Show Notes:
I) Sherpa Update, Audience Growth Update
II) Fleishman Hillard’s Out Front Survey
III) Game Plan: Luck & Life in Atlantic City

Referenced Links:
Dousing the Flames at Fleishman-Hillard
Marketing Diner Podcast – New Episode This Week
20SMF Skypecast – Get in on next week’s show LIVE!

Next Week’s Show:
20-Something Marketing Skypecast
Wednesday, July 5th
9:30 EST / 6:30 PST
Click Here For More Information

Podcast:

Right Click And ‘Save As’ To Download Full Show

Press releases can be a huge asset as sources of approved, targeted copy but, in my opinion, are still a bit confusing.  Example: this week one of my companies partners’ decided they would merge….(bully for them).

No sooner than I was alerted to this, an e-mail came from my contact at said partner suggesting we put one out too.  Now, if it’s your accomplishment that’s one thing.  However, I thought that there was a better way of issuing this news to gain more business for this partner than putting out a “me-too” release.

Now, this is the part of the post where I admit that I am no expert on media relations.  In fact, the mere thought of corralling media sources to report on your “news” is enough to make me want to pop a couple more Advil.  However, I generally prefer to produce news in a more actionable manner – i.e. a direct mail letter from the president of our company inviting clients to look into our services based on how much more powerful we are because of the partner companies’ merger. (Granted, this would imply that our clients always open their mail which I know is a stretch to begin with.)

Anyway, as a semi-reoccurring thing, I am going to attempt to pose a question every Friday related to those things that seem to have no answers.  This week, the Friday Line is this; where is the line between press release news and marketing news?

Show Notes:
I) Too Much Work…Must Do Show…
II) Wal-Mart to Bankers: “S*** It”
III) McDonald’s to Eric Schlosser:  “Supersize My PR Dust”
IV) Game Plan: Life Sucks So Enjoy It!

Referenced Links:
Work-Life Survey: Take it Before April 15th!!!

Podcast:

Right Click And ‘Save As’ To Download Full Show

Leave it to Tyson Foods, though, to drag industrialized chicken production back to the bible belt.

We have seen how faith can drive elections, politics, and policy – now witness the power of prayer on commerce. AdAge.com is reporting that Tyson Foods is injecting a good ‘ol dose of religion into its marketing tactics. Christian, Muslim (and I am assuming Jewish is stuck in there somewhere) faith now plays into its marketing strategy – a handy, all-denomination prayer booklet.

Sound crazy? Maybe, not so much…

Its true that some consumers are very wary of purchasing from companies they believe to be too preachy but there seem to be a lot more that are compelled to buy something from “the power of the lord.” There is mounting research that says that this is an incredibly intelligent, if not risky and time-stamped tactic.

In it’s defense, though, the prayer booklet is very well done with prayers ranging from blatantly Christian to “Rub, a dub, dub. Thanks for the grub.” I am inclined to believe that if you are one of the 95% of Americans that believe in some higher power, you will be OK with at least one of these prayers.

Despite all the good work they did in contstructing this thing, I am personally against this tactic when it comes down to it. Taking advantage of someone’s belief system is unfair and I think will make you loose more friends than it will gain you in the long run.

For right now though, given the state of things in America, the class, and poise in which they are doing this (I encourage you to at least examine the prayer booklet to see what I mean) I think the only thing I can say is : PRAISE JESUS, COLONEL SANDERS, HALLELUJAH AND PASS THE DRUMSTICK!

{the} show is part of his Web site, www.20somethingmarketing.com. He saw a gap in the post-college professional life of marketing people…. He reports that his listeners are asking questions about how to deal with their bosses and what level of ambition is appropriate for a newly hired marketing consultant.

Ok, so its not totally reflective of the insanity that sometimes permeates this show – we will still take it .Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday and as for me – I’m off to the “Black Friday” Sales!

Yes, you read it right, we reveal the secret to reality! We celebrate 10 episodes, run wild with news, NASCAR rantings, and of course, the game plan

I) 10 Episodes strong and loving it!
II) GE Case Study
III) News: Buzz Marketing, Trolley Advertising, NASCAR
IV) Can perseverance work?

Referenced Links
Stat Counter.com
www.victorylanegirl.com

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast

Who do we quote? Who gets the media contact information? Why can’t we describe the product as the “best thing since sliced salami?” Its a teaser people, the less you write, the better!

You want the press to get a taste, see exactly how it relates to your customers (usually through a direct customer quote) and like a resume, you better have a damn good reason if its over 1 page.

So many executives see the word “press” and immediately start preening before a single reporter looks at the release. The more attention you try to grab with a press release, the more likely you are to make it too complicated to get noticed. Reporters, as my friend puts it, have the attention span of a teenage girl when it comes down to press releases.

OK, just had to get that off my chest – it probably wasn’t a good idea to try to complete three of them in a row today….sheesh

Will we say we stood for something? Will we say we did something great – or was this time in our lives just a brief ‘interruption’?

Those of you who are fellow copy writers out there know that words have enormous power and I find it intriguing that Martha Stewart and her army of PR specialists is now referring to her near-fraudulent stock trade, public trial, subsequent conviction, 5-month incarceration, and home confinement as an ‘interruption’ or so she says to USA Today feature editor, Ann Oldenburg (link).

Ex-squeage-me? An interruption, Martha? I don’t care how many PR advisors you have – the ankle bracelet is not even off yet and your opening volley towards image resurrection is to pretend that the last 18 months you were completley ambivilent?

I love Martha, I really do…I truly believe she got a bad rap. I loved her choice to run full throttle into the mouth of the beast once convicted. She could have stayed out of jail, fought sentencing – but the shrewd PR she decided on was right out of the “Best of…” Novel for long-term marketing success. Ever since she entered that prison, she has had total control of her public perception. She did the smart thing and it worked – last I checked share of Martha Stewart Omnimedia were up 12%!

Do what works for ya, Martha! Don’t say you haven’t learned anything from this experience – your poll numbers are better than most un-convicted politicians right now – don’t “stay the course” – just go back to being your usual, humble self.

There is an interesting PR Story here that some people may miss so I want to comment on this…

Great publicity stunt, Ted! The WSJ forgot to mention one little thing – AREN’T YOU THE TED FROM TED’S MONTANTA GRILL???

Yes, Ted Turner has a herd of 40,000+ Bison on his New Mexico ranch. Ted also owns and operates Ted’s Montant Grill, an upscale/casual dining concept with a menu that includes Barbeque bison short ribs, bison burgers, bison meatloaf, and bison Prime Rib.

My question is this…was his publicist taking crazy pills?

Ted Turner is a gutzy guy who, as a native atlantan, I love..this is an example, I am afraid, of failing to connect the dots because its a good PR tactic…

In marketing, you have to be bold: So, what? You conserve the cattle, you use the cattle…Its that simple, don’t sell yourself short, Ted.

In PR, and in particular with high-profile outlets like the WSJ, don’t give up the chance to push you’re great concept and connect it with your good works. If you want to change the world, cut through the BS (Bison {Explicated Deleted})!