Red Hot Take: Why “No Comment” Still Fails the Credibility Test

“No comment” isn’t neutral—it’s a credibility killer. Nearly 40% of audiences interpret it as an attempt to hide something, and as a former reporter, Pattie Sullivan knows firsthand that silence doesn’t stop a story; it fuels speculation and shifts coverage from informative to investigative. In this piece, the Havas Red B2B Practice Head breaks down why executives still reach for “no comment” (or its evasive cousin), why that instinct backfires, and the media training technique—the “Great Divide”—that helps leaders acknowledge limits while still steering the narrative. Learn how to turn tough questions into opportunities to lead, not lose control of your message.

CUP OF CORPORATE COMMS: AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT WHAT PERCOLATED IN MAY

Corporate communications is entering a period of rapid reset, shaped by rising scrutiny, AI disruption and shifting expectations across employees, customers and stakeholders. In this May 2026 roundup, we unpack the biggest trends in corporate communications, from the growing demand to prove—not just promote—brand purpose, to the rise of AI-driven search and the new importance of credible voices over content volume. We also explore how internal communications is evolving toward relevance and authenticity, and why executive leadership is being redefined by visible, human presence in an always-on environment. Together, these shifts signal a clear mandate: communications strategies must move beyond messaging to build trust, authority and measurable impact in a landscape where both people and machines are shaping reputation in real time.

RED HOT TAKE: AI, REPUTATION AND THE NEW RULES OF TRUST

When CommPRO convened a virtual town hall on May 20 bringing together more than a dozen senior communications, reputation, marketing and AI leaders, the conversation quickly moved past the hype. The question Founder, Publisher and CEO Fay Shapiro posed to kick things off set the tone: What happens when AI systems become the first place stakeholders turn for answers about a company or leader?

RED HOT TAKE: GEO IS REWRITING THE RULES OF EARNED MEDIA

Earned media used to mean one thing: get the coverage, build the reputation. But as more people turn to AI tools to research, compare and decide — skipping search results entirely — the rules have changed. What AI cites is now as important as what gets published. We asked HAVAS Red’s own GEO experts what that means for communications.

CUP OF CORPORATE COMMS: AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT WHAT PERCOLATED IN APRIL

This edition of Cup of Corporate Comms takes an unfiltered look at what’s percolating now, as trust replaces reach, curation overtakes creation and authenticity becomes the last true differentiator in an automated world. Across culture, leadership and technology, the throughline is rigor — communications that can stand up to scrutiny from humans and machines alike. These are the shifts redefining relevance, credibility and influence, and the implications communicators can’t afford to ignore.

Celebrating Two Promotions in Pittsburgh: Allison Koerbel and Emily Brosky

At HAVAS Red, great work gets recognized, and today, we’re thrilled to shine a well-deserved spotlight on two of our own. Allison Koerbel has been promoted to Account Director and Emily Brosky has been promoted to Senior Content Producer. Both are based in our Pittsburgh office, and both have made an undeniable mark on the work and the team around them.

From the Draft Board to the Boardroom: Pattie Sullivan Reflects on the NFL Draft

Last week 805,000 of my closest friends and I took in the sights and sounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, which was hosted in Pittsburgh for the first time in nearly 80 years. Football fans from across the country brought an undeniable energy to the city. And despite its size and complexity, the Draft experience felt remarkably seamless for fans, media, sponsors and partners alike.

Courtney Myers Named Agency’s AI‑Driven Innovation Lead

HAVAS Red has named SVP Courtney Myers its AI‑Driven Innovation Lead, tasking her with operationalizing the agency’s AI tools, including EchoWeave and partner platforms such as Meltwater’s GenAI Lens, and embedding AI across workflows, training and client offerings as the agency advances in an AI‑first world.

Joe Giumarra Promoted to SVP, Corporate & Tech

We are thrilled to announce that Joseph Giumarra has been promoted from vice president to senior vice president, corporate and tech. Effective this week, Joe will work with the HAVAS Red leadership team to drive the growth of the corporate and tech practice.

CUP OF CORPORATE COMMS: AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT WHAT PERCOLATED IN MARCH

This month’s Cup of Corporate Comms digest reveals a discipline in full transformation: internal comms rising from overlooked function to organizational nerve center; brand storytelling evolving from fleeting moments into immersive, participatory worlds; executives stepping forward as living, breathing media channels; sustainability demanding clarity over complexity; and AI quietly rewriting the rules of visibility, where earned media now shapes not just what people see, but what machines say.

HAVAS Red Partners with Eureka&Co. to Expand into LATAM

HAVAS Red has announced a strategic partnership with Eureka&Co., one of Mexico’s leading independent communications agencies, strengthening our network’s ability to deliver fully integrated, merged media communications for clients across Mexico and the broader Latin America region. The partnership brings together Eureka’s deep local expertise with the scale, creativity, media capabilities and global connectivity of the HAVAS network.

CUP OF CORPORATE COMMS: AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT WHAT PERCOLATED IN FEBRUARY

Each month, Cup of Corporate Comms scans the news cycle to decode what it all means for the people shaping corporate reputation. February made several things clear: Employees are emerging as brands’ most credible storytellers, PR’s mandate is expanding under the weight of AI and rising ROI expectations, and generative search is reshaping how authority is earned online. At the same time, two of the most politically charged topics in corporate life, sustainability and DEI, are entering a more pragmatic phase where credibility, resilience and operational impact matter more than rhetoric.

Account Supervisor Jacqueline Wickwire Named Medical Advertising Hall of Fame Future Hall of Famer

At HAVAS Red, we believe the future of health communications is built by people who can translate complexity into clarity and purpose into progress. That’s why we’re especially proud to share that Jacqueline Wickwire, Account Supervisor, has been named a Medical Advertising Hall of Fame (MAHF) Future Hall of Famer and was formally recognized at last week’s Future Hall of Fame dinner.

CUP OF CORPORATE COMMS: AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT WHAT PERCOLATED IN JANUARY

Corporate communications in 2026 is unfolding at the intersection of permacrisis, technological acceleration and rising stakeholder expectations. From CEO activism and the evolving trust mandate to AI’s reshaping of credibility, discovery and workforce dynamics, organizations are navigating an environment where silence is increasingly interpreted as strategy and transparency is expected as table stakes. At the same time, shifting regulatory, cultural and platform dynamics are redefining how companies demonstrate values, earn relevance and sustain influence. In this month’s Cup of Corporate Comms, we unpack the forces shaping the global communications agenda and what they signal for leaders working to build trust, clarity and cultural connection in an era defined by constant change.  

CUP OF CORPORATE COMMS: AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT WHAT PERCOLATED IN DECEMBER

The throughline across December’s coverage was unmistakable: Credibility now hinges on discipline. Businesses are being asked to lead on societal challenges, but only where they have legitimacy to act. DEI entered a more exacting phase, with regulators raising the bar on rigor, documentation and design. Sustainability communications narrowed to a fine line between greenwashing and greenhushing, where clarity is no longer optional. Trust shifted decisively toward people — employees, creators and customers — making authenticity harder to fake and easier to lose. And as AI reshapes how reputation is formed and recalled, preparedness emerged as a strategic imperative, not a reactive one. In a year closing with heightened scrutiny and accelerating technology, the brands best positioned for 2026 are those that communicate with precision, purpose and proof.

CEO Dara Busch Forecasts 2026 Comms Landscape in PRWeek

As the PR world looks toward 2026, two recent PRWeek conversations have spotlighted seismic shifts shaping how agencies and brands will work together in the next chapter of communications. Leaders from across the industry weighed in on how AI, business models and talent strategies are changing — and HAVAS Red’s CEO Dara Busch is one of the voices framing that shift.

Havas PR North America Named One of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work 2025

Havas PR North America — home to HAVAS Red, HAVAS Formula and HAVAS Street — is proud to be recognized as a 2025 PRWeek Best Place to Work in the Large Agency category. Nearly 100 agencies and in-house teams applied for the honor this year, and we’re thrilled to be among the select few celebrated for putting people first.

CUP OF CORPORATE COMMS: AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT WHAT PERCOLATED IN NOVEMBER

The center of gravity in corporate communications is shifting inward, toward the values, behaviors and clarity that anchor brands when the world around them feels unsteady. Purpose became a stabilizer in an anxious, polarized environment. DEI entered a maturation phase, with experts urging rigor over retreat. The Campbell’s scandal showed how reputational risk now starts with employee behavior long before headlines hit. Brands doubled down on experience as a driver of identity, not just attention. And in the wake of COP 30, climate messaging shifted toward clarity and business value over jargon. Across every story, the signal was unmistakable: in uncertain times, the brands that win are the ones that communicate with intention — grounded, consistent and unmistakably human.

SVP Jodi Einhorn Named PR Professional of the Year at PR Daily Awards

At the PR Daily Awards and Top Agencies Awards ceremony in New York City, hundreds of communicators stepped out from behind the scenes to celebrate the industry’s best. Among the honorees was our own Senior Vice President Jodi Einhorn, who earned the prestigious title of PR Professional of the Year. The recognition came during the PR Daily Top Agencies Awards Luncheon on December 2 at City Winery, where HAVAS Red Network was also named to PR Daily’s Top Agencies List for 2025.

Red Sky Predictions Out Now: 14 Predictions for Communicators on the Cutting Edge

HAVAS Red’s 2026 Red Sky Predictions report reveals 14 emerging trends reshaping the future of communications — from crisis-as-default environments and AI-powered synthetic research to truth as the new brand value and the rise of intentional influence. Drawing on insights from 24 global markets, the report highlights how communicators can stay ahead through generative engine optimization (GEO), bold brand experiences, private community engagement, raw storytelling and manager-driven internal communications. Download the full 2026 Red Sky Predictions to explore every trend.

CUP OF CORPORATE COMMS: AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT WHAT PERCOLATED IN OCTOBER

From boardrooms to broadcast booths, October reminded communicators and marketers that credibility is being redefined in real time. As executives evolve into influencers and brands navigate a “trust emergency,” authenticity is emerging as the most valuable currency in business — and it’s in short supply. ESG and sustainability efforts are pressing forward quietly despite political noise, even as companies face new pressure to prove their progress, not just promote it. Meanwhile, the public’s trust in traditional news continues to erode, replaced by faith in peers, creators and human voices that feel real. And as AI reshapes the workplace, communicators and leaders must work together to bridge the gap between technology and trust, ensuring transformation feels empowering — not alienating. Across every story, one message resonates: in an age of algorithms and skepticism, the most powerful signal remains unmistakably human.

YOUR CEO’S WORDS ARE NOW A KPI: WHY EVERY LEADER NEEDS A STYLE GUIDE

Communicators have moved from broadcasting polished messages to helping executives build trust, credibility and real connection — in- and outside their organizations. The stakes for executive visibility have never been higher. Every communication can shape reputation and trust in real time.

HAVAS Red Recognized at the 2025 PRNEWS Platinum Awards

We’re proud to share that HAVAS Red U.S. earned an Honorable Mention for Agency of the Year – Large, recognizing the collective strength of our teams across markets and disciplines. We were also honored in the Beauty & Fashion Campaign of the Year category for our work on OGX Beauty’s “OG Who.”

Red Hot Social Headlines: 4 Things You Need to Know Now

Social media never sleeps — and if you blink, you might miss the next big thing. That’s why we created Red Hot Social Headlines: your shortcut to what’s shaping the platforms and conversations everyone’s talking about. We already share these weekly with clients, but now we’re serving up a monthly highlight reel right here on the blog. This month, the top headlines include milestones such as Instagram passing 3 billion monthly users and TikTok hitting 200 million users across Europe, as well as a deal to keep TikTok in the U.S. and brands finding new power in Discord communities.

NEW HAVAS RED WHITE PAPER EXAMINES HOW BRANDS CAN KEEP PURPOSE ENDURING IN A CHANGING WORLD

In 2025, corporate purpose stands at a crossroads. After years of bold promises and public scrutiny, companies are rethinking what it truly means to lead with purpose. HAVAS Red’s newest white paper, Purpose Reimagined: Enduring Values for Lasting Impact, explores how brands can move beyond fatigue and polarization to make purpose a genuine driver of trust, performance and growth.

CUP OF CORPORATE COMMS: AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT WHAT PERCOLATED IN AUGUST

From CEOs navigating the paradox of constant visibility to brands battling the risks of AI search and even heritage icons like Cracker Barrel learning the hard way that nostalgia can’t be redesigned, August made clear how high the stakes have become for corporate communications. Purpose, too, is proving to be less about lofty statements and more about daily dialogue, while LinkedIn is showing that the most trusted brand ambassadors may already be on the payroll. Across these stories, one theme holds: communicators are on the front lines of translating values into credibility, and credibility into lasting trust.

RED HOT SOCIAL HEADLINES: 4 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of updates, rollouts and platform power moves. From Instagram’s long-awaited repost feature to LinkedIn’s push for thought leadership and Meta’s political ad retreat in the EU, these changes reflect a growing emphasis on community, credibility and compliance—three pillars shaping how users engage and how brands show up. Whether it’s leveraging new tools for visibility or preparing for potential platform shakeups like TikTok’s looming U.S. ban, marketers have plenty to watch and adapt to. Here’s a breakdown of the top headlines you need to know.

HAVAS RED NAMED FINALIST FOR LARGE AOTY IN PR NEWS’ PLATINUM AWARDS

We’re thrilled to share that HAVAS Red has been named a 2025 PRNEWS Platinum Awards finalist for Large Agency of the Year.

This year’s program was the most competitive to date, with hundreds of submissions from the brightest agencies, boldest brands, and most impactful campaigns across the industry. Winners will be announced at the Platinum Awards Gala in New York City on Oct. 7. 

CUP OF CORPORATE COMMS: AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT WHAT PERCOLATED IN JULY

July 2025 brought a wave of reckoning, recalibration and resilience across the corporate communications landscape. From high-profile executive scandals to shifting narratives around DEI, ESG, leadership and AI, the month underscored how communicators must constantly adapt to a polarized and fast-moving world. As companies grapple with political pushback on DEI and ESG, redefine leadership through emotional intelligence, and navigate viral moments in real time, a new mandate is emerging: communication that is not only strategic and credible, but also deeply human.

HAVAS Red Expands in Africa with New Office in Nigeria

Today we are thrilled to share that HAVAS Red is expanding once again — this time deepening our footprint in Africa with the launch of HAVAS Red Nigeria, coming on the recent launch of HAVAS Red Kenya last month.

HAVAS Red Expands in Africa with New Office in Kenya

Today we are thrilled to share that HAVAS Red is expanding once again — this time with the launch of HAVAS Red Kenya. This new office marks the next chapter in our mission to bring bold, borderless thinking to some of the most vibrant, fast-moving markets in the world. They join our existing presence in Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa, rounding out a pan-African presence that mirrors the diversity, innovation and ambition of the continent itself.

Red Hot Streak: HAVAS Red Network Wins Again on the Global Stage

We’re celebrating another major moment: HAVAS Red just took home Silver in the Global PR Network category at this year’s Campaign Global Agency of the Year Awards! Coming off a Gold win in 2023, this back-to-back recognition in one of the industry’s most competitive categories is a true testament to the powerhouse energy of our team.

And the wins keep coming.

This latest honor follows our inclusion on PRovoke’s 2025 list of top agencies across EMEA, North America, and the U.K. — a rare triple hit. It also builds on a an auspicious past couple of years that saw us named Global Midsize Agency of the Year by PRovoke in November 2024 and Corporate Agency of the Year by PRWeek U.S. in March 2025.

Together, these recognitions spotlight what makes HAVAS Red stand out: a bold blend of creativity, consistency, and collaboration that drives real results for our clients. 

CUP OF CORPORATE COMMS: AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT WHAT PERCOLATED IN MAY

From quiet cracking to CEO video selfies, May revealed just how quickly workplace norms, leadership expectations and cultural fault lines are shifting — and how high the stakes have become for communicators and business leaders. As social media reshapes executive engagement and consumer reactions increasingly influence brand behavior, clarity, empathy and authenticity are no longer aspirational; they are operational. Whether navigating purpose, DEI or power dynamics inside flattened organizations, this month’s trends underscore the need for communication that is human-centered, risk-aware and relentlessly real.

HAVAS RED NETWORK WINS SILVER HAVAS BOLD AWARD FOR BEST AGENCY SELF-PROMOTION

The HAVAS BOLD Awards celebrate the most exceptional pitch work across our entire network — but as any seasoned agency pro knows, winning a pitch begins long before the presentation. At HAVAS Red, we believe that how we show up matters just as much as what we pitch. That’s why we invest in standout self-promotion — and why we’re especially proud to take home silver in this year’s HAVAS BOLD Awards for Best Agency Self-Promotion. 

HAVAS HITS A HIGH NOTE: DAMIEN ESCOBAR NAMED “ART OF SOUND” CEO IN BOLD MUSIC MOVE

AVAS proudly introduces Art of Sound (AOS), a sonic marketing agency redefining brand storytelling through the emotional power of sound. AOS reinforces the network’s creative vision and strengthens its position as an industry disruptor. Rooted in the belief that sound is the most emotional and impactful way to connect with audiences, AOS partners with HAVAS brands and agencies to build distinctive sonic identities, drive cultural relevance, and resonate across generations.

Cup of Corporate Comms: An Unfiltered Look at What Percolated in October

Below are the key themes that dominated corporate communications news in October 2024. You can also download the October digest here. Purpose helps connect brands with new generations.  Purpose is no longer just a brand buzzword—it’s a key factor in building loyalty, especially among Gen Z and millennials. The Wall Street Journal highlighted how younger generations […]