social media

Crenshaw Communications, social media, technology • July 9, 2009

Michael Jackson Makes Internet History

It’s ironic that Michael Jackson had planned a series of “comeback” concerts scheduled to begin shortly before his death, since no comeback could have matched the media storm surrounding his passing and subsequent memorial service. The service, which was televised, live-streamed, and followed closely by millions on social networking sites in real time, has been called the largest […]

Crenshaw Communications, public relations, social media • July 7, 2009

Is A “Whisper Campaign” Good PR?

This Sunday I was among many PR professionals who read a lengthy New York Times piece titled “Spinning the Web: P.R. in Silicon Valley.” It recounted the launch of a tech start-up by a youngish publicist using her social and business connections to generate positive buzz through “whispering” to influential non-journalists. One point of the piece is that […]

Crenshaw Communications, social media • July 2, 2009

Why Twitter’s Fuzzy Follower Math Doesn’t “Follow”

Since the rise of Facebook and LinkedIn, online connections have become a visible form of social currency. But, given its one-way follow model, where anybody can basically follow anyone else, Twitter has taken the numbers race to another level. In fact, Facebook may be about to change its follow set-up to be more like Twitter. Mashable […]

Crenshaw Communications, crisis management, public relations, reputation, social media • June 26, 2009

Why Are They Saying Those Things About You?

A while back, I was shocked to see some harsh criticism of me on an IT Internet forum. Strangers were calling Dorothy Crenshaw incompetent and even demanding that I be fired…which I thought was pretty unfair considering I didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. I quickly realized it wasn’t about me. It […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, social media, technology • June 17, 2009

The Social Media Revolution That Wasn’t

In the wake of controversial election results in Iran, there’s been much discussion about the role of social media in communicating popular sentiment among the rank and file there. Mashable reports “mindblowing” statistics on Twitter, claiming evidence that social media has been at the nexus of the Iranian unrest. But, does Tiananmen Square + Twitter […]

branding, communications, Crenshaw Communications, public relations, social media • June 12, 2009

Twitter: Is Anyone Listening?

During the months I’ve spent reading about and using Twitter, I’ve analogized it to many things, depending on my mood and its usefulness. At various times, I compare it to: a cocktail party; a real-time search engine; email for exhibitionists; a high-school popularity contest; and heroin. Personally, I find it both frustrating and fascinating. But, […]

advertising, communications, Crenshaw Communications, public relations, social media, technology • June 10, 2009

Has Twitter Jumped The Shark?

It’s a running joke among people in communications that, today, everyone’s a social media expert. Those who aren’t experts are usually self-proclaimed evangelists, mavens, gurus, specialists, advocates, or at the very least, enthusiasts. It’s striking, isn’t it, how quickly so many have become so adept at using new networks, platforms, strategies, and tools? My point […]

Crenshaw Communications, social media • June 5, 2009

A Blog About Nothing

It had to happen. With so many ways of sharing content, from blogs and feeds, to social networks, from pings to posts to tweets, someone had to do it. Finally, a site for people who have a million ways to share content, but nothing much to say. At least, that’s how Plinky bills itself. “Inspiration, […]

advertising, blogging, Crenshaw Communications, public relations, reputation, social media • June 3, 2009

The Few, The Proud…. The Tobacco Executives

The American Legacy Foundation has been using “reality advertising” in its anti-smoking campaigns targeted to young people for years, with mixed reviews from the marketing community for tactics that are occasionally heavyhanded. But, its 2009 campaign featuring new TV spots takes the reality up a notch. What’s more, it moves away from the health messages typical of many […]