PRobecast 140: In this episode of PRobecast, Topazers Justin Martell, Josh DeStefano, and Caitlin Smith join me in talking about the sugar industry trying to pull a fast one, being a memorable public speaker, and our Facebook predictions for 2012.
Sugar Industry In a PR Stretch: Corn Refiners Association Leverages Accusations Against Refined Sugar Industry for Pitching New Study To Create False Scientific Controversy About High Fructose Corn Syrup – The Refined Sugar Industry and the Corn Refiners Association are in yet another heated debate about whose product is better. This time, the refined sugar industry is trying to pull the wool over consumers’ eyes by publishing a survey with several limitations, and did not produce conclusive results. The survey was completed as a backlash against the CRA, which asked the FDA to print “corn sugar” instead of “high fructose corn syrup” on nutrition labels. Now there are lawsuits and complaints being made everywhere you look in the nutrition and food industry, and all that’s being accomplished is misconception. The two industries are not paying attention to their stakeholders, which are, obviously, consumers. Sugar products are in nearly everything we eat, so shouldn’t their focus be on making people healthier and encouraging moderation?
Make Every Word Count – 4 steps to becoming a memorable speaker - Patricia Fripp, a speech coach and trainer, published an opinion piece on the BullDog Reporter on how to make your speech intelligent, memorable, and audience-focused. Her four key points were organization, analysis, edit, and specify. Explicit language is a key way to sound like an expert, and it’s often forgotten in our events. Language is an important tool, often overlooked. As PR people, it’s our job to make sure our clients attend and speak at the right conferences, and we often write the proposals. 2012 should focus on speech which will invite discussion, generate leads, and eventually close deals.
Lastly in PRobecast, we’ll pick technology trends we’d like to see happen for 2012. Our discussion centered on Facebook ads versus fan pages, and which are more efficient.
Now it’s time for the PRobecast PR Power Ranking – which is when we go around the room and pick the story that we think ranks the highest PR-wise – meaning any aspects of PR could be the reasoning behind the pick. Is it the story itself, good data that was used, what’s getting the most pickup, was it a good PR move the company made, etc.
We chose Patricia Fripp’s article on being a memorable speaker. In PR, all too often we forget those important communications skills we learned. It’s time to make 2012 the year to bring back speaking properly while catering to your audience. Pick up your AP style book!
Who do you think should have won? Do you agree with us?
In this episode of PRobecast, Renatta Siewert and Justin Martell join me in talking about how Abercrombie & Fitch has asked for the Jersey Shore cast to stop wearing the brand on TV, Google bidding to buy Motorola and the new Amazon iPhone application for college students.
Abercrombie to ‘Jersey Shore’: Ditch our brand – Abercrombie and Fitch has sent an offer to the cast of the Jersey Shore offering them compensation for the halt of them wearing the brand on television. A&F is concerned that by the cast wearing their brand they are “distressing” fans of their brand. What do you think of Abercrombie’s offer? Is the Jersey Shore really hurting its brand?
Google Goes Soup-To-Nuts On Android With Bid For Motorola – Google put in a bid to buy Motorola for 12.5 billion dollars – a move that signals how moving into the Android market (by owning their hardware) is going to be an important strategy in the future. If the deal goes through, Apple will definitely have some big competition. Will Google every one-up Apple?
Amazon Launches New iPhone App for College Students – Amazon has launched an application for iPhones targeting college students. The app lets students do price checks on things they need including, textbooks, electronics, etc. It also allows them to list items they no longer use on their “trade in” feature. Rather than getting cash back, students will receive Amazon gift cards for items sold. Do you think this is a helpful application for college students?
Now it’s time for the PRobecast PR Power Ranking – which is when we go around the room and pick the story that we think ranks the highest PR-wise – meaning any aspects of PR could be the reasoning behind the pick. Is it the story itself, good data that was used, what’s getting the most pickup, was it a good PR move the company made, etc.
This is it was a surprising twist, both Renatta and Justin voted for A&F. Noting that the brand doesn’t openly advertise, this is a big PR stunt for coverage and is a bold move for the company considering the popularity of Jersey Shore. This PR stunt has also received a lot of coverage and got everyone talking about the brand.
In this episode of PRobecast, Justin Martell and Renatta Siewart join me in talking about the new graphic cigarette labels, mobile apps being used to save money, the capture of Whitey Bulger and a little pup with 4 prosthetic legs.
New Cigarette Warnings – Starting in September 2012, the Food and Drug Administration is going to start pushing out graphic warnings that will be required to be placed on the packages of cigarettes. Graphics include: dead bodies, decaying teeth with cancer of the mouth, etc. What do you think of this campaign? Will this get people to stop smoking?
Mobile apps are helping people save money – Putnam Investments recently launched an application for iPhones that can scan bar codes to compare prices at other stores. Once the prices come up, it will reflect which purchase is better for your savings in the long run. The article on USA Today, also says that other programs such as UPromise and one from PNC Bank also help consumers save money. What do you think of these types of applications?
Whitey Bulger arrested – The big news of the week is that Whitey Bulger has finally been caught and arrested after being found in Santa Monica. Now 81, Whitey has been on the run for 15 years, after he was tipped by an FBI agent that he was about to be indicted. In 1995, Bulger was indicted for racketeering and for 19 murders. This capture was just after one day of a newly launched campaign by the FBI, trying to locate Bulger and his longtime girlfriend, Catherine Elizabeth Greig.
Dog with 4 prosthetic paws – At just over 5 weeks, a puppy named Naki’o – and his brothers and sisters – were abandoned after their family’s house was foreclosed on in Nebraska. Fortunately the puppy survived through the winter, however, his paws were deformed into rounded stumps after being stuck in an icy puddle. According to Incrediblefeatures.com, Veterinary technician Christie Tomlinson “organized a fundraiser to pay for Naki’o to have his two back legs fitted with prosthetics.” He is now the first dog to have a set of four prosthetic paws. It’s amazing what technology can do!
Now it’s time for the PRobecast PR Power Ranking – which is when we go around the room and pick the story that we think ranks the highest PR-wise – meaning any aspects of PR could be the reasoning behind the pick. Is it the story itself, good data that was used, what’s getting the most pickup, was it a good PR move the company made, etc.
While the Whitey Bulger story is huge, Renatta and I chose the new cigarette labels as this week’s winner. When it comes to younger kids choosing to smoke – seeing it as being ‘cool’ – we think these labels can really change their minds before taking their first drag. While some adults are just used to their routine, this campaign could be very effective in encouraging younger kids and teenagers to live a healthier lifestyle.
