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…
Read MoreI 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…
Read MoreOur 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…
Read MoreEpisode 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…
Read MoreIs 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…
Read MoreNow 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…
Read MoreIn 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…
Read MoreEpisode 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…
Read MoreWith a keen eye for design and an innate understanding of what looks good, Jada Carpenter has a knack for designing beautiful graphics that help clients reach their goals. Born and raised in Alexandria, Jada came to Richmond in 2013 to attend VCU and has been here ever since. She earned a B.S. in Mass Communications with a concentration in Creative Advertising in 2017. Jada was drawn to design when she began learning basic principles in her classes at VCU. The notion of design choices,…
Read MoreThe landscape of digital marketing continues to evolve (at a faster rate than ever these days), but our philosophy remains the same: compelling storytelling that is rooted in strategy and data-driven insights. As channels multiply and opportunities to engage audiences expand, our approach focuses on generating high-value, high-quality content that evokes emotions, nudging audiences toward meaningful actions. In this post, we’ll share some of the key principles and successful examples that highlight the effectiveness of our digital marketing strategies. Strategic Storytelling Digital marketing comprises a…
Read MoreAs 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…
Read MoreWhen Mercy Chefs, a Virginia-based disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, springs into action at a moment’s notice, our account team follows suit with an all-hands media relations approach. Most recently, the team — known for its quick response and dedication to serving hot, chef-prepared meals during natural disasters and national emergencies – provided aid to Maui after wildfires ravaged the community of Lahaina. Mercy Chefs is currently serving thousands of meals a day, and it’s our job to make sure that the world knows…
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