For starters, here’s one piece of useful information: the automotive PR industry is now very similar to the technology PR industry. This is because cars have become devices and drivers have become more of a user. Sounds familiar, right? I used to work for a tire company and now I work for a device producing … Read More
Expand Your Monitoring, and Brand, With Social Listening Tools
Possibly right now, more than ever, social listening is an important aspect of your brand and reputation, and even your clients’ brand and reputation. As the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns still continue to affect our day-to-day lives, businesses, nonprofits, schools, shopping, entertainment habits and more, people are turning online to engage with one another and … Read More
5 ways to make your earnings season communication a win
Is your company listed on a stock exchange? Great! Once a year the attention is all yours when you publish your annual results. But you have to do it in the right way to collect bonus points with the media, investors and the public. Here are five vital tips to successfully communicate the company’s financial … Read More
What’s in store for PR in 2019?
It’s that time of year. We’re all finishing up the current year while looking towards the future, gazing into our all-knowing crystal balls. And in our industry, that means looking at what’s in store for the field of public relations in 2019. I took the liberty of asking my friends and colleagues at the Public … Read More
How To Become A Better Presenter
When watching somebody present in front of an audience, it takes just a few seconds to determine if this is going to be a compelling and interesting presentation or a boring waste of time. But once you’re standing in the spotlight yourself, it is up to you to make a difference. And here’s how to: … Read More
So, You Think You Need a PR Firm: Tips from an Insider on How to Do it Right
Hiring any consultant is a difficult task. How do you find one that will mesh with your company culture and values? What about the budget? How can you measure results? With public relations, it can be even more difficult, given most people struggle with the intangible aspect of our industry. That said, there are ways … Read More
Four Actions Companies Must Take Before Launching A New Product
When it comes to launching a new product or service, success isn’t defined by whether or not you launch “on time.” Many mistakes can be avoided by slowing down, thinking through the entire campaign strategically and ensuring all ducks are in a row before pontificating your news to the world. Here are four key things … Read More
How to Keep Your Business Safe from Social Network Threats
Social media is a very powerful tool for business. It is a platform for businesses to showcase their strengths and build a community of followers. Unfortunately, that same power can translate to major damage in the event of a crisis. Social media gives publicity issues the fuel to escalate to a full crisis in mere … Read More
Integrating Your Marketing and PR Strategies
There used to be a way to reach your target market with just a few touch points. Send out a press release. Produce an event. Sponsor a program. According to the Online Marketing Institute, it now takes 7-13 touches to reach a potential customer. Today’s consumers are immune to traditional marketing, PR and advertising strategies. … Read More
VW Crisis Communications Failures Never End
Nearly 3 years after the VW emissions scandal broke worldwide, the CEO of VW-owned Audi is arrested for fraud, false advertising and hindering the investigation by German authorities. The first rule of crisis communications is to end the crisis and on something of this scale, that means untainted leadership and a willingness to right the … Read More
Clever Ways to Get Free Press Coverage
The best kind of press isn’t something that you buy, but how exactly do you get free press coverage? Because the media is constantly pitching new products and services, getting noticed can be difficult. Here are three clever ways to ensure you get the media coverage you want, provided by the world’s top media relations … Read More
5 Reasons Your Media Pitches Are Getting No Response
With earned media playing an increasingly important role in content-sharing, media relations remains a crucial element of public relations. But media pitching is highly challenging. Some surveys suggest that 95 percent of pitches never get a media response. Here are five reasons your pitches may be falling on deaf ears. 1. You didn’t do your … Read More
What to do When Your Spokesperson Makes a Mistake
We’ve all seen it on the news. The spokesperson heads to the microphone, reads a statement, then begins taking questions. Then, we notice something. He or she makes a mistake. Whether your spokesperson starts speaking off-topic, becomes a “deer in the headlights” or unintentionally gives away private information, a mistake takes place. Any one of … Read More
Public Relations Global Network (PRGN) Media Survey Reveals Growing Pressure on Reporters to Perform on Social Media
Survey also offers fresh insights into how reporters vet and work with high-profile interview sources LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – Nov. 28. 2017 – Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), one of the largest international networks of independent public relations agencies, announced today the results of a worldwide media survey that finds increasing pressure on reporters to … Read More
Nailing Your Next Media Interview With These Five Tips
What you say can or will be held against you, should you not take up the challenge to prepare for an interview. In the digital age, everything you say lives on forever, so, preparing for an interview should not be taken lightly. You should spend enough time getting up to speed and doing the due … Read More
10 Tips to Construct a Media-Pitching Email that Works
Media relations is our bread and butter in the PR industry. There’s nothing better than a well-placed media hit that’s authentic, engaging and delivered directly to your target audience. But with an increasingly competitive media landscape and a growing desire by many brands to tackle multiple markets at once, honing the perfect media pitch can … Read More
Do’s and Don’ts of Using Social Media to Pitch Journalists
For PR pros, social media is more than just memes and foodie videos – it’s a valuable tool for connecting your brand with the media. You can be just 140 characters away from your next media placement if you follow this list of do’s and don’ts. Do 1. Watch the trends Journalists are continuously hunting … Read More
Does the press lie?
By Valentina Giacaman – RumboCierto Chile We have witnessed recent events in which world leaders openly accuse the press, as never before. Macron in front of Putin himself accuses the Russian press, whereas a person like Trump declares himself in open warfare against the press. Has the press done something? In my country Chile, as … Read More
PR Pros, It’s Time to Pay Up: #SubscribeToTruth
For those of us in the profession of public relations, the rise of fake news and the attacks on legitimate media outlets have been deeply disturbing. The Code of Ethics developed by our industry’s leading professional association, PRSA, calls out honesty as one of six, key professional values that its members uphold: We adhere to … Read More
State of the Media: A (Global) Question of Trust
For a communications professional working in the U.S., the last few months have been a time of intense introspective about the state of the media. The rhetoric has been thick and charged. Phrases like “alternative facts” and “fake news” are making their own headlines. White House press conferences have taken on an element of the … Read More
Pitching for Keeps: Building Relationships with Trade Publications
It’s any publicist’s dream to call a reporter who knows our name, which companies we represent and even remembers our die-hard Green Bay Packers fandom. It’s even better when the reporter works at a publication that is extremely valuable for our clients. Although building relationships with reporters is no small feat, it’s certainly possible – … Read More
Media Relations 101
Back in my early PR years, I would call every reporter on my media list. I would occasionally find a few reporters willing to listen to my nervous pitch and if I was lucky, someone would bite and actually write a story. When I look back now, I realize I was most likely interrupting busy … Read More
How to Clinch that Coverage
Communications Director & Newsroom Head Nicole Chamberlin shares the secrets of her team’s success – and explains why HWB clients keep returning for more coverage.
American CEOs Preparing to be Interviewed by the Media Must Have an Online Presence
CEOs can best prepare for interviews by knowing how journalists prepare themselves while making sure their online personas are up-to-date While European journalists will permit CEOs to review quotes prior to publication, most U.S. media say no way! Preparing to be interviewed by a North American journalist in the United States or Canada? … Read More
American CEOs Preparing to be Interviewed By European Journalists Should Expect Different Practices, Reports New Study by PRGN
Good Chance a European Journalist Will Permit CEO to Review Quotes Prior to Publication. Don’t be Rude to a Spanish Journalist Preparing to be interviewed by a German or Italian journalist? Make sure there’s nothing in your personal life that you wouldn’t want included in a news story. That’s among the findings of … Read More