Tag: Public Relations

Earning Media in the Digital Age

With the advent of digital marketing, social media marketing, SEO, and content marketing, some people have given up on one of the staples of media relations: earned media. That’s a huge mistake. No matter what’s happening in other areas of the industry, earned media is still a hugely valuable commodity. And, for PR professionals, earned media is definitely something your client will expect. That’s not to say it’s easy. After all, even though news is 24-7 these days, and there are more outlets than ever before, there are certain topics that always seem to grab headlines. With these popular topics crowding the news cycles, getting noticed takes the right message, a winning strategy, and precise timing. Here are a few…

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How to Leverage Influencers in your Audience

When most people think about “peer pressure” they get a negative connotation. Bullying, cajoling, kids trying to get friends to do things they know they shouldn’t. But peer pressure can be a good thing too. In fact, I would venture that all of us have done some interesting and exciting things thanks to peer pressure. We tried that ride or that sport, tasted that menu item, or talked to that girl (or guy). We learned a new language or an instrument, or we picked up a long-forgotten hobby — all thanks to friends that “pressured” us to do so.

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How Chipotle Prepared for a PR Crisis

You never know when you might find yourself dealing with a PR crisis. In those moments, when every word of every message is being dissected on social media and cut up for headlines, that is not the time to be building up goodwill for your brand. That needs to happen long before the bad news hits… otherwise you may never dig out. A great example of a company that was well-prepared for a PR disaster is Chipotle. The “fast casual” dining establishment hit the scene and made a big splash, enticing legions of customers with quality food, quick, and selections that would keep the whole family happy. Soon, those customers were loyal fans. But that didn’t happen by accident. The…

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Publix Responds to Public Outcry

Publix Supermarkets, an employee-owned grocery chain based in central Florida, has supported the political aspirations of “local boy” Adam Putnam for more than a decade. But recent outsized donations to Putnam’s campaign had customers seeing red and threatening to take their green elsewhere. Publix reportedly donated $670,000 to Putnam’s campaign for governor. The current Florida agriculture commissioner, Putnam is in a heated battle with Rep. Ron DeSantis, a member of the so-called “Freedom Caucus” who enjoys the support of President Donald Trump.

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Press Blackout Leads to Backlash

It’s no secret that some press agencies have a contentious relationship with the current U.S. presidential administration. Generally, disputes or dustups between the two sides are supported along roughly partisan political lines. It’s rare that voters and consumers react in one voice to an action taken by the administration… But that was the case when it was announced that certain press agencies would not be permitted to attend a recent Environmental Protection Agency meeting. The “summit” was supposed to focus on water contaminants, but the headlines shifted when representatives from CNN, the Associated Press, Politico, and others were told by security they were not welcome to attend.

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What are the Benefits of Email Marketing?

  It’s easy to assume that the time for email marketing is over, thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of things like SEO, and social media. However, the truth is that even though email marketing might not be the newest advertising strategy in the world, it’s still one of the most successful. Though it’s been years since email marketing first came to the forefront of the marketing world, it’s still alive and well today because it’s the easiest way for companies to develop personalized relationships with their target audience. Email is more than just a way to grab someone’s attention. When used correctly, this platform can allow brands to spread their awareness into new marketplaces, and nurture connections with leads. All…

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Skipper Claims Resignation Inspired by “Extortion Plot”

You don’t normally hear the terms “Disney” and “extortion” in the same story, but you’re about to. You may or may not be aware that ESPN President John Skipper recently resigned from his role in that company. There were many people speculating as to why, but most sources remained tight lipped on the issue. Not Skipper. He got right out in front of the story, stifling rumors about why he was fired with a story that shocked people even more.

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Disengaged Employees: How To Fix The Problem

Every manager dreams of being able to bring the best out in their employees. Yet, achieving true engagement, productivity, and efficiency from top-tier talent can be easier said than done. Managers are almost constantly dealing with chronic problems of under-performance in their business, caused by an unacceptably high number of staff feeling underwhelmed and disengaged at work. If hires feel uninterested and emotionally disconnected from the companies they work for, then they’re less likely to give business efforts their all. The good news is that there are ways for management to bring employees out of their shell and encourage them to accomplish more on the job. Leading by example and pushing for greater dedication from workers is a step-by-step process…

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Brit Music ’Zine NME Goes Digital-Only  

New Musical Express broke ground in the entertainment media business for decades. Now, for the first time in 66 years, NME will no longer have a print publication. Everything is being pushed online, according to reports in CNN and other outlets. NME has been a stalwart in the entertainment media game for generations, but the publications ownership group, Time Inc., says the media industry is too tough to continue the print edition of the publication. There’s just not enough bang for their print advertising buck. Lower incomes and rising print costs finally reached a tipping point. This shift is quite a change from just three years ago, when NME was a free weekly music magazine with a newly-minted web presence.…

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Domino’s Is Winning the Pizza Market: But Why?

Pizza chain Domino’s has moved ahead of the competition, and it continues to gain. Besting Pizza Hut for the first time ever, Domino’s hopes to hold that position as the country’s favorite pizza joint. The secret, market watchers say, is in easy delivery. More and more, when American consumers want pizza, they are ordering out, rather than eating in. That puts brands like Pizza Hut, which still depend on restaurants for much of their income, at a disadvantage. They have a larger footprint, higher payroll, and a different image in the eyes of consumers.

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