Comments for Communicators' Connexion

Comment on Get Connected: Texas PR Leadership Day and Gala by Julie B. Fix, APR

Julie B. Fix, APR — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:35:33 +0000

Count me in.

Comment on So, Did Letterman Do the Best He Could to Preserve His Image? by Shannon Bryan

Shannon Bryan — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:21:01 +0000

Letterman performed the classic, “Better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission” ploy. As for his image … he’s a guy who does not follow the “rules” – anyway; therefore, I don’t think it has tarnished his image. Letterman is either a guy you love or hate. It’s that simple.

Comment on Tell me your contest stories by jbfix

jbfix — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:30:11 +0000

Christina, thanks! (I wish you were on the payroll!) Would you have an example of what you’d consider a good critique form that you could share? I received more feedback about that this year than ever, and it’s a legitimate issue I want to address for 2010.

The trick, though, is to not make it too labor intensive for the judges — you know how they so often complain about having to do comments and critiques. I’m thinking, though, we could surely find some sort of numerical scale with space for comments that would provide some worthy feedback, and allow those who wanted to expand with comments room to do so.

Anyone else have ideas?

Comment on Tell me your contest stories by Christina J. Moore, APR

Christina J. Moore, APR — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:48:58 +0000

What makes a contest worth entering? One that’s credible, with a solid reputation. And accurate, to boot. It also doesn’t hurt if the award itself is pretty cool. Like a spur. How many other programs can boast that?!? In short, the Silver Spur/Best of Texas Awards is the one worth entering! And I’m not even being paid to say that.

Why do I believe this so strongly? 1) Because of TPRA’s track record. I’ve never witnessed miscalculations in scores (which I have experienced with other awards programs, unfortunately). 2) Because of the caliber of the judges. ‘Nuff said. 3) Because of the responsive nature of the program to evolving technologies and trends in our field, while remaining true to our roots. You’ll find categories to enter “new” media achievements. You’ll also find numerous writing categories to honor the foundation of our profession. 4) Because of the emphasis on results and evaluation, in addition to clever tactics and implementation. 5) Finally, because of the strength of the competition. If you win a Silver Spur or a Best of Texas Award, it means you truly are the best in our great state.

Having extolled the virtues of SS/BoT, there are just a couple things I’d recommend to improve the program:

• Require the judges to write solid reviews on the scoring sheets, not just a few, pithy comments. Many pay the entry fee expecting to get a serious assessment of their work.
• Compel more recipients to attend the awards ceremony. This should be easy in 2010, when it will be in Austin. The more present to celebrate, the more fun the event – and the better the networking.

Comment on General James W. Hart, Jr. and His Rules for Success by vernell jessie

vernell jessie — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:40:49 +0000

As one who got to sit at the the foot of this master
pr gent, while on the board, this was a beautiful
visit. Jim and Patti are never far from my thoughts.
And to know them is to love and cherish that time
and their continued contribution to our field. What
a blessing this was and I immediately did a check,
check and note “that one” from this list, which was
equal to General Colin Powell’s marching orders.
And he tought me to throw a mean “cast” for a
“fish” at one of our retreats. Love you Jim and Patti.

Comment on General James W. Hart, Jr. and His Rules for Success by Julie B. Fix, APR

Julie B. Fix, APR — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 18:31:51 +0000

As always, we would be very wise to pay attention to what Jim has to say. Although I never had the privilege of working for him, I served with him on the TPRA board and have been the beneificary of both his counsel and his experience.

Keith, thanks for sharing a few of Jim’s “pearls.”

One of my rules for success is: “Follow Jim’s.”

Comment on What is PR? by Gpainter

Gpainter — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:37:21 +0000

I prefer the strategic management definition of PR. Here’s why. In a large organization with thousands of employees, there’s a lot of communicating going on. Letters are written, phone calls are made, meetings are held. This communication may be contributing to an image, but it isn’t PR unless it’s strategically created to address a certain goal.

That said, PR becomes a strategic tool when it’s solving a problem or improving on some deficiency within the organization. PR is changing because the nature of the problems is changing (as well as the tactics we use).

Where’s it going in the future? Where the problems are. What’s the difference between corporate communicators and successful corporate problem solvers? About $100,000 a year. The message: being a good communicator is a given. Solving problems is a gift.

Comment on Where have all the PR Cowboys Gone? by Gpainter

Gpainter — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:18:07 +0000

Great story on Mack Price, Keith. I wish I’d met him. PR was open to cowboys back in the 60s and 70s, but then the media folks they worked with were cowboys (and cowgirls), too. Both professions have changed a lot over the years.

I recall accompanying a contemporary of Mack’s to call on a reporter at the Houston Chronicle in the early 70s. He was out, they said, seeing an old friend in the hospital. My older co-worker assured me we’d find him at the Press Club, back when the Press Club really was a club. It was in a modified space above the Rice Hotel’s parking garage. Away we went, down a rather dark hall of the hotel to a door labeled Press Club of Houston. A key card was inserted and the door opened to the sound of ice in glasses and the murmur of a poker game going on. Low lights, cigarette smoke. Long story short, it was a tough crowd. If you think the camaraderie created by the Press Club’s denizens of the dark gave you a free ride you’d be wrong. The reporter we tracked down very seriously held our company to account. He had asked for some specific details my boss was unable to share. “That’s too bad,” we were told, “but you’ve had enough time.” The story ran, we didn’t like it, but the communication was clear and direct on both sides.

Very different world.

Comment on What is PR? by Mike Wysatta

Mike Wysatta — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:37:12 +0000

I am the culprit, I mean colleague, mentioned in your blog, of course, and thanks for validating my introduction of the Roper theory into the debate. Certainly, one-to-one communication that leads to wider dissemination of a consistent, persuasive, strategic message qualifies as PR. Theory aside, in the real world, PR has always had to fight that misconception that it is sales, schmoozing, etc. I’ve heard it more than once that someone is “taking a client to lunch to do a little PR.” PR practitioners write news releases. Lunch is not considered one of their core activities and they don’t do telemarketing. Yes, telemarketing could be considered PR. But the general public doesn’t understand Roper’s theory and integrated PR. To say telemarketing or doing lunch is PR perpetuates a popular misconception. So while I agree with you, Julie, I choose to narrow my definition so as not to add to the public misunderstanding. Sorry for being a wind bag.

Comment on What is PR? by TOM K. STEWART

TOM K. STEWART — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:09:55 +0000

A LONG ONE SENTENCE TO EXPLAIN WHAT WE DO AND WHY WE DO IT…..

THE GOAL OF PUBLIC RELATIONS IS TO EARN AND MAINTAIN THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE OF AUDIENCES ( PUBLICS), WHOSE BEHAVIOR WILL INFLUENCE YOUR CLIENT’S( EMPLOYER’S) ABILITY TO ACHIEVE ITS GOAL.