TL;DR: PR builds credibility, but the message fades or gets lost without advertising. Advertising sustains momentum, ensures control, and turns awareness into action. Smart brands use both to maximize impact.

TL;DR: Organizations that fail to prepare for crises will struggle to recover. Crisis fatigue weakens teams, leads to poor decisions, and damages reputations. A strong crisis plan keeps teams sharp, prevents chaos, and ensures control.

TL;DR: Fewer journalists and more paid content make PR more challenging. Traditional press releases are less effective. To stay credible, brands must use a mix of earned, owned, and paid media while focusing on storytelling, data, and thought leadership.

TL;DR: Justifying what is clearly wrong distorts reality, emboldens wrongdoing, and weakens society's moral compass. The only solution is to reject false narratives and stand firm in truth before deception replaces reality.

This op-ed originally appeared in Crain's Chicago Business. It examines the unintended consequences of H.R. 9495, a proposed bill with broad language that poses significant risks to nonprofits in the music, arts, and education sectors. Below is the full text, highlighting the challenges this legislation could create for organizations dedicated to...

TL;DR: Being of service means offering your time, skills, or attention to support others without expecting anything in return. It does not have to be big or public to be meaningful. Look for a way to help someone today. Even a small act can make a difference.