Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Social Media Strategy for PIOs: Building Public Trust with Brooke Hahn
Description
Episode Summary: How can public information officers build public trust, improve social media engagement, and maintain authentic communication in an increasingly AI-driven world?
In this episode of The PIO Podcast, host Robert Tornabene welcomes Brooke Hahn, CEO of Flockler, to discuss how public safety agencies, local governments, and public sector communicators can rethink their social media strategies to strengthen community relationships.
Brooke explains why follower counts don't always translate into meaningful engagement, how user-generated content can strengthen public confidence, and why government websites remain essential sources of trusted information.
The conversation also explores the growing challenges of AI-generated images, misinformation, changing social media algorithms, and the importance of maintaining authenticity during crisis communications.
Topics covered in this episode include:
- Building community engagement beyond social media followers
- Using authentic, user-generated content to strengthen public trust
- Creating effective social media strategies for police, fire, and emergency management agencies
- Establishing content moderation and verification safeguards
- Managing AI-generated content and misinformation during emergencies
- Making government websites reliable sources of information
- Measuring meaningful social media engagement instead of vanity metrics
- Improving digital accessibility and understanding WCAG considerations
- Developing practical communication strategies for small PIO teams with limited budgets
Brooke also shares practical advice for public information officers who want to improve their digital communications without producing more content or increasing their budgets.
About the Guest
Brooke Hahn is the CEO of Flockler, a platform that helps organizations bring social media and user-generated content together across websites, digital displays, and other communication channels.
Brooke's BIO: A true growth operator with extensive experience across crowdsourcing, affiliate programs, and social media aggregation. Brooke is co-founder of the marketing agency Northweather and has worked with global brands including LEGO. With international experience spanning SaaS, marketing, and product, she brings sharp expertise in strategy, execution, and driving results through global cross-functional teams at Flockler.
Our premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.