My two cents on Cuban’s sense of PR firms for start-ups
After six years in Corporate America, eight years with medical and technology start-ups, and another six as founder of a boutique medical/technology PR firm, I know with confidence how much PR counsel puts start-ups on the map. With the economy in flux, layoffs and the reality of today’s business climate, I predict more and more entrepreneurs will be born. Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, is not exactly a fan of the mix of ‘PR Flacks’ and start-ups who hire their firms, as he notes in http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/222524. I’ve worked with start-up CEOs in their...
Read MoreLessons learned in PR
My first quarter teaching is coming to a close this week at DePaul. I decided to ask on the final exam what was the most important thing the 38 students learned from our “Principles of PR” class. I imagined an incentive was needed to get the answers. So I offered an extra credit point. Twice a week for 12 weeks I’d seen them for 90 minutes. If I did not ask now, and they walked out of this room for the final time, I wouldn’t know the answers. Had I conveyed the most important concepts? Did those concepts ‘stick’? This course was now a part of their...
Read MoreEight ways PR is like sailing (3 of 3)
Eight ways PR is like sailing Part three of a three-part blog series published as seen in PRBreakfast Club PR Pro’s: would you add anything? Sailors: what do you think? Other professions: how can you relate to these metaphors? 7) To tell a great story, as with sailing, you must always connect the dots. On the water, the sails are connected to the mast which is connected to the hull that is connected to the tiller and to the hand that steers the boat. That hand is connected to the eyes that are always watching the compass that is connected to the “Windex” at the top of the mast...
Read MoreEight ways PR is like sailing (2 of 3)
Eight ways PR is like sailing Part two of a three-part blog series published in PRBreakfast Club PR Pro’s: would you add anything? Sailors: what do you think? Other professions: how can you relate to these metaphors? 4) PR and sailing represent teamwork at its finest. Most boats over 15’ are best operated, but not required, with a team. Each person, when racing, has his or her role. If you are fortunate the team understands the bigger picture and moves toward the common goals of safety, fun and crossing the finish line first. The PR project or campaign can’t be done alone either....
Read MoreEight ways PR is like Sailing (a 3-part series)
Eight ways PR is like sailing Part one of a three-part blog series published in PRBreakfast Club PR Pro’s: would you add anything? Sailors: what do you think? Other professions: how can you relate to these metaphors? 1) PR people, like skippers, tend to have a ‘Mother Nature’ resiliency. A PR person’s day can be planned with great predictability but each hour, let alone each day, can bring twists, turns and interview requests that become opportunities not to be missed. Whatever Mother Nature may throw your way during a 2-3 hour sail, be prepared. We have not figured out how to...
Read More