In the heat of a crisis, companies often scramble to get their messaging right. They work to craft the perfect response, refine talking points, and manage media inquiries. But one critical component that can determine whether a crisis response succeeds or fails is often overlooked: stakeholder mapping. Stakeholder mapping is the strategic process of identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing the individuals and groups that can impact or be impacted by a crisis. Without a clear understanding of who these stakeholders are, how they think, and what they need to hear, even the most carefully crafted crisis response can fall flat. 

This year promises to be a challenging and exciting for public relations and marketing professionals and their clients. Here are some important trends to recognize.

Detroit stands at the forefront of automotive innovation and mobility technology. Home to 26 OEM headquarters and tech centers, it represents the largest automotive cluster in North America. The region leads in automotive production, manufacturing 1.7 million vehicles annually, and ranks second in the U.S. for engineering talent concentration, reinforcing its role as a powerhouse for innovation and development.

In times of crisis, the strength of a community is often reflected in the partnerships that emerge to provide relief and support. The recent flooding in Southwest Detroit serves as a poignant example, where collaboration between businesses and nonprofits has been instrumental in addressing the immediate needs of affected residents.​ At Marx Layne & Company, a Metro Detroit-based public relations and digital media agency with nearly 38 years of experience, we understand the pivotal role that strategic relationships can play for our clients and the community at-large.

Media relations has undergone a significant transformation. What was once focused solely on traditional media outlets like newspapers and television has now expanded to include a variety of digital platforms, social media, and influencer networks.

In Michigan, nonprofits do so much to enhance the quality of life in our communities, in areas that include helping provide a safety net against hunger, drug addiction or homelessness; child or spouse abuse; economic development and business formation; or the arts and cultural affairs.  This reach is immense, when we consider partnerships with local or state government, businesses, or sponsoring foundations and co-nonprofits.

As we are halfway through Q1 2025, the political and economic landscape in Michigan presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses. With shifting legislative priorities and economic conditions in flux, businesses need to be flexible and adaptable in order to succeed. They should be prepared to adjust their strategies in response to evolving external factors.

The way people consume, distribute, and interact with information has undergone a seismic shift in the past two decades. Traditional media, once the gatekeepers of news, have been forced to adapt to a fragmented, fast-moving digital landscape dominated by social media, artificial intelligence, and decentralized platforms. This reordering of the information ecosystem presents both challenges and opportunities for corporate communicators who must navigate an evolving landscape to build trust, protect reputations, and effectively engage audiences.

When most organizations develop crisis communications plans, the focus is often on logistics — establishing response protocols, crafting key messages, and designating spokespeople. While these elements are essential, one crucial factor is often overlooked: the human element. Crises are inherently high-stress situations that can evoke unpredictable emotional responses. Leaders may become defensive, employees may unintentionally spread misinformation, and stakeholders may react unpredictably. These human reactions can derail the most disciplined crisis response.

Maximize your media interviews by preparing key messages, projecting energy, guiding the conversation, and using bridging techniques to stay on message.

In crisis communications, leaders must act swiftly despite incomplete information. The 80/20 rule helps prioritize critical facts, while proactive messaging prevents misinformation. Scenario planning ensures agility, and outside expertise provides objective insights. Avoiding the “resulting” trap and taking decisive action protect reputation and trust.

The media landscape now favors individual authenticity over institutional trust, driven by skepticism toward corporate messaging. Audiences turn to independent voices on platforms like LinkedIn and YouTube. Businesses must humanize communication, using executives and employees as thought leaders to build trust through transparency, storytelling, and direct engagement.

A growing number of Americans are turning to social media influencers for news, bypassing traditional outlets in favor of relatable and popular perspectives. But who are these influencers, and what does this shift mean for the media landscape and accurate, verified journalism moving forward?

As businesses navigate an increasingly complex digital and social landscape, corporate communicators face mounting challenges that can jeopardize reputations overnight. Heading into 2025, companies must prepare for key threats that demand swift, strategic, and transparent responses. Here are the top three threats and actionable strategies to mitigate their impact.

This recent election has revealed a striking shift in political communication: the rise of unfiltered campaigning. With candidates bypassing traditional media and engaging directly with their audiences through raw, immediate communication, this shift has not only altered campaign dynamics but is also poised to reshape the role of media in politics. For businesses, these changes highlight new communication strategies and pitfalls to consider when engaging with the public.

Podcasts excel in targeting specific audiences, offering niche content and high engagement, making them ideal for reaching younger, global demographics that avoid traditional media.

Crisis management in the restaurant and hotel industry—from social media issues to larger challenges—requires a solid plan and fast action. Michael Odom, Senior Vice President at Marx Layne & Co., outlines key steps to build a crisis strategy that safeguards your reputation, retains customers, and strengthens resilience.

Annie Duke, a former professional poker player and author, introduced the concept of "resulting" in her book Thinking in Bets. Resulting refers to the common tendency to evaluate the quality of a decision based on its outcome rather than the decision-making process itself. In crisis communications, this concept offers valuable lessons, particularly in planning and execution, where outcomes can be unpredictable, and the stakes are high.

Creating synergy between a PR agency and its network of stakeholders—clients, media, and community organizations—can drive meaningful impact. At Marx Layne, we recognize that our role goes beyond managing media relations, social media, client websites or even crafting messages; it’s about leveraging our connections to create opportunities for everyone in our network.

In the dynamic, ever-evolving world of corporate communications—where reputations can be shaped or shattered with a single event—a well-constructed crisis communications plan is non-negotiable. However, even the best organizations that invest significant resources into comprehensive planning can find their strategies falling short when an actual crisis occurs.

With summer coming to an end and the holiday season just a few months away, restaurants must prepare for a period of both opportunity and challenge. The holiday season traditionally drives increased foot traffic and sales, yet this year, restaurants face an environment shaped by economic uncertainty.

Written by Michael Szudarek When an organization or high-profile individual faces a public relations crisis, reputation, legal exposures, and staff (or family) cohesion and loyalty can quickly spiral out of control—sometimes, never to be regained. Today’s social and independent media channels only accelerate and magnify this reality.

In modern media landscape, the term “pink slime journalism” has emerged as a troubling descriptor for a trend that undermines the very essence of journalistic integrity. Coined in reference to the processed meat filler known as “pink slime,” this term aptly captures the essence of sensationalized, low-quality journalism that prioritizes clickbait over truth, often at the expense of public trust.

By David Stoyka Ford announced it is currently losing $100,000 on each electric vehicle (EV) it sells. This raises important questions about the current ESG strategy being used by Ford and other automakers. Is [...]

April 24, 2024 Written by Michael Szudarek Tucked deep inside the gigantic $95 billion national security package that the president just signed is a key provision that could ban TikTok unless it’s sold (*sold [...]

Is your website and online presence struggling to rank higher? Get an assessment of your SEO efforts with our complimentary SEO Report Card. What It Is: Comprehensive Analysis: Receive a detailed breakdown of your [...]

In a digital landscape characterized by exponential growth and constant connectivity, online reputation can make or break an organization. As such, managing SEO is a critical component for reputation management because it directly influences [...]

Written by Mike Szudarek Over the past few years, Substack has emerged as a transformative platform in the media landscape, reshaping how journalists and writers connect with their audiences and how readers consume news [...]

In the realm of public policy, creating an effective advocacy campaign often relies on mobilizing diverse voices and perspectives. The efforts of coalitions and specialized issue advocacy groups are crucial. However, there exists a [...]

In an era dominated by bite-sized content and quick-scrolling feeds, a notable shift has occurred in the media landscape. Long-form content, once deemed incompatible with our fast-paced digital age, has experienced a tremendous resurgence. [...]

The 2024 election will be a pivotal moment in shaping the trajectory of many industries, including the automotive sector. As political dynamics evolve, key policy decisions and initiatives could significantly influence the automotive landscape [...]

As the end of the year approaches and the new year is at our doorstop, nonprofit organizations should be planning now to reach sponsors, funders, and other donors to reach financial goals in 2024. [...]

The biggest changes the auto industry has seen since its inception over 100 years ago are upon us. Our automotive team at Marx Layne has navigated the ups and downs of the industry for [...]

Written by Michael Szudarek Today’s business world is undergoing a profound transformation. The rise of the algorithmic economy, driven by the convergence of data, technology, and automation, has created new opportunities and challenges for [...]

We can’t tell you how many times we have heard the question asked by media, automotive and PR executives, as well as the public — Is the North American International Auto Show still relevant, [...]

In an era defined by unprecedented connectivity and information sharing, organizations face new and complex challenges when it comes to crisis management. Traditional crisis communication strategies focused on addressing immediate operational issues (HR and [...]

At Marx Layne Public Relations & Digital Media, we frequently meet with clients, including  attorneys , accountants, architects and engineers accustomed to public speaking, who may not see the benefit of media training. While these [...]

In the bustling culinary scene of southeast Michigan, standing out in the public eye during the holiday season and maintaining a strong presence through the slower months of January and February is vital for [...]

In today's digital world, the dynamics of public relations and communication are constantly evolving. Traditional media relations, which focused on building relationships with journalists and traditional news outlets, has undergone a significant transformation. The [...]

The health and wellness industry sector is growing for several reasons: People are becoming more conscious of the well-being and are taking greater responsibility for their health. As the populations ages, there is a greater focus on living longer, healthier lives. There is also a shift towards holistic health.

Michael Layne There are several factors to consider when selecting a highly capable Crisis Communications and Reputation Management Firm.  First and foremost, make sure the firm you select has extensive experience in crisis communications and [...]

Business insurance provides essential protection to safeguard against potential risks and liabilities. Oftentimes, the frenzy of media and social media coverage as well as internal and external dialogue that transpires when an unexpected crisis hits your business – is not anticipated and planned for in advance. Professionally managing communications during and after a crisis requires significant expertise, coordination, and judgement to skillfully manage. The expert team at Marx Layne has years of experience and the speed and immediate availability working with clients impacted by a crisis, their attorneys, municipal leaders, pertinent influencers and other targeted audiences. Addressing news media, social media and numerous internal and external constituencies promptly and transparently is vital to protecting a company’s brand.

Preparing for a crisis in the news media involves a combination of proactive measures and effective response strategies. Here are some steps you can follow: 1. Plan ahead: Develop a crisis communication plan that [...]

In today's interconnected world, culture and politics play a central role in shaping public perception and influencing business decisions. Organizations must navigate these complex terrains carefully to avoid potential crises that could negatively impact [...]

Perhaps the greatest influence on social media’s rapid evolution can be attributed to the continuous change in behaviors and expectations of users themselves. Users' needs, preferences, and interactions all converge to influence the development [...]

Crisis communication planning is essential for all types of organizations, but it is especially critical for senior care communities. These communities serve one of the most vulnerable populations, and any crisis that affects the [...]

By Mike Szudarek, Marx Layne & Company The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is a critical step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. However, there is a growing gap between what governments [...]

By Mike Szudarek, Marx Layne & Company Social media platforms generate enormous amounts of data every day, and leveraging this data can help you make your social media more effective. Mike Szudarek, from Marx Layne [...]

Michael Odom, Senior Vice President Of Marx Layne & Company. Photo Credit: Marx Layne FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., – Jan. 25, 2023 – Marx Layne & Company, a metro Detroit based public relations and [...]

Michael Odom, Vice President who leads the nonprofit division at Marx Layne Nonprofits are about and for people. And many of those people make great stories. It could be the homebound senior [...]

More than ever, sodium and lithium batteries are becoming a part of the renewable-energy transportation lexicon. Hydrogen fuel cells are becoming an increasing part of the electric vehicle landscape. And proponents are touting hydrogen [...]

Now that the ink is drying on the infrastructure law, Washington is getting ready to roll out charging stations for electric vehicles, says Mike Szudarek, automotive practice lead at Detroit Public Relations firm Marx [...]

by Michael Layne, President, Marx Layne & Company Your organization has decided that public relations must be an important part of your marketing mix. As such, you’ve made the decision to retain the services [...]

Trends in consumer car purchases shift to online — partly Car consumers aren’t all the way there when it comes to doing 100% purchasing online. Yet, industry waters are saying the trend is slowly [...]

Supply points driving prices higher for both gas and EVs By Marx Layne A Detroit-based automotive public relations and digital media agency Thanks to the microchip shortage found in many vehicles, the cost of [...]

Law firms across the country — like everybody else in this pandemic world — have had to make the shift from hosting high-powered meetings in the office conference room to punching in the meeting [...]

Want to harness your company’s Facebook page for more than just sharing company news? Do you know how to turn your followers into actual customers? In this article, you’ll learn five tips to optimize [...]

To honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Marx Layne has made donations to the following organizations: the UNCF, the Detroit Branch NAACP and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. UNCF UNCF envisions a [...]

FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH. – January 11, 2022 – Marx Layne & Company, a metro-Detroit public relations and digital media agency, announced the promotion of Lana Mini to vice president and Michele Mouyianis to senior [...]

Summary The gauntlet for the future of mobility has been thrown before our Michigan economy, and Industry 4.0 will play an essential role in what results Opportunities and Challenges for Michigan's Mobility Industries The [...]

Hospitality industry operators and employees know one simple truth — our businesses anchor communities. They build tax base, support Michigan's travel and tourism industry and enhance livability. While the totality of the hospitality footprint [...]

Michele Mouyianis, Account Executive FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH. – June 2, 2021 – Marx Layne & Company, a suburban Detroit-based public relations and digital media agency, is pleased to announce the appointment of its [...]

By Marx Layne A Detroit-based automotive public relations and digital media agency A hot topic that continues to permeate headlines worldwide is the future of electric vehicles or EVs, for short. Every year more [...]

Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype or Webex media interviews are now a permanent feature of news gathering. The pandemic forced many of us, including reporters, to work remotely. What we’ve all lost is the face-to-face [...]

Journalism is not going away. Yes, the evolution of its delivery options has been accelerated as outdated methods clear the way for new digital alternatives. Journalism's revenue stream is also going through an evolution. [...]

Ten thousand Baby Boomers turn 65 years old every day in the U.S. How and where they age not only presents a huge societal paradigm shift, but will also drive big business. The businesses [...]

If you or your PR agency secures a television or digital video news interview during the lockdown, do you know how to make your Zoom or Skype interview successful? The pandemic lockdown changed every [...]

By Marx Layne A Detroit-based public relations and digital media agency If you are like many automotive consumers, you have probably wondered when electric vehicles (EVs) will garner widespread adoption and finally replace their [...]

Detroit remains a global hub of automotive R&D. As such, Marx Layne & Company, which has deep roots and expertise in automotive and auto supplier public relations and marketing, is in high demand because [...]

Senior care revolves around communication – digital, telemedicine, AI. How we communicate as we age will improve the quality of life for seniors and family members. At Marx Layne & Company, a Detroit area based [...]

By Marx Layne – A Detroit-based public relations and digital media agency The outlook of electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to excel under the new administration if President Biden’s campaign promises were any indication. [...]

By Marx Layne A Detroit-based public relations and digital media agency  To call 2020 unique would be the understatement of the century. The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis changed how people live [...]

Automated commercial vehicles accelerate as result of billions in investments There has been a lot of talk in recent years about when we’ll all be passengers in our self-driving cars and give up control [...]

With 2021 on the horizon, a new year brings with it new levels of disruption and change. Here are some key trends that businesses in Industry 4.0 should anticipate and prepare to adopt in [...]

Automakers have been innovating and adapting to change ever since Henry Ford invented the first moving assembly line and made vehicles affordable on a mass scale. Fast forward nearly a century later, and the [...]

Yes. New cars have unquestionably become more expensive over the years, partly due to consumer demand for more features, but that is not the only reason. Advancements in vehicle safety and technology, engineering and [...]

Business, as usual, is no longer an option for OEMs. Given the unprecedented uncertainty facing the auto industry, one thing is sure: automakers must recalibrate their business strategies if they plan to survive in [...]

COVID-19 Pandemic May Delay Arrival Of Autonomous Vehicles, But Future Remains Bright For AV Industry Below is our recent interview with Mike Szudarek, who leads the Automotive Public Relations practice at Marx Layne & Company. Q: [...]

Cause marketing – the marketing practice of for-profit companies seeking to increase profits while bettering society through activist messaging and other marketing tactics – has been around since the 1970s. Experts argue over what [...]

Reopening Businesses Will Need Creative, Comprehensive Communications Plans As the coronavirus pandemic appears to flatten in Michigan, businesses are exploring creative ways to reopen. But it is far from business as usual, and it [...]

Since our agency’s inception more than 30 years ago, our Marx Layne team has held the belief that giving back to our community is just as important as providing outstanding communications services to our [...]

Like many industries disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, broadcast news had to change its operational model dramatically. It is likely a game changer for the industry. With remote reporting and video interviews, the broadcast [...]

A widespread crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic fuels the need for information. People everywhere hunger for any news that provides a better understanding of the potential impact on their lives. That means the media [...]

In these uncertain times, marketing and communication professionals want to know where social media traffic is surging and where it is lagging. We all know so much has changed in the last two weeks [...]

A new Pew Research Center survey found a COVID-19 information gulf between those who mainly receive their news through social media and those who mostly depend on traditional news sources. The survey found disparities in [...]

Mark Zuckerberg recently mentioned that current traffic on social media is outpacing New Year’s Eve night, traditionally the busiest day for all social media platforms. It’s not surprising as “shelter-at-home” policies and mandated shutdowns [...]

Soundbites help you reach the people you want to influence. Al Upchurch, Senior Vice President at Marx Layne & Company, gives five key elements to producing memorable soundbites. An interview is worth nothing without [...]

Michael Layne, Founding Partner and President of Marx Layne & Company I recently wrote a blog about how the crisis you get is the crisis you least expect. Little did I know, just two [...]

Local Newspapers Explore Nonprofit Model for Survival: Public Generally Unaware of Local Newspaper Struggle The recent bankruptcy filing of McClatchy, a publisher of dozens of local newspapers including the Sacramento Bee, Kansas City Star [...]

Although it may sound trite, the best advice for any business is to expect and prepare for the unexpected.  As crisis communications experts, Marx Layne, a Detroit area public relations agency, is regularly engaged by [...]

“You gotta know the territory.” By Michael Layne, President Marx Layne & Co. Entrepreneurs who infuse compelling business ideas with outstanding execution can be tremendous contributors to our economy and way of life, especially [...]

Hospitality Industry: Vulnerable to Crisis & Damage to Brand Reputation Food-borne illness. Product recall. Boycotts, strikes and layoffs. Alleged discrimination. If any of these critical issues involved your business, are you equipped to take [...]

What a business owner does – or does not do – during and after a crisis is paramount and decisive in terms of survival. A discrimination suit of any kind – gender, sexual, racial, [...]

The Pew Research Center came out with findings based on the Online News Association’s annual conference in late 2019, reporting on the changes in how Americans use online news outlets. Some of the most [...]

How restaurants & hoteliers can harness Instagram to increase revenue Instagram launched to the public in October of 2010. After nearly a decade, the application has gone through vast evolutions while attaining far-reaching popularity. [...]

Hospitality industry vulnerable to crises Food-borne illness. Product recalls. Boycotts, strikes and layoffs. Alleged discrimination. Armed robbery. Death on premise. These are just some of the critical issues our crisis management team has expertly [...]

A Community Feast Marx Layne & Company’s hospitality team recently orchestrated a highly-successful media relations and social media campaign in support of the second annual Make Food Not Waste—A Community Feast. The community-led, FREE event [...]

Email Marketing is Not Dead; It’s Still Key To Boost Your Brand Many new digital marketers claim that email marketing has been replaced by social media platforms. The truth is, email marketing is a [...]

How to harness Instagram to drive revenue Instagram launched to the public in October of 2010. After nearly a decade, the application has gone through vast evolutions while attaining far-reaching popularity. Today, Instagram has [...]

Marx Layne Remains the Best Agency for Special Events Marketing & Public Relations Beginning this past May, through September 8, Marx Layne was retained by eight major special events to manage all aspects of [...]

Make media relations the centerpiece of your 2020 marketing plan Good marketing should be designed to raise a company’s brand, sales and bottom-line results.  Whether it’s launching new products or developing and executing creative [...]

Marx Layne again partners with Financial Times to promote Future of the Car Summit USA 2019 After a successful debut event in 2018, Marx Layne & Company has returned as a supporting partner for [...]

Gannett-Gatehouse merger will mean fewer options for media consumers The consolidation of the media shows no sign of slowing down, and the latest piece of the puzzle involves the two biggest players in the [...]

The news media has come under relentless attack lately, particularly by President Trump. Veteran reporters are accustomed to antagonistic relationships with government leaders and other high profile, influential people. Good reporters dig beneath the [...]

Of all the buzzwords and trends associated with the automotive world today, No. 1 has to be “autonomous”. Once the pipe dream of science-fiction writers, today’s automakers are moving that fiction closer to reality [...]

A television interview can be intimidating but it doesn’t need to be. Television provides a great opportunity to support your brand and present a story or message to an audience that your organization needs to [...]

Municipalities have numerous communications challenges in terms of reaching their constituents, especially in times of crisis. An added dynamic today is climate change, as municipalities experience extreme flooding. Both urban and rural communities are experiencing [...]

After an extremely successful debut event in 2018 for the Financial Times’ Future of the Car Summit USA, Marx Layne & Company is excited to announce it will be returning as a promotional partner for [...]

A successful media interview, client presentation, or any communication with a target audience begins and ends with crafting impactful, positive key messages. These are the core elements of your business that you want people to [...]

Farmington Hills, Mich. – Feb. 12, 2019 – Marx Layne & Company, a full-service public relations, marketing and digital media agency, was selected as the agency of record for three new clients: Ann Arbor Art [...]

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – February 12, 2019 – Marx Layne & Company today announced that it has led the design and development of a completely refreshed website for National Technology Management, at www.trustntm.com. The new [...]

One of the things we constantly try to drive home to our clients in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, is to have a crisis communications plan in place – well in advance of any [...]

Jan. 17 2019 - FARMINGTON HILLS, MI - Marx Layne & Company, a Southeast Michigan-based marketing, public relations and digital media agency, has added three new communications professionals to its staff. Former Oakland Press Editor [...]

When a crisis strikes, leading law firms retain Marx Layne because of our decades of crisis communications expertise. Everyone from Fortune 100 companies to small businesses rely upon our experience both in advance of a [...]

Marx Layne is a supporting partner of the FT Future of the Car Summit USA. The conference is looking at the latest developments in self-driving technology, electric vehicles, diversity and strategies for doing business in [...]

As autumn settled in, the staff at Marx Layne could finally take a breath. Once again, it’s been an active special events season for our agency. While other public relations firms slow down during summer [...]

For businesses today, a social media presence is essential for employee attraction, brand equity, selling product and disseminating content. Industry sources estimate that 85 percent of U. S. consumers use social media. Social media channels [...]

With our proximity to the Big Three automakers and countless suppliers, and our strategic location in the center of the North American global automotive research and development hub, Marx Layne serves the automotive sector, one [...]

Summer slow down can be a good thing as it give us time to re-charge, but it’s a bad thing if you ignore your social media business pages while doing so. During summer, most businesses [...]

Like we needed another reminder of racism in America, not to mention downright incivility.  Or, maybe, we did. Roseanne Barr’s less than 140-character quip on Twitter was another potent reminder that “You are what you [...]

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is in full-gear at Cobo Center in Detroit. For the 2018 show, autonomous vehicle technology is in the driver’s seat, moving the auto industry into the future. As [...]

The automotive industry is in the midst of a revolution—driven by an explosion of connectivity, shared mobility and automated technology. Yesterday at the Center for Creative Studies, the Detroit Regional Chamber hosted the Michigan Auto [...]

by Michael Szudarek Held earlier this week, The Automotive Testing Expo North America brought together companies from across the auto industry to showcase new strides the private sector is taking in the field of automotive [...]

Detroit-based Marx Layne & Company,  a full-service public relations, marketing and digital media agency has opened a branch office in Grand Rapids. The announcement was made today by Marx Layne President Michael Layne. Located in [...]

How to Respond in a Communications Crisis A restaurant can be one of the most stressful, backbreaking and, yet, exhilarating businesses to own or operate.  A successful restaurant takes a willingness to work long hours, [...]

Businesses are often faced with protracted public relations and crisis communication challenges that take careful planning, multifaceted outreach and stamina to resolve.  Marx Layne & Co. is a leading Detroit, Michigan-based crisis communications firm specializing [...]

Clearly, the Internet has had immense impact on all aspects of life including journalism and the news media. It has been a painful and complex transition for print, broadcast and online media to adapt to [...]

Your website is the place where many will form their first impression of your organization. Long past are the days of “build it and they will come.” Even the most beautiful, content-rich websites can benefit from search engine optimization to help them be found among the estimated 1.2 billion+ websites in the world.

Taking its cues from founding partners Michael Layne and the late Fred Marx, the history of Marx Layne & Company is a 30-year love affair with the greater Detroit region, its people, its businesses and

Recent events at Airlines remind us that Employees are your Front-Line Brand Ambassadors By Michael Layne, President, Marx Layne & Co. Take confined spaces; a high-maintenance customer or a solo parent with children; and an employee with an attitude problem, even if for [...]

Video for the Detroit NAACP 62nd Annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner At the April 23, 2017 Detroit NAACP Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner, McDonald's owner, Jim Thrower was recognized as being a co-chair of [...]

During his visit yesterday to the American Center for Mobility at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Mich. (an automatous and connected vehicle testing facility) President Trump called for a review of the 2022 through 2025 [...]

Today more than ever, positive media coverage can help your business enhance credibility, strengthen relationships with customers, investors, and others key stakeholders, and boost your bottom line. When the news media report positively on your [...]

Just days ago, I celebrated a milestone at Marx Layne—my 18th anniversary at the agency. Two years ago, my tenure was old enough to drive, and now my tenure is old enough to vote, something [...]

As a creative public relations and marketing agency, one of our fundamental roles is to responsibly develop and disseminate content over multiple media outlets in various formats to convey a message that resonates; to “speak [...]

Since the turn of the century, technological advancements have increased exponentially at a rate that you can measure by the minute. With these advancements, the entire world has enjoyed the luxury of even the most [...]

Nearly every organization at some point will have to deal with adversity – whether it's a minor incident barely attracting media attention or a major event that makes national headlines and appears across the internet. [...]

The goal of any public relations program is to cultivate and enhance one’s reputation with select audiences. This brand messaging can be about one’s products or services, what you stand for as a business [...]

For as long as search engine optimization (SEO) professionals have been working on getting their clients to outrank competitors in Google search, there have always been major and minor concerns in the SEO community every [...]

  Michael Layne, President of Marx Layne & Company enjoying ramen in Japan. In the 70’s, 80’s and well into the 1990s, urban planners in Detroit and statewide felt that in order to [...]

In recent months, we have witnessed disappointing, even fraudulent, actions by major entities in several core American industries. At issue were transgressions that included misrepresentation of product performance to consumers and deception in product testing [...]

By Alan Upchurch, Marx Layne Senior Vice President Today everyone is carrying a smartphone with a sophisticated camera.  Each one of us is a potential “citizen” journalist.  We are connected 24/7 and that means a [...]

As reported last night by Automotive News new policy guidelines set to be released today by the feds will require automakers to assess vehicle system design, development, testing and deployment work behind an autonomous vehicle [...]

Marx Layne & Company continues its conversation with Peter De Lorenzo of Autoextremist.com discussing autonomous vehicles and what role they will play in the auto industry's future. Part One   Part Two   Part Three   Part Four

By: Mike Szudarek Regardless of which global OEM or supplier is on top, Detroit will always remain the automotive capital of the world. With the second highest concentration of tech workers outside of Silicon Valley, [...]

Autoline Detroit stopped by the NNG booth this week at TU-Detroit--the biggest and longest-running connected car and auto mobility conference and exhibition in the world. http://www.autoline.tv/journal/?p=42601

By: Mike Szudarek Since the turn of the century, technological advancements have increased exponentially at a rate that you can measure by the minute. With these advancements, the entire world has enjoyed the luxury of [...]

Mike Szudarek will be speaking on May 3 at the “IP in the Auto Industry: Challenges and Opportunities in a Converging World” event being held at the Ford Motor Company Conference & Event Center in [...]

Bucharest, Romania - June 23, 2015: Periscope app log in screen on a mobile smartphone. Periscope is made by Twitter - lets you broadcast live video to the world. One of the great [...]

Mergers and acquisitions are critical events in the life of a company—particularly when it comes to the hyper competitive nature of the automotive supply chain. They impact key executives and staff, communities and existing and [...]

Since the last presidential election, social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter have played a bigger and bigger part in the way political campaigns are run, and the way in which various candidates are presented [...]

Even in an expanding digital age, and a steady decline in advertising revenue, a recent study undertaken by the Pew Research Center, among others, concluded that about half of all regular newspaper readers consume their [...]

Our experience shows there are some basic practices to follow when you are doing an interview with a reporter. Whether it is TV, radio, print or online, the following interview “rules” will help you prepare [...]

by Michael Layne, President, Marx Layne & Company A complex journey of farming, fishing and raising of livestock; processing and distribution networks; and the human “touch” brings a rich bounty and variety of food to American [...]

For all the incredible things Panther’s quarterback Cam Newton did this season, many will simply be overshadowed by his post game demeanor and the fact he walked out of the press conference at the end [...]

For those who have not been watching, listening, reading or streaming the news—or keeping up via social media news feeds—Martin Shkreli is the pharmaceutical executive who raised the price of popular cancer and AIDS drug [...]

Marx Layne Senior Vice President, Al Upchurch, on the Flint Water Crisis and how Michigan's "One Tough Nerd" failed Crisis 101. https://youtu.be/O1AejXaX7mI

What will Michigan Governor Snyder say during the State of State? by Michael Szudarek Amid the Flint water crisis, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder prepares to give his sixth State of the State address tonight, in [...]

Today, Marx Layne, along with the rest of the nation, celebrates the work and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But it isn’t just today that we celebrate the esteemed civil rights leader. Marx [...]

Every client asks for it, but few can actually achieve it: a viral video. So, what exactly is the secret? At the recent Digital Summit Conference in Detroit, video was a hot topic. The underlying [...]

If you own a business, chances are you’re insured for major catastrophes like fires and floods, product liability and professional malpractice. What you are far less likely to have insured is your good name, even [...]

The social media buzz these days is often about creating “great” engaging content. Content creation is certainly a major part of the social media marketing equation. Once a business has established an audience, it takes [...]

In today’s fast-paced 24-hour news cycle, your clients must be ready for the unexpected. The news is immediate—from a posting on a blog, to video content on YouTube, a tweet or a press release accessible [...]

The motivation for all professionals to use social media more effectively is universal: to increase awareness of their brand. Just as a sleek website is a requirement for every business – or risk looking like [...]

Media consuming habits are evolving in a crucial way, inspired by the devices we use to access the web. We’ve become a society where instant access to global information is always available whenever­—and wherever—we want it. [...]

Mergers and acquisitions are critical events in the life of a company. They impact key executives and staff, the community and existing and prospective business alliances. They also affect future profitability and the company’s reputation. [...]

When the Pew Research Center recently released its fact sheet on newspapers, it painted a rather grim picture of the state of print media. According to the Center’s analysis, newspaper circulation fell in 2014, as [...]

Concise, clear messages that encourage action are essential to any media strategy, online content, or personal interaction. They allow you to develop effective press material and online content, focus your media interviews, and be consistent [...]

We are inspired and educated by cultural exhibits such as an art gallery because a curator has critically edited and arranged the works for meaningful impact. Without the efforts of a curator, we’d simply be [...]

Nearly every organization at some point will have to deal with adversity — whether it's a minor incident that barely attracts attention or a major event that makes national headlines and is splashed across the [...]

What if all the information online had to be accurate? What if anything that wasn’t factually correct or accurate was exiled dozens of pages deep? Well, now it could be entirely possible. Google the phrase [...]

by Michael Layne, managing partner, Marx Layne & Co. As a creative public relations and marketing agency, one of our fundamental roles is to responsibly develop and disseminate content over multiple media outlets in various [...]

by Carol Lundberg If there’s anything that BuzzFeed founder and CEO Jonah Peretti wants media professionals to understand about social media, it’s that they should never underestimate the importance of cute animals. Never underestimate [...]

by Carol Lundberg It’s a marketer’s dream: You create a social media marketing campaign that not only grabs the kind of attention you had hoped for, but it also goes viral. It gets millions of [...]

by Carol Lundberg In the aftermath of recent severe storms, the two most popular questions in the Detroit area were: is your power back on? And what’s open? It’s a common occurrence in Michigan. Whether [...]

by Michael Layne These are exceptional and, often, bewildering times, as social media encircle our virtual globe. We have the leaders of ISIS, whose thievery and butchery masquerade as political causes, exploiting social media and [...]

by Carol Lundberg In public relations and marketing circles, summer 2014 will for years into the future be remembered as the Summer of the Ice Bucket Challenge. That’s because it’s a social media marketing campaign [...]

By Bree Glenn Social media is an important part of every business’s marketing strategy. For business owners who have yet to jump into the ever-growing, ever-changing sea of social media, it can seem a bit [...]

By Al Upchurch Senior Vice President, Marx Layne & Co. Nearly every company is going to face a crisis that attracts media attention. And the media scrutiny demands that you communicate effectively in these situations. [...]