Category Archives: Thread Communications

Public Relations: A History Subject?

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The general public has always been open about its differing opinions, positive or negative, about public relations.  From spin doctors to liars, the world of public relations has endured it all.

Now, though, the world of PR is being studied as a history subject.  Who would have ever thought we would become an actual subject being taught to students?  In a recent BBC News article, Sean Coughlan, BBC news education correspondent, talks about Bournemouth University’s (considered the #1 UK university) upcoming international conference dedicated to the discussion of the history of public relations.

The conference will take place over the course of two days this coming July 2010 and will discuss such topics as: “Public Relations in Communist Hungary” and “Embracing the Embarrassing.”

Conference organizer, Tom Watson, notes that attending the conference is an opportunity for people to learn about the history of PR before the invention of press releases and media campaigns.  Attendees will be taught about the relationship between propoganda and public relations as well as the history of public relations in various countries. 

Watson points out that public relations has now become its own major industry, which is why this conference is being held.  At Bournemouth University alone, there are 262 public relations courses being offered. 

Key speakers at the conference will be Dr Karen Miller Russell and Dr Jacquie L’Etang, two leading historians of public relations. 

Dr. Russel will focus on “Embracing the Embarrassing” which talks about the unethical and “embarrassing” aspects of public relations.

With all the negative media attention public relations has withstood, do you believe this conference is a positive turnaround? Is this a step in the right direction to spread awareness of public relations and its intentions?

Or, do you believe this can potentially hurt the world of public relations even more by talking in-depth about the history of it and having people with varying opinions speak about the subject?

Is this bad publicity or good publicity?

A Refresher on Social Media Networking

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As social media continually immerses itself into our daily lives with sites such as Twitter, Facebook, blogging and recently the location based social media application, Foursquare, it is important to make sure we are using it correctly and to its greatest potential. There are many aspects of social media that can beneficially impact you both socially and professionally.

According to one of Scott Hepburn’s Emerging Media blog posts, he responded to a question posed on LinkedIn by Communication-Education Lifestylist, Erica Pryor about the type of advice one would give to a “micro-business or freelancer considering using social media for their business development needs.” Hepburn added these valuable refreshers about social media practices that I thought would be fundamental to pass on to all of you avid social media users.

1. Be Valuable. “Whatever platforms you choose — blogging, Twitter, video, a combination of tools — create and share useful information with people. Think first about what others need, then create.”

2. Be Patient. “Generating leads and new business via social media and social networking takes time. If you need immediate income, other vehicles might work better. On the other hand, if you commit to building your network and delivering value over the long haul, the rewards will be far greater over the course of your career.”

3. Promote Others. “While you’re feeling the pressure of your immediate income needs, you’ve gotta resist the urge to focus just on you. Help others achieve THEIR goals, and it’ll come back to you tenfold.”

4. Set Goals. “Start with small goals — no need to bite off more than you can chew. One mistake a lot of people make in social media is thinking they have to do everything, be everywhere, and know everyone. Focus on one achievable goal at a time.”

5. Help Someone Else. “See a theme emerging? You may be uber-talented, but the key to getting someone to part with their money isn’t being talented…it’s solving a problem. Everyone out there has a need — how can you help them resolve that need?”

6.  Step Away From the Computer. “My biggest weakness is using social networking as a crutch. I spend too much time “building relationships” and “engaging” with people who can’t help me grow my business. You have to step away from Twitter, pick up the phone, pound the streets, schedule meetings, send emails, follow up, follow up, follow up. Nobody is as attuned to your need for income as you are, so you can’t count on them to come to you with checkbooks open. You have to go ask for the business.”

We know nowadays, an online presence is vital for networking and communicating, but we must remember to do it effectively so we can reach our targeted audiences. According to ezinearticles, not having your details on the Internet can cause you to miss out on three hours everyday when you could be reaching out to 90 million users. In addition, most businesses (today) have a web presence, so it is important to show your knowledge and promote your “tech-savvy” skills when searching for a job upon graduation.

So…what advice might you add about successful social media, networking and online presence?

Kelly Cutrone dishes PR advice

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If any of you read my last post, it was about the new PR shows that have sprouted on both the Bravo network and the E! network. Kelly Cutrone, from “Kel on Earth” on the Bravo network has unleashed some advice when interviewed by Inc. magazine about what it takes to be a good publicist. At the top of her list of advice: “Learn the word no.”

Cutrone’s book If You Have to Cry, Go Outside is currently at the top of the New York Times Best Sellers list and “attracts headlines for her ultra-demanding management style and brutally honest take on the fashion industry,” Inc. magazine states.

Some of the great advice she dishes to Inc.:

1. Learn the word “no” and then have the energy and the experience to sit your client down like a “good trekker going through Nepal,” quotes Cutrone.

2. Everyone and everything is a brand.

3. Be picky with who you work with, which will only help you help the company.

4. Don’t underestimate the power of your competition

To read more of this interview check out Inc.‘s website

Do you think her advice is credible? If any of you are interested in fashion PR, would she be someone you would want to work for?

Facebook v. Fakebook

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Ever heard the term “Fakebook”?

 This is a new nickname given to the most popular social media site in the world, Facebook. 

Over 40% of Facebook profiles are actually fake, according to an article from PC1News.com.  Recently, I personally was a victim of cyber crime and fake profiling on Facebook.  I received an anonymous message from a blank profile explaining that someone had made a fake profile using all my information.  I checked it out, and sure enough, not only was my name everywhere, including my DOB, hometown, interests, work information, etc., on the profile, but so were more than 200 of my personal pictures.  This definitely gave me the chills and I felt extremely invaded (and yes, my profile was set to private.)

So why would someone have the motivation and incentive to make these imitation profiles? It comes off as malicious and personal, when in reality the majority of the time it has a lot to do with spammers and “virus writers.”

Often, when a fraudulent profile is created, the intention is for people to believe that the person is someone they know, so they would obviously click on various links to access that specific profile.  When Facebook users do this, though, it connects them to dangerous websites that can steal personal account information. 

There is another side though that is uncomforting.  It is common for some fake profiles to be made to imitate people and essentially discredit his/her reputation.  For instance, a TechDirt article reported that it has become a popular trend for students to make imitation profiles pretending to be teachers or administrators at their schools or universities, adding many unflattering pictures and false information to the imposter profiles. 

These mock profiles have stirred up a number of problems.  Some of the teachers who were victims of simulated profiling have gone to extreme lengths, even suing the students for involved for defamation of character.  There have been an increasing number of lawsuits in regards to fake profiling.  A mother and her teenage son sued four minors for setting up a fraudulent profile that imitated the young boy which included racist and sexual statements.  The profile forced the plaintiffs to change clubs and coaches within their school system.  The victim claimed he became alienated from his own friends at school (click here to read the full Digg article). 

If you are a victim of fake profiling, Facebook assures that they will take care of the problem as soon as they can.  In my personal experience, I reported the fake profile, filled out an application with the specifics of the incident and linked the fake profile to the Facebook privacy team.  Within 48 hours, the imitiation profile was deleted.

This new trend is alarming and uncomforting.  Do you believe this is an invasion of privacy and to what extent?

Or, are you on the other end of the spectrum, agreeing with a New York Times article that refers to Facebook as a “circus ring” and a form of “escapism” that shouldn’t even be taken seriously?

Do you think it is fair to sue over an incident like fake Facebook profiling? If so, under what circumstances? (if it includes racist/sexual statements about you, caused great harm to your reputation, etc.)

Pepsi to restrict caloric beverages in schools, but will Coke?

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Over the past few years, many issues about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating right have become a concern across America, especially for children. Recently. Michelle Obama launched a nationwide campaign to fight childhood obesity called the “Anti-Childhood Obesity Initiative.” One of her goals is to help promote child health in schools that contain vending machines filled with soda and candy (according to the campaign).

Interestingly enough, as I am sure many of you have heard in the news over the past week, PepsiCo announced (March 16, 2010) in a press release that they are “voluntarily adopting a new global policy to stop sales of full-sugar soft drinks to primary and secondary schools by 2012.” PepsiCo plans to promote health for their students by declining the  distribution of sugary and caloric beverages worldwide as well as working with local venders, parents and the local communities.

Courtesy Google Images

Courtesy Google Images

With the combination of one of the nation’s largest brands/industries and Michelle Obama’s initiative, this problem may be solved successfully worldwide. It has already been proven that schools are in compliance with PepsiCo and the promotion of healthier beverages for children, but what about Pepsi’s leading competitor Coca-Cola?

According to NPR, in 2006, Pepsi and Coke adopted guidelines for the National Beverage Association based on what drinks would be allowed in Elementary, Middle and High Schools. This was effective in lowering the calorie intake from beverages for children in schools, however it was limited to only U.S. schools. Although Coke was involved with these strict guidelines, the company’s plan for global restrictions are not as “wide-reaching” as Pepsi’s new announced initiative.

This leaves me with the question, do you think the PR professionals  for Coca-Cola are doing the right thing by separating themselves from the PepsiCo initiative? The recent Coca-Cola  policy document states that their products will not be offered in primary schools, but they will be offered in secondary schools. The two companies obviously have different marketing strategies to promote healthy living for children, but do you think Pepsi has raised the bar with their campaign? Could this leave Coca-Cola susceptible to parental and community pressure to eliminate their products from not only primary, but  secondary schools as well? (As PepsiCo plans to do). Could this also cause bad publicity for Coca-Cola in which their PR must implement tactics t to uphold consumer loyalty for the popular product?

Personally, I feel that Coca-Cola should collaborate with PepsiCo for this good cause and help promote child health in schools worldwide. I think PepsiCo has created a timely and important incentive for people to be aware that by simply eliminating soda and high calorie products in schools, it can help slowly lead to a decline in child obesity for  the future.

The “SPINdustry” and “Kell on Earth”

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Two Sunday nights ago I was sitting in my living room watching a brand new episode of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” when I was caught off guard by an upcoming show named the SPINdustry on E!. Produced by Kim Kardashian, the show takes an inside look at one of her best friends and publicist, Jonathan Cheban and his business partner Simon Huck and their PR firm Comman PR based in New York City.

First of all, the name of the show actually aggravates me. After four years in a prestigious journalism school, the last thing I want someone to associate my profession with is being a “spin doctor.” I feel as though PR has fought many battles to try to reverse this negative image that has been cast upon us, and yet here is a show titled the SPINdustry. My God.

Secondly, after watching the first episode I feel like they are only showing the fun side of public relations. After completing two internships and currently taking JMC 417, I know (and many of you know) that doing the actual work is not too fun. Take a look at this clip from the first episode where Simon and Jonathan take the newbie into a meeting with Mel B (Scary Spice).

SPINdustry w/ Mel B

Now I realize that this is show is heavily edited to make things come across differently, but I doubt convincing a celebrity to endorse a product is THIS easy. To me, I feel like they came into the meeting a bit unprepared without any background knowledge or visuals to show the possible client. What do you guys think?

Another show that has been running for the past few weeks is called “Kell on Earth” on the Bravo Network. Kelly Cutrone is the founder of People’s Revolution, a fashion, branding and marketing firm based in New York City. Recently, Whitney Port from the MTV show, The City, has worked with Kelly Cutrone thus the spinoff into Kelly’s own TV show. I think this show does PR a little more justice when it comes to showing how much work really goes into one client. It shows the day-to-day struggles that her employees go through just to write press releases, send out invitations and setting up model castings.

Kelly Cutrone is definitely a “real” person in the sense that she says whatever is on her mind. Take a look at this trailer from YouTube: watch?v=TtCAW_7TLV4

All in all, I think that shows like SPINdustry and Kell on Earth are giving people mixed messages with what it really is to work in the PR world. On one show is makes out our industry to be so glamorous and glitzy and on the other show it shows a “rough and tumble” view of the fashion PR world. Do any of you watch these shows? What do you guys think of each one? Do you think that SPINdustry is showing the glamorous side of PR which intrigues many people to pursue the career? Do you think this is accurate?

If Twitter is one of the most dangerous social networking sites, why haven’t they better prepared?

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Click to read full story on Twitter privacy issue
 

The subject of privacy and protection within social media sites has been a critical issue since the creation of sites such as Facebook and Twitter.  The issue seems more magnified when it has to do with well-known celebrities and people in the spotlight.  Even our own president was just one of the high-profile victims involved in a Twitter hack back in 2009. 

Twitter has addressed this issue on multiple occasions, warning users that hacking is directly related to weak password choices.  A company recently experienced a hacking that left them with a huge problem.  They lost a significant amount of data after “fake followers” were hacking into their company Twitter account, an intricate attack that was later investigated. 

According to Twitter, hacking is a lot easier than one may think.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or a computer genius to figure out how to hack into a computer and steal information.  It is becoming more and more clear that there are flaws in the Twitter site that enable your information to be easily accessible to others.  When the site boomed in popularity, it is clear it wasn’t prepared for the mass amounts of people and companies that would join, and therefore privacy settings were not as tight-knit as they should have been.

In response to increasing privacy concerns, Twitter defended their social networking website by stating that people need to be more mindful of what they set their password to.  A lot of hackers create sites that offer downloadable material and are able to see anyone’s password and username.  Often, people, and especially companies, continually use the same username and password for multiple websites, and the hacker is then able to access their Twitter account.

According to an article in PCWorld, Twitter is predicted to be one of 2010’s top security threats, along with Facebook and various iPhone applications. 

Doesn’t it make sense that social media sites with popularity levels as high as Twitter need to be better prepared for hack attempts and have more sufficient privacy prevention?

There is also a fault in the way Twitter is programmed.  “Tweets” have a limit of 141 characters.  Many users enter URLs that go over this limit, which means they are automatically shortened into a “TinyURL” version. This makes it impossible for users to tell where the link is going when they scroll over to it.  What this means is that it is extremely easy for hackers to send out faulty links, which can sometimes be links to spam or even computer viruses that can ultimately ruin your whole computer and release all your personal information that was saved on your computer system.

Another fluke in the Twitter system is the authentication process in signing up.  Almost anyone can sign up for Twitter, you don’t need to prove legitimacy in order to create your own Twitter.  In fact, you don’t even have to have a valid e-mail address!  This is a spammer’s dream.  It makes it so easy to create fake accounts and ultimately spammers are creating vast fake networks on Twitter (click to read about even more faults in the world of Twitter).

The real problem is that so many people and businesses turn to social networking sites to expand awareness of their company, increase their celebrity status and sometimes just to join in on the Twitter craze, but could it be causing more good than bad?

Breaking the code… are abbreviations taking over communication?

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Nowadays, our generation is used to communicating in shorthand through text messaging, email and Tweets. With the limits on text messages and the 140 characters available to express yourself on Twitter, it seems logical that we can represent our message through abbreviations. However, is it taking away from the content of the message? It has become its own lingo and has decreased the need to communicate face-to-face and even over the phone. Personally, I send and receive way more text messages then phone calls each month via my cell phone.

Furthermore, older generations do not utilize the shorthand such as “LOL” (laugh out loud) or “TTYL” (talk to you later) so they are not able to communicate using these methods. In turn, this leads to miscommunication and potential misunderstanding between generations. I know that I don’t even know all the “newer” acronyms used to represent shorthand code, so we ask ourselves, is there a loophole that can blend the gap between abbreviation bridges?

According to an article from the Wall Street Journal, Stephanie Raposo discusses the widespread of shorthand awareness through various websites such as NetLingo.com and Urbandictionary.com that provide definitions of “internet texting terms.” Even the AP stylebook incorporated texting shorthand, such as BFF (“Best Friends Forever”) and OMG (“Oh my God”) in the 2009 editions, according to the article. The importance of shorthand has implemented itself into our daily lives and has worked its way into the modern language. Raposo pointed out that it has also become important for parent/teenager relationships because parents are concerned about what is going on in the lives of their children, but sometimes must be able to decode their teen’s messages in order to understand and stay in touch. Luckily, branding strategists such as Elizabeth Kanna relate to these issues and maintains a “Mom’s Text Talk Sheet” a cheat sheet of acronyms created and updated by her teenage girls.

Frank Shaw expresses his opinion toward this subject on his blog, The Glass House about how it is ridiculous to for professionals to feel the need to “use the lingo” for communicating with clientele through email and texting. Shaw makes the point that it is not necessary for CEO’s of companies to email and text using shorthand and although many companies are looking for tech-savvy younger individuals to revamp some of the aspects of businesses, shorthand communication should not be completely replacing traditional, formal communication.

Overall, are abbreviations taking over modern communication or is this just a harmless form of communication to relay messages quickly in order to show progression with modern technology? Do you think that Public relations  professionals and other business professionals should be utilizing it as a way to communicate and if they do, where is the line drawn to establish professional relationships? I think it creates a creative way to communicate when you have a limited amount of characters available, but in the case of businesses and professionals, I don’t think these shorthand acronyms are necessarily important to show they are up to date with modern technology.