Public Relations

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Community Managers: If You Have Nothing Nice to Say, Don’t Say Anything At All

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Another senseless tragedy.  Another brand lacking compassion.  

More people use Twitter today than ever before, making it the place to share breaking news. Twitter’s reach is especially evident during times of crisis, when many of its 200 million users flood the network with much-needed information, real-time updates, positive thoughts and prayers. 

But without fail, it seems every major tragedy in the last year has been followed by an insensitive tweet from a brand trying to use the event to their gain.  And also without fail, this strategy backfires – each and every time – in the form of a social media crisis followed by negative press, a tarnished image and lost customers, not to mention even more upset for the families and friends of the victims.  

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Social Media: Not the Only Tool in the PR Shed

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Albert Einstein once said, “I fear the day when technology surpasses our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.” This quote resonates with me because, in the constantly evolving world of social media, I sometimes see the “social” aspect missing. Have you ever found yourself alone in a crowded room, a party or restaurant and noticed just how many people were more occupied with their smartphones than with observing what’s around them? Have you felt disconnected or almost panicked when you forgot your phone at home? In a world where we are always connected, we’re all guilty of it, but there is a time and a place for using these platforms. Social media is simply one tool in the PR toolbox.

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Second Helpings

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Joe Biden, Ethel Mertz, Tonto, Ron Weasley, Ed McMahon, The Bad Cop, Rhoda Morgenstern – dependable sidekicks all.

Buchanan Public Relations, Mary Tyler Moore, Valerie Harper, Rhoda, sidekicks

The recent sad news of Valerie Harper’s ill health has me thinking about sidekicks.

Wikipedia says sidekicks can perform one or multiple functions, providing a counterpoint to the hero, an alternate point of view, or knowledge, skills, or anything else the hero does not have. Such as a love of processing invoices. But I digress.

TV sidekicks usually play a supporting role to the star. I like to think that’s what I do at Buchanan Public Relations. And, in a first for seconds, this spring’s meeting of the Public Relations Global Network will acknowledge the role of the second-in-command by offering a separate track for us. I can’t wait to spend time with my fellow second bananas from around the globe. I’m sure our sessions will be second to none.

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15 Changes I’ve Seen in 15 Years

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Anne Buchanan, Buchanan Public Relations, Philadelphia public relations agencyThis month marks the 15th anniversary of Buchanan Public Relations. Much has happened since I set up shop in a spare bedroom of my home a decade-and-a-half ago. Now, ten of us – and two dogs – sit in “real” office space. The anniversary got me to thinking. Here are 15 big changes I’ve witnessed in the last 15 years.

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Bring On Spring!

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For years when I had the freedom of a freelance writer, I would begin each year by drawing big black Xs on my calendar through the first week of March. In Philadelphia, that’s when the Flower Show comes to town.

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Giving Good Face

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I like to think of myself as a Rita Hayworth of public relations.  I give good face.

No, I’m not lauding what my mama gave me.  I’m talking about the care I take to, as often as possible, meet the reporters I regularly work with or those with whom I want to work.  But, it’s not about impersonal networking and pitching my clients.  It’s possible to accomplish challenging media placement goals via email or over the phone, but isn’t relationship building at the very core of our profession?

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Social Media: Helpful or Hindering in a Crisis?

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With the speed at which today’s news is shared via social media, channels like Twitter and Facebook that offer instantaneous broadcast capability are critical assets to have in one’s crisis communications arsenal.  Unfortunately, these same channels can do more harm than good when fact-checking falls secondary to being first to “break the news,” and false information is reported.

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Mentoring the Next Generation of PR Pros

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Buchanan Public Relations, Happo, Twitter, mentorshipPublic relations is very much a “learn by doing” industry.  While taking communication classes can certainly help undergraduate students learn why it’s a valued profession, often it’s the internships we complete that truly teach us how to be a PR pro – a testament to those in the field who oversee our work and help us develop along the way.

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Public Relations-ships on Valentine’s Day

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Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is impossible to ignore, even if you wish you could.  Flowers, chocolates and stuffed animals flood grocery and gift store aisles. Promotional messages continually urge us to make the holiday special – whether or not you have a valentine. 

Valentine's Day Social Media "Buchanan Public Relations"

This February 14th, you may be dining with a significant other, hitting the town with your single friends or refusing to celebrate the holiday entirely.  Either way, Valentine’s Day offers three major lessons for public relations practitioners: 

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Where Are They Now? (Part 4)

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For the fourth installment in our “Where Are They Now?” blog series, which highlights the career trajectories of former Buchanan PR interns, we feature Kellie Connors, who interned with the agency from November 2007 through February 2008.  Read on for Kelly’s experiences working in PR and her advice for those just starting out in the field.

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