We continue our 2013 review of another dramatic year for the public relations world by breaking down our most read analysis and features. Like last year, it’s worth noting that our long-form journalism consistently outperforms the shorter news stories. This is both gratifying and slightly alarming, suggesting that our readers perhaps have a little too much time on their hands. (As ever, bear in mind that we have removed awards and ranking posts).
1. The Top 12 Crises Of 2012
Always a winner, our breakdown of the previous’s year top PR crises consistently attracts significant traffic, no doubt from people who are looking to learn rather than laugh.
2. 10 Ways To Design The PR Agency Of The Future
Not only is this post hugely popular, it also generated considerable conversation, much of which is highlighted in the comments. Paul’s piece is as relevant now as it was when first posted, elegantly dissecting the challenges that face the traditional PR agency model.
3. The ‘Organized Chaos’ Of The World’s Largest PR Agency
In which I take a lengthy look at the unique culture driving the growth of Edelman, the world’s largest PR firm. Also worth noting, this feature only posted a couple of weeks ago; give it a couple more and I’m pretty sure I’d overtake Paul.
4. 2013 PR Trend Forecast
Here’s an idea — let’s take a look at whose predictions came true? Ok, let’s not.
5. The PR World’s Play For Content Marketing Clout
The biggest buzzword of the year got it’s own in-depth report, where Aarti and I looked at how content marketing, in particular, is reshaping the traditional role of public relations. Notable for contributions from several senior marketers and a typically unsurprising agency tussle over who should ‘own’ content.
6. Publicis Omnicom: MSLGroup Ponders Post-Merger Future
The Publicis Omnicom mega-merger provided a useful hook to examine the future of MSLGroup, amid a climate of mild ‘civil disobedience’ at the agency. One to watch.
7. From Tokyo To Fayetteville: Sizing Up Dentsu’s Global PR Ambitions
Japanese juggernaut Dentsu finally starts to flex its PR muscles on the global stage. By buying an agency based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Obviously.
8. Why PR Agencies Aren’t Reaping Big Data’s Rewards
Amid all of the froth around big data it’s worth bearing one thing in mind — most PR firms struggle to apply it to their own businesses, never mind their clients.
9. APCO And Text 100′s Unlikely PR Alliance
Margery Kraus and Aedhmar Hynes decided on a strategy of strength in numbers when it came to winning BlackBerry’s global PR account. We suspect it won’t be the last time we see this sort of thing happening.
10. Can BlueFocus/Huntsworth Deal Transform Western-Centric PR World?
Seven years ago, Huntsworth failed in its attempt to acquire Chinese PR agency BlueFocus. Seven years later, BlueFocus bought almost 20 percent of the venerable UK company. And that, in a nutshell, is how the PR world is progressing.
