Our blog’s just like any other, except it’s useful, nice to look at, and fun to read.

Instagram is no stranger to adding features that look very similar to competitive platforms, and Reels is just the latest example. But can Reels take on TikTok, an influencer and Gen Z darling, during a vulnerable time when tumultuous politics bring the platform’s future into question? Let’s dig in…

To say the last few months have been stressful is an understatement. Wondering how to keep yourself sane with a few months of quarantine already under your belt? Our resident wellness expert*, Kristle, has offered up some tips and tricks to manage stress without the therapy copay.

As the world continues to develop innovative ways to make life feel “normal” in the midst of a global pandemic, one standout solution has cemented itself in the R&B and Hip-Hop communities with record-breaking (organic) numbers. Verzuz is a product of mega-producers Timbaland and Swizz Beats looking to find a way to bring back the live rap battles that birthed modern rap.

Representation matters. It’s that simple. And at Praytell, while our people are much more than numbers, we understand the importance of sharing our diversity data publicly. Transparency is critical to enforcing accountability in the fight to advance racial and gender equity with the urgency it deserves.

Last week Instagram launched Reels, a new feature with striking similarity to TikTok. It focuses on full-screen short videos (max of 15-seconds) in vertical format set to viral audio clips. The feature sits within the Explore section of the app.

en years ago I coped with my latest foot surgery and the promise of more chronic pain to come with a somewhat irrational/cliche decision - a tattoo inspired by Robert Frost’s words about the miles left to go. I went in for a postage stamp, I walked out with a sleeve. It seems quaint now, but at the time an Upper East Side corporate PR person with visible ink was a rarity.

Over Slack, Sanji Moore explains her job to Alex Howe.

Day 9,999 of working from home (who’s counting?) and maybe it’s the warmer weather making productivity harder than it was 9,998 days ago, or maybe it’s the realization we’re settling in to WFH for the long haul. Our first stage of coping with office withdrawal: roasting each other’s WFH setups. The second stage: actual, practical tips to help you stay focused and amazing.

As marketers navigate the complex new paradigms of the COVID-19 era and social interactions shift to digital, influencer marketing is adjusting to lean into platforms like Instagram as an inevitable destination for audiences. We’re always sensitive to the messaging of our client campaigns, but in the past few weeks, we’ve had to seek creative pivots that account for the new normal, without sacrificing impact.