The Run Down | June

Earlier this year we revamped our monthly newsletter, The Press Box, to include some of the industry-related news and trends we’re talking about around the Hodges office. Think of this aptly named section, The Rundown, as your monthly recap of all things PR, social and content. Like what you read below? Subscribe to receive the next issue of the Press Box.

VR Giving Employees R&R at Work

The New Yorker highlighted Mure VR, an Icelandic startup that’s hoping to cure ho-hum office environments into “Oh wow!” ones through its virtual reality app, Breakroom. While some organizations have the budgets to create resting spaces and Zen gardens, Breakroom will allow employees to get a little mental break while still being able to get their work done at their desk.

Pinterest is Hanging on by a $150 Million Thread

That sounds dramatic, but thanks to a recent round of funding, the privately held company is now valued at $12.3 billion. According to Inc., the DIY and delicious recipe pinning app plans to use the funding to further its technological advances, like developing a lens feature that allows you to recognize an object through the camera on your device, and the app will display related pins.

B2B Influencers are Starting to Emerge

Nowadays influencers can be anyone with a strong social media presence and high following. Micro-influencers who specialize in niche topics are increasing everyday, helping to make influencer marketing more relevant to B2B-focused businesses, according to Tech.Co.

Sponsored Content Actually Works

According to a study reported in Business Insider, more than one-third of millennials have purchased from a brand after seeing a sponsored post. Ads on social media are taking on the look and feel of the content surrounding them, making them more appealing to audiences.

When to Cut and Run

The Megyn Kelly-Alex Jones interview on NBC attracted plenty of attention in the week(s) leading up to the big day. JP Morgan Chase made the decision its brand was more important than being associated with the interview. Veteran PR pro Fraser Seitel wrote in O’Dwyer’s why the company made the right call in dropping its advertisements for the show.

The Evolution of the Chicago Cubs’ Brand

“Wait Till Next Year” has been a common refrain for Chicago Cubs fans over the years. But what happens when the “Lovable Losers” start winning? Adweek took a look at how the Cubs’ marketing messages and brand have changed over the past few years.