Celebrity addresses are a closely guarded secret. So what do you do if you’re hoping to contact a celebrity and ask if they’ll appear at your special event? Getting contact information for the celebrity is next to impossible, but getting in touch with the people in their inner circle isn’t. The best service for contacting a celebrity’s agent, manager,… Read More
Public Relations
Google Alerts a great way to learn about reporters
If you’re trying to pitch a certain reporter or columnist, learn all you can about the kinds of stories they write. But how can you do that if you don’t know where to look? Easy. Go to Google Alerts and type in the reporter’s name, then wait for Google to feed you a list of articles the reporter… Read More
Google’s flap over trademark is puzzling
Anyone who’s been following this blog for awhile knows what I’m referring to when I use the term Media Mutt. It’s somebody who doesn’t belong in the same league as a Publicity Hound. MMs do silly things like call reporters and ask, “Can you tell me if you got my news release?” MMs order TV reporters and camera… Read More
Northwest Airlines PR nosedives due to tips booklets
Is anybody awake in bankrupt Northwest Airlines’ PR department? How could anyone—even somebody with a brain the size of a pea—let the company distribute tips booklets titled “101 Ways to Save Money” to employees whose pay has just been slashed? The booklets offer these tips: Shop in thrift stores Take a date for a walk in the woods… Read More
Public Relations, Inc. website a wolf in disguise
Thanks to Publicity Hound Gaye Carleton of Mantra Public Relations in New York City for tipping me off to this super-sleazy (as in dishonest) website owned by a company calling itself Public Relations, Inc. The hyperlink provided above sometimes leads to an error page, which is just as well. When I clicked on it a few days ago,… Read More
Bad customer service? Shame companies online
If you want the real scoop on what people think of your customer service, don’t bother asking the folks in your customer service department. For a much more accurate look, do an online search for your company. You might be shocked at what you find. A recent story in the Washington Post said disgruntled customers… Read More
Book marketing tip: Hand people your book
Book marketing guru John Kremer offers this terrific tip for authors: when someone asks you about your book, don’t just stand there and talk about it. Hand it to them. Susan Crook, author of the book Personaltiy Insights for Moms, told John that she took his advice when a man asked her why she was reading… Read More
Publicist does almost everything wrong
I’ve never heard of the company Invent-Tech, but I’m betting it’s one of those companies that charges amateur inventors a gazillion dollars to help them license and market their inventions. The company sent me a news release and cover letter last week about Freddy Mella from Union City, New Jersey, who invented a product that extinguishes fires.… Read More
Mr. Shell Oil, wipe that smile off your face
Whoever trained Shell Oil President John Hofmeister on how to do media interviews, particularly on TV, forgot to tell the client that when discussing high gasoline prices, don’t smile and look like you’re having a good time. On “Meet the Press” this morning, Hofmeister had an ear-to-ear grin on his face while he was answering Tim Russert’s questions… Read More
New Zealand travel adventure needs PR ideas
Jenn Wright of New Zealand writes: How would your Hounds promote Adventure in New Zealand for mid-life women (typically 45-65) which combines life coaching and moderate adventure in a landscape unmatched? Target market: professional women who are not “athletes” but who have moderate fitness, and are at a place in life where they want to… Read More