✅ We're all going on a summer holiday
Your week ahead in management, media and public relations
School’s out. We’re taking a break and heading off on holiday. This will be our last newsletter until 19 August.
Have an excellent summer and take care of yourself.
Management
💻 CROWDSTRIKE CHAOS: A faulty update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused a massive global IT outage, affecting countless Windows PCs and servers. Experts warn that full recovery could take weeks for many businesses, as each affected device requires manual intervention to fix the issue. Source: Financial Times.
👑 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA: The King's Speech outlines a wide-ranging legislative agenda focused on economic growth, public services reform, and strengthening rights. Key bills include measures on planning, employment rights, rail nationalisation, mental health reform, and establishing a football regulator, among many others, across various policy areas. Source: UK Government.
🦠 PANDEMIC LESSONS: The COVID-19 Inquiry's first report reveals poor pandemic preparation across the UK, leading to increased deaths. It recommends the creation of a new UK-wide body for emergency response, emphasising the need for local involvement and clear communication while highlighting the need for better integrating public health expertise in future planning. Source: Dan Slee.
Research and insight
🤔 STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS: Two European studies reveal a significant gap between the perceived importance of public relations and its influence in organisations. While most recognise the growing value of public relations, there's a lack of clarity about its strategic role, highlighting the need for practitioners to articulate their contribution better and align with organisational goals. Source: Wadds Inc.
📊 PUBLIC PRIORITIES: The latest ONS Public Opinions and Social Trends survey found the cost of living (87%), NHS (87%) and economy (66%) were the top issues facing the UK in June 2024. Different demographic groups had varying concerns, with younger adults more likely to prioritise housing and climate change, while older adults were more focused on crime and immigration. Source: ONS.
💷 INFLATION STEADY: The CBI welcomed June 2024's stable inflation data which met the Bank of England's target, noting it could pave the way for an interest rate cut in August. However, many households have yet to feel the benefits of lower inflation due to high prices, particularly for food and energy bills. Source: CBI.
Artificial intelligence
🏛️ MUMSNET SUES OPENAI: Mumsnet has launched the first UK legal action against OpenAI, accusing the company of scraping six billion words from its website without permission to train ChatGPT. The parenting website claims this represents an "existential threat" and is demanding OpenAI delete its data and cease using it. Source: The Times.
🎬 AI SCRIPT ASSISTANT: British journalist Sophia Smith Galer has developed an AI chatbot called Sophina to help create viral vertical video scripts. The tool aims to make it easier for journalists and others to quickly produce optimised social media video content, potentially improving the quality of information on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Source: Reuters Institute.
Industry
🎖️ PR LEADERSHIP: The CIPR is seeking nominations for its 2026 President, a three-year voluntary role now limited to Chartered Practitioners, an important recognition of the ongoing public relations professionalism project. If you're a Chartered Practitioner with the energy and drive to lead CIPR members, please consider putting yourself forward. If you work in public relations but aren't a CIPR member, please consider joining. Source: CIPR.
Media
📊NEWS ANALYSIS: Analysis of top publishers and content across social media platforms highlights shifting trends in news consumption, with different strategies succeeding on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. It shows the importance of platform-specific approaches for publishers to engage audiences effectively Source: NewsWhip.
📺 SPORTS TV CONSULTATION: Ofcom is seeking evidence to implement changes to listed sporting events rules under the 2024 Media Act, expanding coverage rights beyond traditional broadcasters to include streaming services. The regulator aims to ensure major events remain accessible to wide audiences while adapting to evolving viewing habits and technologies. Source: OFCOM.
Search
🔍 FORUMS RANKING: Google is increasingly favouring forum sites such as Reddit and Quora in search results, leading to traffic declines for niche websites. To adapt, brands should create their own industry-focused discussion boards to generate high-quality user content that can compete with major forums for search visibility. Source; Search Engine Land.
Thank you to Andy Barr, Slavina Dimitrova, Alan Morrison, Dan Slee, Andrew Bruce Smith and Sarah Waddington CBE for sharing and debating the stories in the newsletter this week.