This year’s CES was a whirlwind – from the months of planning and execution around client activities to being surrounded by 100,000 fellow conference-goers – and I was blown away by the exciting technologies that have so much potential to change the world. I spent most of my time on the show floor of the Digital Health track, as this year represented the event’s most robust health programming to date with both a large industry presence and extensive expert speakers.  

For several years, I’ve wanted to travel for work. It’s something I romanticized as a kid growing up watching movies: someone important needs me in this city at this time, and I have to don my super suit and spring into action.

One of the most interesting aspects of PR is its potential is pretty much limitless. What PR is continues to evolve, as does what it means for brands. And that’s been an interesting thing to witness, particularly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. What’s been encouraging to see over the years is how clients have continued to invest in – and prioritise – PR. 

When I think of 2017, I reminisce a bit on a pandemic-free world we used to inhabit. So, I am grateful we are in a much better place now! That aside, 2017 was an exciting year for us, launching Allison+Partners in India and seeing the opportunity and the phenomenal prospect of the India market. As Steve Jobs said, “You can’t connect the dots forward but only backwards.” 2017 was only the precursor to PR’s increasing prominence on the centerstage. And as the pandemic showed later, companies placed even more importance on the need to over-communicate. I am glad that we had the opportunity to quickly build valuable relationships with our clients, demonstrating our value from the get-go to all the way through the worst of the pandemic to present day. 

A maze of confusion and faces everywhere. That was my first impression of Lisbon as I arrived at the airport desperately trying to find my taxi pick-up.

Allison+Partners ups Sharon Barclay to managing director, B2B technology, US; Jeff Leopold to managing director, CX; and Jaime Tero to managing director, technology. All three were previously executive VPs at the agency. They will now work in partnership with previously announced group presidents Karyn Barr and Jordan Fischler on overseeing the growth and diversification of Allison’s technology practice.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was virtually all talk and no action when it came to telehealth (pun intended). Patients were intrigued by the idea of connecting with care at the touch of a button, but most were too nervous to follow through and engage online with healthcare professionals. Similarly, many providers expressed high levels of interest in diversifying care delivery models, but ultimately most found the regulatory and reimbursement barriers to entry were simply too high to make telehealth a priority.