I was talking with an editor, I won’t say who or what pub, today on an editorial calendar opportunity that was spot on my client – an owner-funded company with a great product that is the coolest thing in its market – literally.

The editor agreed and we started talking additional information, what he’d need, possibility of an article, podcasts, briefings, essentially the whole nine yards of PR glory.

Somewhere in there, he says, and I am quoting here: “of course, we give priority to our advertisers, and very few if any non-advertisers ever make the book.” Caught by surprise, I had a really snappy comeback…I said – “oh, really.” As it stands, advertising is not what my client wants to do. They understand the need, and in fact do some, but prefer the third-party validation that comes from successful PR.

We got into a discussion on pay-for-play, the value of PR and the role of advertising. I did my best to persuade him that ultimately, running editorial that is only from advertisers will undermine the credibility of his book. He, in turn, tried to convince me that a company that was willing to advertise really wanted to reach his market.

In the end we agreed to disagree. But every time I run across this pay-for-play scenario, I can’t help but think…if editors often consider PR professionals as nothing but schills for their clients, what does it make them when all they accept is editorial from their advertisers?

Technorati Tags: editorial calendars, PR

Sitting in traffic on 128 the other day, I saw a bumper sticker that said: “Rapture is coming. Will you be ready?”

It got me thinking – not about Rapture, but about recovery from the current economic conditions. Like Rapture, no one knows for sure when recovery is coming – though they are sure it will. And, like Rapture, some are more prepared than others.

Now, regardless of your views on Rapture, from a communications standpoint, companies need to assess their readiness. If you have slashed your marketing programs, gone “dark” on advertising, scaled back your PR and tradeshow efforts – there is a good chance that the recovery will be much further off for you than others.

Here’s the catch – how do you get ready for recovery without breaking the bank? Here’s two thoughts:

Social Media – have your agency step up activity with blogs, podcasts, tweeting and forums. Start to get back in the swing of things.

Public Relations – Ramp up your outreach activities. Haven’t talked to the press in a while – now’s a good time to do a tour – even if it is by phone.

*Don’t have an agency, give us a call, we’d be glad to help.

If we knew the exact date of recovery (or Rapture for that matter), it would be easy to get ready. But one thing we do know – there are signs in the economy that are pointing in the right direction. Maybe now is the time to get some of your communications activities back in action.

Recovery is, after all, coming. Will you be ready?

Technorati Tags: Communications, PR, Recovery, Social Media

On the last day of RFID Journal LIVE! 2009, we got the news we were hoping for – our client, ODIN, (www.odintechnologies.com), the leader in accurate RFID solutions for healthcare, government, aerospace and defense, won the prestigious third annual RFID Journal Awards “Best in Show” award.

ODIN won for its revolutionary new product, Smart Container – an industry first in self-inventorying container systems using its patented Blackbird™ RFID technology.

You can read more here.

Technorati Tags: PR, RFID, Tradeshow