Thanks to Shawne Duperon and her publicity newsletter for this lead. “Better TV,” a daytime nationally syndicated lifestyle show debuting this month, is looking for experts, guests, celebrities, chefs, entertainers and more. If you’re an expert who lives in New York City, or you’re planning to visit there, this is a good lead for you. The show… Read More
Nutritionist chides Bush for meat-heavy lunch
Kudos to Australian nutritionist Vicki Flood for generating publicity by piggybacking onto President Bush’s visit to her country and criticizing his not-so-healthy choice of lunch food. Flood, from Sydney University’s Centre for Public Health Nutrition, said Bush’s plate, piled up with surf ‘n’ turf with only a hint of vegetables, was a particularly unhealthy sight. In an… Read More
Announcements aren’t news, so stop announcing
My skin crawls every time I see somebody “announcing” something in a press release or a news story. They act as though the announcement is the news when, in fact, it isn’t. The content of the announcement is all anybody cares about. That’s why I’d love to ban the words “announce, announced, announcing” and “announcement”… Read More
Promote special events on weekend TV news shows
Calling all event planners, and Publicity Hounds who are charged with generating publicity for a special event. Start paying attention to the TV news shows in your community that are sometimes desperate for guests It can mean the difference between no pre-event coverage and tons of it. One of the best places to look is the weekend… Read More
Sewing Expo needs last-minute push for contest
Brenda Rogerson of Highland, Michigan writes: “The American Sewing Expo is the largest independently owned sewing expo in the country with over 15,000 people attending our three-day show from all over the U.S. In addition to classes, vendors, a sewing cafe and special exhibits, we have several challenges for sewers of all abilities and interests. “We are… Read More
Papa Jack Weil, the oldest CEO, great Labor Day story
Thanks to professional speaker Robin C. Johnston, an expert at sales, marketing and fundraising, for tipping us off to a perfect Labor Day story: “A news article just aired on TV about Papa Jack Weil, CEO of a Denver-based company. Papa Jack recently turned 106 years old and is believed to be the world’s oldest working… Read More
Charlotte Observer business section pitching tips
If you’re trying to pitch the Charlotte Observer with your business story, first watch this short interview with business editor Patrick Scott. It’s courtesy of videographer John Easton, who will be providing videos of other Charlotte-area journalists, complete with their own tips, at a website called Broadcast Charlotte. (What a great way for John, a citizen journalist, to… Read More
Free meeting rooms: A great PR tactic
When I wanted to present a halfday workshop in Norfolk, Virginia two years ago, I asked my friend, Sandy Dumont, The Image Architect, if she knew about any inexpensive meeting rooms in Norfolk, where she lives. She immediately told me about how the YWCA of South Hampton Roads markets its facility by offering its meeting room, free, for speakers. I couldn’t… Read More
This ribbon-cutting worth publicizing
If you want to know why I hate ribbon-cutting ceremonies, Google “ribbon-cutting” and then click on “Images” and you’ll see why. They all look the same. Some people try to come up with clever or cutesy ribbon-cuttings, and those usually bomb, too. But here’s one that’s so unusual, it’s worth mentioning. I found it over at Alan Sharpe’s… Read More
Art marketing tip: Weigh in on MLK memorial controversy
OK all you artists. Stop grumbling about not being able to generate publicity. One of the best ways is to find a burning controversy, then jump into the fray with a letter to the editor of a newspaper or magazine, commenting on the issue. Artists, African-Americans and others can do just that. Comment on the controversy… Read More