Should PR Report to Marketing? Vice Versa? Who Cares?

There is an interesting discussion raging (and I do mean raging!) on one of the LinkedIn groups I’m involved in – Network of PR Professionals. It all started with this post:

“Have observed/noticed in many cases Marketing wants PR to be part of their function/department…However as PR ( External and Internal) is developing, it needs to have a separate identity of it own.”

This comment was almost immediately followed by Continue reading “Should PR Report to Marketing? Vice Versa? Who Cares?”

Progressive – an Ad Campaign That Works!

OK – so I’ve blasted the E*Trade babies because, although attention-generating, they don’t seem to be achieving results. But here’s an example of a campaign that is clever, memorable – and working! Continue reading “Progressive – an Ad Campaign That Works!”

Sure the babies entertain – but do they get results?

I *love* the ETrade baby ads. I’ve said it before. I absolutely love them. But, do they work?  I really wonder if – aside from the buzz value – these ads have achieved any meaningful, measurable goals.

A recent piece in Fast Company (March 2010) Continue reading “Sure the babies entertain – but do they get results?”

Having a Plan B for Those “Tiger moments”

An article I was reading recently in AdWeekLessons of Tiger’s Tale – made what I thought was a very valid point related to the media frenzy now surrounding Tiger Woods and the impact on his advertising endorsements. “Using celebrities is effective and makes business sense. Just make sure you always have a plan B in mind — just in case.” Good point. Continue reading “Having a Plan B for Those “Tiger moments””

No cost/low cost resources for marketers and entrepreneurs

I know there’s something just “wrong” about blogging early on Thanksgiving morning, but I acknowledge the fact that I’m a workaholic and frankly what better time for a little peace and quiet to actually think without interruption!

This blog was prompted by an email from a friend/colleague who is pulling together a list of resources for small businesspeople/entrepreneurs and asked me if I had anything to add. I did – more than I thought I would actually. So, I decided to share my list Continue reading “No cost/low cost resources for marketers and entrepreneurs”

Bzzzzz – Wrinkle free – free!

This morning as I was applying my L’Oreal Revitalift which I received in the mail free (more about this later) I was struck by the brilliant use of word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing that the company I got it from has capitalized on.

I’m a BzzAgent. BzzAgents Continue reading “Bzzzzz – Wrinkle free – free!”

Travelers’ Branding Campaign Works

Travelers’ well-known logo – a red umbrella – remains a key element of its new branding campaign which launched last year. I first learned of the campaign recently when friends told me about some wonderful commercials with a dog that was intent on protecting its bone from real and imagined risks. The message: Continue reading “Travelers’ Branding Campaign Works”

It’s Not Always About Location

Location. Location. Location.

Traditional marketing wisdom would lead one to believe that where a business is located makes a difference. And that makes logical sense, most of the time. A recent experience, though, suggests that location can be trumped by other things – Continue reading “It’s Not Always About Location”

Crossing the Line Between PR and Marketing

There’s a raging – and quite interesting – debate taking place in a LinkedIn forum I participate in on the relationship between PR and marketing. I’ve found it especially interesting since I recently was engaged in the same debate while teaching PR courses at a local university.

Surprisingly to me, there is a group that believes quite strongly that PR *is not* part of marketing. That it is a separate and distinctly different function within an organization. That’s “crazy talk” to me – Continue reading “Crossing the Line Between PR and Marketing”

Overpromise – Under-deliver?

Apparently KFC’s recent launch of a grilled chicken sandwich so exceeded expectations that KFC ended up damaging relations with consumers, the media and franchisees, according to a recent item in Public Relations Tactics (a PRSA publication). Continue reading “Overpromise – Under-deliver?”