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Articles by Ben Smith
Bermuda must decide what comes next
How many times have we driven overseas, followed the GPS, only to miss an exit, or turned too early, and ended up heading in the wrong direction? And if you're old enough to remember, the odds of getting lost were greater when you used an old fashioned paper map! It can be frustrating and time consuming when you get lost on the road.
Failing to plan means you are planning to fail
The Government has repeatedly pointed out its commitment to investing in sport in Bermuda. Its own National Sports Policy describes the National Sports Centre as fundamental to Bermuda's sporting development and our ability to compete internationally. The answers to my recent parliamentary questions provide an opportunity to test that commitment.
Bermuda needs execution and integrity, Mr Burt
Yesterday's Premier's Question Period raised a straightforward issue: how should Bermudians measure the performance of their Government?" Minister Jason Hayward, while seeking to become Premier, has spoken about the need for better execution on major issues facing Bermuda. Curtis Dickinson has made integrity and telling Bermudians the truth central to his campaign. Those are important standards by which any Government can be judged.
Education reforms need to put students first
Every morning, long before most of Bermuda wakes up, I can be found on a pool deck working with young people. Some dream of representing Bermuda at the Olympics. Others simply want to join their school team. They all come with their differences but they all have one thing in common. They want someone to believe in them, challenge them and give them every opportunity to succeed.
An education authority has to place education before politics
One of the minister's first announcements after returning to the Ministry of Education was his intention to establish an education authority. The One Bermuda Alliance has consistently supported that idea because Bermuda's public education system needs stability, consistency and leadership that extends beyond any political cycle. Our schools should not have to change direction every time there is a new minister or a different approach within Cabinet.
Rabain must take action to rebuild trust
In a recent media interview, Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, acknowledged that the Progressive Labour Party government needs to rebuild the trust of parents and teachers. I appreciate his sentiment because trust is essential if education reform is going to succeed. The minister also acknowledged that senior schools were not ready when they needed to be, that infrastructure commitments were not delivered, and that uncertainty influenced the choices many families made.
Time the Government admitted education reform has failed
Education is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of any government. On that measure, the Progressive Labour Party government has failed Bermuda. The latest statement from the Minister of Education raises more questions than answers.
Women give in so many ways
On Sunday, March 8, Bermuda will join the global community in observing International Women's Day 2026. I encourage everyone across the Island to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary women in our community who continue to shape, strengthen, and uplift our society. No contribution has been too big or too small.
Let sport lead way to a more respectful Bermuda
Sport has always been one of Bermuda's greatest strengths. It brings us together, families cheering from the sidelines, communities united in shared pride, and young people discovering what it means to work hard, show discipline and chase big dreams. That's the beauty of sport. It reflects who we are and who we can become. It teaches teamwork, resilience, respect and perseverance. These are values that extend far beyond the sport. Lately, we have seen moments that challenge that spirit.
Africa University restarts malaria program
Key points: When the Trump administration disassembled USAID’s infrastructure and cut foreign aid earlier this year, Africa University’s malaria research program lost more than $900,000 in support. The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has stepped in to provide emergency funding as part of a four-year partnership with the university.
Tech PR. Built for Growth. — Wildfire PR
For the last few months we’ve been taking a long look at our strategy, our offering as an agency, and what really matters for the technology brands we work with. Part of that has involved a refresh of our look — a new logo, a redesigned website, and a bit of spit and polish all over (you can read about that here). But more importantly we have sought to redefine what we represent, what we deliver for our clients, and what it means to be the UK’s leading tech PR agency.
We need a new table where all are welcome
Key points: The systems we’ve inherited are suffocating our future, writes young adult leader Ben Smith. Built for another era, these systems function to protect power, are resistant to change and preserve a table that was not built with everyone in mind, he says. If we want a future, we cannot simply pull up more chairs. We need a new table; one by and for the very people the Spirit is calling to lead us forward. Ben Smith. Photo courtesy of the author.
When messaging misfires: Tesla’s brand perception problem — Wildfire
It’s probably fair to say that the news agenda in 2025 has been dominated by one man: Elon Musk. Between his actions as a White House advisor, his media appearances and his prolific social media posting, it has been even harder to miss Musk than you know who. Which is why I found it very interesting to see stories in late February that shares in Tesla — still Elon Musk’s best known company — had dropped nearly 10%, mainly due to a 50% drop in European sales for the brand’s vehicles.
Political trick or treat?
In this Hallowe'en season, the Government is not missing out on the opportunity to give out treats. While to some, the offerings appear sweet, many others refuse to be tricked. It seems that as we get closer to a General Election, the Progressive Labour Party would like people to think it is providing sweet deals. We have had announcements, press conferences and much fanfare. Ministers are saying revenue is more than they expected, so they will have treats to give away.
Mentor, teach and inspire
As the national swim coach for Bermuda, I have seen first-hand how the saying "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child" truly comes to life in the pool. Coaching goes beyond just teaching strokes and perfecting turns; it's about being part of a community that nurtures, supports and guides young swimmers on their journey - not only in swimming but in life. As a coach, I understand that not every athlete will perform the same.
Harnessing the power of creative ideas — even ‘stupid’ ones - Tech PR Blog - Wildfire
In this series, our CEO Debby Penton and Head of Creative Services Emile Kronfli have already addressed a couple of the biggest misconceptions about creativity. But there is one final myth that I want to highlight. This concept is just as pernicious as the idea that creativity doesn’t ‘belong’ in B2B marketing — and as self-defeating as the idea that some people are inherently creative and some people aren’t. So what is this idea?
Semafor celebrates its first anniversary - Editor and Publisher
Posted Wednesday, October 18, 2023 10:08 am A year ago, we set out to invent a new global news brand designed to address the three big pain-points in global news — bias and polarization, information overload, and the lack of global perspectives. We also talked then about building for a world after social media. That has arrived quicker than we expected.
Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race To Go Viral
. May 2023. 10:16 hrs. ISBN 9780593671054. $95. SOC SCI COPY ISBN Tech journalist Smith’s debut charts the rise of new media through two of its major players—Nick Denton, founder of Gawker Media, and Jonah Peretti, cofounder of the Huffington Post and founder of BuzzFeed.
Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral
"Engrossing and suspenseful . . . Can viral political content ever be valuable political content--and vice versa? Anxiety about this question haunts Smith, and this moral seriousness is what lifts Traffic above other accounts of adventures in start-up land." --Virginia Heffernan, New York Times "Ben Smith's new book shows how the race for clicks spawned--then strangled--the new media . . . Illuminating." --The New Yorker "Expertly pulls readers in . . . Graced with a keen eye and sharp wit, [Smith] . . .
Microsoft: a case study in strategy and messaging
When you think of the most innovative tech companies who do you think of? Apple? Google? Tesla? What about Microsoft? It’s a very interesting example. It’s definitely massive. We all use at least one of their products most days. But innovative? Not really. Not safe, venerable, boring Microsoft. Oh, but hang on a minute, what’s this? Microsoft has stolen a march on its rivals on generative AI – the hottest tech trend of the moment? ChatGPT is being rolled out in its products already? When did that happen?
You’ve never heard of the biggest digital media company in America
INDIAN LAND, S.C. — Lindsey Turrentine first heard of Red Ventures last fall, when it bought the venerable tech news site CNET, where she is the senior vice president in charge of content. She sat down at her kitchen table in Berkeley, California, and frantically started Googling to find out what it was. Her experience wasn’t uncommon.
Digital Marketing: You've Never Heard Of The Biggest Digital Media Company In America
Ric Elias, Red Ventures’ chief executive, in Indian Land, S.C. on Aug. 11, 2021. Elias is known for his TED Talk about being on the US Airways jetliner that made an emergency landing on the Hudson River in 2009. Red Ventures has turned very specific advice into very big business — and is the rare media company that has remained independent of Amazon.
When C19 Hit, China Was Ready to Tell Its Version of the Story
Ben Smith New York Times May 12, 2021 The government has been using its money and power to create an alternative to a global news media dominated by outlets like the BBC and CNN. Read Full Article »
Remembering SOPHIE: A gut-wrenching loss for pop music
Sophie Xeon, one of the most influential pop musicians and producers of the last decade and known professionally as SOPHIE, passed away Jan. 30 in a tragic accident first reported by the artist’s record label Transgressive. "Tragically, our beautiful Sophie passed away this morning after a terrible accident. True to her spirituality, she had climbed up to watch the full moon and slipped and fell," read the statement.
House of Commons Library
In early 2020 the Government formally began work on what it described would be the largest review of the UK’s foreign, defence, security and development policy since the end of the Cold War. Much has changed since the last major review of the UK’s national security and defence strategy in 2015. This paper sets out the context for the review and discusses when the review might be published.
Spicing up the celebrity interview: ‘Hot Ones’ and innovation
I love celebrity interviews. Whether they take place on the red carpet or during a late-night talk show, they produce some of my favorite moments in pop culture. Even now, Andy Serkis reading Trump’s tweets on Colbert always makes me laugh. These interviews have long served as the primary medium for celebrities to interact with the public. For many Americans, the word “interview” sparks the image of a celebrity on The Tonight Show hosted by Johnny Carson.
How to take (responsible) risks for your company
The ability to look ahead can be the difference between a short-term gain and long-term investor impact At a certain point, you will be faced with the decision of whether to expand your products and services or stay on a steady growth path focusing on your current portfolio. Sometimes it is forced upon us, and many times you have to trust your gut and make this call.
Ben Smith: Big Tech has crushed the news business. That’s about to change
It reads like a coroner’s report on the news business, 623 pages filled with charts and graphs detailing the devastating decline in local news and public policy reporting of the past decade. It landed on the Australian prime minister’s desk last summer, unnoticed by most news consumers in America and around the world. But the report by Australian regulators left little doubt about what they see as the cause of local journalism’s demise — the near monopolistic power of Google and Facebook.
Big tech has crushed the news business. That's about to change - ET CIO
By Ben Smith It reads like a coroner’s report on the news business, 623 pages filled with charts and graphs detailing the devastating decline in local news and public policy reporting of the past decade. It landed on the Australian prime minister’s desk last summer, unnoticed by most news consumers in America and around the world.
Big tech has crushed the news business. That's about to change - ETtech
Representative Image By Ben Smith It reads like a coroner’s report on the news business, 623 pages filled with charts and graphs detailing the devastating decline in local news and public policy reporting of the past decade. It landed on the Australian prime minister’s desk last summer, unnoticed by most news consumers in America and around the world.
Will Latest covid19 closures kill retail?
Every single day runs havoc on the retail industry as restrictions go more and more strict. Already struggling retail sector had worse days coming. Who knew things will be much worse for the shops who are already struggling to sell thanks to the growing eCommerce sector. Tougher measures have kicked in, with Australians forbidden from going out in public with more than one other person and warned against shopping for anything but essential items, among other restrictions.
Brands, Let's Celebrate Women Every Day, Not One Month a Year
March has been dominated by the COVID-19 crisis, but it's also been Women's History Month. And as it draws to a close, it's worth reminding brands that they should acknowledge the hardships of women year-round, rather than spent one month patting themselves on the back for their own inclusivity. As a senior producer and director for over a decade, I've witnessed these discrepancies first-hand working for brands, agencies and production companies across the ad industry.
4 Great Ads of the Past We Could Make Today Without Leaving Home
Three weeks ago, I met Fernando Machado in Miami for a podcast episode of It's Only Fu--ing Advertising. The coronavirus was on the news a lot (nothing compared to the 24/7 coverage there is now). As we greeted each other, Fernando and I joked about doing a fist bump instead of shaking hands. A very small part of the podcast was even devoted to COVID-19.
From research to revenue: 4 tips for getting funded
Making the perfect pitch takes more than just having a great idea for a business For entrepreneurs who want to start a new cannabis business, the capital raise can be as challenging as the licensing process. I often warn new owners it can and will be your full-time job, often on top of your other role of building the company. So how do you keep up and make a pitch that brings in the investors? Raising capital is all about having the right story backed by the right numbers.
We must face economic reality
Ben Smith Published Feb 6, 2020 at 8:00 am (Updated Feb 6, 2020 at 7:43 am) Ben Smith The economy of Bermuda has reached levels of real concern and we must look at the signs of the times. They are not good. Drive from Somerset to St Georges and count all the For Sale signs, some of which have been there for years. There is very little movement in real estate, which has an impact on construction, which in turn leads to less available work.
UK: Court Upholds Dismissal Based on Workplace Proselytizing
A nurse's dismissal for improperly proselytizing at work was fair, the Court of Appeal in the United Kingdom recently decided. The claimant was a Christian nurse, working in a preoperative assessment role at a hospital. As part of her job, she had to ask patients to identify their religion and note the response. The nurse often had further religious discussions with patients, which was not permitted.
Scientist in the Spotlight: Dr. Cynthia Thomson
Dr. Cynthia Thomson, PhD, RDN, leads a research program at the University of Arizona that focuses on the relationships among lifestyle factors, diet and physical activity with cancer prevention and survivorship. Her research currently looks at behavioral changes and how different interventions, using a range of options like eHealth tools and various information delivery systems can impact or improve health after a diagnosis of cancer.
Letter to the Editor: Reverend Jackson and the Wesleyan Quadrilateral
By Ben Smith On Thursday, September 20th, Reverend Jackson came to speak in chapel. As usual, Jackson delivered a message that was passionate and awakening, but this time, he did not have Wesleyan tradition backing him in a pivotal claim. I will argue that Jackson did not have a Wesleyan-based theology when he made the claim that the way to tell if someone is a Christian is if the people around the person claiming to be a Christian still sin, then he/she is probably not a Christian.
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