Six Consecutive Press Release Failures. Why Bother?

I have seen press releases generate tens of millions of dollars in publicity $399 at a time. If you don’t believe me, just visit: http://www.ereleases.com/testimonials/

Why didn’t your press release do the same? The likely answer is that you gave up, perhaps even after a single press release. (Read more…)

Press Releases … the Rodney Dangerfield of the Marketing World?

I promote the importance of press releases because they are the great equalizer. A small company, or even an individual, has as much chance of getting media attention as a big, well-financed company. Sure, the big company might be able to afford its own public relations department as well as coordinate with high-priced publicists. But the cornerstone of that big company’s PR campaign will be the lowly press release. (Read more…)

The PR Fuel Mailbag: Employee Blackmail, Public Relations Disasters, and More Fun

It’s time for another dip into the PR Fuel mailbag. This time we answer some questions from PR Fuel readers, including public relations professionals, who are dealing with some serious issues: a threatening ex-employee, a shaky merger, a recalcitrant journalist, and a strange resume request. All this, plus some public relations web sites to add to your browser’s bookmarks. (Read more…)

Cross-Culture Public Relations - It’s Not as Easy as It Looks

Every public relations professional dreams of developing a campaign that puts his or her company’s tag line on the lips of the entire world. However, the tried and true rules of continuity, consistency, and even practicality don’t always apply when it comes to international or cross-culture campaigns. (Read more…)

What It Takes to Be a PR Person

PR is an intense and difficult job that can be rewarding and disappointing. It can be exciting, and mind-numbingly boring. PR, more often than not, is misunderstood by people outside of the industry. (Read more…)

Managing Self-Made PR Crisis Situations

A perfect lesson for PR folks presented itself, and many other people, just before April Fool’s Day. On March 30th, Pollution Probe, a leading Canadian environmental organization, sent 350 packages to businesses in Toronto, Ontario. The packages were supposed to promote an annual event called the “Clean Air Commute.” But the air was blue when the packages were opened. (Read more…)

A Public Relations Hole-in-One

One of the things I enjoy about my current job as an investment analyst and commentator is that everyday I learn about new companies. In the process, I meet new public relations people and witness a variety of PR strategies stretching across dozens of business sectors. One company that I’ve come to admire recently in my work is Willis Group, one of the world’s largest insurance brokers. (Read more…)