Ping! 10/16/2009
 
Ok, I know I may be a little late to the party on this one, but I just started using Ping.  I am finding it to me a great way to broadcast a status update to all of my social media platforms.  Yes, I know, you can do a lot of the same with Twitter, but this just seems more user-friendly to me.  Plus it updates LinkedIn easily.
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There are things I wish I had included in the text, but just didn’t have the room for them.  The MPR campaigns executed by Diageo in support of their Captain Morgan brand rum and themed around the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections are an example.   They incorporated social media by having www.captainmorganforpresident.com link to a Facebook fan page, and they used traditional media by distributing some great press releases, albeit tongue-in-cheek to the mainstream press.  In 2008 the release they spelled out the “Captain’s” platform and posted a YouTube video.  In the 2004 release they promoted an event during the Republican convention giving rides to the Hamptons to people who wanted to get away from Manhattan and the bustle of the convention.   Really a great concept with strong execution.

Reflections:

What makes a great press release?  What elements of greatness does the 2004 Diageo release show?

What are the common threads that tie traditional media, social media, and event PR together?
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Thanks to the most creative Creative Director I know, Bill Childs (Morning Call/Tribune) for sharing this.
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Twitterview 06/17/2009
 

In Burrell Luce’s June 2009 newsletter (http://www.burrellesluce.com/newsletter/)  they give five tips for conducting “Twitterviews.”  That is, conducting an interview via Twitter.  The tips are simple but demonstrate the impact MPR can have as well as pointing out the ability for social media promotion to cross over into mainstream media.

Reflection:

Select a person you’d like to interview for a specific purpose, and plan a Twitterview using the five tips. (Obviously, the purpose is to contribute to reaching an MPR goal.)

 

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Here’s an interesting debate starter.  Sarah Palin, or at least some folks claiming to represent her, have started an MPR campaign to attempt to get veteran talk show host David Letterman fired.  The Palin camp has accused Letterman of making indecent remarks about Palin’s 14 year old daughter.  In retaliation to Letterman’s comments, the pro Palin people have created a website , distributed a press release, organized a rally outside the Ed Sullivan Theater where Letterman tapes his show, and created a Facebook page.  The website even includes tips on how someone can use their power as a connector to further the cause.  The tips are:

1. If you are on Twitter, send out tweets now asking people to go to http://www.firedavidletterman.com and sign the letter.

2. Write blogposts identifying the sponsors! (see the far left column for the list) {They also mention writing to the sponsors}

3. Call your local talk radio program today and promote the site http://www.firedavidletterman.com

4. Join the Facebook Group "Fire David Letterman" and message all your friends on Facebook to join the group.

5. Call 3 friends tonight and ask them to sign the letter at http://www.firedavidletterman.com

6. Email all your contacts and ask them to sign the letter at http://wwwfiredavidletterman.com

It is not my place to say who I believe is right or wrong on this issue.  It is my business to point out that even those with limited mainstream media experience and a limited budget can take on the big established media players.  Almost anyone can employee techniques of media relations, social media, and word-of-mouth (MPR-that is) much the same way these Letterman lampooners have.

Reflection:

What is the motive of the Palin camp?

What are the Palinites doing right relative to using MPR?

What could they do better?

Does Letterman or CBS have something to gain or lose? How should they respond, if at all?

 

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