Three reasons to attend Counselors Academy Conference
Since 2005, as many of you know, PRSA Counselors Academy has been my annual must-attend PR event. In fact, I get so much out of the conference I volunteered to be its 2012 conference chair.
This year #CAPRSA is being held in Austin, Texas June 9 to 13, and in addition to the programming and people, it’s a chance to experience Austin without all the hullabaloo of SXSW.
My good friend Dana Hughens, who was last year’s co-chair, steps into the CEO role – that’s Chair Extra-Ordinaire 
– and, along with the team of volunteers, has assembled a W.E.I.R.D.* and wonderful line-up of content that’s bound to be thought-provoking, creative and fun. (more…)
The retail value of a like
I wonder if it first started a long time ago at the Academy Awards when Sally Field measured her Oscar win by how much people liked her.
It’s certainly a question many brands wonder about. What’s a like mean and what is it worth?
For individuals, it’s a bit easier. A like is a quick and easy way to let someone know you’re thinking of them or enjoyed an update.
For companies, it’s a different situation. Sure they can count likes and treat them the same as media impressions: a big number that looks impressive and makes you seem popular but when you dig deeper, doesn’t have much meaning or substance. (PR folks, stop clinging to it!) (more…)
Inbound or outbound PR
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. Because PR, and specifically media relations/publicity, seems perched on the edge of the inbound-outbound marketing fence.
Neither on one side nor the other.
And that’s a challenge for the industry trying to find its way in the new digital landscape.
My birthday Klout bump
Remember when you were a kid and it was your birthday and you’d get the bumps? Well, that happened to me this year too.
Except virtually.
It was my birthday earlier in the week and I got a little present from Klout – my score increased from 66 to 68.
I got a Klout bump.
And while I appreciate the algorithmic gesture , I’m pretty sure the upswing is strictly artificial – and short-lived.
My sense is it was caused by all the activity on Facebook, the well-wishing and back and forth – that I really appreciated by the way!
Those greetings had an immediate positive affect both on my psyche and Klout score. (more…)
The ups and downs of Everest and PR: two holiday gift ideas
If you’re a last-minute shopper like me – hey, there’s plenty of time – at least four days left – you’re probably starting to think about your gift list.
So in the spirit of the season, here are two suggestions. One is fiction, the other is not, but both are great stories that aim for the heights – and I happen to be friends with the authors (and in one case the publisher too). (more…)
