What’s the one thing that any PR professional absolutely needs to have to be successful? If you ask me – it’s the ability to write well. Almost everything we do as PR professionals centers on writing. Which is why I was rather surprised to read in a blog titled 2012 PR Prediction: 5 guaranteed (ways) to affect your resume, which implies that the ability to write is overblown.

In bullet point No. 1: PR skills will move beyond media relations, an excerpt from the blog says:

While a press release does not necessarily need to be well-written, a PR professional must now be able to ghost author a blog in a CEO’s tone and style. (more…)

Steve Staedler | Post a Comment

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The website socialmediab2b.com lists its 12 B2B social media predictions for 2012. No. 3 on the list: social media lead generation taken seriously – is a prediction that I like. It contends that more companies will launch programs to generate leads through their social media campaigns, and that the results will make it easier for C-Suite executives to take social media more seriously. I fully agree with that prediction, but it’s a year too late. (more…)

Steve Staedler | Post a Comment

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I just wrote a news release for a client that’s 113 words long. Clearly that’s too short – right? Or is it? Granted, it’s lean, but after reading it a second and third time (which is always good advice), the release is sound and ready for review.

It’s important to keep in mind that when writing for a B2B audience, news releases should be fairly straight forward, non-promotional and to the point. Readers and editors alike are looking for facts: what makes the product different from others; performance specifications; how it works, etc. Leave the fluff, and flowery adjectives behind – nobody cares about those things. That about sums it up – in exactly 113 words.

Steve Staedler | Post a Comment

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Things don’t stay the same for long, and that’s certainly the case in marketing strategies. We’ve seen this time and again, from the traditional newspaper and magazine buys, to the early days of radio and television, to online ads, to search marketing and social media – marketing strategies are constantly in a state of flux, always shifting and adapting with the times.   (more…)

Rosalind Elliott | Post a Comment

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I have been stranded at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee for seven hours and counting, trying to travel to my inaugural PestWorld 2011 experience in New Orleans.  After rerouting our flight and squatting at two different restaurants, working remotely, I took to listening in on different conversations: fellow travelers from my flight complaining of the long day ahead, a mother consoling an overtired child needing a nap, two friends excited about their weekend trip ahead, our server telling us all about her day and how she runs her station.  When the server said “More Money, More Time” and laughed ruefully to one of her customers, it struck a chord. (more…)

Angela Mork | Post a Comment

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I made a recent purchase at Sears and during check-out I opted for an electronic receipt versus hard copy. Simple, yet the more I thought about it I realized how this one transaction benefits all parties involved.

The electronic option is a way for Sears to support efforts to go green. If that’s important to someone like me, then I have that option to do so. In a way I felt I was connecting with their brand, as we share a common interest. (more…)

Karen Enriquez-Wagner | Post a Comment

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An architectural and engineering wonder, the Great Pyramid at Giza is believed to be built over a 20-year period concluding around 2560 BC. Its foundation covers 13.6 acres. Initially 480.6 ft tall, the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years, the longest period of time ever held for such a record. (more…)

Judson Luke | Post a Comment

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My answer to this is no. AdWeek Magazine published an in-depth article this week deciphering the issue of whether or not luxury brands are becoming watered down, so-to-say, by their ever-growing digital presence. (more…)

Rosalind Elliott | Post a Comment

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Every year at about this time I’m reminded of one of the many joys of leading a small business: the marking of another year of ownership. 

To some, it may signal a milestone in longevity.  To me, it’s a reminder of where we and I have been, and where we have yet to grow.  I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished since 1997, but get excited when pondering what’s just around the corner and the years to come.

While chronologically we’re in our “teens,” in reality we are a mature company and benefit from having gained wisdom beyond our years.  Thankfully, in this ever-changing industry and business climate, there is much more to learn.

As we approach the mid-point of our second decade we remain focused on the here and how – the satisfaction of helping solve client marketing challenges – while staying on top of the new tools at our disposal and the strategies needed to communicate more effectively with our many audiences.

So the good news is we’ll soon celebrate another business anniversary.  The exciting news is we’re just getting started.

Dean LePoidevin | Post a Comment

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Really, is anyone upset by Burger King’s announcement last week that it was retiring the “King” from its ongoing advertising campaign? The King, a mascot that featured an oversize head with a creepy grin, to me was…well, creepy.   (more…)

Steve Staedler | Post a Comment

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