Archive for December, 2007
1
The Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, has launched a microsite devoted to the issue of toy safety – NotInMyCart.org. The site features a parody animated music video that is poking fun, without placing blame, at the overwhelmed federal toy safety inspectors. As a parent, toy safety is no laughing matter. But this parody does a terrific job of helping me understand what the problem is. And the site tells me what I actions I can take to make toys safer. In the Heath brothers’ book, Made to Stick, one of the criteria for sticky messages is unexpectedness. This video does a great job of creating a sticky message about a very complicated and emotionally-laden subject. I watched the video once and can recall some of the key information presented (thanks to the catchy tune!). What do you think? Good idea? or inappropriate?... Permalink
2
Or maybe really love Kat Von D. Either way, this year at SEMA, the trade show for aftermarket automotive accessories, Dunlop Tires offered a free set of tires for anyone willing to get a Dunlop Tattoo. A real tattoo. The promotion was so popular at SEMA that only about half the people who wanted to were able to get an appointment and brand themselves with the Dunlop logo in various forms (also available: tire treads). You really have to be a Dunlop evangelist to get a tattoo of the brand, right? Tattoos are more mainstream than ever with 40% of 24 – 29 year olds sporting ink. Dunlop clearly understands its target audience. I have to count myself among those who have been needled, but I’m not sure there is anything I’m evangelistic enough about to do this. But apparently, there were plenty of takers. This is a really clever... Continue Reading
0
No, this isn’t a quiz. It’s an invitation to write during this winter break. You’re often writing term papers and assignments for PR classes and other formulaic sorts of things. Try spending the break writing something for fun. Journal a bit or start a blog about something you enjoy (not necessarily something that will win you accolades from a future employer). For example, I was talking to one of the instructors in the magazine major at Oregon’s Journalism School and telling her how rarely I get to write feature-length article-type pieces. So when I’m required to, it’s not easy. It’s a writing muscle that, for me, rarely gets flexed. I wish I could write longer pieces more often. What do you wish you had time to write?... Permalink
0
From Arrive Alive, a South African road safety organization. These adhesives could be found on the floors and walls of bathroom bars. I think they are pretty remarkable. My partner said, “I don’t get it. What does that have to do with drinking and driving?” I wonder how effective these are?... Permalink
1
Chris Brogan has written a social media starter pack post on his blog. His categories are: Listening, Speaking, Community and Rich Media. This is a terrific way to breakdown the tools that are available when using and participating in social media. Listening: In social media, as in life, listening is twice as important as speaking. Online, the tool for listening is a news reader. This type of software allows you to understand the conversation going on out there, and the best of them permits you to do a little more understanding of what you’re “hearing.” Speaking: As Chris notes, there are a ton of ways to speak in social media. His suggestions are for improvement. I haven’t created an RSS feed for this blog with Feedburner, but I will! Great tip. Bottom line, be findable. If people are interested in speaking back – make sure they have lots of ways... Continue Reading
2
The PR blogosphere hosts many ranking services. Top 150 this, top 100 that. These are excellent places to start when you’re new to the blogosphere or looking for something new to read and I check them out on a regular basis. One I had not heard of before, PRVoices, has it’s own ranking which is a “social ranking.” According to PR Voices, I’m #39. I’m not sure what this means, but it’s still pretty cool. PRVoices’ list is a good one. Lots of good bloggers, and regardless of the methods used to compile the list, I’m in good company. So we’ll see if PRVoices launches me into PR blogging superstardom. Image: Corbis... Permalink
1
Comments