Our Insights

branding, communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • October 6, 2011

What Steve Jobs Knew About PR

In the wake of Steve Jobs’ passing, pundits and Apple-watchers are trying to outdo one another to describe his talent, vision, and impact. But if you look at Jobs as the presumed architect of Apple’s ongoing public relations strategy, he was a disaster. At least, he should have been. After all, in the digital age, […]

public relations • October 4, 2011

How To Be Indispensable In PR

There’s no better way to end a work week than with a thankful note from a client. “Great job this week, couldn’t have done it without you.” Yep, that sums it up. Weeks worth of hard work have paid off. In public relations, we have to be indispensable. Every action must prove to our clients […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • September 30, 2011

A Weighty Issue: Is Being Heavy Bad PR?

One of the tweets after the earthquake in August was about a certain hefty New Jersey governor and object of Republican presidential fantasies: “I think Chris Christie just jumped into the race.” Bada-bum. Christie’s size has been the butt of jokes, with puns always intended, since his own campaign against Jon Corzine. His bulk is the […]

branding, ImPRessions, public relations • September 29, 2011

When Brand Nicknames Are Bad PR

Coke. Mickey D’s. Tar-zhay. Brand nicknames are usually a marketer’s dream. Impossible to impose (just ask RadioShack), they have enormous power when they happen organically. And they’re nearly always a sign of familiarity, engagement, or even affection. That’s what General Motors learned – the hard way – after its ill-fated attempt to legislate use of […]

PR Fish Bowl • September 27, 2011

So You Wanna Be In A Holiday Gift Guide?

Holiday gift guides are the perfect resource for that unique gift each year, and great editorial exposure for PR folks. Who wouldn’t want to be included in a list of “must-have,” “gotta-get” products for the season? Almost every publication has one – from top newspapers to local TV to lifestyle magazines to technology blogs to […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions • September 21, 2011

What Netflix Can Teach Us About Apology PR

Public apologies can be powerful, especially when they come from the top. Even in our crisis-of-the-day era, there’s something arresting about a chief executive admitting he was wrong, or a company making amends to customers. As a self-appointed “apology PR” analyst, I’m fascinated by the communications strategy, language choices, and delivery of a corporate mea […]

media relations, PR Fish Bowl, public relations • September 20, 2011

The Seven Deadly PR Pitching Sins

Top PR agencies know what to do, and what not to do, when pitching media. Yet, it’s easy to cut corners under time pressure. Here’s a quick list of the “Seven Deadly Pitching Sins” for PR professionals. Feel free to add your own. 1. Being boring. A boring or irrelevant pitch will be deleted faster […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • September 16, 2011

Fake News Site Highlights Fine Ethical Line For PR

September is PR Ethics Month. That’s ironic, because a water utility’s ‘innovative’ PR tactics have sparked an outpouring over industry ethics while highlighting the thin line between legitimate news and faux content. It all started when the Central Basin Municipal Water District in Southern California was outed by the Los Angeles Times for its creation […]

Crenshaw Communications, PR Fish Bowl, time management • September 16, 2011

I Don’t Know How She Does It — Secrets Of The Very Busy

A busy working mother promises her grade-schooler a homemade delicacy for the school bake sale. Having been shamed by the “stay-at-home” moms, she is crushed when she can’t follow through on her promise and instead purchases a pie which she artfully “distresses” and, voila – her secret is safe and her daughter delighted. This is […]