5 posts tagged “pr”

I am pretty sure that one of the first lessons that you learn in PR is to research the publication you are communicating with and ensure that you understand their audience. I can't tell you how many times I have been told to go back and check a media list I have created to make sure that every journalist on that list is going to be interested in your story.

It's basic PR science, sending press releases to the blanket mass doesn't work. Journalists are far from stupid and from my conversations with them, recieve an endless amount of releases via email. Its imperative to target the right publications for your client and to no damage relationships with media. Simple right?

You would think so, still you can't imagine how many times you hear a story from a disgruntled tech journalist recieving a release about hair dryers, or a client telling me to send the release out or invite to an event as many journalists as possible. It's even more rampant here in the Middle East where bums on seats count for more than quality, perception changing coverage. Earlier this year I even counselled a client that inviting 60 journalists to an event that was only relevant to 20 of them would be a waste of money, only to be told, it doesn't matter who turns up, as long as 40 media turn up.

Today I came across a blog post talking about a delightful email from a PR rep for Samsung in the US. CES (the world's largest consumer electronics tradeshow) is in a few weeks and no doubt US tech media are being inundated with releases from tech companies. PhoneScoop, which covers mobile phone telephones, recieved a lovely email from Samsung PR rep Lois Whitman, pitching televisions. Their request for this not to happen again was polite enough. However, Lois' response.... was far from that:

"...I don't need you to tell me what is right and what is wrong.... I have been in the CE business for 42 years..... I have seen nasty people like you melt away faster than a snowball going up a hill in the rain... I am waiting for an apology... Maybe we can meet at CES for a hug or a slug..... P.S. I just visited your website. I would hardly call your blog a publication...."

You can read the whole delightful email here: 

Usually when I find the time to write I try to focus on one topic... or one experience.. but i've been so lazy toying around with one topic that in the mean time a second one has arisen. So today you get two for one..

You don't have to spend too much time in Dubai to realise how horrendous the driving conditions are. When you combine many different nationalities on the road, all driving the way they do at home with a lethal mixture of cheap fuel and cheap cars... and don't forget to throw in zero public transport.... you get something that resembles the Bathurst 1000 on meth. Battling the traffic is the reason I've become one of the first people into the office every morning, instead of one of the last, and that's just going against the traffic!

Changing lanes is a daily episode from Elm St. Most cars are loathe to let you change lanes and will usually speed up to tail gate the car in front so it is impossible for you to make the turn off. You can even start getting ready to change lanes five minutes before the turn off comes up and at the last minute a taxi driver will speed up and bump you out of the lane.

I miss a lot about home... but last week I missed the courtesy wave. Sydney siders are renowned for it... that little wave that someone gives you when they cut into traffic in front of you... it eases the road rage burden and always makes me happy that people are so considerate... it's driving manners. I Love the courtesy wave, I used it often but I never abused it or forgot about it. And then... just when I was mid mourning the beloved wave... it was extended to me.

I almost didn't see it... it was so small.... but there it was... sure enough... the courtesy wave. I was shocked and oh so happy. It was the nicest interaction I had all week! Someone cares! I'm not alone in my morning rumble to work. So that's it... I'm bringing back the wave. It doesn't matter that I drive to work down a highway with five lanes of traffic, I'm bringing the courtesy wave to Dubai. It made me so happy, so why not share the love. If you're in the area get involved! I'm wondering if there is any way I can sell it into a client and get everyone involved!

Speaking of great campaigns I came across an article talking about a really simple viral campaign. As of July 1 2008 it will be illegal to talk on your mobile phone and drive at the same time in California... catching up with the rest of the world guys... good work! A YouTube clip has been created that shows a teenager who hid a camera in his dashboard and went to take his road test with five different instructors, on each occasion, obnoxiously using his cell phone, despite their requesting him not to. It's hilarious.... and its an ad for a company that sells hands free devices... brilliant! Easy and hilarious... a great example of how a company can use the web to create a fantastic campaign...  

Too many companies spend too much money trying to create online campaigns.. completely missing the point that that's what is so great about the web... you can do things simpler and more cleaver to reach out to your audiences than ever before. Consumers are constantly bombarded by advertisements these days that companies need to be more personal with their approach... and grassroots campaigns are a winner.  I'd even go as far ahead to say it's the most effective form of communication...

There have been quite a few campaigns like this around.... what are your favourites? 

Interesting development in the world that is ABC's Media Watch.. viewed by some as a watchdog of the Australian media, the programme investigates and exposes media bias and breaches of journalistic ethics and standards. Today The Sydney Morning Herald reported that not only will Media Watch be keeping Australian journalists on their toes... but also us PR folk.

Jonathan Holmes, the new journalist for Media Watch  is quoted as saying he hoped to "expose the more egregious antics of the industry that all too often tries to sway, or mislead, or simply stonewall journalists who are trying to do an honest job".

Maybe I'm living in a PR bubble because the agency I work for certainly doesn't indulge in any behaviour as described above... is anyone else seeing it in Australia? Thoughts... I would be interested to hear from any local journalists about times when PR has stonewalled them. Especially if they feel i have stonewalled them. Do PR people even know they are stonewalling someone... could it simply be that they don't have the answer that said journalist seeks?

Today has been an interesting day for me; a colleague of mine, albiet one who lives all the way on the other side of the hemmisphere to me in San Fran, Luca Penati - Managing Director, Global Technology Practice at Ogilvy PR  - pointed me in the direction of a blog post annoucing that traditional PR is running on thin air.   Wow, haven't i heard that before.. and sure enough, traipsing though a few old blog posts, i certainly had.

Luca and even one of my very own account directors, Emilio Robles, had a bit to say in the comment part of Tom Foremski's post and it struck me that while so many people were constantly saying.. PR is dead... most PR firms aren't approaching new media in a new way... it seemed like all ancient history to me. Not just history - like something i had been through and could relate to - but ancient histroy, in that i couldn't relate to it.

I have been in PR for over six years and during my time, i have always had to think about how to reach out to new media. Media that doesn't necessarily think of themselves as media and don't react to things like the dreaded 'press release.' How often do i write a press release? Less than once every three to four months and i work for the second most recognised brand in the world. There is certainly a time and place for a press release, but i would surprised to meet a PR professional today who thinks they are the end all and be all.

Is this a Gen Y thing? Are we more open to new ways to engage our audiences? Is it just engrained into us because of our Gen Y 'mindset' that enaging with online communities is just expected? (side note, my favourite quote of the week about Gen Yers that we are "spoilt by wealthy parents, stuck in a vacuous "I want it now" mindset and unprepared to make the sacrifices that their parents did" of course we are... and would i change it?)

As one of my previous posts said - the internet is always the first thing i turn to when i have an issue/question that needs solving. Why would what i do at work be any different? 

So who are these PR professionals stuck in issuing out hundreds of press releases each day and bothering journalists with the dreaded 'did you recieve my press release' call that Tom discusses? As for his comment on PR thriving... we bill our time in increments of less than 3 minutes.. clients obsess over all agency spend... PR is no different. 

PR is dead... yeah right. What is dead is journo hacks finding yet another reason to rag on PR professionals

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My brother is a statistician who is 8 years older than me - I have always thought of him as being more tech savvy than I am.... until today. Today I had to introduce him to one of my most used applications.. Instant Messenger. I couldn't believe that he didn't use it - I thought everyone was on it 8 hours a day!

It was at this point, sitting on the bus, directing my brother on how to install Instant Messenger, so we could chat via webcam, that a dark truth dawned on me. I know a lot more about technology than average Joe. How did that happen?

So, today I have decided to embrace that which I have fought against my entire professional career... enjoying technology - enjoying knowing about technology - and actively pursuing learning about technology.

That's not to say i can be swayed to learn any more about EDI than what it actually stands for (Electronic Data Interchange... in case you were wondering) but... it is a step towards enjoying the niche market I have found myself working in.

So here it is - my first blog entry. My first step - end goal? Maybe combining my passion with my work - dancing, live music and PR...with technology... doesn't sound possible... but I'm working on a project for work that could prove otherwise...