Does PR Get Storytelling? As one way to answer the question, we randomly selected 50 news releases and applied three tests to them. Test #1 We analyzed the use of adjectives and adverbs, often a shortcut to genuine storytelling. If you say you’re great, no one believes you. . On the other hand, sharing a …more
Being the optimistic type, I would describe most company videos as dreadful. Consider what happens when you go to an event, meet a new person and that person launches into a soliloquy of “me, me, and in case you missed it, here’s more about me.” Right. You walk away. Why would a company video be …more
It’s that time of year, prompting me to dust off my favorite birthday card from my granddaughter, Addy. In the spirit of full disclosure, she crafted this card some time ago, and I have posted about it before. Still, if TBS can show “It’s A Wonderful Life” every year on Christmas Day, I figure I …more
I speak at the Mumbrella Conference in Singapore tomorrow, charged with answering the question, “Does PR Get Storytelling?” Obviously, I have my views on the topic. But what about the PR folks on the front line. What do they think? To find out, we surveyed over 400 PR professionals based in Asia pulling from both …more
We launched Hoffman Agensi Indonesia today. It’s worth taking a moment to step back and reflect on our infrastructure. Given our focus on the tech sector — defined broadly as semiconductors, fitness gadgets and everything in between — we don’t need offices everywhere. Instead, our approach has been to make sure we’re in the markets …more
Most of us who toil in business communications tilt toward words. We studied mass communications, journalism or English in college. When we went looking for jobs, our resumes touted writing expertise, not design. Yet, today’s world calls for equal emphasis on the visual side. I’ve always viewed my blog as a laboratory where I can …more
Talk about a mismatch in supply and demand. Thousands of companies strive for feature stories in business publications like Businessweek, Fortune and The Economist. Supply can probably accommodate 1 percent of demand (at the most). So how do you help your company or client be that one in a hundred? Create a pitch that aligns …more
I recognize that I live in this bubble called Silicon Valley where the promise of a better juicer can attract $120 million in venture capital, fail and everyone thinks this is normal. $120,000,000. Is it just me or does that seem like a lot of money down the drain? Of course, there are many Silicon …more
I’ve been collecting potential fodder for a grab bag post for over five months. Now, I have too many possibilities. Here come three vignettes pulled out of the hat. How The Economist Symbolizes Global As business storytelling goes, The Economist lands in my top five. This is a publication that adores the back …more
