Crenshaw Communications

communications, creativity, Crenshaw Communications, public relations • June 21, 2009

A Thumbs Up For “Old” Ideas

In any creative business, there’s a funny tendency for people to become attached to favorite concepts and tactics…especially those oh-so-inspired program ideas that no client ever actually bought. Then there’s the reverse of that, which is the “been there, done that” stigma that kills ideas thought to be too obvious, or “not differentiated.” I’ve been […]

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 […]

Crenshaw Communications, public relations, technology • June 15, 2009

Zen And The Art of Mindful Multitasking

Do I have your attention? I didn’t think so. In a world of hyperlinked blogs, pop-up emails, and 140-character updates, it’s natural to wonder about attention span, and whether ours is stretched to the limit. In the agency business, “attention-shifting” is a professional hazard and practically a pre-requisite for success. I blame the business, and my […]

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 […]

Crenshaw Communications, technology • June 1, 2009

The Final (Gaming) Frontier?

There’s some cool news from E3, the largest annual trade exhibition for gaming enthusiasts. The videogame industry typically shows resiliency in economic downturns, but sales began to slump this spring as the recession took hold, and free or low-cost Web-only and mobile games started to nibble at the traditional videogame business. Today Microsoft electrified the show […]

advertising, Crenshaw Communications, public relations • May 31, 2009

Spin Doctors And Other PR Myths

I spent part of today preparing a presentation about optimizing the PR investment for a meeting of MENG (Marketing Executives Networking Group), and my advance research has reminded me that certain myths about our business persist. Despite the growing prominence of PR and the fact that nearly everyone thinks he understands it, there’s a lot […]