Building a trusted reputation among decision-makers takes concerted effort over a long period of time. Damaging a trusted reputation, on the other hand, takes little effort and can be accomplished in less than a New York minute. For 10 hilarious cautionary tales, check out Jim Diamond’s Stupidest Statements Awards of 2008. I like the entries on Sarah Palin, Vijay Prakash … Read More
Poll: media is worsening U.S. economic crisis
Think the media is losing its power to influence the public? Apparently, many Americans would disagree. A poll released today by Opinion Research Corporation finds Americans blaming the U.S. media for making the economic situation worse. 77% of the 1,000 polled believe that the U.S. financial press is “damaging consumer confidence and damping investment” by focusing on and embellishing negative … Read More
What’s the corporate business value of AR?
Forrester Research’s Kevin Lucas raises a good question: what core corporate business value can your analyst relations program deliver? His point is that AR programs shouldn’t commit to delivering sales value unless there’s good reason to do so. As logical as that advice may sound, I don’t agree with it. Analyst relations programs can be designed to deliver on a … Read More
Freeform Dynamics’ management transition
Dale Vile, co-founder and managing director of Freeform Dynamics, announced a change in leadership at his company. Jon Collins is stepping up to take over as Managing Director of Freeform Dynamics, while Dale assumes a role as Research Director. Co-founder Helen Vile continues as operations director. I expect this transition will be seamless, and look forward to seeing what Jon … Read More
Special events: Trends in building customer trust, influence and networks
Updated February 26, 2008. Today, businesses have new challenges for gaining trust and influence with a new generation of business leaders and consumers that receives information and forms opinions differently than all generations before it. Meanwhile, opportunities to connect and exchange information are escalating at a furious pace. Get the inside track on the latest trends and how to benefit, … Read More
MR meets MRI: this is your brain on advertising
Market researchers are turning to neuromarketing — aka brain scans — to understand secret reactions to advertising, media and product packaging. The goal is discovering what triggers your brain’s pleasure center, spurring that purchase instinct. Dr. Joshua Freedman, a neuropsychiatrist at FKF Applied Research and professor at UCLA, has used brain-scanning technology to test the effectiveness of political campaigns and … Read More
Analyst Bashups: Time to Talk Back
It’s that time of year again. Time to decide which industry analysts called the shots, gave the answers, and made the time often enough to earn an IT research and advisory contract for 2007. My advice to analysts this year: publish proof points showing your accuracy, timeliness, objectivity, engagement. Put forward some well researched — not just well rehearsed — … Read More
Battery Recall Tests the Mettle of Analysts, Too
This summer has seen computer battery recalls affecting consumers and professional users alike, and in record-setting numbers. One manufacturer acknowledged investigations were already underway before one of the incidents took place. Yet, I’ve found only one analyst group criticizing these recalls and advocating higher standards at the source: Ontario-based Info-Tech Research Group. Most of the industry analysts cited in the media … Read More
Resolving to Improve Your Internal Influence in 2005?
PR Newswire’s blog offers a useful summary of an older yet highly applicable study on tactics and strategies that increase the internal clout of corporate public relations professionals. For example, upward appeal — empowerment from the top of the food chain — was less effective than a coalition of peer support. Ingratiation — being the good times, party department — … Read More
Softscribe Says RSS Feeds & Blogs Key to Aggressive AR Programs
Softscribe Inc., a sales-oriented public relations firm for technology companies targeting the U.S. government and hotel markets, has decided to use PRWeb’s blog and RSS news feeds for distributing client press releases and links to white papers. Michael Squires, president of Softscribe, notes that the use of blogs is reshaping the influence public relations has on a company’s sales. He recommends organizations … Read More