Social Media

Recent stories about Pope Leo XIV – from a supposed “leaked letter” to his rejection of an AI-generated avatar pope – reveal how easily spectacle overtakes substance. In an age of distortion, discernment and the wisdom of the heart matter more than ever.

TypePad shuts down after more than two decades as a pioneering blogging platform. For me, it was home from 2004, later an archive of my early posts. Its closure marks the end of an era – and a reminder of the importance of preserving our digital past.

In 2005, I joined fellow pioneers in Sunderland to explore blogging, RSS, and podcasting – long before ‘social media’ was a thing. Two decades on, I look back at that milestone event, the start of Don’t Panic Projects, and what it all meant for the new PR.

AI memes of Gavin Newsom on Mount Rushmore or blessed by MAGA icons aren’t just jokes – they frame political debate. Memes won’t decide elections, but they shape how voters talk and think long before campaigns begin.

Remembering author and early social media pioneer Shel Israel, and revisiting our 2005 interview for "Naked Conversations" about connection, trust, and openness – questions that still matter in today’s fast-changing digital world.

X may no longer be a good place to engage, but is it still worth listening in? I reflect on why I stopped using X, what's changed since, and whether communicators should reconsider their stance in 2025.

The Vatican’s continued investment in social media for Pope Leo XIV signals a smart strategic move to stay visible, credible, and relevant in a digitally connected world – and raises the question of how far this engagement could evolve across emerging platforms.

An article in Creative Boom caught my attention with a headline that seemed almost perfectly crafted for social media outrage or bemusement: a UK town introduces a ‘Creative Tax’ on freelancers working from local cafés. The story had it all – remote work tensions, quirky local government overreach, and a clear