9. April 2008 by DSJC.

     Isn’t it great that Spring is here?  Perhaps in the East it’s not yet warm, but everyone knows the warmth is coming, right?  Here, in sunny Southern California, I’m seeing buds on the trees that dropped their leaves, and it’s getting much warmer each day.  Yes, some of our trees drop their leaves!

Anyway, I am especially excited, because the Spring 2008 issue of Breast Cancer Wellness magazine is finally out, too, and my publisher gave me a bit of a thrill.  She put me and my daughter, Sabrina, on the cover (in a small, inset photo) and at the top of the Table of Contents!  It’s part of a tribute to Mother’s Day to which several people contributed.  There’s also a tribute from me to my mom inside the magazine.  I’m really looking forward to sharing the print version with my mom and Sabrina.  Sabrina’s already viewed the online version and gave me a big smile!  J

I also am especially proud of the profiles I did for this issue.  The people I get to interview and write about are so amazing, and the three women profiled in this issue are no exception.  My “Survive & Thrive” column starts on page 32.  Unfortunately, because of the way the magazine was laid out to be posted online, the “Survive & Thrive” column was split.  You’ll have to access both links (you’ll see what I mean) to read the full column.  Go to this link to access the magazine online:  http://www.breastcancerwellness.org/magazine.html.

On a similar note, last week I was honored to work with Mary Olsen Kelly, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor’s Soul.  Mary has been chosen as one of 25 2008 Yoplait Champions.  I assisted her in editing and distributing her good news.  Mary is a remarkable person, and Yoplait knows it. 

As a Yoplait Champion, Mary has been recongized as an individual doing extraordinary things in the fight against breast cancer.  Yoplait will donate $1,000 to the breast cancer charity of her choice.  Go to www.Yoplait.com to learn more and see who the other 24 Champions are.

Mary also is the author of The Path of the Pearl, a book about healing and overcoming adversity.  Most people know that pearls are made by oysters responding to an irritant (sand).  And so it is with us.  We can become strong and beautiful (turned into pearls) through overcoming adversity.   

I was honored to assist Mary in her public relations effort to share her Yoplait Champions 2008 good news.  Find out more about Mary’s efforts to fight breast cancer at one of her websites: www.1BestTTT.com, www.BreastWishes.org, www.PathofthePearl.org.  

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2. April 2008 by DSJC.

Today, I read a terrific post by David Meerman Scott entitled, Al Gore: PR Agent for Planet Earth (http://www.webinknow.com/2008/03/al-gore-pr-agen.html?cid=109147248#comment-109147248).  (NOTE:  This is not a political blog).

Anyone who’s interested in learning about the practice of PR should read Meerman Scott’s post (actually any of them) as he lists the reasons why Gore is so good at what he does.  Once again, Meerman Scott proves his PR prowess.  At the same time, he highlighted the enviable communications abilities of Al Gore.

Throughout the post I found myself saying, “Yes, that’s right!”  Yet, I have a little more to add to Meerman Scott’s post, and I said as much in my comments on his blog, Web Ink Now.

I agree; Gore is remarkable in his public relations and marketing communications acumen.  He is someone from whom we all can learn.  Gore can teach us a lot about communications in general.

I have been reading another, less known book by Al Gore.  It’s called The Assault on Reason, and you need only read his introduction to see how just how completely he understands the impact that media messaging has on what he calls “the public sphere.”  Among other points made in the book, Gore makes a case for the Internet being a great hope for saving

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18. March 2008 by DSJC.

Robert Fulghum, on his blog site (http://www.robertfulghum.com/) posted on March 9^th what many who write recognize to be true:

It is true that writing is mostly a way to be a good companion to one’s self.
It is true that writing is a way to live your life over several times.
It is true that if you write only to get the attention of others, you will never be satisfied. Because you can’t ever really know what others think.
This is especially the case with friends and family and neighbors. The closer people are to you, the less they will have to say about what you publish. It’s the people you do not know – the readers from far away - ones you will never meet – who will write to you and reflect on your writing. In part it is because they have imagined you. You are a projection of their lives and thinking. Fan mail is more about the fan than you.

Speaking of fans, I am big fan of Fulghum’s; I LOVE his writings.  He makes me smile, even laugh out loud at times (so, I guess it IS about me).  I like to think I’m one of those people he calls “players.”  I and others like me are his audience. 

I found it comforting to read what Fulghum shared as I realized the truth of it myself some time ago—that many of the people who know me don’t have much to say about my writing for Breast Cancer Wellness magazine.  And, that is a-okay with me.

It’s the readers who don’t know me—the readers from far away—who do read what I have to say.  They are the ones I mean to touch anyway.  But I do feel that I am satisfied even as I write for their attention.  I write for them while writing for myself; I am inspired by the people I profile. 

Writing for the attention of others is in line with good marketing and good communications; it’s writing for the audience, a.k.a. the target.  I’ll never forget the words of my mentor, Scott Harlin, a successful high-tech marketer.  He said, “Remember the audience; what’s in it for them?”  Well over a decade ago, Harlin made me print that out and paste it to my computer monitor, because he wanted to drive home the idea that all successful communications speak to the audience.

Last week I was touched by readers, by representatives of the journalistic world—readers from far away who took notice and saw the positive purpose of the work.

The fall 2007 issue of Breast Cancer Wellness magazine, to which I contribute profiles, received the 2007 Dan Ranly Award for “Best Issue” in the consumer category from the Missouri Association of Publications (MAP).  Now, I realize that Beverly Vote, our publisher and editor-in-chief, gets just about all of the credit for the magazine, but it is nice to share in the honor.  It tells me that we at the magazine speak to our audience. 

So, is this a case of the fan mail (honor) being more about the fan than about me or the magazine?  Yes, and it means that we touched them, just as Mr. Fulghum’s works touch so many of us around the world.  Whether he intends to or not, Fulghum gets the attention of others.  I’m happy to say, so does Breast Cancer Wellness magazine.

To view the fall 2007 issue of Breast Cancer Wellness magazine, go to:  http://www.breastcancerwellness.org/magazine/Fall07_01.pdf.  My articles begin on page 44.   DSJC

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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

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7. February 2008 by DSJC.

<a href=”http://technorati.com/claim/e6rw3e7n4” rel=”me”>Technorati Profile</a>

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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 Philadelphia 76ers when they are in

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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