Day: November 6, 2002

According to new research from Consumers International, the global federation of more than two hundred and fifty consumer organizations in one hundred and fifteen countries, consumers must use “extreme caution when soliciting information from certain sites.”

Does anyone think this research was a sensible use of resources?

Is this news for anyone?

If so, can you please make yourself known, I have an amazing new product for you, it will solve all your problems and is available for only three payments of $19.99. Thanks 🙂

Comdex
The technology industry’s global bellweather event continues to feel the effects of globally reduced marketing budgets. Comdex is still shrinking, less vendors, less floorspace and the organizers are still manfully bailing water by boldly stating visitor numbers will remain even with last year. Sure they will.

Comdex was the focal point for more wasted marketing dollars than any other seven days in the calendar. There’s no doubt it hosted many of the the tech industry’s most important announcements, parties and keynotes, but right now I don’t think it figures in the plans of many vendors. When companies like Gateway and IBM have dropped their exhibition stands for hotel room suites (even if we’re talking Vegas suites!) it’s time to try and re-energize Comdex, not just milk the same old format.

Getting your point across
When you’re looking to create that killer quote, it’s always useful to remember the use of color, imagery and humor. How about the headline from AdAge that more U.S. homes have outhouses (671,000) than TiVos (504,000 to 514,000)! Excellent – I have remembered that statistic at least twice as long as any other I’ve heard in the past six months!

As a profession we really don’t know if we’re coming or going. It seems as though everyone has a different opinion on the matters of the day and the best PR approach to solving those issues.

This is once again highlighted by a piece in O’Dwyers where Bob Truitt, who heads a Connecticut-based firm, Truitt Partners, (couldn’t find a website!) believes that good PR writing is essential in restoring corporate trust. (ahem).

This reminds me of all the recent pieces about how the press release is dead.

It’s a very mixed up world out there. My take is that writing is important but I don’t believe you need to be a pullitzer prize winner. I also don’t think writing is as important as honesty and a good strategy. Just my two cents…[Comments]