ImPRessions

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • December 27, 2011

PR For Startups: Why It’s Different

Over the years, my firm has worked as PR agency for many startup businesses with a wide range of needs. Most have been successful relationships. Yet, more than other client programs, startups need focused attention on business-building strategies and tactics. At the same time, the typical startup, — being entrepreneurial, ambitious, and very driven – is […]

branding, communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • December 22, 2011

Well-Handled: FedEx Delivers On "Apology PR"

Talk about heavy lifting. Pity the communications pros at FedEx. At the height of the holiday season, when the company wants to focus on its state-of-the-art technology and customer service prowess, it’s the recipient of an unwelcome holiday gift – a viral video that threatens real damage to its brand. One careless employee and 20 seconds – caught […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • December 19, 2011

Occupy This: Being Wealthy Is Back In Style

After the 2008 economic meltdown, conspicuous consumption fell out of fashion. Long before “the 1%” was a catchword, a new frugality gripped those in the middle class and higher. The affluent tightened their Gucci belts and made do with less, even if they didn’t have to. It just wasn’t seemly to be profligate when Citibank was trading at 97 […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • December 15, 2011

What Your PR Firm Isn’t Telling You

The best client-agency relationships are based on mutual respect and honesty. It’s a good sign if that candor is in evidence before the contract is signed. Last August, Lucy Siegel wrote an insightful post, “6 Things many PR firms won’t tell you.” Her post contains some excellent red flags to look for when considering a PR […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, reputation • December 12, 2011

Isn’t It Ironic? Lowe’s Apology Triggers PR Damage

The backlash came in a flood, like a burst pipe. The move by Lowe’s to drop its ad support for the TLC show “All-American Muslim” after pressure from a conservative Christian group may leave its reputation in serious need of repair. But, to me, it reads like an O. Henry story where good intentions go awry, and […]

Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • December 6, 2011

o.b.’s Apology PR Campaign Is Pitch-Perfect

Maybe it should have known better than to tangle with women at, well, a certain time of the month. After J&J began to discontinue its o.b. Ultra line of tampons, its loyal users felt betrayed. The brand was smacked with infuriated customer comments, “girlcott” threats, an online petition and general user crankiness. But instead of defensiveness, […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations, social media • November 29, 2011

The Governor, The Teenager And Twitter: A PR Lesson

The awesome power of social media may be matched only by the withering force of teenage scorn. I was startled by the social blowback resulting from Kansas Governor Sam Brownback’s public feud with a local high school student. It started last week when Emma Sullivan and her class attended a youth event in Topeka where […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • November 23, 2011

Redefining Public Relations: Does It Matter?

Years ago, a colleague who’d spent 20+ years at PR agencies joined a large marketing services firm. He told me he’d cracked the code to winning new business, significantly increasing his batting average in selling programs to existing ad and marketing clients. The secret? Never calling it “public relations.” Instead, he would say “promotion,” or refer to “adding […]

communications, Crenshaw Communications, ImPRessions, public relations • November 17, 2011

PR Lessons From Occupy Wall Street

Today is the National Day of Action, and the media noise around the Occupy Wall Street movement is louder than it’s been since the start. The mood around here is mostly business as usual, flavored with a little anxiety and mild distraction. But, is OWS a PR success? Many have criticized its lack of coherent message, […]