The Future of PR

I received an email from PRSA listing the week's featured articles and thought this one would be interesting, http://bit.ly/46Pz9R. The article was based on a survey of over 2,000 Public Relations industry members. Participants were questioned about several aspects of PR including biggest trends of the future, biggest challenges, top opportunities for growth and success in the future, and the conditions surrounding future changes in the industry.

One interesting finding was that most respondents identified the use of social media as a future trend. Approximately 95 percent said they were planning on using social media for their client in the near future. About half reported that multimedia opportunities on sites like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter would be "extremely significant". The top three challenges reported were managing expanding channels of communication, budgeting resources and demonstrating ROI (return on investment) for clients. One interesting part of the ROI issue was that PR professionals are receiving a lot of feedback on their social media initiatives but CEO's who are 60 and older have more problems understanding the importance of social media.

Other points of interest were the increased levels of two-way communication between a PR firm and its publics. This is when social media initiatives, such as Twitter, allow consumers to report back to companies. Lastly, PR professionals see the future as full of advances in communications technology resulting in more knowledgeable and influential consumers.

Social Media and the Domino's Scandal

All this talk about crisis communication in class made me want to delve into a little more.

Wanna a great way to ruin your company's reputation? Just take a look at the Domino's scandal. Why anybody would do this, I don't know. Its a one way ticket to a pink slip.

Well, a pair of genius Domino’s Pizza employees either didn't think about this or didn't care. They thought it prudent to tape themselves ruining takeaway food and doing horrific things in the kitchen of a Domino's franchise.

This video was uploaded to YouTube and hit nearly a million views before it was taken down. The two employees were identified, tracked down, and promptly arrested.

This clearly shows you how any moron with a camera can destroy the reputation of a well established brand. While socail media is a blessing for PR practicioners, it can also be a curse.So what did we learn? First of all, keep a close eye on all social media. Facebook, twitter, blogger, youtube, the works. Know what is being discussed, what people are saying about you, whether you are in the spotlight or not, good/bad reviews, etc.

News can spread like wildfire especially through Twitter. Domino’s however, was swift in responding to this crisis. They immediately countered with the creation of their own Twitter account (dpzinfo). They promoted positive coverage, tweeted with customers, and most importantly, thanked customers for their support.

Dominos also created its own YouTube video featuring the CEO in an attempt to fix the damage and relay a message of apology and reassurance in an attempt to keep the loyalty of its customers.

Finally, a little more communication between the employees and management probably couldn't hurt. I have to imagine that anyone disgruntled enough to basically sign themselves up to get canned had to hate working at Domino's. Screening for that kind of thing and listening to the feedback is vital.

One last note, I wasn't able to find anything about what Professor Branigan said about Domino's "adding more cameras." So I didn't include that in the blog.

tumblr, tumbling, tumbl

So I started a tumblr. Mainly because my sister's tumblr is so cool. It's basically Twitter and a blog in one. Short posts, interesting, links to other websites, pictures. You get the idea. It's awesome.

I feel like it hasn't gained as much popularity as Twitter or regular blogging mainly because people simply haven't discovered it much. But to me, it seems more substantial than a Twitter and not as time consuming as a regular blog. I'm going to try to keep up with it.

Check it out here.

Does anyone else have a tumblr?a

The Impact of Social Media on Sports

Sporting events are not just games anymore, they are businesses. Professional athletes are not just players, they are brands.  One of the major contributors to this shift has been the use of social media in sports. Fans can now instantly connect with players and teams through Twitter and Facebook, creating a more personal relationship and an insider perspective for the fans.  Shaquille O'Neal is on Twitter with over 21,000 followers; followers who day in and day out can know what he is doing at any given moment. Not only is this beneficial for the fans, but it is also a way for players to build and promote themselves as a brand. Tweeting about their new shoe lines or making an update on their Facebook pages about where they'll be the next day to sign autographs, has allowed more room for the promotion of teams and players alike without the cost of expensive media campaigns. Social Media has made a major impact on how sports teams and players market themselves, their events, and their brands. Social Media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Blog sites have forever changed the way communication streams between fans and the players they love. It is now easier than ever to promote a team, a game, or a player. Our favorite pastimes have turned into a ring of global communication that no one predicted.

Check out this social media video slideshow for interesting information on Social Media in Sports

Facebook's Facelift

CNN's recent article about Facebook's new facelift is yet another social media slap in the face. These sites are everywhere. Facebook's updated look toggles between a main view, which features stories from friends based on the user's habits, and a live feed that features real-time updates from the whole network.

What started as a single-campus site has ballooned into one of the most popular sites on the web. It's a full-blown business. The change in the homepage was made to allow Facebook fanatics to easily find what they missed while they were away- at class, at soccer practice, asleep... "You see the best of the previous day," said product manager Peter deng.

God forbid someone logs off the computer to attend class or sleep. Facebook is the newest craze- a major part of people's day- and the new main page sounds more like a sports highlight reel than a website. What's next?

And the winner is..........

SUETheTRex . Sue has the best Twitter I have ever seen. Sue is the largest, most complete T-Rex skeleton ever discovered. She lives at the Chicago Field Museum and I really can't get enough of her Twittering. The main reasons I love her Tweets?

1. Sue gives me updates about her life, like what she did that day or who came to see her. And a T-Rex's daily life is never boring.

2. Sue is funny. Whether is be her joking about her short arms or loving meat. Her Tweets always make me laugh.

3. The links she post are actually interesting. Like this one. And this one.

4. Sue makes me want to go see her at the Museum. I have actually seen before I started following her. She was cool then but now, even cooler. I can't wait to go back.

5. I imagine some 20 something PR girl writing these every day. She must have so much fun thinking like a T-Rex. It makes me want a job where I can Tweet all day. I never thought I would say that.

So when it comes to Tweeting, it doesn't all have to be informative, or selling a product, building your network, or showing off your stuff. Sometimes it can just be fun and entertaining, nothing more than that. This is the type of Twitter I like.

Does anyone else have fun Twitterers you follow?

jenny

Milwaukee Is Taking Care of Business

I usually explore OnMilwaukee.com for the latest in Milwaukee dining, art, entertainment, music and festivals and it usually seems to always supply some good alternatives to the usual brisk Midwest evenings. However, OnMilwaukee.com isn't only for finding leisure activities around the city but it also provides great outlets for students, employees and business owners to expand their knowledge in fields like Marketing, Public Relations and Social Media! There are great sessions pertaining to these fields that incorporate networking, training, informational sessions, lectures, guest speakers, etc. The website provides an event calendar of all the events happening in the greater Milwaukee area and can even be refined by topic. Once you scroll down the expansive list of what Milwaukee has to offer in the Business realm, the page provides a brief, but detailed, description of the event, price, location, speakers,etc. What makes it even better; the events are not exclusive and anyone can attend the sessions!

Here are some great upcoming events:
Business Marketing Association, BMA, is hosting a dinner presentation on Wed. November 11th at 4:30pm at the Italian Community Center featuring General Electric's Director of Strategic Marketing Jason Cordova. Cordova will speak about his techniques on acquiring more reliable customer knowledge. A Success Seminar will be held prior to Cordova's presentation highlighting how a strong personal brand is important in today's economy. Check it out! http://www.onmilwaukee.com/events/event-98917.html

The Black Public Relations Society, BPRS, will host a diversity discussion forum and networking event featuring guest speaker vice president of corporate affairs at Aurora Health Care Debra Miller on Thurs. November 12th at 5:30pm at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society. Check it out! http://www.onmilwaukee.com/events/event-99265.html

Social Media Training and Three Box Theory Seminar will be held at BizRemedies on Fri. December 18th at 10:30 am. Learn BIZ tips, blogs and forums to create business connections. Speaker Deeatra Kajfosz will present on the "Three Box Theory" which teaches innovative marketing concepts and so much more. Check it out! http://www.onmilwaukee.com/events/event-99122.html

Social Media: Is it legitimate?

With the technology advances today, there are millions of people online who have the freedom to write and post about anything. The problem here is that internet has does not have filters to block information that is garbage or untrue. It allows people to write about anything. There are so many websites that allow interactive blogging that it can be overwhelming. Information may be faulty that others are seeing but government has no laws regulating the flow of information on the internet like it does in other mediums.

There are SO many blogs out there that people post. If you think about it, it is unrealistic that even half of them get viewed let alone read. Bryan Eisenberg talks the top 3 problems of social media, mentioning that a lot of people use blogging as a way to do diary type writing. He questions this theory saying that that is what journals and pens are for. Who really is interested in reading about your personal daily life?

An online article mentioned that social media can be damaging for companies as well. Not only can it publish possible confidential information of companies and their employers but it can also publish information that can harm a companies' reputation. Check out the article by clicking HERE.

No doubt there have been many advantages to social media like communicating more quickly and efficiently, networking and even marketing. The question remains though: Is social media an overall benefit for society or is it creating the ability for companies and individuals to be irresponsible in marketing efforts or disseminating information? I have yet to figure that out. We as individuals have to sort through what information to believe and not believe. It just seems like so much work and too many messages that can be distorted in the process.