Knowing when to say when
Monday, February 8, 2010
Not too long ago, we pitched a piece of business in which the founding CEO was still actively engaged. We waited patiently for his arrival and, then, boom, the conference door swung wide open. In limped a wizened, elderly gent who looked to be in a great deal of physical distress. He hopped into th.. .. read more..
Knowing when to say when
Monday, February 8, 2010
Not too long ago, we pitched a piece of business in which the founding CEO was still actively engaged. We waited patiently for his arrival and, then, boom, the conference door swung wide open. In limped a wizened, elderly gent who looked to be in a great deal of physical distress. He hopped into th.. .. read more..
Toyota Recall: A PR Crisis?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Toyota Apologizes Throughout my career, I\'ve had opportunity to work on some pretty big crisis. My stance has always been, if a crisis develops from a PR perspective, someone should get fired (think Tiger Woods). Either the PR firm for not counseling correctly or the client for not listening. And y.. .. read more..
Stop, Collaborate and Listen.
Friday, February 5, 2010
In the world of social media marketing (and early 90\'s rappers), it\'s easy to get caught up in finding more followers, sharing the latest app. and getting more mentions. But all the hype is pretty worthless if you don\'t remember... .. read more..
There doesn\'t seem to be a Robin Hood in this economic downturn
Friday, February 5, 2010
I\'ve been on a Depression-era reading binge of late ranging from \'The Grapes of Wrath\' to \'Pretty Boy: The Story of Charles Floyd.\' I also happened to catch the surprisingly good flick, \'Public Enemies.\' I found it fascinating to discover that the public enemies of the Great Depression era were oft.. .. read more..
There doesn\'t seem to be a Robin Hood in this economic downturn
Friday, February 5, 2010
I\'ve been on a Depression-era reading binge of late ranging from \'The Grapes of Wrath\' to \'Pretty Boy: The Story of Charles Floyd.\' I also happened to catch the surprisingly good flick, \'Public Enemies.\' I found it fascinating to discover that the public enemies of the Great Depression era were oft.. .. read more..
Help a PR Pro Out
Friday, February 5, 2010
A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from my friend Arik Hanson . He had an idea that he thought would help out-of-work PR professionals network with the jobs that are becoming more readily available at both agencies and companies. The big idea: On Friday, February 19, from 10 am – 2 pm CT, P.. .. read more..
The February 5 #FollowFriday
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Are you ready? @PatrickReyes Patrick works at GM and is the furthest thing you would think when you think marketing and automaker. If he gets his way, he\'ll change the way the auto industry communicates…for the better. On top of his demanding job, he blogs at Salt and Light , and quite consis.. .. read more..
Detroit has to be loving Toyota\'s troubles
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Like most car owners, I\'ve been amazed to see how many problems Toyota is experiencing with its cars. I\'m also surprised to see how poorly they\'ve handled it (The New York Times reports that Toyota issued the recall only after U.S. Transportation Department officials had to fly to Japan to \'remind .. .. read more..
Detroit has to be loving Toyota\'s troubles
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Like most car owners, I\'ve been amazed to see how many problems Toyota is experiencing with its cars. I\'m also surprised to see how poorly they\'ve handled it (The New York Times reports that Toyota issued the recall only after U.S. Transportation Department officials had to fly to Japan to \'remind .. .. read more..
What would you do?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Ad Age just ran a fascinating article about the industry\'s \'most toxic\' clients. According to \'unnamed\' advertising search consultants (Don\'t you just love that they won\'t go on record? What is this, Watergate?), there are several brands that are positively notorious for churning their agencies. Th.. .. read more..
What would you do?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Ad Age just ran a fascinating article about the industry\'s \'most toxic\' clients. According to \'unnamed\' advertising search consultants (Don\'t you just love that they won\'t go on record? What is this, Watergate?), there are several brands that are positively notorious for churning their agencies. Th.. .. read more..
The Tagline Contest Finalists
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
We had hundreds of entries in our tagline contest and couldn\'t choose just one. So we narrowed them down to 20 and need your help. Following is the list of the finalists (starting Feb. 4, you can find the poll in the sidebar). Please vote! We\'ll take the top five and ask our clients to vote. The fi.. .. read more..
Everyday products to everyday people in not so everyday ways
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
I’m always fascinated to see how organizations, large and small, attempt to differentiate themselves while delivering on a brand promise. As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, I once worked for an integrated agency whose tagline was: ‘Sales overnight and image over time.’ Sadly, the firm couldn’.. .. read more..
Everyday products to everyday people in not so everyday ways
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
I’m always fascinated to see how organizations, large and small, attempt to differentiate themselves while delivering on a brand promise. As I mentioned in a previous blog entry, I once worked for an integrated agency whose tagline was: ‘Sales overnight and image over time.’ Sadly, the firm couldn’.. .. read more..
Crisis: Dealing With Negative Comments Online
Monday, February 1, 2010
Last week, I was talking to my friend, and client, Lorri Wyndham about negative comments online. It was a timely conversation because, when I speak, at least one person asks me what happens when someone says something negative about them or the company online. I like to use the story from when I fi.. .. read more..
The color purple
Monday, February 1, 2010
Can an organization 'own' a color? By own, I mean, can an organization's corporate color elicit an emotional connection with a consumer that will immediately stimulate endorphins in the brain and make said consumer think good thoughts about the entity? There are definitely some examples.. .. read more..
The color purple
Monday, February 1, 2010
Can an organization \'own\' a color? By own, I mean, can an organization\'s corporate color elicit an emotional connection with a consumer that will immediately stimulate endorphins in the brain and make said consumer think good thoughts about the entity? There are definitely some examples where it\'s .. .. read more..
Tips for Optimizing Your News Releases
Friday, January 29, 2010
By now, optimizing your news releases may seem a bit \"101.\" However, many companies continue missing the boat by writing great content that no one can find. Before drafting your next release, consider the following tips. These should help increase... .. read more..
Uh oh, Bill. They brought the Etch A Sketch
Thursday, January 28, 2010
I long ago learned the painful lessons of the bait-and-switch. It was the earliest days of the original dotcom hysteria (I\'m talking 1993, which was way early). The firm for which I toiled had a solid record in cable and interactive television. Through some high-level contacts, we were introduced t.. .. read more..
Uh oh, Bill. They brought the Etch A Sketch
Thursday, January 28, 2010
I long ago learned the painful lessons of the bait-and-switch. It was the earliest days of the original dotcom hysteria (I\'m talking 1993, which was way early). The firm for which I toiled had a solid record in cable and interactive television. Through some high-level contacts, we were introduced t.. .. read more..
Brouillard, Brainerd or just bad manners?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
I\'ve received some pretty amazing, unsolicited e-mails over the years. But, two recent ones were exceptional in their sloppiness. The first came from the editor of a leading industry trade publication, inviting me to submit ideas for a new daily news feed. That was cool, but the editor ended the no.. .. read more..
Brouillard, Brainerd or just bad manners?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
I\'ve received some pretty amazing, unsolicited e-mails over the years. But, two recent ones were exceptional in their sloppiness. The first came from the editor of a leading industry trade publication, inviting me to submit ideas for a new daily news feed. That was cool, but the editor ended the no.. .. read more..
Old reliable
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The late New York Yankees star Tommy Henrich was known as \'old reliable\' for his uncanny ability to deliver clutch hits at critical moments. In today\'s scandal-soaked scene few, if any, people, places or things deserve a sobriquet like old reliable. But I\'ve managed to come up with a few that, good.. .. read more..
Old reliable
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The late New York Yankees star Tommy Henrich was known as \'old reliable\' for his uncanny ability to deliver clutch hits at critical moments. In today\'s scandal-soaked scene few, if any, people, places or things deserve a sobriquet like old reliable. But I\'ve managed to come up with a few that, good.. .. read more..