As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, businesses face
increasing pressure to navigate the political landscape.
Karla Jo Helms highlights the
delicate nature of this scenario for businesses trying to increase
their outreach and advocates for Anti-PR, a strategic approach that
uses crisis management and media algorithms to create resilient
publicity. With economic issues like inflation topping voter
concerns, she argues that disruptive companies have a unique chance
to become trusted voices, providing clarity and leadership during
these volatile times.
TAMPA
BAY, Fla., July 29, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --
According to a survey conducted last year, only 41% of Americans
believe that companies should take stances on sociopolitical
events; that number drops even further when it comes to political
candidates, where only 30% think brands should address them. (1)
But as the 2024 US presidential election heats up, staying clear of
the political arena is becoming increasingly challenging for
companies, as media coverage amplifies the noise around such
issues. Karla Jo Helms, Chief
Evangelist and Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™, draws
on her extensive crisis management experience to highlight that
this predicament can be transformed into an opportunity. "Avoiding
communications during this period can seem like the smart thing to
do. But in this given context, that might not always be the optimal
strategy for businesses who are in industries so heavily affected
by public opinion", she explains.
"In a climate where the economy is at the
forefront of discussions, disruptive thinkers and business leaders
have an opportunity to be the voice of reason and sanity," states
Karla Jo Helms, Chief Evangelist and
Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™.
Helms emphasizes that this turbulence can't be an excuse to stop
communicating and that the only way to navigate through the storm
is by having a solid "battle plan."
"We are gearing up for the political craziness that is going to
unfold over the next few months across all media. Both sides will
be fervently discussing the issues, and the public will be glued to
the news again," she states. "In a climate where the economy is at
the forefront of discussions, disruptive thinkers and business
leaders have an opportunity to be the voice of reason and
sanity."
Strategies to navigate through volatile times
Helms recalls a recent incident that highlights the fast-changing
media landscape in this context. "A couple of weeks ago a
mainstream outlet contacted us regarding a trend being discussed in
the tech industry press and podcasts regarding 'what tech leaders
want in a new president.' They wanted to talk to our experts in
MedTech, AI, HealthTech, FinTech and cybersecurity... among
others," she explains.
However, the story didn't air. Days after the interviews the
entire media landscape was shaken when candidate Donald Trump was shot, overshadowing all other
news. "In such uncertain times journalists are forced to drop news
due to more urgent topics," Helms explains. "But we know that story
will come back, and we are prepared. There's a growing interest
from the public and decision makers regarding economic issues—
innovative entrepreneurs, especially tech founders, are considered
valuable sources on these topics. The public tend to trust
technology leaders as leaders who will get things done—and we work
with some of the most disruptive players from those [tech]
sectors."
Data backs Helms' assertions. A poll published earlier this
month revealed that inflation tops the list of voter concerns, with
64% of respondents identifying it as a major problem. (2) Other
studies indicate that this same trend is particularly pronounced
among specific demographics:
- Research shows that inflation and the cost of living are the
top issues for young people this election cycle. (3)
- Four in ten women voters consider inflation the most important
issue influencing their vote in the 2024 presidential race.
(4)
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are also watching this
year's election closely. According to a Goldman Sachs survey, 96%
of SMBs stated that they will definitely or probably vote in
November. 55% of these owners also believe that candidates are not
addressing the main issues that are affecting their companies.
(5)
This creates a specific vacuum to be filled by business
leaders.
"During these times decision-makers are looking for answers.
Most of them believe that companies who are innovative, especially
those related to technology, understand what's going on. That's why
it's such a big opportunity to make an impact on people's
opinions," Helms highlights.
Amplify Your Message: Anti-PR's Election Season Playbook
But to position themselves as thought leaders in the middle of all
this noise tech companies and businesses need a robust battle plan.
Enter Anti-PR, a strategic approach pioneered by JOTO PR.
Unlike traditional PR, Anti-PR leverages crisis management
techniques and media algorithms to create resilient, authentic, and
consistent publicity. It achieves exposure and builds third-party
credibility through a strong relation with media, allowing
businesses to stand out in a crowded space and ensuring their
messages are heard amidst the election-related noise.
Since 2009, JOTO PR Disruptors™ has successfully helped clients
navigate multiple crises using these principles.
"If your technology is reshaping our economy, healthcare,
financial welfare, or creating more jobs—essentially disrupting the
status quo in these rapidly changing times—your story will
captivate the media," Helms explains. You have the chance to
provide clarity in an uncertainty landscape. However, tackling
economic issues during such volatile times is not to be taken
lightly. A robust and strategic communication plan is vital to
avoid common pitfalls, steer public discussion, and leverage
third-party credibility. It's about knowing how to push the right
buttons to help the most people."
About JOTO PR Disruptors™
Founded by PR veteran Karla Jo
Helms, JOTO PR Disruptors™ emerged from extensive market
research with CEOs of fast-growth companies. The agency combines
crisis management skills with advanced media algorithms to develop
Anti-PR® campaigns. Based in Tampa Bay,
Florida, JOTO PR is globally recognized for its innovative
Anti-PR services. More information is available at
http://www.jotopr.com.
About Karla Jo Helms
Karla Jo Helms is the Chief
Evangelist and Anti-PR Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™.
She learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when
millions of dollars are on the line—and how the control of public
opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen or
another is brutally rejected. Being an alumnus of crisis
management, Karla Jo has worked with
litigation attorneys, private investigators, and the media to help
restore companies of goodwill back into the good graces of public
opinion. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR
industry itself has lost its way, and how, in the right hands,
corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive markets and
impact market perception.
References:
1. Coffee, Patrick. "Consumers Are Less Interested in Brands Taking
Stances on Sociopolitical Issues, Survey Finds." Wall Street
Journal, 10 Oct. 2023,
wsj.com/articles/consumers-are-less-interested-in-brands-taking-stances-on-sociopolitical-issues-survey-finds-2211e1ed.
2. Crisp, Elizabeth. "Most Americans Point to Inflation as Biggest
Issue ahead of Election: Survey." The Hill, The Hill, 12 July 2024,
thehill.com/business/4769000-donald-trump-joe-biden-inflation-top-concern-2024-election/.
3. Kawashima-Ginsberg, Kei . "Youth Are Turned off by the 2024
Election. We Can Still Engage and Mobilize Them." U.S. News,
11 July 2024,
usnews.com/opinion/articles/2024-07-11/youth-are-turned-off-by-the-2024-election-we-can-still-engage-and-mobilize-them.
4. Kearney, Audrey, et al. "KFF Survey of Women Voters: Key
Takeaways." KFF, 20 June 2024,
kff.org/womens-health-policy/poll-finding/kff-survey-of-women-voters-key-takeaways/.
Accessed 19 July 2024.
5. "Goldman Sachs | 10,000 Small Businesses Voices - Survey: 20% of
Small Business Owners Say They're Undecided in 2024 Election."
Goldman Sachs, 1 May 2024,
goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000-small-businesses/US/voices/news/may-1-2024-press-release.html.
Accessed 19 July 2024.
Media Contact
Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™,
727-777-4629, khelms@jotopr.com, jotopr.com
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SOURCE JOTO PR™