CNN's iReport New Channel For Savvy PR Pros

As you may know CNN purchased, revamped and re-launched a citizen journalist site called iReport.com, which is basically YouTube for news where people can submit their videos, photos and even fully-edited news stories, complete with citizen-anchors, fancy graphics and investigative reports. In BETA-form for the past few months, it seems the site is now locked and beginning to pick up some steam with more than 100,000 news stories submitted.

The submissions are uncensored and unverified, unless they are selected to appear on CNN, in which case some fact-checking is done. When a submission is selected, it is stamped with an "On CNN" label so viewers know that it was picked up.

Some have criticized the site as a contradiction of CNN's reputation as a trusted name in news and have suggested that libel and defamation suits could come from harmful submissions. For instance, says the Wichita Eagle, while you're out of town, someone who means you harm goes to your house, posts one of those "Sex Offender Lives Here" signs and does a feature story about the problems neighborhoods run into in such situations. Your enemy puts it -- unverified by anyone -- on iReport.com, where the entire world has access to it courtesy of CNN. And if it's done properly, every time anybody Googles your name, guess what they discover about you.

A rather paranoid assumption in my view, but I suppose I just don't consider myself as someone who has enemies -- especially anyone who would go so far as to create a fake news story about me. Besides, the scenario suggested by the Wichita Eagle could easily occur via YouTube or Google Video without the help of user-gen news sites.

CNN executives acknowledge that iReport.com's openness is something of a departure for a news organization that prides itself on accuracy and editorial judgment. But citizen-reporting has become increasingly popular and in many cases has even proved beneficial in the reporting of breaking news. (Some of the most compelling footage from last April's shootings on the Virginia Tech campus came from the 420 user-gen video clips CNN received, while last year's California wildfires yielded more than 11,000 submissions.)

It's also important to note that iReport is not entirely new. Sites like Fox News' uReport, MSNBC's FirstPerson, ABC's i-Caught have been operating in largely the same way for quite some time now and there haven't been any defamation lawsuits filed to-date.

For PR pros, these kinds of sites are super cool as we now have a new channel through which to distribute news about our clients, including speaking engagement highlights and new product launches/demos, a practice already seen on YouTube and Google video. Although, I would strongly advise you use caution when creating these reports, as deceptive tactics will most assuredly result in flamed comments and damage to the brand. PR-generated reports should be identified as such, just as we would identify ourselves in a video press release. If you approach citizen-news sites with the same creativity and complete transparency as any good news announcement, you should come out strong - and your product demo might even get picked up by the sponsoring media group.

-- my two cents

Will Mainstream Media Morph Into Blog-Form For Good?

We've spent a lot of time here discussing blogger credibility and journalistic integrity. A pal sent me a link today to a medical skepticism blog called Neurologica Blog in which the author, Dr. Steven Novella rants a bit about poor science journalism.

This is not a new topic for me as this particular pal, Patrick, often points out poorly sourced science or medical news; a specific annoyance for him is the mention of a study with no details about how the study was conducted. Fair point, too, because let's face it, a study of 10 subjects is hardly as significant as one with 1,000. As is the case with most things, truth lies in the details.

Anyway, Patrick sent me to Dr. Novella's blog because of a particular post in which the mainstream press got it wrong and the good Doctor concluded with this comment:

"Perhaps the news editors thought this was not a “science” story but a “human interest” (i.e. fluff) piece. That may help explain the gross journalistic incompetence, but it does not excuse it. The bottom line is that they got the story wrong and misinformed the public.

Mainstream journalism is slowly dying in the age of the internet. This will probably lead to bloggers (or whatever comes after blogs) largely filling the gap. But if journalists want to maintain their central position in news reporting they are going to have to do a better job."

In Patrick's email to me, he said: Made me think of something you said quite a while back. Funny, at the time you said it I thought, "really?"

Patrick, is referring to my long-held belief that soon we will see more "old school journalism" in bloggers than in mainstream media. A belief, that is often poorly received in PR circles. In fact, when I raised this point on a PR panel about eighteen months ago, I thought folks were gonna rush the stage in protest! But, I still stand by it. Bloggers are breaking stories that a lot of traditional media simply aren't investigating. And, it's not just in politics, bloggers are breaking news about major corporations that mainstream media later pick up on. (In some cases, the timeliness of a blogger's post can give savvy investors a leg up over the general market as was the case with Best Buy's VC news.)

Now, let me be clear, I do not favor bloggers over major media. Both channels have their pros and cons. But, I think we can all attest to some sloppiness in traditional media reporting lately. And, I agree with Dr. Novella. Some traditional reporters need to re-establish themselves as the first and best source of news. I think it can be done. But, the question now is simply, will it?

In my recent post, I referenced a study indicating that a full 95% of the top 100 US newspapers now offer reporter blogs (much to the chagrin of Mark Cuban). So, it really makes me wonder if we will simply see major media morph into blog-form. With those figures, it is a possibility. And, really, a New York Times blog still carries the same cache as a New York Times editorial. The only difference is formatting and editorial hierarchy.

I'm not suggesting newspapers will go away. But, I do wonder if the move toward blogs will change how they are packaged online. Kind of like when MTV launched and suddenly the packaging of music changed to style over substance; the look of the band had a greater impact on their success than the talent behind them because of visual medium of MTV. I wonder if the packaging of online news will simply shift to blog-form.

In the meantime, I do hope major media — especially those who cover medical and science news that can impact people’s health — will take greater measures to accurately source, fact-check and re-check their stories.

-- my two cents

New Stats on Reporters, Blogs & How They Are Used

Although I still run into people who think bloggers are just guys sitting around in their mother's basements posting their rants in between games of Dungeons and Dragons, studies continue to show that the blogger demographic is more educated, more knowledgeable, and more relevant to our everyday lives than ever before.

As Mark Cuban learned a few months ago, an increasing number of reporters are blogging today. In fact, according to a study by the The Bivings Group, a full 95% of the top 100 US newspapers now offer reporter blogs (up from 80% in 2006), while 58% of the top 100 magazines provide blogs.

And, it's not just blogs helping people voice their opinions, it's the comments on the blogs. I've certainly enjoyed reading debates and discussions in the comments here and have used other Blog's comments sections to drive site traffic.

We all know that bloggers break stories these days -- from Rathergate, which led to Dan Rather's early retirement from CBS to the Albert Gonzales scandal, bloggers are at the forefront. And, certainly in January Target learned that major media follow the lead of bloggers. But, a recent study indicates that reporters use blogs less as a news source and more as a way to connect with readers and check up on competition.

In a survey of US journalists by PR Week, PR Newswire and Millward Brown, 57.7% of respondents said they used blogs to measure sentiment, 51% used them to gauge how their competitors were covering stories, and 38.7% of respondents used blogs as a mechanism to dig up sources.

Nearly 40% of journalists scouring blogs for story ideas is still quite significant. And, based on my conversations with reporters and my study of story timelines (from boards to blogs to major media), I think those numbers are low. Bottom line, blogs, micro-blogging, social bookmarking and really all social media is still in its infancy and I think we are only just beginning to see the total impact this will have on our clients, our audiences and our profession.

-- my two cents

More Journalists Ban PR Pros: How to Avoid the Blacklist

Okay, I know what I'm about to say is blasphemy in our world, but I agree with the recent reports of journalists blacklisting PR professionals. (Go ahead, grab your pitchforks and light your torches.) I agree because I've had enough reporter-pals share these SPAM-pitches with me to know how frustrating it is. Pitches with all caps shouting ad messages; misspelled names; identical emails sent to 5 people at the same publication; a technology story sent to someone on a real estate beat...it goes on and on.

For those who might be unaware of the uproar, there has been a flurry of reporters to officially blacklist individual PR pros and, in some cases, entire agencies because of this kind of activity. The most recent complaints have come from Gina Trapani, editor of Lifehacker, who published a PR blacklist of domain names from firms that had sent her SPAM-like pitches. Blogger Matt Haughey also joined the fray, complaining about an endless stream of PR SPAM and Wired magazine's editor-in-chief, Chris Anderson, shared similar frustrations last year. Todd Defren of PR Squared, one of the blacklisted firms, published an open letter of apology to Gina and other offended journalists hoping to get back in their good graces.

So, here's my inevitable two cents on the subject. Media pitching has always been a delicate art, made even more so by the explosive number of targets and tactics available to us. It's so easy to forget that for every one reporter, there are thousands of us vying for their attention. Seriously, think about how often you pitch reporters, now multiply each one of those emails and phone calls by oh, I dunno, 50,000 and maybe you get an idea of the numbers we're talking about.

So, here's my advice to avoid the SPAM-pitch.

Think like a writer. So often we forget that reporters & bloggers are writers. And, what does every writer need? Characters. Conflict. Resolution. Emotion. Every story has these. How did the company leaders meet? What problem does the product solve? What challenges were overcome to get where they are now? There is a story in there, I promise. Find it and pitch that instead of the company or product.

Think like a reader. So, you've got your characters and story-line. Now ask yourself, is this something I would read? Would this capture my interest? If not, go back to the beginning and find out why; what's missing? Where is the heart? What was the ah-ha moment that started it all?

Tailor to your target. Know what your target media writes about and tailor your story to them. Blasting out a bunch of press releases or the same pitch to hundreds of reporters will never get you a real story. Maybe, at best, you'll get a couple of minor hits. But, if you want a real narrative, you need to make it personal.

Be Brief! This is especially important when considering the volume of pitches media get. The goal of a pitch is to get a reporter's attention not to provide an epic thesis on every possible angle or idea relating to the product. You want to simply demonstrate the potential for good ink. Journalists & bloggers know their craft and they can read between the lines of your pitch to see the bigger picture.

It's not always about you and your needs. Our job is to make reporters' jobs easier and sometimes that excludes our clients. When I hear about a story that I know Joe Journalist will love, I tell him about it. It doesn't matter that it has no relation to any clients on my roster. I am building a relationship with Joe that will pay off in the long run. These guys get enough self-serving emails/calls every day. Toss them something that serves only them and they will remember you for it.

So, let's redeem ourselves here folks. Get creative. Get writing. And remember sell the story, not the product.

-- my two cents

Big Oil's PR Campaign to Win Us Over

The Washington Post just ran a story that is straight out of a Christopher Buckley novel.

"Big Oil" has launched an aggressive new PR campaign aimed at reminding consumers the oil companies are on our side. According to the article, the American Petroleum Institute, which is the industry's main lobby, “has embarked on a multi-year, multi-media, multi-million-dollar campaign, which includes advertising in the nation’s largest newspapers, news conferences in many state capitals and trips for bloggers out to drilling platforms at sea.”

The current talking points emphasize the idea that rising energy prices are not the producers' fault and that government efforts to punish the industry, especially with higher taxes, would only make pricing problems worse. "We decided that if we didn't do something to help people understand the basics of our industry, we'd be on the losing end as far as the eye could see," said Nick Naylor, er, I mean, Red Cavaney, the American Petroleum Institute's spokesman.

The campaign is well-timed with Democratic congressional leaders proposing an energy plan this week that would eliminate billions of dollars of tax breaks for oil companies and impose a tax on windfall profits.

What's intriguing about this campaign is how the oil lobby is connecting with local media who, let's face it, don't get courted very much anymore. According to the article, state capitals are the backdrop for photo opps and local television stations are being granted one-on-one access normally reserved for nationals. The result: prominently placed, upbeat 30-second local news segments after each visit.

Likewise, a lot of the oil lobby's outreach has been online. The institute said it invited bloggers to Shell's facilities in New Orleans and then took them to visit the offshore platform Brutus. The same month, the institute also brought bloggers to Chevron's offices in Houston and its Blind Faith platform under construction in Corpus Christi, Tex. (These names really are Buckley-esque: Blind Faith?! Wow.) There are more tours in the works.

It will be interesting to see how the bloggers -- typically known for being impervious to spin -- report on the Institute's findings. So far, Cavaney has said his group's efforts have produced "a very different conversation" about energy, but that the job is not nearly finished.

-- my two cents

P.S. If you read my blog and you don't know Buckley, you are doing yourself a great disservice. Scroll down to the Favorite Novels section on the left and check him out. He and Max Barry are two authors you should know!

Movie Is a Great Study of PR and Damage Control

I saw a documentary film this weekend that is, among other things, a terrific study of publicity/journalism, damage control and the natural life-cycle of a story.

The movie is called My Kid Could Paint That and it follows the story behind a 4 year old and her artwork.

Not only is it a great film and one which will undoubtedly leave you debating and discussing its conclusion, it also should be watched by everyone in our field.

The issues of media access and strategic planning in terms of owning the angle, damage control, and the natural arc of a story (i.e. where will the story go after initial coverage) are wonderfully illustrated.

I don't want to give away spoilers, so I will leave it at that. But, take a look! (I saw it On Demand but it's also available on NetFlix and in most DVD rental spots). Once you've seen it, drop me a line because I'd love to discuss the PR aspects in detail.

WATCH TRAILER.

-- my two cents

When Marketing Becomes PR

I’ve been asked a lot lately about the blurring lines between marketing and PR. It’s certainly true what was once a clear and distinct difference is now more of a hazy smudge and (of course) I have a theory as to why.

In traditional marketing, you speak directly to the customer.

In traditional PR, you speak to the customer through the media.

But, today, the customer IS the media.

Today, the customer is out there reporting on his experiences with your brand. Perhaps, he's writing a blog about a new laptop. Maybe, she's scrawling on a Facebook wall about a PDA; or making a video for YouTube documenting the purchase of a first car. Maybe your customer is posting on boards about walking out of a home improvement store because she couldn’t find a single person on the floor to help her despite pressing that useless call button for assistance! (I’m just saying it could happen.)

Bottom line, customers are online telling the story behind their brand experience. And, isn’t that what PR is all about? Getting others to tell the story you want.

Look at viral campaigns. Mainstream media, bloggers, and the average customer make viral marketing work because they report on it. They're not just talking about the product; they're talking about how they learned about the product and the marketing concept behind it (including the pitching style of publicists.) The campaign itself becomes the story.

Because of this, it has never been more important for marketers and PR pros to converge strategies and allow one tactic to feed the other, to blend into each other, creating news that stands on its own; news that spawns more news as the campaign grows.

We need to embrace this convergence and speak to the customer the way we would a reporter -- give them a story to tell. We need to engage the customer in the brand and make the journey of the purchase as much the story as the purchase itself. Because like it or not, it already is.

-- my two cents

AngryJournalist.com Lets Reporters Blow Off Steam Anonymously

In the 1976 classic Network, journalist Howard Beale shouted the now famous, line "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!" Well, it seems the sentiment still rings true today.

I’ve spent a lot of time here talking about blogger credibility, traditional media jobs changing or disappearing altogether, and the art of PR/MARCOM strategy stepping up with the web, but I haven’t really lent a voice to the genuine frustrations of today’s traditional journalist. Well, never fear, according to the worldwide news agency AFP, there is a new web site, which allows disgruntled, frustrated, and even enraged reporters to blow off a little steam anonymously. (Warning, some of the posts contain profanity.)

The site, which is really just a giant message board, is a terrific glimpse into the real annoyances, resentments and disappointments of traditional journalists today.

Some examples:

"I hate the fact that print and online can't work together! Come on, online is the future, so please have some respect for the webeditors!" says Angry Journalist #700.

"I’m angry I got plagiarized by a blogger, and that other bloggers picked up 'his' story … Why do readers think that some guy in his boxers sitting on his mom’s couch can give them better news? It must come back to the fact that news organizations have done such a poor job, due to layoffs, mismanagement, and outsourcing customer service, that the average reader really can’t tell the difference anymore," says Angry Journalist #2927.

Angry Journalist #2914 reflects a different perspective: "As a blogger who became a professional journalist, I’m still angry at publications using blogs for research and never giving credit where it’s due."

"I’m not angry, I refuse to be angry," said # 2900. "I am however disappointed that our noble profession has become a joke and real journalists are pushed aside. Why didn’t we catch Hillary’s Bosnia lie the moment it was spoken? Why didn’t we find Obama’s racist mentor first? Why didn’t we question the campaign finances of McCain? Why not challenge Al Gore’s hypocrisy? Or give equal time to legit scientists who challenge him? Why not look into who gave CBS a forged a memo? Why not challenge George Bush on his pre-war claims? I’m disappointed that the media has become lazy and nobody investigates anymore. The internet and bloggers are better at uncovering information than media. We’ve lost the respect of the people, and will have to regain it."

AFP scored an interview with AngryJournalist.com's creator, Kiyoshi Martinez, 23, who worked as web editor for Chicago area community newspapers. He told them he was disappointed about the direction of the industry and launched his website after reading a study on burnout among newspaper journalists.

Steve Outing, a columnist for the trade publication Editor and Publisher, said news executives should pay attention to angryjournalist.com. "Things get said on this website that otherwise would not get said -- other than perhaps at the neighborhood bar to co-workers or at home with a spouse," he wrote in his column last month. "I can't help but think that this is a good thing for the news industry."

I think PR pros should also pay attention. So often we forget, it's our job to make journalists' jobs easier. Reading about the things that most frustrate them will only help us to do that.

Meanwhile, in keeping with my previous post about journalists moving to the “dark side” of marketing/communications, Martinez now works as a communications specialist for the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus, and is reportedly happy to have left journalism, earning more money and more vacation in a better working environment.

“I'm having a blast," he said.

Credit to: AFP, worldwide news agency and Brietbart.com

The Press Release Is Not Dead, It Has Evolved

I saw today that someone on Linked In asked if press releases are dead. As usual, it sparked quite a debate just as it has among PR pros for years. (Google "news release is dead" to see one such debate, which includes the notion that Facebook Walls have replaced the release.) With that in mind, I figured I’d toss out my usual two cents on the subject.

Allow me to state unequivocally: the press release is not dead, quite the opposite, in fact. A solid release can be one of the most useful tools you have if you think strategically and write efficiently.

The value of a good release:

They can deliver significant SEO in driving traffic to your site.

They have a long shelf life within search engines and aggregate sites.

They are still widely used by vertical trades.

They are sometimes reprinted in their entirety, ensuring your message gets out (particularly online).

If your news is of national or international significance, you will get the word out fast.

Consider that a web search can return sites featuring customer complaints. The more you can stock engines with positive news via releases, the better first impression you can make.

A steady stream of releases ensures spider-friendly content that will enhance your page rank.

Online releases can include rich media (videos, podcasts, etc.) which will only further optimize your place among engines and get your message out.

It’s not just for media anymore. Through search engines, consumers now have access to press releases, especially if your headline is “findable.”

Price is no longer a factor. The days of BW and PRN owning all release distribution are gone. Free distribution sites like PRWeb, PR.com and 24/7 are just as effective.

It's in the way that you use it.

We've all heard the adage that people don't read stories, they read headlines. Well, the same is true for a search engine. A good release has a "findable" headline, using only the words that give you a postive ranking. Tools like Google AdWords Key Word and WordTracker are very useful in ensuring you are optimizing every phrase.

Keeping it brief is more critical than ever as some search engines will not accept a release containing more than 500 words (and reporters will appreciate it too!)

The same is true for links. Too many links in a release could be considered spam and will subsequently be denied by search engines. A good rule of thumb is one link for every one hundred words.

Of course, it’s important to remember that a press release is merely a tool and it will never replace one-on-one pitching. Media want a scoop; they don’t want the same news that everyone else is getting. Oftentimes careful, targeted media pitching can be more effective than a mass distributed release. It all depends on the news, the target audience, timing and your end goal.

But for now, I say long live the optimized release!

-- my two cents

Tony Stewart Puts Goodyear in a PR Tailspin

"Goodyear can't build a tire worth a crap," said driver Tony Stewart on Sunday at the Atlanta Speed Motorway about new tires the NASCAR sponsor created specifically for the race. "The tires were made with a harder material so they would not wear down, but that made handling difficult,” said Ed Clark, president of Atlanta Motor Speedway. “Issues with the handling made drivers more cautious and the race less exciting and that disappointed fans.”

A video of Stewart vowing to “go home and take everything that has Goodyear on it off and put Firestones on to feel a lot safer” has been circulating YouTube and fan sites today. Not exactly the kind of result Goodyear expected after paying millions to be the exclusive NASCAR tire sponsor.

So far, there’s only been a non-comment comment from Justin Fantozzi, marketing manager for Goodyear Motorsports who said, "We don't make decisions for any reason but to provide the safest tire."

While it's good to distance themselves from Stewart’s comments. (Directly addressing Stewart would only flame the fire.) With other drivers now joining in the complaints, I'd say Goodyear should quickly explain the specific problem the drivers were having and describe how it will be fixed. Take responsibility. Then action. And, move on.

As far as the success of their sponsorship goes, William Pate, president of marketing at Career Sports & Entertainment in Atlanta, said “NASCAR fans are a loyal lot. Studies show 70 percent buy products associated with the sport and there's a huge gap between second place. It will be interesting to see what comes next."

Added Note: I just want to give props to Jerry Edwards who posted this idea in the comments section: "They should hire Tony as a consultant. He uses their product to make a living. Who better to give Goodyear the guidance they need to make a tire that delights its customers. " I love this idea. Great hay could be made.

-- my two cents

Mark Cuban Bans a Blogger from Maverick's Locker Room

As we continue debating media access for bloggers, an ironic twist has come into play. Mark Cuban, a blogger himself, banned a blogger from the Maverick's locker room for having too much media credibility! Now there is a first!

Tim MacMahon, who writes a blog for the Dallas Morning News was denied entry to the Maverick's locker room over the weekend because of a new policy refusing access to writers whose "primary purpose is to blog."

On his blog today, Cuban says he's not coming down on the citizen journalist. He's calling out traditional media who send in bloggers, instead of feature writers, to get a jump on media companies that don't blog.

"What I didn't like was that the Dallas Morning News was getting a competitive advantage simply because they were the Dallas Morning News. Some out there will take this as my not 'liking' blogs. Ridiculous. its the exact opposite. What I don't like is unequal access. I'm all for bloggers getting the same access as mainstream media when possible. What I'm not a fan of is major media companies throwing their weight around thinking they should be treated differently."

The Dallas Morning News, however, claims this new ban is aimed at MacMahon, whom the paper says was asked to leave the locker room on February 29th after posting a piece that was critical of coach Avery Johnson. MacMahon has been blogging about the Mavericks for the Morning News since 2006.

Banned For Too Much Journalistic Credibility
Usually organizations ban bloggers for not having enough traditional media cred. But denying a major-media-backed blogger just because the Dallas Morning News could publish a story first? Well, that would be like telling TV networks they can't cover an event because they'd scoop print reporters. Or denying CNN an interview because 24/7 broadcasting gives them an unfair advantage over the networks!

Technology changes the game. Always has. Always will. Those who play smart, win. Certainly Mark Cuban, the man who created Broadcast.com, understands this. And, considering that bloggers have been beating traditional media to the punch for years now. Perhaps turnabout should be fair play here.

-- my two cents

Turn Economy Woes Into PR Lemonade

Consumer watchdog group, Conference Board reported this morning the consumer confidence index has plunged to the lowest point since the onset of the Iraq war in 2003, while wholesale inflation surged to the highest yearly rate in a quarter-century, indicating the threat of recession continues to grow stronger.

A Change in Cultural Mindset
With home prices down an additional 9% and a continued credit crunch, consumers are pinching pennies, beginning with luxury items like Starbucks, bottled waters and entertainment. According to Ian Shepherdson, Chief U.S. Economist, "whether a household earns $200 or $200,000 a year, families are cutting back in small ways that will have a major impact long term ... Small cuts can have a big effect on the economy. If cutting back becomes a cultural mindset, it can be very hard to turnaround.”

USA Today reported an informal survey on how some folks are cutting back already, interviewing people who brew their own coffee instead of going to Starbucks or who eat peanut butter out of the jar instead of expensive protein bars. The article also includes interesting quotes from trendswatchers with funny names:

Watts Wacker says, "The new status isn't how much you've got, but your ability to show what you don't spend. This is a seminal moment. It's not a fad that will die out when the economy picks up."

"For years, we had the opposite. It was all about keeping up with the Joneses. Now, the Joneses are starting to cut back," says Ellie Kay.

And trends guru Faith Popcorn adds, "It's cooler not to spend."

Not All Bad News For the Creative PR Pro.
Much like the trend in healthy junk food alternatives (as if anything at McDonald’s can really be healthy), smart strategists can turn this shift in our spending to a brand loyalty advantage.

As does nearly everything in my life, this situation reminds me of a movie: Mr. Mom. Remember when Teri Garr convinces the big tuna fish client to announce they will cut back on their prices because they support their customers in these trying economic times? We support your need to support your family. Cue the national anthem.

Well, as funny as those scenes were, there is a solid strategy behind that idea. The message of being "on your side" is one that can foster long-term loyalty.

Clearly Starbucks is looking ahead as they’ve already launched $1 regular coffees and free refills in select stores to combat their first decline in sales since they launched. I imagine we’ll see more and more strategies aimed at winning over the customer with lower prices or by simply comparing their brand to pricey alternatives.

Not Just a B2C Play, B2Bs Can Pick Low-Hanging Fruit.
Many companies are putting vendors on hiatus, or cutting ties altogether, as they attempt to brace themselves for the worst. According to B2B Magazine, companies are seeking more creative ways to achieve goals, particularly in marketing and PR. There is a lot of low-hanging fruit to be picked by those who can offer less expensive new media alternatives to marketing and promotion.

My former employer used to call me “The Bright Side” because I always seek the good news in any given situation. Well, the good news here is I believe smart strategies that speak to the times can win loyalties that might not otherwise be achieved.

-- my two cents

Polk Awards: A Blogger and a Slain Editor Among Those Honored

The 2007 George Polk awards, informally known as the “Golden Globes of Journalism,” have been announced. Interestingly, a blogger (!) Joshua Micah Marshall of Talking Points Memo, was among those honored for his reporting on the US Attorney scandal that brought down Alberto Gonzales. Given my last post, this is an exceptional move toward accepting bloggers as real media.

Also noteworthy is the bittersweet recognition for slain editor Chauncey Bailey who was ambushed and shot while investigating the Black Muslim splinter group, Your Black Muslim Bakery. Seven men were arrested after Bailey's shooting on charges including fraud and kidnapping after a raid on the bakery. A bakery handyman has been charged in the slaying and is awaiting trial. A true hero, Bailey led a 37-year career in investigative journalism. Click here for more information on Bailey the story that cost him his life.

And, here for a complete list of Polk winners. Congratulations to all!

-- my two cents