Share:

News / Blog: #monitoring

Designing Public-Facing Activities – This Is How PR Works in 2025

26d ago | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

Public relations in 2025 is undergoing an exciting transformation. Traditional press releases, interviews, and media partnerships still matter, but new channels, technologies, and expectations around transparency are rewriting the rules. Companies must rethink their PR strategies to capture attention – and sustain it.

From Reach to Relevance

For a long time, the mantra was simple: visibility equals success. Today, simply broadcasting messages is no longer enough. PR in 2025 must be more relevant, credible, and audience-specific than ever before. Whether it’s climate action, diversity, or artificial intelligence – companies are at the center of societal debates. Public relations has become the interface between brand communication and corporate responsibility.

New Channels: Social Media Is Just the Beginning

While social media has become standard, attention continues to shift. Audio formats like podcasts, vertical short-form videos, and immersive technologies such as AR/VR are gaining ground. PR teams now use AI-powered tools to detect emerging trends early and personalize content. At the same time, community-driven platforms are growing in importance, where dialogue matters more than reach.

Storytelling Remains the Core of PR

In the age of information overload, stories are the ultimate differentiator. Successful PR campaigns in 2025 rely on authenticity and consistent narratives across all channels. Whether a startup or a global corporation, the ability to translate complex issues into understandable, emotional, and credible stories is the key to building trust and capturing attention.

Crisis Communication in the Real-Time Era

With the speed of digital communication comes the heightened importance of professional crisis PR. Shitstorms, data leaks, or political controversies can spread within minutes. Companies must be prepared: clear processes, trained spokespersons, and a transparent communication strategy are essential. AI-driven monitoring tools help detect potential crises early and enable rapid response.

The Role of AI in PR

Artificial intelligence is transforming not only marketing but also public relations. Automated text and image generation accelerates workflows, while AI-based analytics provide valuable audience insights. At the same time, the challenge of maintaining authenticity grows: in a world where content can be created in seconds, brands must be especially careful about credibility and ethical standards.

Conclusion: PR in 2025 Is Relationship-Building

Public relations today goes far beyond media coverage. It’s about building relationships – with journalists, customers, employees, and communities. To succeed in 2025, PR cannot be treated as a short-term measure, but as an integral part of corporate strategy. Public-facing activities thrive where brands take a stand, tell relevant stories, and enable genuine dialogue.

Like (0)
Comment

What is Data Scraping?

28d ago | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

Whether it's product prices, job listings, real estate offers, or stock market data: the internet is full of publicly available information. But when that data is collected in large volumes and automatically processed, it’s called data scraping. A term that’s increasingly relevant in the age of AI, big data, and digital business models — but also legally and ethically controversial.

Definition: What is data scraping?

Data scraping refers to the automated process of extracting data from websites or online platforms. Special software tools or scripts — known as scrapers — scan websites, identify structured information (like tables, text, or metadata), and save it into databases or spreadsheets for further use.

Common use cases for data scraping include:

  • Price monitoring in e-commerce (e.g. comparing Amazon and eBay listings)
  • Tracking job postings across multiple career sites
  • Analyzing customer reviews or forum comments
  • Extracting contact data from online directories

The data collected is often used for market research, competitive analysis, lead generation, or training artificial intelligence systems.

Technically simple, but not always legal

Technically speaking, data scraping is relatively easy. Even a basic Python script using libraries like BeautifulSoup, Scrapy, or Selenium can extract web content automatically. Browser plugins and low-code tools have made it even more accessible to non-programmers.

But legally, data scraping is a gray area. In the EU and Germany, website content is protected under copyright laws, even if it's publicly accessible. Mass copying and reuse of data may violate copyright law, website terms of service, or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) — especially when personal data is involved.

Major platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Amazon actively fight unauthorized scraping. At the same time, many companies use scraping techniques themselves for competitive intelligence or market analysis.

Data scraping vs. APIs: A legal alternative?

Many websites now offer APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) — official access points for retrieving structured data legally and efficiently. APIs are stable, documented, and often permitted under clear usage terms. However, they are sometimes limited, expensive, or don't provide all the data a company wants.

As a result, scraping is often the “unofficial” workaround, especially when no API is available or when the API limits usage too tightly.

Use cases: From SEO to AI training

Data scraping plays a key role in various digital business models. Common fields of application include:

  • SEO: Tracking search engine rankings, analyzing competitors’ content
  • E-commerce: Dynamic pricing, catalog monitoring, offer comparisons
  • Finance: Real-time news, market signals, or portfolio tracking
  • Artificial Intelligence: Gathering training data for chatbots, language models, or image recognition

Journalists also use scraping, especially in investigative and data-driven reporting — for example, to analyze large data leaks or identify hidden patterns in public records.

Risks and ethical concerns

Despite its usefulness, data scraping raises serious legal and ethical issues. In addition to copyright and privacy concerns, it also raises questions of fair use and server load — scraping can overwhelm websites with automated requests. Some platforms block scrapers or deploy bot detection tools to prevent abuse.

There is also risk of misuse: scraping can be used for spam, misinformation, or even identity theft — for example, by harvesting email addresses or profile pictures from public sites.

Conclusion: Powerful, but with limits

Data scraping is a powerful tool in the data-driven economy. It provides access to information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain — enabling insights, automation, and innovation. However, the line between smart data strategy and legal violation is thin.

Anyone who wants to use scraping professionally must not only understand the technical side, but also comply with legal frameworks, follow ethical guidelines, and ensure responsible data handling.

Like (0)
Comment

How to Create a Media Monitoring Report (Press Clipping Report)

09/22/2025 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

A media monitoring report – also known as a press clipping report or media coverage summary – is a key tool in public relations. It documents how a company, brand, or topic is represented in the media. Whether used for internal reviews, client reporting, or evaluating the success of PR campaigns, a well-prepared media report provides clarity, transparency, and a solid basis for communication strategy. But how exactly do you create one? In this article, we guide you through the process step by step.

1. What Is a Media Monitoring Report?

A media monitoring report is a collection of media mentions across various channels such as print, online, TV/radio, or social media, where a particular topic, company, or spokesperson is featured. It provides a snapshot of when, where, how, and in what tone a brand or topic has been covered by the media.

2. Why Is a Media Report Important?

  • Performance tracking: Did a PR campaign generate coverage?
  • Reputation monitoring: Is the tone of coverage positive or critical?
  • Media landscape insights: Which outlets or journalists are writing about your industry?
  • Reporting for stakeholders: Provide clear summaries for executives, clients, or investors.
  • Archiving: Build a historical record of your media presence over time.

3. What Types of Sources Are Included?

A comprehensive media report can include a variety of media types:

  • Print media: Newspapers, magazines, trade journals
  • Online media: News websites, blogs, forums
  • Broadcast media: Mentions in radio or TV programs
  • Social media: Mentions on platforms like X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, etc.
  • Podcasts and newsletters: Especially important in B2B communications

Depending on your goals, you may focus more heavily on certain types of media – for example, online-only, or including social listening results.

4. How to Create a Media Monitoring Report – Step by Step

1. Define Your Objective

What do you want the report to achieve? Is it to track a specific campaign, provide a monthly overview, or monitor certain issues like sustainability or crisis topics? The purpose will shape the structure.

2. Set a Time Frame

Choose a reporting period – it could be daily, weekly, monthly, or linked to a specific event or launch.

3. Monitor Media Coverage

Media tracking can be done manually (via Google Alerts, searching news websites, etc.) or with professional tools like Meltwater, Cision, Brandwatch, Talkwalker, or pressrelations. Make sure to set the correct keywords, brand names, spokespersons, and topics.

4. Collect and Analyze Content

Gather all relevant mentions in a document – including publication name, date, author (if known), link or scan, and ideally a screenshot or PDF. For each item, analyze:

  • Tone: Positive, neutral, or negative?
  • Relevance: How visible is it? What’s the outlet’s reach?
  • Message: What is being said and how is your brand represented?

5. Organize the Report

You can structure the media report by media type (print, online, broadcast), date, or topic cluster. Include a clear table of contents and – optionally – a short executive summary with highlights.

6. Format and Presentation

Media reports can be presented as a PDF, PowerPoint deck, Word file, or in an online dashboard. Key elements for a professional look:

  • Clickable links or embedded PDFs
  • Color-coded sentiment (e.g., green = positive, red = negative)
  • Branding elements such as your logo or that of the media outlet

5. Legal Considerations

Be careful with copyright when including full articles. In many countries (including Germany), redistributing full-text media content without a license may violate intellectual property rights. Instead, you can:

  • Use summaries or short excerpts
  • Link to the original article
  • Use licensed press clipping services like PMG or Cision

6. Pro Tips for Practical Use

  • Add a summary page with key metrics (e.g. total mentions, tone breakdown, top sources)
  • Use charts or graphs to visualize trends
  • Archive your reports by date or campaign for future benchmarking
  • Include social media mentions for a complete picture
  • If you create reports regularly, consider automated tools to save time

7. Conclusion: A Strategic Tool for Modern PR

A media monitoring report is more than just a list of articles – it’s a strategic tool. Whether you're measuring campaign success, monitoring brand reputation, or preparing for a board meeting, a well-structured media report offers valuable insight into public perception. It empowers communication teams to respond proactively, demonstrate ROI, and plan better for future campaigns.

Like (0)
Comment

How to Successfully Send a Press Release in 2025

09/19/2025 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

Press releases remain an important tool in 2025 for communicating company news, product launches, or events. However, the requirements have changed: digital media, social networks, and fast-moving news cycles demand new approaches. How can companies ensure their messages are successfully disseminated?

1. Audience Analysis and Relevance
Before sending a press release, it is essential to know which audience should be reached. Industry-specific media, niche portals, and influencers are crucial today to generate the right attention. Only content that is relevant will be noticed by journalists and readers.

2. Storytelling Instead of Pure Information
Short, factual releases are no longer enough in 2025. Press releases need to tell a story, evoke emotions, and clearly convey the benefit to the audience. A compelling hook, meaningful quotes, and concrete examples increase the likelihood of the release being picked up.

3. Integration of Digital Channels
Modern press releases should be multimedia: images, videos, infographics, or links to landing pages enhance the text. Additionally, distribution via social media, press lists, and online portals increases reach and discoverability.

4. Personalization and Direct Outreach
Individualized communication with journalists and editors is essential. Automated mass emails rarely succeed. Relevant contacts should be addressed directly and personally so that the press release receives the attention it deserves.

5. Timing and Monitoring
The timing of a press release is important: day of the week, time of day, and current market topics influence the response. After sending, companies should track publication, analyze media reactions, and follow up if necessary.

Conclusion:
Press releases in 2025 require a strategic approach: audience analysis, storytelling, digital integration, personalization, and monitoring are the keys to success. Companies that follow these principles increase the visibility of their messages, expand their reach, and ensure their news reaches the right audience.

Like (0)
Comment

The Media Distribution List as the Most Important PR Too

09/10/2025 | by Patrick Fischer, M.Sc., Founder & Data Scientist: FDS

A media distribution list is one of the most essential tools in modern public relations. It forms the foundation for targeted and efficient communication with journalists, editors, and media outlets. Without a well-maintained list, even the most compelling press releases risk not reaching the right audience.

What Is a Media Distribution List?

A media distribution list is a structured database of media contacts. It includes details such as names, roles, media affiliations, contact information, and thematic focus areas. This ensures that PR professionals can deliver their content to the most relevant recipients.

Why Is the Distribution List So Important?

The media landscape is diverse and constantly evolving. An up-to-date and carefully curated list provides several key advantages:

  • Targeted outreach: Messages are sent only to journalists for whom they are relevant.
  • Efficiency: Saves time through structured and organized contact management.
  • Higher success rate: The more relevant the outreach, the greater the chance of publication.
  • Relationship management: Regular communication strengthens ties with media professionals.

Building and Maintaining a Distribution List

A professional distribution list is not created overnight—it requires continuous effort. Key steps include:

  • Researching relevant media outlets and contacts.
  • Regularly updating contact information.
  • Categorizing by topic, beat, or region.
  • Documenting past interactions (e.g., responses to press releases).

Digital Tools and PR Software

Today, many organizations rely on PR software to manage their media lists. These tools not only streamline contact management but often also include features for email distribution, open-rate tracking, and media response monitoring.

Best Practices for Using Media Lists

  • Quality over quantity: A small but relevant list is more effective than a large, unfocused one.
  • Personalization: Tailored messages significantly improve response rates.
  • Regular maintenance: Outdated contacts reduce the effectiveness of the list.
  • Data protection: Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations such as GDPR.

Conclusion

The media distribution list is the backbone of successful PR. It enables organizations to deliver their messages efficiently and directly to the right media professionals. Those who build their lists strategically, maintain them consistently, and use them for personalized outreach will maximize their chances of long-term media visibility.

Like (0)
Comment

The Media & PR-Database 2025

Media & PR Database 2025

The media and PR database with 2025 with information on more than 20,000 newspaper, magazine and radio editorial offices and much more.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the latest news & information on promotions: