Registration & Breakfast

Opening Remarks

Keynote: The Bold Type: Bending the Brand Backbone is Risky Business

A company’s reputation has never been more vulnerable than it is in today's socially connected world. Reputation is the most powerful non-physical asset a brand and demands authenticity. Increasingly conscious and active consumers expect brands to take a stand on a variety of issues. Brands need to be more proactive and not reactive when taking a stand that reflects their values and is directly related to their business.

As our main keynote speaker, Brandi will highlight the differences between advocacy and action, understanding the term “goodwashing,” and how organizations can send a message beyond the brand.

Innovation and Business Design: Putting Social Purpose at the Center of Business Growth

This panel will explore the question of how successful companies design in, or put social purpose at the heart of their business model, leverage it to develop new products and services, and authentically reflect their purpose-driven goals through innovative and impactful marketing and communications programs. We aim to go beyond the traditional notion of philanthropy in an organization, beyond Corporate Social Responsibility as a governance issue, into a new world where purpose is at the center of a business enterprise.

The panelists are leading experts and practitioners in the areas of purpose-driven business design, data storytelling, content marketing, diversity and inclusion.

Coffee & Networking Break

Beyond Pitching: Strategies and Tactics for Growing Your Brand in a World of Changing News Media

In today's world of crowded content and too many media sources to choose from, it's become more and more common for brands to go straight to their audiences, or vice versa - especially as traditional and trade media outlets have suffered from shrinking ad budgets, or exist behind paywalls.

In this panel, we'll share more on how you can use content marketing, partnerships, events, influencers, and more non-traditional outlets to get your desired results.

Times Up and #MeToo - Navigating Crises with a Social Movement

Every day, there are headlines that bring companies, industries, and whole markets to their knees. Issues such as #MeToo, data security, gender equality, and diversity can make or break a brand’s reputation. No matter where you are in the world, these types of events are unavoidable. We live in a high-stakes era and marketers must be prepared for anything at any time.

In this panel, we'll explore how this unpredictable environment is impacting brands and purchasing decisions – especially with crises that are tied to major social movements.

Lunch & Interactive Roundtable Sessions

From 12:40-1:15 pm, we will have roundtable sessions featuring the following topics and speakers:

 
Financial Literacy for PR Professionals 

Alexander V. Laskin, Quinnipiac University

 
How to Use Visuals Better to Amp Up Your Digital Footprint

Steffen A. Kaplan, Spin It Social

Communicating in a Crisis: Lessons Learned from the Frontline

Seth Arenstein, PR News

Should I Join PRSA? Let's Talk About It

John Tintera, Hay House, Inc. and PRSA Tri-State District

Cristina Martin, Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness and PRSA Tri-State District

Small Girls with Big Impact: Mallory Blair Shares Case Studies from Purpose-Driven Brands

Having bootstrapped her rapidly growing firm since the age of 21, Small Girls PR’s Mallory Blair knows that impact can be driven at any level and on any budget. In this session, she’ll walk through how brands can authentically engage in social issues as well as create share-worthy moments that communicate company values. Sharing case studies from purpose-driven brands such as thredUP and Billie, she’ll demonstrate how to identify cultural tensions, create rallying cries and lead industry change.

PR Pals Talk Shop: Spinning Shoestrings Into PR Gold

Shalon Roth, Alessandra Simkin, Andrea Roley, and Erin Graves met and became friends a decade ago at TogoRun, a PR agency brand owned by Omnicom. While their careers ultimately took them in different directions and geographies, they meet up for dinner a couple of times a year in New York City to catch-up and talk shop about all things PR.

In this interactive, talk show style panel session, we'll touch on the differences between working at an agency and in-house for a company, the gap between what agencies think clients want and what they actually need, how you can make the most out of your communications budgets, and more.

Coffee & Networking Break

Using PR & Tech to Drive Social Change in the Era of Fast Activism

Today, information is more accessible than ever thanks to the latest technological advancements. Social justice movements and campaigns have risen and become powerful at unprecedented rates. Consumers want to engage with companies and brands that are a positive force for social change.

In this panel, we'll show how you can take advantage of new opportunities to leverage technology so you can engage with the communities you want to reach in meaningful ways.

Social Good: How to Do it as a Brand

These days, taking corporate social responsibility seriously is table stakes. To stand out, sustainability, social welfare, and consumer safety must be part of the DNA of your brand. Companies who try to cut corners or do the bare minimum can get torched on social media.

In this panel, we'll share their insights on how your brand or company can get an edge by authentically promoting social good, based on their experiences leading successful communications campaigns in multiple industries.

Smash the Glass Ceiling: Understanding and Fighting the Gender Disparities in PR

From the tech and politics to pay-inequality and gender-disparity, we know that there's a glass ceiling in industries dominated by men. But, does the PR industry have one? Unfortunately, it does.

Top senior HR and executive leaders will explain in-depth how this plays out specifically in the PR and communications world. We'll share insights on what you can do to advocate for equal pay, power, and respect in the workplace for women and gender non-binary individuals.

Closing Remarks

Conference After-Party

After the conference, join us at:

Bleecker Street Bar

56-58 Bleecker St

New York, NY 10012

The first 50 attendees will get a drink ticket on us.