Brazil - Communications for world-changing businesses

Established automakers desperately need a new story if they are to beat back competition from China. All the older auto brands - European, Japanese & Korean - are facing strong competition from the new breed of Chinese EV makers looking to flood European markets.  Yes, Chinese EVs are cheaper – but the established players can be doing much more to leverage their decades of manufacturing know-how, proven records on quality and customer satisfaction, and of course the countless billions invested in their brands. After all, this market was never out-performed solely on price (yet!) Leveraging legacy and innovation Brands like Volvo, Honda and Mini need to reinforce their decades of trust-building and automotive expertise.  They are more expensive than the likes of BYD, but they need to justify this in the minds of consumers by showcasing their superior EV engineering, reliability, safety, and cutting-edge technology. The emotional connection The established car marques need to tap into their rich histories through compelling storytelling campaigns that connect their past with an electrified future.  While Renault has done this successfully with the introduction of retro EV models such as the Renault 5 and the cult Renault 4, more can be done to leverage the emotional values of these brands. After-Sales Service At the end of the day, every new car owner wants reliability.  European, Japanese and Korean cars are reliable – and have decades of both successful tests and extensive dealer networks to help support owners if something does go wrong.  Lexus, Toyota, Mini and Audi are among the most reliable cars according to What Car?, and for many that will be  worth the extra money above new brands with unproven after-sales service track records. Supporting European jobs and economy European brands (and the ones made here) should also communicate their contribution to local economies and job markets.  By choosing European EVs, consumers are supporting job creation and economic growth across the continent – to everyone’s benefit.  This includes not only manufacturing jobs but also roles in research and development, software engineering, and the expansion of charging infrastructure. So – there is a big job to do.  And the time is now for car brands to clearly articulate  their value proposition to prove that their trusted brands are indeed worth the premium.

The government's steadfast strategy to build 1.5 million homes is admirable, but the elephant in the room remains - how are they ACTUALLY going to do it? The latest media interviews by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have been met with mixed responses, so how can they better communicate their plans? * Provide more context around the numbers * Be clear about the systemic problems their plan is solving for people all over the country, making sure this is not just a message about the London and South East * Involve local communities and key stakeholders * Showcase examples of large scale regeneration projects and smaller housing schemes that have truly benefited regions and the people living and working in them When people and communities understand the vision and the benefits of it, you get advocates for the plans, and the ball keeps on rolling. #housebuilding #morehomes #angelarayner #primeminister #housing #communities #UKgovernment

Get your free tickets now - Laura Cullinane, Carlos Trelles & myself are speaking about the opportunities for LATAM tourism to attract European visitors. Why 2025 is the year! To reserve your place (¡Haz clic para reservar tu lugar!) https://lu.ma/gsgjylrw

The Role of PR in Addressing Legal Burnout – A New Narrative is Needed The recent tragic events and ongoing debates surrounding work-life balance in law firms have brought to light a critical issue that can no longer be ignored. The legal profession has long been synonymous with long hours and high-pressure environments. However, the recent case of a 26-year-old lawyer earning £140,000 a year while working gruelling hours has reignited discussions about the sustainability of such practices. This incident, coupled with many others, has forced the industry to confront the harsh realities of overworking staff. Law firms find themselves on the back foot, struggling to justify their demanding work cultures in an era where employee wellbeing is increasingly prioritised. The traditional model of billable hours and relentless client demands has created a perfect storm, leading to burnout, mental health issues, and in extreme cases, tragic outcomes. These well-documented practices could potentially deter a new generation from joining the profession, regardless of monetary incentives. Recent studies have shown that less than half of legal professionals are satisfied with their work-life balance, with 58% believing their employers could do more to support them. This dissatisfaction could lead to a talent drain, as younger lawyers seek out alternative career paths that offer a better quality of life. Moreover, corporate clients are now far more demanding when it comes to their suppliers' practices. They increasingly want to work with law firms that adhere to high standards and values regarding staff treatment and work-life balance. It reflects poorly on a corporation that emphasises strong employee quality of life to engage a law firm that doesn't. This misalignment of values could potentially cost law firms valuable clients. From a communications perspective, law firms need to take immediate and visible action to address these concerns. Here are some recommendations: Transparency: Firms should openly acknowledge the challenges and commit to tangible changes in work practices. Showcase Initiatives: Highlight any programmes, policies or initiatives your firm has implemented to improve work-life balance. This could include flexible working arrangements, mental health support, or workload management systems. Leadership Engagement: Have senior partners and management speak publicly about the importance of work-life balance. This shows commitment from the top down. Media Relations: Be prepared to offer commentary on work-life balance issues in the profession. Social Media Strategy: Use social media platforms to regularly share content related to your firm's work-life balance initiatives. Firms that prioritise work-life balance and employee wellbeing will not only attract and retain top talent but also align themselves with the values of their corporate clients, ensuring long-term success in an evolving legal landscape.

⚡ Why you need to think like a journalist. ⚡ Most business leaders would quite like reporters to care about what they say. But when you think about it, there are far more reasons they shouldn’t. Alongside your commentary there are dozens of other leaders in their inbox, some of them household names, who are also eager to gain valuable space. So how on earth do you get them to care? The trick is to think like a journalist. This will take some imagination and honesty, but it is the only way to successfully get into their stories. Here are some ways to start. 👀 Remember the reader or viewer. A good journalist is focused on creating stories that are of use to their audience, not to your company’s PR strategy. Luckily, most of the time you are part of that audience too, so think through what makes you click on a story or scroll right to the bottom. 🦵Do their legwork. Journalists are overworked and likely don’t know as much about your industry as you do. Some are filing five or six stories a day. If you can pull out the really interesting stat from a new report quickly and explain why it is important, or do an FOI to create that data in the first place, then you can cut down on all the research they need to do. This lets your comment serve both them and the audience. 🧘De-centre yourself. Let’s face it, most of us are the main characters in our own lives. But to a busy reporter you’re one of many people who might be worth their time this afternoon. Can it be galling to be ignored by journalists or have a meeting cancelled at the last minute? Of course. But once you remember that to the journalist you might be one of a dozen phonecalls today, you will work out how to make that small amount of time count. If you want some help putting yourself into the brain of a reporter, get in touch.

What's better than starting the week with your client featured in The Times? How about starting it with two of them on the same page? That's exactly what happened this morning with both FundOnion and The Electric Car Scheme appearing on page 34 (and online) of The Times commenting on two different stories in the wake of the Budget. If you're interested in finding out how we could make this happen for your business, get in touch. We're always happy to chat.