Category Archives: Uncategorized
Dick Clark and Me: An Interview Blast from the Past
by Paula Lovell on May 17, 2012 | no comments
in Uncategorized
When Dick Clark passed away recently, it hit me on so many levels. An American icon, gone. America’s Oldest Teenager, gone. My youth…well, that happened a few years back.
I went back into my archives of videos from days working for the fledging CNN/WTBS sister stations, and I found an interview with Dick Clark that I conducted when he was recording in Nashville and produced for an old TV magazine show called, “Winners.”
Back “in the day” we were producing pieces that were six minutes long and, at the same time, we’d struggle to squeeze everything into the story. We actually thought these pieces might even be too fast-paced for the viewer!
What a luxury it was to be able to let a story leisurely unwind and to be able to spend some time on a topic or reveal a person’s personality. Hope you enjoy this few minutes (don’t worry, it’s been edited down significantly) with the late, great Dick Clark.
When it comes to working with reporters, relationships rule
by Erin Lawley on August 18, 2011 | 2 comments
in Media Relations, Networking, The Media, Uncategorized
There are many factors that determine whether a reporter covers a story. Is there a news hook? Is the story compelling? Is it relevant to that media outlet’s readers, listeners or viewers? And so on.
As a communications professional, you unfortunately can’t control all variables that determine whether a reporter covers your story. But one thing you can do to improve your chances is to get to know the reporter(s) in question. In my experience, reporters are more likely to pick up the phone or return an email if they’ve met the person on the other end of that communication than if a stranger contacted them about the same topic. And once you’ve had a positive work experience with a reporter – meaning the reporter got a good story – that journalist is even more likely to work with you again.
Here’s a little advice from a reporter turned PR-pro:
1. Identify the target(s)
Pick the publication or publications where you’d like to get some press. Then start reading so you can get a feel for the publication’s tone and topical preferences – and identify which is most likely to write the stories you’ll pitch. If you work for a health care company, find the health care reporters. If you work in finance, figure out who covers banking and finance and read up on the types of stories that reporter has written in the past.
2. Dangle the carrot (or … the cup of coffee or the sandwich)
Basically, send the reporter an email and offer to buy him something to eat or drink. Tell him you want to chat because you think you could be a good resource for him. Ethically, a lot of reporters can accept this sort of “gift” as long as it’s nominal (below $20), and most won’t turn down a chance to do so.
(This step is much more difficult if you and the reporter live in different cities. In that case, I suggest an introductory email that providing some brief information about what you do and a couple of timely and relevant topics you can speak to and/or a specific news story you will be able to pitch to that reporter in the near future. This will help the reporter become familiar with you and your work without feeling like they’re getting the hard sell.
From here, your relationship’s strength will be based solely upon the merits of your pitches and how easy you are to work with – i.e. how long it takes you to respond to questions and whether you provide substantive answers.)
3. Don’t push
Keep your date, and don’t lead with the hard sell. Ask the reporter how he got to his current position, what he covers, the kinds of stories he likes to write. Then tell him about yourself or your company. What do you do? What are your areas of expertise? What insights or news might you be able to provide to the reporter? Discuss a couple of upcoming developments or topics that you think he might find interesting.
If he’s glued to the conversation, and you’ve got a specific story pitch, go for it. And you don’t have a specific story, that’s fine – end the meeting with an invitation for the reporter to call you with any questions on your company or the industry and promise to send them anything you think they’ll want to know about.
4. Follow up
Sometime in the immediate days following your meeting, send a short email thanking the reporter for his time. Remind him that you’re happy to be a resource for his work and provide your contact information.
It might seem unnecessary or overly formal, but given the staff-strapped state of most newsrooms, reporters have a lot on their plates and in their inboxes. This simple message will remind the reporter that he had good time talking with you and help solidify your relationship.
5. Stay in touch
The first four steps alone will help you get a media mention when you’re ready to pitch a story because the reporter can identify the person who’s sending it. But if this is a reporter you think you’ll want to pitch frequently or who you know will be covering your company/clients on a regular basis, you should make an effort to stay in touch. This can be as simple as sending a short note at the top of emailed press releases (‘Sending this along because I figured you’d want to be in the loop’) or dropping him a line or phone call once a month to say hello and see if you can offer any help on the stories he’s developing.
By developing a relationship with a reporter beyond the standard pitch and follow-up, you’ll increase your chances of landing coverage.
photo credit: http://bit.ly/o3X9Fm
Communicating Your Message to Non-English Speakers
by Sarah Hamilton on July 26, 2011 | no comments
in Corporate Communications, Social Media, Uncategorized
The number of Spanish-speaking people in this country continues to increase. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 34 million U.S. residents speak Spanish, making it our nation’s second language.
But, Spanish isn’t the only language on the rise. The Census noted that more than 10 million U.S. residents speak Indo-European languages other than Spanish, and more than eight million residents speak Asian and Pacific Island languages.
I have taken seven years of Spanish classes, and I am very passionate about the language and the culture. However, at times I still find it difficult to adequately communicate with Spanish speakers as well as those who speak other languages. Part of my job in public relations is to help people communicate effectively. Since there is no doubt that the number of people who speak languages other than English in the United States will continue to rise, I thought I would share a few devices and tips that have helped me communicate with non-English speakers.
Since a live translator will not always be available when you need to communicate with a non-English speaker, investing in a digital translator isn’t a bad idea. There are a variety of digital translators on the market; you can find several at Amazon.com, such as the Nyrius LT12 12- Language Speaking Global Translator, or you can download a translator like Google Translate for iPhone to your Smartphone or tablet. I would recommend purchasing a digital translator or a digital translator application for your Smartphone or tablet instead of using a free translator on a website, because digital translators tend to be more accurate.
If you do not communicate with non-English speakers often enough to purchase a digital translator or Smartphone application, learning even a few key words in another language may be beneficial for yourself and those around you.
Paying attention to body language is another way to communicate with those who may not speak your native tongue. Emotions and intentions can often be picked up through body language. In order to communicate effectively, it is also helpful to remember that communicating with someone who speaks a different language requires patience. And, a smile is universal.
Have you had any experiences communicating with someone who speaks another language? What devices or tricks did you find helpful to effectively communicate with non-English speakers?
Six Ways to Better Your Facebook Page
by Jessica Turner on March 2, 2011 | no comments
in Uncategorized
Facebook is being increasingly embraced by businesses as a valuable tool to reach target audiences.
Unfortunately, many businesses simply create a “like” page, and then rarely add new content or interact with its fans.
Here are six simple ways to better your facebook page and increase its fanbase.
- Interact: It might seem simple, but it is very important. Don’t just push content out – interact with your fans. Respond to comments and say thank you. It will go a long-way in building a positive brand-experience.
- Link everywhere: Your Facebook page should be linked and shared everywhere possible. Be sure to include the link on your website, blog, email signature, e- newsletter, etc.
- Post value-added content: A facebook page should include something extra from your brand. Post relevant news articles and links that your fans will appreciate. If you are a consumer brand, consider offering special coupons or promotions for your Facebook fans.
- Syndicate your blog content: Use Networked Blogs to share your blog content to your Facebook page. It is an easy tool that will share your blog posts with fans. To read full-posts, fans must click through to the blog, driving additional traffic.
- Blog about your Facebook page: If you have a blog, blog about your Facebook page. No matter how long your Facebook page has been established, if you mention it in a blog post, you will get new fans – every time. (Speaking of, do you like Lovell Communications on Facebook? If not, we would be pleased for you to join us there.)
- Ask others to refer their friends: Occassionally, ask your Facebook fans to refer their friends to your page. This is an easy way to increase your page’s visibility and numbers.
What is your Facebook fan page? What has been a successful way for you to beter it?
Personalizing the Online Customer Experience
by Jessica Turner on January 25, 2011 | no comments
in Uncategorized
In an age when more and more purchases are done online, it can be difficult for a company to create a personal interaction. This leads to little brand loyalty from buyers.
Groupon (and other flash deal sites) give brands the opportunity to leverage massive quantities of new customers and turn them into brand ambassadors.
However, few do.
Lands’ End Canvas offered a Groupon last year for its high-end, J. Crew-like brand Lands End Canvas.
I bought one for my husband, Matthew, and used it to purchase a few new sweaters.
We received great customer service and prompt shipping.
But that is not where it ended.
Two weeks after receiving the purchase, he received a hand addressed card in the mail. Inside was a branded note card, with a personalized, hand-written note thanking Matthew for his purchase and encouraging him to contact customer service if he had any questions.
We could not tell if the card was actually hand-written or printed – it looked that legitimate.
Since receiving the note, we have told many people about Lands End Canvas, and we have browsed their site several times.
Kudos to Lands End Canvas for making what could have been an ordinary online purchase extraordinarily personal!
Newly Published and Upcoming Resources for Healthcare Use of Social Media
by Andrea White on October 29, 2010 | no comments
in Uncategorized
Hospitals and providers are riding the social media wave and, finally, tools and ethical guides for appropriate usage are emerging. Both the CDC and the Ohio State Medical Association published manuals recently, and leading provider associations are in the process of offering their own codes of conduct.
These tools are definitely materializing none too soon! Approximately 20 percent of hospitals nationwide are already using social media in a variety of innovative ways. Additionally, more than 1,300 doctors are registered on TwitterDoctor alone! In fact, a 2009 Manhattan Research study indicates that 60 percent of doctors said they want to participate in social media…and that was a while back in the world of social media expansion.
Provider associations are now coming to the table with some solutions. The American Medical Association’s Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs will present a report on the ethical use of social media in healthcare at the House of Delegates’ Interim Meeting in November. And, The American College of Physicians’ Center for Ethics and Professionalism is collaborating with the AMA’s Council of Associates to create a revised ethics manual and a social media policy. (Perhaps most telling, without waiting for their report on the subject, the AMA launched both a Facebook page and a YouTube channel in September.)
Offering what may be the most credible resource to date, The Mayo Clinic has announced the upcoming launch of The Mayo Clinic Center for Social Media, building on the Clinic’s tremendous success in this arena. Reports indicate that the Center will provide one-on-one training, training boot camps at Mayo, training at a participant site, online training, as well as other coaching, consulting and conferences.
Recent publications coming out of Ohio and Washington, D.C., offer more immediate guidance. The Ohio State Medical Association’s Social Networking and the Medical Practice: Guidelines for Physicians, Office Staff, and Patients is a tremendous resource for medical providers and facilities to use when designing their social media presence. This guide includes a broad array of best practices and offers some basic examples of social media policies for medical organizations. It also points to another helpful online resource, the Healthcare Blogger Code of Ethics.
Additionally, this summer the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) compiled The Health Communicator’s Social Media Toolkit, although this handbook takes a completely different approach. Here you will find a catalogue of social media tools and guidelines for deciding which tool is most applicable to your organization’s situation. It also offers lessons learned from the CDC’s social media experience. However, because their communications focus on information related to public health trends and concerns, they do not delve much into concerns related to individually identifiable health information and tools to encourage HIPAA-compliance. For that kind of guidance you may want to access some previously published information on social media and HIPAA from the Lovell blog.
What resources have you found most valuable as you grow your social media presence?
Gap’s New Logo: A Mistake
by Jessica Turner on October 7, 2010 | 6 comments
in Brand Management, Branding, Social Media, Uncategorized
In case you missed the big news, Gap has quietly launched a new logo. Gone are the serif font caps, replaced by a bold Helvetica with a gradient box behind the p. It currently only appears on their website, but it is out there – and people are talking. Marketing folks and consumers alike are scratching their heads wondering, what the heck?
I am scratching my head right along with them. While Gap has been struggling, this rebranding effort will certainly not help them. The blue gradient box make no sense. Plus, currently the logo only appears online, making me wonder if Gap is really committed to the new logo.
I love what Brand Channel had to say:
But ditching the classic logo, recognized by everyone, in favor of whatever that new monstrosity is, demonstrates a prototypical brand panic move. With things not going in its favor, the brand decides to change the one valuable element it has going for it.
Ironically maybe, the new logo is perfect for the brand. It communicates exactly the values currently embodied by Gap: A sense of being lost and a lack of clear vision and creativity.
Despite all the bad press, Gap has remained quiet about their new logo. That is until last night on Facebook. It appears that Gap is now using the “lemon” attention to make lemonade. Check out what Gap posted on its fan page:
Thanks for everyone’s input on the new logo! We’ve had the same logo for 20+ years, and this is just one of the things we’re changing. We know this logo created a lot of buzz and we’re thrilled to see passionate debates unfolding! So much so we’re asking you to share your designs. We love our version, but we’d like to… see other ideas. Stay tuned for details in the next few days on this crowd sourcing project.
So is the new logo here to stay? Or will Gap do as Tropicana did last year and go back to its original logo?
Our recommendation would be to admit they made a mistake and keep their blue box and serif font.
A good brand identity should not be messed with.
MEDIA MATTERS: Advice from World-Class Journalists and Intriguing Media Minds
by Paula Lovell on September 27, 2010 | no comments
in News, Uncategorized
Michael Granberry, a native of Dallas, Tex., has been a newspaper reporter since his college days and has covered everything from the assassination of John F. Kennedy to Watergate to the King Tut exhibit in London to the Dallas Cowboys. His career includes stints at the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and The Dallas Morning News, where he is now part of the paper’s GuideDaily and GuideSunday sections, covering arts, culture and entertainment.
Michael has been awarded a Katie by the Dallas Press Club for humor writing, and his piece was a parody of the television show, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. In the same competition, he was also a finalist for best writing portfolio, for his stories on Officer Tippit’s widow; a profile of Fern Holland, an American aid worker slain in Iraq; the “makeover” piece; and his coverage of the 2004 Super Bowl in Houston.
I asked Michael for some nuggets of wisdom about how public relations practitioners can better relate to reporters.
Q. As a leading entertainment and arts writer, are PR people trying to pitch you all the time?
A. I bet I get 1,000 emails a day. Really. I’m not quite sure how all these people get my name, but most of the emails end up in the trash. I have to just constantly click and delete the vast majority. I can’t figure out why they think I’d be interested in covering something that doesn’t have anything to do with Dallas.
Q. The Morning News is a big, important newspaper. Maybe people think of you as a national paper.
A. That’s a mistake. Unless it has a strong local angle, I don’t bother with it. With all the changes occurring in the media, newspapers are focusing more on delivering local news and information. That’s our point of distinction. I might write about an actress in a new TV series out of Los Angeles, but only if the actress is from Dallas or attended school in Dallas or has some other connection. I’ve always been amazed that some PR people don’t do their homework and find the local angles to pitch.
Q. It’s tough to pitch reporters; what kind of PR person has credibility and is worth your listening to?
A. Reporters want someone who facilitates and helps us get information. If I contact someone and they stonewall or aren’t polite, I’m afraid I remember that. I understand there are situations where the PR person doesn’t want a story and doesn’t really want to talk to a reporter….but their job is to be calm, detached and profession. Not rude or hostile. I’m impressed with PR people who are open, direct and will hustle to help me get information and meet a deadline.
Q. You’ve been a reporter since your early days at SMU with the student newspaper in the early 70s. What’s the purpose of the media?
A. Our role seems to be changing, especially in print journalism. We used to feel we needed to be all things to all people no matter the race, creed, gender, age, etc. Now we are a more targeted to our core readers – loyal constituents who tend to be baby boomers. Our role is to serve this group; to enlighten, entertain and inform.
What Jon and Kate Teaches Us About Social Media
by Jessica Turner on June 18, 2009 | 3 comments
in Uncategorized
Confession: I watch Jon and Kate Plus 8. I love it.
Over the past few months, I have found the allegations of cheating and talk of divorce to be sad. And, as a pr professional, I am fascinated by the media’s obsession with this family and the marital discord between Jon and Kate, as well as TLC’s smart marketing of it all.
Today, I signed into Facebook and I saw that Jon and Kate Plus 8 had a message in my feed: “Don’t miss a special one hour all new Jon and Kate Plus 8 with an announcement from the family about their future.”
It had been 16 minutes since this posted.
Guess how many people responded.
More than 1,000 (656 had said they liked the feed and 557 had posted comments). Within five minutes another 100 liked the feed and almost 50 more people had commented.
This is a great example of how people want to be personally involved with a brand. They want to interact, respond and make it a part of their lives.
Facebook, Twitter and other social media tools are making it easier than ever for brands to communicate with their constituents – and the results are significant.
I would bet money that TLC, which broadcasts Jon and Kate Plus 8, is reading every comment, and hitting refresh often on its Facebook page as fans cry out:
OMG
end the show already. we dont want to see a family fall apart
NOOOO!!! I REALLY hope they don’t cancel the show and they don’t get a divorce!!!
And TLC should be paying attention.
It’s now been 33 minutes since the preview was posted – and more than 1,000 people “like this.”
See it for yourself.
Are you paying attention to your company’s online presence and what people are saying about it and you?
Is Levi Johnston “News”? Really?
by Rosemary Plorin on April 15, 2009 | 1 comment
in Uncategorized
My question is really quite simple. I’ve asked it of countless audiences in the last few days – friends, family, clients, strangers, my neighbors, my pastor, my nanny, my doctor:
Is Levi Johnston’s indiscretion on the Tyra Banks Show really “news”?
Everyone (literally, every single person with whom I broached this) agrees: No.
Interestingly, an alarming number of news publications and websites disagree. As of this writing, hundreds of articles and posts have been written about Mr. Johnston’s appearance. As you would expect, the National Enquirer, People and US magazine all jumped on the story. It’s their “beat,” as you might hear in a newsroom.
But I learned of the Johnston interview on CNN, then read about it in USA Today. A quick Google search indicates the Baltimore Sun, Chicago Tribune, Seattle Times, MSNBC,Today Show, and a whole slew of other reputable “news” outlets jumped on this garbage pile.
With our new president making his first trip to Europe, our nation’s economy continuing to swirl in the bowl and the national championship in college basketball on the line, was Tyra Banks’ desperate dig for details of premarital sex in the governor’s mansion really worthy of the pixels, column inches and airtime it received?
All of us have prurient interests – I don’t deny that and don’t want to posture that I am somehow immune. But as traditional news outlets – dare I say (as does James Earl Jones) trusted news outlets increasingly cover talent show outcomes and imprudent celebrity outbursts, who is left to bring us the actual news?
(Before my Father posts a comment below, be assured that Fox News found Johnston as irresistible as did the young Palin.)
You tell me, because I surely don’t know.
