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Earlier this year, I had an opportunity to contribute to the development of this new #DEI resource by PR Council -- learning from and working with peers in the PR sector on how to create and sustain inclusive teams. The resource focuses on DEI in these focus areas:  --Stage I. Exploring a New #ClientRelationship: RFP/Pitch Process  --Stage II. Once the Contract is Signed: Onboarding, #recruiting and #staffing --Stage III. Engagement: A shared commitment to counteracting #bias Download the free guide and tune in to the webinar to learn more. #teambuilding #inclusivity #diversity #breakingbarriers

Each quarter, we host the Bastion Awards – an opportunity to celebrate and recognise our incredible people. These awards reflect our four values, and each a deserving prize winner.  A big congratulations to our winners: Act Like a Maverick - We embody the spirit of mavericks everywhere. Part risk taker, innovator, agitator, rule breaker and game changer. We challenge norms. Interrogate the expected.    - Elizabeth Wilmott, Creative Director, Bastion Creative Create Fearlessly – Being fiercely independent, we create fearlessly. Always ready to challenge norms, ourselves and all comers. We’re never afraid to go against the grain in order to do work that moves people. ‘ – Laurence Cronin, Creative Director, Bastion Creative Think Wide – We aspire to be an agency that thinks collaboratively across every communications discipline and delivers deep expertise within every service we provide.  – Kelli Bryce, Commercial Finance Director Be All In – All of our people, talents, unique skills, ingenuity and all our diverse thinking.  - Briana Canty, Marketing Manager Bastion.

In 2019, I embraced a role that many would caution against. There's an old adage in the business world—echoed by one family member's blunt metaphor, "Antréa, you don't shit where you sleep"—suggesting that mixing business with personal relationships is a recipe for disaster. Yet, here I stand, not just to tell a different story, but to celebrate a triumph. When I started dating the CEO of our PR agency, eyebrows were raised. "Never hire your mate," is what many say. But as love and shared ambition intertwined, our relationship blossomed both at home and in marketing meetings. In a move that defied convention, I stepped into the COO role, transforming our partnership into a dynamic leadership duo. The unexpected win? We quadrupled our client base, diversified our services, and increased our revenue year-over-year since taking the helm together. It turns out that when you align on values, vision, and work ethic, the partnership can propel an organization to new heights. Here's what we learned: Transparency Is Key: From day one, we were open with our team about our relationship, setting the stage for trust and integrity. Boundaries Matter: We maintain a professional dynamic at work, ensuring our personal life doesn't cloud our decision-making. Leverage Each Other's Strengths: As a couple, we had insight into each other's strengths and leveraged them to benefit our agency. Unified Vision: Sharing a common goal for our company's future keeps our team aligned and motivated. So, this is for the unconventional thinkers, the barrier-breakers, the ones who see beyond the traditional path. Sometimes, the best way forward is the one you pave together, regardless of the grain. Oh, and I love you, Shankar Poncelet.

I respect this, a lot It's a business investing in young talent, successfully retaining them, and eventually going on to promote them to senior positions - it says a lot about the business W Communications must be. And more, they are now embedding this formula into their vision for the next decade. This one is for those just entering into the industry: go and speak to Jessica O'Donohoe and Gabriella Griffin, before anyone else does.

From sports achievement and political stardom to stellar service in corporate boardrooms like Dillard's Inc., Paycom, CSX and ITC Holdings Corp., J.C. Watts shares the elements of an approach that has made him America’s top value-creating director (with an impressive 39.9 percent median TSR, outpacing corresponding industry peers by 15.3 percent.) His bottom line: ‘If there’s no integrity, strategy doesn’t matter.’ Part of a joint project from Corporate Board Member and AlixPartners.

Influence is about choice, not commands. Adam recently spoke at the Westfield Chamber of Commerce luncheon where he shared how compliments and choices can be your keys to influence. 🔑 Watch! #powerofinfluence #influencematters #businessinfluencce #powerofchoice #successstrategies #chamberluncheon #influenceandimpact #publicspeaking #inspireothers

I once worked for the CIA. Not that one, Chris Ingram Associates. Which then became CIA Medianetwork. Then Mediaedge:CIA. Then MEC and who knows what now. CIA formed what the modern media agency would be, grew fast to the forth largest media agency globally (I think) Not that I was paying that much attention. I was far too busy partying to pay attention to the amazing opportunity I had in front of me. I could have made so much more of the chance I was given. My bad. Still I can always say I worked for the CIA. What is the biggest regret you have of your career? #CareerRegrets #AdvertisingIndustry #MediaAgencyLife

There's one week to go until the final deadline of this year's PRWeek UK 30 Under 30 Awards! So if you haven't submitted an entry yet - for you or one of your teammates, now's your chance. My tip for entrants: think about how you (or your teammate if you're nominating a colleague) have gone above and beyond in your career, delivering on SMART goals and have made a real positive impact in our industry. So be 'Specific', 'Measurable', show how the impact you've made was 'Achieved', tell us why it's 'Relevant' and how it was 'Time-Bound' (when it happened). And above all, let your personal passion come through - show us what makes you, you! Looking forward to reading the entries soon... For more details visit: https://lnkd.in/dX2tcAva

You pulled off the campaign without a snag to speak of and seemingly out of nowhere, it’s time to consider…award submissions. 😱 Awards applications can be overwhelming to work through but there’s almost no better way to recognize your team’s efforts, attract new hires, or build pride on a company-wide scale. On top of boosting team morale, awards solidify your brand's credibility and support sales – it's proof of how well you are doing! 🌐✅ Recognitions show off your team's hard work, innovation, and dedication to excellence. Plus, they’re a fantastic way to stand out from the competition and catch the eye of your industry peers. Submitting for awards isn’t just about winning; it's about acknowledging your team's achievements and setting a benchmark for continuous growth. Win or lose, paying attention to who’s crushing it in your industry is a great exercise in learning how to level up too! Take a moment to reflect on your recent campaigns – the creativity, the results, and the impact. Don't miss out on a chance to acknowledge your team’s hard work and success. 🌱💪 How do awards factor into your marketing strategy? I want to hear from you!

Beneath Your Beautiful Advisory Board announcement: Ed. Renouard Ed is a Gonzaga University graduate and has worked as a copywriter, creative director, consultant, agency owner, and corporate director of marketing. Throughout the course of his career, he's created and contributed to advertising and marketing campaigns for local, regional, national, and global brands in fields ranging from financial services, to healthcare, technology, hospitality, aerospace, education, and more. Ed is hoping that his experience will bring value to this advisory group. His work has taught him that every human being is shaped not only by experience, but by how that experience is processed and acted upon. Our outlooks, personalities, and aspirations are informed by the stories that shape us and the ones we tell ourselves. Understanding those stories and creating new ones can help form a foundation for new possibilities, experiences, and growth.