So, who nailed it this month, and what’s missed the mark? Our team gives their analysis on March’s hits – and misses – below.

Corporate sustainability, brand reputation, and crisis comms all hinge on one thing: credibility. PR professionals know that bold promises make headlines, but only real impact earns trust.  

And in today’s news era - where algorithms dictate narratives and audiences crave authenticity, getting it right is more challenging than ever. 

So, who nailed it this month, and what’s missed the mark? Our team gives their analysis on March’s hits – and misses – below.  

Hits 

Millie Bobby Brown Takes the Reins of Her Narrative  

March was a month flooded with International Women’s Day posts and calls for female empowerment, and Millie Bobby Brown delivered a masterclass in turning a PR crisis into a moment of strength. Instead of ignoring the cruel headlines dissecting her appearance, she confronted them, calling out the disturbing pattern of media scrutiny that young women face. Her statement wasn’t just about her, it was about every girl growing up under a microscope. By refusing to shrink under public pressure and using her platform to challenge the media’s obsession with tearing down women, Millie not only controlled the narrative but also positioned herself as a voice for change. 

Takeaway: Owning the narrative is key. When faced with unfair criticism, addressing it head on with authenticity and purpose can transform negativity into a powerful brand moment. 

Aldi’s Game-Changing Move for Menstrual Equity 

In a bold and brilliant PR win, Aldi just set the bar for corporate responsibility by becoming the first UK supermarket to offer free period products in store. Timed perfectly with International Women’s Month, this move tackles period poverty head on, ensuring no one has to choose between essentials and dignity. Partnering with Bloody Good Period, Aldi has also donated over a million products, proving this isn’t just a headline stunt, it’s real action. 

Takeaway: Aldi’s free period product initiative is a masterclass in meaningful brand activism.  By addressing a real social issue with tangible action, especially during International Women’s Month, the supermarket wins public trust, media attention and goodwill. Authentic, well timed corporate responsibility isn’t just good PR, it’s good business.   

From Hollywood to Homelessness: Using Storytelling for Change 

Hollywood actor, Michael Sheen, has released A Home for Spark the Dragon, a children’s book tackling the issue of homelessness. Known for his philanthropic efforts and going as far as calling himself a ‘not for profit actor’, Sheen is using storytelling to spark early conversations about housing insecurity. By reaching young readers, he’s proving that awareness and change start with education. 

Takeaway: Celebrity influence is most powerful when paired with purpose. Using storytelling to drive social change is a lasting way to make an impact.  

Misses 

From Inclusion to Exclusion: Why ‘Sunsetting’ DEI Policies is a Step Back 

This year, major tech companies have quietly scaled back their DEI commitments, using the corporate-friendly term “sunsetting” to mask a broader retreat from diversity efforts. This shift signals a step backward, undermining years of progress in building more inclusive workplaces. By prioritising short-term optics or cost-cutting over meaningful action, these companies risk alienating talent, damaging trust, and reinforcing systemic barriers.  

Takeaway: Just because you’re using a euphemism to hide your business’s lack of diversity efforts doesn’t make it any less of a failure. Transparency and commitment, not just convenient rebranding, define real progress.  

Vogue’s Musical Misstep: ‘You Can’t Stop the Backlash’  

This month, Vogue attempted a high-fashion homage to Hairspray, recreating You Can’t Stop the Beat with Gigi Hadid, citing her love of musicals. However, instead of an applause, the feature faced criticism for being tone-deaf. Hairspray is deeply rooted in themes of body inclusivity and representation, making the decision to cast a traditionally thin supermodel without including any plus-sized dancers feel disconnected from the story’s core message of embracing all body types. 

Takeaway: Aesthetic tributes fall flat when they ignore the deeper meaning. Brands must ensure their creative choices honour the inclusivity and representation they seek to spotlight.  

LA Times AI Bias Meter: A Tool That Amplifies Bias Instead of Easing It 

The LA Times recently unveiled its AI tool, Insights, intended to analyse opinion pieces, tag them with political leanings, and offer readers alternative viewpoints. However, what was meant to be a groundbreaking tool quickly turned into a PR nightmare. Within just a day of its launch, the AI generated a highly controversial summary of an article about the KKK, where it bizarrely softened the group's notorious racist history, failing to properly label them as a hate-driven organisation. 

Takeaway: The LA Times' AI tool highlights a crucial lesson: while AI can be a powerful tool for analysing content, it cannot replace the nuance and judgment that human oversight provides. In striving to combat bias, the AI inadvertently created more problems, emphasising the need for careful, thoughtful integration of technology in sensitive areas like journalism. As we embrace AI, we must remember that technology alone cannot navigate the complexities of politics and social issues, human insight is still essential. 

March’s news cycle shared one clear takeaway: inclusivity must go beyond buzzwords and be deeply integrated into actions and values. Brands and individuals who genuinely support diversity, inclusion and good deeds will earn long term trust, while those who fail to follow through risk losing their audience and damaging their credibility.