For those who toil on the front lines of media relations, it’s easy to drift into a Jim Carrey-like optimism. . PR: “What are the chances that you’ll write about this pitch?” Journalist: “Not good” PR: “You mean not good like one out of a hundred?” Journalist: “I’d say more like one out of a …more
Before addressing the question, let’s consider the high-level objectives of the typical communications campaign. Increase awareness, often in the form of media coverage. Strive to fortify the brand. Of course, the ultimate goal is to win people over to your way of thinking so they “buy.” By this definition, Trump’s unconventional approach to communications has …more
Every person in a consultancy — and not just a PR agency … could be any type of professional services firm — has experienced a client who adds what we’ll call “extra obstacles” to achieving success. It’s not personal (usually). Sometimes, it’s simply a byproduct of the company’s culture. Sometimes, the client’s boss finds comfort …more
When I started this blog almost 10 years ago, it was to be an industry resource, to offer perspectives on issues that those in the business of communications care about. Toward this end, I’ve made a conscious effort to avoid writing about the Agency. At last count, fewer than 10 percent of the posts addressed …more
The plan from Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan to “tinker” with the American healthcare system caused quite an uproar. It’s not every day that Warren Buffett and Jeff Bezos join forces to figure out a way to eliminate those pesky clipboards holding the forms that you fill out every time you make a pit stop …more
It’s not enough that Warren Buffett has become one of the richest men in the world. He’s also a world-class storyteller. If it’s any consolation, he seems to struggle with this Twitter thing, flinging out nine missives since 2013. . Stumbling across Buffett’s Wikipedia profile, which happens to include a citation from one of …more
Based on back-of-the-envelope math, I figure I’ve worked with more than 1,000 client contacts over my career. That’s a lot of people, especially when you factor in that I’m a closet introvert (“solitude, where can I find a slice of solitude?”). Yet, I don’t need a calculator to tell me that Wendy Zajack lands in …more
One of the top VC firms in Silicon Valley, Sequoia Capital, has a message for its portfolio of startups and the rest of the startup community in Silicon Valley: Stop your bellyaching. Get your butt off the couch and back to working 24/7. If you don’t, startups from China are going to take your lunch …more
