In uncertain times, pulling back is a mistake. This blog post urges companies to lead with visibility, not silence. Drawing lessons from Salesforce’s bold PR strategy during the 2020 COVID crisis, it emphasizes how strategic, purpose-led communications build trust, drive growth, and ensure your brand is seen, heard—and remembered—when it matters most.
From Playing It Safe to Standing Out: Why Now Is the Time to Lead
The economy is tightening. Politics are uncertain. The noise is deafening.
It’s tempting to pull back—to wait, watch, and ride it out. But that’s exactly what your competitors are doing. Progress doesn’t happen in safe zones. It’s made in bold moves when others retreat. Right now, customers, prospects, strategic acquirers, and investors are still looking. Still listening. Still searching for leadership. The only question is: are they seeing you or someone else?
How Salesforce Turned a Crisis into a Brand-Building Moment
Let’s rewind to 2020. The world was in chaos. COVID-19 caused widespread lockdowns and travel bans, and paralyzed supply chains. Global GDP shrank by more than 3% and U.S. GDP contracted by nearly 4%, a collapse not seen since World War II. Millions lost their jobs. Most companies panicked and went silent. But Salesforce didn’t.
While others slashed PR budgets and paused external communications, Salesforce doubled down. They recognized a world in desperate need of clarity, connection, and digital transformation, and they answered the call. The company launched a set of tools to help companies and communities reopen safely. It offered free emergency-response solutions to healthcare providers and governments. Its CEO stepped up his media presence and shared insights about leadership, resilience, and the future of work, serving as a voice of calm, courage, and vision.
The result? A wave of goodwill, an outpouring of positive press coverage, and a brand that people trusted when trust was in short supply.
What Salesforce did wasn’t noise. It was clarity and purpose, and powerfully human. And it paid off. By the end of 2021, Salesforce’s revenue increased 24% year-over-year, significantly outpacing competitors like Microsoft and Oracle. Because the company showed up, spoke up, and led, its brand loyalty was stronger than ever.
Visibility Is Your Growth Strategy—Not Just a Marketing Metric
Now it’s your turn.
When markets shift and competition intensifies, visibility becomes more than a marketing metric—it becomes a growth strategy. Going quiet might feel like a conservative move, but it often leads to shrinking mindshare, decreased brand relevance, and fewer leads when it matters most.
Purpose-Led PR Cuts Through the Noise and Builds Trust
A strong PR and thought leadership strategy is a powerful way to maintain and grow visibility in uncertain times. It’s not about making noise for the sake of it—it’s about showing up when and where it matters, engaging with purpose and telling with bold, clear stories that resonate,
Make a Big Impact with a Nimble, High-Intent PR Strategy
Whether you’re launching a product, entering a new market, or reinforcing your position in a competitive space, staying visible isn’t optional—it’s essential. And visibility doesn’t have to mean a massive budget or full-scale campaign. Even targeted, consistent efforts can yield real results when executed with clarity and purpose.
The Brands That Win Are the Ones That Show Up
So if you’re wondering whether now is the time to pull back or push forward—push forward. The economy demands urgency, not hesitation.
Your Spotlight Strategy Starts Here
At Gabriel Marketing Group, we specialize in helping high-growth companies stay visible, relevant, and influential—no matter what the market is doing. From strategic PR and thought leadership to high-impact storytelling and media engagement, we bring the expertise and speed to get you seen and heard.
Whether you need a bold media push, a steady stream of thought leadership content, or a nimble strategy that adapts as fast as the market does, we can help you show up with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Let’s make sure your company is the one they remember.
Schedule a consultation with us today to learn how we can craft a custom PR and thought leadership program that puts your company where it belongs—in the spotlight.