Measurement in #PR – Social network analysis

At the heart of public relations practice is the relationship. Whether they are internal or external, relationships are the currency that we deal in. One metric that we don't pay enough attention to is how networks of affinity build around a brand. A network analysis can help with this. The challenge is that network analysis …

Recipe for dinner (and leftovers lunch): Glazed trout with black rice, slaw with aioli

I made dinner last night and - true to form - fish was on the menu. Those of you who know me are aware of my overwhelming love of seafood. Appetizer: Seared Scallop with Truffle Salt This is an easy one. You heat a greased cast iron pan slowly until it reaches maximum heat. While …

Simple pleasures: Crèpes à la @AlexSevigny

I have never been much of a breakfast person. To be honest, I often will have a little of last night's dinner for breakfast when I am on my own, as I am not a fan of cereals. Today I found myself contemplating foods I actually like for breakfast and thought I would start writing them up. I …

Strategic PR and the value chain, pt 5: building relationships in social media

In yesterday's post, I discussed how public relations became more strategic, as it evolved into a two-way symmetrical model, focused on building relationships between organizations and their publics. Today, I will  discuss how social media has changed the landscape and evolved PR strategy from a two-way symmetrical model to a two-way dialogical model. Social media has …

Strategic PR and the value chain, pt 4

Yesterday, I mentioned a piece published in the McMaster Daily News featuring my colleague @TerryFlynn's ideas on the various scandals in journalism, particularly the Leslie Roberts one, which is directly linked to public relations. In this great piece, Terry mentioned something that stuck with me: "Let me first address the issue of the name of …

A tribute to Terry Flynn, my dear colleague and PR mentor

Today, my colleague Terry Flynn, co-founder (with Maria Russell) of the McMaster-Syracuse Master of Communications Management program (of which I am director), was interviewed for the McMaster Daily News today. The piece listed his recent achievements and focused on his opinions on the unfolding crises in journalism in the Leslie Roberts, Amanda Lang and Jian …

Strategic PR and the value chain, pt 3

Yesterday I mentioned the concept of strategic PR and linked it to relationships. What did I mean? At the core of any enterprise, particularly nascent ones like startups, are a set of relationships. The owners or managers of the business have to build relationships with funders, employees, various media, government, third party regulators, and many …

Strategic PR and the value chain, pt 2

Yesterday, I talked about how PR pros have to make the value case for their services to business people. Let's unpack that idea a little more today. To anyone who works in the public relations, the idea that you should focus on building relationship as a new or on-going business seems obvious. However, that isn't …

Strategic PR and the value chain, pt 1

It is important for public relations pros to think about where you fit in the value chain of an organization. In a world of always-on, instant communications, it is easy to think that organizations will automatically recognize how important building an managing relationships with stakeholders and other audiences is. The thing to remember is that …