April 29, 2010

What about Flash?

If you have input into your organization's website design and content, you may need to think about this: Steve Jobs claims that Flash is no longer necessary, and it will no longer be supported by iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. While these users may not account for your market, it is important to remember that we are in the mobile era, and that technology that doesn't translate well to the mobile customer alienates them.

Click here to read the article

Part 2 of Brian Solis' "Future of Marketing"

Here's the second part to Brian Solis' "The Future of Marketing Starts with Publishing."

April 27, 2010

Brian Solis has a gem of a post today, encouraging marketers to realize their place as content "publishers" as social media matures. Solis writes:

I recently called for businesses to broaden their perspective of Social Media from an experimental stage of acting and reacting, to one of learning and leading through intelligence, participation, and also publishing. Creating social profiles and broadcasting tweets and status updates is elementary, whereas creating a meaningful presence through the development and dissemination of remarkable content is judicious.

Read the full blog post here ...

April 20, 2010

Sometimes, it is who you know


Here's a great little article from Journalistics - it's full of tidbits to remind you about the importance and etiquette of networking.

Build a Stronger Network

How many people did you meet last week? How many people have you had a meaningful conversation with this week? Who have you helped this week? These are questions I ask myself all the time. For me, relationships are the most valuable currency of business. It’s important to meet new people and keep up with my existing relationships. It’s cliche, but it’s true… sometimes it is who you know.

Read the rest of the article

April 19, 2010

This just in!

Friday, the Associated Press announced a notable change to it's Stylebook. "Web site" is officially changing to "website," based on user input and more common practice.

What do you think about the change?

The Poynter Institution commented on the "cheers" and "jeers" in their post.

It's interesting to note the AP announced the change via Twitter:

Say hello to the Mayor!

I'm not referring to the Mayor of Springfield. This is the Mayor of your location. Welcome to the world of FourSquare! Businesswire posted five ways you can use FourSquare.

April 14, 2010

President's Monthly Message: The link between journalism and PR

Blogger Kathryn Hubbell, APR, Fellow PRSA, this week created a stir on PRSay, one of two blogs published by PRSA. Hubbell asked if former journalists can ever succeed as PR professionals. Headlined “Turning Journalists into Public Relations Pros? Training Required,” the post declares that “without the proper education and training, it’s no more realistic to expect that a former journalist can competently perform a public relations professional’s job, than it is to expect that they can capably conduct a symphony orchestra.”

At our April meeting of the SWMO PRSA board, we had a freewheeling discussion of the curriculum required of PR majors and how journalism and business courses should be among those required for graduation.

Then comes board member Tom Ellis’ post on our chapter blog titled, “Imagine Life Without Those Frustrating Journalists.” Tom recounts his experiences as a young journalism student on a tour behind the Iron Curtain where he observed a way of life severely diminished by a shackled press.

Our speaker at the April 27 membership meeting planned to become one of those “crusty old journalists.” Instead, Andy Cline has made it his life’s work to teach and research journalism. Cline, associate professor in Missouri State University’s department of media, journalism and film, will speak to us about social media trends, a hot topic these days. But Cline also is an expert in journalism as a whole. “Despite many of its problems, journalism remains, in my opinion, the most important discoursive practice in our culture,” Cline states. “It is an honorable profession practiced by honorable people who are vitally concerned with public affairs.”

It seems journalism and public relations are inexorably intertwined. And that’s a good thing for both journalists and PR professionals—and the audiences and clients they serve.

~Ann Elwell

President, SWMO Chapter PRSA

Scholarship Application Deadline Extended to May 28, 2010

The deadline to apply for the Dr. Joe McAdoo Memorial Scholarship has been extended to May 28, 2010.

The scholarship sponsors:

The Southwest Missouri Public Relations Society of America chapter (SWMO PRSA) is an organization that provides an inviting and active forum for sharing ideas and experiences among public relations professionals in southwest Missouri.

Dr. Joe McAdoo is a founder and past president of the Public Relations Association of Springfield (which evolved into SWMO PRSA) and former chair of the Department of Communication at Drury University. He was committed to fostering educational opportunities that maintain the distinction and integrity of the public relations profession.

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks manages the scholarship fund.


The scholarship:
  • One (1) $1,000 scholarship will be awarded for the 2010-2011 academic year ($500 fall/$500 spring).
  • The recipient also may attend SWMO PRSA monthly membership meetings and our annual professional development seminar free-of-charge (a $150 value) during the academic year.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be an undergraduate student beginning the junior or senior year or a graduate student pursuing a degree in communication, public relations or a closely related area.
  • Applicants must be enrolled full-time (taking at least 12 credit hours per semester undergraduate, 9 hours graduate) at one of the following institutions: College of the Ozarks; Drury University; Evangel University; Missouri Southern State University; Missouri State University; or Southwest Baptist University.
  • Selection of the scholarship winner will be based on interest and involvement in communications, academic standing and campus and/or community involvement.

Application deadline:

To apply for the Dr. Joe McAdoo Memorial Scholarship, submit the following by May 28, 2010:

1. a completed application form. Click Here to download the application.
2. a copy of official sealed transcripts
3. an updated resume (please emphasize items that highlight communication activities and interests)
4. a 500-600 word essay (typed, double-spaced) describing how the Dr. Joe McAdoo Memorial Scholarship will assist the student in achieving academic and career goals


Send application materials to:


SWMO PRSA Scholarship Selection Committee, SWMO PRSA, P.O. Box 4807, Springfield, MO 65808

Or send by e-mail to swade@springfieldmo.org.

For scholarship questions, contact Scholarship Chair Susan Wade at 417-881-5300, Ext. 101, or swade@springfieldmo.org.

For more information about SWMO PRSA, visit www.swmoprsa.org.

Member Spotlight: Lynn Onstot

In the Southwest Missouri Chapter of PRSA, we have a wide variety of seasoned professionals and new professionals. Each individual has a unique set of talents and challenges. Part of the mission of PRSA is to network and learn from one another; with this in mind, the membership and communications committees will begin to highlight members - ask them to share about what they do, what resources they use and about them personally - and we hope it is a useful tool for all who read it.

Name: Lynn Onstot
PRSA join date: 2002
How long have you been in the PR field? Since 1986
Current job title: Public Information Officer, City of Joplin
Current projects: Gathering information for the possible renewal of a parks/stormwater sales tax; integrating social networking into City Government while determining best use/practices of these tools
What PR resources have you found to be helpful? PRSA’s Tactics provides great insight on areas that affect the PR field as a whole, yet many articles are applicable to my specific needs. I also enjoy the PRSA Daily Briefings’ articles.
What do you do in your free time - what are your hobbies? My husband Steve and I have two daughters who are active in athletics, dance and school activities – so a lot of my time is spent in the audience cheering for them. I also enjoy swimming, biking, reading and gardening.

Imagine Life Without Those Frustrating Journalists

I’ve been thinking about the state of traditional, professional journalism a lot lately and can’t help but wonder where it’s headed. As newspapers, magazines and TV networks struggle and cut staffing in the newsroom, will they eventually fail to carry out their most important function – watchdog of government and other institutions that have such a tremendous impact on our way of life? Many observers already are worried that investigative journalism is dying.

I’m sure many of our chapter members have had their fair share of frustration with reporters, editors and various media outlets. The media can make you want to pull out your hair! Nevertheless, we should be happy we have a free press, warts and all. We should all be concerned that true journalism (as compared to Twitter, Facebook and blog “news”) is deeply challenged. I guarantee none of us would like the alternative.

Many years ago when I was a journalism student at the University of Missouri, I had the opportunity to observe the alternative up close and personal. This goes back to the days of the Soviet Union and the Iron Curtain. But the lessons I learned then are still pertinent today. We don’t lack for repressive societies on our planet. I went on a student tour of Europe, and we spent quite a few days behind the Iron Curtain. Let’s see if the way of life I saw is your cup of tea.

My first glimpse of a repressed society (one lacking a free press) was in Prague. Today, Prague is one of Europe’s jewels. When I was there, it was dark, dank and dirty. Every building I saw was in need of repair. The dominant color was gray. The streets were patrolled by Soviet soldiers armed with submachine guns. Everywhere you went, there they were. We visited a tavern one evening and the place was packed with locals – none of whom were smiling or laughing. But they were drinking plenty. I got in the habit of watching people as we walked around town and witnessed no smiles or laughter anywhere, except for the crazy Americans.

The next shock came in the parking lot of a World War II concentration camp in East Germany. Our bus parked alongside another bus full of East German elementary-age students. We waited at least half an hour to get permission to enter the camp and we were told to stay on the bus until we got the all clear. OK, we stayed, but we also partied like a bunch of juveniles. Meanwhile, the real juveniles in the bus next to us sat ramrod straight and unmoving in their seats. They didn’t look around or talk among themselves. They didn’t even glance at the idiots in the next bus. Of course, no smiles. They were like statues. When was the last time you saw a bunch of youngsters behave like that?

Later, on our way to Berlin, we saw a tall wire fence running through the countryside in the middle of nowhere. Our guide said it was the rural section of the Berlin Wall. Approaching Berlin, we saw the fence extend into a lake. The beach on the East German side of the fence was vacant; the West German beach was jammed with folks. Crossing into West Berlin, we saw plenty of barbed wire, guard dogs and gun towers – all Soviet.

The next morning, we visited East Berlin where I was shocked by an incident that occurred at the end of the day. While we waited in a line of vehicles to cross to Checkpoint Charlie, our East German guide stayed on our bus as long as she could. She asked about happenings in West Berlin because she had family there that she hadn’t seen since the Wall went up. We offered her an old Newsweek that Soviet guards had missed when our bus was searched earlier in the day. Although we could see that she wanted more than anything to have that magazine, she was terrified to take it. No, no, no, she said, her eyes wide with fear. We insisted again and again. Finally, she glanced out the windows and quickly stuffed the Newsweek in her shirt. Shortly thereafter, the time came for her to get off the bus. I looked out and saw her watching us pull away, tears streaming down her face. We could cross over, but she couldn’t.

What amazing lessons for a young journalism student! This is what happens when a country lacks a free press to keep the right people accountable. This is no way to live. This is why we need our frustrating, professional journalism industry to find a way to both survive and play its most important role.

The next time you want to pull out your hair, just be glad that reporter or editor is even there to ruin your day.

April 13, 2010

Twitter ads to begin today - what do you think?

What do you think about Twitter selling advertising? What if it started to show up in your personal Twitter stream? Well, take a look at this article on Social Small Biz, and see what you think...would it be a good option for your organization to reach a new audience (or your current target)?
Twitter to roll out advertising

Reports have revealed that Twitter is set to roll out advertising today on Twitter.com. The new ad service – called Promoted Tweets – will allows advertisers to place their ads next to certain Twitter searches. In the future, Twitter plans to insert sponsored messages into users’ streams in what will be seen as a much more controversial move:

“When a Twitter user searches for a word an advertiser bought, the promoted message will show up at the top of the results, even if it was written much earlier. The posts say they are promoted by the company in small type, and when someone rolls over a promoted post with a cursor, it turns yellow.”

Click here to read more of the article

April 9, 2010

10 Free Online Tools

First, let me suggest if you haven't already subscribed to Ragan.com's PR Daily or Ragan's Daily Headlines, you should. Not everything every day is 100 percent useful or relevant to my work, but there are golden nuggets of information often enough to make it worth the additional messages in my inbox.

Today, the most helpful post is a link to a post on "The COMMS Corner" listing 10 free social media tools. I learned about SWiX a couple of weeks ago - very cool tool!

April 8, 2010

Branding and Rebranding

Check out this article from the Business Insider on the dangers of rebranding.

10 Major Rebranding Disasters And What You Should Learn From Them

A brand identity, name and logo is a company's public face. So you'd think companies would be really careful in figuring out how to revamp that image. Sadly, a good number of recent rebranding attempts seemed to just crash and burn.

We spoke with award-winning branding agency Method, Inc. and branding guru Rob Frankel about the worst rebranding disasters they've seen in the past few years. The lesson? A successful rebranding involves overhauling a company's goals, message, and culture -- not just changing a name or a logo.

Also, messing with a classic is, more often than not, a bad idea. Unfortunately, despite their massive marketing budgets, it seems like many major corporations (and one major international city) haven't gotten the memo.

Click here to check out 10 major rebranding disasters and what you should learn from them





Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/rebranding-failures-2010-3#ixzz0kWS7Uw4Q

New stylebook coming this summer

I, for one, wouldn't be caught at work without my "AP Stylebook." But, a post on today's "PR Daily Newsfeed" from Ragan.com caught my attention.

Yahoo is publishing a styleguide for online writing in July. Here's the link to The Business Insider story. Amazon.com has it available for pre-order.

Social Media in the Spotlight for April Meeting

It's far and away the most requested topic by membership, so don't miss the April 27 presentation by Missouri State's Dr. Andy Cline on social media trends. Cline is an associate professor of journalism with an interest in social media. Here's a news release that provides a little background on his views regarding social media and students.

April 7, 2010

'State of the Industry Panel' at AAF Meeting - You are Invited

Linda Palmisano from AAF has invited all PRSA members to attend the next AAF meeting April 14 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for an enlightening panel discussion.

Panelists include:
  • Bill Perkin - Owner of Perkin Marketing agency and President of Perkin Media, which owns KSPR-33
  • Tim Bade – President of The Alchemedia Project, an agency that specializes in online marketing
  • Stacy Boysen-Krauck - Director of Online Marketing at KOLR/KSFX ozarksfirst.com
  • Mary Fleenor - Operations Manager at Midwest Family Broadcast Group
  • Marty Goodnight - Advertising Director with the News-Leader Media Group
  • Dennis Lord - Sales Manager at Lamar Outdoor of Springfield