Living in Sin - 022

Thou shall not pitch any April Fool's campaigns to your clients.

Hi y’all!

Happy April Fool’s Day! I pray none of you are in the middle of a launch tied to the holiday. A few years back, I had to talk a client out of launching major, brand-defining news on April 1st. They couldn't wrap their head around the fact that their big reveal might end up as the day's best joke. Timing in PR isn’t just about the when; it’s about the why and the how, especially when you’re playing against a backdrop of skepticism.

Pride

I’m psyched to announce that I’m steering the PR ship for Dr. Leslie Gruis, a front-runner in the intersection of privacy and tech + a total pioneer for women in STEM. She’s tackling everything from AI failures to the everyday risks of wearable tech. If you’re covering the dynamic tension between surveillance and civil rights (who isn’t tbh) or how we can protect ourselves online, let’s chat. Her book, Privacy Pirates, is written in language that every American can understand.

Sloth

This week’s long read to luxuriate into comes from The Wall Street Journal: The Most Surprising New Gun Owners Are U.S. Liberals. It’s obvious there are shifting dynamics in the Democratic Party. A growing number of left-leaning citizens are embracing Second Amendment rights, which is recalibrating traditional political identities and stances on gun control. This nuanced shift challenges the stereotypical partisan views on firearms and suggests a broader, more complex view of individual rights and safety concerns among liberals.

From a PR standpoint, the rise of liberal gun ownership is a reminder that going deep and understanding the nuances within demographic groups are crucial for effective communication and campaign strategy. Traditional segmentation might simplify individuals into neat categories based on their political affiliations or assumed beliefs, but as this trend shows, real-world identities and opinions are much more complex. For PR pros, crafting messages that resonate requires a shift away from broad assumptions and movement toward precise and empathetic approaches. This recognition builds trust and credibility by showing that you truly understand and respect the audience’s varied experiences and values. This kind of insight-driven PR can lead to more authentic and compelling narratives that connect with people on a deeper level, transcending traditional demographic lines.

Greed

I wrote about the kidult trend a few weeks back, and it’s picking up more steam. Have you seen Dr. Martens’ latest venture with Bratz?* Lisa Says Gah also did a Polly Pocket colab.

The growing trend represents a potent strategy for tapping into the emotions and wallets of the millennials. In addition, the trends are intriguing a newer, younger audience who views these revivals as retro and cool. These collaborations serve as a reminder of the power of partnership in PR strategies. By aligning with beloved brands from the past, companies can leverage built-in audiences and fan bases while injecting fresh energy and contemporary relevance into their offerings. This approach not only revitalizes the brand image, but also demonstrates a savvy understanding of cultural trends and consumer behavior, proving that successful PR is as much about emotional connection as it is about innovation.

Gluttony

Did y’all know about the cult following of the Costco Magazine? Would love to chat with publicists who have placed clients here and learn more about the coverage’s impact? I’m interested in the readership being made up exclusively of loyal Costco members who trust the Costco brand and, by extension, the products and stories featured in its magazine. Telling stories that align with Costco’s values (quality, value, and relevance) seems key.

Lust

I need to spend 25+ minutes in the Sensory Deprivation Suite that Ace Hotel is launching in all their properties.**

Envy

Kudos to whoever is behind Beto’s latest Substack entries. His "Three Things We Can Do This Week" does provide me with 10 minutes of hope a week under an otherwise crushing news cycle.

Wrath

As always, I have no time for wrath, so instead, you get a recent camera roll gem: my hotel last week in New York

okay bye, babes!

-M

*I was not allowed to have a Bratz doll growing up, thus beginning my long-standing issues with authority.

**This is clearly an April Fool’s Campaign, and if you feel for it, I’m telling you’re mom.

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