News & Views

Structuring Social Media Data for Better Decision Making

Understanding the drivers of online discussions and their impact on reputation can be challenging without proper structure in social media data.

Twitter’s Blue Tick Verification and Social360’s Premium Sources Database

Musk’s approach to verification highlights the importance of a curated database of influencers.

What Accessible AI means for Social Listening

Only by adapting can we continue to tune out the noise to get to the heart of the real meaning.

The rapid rise of the ‘flash influencer’

With news commoditized, obsessional analysis of the detail is what now differentiates.

Fuelling the Fire: Social Media and the Collapse of Silicon Valley Bank

Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse emphasises the significance of social media due diligence, where online rumours, uncertainty and chatter can quickly lead to ruin.

Lineker Ruled Onside: Reputational Damage and the BBC

The backlash following Gary Lineker’s step away from Match of the Day, and his subsequent return, highlights the importance of a consistent and reasonable social media policy for employees, and the reputational damage that can occur without clear insight.

The Impact of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence on Unstructured Data and The Importance of Human Analysis

Will Social Media Strike the Right Balance Between Freedom of Expression and an Audience’s Right to Know

In a controversial move last week, the Facebook and Instagram accounts of former President Donald Trump have been reinstated more than two years after he was banned for inciting violence when his supporters stormed the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. When he was barred, Trump’s account was the most followed on Facebook. The decision will allow him to […]

In a polarized world business is the only institution viewed as trustworthy

Every year since 2000, venerable Public Relations outfit Edelman releases the Edelman Trust Barometer to coincide with the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This year is no exception. Their findings for 2023 reveal that society believes that business is the “only institution seen as competent and ethical.” The Barometer delivers a raft of statistics that […]

Artificial Influencers and their Impact on the News

The rise of the virtual (or artificial) influencer is a trend that will take the often-manipulative effects of social media to another level. Artificial influencers are computer-generated characters designed to mimic real people and interact on social media platforms. These digital personas are typically depicted as attractive, confident, and relatable to your personality, background, and […]

Twitter vs. Mastodon

Since Elon Musk completed his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter last month, he has failed to ease concerns that the platform will be overrun by misinformation and hate speech. Add to that mass redundancy, including many senior managers, a backlash against the fee for ‘blue tick’ verification, and reports of Musk considering putting all of […]

Memes, Parodies, and Trolls: TikTok and Political Influence

Johnny Depp and Reputation Damage – Can His Brand be Saved?

H&M, Mont Blanc, Tom Ford, Asahi, Dior are just some of the most prominent brand endorsements for Johnny Depp, in addition to his lucrative movie career.Depp’s viability as an actor and brand was the topic of his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.  As I’m sure you’re all aware by now, Depp successfully sued Heard over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed in […]

Ignore your Audience at your Peril: Lessons from Abercrombie & Fitch

Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover

Daniel Kinahan, Boxing and the Importance of Due Diligence in Reputation Management

The Boycott “Brandwagon”

Reputation Management in Facebook’s Metaverse

Beijing Olympics Sponsors in the ESG Crosshairs

Everyone Has AI, But Data is King

The internet overdose: are we facing a social media mental health epidemic?

Blast from the Past: Nostalgia on social media

Has the blackout laid bare Facebook’s social media monopoly?

Getting the balance right: Authenticity on social media

Branded pollution and the #dirtydozen: turning off the plastic tap

Plastic pollution is firmly back in the news and companies need to take urgent notice of the noise surrounding their actions.

The social impact of high-profile footballers: making sure sponsors don’t score an own goal

Endorsements from high-profile football players are increasingly being tied in with social issues and running the risk of catching sponsors on the back foot.

Mental health, return to the office and ESG: are the investment banks getting it very wrong?

We analyse whether Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan’s tough stance on returning to work is out of kilter with the current expectation for flexible working and whether this is a risk to their reputation and the mental health of their employees.

Gone, and soon to be forgotten?

After the bluster, rhetoric and damage of the Trump presidency, Joe Biden’s approach to social media takes a much lower-key and unifying approach. And Social360 data proves the tides are turning and Biden’s profile is already outranking the former President.

Please check the social media weather forecast before you venture out

Did the security services in Washington DC miss a trick on Jan 6 when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol? Their plans were all over social media months before, so why wasn’t the city better prepared?

Winners and Losers of 2020: who is on your list?

As the year draws to a close, we take a look at the reputational heroes and villains of 2020.

#BuyNothingDay – Reimagining Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Campaigners are encouraging consumers to turn their back on fashion fashion and overconsumption, using social media platforms to promote alternative ideals. Will #BuyNothingDay become the new #BlackFriday?

#StopHateForProfit and ESG – a perfect storm for Facebook

The social media giant is being targeted by the #StopHateForProfit campaign because of its inaction in tackling hate speech, but the longer-term effects of the advertising boycott could hit Facebook harder than originally planned.

Managing corporate reputation during the Coronavirus pandemic

We’ve had a number of enquiries from our customers to provide monitoring solutions specifically looking at the impact of the Coronavirus on their businesses and sectors. We would like to share the ways we are helping them to make informed decisions about their response to the crisis.

Information crisis: how fake news risked lives during the Australian bushfires

Spreading almost as quickly as the recent fires in Australia was an abundance of false information and fake news, often perpetuated at the highest levels of government.

You’ve been framed! (Or have you?)

With the Brexit debate rumbling on, we take a look at the PR media manipulation techniques providing ongoing distraction from the underlying events taking place.

Climate change, corporate responsibility and the power of social media

Social media is helping to reinforce the climate crisis narrative, shaping the language of activism and putting pressure on global corporations.

Contextualising online abuse – is Twitter letting its users down?

In a climate of polarised political opinion, we ask if Twitter is discharging its duties as an enabler of discussion and doing enough to sanction threat and intimidation.

US mid-terms: judgement day for social networks

The US mid-terms marked a defining moment for the embattled social networks in their quest to get rid of fake political sources attempting voter influence. But it looks like they still have work to do.

Piers Morgan: fanning the flames of controversy and offensiveness

As TV personality and prolific tweeter Piers Morgan launches a tirade against 007’s Daniel Craig for wearing a baby sling, we examine the former editor’s appeal and controversial nature.

Does Facebook’s “War Room” really offer protection voters can trust?

As Facebook announces that it is building a “war room” as part of its fight against election interference, we ask if their efforts are genuine or another gimmick to win back users?

Is Nike exploiting civil rights for their own brand gain?

Nike’s recent campaign has certainly ignited global discussion, with social media as ever leading the charge.

Who’s afraid of the big bad activist?

The digital landscape adds immediacy and reach to campaigners and activists. Consumers easily group together and make noise, using social platforms to mobilise and target.

Social media at the World Cup: moving the goalposts?

I love football. I love the World Cup. The world’s most brilliant footballers taking centre stage for their country. Weeks of football on the television. It doesn’t even matter if your team isn’t there.

Social media skeletons in the closet

Social media can be lauded as a platform on which individuals exercise their right to freedom of speech, while simultaneously and conversely, holding users accountable for the repercussions of their posts.

Alternative media: fake news or fresh opinion?

Around this time last year, alternative media outlet The London Economic published what was to be the most widely viewed online article of the General Election. Ever heard of them? Me neither.

Is ONE’s campaign #PovertyIsSexist a missed social media opportunity?

International charity ONE has been making headlines over the past week. Global media such as the BBC and CNN have reported that over 150 well-known celebrities and thought leaders are supporting and signing its pledge on gender inequality.

Irish abortion referendum: has the Facebook exposé killed online debate?

On 25 May, Ireland will vote in what must be one of the most polarising popular votes seen globally in recent years – the relaxation of the country’s abortion laws, known as the eighth amendment. Right now, there is no predicting which course the vote will take.

Dispelling mistrust, misinformation and misunderstanding

Today’s backdrop of misinformation and lack of trust in social data, along with an ever increasing amount of online activity makes the need to capture, understand and monitor an essential part of any communications strategy.