Allison Worldwide

Last week, China Managing Director Jerry Zhu Zhu recently spoke to over 100 postgraduate students at Lanzhou University’s Journalism School. As part of the Students Meet the Seasoned PR Expert program by Gold Flag Awards, he shared insights on international and cross-cultural communication, empowering future PR leaders. 

I witnessed a special moment this week. It occurred during a presentation from Allison Worldwide co-founder Scott Pansky and Special Olympics global communications lead Christy Weir at Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) ICON 2025 in Anaheim. Presenting on the Art of Storytelling to more than 500 Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) students from around the country, one of Scott’s main points centered on the power of our unique voice and story. As he worked the room Phil Donahue-style (yes, dating myself), students shared versions of their own story. One student took the microphone and shared that his story was largely defined by struggles with imposter syndrome – and the constant fear of not living up to other’s expectations of him, of letting people down. The room fell silent. Scott paused. He turned to the audience. “How many people feel the same way?” he asked. More than 500 hands slowly rose in unison. “You’re not alone,” he said to the student. It was an incredibly powerful moment. Through a single gesture it was a powerful group embrace – a show of understanding and support, for the student, for themselves, for each other. It’s hard to describe how connected a hotel ballroom could feel without a single word being spoken. But it wouldn’t have happened without the courage of that student to open up and share his story. And it wouldn’t have happened without Scott, a parent himself and a mentor to hundreds if not thousands over the years, recognizing the moment, asking the perfect question and, more importantly, knowing what the response would be. It was such a great lesson in the power of vulnerability and empathy. Through vulnerability we can gain strength and support. In all likelihood, whatever we’re feeling, the 500 other people in the room are feeling the same thing. In sharing his story, that student gained not only support in return, but provided strength to everyone else in the room. Scott’s empathy and understanding enabled a collective empathetic response which supported not only the student, but each other. It was a good reminder that we can always add a bit more vulnerability and empathy into our lives. Thanks to Scott and Christy for a great presentation and for your continued commitment to mentorship. And thanks to that student for your courage to share and the impact you made – I have my hand up for you too. #mentorship #resilience #storytelling

A quick recap of a whirlwind week with Allison Worldwide (also an excuse to all my friends I didn't text back last week). We started strong on Monday with a CBS Sunday Morning segment in our LA office, then down to San Diego for two days of creative workshopping with one of our global health tech clients. Thursday morning we rolled up our sleeves to volunteer with TreePeople for our annual Global Day of Giving and then a quick outfit change before heading to the LA PRSA PRism Awards with Kelly Kenney where we won Best Earned Program for our Pokémon GO Fest work with Early Bird PR and Niantic. Friday we closed out the week with a visit from James Selman, a partner at Allison who shared an upate on the latest and greatest coming out of the UK/EMEA regions.

Wie können Unternehmen in diesen herausfordernden politischen Zeiten erfolgreich und mit Fingerspitzengefühl kommunizieren? Darum dreht sich unser nächstes Networking-Event im Münchner Allison-Büro. Schaut vorbei und macht Euch mit uns einen schönen Abend - wir freuen uns auf Euch! 🗣🍹

Last week was an amazing experience at the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) ICON. I want to thank everyone at PRSSA for inducting me into the PRSSA Hall of Fame. It was an honor receiving the award from Ken Hagihara, APR, Fellow PRSA, MCM. Working with students from across the country helping them with networking and storytelling techniques has been some of the most rewarding moments of my career. I want to thank the many PRSA members who mentored me and shared their words of wisdom that I could pass forward.

Will you be watching East versus West tonight when the LA Dodgers meet the NY Yankees in the 120th World Series? In today’s The Roar, Lisa Rosenberg (a Yankees fan, btw!) breaks down this cultural behemoth and MLB’s renewed cultural relevance this season thanks to increased brand support and international superstars. Play Ball!   #MLB #Marketing #Brand #SportsSponsorships #WorldSeries #Yankees #Dodgers #Sportsmarketing

#YoungChangemakers UK/Europe winner, Adina James, shares the importance of amplifying the next generation of voices in the PR/Comms industry. Hear more from the 2024 Young Changemakers winners at the 2024 #PRovokeGlobal summit in Washington, D.C next week. Listen to the full podcast episode here: https://bit.ly/48hBm5L Register for the PRovokeGlobal Summit here: https://bit.ly/3tC6Y2R WE Communications Melissa Waggener Zorkin Lisa A. Smith Paul Holmes Maja Pawinska Sims Allison Worldwide

With the NYC Marathon around the corner, brands are stepping up in unique ways to connect with runners and spectators alike. From inclusive campaigns, innovative experiences and even finding a date, running is making a big impact on culture. Read more from Lisa Rosenberg’s latest edition of The Roar. 

ICYMI: Allison is making Cannes Lions easier than ever with the launch of Cannescierge – our new suite of services designed to streamline your festival experience. From VIP access to tailored strategies, we’re here to make Cannes unforgettable. Read more from Diana Marszalek at PRovoke Media: https://lnkd.in/dgqNRSxV #CannesLions #Creativity #Cannescierge

As eco-tourism gains momentum in Malaysia, communicating sustainability is more important than ever for brands and PR professionals. From lush rainforests to pristine beaches, Malaysia offers a unique opportunity to attract eco-conscious travelers while promoting responsible tourism. But how can we convey our commitment to sustainability without sounding insincere? In Jeremy Seow’s latest blog, he explores Malaysia’s growing eco-tourism sector and share insights from Rene Leow at Emerald Communications on how brands can craft authentic, impactful messages for the eco-conscious traveler. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eXAHUCKr #EcoTourism #Sustainability #SustainableTravel #Malaysia #Tourism