Pragati Verma

(Editor’s Note: Periodically the editors feel compelled to clarify and even correct content produced by this author. Editors have added context after erroneous comments in today's post. Readers should proceed with caution.) People often ask me how I became an award-winning author. (Literally no one has ever asked that.) It required extensive study of Bible commentary and analyzing scripture in the original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. (But mostly by receiving daily devotional emails from much smarter authors.) This process has revealed to me hidden messages in the Bible. (Only “hidden” in the sense these verses are not typically on Christian wall art. It’s right there in black and white… and sometimes red.) This insight is rare, it’s life-changing, and I am pleased to share it with you here. (While the first two claims are suspect, what the author wrote is, in fact, found here.) I call this series, “Hidden Secrets of the Bible at Work.” Here’s an example: In the gospel of John, Jesus’ expansive ministry has angered the Jewish leaders, to the point where they want to kill him. Yet Jesus remains in the area to follow God’s perfect timing for his ministry. His followers encourage him to go to Jerusalem for a bigger stage where more people can hear his message. And they encourage it with more than a hint of cynicism. “Jesus’ brothers said to him, ‘Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.’  For even his own brothers did not believe in him.” (John 7:3-5 NIV) This reminds me of work. Have you had a plan or project derailed by others? Have so many cooks stirred the pot that you lost control of your soup? Input and collaboration produce strong outcomes. But I think we also need to be careful not to let others divert our plans as they pursue their own agendas. And we shouldn’t feel our work is worthwhile only if it’s seen by a crowd. Eventually, Jesus did go to Jerusalem, but he did it in God’s timing. Jesus was focused on following his Father’s direction, just as we should be. We can start by asking for his guidance. (Huh. Fortunately, he ended better than he started.) #devotional #faith #faithatwork #faithandwork

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Digital News Report, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism flagship annual study, is out this week. Big-picture findings won’t come as a surprise, but it’s still a must-read. For The Fix Media, I picked a subjective list of three interesting insights from the report: 📍Video-first platforms are rising, and traditional media are struggling to compete with individual news creators. YouTube is a key platform for news, and TikTok has overtaken Twitter in news consumption for the first time this year. Unlike on Facebook & Twitter, traditional journalists are lagging behind individual news creators. Interesting examples from the report – Hugo Décrypte in France (who, across all platforms, gets more mentions than Le Monde or BFMTV) and TLDR News in the UK. 📍Paying for news isn’t becoming more widespread – and even existing numbers are skewed by heavy discounts. Last year 17% of people across 20 richer countries paid for online news. This year it’s still exactly 17%. One interesting addition in the 2024 report is the look at how heavy discounting might distort the numbers. “[W]ell over half of those in the US who are paying for digital news report paying less than the median cost of a main subscription ($16), often much less”. In Poland, over three quarters of respondents pay less than full price for their subscription. 📍Elections have had little effect on interest in news so far, but we’ll see full effect in 2025 Interest in news has fallen across much of Europe and other countries. It increased in the US but only slightly. But the surveys for this report were conducted at the beginning of the year. It will be interesting to watch the impact of elections throughout 2024, especially in the United States.

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Monotype's Type Trends 2024 is a free download that seeks to explain popular typographic design rends that might otherwise defy definition. Case in point: Profeshinal - which could just as easily have been called, Why? https://bit.ly/3xM9Xep

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Sharing a few words today about the use of embargoes in PR. First, let me say that if you're using the embargo tactic to try to get more reporters to read your pitch—without any real value to them—don't. Embargoes are only effective in 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 situations - and even then, they should be used sparingly. Slapping the word "embargo" on your press release doesn't do _anything_. 😕 The reporter must first AGREE to honor the embargo. And in most cases, using one just doesn't make sense. After talking with reporters, the takeaway is that it may be OK to use an embargo IF: 1. You have a story worth embargoing 2. You have an existing relationship with the journalist built on trust To back up a bit, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐨? When public relations practitioners pitch news to journalists using an embargo, they’re sharing information (many times in the form of a press release) before the announcement date. An embargo gives reporters time to write the piece and have it ready the moment the news is publicly announced. It’s offered under the notion that reporters won’t publish the story until the stated date. But - unless the news is earth-shattering, an embargo isn't warranted. And - reporters often won't honor them, even if asked, because they've been burned in the past when they held a story - and a competitor didn't. In other words, is your story worth asking a reporter to honor an embargo? For most companies in most cases, the answer is no. #mediarelations #PRTips #publicrelations

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Introducing Market Moves Industrial Sustainability, the latest Endeavor Business Media cross-brand newsletter. This twice-monthly collection of stories gives industrial professionals tools and strategies to measure, manage and reduce their environmental impact. Check out the latest issue below — it features pieces on water-positive strategies, carbon capture plans and sheet timber micro-factories —and subscribe to future editions by scrolling down to 'Click here' at the bottom of that page. #manufacturing #sustainability #industrial #emissions #environment

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An evolving digital landscape has led to some new stategies for how communicators can most successfully manage the reputation of the brands they represent -- Ronn Torossian, 5WPR Chairman and Founder, 5WPR https://odwpr.us/44DT29H

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Secular stagnation returns as covid after effects fade and for the path ahead 2 forces are in a tug of war (Geopolitical uncertainties, tech boom due to Gen AI). Its winner will decide where the global economy will traverse.  Disinflation across the globe is happening at a slower pace than expected. COVID-induced supply chain disruptions (Movement restrictions, lower sentiment, higher commodity prices) paved the way for low economic growth and higher inflation (Stagflation in technical terms as aggregate supply curve shifted inwards). Now, with normalization of these issues, inflation has started subsiding. Growth and inflation are again being driven by money supply & economic slack (Distance between actual economic performance and potential production frontier)  GDP in most developed economies is close to its potential and that's why developed economies witnessed meager economic growth post-2008 GFC. However, currently, total money supply (M2) is much higher for developed economies than it was in 2019. That's why inflation is above pre-covid levels. Hence, for assessing inflation and growth trajectory, we need to look at factors determining production frontier (Either Capital Investment, Labor Force or efficiency level). Capital investment and Labor force in turn would be determined by social and political factors. Given the geopolitical tensions and elections across the globe, investment climate will remain subdued as investors will prefer clarity on these fronts before making huge capital investments. Following geopolitical tensions are foremost (a) US-China trade war, b) EU's relations with US, China, India, UK, c) 2 wars. If uncertainty on these fronts prevails even after elections are over in India, US, EU, UK. Then capital investment will remain muted because investors and MNCs will like to go for friend shoring but it might be difficult to assess who exactly is a friend of whom. All this will imply a slower expansion of the production frontier and secular stagnation may continue. On the other hand, Gen AI is booming and it can trigger new wave efficiency. Although it is still in the nascent stage as more and more businesses will understand how exactly they can use Gen AI within their business model the production frontier will shoot off. We need to carefully assess this tug of war. If Gen AI will boom quickly then it will be a cause and as an effect, it will improve the economic situation which might also reduce political and social tensions. In contrast, if geopolitical tensions will gain the upper hand then even AI tech boom will get engulfed in geopolitical battles (Potentially in the form of trade restrictions regarding technology transfer, rare earth elements and their spillover effects) -Shaurya Bishnoi

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Us Comms folks are wired to navigate tricky situations. MacGyver was my favorite show growing up. ‘Mac’ had a knack for solving problems and extensive scientific knowledge.  → He could unlock a vault with a paperclip and some bubble gum. Comms doesn’t always have all the resources, either. But we know how to play the hand we're dealt. - Assess the situation  - Explore options  - Make it work Being great at Comms requires us all to be MacGyvers. → A mix of expertise, experience and resourcefulness. We're strategic. We're scrappy. We're problem solvers.

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Curious about the opportunities and pitfalls in using AI for advocacy campaigns? I'll be participating in a panel discussion next Thursday (May 16) at 2:00 ET with some AI superstars. This webinar will be a great chance to introduce yourself to the world of AI and the dos and don'ts for using AI in your advocacy campaigns. Thank you to VoterVoice (Part of FiscalNote) for inviting me to be part of this event. I hope to "see" you there. #grassroots #advocacy #digitalstrategy #ai Rubenstein Impact Group, LLC FiscalNote

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🎉 Another big announcement and a team effort! 📚 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 is now live, and you can download it for free. Focused on value measurement, not vanity metrics, and utilising the latest best practices and the AMEC Measurement and Evaluation integrated framework to demonstrate ROI in comms.   Download your copy here: https://lnkd.in/giVptTEJ   #PRStrategy #UltimateGuide #Communications #Ebook #Measurement

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Hiring a professional editor is like having a literary fairy godparent—transforming your work from pumpkin to carriage. Unfortunately most authors have a belief that their manuscript is perfect and is ready for the press. They believe they don't need an editor. Reality is, all authors need editors. A professional editor shapes your writing, saves you time, and lets you focus on what you do best. Simply said, an editor is your literary ally! Here are 8 reasons why you need an editor. Needless to say, there are more than 8. 😊 🪄🖋️ #CreativeWriting #BookMagic #EditorLife

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Are you a street team or an ARC reader kinda author? Most self-promoting authors use 'ARC readers' as their go-to term. But there's a trend among some to use #streetteam as a tribal classification for their advance copy readers. Being a terrifying nerd, I love to get down and dirty in the semantics of any new term: 'Street team' quite obviously points to the urban. But more than that, it connotes 'yoof'. It has top notes of the masculine. Contextually, the notion of peddling goods springs to mind. A literary narcotic, perhaps. Whether a stimulant or sedative is down to the content. For readers, 'street team' may help them feel part of something gritty and liminal. 'Team' certainly makes them feel included. They are cheerleaders (the author hopes), but this term makes them feel more like the beefy boys in house colours. Admittedly, this is my short take. What's yours? #writers #editors #selfpublishing #bookmarketing

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I recommend this post by Alexandra Smith on "total journalism reach" -- The 19th's new readership metric. It's full of insights and data wisdom. One takeaway: prioritize consistency across platforms without being overly rigid. For example, #Instagram views get counted because their posts basically republish an abridged version of the story -- an increasingly common publishing strategy -- not just because the machine needs more #data. Above all, this model is attentive to the question of *why* we measure #readership. I've always felt that digital interactions are metaphorical -- as summed up in that now quaint adage: "tweets, not endorsements." What does readership *represent*? Answering that question will help you collect quality, consistent data on #news consumption. And that will bring us closer to the readers we serve. https://lnkd.in/gxn4wmYy

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Dear fellow writers, If you are tired of formatting issues, “name on top left, name on top right, name in subject line, no identifying information on the submission, etc.”, if you are tired of paying $3.00 Submittable for the privilege of providing the very content that justifies the reason there is a publication in the first place, if you are tired of themed submissions, you might like us at Better Than The Times. We are interested in your poetry, your short fiction (or excerpts from your novel, published or upcoming), your social, political, economic, and other essays, your food, restaurant, travel, book, art, theater, and movie reviews. Note: we are a left wing anti-establishment, in every sense of the word, publication, so we aren’t a home for right wing stuff, we publish ALL poetry and fiction we find to be good enough. Good enough means we like it, not whether you have won a Pulitzer, or Pushcart, etc. There is a form you fill out, and if we like your stuff, we publish it, if we don’t, we don’t. No hoops to jump thru. We publish 4 times per year and take submissions year round. The deadline is a moving target, depending on how much good content we already have, currently we are still taking submissions for our July 31 issue. Go to our website and fill out the submission form at: https://lnkd.in/eNWwkWkR

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📰 What Are Your Thoughts on the Role of a Newsroom in Today's Communications? 📰 In an age where information flows faster than ever, the need for a reliable newsroom has never been more apparent. This is a question for all the Comms and Branding professionals....Do you believe a dedicated newsroom is essential for organizations today? Why or why not? 💬 How does a newsroom contribute to effective communication and brand trust? 📈 What are the key elements that make a newsroom successful in the digital era? Join the conversation and share your insights on the importance and evolution of newsrooms in modern communications. Your experiences and perspectives are invaluable! Check out the Salesforce India newsroom: https://lnkd.in/g8Egsr-W #Newsroom #Communication #PublicRelations #BrandStrategy #Transparency #DigitalMedia

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Did you miss the Writers Conference? No worries - the lectures were recorded, and are now available at a reduced rate Whether you are writing fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, op-eds, for industry, for media, you’ll find something that meets your needs. I know, this seems like it’s just another pitch, but I learned so much. The speakers did a great job and focused on providing tangible guidance, whatever your writing needs may be https://lnkd.in/ebKvmFuK

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The PR and Corporate Communications industry has undergone significant evolution, driven by advancements in #technology, changing consumer expectations, and the #globalization of markets. As communicators, it's essential to stay agile and adaptable, continually embracing new trends and strategies to effectively engage with audiences in an ever-evolving landscape. Role of story telling has assumed far greater significance today. Furthermore, Companies operating on a global scale, must navigate cultural nuances and adapt messaging strategies to resonate with diverse audiences worldwide. This requires an increased emphasis on cultural competency and the need for localized communication approaches. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gJbtnyD5 #storytelling #BrandStories #Reputation #Globalization #CorporateCommunications #PR Biocon Biologics Biocon

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I want to share this, because I believe David Joyner has written one of the most thoughtful explorations of #GenAI that I've yet seen. As but one example of the wisdom he shares: "As both users and creators of Generative AI tools, it’s important that we keep in mind to what extent certain artifacts have value because of what they are, and to what extent they have value because of the authentic process that created them." I'll note he also offers some delightful witticisms such as: "Generative AI is like the high-fructose corn syrup of content: it’s cheap and easy to use, but doesn’t yield as good of a result and has some long-term impacts if we use it too much." But perhaps his wisest observation is this one: "Generative AI is a solution looking for problems." At the risk of sounding overly adulatory and not critical enough, I will say that I'm less of a fan of how the article wraps—I think it's become a bit of a trend to end articles about GenAI with an example of how GenAI would have written the content, and I think the arguments here are so strong and the questions so thoughtful, that the conclusion feels like a potential misstep. That said, it also potentially serves to prove David's point, so perhaps that's the intention! The GenAI version unquestionably lacks the nuance and sophistication he evidences with his own writing. (Unless this is all a trick, and the shorter version is the "real" one! In which case, game-set-match to you, David!). Mainly, this is a brilliant example of someone really thinking through opportunities and challenges associated with this new and transformative technology, and I encourage anyone interested in the topic to give this a read. David Joyner is a top-notch thinker and an important voice.

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