Archive for December, 2009

Each year, there’s a great debate that rages about setting (and actually keeping) resolutions. So as entrepreneurs and stewards of business (for ourselves and our clients) it’s important to set goals and try our best to keep them. I turned to some fellow SoCal tweeps to find out what’s important to them for 2010 both professionally and personally, as well as their predictions for our industries in the coming year.

Here’s to a productive and fantastic 2010! Enjoy!

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Even though the initials “P” and “R” are short for public relations, the media is still the best way to reach the public.

Yes, we all know that media is changing and, thanks to social media, producers and editors don’t hold the same “gatekeeping” power they once had.

Still, the mainstream media is still crucial to PR success so the best thing to do is to ensure that is to act like nothing has changed and letting the “old guard” still operate under the assumption that they are influential power brokers.

That said, there are certain things you shouldn’t do (not if you want to help your client). Read the rest of this entry »

Name: Alicia Dean

Title: Reporter

Outlet: KNSD-TV (NBC San Diego)

Phone: 619-578-0372

E-mail: alicia.dean@nbcuni.com

Twitter: alicia739

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I’m sorry to say but it’s true. Sometimes your product/client isn’t “the story.” A great PR person knows that news coverage is typically based on trends, and an effective pitch can help demonstrate to a reporter a greater trend story of which your client or product is a critical piece. In addition, reporters with aggressive deadlines will often appreciate any extra data or information you can share to show a story is, well, worth covering. Often simply demonstrating a “round-up” of products that meet a single need can push your story through.

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I’m not afraid to admit I’m a type-A personality who sometimes sleeps with my Blackberry and considers someone tardy five minutes before a scheduled appointment. But for some reason when I step on a plane I consider it my excuse to sit back, relax, read a People magazine (print!) or watch a good chick flick on the in-flight entertainment system. I don’t especially like or dislike flying, but it’s my chance to catch up on some of life’s indulgences off the grid.

In the past several weeks I’ve made two cross country flights on major carriers (which I’ll refrain from mentioning), complete with rude flight attendants, lost luggage, no on-flight entertainment, and even running out of bottled water. The days of cushy and comfortable air travel are gone, thanks to packed flights due to decreased trips. It’s a pain, and speaking for other business travelers, I’m more closely weighing the benefits of enjoying my flight at the risk of shelling out more money. So what does this have to do with social media?

After one flight I complained about my luggage being misplaced until two in the morning by one of the biggies. Shortly after that Virgin America’s saucy Twitter account started following me. I followed back, as I’d never flown them but had heard some positive buzz. Watchers of the social media landscape recognized the savvy of popular airline JetBlue a couple of years ago (which boasts more than 1.4 million Twitter followers), but Virgin America is making some significant headway connecting with travelers online. According to a story by Damian Joseph of BusinessWeek, the company relies heavily on sites like Twitter and Facebook, as opposed to significant, traditional ad spends.

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Okay so let me start out by saying that I am by no means an expert on pitching! I’ve landed a few awesome hits in my day (ahem, The New York Times, The View, Good Morning America, etc., etc.) but it definitely takes more than a few good hits to call yourself an expert. However, since I have now crossed over to the other side of the e-mail chain and am the one actually receiving the pitches, I thought it would be in my best interest and yours to pass on a few tips. In some cases, they might just be friendly reminders but believe me when I say that I have received some HORRENDUS pitches.

I could be “that person” that calls out your name via Twitter or on my blog…but I won’t…just take my few words of advice next time you send out a pitch and I’m sure you and your client will be rewarded with some nice coverage in the end! Read the rest of this entry »

The work week can be exhausting, so mix it up with a few networking events. Networking allows you to make connections and develop rapport to grow your circle of influence, plus its fun! Check out these upcoming events:

PRSA Holiday Party – 50^th Anniversary Celebration

Wednesday, December 9^th, 2009

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Paradise Grille, Del Mar

More Information

As we all sit back and watch the Tiger Woods’ cheating scandal, many are weighing in on where exactly Woods and his PR team went wrong. Should he have remained mum for so long after the alleged fight between him and his wife, which ended with Woods in the ER after slamming his SUV into a tree in his own driveway?

With tapes from the alleged woman who had an affair with Woods showing up today on every Internet blog, TV station and radio show, it was only a matter of time until the golf superstar finally came clean about his adultry. Then in a lame statement a few hours later, Woods admitted in not so many words his guilt. Read the rest of this entry »

Times are tough, but we are hoping to make your search a bit easier. Here are some recent PR job postings in the Southern California region:

Aliso Viejo – Healthcare Association Publication & Media Relations Specialist (www.PRTalent.com)

Irvine – Director Consumer Brands/Marketing to Women (www.PRTalent.com)

Redondo Beach – PainePR Director, B2B & Consumer (www.PRTalent.com)

San Diego – Vistage PR Director (http://www.vistage.com/about-us/about-us/careers/job-display.aspx?jid=2807)

Interested in seeing your job posting on SoCalPRBlog? Send job information to info@socalprblog.com and we will get it posted!

Name: Barbarella

Title: Columnist/Personality

Outlet(s): San Diego Reader, KNSD-TV (NBC), KOGO-AM Radio 600

Phone: Prefer not to provide

E-mail: Barbarellaj5@yahoo.com

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