With delightful Turkish breads, baklava, and pastries for breakfast, (I won’t deny, they were simply amazing!), the next few sessions until lunch were a real treat! We heard from some senior leaders and had global conversations that sparked some serious inspiration. And as always, a few of my tweets have sneaked their way into this timeline because, well, when you’re inspired, you tweet! 

Orla Graham brought her young and vibrant energy to her session on A Reputational Reckoning: Understanding PR’s Impact On Reputation. PR is all about protecting reputations, but how often do we truly stop to measure our own impact? I loved how Orla made it clear: it’s not just about crisis control but about proactive comms when there’s silence. She drew findings from CARMA’s Airlines Reputation Report and how you can apply this to other industries. Like she said, “media and public are to be aligned on what matters” and “not all crises are created equal.” I mean, that last part hit home hard—how true is that in real life? Not every bump in the road needs a siren blaring, but some definitely do. 

Speaking of crises, Patrick Penninckx, Head of Digital Development and Governance Department, Council of Europe, tackled Geopolitical Challenges, Generative AI and Disinformation in a Year of Elections. It’s a complex topic, but he made it digestible. I couldn’t help but think of the real-world consequences, especially with everything going on globally. It’s clear that we’re navigating new waters, and as comms professionals, we’re going to be at the forefront of managing the trust issues AI will inevitably stir up. (Future crisis plans: check!) 

With Julian Boulding moderating the Geopolitics and Business panel, we heard from leaders like Agung S. Ongko, Partner & Strategy Director at RICE Communications, Singapore Mary Njoki, Founder and CEO at Glass House PR, Kenya Pragati Tiwari, Partner, Astrum, India who brought a Global voice into the conversation. Pragati spoke about how Two-thirds of the world’s population lives in Asia, and India being factored in , she spoke about opinions, values, religions and cultures will shape our futures. “The world is changing and India has so much more to share beyond what we currently do.” Agung’s take on the rising tensions in the Middle East and how Indonesia’s population is navigating brand boycotts (even K-pop stars aren’t safe!) was eye-opening. PR isn’t just about managing the West’s narrative anymore; it’s about ensuring that every voice, especially from the Global South, gets heard. Agung spoke about how comms can act as bridge-builders, promoting cultural understanding and collaborations, even when institutions struggle. On a lighter note, Mary Njoki, Founder and CEO at Glass House PR, Kenya reminded us that PR isn’t just about managing issues—it’s about raising awareness on critical global topics. Her insights from her home country where she shared perspectives from Africa and the critical role that PR plays on global issues.  (P.S : Mary is speaking at Global Communications Week at the @School of Communications and Reputation . As part of Student and Young Practitioner (SYP) Month by Global Alliance, this event aims to connect our students of PR with senior leaders and mentors from around the world. Thank you for accepting our invite.)

Moderator: Maja Pawińska-Sims, Associate Editor, PRovoke Media moderated an excellent panel  Steering Through the DEI with Ann-Marie Blake, Co-Founder, TRUE – stating facts- “ If you can turn your DEI initiatives on and off like a tap, then they were likely performative.”  (mind-blown). Leaders shouldn’t get distracted by the noise surrounding DEI backlash. Looking at the data, most employees support DEI, and the majority of companies should plan to increase their efforts.

Koray Camgöz , during the  panel, casually reminded us that “adversity reveals character.” Isn’t that the truth? It’s like the PR version of “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” And when it comes to DEI, the going has been tough. We’re seeing backlash, and not just in corporate boardrooms. Navigating this terrain takes not just good intentions but a real understanding of cultural nuance. Spoiler: One-size-fits-all won’t work

By the end of it all, I was left reflecting on just how multifaceted our role as PR professionals really is. If this Summit taught me anything, it’s that staying stagnant isn’t an option. Whether it’s AI, reputation management, or geopolitical turmoil, we’ve got to be ready to lead.

More insights on post Lunch sessions on the way!

Joulyn Kenny heads Student Affairs at School of COmmunications and REputation. She shares with us her learnings during her visit to ICCO Global Summit in Istanbul during 8th and 9th October 2024.Discover the innovative ideas and trends that are shaping the future of communications and reputation management!