Our Insights

News • June 30, 2009

Crenshaw Named To New York Women In Communications Board

Crenshaw Communications CEO Dorothy Crenshaw has been named to the Board of New York Women In Communications, Inc., the premier organization for female communications professionals. NYWICI’s mission is to empower women in the communications field and navigate the ever-changing landscape of communications, in fields as diverse as journalism, broadcasting, corporate communications, digital, publishing, advertising, integrated […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, crisis management, leadership, public relations, reputation • June 29, 2009

PR Means Having To Say You’re Sorry

The sad and sudden demise of pop superstar Michael Jackson may have knocked Governor Mark Sanford off the front pages for a weekend, but it didn’t let him off the hook. Governor Sanford’s may have been the most ill-conceived and badly delivered apology of the decade. And, that’s saying something. I was one of several PR […]

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 […]

advertising, Crenshaw Communications, public relations, reputation • June 24, 2009

Investing In The Recovery: Why PR?

Although the economic recovery is still far from certain, some in our business are preparing for it in plans for new new hiring, deal-making and restructuring, as reported in today’s New York Times. This is smart thinking, and it gives me hope that the outdated “conventional wisdom” of cutting discretionary marketing spending during a recession has […]

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 […]