The Hot News page has links to Apple product features and case studies on web pages within the Apple web site, as well as summaries of recent positive press coverage. But it also includes links to news stories that compare the Mac OS to Microsoft's new Vista operating system...at least the ones that prefer the Mac OS. Rubel notes this is an interesting use of blog-like links for PR purposes.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Use of linking in PR
In his blog Micro Persuasion, Steve Rubel of Edelman PR notes how Apple is using blog-like linking techniques on the Hot News page of its web site.
The Hot News page has links to Apple product features and case studies on web pages within the Apple web site, as well as summaries of recent positive press coverage. But it also includes links to news stories that compare the Mac OS to Microsoft's new Vista operating system...at least the ones that prefer the Mac OS. Rubel notes this is an interesting use of blog-like links for PR purposes.
The Hot News page has links to Apple product features and case studies on web pages within the Apple web site, as well as summaries of recent positive press coverage. But it also includes links to news stories that compare the Mac OS to Microsoft's new Vista operating system...at least the ones that prefer the Mac OS. Rubel notes this is an interesting use of blog-like links for PR purposes.
No More Pilotless Drones
I was reading Jim Horton's PR Blog recently, and I came across an interesting entry about the San Francisco Chronicle. Newspapers are constantly trying to maintain their relevance in today's increasingly digital world. The Chron has come up with an entertaining spin on podcasting and on the Letters to the Editor page. See, Correct me if I'm wrong....
Words can hurt
I'm sure you have all heard the expression, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Not so true in the perspective of consumers shopping for a car or high price electronics. According to BIGresearch, an online marketing research group, the word of mouth is the most influential media outlet when shopping around for these items.
This puts pressure on these manufactures because you will only get talked about if your product is terrible or absolutely fantastic.
St. Valentine's Day
Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, cards and gifts are exchanged between loved ones. They go out for dinner, party, or cinema. Shops pack their products or services in valentine's mood and boost sales volume. It succeeds when advertising and marketing work hand in hand. People fall into the romantic mood and shops can fulfil their desire of having a great memory with their beloved, people then consume. But anyways, money will go into big business's pocket!
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Bush's request for $2.9 trillion for Iraq.
I wasn't really surprised by Bush's request for additional fund to finance the unpopular war in Iraq. I know--as every American who read the history knows --that the war is not going to end soon. But, what surprised me really is that there is a plan to cut down on health care programs and other govermental programs in order to finance the war.
The Bipolar Customer
I read an interesting post from the blog that I am following. They call it consumer dissonance. It's when consumers break all the conventional rules of shoppng behavior. For example, the typical consumer shopping at Costco is also taking luxury spa vacations. And they have a Hummer H3 sitting next to a Toyota Prius in the driveway.
I think it's more than impulse buying. A January 2007 article from the New York Times said that it was a calculated part of the company's business plan. I agree. What would be your call?
I think it's more than impulse buying. A January 2007 article from the New York Times said that it was a calculated part of the company's business plan. I agree. What would be your call?
Super Bowl Ad Campaigns A Major Downer
After watching the Super Bowl this evening, admittedly without favoring either team prior to viewing the Colt's victory, I can honestly say that I was more disappointed in the ad campaigns during the Super Bowl this year, than ever before. There has been quite a bit of hype regarding various ad campaigns and according to my blog spot (www.sspr.com/blog/), there was even a $2.6 million charge by CBS per each 30 second advertisement (Jan. 31 post). My expectations were to see the infamous amusing commercials of which most faux Super Bowl watchers partake each year, but I was instead pacified with cheesy Comcast ads, beauty shots of Cadillacs, K-Fed singing a jingle for Nationwide Insurance and cartoon Coca-Cola commercials. I would have thought with the launch of Apple's newest product, they would have at least come through with a winning advertisement.
After reading all of the excitement these companies seem to have regarding their air time during the Super Bowl, I was expecting much more from the PR perspective. Any thoughts from my classmates or was it just me that was disappointed?
After reading all of the excitement these companies seem to have regarding their air time during the Super Bowl, I was expecting much more from the PR perspective. Any thoughts from my classmates or was it just me that was disappointed?
The Super Bowl Will Never Die
The ads that can be found on YouTube are just snippets that were probably released by the ad company- to create pre-game buzz and make even more people interested.
On "POP! PR-Blogspot" writer Jeremy Pepper mentions that he thinks it was a creative PR approach to make those who are already totally into watching the ads on Super Bowl Sunday even more obsessed. Those obsessed people will run around and tell everyone about the snippets they say on YouTube, and argue about which commercial will be the best- even before it airs.
On "POP! PR-Blogspot" writer Jeremy Pepper mentions that he thinks it was a creative PR approach to make those who are already totally into watching the ads on Super Bowl Sunday even more obsessed. Those obsessed people will run around and tell everyone about the snippets they say on YouTube, and argue about which commercial will be the best- even before it airs.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Some Thoughts on Theory
In class this week, I talked about some key Theories of Mass Communications, including framing, agenda setting and my all-time favorite, the Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion. (Note: all of these links are to a great web site on communication theories developed by the University of Twente in The Netherlands.)
I think Scientific Theories (social science and hard science) are incredibly valuable because they offer us ways to understand and explain the otherwise inexplicable.
Theories also help us predict future events...if we can figure out how, why and under what circumstances certain things happen, we stand a better chance of replicating good results and avoiding bad ones. (Truly, those who do not understand history are doomed to repeat it. Just look at Iraq. But I digress....)
So that's Theory with a capital "T"...the kind that's based on data and reason, observation and/or experimentation, and replicable results...not on what we wish was true.
Then there's the other kind of theory...theory with a lower-case "t"...the kind most of us mean when we say, "Here's my theory on that." What we've usually got is an idea about how things work...it might be right, might be wrong, might be we're just joking around.
For example, here's a lower-case "t" theory put forth on the Daily Kos blog about why some people prefer Macs. And I've got to tell you, from my personal perspective as a Mac user, it's right on target. But, of course, that's just a theory...with a lower-case "t."
I think Scientific Theories (social science and hard science) are incredibly valuable because they offer us ways to understand and explain the otherwise inexplicable.
Theories also help us predict future events...if we can figure out how, why and under what circumstances certain things happen, we stand a better chance of replicating good results and avoiding bad ones. (Truly, those who do not understand history are doomed to repeat it. Just look at Iraq. But I digress....)
So that's Theory with a capital "T"...the kind that's based on data and reason, observation and/or experimentation, and replicable results...not on what we wish was true.
Then there's the other kind of theory...theory with a lower-case "t"...the kind most of us mean when we say, "Here's my theory on that." What we've usually got is an idea about how things work...it might be right, might be wrong, might be we're just joking around.
For example, here's a lower-case "t" theory put forth on the Daily Kos blog about why some people prefer Macs. And I've got to tell you, from my personal perspective as a Mac user, it's right on target. But, of course, that's just a theory...with a lower-case "t."
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Death of the Super Bowl May Be Coming Soon
I don't know about everyone else, but I am a HUGE football fan. I absolutely love the sport and although my team didn't make it to the Super Bowl this year, our time will come once again...There will be a day in the future when the 49ers
actually get into the playoffs, but until that time we can entertain ourselves with the fearsome fight between two of the biggest and best teams in football this year--the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts.
The Super Bowl is not just about the game itself, it's more than that--it's advertising Heaven. Companies this year are paying more than $2 million to air a 30 second commercial--that is an insane amount of money for such a little amount of time.
The Super Bowl has been known for having the most infamous commercials the country has ever seen. Most of the commercials that air during the Super Bowl are not seen before or after the big event. This year appears to be different though--with the popularity of illegal downloading and the ability to find anything and everything on the Internet it is no surprise that the most infamous and treasured commercials are beginning to leak out.
For the first time in Super Bowl Commercial history, a commercial has leaked onto the Internet. As I was reading BiteMarks, I began to wonder about the future of Super Bowl Sunday--football's most glorious day.
So here is my question...If at least half of the people watching the Super Bowl are watching it for the commercials, how many people will continue to watch the Super Bowl when they can simply just watch the commercials on the Internet and not have to sit through a football game that they have no interest in?
The reason I ask the question is this--if YouTube continues to grow at the rate that it does and if people continue to seek information at such a fast rate, there will come a time when the hoopla surrounding Super Bowl commercials will die down because all the commercials will be found on the Internet and there will be no need to actually watch the game.
YouTube is slowly beginning to take away the glory from the most infamous and most watched game of the year. The only option that is left, is to wait it out and see whether YouTube will ruin the future of the Super Bowl.
actually get into the playoffs, but until that time we can entertain ourselves with the fearsome fight between two of the biggest and best teams in football this year--the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts.The Super Bowl is not just about the game itself, it's more than that--it's advertising Heaven. Companies this year are paying more than $2 million to air a 30 second commercial--that is an insane amount of money for such a little amount of time.
The Super Bowl has been known for having the most infamous commercials the country has ever seen. Most of the commercials that air during the Super Bowl are not seen before or after the big event. This year appears to be different though--with the popularity of illegal downloading and the ability to find anything and everything on the Internet it is no surprise that the most infamous and treasured commercials are beginning to leak out.
For the first time in Super Bowl Commercial history, a commercial has leaked onto the Internet. As I was reading BiteMarks, I began to wonder about the future of Super Bowl Sunday--football's most glorious day.
So here is my question...If at least half of the people watching the Super Bowl are watching it for the commercials, how many people will continue to watch the Super Bowl when they can simply just watch the commercials on the Internet and not have to sit through a football game that they have no interest in?The reason I ask the question is this--if YouTube continues to grow at the rate that it does and if people continue to seek information at such a fast rate, there will come a time when the hoopla surrounding Super Bowl commercials will die down because all the commercials will be found on the Internet and there will be no need to actually watch the game.
YouTube is slowly beginning to take away the glory from the most infamous and most watched game of the year. The only option that is left, is to wait it out and see whether YouTube will ruin the future of the Super Bowl.
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