Entries Tagged 'Public Relations' ↓

It happened again. Doctors Without Borders is reporting another hospital, this one, a pediatric hospital in Aleppo Syria, has been bombed. At least 14 people, doctors, and patients, have been killed in what is being described as a direct airstrike. Rebels hold that area, narrowing down the list of those who may be responsible. So far, neither Russia nor the coalition supported by the United States has admitted responsibility.

NBC attempted to get information, but neither Russia nor the US has responded. Syrian warplanes are not being used in that area to conduct airstrikes.

The head of Doctors Without Borders in Syria, Muskilda Zancada, told NBC, “This devastating attack has destroyed a vital hospital in Aleppo…Where is the outrage among those with the power and obligation to stop this carnage?”

The strike destroyed the ER, ICU, and OR in the hospital, rendering it mostly useless to carry out its mission of being the primary referral facility for pediatrics in the area.

Syria’s Civil Defense rescue service told the media more than 30 people had been killed in the bombing, adding to the death toll in the Syrian conflict that has claimed some 250,000 lives in the past five years.
The bombing of an Afghan hospital this past October turned out to be a major PR problem for the U.S. government. President Obama called it a “tragic mistake” blaming miscommunication with coalition forces for what DWB described as a “relentless and brutal aerial attack.”

“The public relations consequences of this sort of tragedy, even in a war zone, are substantial. People recognize there will be collateral damage in war-torn regions. But some “damage” has more drastic optics and consequences than others.”, says NY real estate developer Roman Temkin.

The idea of a children’s hospital being utterly destroyed, and small children being killed senselessly will be too much for even the most practical to simply dismiss. Answers will have to be given, and blame will be assessed. Whether the parties responsible wish to own up or not.

Should they deny or equivocate it’s likely the truth will eventually surface on any account? This just makes the perpetrators look even worse … and it does nothing to assuage the grief of those this has impacted.

About a week ago, Amazon was accused, by proxy, of failing to promote gender equality where salaries are concerned. The issue stemmed from the company’s request that language related to gender equality not be included in conversations conducted by and for stockholders at upcoming meetings. This request, which the company likely felt was simple, led to a massive firestorm of criticism. Amazon did not take this passively. The company fired back with vigor … and with facts.

According to reports by CNN, Amazon claims women earn just as much as men. After conducting a survey of its staff, Amazon learned that women make 99.9 percent of men’s earnings in equivalent positions. Minorities make even more than certain white counterparts.
“There will naturally be slight fluctuations from year to year, but at Amazon we are committed to keeping compensation fair and equitable,” an Amazon spokesman said in a statement.

The watchdog group that set off this process – Arjuna – said they were happy Amazon decided to play ball. Initially, the company rebuffed requests to release pay data. They also hailed the release as a victory for their cause – equality and transparency in pay.

The scenario is a clear indicator of where we are culturally when it comes to social pressure on major corporations. Not too long ago, this sort of targeted finger pointing – especially by groups with absolutely no facts – would be laughed off. Companies could simply ignore the jibes and go about their day. Not in the age of the internet. It didn’t matter that Arjuna had absolutely no data. All they had to say is: “prove you don’t discriminate” and they had an endless chorus of supporters from all corners of the internet.

“Fair? Not remotely. But fair is not an operable word in public relations. People get tarred and featured all the time without cause. Some people who should be lambasted get off scot free. It’s the nature of the game.”, says NY entrepreneur Jonah Engler. Engler contiues on to say, “If you have a strong and consistent message, you can weather these storms, but if you’re vulnerable, someone will find that chink in your armor and exploit it.”

Amazon may not have anticipated the accusations from Arjuna, but they were ready for them, and gave back as good – or better – than they got. They answered doubt with facts, questions with certainty. Sure, Arjuna can pretend it’s a win for their cause, but suddenly, a week after being accused of being unfair to women, Amazon stands as a model of pay equality.

For decades, the Golden State Warriors were the laughingstock of the NBA. Perennial doormats. How many teams can say they were the “C” team in any state in a professional sport? Contenders? these guys were never even thought of, much less brought up in conversation.

All that’s changed. And they’ve done it in a spectacular crowd-pleasing way that has put them in the history books and may just save basketball from itself.

For years, the NBA has been faltering. From the faulty coronation of King James to the floundering of once-powerhouse teams in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. Gone is the team model that defined the golden era of Magic and Bird. Now teams are being built around one-trick-pony superstars who never seem to deliver when the chips are down. Sure, the Spurs are still showing other franchises how to get it done, but everyone outside of Texas had a tough time getting behind a team that feels, well, old and boring in comparison to the superstar-driven franchises.

Meanwhile, out in California, torches were being passed. The Clippers were suddenly beating the Lakes and, not that far away, the Warriors were building a franchise for the long haul. And now, that team is more than ready for prime time.

Oakland-based Golden State has given fans in the bay area something to cheer about again. Already having a 70-win season, Golden State’s quest for 73 puts them on par with the best ever to play the game. The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, a team some say is the best to ever play roundball, went 72-10 before killing it in the playoffs to win yet another NBA title.

If Golden State does make 73 – or even if they tie the Bulls – they have a claim on the best ever. After all, the two teams still on the Warriors schedule include number two ranked San Antonio and the playoff-bound Grizzlies. The Warriors believe they are up to the challenge.

Some will say the record will be tainted by a more lopsided team lineup. The NBA certainly has its share of haves and have-nots, but they don’t have much – if any – less parity than the league did in the Bulls’ heyday. So forget all that “back in the day” talk. These Warriors are very, very good.

The best make others around them better, and that’s been the case with Golden State all season. Their season rivalry with the Spurs looks to set up an epic battle in the playoffs. San Antonio is chasing a record of its own, hoping to win more at home than any other team since Bird’s Celtics.

And this is only one more exciting storyline featuring Golden State this season. Every generation has a dominant franchise that fits at the center of an ongoing NBA legacy. The Spurs are at the end of their run, and Golden State looks poised to take the baton. Is there anyone in the East that’s up for the challenge?

In the wild world of NASCAR, fans not only choose favorite racers and ownership groups, they also pledge undying loyalty to a certain brand. Just stroll through the parking lot at any racing event. Calvin is peeing on some logo on nearly every pickup truck. According to New York Real Estate Developer Roman Temkin, “Doesn’t matter if it’s Chevy or Ford, if you’re a dedicated fan, you are honor-bound to pick a side. That’s why what happened recently was such a surprise to NASCAR faithful.”

Perennial powerhouse team Stewart-Haas Racing just switched allegiances from Chevrolet to Ford. That may not sound like big news, but in auto racing, that’s HUGE. SHR has driven Chevys since it was founded in 2002, winning two Cup titles. But the SHR allegiance to Chevy goes even deeper. Co-owner Tony Stewart has been in a Chevy for all but one of his 18 NASCAR seasons and current top star Kevin Harvick has never raced anything in the series except a Chevy.

Anticipating fan reactions, Stewart toned down his typically brash demeanor and adopted a more reasonable tone, telling the media: “This is a constantly evolving sport. We try to make decisions that best position us for the future, so we consider our partners, our drivers and our employees when we think of these strategies. We feel this future relationship with Ford provides us with a bright future, great stability for SHR and an opportunity to compete at a very top level in the sport.”

It was a careful statement, and Chevy was never mentioned. But perhaps it wasn’t careful enough. Remember, he is talking to fans who literally chose vehicles based on their NASCAR loyalty. What will all those Chevy driving SHR fans do now that their favorite racer is wrapped in a Ford next time he’s on the track? For them, it will be like having to swap political affiliation or officially join the Dark Side.

For Stewart, who plans to retire at the end of the year, the move provides an enigmatic exclamation point to a controversial career. But where does it leave Harvick and other drivers including fan favorites Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick?

Today, a growing number of public relations professionals seek to demonstrate leadership qualities. As more of these specialists find themselves reporting to corporate Chief Marketing Officers, their positions frequently entail a higher level of managerial responsibilities.

What measures should a PR professional undertake to gain admission to a seat in the Executive Suite or the Corporate Boardroom? Just consider taking some of these steps pegged to President’s Day to boost your career prospects in this exciting profession:

Develop Communications Skills
It never hurts to hone your communications skills first if you expect to excel in public relations. You’ll express messages more effectively.

President Ronald Reagan and President Bill Clinton both developed reputations for masterful communications. Despite his conservative views, Ronald Reagan negotiated a peaceful end to the Cold War. His eloquent correspondence remains widely quoted. President Clinton gained acclaim for conducting captivating town hall meetings. His riveting addresses commanded high speaking fees after he left office.

Undertake Part-Time Degree Programs
Numerous Americans holding impressive academic credentials compete for compensated positions in the job market today. The era when a poorly educated individual might expect rapid career advancement has largely disappeared. Going back to school as an adult learner and pursuing a part-time degree in business or computer information technology enables you to boost your career prospects within your chosen field.

This leadership strategy worked well for President Abraham Lincoln, who enjoyed limited educational opportunities as a child residing in rural, frontier areas. He eventually worked his way through Latin-laden legal tomes to become a successful Illinois attorney. President Andrew Jackson also rose to an important leadership position in government despite limited access to formal education as a child.

Gain Familiarity With Social Media Platforms
Modern Presidents use the Internet and social media extensively. You can, too, in order to advance your career in public relations.

Corporate recruiters now regard familiarity with social media platforms as an essential job requirement. Develop social media campaign expertise to attain leadership status during SEO marketing.

Promote Yourself Like a Candidate
The English developed a colorful proverb several centuries ago that aptly sums up the competitive commercial global marketplace today: “faint heart never won fair lady.” In order to obtain public relations career advancement in many contemporary settings, you need to abandon modesty and promote yourself shamelessly.

Billionaire Donald Trump and other Presidential candidates across the political spectrum don’t have a problem with this self-promotional philosophy. Learn from them and advance your public relations career by praising yourself with gusto! In this high tech era of glitzy mobile chatter and hype, if you don’t extol your own talents, other people won’t appreciate them either.

Create Your Own Boardroom
One of the most effective leadership strategies, especially for professionals over the age of 40 who encounter frequent de facto age discrimination in the USA from Personnel Departments, involves establishing your own business venture. If employers won’t compensate you in accordance with your abilities, or promote you into responsible leadership positions, you can always hire yourself.

President George Washington helped found a great nation on a very tight budget. Emulate his example and adopt some revolutionary business startup tactics to help advance your PR career into an Executive level. Today, numerous tools exist for skilled PR professionals who want to achieve upward mobility, yet lack extensive financial resources. Don’t hesitate to use these business aids. Assume a higher level of risk in order to achieve better compensation for your labor.

Embodying PR Leadership
By pegging your PR career to President’s Day ideals, you’ll display better leadership qualities. Use these strategies to achieve career success like a President!

The bad news for Volkswagen just keeps rolling off the AP assembly line. When the U.S. government put out notices that automakers should recall even more cars and trucks due to a potentially deadly Takata airbag issue, VW replied by telling safety regulators the recall wasn’t necessary.

After a harsh rebuttal from the government, VW agreed to the recall, likely because they are already in big trouble thanks to their widely-publicized emissions testing scandals.

The recall will impact roughly 850,000 Audi and VW models sold in the United States with model years stretching from 2006 to 2014.

So, they agreed to the recall and bit the bullet, right? What’s the big deal? Well, the big deal came courtesy of a letter sent to safety regulators arguing the recall “may be overboard.” This is incendiary indifference considering the nation is still reeling from the GM recall fiasco, with that delay linked to the deaths of scores of people.

According to David Milberg of New York, “While Volkswagen may have a point – their airbag inflators were made in factories in Germany, not in the United States and Mexico, where the defective airbags have been traced. Still, combined with their insistence on pushing back against federal agencies is not winning friends for the company among wary consumers.”

Once the darlings of the automotive world and a company on a rocket ship trajectory to the top of the industry, Volkswagen spent much of 2015 and early 2016 embroiled in controversy, watching sales fall and profits diminish. The emissions scandal stands to cost them millions, some say tens of millions, and potential criminal charges. But that’s just the beginning of the fallout.

Consumers may balk at the emissions trick, but then let it go because VW got busted, but it’s tough to overlook a company that seems to take the lives of consumers so flippantly. The detail that the VW airbag deployment devices were not made in the same factories as the bad ones will not matter in the least. Consumers will hear “VW” and “possible death” in the same sentence and react with visceral disgust. If the company wishes to win back any of its previous appeal, it needs to get serious about public safety – and in a very public way.

PayPal hero. Electric motor success story. New space race pioneer. Seems like nothing can stop Elon Musk. Except maybe a passive attack on what was making his electric car dream successful – high gas prices.

Here in the States, gas prices have plummeted to numbers not seen in nearly a decade. People are less interested in hybrid and fully electric alternatives when filling up at the pump isn’t cutting into their fun money. Perhaps, as a result, Tesla stock has fallen more than 25 percent.

Some analysts blame the poor performance on the slow consumer response to Tesla’s new crossover model. Yes, it was a crowded market dominated by brands with intense customer loyalty, but that didn’t matter as much when folks were cringing every time that needle inched toward “E”.

According to NY entrepreneur and Real Estate Developer Roman Temkin, “Of course, an innovator like Musk is not going to allow something like losing your main selling point damage him permanently. Tesla is currently working on a less expensive model, expected to price out at around $35,000, called the Model 3.” Could this, finally, be the fully electric car for “everyone”? Tesla is hoping consumers think so.

This is a vital tipping point for electric-based propulsion models. To date, electric vehicles have been viewed as luxury items, a choice made by people who could afford the five of ten thousand dollar increase for hybrids or the twenty or thirty thousand bump for Tesla’s fully electric models. But if a fully electric car was available for roughly the price of an average gas-powered car, that could really shake up the market.

Analysts say to expect the first Model 3s to be available in 2018. Musk promises them a year sooner. He has proven that betting against him is a foolish pursuit. Could the still-falling gas prices be motivating the faster release? Possibly. But it’s more likely that Musk understands his public relations cycle. He’s currently basking in the glow of success with SpaceX, but that won’t last. The news cycle is fickle and only wants increasingly amazing headlines from one of the more established wizards of this generation.

It’s the price of doing the impossible. Every time you try, people expect you to go bigger or stay home.

The housewares industry is a multi billion-dollar industry that provides a wide array of household products that help people accomplish numerous household related tasks. The industry has a high level of competition that helps the industry as a whole regarding product development, brand awareness, product variety, and competitive product pricing.

As an industry, housewares has a large market interested in the type of products that are offered. In addition, the market is continually growing and diversifying. Within the industry, the companies that compete for market share have a variety of methods available to reach potential customers. However, one of the most effective methods that many companies in the industry use to reach potential customers is Public Relations (PR).

Public Relations

While many people hear about public relations on a regular basis, few people understand the dynamics involved in effective public relations. In a general sense, PR is the professional preservation of a positive public image by a company, organization, or individual. Unlike advertising where an entity or individual pays for a message to be distributed to the public by various advertising mediums, public relations in its true state is free public exposure. The exposure is based on deeds, acts, or other actions that are considered news worthy and are placed out to the public for consumption.

Therefore, PR is not a hit or miss endeavor. Public relations is a skill that people utilize to capture positive attention that can then be used to create or enhance brand awareness. In the housewares industry, some of the most successful companies are very skilled at the art of public relations. The companies craft public relation campaigns that are intended to initiate conversation concerning the companies and the products offered by the companies. To accomplish these goals, the campaigns must be effective.

Developing A Strong PR Campaign

For companies in the housewares industry, developing a strong PR campaign is a task that is taken very seriously. Even though many people think of PR in terms of positive messages being presented to the public, PR can work against a company or individual. Bad public relations can do much more harm than good public relations can offer in positive benefits. This situation requires that companies in the housewares industry craft PR campaigns that highlight the positives concerning and surrounding the companies. Also, the campaigns must spark great conversation.
The conversation that is sparked must be from something that is news worthy enough to provoke a public response. This is why a PR campaign is so important to companies in the housewares industry. The companies want to stay on the minds of the public. If the companies stay in the public eye based on positive public relations, the exposure will help to improve brand awareness and product sales.

Housewares Companies That Successfully Utilize PR

Most companies in the housewares industry utilize PR. However, as with all endeavors, some companies utilize PR better than other companies. A few of the companies in the housewares industry that utilize PR effectively to enhance business exposure, product sales, and brand awareness include Dyson, KitchenAid, and Keurig. These particular companies understand the importance of public relations, and the companies craft PR campaigns that work over an extended time period. The campaigns are meant to accomplish specific goals aimed at achieving and maintaining top status in the housewares industry.

Standing Out From The Crowd With PR

People use housewares on a daily basis. The housewares industry as a whole is a market that is always filled with people looking for houseware products. However, the challenge regarding individual companies is to stand out in the crowded housewares industry. One of the most effective ways that some companies in the industry utilize to stand out from the crowd is public relations. The use of PR is an effective method for a variety of reasons. Some of the most important reasons include:

1. PR builds brand awareness.
2. The costs associated with PR are minimal compared to other public exposure methods.
3. PR keeps people talking about the companies.
4. PR keeps the companies in the public eye.
5. Effective PR campaigns can help increase product sales.

Public relations has been around for a very long time. In addition, many companies and individuals have utilized public relations to catapult into the public eye. Companies in the housewares industry that want to own housewares conversations can accomplish this by using strong PR campaigns. The strategy related to PR is a time-tested method that companies in the industry have used to effectively capture public attention.

There is a big difference between PR and effective PR. Some of the most successful companies in the housewares industry understand the difference. These companies devote talented resources to crafting effective PR campaigns. In many instances, these campaigns have made the difference in achieving stated business goals.

Unstoppable social media juggernaut Facebook is wagering – and winning – on the idea you can’t get enough of their content on your mobile device. The platform is making more money on its mobile ads than ever before. After Facebook released its earnings report to Wall Street, the impressed stock market sent shares up more than 8 percent after the final bell.
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Social media is fast becoming one of the most valuable tools a business can utilize to improve its success, especially small businesses. Small businesses often don’t have the cash flow needed to market like larger businesses do, so knowing how to properly harness the power of social media is key. That’s not to say larger businesses can’t benefit from properly utilizing social media. From a marketing perspective, social media is practically a necessary tool, and businesses who don’t utilize it to some extent may begin to find themselves falling behind the times. Continue reading →