Scottsdale, Arizona | March 1, 2021

Strategic communications firm 10 to 1 Public Relations was among the public relations industry leaders across the world invited to participate in the latest industry survey from IPREX, the $420m global communications network, of which it is a proud member. The global survey released insights about the lessons of 2020 and implications for 2021 for the independent PR and marketing industry, based on inputs from its offices around the world. Despite – or maybe because of – its many challenges, 2020 heightened the need for communications services.

“While the impacts of the pandemic and the economic disruptions weren’t experienced uniformly across sectors or markets, there are some powerful learnings that both give optimism for the year ahead and highlight areas for communications and marketing leaders to prioritize, wherever they operate. Challenges abound and vary widely, but solutions without fail include solid communications strategies,” said Julie Exner, Global President of IPREX.  

Josh Weiss, President of 10 to 1 Public Relations and sole Arizona member of IPREX, shared his perspective on how different companies in Arizona and across the country have addressed the disruption brought on by the pandemic. 

“In 2020, we saw companies generally follow one of two strategies: to hibernate or accelerate. The companies that chose to hibernate essentially tried to minimize their footprint and costs to conserve cash with the plan to reenter the fray once the pandemic passed. The companies choosing to accelerate were the ones who doubled down by being more aggressive or pivoting their businesses quickly to maximize short term returns in hopes of a long-term positive effect,” said Weiss.

The latest IPREX survey revealed the following insights:

Uneven Disruption and Uneven Recovery 

Firms with deep experience supporting hospitality, tourism, and travel suffered alongside their clients, as the impacts of the pandemic brought much of that sector to an abrupt halt. While these firms continue to recover, many IPREX firms also expect to be impacted by the emergence of new or changed trade dynamics, from the aftermath of Brexit for the E.U. and the U.K., to the next generation of China-U.S. relations under a Biden administration, among a myriad of others. 

Global Scale Challenge Reinforces Global Scale Solutions 

While each country, region and metropolitan area around the world shaped its response to the challenges of COVID-19 based on local realities, the capacity to share experiences, stories and data created a strong awareness of the value of global connections. Alliance efforts in the future won’t be a return to past practices or models, but new forms of global cooperation, collaboration and partnership with independent firms on-the-ground in key markets operating with the benefits of shared talent, technology and best practices. 

The Complicated Future of Facts Means More Communications Needs

Both the pandemic and the accelerating polarization of societies around the world have contributed to the fracturing of traditional sources of public information, undermining citizens’ confidence in official messaging from government and private brands. IPREX firms have seen an increased demand related to developing strategies to reinforce the credibility of those institutional players. This need isn’t likely to abate anytime soon. Specifically, IPREX firms report a rise in the increasing sophistication required in using digital and social media tools for the delivery of effective messaging. 

Purpose-Driven Work on the Rise

Many corporations supported by IPREX firms are engaging in unprecedented efforts to ensure they are meeting their obligations to all their stakeholders: customers, employees, communities and investors. Corporate social responsibility efforts are moving into new levels of investment and sophistication.  IPREX firms report clients are increasingly coming to their agencies for environmental, social and governance (ESG), sustainability and purpose-driven work.

Equity and Systemic Racism Demand Thoughtful Navigation

Set off by events in the U.S. (in particular, the death of George Floyd), but reverberating around the globe, issues of racial and ethnic equity have now been raised to a level of awareness such that brands and organizations cannot sit on the sidelines. Authentic and inclusive voices, as well as clear intentionality, are now reputational commitments being made by IPREX itself, as well as by the clients IPREX agencies serve through their public relations and strategic communications services.

Weiss emphasized how these changes have impacted his Scottsdale-based public relations company: 

“The number of new prospect inquiries at our firm has increased sharply at the end of 2020 and into 2021 from both companies that have been accelerating and those that have been hibernating. As vaccination rates increase, I am optimistic we’ll see inquiries continue to blossom from companies that want to be well positioned for the PC (Post COVID) economy,” added Weiss.

More information about the IPREX survey can be found at https://www.iprex.com/outlook-report/.

About IPREX IPREX is a $420 million network of communication agencies, with 1,220 staff and 93 offices worldwide working across the spectrum of industry sectors and practice disciplines. IPREX is the tenth largest communication group as ranked by The Holmes Report in its survey of public relations holding companies and global networks.

Scottsdale, Arizona | September 4, 2020

Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest (BBB) has named 10 to 1 Public Relations as a finalist for the 2020 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics, sponsored by Desert Financial Credit Union. The program raises awareness in marketplace ethics and honors businesses who operate with integrity. 

“The Better Business Bureau has a well-earned a reputation of trust among the public that can’t be ignored, and for the BBB to recognize our team as a finalist for this year’s Torch Awards for Ethics is extremely humbling and gratifying,” said Josh Weiss, President of 10 to 1 Public Relations. “As an industry, public relations is often portray as spinning accuracy or the truth for the short-term gain of the client. Hopefully this honor from the BBB breaks some of those negative perceptions and highlights the transparency and honesty our team performs every day towards our clients and the members of the media.”  

The BBB Torch Awards for Ethics were established to recognize outstanding businesses that maintain a solid commitment to ethics and trust in the marketplace. Companies are selected by an independent panel of volunteer community leaders based on criteria established by the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

All finalists completed an evaluation where they demonstrated their commitment to ethics in six categories:

1. Transformation at the Top: Leadership Commitment to Ethical Practices
2. Reinforce & Build: Communications of Ethical Practices
3. Unite the Team: Leadership Practices to Unify the Organization
4. Steer Performance: Organizational Commitment to Performance Management Practices
5. Treasure People: Organizational Commitment to Ethical Human Resource Practices
6. Enthusiastically Re-invest!: Organizational Commitment to the Community

“Ethics play a vital role in the success of a business, especially during a pandemic. For 18 years, BBB has been recognizing companies for their solid commitment to doing things right in their companies and industries,” said Shelley Bradley, Director of Signature Events for BBB Serving the Pacific Southwest. “This year’s finalists represent BBB’s community of trustworthy businesses that operate with integrity at the forefront.”

BBB made the critical decision to pivot this year’s in-person celebratory event to a virtual format as an ongoing commitment to keep our community safe and healthy. Throughout October, finalists and judges will be celebrated through a visual digital campaign on BBB’s social media channels. 

For a complete list of this year’s BBB Torch Awards for Ethics Finalists and to view the announcement of winners on October 28, visit BBB’s website.

This is the second honor presented to 10 to 1 Public Relations during the month of September, as the company was also named the 2020 PR Agency of the Year from the Phoenix Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Scottsdale, Arizona | September 2020

Scottsdale-based strategic communications firm 10 to 1 Public Relations was named Agency of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America Phoenix Chapter (PRSA Phoenix) at the annual Copper Anvils awards event on September 17, 2020. PRSA is the nation’s largest professional organization serving the communications community, and each year, the Phoenix chapter recognizes the best public relations campaigns, tactics, agencies, and teams in the Greater Phoenix area at its annual awards event. 

“With so many businesses struggling during this pandemic, it’s very humbling to have continued to grow as a firm in recent months and now to be recognized by our local public relations peers as agency of the year,”,” said Josh Weiss, President at 10 to 1 Public Relations. “This recognition is 100% attributable to our amazing team and their passion to ensuring our clients thrive and gain media recognition and community awareness to further grow and succeed.” 

In the last two years, 10 to 1 Public Relations has experienced exceptional growth, doubling its staff count and client roster. In 2019, the company generated more than 2,500 verified news stories for its twenty different clients across a plethora of industries and specialties. Furthermore, 10 to 1 Public Relations has been recognized by many other business and professional organizations for its outstanding work. For the third year in a row, the firm has been ranked as one of the Top Public Relations Firms in North America by independent, third-party review site Clutch.co. 10 to 1 Public Relations was also named winner of the 2019 Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Sterling Award for business excellence. Bolstering the firm’s national and global reach, 10 to 1 Public Relations is also the sole Arizona member of the IPREX Global Communication Platform of more than 70 independent public relations agencies across the globe.

In addition to being named Agency of the Year at this year’s Copper Anvils, 10 to 1 Public Relations was also recognized with five different Copper Anvil awards in the categories of crisis communications, reputation management, and community relations. 

“What I’m most proud about winning these Copper Anvil awards is the results we were able to deliver our clients through our targeted public relations campaigns and tactics,” added Weiss. “Our team is made up of some of the best story-tellers I know, and I am proud to work with them.”

A traditional public relations firm, 10 to 1 Public Relations is focused on media relations, crisis communications, speaking engagements and award nominations. Launched in 2012, 10 to 1 Public Relation’s philosophy is that it takes ten good things to be said about a business to make up for one bad, and it is therefore essential to build up a company’s “good will bank” to protect its long-term image. This philosophy led to the company’s name, 10 to 1 Public Relations.

Scottsdale, Arizona | July 7, 2020

While many PR and marketing firms are cutting back salaries and staff because of the COVID-19 crisis, others have bucked that trend. Scottsdale-based strategic communications firm 10 to 1 Public Relations has grown during the pandemic, adding veteran public relations professionals Sharda Veeramally and Jeff Davidson to its award-winning team.

Veeramally joined the team in March, just weeks before Stay-at-Home orders hit Arizona. The increase in several new clients since her hiring, combined with several long-held clients increasing or returning to their pre-COVID budgets, led to the hiring of Davidson, who started in June. Each hold the title Senior Account Executive.

“We’re excited to add two talented storytellers, Jeff and Sharda, to our award-winning team,” said Josh Weiss, President at 10 to 1 Public Relations. “Our clients are going to greatly benefit from Jeff and Sharda as each have proven track records of success helping international and national clients grow public awareness and protect their brand reputations.”

Sharda Veeramally has worked in public relations, marketing and social media for the last decade in both India and Arizona. Her experience includes assisting numerous technology companies, as well as large national homebuilders. Most recently, she held a senior PR position at The SPR Agency.

Jeff Davidson has more than ten-years of experience in progressive roles at leading communication agencies in New York City and Arizona, with an emphasis on implementing media relations and community outreach strategies for local, national and international companies. In addition to work at Phoenix based advertising firm RIESTER, he previously served as Director of PR at Allison+Partners in their Scottsdale office, and at Brainerd Communicators in New York City.

Weiss attributes the firm’s growth during the pandemic to “zigging when other firms zagged”. As the effects of COVID-19 began hitting the U.S. economy, 10 to 1 Public Relations took a more aggressive approach to helping its clients pivot within the crisis while continuing to share client story opportunities with the media in ways that fit the new abnormal. The firm also increased its own business development efforts while many other marketing and PR firms were hard-hit and forced to reduce salaries and staffing.In the last 18 months, the Arizona company has experienced exceptional growth, doubling its staff count and client roster. In 2020, the firm won two Stevie Awards® by The Annual American Business Awards® and for the third year in a row, the firm has been ranked as one of the Top PR Firms in North America by independent, third-party review site Clutch.co. In 2019, 10 to 1 Public Relations was named winner of the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Sterling Award for business excellence.