Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) mean different things to different people. For some, it’s a fundamental commitment to ensuring equal opportunities, while others may see it as a corporate trend. Whether you view it as a fundamental right or a performative movement, there’s no arguing its current polarizing nature. As DEIB continues to dominate headlines, there’s been a surge of conflicting definitions and interpretations, challenging individuals and organizations to reevaluate and redefine what the initiative means to them and its role in the workplace. …
Your brand is the visual and written essence of your identity. It tells your story, conveys your values and connects you with your audience. Much like how a chef plates a dish with care because people eat with their eyes first, your brand needs a strategic rollout to capture attention and drive engagement. You’ve invested in a new brand—now, make sure you get the return on that investment with a thoughtful and well-executed launch. Campfire & Co. teamed up with Hodges to help evolve our…
As a content creator, you might be instinctively inclined to produce content that sounds like you, looks like you and reflects your own personal identities. But the most effective storytelling is created through a spectrum of lenses, and broadening your point of view often begins with being aware of your bias. If you want to create content that resonates beyond audiences that look like you, take a step back to better discern the world around you – i.e. your audiences. My wonderful colleague built a…
So you’re thinking of working with a PR firm. Whether you’ve worked with a PR firm before, or it’s the first time, it can be a big decision. How much is it going to cost? How much time is it going to take to manage? How to choose between firms? Why are we doing this? Here are a handful of things to consider if you’re looking to work with a PR firm. Set a Budget It’s not quite like Jerry Maguire’s escalating “Show me the…
Now more than ever, effective internal communications have become crucial for organizations seeking to foster a cohesive and engaged workforce. Companies that nurture an open and transparent communication culture within their workforce can not only mitigate internal challenges but also drive productivity and long-term success. Over the years, The Hodges Partnership has supported companies and organizations as they sought to strengthen employee engagement efforts. Through that work, and some intentional work of our own at the agency, we’ve learned a few things about why internal…
As Richmonders, Ted Lasso’s AFC Richmond strikes a familiar chord. Rooting for the home team is easy, and the show’s main character, Ted Lasso, constantly reminds viewers to find the good in everyone –a mindset most Richmonders would be proud to support. Aside from being a heartwarming story of an underdog soccer team vying for success in England’s Premier League, I’ve been intrigued by how the show portrays PR agency life through the lens of Keeley Jones Public Relations (KJPR). Here are a few things…
Life after college can be scary, and in an economy that seems to only get more volatile, the post-grad job search can easily begin to feel like a bunch of futile attempts at adulthood. However, there’s no need to lament over untapped potential just yet. Internships offer an excellent opportunity to establish industry experience, granting you a head start over your peers by the time you graduate. As an intern, you have the opportunity to expand your network, enhance your resume with valuable experiences and…
As we unwrap our new planners and flip the calendar to a fresh year, our agency is embracing a theme that is customizable and flexible as we make our way through the year: The Year of “Re,” (as in RE-start, RE-energize, RE-juvenate). When you think about it, by adding that simple prefix to a root word, the possibilities are almost endless. Our team is prepared to come to our start-of-the-year meeting with a “re” word to help ground our work for the year ahead, and…
Every year during performance reviews, you can ask almost anyone in our office, and they will likely tell you one of their goals is to complete a certification or training. But the reality is, it can be extremely hard to get that done. When you have client work and life demands, it’s difficult to work the professional development that so many of us want – and need— into the week. Enter: HodgesCon. HodgesCon came about as a way to protect a single day on the…
Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging mean different things to different people. However, when it comes to taking those values and translating them into an inclusive campaign that highlights the experiences of BIPOC individuals, it’s important to take a moment and think to yourself: How might the people and voices you are representing feel about the message your brand is attempting to convey? Well, you might just want to ask them first. Your BIPOC consumers are more than just metrics that need to be met. We…
It’s hard to believe that Hodges is celebrating its 20th birthday this summer. Harder to believe is that this year marks my 19th anniversary at Hodges. I’ve been fortunate to call Hodges home – first above Siné Irish Pub on Cary Street, then here on Broad Street, then across the parking lot in a one-bedroom apartment cozy enough for four Hodgers while renovations were made here and finally back in this building – for all but the first six months of the firm. I joined…
As a young, Black female professional, I’m no stranger to exclusion in the workplace. And after years of working twice as hard to be heard and becoming a codeswitching extraordinaire, I was thrilled to hear that one of the country’s most popular acronyms was getting one letter longer. Now, before your executive team gets too excited, it’s not enough to give quarterly trainings or plaster your DEIB statement all over social. Cultivating belonging in your workplace takes time and a lot of hard work. Belonging…
