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Hearts & Minds

Welcome to Hearts & Minds, a daily blog and topical take on corporate reputation from Sodali & Co's UK Strategic Communications team. Everyday, leading journalist Chris Blackhurst shares a unique corporate communications perspective on recent news.

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Hearts & Minds: How to become the internet’s most hated man in under 10 seconds

One selfish grab, caught on camera, turned a CEO into a viral villain—proof that in the digital age, reputation hinges on speed, sincerity, and showing humanity.

02 September 2025

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Hearts & Minds: What banks can do about the windfall tax

Banks face a windfall tax threat, but public apathy reveals a deeper issue: they’re still seen as villains, failing to connect, empathize, or tell their value story.

01 September 2025

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Hearts & Minds: Why O’Leary gets away with what you can’t

Michael O’Leary’s unapologetic style may rile critics, but his bold, rule-driven approach is pure brand consistency—and Ryanair’s 200 million passengers prove it works.

Hearts & Minds: Swift does not just write her own songs; she narrates her life.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement is dominating headlines, blending pop stardom, sports fame, and masterful storytelling into a PR dream. 

Hearts & Minds: When outrage is the strategy: lessons from crypto’s latest ad storm

A US crypto firm’s provocative UK ad campaign claims crypto is the fix for a broken economy—drawing regulatory ire and public backlash. Controversial by design, it’s a risky but calculated play for attention and disruption.

 
 
 
 
 

Hearts & Minds: From Reach to Recall: How AI Changes Comms

AI is transforming everything—but how remains unclear. Its speed amazes, its permanence unsettles, and its logic rewrites how we value information. The challenge now: adapt to a world where every word may last forever.

Hearts & Minds: Patriotism or provocation? The pr perils of flying the flag

Flying the Union flag or St George’s cross in Britain has become politically charged—once symbols of pride, now fraught with nationalist connotations. Reclaiming them requires honest storytelling, cultural sensitivity, and a shift in public perception.

Hearts & Minds: “NOW or Never: MSNBC’s Rebrand and the Perils of Reinvention.”

MSNBC rebrands as MS NOW, sparking debate over naming, legacy, and meaning—amid a shift from NBCUniversal to Versant and a bold new identity: My Source | News | Opinion | World.

Hearts & Minds: Stakeholders vs. Sales: The Rooney Dilemma

Sally Rooney’s pledge to donate book proceeds to a banned group puts publishers and partners in a reputational bind—caught between commercial success and legal risk, most are choosing to wait and watch.

Hearts & Minds: Bombast, Suits and Seating Plans: Trump and Zelensky Take Two

In high-stakes diplomacy, mood trumps planning—Trump’s unexpectedly genial demeanor turned a tense White House meeting with Zelensky into a rare moment of calm and cooperation.

Hearts & Minds: The £1 stunt that turned into headline gold

A budget food chain’s £1 reward for reporting shoplifters cleverly turns a retail problem into a loyalty-building PR win—simple, effective, and headline-grabbing.

Hearts & Minds: The Most Convincing Voice in the Room May Not Be Human

AI is fast becoming a master persuader—shaping opinions, debunking conspiracies, and redefining comms. The future isn’t just tech-driven; it’s influence-driven.

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