Piggybacking onto celebrity news and gossip is one of the best ways to generate publicity for your own expertise. Commenting on Britney Spears’ lousy parenting skills, her mother’s apparent absence of parenting skills, or celebs bouncing in and out of rehab has never been easier. The article “Rise of the Hollywood Bad Girl” at GlobeandMail.com explains what’s behind… Read More
Dirty hotel glasses: Fodder for more TV I-team stories
More Publicity Hounds have responded to the items you’ve read here and here, about the Atlanta TV station’s I-team report on dirty hotel glasses, than any other item in recently memory. An observation: I half-expected the PR departments at Embassy Suites, Sheraton Suites and the Holiday Inn in Atlanta to email me and explain improvements they’ve made… Read More
New Year’s resolutions: Don’t make them on Jan. 1
Several years ago, I saw the same psychiatrist interviewed for a story about New Year’s resolutions almost everywhere I looked. He was quoted as saying that Jan. 1 is the worst day of the year to make them. That’s because most of us are stressed out from the holidays. We’ve overspent and overeaten. We’re tired. We’re cranky. And we’re… Read More
Pay-per-placement PR pros and cons
If you’re on a shoestring budget, pay-per-placement PR isn’t for you. But if you have the money to spend, it can land you on a top TV show or in a top-tier newspaper or magazine quicker than if you tried to pitch yourself. Rather than paying a publicist or PR firm a retainer, regardless of whether they… Read More
Product launch publicity: 7 steps if you have a small budget
If you’re rolling out a new product or service, make sure you have a plan in place to promote it online and offline. No budget? That’s OK. Maria Reyes-McDavis has a 7-step plan for those with just a small budget. Many of the tips require no money at all. As you’re working the plan, remember to… Read More
How Not to Pitch a Reporter
The next time you send an email pitch to a reporter, take an extra minute or two to send the email to yourself first so you can see what it looks like on the screen. Laura Lorber, the Wall Street Journal’s assistant news editor for WSJ.com, blogged about an email she received from an unidentified… Read More
Decorators’ trade group needs publicity ideas
Nicka Stewart of Middletown, New Jersey writes: “I started an organization with a partner last May. The Decorators’ Alliance of North America offers professional affiliation, certification and continuing education for interior decorators. DANA is dedicated to the personal and professional growth of its members. We offer resources, educational opportunities, industry discounts, and networking programs. … Read More
Chicago media expand opportunities for commentary
If you’re pitching Chicago-area media like The Chicago Tribune, The Sun-Times and Chicago Public Radio, you have more opportunities than ever before to promote a particular cause, or state your opinion on an issue of community interest. All three media outlets were represented on a panel at a recent meeting of the Publicity Club of Chicago. The… Read More
Newspaper, radio layoffs, buyouts can work to your advantage
It’s time to say buh-bye to some of your favorite reporters. Right now, all over the U.S., there’s an exodus of experienced, high-profile, high-priced journalists taking early retirement. To boost profits, newspapers are offering buy-outs to some of their veteran staff members who will be replaced with cheaper, less experienced reporters and editors. Here in… Read More
‘Dirty hotel glasses’ contest winner
Next time the Sheraton Suites, Embassy Suites or Holiday Inn hotel chains are looking for a PR spokesperson, they should choose the winning candidate from among Publicity Hounds who read my newsletter, “Craigslist: A Valuable Publicity Tool.” Last week, I told you about the video produced by an Atlanta TV station that took its hidden cameras… Read More