PR News

Jian Ghomeshi, a Textbook Crisis Communication Nightmare

Canadians are all too familiar with the Jian Ghomeshi sexual assault cases however, what some fail to notice is the public scrutiny was theatrically conducted by Jian himself.

“He was so wrapped up in his own self-interest and in positioning himself as victim that he failed to see that there are many women in our society who have been victims,” said Bill Walker, principal at MidtownPR – a firm that specializes in crisis management.

Read more about Jian’s failed attempt at preserving his public reputation, here.

'Strange Fruit' PRfirm changes name after Twitter backlash

After a PR firm received a negative response on Twitter over their chosen name, they disabled their accounts – including their website – changed their name, and issues a public apology.

The firm pleads ignorance and quickly amended their wrongdoing. Read more about it here.

PR News Announces Top Women in PR Honorees on January 28, inNYC

This luncheon will honor women who have made bold advances in managing crises, developing brand messages, protecting and building brand reputations, and creating content for digital platforms – for their own company’s account or that of their clients.

View the list of honorees here.

Dick Lewis, PRExecutive, Dies at 89

The original founder, Dick Lewis, of PR agency Lewis & Associates, dies at 89. Throughout his 60-year career, Lewis has worked with many clients such as the L.A. chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Bunker Hill Towers, and the Auto Club of Southern California.

Read more about Dick Lewis, here.

Mockingjay Part 1: A Review

More often than not when a novel is turned into a Hollywood production, it fails to capture the essence of the story, or depict certain situations in the book that the reader finds valuable to the plot, and while it may succeed in the box office – it often leaves the readers slightly disappointed.

After reading the Hunger Games series first, I felt as thought there may have been something missing from the original movie, but I gave it another chance.

The third movie of this trilogy was released over the weekend, and while it was a last minute decision to attend, and the seat selection wasn’t the best for prime movie watching, it was quickly forgotten once the movie started.

Having forgotten most of the book’s contents, to the movie’s benefit, I found myself eagerly awaiting the next scene – and so on.

Jennifer Lawrence captured the drama of Katniss Everdeen as she adjusts to life in District 13 after being rescued from the arena in the Quarter Quell of the Hunger Games. One of her best performances of the series, it rather moved me and I empathized with events that happened to her throughout the movie – often moving me to mirror her emotions

I stress also, for you to pay attention to Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s performance in this saga. Once head game-maker of the Hunger Games, Phillip takes on a more trusting, loving personality in Mockingjay.

This film did not disappoint me, it was expected to be a set-up for the next movie that will finally complete the saga. It is also on-par for being the highest grossing film of the series, thus far. And while critics may be inclined to condemn Lionsgate for using this film as another epic money-maker - the promotions leading up to the movie we're nothing but a strategic marketing initiative and therefore expected. 

You can't reprimand a business for wanting to get a good return on their investment.

Though I am unwilling to provide you with more detail of the picture, without risking spoiling it for others, Mockingjay did succeed in delivering a cinematic experience that left us, me anyway, wanting to see more.

It's a definite must see.

For Research Sake: Snap Chatting

I’m considered a millennial – aged 18-34 – and while some days I may feel older than I actually am, it doesn't change the fact that I exist within this paradigm.

According to a study, Snapchat has 32.9% more penetration on mobile users, making it more popular than Twitter. Thus far, I’m not considered part of this equation since I only recently downloaded the app for use.

I’m late in the game, and not really for good reason. I have no excuse, I’m a marketer – my profession obligates me to try different social media platforms for personal use or professional testing. It’s a necessary staple so that I can give proper recommendations to clients for their own social media existence.

However, I have never had a client, until now, that have the millennial demographic as their target market. As such, I am now conducting first level research on the app by using it myself.

Disposable Content

Trends come and go, so it was only a matter of time that there would be an app created that would dispose of content more quickly than it took you to capture and think of witty caption.

I like content however, so this is a difficult aspect of the app for me to grasp – I suppose it’s something that I will get used to, eventually.

To get started on the platform, I needed to learn the meanings of the icons, this was challenging for me because I touched everything on the screen, often sending messages without realizing. Old habits die hard, I suppose.

What I did appreciate about the app was that unlike all other social media platforms, Snapchat does not require you to build a profile, add a personal description, or design your page to conform to all your other profiles. It’s a download and go app, almost like snap and go chatting – very little effort to get started.

Snapchat also has a 31 character limit for text. After a couple of snaps and chats, you'll appreciate Twitter's 140 character limit yet wonder why Instagram needs so many.

After a few months of use, my reviews of the app are somewhat inconclusive. I use it, on occasion, but also find it difficult to understand on a communication basis. It would be interesting however, to try the app for promotional purposes in business. Taco Bell does Snapchat well.

A Blessing In Disguise

Just like relationships, when moving to a new home, we err on the side of comparison. While this may differ from comparing a present relationship with the last, it is significantly the same – theoretically speaking.

It’s certainly no small task; a move – whether big or small – is still a move. It takes time, effort, and emotional and physical energy. Sometimes, moving from one home to another is more emotional when it was once a place of comfort, joy, and endless memories. In other cases, the space provided none of the aforementioned emotions; therefore, it is easier to depart.

After my recent move, second one this year, comparing one home from the last came naturally. I wasn’t in my last home long enough to declare it a home, rather – it was a place to lay my head.

In an effort to ease the transition, I have compiled a list of things that I like better than my last house:

I don’t have to squint when I watch television. Furthermore, there is no reflection in my television during daytime Netflix marathons.

The trip to my bathroom is shorter. Even though I cannot fit my three tiered Rubbermaid organizer into the bathroom, the vanity is brand new and I have a medicine cabinet to hide stuff.

I also don't need to contemplate if going to the washroom is absolutely necessary, it's within 20 steps wherever I am in my apartment.

My dishwasher is a powerhouse, and it cleans in less time. It’s more powerful than the last, yet holds just as many dishes.

My balcony holds my BBQ quite nicely. Confession: I haven’t used my BBQ yet, and I don’t have a propane tank for it yet either, but just having it on my balcony makes me happy (I’m weird, I know)

My bedroom closet is just as big. Compromising on less space in my closet is NOT something I am fond of doing, thankfully, I didn’t have to.

Its size is comforting. After spending only a week in my new apartment, I feel more comfortable in the space than I ever did in my last house, EVER!

My Monster is ACTUALLY using his room to sleep and play. He’s certainly making use of the space and I’m not paying for the extra room for nothing.

I didn’t expect to have to move again this year; however, what seemed like an unfortunate circumstance actually turned into a blessing. Not only are we both more comfortable in our new environment, but I no longer have to deal with a slumlord.

It's a win win.

Photo Credit: http://magazine.corporatestays.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Avoid-Moving-day-Pitsfalls.jpg