A Public Relations Blog

In soda, it’s Coke versus Pepsi. In trucks (and auto racing) it’s Chevy versus Ford. But in retail, the biggest of the Big Box battles is waged between Sam’s Club and Costco. When both brands are doing well, it’s a sign things are moving swimmingly in the economy as a whole. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a front-runner. Continue reading →

Once the darling of Silicon Valley, one of a new breed of “Unicorns” (privately held companies worth more than one billion), Jawbone is hurting. In fact, the tech firm recently told CNN it has laid off up to 15% of its staff…that’s 60 people for those scoring at home. Worse, the company has elected to close its NYC offices, officially evacuating the east coast. Continue reading →

Vice is more popular now than ever. No, not the “fun” kind of vice … we’re talking about the documentary news program. After exploding onto the scene to instantly redefine news media in the 21st century, Vice has now been offered their own channel, the A&E owned “H2” channel. Continue reading →

Sprint announced plans some time ago to shut down their WiMAX connection completely on November 6. That didn’t happen, at least not completely.

Mobile Beacon and Mobile Citizen supply nonprofits, libraries, and schools with a wireless connection using the WiMAX network. The groups, along with several nonprofit organizations filed for an emergency injunction to stop the shutdown – at least regarding their access to the network. The injunction said “emergency relief orders Sprint to maintain the WiMAX network in certain areas for 90 days to allow Mobile Beacon and Mobile Citizen time to migrate their users to Sprint’s LTE network.” Continue reading →

Supergirl’s premiere on CBS was a success, faring very well in the ratings. Of course, it helped being sandwiched between The Big Bang Theory – CBS’s power series, and Scorpion, another big hit for the network. But considering the show faced stiff competition from NBC’s The Voice, and CW’s Gotham – with the girl of steel stealing some of Gotham’s viewers from the second half of its Monday night airing, she must have done her better-known cousin proud. Continue reading →

Public Relations (PR) techniques have been estimated to be as ancient as recently discovered Mediterranean clay tablets that promoted one farmer’s advances in agricultural methods. PR has been used by Egyptian and Babylonian kings, to increase their popularity and promote their right to rule using magicians, diviners and courtiers.

PR methods were used by the United States during World Wars 1 and 2 to promote patriotism and national support for the war efforts using news reels and magazines.

PR has advanced considerably with its subsequent use in brand promotion to consumers and as a critical and the primary outcome deciding political strategy.

PR in 2015 Defined

2015 was the year when the online dimension of PR developed in techniques and to levels exceeding former PR media efforts.

Even in the areas which have been promoted using “offline” methods, PR has become a primarily online means of brand promotion and personality and cause publicity, using web-based content techniques which utilize methods involving multimedia, storytelling and online social media venues.

2015 PR Trends

1. Increased Mobile Publicity

The ubiquity of mobile devices in years leading up to 2015 resulted in major changes to the way companies design their websites, publish their business/ brand content and promote their companies.

Earlier this year, search engine giant, google.com, released statistics revealing that more than 50% of the search requests that it receives originate on mobile devices. The implications of this are not novel. Subsequently, google.com further announced that companies whose websites were not mobile friendly would find their positions in the search results which the search site returns, deprecated.

Consequently, publicity efforts have increased their focus on ensuring that online promotions maintain a high level of mobile device compatibility.

2. Social Media as a Publicity Tool

Promotional efforts utilizing Facebook.com, Twitter.com, Linkedin.com, and other online social sites, have surged. 2015 saw continued growth in the use of these popular social media sites.

Marketers and publicists have increased employment of content editors, writers, and other creative professionals with the skill-sets necessary to tell the story associated with their brand, personality or cause.

3. Increased Use of Multimedia

Data released in prior years culminated in reports in 2015 showing that higher visitor retention and brand conversion resulted from implementing professionally developed visual content. Website visitors are several times more likely to retain a casual visitor and for longer amounts of time if their website has relevant video and other visual contents. Visual content also increases the likelihood of a visitor’s return by several-fold.

This trend’s momentum in 2015 ensures that it will further continue to remain important well into 2016 and beyond.

4. The Value of Quality Content

Quality content came to the forefront of quality PR as online marketers and publicists saw the highest popularity ratings going to those companies that focused on creating professionally implemented content. Today’s marketers and publicists are dealing with a user-base which is inundated by every type of content imaginable.

Delivering compelling content which entertains and involves the user and assists the user with making choices became a PR focus and priority of 2015.

5. Increased Responsiveness and User Interactivity

Today’s customers want responsive promotion feedback with which they can participate and view immediately. They do not make decisions in a vacuum and there is heavy interaction by these users with review-based websites before making critical decisions.

Publicity efforts which included fresh and regularly updated content, reflected current trends and events, and included the ability to allow a user to receive updates was an important publicity trend in 2015.

Conclusion

PR has come a long way since its origin on Mesopotamian clay tablets and WW2 newsreels. 2015 saw a large number of exciting PR trends develop and increase momentum. These PR developments benefited their implementers promotional efforts as measured by increased popularity and awareness of their brands, personalities and causes.

Adidas is developing a new product and process to take advantage of existing sports shoes and other products to become part of future sports shoes, especially soccer cleats. The process is not complete, they estimate another three years before it will be on the market, but the excitement is already building around this concept. Continue reading →

With social media in everyone’s pocket these days, it seems like everybody with a smartphone wants to be in journalism. From riots to protests to presidential stump speeches and neighbors attacking each other with machetes over dog poop (thanks, Florida) journalism has become even more “real time” than on TV. This shift continues to stymie many “traditional” news outlets. How can they take the time to investigate and accurately report breaking news when Joe Sixpack and Janie Boxedwine already posted it on Facebook and Periscope? Continue reading →

Office parties, picnics and team-building events are a great way to interact with co-workers in a more casual and festive atmosphere. Regardless of the venue or activity, casual should not be confused with careless when it comes to hanging out with the boss. The following list outlines ways to keep a career intact.

Do Not Become Intoxicated
Drinking too much at an office party is a common employee misstep. Aside from the obnoxious, non-stop talking alcohol tends to bring on, there are lowered inhibitions that may require a humble apology later. No one attends a work event to inhale beer fumes and be inappropriately touched. Leave the booze alone or switch to soda after a couple of drinks.

Do Not Flirt
Even a casual office outing is still work related and is not the same as being in a bar on Saturday night. Flirting with co-workers is annoying and awkward and almost universally not welcome. This behavior is especially dangerous when the boss is on the receiving end of it. Do not flirt.

Do Not Bring Uninvited Guests
Many office events are planned months in advance and only will support a given number of people. Showing up with siblings, cousins and friends who just happen to be in town to eat, drink and tell off-color jokes on the company dime will not bode well for a career. In addition, the extra bodies may cause invited attendees to not get the refreshments, gifts or swag they are entitled to receive. Unless otherwise specified, it is best to leave the freeloaders at home.

Do Not Forget It is a Company Function
Company activities are intended as a way to get to know co-workers better without the demands and pressures of being in the office. It is also an opportunity to get introduced to people from other departments and to have informal discussions with bosses. These casual conversations should not include griping about the job, engaging in gossip and innuendo or asking for a raise. In fact, doing any of these things will likely have the effect of stalling or even ending a career.

Do Not Be the Last Person Standing
Staying too long at a company outing is like moving back home at age 40. It gets on everyone’s nerves very fast. The longer a person stays, the more likely it is that there will be drunkenness and other damaging behaviors. A good rule of thumb is to show up, stay for a couple of hours, talk pleasantly with everyone and then leave.

Do Network
While there are many do nots for a company event, a big do is networking. Since there are people mingling from different departments or even different divisions, an event is often the only chance to talk and brainstorm together. According to NY Real Estate Developer Roman Temkin, “Whether it is about various projects or the work culture in general, networking can open doors and bring opportunities for career advancement.” Those interested in transferring can get a clear picture of what goes on elsewhere in the company, which can help them decide if moving on is a step ahead or a step off a cliff.

Do Ask Questions
New employees should always attend office events. There is no better way to learn about company culture, expectations and what to avoid to get ahead. Parties are a low-pressure way to have a chat with the boss and ask pointed questions about a career path as well as being introduced to department heads and other important people.

Show Up
This point may seem obvious, but it is surprising how many excuses employees will use to duck out of a company event. Some feel the outing is not worth the time, or there are certain personalities to be avoided or the thought of hanging out with the boss gives them hives. Aside from someone dying, there is no reason to skip an office party or outing. “Being a no-show sends the message of not caring about the company or career advancement. Do not be a no-show. Suck it up and attend.”, says Mobile Entrepreneur Jonah Engler.

Following the tips above will help avoid career suicide. Heed the wisdom.

The ongoing emissions scandal at Volkswagen has left plenty of ill will and crisis PR to go around. A lot of blame too. Recently, Michael Horn, head of Volkswagen Americas, testified before the US House of Representatives oversight and investigations panel. Horn was there, ostensibly to chat about the emissions scandal. In practical terms, he was there to take his medicine, a congressional beating … and, by all accounts, one well deserved. Continue reading →