I recently read aloud to Margie an email that had just hit my inbox, hoping she’d help me decipher some meaning in it. Instead, she laughed and declared the sender the resounding winner of “Buzzword Bingo.” What? How was it possible I had lived so long without encountering this magical term that so aptly describes […]
Like any great chef, the best PR pros have “broken many pots.”
Back when I was a columnist for Her Nashville Magazine (R.I.P.), I wrote about how many of the public relations skills I am recognized for today were crafted from lessons learned from my own stunningly horrific error. From a very pubic public Spellcheck embarrassment, to being unprepared for a medical emergency at a high-profile event, to printing the wrong 1-800 number […]
Holy Crap: Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Audi R8s
So this post is not about public relations, SEO, client relations, networking or any of that stuff. I guess tangentially it could be related to small business or team building because I could see a business (Us? Please please please say yes) hosting a team-building exercise here. So what am I talking about? ExoticsRacing. If […]
Sober Advice for PR Counsel in the Digital Age
“Write drunk; edit sober.” I recently saw that quote dubiously attributed to Ernest Hemingway on an office poster. Its origins are sketchy, but I believe it contains a solid gold nugget of truth. No, I’m not advising you to drink and draft. I think the blush-worthy combination of Twitter and happy hours has given us […]
Tips for Strengthening Your PR Writing Skills
If you’re a communications professional who has been asked to strengthen your writing skills, take heart: writing well is a learnable skill. Here are three tips I often share to improve the mastery of pen and pixel: Write a lot. You know that in athletics and music, the more you practice, the more proficient you […]
Public Relations + SEO = Your Online Brand
At Intesa, we have the luxury of experience in a variety of media industries and we’ve been able to see firsthand how those industries are converging. Traditional PR firms are doing more and more work online, and newer digital firms are learning the public relations ropes in order to better serve their clientele.
Intesa Communications colleagues are savvy, seasoned and strategic
As a business owner, it’s always a treat to receive resumes from other public relations professionals who want to be a part of what we are building. We appreciate receiving smart referrals and hearing from enthusiastic job seekers, even if we’re not hiring today. Before you send in your goods, here’s a quick summary of […]
The PR Power of Partnership vs. Sponsorship
As we advise corporate clients on social responsibility efforts, Intesa colleagues are often on the front line to respond to the public’s requests for sponsorships. In our work with non-profits, we are sometimes the ones making an appeal. Either way, my first question is always the same: “Does this gift fit the company’s mission?” My […]
Smart PR: Go Team First!
Hopefully, you spent some time polishing up your personal PR skills after last week’s post. This week, I want to focus on the value of promoting your team. If you happen to be the one in charge, you can set the tone for two-way communication that keeps your stars rising and gives you positive news […]
How to Manage a Public Relations Crisis
It’s a privilege to be a trusted resource for clients in crisis. The issues vary—from an executive being on the receiving end of a tasteless email, to news investigations and lawsuits, to threats of boycotts and employee misconduct—but the anxieties and risks often are the same. For businesses and non-profits in crisis, it is critical […]