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The visual content landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. As attention spans shrink, platforms evolve and audience expectations rise, both news publishers and PR teams are being forced to rethink how stories are told.
I recently joined a panel discussion alongside industry leaders from PinPep, Daily Mirror and Daily Mail, where we explored how visual storytelling is evolving and what PR professionals need to do to stay relevant. From shifting editorial metrics to the growing demand for authenticity, one thing is clear: success today is about impact, not output.
One of the clearest shifts highlighted during the discussion was the move away from volume-driven content. Publishers are no longer chasing page views alone. Instead, quality, relevance and meaningful engagement are the new benchmarks.
Johnny Goldsmith, Picture Editor at the Daily Mirror, spoke candidly about this change, explaining how falling page views have pushed editorial teams to prioritise quality-led storytelling. Metrics such as bounce rate and scroll depth now carry far more weight, offering a clearer picture of whether content is genuinely resonating.
Dan Quinnell, UK Social Video Lead at the Daily Mail, echoed this shift, describing how major publishers are increasingly operating like social-first brands. Content must be brand-safe, culturally relevant and instantly engaging—especially on platforms where users scroll fast and skip faster.
For PR teams, this reinforces the need to focus on fewer, stronger visual assets that earn attention and justify their place in a crowded feed.
Alongside quality, authenticity has become a defining factor in visual performance. Audiences are increasingly disengaged from overly polished, generic visuals that feel manufactured or distant.
At PinPep, we’re seeing growing demand for content that feels real—human moments, first-person perspectives and visuals that prioritise emotional connection over perfection. On the panel, we discussed how audiences are fatigued by stock-style imagery and are far more responsive to content they can genuinely relate to.
Publishers reinforced this point, noting that first-person storytelling and unforced content consistently outperform traditional formats. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes imagery, creator-led visuals or user-generated content, authenticity is now a powerful engagement driver.
Another key takeaway was the importance of early collaboration between PR teams and publishers. Strong visual content rarely happens at the pitch stage—it’s built through shared thinking from the very beginning.
From the perspective at PinPep, being involved early allows us to guide creative decisions, shape visual approaches and ensure assets truly align with editorial needs. That early input leads to more relevant, usable content and stronger outcomes for everyone involved.
Transparency also plays a crucial role—particularly as new technologies such as AI-generated imagery become more widely used. Clear communication around how visuals are created, what’s real and what’s enhanced helps maintain trust and credibility with publishers and audiences alike.
The conversation also explored how publishers themselves are evolving. Many are now building in-house creator teams and embracing the creator economy, producing social-first and platform-native content at scale.
For PR professionals, this shift presents both challenges and opportunities. The lines between publisher, creator and brand are increasingly blurred, which means strategies must be more flexible, collaborative and culturally informed than ever before.
We believe the future of visual storytelling lies in thoughtful collaboration, creative honesty and a deep understanding of what audiences truly connect with. By embracing these shifts, PR teams can build stronger partnerships with publishers and create content that doesn’t just get seen—but genuinely lands.
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72Point has appointed Chris Grabowski as creative director. The appointment follows a rise in our brand-led RFPs and reinforces the group’s creative leadership across brand storytelling, out of home (OOH) and experiential campaigns.
Chris joins 72Point with an extensive and highly regarded background in creative PR and earned-first campaigning. Most recently, he was creative director at Cirkle, where he helped lead the agency to being named SABRE EMEA Creative PR Consultancy of the Year 2023. Over more than six years at the agency, he delivered high-impact, culturally resonant ideas for major brands, spanning PR, social, experiential, and integrated channels.
Prior to Cirkle, Chris held senior roles at STIR, PrettyGreen, and Citizen Relations, building a strong reputation for big, earned-led ideas designed to drive conversation, coverage and cut-through.
In his new role, Chris will lead creative development across 72Point’s campaigns, working closely with strategy, planning and media teams to deliver bold, attention-grabbing ideas at scale.
Chris’ appointment underscores 72Point’s continued investment in creative excellence as the business expands its offering across earned media, social, experiential and fully integrated brand campaigns. While 72Point continues to work with 63% of the UK’s top 50 consumer agencies, the business has also seen an 18% year-on-year increase in brands engaging directly. These partnerships increasingly take the form of integrated, project-based work that delivers measurable impact and clear value for money.
Katie Earlam, acting managing director at 72Point, said, “We’re thrilled that Chris has chosen 72Point as his next creative home. He brings with him an exceptional creative pedigree and a proven ability to deliver ideas that genuinely earn attention. At a time when brands are increasingly looking for high-impact experiential work, there is significant opportunity ahead, and Chris’ experience and creative ambition will be instrumental as we continue to build bold, culturally relevant campaigns for our brand clients.”
Commenting on his appointment, Chris Grabowski said, “72Point is that rare comms unicorn: a place that understands what makes a newsworthy story, has a culture that backs brave ideas – but also has the media know-how to land it on scale. It’s exactly the kind of environment any creative would want to be part of. I’m excited to join the team and help build work that people don’t just see but share and talk about.”
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]]>The post Hold the Front Page – The 10 Things Every PR Needs to Know About AI Right Now! appeared first on 72Point..
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Our Hold the Front Page event brought together senior comms leaders, journalists, and AI experts to tackle the biggest shift facing our industry: AI becoming the front door to the internet.
Here are the essential takeaways
1 – AI is now a trusted source
Research with Purposeful Relations reveals that 55% of people trust mainstream media, while 44% trust AI. Furthermore, 71% believe AI provides accurate answers. This shows AI is quickly closing the gap with traditional media in terms of public trust.
2 – AI is now a stakeholder
Brands must treat AI models as they would media, customers, and regulators. AI doesn’t simply retrieve information; it generates responses based on existing content. This makes AI an active participant in shaping perceptions.
3 – Earned media drives AI visibility
Up to 95% of AI-generated citations originate from editorial media rather than paid or owned content. High-quality journalism is now the foundation of Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO), making earned media critical for brand presence in AI answers.
4 – GEO is not SEO
SEO was like playing checkers; GEO is more like chess. AI answers are built from countless natural-language queries, multiple models pulling from diverse sources, and structured content such as paragraphs, tables, and opinions—not just links. This is a new discipline where PR professionals can lead.
5 – Recency, Accuracy, and Depth Matter
Three factors determine whether AI surfaces your brand:
Recency: AI prioritises fresh, up-to-date data.
Accuracy: Outdated or incorrect websites will be ignored.
Depth: Detailed, long-form content signals expertise and wins visibility.
6 – AI Can Resurface Past Issues
Historic controversies or crises may reappear in AI-generated answers because models aim for balanced perspectives. This means crisis communications now have long-term algorithmic consequences.
7 – Journalism Needs Industry Support
If media outlets cannot sustain trustworthy journalism, AI’s reliability suffers too. Brands should support the ecosystem by entering awards, sponsoring events, and paying NLA/CLA fees to help maintain credible reporting.
8 – Technical Hygiene Is Essential
Ensure your site is AI-friendly:
Fix your robots.txt file.
Update structured data.
Make sure AI can crawl and interpret your content.
If AI cannot access your site, it cannot cite your brand.
9 – Audit AI Answers Regularly
If media outlets cannot sustain trustworthy journalism, AI’s reliability suffers too. Brands should support the ecosystem by entering awards, sponsoring events, and paying NLA/CLA fees to help maintain credible reporting.
10 – Early Action Beats Panic
We’re still in the early stages of this shift. Experiment, test, and refine strategies while keeping earned media central. Traditional media isn’t disappearing – it’s becoming the training data for AI. This makes credibility, journalism, and evidence-based PR more important than ever.
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After proudly sporting a moustache for a whole year following Movember 2024, the time has come to start from scratch. The tache is gone, and Movember 2025 is here!
Movember isn’t just about facial hair – it’s about making a real difference. This cause holds a special place in my heart because it has personally helped my family and friends over the years. Seeing donations go directly to those in need is something words can barely express.
This year, I’ve shaved it all off to raise money for suicide prevention and mental health support. Hopefully, the moustache will look a little more convincing this time around!
At 72Point, we’re all rallying behind Julien in this amazing effort. If you’d like to support and donate, please visit his Movember page:
Every contribution counts and helps change lives. Let’s make Movember 2025 one to remember!
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72Point Group CEO, Chris Pharo will be stepping down after ten years leading the business. During his tenure, Chris oversaw its growth into one of PRWeek’s top 10 consumer agencies and helped establish 72Point as a major player in earned media and creative content.
Chris said the decision was his own and that he leaves the business “hugely proud of what we’ve achieved,” adding that “the company has an exciting future ahead and is in safe and capable hands.”
As part of the transition, Katie Earlam will assume the role of acting managing director of 72Point, working under group CEO Sam Barcroft, who oversees SWNS Media Group, 72Point Group and Creatorville.
Sam thanked Chris for a decade of leadership, noting that he “has played a pivotal role in shaping the business and driving long-term growth.” He added that the transition “creates an opportunity for the next phase of development, ensuring the business is aligned with the group’s ambitions in earned media and brand storytelling.”
Katie said, “I am delighted to step into the role of Acting MD at such an important time. I’ve watched Chris in awe as he has built 72Point over the last decade. I’m excited about the evolution of the business, as it is well-positioned for continued growth, creativity and impact.”
Katie brings extensive experience in journalism, creative strategy and communications to the role. She joined 72Point in 2022 and has since served as campaigns director and director of creative strategy, leading major brand campaigns and driving the business’s creative output. Prior to joining the company, she held senior roles at Goldbug Brand & Communications and spent a decade as a journalist, columnist and interviews producer at outlets including The Sun and Sky News. Her background across newsroom environments, content creation and PR strategy gives her a strong foundation to guide 72Point’s continued growth.
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]]>The post The Agency Opportunity: Helping Brands Win in the GEO Landscape appeared first on 72Point..
]]>Our Hold the Front Page report with Purposeful Relations finds that earned media from trusted journalistic sources is now the single most powerful influence on how AI models describe and recommend brands. News coverage has become structured data for machines, the stories you place today are the inputs shaping tomorrow’s AI generated answers.
Search changed everything. SEO became a specialist craft, while PR adapted slowly. Today we are at another crossroads. GEO unites storytelling with machine logic. It is not about gaming systems, it is about teaching AI what credibility looks like, with recency, relevance, and reputation carrying the most weight.
Agencies are perfectly positioned to lead. Influencing AI requires authentic storytelling, factual precision, reputation management, and consistent distribution across credible outlets, exactly the skills great PR and comms teams already bring. GEO adds a layer of structure and verification so that content is readable by people and machines.
Brands that earn strong, positive, and frequent coverage in reputable media are far more likely to be recommended inside AI platforms. PR output does not just shape perception, it shapes the answers machines give. Agencies that help brands achieve consistent, high quality editorial visibility are building algorithmic equity, one credible citation at a time.
72Point bridges the gap between brand ambition and media authority. Our network and editorial expertise deliver mass media coverage in trusted sources, which is exactly what generative engines reward. We help partners future proof their reputation strategies by combining creative storytelling, credible journalism, and GEO ready distribution.
The next wave of influence will not be bought, it will be earned, structured, and surfaced by AI. Agencies that recognise this will become indispensable partners to brands navigating the generative era. The opportunity is now, and we are perfectly positioned to help you seize it.
If you’d like to discuss this further, drop me a line paul.billingham@72point.com
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A brilliant event diving into what makes stories truly broadcast-worthy — with open, honest insights straight from those who decide what makes it on air.
Here’s what we learned
Broadcast Still Starts With the Story
Producers are looking for real people with genuine experiences. Human-interest stories – told with authenticity and emotion – connect far better than heavily branded messaging. Trust and relatability are what make people tune in.
Make It Relevant, Make It Targeted
The fastest way to lose a producer’s attention? A blanket email. The best PRs do their homework — tailoring pitches to the show, the presenter, and the audience. If you can say why your story fits this station, this week, you’re already ahead.
Yes, Pick Up the Phone
Email first, but don’t be afraid to follow up with a quick call — especially if it’s timely or strong. A personal touch still cuts through the inbox noise. (Just not during live broadcast hours!)
Right Spokesperson, Right Fit
Celebrity doesn’t always mean coverage. Authenticity matters more than fame. Producers and listeners can spot an unconvincing ambassador instantly — especially if they don’t have a genuine link to the story.
Think Multi-Platform from the Start
Broadcast now means radio, TV, podcasts, video clips, and social content. When pitching, think visually and audibly — have case studies, soundbites, and short-form assets ready to bring your story to life across every channel.
Keep It Clear, Keep It Human
Avoid jargon and overcomplication. Producers have seconds to grasp your story — so make your subject line and first line count. If it reads like a press release, it probably won’t land.
Relationships Build Results
Strong media relationships still matter most. Be realistic, deliver what you promise, and respect producers’ time. Consistency and credibility turn a “one-off pitch” into a trusted partnership.
Timing Is Everything
Stories tied to what people are already talking about — seasonal moments, national trends, cultural touchpoints — perform best. Broadcast thrives on relevance.
It was a brilliant reminder that while platforms and formats keep evolving, the fundamentals of broadcast storytelling stay the same: clarity, humanity and timing.
Thanks to everyone who joined us — and to our expert panel for such sharp, honest insight into how to make stories sing on air.
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Creatorville, the original video studio within SWNS Media Group, has appointed Jon Eastman as creative director. Jon joins to lead Creatorville’s next phase of growth, driving innovation across original digital formats, publishing, and audience engagement.
With more than 20 years’ experience in award-winning video and digital strategy, Jon brings a rare combination of editorial rigour and digital-first creativity to the role. He joins from The Times, where he served as director of video, overseeing content across YouTube, TikTok and The Times & Sunday Times’ digital platforms.
Previously, as director of digital video at Future Studios and a long-standing collaborator with Barcroft Studios, Jon helped define the modern landscape of social documentaries and branded digital content, developing hit formats for Channel 4 Digital, Truly, Marie Claire and other global brands.
At Creatorville, Jon will lead the creative vision and output across new formats and partnerships, building on the company’s mission to superpower brand growth through original video.
Jon Eastman, creative director at Creatorville, said, “When Sam told me his plans for Creatorville, I jumped at the opportunity. I’m joining SWNS at an incredibly exciting time – both for the company and the wider creator economy. There’s a huge opportunity here to shape the next generation of digital formats, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Sam Barcroft, group CEO of SWNS Media Group and founder of Creatorville, said, “Jon is one of the most talented and forward-thinking video leaders in the industry. His track record in storytelling, creativity and platform innovation makes him the perfect person to help take Creatorville – and our clients – into the next era of original video.”
Creatorville, part of SWNS Media Group, partners with creators, publishers and brands to produce bold, shareable and meaningful original video content for audiences worldwide.
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Artificial intelligence has become the unavoidable elephant in the room in PR offices and newsrooms alike. From fake experts offering their ‘views’, to fact-checking, AI has become standard practice across the communications industry.
On the one hand, technology is advancing faster than ever. Generative AI has transformed how content is produced, consumed, and distributed. But on the other, the very same rise of AI is fuelling a renewed appetite for something far more traditional: trust, credibility, and good old-fashioned human relationships.
In some ways, it feels like we’ve gone full circle.
The New Reality: AI is Both Threat and Opportunity
There is no denying that AI has disrupted the PR and media landscape. Content is easier to generate than ever before, but that ease brings risks. Fake experts, misleading claims, and AI-written articles has created doubt. Journalists are more sceptical of what lands in their inbox, while audiences are switching onto the fact that what they are reading may not be authentic.
This scepticism has a silver lining: earned media is still crucial for visibility.
With Google’s AI Overview (GEO) now surfacing quick answers at the top of search results, credibility matters. Studies suggest that up to 90% of what shows up in these overviews is drawn from earned media sources. That means journalists’ stories, reputable outlets, and trusted commentary are shaping the very first thing people see when they search online.
For PR professionals, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is and always has been how do we stand out amid a flood of AI-assisted pitches. But the opportunity is massive and the result could be huge. Your brand doesn’t just appear in an article, it has the potential to be surfaced by Google itself as the answer.
Relevancy and Authenticity: Growing in importance
Relevancy and authenticity have always been at the core of effective PR and how brands engage with their target audience. But in today’s AI-driven landscape, authenticity is crucial.
Journalists like Rob Waugh have already highlighted the rise of fake experts infiltrating newsrooms. When AI makes it easy to fabricate a convincing bio, journalists become far more pragmatic about who they trust.
The best way to stand out? Provide the real thing. Verified experts. Genuine insights. Stories grounded in data, not just spun with buzzwords.
The Human Connection is Making a Comeback
It wasn’t long ago that journalist-PR meetings were declining. COVID restrictions, remote working, and shrinking newsroom staff all contributed to a reliance on digital communication. Pitching moved to emails and the personal touch fell by the wayside.
But with AI muddying the waters, we’re seeing a quiet comeback of something that feels refreshingly old-school: face-to-face connection.
In a world where machines can mimic humans with startling accuracy, it’s the human element that restores trust. Even a five-minute phone call or coffee meeting can be the difference between your pitch being buried in an inbox avalanche or landing as a featured story.
Journalists are seeking reassurance that what they’re getting is credible, and PRs are seeking confidence that their stories will resonate. Meeting in person, or at least having a real conversation, creates that reassurance that is much sought after.
This return to relationship-driven PR may feel like going backwards, but in reality it’s just a reminder of what always worked best: building trust.
GEO: The Fierce New Battleground
For the average person, Google is the front door to information. And with the rollout of AI Overviews, people aren’t going much further to get their information.
Most users won’t scroll past the overview box at the top of the page. That means brands and experts featured in these summaries gain instant authority – whether they’re a household name or not.
We know GEO relies heavily on earned media. It doesn’t pull from random blogs or branded puff pieces; it pulls from trusted outlets. That means PR pros have an unprecedented chance to amplify their impact by focusing on securing coverage in reputable publications.
In the age of GEO, a single piece of earned coverage could be surfaced to millions of searchers again and again. The ripple effect is massive and we are still learning so much about it.
What PRs MUST Do to Adapt
The shifting landscape is forcing PRs to adapt but fundamentally it comes down to three priorities: credibility, relationships, and adaptability.
Back to the Future of PR
So, is AI forcing PR back in time? In some ways, yes. The demand for credibility, authenticity, and human connection feels like a throwback to the early days of media relations. But it’s not regression, it’s evolution.
AI has amplified the value of what PR has always done best: telling authentic stories, building genuine relationships, and helping brands earn trust in the public eye.
The tactics may look familiar: coffee meetings, trust-building, pitching journalists carefully chosen angles – but the stakes are higher. Now, those efforts don’t just land you a story in tomorrow’s paper. They could put your brand front and centre in Google’s AI Overview, shaping the answers millions of people see.
In other words: the fundamentals haven’t changed. But the focus has.
For PR professionals, the way forward is clear. Double down on trust. Lean into human connection. Secure earned media that resonates. AI may have disrupted the industry, but in the end, it’s reminding us of something timeless: credibility is the currency of communication.
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]]>The post Why Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Must Stay at the Heart of PR appeared first on 72Point..
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At the recent PRCA UK Conference, Koray Camgöz, Chief Executive of the Taylor Bennett Foundation, delivered a powerful reminder of why inclusion isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s a business-critical one.
He opened with a striking example. A university lecturer helping international PR students apply for placements discovered none were receiving responses. When the students changed their names to more Western-sounding ones, nearly all received replies, and many were invited to interview. It was a clear demonstration of the unconscious (and sometimes blatant) bias that continues to shape opportunities in communications.
For Koray, names matter. They carry history, pride, and identity. His own Turkish surname, complete with the two dots above the “O” that he once avoided using, has become something he now embraces and insists on spelling correctly. It’s a reminder that our industry must recognise and respect difference, because identity is never something to erase.
Diversity: The Business Case
Inclusion conversations are often mischaracterised as “political” or “culture war” issues, but Korey was unequivocal: this is about performance. Research shows that companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 37% more likely to outperform competitors. Diverse teams make better decisions, improve productivity, and strengthen retention.
He illustrated this with his time at Ketchum, where he worked alongside creative director Indy Selvarajah and his diverse team. For Indy, diversity didn’t just improve creativity, it defined it. The fusion of perspectives became the “secret sauce” that powered award-winning work.
The flipside is just as telling. Tesco’s Eid Mubarak range once included smoky bacon Pringles, and Samsung released an ad showing a woman running carefree through London at 2am, in the wake of tragic, high-profile murders. Both examples sparked public backlash and highlighted what can happen when the people making decisions all come from similar backgrounds.
Where PR Stands Today
Our industry still has a long way to go. Nine in ten communications professionals identify as white. Around 28% are privately educated – four times the national average. And because success in PR often comes down to networks rather than qualifications, the playing field remains far from level.
But Koray was clear: the way forward isn’t about abstract ideals, it’s about practical steps.
The Taylor Bennett Foundation in Action
The Taylor Bennett Foundation has spent 17 years creating opportunities for Black, Asian and ethnically diverse professionals in PR. Its flagship PR Training Programme has a 97% employment success rate, while initiatives like Summer Stars internships and Reverse Mentoring pairings are reshaping the industry from entry-level to leadership.
Koray closed with the story of Suleika Mahamud, a trainee whose candid account of her family’s experience with polio during a Gates Foundation masterclass eventually led to her speaking on a panel in Brussels alongside Bill Gates himself. One opportunity changed her career trajectory – and that, Korey said, is exactly what true inclusion makes possible.
A Call to Action
At 72Point, we know PR thrives on fresh perspectives, creativity, and cultural understanding. As Koray reminded us, inclusion isn’t about “special treatment” – it’s about recognising that opportunities are not evenly distributed and working actively to close the gap.
The challenge is real, but so is the opportunity. By embedding equity and inclusion into our industry’s DNA, we don’t just create fairer workplaces, we create better, braver, and more effective communications.
We are proud to be supporting The Taylor Bennett Foundation’s PR Cup initiative, raising money for their vital work in opening up opportunities and championing diversity and inclusion in our industry.
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