From high-level trends to high-fives for our teammates, here’s what’s been buzzing in and around the Hive this month.
Check Out the New Digital Digs
If you haven’t visited staging.beekeepergroup.com recently, take a gander! We decided it was time for a refresh. Before redesigning, we asked staff what they wanted to see more of, and three themes came up: clearer space for staff voices, stronger thought leadership, and simpler navigation. The result is a site that better reflects who we are and the work we do. We are loving this new look and feel, and are excited to highlight our work in a fresh way.
Turning Research into a New Story for Local News
This year, we partnered with Press Forward, a nationwide initiative investing in the future of local news, to build messaging that explains why local news matters and to convince people to support it. To do this, we conducted a public opinion survey of 3,000 Americans, focus groups across the country, and a round of random control message testing, all to understand what motivates people to support local news. We translated our insights into a messaging strategy and a set of toolkits used by Press Forward partners nationwide to spark investment, build partnerships, and show that local news is not a niche industry issue but a basic ingredient of a functioning community.
AI is Cool and Scary, Let’s Talk About It!
Last week, Senior Manager of Marketing and Culture Cat Proulx spoke at the Cool/Scary AI Sh!t Summit at the MLK Memorial Library. She talked through the importance of building an internal AI use policy for your workplace, and the steps to take to do so with your team.
You can read more about how and why you should build an AI use policy in our report: Navigating the AI Wilderness. Want to chat more about how you can responsibly use AI to boost your advocacy impact? Get in touch with us.
Watch What Happens H!VE with the Bees and WGR
What do policy communicators and Real Housewives have in common? We’re about to find out!
Next week, Beekeeper Group is hosting a night of Bravo-themed fun for advocacy professionals in partnership with Women in Government Relations. If you’re a fellow Bravoholic, join us for Bravo Bingo with prizes, snacks and themed-drinks, and a life-size cut-out of Andy Cohen. We’ll also hear briefly from United Way National Capital Area on their Women United program. See you there, diva!
Hive Highlight: Cynthia Wong
Meet Cynthia Wong, Senior Designer on the Beekeeper Group team! Cynthia has been with the Hive for four years and holds down part of the small but mighty Michigan contingency at the Hive. Cynthia’s design work shines across digital, print, illustration, and web properties. Since working at Beekeeper, she has found a passion for building brands and helping clients establish a strong presence in their space.
FUN FACT: Cynthia got a puppy this year named Walnut, and he is as cute as he is chaotic. Check out Walnut in his Halloween costume!