The Meesh PR Update 03
Where we talk audience, intentional breaks and women's health. Again.
Welcome to Issue 03 of the Meesh PR Update! I’m starting this from my parents’ house in Pennsylvania, located a bit outside Philly, in a town (basically in the middle of the woods) where you most definitely need to drive (and I don’t even have a permit). It’s my perfect little escape from the city – even if I’m constantly reminded of how I need to learn how to drive because when I start getting antsy (usually around day three), I realize I’m essentially stranded unless I call a Lyft/Uber or have my parents/brother drive me. Hooray to being a passenger princess. 👸🏻
Obviously, I’m not the ideal or intended audience for this area (or anywhere that’s not a walkable city) – but luckily the rest of my family is so I get to reap the benefits of escaping the city every so often. While I love living in NYC, now that I’m in my 30’s, I’ve found having some intentional antisocial time surrounded by nature is rather necessary. And even when I’m in the city and don’t have the time to escape for a break, I try to schedule at least two “me days” every week – one for errands, and one to do nothing. Having those two days has done wonders for my energy levels – rest days are necessary not just for workouts, but for socializing too. (Or maybe that’s just the introvert in me speaking.)
I recently read something somewhere (probably while doomscrolling a social media channel) that said brands and companies shouldn’t build communities from scratch – they should be tapping into existing communities and building around them. And I 100000% agree. If you think about it, there probably isn’t a community that hasn’t been created somewhere in the world – and if you can think of one, please let me know so we can build a new business. Building communications strategies around a target community to shift that community into your brand’s audience/stakeholders/customer base is a much smarter plan – but that means you need to be able to define your audience. And know how to reach them. (Because you wouldn’t use Facebook to reach Gen Z, would you?)
I once had a client who claimed their core audience was anybody who used accessories – so… essentially everybody. While this technically could be true, it is quite difficult to reach everybody (or a massive general broad audience) unless you’re already an established legacy brand. Or cash. But please remember – your company is not cold hard cash (unless you’re the US Federal Reserve), so not everybody will automatically love you. (Seriously – show me someone who doesn’t love money.) Your company is also not air – people will not need you to survive.
Define and niche down your audience – then strategize the best messaging and tactics to reach them. Who are you targeting? Are you doing market research on them? How are they learning about new products and brands? Does the message you’re sending match the audience you’re targeting? Does your message also convey your brand’s identity or are you just hopping on a trend that makes no sense? Will people understand your message or is it bogged down with unnecessary fluff and information? All fun things to think about.
Shameless self-plug: let’s connect if you want to talk shop and/or discuss your brand’s communications strategies and tactics.
Community Spotlight
I met Ashley, one of the co-founders of the activewear brand 5B at a networking event earlier this year – and I had wondered why anybody would want to start an activewear brand and compete with the many brands out already. But after I met her, I started seeing 5B everywhere – they hosted workouts my friends attended, they dressed the hosts at another networking event I attended, and some people I know even popped up at their events! So when 5B cohosted a workout with my friend Louisa of Shanti House, I knew I had to attend – and I’m happy I did because Ashley and Lauryn are truly doing something special with 5B.
5B’s clothing is all made in-house (by hand! with a sewing machine, but still by hand!), ensuring quality control and sustainable practices. They’re also all about slow fashion – so they don’t drop a completely new 50-piece collection every season, they’re very mindful and truly think about what their consumers and audience want to wear. (And the clothes are FANTASTIC.)
They’ve also built around their community – all the workout girlies who love supporting other females – and only partner with those who truly mesh with their vision and mission. Everybody I met at the last 5B event was so nice, lovely and supportive, and also obviously so proud of Lauryn and Ashley and what they’re building. I love that 5B has started doing more events and pop-ups so they could meet and gather their community IRL.
I have their new Fall drop – the Haven Top and the Chrystie Pant – and I’m obsessed with them. The material is buttery soft and comfortable, and I love that I can wear them for both workouts and casual outings. The Haven Top is a particular favorite – it’s sexy but not too sexy (for my taste), and the straps can be worn a multitude of ways. (So now everybody please go buy more so I can convince Lauryn & Ashley to release the top in other colorways.)
I Have Thoughts On…
Warning: there are a lot of articles in this issue.
Bonafide Health launched a hormone-free pill to manage menopause symptoms! It’s exciting to see menopause in the spotlight – and about time because:
Studies have shown that more than 80% of women experience hot flashes during menopause.
Last year, a Mayo Clinic study estimated menopause cost workplaces $1.8 billion in lost work and $26.6 billion when medical costs are included.
A new survey shows that 1 in 6 millennials have switched to less-demanding careers because menopause symptoms have impacted their work.
California has enacted laws to protect child influencers’ financial safety. This is so awesome because there hadn’t been laws protecting child influencers like there are for child actors. California is the second state to enact laws (with Illinois being the first), and I’m excited to see what state will follow, and how parenting/family influencers will change (or if they’ll change) following the new regulations.
California has also banned legacy admissions – this will be interesting to follow, especially after affirmative action was overturned last year. It’s the fifth state to pass legislation, but the second to extend the ban to private universities.
130 studies on women’s health, all co-authored by the same researcher, have been flagged for data integrity concerns. Um…. this is a MAJOR problem for a variety of reasons:
Flawed research papers = flawed medical care. And women’s health is already underserved.
These studies were published between 2014 – 2023, and have been cited by other researchers which could affect medical care.
It’s difficult to remove a flawed study from journals because who wants to admit they were wrong to publish fraud?
Oh, there’s also research misconduct in Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons’ research by a top NIH neuroscientist – so far two publications are confirmed for fraud but there could possibly be a ton more.
Hoda Kotb is leaving the Today show! It’s the end of an era – but this Puck News analysis breaks down why it’s the beginning of the end of an era. It’s an interesting read, and I’m curious how this will play out in future media relations strategies – especially with more journalists going the independent route (Taylor Lorenz just left WashPo to start her own thing) and the rise of Substack (I’ve heard that a placement in Becky Malinsky’s 5 Things You Should Buy has more impact than a traditional magazine placement).
CNN is planning to paywall articles this month. And Reuters just announced they’re jumping on the bandwagon. I get why – but I’m curious if people will actually subscribe or if they’ll use workarounds and alternative news sources.
OpenAI is restructuring as a for-profit company. Honestly, I’m terrified to see what happens next, especially with the amount of AI regulation we have right now. (Do we currently even have any? I know Governor Newsom vetoed the AI safety bill.)
Recent Things I Loved (or just caught my attention)
The Pentagon (and First Lady Jill Biden) has committed $500 million to women’s health research! (In 2020, only 1% of healthcare research and innovation was invested in female-specific conditions beyond oncology.)
Everything about this TikTok, from her reasoning to her mindfulness, it’s just absolutely excellent.
Shohei Ohtani achieving the first ever 50/50! (And then shortly after achieved a 51/51. Unreal.)
These three songs have been on repeat for the past few weeks.
The ILNP autumn & Halloween collections are some of my favorites of the year.
Not new, but this soup recipe is back in my dinner rotation since it’s chilly again.
Upcoming Fun Events (that you’ll find me attending)
10/04 – Barry’s Birthday Challenge starts – contact me if you want to go to a class with me!
10/04 – Rubin Museum’s 17th Street Farewell Party
10/07 – Nasdaq Purpose Forum
10/08 – Wellness Mornings for Female Founders ($15)
10/08 – Selling Sexy, in Conversation with Marisa Meltzer ($5-$29.99)
10/09-11 – Gaingels Week
10/09 – Female Founders & Funders Networking Happy Hour ($15)
10/15 – Edelman’s The Future of Wellness
10/16 – Psychedelics: Agents of Change
Let’s connect if you want to explore how we can work together to achieve your public relations goals.