Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Stephen Waddington

Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · Apr 25

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 😎☀️🌞

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Apr 17

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/...

✅ 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.

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Stephen Waddington

Paul Holmes @provokepaul.bsky.social · Apr 14

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.

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Apr 14

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.

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Apr 14

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-...

✅ 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.

wadds.substack.com

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Apr 13

Hard agree

Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Apr 13

See also, sudden interest from Farage

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Reposted by Stephen Waddington

Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) @cipr.co.uk · Apr 3

“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

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 27

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 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.

wadds.substack.com

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 24

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 the US Federal Government DEI policy reversal

The issue cuts across the relationship management perspective of government affairs, the media and employee relations

open.substack.com

Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 22

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

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.

wadds.co.uk

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 22

Sexy

Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 20

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

✅ 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

wadds.substack.com

Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 19

Great work 👌

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Reposted by Stephen Waddington

PRovoke Media @provokemedia.com · Mar 18

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.

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.

www.provokemedia.com

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Reposted by Stephen Waddington

Mandy Pearse @mandypearse.bsky.social · Mar 16

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...

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 16

Sexy

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 16

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

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 16

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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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 16

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

Amazon.co.uk

Sorry, we just need to make sure you're not a robot. For best results, please make sure your browser is accepting cookies.

amzn.to

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 15

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

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.

amzn.to

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 14

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

✅ Five AI themes reshaping the future of public relations practice

A review of studies about AI for PR identifies five challenges and opportunities

wadds.substack.com

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Reposted by Stephen Waddington

Farzana Baduel @farzanabaduel.bsky.social · Mar 7

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...

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Stephen Waddington @wadds.bsky.social · Mar 7

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.

✅ Creating the conditions for high performance in management and public relations

Corporate communications, public relations, media and management insight

wadds.substack.com