This PSA is graphic to say the least and frighteningly realistic. The big question is, did they go too far with this video and is this a message that we should send out to, not only teen drivers, but all drivers?

Did you know that if you put a 20-year-old in the car with a cell phone their reaction time is the same as a 70-year-olds reaction time? 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0ukd7xTQ9g

I’ve had the privilege and honor of being among the 150 judges from throughout the county to review the submissions and select the winners. For the third year, I traveled to New York City in March to spend 8 hours in a conference room reviewing the entries, discussing the program implementation, the tactics chosen and the support material. A team of four judges review one or more categories. This year I judged Crisis Communications and Business-to-Business Other.

What an incredible experience! Not only do we scour the entries soaking in the details, but we have the opportunity to review all the materials that went into making it possible. Plus, it’s a great idea generator for your own programs.

This year was the best yet. The other three judges were from large New York firms and have held a variety of positions including one who is sought after as an expert by several national news outlets (I also think with one call he could have gotten me into any hot New York restaurant…next time!). The conversation and the ability to discuss trends and the professional were well worth the trip cost.

All in all, here’s what I learned…

·         That just because you work at a boutique communications firm in Reno, Nevada, doesn’t mean that you don’t understand current trends.  It means you implement them. 

·         That results from being assertive in seeking out knowledge from larger markets and minds pays off. Be a sponge.

·         You can hold your own, even in the midst of larger firms, because the layers are removed and teamwork proves to the most valuable asset.

·         That honestly, integrity and doing what’s right always wins the day.  

·         That programs that you think are the best thing you’ve ever done, which is probably true, is only as good as the next entry but should never be minimized.

·         Healthy debate is liberating, reassuring and needed.

·         That communications professionals are the glue during crisis situations.

·         That a majority of professionals are not ready for this next phase. 

·         That today’s communicator needs to be quick, savvy, understand the tools available (and use them), be mobile and above all recognize opportunities—they are everywhere!

·         Making new friends is rewarding.  I had the opportunity to meet a fellow judge through Twitter two days before arriving and then met for coffee before judging.  Also that photos on Twitter really help in finding who you are meeting. 

·         And finally, that writing is still the professions bread and butter. 

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.    

Seriously, Tourism Queensland is recruiting a “caretaker” for Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef whose job duties include swimming, snorkeling and frolicking on the beach along with posting photos and video to a blog.  Promoting tourism with a first-person online diary – it’s not a unique idea. 

But perhaps the thing that makes it unique is that they’re paying the lucky job-winner $100,000 for just six months work and throwing in airfare and an oceanfront villa…and they’re promoting that fact.  According to the Jan. 15 article in the Los Angeles Times more than one million unique visitors logged onto the website promoting the gig between Monday, Jan. 12 and Thursday, Jan. 15.   That’s one million people who may have never heard of Hamilton Island that may now consider it for their next vacation.  Impressive.

In the LA Times article Anthony Hayes, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Queensland said “The tourism industry is having a tough time at the moment.  So what we’re really trying to do is drum up as much interest and as much passion for the place as we can.”  Of course, but it’s not kicking off on July 1, 2009 when the blogging begins.  It already started.

Watch application videos on YouTube by searching “Island Reef Job.” They run the gamut.  This one seems like a cross between an application and an American Idol audition!

As part of that, we are not sitting around talking about what we’re going to do, we’re doing it.  One example is with Artown.  We are developing a series of educational videos that provide attendees a visual user experience thereby engaging them to learn more and become involved.  These series of videos will be posted online and distributed via several social sites.  But the reason we’re most proud is that in addition to producing a great sample video montage, our fabulous team also created--get this--a blooper reel.  Not only is that clever, creative and inspiring, it’s engaging.  Great job, team!  Check it out for yourself.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrNamSbvi5g

Dunham’s “Achmed the Dead Terrorist” has been viewed by more than 72 million ranking it among the top five YouTube videos and making it a great social networking (and public relations) success story.

Here are some other stats.  One of the largest DVD comedy special videos ever sold, “Spark of Insanity.”  In fact, sales did so well that Jeff and his star “Achmed the Dead Terrorist” made an exclusive video for Amazon.com thanking viewers for purchasing the DVD.  And last month I attended his show in Reno to a sold out crowd of 7,200+.  In talking with the attendees most hadn’t heard of Dunham until seeing him on YouTube, where like me, they wanted nothing more to see him and his puppets in person. He even eluded this fact to the crowd thanking them for the views and support on YouTube.

From a communications standpoint, this is one comedian that understands the influence of his YouTube stature and more importantly how to continue to use it to market and attract new audiences through viral communications.  If you haven’t see any of his bits, just go to YouTube and type “Jeff Dunham” and get ready to laugh.  You know he is.

Recently what I’ve come to realize is that the Chamber of Commerce type of networking events with the breakfast meetings, luncheons and ribbon cuttings are not holding my attention or interest.  I’m yielding to this exponentially expanding, “world is flat” social networking environment that is all the rage. A rage not a fad because we’re only just seeing the beginning.

In a matter of minutes, those looking to engage can go from being a passive observer to a full-fledged member.  For anyone just dipping their toe into the social waters, here’s a tip…you’re not the first, you won’t be the last and there’s a whole bunch of folks willing to help you out.  Whew, a relief I know…it was for me.

As I’ve moved from dipping my toe to now seeking out opportunities to learn, do and become more involved, I’ve never felt any judgment from others that have paved the way, but instead have been greeted with messages of “welcome,” “glad to see you,” “here’s what you need to do,” and “we’ve been waiting for you.”  An interesting change for anyone coming from the corporate side of “I got where I got today because of MY dedication and MY hard work.”  That’s not the story of today.

Today is about engaging in the conversation and speaking directly to our audiences through communications channels that never sleep.  What’s even more inspiring is what you learn about each other personally and professionally.  We each become more open, share more and banter online in a fashion that’s building real relationships.  And during those occasions when the world of “old” networking and “new” meet, your online communication serves as the foundation for in-person discussion moving you past the routine “how’s the weather” questions to substantial and more meaningful conversation.

For public relations professionals, it’s a perfect playground ready for our interaction and authentic involvement.  It’s the new networking.  Get out and get dirty!