PR News

05/29/2026

Fake experts, a platform surprise and a watch drop that broke the internet — this week's roundup covers it all.

A network of fake AI-generated academic journals was caught publishing papers under real professors' names without their consent. For communicators who rely on academic sourcing or thought leadership, it's a signal that due diligence just got more demanding.

New data shows Twitch is producing more top-ranked U.S. creators than TikTok or Instagram. Livestream audiences build deeper loyalty — and for brands, that means rethinking which platforms deserve a spot in the influencer strategy.

And the Swatch x Audemars Piguet Royal Pop collab caused a global frenzy — 2,500% spike in mentions, store closures and 18+ billion potential impressions.
Scarcity and contrast marketing at its finest.

Full roundup at the link below.
https://buff.ly/Ifpk3Ik

05/28/2026

There's a crisis threat growing inside your organization — and it might be hiding in your AI chat history.

Following the Musk vs. OpenAI trial, courts are increasingly treating chatbot conversations as discoverable evidence. That's a wake-up call for communicators and senior leaders alike.

Temple University's Gregg Feistman outlines the steps PR pros should take now to get ahead of this emerging legal and reputational risk. Read it here: https://buff.ly/SSFonRE

05/28/2026

Recognition is not vanity. It is signal.

A Platinum Award tells clients that your work was evaluated against the highest standard in the profession and found among the best. It tells your team the effort was worth it. It tells the market where the bar is.

If you are doing work worth recognizing, enter it. The industry benefits when the best work is named.

Explore categories & enter now: https://bit.ly/PlatinumAwards2026

Recognizing the most impactful work in PR, the PRNEWS Platinum Awards honor campaigns, teams and agencies shaping modern influence, reputation and results.

05/27/2026

AI is answering consumer questions without ever sending users to your website. So where does that leave PR?

According to Christina Bennett, Head of Communications at Priceline, it's actually PR's moment to shine — if you know how to play it.

In this PRNEWS interview from the 2026 Meltwater Summit, Bennett shares how Priceline is treating GEO as a reputation engine, what they're actually tracking month-over-month, and the GEO challenge she says should stress every communicator out. Watch the clip above, then read the full interview here: https://buff.ly/Y1uTMmD

05/26/2026

What skills do communicators actually need in the AI era? LinkedIn has the data — and their own Chief Communications Officer Nicole Leverich broke it down for PRNEWS.

From AI literacy to video content strategy, the five fastest-growing skills in media and communications reveal a profession that's expanding well beyond traditional media relations. Swipe through our carousel for the quick hits, then read the full piece here: https://buff.ly/TR1oLf3

05/20/2026

🚨The 2026 PRNEWS People of the Year Awards close this Friday, May 22.

For more than a decade, this program has put the names of the PR profession’s most impactful leaders on the record.

If someone in your network has done work this year worth recognizing, this is the final opportunity to nominate them.

✨Submit Your Nomination: https://bit.ly/PRNEWSPOY2026

This year's class of honorees will be recognized at the Platinum Awards Gala on October 6, 2026 at The Lighthouse, Chelsea Piers in New York City.

The PRNEWS People of the Year Awards recognize top PR and communications leaders shaping the future of the industry through innovation, impact and leadership.

05/20/2026

The Survivor 50 finale is tonight — and we couldn't think of a better time to share this one.

Chris Colton of The Martin Group makes the case that CBS's iconic reality show is actually one of the best communication case studies on TV. He talked with Survivor 48 player and communications coach Shauhin Davari about what managing perception, emotional regulation and high-pressure storytelling on the island have to do with the boardroom.

Turns out: everything. Read it before tonight's finale 🔥 [https://buff.ly/ulePgea

05/18/2026

Everyone's talking about AI taking jobs in communications. Dustin Siggins, Founder of Proven Media Solutions, has a different take — and it might be the reframe your team needs right now.

In his latest piece for PRNEWS, Siggins argues that the rise of AI slop isn't a threat to great communicators. It's actually their moment. Read it here: https://buff.ly/pnhaLrn

05/15/2026

Think your brand is ready to work with creators? Lonely Planet 's Deepa Lakshmin has one piece of advice before you start: stop calling it a campaign.

In this PRNEWS interview from the 2026 Meltwater Summit, Lakshmin walks through how Lonely Planet built a creator program designed for the long haul — including the Week 1 brainstorm that eventually became their real launch announcement.

Watch the full interview here: https://buff.ly/6IhRTX2 🎥

05/15/2026

A public health scare, a platform shift and a newsjacking win — this week's roundup covers it all.

The CDC waited four days after the WHO to issue a hantavirus advisory. The silence created a vacuum — and social media filled it. The outbreak is contained, but the comms lesson isn't.

LinkedIn is now the #2 most-cited source in AI-generated answers. Most citations come from individual profiles, not brand pages — and from accounts with fewer than 10K followers. Expertise and structure beat reach.

And one PR firm proved that a failed pitch isn't the end. When the Spirit Airlines story shifted, they went back with a new angle and landed their client in People magazine.

Full roundup at the link below.
https://buff.ly/Qj9TvMB