Read an interesting post by Dave McLure that makes a strong case that PR simply does not “get” the Web 2.0 revolution. I don’t want to pile on, but I have to agree with many of his points. I think the most important issue is not one of talent or even willingness, but one of knowledge. As I’ve reported before, far too many PR professionals are woefully ignorant of emerging techonology and trends that impact communication; that’s ok (I guess) if you are an accountant or pilot, but not if you are being paid to help companies communicate, buld their brand and sell their products. And it’s not ok when entire generations of consumers are getting information and joining conversations outside traditional media. The irony is that some PR agencies can easily leverage expertise in the area of new media – notably those that are in global holding companies and can partner with a range of specialized, cutting-edge boutiques – but too often these firms are not closely integrated with the PR teams. The only PR agencies I have seen that truly “get it” are those that have brought Web 2.0 expertise in the house, so to speak, causing the entire agency to learn new tricks and join the revolution. Here’s hoping the rest of the PR community gets on board.
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May 31, 2007 at 7:32 am
Liz Guthridge
What with the recent explosion of free social networking and wiki sites, there’s no excuse for anyone–especially in the communications field–not to be at least exploring or dabbling. For example, check out these free offerings: http://www.MyRagan.com, Melcrum’s http://www.communicatorsnetwork.com, http://www.ning.com, and http://www.wetpaint.com, which are all in addition to Facebook and MySpace. And if you have a cat or dog, try http://www.catster.com or http://www.dogster.com.
They’re all low cost (can we say “free”?), low risk and low maintenance ways to get your toes wet and experiment with how technology is changing the way we not only communicate but also live our lives.
My dog Tomas has had a page on Dogster for more than three years now. The virtual interactions don’t interest him. But he does enjoy the real play dates and other social events that we’ve done through Dogster that we might not have done otherwise.
October 19, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Sarah
WOW. PR people don’t really hate their job or other PR people…they’re just too busy sucking the media’s &^%* to say how they really feel. When I call a reporter, 95% of the time they are rude and mean to me treating me like a salesman. EVERY PRSA meeting I go to it’s all about how to make better pitches…BUT, have you ever heard of journalists getting together asking how to better take PR pitches??? NO!!! That’s because they don’t care. They are ego driven flakes that want your ideas, but not your help. They have no journalistic standards anymore.
Example: Why did we go to Iraq again? Well, you can blame G.W. Bush…but he had faulty intelligence he could say. Just like our senators and congressmen. But what about the media NOT asking any tough questions??
There is no investigative journalism anymore and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told by editors/reporters “If your client hasn’t advertised in our publication, then they won’t be in our editorial section” WTF!! Ethical?? No. But PR people have to fight to make a living so we suck up to the media and hate on each other just to get the media’s respect.
This isn’t high school kids, this is the real world. Have some guts and stand up for each other and don’t let journalists walk all over you! They NEED your pitches!!!!!!