Archive for the ‘High5’ Category

With our PR industry under the microscope this week surrounding Burson-Marsteller’s handling of PR for Facebook, (Read more: “Facebook acknowledges anti-Google campaign” by Hayley Tsukayama, the Washington Post) we believe this contributed article from an esteemed colleague on the east coast may be of interest for our fellow PR friends in the west.

Guest blog post from Robert Noltenmeier, Clinical Assistant Professor of Public Relations and Corporate Communications at the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies

Isn’t it ironic that social media often is antisocial? In our ever-evolving and fast-moving social-media world, perhaps it’s good to pause and look back at history. In the 1920s, Edward L. Bernays, the first public relations counselor, called for a code of ethics to govern the emerging profession similar to codes in law and medicine. Bernays believed public relations practitioners, like lawyers, have a right to represent clients. He also felt, however, that PR practitioners should refuse dishonest, fraudulent or antisocial clients.

Given the current social media Burson-Marsteller/Facebook flap, isn’t it ironic—or prescient—that he used “antisocial” back then? How far has the profession “emerged”? In fact, it’s emerged a great deal through PRSA’s and IABC’s codes of ethics and the Arthur W. Page Society’s Page Principles, among others—all voluntary standards for evaluating an individual’s, group’s or company’s behavior that, alas, don’t carry substantive penalties. Read the rest of this entry »

Now that Ron Donoho has taken the helm as editor-in-chief at San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles (SDH/GL), I wanted to catch up with him and get the full scoop on where their glossy ship is sailing.

Five questions with Donoho’s responses as follow. He never loses his sense of humor and I enjoy working with him because he makes stories personable, honest and complete. Bring that reporter sense with years of editorial and online leadership experience and I’m excited to see what the future holds for one of my favorite magazines.

1) We’ve already seen a shift in the online presence at SDH/GL with the addition of your blog, eclub, an accessible roster of staff, etc. What has been your top priority in getting started in your new role as Editor?

As could be expected, my top priority has been to get picked to complete a High5 Q&A. After that, I’ll be acquainting myself with the players in the home-and-garden niche, and assessing how to bring my contacts — writers, photographers, bartenders — into the fold.

2) What is Eclub all about and how can companies get involved?

Eclub is a weekly subscription email with bonus tips on design, gardening and recipes. Anybody can sign up for it at sandiegohomegarden.com. Interestingly, we have found that the smartest people in town have gotten on the list.

Read the rest of this entry »

Everyone who works for the company understands the culture and shares it through every communication experience. No ads or huge outside agencies. No fluff.

I’ve heard of Escondido-based Stone Brewing Co. I’ve listened to interviews with the CEO on the radio and know well that Arrogant Bastard Ale tastes as good as it feels to order it by name. I’ve heard that their headquarters with its brewery, full-service bistro, event grounds, storefront, and gardens are stunning.

What I didn’t know is that the company doesn’t have any signage on the building and you won’t hear their ads on the radio. Nope, their marketing strategy is real word-of-mouth in a form that has fans driving to an off-beat destination in San Diego County, through an Auto Park and up a hill to an unmarked building. And they’re coming in the thousands. Or, they’re ordering their favorite Stone Brew in masses at restaurants, bars and grocery stores across the U.S. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s easy to get in the holiday spirit and as many of your colleagues take time off, you too take it easy.  But if you’re a PR professional, now can be the best time to pitch stories.  As a former TV journalist, I’ve seen it time and time again.  Morning show guests in particular are very hungry for good content!   So many people are busy this time of year that there is a shortage of guests.  So if you have a client who is a “newbie” in front of the camera, now can be a great time to pitch them. Especially right now as many producers are about to take time off, they’re looking to fill holes before they leave.  Help them while helping your clients get some great publicity! Read the rest of this entry »

It’s official. I have now joined the thousands of fans who read about local boutique owners from various towns up and down the coast of California.  Whether their items are sold on etsy.com, they have a stunning storefront or they’re out and about shopping and sharing their finds on their blog, it’s a consumer haven to read their blogs daily. 

A latest Bulldog Reporter event overview stated these statistics: “Social media referrals and ‘mommy bloggers’ have emerged as hugely trusted sources among women. In fact, of the 42+ million women involved in social media weekly, 92% pass along information about deals or finds to others—and about half of them are moms with children at home.”

They’re moms, interior designers, craftsman, enthusiasts, cooks, perfectionists, and more.  I can’t wait to click and read about what shop they recommend, what they cooked for dinner last night and what’s new in their stores to buy.  Why this addiction?  Well, I think it’s largely due to the fact that we are lucky to live in a beautiful neck of the woods in the U.S. and I think the area attracts trend-setters and those who love our shared experiences of life on the coast.  And, as noted, they are trusted resources.  Heck, many of the blogs I read are written by mothers … who doesn’t have the nostalgia to turn to a mother figure for trusted advice?  Take that image of Joan Cleaver and mix it with today’s chic and ever-impressive wonder woman, and you have the blog writers of today.  Read the rest of this entry »

Following the path of Layla Pakzad, founder of Salt Swimwear, you’d think you’d died and gone to PR heaven.  Her line of swimwear is not only packed in the bags of celebrities for their jet setting trips, but it’s worn, photographed and printed in top media outlets.  Her coverage has created a ripple affect with widespread consumer interest on coasts across the globe.  I wanted to find out how she got there and what does she think of all the new online sale sites. 

Consumer PR peeps, listen up!

How did Salt products end up in the vacation and pool bags of A-list celebrities?
Salt ended up in A-list celeb hands by way of friends with the right friends and selling to high-end boutiques like Planet Blue, Madison and Fred Segal where celebrities shop. Read the rest of this entry »

A few months back I was referred to a new business opportunity with a reputable restaurant in San Diego.  My excitement grew as I researched the venue, brainstormed ideas and read up on the Head Chef’s background.  Once I got to the meeting, I learned that this venue was interested in a possible full-trade PR program.  In case trades are new to you, this would entail me working towards a specific PR set of goals during a PR campaign in trade for the product or services of the business.  In this case, it would be mouth-watering meals in a chic environment.  Notably, the restaurant’s previous PR firm had accepted terms in line with a trade of some sorts and it seemed to work well for the agency’s leadership to wine and dine clients, etc. 

At the time, I was engaged and my fiancé thought the idea was wonderful.  We could have our rehearsal dinner there and  I could take clients there for business lunches.  I even started contemplating having roundtable luncheons on topics to support local non-profits.  This could be a very good thing, right?  Well, as a bride-to-be, I contemplated the fact that I might just be eating too many delicious meals for my own good.  What I needed at that time was money to pay for my wedding.  

I thought this would be a terrific discussion item for socalprblog readers as the slippery slope we put ourselves on as a PR industry when we accept such terms as a pure trade. 

I understand there are times when a trade works.  For example, we may need graphic design services when graphic design business needs media exposure.  In those cases, perhaps consider a partial trade with payment for at least half of services rendered. 

Also, I believe whole-heartedly that you need to get to know your clients’ brand experience personally. It may make sense to do a partial trade so that you can experience all of the product or services’, features and benefits in order to do your job even better.

My two-cents: please join me in taking off the sign that you will “work for food” and do not accept terms on a full trade with a business.   Thoughts?  Please share.

Lauren Walsh Forgione is lead publicist of Citrus Public Relations, Inc. and is one of the founding editors of socalprblog.  She can best be reached via email at lauren@citruspublicrelations.com.

Most PR practioners claim neutral when it comes to politics as an agency’s client base can range from the far corners of the right and the left.  

But we all work with elected officials offices and want to be sure our clients’ messages are heard.  One office staff member I give kudos to for his real community involvement, technology and communication skills, and vast intelligence is Woo-Jin Shim, Director of Community Relations for San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts – 4th District.  Here’s some of his direct insight re: office communications and how to possibly get your clients’ activities recognized. 
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When we heard about SDSU’s program in digital media, we wanted to find out the details.  Here’s insight from an interview held with Tamara McLeod, executive director of professional development for SDSU’s College of Extended Studies on the new educational offering in digital media.  

With a full-house response to the program, we’d all be lucky to get a seat in SDSU’s classes.  People from various industries are flocking to learn more about digital media.  The value of the certificate will be determined in future job interviews.  For now, I think the content of the classes is going to be where the value lies.  Take those skills and apply them at work immediately.

When asked what companies she felt were doing a great job in digitial media, our team didn’t get references of consumer brands, yet.  It sounds like there are real opportunities for business leaders who are doing a good job to get involved.  Let’s see which local PR leaders will start teaching these classes.  We’ll keep this on our radar!

1) What are your expectations for the program as far as students’ interest?
The Professional Certificate in Digital Media, offered through SDSU’s College of Extended Studies, surpassed enrollment goals during its first delivery. We believe that as long as we continue to present relevant content aligned with workforce needs, the program will continue to grow and flourish.�
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Here’s input from a PR consultant and entrepreneur who is doing things right.  Dana Humphrey from Whitegate PR in New York shares some insight for southern California readers on networking and building smart campaigns for clients in the booming pet industry. 

How are you successful in getting linked in with so many social media groups like Small World?  ASmallWorld.net is an invitation only social media Web site. I love to connect virtually with friends and colleagues on as many platforms as possible. Internations.com is another great tool for the globally minded!

  Read the rest of this entry »