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 […]
Read MoreThe 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 […]
Read MoreFake 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 […]
Read More8 Ways To Make Your PR Program More Social
Social media is like a “secret sauce” for marketing communications. It isn’t always strong enough on its own, but it adds flavor and power to a traditional program. The key is integration. Here are some simple steps for “socializing” a PR campaign, even if it’s a DIY (do it yourself) variety. Set clear goals. Many […]
Read MorePR Secrets Of A Successful Blogger Event
Bloggers are powerful. One post, one tweet, from an influential blogger, and it can have a cascade effect. (Check out this recent NYT article about a blogger event gone wrong if you don’t believe me.) Smart clients appreciate the power of the blog, and in many cases, moms – or parenting bloggers, as we like […]
Read More