Public Relations & Social Marketing Insight

It’s a unique experience to be in New York during the week commemorating the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks that made the term “9/11” part of the global lexicon. With measured emotion, this indomitable city remembers a grim moment whose legacy defined a decade and divided the world. But 9/11 was more than a moment of geopolitical significance; it also heralded some fundamental changes in global communication.

In the wake of a disaster, the media are recording history in a hurry, and they are vulnerable to what sociologist Michael Schudson calls “a prose of solidarity rather than a prose of information.” A decade later, we can consider such events with less emotion and more perspective. With this in mind, here are five communication trends that were influenced or accelerated by 9/11...

PR Job hunting? Find corporate communications, media relations, nonprofit, public relations, social media, internships and full-time jobs at the PR Coach's Public Relations Job Board.

I love shiny new technology and social media as much or more than most PR pros. But I’m not afraid to say some of the newest social media “emperors” are not wearing any clothes. The challenge is how do we know which ones will have an ROI?

We’ve put together 51 masterful media relations tips to help you prepare stories that media can’t resist and to help you pitch them like a pro.

Most of us are familiar with the old adage that you “don’t pick fights with people who buy their ink by the barrel.” And indeed, as someone who’s worked with reporters for a long time, I try not upset them. Elephants have long memories and heavy feet under which you don’t want to get stuck....

PRSA and O'Dwyer talk? Call me when hell freezes over ;-)

Ken Makovsky's superb 'If you've never failed, you've never lived' blog made me think of my own fear of failure and the fear of failure I see in far too many Millennials today. First, me. Back in 1995, after 15...

Steve Cody shares a thoughtful post on "failing better"...

Are PR pros in danger of becoming PR zombies? We may have reached a tipping point caused by Ataxic Neurodegenerative Satiety Deficiency Syndrome.

Seriously. I’m no longer surprised by others attacking the PR zombies among us. Just look at The Economist, the Bad Pitch Blog and any recent examples of airhead public relations, Bad PR, PR Fails and social media snafus.

Here are 13 sure signs you’re a PR zombie suffering from this contagion...

Public relations is really in a predicament these days. Badvocates, Leakalikes, gotcha journalists and vigilante social media are popping up everywhere. Our PR talents are needed more than ever but these new challenges are also growing tougher every day....

What happens when you bring together 96 PR failures all in one spot? After the collective gasp? Hopefully, a whole lot of learning for PR pros.

Here's a plethora of PR Fails from the past five or six months for your reading enjoyment. The goal is to shine a light on poor PR practices and to reflect on more professional, more strategic and smarter ways to do public relations....

...My first assignment was to write a press release. I gave the initial draft to my boss, who took up a pencil and — with two vicious slashes — cut the paper to ribbons, while shouting: “This is awful! Garbage! Do it over! Do it right!” I rewrote the draft and brought it back to him. Five more times. Each time he tore it to bits, excoriating me for my “ineptitude.” I was near tears — and close to quitting — when a co-worker suggested I give the boss my first draft. “Maybe he’ll approve it this time,” she said. I took her up on her suggestion … and he did!

Inspiring post from Ken Makovsky...

Among 25 industries in the U.S., public relations and advertising ranked 16th in terms of the public’s positive view. The industries’ image has seen an overall decline since 2001.

Not surprising given poor corporate leadership and the constant litany of PR fails and sometimes questionable ethics...