This week’s PRobecast, Alison Raymond, Mike Sapienza and Tony Sapienza talk why companies need to connect with their PR agencies right away, the Flipboard app, and much more. Here are the issues we covered:

Flipboard turns social media feeds into digital magazine – Flipboard is an application for the iPad that can turn the content from your social networks – Facebook, twitter, etc, into a digital magazine. It can actually let’s you set your preferences based on your interests and will pull from Twitter feeds published my media companies. If you had an iPad, do you think you would upload Flipboard?

Google Flips Thoughts on Net Neutrality – Google recently pulled a 180 and flipped its support for net neutrality, which ensures that all people have equal access to the internet. Google is pairing up with Verizon and now would like to pay Verizon a fee for their browsers to exclusively use Google, enabling them to charge advertisers more money for the large demographic of users. Do you think this is something that will be passed? What does this mean for smaller news providers?

The value in a strong connection between clients and agencies – An article on PR Week offered tips to businesses to ensure they are maximizing their relationship when signing on with a new agency. It brought up a lot of good points – Set expectations, communicate frequently, and give the team access to key execs. Why do you think it’s important to have a strong client/agency relationship right off the bat?

Twitter’s launch of the Tweet Button – According to Mashable, Twitter is coming out with an official Tweet Button that is supposed to fill the void companies face when it comes to being able to track tweets. This button is designed to count tweets and retweets across the entire Twitter network. Do you think this will solve a lot of clients fears about the value of Twitter?

Will Wyclef Jean run for President of Haiti – Wyclef Jean is going from multimillionaire recording artist to potentially running for President of Haiti, which is one of the poorest countries in the world. If elected president, he is going to encourage donators to invest heavily in education, farming, mining and to promote tourism. There are a couple things that may possibly stand in the way; including requirements that those running for President must have never renounced their Haitian citizenship by holding another countries passport – which I’m sure is not the case for Wyclef. However, his people will argue that he is a Haitian ambassador at large (he was appointed in 2007). What do you think? Do you think he can pull this off? Is this too big of a thing to turn around?

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Technorati Tags: iPad, JetBlue, PRobecast, Twitter Button, Wyclef Jean

There was a big group participating in this week’s PRobecast! In this episode, Alison Raymond, Paula Slotkin, Amy Krigman, Wendie Larkin, Renatta Sierwert, Mike Sapienza and Joanna DiTrapano talk social media, cell phone usage on planes, Scott Brown and the influence of Mommy bloggers. Here are some topics we covered:

Twitter’s launch of @earlybird – The group buying trend is becoming increasingly popular. Many smaller merchants are finding that it is a great way to market their business – but what should they be thinking about before joining in?

The influence of Mommy Bloggers – The media landscape has changed tremendously throughout the last couple years. Blogging isn’t just a pastime anymore. Bloggers can be highly influencial, especially mommy bloggers.

Are we in an Analytics Era – PR and marketing professionals are being asked more frequently for results of campaigns as more and more sources and platforms are used.

Usage of Cell Phones on Airlines – It might not be long before calls are allowed on domestic U.S. flights. Do you want to hear someone talking next to you while you’re flying? Will this be beneficial for those travelling for work?

Brown backing financial overhaul – Thoughts on Brown’s decision to back the financial overhaul.

Success of the Old Spice Man Viral Marketing – Old Spice has done an excellent and hilarious job responding to people’s tweets via YouTube. Is this something that more companies should be doing?

Let us know what you think!

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Today BP attached a cap to the leaking well, and now everyone is holding their breath to see if the device will actually work.

If it does work, certainly this will be a huge step in this disaster, and everyone involved can move onto the next phase, which is the continued cleanup of oil in the Gulf and the beaches, not to mention all the animals affected by the oil. But of course nobody really knows how long that will take and exactly how much money it will cost.

So many people have been affected by the spill and it’s disheartening.

(For a somber look at businesses affected by the spill, check out the latest slideshow in Businessweek.)

When all is said and done, BP will of course never be viewed the same way. It will take decades to remove the stain of this disaster. I wouldn’t be surprised if they change their name to try and start fresh. But seriously, who is going to believe a word they say? Least of all the residents of the Gulf coast, whose lives are forever changed.

Not that I could really stomach working with BP, but it would certainly be a very unique client to have. Would be curious to hear from other PR people what strategies you would undertake with this company as it works to rebuild itself. What would you do?

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