Should we speak up or stay silent?

Companies got into politics this week. Interesting timing, given this led last week’s group chat. Here's what else made it 👇️ 

💬 CEOs took a stand-ish: For what feels like the first time in forever, CEOs spoke out about something political. My thoughts? They didn't actually say anything. Didn’t name a person, force, agency, or administration. No action requested. You couldn't have ChatGPT'd something more generic. But our standards are so low that people are... excited about this?

🦉 Hootsuite finally spoke up: Speaking of profit over people, I broke down the irony of social listening tool Hootsuite not practicing what it preaches during a social uproar regarding its ICE contract. (Also, does anyone there remember this is on their X account?). Where you at, Alanis?

💰 Brands are sponsoring journalists’ posts now: This is new. A brand sponsored a journalist's LinkedIn post about their own news coverage. This particular one got 6x his regular engagement. Think that reporter's more inclined to cover them again..? 🙃 

📰 That earned/paid line keeps blurring: Related, I'm hearing indie Substack journalists are more willing to accept things like paid trips to user conferences. No link to share but LMK, have you seen more flexibility in the new media economy?

🔥 Hot take of the week: Can a company be a family? This caused quite the stir inside the Off the Record community: Sierra AI lists Family as a core value (alongside intensity…). What do we think, besties? Can a company really claim to be family? 👀👀👀 

Chat soon,
Gab Ferree
Founder & Your Comms BFF, Off the Record

PS: Last week's most-clicked was the Vibe Code Your Comms Team free training I'm hosting. (OTR members, no need to reg. A members-only version is already on your cal.)

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