Institute for Public Relations

How Americans Are Using and Questioning AI Pew Research Center Posted on August 19, 2026 Background Key Findings Why it Matters Background This summary is provided by the IPR Digital Media Research Center (DMRC). Pew Research Center examined how U.S. adults use and view AI, including chatbots, smart devices, AI search summaries, and the perceived … Continue reading How Americans Are Using and Que…

What Should an AI Reputation Audit Measure? Posted on August 19, 2026 Introduction AI Is Becoming a Reputation Channel AI Reputation Audit Measurement Human Judgment Still Matters Looking Ahead References Introduction This blog was provided by the IPR Measurement Commission There was a time when communication professionals started each morning by asking, “What did the … Continue reading What Shou…

Why Chatty AI Can Feel Too Trustworthy Mengqi Liao, Ph.D., University of Georgia & S. Shyam Sundar, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University Posted on August 19, 2026 Background Key Findings Why it Matters Background This summary is provided by the IPR Digital Media Research Center (DMRC). Dr. Mengqi Liao and Dr. S. Shyam Sundar examined whether … Continue reading Why Chatty AI Can Feel Too Trustwort…

How to Bring Corporate Purpose to Life Posted on August 12, 2026 Introduction Organizational Purpose Why Purpose Matters Communicate Purpose Effectively Final Thoughts References Introduction Many organizations have a purpose statement. Far fewer have employees who can explain it, believe in it, and apply it in their daily work. A purpose statement posted on a … Continue reading How to Bring Corp…

Does AI Adoption Improve Employee Engagement? Gallup Posted on August 12, 2026 Background Key Findings Why it Matters Background This summary is provided by the IPR Organizational Communication Research Center (OCRC). Gallup examined how employee engagement is changing as workplace AI adoption accelerates. A survey of 21,724 employees in the U.S. was conducted from February … Continue reading Doe…

Why Brands Need Real Voices on Social Media Sprout Social Posted on August 12, 2026 Background Key Findings Why it Matters Background This summary is provided by the IPR Digital Media Research Center (DMRC). Sprout Social examined how consumers judge brand authenticity on social media, from AI influencer partnerships to employee-generated content and crisis communication. … Continue reading Why B…

Are Managers Being Set Up to Fail? Posted on August 5, 2026 Introduction The Trust Gap Support Is Declining It’s Time to Start Managing UP Methodology Introduction This blog is provided by the IPR Organizational Communication Research Center (OCRC). Every time your organizational change stalls, the postmortem blames managers. They didn’t cascade the message. They … Continue reading Are Managers B…

Is Passion at Work a Leadership Imperative? Posted on July 29, 2026 Introduction Methodology Key Findings Implications What Can Organizations Do? References Introduction For years, one of my favorite mottos has been, “Do what you love and love what you do.” It sounds simple; perhaps even idealistic. But the more I study workplaces, the more … Continue reading Is Passion at Work a Leadership Imper…

When Do Employees Speak Up? Posted on July 22, 2026 Introduction Research Focus Methodology Key Findings Implications Introduction Who do you turn to for information at work? When something feels off at work—a leadership message, workplace rumor, or questionable decision—who do you talk to first? A close coworker? A supervisor? Someone you trust as a … Continue reading When Do Employees Speak Up?…

Which Social Platforms Are Americans Using Most? Pew Research Center Posted on July 22, 2026 Background Key Findings Why it Matters Background Pew Research Center examined which social media platforms U.S. adults use and how often they use them. A survey of 5,022 U.S. adults was conducted from Feb. 5 – June 18, 2025, via … Continue reading Which Social Platforms Are Americans Using Most? →

When AI Answers Before Audiences Click Posted on July 15, 2026 Introduction How to Make Content Answer-ready What is AEO Looking Ahead Why AEO Matters References Introduction For two decades, gaining visibility in search meant appearing near the top of the search engine results page (SERP). Communication teams built strategies around those rankings, and search … Continue reading When AI Answers B…

Why Communicators Should Become AI Builders Posted on July 15, 2026 Introduction Ethics, Trust, and AI Fluency How AI Is Reshaping Work The Adoption Velocity Gap Looking Ahead Introduction The argument that AI poses an existential threat to the communications profession is not just wrong, it’s fundamentally backwards. The framing assumes that the adoption of … Continue reading Why Communicators S…

What Drives AI Adoption in Public Relations? Sung-Un Yang, Ph.D., Cen April Yue, Ph.D., Arunima Krishna, Ph.D. & Donald K. Wright, Ph.D., Boston University Posted on July 15, 2026 Background Key Findings Why it Matters Background Dr.Sung-Un Yang, Dr. Cen April Yue, Dr. Arunima Krishna, and Dr. Donald K. Wright examined how public relations professionals … Continue reading What Drives AI Adoption …

The Reputation Risks Behind Global Sporting Events Posted on July 1, 2026 Introduction Understanding Audience Perceptions Lessons for the 2026 World Cup Looking Ahead References Introduction With the 2026 FIFA World Cup underway, this is a good time to examine how audiences engage with tournament coverage and what lessons remain from the 2022 World Cup … Continue reading The Reputation Risks Behi…

How Are Influencers Shaping the American News Landscape? Pew Research Center Posted on July 1, 2026 Background Key Findings Why it Matters Background  Pew Research Center examined Americans’ engagement with news influencers and what it reveals about the changing role of social media in news consumption. “News influencers” are defined as individuals who regularly post about … Continue reading How …

How Executives are Responding to Risk and Volatility PwC Posted on July 1, 2026 Background Key Findings Why it Matters Background PwC examined how U.S. executives are responding to policy shifts, geopolitical risks, economic uncertainty, and growth opportunities in 2026. A survey of 633 U.S. executives was conducted March 12–20, 2026. Key Findings Executive Confidence Has … Continue reading How E…