Japan’s Nuclear Power Plant Heroes Don’t Need Robots

The Tokyo Electric Power Company workers continue to put their lives in jeopardy in an effort to prevent a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. There’s no question these selfless workers are heroes. But what is questionable, is why a country that is so technologically advanced would not have their power plants equipped with robots that exist to handle such crises.

The answer lies in part within the Japanese worker culture itself. The Japanese culture values selflessness, modesty and doing what is best for the whole of the group. In addition, despite being such a profound leader in technology, Japan still chooses to rely on humans for tasks that many other parts of the world have reduced human intervention to a minimum, such as operating elevators and warning motorists of road construction.

Other factors believed to be keeping robots out of many plants in Japan and around the world are budget constraints and denial that such serious situations are perhaps beyond human control.

The decision so far to not utilize robots and other automated technologies could create an image problem for TEPCO and Japan itself, especially if people do not properly understand the culture of the Japanese and their work ethic. It is imperative to understand cultural contexts and implications, especially when evaluating strategies and making decisions.

Do you think Japan should be using robots and other automated technologies as part of their solution when the hazards their workers are subjected to could prove fatal – even if this would undermine their cultural beliefs?

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Trish Wyatt.

Can You Be a Social Media Pro without Personal Accounts?

Many people are labeling themselves as social media pros these days, using it as a marketing advantage in a stiff job market. But what does it really mean to be an expert in social media? Would you still consider someone a social media pro if he or she wasn’t personally active on social media sites?

As public relations professionals, I think it’s important for us to build our own personal brands, which can be done extremely easily through social media sites. If you’re the only person out of a pool of potential employees not active on social media sites and not showing off your own personal brand, you could find yourself at the competitive disadvantage. After all, a big part of PR is influence. Influence could become a PR prerequisite, just like strong writing and verbal skills. In addition, social media gives employers a huge insight into candidates – what their strengths are, what kind of person they are and what they like – all invaluable information in the hiring process.

I think to truly be a social media guru, you should practice what you preach and act as a source of good information.

Would you consider someone an expert in social media if they were not personally active on such sites? Do you think PR professionals who haven’t personally embraced social media are at a disadvantage?

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Trish Wyatt.

Thrash is Free!

The NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers, in hopes of drawing more attention to their team’s recent success, launched an over-the-top campaign to boost ticket sales. The team’s mascot, Thrash (after Georgia’s state bird “Thrasher”) stole a Zamboni, drove it along the Georgia interstate, was arrested for doing so and thrown in jail. His bail was put at 5,000 tickets being sold to upcoming Thrasher games.

The public relations stunt involved promotions on the team’s website, which included news videos and updates on Thrash’s fate. The stunt was also publicized on the team’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Thrash was behind bars for four days, from Dec. 15 to Dec. 18, until Thrasher fans came through and purchased the court-mandated 5,000 tickets necessary to free him from jail.

I thought this was a fun and creative publicity stunt to get Thrasher fans excited about their team and increase ticket sales. What did you think of it?

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Trish Wyatt.

Why Traditional Media Will Never Die

There has been a pronounced debate as to whether traditional media is threatened by internet-based communications, or whether it can stand its ground and endure in a digital world. Public relations practitioners have been challenged by the explosion of the internet and social media sites.

Traditional media continues to reach large audiences for public relations practitioners. Network television stations, like ABC, reach millions of viewers at a time during just one prime-time hour. It is unlikely to ever get that many visitors to a website on a given day, or even week. According to Editor & Publisher magazine, daily newspaper readership, although declining, maintains a circulation of about 55 million during the week and 58 million on Sunday. Consumer magazines total a monthly circulation of almost 300 million copies, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulation. Radio is not going anywhere either, reaching 95 percent of the public every day of the week, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Established media are also filtered by the press and gatekeepers, who help interpret and sort the excessive amount of information we are constantly bombarded with for what is most important. This process involves a lot of fact checking and creates more trustworthy, familiar news, which some internet-based sources may not. In addition, traditional media have more influence with older populations, who are better reached through television and newspapers than websites, blogs and social networks. The opposite may be true for younger populations who have different news and media habits. For this reason, it is important to know how your audience gets their information.

With the popularity of social media sites and blogs and their increasing numbers, it is easy to get caught up in all the hype about them. While they may act as mass distribution channels for news, they are still merely one of many tools public relations practitioners should consider when communicating their messages.

Where is Public Relations Headed?

There is no doubt that in the past few decades the internet has transformed the way public relations professionals do their jobs. Lately, social media has been leaving its footprint on the PR field as well. Mashable interviewed 14 PR pros on the future of public relations and how they see social media changing the industry. Here is a summary of what they had to say:

-The press release: There is an increasing shift towards the social media release. Experts agreed that press releases need a social element now so that viewers can comment or share them with their social networks. Many are also experimenting with distribution channels, including contacting journalists on Twitter and even directing them to YouTube clips. There are many alternatives to the traditional press release, which may be beneficial for reaching out in certain situations or to certain audiences. Examples of alternatives can be seen here.

-Social platforms: The most important platforms will be the ones most targeted to clients, making Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn important, but niche, industry specific networks of greater value. Measuring and monitoring the effectiveness of these tools will become more critical in the future, especially in finding out what happens to your message once it gets out there.

-Networking: Social media is driving relationships in the independent PR community. Independent PR professionals can share and get advice from one another through social media networking.

-Saving money: Social media has the ability to save companies a lot of money by enhancing traditional and online campaigns. It can also save time for PR professionals by yielding higher response rates to pitches.

-The human factor: This is the most important factor because public relations and social media are both about creating and fostering relationships. It is essential to remain relevant and engage friends, fans and followers.

How do you think social media will affect the future of public relations?

Rebirth of the Passenger Rail in the U.S.

The Obama Administration is pursuing a high speed rail in the U. S. so that Americans can ride sleek 220 mph bullet trains, like the ones already popular in Europe and Asia. The Administration wants to improve Amtrak trains as well so that they too will move faster. The new network will cost billions, meaning it may take a good public relations campaign to gain the support of our car-crazed nation.

Realizing how accustomed Americans are to their vehicles, the Obama Administration hopes a new network of faster trains will create attractive alternatives to long drives and short flights, which would also relieve road and air congestion. In an effort to further persuade the public, the Obama Administration has pointed out numerous other benefits that will stem from a new and improved rail system including saving gas, reducing carbon emissions, not having to find parking, no traffic, no long lines and security hassles, and the chance to relax and enjoy the ride. A new network of trains would create jobs, jump start a new domestic manufacturing industry, and keep our railroads up to speed with Europe and Asia, who currently have the fastest trains.

America’s rails have been in need of repair and renovation for a while, as the focus has primarily been on aviation and highways. Do you think a good public relations campaign can convince Americans to embrace the shift from cars to trains?

This guest blog was written by staff member Trish Wyatt.

SS United States, the Next Historic Attraction

A huge public relations effort awaits as the SS United States Conservancy has secured the funding it needs to purchase the SS United States and begin redevelopment and refurbishing plans. The money for the purchase comes from a donation by Philadelphia philanthropist H. F. “Gerry” Lenfest.

If everything goes accordingly, the opening of the ship will be a PR bonanza. The conservancy group wants to turn this ship, the largest ocean liner ever built in the US, into a historical and flamboyant attraction. Potential plans could include restaurants, museums, hotels, and shopping and entertainment settings. Such plans would also provide hundreds, if not thousands of jobs both during the ship’s renovation and once it is competed.

The completed project would be a major draw for the city lucky enough to win berthing for the SS United States. Presently, both New York and Philadelphia appear to be under consideration. The winning city will require a significant amount of public relations work for the project to succeed.

This guest blog was written by staff member Trish Wyatt.

Mexico is Buying U.S. Out

Do you know who owns Thomas’ English Muffins, The New York Times newspaper, and Saks Fifth Avenue? - Mexican corporations. Mexican investors are taking advantage of low interest rates and diminished prices during the economic downturn in the United States. They are buying U.S. brand names, expanding their U.S. operations, and increasing their investments in U.S. firms.

Such companies are going to need good public relations to overcome the animosity that comes with foreigners owning U.S. businesses. There are also many stereotypes to defeat, such as the businesses being bought with drug money or by illegal immigrants (even though what they are doing is not illegal and they are not immigrants).

Some even think Mexican investment in the U.S. will benefit both countries. It could create more jobs in the U.S., while also helping to strengthen Mexico’s economy. Other products currently produced by Mexican owned corporations include: Entenmann’s pastries, Arnold Bread, Boboli Pizza Crust, Dairy Fresh Milk, Net10 cell phone service, Borden dairy products, Flav-O-Rich milk, and Straight Talk cell service.

Do you think Mexican corporations buying U.S. businesses is going to create ill feelings with the U.S. citizens and a need for good PR, or do you think this is merely another facet of globalization?


This guest blog was written by staff member Trish Wyatt.

Fake BP Twitter Account Sheds Dark Comical Light on Oil Spill

A satirical Twitter feed called @BPGlobalPR is making news for its clever, but often dark tweets. The Twitter account is entirely fictional, although it has confused and outraged some who mistook it for the real deal. To many others, however, the account is amusing and helps take some of the focus off the current catastrophe. Examples of @BPGlobalPR's posts include: “Of course, bp cares about the fishing industry as well. Now, all the tuna from the gulf coast comes pre-packaged in oil” and “If Top Kill doesn’t work, we’re just gonna toss a giant ‘Get Well Soon’ card into the gulf and hope for the best.”

BP has not yet taken any action to remove the fake Twitter account, despite that it may be in violation of Twitter’s terms of service. Meanwhile, the account continues to misrepresent the brand and poke fun at the situation.

@BPGlobalPR mocks that BP is not taking the Gulf disaster seriously. BP does not appear to be doing much of its own public relations work, making it even easier for @BPGlorbalPR to jokingly handle the company’s PR for them. The account currently has over 120,000 thousand followers, while the real BP Twitter account, @BP_America, has only a little over 10,000 followers. Some feel this fake account is adding to BP’s PR nightmare and also pokes fun at the field of public relations itself. Others, however, think BP would benefit from embracing this account.

If BP convinces Twitter to shut down @BPGlobalPR’s account, they run the risk of looking like a bully who can’t take a joke. Outspoken Media suggests that BP should join forces with the fake Twitter account and make the negative press and attack work for them.

What do you think BP should do about the fake twitter account and their current lack of public relations?


This guest blog was written by staff member Trish Wyatt.

The Socialization of Microsoft

In their next version of their Office suite, Microsoft has redefined its product to encompass the growing global demand for collaborative and social features. Microsoft Office 2010 will bring competition to Google Docs and Zoho, which enable users to access their documents from anywhere. These days it’s critical to cater to users’ lifestyles, which don’t always entail being tied down to a desk anymore.

The latest version of Microsoft allows users to save PowerPoint 2010 presentations as movies. Before users had to use additional tools to accomplish this, but now videos can be saved in multiple resolutions: Computers or HD screens, Internet or DVD, Portable media devices, or Screenshot. PowerPoint 2010 also allows users to create a URL so that users can share and broadcast presentations to anywhere in the world.

In Microsoft Word 2010, users are able to co-author documents, as Microsoft makes collaboration an important aspect of Office 2010. Users are capable of comparing and combining different versions of documents, while also blocking specific authors or restricting editing. In addition, with Word 2010 users can share documents as PDFs and XPS.

Getting onboard with the social media craze, Office 2010 allows users to share over Windows Live or Facebook. In an effort to compete with Google Docs, Microsoft designed Office 2010 to enable users to upload and share their documents to Skydrive and edit them from a browser with no need of having the Office suit installed. Microsoft did this through the implementation of Office Web Apps. The company recently teamed with Facebook too and anncouned docs.com, allowing users to create and share office documents with their friends on Facebook.

Outlook 2010 features being able to keep track of your contacts’ social activities on services like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, by showing you their recent status updates.

Given how socially connected things are increasingly becoming, these added features are practical that many are likely to find useful. For a more in-depth look in Microsoft Office 2010, or for a preview of screenshots of the different programs, click here.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member, Trish Wyatt.

Alternatives to the Traditional Press Release

With social media, the Internet and technology in general changing the ways we do almost anything, the days of the standard press release may be behind us. Here is a look at the latest trends being used to deviate from the traditional press release.

Social media release: There are various Facebook applications, such as pressreleasepoint, that are used to distribute news and press releases to the media. The same is true for Twitter, where designated Twitter accounts, like PR PressAbout, offer free posting of press releases. This allows reporters to access such sites for story ideas, and for PR professionals to publicize their client to a vast audience and for free. Posting releases on blogs are another idea and allow reporters and readers to make comments and ask questions.

Video release: Videos work well for a client, product or event that deals a lot with imagery, such as fashion.

Bulleted release: Using bullets gets your points and message out quickly. Using bold, underlined or quoted words can help highlight text as well.

Infographic release: Infographics are visual representations of information, knowledge and data. Used as releases they stand out from print news.

Website release: There are many websites that are solely for the distribution of press releases. Some include 24-7 Press Release, 1800PressRelease, Business Wire, Express Press Release, and i-Newswire.

Picture release: Sending a picture with just a caption or blurb can entice reporters to want to know more.

Not directly promoting the client: The “alternative” press release announces a service and an accomplishment, but then goes a step further to create value by explaining what tactics were used and why they were successful, and how the audience can replicate them. This is especially important with social media because social media is all about sharing and interaction!

Following a 10 second rule: People are bombarded by textual information everywhere and are too busy to read lots of information. You must grab their interest in the first 10 seconds they begin reading, otherwise you will be skipped over and ignored.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member, Trish Wyatt.

Is it harder to be a publicist nowadays?

Between celebrity magazines and Web sites, like Perez Hilton, and numerous social networking sites, like Twitter, there is an ever-increasing need for information to fill these publications. The latest gossip can be found almost anywhere and becomes a big story just seconds after the information is released. People and journalists can become desperate to fill their publications and pursue rumors or even create them. This makes a publicist’s job harder and more complicated.

Most people have video capabilities on their phones, allowing for spectacles to be documented and then posted to various social networking sites. This only feeds gossip more and publicists can have a hard time keeping their clients’ name and image away from such distortion. It doesn’t help that many celebrities have jumped on Twitter themselves. Now their every move and thought can be followed by millions; allowing for easy miscommunication to occur and words to be scrutinized.

Before the days of Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, blogs and chat servers, celebrities were not nearly as accessible to us and gossiped about. Social media has changed our relationship with them and continues to expose them more and more. It has also changed the job of a publicist.

Publicists now need not only strong written and oral communications skills, but expertise in social media. They must develop their crisis management skills to include possible mishaps on these sites and constantly be monitoring their clients’ activity on them.

Although the situation has become challenging, it is also what keeps the PR field interesting and exciting. Social media can be used in a positive light to help garner a respectable image for celebrities. It can also be used to reconnect or apologize, as we saw recently with John Mayer, who apologized on his Twitter for making an inappropriate remark in an interview.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member, Trish Wyatt.