Media Relations

Rand Paul Shushes CNBC Anchor, Provides Example of How Not to Communicate

February 4th, 2015 by

During an interview with CNBC’s Kelly Evans, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul shushed Evans and told her to “calm down” while he answered a question. Use this interview as Exhibit A when prepping top executives on what not to do when talking with the media.

Nationwide Defends #MakeSafeHappen Super Bowl Ad About Child Deaths

February 2nd, 2015 by

Nationwide Insurance’s Super Bowl ad featured the ghost of a young boy narrating scenes in a life he didn’t get to live because of an accident, and critics didn’t take kindly to it. Still, if you subscribe to the “no such thing as bad publicity” dictum, the spot was a win for the insurer.

It’s Not Over ‘Til It’s Over, and 4 Other Takeaways From Super Bowl XLIX

February 2nd, 2015 by

This year’s Super Bowl lived up to its hype, and it was one of the first times in recent memory that I found the game to be more exciting than the commercials. This year’s array… Continued

#GoDaddyPuppy Wins Super Bowl Ad Awareness War Four Days Before Kickoff

January 28th, 2015 by

If GoDaddy had considered the clout, passions and research acumen of animal rights advocates it probably would have scratched its lost-puppy Super Bowl ad when it was first proposed. But in the battle for media attention in Super Bowl week, GoDaddy put points on the scoreboard.

5 Steps to Becoming an Effective Writer (and a Better PR Pro)

January 27th, 2015 by

When a Florida sheriff’s office recently noticed its new crest-engraved office rug read “In Dog We Trust,” rather than “In God We Trust” it turned a $500 typo into a nearly $10k opportunity. It held… Continued

How to Sharpen Your Email Delivery

January 26th, 2015 by

You would think that the proliferation of social platforms and mobile devices would spell doom for email marketing/campaigns. Not so. Get reacquainted with an enduring PR tool—email.

Parody Packs a Punch for Communicators

January 26th, 2015 by

Parody can help companies cut through the proverbial clutter and humanize their message. Using parody plays into social channels and can appeal to millennials, who were raised on irreverence and now are starting to enter the management ranks. Has the cold-sober approach to branding run its course?

7 Ways You Can Write a State of the Union-Worthy Speech

January 20th, 2015 by

Tonight, President Obama will deliver his sixth State of the Union address in front of Congress. With millions watching, it’s an unprecedented PR opportunity for the president. Here are seven tips for making sure that when it’s your turn to give an important speech, you’ll have a good script in hand.

Act Like a Journalist

January 19th, 2015 by

I make sure our PR outreach/content is always educational, sincere, and practical.

All ‘Signs’ Point to Brand Awareness Success for McDonald’s

January 14th, 2015 by

What is the goal of advertising and PR? To get noticed and drive profits, right? In the realm of getting noticed–otherwise referred to as brand awareness by non-civilians in communications—the McDonald’s “Signs” ad, which ran… Continued