Article: Public Relations Train Wrecks
This article from SearchEngineWatch describes the impact of blogs and other new media on the world of public relations and offers several interesting examples of PR blunders. This is an interesting read.
Our view: this article underscores a point made in our June e-newsletter: strategy, not communication, is the foundation of an effective public relations campaign. Organizations that simply shoot from the hip with no strategy guiding their communication efforts are more likely to step on one of the land mines described in the article.
Article: Marketing in Uncertain Times
This article by Shane Atchison (from ClickZ.com) provides excellent guidance for marketing in uncertain times.
In our view, it is important to prepare in advance for the unexpected. Ask the unthinkable “what if” questions — “what if this happened to our business?” Plan ahead by developing strategies to handle potential crises. Don’t delude yourself by saying “that could never happen to us.” I’m willing to bet most other companies that have faced challenging situations had similar thoughts before the crisis hit their organization.
Interview with Direct Marketing Expert
This article on BtoB’s Web site offers interesting insight from a direct marketing expert.
Article: Public Relations is Perception Management
This article by Robert Leaf makes a number of excellent points regarding public relations; it is worth reading.
Some key points from the article include:
- You might run a great company, your product or service might genuinely provide great benefits. But if the customer does not perceive it that way it remains on the shelves.
- Among other tasks, executives must become perception managers. To do this executives must integrate public relations into the company’s total communications mix.
- Previously, advertising departments or ad agencies saw public relations departments as threats to their egos. Now executives must put a premium on getting all sides to work together.
Article: Marketing integration can create unified message
This is a good read. The author is correct in stating that consistency is one of the fundamentals of an effective marketing communication effort.
Poll: Americans Over 50 Say TV is Best Source of News, Those Under 40 Cite Internet
From Rasmussen Polling:
Americans over 50 name television as the best way to get news and information in today’s world. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that adults under 40 name the Internet as the best source while 40-somethings are divided between those two worlds.
Print newspapers are considered the best source for many senior citizens but hardly anybody else. Radio finishes near the bottom of the four mediums among all age groups.
Click here for the full article
Survey: More People Using Internet as Main Source of News
According to a recent Harvard study, an increasing number of people are obtaining the majority of their news from online sources — a trend that the study indicates is adversely impacting local newspapers throughout America.
Some highlights of the study:
- The study found that, in general, traffic on newspaper-based Web sites has leveled off. While the Web sites of major, nationally known papers are gaining larger audiences, the sites of most other newspapers are losing their audiences.
- According to the study, the Web sites of “brand name” news organizations (i.e. CNN or FOX News) have grown, as have the Web sites of local commercial television and radio stations (such as Raleigh’s WRAL.com).
Taking the Time to Lay a Solid Foundation
In a May 31 post I discussed what I believe to be the TRUE foundation of public relations: strategy. In that post I contended that effective communication flows from a solid strategy.
Based on my experience and observations, both in my own business and from dealing with clients, I believe that a high percentage of small and mid-sized businesses and other organizations are operating with virtually no strategic communication framework. They are, in essence, shooting from the hip. Why is this?
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Recent Posts
- Sharpening the Saw
- Pioneer Strategies celebrates nine years in business
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- Pioneer Strategies’ president addresses South Brunswick Islands Rotary Club, discusses Social Media 101
- A GEICO commercial that is both irritating and amusing
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