Why Do We Listen to Movie Critics and How Can You Use That Paradigm in Your Business?

Movies are getting more expensive and before we plunk down $9 for a ticket, and perhaps spend an additional $15 – $20 on popcorn and sodas, most of us first look to see what the critics have to say about the movie we’re planning to see. Read more on using the movie review paradigm in your business →

FindYourPolicy.com, Michael Hartmann, CEO

“We at FindYourPolicy.com would like to thank you for the attention and professionalism that you have shown us throughout our radio campaign. We have had a great time introducing our service and hearing the comments from hosts and audiences alike. We are very pleased with the quality of radio stations that chose to have us on their show and directly attribute that to your hard work. Often times we were told that we are very fortunate to have such a great PR firm such as yours to be representing us. We agree.

We will definitely recommend your firm to others.”  

Best Regards,
Michael Hartmann, CEO
FindYourPolicy.com

Do You Skip the TV Commercials? You’re Not Alone

Why Getting On the Show Is More Important Than Ever

Commercials used to be the time to get up and stretch the ol’ legs, get a snack or let the dog out. Today, they are the signal to hit the fast forward button on the remote.

The advent of Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), often referred to by one of the leading brand names, TIVO, has finally given the viewer a break from the background noise of television advertising. Instead of being screamed at by local car dealers, pitched on the ShamWow or told repeatedly to not squeeze the Charmin, many consumers who subscribe to cable TV these days just zoom past the commercials without ever giving them a second look. Read more on being IN the show, not in the commercial →

Pop Culture Confidential: Life on Planet Tiger

Below is an article on the subject of crisis PR. I am fortunate to have on my PR team Tony Panaccio, a veteran agency PR strategist with specific experience in handling the message and the press when worst case scenarios come true. I asked Tony to write this article and I think you’ll find it interesting and relevant, given the current 24/7 media culture. Enjoy! Read more on Tiger Woods and crisis PR →

PR is the Antidote for Product Invisibility

Learn the PR Way to Get Your Product Some Badly Needed Attention!

A shocking realization occurs to many businesses not long after their product hits the market: they realize their products are invisible. It quickly becomes apparent that consumers simply can’t see their products. That comes as no surprise with hundreds of thousands of new products hitting the market every year!

With this much competition in the marketplace combined with no media coverage, the result is no connection to the buying public. The product hasn’t been discussed on successive talk radio shows or seen on TV. Neither has there been any newspaper coverage nor conspicuous product reviews in popular publications. Read more on why PR is the antidote for Product Invisibility →

Are You Paying Your PR Firm To Develop Their Strategy For Your Campaign?

Why “Strategy” Is One of The Biggest Boondoggles in PR

Good marketing people never do anything without a plan. That’s a given.

So, it stands to reason that good PR people shouldn’t embark on a program without a plan. The question is, how much should a client pay a firm for that plan? Read more on PR firms developing strategy for your campaign →

Why Getting Published Will Help Your Business

You know what hard work is. You’ve put in the long hours, worked late into the night, done more working than eating during the lunch hour—all to ensure the success of your business.

You may be thinking about what else you can do to get the news of your products or services more broadly known within your target market. Or, you might be brainstorming future steps to expand your business and make it even more successful. Read more on how getting published can help your business →

Issues Today Host Bob Gourley Interviews Marsha Friedman

Host Bob Gourleyof Issues Today Radio Network, interviews Marsha Friedman.

Click here to listen to interview.

In An Uncertain Economy, When It Comes to Your Marketing, Be Certain About This…

After one of the worst periods for sales in retail history, some of the largest retailers in the country are saying that this year they are going to work harder than ever at increasing sales while trying to contain marketing expenses, according to a Dow Jones story that ran this morning.

Their solution? The Internet.

“We’re looking at how we can be more targeted in how we talk to our customers,” said Barbara Hagen, senior marketing director for brand strategy and communications at Best Buy Inc., who was speaking at the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York City on Sunday. She described marketing tactics designed to increase their visibility and drive people to their Web site to buy online or head to their retail locations. “It’s also a way of increasing loyalty and retention.” Read more

What’s a Tiger to Do? What Tiger Woods Should Do with the Media to Rehabilitate His Image

It’s not easy being Tiger Woods today. His personal life is a shambles, his family is shattered and his public image is DOA. While it’s easy to feel absolutely no sympathy for the golden boy whose sins cost him dearly, we need to remember something important.

Tiger Woods is not an individual. He is a $100 million marketing corporation that provided for the livelihoods of marketing people, advertising professionals and consumer product manufacturers – not to mention the business of golf itself. Without Tiger’s ability to drive endorsements and commercial viability, many people may even lose their jobs and some firms may be forced to cut back.

So, what could Tiger Woods possibly do to control the devastation of his image? Well, the simple truth is that he is way beyond damage control. The goal posts on his potential rehabilitation have been moved a few thousand yards away from its original line of scrimmage. The best he can hope for now is to set up a comeback a year or more down the line. Read more