some lessons I've learnt from an online crisis

why a good brand, Chanel, can lose a sale in ten seconds

Media relations is just one spoke in the Public Relations hub

astroturfing: the agency, the competitors and the apology
Before I start, I want to make it clear that I do not have an opinion on this particular case at this stage due to not being able to locate the material in question (despite my best internet trawling efforts). I still however,  feel the issue of astroturfing is an important one to cover. But. As reported this week, this is the story of astroturfing: the agency, the competitors and the apology. First appearing in the West Australian news on 10 November 2009, this  advertisement is pretty full

seanchai: the tradition of storytelling and it’s link to business
A guest post by Gavin Costello (Franksting): @Franksting In Irish tradition, there is the concept of the ‘Seanchaí‘. Basically a storyteller, but also the holder of knowledge i

a marketer’s views on PR: what a load of bollocks
PR is manipulative. We should own them. I don’t trust them. So we’re in general agreement? We take PR with a grain of salt? A PR plan is only worth one page. The dreaded PR should go somewhere in the marketing mix. What’s the cheapest in the marketing mix? PR. You can get free coverage just by sending a media release. You can do it yourself in an hour.

work in PR? You’re the custodian of authenticity
Authenticity is defined as: au·then·tic·i·ty n. The quality or condition of being authentic, trustworthy, or genuine. So, what does this really mean and why is it up to public relations professionals to be the custodians of it? At its most basic

community service or a low way to sell glasses?
I was watching television last night and saw an advertisement which really stood out for me. It stood out because it put me off. This advertisement left me feeling cynical and a little pissed that an organisation who, in the past, has had great success in funny and to-the-point campaigns, was now leveraging fear to sell a product. The ad in question is promoting eye tests at OPSM. But this is how they chose to sell the message: