Bob Pickard
@pr.bobpickard.com
Public relations for leaders – PR counsel to names in the news. 30+ year communication career @ 🇺🇸🇨🇳🇯🇵🇨🇦🇰🇷🇸🇬 Served as CEO of Burson in Asia and North Asia of Edelman. Former MDB global comms chief. Publicized in PRC state media for “purely sensational hype.”
This newly published study taps into a big theme in public communication: the interplay between persuasion and polarization.
The research findings underscore that:
(1) Message framing matters not just for behavior change, but for social cohesion.
1/2
www.asiaresearchnews.com/content/pric...
The research findings underscore that:
(1) Message framing matters not just for behavior change, but for social cohesion.
1/2
www.asiaresearchnews.com/content/pric...
The price of persuasion: why vaccine messaging may deepen social divides
Researchers from The University of Osaka found that common arguments used to encourage COVID-19 vaccination increase compliance but also intensify negative attitudes toward people with opposing views....
www.asiaresearchnews.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:51 AM
This newly published study taps into a big theme in public communication: the interplay between persuasion and polarization.
The research findings underscore that:
(1) Message framing matters not just for behavior change, but for social cohesion.
1/2
www.asiaresearchnews.com/content/pric...
The research findings underscore that:
(1) Message framing matters not just for behavior change, but for social cohesion.
1/2
www.asiaresearchnews.com/content/pric...
Brilliant views coming into Calgary tonight
December 26, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Brilliant views coming into Calgary tonight
People overestimate how many social media users post harmful content online, but underestimate how vocal they are. This can be a PR problem because when comms decisions are driven by misperception, organizations overreact, misallocate resources, and cater to extremes rather serve the mainstream.
Americans overestimate how many social media users post harmful content
Abstract. Americans can become more cynical about the state of society when they see harmful behavior online. Three studies of the American public (n = 1,0
https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/12/pgaf310/8377954
December 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
People overestimate how many social media users post harmful content online, but underestimate how vocal they are. This can be a PR problem because when comms decisions are driven by misperception, organizations overreact, misallocate resources, and cater to extremes rather serve the mainstream.
White Christmas flying conditions 🎄
December 24, 2025 at 3:11 AM
White Christmas flying conditions 🎄
“Public affairs officers were told to rewrite their news releases and online posts with stronger, more aggressive language if they wanted the agency’s main communications channels to promote them.”
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
We read thousands of internal ICE chats. They show how officials make raids go viral
Thousands of internal ICE messages show how its public affairs team has coordinated with the White House to satisfy Trump administration demands for viral arrest videos
www.washingtonpost.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:23 AM
“Public affairs officers were told to rewrite their news releases and online posts with stronger, more aggressive language if they wanted the agency’s main communications channels to promote them.”
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
Reposted by Bob Pickard
Thousands of internal chat messages show how ICE’s public affairs arm has raced to satisfy the White House by pumping out viral videos of confrontations and arrests.
https://wapo.st/4j7GWgk
https://wapo.st/4j7GWgk
December 23, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Thousands of internal chat messages show how ICE’s public affairs arm has raced to satisfy the White House by pumping out viral videos of confrontations and arrests.
https://wapo.st/4j7GWgk
https://wapo.st/4j7GWgk
Reposted by Bob Pickard
60 Minutes is one of only two documentary-style public affairs programs left on the air. The other is Frontline on PBS, which saw its funding gashed by the Trump admin and Congress. They have a matching donation rn.
www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontli...
www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontli...
FRONTLINE | PBS | Official Site | Documentary Series
Watch full episodes of FRONTLINE, the PBS documentary series, and explore news investigations from FRONTLINE's award-winning journalism team.
www.pbs.org
December 21, 2025 at 10:24 PM
60 Minutes is one of only two documentary-style public affairs programs left on the air. The other is Frontline on PBS, which saw its funding gashed by the Trump admin and Congress. They have a matching donation rn.
www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontli...
www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontli...
Plenty of stars visible in the night sky tonight, even with the glow of the city lights near Ottawa International Airport.
December 22, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Plenty of stars visible in the night sky tonight, even with the glow of the city lights near Ottawa International Airport.
City lights over Calgary tonight on my way to Ottawa for the holidays.
December 19, 2025 at 2:53 AM
City lights over Calgary tonight on my way to Ottawa for the holidays.
Reposted by Bob Pickard
New study suggests “Zoom fatigue” is largely gone in the post-pandemic workplace
New study suggests “Zoom fatigue” is largely gone in the post-pandemic workplace
“Zoom fatigue” may be a relic of the pandemic. New research indicates that video meetings are no longer uniquely draining for employees, suggesting workers have adapted to the cognitive demands of virtual collaboration.
www.psypost.org
December 14, 2025 at 3:20 PM
New study suggests “Zoom fatigue” is largely gone in the post-pandemic workplace
Quite the tint (no filter) on the ice and snow as the sun goes down – and the temperature goes up.
December 13, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Quite the tint (no filter) on the ice and snow as the sun goes down – and the temperature goes up.
25 years ago today. This was a turning point in world history. The United States was at its zenith heading into the 2000 election. This concession speech was a big deal then: it was a fine and fitting address of a character, maturity, and statesmanship that now seem like artifacts of a bygone era.
🗃️ Vice President Al Gore delivers a concession speech following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bush v. Gore. December 12, 2000.
December 13, 2025 at 6:48 AM
25 years ago today. This was a turning point in world history. The United States was at its zenith heading into the 2000 election. This concession speech was a big deal then: it was a fine and fitting address of a character, maturity, and statesmanship that now seem like artifacts of a bygone era.
The Canadian Pacific Railway coming in to Calgary
December 12, 2025 at 8:29 PM
The Canadian Pacific Railway coming in to Calgary
Calibri came out around the same time that Windows Vista was introduced, when social media took off and the iPhone was launched. It was a font of the early digital screen age. Whereas Times New Roman was prevalent during the paper-based MS-DOS word-processing era and earlier versions of Windows.
Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor's decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move
Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri
The secretary of state called it a "wasteful" diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters.
www.huffpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Calibri came out around the same time that Windows Vista was introduced, when social media took off and the iPhone was launched. It was a font of the early digital screen age. Whereas Times New Roman was prevalent during the paper-based MS-DOS word-processing era and earlier versions of Windows.
"Once upon a time, a chief executive openly signaling that he’d reorient a newsroom to appease a sitting president would be a five-alarm corporate scandal, the sort of fire that would send the company’s public relations teams sprinting through the hallways to extinguish."
Inside Hudson Yards, CNN staffers are once again panicking about the possibility that David Ellison—who seems willing to compromise the network's integrity—may prove successful in his bid to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery.
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/cnn-paramo...
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/cnn-paramo...
The CNN Sacrifice
Inside Hudson Yards, CNN staffers are once again panicking about the possibility that David Ellison—who seems willing to compromise the network's integrity—may prove successful in his bid to purchase ...
www.status.news
December 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
"Once upon a time, a chief executive openly signaling that he’d reorient a newsroom to appease a sitting president would be a five-alarm corporate scandal, the sort of fire that would send the company’s public relations teams sprinting through the hallways to extinguish."
"While 69% of C-suite leaders say their organization has communicated clearly about AI, only 12% of entry-level staff agree. Leaders may believe they’re communicating clearly, but most employees aren’t hearing it, putting successful AI adoption/engagement at risk."
— DHR Global
— DHR Global
December 9, 2025 at 11:32 PM
"While 69% of C-suite leaders say their organization has communicated clearly about AI, only 12% of entry-level staff agree. Leaders may believe they’re communicating clearly, but most employees aren’t hearing it, putting successful AI adoption/engagement at risk."
— DHR Global
— DHR Global
A new study underscores a truth every public relations professional knows instinctively: crisis communication isn’t driven by plans on paper — it’s shaped by how people actually behave under pressure.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The dynamic collaboration in crisis communication: a complex adaptive systems perspective - Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications - The dynamic collaboration in crisis communication: a complex adaptive systems perspective
www.nature.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:24 PM
A new study underscores a truth every public relations professional knows instinctively: crisis communication isn’t driven by plans on paper — it’s shaped by how people actually behave under pressure.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
If you want successful communication, design for the smallest circle – not the largest.
December 3, 2025 at 1:53 AM
If you want successful communication, design for the smallest circle – not the largest.
“Communicators have a duty to work with responsible journalists to resist government censorship, and also to resist self-censorship intended to pre-empt potential attack by those in power. Communicators need to be able to share the truth.”
mailchi.mp/a1759cad282b...
mailchi.mp/a1759cad282b...
December 2, 2025 at 4:55 AM
“Communicators have a duty to work with responsible journalists to resist government censorship, and also to resist self-censorship intended to pre-empt potential attack by those in power. Communicators need to be able to share the truth.”
mailchi.mp/a1759cad282b...
mailchi.mp/a1759cad282b...
White city lights and sodium vapour glow over snow
December 2, 2025 at 2:35 AM
White city lights and sodium vapour glow over snow
Media interview aficionados will find this exchange illuminating. Note the glaring caveats and carefully calibrated phrasing: “not with intent,” “49 years ago,” “genuine abuse,” “never directly really tried to go and hurt anybody,” etc.
ITV News, "Did you racially insult pupils at school?
Nigel Farage, "I would never do it in a hurtful or insulting way.. Not with intent"
ITV News, "I don't understand what you mean?"
Nigel Farage, "You wouldn't do"
Nigel Farage, "I would never do it in a hurtful or insulting way.. Not with intent"
ITV News, "I don't understand what you mean?"
Nigel Farage, "You wouldn't do"
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Media interview aficionados will find this exchange illuminating. Note the glaring caveats and carefully calibrated phrasing: “not with intent,” “49 years ago,” “genuine abuse,” “never directly really tried to go and hurt anybody,” etc.
Skyscraper crowned with fog
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TD_Terr...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TD_Terr...
November 26, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Skyscraper crowned with fog
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TD_Terr...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TD_Terr...
Winnipeg out the window
November 24, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Winnipeg out the window