There are a number of people that confuse Public Relations with Advertising. Often times, people think that we pay to have articles written about our clients (and I’m sure that that’s happened before, but for above-board firms like AMP3, every placement is earned). When I try to explain to people the key differences between Advertising and PR, it comes down …
What is the Reasoning Behind a Re-Brand When Your Original Brand Was Clearly Better?
I’m no marketing wiz. I’m just someone who’s observant and can (tries to, at least) make logical deductions. That said, I read an interesting article at Consumerist today about the backlash Tropicana is feeling from “Loyal Customers” after changing the widely-recognizable Orange and Straw. The new packaging, which is softer in color and features a glass of orange juice (SANS …
Take Back NYU! Doing Themselves, NYU a Great Disservice
For anyone that hasn’t been following the story about the NYU student’s protest, here’s a summary: Take Back NYU! (TBNYU) is an organization comprised of other NYU organizations, mobilized to fight for budgetary disclosure (and the occupation of the Kimmel Center includes solidarity with the University of Gaza on many different matters). Wednesday, the students of TBNYU stormed the third …
Is Being Fat the REAL Economic Stimulus Package?
I read online (and therefore it must be true) that the economic downturn is causing us, as a society, to get fat. Stress-eating, lower food budgets (which means people spend their money on non-perishables, like Rice-A-Roni and Spaghettios instead of fresh fruits and vegetables), and more time sulking in the recession (versus exercising) are all factors that have led to …
Is There a Proper Way to Handle PR Missteps and Come Out On Top: Some Case Studies
In no particular order: · Christian Bale verbally assaults someone on the set of the new “Terminator” movie · Chris Brown was booked for beating his girlfriend, Rihanna · Michael Phelps had pictures of him smoking from a bong taken, and admitted to “irresponsible actions” · Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees golden boy, allegedly took steroids in 2003 · Roberto Alomar, …
Why the Girl Scouts Need to Move Their Delicious Cookie Sales Initiatives Online
Full Disclosure: I was a Brownie for about 2 years. Granted, I was a member of Troop 666 (no kidding), and I was a bit of a rebel in organizing an after-school revolt against the uninspired mothers that thought Munchkins were the appropriate snack for EVERY SINGLE TROOP MEETING (my little napkin petition had plenty of crayon signatures from like-minded …
Real Or Not, DABA is the Wrong Outlet For Commiserating
DABA, Dating A Banker Anonymous, is either evil genius, or evil garbage. Questions have been raised as to the truthfulness of the site (are there really girls so shallow that they have to complain about not being able to spend as much of their boyfriend’s/husband’s money?). Given the fact that the site explicitly states “all stories sent will be infused …
Relationships DO Matter Most in Media Relations
I stumbled across a blog entry written by David Mullen titled “Relationships Don’t Matter Most in Media Relations.” Though it’s well-written, thoughtful, and educated, I’ll beg to differ with his notion that building relationships shouldn’t be the top priority of PR professionals. Mullen’s first argument is that many people on the agency side of Public Relations deal with a number …
When Super Bowl Ads Are So Wrong They’re Right (But Are They?)
A couple weeks ago I addressed the matter of the Burger King Whopper Sacrifice, and how it positioned itself to be an incredibly successful campaign regardless of the public’s actual response to the ad. This week, PETA has made public their Super Bowl ad that was refused by NBC, as the “suggestive” nature of the advertisement proved to be …
Holy Niche, Batman!: Social Media’s Fragmentation
My recollection, with respect to social networks, only goes as far back as Friendster. I was in college, and I had a housemate who I loved dearly, but spent a very good portion of her waking hours giggling in the room next to mine, laughing at all her Friendster friends. The following year, MySpace came onto my radar, and I …