As one chapter closes, a new one begins for Deni Connor

For 10 years, I was one of many who read what Deni Connor wrote regularly for Network World. She was always one of, if not the first, to break major news items from many of the leading storage industry players. In fact, rumor has it that some of the PR community avoided briefing her in advance for fear she'd scoop the news. Still, Deni persevered and always had relevant insight and perspective on the technologies and trends customers cared about...

Nasdaq's Internet Index -- What does it tell us?

Tuesday's announcement by Nasdaq that it has created a new "Internet Index" caught my eye right away, but not enough to blog about -- until today based upon more information I've seen. My immediate thought was, why do we need this separate index? Given how Nasdaq describes what types of companies the index covers -- "Internet access providers, Internet search engines, web hosting, website design, and Internet retail commerce" -- I'm not sure how that is any different than the...

Apple doesn't think differently about PR in new ad

A few of us here came back from Thanksgiving break buzzing about the newest Apple Mac vs. PC commerical. In this instance, PC has hired a public relations "Lady" to explain in "PRese" the problems with Windows Vista. Like all the commercials they are amusing, helped along by the clever banter of Justin Long and John Hodgeman. But while Apple and Steve Jobs excel at PR, I have to say I am disappointed with the sterotypes they propogate about PR...

The Facebook Debates

I continue to be intrigued by the ever-changing role of the social web in the Presidential race. We saw a first earlier in the epic debate season of how the YouTube community played a role in the campaign. Unlike many who felt that CNN chose the wrong questions from the hundreds submitted by citizens via YouTube, I viewed the event as a great step towards representing the true concerns of the electorate. Now comes the announcement by ABC News that...

Giving Thanks

It's that time of year when we all eat too much rich food and reflect on the things that truly make us grateful. In that spirit, I'd like to list some of the things us agency PR types are thankful for in late 2007: We are thankful for the great human beings we have gotten to know in our client base who have been clients many times and have transcended that relationship to become lifelong friends. We are thankful that...

If you didn't come to party, don't bother knocking on the door

Yes, it seemed like it was 1999 again at the very fun Boston TechCrunch MeetUp on Friday night at the Estate. There was free booze, food (which is at odds with my previous post regarding Web 2.0) and lots and lots and lots of people. In fact, this is the first Boston networking event in long time where I ran into mobs of people I knew -- from clients to media to VCs to even one of my neighbors (okay,...

IR Person, Protect Yourself

I If you are holding a pen or pencil or poised at a keyboard while reading this blog post, please cease and desist for your own good. That definitely seemed to be a primary message to the Boston NIRI (National Investor Relations Institute) chapter from Donald Stern, former U.S. Attorney and currently partner at Bingham McCutchen and executive fellow at Bentley College. Stern's topic was business ethics and since he was talking with a group of corporate communications and/or IR...

Bulls vs. Bears

It's interesting that -- as the talk continues about whether we're in another bubble, when it's going to burst, or whether we're seeing the start of a downturn -- the bulls are in Silicon Valley, while the bears are in the East. Late last month, the talk heated up with a couple of New York-based commentators talking of an unhealthy frothiness in the industry, as well as the danger of sky-high investment and valuation levels. Meanwhile, Silicon Valley bloggers got...

Where's Henry Higgins when you need him?

Interesting post on the online site of the NJ Star Ledger about CEOs who misuse the English language. An employee writes to communications coach/columnist Steve Adubato: My boss continually abuses the English language. Specifically, he'll use words like "irregardless" and "supposably." He also starts almost every sentence with "so": "So, I'm looking for a new car," or, "So, I'm having a problem understanding this report." The communications coach sympathizes with the employee, who worries about the perception the boss is...

Don't Be Stupid

This past summer, I was strolling through the Whole Foods' headquarters store in Austin, Texas and found myself in an aisle with a curly-haired, middle-aged man wearing a tie-dye t-shirt, khaki shorts and Tevas - the regular character that you'd find in the local grocery store that I end up visiting at least four times a week (I'm a big fan, I'll admit). I did a double take and realized he was John Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods. I...