Hey Besties,
We’re back. Let’s see what made it in the group chat this week 👇
✨ My big prediction: On top of my predictions post (which side note, not sure if I’m surprised we ticked off #2 so quickly), I think this will be the year of the real. NOT using AI will be the differentiator.
Cases in point: Yanni Pappas from Workshop's breakdown of authentic marketing, Lulu Cheng Meservey's case for doing real things, and even James Cameron promising audiences no genAI was used to create Avatar films.
My take: let AI do the boring stuff, and keep the real real for you.
🎙️ Speaking of AI: I spoke with Muck Rack on how comms pros should use AI in 2026. My spiciest point? Super customized journo pitches might scream AI, and the relationship part of media relations will matter more. They need to know the human behind the inbox.
📰 The power of RSS feeds: Head of Comms at Reality Defender Scott Steinhardt gifted us with a step-by-step way to stay on top of news in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. The tech hack is simple: old-school RSS feeds.
🤖 Feed the robs: Is your good data sitting on your corporate blog? Stacker and Scrunch found that articles published on multiple media sites had a 325% increase in AI citations. Worth considering if you want LLMs to cite find your stuff.
🎵 Job hunt innovation? I know the job market is rough, friends… but have you considered making AI slop to stand out? 🥴 Someone may have applied to be Suno's Head of Comms with a Suno AI-generated song that might be our new anthem? If anyone has the backstory, hit me up.
The literal group chat on this one.
🛍️ One for the road: Just in time for the holidays to be over and your New Year’s resolutions to ban unnecessary work swag... I present the Comms Bestie Swag Store. No, this is not super serious (check out the creation story), but yes, you can really buy from it and yes, I take requests.
Chat soon,
Gab Ferree
Founder & Your Comms BFF, Off the Record
PS: Last edition’s most-clicked was Crackle PR’s AEO news release template.
You're reading the Comms Bestie Group Chat, a free weekly drop to 5,000+ comms pros. Off the Record is the membership behind the group chat: 175+ comms leaders getting training, coaching, and community. It’s where the magic happens. ✨
Did a bestie forward you this email? You’ve got good taste in friends. Sign up to join the group chat.