ImPRessions

blogging, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • November 21, 2012

Is Oprah Still Relevant?

What does it say that the most notable Oprah story this Thanksgiving season was about her tweeted endorsement of the new Microsoft Surface tablet…posted, ironically, from an iPad? Critics of the Queen of Talk saw the tweet as a sign of hypocrisy, sloppiness, or lack of tech savvy. Does it matter? Does she? For so […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • November 15, 2012

8 Ways To Manage Negative PR

It’s hard to predict, and even harder to handle appropriately. It may come in the form of a Google Alert, a phone call inviting comment, or an email from a customer or colleague. You, or your company, is being criticized in public. Some say there’s no such thing as negative publicity, but most businesses who’ve […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • November 11, 2012

The Problem With Pay-for-Play PR

Pay-for-play PR, or “PR by the pound” is topical again. For years, it’s been on the radar as an alternative to the traditional way of billing among PR agencies, which is a monthly retainer representing either actual or estimated time spent to reach client goals. But though such pay-per-publicity-placement work has its place among start-ups […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • November 5, 2012

"Brand Journalism" and Storytelling: How PR Pros Must Adapt

We in the public relations agency biz have spent lots of time debating whether journalists make the best PR people. It used to be that ex-journos were hired in narrow roles based on skills or pedigree. At a large agency where I once worked, they were invited to the big pitch to weigh in on story potential, […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • October 25, 2012

Trump’s "Bombshell": A PR Hit Or Hoax?

It was a hairy week for both 2012 presidential candidates – if only because the poll-watching and punditry has reached a new level of frenzy as we enter the homestretch. Yet, Donald Trump, everyone’s favorite blowhard, managed to add one more stupid election trick to his bottomless bag of PR stunts. Like most of us, […]

blogging, communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • October 19, 2012

Which Brands Are Winning The 2012 Election PR Race?

This election year has brought plenty of PR fodder, and not just for media and political pundits. As always, it offers opportunities for brand marketers and PR experts to jump into the race. Yet, election tie-ins are tricky, particularly during such a partisan time. Not all are winners. From bad to brilliant, here are some […]

Crenshaw Communications, crisis management, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • October 14, 2012

The Scariest PR Mistakes of 2012

Most PR pros have had nightmares about a serious public mistake. Or, we’ve felt that shiver of schadenfreude when someone else’s blunder goes viral. Some of us have even experienced them. So, in honor of Halloween, here’s my list of some of the scariest PR moves and mistakes to date. The rogue tweet. In my […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, reputation • October 3, 2012

Is "Apologize" A Dirty Word?

This election season has given rise to a new term of shame. It’s “apologize.” GOP nominee Mitt Romney never tires of criticizing President Obama for what he claims is the president’s constant “apologizing” for America. What bothers me as a professional communicator isn’t just that no one in the Romney camp can seem to point […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, technology • September 26, 2012

Words To Avoid For PR Pros And Princess Bride Fans

Although I’m a grammar and word usage nerd, I rarely blog about it, mainly because others do it so well, and for PR pros, the frequency of reminders can be tedious. Yes, certain incorrect, trite, or pompous words are irresistible complaint fodder: my personal dreads are “hone in” for “home in” or anything with “utilize” […]