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New Live PR Podcast – The Rundown with Luke Armour

Posted on October 14, 2007 by Luke Armour

Yes. It’s true. To answer a question Mitch Joel posed to me at Podcamp Toronto in February: Tuesday, Mitch, this Tuesday.

therundown.jpgI’ve started a show on the BlogTalkRadio network entitled that focuses on public relations, the web, promotions, publicity, internal communication, media relations, investor relations, online marketing, writing, public affairs, social media, issue management, blogging, crisis communication and any other form of public relations. The live-show-turned-podcast is entitled “The Rundown with…”

Since I’m not entertaining nor smart enough to hold your attention by myself, I’ve decided to do an interview-style show and get some smart folks to spend 30 minutes with me LIVE. Then I’ll do zany things with them for my own amusement. I think I can make that last until future guests listen to archived shows and start rethinking their commitment to talk to me. Anyway, the interview style definitely takes the most advantage of BlogTalkRadio’s live talk-show format.

The Rundown will air Tuesdays at 1:30pm Eastern. Because it’s live, your calls are welcome. Whenever I have I guest you’d like to talk to or question, just call in at (646) 716-8329. You can also email your text or audio comments to me before the show and I’ll play them. The archives will be available at my BlogTalkRadio host page or by subscribing to the show’s RSS feed.

So far I’ve got some great guests lined up and it should be fun. My inaugural show airs this Tuesday 10/16 and features Sarah Wurrey (the fool!) from Custom Scoop, its blog and the irreplaceable PR Blog Jots. Join me to get the rundown on Sarah Wurrey!

Disclosure: I work for BlogTalkRadio, but the show is still my puppy.

Filed under: Podcast, podcasting, The Rundown | Tagged: , , , , | 8 Comments »

Friday Frivolity – The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Posted on September 28, 2007 by Luke Armour

devil.jpgHow did Johnny beat the Devil in that famous song “The Devil Went Down To Georgia”?

Or did he?

It’s out of order, but read We’re waiting on your answers, Mr. Daniels from Tomato Nation

Then read Thirty Nine Questions for Charlie Daniels by John Moe.

I laughed and laughed.

Hat tip to Sarah Wurrey for tweeting this gem.

photo by irum

Filed under: Frivolity | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Pitched by Kogan – and happy to be

Posted on September 20, 2007 by Luke Armour

kogan.jpgI got an email today from Rachel

Kneebone at Kogan Page, the official publisher of the CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) out of the UK. See excerpt below:

Kogan Page is Europe’s leading independent publisher of Public Relations books. We are the official publisher of the CIPR. We wondered if you might be interested in featuring some of our books on your blog as they should be of interest to your readers.

Follow[ing are] a few of our most successful and forthcoming publications, and more can be found on our website, www.kogan-page.co.uk.

New strategies for Reputation Management – Andrew Griffin (Published January 2008)
Only 31% of people trust business leaders to tell the truth according to a survey conducted by the Institute of Business Ethics. A damaged reputation can have severe knock-on effects on the bottom line, and most corporates value their reputations accordingly. Written by the managing director of Regester Larkin, the leading international reputation management firm, New Strategies For Reputation Management will demonstrate how you can deal effectively with unexpected crises, and what strategies you should be implementing to build your company’s good reputation at other times.

Winning New Business – Richard Denny (Published October 2007)
Today everyone in business is expected to be a sales person, whether they work in the sales team or not. With the growth in concepts like “total marketing”, “living the brand”, and “customer relationship management”, the need for everyone in business to maximise sales and profitability is paramount. Written by Richard Denny – one of the world’s most renowned sales gurus – Winning New Business takes the fear out of selling, showing you just what to do and how to do it.

Public Relations Strategy – Sandra Oliver (Just published. Published in association with the CIPR)
This challenging book reflects the intense discussion that is taking place on the nature of public relations and how it develops and supports management strategy. It links models and theories of strategic management to the PR function and discusses how globalization and the Internet are changing organizational PR strategy.

Creativity in Public Relations – Andy Green (Published 2007. Published in association with the CIPR)
Creative input is inevitably required of the PR practitioner and yet there is a lack of real understanding of the mechanics of the processes involved. By clearly establishing a definition of ‘creativity’, Creativity in Public Relations will help PR practitioners and general readers to get ‘under the skin’ of the creative process and use it to greater effect in their work.

Public Affairs in Practice – Stewart Thomson, Steve John (Published 2007. Published in association with the CIPR)
Public Affairs in Practice explains how public affairs (PA) is now much more than just political lobbying. It examines the methods PA professionals use to make an impact and taking each area of the industry in turn looks at the tools involved in delivering a PA programme. It also highlights the potential benefits of public affairs, such as protecting an organization from perceived threats of new regulation; identifying new market opportunities; and raising the profile of an organization

Our authors are also available for interview or comment, and are often interested in writing topical pieces based on their books.

I’m happy to pass this information along for two reasons:

First, it’s the first pitch I’ve EVER gotten that has anything to do with Public Relations, which, by the way, is the focus of this blog. I mean, it’s even in the title. I thought it was timely and relevant, although she spelled my name wrong (Dear Mr. Amour) and the formatting of the email was all over the place. Too many forwards?

Secondly, I’ve read a few PR books from Kogan and have been very pleased. So, without actually having yet read any of these books listed above, I can recommend them based on Kogan’s reputation. I’ll keep you posted, I’m sure I’ll be reading a few of them soon. If you’ve read any, drop us a line and give us the thumbs up or down.

Filed under: Public Relations, Public Relations Books | Tagged: , | 5 Comments »

BlogTalkRadio Adds Social to Internet Radio and Podcasting

Posted on September 17, 2007 by Luke Armour

At the risk of turning my personal/professional blog into a billboard for my employer, I’m posting this post. I can’t help it, it’s too exciting and also one of the reasons I haven’t posted anything else since my last BlogTalkRadio post.

Today we launched a new site with new features and great new social media components. It adds more “social” to podcasting and Internet radio than ever before.

One of the biggest benefits to podcasting has also been one of my biggest complaints: asynchronous communication and community building. We all love podcasts because they’re “on demand.” We can listen when and where we want. But there’s always been that lack of immediate interaction. Most podcasts I listen to are community based and comment driven, but there’s that gap among when it was recorded it to when it was downloaded and when it was actually listened to and, finally, when it a comment was sent in.

For Immediate Release hosts Hobson and Holtz tackled this problem by having a few SkypeCasts in the past. Those were great shows and allowed the audience to directly interact with the hosts and each other. They had even set up a text chat on the backend.

But BlogTalkRadio does all that for you now. And it’s one of the reasons I joined the team. It brings community close to home. Well now it’s gone one step further and added a social networking component and text chat to the site. Hosts and Listeners can set up profiles, link to each other and build a bigger, stronger community on the network. I’m excited about it. Plus, cool new logo. Check out all the new stuff.

If podcasting was something you’ve wanted to try, but didn’t like the technical aspect of it, try BTR. Live, easy and still delivered via RSS.

Oh, and in full disclosure, I work for BlogTalkRadio if you haven’t figured that out by now.

Update: CEO Alan Levy has a good run down of the new features with a top level perspective.

Filed under: Admin Notes, BlogTalkRadio, Podcast, podcasting, Social Media | 1 Comment »

Yours Truly Joins BlogTalkRadio

Posted on August 22, 2007 by Luke Armour

blog-logo-beta.gifWhat’s bald, exceptional in front of large groups of people and travels a lot? That’s right, Mitch Joel!

But in completely unrelated news, I joined BlogTalkRadio! Not simply as a host, but as a member of the team.

To this day when I mention podcasting, I still get strange looks from the people I’m speaking to. Only half of the people who have heard the word “podcast” even really know what it is. Only a fraction of those remaining people have ever listened to an actual podcast. Granted, I live in Ohio, a place not overwhelmingly known for its lightning adoption of new technologies. Oh, sure, our folk invented human flight and the light bulb, but even Edison was shocked to see his family’s old house still lit by lamps and candles over 40 years after he patented it.

But that’s not my central point. I’m very pleased to announce that I am the PR Coordinator for this incredible social radio network. The team at BTR is an energetic, smart group of people from whom I expect to learn a lot. I will still be based in Ohio, so those of you who appreciate my rural isolation can continue to enjoy that caustic, desolate side of my writing. Also, because of the nature of my job, I’m hoping to have more time to wax lyrical about PR and marketing on this very blog.

In the meantime, I encourage you to read my first post on the BTR blog where I discuss my attraction to the BlogTalkRadio platform and my role as PR Coordinator. News Release about it there and here. I urge you to check out the service. I find it to be the answer to podcasting for the masses as well as taking the podcast community to the next level. We’re also rolling out a new website in the beginning of September, so if you find yourself raising an eyebrow due to the current site – just wait.

You ain’t seen or heard nothing yet.

Special thanks to my ‘mate’ Paull Young, without whom I wouldn’t be able to compare myself to someone and say “well, thank God I’m not that guy.” Oh, and he introduced me to Mr. John C. Havens, which was very good too.

Updated links 8/24/07 

Filed under: Admin Notes, BlogTalkRadio | 25 Comments »

When a fun idea isn’t a good idea

Posted on August 21, 2007 by Luke Armour

Saw this in my Twitter feed today from SarahWurrey. Sharpie tattoos for people who aren’t ready for the real thing. The blog post has links to a Flickr set. Cool idea. Read the blog post and be sure to read the comment from Sharpie designer. On a side note, I think it’s impressive Sharpie has people trolling the blogosphere looking for brand mentions.

But this is what you have to think about when promoting a event or stunt. As mentioned in my Forward Podcast interview with Peter Shankman, having the idea is great, but you’ve got to think of everything. Drawing designs on skin with potentially toxic chemicals might not be how you want your brand to be remembered. Hadn’t thought of that? Well, Sharpie has apparently, and you’d be well to start thinking like that if you’re getting into event or stunt PR.

Could it be problematic? Hard to say, but PR people should be in the business of a) avoiding bad press and legal problems b) dealing with bad press and legal problems others have created but not c) creating things that lead to bad press and legal problems. Lesson learned.

Filed under: PR Lessons Learned, Event PR, Public Relations | 3 Comments »

Forward podcast picks up a co-producer, Peter Shankman guinea pig

Posted on August 2, 2007 by Luke Armour

canwedothat.jpgforward_podcast144.jpgI’m very excited to announce that I’m co-producing the Forward podcast with Paull Young over at the Forward blog. Forward is an online resource for young PR Pros and students. I interviewed Peter Shankman, CEO of The Geek Factory, for Forward Podcast 28 this week. Peter may be surprised to find out (or not surprised at all) that he was my guinea pig interview.

Peter is an unique PR professional with scads of experience, skill and understanding for such a nice young man. He authored the recent book Can We Do That?! Outrageous PR Stunts and Why Your Company Needs Them, which is an entertaining, informative business book for anyone, but especially PR pros.

Give it a listen to and let me know your thoughts on my interview style, podcasting skills or anything we talked about. And check out Peter’s book, I highly recommend it. Forward Podcast 28.

Filed under: Book Review, Podcast, podcasting | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

Reforestation, Great Social Media Work, Hear Me Roar

Posted on July 12, 2007 by Luke Armour

Update: An update on the Converseon blog site has some interesting lessons learned about this project. As we pave the way in the new media landscape, we should pay very close attention to the successes and mistakes of others. One thing they don’t mention is that there were two Members Project reforestation initiatives and this one didn’t make the cut. The other one did – with surprising results after little marketing. People need very specific directions and no matter how much planning you do, one single distraction (such as registering) will derail the train.

Paull Young‘s agency, Converseon in NY is doing some great social media work. Here’s something that’s a great cause that really shows their mad skilz. Yes, I just wrote mad skilz. His project is one of the 50 remaining American Express Members Project (you’ve seen the tv commercials) projects. If you hold an American Express card, you have to vote by July 15th in order for this project to go on to the next round. It’s (as far as I know) the only Second Life project in the remaining 50. It’s a virtual reforestation project that also plants real trees in rain forest areas. If this wins, 1 million trees could be planted. Pretty cool. Vote here.

As an added bonus, you get to hear the melodious crackling tones of my voice through a junky mic on the embedded video (rss readers, click Second Chance Trees). I was honored to do it, I just wish Paull had given me a bit more warning so I could have had better equipment more readily available.

Anyway, read Paull’s post about the project that has some excellent lessons on dealing in the social media space. Not only is the project cool, Paull’s really educating us about the process. Kudos. Well, good luck, remember, voting ends this Sunday, July 15th!

Filed under: PR Lessons Learned, Future of PR, One to watch, Public Relations, Social Media | Tagged: , | 4 Comments »

Interactive, digital, whatever – it’s here. Will your agency survive?

Posted on July 9, 2007 by Luke Armour

4asdigi.gifI mentioned some time ago that I was on my way to attend the 4As Digital Conference for Agencies of All Kinds in NYC in mid June. I hopped an early morning flight with my CEO and our web and creative directors to Manhattan for the day. The conference was well done except for this – no wireless. What kind of digital conference doesn’t have wireless?! Although, I was probably one of maybe five people there with a laptop.

Some unsurprising, but healthy headlines from the conference included:

  • Agencies need to be willing to try things and be passionate about the online space. Creativity in strategy, creative and analytics are a must.
  • Silo-free is the agency of the future. Look at every campaign from every angle. Look across all channels of outreach that best fit the product. Digital does not replace traditional, it complements it.
  • Agencies must find creative ways to reach that lost audience and they must allow the consumer to engage with the brand on his own terms. Find creative ways for that to happen.
  • Additional web-based interactive complements traditional campaigns. Feedback from consumer and analytics are critical. Pay attention and use them well. Chicks fighting can be a popular interactive campaign (don’t ask).

A nifty panel discussion on the Ad agency of the future wrought some interesting comments. Claims that boutiques will not survive, like the small web agencies of yesteryear. Slowly clients start to realize that boutiques don’t have the communication experience necessary. Digital boutiques are making a lot of noise, and making a lot of “cool” things, but are they fulfilling the goals of the client? Agencies will need to develop their own in-house digital to survive. You cannot NOT know the digital space, but you also have to know traditional communication strategies and tactics. I don’t know, what do you think? Will the digital, interactive advertising agencies of today wane?

 

 

Chris Weil of Momentum Worldwide presented on how digital works in experiential marketing. Pretentious, but really fun to view. Great presentation. He said digital is not about agencies or a tactic that you add on. Digital embodies everything we do in marketing. Customers don’t segment experiences. We need to understand and orchestrate the experience that the consumer has with the brand across all channels. We must inspire consumers to lift their heads, to disengage their digits and get engaged with interaction. Effectiveness of brand experience plus the stickiness of brand interactive is huge. Number one for all consumers is experience; number two is word of mouth.

John Bell, managing director & executive creative director at Ogilvy PR Worldwide, was understandably my favorite presentation. Hey, what can I say, I’m a PR guy. I was impressed with Ogilvy’s 360 Degree Branding approach, but will have to keep an eye on what they do to see if it’s walking the walk. John mentioned typical things like authentic conversations with consumers is critical, is engagement. People are resonating with other people, they don’t trust corporations or marketing or advertising. Ogilvy is following trends in the digital space and tying messages to those online trends. Same as traditional PR, just in a different space, stripped of the corporate speak and hype. Conversations are ruling this space.armour-young.jpg

Other special highlights of the day were meeting John January from American Copywriter and having lunch with the infamous Paull Young. Funny story, I called Paull on my lunch break and said “I’m done, where do we meet?” He was like, “I don’t know, just walk down the street you’re on and we’ll meet up.” Mind you, I haven’t been in NYC since I was 5 and Paull just moved there a month ago. So, it finally dawned on us, where would be a good place to meet up on NYC that we could both find? How about the Empire State Building!? D’oh…those silly country boys.

Filed under: advertising, Future of PR | Tagged: , , | 4 Comments »

A Virtual PR Update

Posted on June 20, 2007 by Luke Armour

Virtual PR Murder Mystery LogoActually, this is a real update – on a virtual topic.

I thought I’d run down the list of those nice comments and friendly shout-outs from my fellow blogospheroids regarding the infamous Virtual PR Murder Mystery (listen now). I spent a lot of time on that and I appreciate the comments and witty banter that has developed because of it. Also, the link love. Also the attention.

I get lonely.

This is also to find out if I’ve missed any and, maybe, to shame some people who said they’d write about it (or should have written about it), but didn’t – into doing so. Did I mention that thing freakin’ took me for ever?!

I also have word that my evangelists are out there – even now – spreading the viral virtual on my behalf. So very kind.

virtualpr.jpgAlso, Master Penn emailed me a snap of the stats today. I was shocked to see it, but – there, plain as day, without question, was, that’s right: a pie chart. I was stunned! Oh, wait, there are numbers, too. Seriously, “total number 250, unique IP 185.” And while I have no idea what that means, my guess it is that more people than the following have listened to my unique tale. I’m flattered. Also, I got an email today from a PRSA associate, not just a member, someone who actually works for PRSA saying “p.s. The ‘murder mystery’ — very cool!”

So, in no particular order, I want to acknowledge that:

Many thanks to all who have enjoyed it, blogged it, sent me an email, called, podcasted it , or IMed me about it. I

Filed under: Public Relations, Virtual Geek Dinner | 3 Comments »

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