News organizations often prepare stories in anticipation of something occurring so they can be the first to leak breaking news. Well, the Los Angeles Times made a premature mistake by going live and announcing that Barack Obama actually chose Hillary Clinton to be his vice presidential candidate along with Bill Richardson, Kathleen Sebelius, and four other Democrats. While you cannot blame the Los Angeles Times for their preparations, this is not the only time Obama was misperceived through the media. John McCain tried a couple different stunts that backfired on him when he related Obama to Paris Hilton — who would have thought?

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Well, Paris Hilton took part in another video, but this time her video is rated “E” for educational. Hilton’s video on superstar comedian, Will Farrell’s Funny or Die Web site was a response to one of John McCain’s negative public relations stunts of comparing his rival, Barack Obama, to celebrities Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. McCain is taking the approach of bringing out the negativity in his counterpart, rather than focusing on the important facts; war, oil, economy, or the over so popular term “change.” McCain is reaching an all time low, spinning Obama’s image and comparing him to the queen of party girls. McCain are you getting a little worried?

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As I entered into my first year in college, the 2004 political debate was at its peak. Students living on my floor gathered in the hallways at night to discuss candidates, issues, and who was right or wrong until their faces beat red. But I never got it. I never understood how people could tolerate the endless, and seemingly meaningless, banter that inevitably resulted in an “agree to disagree” solution anyhow…until this past January.

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Will Smith’s new movie, Hancock, was a box office hit this past Fourth of July weekend. As a badass superhero with an even bad-er attitude, Hancock works with a public relations practitioner, played by Jason Bateman, to help with an image-makeover.

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It’s been everything I can do not to comment on Scott McClellan’s book, “What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception.”  Continue Reading »

We are in an industry and era where digital success equals company greatness. The hard part is proving it to the old fashioned. I just got an email from my good friend who decided to pack up and travel the world before settling down with his life. Staying in touch with someone who is traveling the world can be very tough or expensive if you dare to make an international phone call. My friend created his own RSS feed so his friends and family could keep in touch and witness his adventure through maps, pictures, and exciting stories.

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Blog written by Shawn M. Kahle, APR

Public relations is a profession of words and actions.  Without words, our efforts to inform, persuade, or engage ring hollow.  Unfortunately, there’s a tendency to rely on words as an elixir for all that ails us. 

Words.  We speak them, text them, write them, edit them, position them.  And we worry when we don’t hear the right words, or they don’t come quickly, nor exactly how we expect them to be said or written.

Our word-craving addictions sometimes get the best of us as individuals and as a profession.  We throw words at words.  We seek out advocacy strategies rather than action plans.

I love words and respect their necessity, wit, and power. 

Yet, it is hard to refute the maxim, “Actions speak louder than words.”

Time and time again my respect first goes to colleagues and acquaintances who act with purpose and compassion.  Like Missouri, “Show Me.”

Recently, there’s been much talk about what can be done to improve the reputation, understanding, and perceptions of the public relations profession.  Has there been enough action?  What can we do?

1)    Do you know a wonderful cause with limited donor support because too few are aware of the need?  Volunteer your time actively every week.

2)    Is a friend starting a business but cannot get the local paper to share the news?  Work as a pro-bono advisor to build an action plan for communication, one that draws customers and attracts interest.

3)    Are you tired of politicians who embarrass or disappoint?  Find a candidate who gives you hope, role up your sleeves and do the work to get elected – knock on doors, stuff envelops, work the phones, put some skin in the game.

4)    Elevate your professional skills by pursuing your accreditation in IABC or PRSA.  Why?  You will reflect, you will learn, and there’s a very good chance that you will gain an appreciation of the history and actions of the true pioneers who set the foundation for our contemporary words and actions.

5)    Mentor a student at a local high school or college who wants to enter the profession.  Pay the way for your student to attend a monthly luncheon or program of your local PRSA or IABC chapter.  Review resumes, pass along job leads, coach on interviewing skills.  Be the one who your student calls or emails for advice and support.

         6)    Recognize the actions of others – in your firm, at your local meetings – who are moving the profession forward through their                      personal community engagement or leadership. 

What do you suggest?  What are you going to do?

Show me.  Let’s grow the list.  Let’s create a true action plan.  Let’s talk less about what others say, and instead do what needs to be done.

That’s what’s best for the public relations profession.

Blog written by Sydney Ayers, APR

A recent column by Maureen Hall in Ad Age discussed the fact that the words “public relations” had, unfortunately, lost their meaning.  I would pose that they didn’t so much lose their meaning as we haven’t really safeguarded it.

Too frequently a client prospect will come to us and say, “We need some PR” when what they really mean is, “We need some media relations.”  Instead of taking the opportunity to fully educate these prospects regarding the full depth and breadth of public relations, we say, “Sure.  We’ll leverage our contacts and get you great coverage we’ll measure in impressions and ad equivalency.”

When are we going to stop letting everyone else – from Washington lobbyists to Hollywood publicists, ad professionals to interactive specialists – define our job? 

Our friends Cutlip, Center and Broom tell us, “Public relations is the practice of building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and its various publics.”  Nothing in that definition says the only accepted tactic for achieving this is media relations. You know why?  Because it just isn’t.

Is media relations important?  Yes, it is.  But so are community outreach, special events, employee communications, issues management, crisis communications, word-of-mouth marketing, social media and other public relations tactics that enhance brand and protect organizational reputation.

When prospects come to us, we should not be afraid to help them broaden their definition of public relations.  It certainly would go a long way to helping us better position our clients, our profession, our firms, and ourselves.

Blog written by Lindsay Brown

Public relations…relating to the public.  The best way to relate to the public is face-to-face.  This allows for a more candid, but intimate meeting.  A comment lament from PR professionals is why some reporters badmouth and label them “annoying flaks.”  The answer is simple, take a look at a reporter’s inbox on a Friday afternoon.  Thousands upon thousands of unsolicited news releases from PR professionals who would rather send an e mail than set-up a face-to-face meeting.  This is what separates the good professionals from the bad.

By sending those releases again and again, you might get coverage for your client or even your firm, but it could be the result of the reporter trying to dig up negative dirt on your event or announcement rather than promote it to the fullest extent because they are annoyed by you, the flak.

PR professionals are known for their excellent communication skills and outgoing personalities.  If you woo a reporter with your skills, you develop a lasting relationship.  The reporter is then able to put a face to a name on those press releases and might even start to think of you as a friend or at least a trusted source and no longer a nameless “flak.”  With all of the PR professionals out there trying to land stories, take initiative, and stand out from the crowd.

Gawker.com hits the nail on the head and reaffirms my testament.  So what is good PR?  Start networking and find out.

Blog written by Cory Sealey    

In case you don’t read Gawker.com (shame on you) or consider yourself out of the PR loop, let me fill you in on the most recent Edelman controversy.  Edelman is one of the largest and well recognized PR firms in the world.  They have worked with iconic corporations and have won numerous awards.  To many people outside of public relations, Edelman is the standard bearer for the entire industry.  Apparently, that’s not saying much. 

In the past few years, the firm has received a heaping spoonful of criticism from a large number of people, groups, and industries, PR included.  In 2006, Edelman paid a blogger to write positive reviews about a client, Wal-Mart, and tried to pass the blog off as independent.  When they were caught, they admitted to it and apologized, but the damage had been done.

Once again, Edelman finds itself in hot water.  The most recent controversy stems from supposed directives from executives at Edelman to tell clients to lie as a part of their media training.  Any PR professional immediately sees this as a GIANT RED FLAG.  Lying not only makes you look like a hack, but if and when you get caught, you are professionally screwed. 

I am not going to weigh in with my opinion on whether I think Edel-Execs told their clients to lie.  I used to work at the firm and like Vegas, “What happens at Edelman, Stays at Edelman”.  From my experience working there, the firm is a well-oiled machine and nothing slips past the radar of executives.  The firm’s president, Richard Edelman, issued a note to gawker.com (which should have been spellchecked!!!!) refuting these claims.  He also called out Gawker.com for posting a story from an anonymous source, even though some of the comments left by readers supported a certain shadiness they felt when working with Edelman.  Feelings and opinions about Edelman have been carried over to other firms and contribute to the overall mistrust people tend to feel about the industry. 

Edelman and the PR industry had already received a serious black eye and had been tried and found guilty by a jury of gawker.com readers (who tend to be well-connected and informed in the media industry).  What are mid and small sized firms supposed to do when the large firms create controversy and make the industry look bad?  Do people think I am a less than honest person because some giants in my profession decide to operate sans scruples?  The industry needs to do everything in its power, besides a public castigation, to ensure one bad Edel-apple doesn’t spoil the bunch.