We were in a plane between Lincoln and Omaha Nebraska during another week-long tour of some remote part of the US during the presidential campaign in 1996.  That year, we did 74 cities in 28 states in 10 weeks.  And we did it without data-enabled cell phones.   Really, how did we survive? On that...

(After a sabbatical of sorts, I’m back to work.  Coming off of the busy summer, a vacation and a child starting school demanded a break in most things routine like my blog entries here.) I noted in an earlier post that I had an idea around TED, the conference that blasts out ideas worth spreading. ...

In reading one of my favorite industry, insider blogs from Brian Solis, who writes on “PR 2.0,” he summarized what I’ve been preaching for the last two years.  While the press release has not gone away, the way in which we distribute news in them has changed dramatically.  Moreover,...

I tried to be one recently.  I signed up and went to the Wordcamp (seminar? workshop? geek fest?) this last weekend. I even recruited about 8 other people to go too. Wordcamp is the official ‘brand’ for a gathering of Wordpress geeks.   But I’m just a huge fan.  Just an end- user...

I’m working on an idea that involves TED, and needless to say, I’m energized by it.  TED is a terrific web site (and may I say culture?) where they claim “ideas worth spreading” through 18 minute talks, videotaped and posted.  By the way, do you still videotape in the digital...

I realized in the last month that I have been a part of phasing out three different industry newsletters - meaning written, designed, printed, mailed via the USPS.    The reason?  Almost all entirely budget related.  Revenues aren’t supporting the traditional delivery of news within key interest...

I was inspired recently again by the spirit of Hemmingway’s 6 word novels.  One of them was “For sale baby shoes never worn.” Okay, maybe a little heavy.  But yesterday an email came across my desk from a co-consultant of mine on a project, asking me to “ban any language regarding...

While social media is still all the buzz, studies continue to show (despite what social media talking heads might want you to think) that email is still a trusted, proven way to communicate.  And it is critical to promote web sites and sustain loyalty to your opted-in communities of interest. But recently...

Rules are meant to be broken (this is not my original content).   But really worth sharing.  The message is:  openness wins, pay lots of attention and those old habits (ie press releases) die hard. From a report from the SXSW 2009 (South by Southwest Interactive show, unfortunately I don’t...

Last week at OSU, I spoke to a group of informed students in a class on community partnerships.  Their charge was to work on a non-profit writing project like a grant, press release, blog, newsletter, appeal or brochure.  I envied them that they had 10 weeks to do one of those things when I’m...