11. March 2008 by DSJC.
My buddy, Chris Knepper, recently posted a comment on the US auto industry and its fight to avoid making environmentally friendly alternative fuel cars. His point is that, rather than spending the same money on lawyers to fight change, why not spend it on making the needed manufacturing changes? He goes on to say that, on the one hand, by switching to eco-friendly and economic products, they might start enjoying in the robust sales that Toyota, Honda and others are, or, on the other hand, they can continue to fight the inevitable while wishing everyone would stop buying foreign-made cars. I would argue that they also would enjoy better PR if they’d just embrace the needed changes — the changes that future buyers from Generations Y and beyond want…and will buy even at a premium.
To check out Chris’ take on this topic, go to his blog on MySpace at: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=19487059&blogID=363917854
DSJC
Posted in Global Warming & Peak Oil, Public Relations | No Comments »
7. February 2008 by DSJC.
<a href=”http://technorati.com/claim/e6rw3e7n4” rel=”me”>Technorati Profile</a>
Posted in Public Relations | No Comments »
7. February 2008 by DSJC.
I recently announced that I will be working on behalf of Dr. Vasili J. Gatsinaris and his Next Level Wellness Center of Irvine (www.nextlevelwellnesscenter.com). Of course, I am enthusiastic to be working on his behalf. Dr. Gatsinaris is an excellent chiropractor, Active Release Technique (ART) practitioner, and certified Fenzian practitioner who treats active business professionals as well as professional, college and amateur athletes, including the
However, I’m most enthusiastic about helping Dr. Gatsinaris, because he’s helped me so much. Yes, I am one of his patients, too. Through a combination of Fenzian and ART, Dr. Gatsinaris and his associates have relieved my carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms (numb hands), forestalling or perhaps eliminating the need for surgery and giving me back my hands. Since I am a writer in addition to being a public relations practitioner, this is big for me!
As carpal tunnel is caused by repetitive motion (keyboarding and mouse movements for me), I plan to head off future carpal tunnel issues by using a new software I purchased called Dragon Naturally Speaking, a speech recognition software program. The thought is that it will help me with the majority of my writing, limiting the use of my hands to editing and intermittent keyboarding. Yes, in the near future my posts will be dictated to a software program. I may eventually post about my experiences with this software, too. Let me know if you have any pointers.
Meanwhile, I will be promoting my new client, Dr. Gatsinaris.
Posted in Public Relations | No Comments »
23. January 2008 by DSJC.
In my first post, I mentioned my passion for news on global warming & peak oil. It just so happens that one of my dearest friends, Christopher S. Knepper, shares my passion. Rather, he takes it to an entirely different level, and I hang on to his coat strings.
Chris now writes a fabulously informative newsletter, Sunny & Share, entirely produced by him - graphics, layouts, charts, copy, etc. Until recently, you needed to follow Chris’ blogs to get wind of it or be lucky enough to count among his friends and get a hard copy of it (printed in recycled paper).
NOW, you can read it online. Yes, Chris has taken his labor of love to the Internet and developed a site for Sunny & Share at http://home.earthlink.net/~sunnyandshare/index.html.
If you’re at all interested in learning more about global warming & peak oil and finding out how to address these issues, start with Chris’ Sunny & Share.
So, whew! I’ve finally shared something about this very important topic. How appropriate that the source be Chris. You’ll see that he’s a mental giant - truly. Sometimes, talking to him can make your head hurt, but that’s a good thing; it means your learning something.
DSJC.
Posted in Global Warming & Peak Oil | No Comments »
14. January 2008 by DSJC.
Back in October 2007, I was honored with the opportunity to speak to the Public Relations Society of America, Orange County (PRSAOC) chapter, on blogging for public relations. In my speech, I shared wisdom I have gleaned from such well-known and longtime bloggers as David Meerman Scott, Hugh Hewitt and Mark R. Hinkle as I covered the topics of linking, monitoring and outward communications (promotion). I was thrilled to find that my speech was well received as several people asked me for a copy of it. Unfortunately, it was not in a form that others would find useful, and I vowed to post it in article form to my blog site.
Now, I am the first to sheepishly admit that I have not always followed my own advice nor that of Meerman Scott, Hewitt, Hinkle and others, but (ta da!) the article, “Blogging for PR,” from of my October 2007 PRSAOC speech is finally posted to my web site at www.StContiCommunications.com, as a page link from my Portfolio tab. If you are coming across this blog post and want to find references to great blogging recommendations from successful bloggers (those I quoted), check out my article on my website.
As for following my own advice—mainly that of posting at least once per week—well, that is one of my New year’s resolutions that I actually intend to keep, so stay tuned. DSJC
Posted in Public Relations | No Comments »
12. December 2007 by DSJC.
Back in October, I was honored by my publisher, Beverly Vote, at Breast Cancer Wellness magazine when she asked me to be a guest on the blog talk radio show she produces — Inspire! I did the show as a guest and had a great time. A week or so later, she called me and gave me a jolt. She wanted me to become a co-host on the show.
Though I was nervous at the thought, I said, “Yes,” and I’ve been having a blast ever since. It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m offering what I can to inspire breast cancer survivors both with my writing and via the Internet talk show. To listen to the show, go to: http://www.breastcancerwellness.org/inspire-internet-radio-show.html.
My point is, I felt that fear (the nervousness) and did it anyway. Why? Because that’s how we grow, AND it gave me an opportunity to share, which is what PR, writing and advocacy is all about - sharing information, sharing thoughts, sharing content.
With today’s show, I came full circle to the concept of feeling the fear and doing it anyway. That’s because my co-host, Karen (discussingbreastcancer.com) and I interviewed the amazing Dr. Susan Jeffers, whose book, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway inspired me about 20 years ago to take my first steps alone into the world and again later on my receiving my breast cancer diagnosis. It was an honor to interview her today. Now, Jeffers shares her insights and guidance via 18 books at http://www.susanjeffers.com/home/index.cfm.
She may not be a PR professional, but you could say that Dr. Susan Jeffers is one of the people who taught me how to share. I’d say you are right.
DSJC.
Posted in Breast Cancer Wellness | No Comments »
20. November 2007 by DSJC.
On November 06, 2007, CustomScoop’s PR Blog Jots (http://www.prblogjots.com/) ran a piece called, “Repeat After Me, ‘You will be Googled…You will be Googled.’ Six Pixels of Separation.” In it, they mentioned comments by blogger, Mitch Joel (http://www.twistimage.com/blog/):
Mitch Joel writes about his participation in another survey about managing online identities. He notes a definite shift towards using the Internet to manage your personal brand rather than trying like hell to just keep your name and information off the web entirely. “Not only is this a shift in how we traditionally looked at the Web, but it poses a new opportunity for Marketers in a world where individuals are creating their own personal brands and have the ability to connect with communities and consumers in a way we have never seen before.”
Yesterday, I received an email about a somewhat related story called, “Bank Intern Busted by Facebook,” (http://valleywag.com/tech/your-privacy-is-an-illusion/bank-intern-busted-by-facebook-321802.php). This one illustrates Joel’s point quite well in a different way. A post in the discussion thread by a poster named, DEFENSEMAN, on November 12, underscores Joel’s comment. I felt it was worth pointing out. In part, he wrote:
Something else I thought people might be interested in or heard about is the use of Facebook and Myspace during job applications. I cannot tell everyone enough how many people get turned down for jobs all over Los Angeles because after a great interview, we Google their name, and eventually trace Youtube, Myspace etc. and find all the drunken pictures, idiotic racist comments etc.
Try Googling yourself to see what you find. If you’ve never done it, you may be surprised. If you haven’t done it in a while, you may be surprised. Either way, it will likely drive home the messages presented on PR Blog Jots and by Mitch Joel and others.
With social media, you have an excellent vehicle for managing your brand—information about you. It is important to remember that, in everything you post to the Web, you keep in mind your overall image and its long-term impact. Things posted to the Web can be there potentially forever. So, live and work in such a way that you create the information that represents you at your best.
DSJC.
Posted in Public Relations | 2 Comments »
7. November 2007 by DSJC.
Last month, I co-presented a talk on blogging and social media to the Orange County Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. My part of the talk was on blogging. My co-presenter, Michelle Ma of Orange Coast College, talked about social media, specifically Facebook as she uses it to promote the college. “Interesting stuff, I thought.” But, I wasn’t sure that having a Facebook page was necessary for me since I already have a web site—www.StContiCommunications.com—and started this blog.
Now, just a few weeks later, LOTS of people are telling me I need to get on Facebook. Even Andrew Potvin, the Magic PR Man from my previous post, has a Facebook page.
Just yesterday, I had two people—a client and my brother—telling me to get with it. OK, now, as recently as three years ago, my brother would have been the first to admit that he was technologically challenged; he didn’t even an email address. Now, he only uses a cell phone (no land line); he’s texting all the time; he sends me email jokes, and he’s a Facebook fan!
So, Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/about.php) is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. According to their site, people use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet. So, having a Facebook page is like having a blog within a network of blogs?
One of my clients started a Facebook page called Allness, a community that celebrates God, by any name, in everything. Its description reads, “Everything is part of the dance… if Spirit is for me, no-Thing can be against me…”
It strikes me that being on Facebook is also similar to being a part of, say, a Yahoo! Groups list. I’ve done that—been active in a Yahoo! group. It was great to have a group of like-minded people communicating with me. I guess now I can do it with photos, mpegs, etc, right?
I’d love some comments about how to make the most of Facebook. For now, though, I’ve created a profile page and will check out Allness, plus others that friends and clients have recommended.
E-I-E-I-O.
Posted in Public Relations | No Comments »
31. October 2007 by DSJC.
As far as I’m concerned Andrew Potvin, supervisor of VIP tours and guest relations at Six flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Calif., is a Magic PR Man. Now, I know that he probably isn’t even part of the marketing department for the organization, but thanks to his idea and the backing of the organization, he gives them good PR.
For roller coaster enthusiasts in Southern California, Six Flags Magic Mountain is the place to go. Thankfully, the Six Flags organization recently decided not to sell the property to a home builder, so, for now we can count on having all those fabulous coasters available for our enjoyment. Last weekend, my family enjoyed the ultimate experience there, and I was treated to witnessing great PR & marketing in the process. Anyone in the theme parks industry could learn a little something about good customer service and PR from this post.
This story actually starts in August when we visited the park for the first time as a family. Our youngest was finally tall enough to get on any ride in the park, so off we went with dreams of riding dozens of coasters that would thrill us. Of course, reality is that park goers spend as much or more time waiting in lines than they do on the rides, especially on a summer day when the majority of kids are out of school, and people are on vacation. That was our experience that hot August day; we rode four roller coasters and played just a handful each of the carnival and arcade games, because we spent most our money on the concessions, especially after spending about $100 for parking and to get in the front gates even with the two-for-one Coke can promotion.
So we waited in lines. On one line—for Goliath—we just reached the front and were getting ready to get in our front-row seats when a family stepped in from the other side of the loading dock, got into the seats and whisked off on the ride. What a bummer. We had to know what was up, but no one was offering up any information. So, we asked the ride operator once we got on. He told us that they were a VIP group taking a tour of the park. We immediately decided we had to get in on that! That is the Magic Mountain VIP Tour package, and, thanks to the amazing Andrew, it’s a pilot program that launched in July 2007. Of course, it’s not an entirely new idea; I recall purchasing a VIP tour package for my family at the San Diego Zoo several years ago. We loved it; we got to see giraffes and a rhino up close, really close, and we got to hold an armadillo!
But, honestly, that didn’t compare to back-to-back-to-back rides (no waiting) on some of the best roller coasters around, plus all-you-can-eat food (Johnny Rockets, Panda Express, the park’s Moose Lodge Restaurant) and beverages and snacks (caramel apples, cotton candy, Dippin’ Dots and Cold Stone Creamery). But wait; there’s more! We also enjoyed never ending arcade games and other attractions. I won a Nintendo DS Lite for my daughter after about 100 tries on one of the arcade games. What a day!
So, what about Andrew, the Magic PR Man? Well, he was terrific as a guide. What’s even better, he was terrific as an ambassador for the park. Every time we got on a ride in front of others who had waited on line, he went to them, said a few words, and handed them his card. To a person, every one of them relaxed, nodded, smiled. I don’t know what exactly he said, but he managed to turn tense people into relaxed people and possibly new VIP tour customers. I know this, because a few of them asked us about how the tour was going and how they could sign up – this while we were waiting for the ride operators to clear the ride for take off.
Explain the situation. Communicate the details. Provide a contact for follow-up. That sounds like PR to me, and in Andrew’s case it’s good PR. That’s why he’s the Magic PR Man.
Posted in Public Relations | No Comments »
23. October 2007 by DSJC.
We had been anticipating the day for many weeks—Friday, October 19, 2007. It was the day
Adam, his uncle and grandfather participated in this milestone event along with Dave and Bob Prizio, all of whom achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Dave Prizio and his wife, Kathy, of Prizio Construction in Costa Mesa, committed $50,000 in service that covered the bridge abutments for the placement. The Schmid Family of Santa Ana, donated $250,000 to purchase the bridge; that’s why it’s the Schmid Family Pedestrian Bridge. It was installed via a 500-ton crane that placed it into its new permanent location.
These activities make for great images, the kinds of images that we all love to see, read and hear about in our daily papers on the morning news.
Orange County’s KDOC-TV agreed that these would be great images and that it is a good story. They sent a reporter to document the event. And, I must hand it to the reporter. He braved a hot morning and passed through dozens of police officers in training (lights flashing and mock arrests being made at various locations along the only road leading to the Outdoor Education Center site), and drove his car up a steep dirt hill (past a sign that read, “No Cars”) to capture it all.
Adam, a 4th grader and Webelo Scout from Pack 301, ended the day by saying into KDOC’s camera, “I just want to thank all the people who made this possible.”
“Bravo!” I said. I could hardly wait to see the coverage on Monday morning (today).
But the story didn’t run.
Late Sunday evening, someone allegedly lit a fire in Santiago Canyon (ironically, not far from the Outdoor Education Center), and the gusting Santa Ana winds whipped that fire up and quickly spread it toward and into Irvine. It was one of many fires to erupt here in Southern California on Sunday. Of course, and rightfully, the fires dominated the news. Governor Schwarzenegger declared the entire area a disaster area. Firefighters fought into and through the night to keep people and homes safe. “Bravo!” I say (to the bravery of our firefighters).
I may be disappointed at not seeing Adam’s and the Outdoor Education
So, in case I’ve peaked your interest, here’s my report on the event as I imagine it might have been reported. Enjoy.
Webelo Leads the Pack
Orange, Calif. — Adam Wyatt of Costa Mesa, a 4th grader and Webelo Scout from Pack 301, played an important role last Friday, October 19, when he assisted in the placement of the Schmid Family Pedestrian Bridge at the Outdoor Education Center in Orange (adjacent to Irvine Regional Park). The son and grandson of Eagle Scouts (his grandfather is Mike Harrison, a volunteer at the Outdoor Education Center), Adam participated in this milestone event along with his uncle, Chet Harrison, and Dave and Bob Prizio, all of whom achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
Dave and Kathy Prizio of Prizio Construction in Costa Mesa, committed $50,000 in service that covered the bridge abutments for the placement. The Schmid Family of Santa Ana, donated $250,000 to purchase the bridge. The bridge was installed via a 500-ton crane that placed it into its new permanent location.
Key features of the bridge include:
Christine Kirk, director of the Outdoor Education Center, was there to oversee the installation. She accompanied Adam across the bridge in an inaugural walk that marked this important construction milestone for the center. Wyatt got to run the 500 ton crane after they set the bridge in place. He also cut the ceremonial ribbon and was first across the bridge accompanied by two teenage girls from the Boy Scouts Venture program.
When asked if there was anything he would like to say about the day’s event, Wyatt said, “I just want to thank all the people who made this possible.”
About the Outdoor Education Center
The Outdoor Education Center is currently under construction as a one-of-a-kind outdoor learning facility with three unique camps—Astronomy Camp, Ranch Camp and Mining Camp—designed to provide local youth the opportunity to learn about the Southern California natural environment through first-hand wilderness experiences above the ground, at ground level and below the ground. Tucked into the hills above Irvine Regional Park, the Outdoor Education Center will open in spring 2008 to provide schools and youth organizations a local and more affordable venue for both overnight outdoor education and day trips at an up-to-date facility featuring many unique programming elements. For more information please see www.outdooreducationcenter.org.
Posted in Public Relations | No Comments »