Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London and New York sent me a copy of their slick, beautiful 2006/2007 course catalog, which must have cost a fortune to produce. I plucked it from my mailbox this morning. As soon as I opened the envelope, I asked myself, “Why are they sending this to me?” I’m not… Read More
D.C. panel explains how to do business with independent PR consultants
If you’re thinking of hiring a big PR firm to handle your next publicity campaign, consider the benefits of hiring an independent PR consultant. The consultant, who might work from her home, probably won’t have to jack up her prices to cover ovherhead. But the PR firm that rents swanky office space in a downtown… Read More
Diamond Pet Food Finally Offers an Update
If you read about the Diamond Pet Foods recall on the front page of the Jan. 2 issue of PR Week magazine, you’d walk away thinking the company did just about everything it could to deal with this crisis. Its crisis plan included: —A consumer alert and recall three days after a veterinarian in upstate… Read More
Address the expectations of your PR clients
When a meeting planner wants to hire me, or a PR firm wants me to train their staff on how to generate publicity, or someone says they want to join The Publicity Hound Mentor Program, the first question I ask is, “What, exactly, do you want me to help you do?” Occasionally, somebody says, “I… Read More
Hospitality Briefings wants articles
Hospitality Briefings ezine wants articles of 500 to 1,000 words that explore and affect the entire hospitality industry, from hotels and resorts to meeting planning and travel. The ezine goes to 30,000 readers, so you’ll get great exposure, and they’ll even use your company logo and contact information. A content team reviews proposals and evaluates… Read More
How to a promote a ‘saucy but discreet’ calendar featuring Cape Code men
Judith Reppucci of Cape Cod, Massachusetts writes: “I do pro bono work helping a very small nonprofit organization, Wings for Falmouth Families, here on Cape Cod. The organization helps families which have children experiencing a medical crisis, and it’s trying to raise money through a “Ladies of Wickford”-style calendar featuring “saucy but discreet” photos of… Read More
Books wanted for book review website
Irene Watson is looking for books to review for her new book review website called Reader Views . “As a new author, I struggled to get reviews,” she said. “Considering there are over 200,000 books published yearly, most books don’t get the proper review they should. I gathered a team of reviewers throughout U.S. and… Read More
Oldest Furnace Contest a fun tool for publicity
I’m sitting here shivering in my Betty Boop pajamas, blue bathrobe and pink slippers, practically watching ice crystals form in my coffee mug. As I write this, the clock here in Wisconsin says 6:30 a.m. We program the thermostat in our house so the temperature drops during the night and comes back up around 7… Read More
Attend Business Journal parties, but don’t pitch
The Business Journal in Milwaukee hosts its annual Book of Lists party on January 19, and I’m kicking myself because I have a speaking engagement that night. Similar parties will be held all across the U.S. by other papers in the American Cities Business Journals chain. They’re held to honor businesses, non-profits and organizations that… Read More
Dazzling grand opening won’t ensure a great restaurant review
I found the January issue of Restaurant Startup & Growth magazine in my mailbox today, sent by Patricia Luebke, the freelance writer who interviewed me for the story she wrote on restaurant publicity. The article includes a sidebar on how to please the media, with an interesting tip from Craig Gilbert—freelance writer, food lover and… Read More