Comments on: We Need a Leader

By: Jennifer Windrum

Jennifer Windrum — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:54:48 +0000

TOTALLY agree Michael. Give them the facts — not fluff. As a former reporter, I can totally attest to that as well. I'm interested in not only PR's ability to adapt, but the media as well. Some journalists have embraced the change, but not enough, in my opinion. jennifer stauss windrumPersonal Contact me: jennifer.windrum

By: Jason Kintzler

Jason Kintzler — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:30:18 +0000

Great post: Andrew Fowler @guhmshoo writes: “How to Kill (Bad) PR” http://bit.ly/aWzDqQ

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:19:19 +0000

Jason, I see we’re thinking along the same lines. I think education is the key and so those of you that hit the lecture circuit on a regular basis are doing important work. That said, I think we need to set some higher standards for the PR profession as a whole by requiring more schooling so that the next generation of PR pros are better equipped to do things differently. I wrote about that yesterday here: http://www.newsvetter.com/2010/04/09/how-to-kill-bad-pr/

By: Jason Kintzler

Jason Kintzler — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:15:31 +0000

@Michael Spot on. Thank you for sharing you insight.

By: Michael Sommermeyer

Michael Sommermeyer — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:10:10 +0000

Speaking from the trenches, leadership comes from below and works its way up. So it’s a matter of taking small steps and adapting to what works. I am deep into media relations, so much so, that producers from TMZ, Dateline, New York Post, etc. call me (Not that its a big deal). I’ll tell you what they want: a good story, fast. They don’t care about photos, podcasts, media clips or the ability to quote from my social media press release. They just want good stories immediately. So you need a good story to earn traditional media placements. Fail in that first step and you might as well hang it up. The traditional media doesn’t need all of the extras that come with a social media press release.Now, if you’re aim is to reach general audiences through alternative media, i.e., social media, then you need a new approach, and I think that’s what you’re attempting to point out. Twenty years ago we all said blasting out press releases was stupid. That hasn’t changed and my opinion has only become more steadfast on that issue. You need to think about placements and target them. If that notion requires a leader then we have been begging for one for a long time.Certainly new approaches are needed and the next generation needs to learn that strategy and tactics will always change. I’m much more interested in seeing PR’s learning how to adapt and develop meaningful plans based on the new paradigms. We are slogging through the adaption to a new paradigm; it’s time to adapt.