Archive for March, 2009
Die Press Release!!!
A friend was telling me today about a conference she has just attended that brought together a large group of public relations people with a smaller group of working journalists. The discussion had centered, as it often does at such sessions, on what journalists really need in today’s demanding media world, and the merits of [...]
CEO Blogs: Pros and Cons
While there is increased popularity in the concept of CEO blogs, the whole idea is a tactical discipline that must fit with an organization’s overall strategic purpose. Blogs are nothing more than a tactical interactive online delivery platform to share ideas. So, if a CEO recognizes the importance of achieving unique differentiation in today’s fiercely [...]
Today’s Reality: Nothing Is Secret
Washington, D.C., where I am based, is full of consultancies run by former members of Congress or government staffers who sell their connections and supposed clout to just about anyone who hopes to have greater influence before the federal government or in the halls of Congress. It’s influence peddling for a price, and often, their [...]
A Great Story Has Legs
Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of effective communications … and one of the most timely. My colleague Anne Bell at PBS NewsHour says it best: “A great story has legs that in today’s world can travel many miles per hour.” The discipline of storytelling can energize (or re-energize) any business or organization. It [...]
Communications Leadership: Storytelling
Brooke Gladstone of National Public Radio’s “On the Media” program says: “Journalists are taught to talk and write in human terms. Tell me a story.” We are all part of a storytelling culture in America. It’s been that way forever, and it’s no different in countries, cultures and communities around the world. We share stories [...]
Tactics Seldom Work, Without Strategy
More than ever, I am convinced we live in a tactics-driven world, and it’s leading us in a downward direction. When we embrace tactics, we relinquish leadership, by default. When tactics are used, it reveals a level of anxiety over needing to get fast results. But results don’t work that way. Congress tries to fix [...]
The Coming Explosion in News Online
Despite the fast-decline of the traditional newspaper industry, I predict a new era of influence, interest and credibility of online news resources that will lead to an exciting explosion of new online media sites. Too many online media-oriented sites today – ranging from blogs to sites like Huffington Post – are run by people who, [...]
How-To Land a Job at a PR Agency
When people ask me for advice and guidance on getting a meaningful position at a public relations, I don’t sugarcoat the process – when you are considered for an agency slot, it’s all about money. If you want to land a job at a public relations agency … one that is at least a step [...]
World Wide Rave
Let me just begin this review of David Meerman Scott’s “World Wide Rave” by saying that I admire and respect the innovative concepts that David teaches. If you are in marketing or communications or public relations or, especially, the leader of an organization, today’s world has gotten to be too competitive, too fast-moving, and too [...]
Turning Point in New Journalism
The recent “showdown” between comedian-turned-faux-newsman Jon Stewart and stock-huckster-turned-cable-TV-stock-carnival barker Jim Cramer was an important moment, I believe, in today’s new style of journalism. Cramer, host of CNBC’s borderline insane stock hype program “Mad Money,” came off as defense, and a guy who knew he was in deep trouble for misleading investors. He seemed to [...]
