Branding and Marketing in the Economic Recession

In yesterday's e-mail blast from PRSA Issues and Trends, there was a pretty neat article from AdvertisingAge. It talked about all different kinds of products and how well (or not well) they're doing marketing themselves through their advertisements. Brands included Bounty, Wendy's, Xbox and GM.

Here are some tips from the article:
DO:
- Offer consumers assurance
- Make sure your ads are aggressive
- Be innovative with your product
DON'T:
- Be without a unique message
- Ignore brand-oriented ads

You can read the entire article here.

How Do You Get Attention?

Last week was a very busy week for me. I helped with the opening of Philadelphia Vision Center's new location, and both PRowl account teams did promos at First Friday! You may not think that eye wear has anything to do with First Friday, but that it just not the case.

Both events that I worked at used flyers to gain the attention of the target audience. Flyers are tricky, because you never know if people are going to take them. Usually I try to use a couple different strategies when giving out flyers. Here are some that I used last week:

1. Say the two or three most important words. For example, "Eye wear coupons!" or "Discounts on Tickets!" Many people, especially in this economy, want to save some money, so if you're offering a discount make sure you tell them!

2. Ask a question. For example, "When was the last time you had your eyes checked?" "Have you ever heard of the Rebecca Davis Dance Company?"

3. Just hand a flyer out when they are walking by. Sometimes there is no time to say anything!

Does anyone have good tips for getting attention while you're handing out flyers? Let us know!

Public Relations Podcasts

As much as I love social media, I've never gotten into listening to podcasts. In fact, it was only last month that I listened to my first podcast. I'm still trying to get the hang of it, but I know that many PR professionals swear by podcasts to keep up with the latest industry news.

Barbara Nixon, a professor at Georgia Southern University who I admire and follow on Twitter asked her PR class to listen to a PR or social media podcast, and to blog about what they got out of it.

She left her class with a list of suggested podcasts.

With Barbara's recommendations, I decided to listen to a bit of Inside PR Podcast. I really enjoyed my experience, and am definitely considering checking out some more of Barbara's recommendations.

So, now I ask you: What's your favorite PR or social media podcast? What do you get out of listening to them?

Philadelphia: the city of bRotherly love

Public Relations in Philadelphia is more than just some corporate, money-hungry, entertainment industry, people really seem to love PR in Philly. Everyone’s typical Public Relations dream is to do PR for George Clooney or P-Diddy (or whatever his name is now), hell it was even my dream, it was the reason I picked Public Relations as a major. But when I look at the professionals and students that I meet in Philadelphia every day, everyone seems to be passionate about the basics of Public Relations; the writing, the honesty and planning, not just the glitz and glamour. Sure, everyone wants to be successful at what they do, but does it have to be in the typical “Hollywood” fashion?

Recently, I met a public relations professional who has been working in the non-profit industry for twenty years in Philadelphia. Most people would think of this as hell, but not her. I was astonished at her passion when she spoke about her career and the satisfaction she receives out of doing something she loves every day. And I began to realize that every story I‘ve heard of PR professionals in Philadelphia has began to reshape the way I think about Public Relations. And then it clicked, wow I finally know what it means to be successful = happiness! Once you are happy and content with your career, you have become successful, so simple, yet I never would have though.

A lot of people I know who are in New York for school automatically think that their lives will be great because they will be thrown into corporate PR and make tons of money and work for the stars. Now that I think of it, I would never want to be in that type of environment. It would take out the fun and passion of PR and push in stress and hatred! I love PR and if New York PR is what determines “successful” PR, than I want to be an “unsuccessful” PR professional living in Philadelphia, working for whatever I am passionate about and living happily. Call me crazy but I think happy is the way to be! Public Relations is steadily growing in Philadelphia with tons a great people and ideas, my hopes are high that we will change the way people look at PR rather than turn into another city corrupted by fame.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations firm staff member, Olivia Ragni. Follow her on Twitter: @oliviaragni

Shadowing PR Practitioners

When I attended Careers 101 hosted by PPRA last week, several opportunities to shadow a PR practitioner were given out as raffle prizes. Although I did not win one of these chances, Bill Larson, who was one of the professionals available to be shadowed, advised me to not let that deter me from taking advantage of shadowing opportunities.

As someone who is interested in the competitive field of sports public relations, I realize the difficulty in entering the field. Bill Larson suggested that even though I may not have had the fortune to win a shadowing day with a professional, I should contact a practitioner in the sports field to ask if he or she would be willing to let me shadow him or her for a day.

Although I have not yet worked or interned in the sports public relations field, it would be valuable to be able to follow a practitioner to learn about his daily duties and responsibilities. This would provide insight as to what I may encounter should I choose to work in sports public relations. Not only would I acquire this useful information, but I would also gain a valuable contact.

Do whatever you can to get knowledge and experience in the field you hope to enter. Pick up the phone, preferably, or send an e-mail inquiring as to whether a practitioner would be willing to let you shadow them for a day. What is there to lose?

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations firm staff member, Evan Nicholson. Follow her on Twitter: @evannicholson

PRowl Public Relations at First Friday

Have your fingers crossed that the weather holds up in Philadelphia tonight! Being the first Friday night in April, Old City should be loaded with art enthusiasts, wine connoisseurs, and well – everybody!

PRowl Public Relations will be going double time tonight representing our clients the Rebecca Davis Dance Company and Ursula’s about PHace.

For the Rebecca Davis Dance Company, we’ll be stationed at Artists’ House gallery on 57 N. 2nd Street (across from the Arden Theatre). Interested in seeing a contemporary performance about the life of Van Gogh and the inspiration behind some of his most famous paintings? Well, you’re in luck! The Rebecca Davis Dance Company will present the world premiere of Van Gogh at the Prince Music Theatre (1412 Chestnut Street) for two nights only: Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 16.

Tickets for Van Gogh are normally priced at $25, but PRowl Public Relations will be offering a special discount price of $10 tonight at First Friday!

For Ursula’s About PHace, the PRowl Public Relations team will be decked in robes and visors touting edible treats. Why? To promote the Ursula’s About PHace Pause PHacial Station’s all-natural facials! Instead of using synthetic chemicals on her clients, expert facialist Elina Safin mixes a combination of vegetables, fruits, herbs and dairy to specifically treat the skin of each client. And better yet – all the ingredients are bought locally at the Reading Terminal Market and Sue’s Produce.

Come support PRowl Public Relations, the Rebecca Davis Dance Company and Ursula’s About PHace all in one place – First Friday in Old City, Philadelphia. Hopefully we’ll see you tonight!

Personal Blogs

I'm taking a journalism class this semester and my professor keeps talking about personal blogs for students. We all know that blogs are huge, but should everyone keep a blog? My professor says yes! He says it's a good idea for students because you can practice your writing and get yourself out there. But he also recommends that we have a theme to our blog. "Don't just rant and rave about things that make you mad. That's what Facebook is for. Make sure you're writing about a specific topic."

I've been contemplating making my own blog for a while, but couldn't think of what to write about. I've finally come to the conclusion that when I have some spare time (so not anytime soon - sorry!) I will create a blog about travel.

What about everyone else? Do you have a personal blog?

Here is the blog for my journalism class, and our professor links to all of his former and present students' personal blogs.