On Monday January 2, I had a blast being a guest co-presenter on the For Immediate Release (FIR) podcast episode 68 with Shel Holtz, CC Chapman and Dan York.

Over the course of a lively 97 minutes – FIR podcasts always go for the long listen – we discussed, debated and opined on topical issues that are on the attention-agenda for many communicators. Here’s the headline list of what we discussed:

• The incoming press secretary for President-Elect Donald Trump has warned us not to expect business as usual when it comes to the administration’s relationship with the media. What does that bode for the press’s ability to hold the administration accountable — and will the philosophy extend beyond the White House to business?
• Some businesses have begun preparing for unexpected criticism from President Trump while others have already had to respond. Crisis experts are advising companies to add presidential jabs to the list of potential crises for which they must prepare.
• Five industries are under threat from technology, according to the Financial Times: travel agents, small component manufacturers and distributors, auto insurers, financial advisers, and auto repair garages. How can they prepare (or can they)?
• Artificial Intelligence will soon make it possible to create fake video with little effort. Think fake news is a problem now? Just wait.
• Edelman Digital is out with its 2017 trends report. Among the issues the report raises, the panel was particularly interested in bots and conversational experiences, blockchain, and over-the-top entertainment.
• Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey asked users what they wanted to see Twitter improve or create in 2017. He got answers (including one from long-time social tech leader Anil Dash). In the meantime, does Twitter know yet what it wants to be when it grows up (and will its recently announced live 360 video make a difference)?
• Apple has published is first Artificial Intelligence paper.

Take a listen right here:

I hung up the FIR mike in 2015 after ten years of co-presenting The Hobson & Holtz Report with Shel. It was a genuine pleasure to be at the other end of a digital audio and video connection with Shel once again. Plus CC and Dan, both of whom I’ve known for the better part of the past decade.

A good start to the New Year!

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(Image at top via The Verge)