Practically every Thursday, I read the NY Times’ Style section… it’s one of my favorite things to do on the web. But sometimes I’m lucky enough to find an article I can also blog about and today was that sort of day!
The first article on the page reads, “U.S. Fashion’s One-Woman Bailout?” with three pictures of our nation’s soon to be first lady Michelle Obama. (I blogged about Sarah Palin and her wardrobe choices during the presidential campaign, so it is only natural I come full circle and discuss Mrs. Obama’s wardrobe now.)
The article highlights Mrs. Obama’s choices of wardrobe and style since entering the campaign trail with her husband and the influences her fashion choices has had and may continue to have on the American fashion industry. It also briefly points out the “tweaking” efforts of Cindy McCain’s wardrobe choices during the campaign, as well. Yet with all the controversy some candidates and their partners may have encountered these past few months about flashy and expensive fashion choices, Mrs. Obama has always seemed to be dressed appropriately, never over the top and still surprisingly fashionable. In fact, Mrs. Obama has had quite the effect not only in the political arena but arguably in fashion altogether.
With influences from former first ladies, like Jacqueline Kennedy, who have held the role of muse to many fashion houses and trends, Mrs. Obama surely will be bringing a unique fashion flare to the White House. Though it is important to point out the practicality Mrs. Obama understands, she has great taste and does not distinguish this through high price tags or designer labels. She has and will continue to be an American fashion icon we can all relate to. After all, she does shop at J.Crew and Target just like the rest of us.
So what does a soon to be first lady who appreciates the affordable fashions in life have to do with PR?
Michelle Obama’s fashion choices express a mood and extend a message to the public. It’s not necessarily the details of her ensemble, but like the article states, “the first lady, who throughout the campaign demonstrated not just that she understood the power of clothes to transmit a message, but a readiness to adjust that message as the need arose.”
So do you really think fashion and clothes make all the difference?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Piggybacking
Piggybacking is probably more known as a transportation technique for little kids from their parents, versus a PR term. But today, it's a PR tool that Ben & Jerry's is using to their advantage. Ben & Jerry's created a new ice cream flavor, named "Yes Pecan," in honor of Barack Obama's upcoming inauguration. It's a play on words of Obama's "Yes we can" slogan. It's a great idea on Ben & Jerry's part, and it was even part of another PR tool: a contest! Read the rest of the article here, on Common Sense PR.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Who Doesn't Love a List?
Everyone knows how much we love lists at PRowl Public Relations. Maybe it comes from being Strategic and Organizational Communication majors, or maybe we're all just really organized. No matter what the reason may be, we use lists for everything from writing tips to "How To..." blog posts.
Personally, I use lists for everything. I use them to organize my schoolwork, organize what I need to get done for PRowl, and what I need to get done in life outside school! One of my favorite lists to write is one I do before a new semester starts. I write down all of my goals for the next 3-4 months (usually about 10 goals). This helps me to stay focused in school, and it also helps me to remember to do things I love! Being in college is such a wonderful and exciting experience, and there is so much to do outside of the academic world (even though academics are very important)! I never share all of my goals with anyone, but I will tell you the one that I always put last on my list - be happy.
The reason I'm writing about this topic today is because our former firm director, Natalie Herr, has started a new and exciting project called 101 in 1001, and it has inspired me to start on my new list. Basically, she had to come up with 101 things that she has to accomplish in the next 1001 days. Check out her new 101 Journey blog, to get a better understanding of the project and to see what she's been up to!
Personally, I use lists for everything. I use them to organize my schoolwork, organize what I need to get done for PRowl, and what I need to get done in life outside school! One of my favorite lists to write is one I do before a new semester starts. I write down all of my goals for the next 3-4 months (usually about 10 goals). This helps me to stay focused in school, and it also helps me to remember to do things I love! Being in college is such a wonderful and exciting experience, and there is so much to do outside of the academic world (even though academics are very important)! I never share all of my goals with anyone, but I will tell you the one that I always put last on my list - be happy.
The reason I'm writing about this topic today is because our former firm director, Natalie Herr, has started a new and exciting project called 101 in 1001, and it has inspired me to start on my new list. Basically, she had to come up with 101 things that she has to accomplish in the next 1001 days. Check out her new 101 Journey blog, to get a better understanding of the project and to see what she's been up to!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Freelance PR Part 4
In my never-ending quest to find out what I really want to do with my life, I came across a new avenue of public relations-- Freelancing.
After interning at an agency this past semester, I realized that perhaps agency work isn't quite the route I want to take upon graduating from college next year. I realized that I love to write, and often prefer working solo. I reached out through our Twitter to find other PR practitioners out there who have done some freelance work. Luckily, many people responded!
This is the fourth post in what is a series of posts featuring different PR freelancers.
This week, I interviewed Ed Donovan, a PR freelancer beginning his 5th year of self-employment.
Mr. Donovan would describe Freelance PR as, "providing communication services on a contracted basis for multiple clients or projects on a short-term or as needed basis."
A graduate of La Salle University, Mr. Donovan studied English and Communications. He began his career working in the non-profit sector for the Police Athletic League (PAL) of Philadelphia handling PR, special events, and fundraising. After working for PAL, he moved on to work for Comcast in corporate public affairs.
Mr. Donovan mentions that he always desired to work on his own, and after meeting a few people who needed his PR services, he realized that he could truly make a living doing freelance work.
When asked how Donovan obtains clients, he exclaims, "100% networking! I think it's important to build a strong network before going out on your own." He notes that every person you meet could be a future client down the line.
Mr. Donovan's favorite aspect of freelancing is getting to work on a variety of different projects and being the person who gets to choose which projects to undertake.
"Right now I do a lot of work in endurance sports and also work with Dunkin' Donuts...How is that for diversity?" he asks.
His least favorite aspect is anything that has to do with accounting and billing. He also says that he misses having others around to collaborate and brainstorm with.
Mr. Donovan views his freelance business as operating a one person firm.
He says, "I just have to handle every aspect of the firm: business development, account management, writing, pitching, measurement, etc..."
To stay active in the business, Mr. Donovan relies on social networking sites like Twitter and industry groups and organizations.
After interning at an agency this past semester, I realized that perhaps agency work isn't quite the route I want to take upon graduating from college next year. I realized that I love to write, and often prefer working solo. I reached out through our Twitter to find other PR practitioners out there who have done some freelance work. Luckily, many people responded!
This is the fourth post in what is a series of posts featuring different PR freelancers.
This week, I interviewed Ed Donovan, a PR freelancer beginning his 5th year of self-employment.
Mr. Donovan would describe Freelance PR as, "providing communication services on a contracted basis for multiple clients or projects on a short-term or as needed basis."
A graduate of La Salle University, Mr. Donovan studied English and Communications. He began his career working in the non-profit sector for the Police Athletic League (PAL) of Philadelphia handling PR, special events, and fundraising. After working for PAL, he moved on to work for Comcast in corporate public affairs.
Mr. Donovan mentions that he always desired to work on his own, and after meeting a few people who needed his PR services, he realized that he could truly make a living doing freelance work.
When asked how Donovan obtains clients, he exclaims, "100% networking! I think it's important to build a strong network before going out on your own." He notes that every person you meet could be a future client down the line.
Mr. Donovan's favorite aspect of freelancing is getting to work on a variety of different projects and being the person who gets to choose which projects to undertake.
"Right now I do a lot of work in endurance sports and also work with Dunkin' Donuts...How is that for diversity?" he asks.
His least favorite aspect is anything that has to do with accounting and billing. He also says that he misses having others around to collaborate and brainstorm with.
Mr. Donovan views his freelance business as operating a one person firm.
He says, "I just have to handle every aspect of the firm: business development, account management, writing, pitching, measurement, etc..."
To stay active in the business, Mr. Donovan relies on social networking sites like Twitter and industry groups and organizations.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
What Do YOU Want To See From Us?
Since it is a new year, and a new beginning, we at PRowl Public Relations are wondering: What would you like to see from this blog? Is there anything that we are missing that you would like to learn more about?
We are always looking for ways to become more interactive and more engaging, so please: comment away and leave your advice for us! Let us know what we can do to make this blog more beneficial to YOU!
We are always looking for ways to become more interactive and more engaging, so please: comment away and leave your advice for us! Let us know what we can do to make this blog more beneficial to YOU!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Sometimes, “Sorry” is Your Best Bet
As often discussed in crisis communications, organizations’ first words after a crisis are carefully analyzed by the public and the media, and can often shape the future of the situation. While some apologies may admit guilt, it is important for an organization to express their concern over the situation, and soothe people’s anger.
At about 1 p.m. yesterday, January 1, a Muslim family was taken off an AirTran flight to Orlando, Florida. Other passengers had overheard “suspicious” comments made by members of the family and reported it to their flight attendant. These comments were later said to be involving concerns about the safest place to sit on an airplane, and had no common trigger words, such as “terror,” “bomb,” “explosion,” etc. After the FBI cleared the family and deemed them safe to board the flight, AirTran declined to allow them back on.
AirTran’s first comments about the situation released in a press release contained harsh words about the family, saying they“"became irate and made inappropriate comments." This statement can be seen as an excuse for the airline’s behavior, instead of an informative release that allowed the public to rest assured that AirTran was doing what they could to resolve the situation in a positive manner.
The FBI worked with the innocent Muslim family in booking a flight with USAirways to be transported to their destination. It was not until a day later that AirTran decided to apologize to the wrongly-accused family. In a public statement, the company said: "We regret that the issue escalated to the heightened security level it did, but we trust everyone understands that the security and the safety of our passengers is paramount." They also apologized to the family members affected, as well as the other 95 passengers aboard the plane.
Both major and small news channels covered the story, reaching a vast amount of people throughout the nation, and most likely other countries as well. Do you think AirTran’s reputation has been damaged by this incident? Or, were the comments released today enough to soothe public opinion?
At about 1 p.m. yesterday, January 1, a Muslim family was taken off an AirTran flight to Orlando, Florida. Other passengers had overheard “suspicious” comments made by members of the family and reported it to their flight attendant. These comments were later said to be involving concerns about the safest place to sit on an airplane, and had no common trigger words, such as “terror,” “bomb,” “explosion,” etc. After the FBI cleared the family and deemed them safe to board the flight, AirTran declined to allow them back on.
AirTran’s first comments about the situation released in a press release contained harsh words about the family, saying they“"became irate and made inappropriate comments." This statement can be seen as an excuse for the airline’s behavior, instead of an informative release that allowed the public to rest assured that AirTran was doing what they could to resolve the situation in a positive manner.
The FBI worked with the innocent Muslim family in booking a flight with USAirways to be transported to their destination. It was not until a day later that AirTran decided to apologize to the wrongly-accused family. In a public statement, the company said: "We regret that the issue escalated to the heightened security level it did, but we trust everyone understands that the security and the safety of our passengers is paramount." They also apologized to the family members affected, as well as the other 95 passengers aboard the plane.
Both major and small news channels covered the story, reaching a vast amount of people throughout the nation, and most likely other countries as well. Do you think AirTran’s reputation has been damaged by this incident? Or, were the comments released today enough to soothe public opinion?
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Reflections and Looking Forward
2008 was a great year for PRowl Public Relations. We really got our feet off the ground when the spring semester began in January of 2008, and we have been going strong ever since.
We would like to take this time to reflect on our accomplishments in 2008 and to set some goals for 2009.
Accomplishments:
-Officially opened for business in January 2008
-Started this very blog on January 27, 2008
-Obtained two clients for the spring 2008 semester and executed successful campaigns for both
-Hired new members for the first time
-Successfully transitioned a new Board of Directors at the end of the spring 2008 semester
-Got placements in 4 publications and over 10 blogs throughout the year
-Connected with other PR professionals, professors and students through Twitter
Goals:
-Continue providing excellent PR services to our current and future clients
-Successfully interview and hire new members for the coming year
-Continue blogging daily and connecting with PR professionals
-Perfect and officially launch our website
What are some of your accomplishments and goals for 2009?
We would like to take this time to reflect on our accomplishments in 2008 and to set some goals for 2009.
Accomplishments:
-Officially opened for business in January 2008
-Started this very blog on January 27, 2008
-Obtained two clients for the spring 2008 semester and executed successful campaigns for both
-Hired new members for the first time
-Successfully transitioned a new Board of Directors at the end of the spring 2008 semester
-Got placements in 4 publications and over 10 blogs throughout the year
-Connected with other PR professionals, professors and students through Twitter
Goals:
-Continue providing excellent PR services to our current and future clients
-Successfully interview and hire new members for the coming year
-Continue blogging daily and connecting with PR professionals
-Perfect and officially launch our website
What are some of your accomplishments and goals for 2009?
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