Despite the benefits of taking a stand, there are cases where this might not be the best possible approach. For example, wading into controversies that have little to no connection to their core values can be detrimental to brands. Forcing a stand on a loosely related issue just to grab headlines will appear inauthentic and might quickly lead to backlash Choosing a balanced .
Another case where a neutral stand might be better is when the key business stakeholders are known for having opinions that clash with those your campaign supports.
It’s also important to consider coherence and consistency. If your brand decides to speak out on a sensitive topic, ensure its position aligns with your existing communication and can be sustained long-term. Avoid contradicting past messages or abruptly changing your opinion in the future. If you can’t ensure this will be the case, not getting involved is probably a wiser approach.
Like anything Choosing a balanced in PR
taking a stand on socio-political issues requires careful consideration and a nuanced approach to achieve the desired results. If you’ve read this far and are still wondering whether your brand should speak out or hold its peace on a potentially divisive topic, the questions below might help you make up your mind.
Be bold or play it safe? 5 questions to help you decide
What are your audience’s political views? What special lead socio-political issues do they care about, and are you sure you know their position on them?
Is the issue you’re taking a stand on truly part of your brand identity?
If you take a stand, do your CEO and key stakeholders share the values your brand is supporting?
How will taking a stand impact your brand’s reputation in the short run? And in the long run?
Can your brand withstand potential backlash?
If you’d like some support in using storytelling techniques deciding the right direction for your upcoming PR campaign, our award-winning PR specialists can help you take your comms strategy to the next level. Get in touch today for a free discovery meeting.
Google’s AI search: What B2B marketers
Written by William TomaneyWilliam Tomaney
Earlier this year, Google introduced significant changes to its search engine, incorporating generative AI. The update has the potential to transform how users interact with search results. It aims to make the search process smoother by providing instant summaries, better contextual follow-ups and reducing the need for users to wade through pages of information.
But what does this mean for B2B marketers book your list who rely on search visibility and click-throughs to generate leads? Should you change your SEO or keyword strategies? How can you stand out now if the user doesn’t even need to scroll down the page?
In this blog, we explore how these updates will affect marketing strategies and what changes you need to make.