Social media and the open enterprise

USA Today is the latest major media outlet to declare that social media is changing the game for marketers. This article by Jon Swartz is better than most because it is chock full of some powerful statistics about social networking growth and usage, as well as business ROI. The share of Americans 18 and over online who use a social-networking service more than quadrupled to 35% in 2008 from 8% in 2005, according to Pew Internet & American Life Project......

Is your mood changing?

It's interesting seeing how pundits and so-called experts in the media characterize where we are in this economy and the terms they use. People I talk to in professional and personal circles still don't feel great about it, but the metaphor of "stepping back from the abyss" that is overused in the media seems to accurately reflect what I hear in my conversations. Perhaps that's changing again to "turning away from the abyss" if the results of a new CMO...

Is "less is more" a good motto for Facebook?

One of my Facebook friends, Brenda Christensen shared in her FB updates this week an interesting article from the WSJ that described "How Facebook can Ruin Your Friendships." WSJ Bonds Columnist Elizabeth Bernstein opens her piece by telling all of her friends she loves them dearly, but her column goes on to complain that she doesn't love all of their narcissistic updates. "Like many people, I'm experiencing Facebook Fatigue. I'm tired of loved ones—you know who you are—who claim they...

Eating Your Own Dog Food - The Energy Dept. Forgets Basic PR Lesson

I think it's fair to say that most companies or organizations at some point have experienced disconnect between what they sell and how they operate - it can be challenging to keep the causes aligned. Earlier this week The New York Times reported that The Energy Department has not implemented basic smart meter thermostats into its own buildings, which if installed properly, could power 9,800 homes each year and save the agency $11.5 million in energy costs! I don't know...

SXSWi 2010 anticipation builds

Having been out of the country the last two weeks, I am admittedly late in posting this. I was pleased to see that a panel proposal that we put together for next year's SXSW Interactive Festival (it was a collaborative effort among the SXSW enthusiasts here) made it past the initial review phase of the conference committee. It is now among the many equally great proposals in SXSWi's Panel Picker. Our proposal can be found here. I have a passion...

Humane Society is the Big PR Winner in the Michael Vick Saga

Newly reinstated NFL player and now Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick's arrest around the horrific dog-fighting ring in his home happened right around the time I was adopting our second rescue dog. I remember thinking at the time that this is one dog that would be safe from this horrible abuse situation. So I will set this up by declaring my bias as an animal lover and a long-time supporter of animal protection and rights groups. I've been watching with...

PR Pros Score High on Ethics Test

We PR professionals have had to develop a pretty tough skin over the years. We are ripe for criticism, since we often stand between people wanting to tell a story and the people who aren't sure they want to hear the story. Even more fraught with danger is our position between our customers and the many marketing channels they can choose from -- and spend money on -- to tell their story. We've learned over the years to take the...

To Tour or Not to Tour; That is the Question

The good news from our spot in the universe is that many of the companies we are working with are busy, thriving and becoming more proactive on the PR front. The tricky part of all of this goodness is that they understand the importance of relationships with influencers and therefore want to include press/blogger tours in their regular program of activities. Nothing can immediately silence a roomful of talkative energetic PR people during this current maelstrom in the newspaper and...