Online activism is a very potent tool for change that gives activists who would otherwise go unnoticed an immediate and potentially global audience to hear their side of a particular story. We’ve seen how activists can garner a groundswell of support that can overrule the ‘terms and conditions’ of business and even put world leaders… Continue reading Why Online Activism has the Power to Change the Way We Do Business
Agency life is an evolutionary process and brings times of stability as well as disruptive changes —some of them forced upon the agency from the outside, some of them deliberately initiated to bring the organization to a new level. The Austrian PRGN member formerly known as asoluto has gone through such a change and since… Continue reading How “asoluto” became “accelent” — What We Learned from Rebranding Our Agency
The public relations agency can serve a number of significant roles in the C-suite. The question is, how do you find true acceptance in the C-suite. Strategic vision. It is critical that a PR firm understand the corporate vision. If there is none, this is the most important job to be accomplished. The future of… Continue reading 10 public relations agency roles in the C-suite
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… Continue reading What’s in store for PR in 2019?
Name: Márk Németh Title: Head of Consumer PRGN Agency: Goodwill Communications Years at your agency: 7 Why did you choose to enter PR? I was working as a journalist at a print business daily when the world financial crisis hit. The editorial staff shrank and I found I had less time for the part of… Continue reading Ten Questions with Márk Németh
Nobody is more strongly positioned to create long-term, sustainable change than companies. According to a 2016 PwC Global CEO survey, 64% of CEOs say that “corporate social responsibility (CSR) is core to their business rather than being a stand-alone program.” The Survey interviewed 1,409 CEOs in 83 countries with 76% defining business success by more… Continue reading WHY CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR BRAND
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:… Continue reading How To Become A Better Presenter
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… Continue reading So, You Think You Need a PR Firm: Tips from an Insider on How to Do it Right
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… Continue reading Four Actions Companies Must Take Before Launching A New Product
Artificial intelligence is not science fiction anymore. AI is here, and it’s probably part of your daily life. In fact, when you search the web at any time from any device, whether you’re typing into a browser or talking to Siri, you are interacting with AI. Search engines use AI to deliver the best results… Continue reading How Artificial Intelligence affects SEO
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.… Continue reading Integrating Your Marketing and PR Strategies
Public relations has long been a powerful marketing tool for companies. In today’s digital environment, its impact is greater than ever. Here are nine reasons why every company should be investing in PR: 1. Allows a company to own and manage its narrative. Companies that fail to invest in PR are essentially ceding their narrative… Continue reading 9 Reasons Why Every Company Should Invest in PR
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… Continue reading VW Crisis Communications Failures Never End
As an industry, public relations has experienced our fair share of PR. Popular TV shows like “Mad Men” and “Sex and The City” have bolstered PR’s reputation as a career path lined with celebrity parties, free swag and other VIP perks. While many of us do frequently work on cool projects with major brands and… Continue reading 5 Ways to Know If Working in the PR Industry is Right for You
When clients hire a public relations agency to develop a PR campaign, they typically measure its success by the number of times the story was picked up, in which publications it appeared, and how many times it was retweeted or shared. Of course, they also want to know that the story was free of errors… Continue reading The Right Measurements to Determine a Successful PR Campaign
Popularity of influencer marketing is a rich seam for brands and PR reps but greater transparency is now needed to enhance trust and credibility, writes Owen Cullen. It seems hard to believe now but there was a brief flicker of time, quite a few years back, when people weren’t sure if social media would catch… Continue reading The Rise of the Social Influencer
Do you Google yourself and your company? If not, you should. Google is the first impression for anyone who doesn’t know you. It’s common for clients, customers, colleagues and even competitors to use the Internet to form their opinion of you. They want to know who is saying what? Is the information positive, negative or… Continue reading Reputation Management and Monitoring Your Web Presence
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… Continue reading Clever Ways to Get Free Press Coverage
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… Continue reading What to do When Your Spokesperson Makes a Mistake
Just as social media has changed everything about communications and marketing, it’s taken the practice of crisis management to new heights. The immediacy of channels such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and others make managing a crisis even more difficult, particularly when the groundswell of public commentary on the issue and the response – or lack… Continue reading Top Five Things to Know about Managing a Crisis on Social Media
Having been in the public relations business for nearly three decades, I’m often asked by business associates why and how to find the right PR firm for their needs. So, just like BuzzFeed, we’ve compiled some easy-to-read lists for you. My colleague Alison Bailin at PRGN’s Phoenix agency, HMA Public Relations, offers the following 10… Continue reading Why Should You Hire A PR Agency? And How Do You Find the Right PR Firm?
“Dead ones live longer” is a common phrase – and indeed, it applies also to pr. The question is not if the press release in general is dead but much more how to make it a vivid, compelling and fruitful part of your toolbox. The starting point is of course: Who should read, enjoy and… Continue reading Is the Press Release Dead?
For years they have been on separate paths, but since crisis is a synonym of corporate reputation, clients no longer worry about hiring a law firm when looking for a solution to their conflicts, but for several years they have understood that simultaneously they should look for someone who watches over their public image before… Continue reading The New, Close Relationship Between Communication Agencies and Law Firms
We live in amazing times today, we are so digitized and so technologically advanced that the beginning of my PR career 20+ years ago seems to be in another life. I remember sending press releases by fax and communicating very important issues via pagers. No mobile phones, no blogs, no Facebook, no Twitter, but a… Continue reading Reveal the Client’s True Problem In Order to Develop a Resolution
At first glance, a product review may just seem like a bunch of words coupled with images of a product, lavishing the product with half-hearted praise and encouraging readers to buy. Is that always the case? Reviewing is about making connections between images, text, and a reader, just like any other story. I enjoy reading… Continue reading Pitching for Product Reviews
In consumer public relations, we often build our annual plans around new product launches and all of the buzz – and sales – they will bring. While every new product is different, here are a few tried and true tips to make the most of any product launch campaign. 1. Plan ahead. Ideally, the PR… Continue reading 5 Tips for a Successful Product Launch
As PR pros, it can be difficult for us to step away from our inboxes and voicemails for time dedicated solely to professional development. It’s easy to put client needs in front of the latest webinar or online course, especially when your time is billable and there are deadlines at every turn. But public relations… Continue reading Top 10 Conferences for PR Pros in 2018
Having been in the communications industry for more than 40 years, first within corporations, then in consultancy, there were many lessons gleaned along the way. These have helped me to deal with various stakeholders better and to handle PR events and activities more effectively. I hope you will find them useful. Dealing with the media… Continue reading PR Lessons From Over the Years
Everyone knows the best time to plan is the beginning of each year. But, the end of the year offers some unique opportunities too. How can you maximize your brand in the 4th quarter? Here are a few End-of-the-Year PR and Social Media PR Tips. 1. What is Trending? Get Brand recognition by paying attention… Continue reading Win 2017 With These End-of-Year PR Tips
By writing a blog you broaden your knowledge, acquire new skills, develop your imagination and enhance vocabulary. You also become a better writer, interlocutor, an expert in your field, improve your own concentration and memory. These are advantages that nobody questions. If you do it just for yourself, your own pleasure and satisfaction of your… Continue reading Are you Making These 3 Common Blogging Mistakes?
Public Relations Global Network was founded 25 years ago to expand local knowledge into a communications provider that can serve clients in multiple markets. Like-minded independently owned and operated firms gathered together to share best practices, win worldwide business and enjoy the camaraderie of peers. But a lot has changed in the industry since then…… Continue reading PRGN at 25 – Change is the Only Constant in PR
It is a common request from potential clients to see a Public Relations case study of work comparable to what you are recommending to them. But what exactly are they looking for? Strategy, deliverables, measurement? Of course, but how best to provide that information without overwhelming and oversharing. Case studies are a great way to… Continue reading A Case Study for a Case Study
Before analyzing the results of a PR campaign, it is necessary to clarify what PR means today. The primary goal of Public Relations has always been to develop relationships, to connect institutions, companies, people and establishments with their users or their clients. What has changed over time, and has even significantly increased, are the ways… Continue reading What Results can you Expect From a PR Campaign?
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… Continue reading Nailing Your Next Media Interview With These Five Tips
Company websites used to be only virtual business cards. Not anymore. With the online developing faster than everything else around, websites moved to have a sales role or shifted to a hybrid function covering both the presentation and commercial purposes. Browsing the web one can see several neat website designs and functionalities and what might… Continue reading Does Your Website Accurately Represent You?
Social media is no longer the territory of the millennial. Today, consumers ranging from 14 to 65+ and beyond (to infinity!!) are active across the various platforms on a daily basis. In the current climate it wouldn’t be out of order to assume that your audience is using social media in one way or another,… Continue reading Which Social Media Platform Is Your Audience On?
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… Continue reading 10 Tips to Construct a Media-Pitching Email that Works
Recently, Hong Kong Observatory announced a move with World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to rename four typhoons that caused human casualties and economic loss in Hong Kong and other South China Sea regions. The renaming of these typhoons was an act of rebranding, designed to raise more public awareness about the cause of the disasters, and… Continue reading Rebranding for a Better Future
If you’ve never had a client ask you to lower your fees, you are one of the lucky PR professionals! For the rest of us, here are 5 tactics you can try the next time a client mentions budget cuts. Prepare facts: Many clients feel that they are paying too much because they can’t see… Continue reading What to Do When PR Clients Pressure You for Lower Fees
When it comes to public relations, the best-kept secrets are those protected by the PRSA Code of Ethics. This means PR professionals will keep proprietary information proprietary and would rather go to jail before disclosing business secrets. Now, here are three secrets. Each of these secrets assumes you have an excellent relationship with the media.… Continue reading Best Kept Secrets in Public Relations
The debate between the DIY model vs. in-house vs. hiring a PR agency Anytime a company expands their marketing outreach efforts, no doubt there will be a great deal of discussion on which way to go. Should we hire a public relations/social media firm? Perhaps we should investigate hiring a freelancer? What about keeping it… Continue reading Delving into PR: Which Model Works Best for your Company?
The great digital transformation and Fourth Industrial Revolution we are seeing in large companies around the world is no longer confined to just mega-corporations and conglomerates. In Chile, many companies—both large and small—are in the midst of this great change. At the moment, Chile is experiencing large-scale penetration in mobile devices (71%, leading in Latin… Continue reading Digital Strategies Bring Clear Benefits to Companies
Yelp, Trip Advisor, Glassdoor, Amazon and hundreds of other sites invite customer reviews on products, businesses and services. Less than stellar reviews can have a real financial impact on your business. According to Web Republic, products with positive reviews sell 200% more than those with no reviews. So how do you influence your customers to… Continue reading Customer Reviews Can Make or Break You – How to Support Those Elusive 5 Stars
Aside from the well-known highly corrupt and troubled governments in Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador, for the past two years (and more) Latin American countries have been involved in a series of scandals that have undermined confidence in politics and in business at corporate level.
What do you think it takes to achieve exceptional results for your clients and organizations? There are things like working hard and paying attention to their needs that certainly top the list. But doesn’t that seem obvious?
Aside from the well-known highly corrupt and troubled governments in Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador, for the past two years (and more) Latin American countries have been involved in a series of scandals that have undermined confidence in politics and in business at corporate level.
How much of a monster is PR? It’s what we do, it’s how we pay the bills and it’s mostly what we love. But how much are we responsible for the way it can consume people and is it ultimately for the good?
