Archive: January 2018

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Deconstructing the Storytelling in Budweiser’s Legendary Super Bowl Ad

Communication professionals can learn a ton about storytelling from our advertising brothers. When you’re shelling out $4 million and change to create a single ad, it has a way of tuning one’s senses, a dynamic that typically doesn’t exist when PR crafts a pitch or writes a news release. With this in mind, I wanted …more

The Person Behind “Storytelling for Leaders”

It seems like 90 percent of human beings aspire to: Lose weight Get rich Tell stories Of course, such aspirations bring the purveyors of snake oil. “Hey mister, step into my tent and see how storytelling can change your life.” Yet, there’s a small cadre of storytelling advocates who actually know what they’re talking about. …more

“Show,” Don’t “Tell” Optimizes Storytelling

Business communicators can take lessons away from all forms of storytelling. One of my favorite go-to exercises for our storytelling workshop leans on the movie, “500 Days of Summer.” A voice with James Earl Jones-like command delivers a narration that sets the stage for the movie and what proved to be Zooey Deschanel’s coming out …more

Fake News and a Different Approach by the French (Naturellement)

French President Emmanuel Macron has concluded that government legislation is the antidote for “fake news.” Before going further, it’s worth stepping back and considering what constitutes fake news. I see two components to the equation. First, you have the source. Does the media property practice the tenets of journalism? Does the media property have a …more

Now, Here’s a Media Relations Strategy You Don’t See Every Day

Thailand’s prime minister decided that there was a better way for handling those pesky questions from reporters. At a press event promoting Children’s Day — yes, there’s a holiday in Thailand that encourages children to have fun … that’s an order — Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha deployed a life-sized cardboard cutout of himself. He then …more

Are the Websites from IT Vendors Too Good?

Most IT vendors have come to realize that their websites should be more than gloried product brochures. Yet, the transition has been more evolutionary than revolutionary. Blogs that initially highlighted breakthrough vegan dishes for the cafeteria gave way to communicating perspectives on industry issues. These same blogs transitioned to thought leadership platforms that begot a …more