Michael Smart, national news director for Brigham Young University, generated fabulous publicity for the university several years ago just as the show “Survivor” was debuting on CBS. “We had an honors class at BYU on team-building that had been taught for 13 years, and it wasn’t new,” he said. “The students were told they were stranded on… Read More
News & Events
Meet reporters at ‘New York’s Funniest Reporter’ contest
I look for every opportunity to help you connect face-to-face with journalists, and this one sounds like fun. Six New York-area journalists and broadcasters will take to the stage in a stand-up comedy competition that will raise money for Operation Uplink, a charity that supports U.S. Troops. The 2nd Annual “New York’s Funniest Reporter” contest will be at 9:30 p.m. October… Read More
Special events publicity: 11 tips to draw a crowd
If you’re planning a special event large or small, stop losing sleep about how to draw a crowd. Check out my 11 tips on how to just that. It’s at the new WomenCorp website, an online magazine for business women that’s featuring me as one of the guest experts. No more excuses or worries about… Read More
Viking merchant wants ‘best of’ lists, tips
Donald Hansen of Issaquah, Washington writes: “Your readers responded well to an earlier question about need for help with our (then-Danish, now US/worldwide) website of Viking Age artifacts in replica at VikingTrader.net. We used some of the suggestions to good effect and also your special report on how to get into the inflight magazines. “Now… Read More
Halloween story ideas should be pitched now
If you sell a product or service related to Halloween, or you’re promoting a cause or issue that ties in, start pitching your story ideas now. Halloween-related stories and magazine covers started showing up as early as Labor Day this year, as the popularity of the holiday seems to grow each year. Halloween is the second… 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
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
Spring gift show alerts media to gift-related products
If you have a product that would make a terrific gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or Graduation Day next year, you should know about the Spring Product Media Event, a chance to get your product in front of journalists. Gift List Media and adVance Public Relations will present the event October 24 at the… Read More
‘The Next Food Network Star’ looking for ’08 candidates
I’m addicted to “The Next Food Network Star,” and I’m thrilled that it’s returning for another season in ’08. Foodies who want their own TV show should be thrilled, too, because now’s your chance. But do you have what it takes? The network is looking for people with cooking know-how, either self-taught or professionally trained or… Read More
Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest
This is in honor of June brides everywhere. It’s the Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest, sponsored by Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com, a home-based business in Boca Raton, Florida that exists primarily to generate revenue from Google Adsense ads, sell a few products in its small online store, and sing the praises of cheap weddings. To draw traffic to… Read More