Local Coverage of Serials Solutions
Most marketers and PR professionals appreciate the importance of having access to credible information. Many college students and researchers are in the same position. They need credible, current content and want a Google- like experience when searching their libraries for it. Until just 18 months ago, accessing information in academic libraries (and some corporate libraries) […]
Building Buzz in a Noisy Market
Launching a product or service is no easy feat, especially when you are entering a market that has been shaped by strong, established leaders and become saturated with other emerging players. How do you cut through the noise and differentiate your organization? How do you avoid becoming a “me too” scenario? We were recently reminded […]
The Power of Analogies
We often use analogies to help our clients tell their stories. We find the more complicated the subject matter or the more novel the concept, the more helpful it can be to use an analogy to help people grasp your ideas. An analogy is a similarity between like features of two things, on which a […]
The Importance of Quotes
A good quote can be the heart of a compelling article. Good quotes help to tell a story and enhance the credibility of a press release, news story or speech. Words that are crafted well can leave a lasting impact on the world. Every day I drive by a reader board on my way home […]
Changes at TechFlash
Recently, Seattle-based TechFlash, a major source of technology news, went through dramatic changes with the departure of Todd Bishop and John Cook, the outlet’s founders and first employees. As avid followers of the media, and fans of TechFlash, we were hungry to know the type of following TechFlash has had. The information we discovered, based […]
Public Relations, April Fools’ Day, and Fake News
With April Fools’ Day fast approaching, it is a good time to revisit the topic of fake news. While I look forward to Google’s annual tradition of announcing fake features and NPR’s trick segments, it is dangerous territory for PR professionals to disseminate fake news. If not executed well, an April Fools’ Day stunt can […]
The Long Lost Art of Phone Conversation
Last week, I read a really interesting article in the New York Times titled, “Don’t Call Me, I Won’t Call You” by Pamela Paul. The story examines the cultural shift from using the telephone (including mobile phones) as a primary communication tool to today’s ever present preference of email and text. Paul writes, “According to […]
iPads, Kids and Snow – Securing Broadcast News Coverage Requires Flexibility
Earlier this month, we visited Lewis Elementary in Portland to facilitate broadcast interviews with KATU, KPTV and KOIN. What was the exciting news that drew three stations to Lewis? The draw was the announcement of a new digital learning pilot program introducing iPads into the classroom. Reporters came to talk with students and teachers involved […]
Crisis Communication Lessons From Floyd Landis
Earlier this year I read Paul Kimmage’s interview of Floyd Landis, a retired cyclist. I had watched Landis win the Tour de France in 2006 and followed the subsequent doping controversy, which included him being stripped of his Tour de France win. So I was interested to learn about the chronology of events and actions […]
How Headlines Shape Perceptions
A headline can make or break a news story. The ultimate goal is to grab a reader’s attention – the catchier and more thought provoking the better – but, it is still essential that the headline embodies the underlying theme of the story. A good example of this is the headline of a recent […]