And if/when the Cats lose, will one party say it was because of the color of their jerseys?

Tonight I caught the beginning of the show, “How I Met Your Mother” and it reminded me of a time I made a huge mistake. One of the characters was talking about “gaps in knowledge.” She stated that everyone has a gap in knowledge. That common word, phrase, fact or thing that somehow missed you in life, something that everyone else on the planet seemed to know but you, something that usually bites you in the butt at the worst time.

Yep- it happened to me. Something very common (and made famous by the Simpsons)  just passed me by in life, caused a gap in my knowledge and came back to bite me and my co-workers on live television. It was probably one of the biggest, if not the biggest and dumbest mistake I will ever make in my career and you can see it here. If you work in media, you may have heard this story and will know which blooper is mine. If not, you will have to guess but it should be pretty obvious. I’m kind of outing myself here- so please be kind. Also, please note that since the time I am referring, I have done a large survey that proves I am not the only one who has “missed” this particular bit of information in life

Since this whopping blooper (that I am surprised hasn’t been on Talk Soup) I have learned a few things, the main one being the importance of using my co-workers for help. I actually almost made another big mistake at work today but saved myself by remembering what I’ve learned. These are some pretty rudimentary/no-duh tips that I think we forget to use somewhere along the way:

- Never be too proud or embarrassed to ask for help.

- If something seems off, it probably is. Trust your instinct.

- Always double and triple check your work, even if you are in a rush.

- If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

- Put family and yourself first.

- Don’t get too cozy with your co-workers- put professionalism first.

- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Ok, with that said I wanted to put some other funny “gaps in knowledge” out there. These are some other examples of things that “missed” some folks:

- When reading off of an Apples to Apples playing card, a grown woman pronounced the word “chameleon“: sham-el-on.

-  The character on “How I Met Your Mother” didn’t know that the North Pole was a real place.

- A reporter I once knew did not know what an ottoman was and found out while working on an important story.

- Someone I know thought the Arizona state bird was a Phoenix and announced that at a business dinner.

- Someone who had never seen the word “colonel” spelled out before thought it was a new word pronounced co-lon-el.

- Someone didn’t know how to pronounce “rendez-vous.”

- A grown adult didn’t know what “apartheid” was.

Bottom line: Everyone does have a gap in knowledge. Mistakes are inevitable and the only way to prevent them is to gain experience. If you think you will look back on something and laugh, you may as well laugh about it now.

What’s your “gap in knowledge” or a bad mistake you’ve made at work? Please share!

You can view the different workshop topics and times here.

Now that the BP oil leak has been stopped –or so we hear today – has anyone considered that it may be time to create some good juju for PR, after what BP has successfully done in maiming the industry?

Many of us PR and non PR types have railed against the dark stain that BP’s oil spill is leaving. I have tremendous respect for those who handle corporate PR whether they are consultants or internal PR folk. It’s a tough job getting the organization to say it as it is, and to stop publishing mindless statements just for the sound-byte effect.

So I was hoping to see a coalition of PR agencies coming together, perhaps under the umbrella of PRSA, and the CIPR (British PR association), to bring in some of the largest booms (thought leaders) and heavy equipment (smart technologies) to stop polluting our pristine beaches (er, reputation).

PRSA’s mantra is “Advancing the Profession and the Professional.” Looks like the industry has been mugged by flaks who are effectively planting land mines along this path. Search for BP at PRSA’s web site and you see articles such as “Can the BP brand survive Tony Hayward?” I was hoping to see some folks come out say why “BP’s PR has been toxic for their business.”

Meanwhile BP continues to write about its wonderful response about how it is “Flying higher to get closer to spill response,” and its sea bird rescues. And nobody in the PR industry seems to mind. ]]> http://www.valleyprblog.com/uncategorized/could-pr-industry-do-some-crisis-pr-in-post-bp-mess/feed/ 1 http://www.valleyprblog.com/uncategorized/sempo-event-wed/ http://www.valleyprblog.com/uncategorized/sempo-event-wed/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:48:58 +0000 Dan Wool http://www.valleyprblog.com/?p=3892 From SEMPO:

Maximize Search Marketing Opportunities with Bestselling Author Bill Hunt

Wednesday, February 24^th, 2010

5:30-7:30pm

SkySong
1475 N. Scottsdale Road, Convergence Room #129
Scottsdale, AZ 85257

Join us at 5:30pm for networking and enjoy two free drinks!

Click Here to sign up: http://sempoaz.eventbrite.com/

Leveraging over 15 years of global search experience, Bill will review the current state of search marketing and his view of the future. Bill will talk about the things advertisers and agencies should be doing today to leverage the eventual upturn in the global economy to increase their business and client opportunities. He’ll also take a closer look at the synergies with other forms of marketing and how to maximize the real opportunities of search marketing to gain a larger share of mind of senior executives to drive global expansion and increased revenues.

About Bill Hunt (@billhunt)

Bill Hunt, author of the bestselling book “Search Engine Marketing, Inc.” has been a pioneer in Search Marketing and is considered the top thought leader on Enterprise and Global Search Engine Marketing. He is an internationally recognized Search Marketing expert who has spoken at conferences in over 30 countries. Press, industry analysts and corporate leaders frequently seek Bill’s advice to effectively leverage Enterprise and Global Search Marketing. Bill is the President of Back Azimuth Consulting, which focuses on helping companies understand the Voice of their Customer by aggregating multiple digital signals into actionable insights, product innovation and messaging strategies.

This event is open to SEMPO members and non-members

Price for STUDENTS to attend: $10
Price for MEMBERS to attend:  $20
Price for Friends and Family to attend: $25
Price for NON-MEMBERS to attend: $30

From SEMPO:

Maximize Search Marketing Opportunities with Bestselling Author Bill Hunt

Wednesday, February 24^th, 2010

5:30-7:30pm

SkySong
1475 N. Scottsdale Road, Convergence Room #129
Scottsdale, AZ 85257

Join us at 5:30pm for networking and enjoy two free drinks!

Click Here to sign up: http://sempoaz.eventbrite.com/

Leveraging over 15 years of global search experience, Bill will review the current state of search marketing and his view of the future. Bill will talk about the things advertisers and agencies should be doing today to leverage the eventual upturn in the global economy to increase their business and client opportunities. He’ll also take a closer look at the synergies with other forms of marketing and how to maximize the real opportunities of search marketing to gain a larger share of mind of senior executives to drive global expansion and increased revenues.

About Bill Hunt (@billhunt)

Bill Hunt, author of the bestselling book “Search Engine Marketing, Inc.” has been a pioneer in Search Marketing and is considered the top thought leader on Enterprise and Global Search Engine Marketing. He is an internationally recognized Search Marketing expert who has spoken at conferences in over 30 countries. Press, industry analysts and corporate leaders frequently seek Bill’s advice to effectively leverage Enterprise and Global Search Marketing. Bill is the President of Back Azimuth Consulting, which focuses on helping companies understand the Voice of their Customer by aggregating multiple digital signals into actionable insights, product innovation and messaging strategies.

This event is open to SEMPO members and non-members

Price for STUDENTS to attend: $10
Price for MEMBERS to attend:  $20
Price for Friends and Family to attend: $25
Price for NON-MEMBERS to attend: $30

]]> http://www.valleyprblog.com/uncategorized/sempo-event-wed/feed/ 2 http://www.valleyprblog.com/uncategorized/az-communicators-unite-to-help-with-haiti-relief-efforts/ http://www.valleyprblog.com/uncategorized/az-communicators-unite-to-help-with-haiti-relief-efforts/#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:39:55 +0000 Charlotte Shaff http://www.valleyprblog.com/?p=3539

EPA/Orlando Barrla

As many of us sit at our desks and in our homes watching news coverage of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti January 12th, we are left wondering—what can we do together as a team to help?

The Phoenix PRSA chapter is working together with IABC Phoenix to help collect needed supplies for survivors in Haiti. We researched several organizations and found that Church World Service is one of American Institute of Philanthropy’s top-rated charities involved in the Haitian earthquake relief efforts. The organization provides supplies assembled by volunteers and shipped to people in need around the world. A Hygiene Kit has been identified as an urgent need for survivors in Haiti to make the difference between sickness and health for struggling families.

Below is the list of items that are needed for the Hygiene Kits that will be assembled with your help.

· Hand towels measuring approximately 16” x 28” (no fingertip or bath towels)
· Washcloths
· Wide-tooth combs
· Nail clippers (no metal files or emery boards)
· Bar of soap (bath size, in wrapper)
· Toothbrush (in original packaging)
· Standard size Band-Aids®

**Please note that we are also seeking monetary donations to help us purchase these much-needed supplies and address shipping costs.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THIS EFFORT?

We are asking for your support to help us reach the goal of creating 350 Hygiene Kits to Haiti.

You can help by donating items and helping us spread the word so that we can gather as many donations as possible by the end of this month (send an e-mail to your family, friends and colleagues; use social media; organize a company-wide donation drive).

Then, for anyone who is available to join us, we will come together Tuesday, February 4 to assemble the kits and spend time networking with fellow friends and colleagues (time and location details to be announced the week of January 25).

Donations can be made in three ways:

- Donated items and cash donations will be accepted at the PRSA lunch program January 27
- Donated items can be brought day-of to the networking event on Tuesday, February 4
- Contact PRSA Phoenix board member Cathy Planchard (cplanchard@cox.net or (480) 236-9026) to arrange other options

Thank you in advance for your help in sharing this information with others and for making your own donation. We also look forward to hearing from those of you who are willing to assist on February 4.

posted in Uncategorized by Charlotte Shaff Leave A Comment
©2012 Valley PR Blog. All Rights Reserved.

]]>

EPA/Orlando Barrla

As many of us sit at our desks and in our homes watching news coverage of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti January 12th, we are left wondering—what can we do together as a team to help?

The Phoenix PRSA chapter is working together with IABC Phoenix to help collect needed supplies for survivors in Haiti. We researched several organizations and found that Church World Service is one of American Institute of Philanthropy’s top-rated charities involved in the Haitian earthquake relief efforts. The organization provides supplies assembled by volunteers and shipped to people in need around the world. A Hygiene Kit has been identified as an urgent need for survivors in Haiti to make the difference between sickness and health for struggling families.

Below is the list of items that are needed for the Hygiene Kits that will be assembled with your help.

· Hand towels measuring approximately 16” x 28” (no fingertip or bath towels)
· Washcloths
· Wide-tooth combs
· Nail clippers (no metal files or emery boards)
· Bar of soap (bath size, in wrapper)
· Toothbrush (in original packaging)
· Standard size Band-Aids®

**Please note that we are also seeking monetary donations to help us purchase these much-needed supplies and address shipping costs.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THIS EFFORT?

We are asking for your support to help us reach the goal of creating 350 Hygiene Kits to Haiti.

You can help by donating items and helping us spread the word so that we can gather as many donations as possible by the end of this month (send an e-mail to your family, friends and colleagues; use social media; organize a company-wide donation drive).

Then, for anyone who is available to join us, we will come together Tuesday, February 4 to assemble the kits and spend time networking with fellow friends and colleagues (time and location details to be announced the week of January 25).

Donations can be made in three ways:

- Donated items and cash donations will be accepted at the PRSA lunch program January 27
- Donated items can be brought day-of to the networking event on Tuesday, February 4
- Contact PRSA Phoenix board member Cathy Planchard (cplanchard@cox.net or (480) 236-9026) to arrange other options

Thank you in advance for your help in sharing this information with others and for making your own donation. We also look forward to hearing from those of you who are willing to assist on February 4.

]]> http://www.valleyprblog.com/uncategorized/az-communicators-unite-to-help-with-haiti-relief-efforts/feed/ 2

1. Overview (“State of the State”)
2. Partners and subsidiaries
3. Spelling conventions, boilerplate, trademarks
4. Product descriptions
5. Vendors/services (newswire, clipping services used)
6. Processes (contracts, invoicing, website changes, etc)
7. Recent status reports
8. Editorial opportunities underway
9. Current white papers and case studies
10. Corporate presentation
11. Competitive info
12. Company experts and their niches of knowledge
13. Recent PR plan
14. Media and analyst database
15. Recent PR coverage/clips

This document should only take a few hours to compile, since it leverages information you should already have prepared for your client.   If you know your relationship/contract with the client is winding down, let them know you are creating it to hand off to the next PR contact.

We did it again on Tuesday night. Stephen Colbert used Arizona’s latest proposal to privatize its jails as the punch line for his popular “The Word” segment:

Seriously, do our lawmakers try to make us look dumb? I feel bad for the state tourism folks. Thank god we have the Grand Canyon or nobody would ever visit!

• Do journalists need PR – by Jeremy Porter
• And to get the opposite pov, read What journalists should know about PR people – by Rohit Bahargava

________________________

Gourmet, Southern Accents, Vibe, Nickelodeon, Today’s Christian Woman, Portfolio, Pink, Spirit of Aloha, Hallmark, Memory Makers, Canadian Home & Country, Best Life, Western Interiors & Design, Blender, Pink – all magazines gone just this year!

What is going on?  Are we seeing the end of the American magazine?

No – and yes.  Many million-and-more circulation mass market magazines are, or will soon be, gone.  Interesting, well-edited magazines, which give us a “good read,” will survive.  Humans have always been suckers for a good story.  Some publishers have already figured this out.  National Geographic, The Economist, Consumers Reports, Smithsonian, Cook’s Illustrated, and others – to some degree even People magazine – have found that great content, targeted at smaller audiences of really interested people, make money.

Others are thrashing about for something – ANYTHING!  – to bring in money.  They’re desperate to stop the bleeding and are closing magazines while manically squeezing their remaining publications, loading them up with even more marketing partnerships, product line extensions, variations on charging for Internet content (which they trained readers to demand for free) or projects like MagHound, MagCloud, and the yet unnamed “Hulu-like service for magazines.”

If you’re not familiar with these last three, here’s a quick overview: 

MagHound (www.maghound.com) is a subscription service with a twist: The customer can switch between magazines – even in the middle of a subscription period.  MagCloud, at www.magcloud.com, allows anyone to publish a print magazine in a matter of days and have the company take care of the printing, binding and distribution.  The “Hulu for magazines” will be a joint venture between as many magazine publishers as Time Inc can sign up, and will offer subscriptions for digital magazines to be read on any e-reader, whether it’s an Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader, iPhone, Blackberry or Apple’s rumored tablet.  More e-readers in development abound, including those from Time Inc and Barnes & Noble.  The first two are already available and the “Hulu-like” service is estimated to be ready in 2010.

Will it work?  If the publishers are lucky, it may work for a while.  But innovations in subscriptions or reading methods don’t address the need readers have for a good story.

But smart publishers will eventually figure it out – and we will experience another golden age of American magazines and darned happy to have all those inventions to help us acquire and read them.

But today we are in a Never-Never-Land of uncertainty.  How do PR professionals navigate these tumultuous times?  How do you get your client, or client’s product, into successful magazines?  Here’s how:

1) Search out magazines focusing on great content.  They’re out there and their numbers are growing.  One by one, publishers will begin to discover what made magazines successful in the first place.

2) Discover the story behind your product and use it in your pitch. 

3) Break the habit of using “spray-and-pray” distribution methods and work with magazines one-on-one.  Why?  See point 4.

4) Know each magazine’s editorial positioning.  When magazines stop using cookie-cutter content (“lose 5 lbs in 5 minutes!!”), you need to know how they plan to be different than their competitors.  Only pitches supporting this positioning will be considered.

No, we’re not in the dying days of magazines; this is just a course correction.  Good words – even if not necessarily on paper – will always hold a fascination for people.

You can reach Meg at mweaver@woodenhorsepub.com and sign up for her e-newlsetter at www.woodenhorsepub.com.