Top 3 Blog Posts of Fall 2013

As 2013 comes to an end, I always love reflecting on the most interesting and most popular blog posts of the semester. This past fall, each of the blog posts below have reached over 100 plus views, and for good reason. Each blog post embodies all of the elements that make a blog post outstanding; well-written, newsworthy, timely as well as unusual.

1. The Scandalous Side of PR

Written by Lauren Bentley 

The most read blog post of fall 2013 takes a look at ABC's hit drama, Scandal. This is a must read for all of the Olivia Pope fanatics out there!

http://prowlpublicrelations.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-scandalous-side-of-pr.html

2. How Introverts Can Succeed in PR

Written by Cara Graeff

Not everyone in PR has to be aggressive and loud! Take a peak at the second most read blog post of fall 2013 to find out why introverts can have amazing careers in PR. 

http://prowlpublicrelations.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-introverts-can-succeed-in-pr.html

3. Miley Cyrus, PR Pro?

Written by Hiya Ray

Oh Miley. If she hasn't ruled 2013, I am not sure who has. Be sure to check out this blog post to see how Miley's antics are truly just good PR work at the end of the day. 

http://prowlpublicrelations.blogspot.com/2013/11/miley-cyrus-pr-pro.html

These top three posts were written by PRowl Public Relations staff members who all happen to be strategic communication majors in their junior year at Temple University. We cannot wait to see what our staff members produce in 2014! Cheers to 2013, Happy New Year!

How Introverts Can Succeed in PR

It is a common misconception that introverts lack social skills and an awareness of standard social cues. By that extension, it would appear that the world of public relations, with its emphasis on social interaction and networking, would be an ill fit for an introvert. On the contrary, introverts with their characteristics of thoughtfulness, prudence and creativity, can bring a sense of balance to the workplace and successfully stand out in a group of Chatty Cathy’s.

Introverts are great listeners and clear communicators: Introverts are known to be pensive and conceptual. When in conversation, an introvert will often fully listen and analyze what the other person is saying and before responding, will have thought out a valuable reply. While an extrovert may have the gift of gab in small-talk, an introvert is great in crafting insightful and objective messages.

Introverts value meaningful relationships: Introverts thrive on the creation and maintenance of deep, mutually-respected relationships with others. In public relations, where building a sense of rapport and trust with a client is vital, the natural skills of an introvert are ideal.

Introverts excel in social media: In our social media-driven industry, social networking is the public relations godsend for introverts. For those that may not be as comfortable in traditional networking settings, the internet provides endless opportunities. Valuable relationships can form from social networking where introverts, with their quiet contemplation and creativity, can have the upper-hand.

Introverts think before acting: In public relations, how you respond- particularly in the face of controversy- can be a make or break situation for your client. Introverts are methodical, meticulous and incredibly thoughtful in the way they enact effective public relation strategies. Using forethought before taking action can be the difference in smooth-sailing or ending up neck-deep in a PR crisis.

Still need convincing that introverts can’t be as successful in the workplace? Bill Gates, Barbara Walters and Barack Obama are just a few of the famous individuals who identify as introverts!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Cara Graeff.

The Balancing Act of Logo Redesigns

If a picture is worth 1000 words then the same is true for a company’s logo.  A logo is an essential part of a strong brand. It often serves as a company’s first impression to the public and, if effective enough, can evoke an emotional and galvanizing response. To put it simply: a logo is the most visual representation of a company’s identity.

However, as companies change, so do their logos. While some logos have stood the test of time (think Johnson & Johnson, Ford and FedEx), the recent years have been remarkable in terms of the number of brands that have transformed their logos. In the past year, Hooters, Vh1 and Wendy’s have created sleeker, more streamlined logos to appear more contemporary and modern in the face of a competitive and evolving market.  

Logo changes are a massive undertaking and because a drastic redesign can cause public outcry, the stakes are high. Change for the sake of change can backfire and damage a brand and its long-standing reputation. Clothing giant GAP’s new logo design in 2010 was pulled within a week of its introduction, while Tropicana and Starbucks received significant backlash for their new logos as well.

The key to a successful logo redesign is to maintain the central element of the company’s identity. Good logos are timeless and versatile; if a redesign is overly trendy or if the company attempts to be something it’s not, this can be detrimental to the brand. Successful logos boil down to methodical, thought-out concepts and flawless execution that aligns with rebranding efforts. Logo redesign is quite the balancing act but if done correctly, can propel your company to great success!

In your opinion, what makes a successful logo redesign? Let us know what some of your favorite logo redesigns are!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Cara Graeff.

Make the Most of Your Internship-less Summer

Summer used to be synonymous with lazy days by the pool, barbecues and copious amounts of Philadelphia water ice. But for college students, summer takes on a whole new meaning: internship season.   However, not everyone can land their dream internship this summer.  The sting of what feels like a missed opportunity can be discouraging.  But with the right amount of resourcefulness, this summer can be a jumping off point to fill your weeks with relevant, resume-building and gratifying experiences.  

Network, network, network:  Networking is invaluable and can be your key to ensuring internship positions down the road.  Social media, particularly sites like LinkedIn, allow you to network with professionals from your hometown this summer.  Reach out and connect with professionals on all social media platforms while pushing out content that showcases your involvement in the online PR community.

Blog: An internship-less summer means free time to expand your writing portfolio.  In this digital age, one of the best ways to do that is to begin a blog.  Blogging is a great way to showcase your creativity, fine-tune your writing skills and connect with other bloggers with similar interests.  Unsure of where to start when creating your blog? Check out this recent PRowl post: “Blog Branding”

Volunteer: Summer is a busy time for most companies and organizations.  With an event-laden schedule, this is a great opportunity to make yourself available as a resource.  Volunteer with a local organizations to assist with social media, marketing, special events, creating promotional materials or whatever piques your interest.  

Enjoy the break: While it’s important to stay goal-oriented throughout the year, summer break is meant to be exactly what it sounds like: a break! After your hard work in the classroom or in your internships throughout the year, take advantage of this refreshing free time.   By taking it easy this summer, you’ll come back to school recharged and ready to perform at your very best throughout the following year.  

So when faced with the prospect of an internship-less summer, get creative with ideas that will make you just as marketable in the future.  Let us know how you plan to spend the dog days of summer!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Cara Graeff.

Coaches Gone Wild

The video of former Rutgers men basketball coach, Mike Rice, physically abusing and berating the players in a torrent of obscenities and homophobic slurs, has left us horrified and Rutgers in the midst of a huge media firestorm.  After the hidden footage was aired on ESPN it didn’t take long for it to go viral.  Soon enough, it had flooded the waves of social media and with that alone, Rutgers had already found itself neck-deep in a PR crisis. 

The video, showing footage from 2012, had been brought to the attention of Rutgers Athletic Director, Tim Pernetti, last November. Rice’s punishment was anything but harsh: a three-game suspension and a stint in anger management classes.  Within the past few months, Rutgers made the huge mistake by biding their time and praying this would all blow-over.  

Flash forward to April where Rutgers promptly fired Rice as the scandal rippled through the campus and beyond.  A suitable course of action, but one that critics are calling a “Public Relations Band-Aid:” a temporary solution after the damage has been done.  

So what could have Rutgers done differently?  Some PR pros are commending Rutgers for being so prompt to fire Rice after coverage of the incident exploded.  However, most agree that it’s a case of too little, too late.  There is an ethical standard of giving the worthy punishment when it punishment is due that Rutgers failed to reach.  Had they taken the appropriate course of action and fired Rice when the footage was first brought to the Rutgers Athletic Director’s attention, they might be one head coach poorer but they could have avoided the even greater negative impact on its reputation. 

What’s your opinion on the Rutgers Basketball scandal? Let us know!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Cara Graeff.

Celebrity Political Endorsements: A Hindrance or Help to Presidential Candidates?

Celebrity endorsements have become increasingly more influential in our celebrity-fixated culture. Everywhere you look it seems that celebrities are rallying behind some product or brand. In light of the upcoming Presidential Election, those celebrity endorsements have turned political, as famous individuals are vocally supporting the Presidential candidates. Beyonce, Jay-Z and George Clooney are well-known Obama campaign supporters while Romney has received political endorsements from Clint Eastwood, Donald Trump and Cindy Crawford. Celebrity endorsements have proven to be successful when it comes to product marketing, but when these celebrities and politics mix- are these endorsements helping or hurting the candidates?

The audience a celebrity appeals to can potentially have a great impact on how those individuals vote. If a particular celebrity appeals to young individuals, these potential new voters may actively seek more information about the candidate and be more motivated to head to the polls. How the youth of America votes has been regarded as of crucial importance in this upcoming election. Candidates are employing several tactics in order to secure those young votes and celebrity endorsements can be a way to do just that.

On the other hand, the public’s perception of an endorser can adversely affect the candidate. It is no coincidence that brands often pick celebrities who are relatively scandal-free to be a spokesperson for their product. For example, Lindsay Lohan, a recent Romney supporter, has been a controversial endorser as her public image is marred by a party-girl reputation and numerous stints in rehab. The credibility of a celebrity can be reflective upon the candidate.

Celebrities have been more vocal about their political affiliation in recent years than ever before. Among the many factors that motivate us to vote for a certain candidate, should celebrity endorsements be one or is it already? Let us know what you think!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Cara Graeff.