Paul Holmes
@provokepaul.bsky.social
Founder & CEO at PRovokeMedia, I have been writing, speaking and thinking about public relations, and the intersection of business and society, for 40 years. I believe ESG, DEI and stakeholder engagement in general are mission critical for all oganizations
Citizen journalist in the making.
huge exposé from elementary school: a kid in 3rd grade says she has been to the teachers lounge and the teachers get *filtered water*
November 18, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Citizen journalist in the making.
Once?
Every. Single. Time.
Every. Single. Time.
Just once, I want a reporter’s follow-up question to be, “Why are you such a fucking asshole?”
November 18, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Once?
Every. Single. Time.
Every. Single. Time.
Companies are acting like they have one critical stakeholder to appease -- and employees, consumers, communities, even shareholders are of secondary importance.
When this is all over, those other stakeholders will remember being ignored.
When this is all over, those other stakeholders will remember being ignored.
@economist.com
Companies feel they will do just fine so long as they do not give the president a reason to single them out—certainly for punishment but also for praise, which a misstep can turn into censure.
Shut up, or suck up? How CEOs are dealing with Donald Trump
economist.com/business/202...
Companies feel they will do just fine so long as they do not give the president a reason to single them out—certainly for punishment but also for praise, which a misstep can turn into censure.
Shut up, or suck up? How CEOs are dealing with Donald Trump
economist.com/business/202...
Shut up, or suck up? How CEOs are dealing with Donald Trump
Chief executives are learning to live with a unique commander-in-chief
economist.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Companies are acting like they have one critical stakeholder to appease -- and employees, consumers, communities, even shareholders are of secondary importance.
When this is all over, those other stakeholders will remember being ignored.
When this is all over, those other stakeholders will remember being ignored.
Free PR advice for the Yankees: offer to pay this man't legal fees if he agrees never to wear the hat again.
November 18, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Free PR advice for the Yankees: offer to pay this man't legal fees if he agrees never to wear the hat again.
"crypto fraud" is my favorite tautology
More good coverage on crypto fraud in the NYT this morning. Note the phrase "at least $28 billion". It is undoubtedly A LOT more than $28 billion because the technology is so perfectly designed to be untraceable AND this doesn't include all kinds of fraud. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/t...
The Crypto Industry’s $28 Billion in ‘Dirty Money’
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:19 PM
"crypto fraud" is my favorite tautology
Quiet, Piggy.
Ex-Treasury Secretary Larry Summers is "deeply ashamed" of his years-long communication with Jeffrey Epstein and says he will be "stepping back from public commitments."
"I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein."
"I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein."
November 18, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Quiet, Piggy.
Goodbye, Labour.
I first voted for you in 1983 (Michael Foot), and in every election since.
Never again.
I first voted for you in 1983 (Michael Foot), and in every election since.
Never again.
Its beyond perverse how far Starmer has strayed from his leadership election pledges.
November 18, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Goodbye, Labour.
I first voted for you in 1983 (Michael Foot), and in every election since.
Never again.
I first voted for you in 1983 (Michael Foot), and in every election since.
Never again.
The incentives are all wrong.
Should provide free checked baggage and charge for overhead bins.
Faster boarding, faster deplaning, fewer fights over storage space.
Should provide free checked baggage and charge for overhead bins.
Faster boarding, faster deplaning, fewer fights over storage space.
Remember: The concentration of wealth in the hands of a few isn't just bad for our economy. It's corrosive to our democracy.
When the wealthy and well-connected control our political system, regular people don't have a voice.
The result? The demagoguery and corruption we're seeing now.
When the wealthy and well-connected control our political system, regular people don't have a voice.
The result? The demagoguery and corruption we're seeing now.
November 17, 2025 at 9:18 AM
The incentives are all wrong.
Should provide free checked baggage and charge for overhead bins.
Faster boarding, faster deplaning, fewer fights over storage space.
Should provide free checked baggage and charge for overhead bins.
Faster boarding, faster deplaning, fewer fights over storage space.
A good way to learn about someone's character is to find out what they're nostalgic for.
November 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM
A good way to learn about someone's character is to find out what they're nostalgic for.
This is the most depressing thing I have seen today.
If this is the best we can do, I despair.
If this is the best we can do, I despair.
J-MART, on Newsom:
“.. Ask yourself: How many other potential candidates .. can transcend the political-pop culture divide ..?
“.. there may not be a modern political figure who was simultaneously so well-positioned to be his party’s nominee ..”
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
“.. Ask yourself: How many other potential candidates .. can transcend the political-pop culture divide ..?
“.. there may not be a modern political figure who was simultaneously so well-positioned to be his party’s nominee ..”
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
November 16, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This is the most depressing thing I have seen today.
If this is the best we can do, I despair.
If this is the best we can do, I despair.
Does she have any idea how sickening it is, for those of us who voted for change a year ago, to hear a Labour minister spewing this ignorant and hateful crap?
Never thought I would see the day when the party of Foot and Kinnock and Benn sounded just like Reform.
Never thought I would see the day when the party of Foot and Kinnock and Benn sounded just like Reform.
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Does she have any idea how sickening it is, for those of us who voted for change a year ago, to hear a Labour minister spewing this ignorant and hateful crap?
Never thought I would see the day when the party of Foot and Kinnock and Benn sounded just like Reform.
Never thought I would see the day when the party of Foot and Kinnock and Benn sounded just like Reform.
"Jokes are always funnier when you have to explain them, right?"
BROWN. GET IT? BECAUSE GREEN GRASS TRUNS BROWN. GET IT?
November 16, 2025 at 11:35 AM
"Jokes are always funnier when you have to explain them, right?"
An important reminder: America spent only 60 years paying even the slightest lip service to the idea of equal opportunity before giving up on it entirely.
From 2022:
November 15, 2025 at 3:44 PM
An important reminder: America spent only 60 years paying even the slightest lip service to the idea of equal opportunity before giving up on it entirely.
One of the most depressing things about the last decade is the way the meaning of "evidence" has (d)evolved to represent simply "a thing I would like to be true."
Trump's illegal murders in the Caribbean just got worse. An internal DOJ memo on the bombings says the victims are waging war on the US, but per NYT, it extensively cites the WH's *own claims* to this effect as evidence!
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
It gets even darker than that. 1/
(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2032...
Trump Boat Bombings Take Dark, Unnerving Turn with Leaked Memo Stunner
A new Trump administration memo argues that those carrying out the boat attacks can’t be prosecuted. Why? Because the administration says so!
newrepublic.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:50 PM
One of the most depressing things about the last decade is the way the meaning of "evidence" has (d)evolved to represent simply "a thing I would like to be true."
"Was it your brain" is next level hilarious -- but wasted in a room where nobody is allowed to appreciate it.
It’s really something. The greatest country in the history of the world twice elected the most stupid, most ignorant, biggest idiot in the history of the world.
November 15, 2025 at 11:37 AM
"Was it your brain" is next level hilarious -- but wasted in a room where nobody is allowed to appreciate it.
Steve Bannon is obviously the guy to turn to if you want reputation management advice.
Steve Bannon advised Jeffrey Epstein for years on how to rehab his reputation, texts show
Pair devised responses to public outrage about Epstein’s criminal history, his treatment by the justice system, and his friendships with powerful people
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Steve Bannon is obviously the guy to turn to if you want reputation management advice.
The apology was a staggeringly dumb move. Once you signal your weakness, he can't resist.
Trump says he will take legal action against BBC, despite its apology
US president tells reporters he will sue the corporation for ‘anywhere between a billion and $5bn’
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:35 AM
The apology was a staggeringly dumb move. Once you signal your weakness, he can't resist.
This tells you who The New York Times is.
But it also tells you who New York Times readers are these days, after anyone with a modicum of conscience canceled their subscriptions.
But it also tells you who New York Times readers are these days, after anyone with a modicum of conscience canceled their subscriptions.
Olivia Nuzzi Did It All for Love www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/s...
Olivia Nuzzi Did It All for Love
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:26 PM
This tells you who The New York Times is.
But it also tells you who New York Times readers are these days, after anyone with a modicum of conscience canceled their subscriptions.
But it also tells you who New York Times readers are these days, after anyone with a modicum of conscience canceled their subscriptions.
Must be because the numbers are really good and they don't want to brag.
The White House has said last month’s jobs report and inflation data would “likely never” be released.
White House Will Release October’s Jobs Report—After Saying Data Would ‘Likely Never’ Publish
The White House has said last month’s jobs report and inflation data would “likely never” be released.
www.forbes.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Must be because the numbers are really good and they don't want to brag.
With Syria on our side, how can we fail?
Whatever assurances Ahmed al-Sharaa gave to Donald Trump in Washington, some in his ranks still prefer black flags to the stars and stripes
Syria joins the American-led fight against Islamic State
But some in Ahmed al-Sharaa’s ranks still sympathise with the jihadists
econ.st
November 14, 2025 at 4:54 PM
With Syria on our side, how can we fail?
"Murder by the Book" had a 79 minute runtime.... what's the cutoff for "feature length"?
Steven Spielberg's feature-length directorial debut in the made-for-television action thriller movie "DUEL" starring Dennis Weaver premiered #OnThisDay in 1971 on the ABC television network
📺 Universal Television 🚛 🚗
📺 Universal Television 🚛 🚗
November 14, 2025 at 4:24 PM
"Murder by the Book" had a 79 minute runtime.... what's the cutoff for "feature length"?
We have finally entered the inevitable "time to make sure we don't get the number one pick" phase of the Jets' season.
That was legitimately impressive by the Jets given how good New England’s run defense has been this year
November 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
We have finally entered the inevitable "time to make sure we don't get the number one pick" phase of the Jets' season.
Yeah, but they can use rude words for Black people and gays, and ther personal taxes are way down, so...
No one demanded the market distorting effects of personalist dictatorship more than capital, they should be happy with their choice. bsky.app/profile/carl...
YELLEN: “.. businesses feel paralyzed by the uncertainty about policies that represent the strong but really personal whims of a single individual.”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 14, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Yeah, but they can use rude words for Black people and gays, and ther personal taxes are way down, so...
Seems like the obvious followup question: "How old does a girl have to be before it's okay to traffic her?"
The official GOP position is "15 isn't that young."
November 14, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Seems like the obvious followup question: "How old does a girl have to be before it's okay to traffic her?"
Not sure if you're an Anthony Bourdain fan, but the show he did in Korea was the most consistent rave about the great food that I ever saw.
I vaguely remember when I posted I booked my trip to South Korea and someone said the food was inedible or something?
Just want to say I didn’t have a single bad meal or snack. Everything was on point 👌🏻 🇰🇷
Korean food didn’t miss!
Just want to say I didn’t have a single bad meal or snack. Everything was on point 👌🏻 🇰🇷
Korean food didn’t miss!
November 14, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Not sure if you're an Anthony Bourdain fan, but the show he did in Korea was the most consistent rave about the great food that I ever saw.