Stephen Waddington

Team vibes 💯 this week. And if you’re looking for a career start in a place like this (I sit on the left close to coffee) then check out the battenhall Instagram as we have two internships up for grabs. See you this summer 😎☀️🌞

✅ How independent agencies define the UK's creative economy The UK independent agency sector contributes £26.7 billion to the economy. It’s time we gave it the recognition it deserves.

A brilliant data led myth busting report about the contribution of the indie creative agency sector to the U.K. economy. 99% of agencies are indie, half are outside London, yet it’s the 1% in London, owned by holding companies that define the sector.

open.substack.com/pub/wadds/p/...

Things I would not have believed possible 6 months ago: the United States is losing a global public relations war to China. Because the world views China as a more trustworthy trading partner.

Channeling my inner Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, heading off on a road trip of the road trip on the Ribble Valley and North Yorkshire. Visiting my Mum, Leeds Business School and a couple of agencies along the way.

✅ A call to action for employers on pay transparency The We Show the Salary activist campaign aims to address the inequality that arises from salary secrecy.

In this week's newsletter, The We Show the Salary activist campaign aims to address the inequality that arises in the UK job market from salary secrecy. It's an issue that is acute in the public relations industry.

wadds.substack.com/p/a-call-to-...

Hard agree

See also, sudden interest from Farage

CIPR logo. Engage podcast series. Title states “Joining the Board: The opportunity for comms professionals”. Headshots of the episode host, Ann-Marie Blake, and guests, Noha Al Afifi and Stephen Waddington sit beneath the title. Listen on Apple Music & Spotify.

“You’re bringing a critical perspective. You’re not there to just rubber stamp through [but] to work with your knowledge and critically appraise what’s in front of you.”

@wadds.bsky.social on how to be an effective part of a boardroom in Ep. 19 of our Engage podcast.

Listen now: bit.ly/3FBOKHy

✅ How a podcast has disrupted media and influence as a platform for marginalised voices Podcasting isn’t just disrupting media. It’s redefining who gets to speak, how stories are told and the nature of journalism itself.

Peripheries in Podcasting by Claudia Sarmento and Plinio Fraga is a powerful case study of what happens when traditional media norms are upended by raw emotion, lived experience and a deep connection with marginalised communities.

✅ How corporate comms teams are managing the US Federal Government DEI policy reversal The issue cuts across the relationship management perspective of government affairs, the media and employee relations

Three stories from this week's newsletter.

- How corporate comms teams are managing the US Federal Government DEI reversal
- AI opyright challenges for creators and publishers
- A Demos report calls on the UK Government to use public relations expertise to achieve its missions

A busy week ahead.

How corporate comms teams are managing Federal Government DEI policy reversal — Wadds Inc. | Professional advisor to agencies & comms teams The corporate communications function faces the task of repositioning company DEI policies while balancing regulatory compliance, stakeholder expectations and organisational values.

The corporate communications function faces the task of repositioning company DEI policies while balancing regulatory compliance, stakeholder expectations and organisational values.

Sexy

✅ Addressing the limitations of the PESO model A new public relations planning model suggests that there are 14 types of media, organised by message control versus amplification and moderation

A new public relations planning model suggests that there are 14 types of media, organised by message control versus amplification and moderation.

Great work 👌

The Hoffman Agency Acquires UK Tech Specialist CCGroup CCGroup owners Richard Fogg and Paul Nolan become co-MD of the combined tech agency; the deal trebles the size of Lou Hoffman’s firm in the UK.

CCGroup owners Richard Fogg and Paul Nolan become co-MD of the combined tech agency; the deal trebles the size of Lou Hoffman’s firm in the UK.

Join over 180 other organisations and take part in the biggest UK survey of public sector comms.

For those in council, police, fire, NHS trust, ICB or RSL comms. Please do it NOW survey closing soon. #communications #publicrelations #localgov
www.surveymonkey.com/r/PSC2025Blu...

Sexy

Thanks Rob, that’s very kind, especially as I’ve had a lousy day with my PhD

Almost at the end of an eight hour train journey from the Pyrenees to London. Spent the time auditing my literature and reference management. Managed to complete around 50 of 500+ references. No one warns you the PhD process is so mind numbingly tedious and dull.

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I’ve read A Philosophy of Walking by Frédéric Gros over the weekend. Aside from the physical and wellbeing benefits of moving in the outdoors and travelling from A to B, walking creates the space to reflect, think and be creative. A pilgrimage for ideas, if you like. amzn.to/3XUBS5z

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism Buy Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Wynn-Williams, Sarah (ISBN: 9781250391230) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

A slighted protagonist calling for a book to be banned is a brilliant marketing strategy for author and publisher. I’ve ordered Careless People due for delivery 25 March assuming Meta doesn’t manage to get it pulped first. amzn.to/4ixBz8Z

✅ Five AI themes reshaping the future of public relations practice A review of studies about AI for PR identifies five challenges and opportunities

Research briefing - A review of studies about AI for PR identifies five challenges and opportunities wadds.substack.com/p/five-emerg...

The @cipr.co.uk hosted a powerful panel on Missing Women—why so many female PR practitioners leave before reaching senior roles.

Important report by @wadds.bsky.social
🔗
newsroom.cipr.co.uk/new-study-re...

✅ Creating the conditions for high performance in management and public relations Corporate communications, public relations, media and management insight

This week's research newsletter looks at the conditions that lead to high performance and excellence in public relations and management. It's the root to elevating the corporate communications and public relations function within management.

On International Women’s Day #IWD2025 a big shout out to all my talented PR women colleagues and do read about The Missing Women Study led by @wadds.bsky.social and supported by @cipr.co.uk
newsroom.cipr.co.uk/new-study-reve…

CIPR logo. The Missing Women Study. A report funded by the CIPR Research Fund.

"This groundbreaking research should be a wake-up call to industry leaders to ask what they are going to do to change the experience of women working in public relations for the better."

@advitapatel.bsky.social on the launch of the new 'Missing Women' study.

Find out more: bit.ly/4hbY9CR

CIPR logo. The Missing Women Study. A report funded by the CIPR Research Fund.

"We identified a culture within [public relations] practice that exhausts women through constant pressure to prove their worth, manage impossible expectations and navigate gendered double standards."

@wadds.bsky.social on the launch of the Missing Women Study.

Learn more: bit.ly/4hbY9CR

How the CCO has become the most dynamic role within management — Wadds Inc. | Professional advisor to agencies & comms teams A new report highlights how political shifts, stakeholder activism and accelerating news cycles are transforming the top management communications role.

New blog - A new report highlights how political shifts, stakeholder activism and accelerating news cycles are transforming the top management communications role.

wadds.co.uk/blog/how-the...

Lovely to be back in the river on such a gorgeous evening