Topics

There has been relatively limited effort by corporations, agencies and especially colleges and universities, to properly train the next generation of communications leaders as cross-functional, multi-disciplined marketing managers.

Developing your core message is an essential exercise. It gets everyone, internally and externally, on the same page in terms of explaining your brand’s attributes and differentiators.

While their communications are highly regulated financial services companies show a growing penchant for social media channels, with engagement up 76% across all platforms since January.

There is one area that is problematic even for the most seasoned PR pros: helping to drive communications when their company or organization makes layoffs.

For years, the measurement experts, including me, have told you to spend 10 percent of your communication budget figuring out whether the other 90 percent is working. But that doesn’t really tell you how to allocate that 10 percent, nor does it cover all the scenarios.

For several years after its debut, Facebook was viewed by brands and organizations as a relatively cost-effective way to promote their products and services. Companies could run branded Facebook pages—without necessarily dropping a lot of coin for Facebook advertising—and watch the needle move. Case in point: Hudson & Marshall, which is one of the nation’s top real estate auction companies specializing in bank-owned foreclosure listings.

For all its problems, the Internet is an amazing repository of information. One service that builds on the use of the Web as a place to find answers is Google Helpouts, which allows users to share expertise in real-time via live video on mobile devices or computers.

Last night’s press conference to share information about New York City’s first Ebola case was a demonstration of crisis communications in action.

PR pros are increasingly enamored by social media channels and other digital platforms that are transforming business communications. Then there’s the press release, which doesn’t get nearly as much love as of late.

Mark Zuckerberg showcased his Chinese skills on Wednesday to the amazement of a crowd at Beijing’s Tsinghua University, conducting a 30-minute Q&A session entirely in Mandarin.