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...

Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny – all brand promises gone awry.  But our parents had it right. These major disappointments were merely preparation for the big stage; preparation for our move into the real world where companies and their brand promises often disappoint. Broken promises, whether expressed or implied, can destroy confidence and loyalty. Worse, it can create general apathy. Take the current Washington debacle...

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...

For many small businesses, the painfully slow recovery of the national economy has been difficult to navigate. The Christian Science Monitor reported earlier this year the recession that ended more than three years ago has been followed by the feeblest economic recovery since the Great Depression. The story also found that “since World War II, 10 U.S. recessions have been followed by a recovery that lasted at least three years. An...

“So what do you do for a living?” “I work at a PR agency.” “Huh.” Every PR person has had that exact exchange at countless parties and social events. It’s generally followed by a glazed-over stare (aka the “time to change the subject” look) or a question about what exactly that means. One thing I’ve noticed is that when you try to explain public relations to the average person, you realize that he or she has never...