CBC Insights
We Stepped Out of the Trenches to Figure Out AI Visibility for Brands. So You…
Introducing Five PR Lanes: The Field Guide to AI Search Visibility for Brands in food, beverage, health, and wellness. By Len Cercone, Founder and CEO, CerconeBrownCompany (CBC PR) The 89% stat is everywhere now. Earned media drives AI citations. It’s in agency decks, client briefings, and conference keynotes across the PR and marketing industry. Here’s…
What AI Visibility Means for Food, Health, and Wellness Brands — and What Your PR…
By Len Cercone, Founder and CEO, CerconeBrownCompany (CBC PR) Eighty-nine percent of links cited by AI tools come from earned media. That single finding, from Muck Rack’s 2025 analysis of how language models build answers, should be the first thing every PR and marketing leader at a food, health, or wellness brand reads this year.…
Inside Culinary House West: Where Brands, Bites & Big Ideas Came Together
Culinary House West set the tone for 2026. Eight days in Temecula wine country, 18 sponsor brands, 19 editors, and the kind of firsthand product experiences that no press release can replicate. Here's how it came together.
AI Can Find a Journalist’s Email. It Can’t Earn Their Trust.
The most valuable asset in PR right now is not a media database, a sequencer, or a large AI language model. It’s a reporter who answers your email.
The Authority Era: Why Credibility Is Now the Missing Growth Lever
We are now operating in the Authority Era. An environment where growth is no longer driven by visibility alone — it’s driven by which brands are treated as credible before purchase decisions are made.
Credibility Management: A Must-Have PR Program in 2026
CEO Len Cercone dives into the importance of credibility in the AI era and how it impacts consumer trust and brand visibility.
A New Year Reset for Communications: What the Landscape Now Demands
Transform your PR approach in 2026 with a communications strategy that prioritizes trust, visibility, and systematic growth.
How to Create AI-Friendly Content for PR
Discover the keys to writing AI-friendly content that resonates with both machines and human audiences for better credibility.
SMEs Are the Missing Link Between PR and AI Visibility
Explore the link between PR and AI visibility: subject-matter experts. Launch an SME content program to build trust with humans and AI.
LinkedIn’s New Algorithm: What Marketers Must Know
LinkedIn’s new algorithm rewards clear, expert-driven content over hacks. Learn what it means for profiles, posts, and engagement strategy.
From Clicks to Confidence: PR’s Advantage in an AI-Shaped Market
In the AI era, PR is the bridge between credibility and confidence. Learn how expert voices and earned media fuel AI visibility and brand growth.
Inside CBC Health House: A Wellness Escape on Captiva Island
Earlier this season, CBC hosted its first-ever Health House – a sun-soaked wellness retreat on beautiful Captiva Island, Florida.
How PR Coverage Affects AI Search Results
PR is Now Critical for AI Search Visibility—Here’s Why AI-driven search engines are reshaping how brands appear online. Unlike traditional SEO, which relies on keywords and backlinks, AI search models prioritize credibility and authoritative sources. If your brand isn’t getting mentioned in the right places, it risks being overlooked in AI-generated results. Public relations (PR)…
Data-Driven PR: Insights That Drive Impact
What’s the value of PR? For those of us who work in the industry, we know the value intuitively but often it can be difficult to communicate it across department silos. One approach to showcasing PR value effectively is leveraging data-driven insights – because it’s hard to argue with cold, hard facts. The biggest reason…
ExpoWest 2025: Three Recommendations
CEO Len Cercone shares his top takeaways from this year's ExpoWest and his advice for breaking through the noise.
Introducing the Scottish Rite, NMJ’s “Timeless Connection”
"Timeless Connection" illustrates what it truly means to be a Freemason.
What Does A TikTok Ban Mean for Marketers?
Since it rose to popularity in 2020, TikTok has become the epicenter of modern culture. The threat of a TikTok ban and losing this vital pathway to consumer insight and attention is making marketers dizzy trying to understand the implications for their businesses. Our digital team is closely following the shifting social landscape and advising…
CBC Named 2023 Agency Of The Year For Innovative Approach to PR Measurement
We’re excited to share that CBC has been named the 2023 Agency of the Year by the >American Business Awards>® for our data-driven approach to PR measurement. Our team takes pride in this accolade, which underscores our commitment to excellence in public relations and digital marketing. A Recognition of Excellence The American Business Awards® is…
‘Fall’ Into New Trends: UGC, Seasonal Content, and Influencer Marketing
As the seasons are changing, so are marketing trends! With the holidays right around the corner, we’re rounding up some of the hottest trends coming out this Fall and into the holiday season. From influencer marketing, advertising, and social media content, these trends will be important for your upcoming campaigns. UGC: Craving Authenticity User-generated content,…
The Limits of AI: Why Human Touch is Still Important in Marketing
If you’re a marketer in 2023, then you know that AI is all anyone is talking about. AI software like ChatGPT can help us write content, aid research, and even develop strategic ideas for our next campaign. In 2023, 42% of companies have their eyes on AI for future marketing efforts so it’s important to…
Why You Need to Switch to Google Analytics 4 ASAP
Are you ready to say goodbye to Universal Analytics? As of July 1, 2023, the legacy versions of Google Analytics will no longer work. If you don’t upgrade to Google Analytics 4 by this deadline, you will no longer be able to view marketing data for your website. Upgrading to Google Analytics 4 is essential…
Everything You Need to Know about SEO and PR: Best Practices for Integrated Campaigns
At first glance, search engine optimization (SEO) and public relations (PR) might seem like they are on opposite sides of the marketing spectrum. One is highly technical, the other reliant on soft skills like storytelling and relationship building. However, the savvy marketer knows that PR and SEO overlap in a few key ways. Used together,…
Making the Most out of Your Social Media Content Map
If you work in digital marketing or social media, you’ve likely been tasked with “mapping out” social media content for a brand. Brands take a variety of approaches to mapping out their social media content, but not all brands make the most of this important planning process. Many marketers map out months of social media…
10 Healthcare Marketing Trends to Help You Stay Ahead of the Curve
If the past few years have taught healthcare marketers anything, it’s that digital health is taking center stage. From Amazon entering the industry, to physician social media influencers, this shift has caused marketers to adapt and evolve in order to continue to see results and reach their target audience in new ways. In this day…
Don’t Panic: Tips for Marketing During a Recession
Economic downturns are always tough on businesses. With budgeting season approaching and fears of an impending recession on the rise, marketers are left wondering how to handle their marketing budget in this current environment. Don’t assume that a potential downturn means you need to tighten your pursestrings – with the right marketing strategy in play…
What is a Social Media Marketing Funnel?
Table of Contents 1. What is the Social Media Funnel? 2. Why the Social Media Funnel Matters 3. An Example of How the Social Media Funnel Works 4. How the Social Media Funnel Can Inform Paid Social 5. Tactics and Strategies for Every Phase of the Social Media Funnel 6. How to Measure the Social…
The Marketer’s Guide to Creating High Quality Content that Google Will Love
As marketers, we’ve all heard the saying that “content is king.” But you can’t just write any old content and expect it to help you achieve your marketing goals. The content needs to be high quality – and if you want new audiences to discover your content, it also needs to be SEO-optimized. Luckily, you…
4 PR Measurement Techniques that Prove Business Value
At CBC, we deliver more than just coverage; we drive measurable business results through our strategic, data-driven approach to public relations (PR). Our Research & Insights team recently conducted original research on correlations between earned media coverage with website KPIs like traffic & conversions. The goal? Quantify the ripple effect of a PR campaign’s success…
Four Ways to Enhance Your Social Media Copywriting Skills
Social media is full of noise. There are millions of brands every day attempting to make themselves heard and leave a message that resonates with their audience – it’s important that your brand can break through the babble. Stopping the scroll relies on strong creative and compelling copy; If you have aspirations of attracting a…
How to Use Influencer Marketing to Promote Virtual Events
Table of Contents 1. Why use influencers to promote virtual events? 2. What type of influencer should you work with to promote your virtual event? 3. Influencer marketing basics 4. 4 Ways to Incorporate Influencers into your Virtual Event Strategy While some aspects of “normal” life are starting to return, virtual events are likely here…
Facebook Crashed: Here’s the One Tactic That Can Protect Your Brand
If you weren’t on a serendipitous sailing adventure or living under a rock, you might have noticed that Facebook and its entire suite of apps were down for more than 14 hours on October 4th. The global outage is a major reminder to brands that you don’t own your data, followers, or content on social…
5 Tips for Writing Call-to-Actions That Convert
We don’t need to tell you that every brand needs to be on social media. Now more than ever, consumers are turning towards digital outlets like Facebook and Instagram for new products, inspiration, and information. What many brands forget is that social media is just that – social. Engagement should be at the forefront of…
4 Reasons Why We Love Google Data Studio for Building Data-Driven Reports
Reporting is one of the most essential stages of any campaign — but only if you’re asking the right questions. Too often, we see reports that focus solely on “what happened?” without answering the questions “so what?” or “what’s next?” The goal of reporting is to use the data you’ve collected to make decisions. Data-driven…
Cercone Brown has been recognized as a Top Boston digital marketing agencies in 2021 by…
Cercone Brown has been recognized as a Top Boston digital marketing agencies in 2021 by DesignRush Boston, Massachusetts — July 8, 2021 — Cercone Brown has been recognized as one of the top digital marketing companies in 2021 by DesignRush. DesignRush is a B2B marketplace that connects brands with professional full-service agencies, web design companies, digital marketing…
5 Tips On How to Become A Thought Leader
In a digital world where influencers often hold more trust, authority, and followers than the average brand, it’s critical that senior leaders and executives work to build their own personal brand and position themselves as a thought leader in their field. What is a Thought Leader? Thought leaders are trusted experts, the “go-to” people, in…
Boosted Post vs Paid Ad: What’s the Difference?
Boosted Post vs Paid Ad: What’s the Difference? As brands continue to compete for users’ attention on social media, the space is getting more and more crowded, and social platforms have become increasingly selective as to what content they will serve up to their users. One way to jump in front of the line is…
Google Analytics 4: What’s New?
Google is in the process of launching Google Analytics 4 (or GA4), which is the largest leap in how Google is presenting website traffic in years. The old way of presenting data was very siloed. It looked at the Who / What / When / Where / and How of analytics. For example, here is…
How Can PR Increase SEO Domain Authority?
Domain authority is a value placed on your website by Google that illustrates how relevant your website is on the internet. Higher domain authority means you’ll rank higher in search results, bringing in more traffic to your website. While many marketers have a firm grasp of how to increase their website’s SEO through strategic content,…
Tips for Creating a Virtual Brand Activation that Inspires & Sells
Since March, virtual has become our “new normal” when it comes to hosting experiential brand activations. When the pandemic hit, we immediately shifted our House Program model to virtual in order to continue doing what we do best – help brands connect with media on a personal level through face-to-face interaction and authentic experiences with…
Budget Season: Three Considerations when Choosing a Marketing and PR Partner
Every marketer knows that with fall’s arrival comes one thing for certain: budgeting. While this year has seen no shortage of surprises, the need to re-evaluate your marketing and media relations spend still remains. Looking back at the last 12 months, can you clearly articulate and measure the success of your marketing and media plan…
How to Score Points with a Multiple Award-Winning Podcast
How to Score Points with a Multiple Award-Winning Podcast Life is Good, a beloved Boston-based lifestyle and apparel brand dedicated to spreading the power of optimism through its quirky tees and accessories, enlisted CerconeBrownCompany (CBC) to help make a splash online for their 25th anniversary. More than just make a splash, they wanted to reach…
5 Digital Tools You Need to Track Success
5 Digital Tools You Need to Track Success Whether you just pulled off a killer media event or implemented a new content strategy for your organization’s online channels, the hardest part often comes last: reporting. Return on investment, or ROI, is one of the most difficult metrics to measure but is arguably the most critical…
CBC’s Favorite Experiential Marketing Campaigns…So Far
CBC’s Favorite Experiential Marketing Campaigns…So Far At CerconeBrown, we believe experience is a brand’s most valuable currency. From perfectly plated dinners and Gatsby-style parties, to mobile boutiques and interactive exhibits, today’s brands must continue to raise the bar when it comes to customer experience in order to foster loyalty and recognition. Whether you’re looking to…
Experiential Marketing Measurement: How to Reveal ROI
Experiential Marketing Measurement: How to Reveal ROI When creative teams generate enthusiasm for compelling PR and marketing ideas, it can feel like a dampener when it seems like the business only wants to “measure everything.” Many effective parts of human interaction and sentiment are difficult to judge purely through an ROI calculation. However, the evolution…
How Glossier’s Digital Marketing Strategies are Disrupting the Beauty Industry
How Glossier’s Digital Marketing Strategies are Disrupting the Beauty Industry Buyer behavior has been rapidly changing in the beauty industry, transforming every stage of the customer journey from initial discovery to final purchase. Younger generations like millennials and Gen Z have become comfortable with buying beauty products online based on recommendations from YouTube vloggers or Instagram…
Experiential Marketing 101: An Insider’s Scoop on Primark’s Boston Fashion Week Show
Experiential Marketing 101: An Insider’s Scoop on Primark’s Boston Fashion Week Show How many interns can say that one of their first assignments on the job was to walk in Boston Fashion Week? This fall, right before Boston was hit by those inevitable October winds, CBC organized a fashion show and afterparty at Primark’s Downtown…
Brand Storytelling: A Power Equation to Elevate Your Marketing
Brand Storytelling: A Power Equation to Elevate Your Marketing CBC’s Digital & Content team recently attended INBOUND 2019 and learned ALL THE THINGS. To spread the marketing love, we’re sharing our highlights from the conference in a series of blog posts. In today’s installment, Rebecca Fennel, Sr. Account Executive, gives us the lowdown on her…
Our Top Takeaways from HubSpot INBOUND Conference 2019
Our Top Takeaways from HubSpot INBOUND Conference 2019 If you’ve spent any time in the marketing world, you’ve probably heard of Boston-based marketing automation company HubSpot and their flagship conference, INBOUND. With one of the biggest marketing conferences happening in our backyard, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to send our Digital & Content team…
Tuning In: How a Podcast Can Elevate Your Brand
Tuning In: How a Podcast Can Elevate Your Brand If the 1930s were considered the Golden Age of radio, then consider today’s media landscape the Golden Age of podcasts – and with good reason. Branded podcasts are an opportunity for companies to increase brand awareness, engage with their existing community, and become thought leaders in…
From City to Sea: CBC Charleston Experience 2019
From City to Sea: CBC Charleston Experience 2019 From stunning hotel stays and memorable meals to sunrise kayaking in Isle of Palms and King Street shopping, Charleston Experience 2019 was one for the books. Over the course of four days and three nights, 8 top editors and influencers explored the culturally rich city of Charleston,…
CBC Summer House: Our Annual Island Adventure
CBC Summer House: Our Annual Island Adventure Year after year, you continue to steal our hearts with your gray weathered cottages, soft sandy beaches, and quaint little shops. It’s no wonder we keep coming back. We hosted our 15th Annual Summer House this June, inviting a group of 28 top lifestyle media and influencers to…
How CBC & Primark Claimed the Iron Throne
How CBC & Primark Claimed the Iron Throne Written by Zach Berger, PR & Digital Manager Daenerys Targaryen may have waited a long time to attain the Iron Throne, but she was hardly the only one. This spring, a small army of Bostonians waited in line outside the Primark store at Downtown Crossing for up…
Off To The Races: CBC Derby House 2019
Off To The Races: CBC Derby House 2019 Three days of festivities. Two minutes of racing. One epic experience. For the second year in a row, CBC brought together media and brands for the experience of a lifetime in Louisville during its most iconic weekend: the Kentucky Derby. With “the most exciting two minutes in…
Culinary House 2019: Food, Water, Wine, Repeat
Culinary House 2019: Food, Water, Wine, Repeat For our 10th annual Culinary House we invited top food and lifestyle media to sunny Sonoma, CA to experience the latest and greatest products from a variety of food, wine, and home appliance brands. Their task? To eat and drink until their hearts were content for three days…
Are You Listening? 4 Ways to Use Social Listening to Inform Your Marketing Strategy
Are You Listening? 4 Ways to Use Social Listening to Inform Your Marketing Strategy There’s no denying that the world of social media is massive. From 2017-2018, a new social media user was ‘born’ every 10 seconds, and as of January 2019, there are over 3.3 billion active social media users. That makes for a…
U Came, U Saw, Utah: CBC Deer Valley Experience 2019
U Came, U Saw, Utah: CBC Deer Valley Experience 2019 During our 2018 CBC Deer Valley Experience, we managed to ski, eat, and drink: a recipe for an amazing time, despite being shunned by the snow gods. This year, however, with over 26 FEET of white stuff blanketing Deer Valley Resort since the start of…
Holiday Hosting in the Hamptons: CBC Hosting House 2018
Holiday Hosting in the Hamptons: CBC Hosting House 2018 To kick off the holiday season, we headed to the Hamptons in November with a group of 20 influential media to immerse them in all things holiday hosting. At CBC’s annual Hosting House, top brands taught us how to bring a little cheer to our holiday…
Falling for Santa Barbara All Over Again: CBC Fall House 2018
Falling for Santa Barbara All Over Again: CBC Fall House 2018 When you hear the phrase “California Dreaming,” people are usually referring to the incredible coastal towns of Montecito and Santa Barbara. This past month, we got to live this sun-soaked dream in these truly idyllic settings for CBC’s 6th annual #CBCFallHouse. CBC hosted a…
On Wednesdays We… Wade in Pink?
How did we help Ocean Spray launch their new Pink Cranberry Juice? We took 14 editors and influencers to wade in a pink cranberry bog of course!
Be Our Guest: In the Hamptons for Hosting House
Be Our Guest: In the Hamptons for Hosting House Doesn’t it seem like in every group of friends there is always one that stands out of the bunch when it comes to entertaining? An expert in building a comfortable space for guests whether it’s a stack of magazines on the nightstand, a vase of fresh…
3 WINNING Super Bowl Ads
3 #WINNING Super Bowl Ads Super Bowl ads are a national phenomenon. As an advertising agency, we had to make sure we gave our POV on this year’s lineup. Get this: throughout the year, people actively avoid watching ads on T.V. and online, and now with On Demand, Netflix, and Hulu, most people are less…