Pinkston is a full-service branding, marketing, and communications agency offering integrated public relations, creative, digital, and research services to transform companies and organizations. As an outcome-driven agency, Pinkston is committed to delivering customized, strategic solutions that drive real-world impact.
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We're proud to have colleagues who bring various media experiences and backgrounds to our work with clients. Including sports!
Some people recognize Labor Day Weekend as a holiday, but I’ve always celebrated it as College Football Opening Weekend! Happy to be on set again for ESPN+, this time for the broadcast of Maine vs Liberty on Saturday.
The poll results are in: 70% of Americans fear AI's impact on jobs. This anxiety often stems from a feeling that technology is happening to us, not with us. But what if we could change the narrative from anxiety to agency? At Pinkston, we've found that giving people the agency to shape how AI works for them transforms them from passive bystanders into active drivers of innovation. In his latest blog, partner David Fouse shares how we're building a culture of empowerment with clear guardrails and freedom to experiment. This approach isn't just about business results—it's about unlocking human potential. Read on: https://lnkd.in/gUeAukWi
This month we celebrate Wesley for living out one of Pinkston’s core principles: Do Hard Things. From navigating complex technical challenges to ensuring projects run seamlessly behind the scenes, Wesley consistently leans in when the work gets tough. His resilience and problem-solving not only deliver results but also create lasting impact for our clients and their missions. Congratulations, Wesley, on receiving this month’s Guiding Principle Spotlight Award!
America's 'royal wedding' isn't just a cultural moment—it's a marketing masterclass in shared storytelling. Nicole Tidei, VP Comms, breaks down the playbook to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement in her newest PRNEWS article, 'The Ultimate Cross-Brand Play'. Dive in: https://lnkd.in/eunbMb9F
Collaborative Partnerships Drive Results The college NIL era demands innovative ideas and bold strategies. That's why George Mason Athletics and Pinkston came together for an intensive brand strategy session last week. Our teams dove deep into creative solutions for the evolving college student-athlete landscape, sharing insights and building strategies that will elevate #MasonNation for years to come.
Pinkston at the Park ⚾ We loved bonding at the ballgame and celebrating a Washington Nationals victory together!
Pinkston reposted this
I remember my first year in market research when I realized that quantitative research was just a new language. Scales, coding, survey logic - I had to learn how to speak in 1s and 0s, then translate it back to others. LLMs are transforming how we analyze information, so that insights can be just as rich without the data translation. Survey research isn't going anywhere yet, but at Pinkston, we are harnessing the power of AI to enrich our understanding!
Research is the bedrock of strategic communications—and it only grows more important with the rise of #AI. Brooke Hempell, our own SVP argues that robust research is the non-negotiable foundation for effective campaigns in today's landscape. Learn why deep insights are key to cutting through the noise and delivering real impact. Dive into the insights: https://lnkd.in/g2H74Z55
Research is the bedrock of strategic communications—and it only grows more important with the rise of #AI. Brooke Hempell, our own SVP argues that robust research is the non-negotiable foundation for effective campaigns in today's landscape. Learn why deep insights are key to cutting through the noise and delivering real impact. Dive into the insights: https://lnkd.in/g2H74Z55
Pinkston SVP Donelle Harder breaks down a standout crisis comms win, showing how leveraging a credible local news story through strategic digital marketing efforts helped to shift perception and shape the public narrative.👇
𝐏𝐑 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 + 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 I wanted to share a recent discovery from a crisis communications project that may offer value to others navigating high-stakes reputational challenges. This summer, my team has supported a tech client facing a serious threat from a government action with long-term implications for their operations and future growth. Our integrated response included: ✅ Earned media via trusted outlets ✅ Organic social for the corporate brand, and ✅ Paid digital Across eight targeted digital campaigns, one ad stood out far above the rest: the one that simply amplified a well-reported local news segment. The story came from a respected TV outlet and authentically shared the client’s crisis story. 📈 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭? 𝐀𝐧 𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤-𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 (𝐂𝐓𝐑) 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟔.𝟎𝟖%. To put that in context: • General industry CTR averages: 0.9%–1.6% • Tech industry average: 1.04% • Political ads: 3.5%–4% What made this result especially striking was that the news story outperformed ads featuring personal testimonials and even third-party advocates. In a crowded digital landscape, earned media delivered unmatched trust and traction. It’s a valuable reminder: in moments of crisis, quality journalism still carries unique authority. Amplified thoughtfully, it becomes one of the most effective tools for shifting perception and shaping public narrative. If you’ve seen similar dynamics in your crisis efforts, I’d love to connect and compare notes!
Last week, we released our latest Northern Virginia Business Leader Survey in conjunction with the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC). Here are a few of the insights: Overall confidence has improved from 3 months ago, when 59% expected the regional economy to decline over the next 6 months. Now, 40% believe the economy will grow, and 26% expect it to remain stable. 68% of business leaders are very or somewhat optimistic about their company’s performance over the next six months. 56% of business leaders say DOGE has had no impact on their company’s business decisions in the last six months. However, 23% have downsized operations and 7% have laid off staff because of DOGE cuts. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gshu-xn4