The Gong Blog

What to Expect When Starting to Work with a PR Firm

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…

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Publish or Pass: Insights from Richmond-Area Journalists

This fall, the Hodges team hosted HodgesCon, an all-day learning event with guest speakers for staff to learn from and engage with. I moderated a morning session with local journalists who shared perspectives on how they cover the news and how to best work with them. Ian Stewart with VPM, Eric Kolenich with the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Brendan King with CBS-6 joined the Hodges team for a look inside their workdays, how they cover the news and how to best work with them. Some of…

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Episode 22: Creative Communications with Christine Coffey

Episode Notes: "Teaming Up" takes a creative twist in our latest episode, focusing on the fusion of strategy and creativity in communication. Aidan Newbold, THP’s Director of Creative Services, welcomed Christine Coffey, Creative Director of Karnes Coffey, to share her insights. Aidan and Christine dive deep into the world of creative projects, exploring how strategy plays a pivotal role in driving impactful communications. From Christine’s journey in graphic design, starting at Syracuse University to co-founding Karnes Coffey, to Aidan’s insights on collaborative models in the…

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The Power of EOP: A constant in an evolving media landscape

Regardless of size or industry, our clients come to us with a goal of finding the most impactful ways to connect with their target audiences. While strategies and tactics differ, one tried-and-true framework is the EOP model. Short for earned, owned and paid, the EOP model is a comprehensive approach that goes beyond isolated tactics and embraces a holistic perspective of strategic communication. Here’s what makes it so effective. The EOP Overview EOP serves as the foundation for a successful media strategy, but it’s not…

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Filtering Fake News: How to Manage Social Media Content Responsibly

Honesty hour. As a self-proclaimed Swiftie, I fall victim to misinformation on social media more frequently than I’d like to admit. Between alerts on where Taylor was spotted, who she’s dating and when her new album will drop, it’s hard to keep up with what’s real as a fan. Social media has transformed the way we communicate and access information. Not just for Taylor Swift fans, but for everyone. It allows us to exchange information and connect with the other side of the world in…

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The three-part paradigm: Part one, earned media

I spent the first dozen years of my career in the federal government, and like much of the rank and file, I became adept at acronyms, those abbreviations that give insiders a sense that you know the lingo and leave outsiders scratching their heads. I remember that moment of clarity when I finally realized, for example, that NMI was not a popular middle name but stood for “no middle initial.” (Insert the sound of a palm slapping a forehead.) Suffice it to say that I haven’t…

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Brendan King, Eric Kolenich and Ian Stewart play Publish or Pass during HodgesCon 2023.

HodgesCon 2023 recap: Enneagram, innovation, creative thinking – oh my! 

Our annual agency day of learning returned this fall and, wow, it was a good one. HodgesCon was born last year as a result of our teammates sharing their desire to learn, but without the time to focus on expanding their knowledge base. This year, the HodgesCon planning committee reviewed topic areas and feedback from last year’s event to come up with this amazing line-up:  We’re left with fuzzy pink monster ball and a handful of post-it notes that we’ll probably never remove from light…

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Episode 21: Building a Brand with Briana Williams from LipLoveLine

Episode Notes: Teaming Up is putting two former Hodges interns in the hot seat, talking about a totally new topic for the podcast: brand. We asked Briana Williams, CEO of LipLoveLine, to join Casey for Episode 21, where the two discussed building a brand and the process and considerations that go into that. Williams discusses her brand story and her business evolution – from winning a competition on VCU’s campus just before the COVID-19 pandemic, to working with students in the Brandcenter to go through…

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Mindful Engagement During Difficult Times

Is it just me, or does it feel like the world is burning down around us? In an age where staying informed and up-to-date on global affairs is crucial—especially for those of us in professions that require a strong social media presence (hello, fellow PR practitioners!)—the relentless influx of information can quickly lead to feelings of hopelessness. Our world feels really dark right now, and while a blog post won’t change the harsh reality of the current global landscape, I’d like to share some strategies…

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The Case for Prioritizing Internal Communications

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…

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Crisis Communications – and why it’s NOT one size fits all

In the face of unexpected challenges, organizations must be prepared to weather the storm with a robust crisis communications plan. At The Hodges Partnership, crisis communication is not a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, it is a tailored strategy designed to address the unique needs of each crisis and organization. A tailored approach At Hodges, we recognize that every organization is different, requiring a customized crisis communications plan. By immersing ourselves within the team that is dealing with the crisis, we quickly learn any nuances or unique…

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Episode 20: Media Relations vs. Content Marketing with Jill Vaughan, APR from JLV Communications

Episode Notes: Back from summer vacation, Teaming Up is returning with a debate of sorts. It’s the battle of media relations vs. content marketing. We brought in one of our favorite independent practitioners, Jill Vaughan of JLV Communications, to pair up with Josh Dare to discuss these dueling tactics for our 20th episode. Over the course of their conversation, Josh and Jill talk about the pros and cons of each tactic. Spoiler alert, there isn’t a clear winner in this conversation, because as the two…

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