The Meesh PR Update 05
Where we discuss the changing media landscape, public relations and hobbies.
Welcome to Issue 05 of the Meesh PR Update! And Happy New Year! This issue is very much long overdue, but filled with topics that have been top of mind the past few months. I’m starting this from Citizens of Chelsea and it’s currently extraordinarily cold (17ºF!) even as I sit in a cute corner inside with the sun shining down on me as I people-watch through the window. But I’m wearing one of my favorite hoodies and staying busy writing this (while taking many knitting breaks) so I think it’ll be okay for now.
Speaking of knitting, is it just me or has there been a hobby renaissance? I feel like everybody I’ve been talking to lately has picked up (or in my case, re-picked up) a hobby – whether that’s fiber arts (knitting/crochet), backgammon, reading or something else, but everybody has gotten back into hobbies. In any case, I’m loving it – I totally want to start a crafting circle where we meet up somewhere once a month (or once a week) and just work on projects (whether that’s journaling, knitting/crochet, embroidery or whatever portable craft), so give me a shout if you’d be into that!
Ok back to proper business – let’s talk about public relations. Or what I’m going to call the “new” public relations because the industry has changed and evolved so much since I started over 10 years ago. I believe the PRSA definition for PR is still the best one: “Public relations is a strategic communications process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics” – the main difference between how I was doing public relations 10+ years ago and today is how I help my clients engage with their public.
10+ years ago, [traditional] media were key targets – you wanted to get into Vogue, the Today Show, the New York Times, etc. And while those are still major PR wins – can anybody name more than five people (who aren’t related to the media in any way) who regularly read all the newspapers and watch all the news shows? Or even buy things because they saw it on the Today Show nowadays? Plus, who still has cable these days and regularly watches their news on television and not via streaming? Combine that with the massive traditional media layoffs (15,000 job cuts!) and go console and commiserate with your friends working in the media and in media relations.
While traditional media is still important for visibility and validity and therefore shouldn’t be ignored, brands should focus more on their social media and new media strategy – especially if the end goal is increasing sales. I know more people discovering brands and products via social media/influencers and substacks than they are via traditional media. You want to adjust your public relations strategy to reach your audience – and if your audience is not regularly reading Glamour or the Wall Street Journal, then why focus all your energy reaching those writers (besides the ego boost, of course).
The only exception to this (in my opinion), is if you’re working with experts – because traditional media will always need experts to provide commentary and background for articles – and I feel like we all trust experts more if they’ve been verified by a legitimate news organization.
Community Spotlight
If there’s one thing that 2024 taught me, it’s that we’re all craving connection and community. We’ve been facing a global loneliness epidemic since 2023, and 73% of people surveyed say technology is one of the biggest contributors. Thankfully in NYC, there are a number of people building amazing communities, like my friend Louisa Li, founder of Shanti House.
Shanti House is a conscious-living and wellness community for innovators, partnering with wellness-driven businesses to create curated events for like-minded people to recover, discover and connect. I attended quite a few SH events last year and honestly, they were some of my favorite events ever – Louisa does a fantastic job combining movement with connection, and I love that her events are alcohol-free (even though that make my social anxiety spike, but that’s a me problem). I mean, who doesn’t love a networking event where you don’t actually need to get all made up and dressed up?
I’ve learned about some fantastic brands (like Anise Health, magic mind and iCalm) and met brilliant people through her events. It’s always a fun crowd full of innovative and ambitious people – honestly, always a great vibe. (And if you know me, I’m all about good vibes.)
Shanti House also recently launched a monthly membership, and I highly recommend signing up for it! You can also check out the events calendar on luma – come to one of her future events!
I Have Thoughts On…
I’ve been off news lately for my own mental health, but here are some recent articles I’ve found interesting:
Americans flocked to XHS/RedNote when TikTok was “banned” – I have mixed feelings and a lot of thoughts on this, but sharing the gist below. Either way, I’ve been on XHS for ages, and will keep it (even if/when the “TikTok refugees” leave.
Positives: I loved the cross-cultural exchange when it was genuine (although I’m a bit horrified that Chinese people were introduced to Americans with “raw, next question”)
Negatives: People almost “discovering” that Chinese people are actually people (there were so many comments saying how Chinese people are actually funny, or how China isn’t as rural/poor as people thought it was)
To all my New Yorkers – start prepping for the 2025 elections (including the Mayoral one).
Recent Things I Loved (or just caught my attention)
Retired Yankees CC Sabathia and Ichiro Suzuki were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame!
Suzuki is the first Asian-born player elected!
It snowed in the Gulf Coast. Insane.
Elderly Japanese women are committing crimes to find friends and healthcare in prison. I… have no words.
I loved this HIV/AIDS explainer and why we haven’t 100% cured it yet.
Upcoming Fun Events
Note: I will be out of town and in PA the next two weeks (so if anybody’s in Philly, give me a shout and let’s chill).
Let’s connect if you want to explore how we can work together to achieve your public relations goals.