Browse PRNewser July 2012 archives - PRNewser

New Study: Energy Efficiency Critical to Building Positive Brand Image

Elizabeth S. Mitchell — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:16:00 +0000

We know that going green is important for the environment and can help curb energy costs, but might it also be an imperative ingredient to building a positive brand image? According to a new Deloitte report, improving energy efficiency at America’s businesses is as important to brand building as it is to growing the bottom line.

According to the study, reSources 2012, 85 percent of companies say that electricity cost reductions are essential to staying financially competitive, which isn’t too much of a surprise. But the eye-catching part is that nearly an equal majority (81 percent) feel that reducing energy costs is critical to brand building. In fact, more than three-quarters of the organizations surveyed say that they are actively promoting their energy efficiency efforts to their customers.

“Corporate America is coming to a clear consensus: Energy efficiency is an important competitive advantage,” said Greg Aliff, vice chairman, Deloitte LLP and the report’s co-author. “It is no longer just the purview of plant operations or building management. Senior leaders are beginning to view it as a strategic business driver.”

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A PR Conundrum of Intergalactic Proportions

James F. Thompson — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:41:19 +0000

PR professionals expect things to go wrong. In many respects, it’s what we do. PR people are typically creative types, and nothing requires more resourcefulness and imagination than an unexpected situation that suddenly propels a brand, a person or a product into a negative and public spotlight. Sometimes PR experts work on a local level, a national level or even an international level. But what happens when things go awry on an intergalactic level?

America, and the entire planet earth, is experiencing a PR problem on the moon, which can be argued was the first planetary billboard space ever used by mankind. This 2012 space odyssey has to do with the American flags US astronauts planted on the moon decades ago. It appears, well, that the flags are no longer conveying the sense of pride, power and identity they used to project. This article on Gizmodo explains the details: “While the $5.50 nylon flags are still waving on the windless orb, they are not flags of the United States of America anymore. All Moon and material experts have no doubt about it: the flags are now completely white. If you leave a flag on Earth for 43 years, it would be almost completely faded. On the Moon, with no atmospheric protection whatsoever, that process happens a lot faster. The stars and bars disappeared from our Moon flags quite some time ago.”

What does this mean for public relations between the human race and aliens? Who knows. It all depends on how aliens interpret the meaning of five white flags stuck on the moon. (There were six flags, but one, set too close to the Apollo 11 landing site, was knocked down by the force of the craft lifting off from the moon’s surface.) Many in our profession like to speculate where the industry is heading, but few look so far into the future, and the past, to even consider PR on an intergalactic level. Perhaps now is the time. After all, right now “Made in America” isn’t faring so well on the moon. Perhaps Curiosity will do better on Mars.

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Ross Levinsohn Leaves Yahoo

Elizabeth S. Mitchell — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 10:30:48 +0000

Ross Levinsohn has left Yahoo. Earlier this month, Yahoo named former Google executive Marissa Mayer CEO, passing over Levinsohn, who had been serving as interim CEO, a move that left many wondering about Levinsohn’s future with the company. According to Ad Age, there has been wide speculation as to whether Mayer may want to surround herself with former colleagues, and also whether Levinsohn would want to stay after being passed over for the top spot.

Although Levinsohn built strong relationships with ad agencies and made content deals with media companies like CNBC, ABC News, Clear Channel, and the ad network Interclick, Yahoo’s board, with Mayer at the helm, has reportedly decided to shift its focus away from media, and onto products that tie users into the Yahoo experience.

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The Ticker: NBC’s Olympics; GM Ouster; Social Media Focus Groups; Apple Ads; Samsung’s New Phones

James F. Thompson — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:52:01 +0000

LA Times: NBC Draws Record Viewership and Social Media Turmoil

Businessweek: GM Marketing Chief Ousted over Manchester United Jersey Deal

The New York Times: PR Tech: Social Media Platforms Become the New Focus Groups

Advertising Age: New Apple Ads Focus on “Genius” Service Instead of Products

Forbes: New Samsung Phone Shakes Up the Competition

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Where Have All the CEOs Gone?

Nancy Lazarus — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:32:26 +0000

CEO visibility, or lack of it, is an ongoing PR issue and one that has been frequently mentioned at media industry events. Examples abound of corporate leaders who are tight-lipped during tough times or deliver misleading comments. Many CEOs only make a public appearance when the news is favorable or prefer to network with each other at gatherings such as the annual summer conference in Sun Valley for media and tech leaders.

Instead of covering this topic in our usual manner, we’re borrowing an alternate approach from Calvin Trillin. As an author, humorist and longtime contributor to The New Yorker, Trillin often wrote poems about politicians and current events. Inspired by his rhyming wizardry, we thought this would be an effective style for tackling the CEO dilemma.

CEO (In)visibility

The problem:

CEOs are ultimately accountable
Even when issues seem insurmountable
In the business world there is constant disaster
If not handled well, things get worse much faster

CEOs collect exorbitant pay
But when crises hit most have nothing to say
Or if they do it is after delay
Or they use stand-ins who get in the way

Richard Edelman, a renowned PR pro
Thinks CEO public face-time has hit a new low

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PR Jobs: Rainforest Alliance, Focusrite Audio Engineering, The Morris + King Company

Nadine Cheung — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:00:23 +0000

This week, Rainforest Alliance is hiring a manager of media and marketing, and Focusrite Audio Engineering needs a public relations manager. Meanwhile, the Morris + King Company is seeking an account supervisor for tech PR and a digital/tech PR senior account executive. Get the scoop on these openings and more below, and find additional just-posted gigs on Mediabistro.

Manager, Media & Marketing Rainforest Alliance (New York, NY)
Public Relations Manager Focusrite Audio (New York, NY or High Wycombe, UK)
Account Supervisor for Tech PR The Morris + King Company (New York, NY)
Digital/Tech PR Senior Account Executive The Morris + King Company (New York, NY)
Assistant Account Executive Boutique Public Relations Agency (New York, NY)

Find more great PR jobs on the PRNewser job board. Looking to hire? Tap into our network of talented PRNewser pros and post a risk-free job listing. For real-time openings and employment news, follow @MBJobPost.

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Athletes and NBC Discover the Olympic Power of Twitter

James F. Thompson — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:00:43 +0000

The 2012 London Olympics, which NBC paid $1.18 billion to televise, is already providing PR experts with plenty of learning material, especially in regard to Twitter.

Just ask Hope Solo’s publicist. Ms. Solo has managed to elevate her personal brand into the national conversation by lambasting commentator and U.S. women’s soccer icon Brandi Chastain. Though this cyber confrontation may prove for the Olympics, women’s soccer and NBC’s ratings there is no such thing as bad publicity, it also irked many fans already fed up with the lack of civility, selflessness and sportsmanship in so many other sports. continued…

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Who Let the Dogs In? Man’s Best Friend Gains Entree and Influence

Nancy Lazarus — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:31:47 +0000

Lately canines have been getting the attention and red carpet treatment they deserve. No longer stay-at-home dogs, they now accompany their owners to venues such as banks (right), hotels, ballparks, and even the alter. They have certainly earned their reward, since they play a role in many aspects of humans’ lives, including serving in the military, as seeing-eye dogs, companions and as conversation starters for singles.

Dog owners represent a sizable and devoted audience, and their spending has been relatively recession-proof. Thirty-nine percent of U.S. households own at least one dog, and if people with an affinity for dogs are included, that number is far higher.

Madison Avenue and Hollywood have long featured dogs based on their enormous popularity, and now other industries have followed suit. Here are ten examples of dogs’ increased exposure, ranging from media, entertainment and travel to sports and politics.

Madison Avenue often chooses dogs for its high profile ads, such as the Volkswagen spot called “The Bark Side” starring a canine chorus that aired during this year’s Super Bowl.
Hollywood celebrated Uggie, the Jack Russell terrier who nearly stole the show at the Oscars this year based on his performance in The Artist.
Silicon Valley companies are known for allowing dogs on their campuses. DogPatch Labs is a startup incubator, and new site MatchPuppy.com find play dates for dogs and their owners.
In social media some dogs have a voice with their own Twitter accounts. Among YouTube’s most popular videos are those with canines (including nearly 17 million views for VW’s ad)
Jonah Peretti, founder of BuzzFeed, readily acknowledges that dog related content (especially beagles) generated much of his site’s traffic. (Huffington Post is better known for cat videos)

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British Optical Shop Turns Olympics Gaffe into Ad Campaign

Elizabeth S. Mitchell — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 11:30:58 +0000

It certainly didn’t seem that there would be any positive reactions to last week’s Olympics blunder that caused the image of a South Korean flag to be displayed on the big screen in Scotland’s Hampden Park as the North Korean women’s soccer team took the field. To say that the two countries are bitter rivals is putting it mildly — we’re not talking Red Sox/Yankees here, we’re talking major and long-standing diplomatic and political conflict.

Reactions were, therefore, what one might expect. Supporters of the North Korean team were understandably horrified, and the team itself walked off the field in protest, refusing to return for over an hour. Obligatory finger-pointing and apologies followed.

But one bold reaction to the gaffe was a bit less standard, and has come from a British optical shop in the form of a new advertising campaign. According to Reuters, Specsavers, a chain of contact lens and glasses sellers, often uses ads featuring embarrassing cases of mistaken identity to urge customers to get their eyes checked, the tagline being: “Should have gone to Specsavers.” In keeping with that theme, the company has taken out advertisements in national newspapers (image above) suggesting that the whole faux pas could have been avoided, had Olympics officials only visited a Specsavers for an eye exam prior to the game.

Somehow, I’m not sure the London-based video producer who was found to be at fault for the mix-up will see the humor in the ad. No pun intended.

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Revolving Door: Norah O’Donnell Replaces Erica Hill on ‘CBS This Morning’, Dick Cheney Interviewed by ABC’s Jonathan Karl, and More

Elizabeth S. Mitchell — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 10:12:24 +0000

CBS News Chief White House Correspondent Norah O’Donnell has been named co-host of “CBS This Morning” replacing Erica Hill who first came to CBS News in 2008, while still with CNN, to co-anchor the weekend “Early Show.” In January, 2010 she joined CBS full time. (TVNewser)

Lauren Kapp, the former top communications and marketing executive at NBC News who left for a strategy and marketing position at Huffington Post in May, will be leaving that job this week. Reuters reports Kapp will leave Huffington Post Media Group August 1, three months after joining from NBC. Reuters says personal reasons are behind the change. (TVNewser)

Former Vice President Dick Cheney was interviewed by ABC’s Jonathan Karl. The interview, Cheney’s first since his heart transplant earlier this year, will be previewed across all ABC’s platforms today, and will air in its entirety on “Nightline” this evening. (TVNewser)

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has been making the media rounds to promote his new book, and one of the stops was C-SPAN. C-SPAN’s Brian Lamb asked Scalia about his recent interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan, and why Justices are usually so reluctant to do public appearances. (TVNewser) Video Below:

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The Ticker: HSBC Damage Control; Hope Solo; Apple Showdown; CNN; Cheap Coffee vs. the Environment

James F. Thompson — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 08:57:27 +0000

Businessweek: HSBC In Full Damage Control Mode After Scathing Report

The Washington Post: Hope Solo’s Hopeless Approach to PR and Social Media

The New York Times: Patent Showdown Between Apple and Samsung Goes to Trial

Advertising Age: CNN’s Low Ratings Spur New Direction and Leadership

Forbes: Inexpenisve Coffee Faces Environmental PR Challenges

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Roll Call: 360 PR, Elephant Talk Communications, and More

Elizabeth S. Mitchell — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:46:53 +0000

Elephant Talk Communications Corp. (nyse mkt:ETAK), an international provider of business software to the telecommunications and financial industries, has appointed Jan Goeijenbier as Director of Corporate Communications. Jan will also manage the group’s newly appointed public relations agencies — Fishburn Hedges in Europe and Intermarket Communications in the United States — as well as, together with VP of Investor Relations Steve Gersten, The Blueshirt Group, ETAK’s new investor relations agency. (Release)

Kyle Bishop has been named Director of Digital Strategies and Creative Services at 360 Public Relations. Bishop will lead an expanding team of digital designers, developers and social media community managers at 360PR, an agency recognized as an early leader and continued innovator in digital communications. (Release)

Single Stop USA, a national non-profit organization focused on increasing economic and educational opportunities nationwide, announced today that Dr. Jennifer Scott has joined its board of directors. Dr. Scott serves as the Global Managing Director of Ogilvy Public Relations’ (Ogilvy PR) Strategy+Planning Group and brings significant experience in communications strategy to the Single Stop board. (Release)

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How High Can Style and Design Elevate Virgin America?

James F. Thompson — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:00:21 +0000

It’s difficult to imagine there were ever glory days for the airline industry. Today, many travelers loathe the idea of flying; rigorous and invasive security checks, delayed flights, baggage fees and drab terminals operated by uninspired employees all make for an unwelcome experience. Virgin America, however, is banking that it can change air travel.

The hip airline has created an ambitious branding strategy and PR campaign that focuses on customer experience. By providing upscale amenities in terminals, dressing its flight attendants in sleek attire, and offering gourmet in-flight food served on real dinnerware, Virgin America believes it can differentiate itself from the competition and attract more customers who are willing to pay a little extra for a pleasurable travel experience. But just how much is mood lighting and craft beer worth to flyers? continued…

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After Three Months on the Job Lauren Kapp Leaves Huffington Post

Chris Ariens — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:34:43 +0000

Three months after leaving NBC News for Huffington Post Media Group, Lauren Kapp is leaving her post. Kapp was brought on as Huffington’s SVP of Global Strategy, Marketing and Communication. Reuters reports Kapp is leaving for personal reasons.

The differences between NBC and the Huffington Post are vast: NBC is part of a huge corporate conglomerate controlled by cable operator Comcast Corp and its news division has a long, storied history.

The Huffington Post, founded in 2005, is a scrappy upstart that has rewritten the rule book in how news is presented and consumed on the Internet with its mixture of aggregation, heavy use of photos, original reporting and commentary.

Kapp, spent the last 10 years at NBC News where she held PR jobs at “Today” and “Nightly News” before being upped to VP of communications and marketing, and was part of NBC News president Steve Capus’ inner circle.

Earlier this month, HPMG owner AOL hired Jolie Hunt for the newly-created role of chief marketing and communications officer. Hunt joined from Thomson Reuters.

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Mitt Romney’s London PR Gaffe gets Funnier

Elizabeth S. Mitchell — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:06:12 +0000

(Jason Reed/AP)

There has been no shortage of Olympics-related PR gaffes leading up to the start of the games, which are set to kick off with the opening ceremonies in London tonight. Recent headlines have included everything from the backlash over foreign-made Team USA uniforms, to the dismissal of a Greek athlete due to an insensitive tweet. And now presidential candidate Mitt Romney has joined the ranks of those scrambling to clean up self-made PR messes before the games begin.

According to The Huffington Post, Romney, while in London earlier this week, offended British leaders and citizens alike by questioning the city’s preparedness during an NBC News interview that aired on Wednesday evening. “The stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials — that obviously is not something which is encouraging,” he said. He also called some of the potential issues “disconcerting.”

On Thursday, in what some believe was a jab at Romney’s leadership of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, British Prime Minister David Cameron responded to Romney’s remarks by saying, “We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere.”

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