Mike’s Points

If you ask the Center for Media and Democracy, the answer would seem to be yes.

Again, the CMD, a.k.a. PR Watch up in the great city of Madison, Wis., has again taken on VNRs trying to get the U.S. FCC to do two things:

1) Tracking VNRs that are sent out by PR firms, and documenting examples of when and how they are used.

2) Advocacy, such as letter-writing campaigns, as well as monitoring of news content at the local level to put pressure on stations to behave in a more transparent and ethical fashion.

Like a lot of things in business and just everyday life, there are unethical people. I’m not going to list examples of bad PR people doing bad VNRs. Go search for yourself.

One of the points raised by the author, is that TV news producers say VNRs are never used, while “PR people discuss video news releases fairly candidly.”

I agree that we can get into a well-deserved discussion about PR junk that is passed off as VNRs . . . or news releases . . . or blogs . . . or any communications tool used by the public relations industry. But, there is crap in every aspect of life, business and even watchdog groups. Generally speaking, let’s agree that there is far more quality — or at least mediocre — tools being produced than there is junk.

If the CMD is going to track VNRs, why not track news releases? Heck, there are far more news releases and media pitches making it into our “news” than there are VNRs. Geez, if you are going after the PR industry, why do the small stuff? Take real action!

Journalists — whether in print, radio, TV or another medium — are not stupid. They know that, when they receive a news release or even a VNR that is has some slant or angle to it. But, it is ultimately up to their news judgment whether or not to use it.

If CMD really wanted to attack the problem — in addition to going after news releases and etc. — why doesn’t it do something to ensure improved quality in journalism.

My education, early career, heart and passion are in journalism. The shrinking newsroom has had an effect in the quality of journalism output: Fewer people with the same or more news responsibilities mean more pressure to produce news products but less time to really investiage sources and develop real, meaty stories. (I served the greater good of society better as a journalist than I likely ever will in public relations. But, that’s another blog topic.)

So, rather than shoot the messenger, why doesn’t the CMD do some stuff of real value. Instead of just write books.
– Mike

Technorati tags: Center for Media and Democracy, VNRs, PR , public relations

(UPDATED: 1 p.m. 5/26/06 with (an)other great point.)
For your reading, browsing, thinking and amusement, I present to you:

Garfield, Why Don’t You Call?, Mike Manuel/Media Guerrilla. (Who says it’s a “dog-eat-dog world”?)

Good News for Fran O’Brien’s?, Fuzzilicious Thinking. (More on the future of Fran O’Briens, the former Capital Hilton restaurant that served free Friday night dinners to Walter Reed and Bethesda patients and their family members, and was booted out by Hilton.)

Global Warming: Still More Inconvenient Truth, ShopFloor.org, The Manufacturers’ Blog

Multi-author blogs and Strumpette, Colin McKay/Canuckflack

Blade Writer George Tanber Admits Pulitzer Letter, Michael Brooks/HistoryMike’s Musings. (It is alleged that The (Toledo, OH) Blade, per Tanber, held off on a story that some say could’ve impacted the Bush-Kerry presidential election. Tanber was reportedly fired Thursday by The Blade.)

Which Media, Marketing or PR Blog Is the Most Readable?, Scott Baradell/Media Orchard. (Mikespoints.com, by the way, has a Gunning Fog Index of 8.46, and a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of 5.11. Meaning, it is written so people with those grade levels and above can read it. Keepin’ it elementary and understandable.)

Adapt or Die, American Journalism Review (preview from June/July 2006 issue). Courtesy of CyberJournalism.net.

– Mike

Overstock.com has it wrong. It’s not about the “O.” It’s talking about the wrong end.

It’s all about the E.

As in EGO.

No matter what line of business or what aspect of work you are in, to be successful, you need to appeal to others’ egos.

That is one of the core principles in Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People”:
Become genuinely interested in other people: People are most interested in themselves.

Talk in terms of the other person’s interests: Find the interests of others and talk about those things.

Make the other person feel important: People yearn to feel important and appreciated.

One thing stressed in Carneige’s book (and, yes, I have read it, more than once) is that you must be genuine in your dealings with others. Flattery is insincere. You must have a genunine, sincere interest in others.

Want proof that one’s ego is his/her driving force?

Why else would people put such stupid, personal stuff on the Internet? Yes, stupidity plays a part; but it’s also because they like to see themselves published. On display. They want to be famous, even if in some small way.

Examples:

> Northwestern University’s women’s soccer team. Images, though taken down from Facebook.com, were captured by BadJocks.

> You can look at the bunch of stuff posted at MySpace.com.

Yes, you can label some of the above and other examples as simple stupidity (youthful ignorance?). However, ego — and the desire to be famous, known, seen, etc. — definitely plays a big part.

So, when you are done reading my blog and go back to work, or talk with your SO, or deal with a customer, remember, it’s all about the E.
– Mike

Technorati tags: Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People, MySpace, Facebook, Northwestern University, Ego

Some say that blogging will lead to the downfall of public relations, or something drastic like that.

Not surprisingly, I disagree.

Blogs, as we pretty much all know, are a great way — though, just one way — for companies to enhance their relationships with customers, prospects, influencers, vendors and even the media. And, yes, not all companies should or need to blog. But, that topic has been done before.

Let’s look at media.

The traditional ways of trying to get publicity for a company — news release writing and/or pitching, story distribution, even stunts — are still valid for many companies and in many industries.

But, now, companies are being more creative and using blogs. The Chrysler Group of DCX is one. For details, see here. The example of DCX wanting to comment or get a point across on “Big Oil” is excellent. Before blogs, DCX would’ve had to try to get an editorial or a letter to the editor in a particular daily newspaper or trade outlet.

Now, it simply has to post its opinion on its www.TheFirehouse.biz blog, and hope media outlets will find it interesting enough to pick up. Still kind of the same as in traditional means. However, unlike traditional means, even if one doesn’t succeed in having the media pick up your story, you still got your point across to the media — a lot more media than you would if you’d pitch the story. And, if the blog is public, then you’ve also reached some of your audience.

(Though, if you are going to blog, leave your posts up.)

The LAPD is another example of an organization using blogs to work wtih the media. However, in this case, it’s using its blog not only “to communicate with the public and educate them about what we are doing at the LAPD . . . . But I also see it as an opportunity for me to respond to those issues where I feel the department is being misrepresented,” according to Police Chief William J. Bratton. (Registration will be needed to access the LA Times story. You can get a glimpse of it at Poynter.)

So, if you don’t like what the media is reporting about you — whether you feel it’s not complete, inaccurate, or just looking to get more details out — simply blog.

Okay, so “battling back with blogs” is a bit too strong for what I mean in this post. (But, I liked the alliteration.) Probably a better title would’ve been along the lines of “Create your own media empire.” Or, “Be a media mogul: Blog.”

Any suggestions?

– Mike

Technorati tags: blogging, blogs, public relations, PR, LAPD, DCX

Microsoft’s Robert Scoble generated some interesting discussion about what a blog is.

Essentially, according to Scoble, for a blog to be a blog, it must contain:

1) Ease of publishing.
2) Discoverability. (Pings weblogs.com or technorati or another ping server).
3) Conversationality. (Trackbacks or as-they-happen referer logs, or now being part of Technorati and other blog search engines).
4) Linkability. (All posts should have permalinks).
5) Syndicatability. (All content should be available in RSS feeds).

If you don’t have those five, you shouldn’t call your stuff a blog. Especially if I can’t link to it from here.

In #3, I would add the ability to comment.

Scoble’s point pique my interested because of a comment or two by Chris Houchens/ShotgunConcepts.

In brief, Houchens said:

A blog is a fully open two-way communication tool. It doesn’t need credentials to read. It promotes open discussion. And a blog would NEVER do this…–Vines’ commentary on “Big Oil” has since been removed from the blog because, according to Garsten, “it made its point.”–

I disagree that, just because a blog is not fully open and has some restrictions, it still is a blog if it allows for give-and-take. And, granted, I don’t think DCX was right in removing the commentary by Jason Vines. However, if nothing else, a blog is personal or at least your own (or your company’s) private property. You allow others in, and can do what you want. No one really asks you to visit (though we do want you to).

Last fall, I raised the same question as I do here, asking if a blog defintion is really needed.

Let’s take take apart the term Web log or Weblog. A log is simply: “A record, as of the performance of a machine or the progress of an undertaking: a computer log; a trip log.” (The 4th definition.)

Now, Web stands for World Wide Web, right?: “a computer network consisting of a collection of internet sites that offer text and graphics and sound and animation resources through the hypertext transfer protocol.”

Even if you look up Weblog, you get: “a personal Web site that provides updated headlines and news articles of other sites that are of interest to the user, also may include journal entries, commentaries and recommendations compiled by the user.”

Nowhere do we read about conversationality or ease of publishing, etc. Those aspects — legit, I’d say — have evolved.

And, I say blogging or what a blog is or can be is also evolving. The blog development is still very much in its infancy. Yes, I think we can pretty much agree on at least some of the basics, but still there are and will be different types of blogs.

– Mike

Technorati tags: blogs, blogging, blog definition

Okay, I’m not so high-and-mighty to think I have all the answers. Just some opinions and pointers to others with good opinions.

For the other pointers, see Scott Baradell/IdeaGrove and the exchange with Mark Cuban. (Yes, that Mark Cuban).

Editors Weblog’s Online magazine lessons for newspapers has good points, in comparing-contrasting what Slate does and how newspapers should/should not follow.

Now, what do I think?

As I believe Mark Cuban noted, newspapers should focus on their primary advantage — depth of coverage — which it has always had over radio (speed, easy access) and television (visual).

Online should be no different. Radio and TV and most non-newspaper Internet news sites are nothing more than headline news.

Newspapers need to beef up their online reporting with more breaking and developing news — as long as it is accurate, not just first.

They need to allow readers to pull the news from the sites. RSS is fine, but I also want customized content delivered to me via e-mail or even IM. And sent as often as I want it, if there are updates. This customized “newspaper” is another outlet for ads. If you don’t want ads, you pay a little something for it. Otherwise, it’s free and includes ads — whether text or html.

They need to allow reader comments — like blogs and discussion boards. I’m sure some are doing that, but more need to get off the dime and technically update and modernize their online versions.

They need to look at their online advertising rates. If site traffic is high, rates should be comparable.

Along those lines, they need to start migrating or at least encouraging their print advertisers to move online. Granted, the readership demographic of online vs. print is different, but that difference is dwindling.

Finally, newspapers need to open up to citizen journalists. Some already are, but again, more need to. Not every submission needs to be accepted. However, to give your readers a greater stake in the finished product, they should be allowed to contribute (other than a letter to the editor). And, I mean not just news and spot photos, but commentary, too.

So, any other suggestions? Am I off? Will this work?
– Mike

Technorati tags: newspapers, journalism, newspaper business

Depending on your clients, if you work in public relations or a similar field, you’ll often work with different levels of “celebrities.” Local. Business/Industry. Political. National.

More often than not (at least in my experience), they are usually very nice, professional, civil and sometimes friendly.

Sunday night in working with a local sports team, I had the fortune of meeting and spending some time with “USA Today” columnist, author, TV analyst — and Toledo, Ohio (actually, Ottawa Hills) native — Christine Brennan.

The client honored her with her own team jersey and she “dropped the puck” prior to the game (kind of like throwing out the first pitch in baseball). She also donated two copies of her latest book in a drawing for fans; and during one intermission, sold and signed some books.

Toledo Storm photos by Kurt Nielsen.
(LEFT: That’s Toledo Storm President Barry Soskin just to the back left of Christine Brennan, with Mgr of Game Ops Lonnie Nitschke. RIGHT: Brennan shakes hands with Gwinnett Gladiators’ Jeff Campbell and Toledo Storm’s Jason Maleyko.)

Granted, I don’t really know Christine Brennan. But in the short time I communicated (e-mail and IM) and talked with her, I came away very impressed with her warmth, genuineness (if that’s a word) and of being a very down-to-earth, friendly person. That rare kind of person you meet who makes you feel like her new best friend.

Having grown up and lived in the Toledo area and Northwest Ohio all my life, and with my own background in journalism, it was a personal thrill to be able to combine work with meeting Christine Brennan.
– Mike

Last fall, DaimlerChrysler’s North American operations received a lot of criticism and bashing for the Sept. 12 launch of its media-only blog: www.thefirehouse.biz. (See my post here for background and early details.)

After a bit of e-mail correspondence with Editor Ed Garsten — former Detroit bureau chief for CNN and Detroit News automotive reporter — it looks like the blog has been successful.

First some of the basics: 600 registered traditional and online journalists (bloggers, too, including me) from 12 countries. Grown from less than 100 at the launch.

In any marketing or communications effort, we must answer: Has it been worth it? Was/Is it justified?

According to Garsten, yes.

TheFirehouse has definitely been worth it. Journalists tell us they find it valuable when they’re looking for story ideas, or just bits of “string” for current and future stories. The campaign [Vice President of Communications for DaimlerChrysler AG’s Chrysler Group] Jason [Vines] launched to minimize use of the term “Big Three” when it comes to DaimlerChrysler and the plea to take greater account of recalls by foreign manufacturers has begun to bear fruit. Big Three is used much less frequently by the automotive press, and we are seeing recall stories involving foreign companies given bigger play.

(Commentary: While I understood Vines’ comments, in places where being thought of as an “American company” is an advantage, the effort to distance DCX from the “Big Three” can’t always beneficial.)

One recent huge impact of thefirehouse.biz blog was felt after Vines posted a commentary about “Big Oil” on April 10. According to Garsten:

“It only appeared on TheFirehouse.biz and precipitated a front page story in the “Detroit News” the next day, was carried by the Associated Press and all network newscasts, along with hits in dozens of blogs. It also had the effect of stepping up the debate on who to blame for high gas prices.”

Vines’ commentary on “Big Oil” has since been removed from the blog because, according to Garsten, “it made its point.”

Like Vines’ commentary, TheFirehouse.biz is used to announce certain information that is not on the DCX media Web site, according to Garsten: “We also post new incentive programs on the blog first and we’ve seen the wires take advantage of getting a jump on those who are not members, since we don’t post incentives on the traditional media website.”

Podcasts

In the past few months, TheFirehouse.biz has added podcasts for registered members to download, and the downloads are increasing, according to Garsten. However, he added, like a lot of formatted news provided by companies, naturally, the media is not always eager to use it: “As is the case with most journalists though, they’re not thrilled about using canned soundbites or quotes, but will do so if they can’t get access to the executives.”

Still, it’s a good way to have a readily available back up for the media.

While Vines and Garsten (as “editor”) are the primary bloggers, others from sales and product management also have posted.

And, the early criticisms of the media-only blog seem to be lightening up, according to Garsten: “We’re starting to see a lot more support on the blogosphere to the point where folks are coming to our defense.”

Like any new venture, there are bound to be well-wishers (me) and critics, but, as the Garsten quote in the title notes, it’s been worth it: “Sometimes it’s tough to plow new ground, but I’m glad we didn’t back down.”

– Mike

Technorati tags: public relations, PR, media relations, media-only blog, DaimlerChrysler, Chrysler Group, DCX

No one does anything that he/she doesn’t want to do. If you think about that statement, there’s no arguing it. (Try me if you doubt.) And, for many things, we’re not going to do something without some self-satisfaction.

Blogging is a prime example.

How do you measure satisfaction? (You could also call it boosting your ego, reach, influence, etc.).

Technorati measures it in links and sites that link to you.

You could also measure it in comments on your blog.

Then, there’s traffic — unique visitors, page visits, referrals, etc.

You can also measure your satisfaction in how it affects your business or career.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how you measure it or how it strokes your ego.

As long as you want to blog. Blogging — whether for personal or professional reasons, or a combination of both — should be something you want to do; not that you have to do. Feeling like you have to “feed your blog” can be a burden.

For me, I try to post at least twice a week; even if one is simply an “other great points” post. Yes, there have been a few times when I’ve forced myself to blog, but I justify it as a way of keeping the habit and trying to maintain what traffic I do have.

Other times, like with work or anything else, I get on a roll and there is something I’m interested in blogging about every day.

Ultimately, it’s up to each one of us — not those who link or visit or comment — to decide why and when we blog.

Just make sure that you want to do it.

– Mike

Technorati tags: blogging, why blog

For your browsing, reading and pondering pleasure, I offer you:

Looks like Hilton Hotels is saying good bye to Fran O’Brien’s at its Capital Hilton as the lights go out. For earlier information, see here. Big mistake on Hilton’s part, and I can’t believe another DC hotel hasn’t jumped on this opportunity.

Microsoft, Times demo e-newspaper software, CyberJournalist.net

‘Can Newspaper Journalism Survive Blogs, Fox News, and Karl Rove?’, CyberJournalist.net

Strumpette and Flava Flav - Don’t Believe the Hype!, Colin McKay/CanuckFlack

And, this one is personal: My oldest son, Zachary, won 2nd place in a Northwest Ohio photo contest (age 12 and under, open category)! (Scroll down toward the end of the page.)

– Mike