Bill Gates allegedly once said, "If I was down to my last dollar, I would spend it on public relations." It's a quote that PR agencies have dined out on for years, and their recitals of it get louder and more frequent whenever an economic downturn looms. But does this sentiment still stand up in 2025, and is PR really the best use of marketing spend in uncertain economic times?  

While it might be tempting to believe that boosting visibility by any means necessary is the best approach, it's time for businesses to pause, breathe, and reconsider.

As we step into 2025, AI is no longer a novelty in communications —it’s an essential tool. Over the last two years, communications professionals have experimented with AI, from generating content to gaining insights. But this year marks a shift: AI is moving from experimentation to standard practice, helping refine strategies and deliver measurable results.

It was the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus who opined, “There is nothing permanent except change.” It’s a favourite saying of ours at Vireo, and in 2025, its sentiment couldn’t be truer. Change is relentless, and the forces shaping the automotive, transport and industrials sectors, from geopolitical shifts to sector-specific challenges, are both risk-laden and ripe with opportunities.

If you joined us for our first instalment {LINK}, you’ll know we’re a B2B communications practice focused on the automotive, transport, and industrial sectors. In that initial piece, we introduced our Full Stack B2B Communications Framework. Now, it’s time to dig deeper into each of its five phases – insight, strategy, content production, execution, and monitoring & reporting – and explore why they matter.

Whether you’re developing an internal communications plan or a public relations strategy, our framework offers structure, clarity, and measurable outcomes. Let’s see how it all comes together.

Welcome to Vireo Communications – where B2B communications meets ingenuity and impact. We specialise in the automotive, transport, and industrial sectors, helping companies navigate and effect change with communications strategies that build trust and deliver material results.