We just talk about the good stuff

Today, October 21, 2025, marks the start of a brand-new NBA season, and basketball fans across the country are more than ready. But while most people are focused on watching their favorite teams and players, this time of year also highlights just how powerful public relations can be in sports. The NBA has become a masterclass in building excitement, managing its image, and connecting emotionally with fans all around the world.

The start of the season is more than just games tipping off; it’s a storytelling opportunity. The NBA’s PR teams work hard to shape the season’s main narratives, from rising stars like Victor Wembanyama taking over the league to legendary veterans like LeBron James chasing history in what could be his final years. Each storyline helps fans feel like they’re part of something bigger than basketball. That emotional connection is what keeps people talking, tweeting, and posting long after the games end.

Social media plays a massive role in this. Platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok let the NBA and its players reach fans instantly. Players now act as their own brands, sharing highlights, personal moments, and even their opinions on social issues. This direct communication builds authenticity and trust, two key ingredients in effective public relations.

The NBA’s global reach is another huge part of its PR success. The league promotes messages of diversity, equality, and community through international games and campaigns that appeal to audiences worldwide. By focusing on inclusion and cultural connection, the NBA has turned itself into more than just a sports league; it’s a global brand.

As the 2025 season begins, it’s clear that the NBA’s success isn’t just about talent or competition. It’s about how the league uses storytelling, image management, and audience engagement to keep fans invested year after year.

Over the past two years, the NFL appears to have tapped into an unexpected demographic, the Taylor Swift fanbase. As Swift’s public appearances at Kansas City Chiefs’ games have increased, alongside her relationship with Travis Kelce, both ticket, merchandise, and viewership numbers have shown a significant rise, especially among female audiences. While “love story PR” might make good headlines, there are real numbers to support this. According to market analysts at Apex Marketing, between September 24, 2023 (when Swift first attended a Chiefs game) and January 28, 2024, her appearances generated about $366.8 million in equivalent brand value for the NFL (TV, social media, print, etc.). In the following season up to January 27, 2025, that number jumped to $634.3 million. The total brand value attributed to Swift & her association with the NFL since the start of their public appearances is approaching $1 billion. Media outlets report that more young women and teenage girls have shown increased interest in NFL games since Swift became a visible presence. In particular, viewership among teenage girls reportedly rose significantly. Businesses not traditionally linked to NFL merchandising like fashion brands, snack/food brands,and accessories tied to items Swift was seen wearing, have often reported increased traffic or sales after her appearances. For example, when Swift wore a particular pair of New Balance sneakers, sales of that model reportedly rose. Swift isn’t officially an NFL ambassador, but her frequent presence at games acts similarly to paid endorsement. Her appearances, and her brand’s alignment with the Chiefs, generate buzz and media coverage, especially among those who might not normally follow football. The NFL has historically had American men as its main audience. Some past NFL efforts to attract female or international viewership to help them reach their revenue goal have felt cliche and thus failed. But in this case, the narrative (a celebrity dating a football player, attending games) seems more organic and compelling. That gives the marketing a more authentic feel, which resonates better.

On October 3rd, 2025, the world will receive Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album, The Life of
a Showgirl. As a Swiftie, I am, of course, through the roof with excitement. This album shows
audiences a whole new side, or era, of Taylor Swift. Through the years, Swift has been able to
reshape her image, try different music styles, and more, all while keeping her fans engaged and
wanting more. No wonder she has millions of followers across social media outlets and a loyal
global fan base. The only question that remains is how she does it.

One of the most recognizable ways that Swift keeps her fans engaged is through easter
eggs. Whether it’s adding a clue in a song or a symbol in a video, for over 10 years, she has
masterfully made her fans search for small details that could mean something. For this
upcoming album, Swift first teased her fans a year before announcing the release of the album
by posting this TikTok (notice the A12, as in August 12th, the day she announced her 12th
album). During the last night of the era’s tour, Swift exited the stage through, you guessed it, an
orange door. On the New Heights podcast, Swift said, “Basically, the reason why I chose to exit
that way is because I kind of wanted to give a little subliminal hint to the fans that I may be
leaving the Eras Tour era, but I was also entering a new era.” What a genius.

Taylor Swift has also become a master of timing, specifically through the concept of the
surprise drop. Not once but four times has Swift done a surprise drop. The first was in 2020,
when she gave fans less than 24 hours’ notice that Folklore would be released on July 24th.
The album would then win Album of the Year at the 2021 Grammys. 5 months after Folklores’
release, Swift released the sister album, Evermore, once again giving fans short notice. More
recently, Swift has been releasing what feels like a part two to her albums. In October of 2022,
Swift released her anticipated 10th album, Midnights. What fans weren’t expecting happened at
3 am with a surprise drop of Midnights (the 3 am edition), adding 7 songs to the album. She did
this again in 2024 with the release of The Tortured Poets Department. At 2 am, she released
The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, this time adding 15 extra songs.

By keeping her fans engaged, Taylor Swift has not only become a global superstar but
has also created a successful brand. Through her hard work and dedication, The Eras Tour
became the highest-grossing tour, being the only tour to surpass 2 billion dollars. She is the only
artist to win Album of the Year 4 times and the most awarded artist at both the American Music
Awards and Billboard Music Awards. Best of all, she has achieved all of this while being a role
model for people all over the world and has been an activist in political and human rights.

Hispanic heritage month, which is commemorated from September 15 to October 15, is a celebration in the U.S that honors both Hispanic and Latino culture. It gives recognition to achievements, contributions, and history Hispanics and Latino’s have shared with the United States. This month-long celebration also allows for brands and organizations to engage with the community and account for 30% of the U.S population.

PR professionals are absolutely vital if you want Hispanic narratives presented accurately and with respect in today’s business world. We’re not talking about surface-level campaigns or buzzwords. The real professionals in PR are the ones carefully highlighting meaningful achievements, sharing authentic stories, and shining a light on events that actually connect with Hispanic communities.

Their approach builds something deeper including: genuine pride and a stronger sense of unity—not just for show, but because it matters for employees, clients, and partners. They’re cultivating brand loyalty while also helping organizations avoid tone-deaf missteps that can turn into PR troubles overnight.

With thoughtful strategy, public relation teams give these voices the space and audience they deserve. This allows for movement of the needle on cultural understanding inside and outside the company. The business is more inclusive, more dynamic, and frankly, a lot better for the bottom line.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, genuine public relations calls for more than a small act here and there. It calls for active support of causes that truly resonate with Hispanic/Latino communities, cooperation with well-established ethnic groups, and culturally relevant communication in order to interact with these communities. These methods strengthen ties between brands and Hispanic consumers while also promoting trust. Like mentioned above, studies constantly show that people’s brand loyalty rises dramatically when they feel truly appreciated and valued. Businesses that put an emphasis on meaningful engagement with the targeted group should expect not just an increase in sales but also the development of devoted brand ambassadors who can spread good opinions through word-of-mouth.

Every fall, there’s this sudden flurry of campaigns, workshops, and unique events, stacked right between September and October. PR teams are on it. They use media outreach, social platforms, and press releases to make sure nobody misses out. It’s everything from art exhibitions to interactive workshops, talks featuring guest speakers, live performances, and, of course—who could forget?—the food festivals. Everyone gets a little bit of something, and honestly, it brings people together in ways a regular memo never could. People connect with their heritage by pulling off these events and, more importantly, by joining in. For Hispanic and Latino communities, their full participation matters. That means making sure all these activities are actually accessible, offered in both Spanish and English. Otherwise, what’s the point? Inclusivity shouldn’t be optional.

When you’re planning these activities, respect isn’t just a throwaway word—it’s central. There’s zero reason to aim for anything that might leave any group feeling less-than or looked down upon. In fact, if you really want to dodge bias and that dreaded tokenism vibe, you’ve got to pay attention to cultural differences. Actual collaboration with Hispanic professionals and stakeholders? That’s a win. When people contribute their unique perspectives, discussions become notably richer and more respectful. Genuine understanding and appreciation for different backgrounds means your message doesn’t just check off your diversity needs—it actually connects with people on a deeper level.

Hispanic Heritage Month deserves more than a perfunctory acknowledgment from corporations. It’s not just a line item on a checklist. Instead, it offers organizations a legitimate opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to diversity and inclusion. By actively celebrating Hispanic heritage, elevating authentic Latin voices, and building meaningful relationships with the community, companies make a lasting impact—so much more powerful than a standard press release. If companies are serious about honoring Hispanic communities, they need to put action behind their statements, not just rely on surface-level gestures. It is very true that people can sense genuinity.  Let’s embrace each other this month!

In the Spring of 2025, 1853 Communications turned five years old! 1853 is a student-run PR Agency within the Media and Communication department of Arcadia University that started in 2020. 1853 began because our faculty advisor, Dr. Chris Mullin, saw how essential it was for students to gain hands-on experience in the field of public relations. She wanted to give students one of a kind opportunities that can truly change the outcome of their futures. 1853 Communications does just that.

            My name is Allison Schmidt and I am serving as the current co-director of 1853 Communications with Emily Fadako. During our time together, we have seen how significant having a space like 1853 truly is. It changed our lives by giving us the opportunity to lead a student-run organization and gain professional experience before entering the public relations field. Not only did it change our lives, but it’s been changing the lives of so many other students. The impact that 1853 Communications has on students is indescribable.

            For five years, 1853 has been changing the lives of over 70 students. Students get the chance to help lead a student-run organization. They get the opportunity to learn first-hand about what working in the public relations field is like. Students receive work experience by partnering with multiple small-businesses and creating different public relation plans. Over the years, 1853 has partnered with many organizations. Arcadia University, Department of the Media and Communication, Arcadia University’s Center for Teaching Learning and Mentoring (CTLM), Loco Mag, Gift of Life Donor Program, Pals for Life, and Donate Life Pennsylvania are just a few of the organizations that the students of 1853 got to professionally work on.

            In honor of 1853 Communications turning five years old, Emily and I wanted to write this post as a way to celebrate all of the hard work that people put into this student-run organization. 1853 would not be possible without the executive staff, the students, and the faculty advisor – Dr. Chris Mullin. This article is a thank you to everyone who ever showed an ounce of support for 1853. Without your support, 1853 would not be what it is today. 1853 appreciates every single one of you.

Hello my name is Bobby, I’m an account executive at 1853 Communications and I got an inside tour of 6abc. At 6abc you get to see the behind-the-scenes of the news you watch. From how news is formulated and directed around areas, to how people get their weather forecast. When entering you are introduced to a model of Chopper 6 and a monitor that shows current ratings on news viewage. Exploring the right side of the building you get a front-row seat of how news comes in, a station that listens to police radio chatter to be first on the scene on an interesting news topic. A room that reads over the weather forecast and does calculations to make sure the weather is predicted correctly. In addition to the rooms is an area where you can report your problems against businesses or people that may have caused fraud or problems against you. Right next to this room is where they shoot a live report on sports games that are actively dealing with our cities teams. Going towards the left side of the building you get to see the behind-the-scenes audio, video, news stories, etc. All are being worked on and perfected for live news coverage. Making it possible for the audience to hear the news perfectly or being able to see camera footage of what the news coverage is about. You also get to see areas on stage which are shown on TV with our news anchors. The areas behind the walls with all sorts of equipment. You even get to understand and see how they switch the rooms colors to certain events. Each worker all has their own story leading up to working with 6abc with addition of what they do there. All shown are plain examples of strategic planning, storytelling, and communication efforts that go into building trust with the public. Overall, the visit was both inspiring and educational. It gave me great insight on the coordination and dedication involved in broadcast journalism.

Back in the beginning of the school year I attended the 2024 Victoria Secret Fashion
Show. Now this is the PR event of the year for me and I have been locked in for years. I was at
the official watch party of the fashion show. While talking to people I met Sigrid Freborg; an up
and coming model (and one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever met). As a testament to how
important networking is it was thanks to her and her mom that I was able to make it into VIP.
The moment I walked into VIP the energy switched, the room was full of marketing and
branding executives for companies like Prada, Tom Ford, Louis Vuitton, and so many more. The
more shocking part is that with so many rising models in the room many of the people I spoke to
thought I was one of them (such a compliment). They were very surprised when I pulled out a
paper copy of my resume and told them that I’m actually a Media and Communications student.
I had never felt so supported as a student. The brand manager for Tom Ford, Leo Livshets was
actually very proud of me as I told him how far outside my comfort zone I was, but I had also
never felt more at home and around like minded people. Leo reassured me that I would do just
fine and it gave me the confidence I needed to know that this is the career I want to be in.

But while the show went on and I spoke to more people I realized that hosting events
like this is exactly what I want to do. Holding a fashion show to fully realize your brand image
was one of the most ingenious things to force yourself into the public image.
During the show they made it incredibly obvious that the “Bombshell” exclusivity was
over and done with. They had actually diverse models; POC, curvy, and trans models were all
on the stage and it was incredible to see them shed their past ways and prove that Victoria’s
Secret wants to move into the future.
Also in the VIP lounge I was able to meet so many influencers that were invited to post
about their experiences. Seeing how they are so openly on camera in public and enjoying
themselves doing it was inspiring as someone who wanted to be an influencer in the past.

I truly love how Victoria’s Secret is able to reinvent themselves, and successfully
relaunch their brand all while wearing heels and body glitter.

During the Spring 2025 semester at Arcadia University, I joined the Public Relations Practicum course. This class included guest speakers who were PR professionals as well as tours by local agencies in the Philadelphia region. One such tour was a trip to a local news studio. A select group of students were welcomed to the Studio of 6ABC News on 4/1/25. Myself and the rest of the students were given a behind the scenes look at the studio. A tour guide gave us an exclusive look at the newsroom, showcasing a perspective not often seen by the audience. We were educated on the daily operations of 6ABC as well as the different sections of the building. It was enthralling to learn the history of Channel 6. My class was allowed to tour the main news room before the mid-day broadcast. There, we were invited to take pictures and see the camera equipment being set up by the technicians before going on air. Payton Domschke greeted us and invited us to have our pictures taken with her. She talked to me about her journey at 6ABC and how she began in February of last year. My dream career is to work at a news station like Action News, so it was very enjoyable to see my life through a future lens. I will be seeking employment at 6ABC after graduation and hopefully in an ironic twist of fate I’ll revisit Arcadia as a guest speaker myself and be able to educate students about what it takes to work in PR. The rest of my fellow students were given a look at the sports room, which was perfect timing as a handful of us had gone to a conference at Temple University a few days prior. The event was hosted by PR professionals in the Sports scene and was a fabulous experience for the members of my group who were interested in working with sports related media in the future.