PR

Public relations people like to talk about anticipating or “getting in front of” a crisis; in fact, for a taste of a real-life crisis simulation, check out this stress-inducing story by The New York Times‘ Sapna Maheshwari. But the truth is, it’s a myth to think that you can prevent most events that could wreck…
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It’s hard to overstate the importance of quality media-interview preparation to a successful public relations program. As most PRs know, an unprepared or ineffective spokesperson can unwittingly squander a media opportunity, while a well-prepared one can move it from mediocre to meteoric! Here are some “must-dos” along with new tips to incorporate into your media…
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One of the smartest ways to keep producing high-quality public relations work is to keep reading – and not just work-related headlines or the clickbait on your Facebook page! We’re talking about long-form thought pieces, well-written blogs posts, and newsletters designed for particular verticals. We’re also talking about books. According to the Pew Research Center,…
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Back-to-back hurricanes Harvey and Irma were unprecedented in their impact, destroying lives and homes, wreaking billions in damage, and knocking other news out of the headlines (a minor challenge for the media and public relations professions.) But the storms of September also brought some good news. Experts tell us that the U.S. is improving in…
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Every so often a public relations team comes up with a PR stunt that earns stellar media coverage. But no stunt is worth the effort and resources if it doesn’t advance brand messages in a positive way. Even seemingly stale “World’s Largest [insert brand name]” can pack a strategic punch — if well executed. Here…
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There’s exhilaration every time a public relations firm enters into an agreement with a new engagement. And we’ve written about what agencies need from their client partners in order to be successful. In this post we’re looking at what clients should expect from their PR firm to ensure a productive and long-lived relationship. Beyond The…
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As public relations professionals know, there are many different types of media interviews. Some are features based on in-depth contact with company representatives. Others involve a chance to comment about a breaking news story or issue. In the latter case, we sometimes experience disappointment. We work to generate a quick opportunity for a client or…
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Yes, we know it’s actually still summer, but in public relations, getting a jump on the fourth quarter is suddenly top-of-mind. Every year we look for smart new ways to streamline systems or simply do PR better. What follows is a compilation of proven tips to try as you ease into autumn. Transition to the busy fall…
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At any given time our New York-based public relations teams are managing the accounts of clients from Pennsylvania to Poland. International business helps put a PR agency (quite literally) on the map, opening doors to expanded business opportunities. Given our large number of clients beyond the U.S., we’ve learned some tricks to help erase borders, ease…
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Do you work in digital PR? If you work in public relations at all, the answer is yes. The difference between digital PR and “traditional” PR is fuzzy, yet worth examining, because it has transformed our profession in so many ways. And with change come challenges. In some ways PR hasn’t changed that much. We…
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There are many fabulous industry awards and “best of” lists that public relations teams help their clients go for every year. These include everything from the Stevie Awards and the EOY (Entrepreneur of the Year) to best workplace awards like those sponsored by Inc. and others. And that doesn’t even include vertical awards and “best…
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Have you been ghosted lately? Don’t laugh… if you’re a PR agency or other service business, chances are it has happened to you. I don’t mean that thing where a friend or dating partner suddenly stops returning all texts or calls. I’m talking about business or “corporate ghosting,” which can be just as infuriating and…
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2017 has seen its share of public relations hits and misses, and staying on the “hits” side of the ledger is linked with maintaining brand trust. Companies like Yum! Brands keep finding ways to do well by doing good. Other brands, like United Airlines, have worked to repair a loss of trust. Still others, like…
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Simmering issues of diversity and gender discrimination in the tech industry were spotlighted this week when an internal memo penned by a Google engineer went viral, causing a public relations earthquake for the company. Although the 10-page “anti-diversity” memo was actually more nuanced than some reports gave it credit for, its thesis triggered a quick…
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As all PR and social media pros know, a brand’s digital presence is both very powerful and very fragile. In the attention economy, we want to break though and engage customers, and a good way to do that is by showing personality. A flippant attitude or a risky tweet can take a brand even further….
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Those engaged in B2B tech public relations have to be able to strategize and deliver at lightning speed. Whatever was hot today, will be “not” tomorrow and PR teams need to stay ahead of the curve. Here are the top 10 tech blogs you need to read to prepare for promoting clients across a range of industries,…
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Nothing in public relations is quite as rewarding as securing an important interview for a client. But when it happens, that’s not the time to relax; in fact, it’s when the work escalates. For some, this can mean an intense media training session. For others, a simple review of the interviewer’s background and expectations are…
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Sean Spicer just might be the most famous public relations person in the country, but it’s not from leading by example – unless walking away from the world’s worst communications job counts. In a clever but dubious bit of newsjacking, the owner of the Bunny Ranch brothel offered Spicer a PR job at his company….
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A third-party partnership is a staple of the public relations repertoire at many successful agencies. Opportunities expand when smart agency teams find ways to shape a multi-dimensional partnership where each side succeeds. Smart PR partnerships expand opportunities Make sure your messages are aligned. The best PR partnerships are borne of positions or values that are similar or…
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In public relations we’re always looking for ways to help produce quality content for clients as well as our own brand. And there are useful tools that can save time while improving topic choice, leads, and writing style. Here are some of our favorite apps and tools that help PR teams create winning blog posts,…
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Last month Mary Meeker of Kleiner, Perkins, Caulfield, Byers released her Internet Trends report for 2017, and all 355 slides are well worth a read for anyone in tech public relations or digital marketing. Here are some of the most relevant trends for PR. Internet ad spend surpasses television spend. The lines will cross in…
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A brand-sponsored survey is a time-honored tool for public relations. But how do you ensure the success of a given survey? After all, if the questions are too obvious, it’s likely to be boring, but if the outcomes are unpredictable, could it backfire? Like any PR vehicle designed to generate positive press response, the success of…
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The common public relations wisdom about brands and politics is that they don’t mix. When an issue fuels consumer anger or public debate, it should be avoided at all costs. The bigger the brand, the more risk-averse the marketing team tends to be, with good reason. But nowadays there’s pressure for brands to take a…
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In public relations, it’s not always obvious what is and isn’t a story. It’s an important skill to differentiate between story ideas and angles that will make news and those that will make it into the email trash folder. What’s more, it takes PRs with diplomacy and sometimes backbone to ferret out the “good stuff”…
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In public relations we are on a constant quest to tell resonant, compelling stories that the media love and people will share. In that spirit, here’s a look at a few companies really killing it in the storytelling game. Is your brand telling its best story? Take some tips from some stellar standouts and to further improve…
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Any PR or marketing expert will tell you that for a brand to connect with customers, it should convey authenticity. But what about brands that don’t have a compelling story, or who have strayed from their roots due to their very success? Can authenticity be designed after the fact? It seems right up there with…
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In public relations, we often describe our approach to earned media this way; what we give up in editorial control we make up for in credibility. We can’t always persuade a writer to compose a story exactly the way we want, but a publication’s imprimatur and its digital domain authority can more then make up for…
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A great PR campaign can generate positive brand awareness, which is clearly desirable. Who wouldn’t welcome a profile in a major national publication, or a Q&A with an influential trade? What about a flood of LinkedIn comments? That kind of engagement is always a good thing. But how valuable is it? How many PR programs…
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Last week we shared best practices for delivering bad news, but sound public relations techniques are also effective for amplifying good tidings. In fact, happy news is a main driver for social media sharing. Emotions layered with happiness make up the majority of top drivers of viral content. Crenshaw client Brainjolt knows this; it delivers feel-good content that…
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At some point in a public relations career, you will have to be the bearer of unpleasant news, or the person who helps craft its communication. But there are strategies for delivering such news properly, tempering the blow and assuring that no one shoots the messenger. First, you have to take a good look at where…
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