Ed Cafasso''s article in the current issue of PR Tactics explores the lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina. In it, DPK Public Relations President Dan Keeney, APR says he hopes the Katrina tragedy will inspire businesses to make their crisis plans living documents rather than window dressing.
The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Research Foundation''s report, "Best Practices in Employee Communication: A Study of Global Challenges and Approaches," points to severe gaps in employee communications. But you can make a difference.
A battle has been brewing over the University of Oregon''s decision to launch a graduate public relations program as part of its Journalism School. The question is whether public relations and journalism have anything to do with each other. Should PR be taught in Business School?
A recent survey found that recent graduates lack the ability to write effectively. Today''s undergrads have a tainted view of the role of public relations, influenced by Lizzie Grubman and her ilk and programs such as "Power Girls," which suggest that PR consists primarily of late night entertaining and shoving clients in front of waiting paparazzi.
The Rocky Mountain News reports that Ray Gomez, part of the University of Colorado''s crisis communications response team is blabbing about what went on behind the scenes. Instead of using the opportunity to communate their key messages, Gomez''s quotes suggest that the organization remains in a state of turmoil. It''s the cardinal sin of crisis response.
If you are familiar with Wikipedia, you are familiar with the concept of enabling Web site users to contribute to the information and knowledge disseminated through the site. Here, DPK Public Relations and users of this Web site define a crisis. Everyone is invited to participate.
As Karl Rove is learning, never go off-the-record unless you can live with the possibility that you won’t remain anonymous. While the Rove story is likely to shed new light on the dangers of providing background information to journalists, this article reflects on the revelation of the identity of Watergate''s Deep Throat and its implications for all media sources.
Washington Post staff writer Howard Kurtz has suggested that the journalism profession has been demoralized by developments surrounding anonymous sources, accusations of plagiarism and other high profile misdeeds. For organizations and their public relations counselors interested in communicating powerful messages through the media, it is important to understand the dynamics that are evolving in newsrooms.
You have to wonder about the public relations geniuses at Deutsch Advertising who came up with the idea of trying to break the world record for the largest popsickle in the middle of summer in Manhattan. It ended with the client''s product being hosed into gutters after causing a health and safety hazard. Not good.
Texas public relations pros with exceptionally thick skin and the ability to put up with a boss who is his own worst enemy have a new job opening to consider. Dan Allen, communications director for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Sugar Land, announced this week that he will resign at the end of the month. Who can blame him?