Jumping, Jiving June

It really has been in my little corner of the world.  I can't believe we're almost at the end of June and the Portland Performing Arts Festival (PPAF) starts on Thursday, June28th!  The reason the  month has flown for me is that I've been working with PPAF on the PR end of things.  The Executive Director sent me an email with the following:

I have a phone interview this morning ... (newspaper)
I have a live interview slot on public radio monday morning (radio)
sunday's paper would have an overall festival preview (newspaper)
the (other paper)  expects to have a sizable article on Tuesday (newspaper)
we are the cover story in thursdays go section next week (newspaper)
I'm booked on the morning show next Tuesday (TV)
fritz and steven (the eepys) are doing 207 as well next week (TV)
musician live on the show friday next week (radio)
taping musician concert for later broadcast (public TV)

Needless to say we've already had hits in other media but I'm very proud of the work that we've done on getting this much PR for a brand-new festival here.  I had hoped that we'd get a visit from the dance critic from either the New Yorker or the New York Times because of Alison Chase's new company premiering a new show here, but alas not this year.  If you're not familiar with Modern Dance, Chase is one of the co-founders of Pilobolus and one of the greats in the dance world.  It will be interesting to see what all the press amounts to audience-wise.

Make May Marvelous

How did April get past me?  Perhaps I've been busier than I expected doing PR consulting work for Portland Performing Arts Festival, as well as planning to direct a one-act for the Port Fringe theatre festival which happens at the same time as well as a few visual art projects I'm involved with along with finishing up some work on my book - "PR for Artists, Photographers and Other Creatives".   Yes, that was why April flew by.

But here we are in the merry month with our friends at Mashable serving up interesting as always information for you and your business.  With our continued focus on new media, check out their list HERE.  The article I think is the most valuable  in PR terms is this one.

Up here in Portland Maine, the tulips are just about gone.  It's springy in that chilly, rainy way and I'll just bet we get thrust into summer by Memorial Day!

What's New is Old Again

Back in the days before social media, most PR types tried to coordinate their efforts with the marketing folks because PR campaigns will have better traction if they are tied to when ads in a variety of media are airing.  It's the bombardment theory: direct mail advertising, ads in print and radio and TV happening all at the same time will have a greater impact.  Makes sense doesn't it?  Especially when you know that it takes at least seven ads before people actually "see" the ad.  To me this is an indicator that if you can't spend a wad of money on ads, you can at least try to hit as many PR places as possible. 

In this age of social media, the folks over at PR Newswire have come out with a "White Paper" which shows what is old is new again.  I guess one can say that certain human behaviors haven't changed - even when it comes to social media.  I'll bet that other keen observer of human behavior - Shakespeare - would agree.

Social Media - Marketing or PR?

Marketing and Public Relations seem to mingle more on social media.  Sometimes campaigns that companies devise will have elements of both in efforts to expand their customer base.  Here are five
 smart ways that social media helped to boost brand awareness using social media and interactive techniques.  Perhaps they will give you some ideas to more actively use social media in your PR planing.

I'm off on hiatus for the next week and a half.  When I get back, I'm going to be doing some consulting work for the brand new Portland Performing Arts Festival!

Seeing Pink

If you've been reading this blog, or perhaps some of the links that I've posted, you probably know what bad choices The Susan B. Komen Foundation made in their announcement of not funding breast exams at Planned Parenthood.  I'm sure someone told them if they just made the announcement with teh Super Bowl and Presidential primaries getting lead positions in both electronic and print media,  no one would notice.  If my guess is true, you can be sure this person doesn't know much about social media.    Another thing that can be said about this bad, sad PR snafu is that Planned Parenthood was ever gracious in the way they accepted the eventual apology.

The Meaning of Definitions

Sometimes I think there's a little too much  'blah, blah, blah" in our world.  People talking or writing just to hear/see their voices.  Looks like the PR Society of America is also guilty of that according to an article in the New York Times.

I'm not sure that trying to crowd source a definition of  PR is the best of ideas.   Seriously if those at the helm of the only existing national group for PR professionals doesn't even know what they're supposed to be doing because of the influence of social media, maybe it's time for them to go into advertising?  what do you think?

Social Schedules

Mea Culpa my friends for ignoring my PR blog, but I've been in an art frenzy!  Since the end of September, I've been working on art for the Windows show at E Street Gallery in October and for the Center for Contemporary Art Sacramento's satellite gallery at Lumens Design for Living on K Street at 21st Street.  I've been hereat in Sacramento for the closing reception at E Street plus the opening and 2nd Saturday receptions at Lumens.

Now that the heavy lifting is over, time to refocus on other interests - namely PR Insights.  One of the most important things about a good PR campaign is to develop a good schedule and to stay on track.  Not only does that apply to the traditional PR outlets, but to social media as well.  However you really should revamp your schedule to include social media sites as described in this article from entrepreneur. com.