Recent Writing

It’s time to think about competitive strategies, stop fixating on tactics

Top leaders and management of an organization care about solid results that show favorably on their top or bottom lines as well as marketplace reputation. Results come from strategic plans, and therein is a disconnect with the field of communications or PR.

2012 State of the News Media: Tech companies now in control

Technology companies such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple “now control the future of news.” It’s all about who is winning with generating ad revenue from news. A good example is the fast-growing opportunity of targeted advertising, where Google and Facebook dominate and news organizations lag far behind.

Freedom of Information … does the media even care?

The recurring and overriding concern expressed throughout the 2012 Freedom of Information Forum by leading journalists, academics and First Amendment lawyers was that Obama White House has restricted access to information the public should have, despite Mr. Obama’s campaign pledge to make government more transparent. The media gave a cold shoulder of disinterest to the event.

Goldman Sachs and the money vs. ethics debate

If you follow this blog, you probably know that I write regularly about the value of an ethical environments within an organization and focus on customer service as ways to enhance brand image. Maybe sounds a bit old-fashioned to some in today’s money scramble and greed but it’s one of the best approaches to build a competitive, influential and trusted image and reputation.

Ragan.com: Brand journalism gives voice to first-generation college students

“Seeking to reach donors and the press, a Catholic university tells the stories of its economically disadvantaged scholars,” reports Russell Working for Ragan.com, the leading news and information resource for communications professionals.

CEOs too scripted, not authentic enough, business bloggers say

Where do CEOs fail in communications? According to 10 interviews with business bloggers conducted by The10Company, they aren’t courageous, they’re too scripted, and they don’t acknowledge mistakes. That doesn’t apply simply to top execs’ own mistakes, either. Bloggers say CEOs should address corporate excesses in general.

The choice of standing in the spotlight of success or the cold shadows

Despite living in an age of unlimited possibilities that are only limited by imagination, cleverness and savvy – enhanced by the enormous power of today’s digital revolution – have you ever stopped to consider all the sameness, blandness and copycat styles that surround and bombard us each day?

How Social Media Is Affecting the News Media

News agencies around the world are constantly challenged with finding and keeping consumers of their published content. Content is certainly king, but the business model has been stressed for many organizations over the past decade based on the advancement of technology and changing consumer habits.

Susan G. Komen for the Money: Arrogant and Clueless in the Digital Era

“It started with a tweet,” writes Mary Elizabeth Williams on Salon.com. “And in the end, that’s what won the war.

But … Komen remained silent. No response for more than a full day.

Hey, ya know what?! … junk words are a lazy way of speaking

“Hey, ya know what?” our president often says at news conferences and speeches when he begins a thought or answer to a question.

No, Mr. President, I don’t “know what”—that’s what I expect you to tell me. Furthermore, it’s not a very “presidential” or top executive style of speaking.