In the old days, when we screwed up a press release with an embarrassing typo, it was bad enough that we had to humiliate ourselves in front of journalists. Today, it’s a lot worse. Journalists are blogging. And they’re exposing our boo-boos to the whole world in blog posts like this one from a Baltimore Sun reporter.… Read More
Left-leaning PR flacks, spin doctors host media training
PR people hate being called flacks. And they despise the word “spin.” But not the left-leaning PR pros hosting the True Spin Conference Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 in Denver, Colorado. It’s a media relations training session with panels, workshops and networking. “This conference brings together flacks from progressive advocacy groups around the country to exchange ideas and… Read More
Follow-up calls to journalists can brand you as a pest
The next time you send a press release to a journalist, and you’re tempted to make a follow-up call to see if he’s using it, read this article by Washington Post humor columnist Gene Weingarten. It’s a perfect example of what it’s like to be on the receiving end of those annoying follow-up calls from PR people. I took… Read More
Why magazines are losing readers: No page numbers
When I got my December issue of Wired magazine, it came with a bonus “Movies Rock” supplement. I spotted the headline “Martin Scorsese Unleashes His New Rolling Stones Concert Film” on the front cover and ripped open the plastic as quickly as I could. One of my pet peeves is the absence of page numbers on the covers of magazines… Read More
How to sell 15,000 CDs in 18 months
My friend Bob Baker, an expert at marketing for musicians, created this neat YouTube video about how singer-songwriter Terry Prince, at left, has sold 15,000 CDs in only 18 months. Prince, shown in this video playing keyboards on the Santa Monica Pier, says his strategy is simple: go where the people are. He’s a busker, someone who does live… Read More
Ideas needed for promoting Michigan nature park
Walt Shiel of Lake Linden, Michigan writes: “Our publishing company has just started working with a local nonprofit foundation that operates an outstanding nature park with miles of beautiful trails and three miles of waterfront land—all of which will soon be connected to the local university’s cross-country ski trails. “We are casting about for ideas… Read More
Fiskars’ word-of-mouth campaign a success
Here’s an example of a clever PR campaign that relied not on traditional media coverage but on word-of-mouth buzz and a huge online community that just keeps growing. The campaign—sponsored by Fiskars, the company best known for it’s orange-handle scissors, in conjunction with the Brains on Fire corporate identity—taps into the $3 billion scrapbooking industry. Volunteer crafters known as Fiskateers… Read More
Leah Ingram’s blog, The Lean Green Family, needs “lean, green” story ideas
Leah Ingram’s blog, The Lean Green Family (formerly Suddenly Frugal), will soon be syndicated nationally through a third- party syndicator whose clients include the Associated Press, The New York Times, CNN, LexisNexis and other major media outlets. She is looking to the PR community to keep a steady stream of “lean and green” story ideas… Read More
Help promote ‘donations instead of gifts’ campaign
Harry Hoover of Charlotte, North Carolina writes: “I’d like to tap into the collective brains of Publicity Hounds. Since 2002, I have promoted a project each holiday season called Holiday For Charity. It encourages people to ask for charitable donations in their name in lieu of gifts. I’ve gotten solid local coverage of this program,… Read More
Black Friday can be like gold for Publicity Hounds
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is aptly named as the day when retailers shift into profitability or move “into the black.” But it can be like gold for Publicity Hounds. Here’s why: First, the media are often working with skeleton staffs. Second, PR people and even some publicists take the day off. That means less competition for your… Read More