This article reminded me about the class discussion we had today about the new Visual Identity Program at USU. I loved the idea that in order to promote and brand more effectively and look "more together" the departments will go through the PR/Marketing of USU.
I think the idea of moving all of the different DOD communication entities to one location--a PR Pentagon-- is a terrific concept. The initial cost of the new building and bringing things together is obviously a large one, but I do see how it could eliminate inefficiencies and improve and innovate how the DOD communicates internally and to the public.
Even though they are in the same building will they have a greater grasp on what each other is doing... if not they can walk down the hall or jump on the elevator.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
JCOM 2300 PR News #9
An article described how the Johnson School at Cornell has hired an agency to help with media outreach. What I found interesting is that the internal PR of the school will still have many responsibilities.
The most eye-catching of the article was the explanation of the current opportunity the school's faculty and staff find themselves in:
"The ongoing financial turmoil has provided the school's faculty and experts a unique opportunity for appearances in the financial media, Lamb added. 'The Johnson School has been a very valuable resource for the media to comment on what is going on, the packages that Congress is acting on, and those sorts of things,' he said, adding that the university's internal PR staff is handling media training for Cornell officials."
This is great positioning but I am surprised that the internal staff is focusing on the training. The school, according to the article, use to use a LA based firm. I agree with the school's rep that switching to a firm closer to the school itself is an excellent idea.
I'm still curious about the process of choosing an agency, as I have discussed before.
The most eye-catching of the article was the explanation of the current opportunity the school's faculty and staff find themselves in:
"The ongoing financial turmoil has provided the school's faculty and experts a unique opportunity for appearances in the financial media, Lamb added. 'The Johnson School has been a very valuable resource for the media to comment on what is going on, the packages that Congress is acting on, and those sorts of things,' he said, adding that the university's internal PR staff is handling media training for Cornell officials."
This is great positioning but I am surprised that the internal staff is focusing on the training. The school, according to the article, use to use a LA based firm. I agree with the school's rep that switching to a firm closer to the school itself is an excellent idea.
I'm still curious about the process of choosing an agency, as I have discussed before.
JCOM 2300 PR News #8
What does a organization consider when they are trying to select an agency?
An article in PR Week said that the American Cancer Society went through a three-round competitive process that narrowed 36 agencies down to four finalists and finally selected one.
This made me wonder why some did or did not make the cut. Did they receive proposals from all 36? Did they just go to the lowest bidder? I wish the article was a little more specific as to why the ARC selected Brodeur Partner.
It can be assumed that the reasons are the obvious ones but I was very interested as to why others may have been eliminated.
An article in PR Week said that the American Cancer Society went through a three-round competitive process that narrowed 36 agencies down to four finalists and finally selected one.
This made me wonder why some did or did not make the cut. Did they receive proposals from all 36? Did they just go to the lowest bidder? I wish the article was a little more specific as to why the ARC selected Brodeur Partner.
It can be assumed that the reasons are the obvious ones but I was very interested as to why others may have been eliminated.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
JCOM 2300 PR News #7
UNICEF's updated campaign is likely to be followed by other organizations. Using the Internet and sites like Facebook now seems as normal as Press Releases and print ads in any PR/marketing campaign. This article in PR Week is a good vision of that.
Some things that stuck out to me from the article:
"even debuted a “Text-or-Treat” program, where people can donate via their mobile phones."
"is hoping to engage kids ages 5 to 18"
"Sixteen-year-old Disney star Selena Gomez also signed on to be the spokeswoman for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF this year."
It seems like UNICEF is nailing the target audience and it is a terrific time of year to get younger people involved, and this will find success with the new generation of kids who are educated on "socially responsible shopping." (buying items because they donate to charities, Green products that help protect environment).
Some things that stuck out to me from the article:
"even debuted a “Text-or-Treat” program, where people can donate via their mobile phones."
"is hoping to engage kids ages 5 to 18"
"Sixteen-year-old Disney star Selena Gomez also signed on to be the spokeswoman for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF this year."
It seems like UNICEF is nailing the target audience and it is a terrific time of year to get younger people involved, and this will find success with the new generation of kids who are educated on "socially responsible shopping." (buying items because they donate to charities, Green products that help protect environment).
Saturday, October 11, 2008
JCOM 2300 PR News #6
The Coca-Cola Company has relaunched it's orange flavored Full Throttle Fury energy drink, and according to an article in PR Week, has targeted African-American males.
The choice of spokesman for the campaign follows with the target audience. The packaging change, although simple, may be an even better move. Putting an orange flavored drink in an orange colored can seems logical, but considering the target audience makes it even more logical. Color selection of clothing apparel by many African-American males tends to be bright more warm colors, so the can could fit in as an accessory.
More serious however is the selection of targeting the hip-hop audience with an enregy drink. Most jump to conclusion that an enrgy drink would be linked to athletes, but the design of the can suggests a more general target.
As the article said the Coke company is only using in-house currently which is interesting considering the use of a spokesman such as Big Boi.
The choice of spokesman for the campaign follows with the target audience. The packaging change, although simple, may be an even better move. Putting an orange flavored drink in an orange colored can seems logical, but considering the target audience makes it even more logical. Color selection of clothing apparel by many African-American males tends to be bright more warm colors, so the can could fit in as an accessory.
More serious however is the selection of targeting the hip-hop audience with an enregy drink. Most jump to conclusion that an enrgy drink would be linked to athletes, but the design of the can suggests a more general target.
As the article said the Coke company is only using in-house currently which is interesting considering the use of a spokesman such as Big Boi.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
JCOM 2300 PR News #5
I am not very familiar with the industry of clothing products or fashion, but I found the overall campaign by Proctor and Gamble (P&G) to align its products with fashion is very interesting and creative.
The campaign is talked about in an article by PR Week. Working with Ann Taylor Loft and celebrities of the industry like Jorge Ramon is a great approach to put a face with the campaign. I find it interesting that such a campaign, as far as I know, has never been so focused. It seems reasonable that clothing products such as Tide and Downy should be aligned with the fashion industry, but I don't think of fabric softener and detergent when I see super models on the runway.
I think this is a very interesting move and they seem very dedicated to it with the amount of money and man power they have no doubt invested. It will be interesting to see how the relationship between the company's products and the industry will work out. Even super model runway clothes need to be cleaned! Usually I would think Tide and Downy would have a middle class image while anything on a runway is usually reserved for the elite. I think they made a good match with the Ann Taylor Loft, however. If it was Gucci, Prada, or Versace, I don't think it would work as well.
A very creatively simple campaign.
The campaign is talked about in an article by PR Week. Working with Ann Taylor Loft and celebrities of the industry like Jorge Ramon is a great approach to put a face with the campaign. I find it interesting that such a campaign, as far as I know, has never been so focused. It seems reasonable that clothing products such as Tide and Downy should be aligned with the fashion industry, but I don't think of fabric softener and detergent when I see super models on the runway.
I think this is a very interesting move and they seem very dedicated to it with the amount of money and man power they have no doubt invested. It will be interesting to see how the relationship between the company's products and the industry will work out. Even super model runway clothes need to be cleaned! Usually I would think Tide and Downy would have a middle class image while anything on a runway is usually reserved for the elite. I think they made a good match with the Ann Taylor Loft, however. If it was Gucci, Prada, or Versace, I don't think it would work as well.
A very creatively simple campaign.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
JCOM 2300 PR News #4
An article is PR Week announced that four firms were chosen to do the communications for the US military in Iraq.
I was surprised at the need for four firms, but realized that the military, as the article said does need a "wide range of communication services." I was most impressed when the article mentioned the contract included training, and wondered what that entails. The other responsibilities of research, dissemination of government information, and promotional campaigns were expected, but I was also interested in what type of "monitoring of Arabic and western media" included.
I would think that military PR, like financial, and other specific markets is more limited on procedures and protocols than for other organizations.
I was surprised at the need for four firms, but realized that the military, as the article said does need a "wide range of communication services." I was most impressed when the article mentioned the contract included training, and wondered what that entails. The other responsibilities of research, dissemination of government information, and promotional campaigns were expected, but I was also interested in what type of "monitoring of Arabic and western media" included.
I would think that military PR, like financial, and other specific markets is more limited on procedures and protocols than for other organizations.
JCOM 2300 PR News #3
With the recent economic crisis we have seen many mergers and acquisitions and a recent article in PR Week discusses the impact on the financial communications industry.
It is a difficult place for some of the PR departments of these companies to be in, but it is definitely an opportunity. The focus on internal PR to the customers and the employees as these mergers and acquisitions occur is crucial. Times like these, especially when there is "uncertainty," is why PR exists. The employees of these companies involved in these M&A's need reassurance that their job is safe and as the article said they need "to keep their focus on serving clients and keep [staffers] motivated."
Immediately and long into the future financial communications will need to be focused on internal reputation management, and the future no doubt holds a focus on the external as these companies will try to hold on to current customers and hopefully start gaining trust and loyalty from others.
It is a difficult place for some of the PR departments of these companies to be in, but it is definitely an opportunity. The focus on internal PR to the customers and the employees as these mergers and acquisitions occur is crucial. Times like these, especially when there is "uncertainty," is why PR exists. The employees of these companies involved in these M&A's need reassurance that their job is safe and as the article said they need "to keep their focus on serving clients and keep [staffers] motivated."
Immediately and long into the future financial communications will need to be focused on internal reputation management, and the future no doubt holds a focus on the external as these companies will try to hold on to current customers and hopefully start gaining trust and loyalty from others.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)