📰 In this week’s industry news, the communications world had no shortage of headlines. President Donald Trump acknowledged his administration’s PR struggles as ICE faces mounting backlash, a boutique PR agency marked two decades in business, and a Virginia marketing CEO was honored during Black History Month. We have those stories and more.
Black CEO of Marketing Firm Honored by Virginia Business Magazine – During Black History Month, Maurisa Turner Potts, CEO of Alexandria-based boutique marketing firm Spotted MP, was named to the 2026 Virginia Black Business Leaders list. She was featured in Capitol Communicator, where she called the recognition especially meaningful during a month honoring Black pioneers and coinciding with the magazine’s 100th anniversary. Potts noted Virginia’s role in shaping her career and leadership journey. Overall, Virginia Business Magazine named 29 leaders to the prestigious list, recognizing contributions and impact across the Commonwealth. Capitol Communicator has more here.
Trump Says His Team Struggles With PR Amid ICE Backlash – President Donald Trump said his administration is “not good at public relations” amid heightened criticism over Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s often aggressive tactics. In an interview with NBC News, Trump defended ICE’s work while acknowledging public‑perception problems, citing comments from podcast host Joe Rogan and recent polling showing growing disapproval of immigration enforcement. Trump praised Rogan and said the two recently discussed ICE issues, even as surveys suggest many Americans believe the agency has gone too far. Read more from The Hill here.
Dominic Hawkins Named PRSA’s 2025 PR Pro of the Year – Dominic Hawkins is having a standout year and was recently profiled in Capitol Communicator. PRSA named the NAACP vice president of communications its 2025 Public Relations Professional of the Year, and the Washington Business Journal included him on its “40 Under 40” list. Hawkins was recognized for leading high‑impact communications for the 116‑year‑old civil rights organization, including national media campaigns and voter‑engagement efforts during a challenging political moment. Read more about Hawkins here.
Magnolia Public Relations Celebrates 20 Years in Business – Magnolia Public Relations is marking two decades as a boutique agency serving fashion, lifestyle and family brands. Founded by Adrienne Dorsey in 2006, the LA- and NYC-based firm has secured coverage for clients in top-tier and niche outlets as it expands services to include influencer relations, strategic consulting and an AI-informed PR approach. The agency says the shift toward AI has renewed demand for earned media and high-quality storytelling. This press release was distributed through EIN Presswire.
Spain Fights Against ‘Social Media Giants’ Over Harmful Content – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has proposed banning social media use for children under 16 and holding platform executives accountable for allegedly featuring illegal or harmful content, calling today’s platforms a digital “Wild West.” The plan has drawn sharp backlash from tech leaders, including X owner Elon Musk and Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who warn the measures threaten internet freedoms. This piecewas published in German Media Today, part of Affinity Group Publishing.
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