The Growing Power of Internet-Driven Public Relations

Many people don't realize the extent to which public relations has increased its influence since the growth of the Internet. This influence continues to grow as does the popularity and utility of the Internet itself. Literally millions of new web sites are added every month, and they represent the most extraordinary way to target your audience. Today's journalists, radio and television news producers and editors all prefer to receive news via e-mail and to instantly access web sites to secure the facts.

Caruba, Alan. Communication World Bulletin (2003). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations>Online

A Hegemonic Model of Crisis Communication: Truthfulness and Repercussions for Free Speech in Kasky v. Nike    

This study utilizes the hegemonic model of crisis communication to critically analyze the ideological implications of Nike's sweatshop labor crisis that culminated in the Kasky v. Nike court case. This groundbreaking case merits further examination and, informed by Gramsci's notion of hegemony, reveals the underlying ideological struggle present in the Nike crisis: a struggle for voice, power, and free corporate speech. Activist voices opposing sweatshops, Nike's defenses, and eventually, the legal decisions of the U.S. court system constituted competing voices in these ideological struggles over what is acceptable or right corporate behavior. This hegemonic struggle influenced standards for international labor, public relations efforts that misrepresent facts, and consideration of corporate public relations as free or commercial speech. This hegemonic model of crisis communication, unlike previous theories, recognizes the dynamic struggle between voices with various levels of power and the important ideological implications resulting from competing voices in crisis communication.

McHale, John P., Joseph P. Zompetti and Mary Anne Moffitt. JBC (2007). Articles>Business Communication>Legal>Public Relations

How to Set Specific Goals for Your Public Relations Campaign and Calculate Your Precise ROI

In today's world, advertising is just one element of the marketing formula. In fact, there is a shift occurring away from advertising to other marketing that's less costly and more cost-effective and efficient. In all your marketing efforts, your goal is to gain that top-of-mind awareness position with your prospect/customer. PR can do this. Advertising can do this once awareness is attained. PR gets you there; advertising keeps you there. Knowing the return of PR truly justifies it as an integral part of the marketing arsenal.

Lautenslager, Al. Communication World Bulletin (2003). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations>Assessment

In Search of (Corporate Communication) Excellence

Buoyed by commercial expansion and the entrepreneurial renaissance of recent years, corporate public relations has come a long way towards becoming an essential tool in the chief executive's armoury. That said, the scope for further advancement of PR consultants at the boardroom table will remain restricted until the profession gives senior management what they want — a measure of return on their investment.

Dempsey, Conor. Communication World Bulletin (2003). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations

In, Out or Somewhere In Between

When considering possible staffing models for structuring your corporate communication function, your choices typically range from the extremes of establishing an all in-house staff to totally outsourcing the function by enlisting the services of a PR agency (or agencies) to do it all for you. More common is the combination that takes advantage of the benefits of the two previous options, while hopefully minimizing their disadvantages.

Eschbach, Peter A. Communication World Bulletin (2008). Articles>Management>Outsourcing>Public Relations

Increasing Chapter Membership Through Public Relations  

The Orange County Chapter of STC (OCSTC) set a goal of increasing membership by 20% in one chapter year, with increased public exposure and improved member services as the primary goal. PR Committee volunteers planned and carried out eight programs to increase corporate awareness and media coverage, improve intrachapter communications, and extend community relations. Chapter membership grew by 31% during that year and membership retention was above the International average. In addition to international recognition, committee volunteers gained professionally useful skills through their efforts.

Giles, Sandra J. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>Collaboration>Community Building>Public Relations

Internet Public Relations and Messaging Can Drive Visibility and Sales

Today it’s harder than ever for companies to get above the noise and get their messages heard. Many consumers are so overwhelmed with advertisements about new products and marginally improved releases that they automatically tune out anything that sounds promotional. While it may seem like there’s no time to learn new tools and technologies, there are many sites that offer useful guides, quick tips and case studies on how to achieve measurable results.

Woods McNamara, Julie. Communication World Bulletin (2003). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations>Online

Learn Public Relations Skills Through STC's Chapter Competition  

Technical communicators need public relations skills. STC offers two free opportunities to learn these skills. You can build a portfolio of public relations pieces you produce for your chapter. You can get feedback on them from the Chapter Public Relations Competition, and you may win an award.

Blankinship, Ann. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>TC>Public Relations

Making Social Responsibility a Strategy for Business Perpetuation

With intense competition and demands from shareholders, customers and employees, companies need to find ways to stand out from the crowd. Many companies are looking to corporate social responsibility, as a way to do this—by both protecting and enhancing their reputations. Some CSR practitioners are driven by a belief in the company mission and vision, others by top executives, and others see it as public relations and marketing opportunity.

Vale Marques, Juliana. Communication World Bulletin (2006). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations>Case Studies

Managing PR to Save Time and Money—While Increasing Results

Public relations tactics are supposed to be cost-effective, but all too often, programs seem to come at a high price tag with questionable returns. This is often due to the fact that too many public relations functions are inefficient and too many programs are not targeted.

Cohen, Ephraim. Communication World Bulletin (2006). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations

Mirror, Mirror

A few months ago, I read with interest an article that indicated that executives are influenced more by the court of public opinion as a catalyst for making positive behavior changes than they are by even a court of law. So what contribution do we make to this discussion, as public relations and media relations practitioners? Do we shove our heads in the sand and say, "It's not up to us to influence the ethical behavior of our internal and external clients"?

Bergman, Eric. Communication World Bulletin (2006). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations>Ethics

The Myths and Methods of Reputation Measurement

If you are concerned about your reputation and want to measure its health, here's what to do. Get the communication people in your organization together in a room and get consensus on what you want to measure and which constituencies are your top priorities. Determine how a good relationship with each of those constituencies benefits your organization. Your success is measured by achieving those benefits. Figure out what you will be measuring and what benchmarks you will be measuring against. Undertake the appropriate research and voila, you'll have the answers you need.

Paine, Katie. Communication World Bulletin (2005). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations>Assessment

Nearly Everyone Uses It, and So What?

Occasionally a prospective client comes to me very enthusiastic about getting publicity and declares that she envisions coverage in every major newspaper in the country and on every network broadcast. After all, her logic runs, our product is something everyone uses. "Whoa!" I reply. "That's not enough of a reason for the media to do a story. Nearly everyone uses a toothbrush and a wallet of one sort or another, but how often do you see stories about either of those items in the papers or on the nightly news? Prevalence doesn't mean interesting or timely. So let's brainstorm about what would entice the media to consider something about your item 'newsworthy.'"

Yudkin, Marcia. Communication World Bulletin (2004). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations

A Paradox in Shaping Corporate Reputation

Why are some companies regularly recognized as the nation’s most admired even when their across-the-board performance is inconsistent? Why are other companies that demonstrate solid, consistent performance often ignored? In two words, the answer is awareness and performance. Wal-Mart ranked at the top in a number of corporate reputation lists, yet the company was dogged by the discovery of undocumented workers in their stores. How does a company such as Wal-Mart succeed in light of such news?

Weiner, Mark. Communication World Bulletin (2004). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations>Marketing

A Passion for Excellence: Building a Consultancy Into a PR Empire

Molly Matthews started a consulting business in her basement 18 years ago after losing her job in a corporate restructuring at Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. Like many women, she looked up and saw a glass ceiling and figured she could certainly do as well on her own. In fact, she did a whole lot better.

Steigman, Daria. Communication World Bulletin (2006). Careers>Consulting>Public Relations>Case Studies

Press Releases Are a Colossal Waste of Time: Mail the Media a Letter Instead

I haven't sent out a traditional press release in the last 10 years. But I have placed stories about my clients in The Wall St. Journal, New York Times, ABC News, The Today Show, Good Morning America and just about any other major media outlet in the United States. Editors surely don't need me or any other publicist to write their stories. They need me to point them in the direction of a good story, succinctly give them the facts as I see them, the sources I know and then get out of the way so they can write their own stories. I do those things by writing pitch letters, good ones.

Ochman, B.L. Communication World Bulletin (2004). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations>Press Releases

Shaping Reputations Online

We are living in a new media world where public conversations bring together people from all over the globe. Thanks to the Internet, individuals from every continent are able to create a buzz that can introduce new heroes or ruin an organization’s reputation in minutes.

Gallardo, Luis. Communication World Bulletin (2008). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations>Online

The Shoestring Inferiority Complex: How Trying to Keep Up Can Get PR Pros Down

One Saturday afternoon not long ago, I found myself gawking out my front window as my neighbors carried in their new plasma TV. I felt that wistful pang of envy. Why can't I get a plasma TV? PR departments working on a shoestring budget are largely represented by the public and not-for-profit sector. For these organizations, the feeling of having to make do and having to do without is a fact of life.

Austin, Lisa. Communication World Bulletin (2006). Articles>Business Communication>Financial>Public Relations

Shoestring Public Relations 101: Ideas to Get Your Creativity Flowing

Whether you work for a nonprofit, a corporation or an agency, you've likely at some time been assigned to a PR project that has next to no budget. When this happens, you may feel you are up against the impossible, but don't despair. You can deliver a highly successful campaign on a shoestring—but it requires some creativity.

O'Brien, Cathy-Anne. Communication World Bulletin (2006). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations

Starting the Journey Toward Corporate Social Responsibility

The growing emergence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the marketplace begs the question: What does it take to get there? How do companies make the leap from deciding to embrace the values of CSR to creating a culture around it? Read comments from several CEO's who discuss actions that companies have taken in order to incorporate CSR within their agendas.

Cunningham, Cori. Communication World Bulletin (2004). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations

The State of Corporate Citizenship in the U.S.

The Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce teamed up to deliver the first survey of American businesses of all sizes on "The State of Corporate Citizenship in the U.S." This survey was designed to gain a baseline from which to measure biennially the progress and state of corporate citizenship first in the U.S. and then globally. It is the first corporate citizenship survey in the U.S. to include small and medium-sized businesses and the first to gather information on business efforts in low-income communities.

Communication World Bulletin (2004). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations

Storytelling and PR: A Novel Way of Telling Your Tale

Once upon a time, a former CBS newsman devised a new strategy for telling a company's story: classic storytelling. Robbie Vorhaus founded his own public relations firm based on this principle. He shares the story of how it works in this interview with About Public Relations.

Vorhaus, Robbie. Communication World Bulletin (2004). Articles>Communication>Public Relations>Rhetoric

A Streight Eye for the Dairy Queen Guy

"Not your father's Dairy Queen" is touted as a marketing advance, when it's simply Panic Marketing. Find out why DQ should stick with its traditional benefit, desserts, and use that leverage to lift up its other food items. A classic Mentally Correct Marketing study highlighting how strategy must be developed.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2004). Articles>Communication>Public Relations>Marketing

Sustainability Reporting: Daring to Hold Yourself Accountable

As the corporate social responsibility movement continues to gain momentum worldwide, corporations need standards and measures to define responsible business practices. One such standard—sustainability—has emerged as the international benchmark for corporate citizenship. Sustainability is defined as the "triple bottom line"—the measure of an organization's economic, environmental and social performance.

Savitz, Andrew. Communication World Bulletin (2004). Articles>Business Communication>Public Relations

The Technical Communicator as Corporate Spokesperson: A Public Relations Primer    

A survey of CEOs, corporate spokespersons, and media representatives suggests that the evolving roles and responsibilities of corporate spokes-persons may result in greater opportunities for technical communicators in corporate public relations. However, these opportunities require communication principles and skills that have not traditionally played a strong role in technical communication education. This essay discusses these requisite considerations so they can be more explicitly addressed in the contemporary technical communication curriculum.

Troester, Rod and Terrence L. Warburton. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (2001). Careers>TC>Public Relations>Press Releases