StoryTeller Media & Communications | Public Relations | Marketing | Video Production
Minneapolis/St. Paul Marketing and PR agency and video production company|StoryTeller
PR
The Everlasting Christmas Shopping Season
I don’t watch much television these days and when I do it’s usually either a news show or a sporting event. Sorry, NBC, but “must see TV” doesn’t really get seen in our house. That said, I’ve noticed the surge of Christmas shopping advertisements on TV and frankly I find it a bit obnoxious. “Black Friday” hype wasn’t enough, now it has to be “Black Friday,” before Friday, just in case it’s red Friday instead of black! I get it, I understand and appreciate the challenges of retailers, but I wonder at times, where does it end? Will we some day start seeing “early Christmas shopping” specials in August? I can hear it now, “it’s not too early to get a jump on Christmas!”
When our kids were little we used to read to them a Sesame Street story called “Elmo Saves Christmas.”
In the story, Elmo, is granted a wish and he asks that every day be Christmas. Well, that was a great idea until the little red muppet realized that if every day is Christmas, the holiday is really not that special anymore. As I look at the growing Christmas shopping season I think about Elmo and wonder, “where does it end?” Will retailers extend the season so long that Christmas morning gets lost in the sales and deep discounts? Or have we already reached that point?
Who is Following You on Twitter?
It used to be that whenever I received a notification that someone was following me on Twitter that I would get a little excited thinking, “hey, I’m building a nice little group of followers.” However, as Twitter has grown and changed and become infiltrated by marketers and people schlepping product, I find myself asking more and more, “why does this person want to follow me?”
Create a Plan for Holiday Shopping
I’m a Christmas person. Always have been and always will be. For me, this holiday can’t come soon enough. Now that we are more than halfway through October, talk of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and even New Years is deemed socially acceptable.
Well, for most people anyway. There are still those out there who throw up their hands and exclaim, “Don’t remind me!” when you mention the fact that Christmas is just a mere 63 days away.
Then there is the, “How am I ever going to afford the iPad my 5 year-old wants this year?” response and the, “Uhhhh… how am I ever going to find enough ugly sweaters to get me through all the parties I have to go?”
But as public relations and marketing professionals, I feel we are the most well equipped group to handle these stressors. Just think about the holidays like you would a marketing or PR plan.
Lunch with Jeff Prouty of The Prouty Project
One of the most enjoyable part of our work is meeting new people and making new friends in various businesses. We’ve recently crossed paths with a wonderfully creative and interesting strategic planning group called, The Prouty Project. Jeff Prouty, a former Price-Waterhouse guy, is the CEO and founder. He’s also one of our new favorite people. Jeff and his team work with CEO’s, upper level management teams and boards of directors to help them dream big and then reach their dreams. Their mission statement says it all: “We exist to creatively stretch leaders to achieve bigger goals, bolder strategies and better collaboration.
Social Media Promotes Good Business Practices
There is an inherit danger with social media.
From "Social Schmoozing" with Derek Showerman
Platforms and tools like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube all bring with it one thing that PR pros of old didn’t have to leverage; automatic and immediate transparency. Yep, we can officially (and I think quite happily) throw that old phrase “spin doctor” out with yesterday’s trash, because in today’s world, spin often gets unspun pretty quickly in the self-policing world of social media where everybody, everywhere is a journalist.
So what does that mean for us PR pros? It means working with clients who bring integrity to the table on a daily basis. For example, at StoryTeller we have MindWare Toys. MindWare is “the nation’s best resource for toys that engage and entertain.” With a focus on creating and selling children’s toys that don’t just entertain but teach, MindWare’s mission is more than just making money …they’re also focused on making the world a better place.
Another client, Helping Paws, is a non-profit that trains service dogs to help those with physical disabilities. Yet another, the Minnesota Section PGA has a goal of growing the game of golf and will soon be offering tips and tricks to anyone who’s interested via their YouTube channel in the near future (stay tuned).
All are great organizations that simply don’t have a need for old PR tricks of deceit and slight of hand.
So beware all you organizations out there that have a lot to hide, social media is ready to make life very difficult for you. Thankfully, I get to work with a lot of clients who don’t have that concern.
Aperitif Restaurant & Bar Opens in Woodbury
We recently began working with Aperitif Restaurant and Bar in Woodbury, MN handling their public relations. Good news, Woodbury residents and business community – you win. Aperitif is going to be a tremendous addition to your community. Okay, we’re bias, so check it out yourself and see.
Is Your Public Relations Agency Using Social Media?
Just about a year ago I had a discussion with a prominent public relations leader about the use and validity of social media in the world of PR. The owner laughed at the suggestion that social media would ever amount to anything more than a flash in the pan trend. At the time, I just figured this innovative, successful business leader simply hadn’t plugged into social media and all it can do for their clients.
Flash forward to last weekend where I ran into another owner of a small, Twin Cities PR agency at a church gathering. We reconnected and in the course of conversation I asked him how business was and he replied, “not good.” Through our discussion I realized he had recently hired a bright, young social media talent in the Twin Cities. I remarked on how sharp this young woman is and how lucky he is to have her helping with their social media PR, to which he quipped, “I don’t know about all that social media stuff. I think Twitter and all that is a passing fad.” He then added that “we’re gonna find out what (his new hire) is all about soon,” as she is traveling this weekend for a blogger convention in New York.
I was stunned and amused at the same time. Business is admittedly “not good,” and he’s not helping his clients create conversation with their customers in social media. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Social media, in my opinion doesn’t replace traditional public relations, but to deny its significance in providing added value to your clients is laughable, if not unfair. Social media IS public relations and can be a critical part of most PR platforms both to communicate with your clients customers and with the media. If, as a PR practitioner you are not considering any number of social media tools as a way to help your client, then you should ask yourself – are you really acting in the best interest of your client?
Pitching the Media: Feeding the Audience
Several years ago U.S. Olympian and World Cup ski racer Bode Miller was at Buck Hill ski area in Burnsville, MN for an autograph signing. Buck Hill is the little bump in the ground that produced world class skiers Kristina Koznick and Lindsey Vonn, by the way. Nonetheless, as an avid skier and fan of the sport I was thrilled to learn, through a PR flack that Miller was going to be in town and available for interviews.
One Shining Moment is Always a Winner
When I first started StoryTeller four years ago, I thought, “wouldn’t it be cool to produce ‘One Shining Moment’ type videos?” Obviously, we went in a slightly different direction, but ultimately, what I appreciate most about this annual montage of NCAA Tournament moments is what I love about our work. It makes you feel something. Every time, year after year, the CBS piece that closes out their coverage of March Madness, practically brings me to tears.
Social Media Marketing: Ain’t Nothin’ but a Party!
Last week I was a sponsor at the Allied Executives Business & Economic Symposium (a sobering experience, but that’s another post) in Oakdale, MN. As part of the arrangement, I was allowed to put up a booth, show off my wares and given the opportunity to talk to visitors before and after the symposium. I was engaged in several discussions about social media and how it enhances the value of social media as part of a PR campaign. Let me re-phrase that. Not only does social media enhance the value, it’s quickly becoming a substantial part of the PR value proposition.
Anyway, here’s the point: Most people new to Facebook, Twitter and the like have a difficult time grasping the value of this medium. After explaining the how’s and why’s of social media, I ultimately found myself pointing to a YouTube video performed by expert Perry Belcher. He compares sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as parties. Check out Perry’s explanation and see what you think. If you’re like me, you’ll watch it, join Twitter and the first person you’ll follow, will be Perry Belcher.
So, this week, our Video of the Week is educational. If you’re business is struggling to figure out how to use social media to grow, see if Perry can help. You may be surprised!