We just talk about the good stuff

Over the past 5-7 years, K-pop has reached its peak in global popularity. K-Pop is known for its vibrant performances, unique training system, and for producing boy/girl groups. Something that many fans of this genre tend to forget about is the major role that public relations plays in creating K-Pop groups. Public relations not only plays a part in promoting a group’s upcoming album, but also in how each member of that group is perceived by the public. Public relations teams come up with elaborate ways to promote albums, curate a group’s image, and get fans involved in their media.

Companies that create K-Pop groups often create a sense of hype around newly released albums and groups. Compared to the American music industry, Korean music artists tend to be more strategic in how they announce an upcoming album. Typically, the main song the group is promoting will be accompanied by a dance. Groups often pick a dance move that stands out and use that as a spoiler for the song. The goal is to create a catchy trend for fans to latch on to, so most of the promotion for the album falls on the fans. However, there are times when K-Pop groups break that mold. For example, the girl group NewJeans promoted their song Ditto by creating an entirely new YouTube channel that posted conspicuously titled videos that went with the concept of Ditto. This created hype and allowed fans to think they were following something exclusive, since originally it was hard to find all of the videos. It created a mystery for fans to solve, and that strategy was perceived very well by the public!

In the media, there is a lot of talk about the harsh training that K-Pop artists have to endure before they debut. However, from a public relations perspective, this is just how companies are able to control what image a particular K-Pop group has. If the company has a specific concept in mind for the group they want to debut, they will specifically train the group to fit that image. A popular image that companies have recently been trying to curate for boy groups is a focus on the Y2K vibe. The training tends to focus more on rapping and dancing than singing overall, though most companies tend to find 1-2 boys who can sing. Regardless of the concept that companies want for the group as a whole, they also create images for each specific member of the group. The goal is that every fan can relate to at least one member through either their personality, attractiveness, or style.

Public relations has everything to do with how fans are involved in every aspect of the content produced by a K-pop group. Companies want fans to form a relationship with groups, so fans feel more inclined to stay loyal to that group. The strategy they formed allows groups to gain loyal fanbases while also making the fans feel special and catered to. K-Pop idols create tons of content for fans, most of it not even pertaining to their music. Groups tend to participate in popular variety shows that can be easily accessed on YouTube; in addition to that, most groups have their own variety shows with multiple seasons. Another major form of communication that K-Pop idols have with fans is live streams. It is normal that at least one person from a group live streams every day. While promoting albums K-Pop groups also hold fan-signing events where fans are able to talk face-to-face with artists for an allotted period of time while getting their album signed. This form of interaction also shifted to online platforms, so fans not living in South Korea can feel included as well. This constant connection that groups have with fans gives a reason for people to follow a certain group and even look into other groups that were created by the same company. For example, the boy group Tomorrow by Together is managed by the same company as BTS, which created a lot of buzz around their debut since they were the only other boy group in the company at that time.

Public relations is majorly intertwined with the Korean pop industry. The strategies companies come up with are mostly responsible for the success that K-Pop has had internationally. People, especially teenagers and young adults, crave to feel seen, and for a lot of people, that is exactly what the Korean music industry business model has done for them. While every major industry has flaws, especially in the public relations sector, companies must be able to keep consumers happy and engaged because, without consumers, most industries will fade away.   

Every year on March 17th, people all over the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by wearing
green, attending parades, and spending time with friends and family. Although the holiday is
often associated with fun traditions like Irish music, shamrocks, and festive decorations, it
actually has deeper cultural and historical roots. St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious
celebration in Ireland, but over time it has evolved into a global cultural event. Interestingly, the
way the holiday spread and became so widely recognized connects closely to many ideas used
in public relations today, such as storytelling, branding, and community engagement.
St. Patrick’s Day originally honored Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. He lived during the
5th century and is known for helping spread Christianity throughout Ireland. Historically, the
holiday was mainly observed as a religious feast day where people attend church and spend
time reflecting on Irish heritage. However, when Irish immigrants moved to the United States
and other countries during the 18th and 19th centuries, the meaning of the holiday began to
change. Irish communities started celebrating the day with public parades and gatherings as a
way to maintain their cultural identity while living abroad.
From a public relations perspective, this transformation shows how communities can use events
and traditions to shape public perception. Irish immigrants in the United States often faced
discrimination and negative stereotypes during the 19th century. Public celebrations like St.
Patrick’s Day parades gave Irish communities an opportunity to highlight the positive aspects of
their culture. By sharing their traditions, music, and history with the public, they were able to
reshape how others viewed Irish identity. This idea connects directly to public relations because
PR often focuses on building a positive image and strengthening relationships between groups
and the public.

Another connection between St. Patrick’s day and public relations can be seen through the use
of symbols and visual identity. Many of the images associated with the holiday such as
shamrocks, leprechauns, and the color green have become instantly recognizable. The
shamrock is especially important because it is linked to the story of Saint Patrick using the plant
to explain the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity. Over time, the color green became a symbol
of Irish pride and national identity. In many ways, these symbols function similarly to branding in
public relations. Just like a company logo or slogan helps people recognize a brand, these
symbols help people instantly connect certain images and colors with Irish culture and the St.
Patrick’s Day celebration.
Events are another major way St. Patrick’s Day relates to public relations strategies. Many cities
host large parades and festivals that attract thousands of people each year. These events
create opportunities for media coverage and community engagement. For example, major
celebrations in cities like New York and Boston bring in tourists and receive national media
attention. Chicago’s well-known tradition of dyeing the river green is a perfect example of how
an event can become a powerful visual symbol that draws attention and publicity. In the world of
public relations, events are often used to create memorable experiences that create excitement
and strengthen public interest.
Businesses also take advantage of St. Patrick’s Day by creating seasonal promotions and
themed campaigns. Restaurants may offer special Irish inspired dishes, clothing brands sell
green themed merchandise, and many companies create advertisements related to the holiday.
These campaigns are similar to public relation efforts because they connect a brand to a
popular cultural moment. When businesses participate in well-known holidays, they are able to
reach audiences in a way that feels fun and engaging rather than overly promotional.

Social media has also played a major role in expanding the visibility of St.Patrick’s Day
celebrations. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow people to share photos and videos of
their celebrations, outfits, and experiences. This type of user-generated content spreads the
holiday even further because individuals essentially become promoters of the celebration
themselves. In public relations, this reflects the growing importance of audience participation
and digital engagement. Instead of relying only on traditional media, messages can now spread
quickly through everyday users online.
An additionally important public relations concept related to St. Patrick’s Day is community
engagement. Many organizations, nonprofits, and schools participate in parades and cultural
festivals as well as charity events connected to the holiday. These activities help organizations
connect with local communities while showing support for cultural traditions. When
organizations participate in community events respectfully, it helps build trust and strengthen
their reputation.

At the same time, St. Patricks Day also highlights the importance of cultural awareness in
communication. Some people have criticized certain aspects of the celebration for promoting
stereotypes about Irish culture, especially when the focus shifts too heavily toward drinking or
exaggerated characters like leprechauns. Public relations professionals must be mindful of
these concerns because effective communication requires understanding and respecting the
cultures being represented.
Overall, St. Patrick’s Day is more than just a holiday filled with parades and green decorations. It
also provides a useful example of how traditions, symbols, and events can influence public
perception and bring communities together. The global popularity of the celebration shows how
storytelling and branding can spread a message across different countries and cultures. By
looking at St. Through the lens of public relations, it becomes clear that communication and
cultural expression play a major part in shaping how traditions grow and evolve over time.

The public relations field is dominated by women; however, most leadership positions are held by men. Women are often the dominant gender when it comes to entry and mid-level jobs in public relations, but they struggle to enter higher-level positions. Interestingly, an industry that aims to represent something or someone in a positive light fails to do so when it comes to women, as they are often overshadowed by their male counterparts. During Women’s History Month, let’s take a look at the contributions made by prominent women in public relations.

            Imagine being rejected by what was known as the biggest public relations agency in the world at the time, solely because you are a woman. That was the reality for Muriel Fox, who later became the vice president of that very same agency. After the injustices she faced at the highest level of the industry, she co-founded the National Organization for Women, which increased employment and business opportunities for women. Muriel Fox carried out women’s vision for not only the public relations industry but also for women entering the workforce everywhere.

            Another prominent woman who made contributions to public relations is Inez Y. Kaiser. In 1957, she became the first Black woman in the United States to open her own public relations firm. Inez Kaiser worked with many notable brands such as Hallmark, Sears, and Burger King. She was able to reach Black audiences at a time when businesses were not experienced in catering to Black people, especially Black women. She used her ability to communicate with the masses to educate the industry about the civil rights movement. Thanks to her outreach, the field has become much more diverse.

            Lynne Choy Uyeda was the first Asian-American woman to open her own firm. Similar to Inez Kaiser, Lynne Choy Uyeda noticed that there was a gap in the market when it came to minorities. Minorities are usually forgotten when agencies are trying to reach a target audience. Lynne Uyeda wanted to help empower and uplift her community, so she co-founded the Asian Business Association. The Asian Business Association helped Asian Americans to be more in control of their finances.

            Women in every field of work have historically been overlooked. Young women often don’t get to see women in positions of power, but the women mentioned were pioneers in creating those role models. Thanks to them, women everywhere who want to work in public relations have people to look up to, but it still isn’t enough. Women are still fighting to break through in an industry that is dominated by them. We must continue to have conversations about the importance of women in public relations, even when Women’s History Month is over.

As a student of Arcadia University, I’ve been involved in a large number of projects that involve
collaborative effort. I’ve recently joined the university’s Locomag group as of the spring
semester of 2026. This is a blog campaign that is entirely student run, and is overseen by
professor Michael Dwyer.
Myself and a number of other students have worked together to produce blogs related to our
first topic of the semester being called “we are unc.” For those unfamiliar with the term, it’s a
slang word used to describe somebody who is at least the age of twenty. Of course that does
not mean “uncle” but its synonymous title refers to the fact that the person is decently old and
out of date. We’ve taken that term and applied it to our blogs as an overall theme. My own blog
is titled “The Wii came out in 2006” which I’ve nicknamed at the bottom “Wii are unc” as it’s a
play on the title of the Nintendo Wii gaming console. A number of students have produced blogs
of equally nostalgic topics.
These topics felt right at home to me as they remind me of a simpler time, and that’s when it hit
me. A log of these blogs could be applied to a PR campaign with the idea that they establish a
major connection between the content and the audience. I’ve noticed that a lot of major
companies have aimed to build a solid relationship and reputation with their customers by
creating a product that they enjoy. To the point that they’ve ended up making major cultural
impacts on society. The Nintendo Wii is but one example of this. Nintendo knows their
customers have come to expect them to make high quality video games because that’s what
they’ve become known for.
Now one may argue that this actually relates more to the marketing side of things compared to
PR. However I would say that talking about something successful is very important for any
company as it shows they’ve established a presence in the market. One of my colleagues in the
blog campaign wrote about many different old movies made by companies that are still popular
to this very day. If those companies were to shift away from what’s garnered them such a
positive reception, it would not be well received by the general public.
Looking deeper, I think this idea of nostalgia as a public relations strategy speaks to something
broader about identity and trust. When audiences recognize a reference from their childhood,
they are not simply remembering a product; they are remembering who they were at that time.
That emotional recall builds credibility because it signals consistency. A company that
understands its past successes demonstrates that it understands its audience as well. In the
case of gaming, it may involve families gathered around a television, waving controllers and
laughing together.
Those shared experiences created memories that extend far beyond the hardware itself. By
highlighting those memories through blogs and campaigns, we are essentially mirroring what
successful brands already practice. We are showing that culture, community, and
communication are inseparable, and that effective PR is rooted in genuine connection rather
than empty promotion. This approach strengthens loyalty and encourages long term
engagement with diverse audiences.

The internet has a short attention span, but somehow a baby monkey and a stuffed orangutan
managed to hold it. Over the past few weeks, Punch, a baby Japanese macaque at the
Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, has taken over as one of the internet’s favorite micro celebrities.
After being rejected by his mother shortly after birth, zookeepers gave him a plush orangutan
from IKEA’s DJUNGELSKOG line so he would have something/someone to cling to. Punch was
recorded wrapping his arms around his new friend and not letting go. He carried it around his
enclosure, slept with it, and sought it out for safety. This was not a marketing stunt. It was Punch
being vulnerable and holding onto something that made him feel safe.
Going viral on TikTok and Instagram overnight, there was something about these videos that hit
you immediately. Millions of people viewed these videos, endless streams of shares and
comments; people saying that they wanted to cry with him or even give him a hug. A few people
even commented how they wanted to fly out to Japan just to give Punch a hug. This was
spreading like wildfire as a shared internment moment. In the constant wave of noise, bad
news, and arguments, Punch holding his orangutan acted as a break.
Soon, then the ripple effect kicked in. The IKEA plush that Punch was holding, which had been
sitting on shelves like any other stuffed animal, started selling out. IKEA was running out, and as
online listings disappeared, resellers began listing them for hundreds of dollars on second hand
sites. These $300+ toys were still the same soft orange plush it had always been. What
changed was the meaning that people attached to it. IKEA’s DJUNGELSKOG line was no longer
just stuffed animals, It was the toy Punch hugged and called home. His plush orangutan
became a viral symbol of comfort and innocence. To customers, buying one felt less like
shopping and rather that they were participating in the story.
What makes the whole thing even more interesting is how natural it felt. Nobody was seeking
out a viral moment/fame; The zoo was not chasing viral fame and IKEA was not launching a
large campaign to capitalize on it. The moment grew because people genuinely cared about
Punch and his orangutan. Eventually, IKEA acknowledged what was happening and donated
even more plush toys to the zoo, which only made the story sweeter. The story was never
corporate, it was emotional, and I think that’s why this story has stuck longer than most trends
looking to capitalize on their 15 minutes of fame.
What made the moment so striking was not what it included, but what it lacked, because there
was no scandal to fuel engagement, no controversy to bring debate, and no complicated
narrative that required research. Audiences were drawn in by something incredibly simple: a
baby monkey holding tightly onto a stuffed animal. In an online world where so much content
feels carefully made for maximum reach and reaction, this was the opposite and felt refreshing.

What I find most interesting is how little it took to spark such a widespread response. The
emotional pull came entirely from the vulnerability captured on screen and the universal
understanding of what it means to cling to something that offers reassurance. For a brief period,
audiences across platforms collectively focused on Punch and his small plush companion, and
that shared attention suggests that people are not always searching for the loudest or most
dramatic content, but rather for moments that feel genuine, comforting, and quietly human.

The 14th Annual East Passyunk Restaurant Week brings back one of South Philadelphia’s favorite food events, gathering some of the city’s best-loved and most creative restaurants along East Passyunk Avenue. The avenue is known for its mix of cultures, foods, and small local shops. During Restaurant Week, it turns into a great place to eat, with menus that welcome both regulars and new visitors to enjoy the neighborhood’s lively food scene.     

The event, put together by the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District, shines a light not just on great food but also on the tight-knit community that makes the area special. The 14th annual celebration brings high-quality dining to more people and invites them to explore the corridor, strengthening East Passyunk’s spot as a must-visit place in Philadelphia, where local flavor, small businesses, and community pride all come together.

This  annual week is a great example of public relations in action because it’s all about shaping how people see things and sharing a story together. Public relations is all about how organizations talk to people to build trust, be seen as credible, and create a good reputation. This event does just that by showing that East Passyunk Avenue is more than a spot to grab a meal, it’s a lively neighborhood full of culture and great food. By using consistent messages, the event shows the neighborhood as friendly, diverse, and worth a visit, which shapes how people see the area.

Another important link to public relations is strategic storytelling. Restaurant Week lets each restaurant be part of a bigger story while still keeping its own unique style. The event doesn’t just advertise each business on its own; it brings them together to tell one story about great food and working together as a community. Building a story like this is a key PR move because it helps people feel a real emotional tie to a place instead of just seeing it as something to buy or use. Diners are meant to feel like they’re part of a larger community, a shared local experience, not just customers.

Media relations play a key role in how this event works as a public relations tool. Local news, food blogs, and social media influencers all help spread the word about the event, reaching people well beyond just those who live nearby. Earned media is especially valuable in PR because people tend to trust it more than paid ads. When trusted media sources talk about Restaurant Week, it helps people see East Passyunk Avenue as a well-known and reliable spot, boosting its reputation without just depending on ads. Public relations is really about building relationships, and Restaurant Week helps create those connections in a bunch of different ways. Restaurants build connections with new customers who might come back long after the event is over. East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District helps local businesses by bringing them together for marketing and making them more visible to the community. At the same time, the community gains from more people walking around and spending money, which helps build a good feeling between businesses and locals, something PR professionals work hard to achieve.

East Passyunk Restaurant Week shows how public relations can build lasting value instead of just grabbing quick attention. Even though the event only runs for a short while, the memories it creates, good meals, social media shares, and people talking about it, keep influencing how the public sees it long after it’s over. By bringing together food, community, and communication, the event shows how good public relations can take a local promotion and turn it into a lasting way to build a brand that helps both individual restaurants and the neighborhood overall.

In this year’s 2026 Winter Olympics, figure skaters have taken the stage of the public’s attention, with plenty of exciting performances leading up to and following through until the winners were announced. For brief context, the women’s U.S. figure skating team included now-gold medalist Alysa Liu, who had previously retired but returned this year with a positive mindset about her program and schedule. She brought home the women’s team’s first gold medal since 2002. Another American skater who generated plenty of publicity was the men’s team’s Ilia Malinin, known for his impressive performance and his ability to backflip on the ice. Leading up to the Olympics, he had gone over two years without losing a competition, and the public was excited to see what his Olympic program would be. However, despite being highly skilled and a highly anticipated skater, his performance on the ice was the lowest scoring he’d had in nearly four years, missing jumps and falling. In particular, the men’s Olympic skate as a whole stood out, as many of the world’s top skaters seemed to fudge their well-practiced programs, falling or missing jumps on the ice. On social media, news of the poor performances was quick to spread, and many fans speculated that the ice was either melting or at the incorrect temperature, resulting in many skaters appearing off their game.

Now, how does the Olympic figure skating team relate to public relations? Before their skates had even hit the ice, Alysa and Ilia had already garnered the media’s attention online for weeks leading up to the Olympics. Alysa had previously been a top skater in Junior skating programs, but had announced retirement in 2022. However, in 2024, she announced that she would be returning, on her own terms, to figure skating. Recently on social media, she’s gone viral for making statements about her decision to return, saying she wouldn’t conform to the toxic environment many other figure skaters deal with. This time, Alysa was able to pick her music, assist with choreography, and in a sport riddled with eating disorders because of the standards, Alysa wouldn’t accept that either, saying she refused to starve herself to skate. This positive mindset was refreshing to the public, gaining a positive relationship with her audience, with her honesty and positive outlook on the sport. Considering how large a role mental health plays in performing for a sport like figure skating, the positive relationship Alysa formed with an audience on social media was a key factor in her ability to stay cool and perform fantastically, earning her a well-deserved gold medal.

On the other side of skating, there’s Ilia, who wasn’t necessarily advocating for a positive change in figure skating like Alysa, but who went viral nonetheless. Ilia was regarded as a very talented performer in figure skating, as he had an unusually high stamina, being able to complete many quads, highly difficult jumps in his programs. On top of his performance technically attracting attention, he was known as the skater who could do backflips in his programs. Fans were attracted to the excitement his performances provoked.

The winter Olympics always seem to excite the public and provide spectacle, no matter the particular sport. Media training, which may not always be visible to the public eye, plays a role in introducing how public relations is incorporated into the Olympics. Like any other celebrity or public figure, athletes are probably trained not only in their sport, but also how to act in front of cameras, and how to reply in interviews and speak to the press. This media training allows athletes to gain fans worldwide and keep their positive relationship with audiences.

Happy Lunar New Year! We are so excited to be celebrating this wonderful year and
holiday with you as Arcadia students. First off, what is the lunar new year? The holiday is to
celebrate the new year in China, which follows a different calendar than the one in the United
States. You may have heard it as the Chinese new year, but they are one in the same, their
calendar is a time keeping system of the moon phases which is where the lunar comes from in
the name. The calendar shifts against the seasons which causes it to result in a 354 day year
unlike the common 360 day year many follow.
Now that you know a little more about what the lunar calendar is, let’s talk about how this
relates to Public relations, a completely different topic!
This holiday is packed with unique traditions and customs, many campaigns like Nike, or
brands like Sanrio, emphasizes and expands the cultural importance of storytelling, emotional
connection, and strong community investment. Due to the beautiful and cultural style of the
lunar new year, with its dragon dances, lanterns, traditional chinese qipaos, many brands and
companies will sell their merch or items in this style. In its famous red, yellow, and golden colors
of course, which symbolizes great fortune, wealth, happiness, and prosperity to those who wear
it. This helps their Chinese users, or others that participate in the holiday, connect with their
roots though their favorite brands and companies. Another community partnership that builds
the lunar new year’s public relation is with the help of local artists and creators. Many
campaigns commit to diversity through user engagement, by this social media users can get a
view of how the lunar new year is celebrated around east asia or the united states. Content for
the Chinese new year is very important to present to the public. This is a chance for the media
to help represent their people and give them the opportunity to showcase their culture outside
China. In public relations, global influence is strongly important to their image, the evolution of
this new year is extending their borders to countries like Singapore and Thailand, this can help
the brands get an understanding and hold on the authentic connections they wish to make to
their target audience.
As many may know, a popular theme with the Chinese new year brings a new animal of
the year, in 2025 the animal of the year of the snake. Now in the new2026, the year of the horse
brings freedom, vitality, and ambition. Brands take inspiration from the meanings of the animals
to market campaigns that connect with consumers, following traditional values. You might see
horses on a lot of the new year’s merchandise or special edition products that involve said
animal. Take the popular brand Nike for example, in 2020 they held a “year of the rat” collection
with special themed products which resulted in well-reviced sales from their buyers. Not only is
Nike a famous brand, traditional design and color is a fast-selling factor to consider when selling
products for the holiday. Some campaigns fail when it comes to cultural holidays like Pepsi’s
mistake in 2018. They were involved in a controversy with an ad that lacked the cultural
meaning by completely avoiding the holiday’s topic in attempts to highlight the festive occasion.
Another brand by the name of “Dolce & gabbanas” showcased a public relations crisis
during the festive season. The campaign showed a Chinese model eating spaghetti with
chopsticks that was deemed offensive. The failure of respect for Chinese culture caused a
damaging campaign that was followed by outrage which led to cancellation of events and loss of
sales in the Chinese market.
While it can be rewarding to include Chinese culture in campaigns it’s also respectful to
keep in mind that it is a cultural holiday, and awareness is valuable. The storytelling reflects its
values and shows commitment to appreciate the meaning of the culture in a genuine manner to
viewers and users.
Staying informed about trends in the current market such as local costumes that vary
across communities and regions. Keeping knowledge about the trend brings in new consumer
behavior that causes your strategies and campaign to adapt as needed in public relations.
The engagement in the marketing of the lunar new year can be empowering to
east-asians and asian-american consumers by creating new trends to join the journey on the
connection to the many Asian-Americans and Chinese people everywhere.

As Presidents Day arrives upon us, people across the country reflect upon the Commanders-in-Chief who have been leading the United States of America throughout the last 250 years. But few people consider the hard workers who help the president in almost every aspect of their day-to-day lives. While the president themselves often take center stage in the media, behind every administration is a group of professionals who can help shape the legacy of every Commander-In-Chief. One of these professionals who is chosen for this position becomes the White House Press Secretary. As of 2025, the current Press Secretary is Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person ever to serve as Press Secretary at 27 when she was sworn in. However, the United States Press Secretary hasn’t always been a staple of the presidential administration as it is now. For over 150 years, the United States President has never had someone to assist with news and media outlets. During the first presidency of Grover Cleveland in 1886, he married then 21-year-old Frances Folsom, and on their honeymoon to Deer Park, Maryland, they were swarmed by reporters, which led to many frustrations. President Cleveland relied on his private secretary, Daniel Lamont, a former editor of the Albany Argus, to keep reporters away from the President and First Lady. This controversy sparked public debate on the fine line between the public’s right to their president and the President’s right to privacy, along with the role the media plays in covering the nation’s most important public figure. By the late 20s, the United States was in some pretty hot water. The Great Depression crippled the global economy, and the world was still recovering from the Great War of the decade prior. At the center of the heat was President Herbert Hoover, who had been elected that year to continue the rapid economic growth of the Roaring Twenties into the next decade. Obviously, it didn’t pan out that way, and the President needed help to get out of this P.R. nightmare. So, in 1929, he created the role of the United States Press Secretary, an official job designed to keep good relations between the President and the press. With the formation of this position, more structured communication was developed, with press meetings becoming much more common. Although there have been only 17 presidents since the job of Press Secretary became official, there have actually been 36 Press Secretaries so far, with presidents such as Bill Clinton and Harry Truman having the most, with 5 each. This means that both Clinton and Truman have had twice the average number of press secretaries during their presidencies, with the average being 2.1 secretaries per president. The longest tenured press secretary was Mr. Stephen Early, who was Franklin Roosevelt’s press secretary for his entire term of 12 years and 25 days. The shortest tenured press secretary was Mr. Jerald terHorst, serving as Gerald Ford’s press secretary for only 31 days until resigning due to Ford’s presidential pardon of Richard Nixon after the Watergate Scandal, where officials associated with Nixon were caught planting listening devices in the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Complex in Washington, D.C. All in all, the United States Press Secretary has existed for almost a century now, and will most likely continue to exist for another century. From private secretaries protecting the president on his honeymoon, to trying to take the heat off the worst economic crisis in the history of the nation, to the modern day with the youngest press secretary sworn in, the United States Press Secretary is one of the most important positions in the White House, and carries the responsibility of how our commander-in-chief is looked at by the end of their term.

Monday morning following the spectacle that was the 60th Superbowl allows us to reflect on not only the game and the performances but also the advertisements that populated the sections in between.

Firstly there is the elephant in the room that needs to be addressed and that is the response to the halftime show performer Bad Bunny. As a Puerto Rican woman born and raised in the states I was seeing a popular Puerto Rico artist take the half time stage sounded incredible. It was not his first time on the stage as he previously accompanied Shakira and J-Lo for their half time performance.

The thing is that the current state of the world we live in here in the states lead to some who were upset by Bad Bunny being the artist to take the stage. Many loud voices took to social media to ask and ask for the NFL to select a White “American” artist. I would like to point out that many of the artists that have performed at the Superbowl in years past while some were white were not necessarily American, Bad Bunny is from Puerto Rico which is a US commonwealth where its citizens are American citizens by birth. They went as far as to host a different half time show with artists that fit their narrative of things.

The NFL’s organizers for their part did give the people what they wanted though. They did bring on a white American band to open the Superbowl. It just so happens that the group they picked was Green Day. I will not lie when I say that when I heard that announcement I began to scream and jump for joy. The NFL was sending a message by doing this, one that does not align with the beliefs of certain groups including those currently in power. And this isn’t even a crazy conclusion to jump to when you consider it. Especially when you look at Bad Bunny’s Grammy acceptance speech with him starting by saying “ICE out!” but also saying “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, We are humans and we are Americans.” and if this was not enough to convince you that part of the NFL was trying to send a message I would urge you to look up the lyrics to the three songs Green day sang; which were Holiday, Boulevard of Broken Dream, and American Idiot in that order for any wondering.

But enough about the performances in the PR sense during the game the main thing people look forward to during the event, outside of the spectacles of the game itself and performances, is the ads. The bowl is a primetime event for many companies to take a crack at drawing in potential consumers. Many will post ads on social media the day after in reference to the game but during the games many companies pay big money to get into those ad blocks. Though watching the ads which is always a treat to me felt like a bit of a drag this year. Most of the ads felt bland and borderline soulless, others were not trying. The main ads that I enjoyed wound up being the State Farm insurance ad, the Lays ads, the Budweiser ad (but that’s because my mom likes the Clydesdales), and the ad for the ongoing winter Olympics. The State Farm ad in particular did what a lot of the ads seemed to do this year which was play on nostalgia and use popular figures. Now I will never complain about hearing Jon Bon Jovi. I grew up with my mom playing his music so of course I found the ad enjoyable, I just found it got a bit annoying when every other ad was playing to this throwback feel. There was also the abundance of Draft Kings ads which are rather annoying in my personal opinion as often they can lead to people getting into bad gambling habits that they may not be able to break out of. Outside of these which felt rather lackluster after a bit there were the ads that felt soulless, likely because they were made by something without one. The amount of AI ads and ads about AI made me want to do something drastic. I have never been one to like AI. I pride myself on being able to be a creative person who can make real things, so most will understand my vitriolic disdain for AI programs. There are also many individuals who share similar sentiments. These ads fall flat with many audience members and while for some the ad placement may bring it some good PR and revenue for their companies, others like the ad for the Vodka brand SVEDKA will not only be a waste in ad money but also cost the company people who would have considered purchasing from them.

And so I wanna leave things there. Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks for an amazing and historic victory. I can’t wait to see them do their ad with Disney in the coming days. Thank you to Bad Bunny for putting on a performance that I will never stop talking about going forward. And Thank you to the NFL’s organizers for sending what to me felt like a rather clear message against the current powers at hand without outright saying anything. I will likely be making memes about this but hey it’s free PR for them and it makes them look good so I don’t think they will complain about that too much.