Building Word of Mouth Brands Using PR: Best Loved Brands Reveal How to Connect with Customers to Drive Buzz and the Bottom Line

PR?s role in building a loyal customer base is increasingly being acknowledged by entrepreneurs and executives. Yet many in communications still view brand building as more an art than science. The unfortunate result for PR is branding opportunities and budget are often lost to advertising and other marcom disciplines. The good news: You and your team can learn the secrets and science of brand building through PR firsthand from communicators at some of the nation?s most loved companies, organizations like Stonyfield Farm, JetBlue Airways and others. Join Jenny Dervin, Director, Corporate Communications, JetBlue Airways, Carmelle Druchniak, Senior Communications Manager, Stonyfield Farm and Christopher Rosica, CEO, Rosica Strategic Public Relations; Author, "The Authentic Brand," in this 90-minute advanced branding session to hear their proven formulas of success, ranging from devising living mission statements and incorporating cause marketing to "geo-branding" and even creating unique brand personalities through authentic stories and storytelling methodologies: Wednesday, May 7, 2008. For more information or to register, go to conference details or call 1-800-959-1059.

Evaluating Integrated PR Software? MAKE SURE YOU READ THIS FIRST

Why are global brands such as Starbucks and Manulife Financial using dna13's integrated PR software to drive their brands? Download our Vendor View here to learn why/how dna13's PR software application can empower your team to be more productive and effective through the use of a single, web-based portal. An easy-to-navigate solution, dna13 integrates collaborative and innovative technology for all PR tasks: project management, media list building, media monitoring and project analysis. Download here

Critical Mention (www.criticalmention.com), a leader in global broadcast intelligence solutions, has announced the launch of the Critical Archive, a historical search index of television closed caption text that dates back to the company's launch in 2003. The service is expected to fill an enormous information void for PR and Corporate Communications professionals, the company says. In addition, the archive is expected to expand the company's client base to include the Libraries at law firms, universities and government agencies, advertisers and other knowledge-workers across the enterprise...

By Brian Pittman

"I find the [PR] folks at Northwestern and Duke to be on the ball. What makes them that way? The stuff they send is newsworthy and written well," says Adam Martin, senior editor at Time Inc.'s Health magazine, and also an active freelance writer in the finance arena who has recently completed assignments for Merrill Lynch, the Navy Federal Credit Union and Meredith Corp.

In addition to timely, topical and accurate pitches and releases, Martin says journalists in health and beyond appreciate ideas that contain supporting research and statistics: "I got a good pitch about a new wrinkle–removal technique that helped us develop a plastic surgery story," he relates. "What made it great were the details on the procedure, the name dropping on who was having it, the stats on plastic surgery popularity and availability"...

This week's profile, Jim Courtney, Deputy Commissioner, Communications, Social Security Administration

Many traditional PR firms and departments recognize that Web 2.0–oriented conversation and community building are increasingly key components of driving brand, buzz and visibility these days—yet few know how to take those first critical steps into the emerging, and often tricky, medium. To help those struggling to make the leap (or, at least, dip their toes) into social media, we approached what may be viewed as one of the most conservative (i.e., not cutting edge) institutions in the country and asked for their insights...

 

By Frank Zeccola

The anniversary celebration is a common pitch that lands in the email inboxes and fax machines of almost every business and lifestyle editor in the country, regardless of their outlet's focus, coverage or location. Here at Bulldog Reporter, for example, we constantly see pitches for the anniversaries of everything from law firms and banks to makeup companies, film festivals and dog?walking services. As a trade publication covering the PR and media industries, this is puzzling...