Wednesday, February 28, 2007
The M word
In recent businessweek news: satellite radio companies SIRIUS and XM are proposing a merger. Many customers believe this will cause a monopoly in the satellite world. Some believe this merger will create fixed prices on satellite radio seeing that Sirius and XM are the only two companies. On the other half I believe the merger will be good for satellite radio in lowering prices. Both companies prices are currently high because they are in competition with each other, canceling each others room for profit. The merger will create more profit and lower prices for customers. The Justice Dept. will make the final decision on this proposed merger.
What do you think?
Britney Spears: Bad PR Move? Or Just Plain Crazy?
After her second 24-hour stint in rehab, she went to Kevin Federline's home and when he denied her entry she then went on attack his SUV with an umbrella.
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At first I thought all her antics we just bad PR moves. I mean, she got what she was going for her name in the headlines. But now to attack an SUV with an umbrella? Come on Brit, if you don't want the kids just hand them over to K-Fed. Poor things.
To Iraq and back...the Woodruff report
In an email to JMC faculty, Prof. Bob Rucker calls it "a truly remarkable and moving special report."
He continued, "This is absolutely GREAT television reporting...definitely EMMY Award caliber. It is also very very emotional TV. It's difficult not to tear up and cry when you see what Woodruff and some Iraqi war veterans went through, and now face as life-long battles for survival."
To watch the video, go to http://abcnews.go.com/ and click on Bob Woodruff links on the main page, or click on this direct link: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2909190.
(Cross-posted on McCunications)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Al Gore Might Need Some PR Help
Al Gore, not only known as the 45th Vice President of the United States, is also known for his Academy Award-winning documentary, "The Inconvenient Truth". Through this powerful film on global warming, Gore presents himself as an environmentalist and an activist. With such high interests in sustaining the environment and educating the public on what we are doing wrong, it's no wonder why Gore's been getting some heat about the ways he helps the environment.
On Tucker, an MSNBC show, after the Academy Awards occurred, host Tucker Carlson questioned the real morality behind Al Gore's global warming campaign. Although an activist for protecting the environment, facts about Gore's spendings may lead some to view him as a hypocrite. Carlson points out that Gore's energy and gas spendings exceeds that of an average American. It was almost $30,000 alone for year 2006 for his Nashville home that spreads out around 10,000 square feet. Whether this information is true or not, the allegation may lead to an image crisis for Gore.
Although Gore fights for the Earth, does he really stand by it? His expensive spendings on gas and electricity may illustrate him as a rich politician who cares nothing for the environment and only cares about publicity. But if it is not true or if it can be explained, then Gore should do something right away to fix his image. With all the different sides of the story we are getting, the public will never know what is true or not. Gore will soon be losing his credibility, along with supporters, if nothing is done.
What's the best way for Gore to salvage his image? Talk to the public. If Gore proves to the public that he can save like any average American or explain why his spendings are so high, then he'll regain his credibility. If he can defend himself on these accusations to the public, whether they are true or not, then his supporters will understand what is going on. Gore will need to start changing his image before others start following Tucker's footstep in criticizing his reputation.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Dunkin Donuts Delivers
A Year and a Half with 236 Words
My Internship Experience
This weekend I spent some time to organize my e-mail inbox and group some internship related e-mails together. In this entry, I would like to share some of my working experience as public relations assistance in my previous internship.
I used to work for a Public Relations company for half year back in my hometown. One of the tasks I participated was to manage an event for a client. The whole process was much complicated than imagine and we had to do lots of preparations beforehand. For instance, it is crucial to have the updated contact information in the company’s media lists. After come up with drafts for the event program and the company brochure, we needed to contact different printing companies for interviews. We spent lots of time for face-to-face meetings in order to make our ideas clear. As my supervisor mentioned, the significance of meeting venders is to make sure they are the people we can work with and trust.
After all those processes, we needed to prepare invitation letters in a short period of time. As we are now in the age of information and surrounded by some many high technologies, I thought it would be more convenient and effective to send out e-mail including the information for the event. However, my supervisor explained that printed invitation letter is necessary for many reasons. First of all, it would give an impression to receivers that each of them is our special guest and is being treated respectfully. It is more likely they will reply and come to the event than being noticed by e-mail. Moreover, as a public relations company, it is better to keep a record in hard copy so that we can always have something refer to.
If you are interested in more information about production of brochure and other printed communication tools, please check out textbook Chapter 12.
-Jasmine
New Gadgets to Keep Car Thieves Away
Pictures from the past haunt new "idol"
The publicist for the show decided to remain quiet about the incident rather than making a statement. They are also making sure that the contestants unavailable for comment to ensure that nothing is said about the pictures. The tactic that they are using is somewhat surprising. I thought they would at least put out some kind of statement acknowledging the incident. By not saying anything, it is almost as if the show's publicist is hoping the pictures go away by themselves.
It is unclear at this time whether the incident will affect her chances in the competition.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Cisco-Apple settled at last......
According to Gene Munster, senior research analyst with investment bank Piper Jaffray & Co, Apple might have paid Cisco between $25 million and $50 million for rights to the name.
However, both company are not talking much about the deal but some are talking about possible partnership between the two tech giants in the near future.
Analysts said the deal was likely a longer-term strategy by both companies to reinforce their competitive positions in the fight to deliver digital content -- particularly video -- directly into consumers' homes.
The settelment gave the right for both companies to use the name "IPhone."
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Oscar Hype
This week alone, I witnessed several different daytime TV programs (all ABC sponsored) which highlighted assorted reasons for staying tuned to the Oscars this week. On Regis and Kelly, predictions were made regarding who they each thought was going to win for each category. Their private predictions were then sealed in a silver suitcase and will be revisited post Oscar night. The lovely ladies of The View also gave audience members Oscars posters as a give-away last Wednesday, February 21. Today's Mercury News also featured a reminder about Sunday night's television event and even a short memo about a Sunday night 'After the Oscars' Fashion Blog.
I found these types of publicity incredibly effective because it helped me remember that the Oscars were coming. Follow-up and frequent reminders to the public are what make people think that they don't want to miss out. I was inspired and reminded my these publicity moves that proper advertising and promotions, really do pay off.
Friday, February 23, 2007
So, I haven't watched American Idol regularly since...well, Kelly Clarkson made it big. But, my roommate is a die-hard fan, so I've been "fortunate" enough to catch a few episodes of this season.
I had heard that there was controversy surrounding the show because the judges were being portrayed as too mean, and the producers were accused of putting contestants through for entertainment purposes only. Shocking, I know.
The Bay Area had a contestant make it to Hollywood. He is an Asian man from Saratoga and was also the first contender to be eliminated.
Unfortunate, yes, but I think he had served his purpose. On a show that claims to represent "America," issues of diversity undoubtedly arose.
Call me crazy, but I think that the producers (the same ones who may or may not have stacked the contestants full of less-than-talented, but oh-so-entertaining personnel) may or may not have stacked the show with people who represent minorities in the USA.
Great move on their part, as it grabs the attention of the minorities (hey, we all listened up when we heard a contestant from our backyard made it) and serves to quell any talk of discrimination.
Tamagotchis? Something like that...
Facebook, an online social-networking site, is now offering "virtual gifts" that you can give to your friends online. Virtual gifts? That's right! Remember back in the days when there was a trend of Tamagotchis? A friend of mine told me that it was fun giving these icons to one another online. I think Facebook just thought of another easy wasy to keep more people on their sites. If they are going to be as popular as those Tamagotchis, then we all know how this will turn out--this trend (if it becomes one) will be gone before we know it.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Toyota Uses Mobile Ads
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Sex Appeal
Monday, February 19, 2007
SJSU Technology & Emerging Media Club
If you'd like to get better at blogging and all things "new media," you might want to check out the new SJSU Technology & Emerging Media Club.
Organized by a group of JMC students who took Jour 163 - New Media in Journalism last semester, the club is open to all SJSU students...and their friends.
"There's a lot of interesting individuals on campus," said JMC student Andrew Venegas, one of the club's founders, "and we would like them all to be involved in this historic step towards new education using new techologies and media."
The next meeting is 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, in Room 116 of the old Clark Library (now the Academic Success Center).
Here's the meeting agenda:
- How to start a blog using the Blogger engine
- What a tag is and how it can be used in a post
- What an RSS feed is
You can also access a set of videos to practice or clarify the techniques discussed at the meeting, and join the club blog for updates and posts.
Since I believe this club could be very helpful to JMC students, as an added bonus I'm offering my students extra credit for participating in these meetings (5 pts./mtg., up to 15 points). Hope to see you there!
How Blogs Can Help Your Business
I honestly believe that blogging can help each core fragment of what makes up a successful and viable company. According to the book, the core needs for any business are as follows:
• Decent ideas
We also need good marketing, great customer relations, an awesome sales force, decent customer support, and a host of other factors. But if we have ideas, a product worth selling, a solid team behind it, and potential customers, the rest will follow naturally.
Pitching to the Media
1. The quality of the story. Wherever you go and whichever media you pitch to, a good story sells. It is important to fashion your story on relevancy, topicality, and potentially how useful the story will be to the pr world.
2. Create a relationship with journalists. A positive relationship with a practicing journalist may open doors for you. Please note; that relationships alone do not always work. Mixing relationships to where you abuse the journalist and expect him/her to print your piece every time can cause backfire. Mixing personal relationship and work relations can cause issues.
3. Knowing what journalists write about. Know their style of writing, and also analyze their angles of stories. Read up on issues the journalist recently wrote about, notice if there is a theme in their writing? Respecting and realizing a journalists style and interest may help when writing your piece. Keeping your story within the flow of the journalists norm will aid in your story running.
4. Industry knowledge. When we write a new story many times the journalist already knows. Thats often because we dont analyze or interept industry developments.
5. Media lists. Updating media lists can be borish. A PR professional should have a media list consisting of particular beats, weekday and weekend editions, all newspapers, and all cities. This extensive media list can help you when your story does not hit in your local paper. You will have other options to execute your pitch to.
These factors are a great PR strategy. These factors will aid you in successfully pitching your story.
A Blog that Everyone Should Read #2
Fred Wilson is a venture capitalist at Union Square Ventures in New York. Unlike the other corporate blog Marriott on the move, the A VC is a personal shared journal full of life experiences, photos of his daughters playing basketball, and wonderful anecdotes about business. However, you can earn a lot from Wilson about the monetization of blogs, social media, new tech gadgetry, and the companies he is excited by and investing in. The design of the blog is simple but there are plenty of widgets on display, gadgets being discussed, videos being shared, and useful intelligence bandied about.
Follow the leader
Video Game PR Hoax
The Piracy Police
The Machine is Us/ing Us
In the above YouTube video, Michael Wesch creatively makes thought provoking comments about communication, writing and the Web. I agree with Kenneth W. Davis, our words are of the utmost importance in today's public relations context.
The Kiss That Shook the NBA
Charles Barkley, a 44 year-old retired NBA All Star, found himself challenging Dick Bavetta, a 67 year-old NBA referee, to a foot race. The challenge required the two 'athletes' to run up and down the basketball court three and a half times and the winner would be the first person to cross the half court line. The event, which took place Saturday evening during NBA All Star Weekend in Las Vegas, ended with a lasting memory--a loving glance that was sealed with a kiss.
Hardaway released a statement apologizing for his initial comments. In the apology he states that he should not have said that he hates gay people and that he had simply had a long day and was tired. Does having a long day mean that it is okay to say the things that had been said? Does being tired mean that the statements will simply go away? The answer to both of these questions should be and is no, absolutely not.
However, a new question has arisen out of all of this--Is there a place for gays in sports?
Personally, I would have to say yes--without a doubt, yes! I mean why not?
What do you think?
Time for a change
The http://ringblog.typepad.com/corporatepr/ website takes out excerpts from the book showing how much women influence the buying decision in certain categories. It may be more than businesses think.
They are missing a large opportunity for sales and if they do not change their marketing and advertising soon to include women, they may end up losing everything in the end. Men are not the only one making decisions in the households anymore. They can no longer underestimate the power of women.
Marketing Strategy
In the “Fasterfuture” blog, I find some relevant tips on this topic. Refer to the post of Engagement marketing: a practical example in Feb 6, 2007, the author suggest a feasible example. Companies can hold competition for the general public, whoever come up with great idea can upload pictures or any creative stuff to the certain platform like any blogging websites. Other people are able to look at the works of the participants as well as giving comments. They can even vote for the best work. The work that has the most votes will be the champion.
It is just like the case of the Chevy Superbowl Ad. This is a very useful strategy that companies can benefit from. Customers engaging their time for the companies is already a successful way of promotion, which is to catch the public’s attention. Besides, companies know more about their customers through reading their online comments. Therefore, companies can absorb different ideas and try to improve for a better service. I am quite in favor of this strategy. Companies that make good use of the internet have more potential to attract their target market.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
High security at Rio carnival
Read more at BBC
Over it
Thinking Blogging is the new thing? Try Blogging in Stereo
Britney Spears Shaves Her Head: A Publicity Stunt or Just A Personal Choice?
Friday, February 16, 2007
The Red Campaign
Don't mess with Texas
In a story on CNN.com today, I saw that yesteryear's bon-bon shaking popstar, Ricky Martin had a very similar run-in with free speech. While performing a song called "Asignatura Pendiente" in a concert Martin performed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he flipped the bird when he sang the line of the song that mentions President Bush.
No riots. I haven't smashed my "Livin' La Vida Loca" single. And I'm fairly certain that if one listened to Mix 106.5 or KBAY that one of Martin's hits from the 90s would eventually play.
Puerto Rico is a United States territory. Shouldn't they have the same sense of nationalism that the mainlanders have?
Perhaps some of them do. But perhaps the fact that Puerto Ricans can be drafted into the military, but cannot vote for President and have literally no representation in Congress keeps their torches and pitchforks safely tucked away when a disrespectful finger is flipped. The same cannot be said for Texans.
So basically, if you're from Texas you don't get to exercise your freedom of speech when it comes to criticizing the government without suffering massive public backlash. But! if you're from a land of disenfranchised people, have at it.
The Dixie Chicks were more apologetic in their official statement than Martin was. Martin, who performed at Bush's inauguration ball, by the way, basically said, "you can't tell me what to do." A commendable statement, in my opinion, but perhaps a PR flub.
Talent and voting rights aside, the Dixie Chicks and Ricky Martin were in the same boat. The lesson here is that if you "mis-speak" apologize quickly and exaggeratedly. At least that way you can come back years later and clean-up at the Grammys.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Olympics to Ban Blogs by Athletes???
According to the International Olympic Committee, it is investigating the effects of athletes posting blogs during the 2008 Olympic Games. They are worried that it could lead to rumors that can ultimately be broadcast on the Internet. Everything is up in the air because the rules of whether an athlete can write blogs dosen't appear to be covered by the current rulebook.
I personally think that if the athletes want to write blogs during the games, they should have the right to. As long as they aren't hurting anyone, they should have the right to do so.
Useful Links for Future Career
As a public relations student, I think it is beneficial for us to do the same thing so that we can be familiar with the news and be more competitive when we go into the working fields.
PR Studies blog: http://prstudies.typepad.com/weblog/
A blog that everyone should read
Bill Marriott, Chairman and CEO of Marriott International, is on a journey and he is writing down everything he experienced throughout the trip. The blog is very informational.
It is always good to read something written by a successful person because you can definitely learn something from him/her.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Fake Blogs May Be Prohibited in Europe
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Action Words for Writing a Newsworthy Headline
1. Announces - Apple Announces iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition
2. Launches - Google Inc. to Launch Transferable Stock Option Program for its Employees*
3. Acquires - Google To Acquire YouTube for $1.65 Billion in Stock*
4. Appoints - Yahoo! Appoints Jill Nash Chief Communications Officer
5. Celebrates - Google Celebrates Geography Awareness Week with New Innovations for Google Earth*
6. Enters (enters into agreement) - Fox Interactive Media Enters Into Landmark Agreement with Google Inc.*
7. Participates - Google Code Jam 2006 Programmers Worldwide Invited to Participate in Google’s Fourth Annual Global Coding Competition*
8. Expands - Yahoo! Go for Mobile Now Available for Windows Mobile Devices; Expands Reach of Service to Millions of Windows Mobile Devices Globally
9. Now - CBS’s “CSI” & “Survivor” Now Available on the iTunes Music Store
10. Presents - Google to Present at the Goldman Sachs Seventh Annual Internet Conference*
11. Partner(s) - Helio and Yahoo! Partner to Offer Mobile Access to Internet Services; Relationship Includes Comprehensive Integration of Yahoo!’s Properties Throughout Helio’s 3G Service
Writing is the most important skill for a public relations participator. So I hope the action words may help you in writing.
Molly Bang meets the comics
Bang notes that vertical lines appear more exciting and active than horizontal lines, and that diagonals imply motion or tension. She also points out that "white or light backgrounds feel safer to us than dark backgrounds because we can see well during the day and only poorly at night." Another Bang principle: the larger an object is in a picture, the stronger it feels. Conversely, the smaller it is, the more vulnerable it feels.
Well, when I read this Sunday's comics in the Mercury News (I just got around to reading them today...busy week), I found that Hector D. Cantu and Carlos Castellanos had applied the same principles...to equally good effect...in their Baldo comic strip. Check it out!
Case Study: Ocean Park in Hong Kong
Ocean Park is a famous theme park in Hong Kong. Before, many people predicted that the open of Disneyland would be a threat to Ocean Park. However, the attendance has an increase even through Disneyland opened. One of the reasons is Ocean Park doing very well on its public relations. I am going to analyze how good of its press release.
Here are the advantages of it:
- Including 5Ws and H. Clear and concise content act as very important on press release
- Clear target audience (TA). In the headline, “Say thank you as park reports 2005/2006 attendance record of 4.38 million, therefore, TA are their customers.
- Strategically used of emotional appeal. Linkage of Ocean Park as part of Hong Kong. For instance, “Ocean Park is a major Hong Kong icon, popular with locals and tourists alike.”
- Call for action. “We will continue to serve Hong Kong faithfully and provide to all guests the ultimate in enrichment experiences,” to encourage the visiting.
For more, please go to http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/eng/main/index.asp?pagestr=,63-1-0-0
Ocean Park Chairman Say thank you as park reports 2005/2006 attendance record of 4.38 million, 26 November 2006
Let's Ditch Television! Watch Our Computers Instead!
Our televisions are slowly gathering dust as more people start to drift away from their living rooms to watch their computers instead. What is this peculiarity that seems to be happening nowadays? It is known as the viral video phenomenon. People seem to be obsessed by---no, not big budget films and television shows---but low budget video clips made by unknown individuals with a lot of time. These viral videos are viewed most commonly on the popular YouTube website, where more than 70 million videos are viewed daily.
For example, the "My Box in a Box" video, which was a parody of another viral video, became famous right away, with more than 800,000 views the first day! It cost only up to $500 to shoot and edit this clip and contained unknown actors. Yet, to this day, this video has been viewed 3.7 million times! What makes these videos so popular?
Todd Defren, blogger of "PR Squared" for Ogilvy, interviewed Ben Relles, an executive of Agency.com, who helped made the "My Box in a Box" viral video so---well---viral. In the interview, Relles explains many interesting information regarding how videos can become so viral. One point Relles makes is that these videos are popular because of their originality. It doesn't have to appeal to certain interests or to "what's in", but rather be spontaneous.
Relles shares that, "...there are no hard and fast 'rules' to this. You’ll see a lot of marketing ‘experts’ out there naming the 'rules' to viral. I think you can safely ignore them...The videos that break through are often successful because they are UNLIKE anything that’s been done."
So if you're ever thinking of making a video, don't think like big corporate marketers with their fancy rules. Just think like yourself. That's original.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Work-At-Home
If you are interested in it, check out the link and learn more:
http://www.prblognews.com
Wakeup Walmart
I’ve come across an interesting press release in WAKEUPWALMART.COM. At the beginning, I thought it was the website of Walmart. Sure, it is a web about Walmart but not owned by Walmart. This web is made by a group of people who are strongly against this biggest retailer in US. In the press release, the web criticizes Walmart’s empty statement concerning its support in universal health. The Wakeup Walmart activists urge Walmart to change. These people will continue their campaigns until one day Walmart takes actual response. Having seen a news report about Walmart the other day, I am now aware of Walmart news. It is hard to believe that a big company like Walmart, which has such a great profit every year, can treat its employees in such a harsh way: gender discrimination, repeated child labor violations and paying poverty leave wages. I believe these are the main elements for Walmart’s success. Anyway, I am posting this site so that more people can look at this issue and take it seriously.
Public Relations a Social Science?
Dixie Chicks Win BIg.
The Dixie Chicks was shunned by society with plummeting record sales and threats being made on their life after making some anti-Bush comments in 2003 prior to the Iraq Invasion. Now nearly five years later we ask the question, was it worth it?
Definitely.
The Dixie Chicks stood by their own personal political opinion and was, at the time, punished for it. At the time, it may not have seemed like a great PR move. Yes, the Dixie Chicks made headlines but dropped in sales as well as had threats on their lives. Now we can see that that the Dixie Chicks have recovered from their political turmoil very well.
Winning five out of the five Grammys they were nominated more is an amazing accomplishment which is something that not many artists can say. The Dixie Chicks just keeping making big PR moves to keep in the headlines.
At the close of their acceptance speech Natalie Maines, lead singer of the group, said "Well, to quote the great 'Simpsons' — 'Heh-Heh.'" "Heh-Heh" is right. The Dixie Chicks definitely ended on top.
The Dixie Chicks' Triumph
Now, the Chicks feel victorious and feel that the freedom of speech is an essential element in the United States and people excerciced their right of free speech when they honored them with the five awards.
Congratulations for the Chicks........
A Little Cognitive Dissonance
Kai Ryssdal, host of NPR's Marketplace Money, was interviewing the show's economic editor, Chris Farrell. Their topic: the U.S. economy and why so many people seem to have the "economic jitters" even though most economic indicators are positive. Yes, it turns out that it all comes down to cognitive dissonance.
Want to listen? Here's the link: http://marketplacemoney.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/02/09/straight_story_the_economic_jitters/
Sunday, February 11, 2007
New York Times Print Edition Dead?
Sulzberger is betting that the online version of the Times, The New York Times reader, developed with Microsoft, will be a big hit. Sulzberger said “we live in the Internet world.”
The newspaper’s profits have been declining for four years. Sulzberger is contemplating charging for the Times reader, now offered free in beta.
Source:
PR Blog News
Grading your blog posts
Here's how I'm grading your blog posts: If your post is well-written, interesting, and relevant to the class, and it includes links to the original source material and/or supporting information, you'll get 10 out of 10 points. If it's missing any of those elements, you'll lose a point per missing element. And if I spot any typos, grammatical errors, misused words, etc., you'll lose one point per error. So keep your copy clean or you'll quickly run out of points.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Quit Giving 'The Finger'
Well, if your thoughts are anything like those of people in Boston, your immediate thought would be terrorists and that the blinking lights are bombs. Streets and bridges were shut down, bomb squads were called in, and in the end, the city of Boston was the laughing stock of the cartoon community.
Over the past few weeks, Cartoon Network executives have been planting these blinking lights all over major cities to promote one of their television shows--Aqua Teen Hunger Force. This guerrilla marketing campaign has led to the resignation of Jim Samples, Cartoon Network executive Vice President.
Here's the kicker. Turner Broadcasting and an advertising agency paid $2 million in compensation for the emergency response that had taken place in Boston for their own over reaction.
Clearly Boston overreacted, but would you?
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Expensive and Offensive
What do you think? :
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
PR blog from India
What's wrong with our press releases today - a discussion from India's new PR podcast
Zoom into Pod Universal, the first PR podcast blog in India by K Srinivasan of Prime Point Foundation and the man behind the some of the top online PR groups. In addition to PR, the blog will cover topics including health, career, management, current affairs, sports, and culture.
I like a recent post in which Srinivasan discussed with KT Jagannathan of The Hindu on why corporate press releases are increasingly being rejected by the media, what are the deficiencies, and how we can write good and effective press releases.
The discussion raised certain interesting issues like -
1. Credibility of the press release reaching a newspaper's office - Is it on a company letterhead? Is it signed - none of them are signed nowadays? Who will take accountability of what is written there in the press release? Companies don't inform the media when they have appointed a PR agency, which they should.
2. Duplication of information - Sending press releases from multiple locations - media is aware of this practice. Many ignore press releases because they feel that their offices in other cities must be receiving the same news and will take care of them.
3. Press releases are increasingly containing advertorial material, and not real news.
4. MNCs are more closed than Indian companies when sharing information to the media. I feel that MNCs can do much better PR if their corporate communications departments speed up the way they approve anything, starting from a press release draft, or sending out a single para to a journalist.
5. PR should be knowledge-based, not act like courier agencies - only then the industry can gain respect.
Find more: http://indiapr.blogspot.com/
Surprising "Creative" Super Bowl Ads
Check out the ads from CBS:
Bad Langauge And Writing For The PR
Share with you a funny picture that I get from his site about the traditional icons of different companies.
Great Find: The Cultural Tribes of Public Relations
This article was particularly appealing because of Leichty’s proposal of 5 distinct voices in discussions about PR. He suggests that these distinct voices are illustrated in the varying texts that define and critique public relations practice. Leichty writes, “These competing cultural visions cannot be united into 1 coherent vision. Public relations is a multicultural field that is constituted by this ongoing competitive dialogue.”
It’s a very insightful article that is definitely worth reading. It gives the reader an interesting perspective on the PR tactics of great public relations pioneers like Edward Bernay and Ivy Lee.
Enjoy the Article and let me know what you think. :D
OJ says "If I did"...
Nearly 12 years after OJ was found 'not guilty' of the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, a book was about to be published entitled If I Did. The book was supposed to tell what OJ would have done if he has killed Brown and Goldman.
According to OJ, the entire book was written by a ghostwriter who didn't accurately give facts about the case as well as the hypothetical actions of OJ himself. But the book was OKd by OJ because he 'didn't kill anyone anyway'. However, publication was stopped because it was not accurate on what he would do and apparently it just made him look guilty.
Well duh OJ!! I mean, come on, OK a book on how you would've killed your ex-wife, but then deny publication cause that's not how you would've done it? And on top of it all, still claim you didn't do it? Might as well have written innocent in blood on your forehead.
HP is digitizing the entertainment industry
newly business called "HP Video Merchant Services."
According to HP web site, HP is providing the video-retailers with a multichannel distribution by allowing them to fulfill the requests of their consumers in a variety of ways, including digital downloads, DVDs manufactured on demand, traditional packaged DVDs and emerging video formats such as HD-DVDs and Blu-Ray discs.
Guess who was the first to adopt the new service?
WAL-MART . Yes, Wal-Mart online shoppers will have this accessibility. Customers can find now and purchase their favorite movie or TV titles by having the option of downloading a digital copy to their PCs, portable video player, and by having the option for mail delivery.
How interesting! What else to be digitized?
Super Bowl Madness
I can't beleive this guy, Marketing editor David Kiley stated that Coca-Cola had the best two commercials in the super bowl. Marketing editor Burt Helm thought that Chevy had the best two commercials. I personnaly believe that Budwieser crushed the competition with its hilarious commercials such as the slap, the spotted dog in the parade and the rock paper scissors. I honestly believe that commercials that you remember do their job and are the best commercials. USA Today's AdTrack also gave Budwieser 's "Crab" ad the numeber one spot based off its large audience sample. I think that Chevy's "Men can't keep their hands off" ad was better than both of Coca Cola ads. Coca Cola even used an old commercial that aired in theatersn weeks before the Super Bowl. I will even go as far and say that Block Buster had a better commercial than Coca Cola's.
Tell me what you think: What Super Bowl commercial was the best ?
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Gavin Newsom's had a hell of year...
...and it's only February.
When the Newsom affair first surfaced in headlines (all over the country, mind you) I can't say that I was shocked.
People in power have affairs all of the time. Thomas Jefferson ring a bell? Not to mention Bill Clinton and Ron Gonzales.
From a PR standpoint, Newsom (and his people) handled the situation beautifully. He made a public apology that was timely and seemed honest, and he took full responsibility for his actions.
What more could we want?
But then he announced that he is seeking treatment for his problem with alcohol. Whether or not he has a problem, had a problem, needs help, or is getting it, really doesn't matter to me. I'm curious as to why he (and his people) would release a fact like that so soon after he had nearly restored his public image.
I think that they are trying to redirect the media attention away from the sex scandal and toward an issue that Newsom (and his people) have complete control over. Which is either political suicide or it's so brilliant a plan that I can't even comprehend its mastery. Newsom isn't even blaming the affair on his problem with alcohol--which is what makes me think that it might be a public relations stunt.
If I were his people, I would have let his apology be the last thing they released. It was nice and people respected his honesty.
Seeking treatment for alcohol so soon after a public blunder is like a celebrity citing irreconcilable differences on their divorce papers.
A classic children's toy is recalled
Monday, February 5, 2007
Politicians and Political Bruisers
How to leave a message--PR style
The advice from the newsletter states that leaving brief messages with our main point may capture your listener attention. You should invite your party to join you in your next public relations event (in hopes that they will help cover your event and spread the word). An example given on the PR website includes calling your potential client -- and instead of plainly telling them about your event that will promote a clean air awareness -- you can simply say; "hey come have lunch with the mayor as we celebrate our successful clean air awareness competition that we are launching this weekend. Call me back (input your name and number here). End of phone message.
This reminded me of our class lecture about persuasion. Stating a simple phone message in a persuasive manner can leave people wanting more....and by more I mean calling you back.
PR Blog-Linking Is Everywhere
As Steve Rubel points out, "blog-like linking techniques" in public relations has become quite popular. Look at Ogilvy & Mather, for instance. They are a huge advertising and public relations firm that focuses on building brands for many known products, entertainment, and services. On their website, they provide links to the companies they work with, successful commercials they have made, press release, and also case studies. All of these links are PR tactics to promote their work.
For example, the company's website provides many case studies, including that of their pitch for American Idol. They show the PR techniques, such as their strategies and their campaign, used to gain success. Although the link is meant to teach others which techniques are useful, they indirectly promote their work. These uses of linking techniques seems to be common PR tactics for many companies.