Archive for February, 2009
Why am I excited about the Nevada Interactive Media Summit on March 7?
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Back in December, RKPR took advantage of an opportunity. Honestly, I keep thinking that anyone would have done what we did. I’m also naïve enough to believe that all communications professionals call journalists back, but I know that’s not true (ssshhh, I know because the journalists tell). But the truth of the matter is we did step up while others watched. We seized the opportunity.
In January, I received a “D” message from @nvbob asking what I thought about co-presenting with him on real-life social media strategies using RKPR’s December case study as an example. Absolutely!
On March 7, Bob Conrad, APR and I will be leading a workshop during the inaugural Nevada Interactive Media Summit titled, “Unconventional PR Strategies: How Social Media Has Changed Communications.” And trust me, it has changed.
As a 16 year communications professional, I’ve had the privilege of seeing technology soar. Fortunately for me, I love technology and, even though math still provides me challenges, I can quickly grasp new tech concepts, applications, etc. The one area I find completely fascinating is social networking, especially its implications on businesses, brands, organizations and individuals.
It seems as though on a regular basis I hear myself saying, “today media changed.” One such instance that’s quite vivid was when US Airways Flight 1549 landed in the Hudson River and the first shot that appeared on all the major news sites was from a ferry boat passenger (@jkrums) via his mobile phone posted to Twitpic. The photo was everywhere and for the next several hours @jkrums was being interviewed by all the major networks. What amazed me even more was that his first-person account was news and the media wanted to hear his story. He seized the opportunity.
During our presentation, we’ll talk about the changing face of communications and that a solid strategy, strong goals and realist objectives are as foundationally critical to a social media campaign as they are to a traditional program.
I feel quite honored to be included with such knowledgeable presenters. I’ll be attending the entire day and I hope to see many others attending as well.
Details / Registration $25 (register by Wednesday), $40 Walk-in.
Storytellers
Posted by: | CommentsWhen people ask me what I do and I say I’m in public relations I get mixed response. Some people think I’m a professional socialite that throws parties for clients ala Samantha on “Sex and the City.” Others think I sit at my desk all day writing press releases and sending them out to media outlets. Then there are those that don’t even venture to guess what’s in a day’s work for me. To be honest, sometimes we do throw parties, or more accurately, plan a variety of events. And yes, we write press releases and send them out to the media to gain news coverage for clients. But the true heart of what we do is storytelling.
How much are you willing to risk for the sake of good PR?
Posted by: | CommentsDenny’s put up $5 million to stake its claim as America’s breakfast place during a promotion on Feb. 3 where it gave away free Grand Slam breakfasts. The result? Coverage touting the Denny’s promotion as a “homerun” and more than $50 million in news coverage value. Here’s one segment from CNN.
More importantly, it afforded the restaurant chain a shot to rise to the top and position Denny’s as an affordable and comparable option for the very lucrative breakfast market…a long term goal and will surly rake in long term results. In fact, looking at the cost for a Denny’s breakfast, it’s about as much as going to McDonalds.
So the question again is, how much are you willing to risk? Now it doesn’t have to be a $5 million price tag which included a Big Game ad, food and prep, but what can your business do to stand out, make a statement and claim a share of the pie? Thinking out of the box and be willing to take risks works. Those who do so reap the rewards. Kudos Denny’s!
