Journalists have long been the “gatekeepers” of news and information in society. Today, tools such as the Internet and social media have given millions more people the power of mass communication, and reduced the influence of professional journalists to set the agenda. But even facing an intense increase in competition, reporters still rely on and [...]
“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.” This famous quote, often attributed (rightly or wrongly) to Mark Twain, illustrates a human susceptibility to sensationalism and speculation over researched fact. In a digital age increasingly free of traditional informational gatekeepers, it often seems as if lies [...]
Technology has constantly altered how we communicate since the beginning of civilization. From the advent of writing, to the printing press, to the discovery of radio waves and TV broadcasting, new inventions have changed how well we can communicate and how we perceive these messages. At the recent annual meeting of communicators from PR Boutiques [...]
The changing climate and resultant increase in natural disaster events is driving home how crucial energy is for healthcare. Hospitals and physicians’ offices face obvious problems when intense heat or storms knock the power out, but there are less obvious victims in those who are switching to home healthcare. A recent report from Scott PR’s [...]
Of course we measure the positive results of our content programs. But it’s also important to know when your work is counterproductive, when it is alienating your target audience. To find out if your audience dislikes your activity, consider these recommendations in “7 signs your audience hates your engagement strategy.” Any brand, no matter [...]
Sometimes, it's hard to see that the effort of content creation is worth it. Even with a defined brand, a content strategy, and regular metrics reporting, it can be difficult to recognize real value in this work. In order to find that sense of achievement, it may take a change in perspective to reevaluate and [...]
Father-daughter time: That’s what my husband and daughter shared during an evening at a country Western bar, enjoying one of their favorite bands. Two weeks later, a disturbed veteran stormed the same venue, blasting employees and dancers with a semi-automatic pistol, before killing himself. Thirteen people were killed, and another twelve were injured. It was [...]
Whether you are an individual or represent a company, branding is an important aspect of how you can succeed with your public relations. An effective brand expresses your personality, tells your story, and highlights the subjects that you want to address. With a wealth of data about people and groups already out there in the [...]
The pre-schoolers seem to get smaller and cuter every year, their faces glowing, and eyes wide gazing at the strangers who have come to hear them sing. The middle-schoolers look and act even more mature than last year. Every grade is smartly dressed in school uniforms, organized, and obedient to their teachers’ whispered promptings. The Christmas [...]
Communications is an essential part of just about any professional team or business. But how does a communicator ensure they are giving their colleagues the best benefit of their work that they can? Ragan’s singled out important roles a communicator should play in their article “5 things communicators must do to succeed.” Communicators play a [...]
