
LA PR Firm Olmstead Williams Communications Celebrates 17 Years of Leadership, Innovation and Impact
'Seventeen is a milestone, but it's not a finish line,' said Williams. 'We're witnessing a revolution in how information is disseminated, from generative AI to social media platforms. It's still a sprint for us to make sure our clients keep up and stay ahead.'
She emphasizes the evolution of public relations since 2008. Traditional phone outreach has been overtaken by X direct messages (DMs), text, email, video conferencing and social media as faster, more effective ways to reach reporters and stakeholders. News rooms are now introduced to potential news stories by personal email outreach, with data backups and easy proofs provided instantly by alert PR teams. Public opinion can be influenced in real time, and reputations are shaped by how quickly and effectively a company responds. Generative AI tools, from Google Gemini to ChatGPT to Canva AI, are redefining how stories are created, discovered and trusted.
The firm maintains a focus on helping clients combine their industry expertise with effective communication that aligns with how success is indexed, ranked and shared. As OWC enters its 18th year, the tools have changed but the objective remains the same: drive real business outcomes.
'The industry has never been more exhilarating. You must adapt for how the game is played today and be ready for what's to come tomorrow,' said Williams.
About Olmstead Williams Communications
Olmstead Williams Communications is a leading Los Angeles tech public relations firm specializing in reputation management, crisis management, media training and thought leadership. Its message training prepares CEOs for the national news media stage. More at www.olmsteadwilliams.com.
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Tom's Guide
17 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
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Forbes
18 minutes ago
- Forbes
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CNBC
4 hours ago
- CNBC
'Loud luxury' is back as high-end brands look to rebound
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Ultra-luxe brands Brunello Cucinelli, Hermes and LVMH's Loro Piano have navigated that downturn largely unscathed, as their super-rich clientele continued to spend big on understated couture cashmere and high-end handbags. But for many brands, quiet luxury's discrete opulence, which glided to the fore in 2022 alongside the popularity of shows like HBO's "Succession," no longer cut it. That could herald a new era of large logos, bold branding and distinctive designs dominating catwalks to high streets. "There is no longer the same level of desire for many products across the market, pushing all major brands to change creative direction in search of relevance," Yanmei Tang, analyst at Third Bridge, said via email. One brand owning that shift is Burberry. Under the leadership of CEO Josh Schulman, the company is once again embracing its British heritage image after years of management changes, declining sales and knock-off dupes sullying associations with its eponymous check print and signature trench. Chief Financial Officer Kate Ferry said during a second-quarter earnings call that the company's statement heritage collection, which includes full checkered two-pieces, was "reigniting brand desire" and positioning Burberry among a wide consumer base as "a luxury brand with broad universal appeal." Gucci is seen targeting the same refit under its new artistic director Demna Gvasalia, whose boundary-pushing designs courted controversy at parent company Kering's smaller Balenciaga label. Kering's deputy CEO and brand development lead, Francesca Bellettini, said last week that a "first hint of [Demna's] vision for Gucci" would come in September, with a full rollout of the collection due in early 2026. Fashionistas and investors have long awaited a catalyst to turn around Gucci's fortunes, as sales have suffered, particularly from weaker demand in China. The arrival next month of former Renault chief Luca de Meo as Kering CEO is also set to inject an outsider perspective and branding expertise. "The key thing is to bring back some brand desirability," Madjo said. "Bringing newness — something fresh which has not been seen before — is, I think, what could make Gucci great again." New creative and artistic leads are also seen shaking things up at Chanel, Bottega Venetta and the famously out-there Versace. Moncler, meanwhile, has opted to experiment with rotating designers via its Genius collection, and Prada recently cited image adaptability among the brand's virtues. "What's beautiful about Prada is that it can be sporty, it can be glamorous. This is one of the few brands that can allow us to play three or four games at the same time," group CEO Andrea Guerra said on an earnings call last month. Fashion houses will be hoping that the image overhauls can help inspire waning interest from consumers who became disillusioned with brands after significant pandemic-era price hikes failed to reflect product innovation. According to UBS's Evidence Lab, the price of luxury goods rose by a record 8% on average in 2022, well above the pre-Covid rate of 1% and the 3% recorded this year to May. Only top-end brands Hermes, Rolex and Richemont-owned Cartier have been able to sustain significant price rises in 2025 — though many more have warned that tariffs may force their hand. Gucci, Burberry and Prada, meanwhile, have raised prices, but to a smaller extent. That's likely to propel a further divide between quiet ultra-luxe brands and relatively more affordable labels. Marcus Morris, portfolio manager for European and global growth equities at Alliance Bernstein, told CNBC last week that higher prices could now only be justified by the "right brands, the right brand management and the right marketing of those brands." Nevertheless, more modest pricing strategies may be what's needed for troubled brands seeking to regain market share and compel a broader consumer base. "High-end soft luxury brands have increased their prices a lot," Luca Solca, sector head for global luxury goods at Bernstein, told CNBC. "Brands with a more moderate pricing approach [are] doing well ... potentially going to benefit from this middle ground." Indeed, in a loud luxury era, it could play in their favor. "It could be less of an issue to show off this product, because it is still a bit more affordable, let's say, compared to some other brands," Madjo said.