I’d never post something here that I didn’t try myself.
Have you got loads of floppy disks sitting around gathering dust?
How about transforming them into the Starship Enterprise?
Here’s a link to the instructions.
The link has been so popular it’s only available in Google’s cache and by the way watch the sharp edges!
Warning: The end product may differ subtly from the picture shown.
Canada’s Globe and Mail have a story on how the war is affecting Public Relations.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution takes a look at the PR problems facing Delta as it gives raises to it’s executives while cutting services and jobs.
Meanwhile the Birmingham News reports that the Birmingham Water Works Board can’t show exactly how the $1.9 million spent on PR was “used”.
The Register has a very interesting story on Googlewashing.
What is Googlewashing?
It describes a new phenomenon whereby search results on Google can be influenced by a disproportionately small number of influential parties, in this case bloggers.
This is a very important illustration of why the online environment offers some different challenges in communicating effectively.
Google is the de facto research portal for the Internet. Yes there are other search engines and directories, but Google is by far the most popular.
Now, if the prominent ranking for a particular search term has more to do with what bloggers have written about it, rather than what publications have written about it, then there is new tactical section in your PR plan.
Bloggers are not journalists, but it would seem they do have a role to play in online promotion.
A quote from John Tudor:
Strategic Marketing Montreal have an article on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and why it must be tightly integrated with a whole suite of other online promotion activites to succeed.
Recently a new firm eponymously named SEO-PR has been launched to tackle this very issue.
While I completely agree that SEO is part of an integrated campaign, let’s take it on its own for a moment.
Are you familiar with SEO? Is it something you offer your clients or employer?
As the online environment becomes more important in the communications mix, it’s vital that you understand the role of these new techniques. Whether you outsource to firms such as SEO-PR or develop the expertise in your team, SEO is yet another element in the toolbox. Research it and practice it.
In my personal opinion, I think it’s important that before you outsource it, that you get a good understanding of how it works. Only that way will you understand it’s potential.
RELATED LINKS: SEO Introduction | SEO Tips | Guide to SEO
The LexisNexis newsletter, The Scoop, has a beginner’s guide to technology jargon for PR people in their latest issue. Although not very comprehensive, it’s a start.
However, if you come across a new technology term Whatis.com is probably the best port of call.
eBay has something for everyone. You don’t believe me? Well what about the ultimate home for a Star Trek fanatic.
On eBay right now, for the princely sum of $2,000,000 you can purchase a one bedroom appartment that has been modeled on the interior of the Starship Enterprise. If you don’t believe me check it out. Thanks to Karlin for the link.
Business 2.0 talks with Al Ries, Harry Beckwith and Simon Anholt about how well the Pentagon’s PR campaign in going.
The Los Angeles Times has announced that it has fired photographer Brian Walski for using Adobe Photoshop to merge two different photographs into one better shot which was subsequently run on the front page of the newspaper.
The Times states that it “forbids altering the content of news photographs”, you can see the original photos and the finished shot here.
Ad Age reports that a French advertising campaign advocating the protection of press freedom may be syndicated around the globe.
The campaign, which has sparked controversy, features well known French journalists posing as murder victims, with the slogan:
“Start fighting for press freedom before you lose it.”
The campaign was created by Saatchi & Saatchi Paris.
Murphy's Law 