|
Wendy Glavin |
Stereotypes and generalizations exist across all industry and demographic sectors. Unfortunately, these attitudes oversimplify, and often, pejoratively classify a group of people, only perpetuating inaccuracies and misinformation.
In Media Influencers May, 2016 Webcast: “Celebrity, Politics and Feeding the Media Beast,” Ronn Torossian, founder and CEO of 5W Public Relations, Doug Simon, founder and CEO of DS Simon Media and Michael Levine, author and Public Relations expert discussed what they learned from the campaigns.
All agreed that Trump has done masterfully well in driving the media cycle by using all the tools. He has been outspent by all the major candidates and demonstrated with a tweet, he controls the narrative.
New Age of Content Pollution
At, “Insights to Action: Improving PR Performance” in July, 2016, Andrew Bowins of Samsung America said we are living in an age of content pollution: With 1.65 Billion people on Facebook monthly; 4 Billion You Tube views per day; 310 Million on Twitter; 400 million active monthly users on Instagram, we need to change and operate in a new world of content pollution.
PR Week reported that journalists are dissatisfied: Of the 95% of journalists who go to a digital newsroom or website once a month, 70% said their expectations are unmet. Reporters cite the biggest problems as, lack of information and access to contacts, lack of access to multimedia content, no easy search solution, outdated information, no media kit with logos, bios and information and sites’ media tools, look and feel.
In terms of PR people, like everyone, some complain, some think they or their clients are misrepresented; some have selective memories about what has been said or reported. However, a vast number of professionals and brands that use PR deliver substantial value with third-party endorsements, enhanced credibility, which builds trust.
What Successful PR Pros Do
Successful public relations professionals conduct in-depth research, collaborate and strategize with their clients to become “the voice” of the company. Learning the client’s business, customers, competition, unique value proposition, media and key influencers takes time, hard work, commitment and passion.
PR is undervalued but the rewards are significant. Obtaining “earned media” provides visibility, credibility and expanded reach, at a fraction of the cost of other types of marketing, digital or advertising investments. It’s a win-win for PR people, companies and the media.
Instead of negative categorizations and unbalanced viewpoints, why not improve on our predecessors’ traditions, acknowledge that we live in a different world, learn and adapt new ways of doing business and help to move the industry forward.
* * *
Wendy Glavin is founder and CEO of WendyGlavin.com, New York. Her 20-year marketing communications, PR, social and digital career includes working for large global corporations, marketing, PR and advertising agencies. She has consulterd for software companies, a publishing firm, and for small businesses and start-ups across numerous industry sectors.
A huge PR opportunity looms for a firm that is willing to take some heat by promoting Immigration & Customs Enforcement... Disgraced New York mayor Eric Adams couldn't wait to make another pilgrimage to Israel to stick it to his successor Zohran Mamdani... Hats off to Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett for writing his always engaging and witty annual reports over the years.
The ADL plans a Mamdani Monitor to track down any whiff of antisemitism from the policies and appointments made by his administration. It should have given him a chance to live up to Election Night promise... Brendan Carr, Alden Global Capital, Alphabet, Meta and Elon Musk make Reporters Without Borders' roster of Press Freedom Predators.
Andrew Cuomo's political career is not dead yet... Steve Bannon says Republicans should learn from Zohran Mamdani and his Working Families Party and Democratic Socialists of America, instead of mocking them... Internet advertising model is on the way out, says Tim Berners-Lee... Gannet rebrands as USA Today Inc. What about its other 200 papers?
Thomas Jefferson warned about the dangers of an imperial president who would deny an election loss in a bid to cling to power. Sound familiar?... Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says reporters don't need his permisson to take a photo of the Pentagon's 9/11 memorial, as long as they are not on the job... Kirkland and Ellison lawyers need some negotiating tips. 
Shareholder activitism is poised to hit an all-time high for 2025... Kamala Harris’ “107 Days” reads like an autospsy of her failed presidential run. Democrats need to look forward, not backward... The Reagan Foundation dishonored The Gipper by providing PR cover to tariff-loving Trump.
