December 2008

Last week I had the pleasure of once again joining Al Krueger, Jennifer Leggio and almost Brian Solis (something came up) for Comet Branding Radio to talk about potential threats to the PR industry-at-large if not able to grasp social media or how it incorporates into business strategies. The topic spawned an engaging discussion that took a step back, looking at social media’s place within the larger map of communications, marketing, the sales cycle and branding.

All participants are fans of social media and have a solid grasp on how to make the PR/social media integration a smooth one but many PR people don’t have that grasp, as Jennifer pointed out. Part of what’s holding PR back from evolving away from current prejudices is reluctance by the old school to give way to the new school. There is still a total lack of understanding by the majority of PR people regarding WHAT their role is when it comes to contributing to the organization, which goes back to education, which is a much larger topic for another time.

Social media has clearly emerged as a powerful communication tool on multiple levels.. The amount of information collectively generated has unearthed a treasure trove of insight that helps companies with lead generation, customer service, market research, and product development. It’s become such the shiny toy of the marketing world that it’s birthed an entire industry, but should it stay a separate practice or become absorbed into an existing one, if not several? Is Social media, in the long run, going to claim a new distinct discipline to join advertising, marketing and PR?

Here’s some highlights of what was discussed.

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The December event calendar is decently busy for LA. The past week I attended three: Dealmaker Media’s “VC Outlook for 2009” roundtable and mixer, Kick-off of Techkaraoke LA and the launch of Girls in Tech LA (followed by a little celebration at the Libertine.) It took me two days to catch up on rest.

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One of the awesome powers of the Internet (and Twitter as a by-product) is the ability to meet and form a relationship with like-minded people, even if you have never met in person.

Al Krueger is one such example for me. He’s a fellow advocate for a call to change in the PR and marketing industries and has been gathering thought leaders and creating discussions around the topic.

His online show, Comet Branding Radio, is a forum for such conversations. Topics are dedicated to “sharing and discussing the progressive and evolving elements of branding, marketing and PR with the people leading the charge, several shows have sprung from memes that have run around the social web about PR.”

Every Wednesday from 9-10 a.m. PST, he hosts guests on a variety of related topics with this week’s show being the third in a series with re-occuring guests (including yours truly) examining the evolving role of PR.

Take a look at Al’s comments about the importance of continuing online conversations into a real-world environment. Please join us for tomorrow’s show and be part of the conversation.

The Changing Role of Public Relations as Media Evolves and Why Social Media is Not Killing PR

Brian Solis — Blogger, PR 2.0 and Bub.blicio.us; Author “Now is Gone” and Principal of FutureWorks
Jennifer Leggio — Blogger, ZDnet.com and Director of Strategic Communications, Fortinet
Nicole Jordan — Blogger, Bub.blicio.us, KickingSand.com and PR Director, The Rubicon Project

A particular conversation last night sparked an expanded thought process to a topic I touched on earlier.

–Nothing beats the bond of a real world experience between a company and a brand in whatever form that takes.–

No doubt that online is a crucial conduit to a steady flow of information and insights but there are certain nuances that are missed when not also connecting in person. Focus groups, in-person events, sponsorships, experiential marketing, “street teams;” they are all additional relations efforts to connect with consumers and discover truths that will help the company better relate and develop a better user experience. The combination of utilizing both is what’s accelerating the new world order of “PR.” Both communication streams (online and offline) are necessary to connect with consumers in a truly lasting way.

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I’m still figuring out how to integrate a calendar on the site so in the mean time here’s the master list I put together for the SoCal FB group. I tried to send it out to the list but seems some list URL’s were blocked as spam…so until I find another work around it will live here. Happy holidays!

Technorati Profile
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RECURRING WEEKLY:
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Tuesday’s with Exectec
7:30 PM @ D’Amore’s Pizza Connection on Westwood
1136 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024

Thursday Lunch
12PM @ Santa Monica/ 3rd

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DECEMBER CALENDAR
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Monday, December 1st – Tuesday, December 2nd
3D Entertainment Summit
Hyatt Century Plaza
Los Angeles, CA

3D Entertainment Summit is totally focused on how the 3D entertainment transformation is going to affect the business of entertainment attracting decision makers from theater owners, filmmakers directors, writers, talent executives, studio executives, pre & post production personnel, specialists in playback and distribution, business management, video game development executives, motion picture and TV engineers and financial analysts, media and the press.

See schedule here
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Tuesday, December 2nd

Dealmaker Media LA
VC OUTLOOK ‘09: If You Need Funding, You’re F%#$*d…Or Are You?
Roundtable 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Mixer 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
11355 West Olympic Boulevard 10th FL
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Join some of LA’s most experienced investors and founders for a “get real” discussion about what it’ll take to grow in a down market.

Moderator:
Mike Jones, CEO, Tsavos

Speakers:
Nate Redmond, Partner, Rustic Canyon Ventures
Richard Wolpert, Managing Director, the Mailroom Fund
Jim Armstrong, Managing Director, Clearstone Venture Partners
Mark Suster, Partner, GRP Partners

Register here
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This article first appeared on Bub.blicio.us November 23, 2007. Jason Calacanis is known for his direct delivery style and he had some strong words for entrepreneurs on what it takes to fight and conquer. In light of ongoing occurrences with start-ups trimming staff and cutting budgets it seemed appropriate to re-post.

“Business is not about being nice. If you want to be nice go to a church social.”
- Jason Calacanis

Ah. The infamous Jason Calacanis. I’ve heard so much about him over the years and even remember pitching SA Reporter way back when during the boom. Now here we are a short 9 years later and I’m attending the Fireside at Startup LA with him and host, LA’s own, Heather Vescent.

I don’t know Jason as a person at all and have only met him a handful of times, almost every time with him giving me a look of total lack of recognition and “yeah, what do you want?” all over his face. I was told recently that this is a tactic he uses just to see how people will react. Good thing then that when he shook my hand limply at Startup LA and said, “Yes, I remember you” in a totally bored voice I simply said, OK, and turned around and walked away. I’m not one of those ass-kisser types no matter how many people want you to sign their napkin.

It was with great curiosity that I sat down at a table in the front with my purty little Macbook popped open in front of me with Bub.blicio.us name tag proudly on display to capture the entire conversation word for word. You always hear, “You either love Jason or hate him. There is no in-between.” I was looking forward to watching him go and go he did.

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