Day: June 5, 2003

The latest issue of Press Access’ The Scoop newsletter has an article looking at the essential traits of an effective PR practitioner.

As with all these types of tests it is a mixture of the obvious with a some characteristics you won’t agree with.

Have a go with their quiz….

Deborah Branscum is taking an interesting look at the FCC’s moves to relax restrictions on media ownership.

In her post, Deborah references a new book by Ted Nace entitled “Gangs of America: The Rise of Corporate Power and the Disabling of Democracy” which examines how corporations rose to the top of the ladder at the expense of the individual. It’s out in September, but you can download it free from the website today.

• Marcie Sayiner of InContext* has an opinion piece in the Globe and Mail on the intersection of PR and marketing.
  
• The UK Observer has an article on how bloggers can play a role in the news process. 
  
• MediaPost looks at the online dynamic between targeting the individual versus targeting a segmented group. It’s primarily about online advertising but has some interesting thoughts that are relevant to PR.  
  
• From the archives… NUblog (R.I.P.) examines how PR and weblogs intersect. It’s a year old but worth the read.

*Unfortunately we had to add InContext to the Flash Hall of Fame

Last month I met Paddy Harverson, who was formerly the sport corresepondent with the Financial Times and is now the PR director at the UK soccer club Manchester United.  Talking with Paddy and hearing him give a lecture on his day-to-day role I was struck by how much he absolutely loves his job.  After all he’s a big fan of Manchester United!

Earlier today I came across a profile of another PR person who clearly adores their job. Lisa Ayala Hettler is the PR director at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas. She’s profiled in the Valley Morning Star.

“I�ve always loved the zoo. It�s a really unique and exciting job,” she said. “There is no other place like it in the Valley.”

What’s your ideal PR role? What aren’t you doing it? 

If you are running your own small agency, or contemplating going out on your own, it’s always useful to be able to bounce ideas off like-minded individuals and share war stories.

If that’s you, then there’s a brand new e-mail list just for you.  SmallShop2 is a mailing list of PR pros who share information and advice for anyone running or working in a small agency or one-person band.

It runs off Yahoo Groups.