A version of this article originally appeared on PR Breakfast Club on August 15, 2012. Digital marketing expert Mitch Joel wrote an interesting blog post last year called “The Art of Fake Familiarity.” In it, Joel criticized a public relations pitch he recently received that used information from his blog and Twitter feed in an attempt to garner a feeling of familiarity and get his attention. Instead, the pitch came off as creepy and...

Congratulations! You’ve been featured in a great media story that raises your organization’s profile and you’re basking in the glow. But that’s not enough. If you’re not leveraging positive placements, you’re missing out on ROI from your public relations program. Whether it’s an article about your company, an award or quotes in an industry round-up that positions you as a thought leader, here are effective strategies...

By now, we’ve all read the story. We’ve seen the interviews and heard the voicemails. Some believe Manti Te’o is the naïve victim of an incredibly elaborate hoax. Others firmly hold he helped to create the scheme to quell questions about his personal life or to gain Heisman votes. Regardless of Te’o’s level of involvement, a closer examination of the situation outlines the failings of Notre Dame and the national media –...

Coined by Marshall McLuhan, the phrase “the medium is the message” is a staple in communications 101 courses. The idea is that the way a message is transmitted plays an integral role in how the message will be perceived now and in the future – how news is reported reflects societal changes like a mirror, and may even be causing some of those changes. Twitter is a great example of McLuhan’s concept in action. From the spread of...

Where do you get your news? Now think about where your parents – or grandparents – got theirs. The answers are likely very different. My parents watched the local TV evening news, followed by a national broadcast. Each morning, my dad brought in the Charleston Post & Courier from our driveway. The Sunday morning edition was a particular treat, calling for at least an hour of reading and a cup of coffee. Today, I continue that one...