The Press Release is Dead… or is it???

Friday, August 15th, 2008

The online world is a Twitter with the news that the SEC has decided ‘UNDER certain circumstances, companies can rely on their websites and blogs to meet the public disclosure requirements under Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure), according to recent new guidance unanimously approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission ’ Condolences to my friends at PR Newswire , in lieu of flowers please post applicable positions on Monster .

I am a fan of social media and the possibilities that it is presenting to our profession and the opportunities for our clients. Most plans that we develop aim to incorporate a strong online presence, but they also still include the traditional blocking and tackling that has long been a staple of the PR industry.

We like to refer to the tactics we use as a PR Toolbox, and like every good handyman we have a lot of different tools for different applications. Is the press release the best way to communicate with your audience, no and I doubt that it was ever the best way to begin with. Is a Social Media News Release the best PR tactic ever invented, no and I’ll bet it will never replace a street team for getting out and being in the community.

The true significance of this announcement by the SEC is that blogs and other opportunities online are real and they are here to stay. Companies that have looked past this avenue as ‘something for the kids’ need to take note of the changes taking place and get with the times. The online world has affected change in our society and world, let’s all get in there and see where we can make the next change.

Posted in General | No Comments »

Don’t shoot your message! Presence on Twitter requires sharing, listening

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008

Apparently, Meijer is running a promotion on child booster seats due to a change in Michigan law to take effect on July 1, that requires all children under 4′9″ to be fastened into a safety seat.

Now, I didn’t find this out by reading the news or watching a report on TV or by browsing Meijer.com or visiting the Meijer store on my way home from work – I learned it on Twitter.

Twitter is a microblog site that social media experts, journalists, marketing and PR professionals, bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, self-proclaimed geeks, fellow information junkies and now stores like Meijer, are using to get their fix of the latest bits of information as they happen in real-time. However, Twitterers not only receive the information, they share information and create original content in 140 characters or less.

On Twitter, I am @shannonpaul and Meijer is @meijer. You can also find the CEO of online shoe retail giant Zappo’s at @zappos and Comcast also has a customer outreach profile established on Twitter @comcastcares. By the way, regular Bailey Blogger Ari Adler also has a Twitter profile; @aribadler.

Whether you choose to call it new media, social media, or just plain media, the way people consume information will only continue to evolve toward a higher level of interactivity. The movement away from passive consumption has already taken hold in almost every consumer market. Joe Public has the same access to channels previously held exclusive to media industry insiders. Information no longer travels on a one way street and those who have something of value to share stand to reap the largest rewards.

The conversation is already well underway. Are you involved in the exchange, or are you simply trying to shout your message louder than those you’re trying to reach?

Posted in General | 3 Comments »