Tag: Covid-19

Portugal will take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2021. Lisbon is following Germany and preceding Slovenia as part of the so-called ‘GPS-presidency’ trio, marking the fourth Portuguese EU Council Presidency since the country joined the European Economic Community in 1986. The following overview has been developed in cooperation between the APCO team in Brussels and our partner agency in Portugal, ATREVIA. This Presidency Guide outlines the challenges that lie ahead and how companies can address them...

On December 18, the FDA approved Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use in the United States. The move makes Moderna’s vaccine the second to reach the American public. Now that the scientific community has developed multiple breakthrough vaccines to halt the coronavirus pandemic, we face an equal challenge: getting them safely to immunization sites around the world and in the arms of people. ..

With two COVID-19 vaccines already being put in arms around the country and more expected early next year, healthcare providers must successfully deploy millions of doses of the vaccines to end the coronavirus pandemic. However, just as important as the logistics of getting this done, the public must be willing to get the vaccine in large enough numbers to control the spread of the disease. ..

Sandra Lindsay became the first American to receive a coronavirus vaccine outside of a clinical trial on December 14. The nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center is the first of hundreds of millions of people who will need the vaccine to control the coronavirus pandemic as America’s death toll rises. To be successful, the rollout of the vaccination campaign requires coordination among state, local and national officials and private sector leaders. ..

With two COVID-19 vaccines going into the arms of front-line healthcare workers and residents of nursing home and assisted living facilities, the world now faces the massive challenge of coordinating and administering vaccine doses to millions of people. Success depends on clear communication, consistent guidance and careful coordination between all parties involved...

2020 has delivered certainty to us all about health. We now know that it is an existential asset not only for individuals but for business and society as a whole. Now, as vaccination makes working, playing and loving without wearing a mask a realistic prediction for 2021, leaders of all ilk need to make operating as the one humanity we are a new status quo...

If COVID-19 ushered in new issues for your company in 2020, just wait until 2021. Bridging the period between the pandemic and widespread COVID-19 immunity will require thoughtful policies that further define your corporate legacy and how you live your values...

The retail sector is going through a disruption accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are several important cornerstones of the transformation that successful retail companies need to have in order to survive and grow through 2021 and beyond...

It's hard enough hearing about the difficult experiences of people prior to COVID-19. Add a global pandemic, economic collapse and unemployment crisis on top of that and you understand just how disproportionate of an impact that systematic inequality has on the most vulnerable people in our society...

During these unprecedented times, it is essential that the public and private sectors work together in building the post-COVID-19 reality. Italy will value such exchange now more than ever...

The APCO Reset Indicator monitors global public attitudes and behaviors as the world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The latest study in our series tracks views of Americans and adds perspectives from Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Singapore and India. Across these markets, we assess three core dimensions: where the public see themselves today, who is supporting (or supported) them during the pandemic and how they feel about the future...

While most of the high-tech, operational changes that will help the holiday season are already underway, companies hoping to drive traffic to their brick and mortar locations should now take the time to focus on stakeholder communication and engagement. For retailers, agility in communications, especially with and by employees, will make it easier to close out the year coming back stronger...

To help commemorate Women's Equality Day, we hosted a special conversation featuring Irene Khan, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and Opinion, to discuss COVID’s disproportionate impact on women, the changing expectations of balancing work and family life and the work still ahead to ensure women’s equality...

At a time when hyper-connectivity makes decisions and their consequences widely visible and with perceptions affecting an organization’s bottom line, communicators need to be part of the C-suite...

Two major reforms to the UK’s public health system were announced in recent weeks—refreshed efforts to fight obesity, and the creation of a new body specifically to prevent a second wave of COVID-19. Both announcements represent an evolution, rather than a revolution, but are arguably more interesting for what they say about Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s approach to government, and how businesses should engage with his administration...

At the August 6th Brazda Breakfast briefing, an event sponsored by APCO and hosted by our partner, The Alliance for Health Policy, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci walked over 60 reporters through what we know now about COVID-19, how it spreads, where it is spreading, the status of vaccine development, and most importantly, what we all can and should do to slow the spread...

It is important for organizations to understand that while the pandemic has tested their resiliency like never before, their long-term viability depends upon the consumers who will ultimately judge them on their ability to effect real change...

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed some of the structural weaknesses and inefficiencies of health systems across Europe. This has increased public and political awareness about the need to invest more in health. The way the crisis was handled by national governments particularly fueled discussions about the digitalization of the health sector, in many cases proving that a transition to more digital health services and applications is possible when push comes to shove—at least temporarily...

As we have discovered over the past few months, the construction industry has shown that staying open safely during the COVID-19 pandemic can lead many sectors—from energy to transportation—to continue serving the public...

In a few days, on July 15, less than two months after Crew Dragon took off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral, the Emirates Mars Mission (an APCO client), part of the UAE’s National Space Program, is set to launch its Mars probe. Now is the time for communicators to don their space suits and contribute their creativity as well as skills in storytelling, public relations, and public affairs to propel the space industry forward, while helping a deeply divided public see beyond its differences...

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in certain parts of the United States, restaurant and retail sectors are caught in the middle of a political and public health tug-of-war. While tactics to safely reopen stores and restaurants continue to evolve, discussions are turning to how to adapt to phased reopening orders while building consumer confidence and coming up with new ways to secure financial viability. With uncertainty abound, how are restaurant and retail businesses charting the future?..

Leading experts in the field share their insights on conducting public affairs in the COVID-19 era...

The aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis will inevitably feature renewed efforts to protect the privacy of individuals...

While there still are many uncertainties about what the post-COVID-19 reality will look like for society, observers and experts agree that the format, focus and expectations around social advocacy will change. As a result, companies should evolve their original CSR pathway to meet new social and consumer environment...

The COVID-19 pandemic has nudged Indian decision makers to escalate their focus on harnessing technology in various sectors. Recently, newer technology solutions have helped achieve key results in crucial issues and segments like healthcare, food security, education and supply chain in the entire manufacturing space...

Corporate offices in the United States are beginning to reopen as social distancing mandates tied to COVID-19 ease. The hope is that businesses across the country can return to normal. But a lasting threat from the pandemic exists on the cyber front. Companies are now facing a potential “doomsday” scenario that could play out over months, if not years...

Governments and the travel industry will both need to earn trust through the actions that they take to revitalise tourism in the wake of COVID-19. That was the central outtake of an APCO Worldwide webinar, held in association with The Ambassador Partnership, that examined the pressures, priorities, parameters and practicalities of enabling tourism to recover and making mass travel feasible again, with differing timelines and considerations for every country in determining the steps required and when they can be applied...

The COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges we have faced globally to support learning have also, once again, brought to light significant inequities in the opportunities available to young people who have access to high-speed internet and those who do not...

The COVID-19 crisis has given a boost to those who want the EU to play a bigger role in health. Only time will tell if EU Member States are really willing to take the jump and commit to a true “Europe of Health.”..

COVID-19 has had a profound impact around the world. The use of digital technology to facilitate effective communication has intensified and cutting-edge tech is booming...

The COVID-19 crisis has proved that while it’s possible to provide the vast majority of learning virtually—and schools and universities around the world should be given huge credit for achieving what they have in such a short space of time—the sudden and complete shift to e-learning has put significant pressure on the families of school-aged children...

Transportation companies have taken a range of measures to preserve the safety of their employees. With this experience, they can lead through the recovery to showcase what has worked and drive best practice adoption in other sectors...

China's Two Sessions opened on May 21 and served as an opportunity to demonstrate control over the pandemic and outline a blueprint for the country’s future development...

Mental health and mental wellbeing are obvious points of consideration during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. What have historically been taboo discussion topics—both inside and outside the corporate world—are now easily looming as a true known second-order health crisis...

With the world hitting reset and states reopening, this is a seminal moment to ask, “what if?” What if outcomes that once felt far beyond the transportation industry’s reach are now in sight?..

The COVID-19 crisis has put a unique spotlight on food and food systems, revealing both strengths and weaknesses across sectors and practices. In some ways, it has placed consumers on a level playing field, but also exposed some deep inequalities...

Media relations and social media communications are more important than ever during this time of fast-paced news cycles and endless Twitter debates, driven by the global COVID-19 pandemic...

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new Israeli government will operate under “emergency” status for the first six months, advancing legislation solely related to the virus and its impact...

On May 17, 2020, Israel’s 35th government was sworn in, actualizing a power-sharing agreement between incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party chief Benny Gantz...

Research demonstrates that it is critical for brands to use their advertising to amplify their COVID-19 efforts and solidify their role in the community. As you develop advertising messaging here are three things to focus on as you build the right message...

APCO Worldwide’s team in Paris recently published a study on the CAC 40 CEOs’ communication strategies since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten CEOs have particularly distinguished themselves as leaders during the crisis...

In the financial sector, leaders who are able to read the emerging social landscape—and are willing to lead through their values and actions—will have the most opportunities to come back from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger...

The German constitutional court recently caused huge waves with its 5 May ruling on the legality, under German law, of the European Central Bank's bond purchasing programme—an essential element of the EU’s plan to reduce the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic...

The food industry, from farms to restaurants to retail to the tables of consumers, has been upended by COVID-19. This has resulted in a forced shift in the supply chain and could change how the world produces and consumes food well into the future...

One of the most jarring consequences of a pandemic in our interconnected world has been the restriction of individual movement. The freedom to travel, locally or abroad, has been limited. Beyond canceled vacations, the travel, tourism and hospitality industries have been crippled and only recently, experts began imagining the future of travel in a post-COVID-19 world...

The world has changed and while you need to be aware and evolve, you can’t go quiet until you need your advocates again. A campaign that is nimble in managing against the evolving landscape and demonstrates an understanding of who its advocates are and what information they need to be able to take meaningful action is always going to be impactful. ..

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally impacted how health systems and hospitals operate. In a recent roundtable discussion, APCO Worldwide Senior Director Bill Pierce spoke with APCO International Advisory Council Members Kavita Patel and Peter Urbanowicz about what health organizations must do to Come Back Stronger from this crisis...

New research from APCO Insight on the COVID-19 pandemic shows that Americans view technology as more important than ever, with three in four saying that the industry has an important role to play in finding innovative solutions...

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, patients will push many healthcare providers out of their comfort zones. Healthcare providers will need to meet the needs of this new normal, be agile and focus on deepening the relationships they have with their patients—or work to establish them—to succeed in both business and in health...

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep countries around the world under lockdown, there is an increased focus on the health sector, from the brave frontline health workers and critical researchers to biopharmaceutical companies and academic institutions racing to find a treatment and vaccine. The pandemic has highlighted, albeit in a painful manner, the critical role of these healthcare professionals in ensuring a healthy, productive society, the continued need for innovation and access to essential health services...

Resilient organizations must act now to establish their foothold to come back stronger, recognizing there will be varying degrees of coming back...

With the COVID-19 pandemic currently dominating the public discourse and political decision making, it appears that the climate debate has somewhat become less prominent on the public agenda. However, this does not mean that green issues have become less relevant...

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has made agreement on the future of the UK-EU relationship by December 2020 quite unrealistic...

The current crisis has brought to the fore some of the most salient issues we face as humanity. The decisions we make now will either leapfrog our progress on these major challenges or cause us to slide back in time as we retrench and de-risk...

The economic shock of COVID-19 is being felt by American workers and retail investors as the country registers 17 million applications for unemployment and absorbs painful stock market losses. A recent survey of 1,000 Americans conducted by APCO Worldwide offers insights for business leaders and communicators as they work to navigate the weeks and months ahead...

COVID-19 has forced the 2020 campaigns—much less our connections with friends and family—into virtual mode for the foreseeable future...

To get a better sense of how working parents are faring and how employers can help, APCO Insight conducted a pulse survey on March 31 of the U.S. general public and singled out parents working from home...

COVID-19 is creating challenges never seen before in many of the nation’s hospital health systems. The new normal is creating a threat to staff health, morale and confidence in their leadership...

As painful, bewildering and traumatic as the past few weeks have been for businesses and society at large, one thing is clear: what we should really be hoping for is a return to ‘a new normal’—a world where we apply the many learnings of the current crisis and emerge stronger...

While in-person events may be the preferred method for many gatherings, virtual events can—with proper planning—be an effective way to educate, engage and inspire your audience...

The greatest opportunity in this time of crisis are for companies to demonstrate their know-how and expertise through partnering in “new infrastructure” projects. Besides the potential to partner on large-scale endeavors, companies that are actively engaging with China will shape tomorrow’s infrastructure standards and lay the foundations for long-term success...

As industry professionals, we have a responsibility to seek the truth and only share information from credible sources. As people and a community, we must always strive for an univocal relationship with the truth in everything we share...