perfect to him. He told me I did an excellent job and that he was very proud of me. I still didn’t know the whole story of him living on his own. I wondered if he was ever going to tell us the story.

The next evening, I was sitting next to my brother Sebastian in my grandfather’s office. While my cousins Winston and Matthew sat across from us. My grandfather was sitting behind his desk. He was getting ready to tell us this story of his childhood that we have heard of but never heard. He said that he got into a fight with his stepfather. He didn’t like how his stepfather as treating his mother. So he let him know how he felt. This caused him to get kicked out and live on his own till he married my grandmother. His father wouldn’t take him in or give him any money. He had his own apartment at the age of eleven and paid for it. He graduated high school and later would attend Maryland State College to play football. My grandfather would end up dropping out of college. College wasn’t affordable for blacks in the fifties. My grandfather came back to Oklahoma and worked at a newspaper called the black dispatch. A broke young man was working as a printer’s devil and, at the same time, working his way up to own more than half of the newspaper. He said this was only the beginning. The other half of the newspaper is owned by doctors and local business people in Oklahoma City. He said these businessmen and doctors didn’t like him. He didn’t like how they ran the newspaper. They had a meeting and discussed how business was going. The business was not going well, and people weren’t getting along. So, he decided it was time for him to leave. He was giving up the percentage of the newspaper that he owned. My grandfather would take out a mortgage on his house. With that mortgage, he would start his own newspaper. He said this would be a big risk he would be taking. It would make him and his family broke or rich. My grandmother would have to approve of this business for it to happen. She agreed, and my grandfather would name the newspaper The Black Chronicle. He said about twenty years later. I bought my first radio station, and that started Perry Publishing and Broadcasting. My grandfather would then go on and tell us about the expansion of the family business nationally.

He would also tell us how he was the first black Secretary of Commerce for Oklahoma in 2001. My grandfather made me realize that you have to go through a lot to get what you want in life. He also made me more appreciative of the life I am living today. He showed me he is capable of being a successful black man in America. Not everyone has the same path to success.

Topic paragraph for research paper

The following paper focuses on media literacy, particularly how a piece of media can help someone understand the meaning of media literacy, which is understanding mass media and how media creators construct the meaning. A podcast interview with Grammy award-winning artist Drake called Rap Radar exemplifies media literacy and the five-step process. The five steps in the media literacy process are description, analysis, interpretation, evaluation, and engagement. These steps will help break down the podcast into sections that will go into a more depth look at the interview. The process will allow people that have never heard of the artist or do not understand what the interview is trying to inform to understand the nature and repercussions of the complicated media. The process will also show and depict how the interview with Drake tries to paint a picture of Drake as the greatest artist of the decade.

Mozart

In Reflections

The Patronage system is where wealthy patrons and establishments usually support a composer for exclusive entertainment. The positive traits of patrons are that they have a steady income, guaranteed work, lodging, and meals, musicians to play works, and an audience for the composer. The Patronage system has negative traits; the composer must please their patron. Which means the patron decides what the composer writes. Composers had a limited amount of musical freedom. If the composer did not please their patron, they would be punished. The punishment would be cleaning the horse stables. The great composer Bach was imprisoned for a month for not pleasing his patron. The Free Lance system is when the composer works for himself and can choose what music they want to compose. The positives of the free-lance system were freedom of choice in what they wanted to write. There were no punishments if they did not please their commissioner. Their music was more authentic when writing for themselves. The negatives of the free-lance system were no guaranteed work or steady income. Composers would have to take care of their lodgings and meals. They would also have to find musicians to play their music and promote it. Freelancing also caused composers to be financially responsible.

Amadeus Mozart used the patron system at the beginning of his career. His patron was the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. When he left Salzburg for Vienna, Mozart began to use the free-lance system. He also had a patron in Vienna—Emperor Joesph II of Austria. The free-lance system did not benefit Mozart financially. Mozart ended up in tremendous debt. Mozart did benefit from the free-lance system when it came to writing his music. More of his authentic pieces came from when he was in the free-lance system. The patronage system did benefit Mozart. The patronage system gave him stability financially. It also gave him work. Mozart is under the patronage of the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg and comes to Vienna. Mozart sees an opportunity in Vieanna and handles it diplomatically. Unfortunately, his arrogance leads to several problems. Notice the Emperor’s limited ability to critique Mozart’s opera. Mozart and Constanze were desperate. They were constantly in debt and borrowing from friends. Rosenberg tried to forbid the opera based on the loose idea of ballet in “The Marriage of Figaro.” He also trained the chorus poorly in hopes of sabotaging the opera. Serenade for winds 9. The Abduction from the Seraglio and the Magic Flute. The Emperor Joesph II of Austria commissions Serenade for Winds. Actor Schikanader commissions The Magic Flute.

Blog Reflection

In Reflections

Working on a blog for Intro to Media has been very fun. It has opened new ways to think and process things. How the theme for the blog came up was trying to make sure it fit an energy of positive vibes and exciting things to read and talk about. People do not want to read boring things about someone or something. Also, consistency with the theme is essential to keep the reader engaged. The blogs on Life of Miles each have their own story and reasoning. Do not get it twisted; each blog has its connection to one another. That is the whole point of the theme. If the blogs do not connect, then the theme has no point. The challenges of writing a blog are consistency with the content and remembering to write blogs weekly. The other problem with writing a blog is ensuring to meet the word count. There have yet to be any roadblocks to writing a blog. The biggest thing I learned while doing the blog is that it is like dairy. It is a way of expression and decompression. Writing is relaxing, so writing blogs is a time of relaxation. In today’s generation, with all these mental health cases, people say they need help. Writing and blogging would be excellent ways to express themselves and for them to be heard. Blogging has opened my eyes to much more than I thought it would.

5-step media critical process