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    Online observations of public relations, marketing, advertising and social media; the occasional frivolity; and The Rundown show notes. Jump in, the water's fine.

    Please Note: Everything posted on this blog is my personal opinion and does not necessarily represent the views of my employer or its constituents.

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Meet Me in New York – how big can it be?

Posted on June 10, 2007 by Luke Armour

I’ll be attending the AAAA Digital Conference for Agencies this Thursday in New York City if anyone happens to be going. I’m hoping to meet up with superman Paull Young and one of my PR heroes and maniacal genius Constantin for lunch as they work just a few blocks away from the conference.

My agency is developing my digital skills so I’m joining the CEO and a couple of the principals as we head to NYC for the day. It’s a one day conference, we fly in and out the same day – so there won’t be a lot of room for chit-chat or dilly-dallying (is that really a word?). Since we’re leaving that day, I’m hoping to stay to the end of the conference for “How a PR Agency Does Digital” from an ad perspective, but I’m not in charge of our schedules.

I really looking forward to going, but it is an Ad conference and in my experience, those people tend to lump PR into one giant publicity/event/stunt-management blob. Yes, I’m aware of the irony that I’m lumping ad agency folk into one giant doesn’t-understand-pr blob.

I’ll let you know how it goes, drop me a line if you’ll be there or live in New York City – how big can it be?

Filed under: Admin Notes, advertising | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Friday Frivolity – How to write good

Posted on June 8, 2007 by Luke Armour

How to write good. Yep, says it all. PR people, writers and English language snobs aficionados will enjoy this list of writing tips, tongue firmly planted in cheek. My favorites are:

10. Do not use a foreign word when there is an adequate English quid pro quo.

27. Never use a big word when a diminutive alternative would suffice.

32. Don’t repeat yourself, or say again what you have said before.

33. Don’t be redundant.

47. Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in their writing.

PlainLanguage.gov provided this short, funny read that made me laugh. For professional communicators and writers, it provides a smart bit of humor. Check it out.

Filed under: Frivolity | 1 Comment »

Case Western Reserve University enters SL

Posted on May 17, 2007 by Luke Armour

severance.jpgWell, wasn’t this a surprise to me? I read today – a bit late, I admit – in Crain’s Cleveland Business’ Reporter’s Notebook this week (from Shannon Mortland, second story) that Case has set up a virtual campus in Second Life. I’ve been spending a bit of time in Second Life the past few weeks to figure out what all the hub-bub is. My theory is, you can’t complain about it without trying it, and we should all keep an eye on the changing landscape.

Well, the landscape of Case has changed, it’s been digitized. It’s featured on it’s own sprawling, in-construction SL campus. From the Case website:

Logging in to our virtual reality campus is the next best thing to seeing Case in person. Get a feel for the 550 park-like acres that comprise the Case campus, and explore local landmarks, University Circle and the greater Cleveland area as well.

I have to admit, they sold it better on the Mortland’s article:

“Students have already had most of their general questions answered through campus visits,” said Mir Bear-Johnson, a Case student who has created a virtual persona on Second Life, where he acts as a campus ambassador. “Now they want the nitty-gritty information about double-majoring in subjects like music and mathematics and how it’s done, and what campus food is really like.”

Most web-based platforms that send you to Second Life give you a SLurl (Second Life URL, like Crayon’s at http://slurl.com/secondlife/crayon/), but Case is applying some old-school (no pun intended) tactics that irk me a bit. Case’s site about SL is odd. There’s no SLurl. Case’s site in-world is also odd, you can’t find it. It took me a few minutes to figure it out, because as a web reader I was looking for the SLurl.

So what you have to do is go to the Case website, find the Second Life page, open a PDF with instructions [tracking downloads, no doubt] that tell you that you have to search for the group OneCleveland in SL. You then have to add yourself to that group in order to be able teleport to the campus. So I did all that because I was curious – and damn tenacious. This all comes after you download the SL software. Sound fun? No.

The best part? There was no one there and there wasn’t anything to do. It’s still under construction, but two of the five islands have structures and offices. I’m sure it looks just like the campus, look at the picture above, that’s me standing on Severance Hall. But if you’re going to make me jump through so many hoops, especially ones that I know you are tracking, then at least signal someone to come talk to me. Pay a student to sit around in SL and wait for someone to join the group. Then bust your butt to Case, find them, and ask them if they need anything. There was no one there, and I’m not surprised. Sure, it’s new, but damn hard to get to, also. That’s one barrier they need to fix. Pronto. Oh, and add a freakin’ SLurl to the Case page. Have the instructions available for newbies, but let the prospects in without the hassle. The worst part is that now I’ll never know what the campus food is like…

Filed under: Public Relations | Tagged: , | 3 Comments »

A Virtual PR Murder Mystery

Posted on April 26, 2007 by Luke Armour

Virtual PR Murder Mystery Logo

dagger_1.jpgA beloved PR blogger sends a cryptic warning through the blogosphere and disappears.

Upon his request, a handful of international communications professionals gather in a stereotypical, dank castle in eastern Europe to solve the mystery.

The only problem: one of them is guilty!

Who did it?

Why?

Is the beloved PR blogger still alive?

How will it all turn out?

What’s with all the lists?noose_1.jpg

Find out!

button_0.jpg

Starring Luke Armour with Unwitting Guests:

pc_1.jpgWell, I did it again. Last November I had this idea that wouldn’t leave me alone (here). After receiving positive feedback from the roasted, as well as numerous other people who a laugh or two, I decided to do another. In the works since January, this came about from some late night Skype and IM chats with Mr. Paull Young. Fleshed out over a historic visit with Youngie and Ms. Caldwell, it has evolved into this. It got a little out of control partway through, as happens when you try to add plot to a ridiculous idea, it runs exactly 30 minutes. Download, listen and enjoy. Or don’t, I don’t care. I didn’t make this for you anyway.

Special thanks to Christopher Penn of the Financial Aid Podcast, Constantin Basturea, Brian Bradway (for the awesome graphics), Paull Young, Erin Caldwell, my wife Emily, and all those who are directly or indirectly referenced in this parody for going with the flow.

Disclaimer: This was conceived some time ago. Rest assured, I’m certainly not making light of some of the serious, unfortunate events that have transpired in the blogosphere and off recently. I’ve been told that listening to the entire show will certainly make this clear. This is parody, pure and simple.

I also don’t feel the unwitting participants really believe or do any of the things said or done in the audio file. By downloading the file you agree that you have a sense of humor and will therefore take the whole thing for what it’s worth. Which isn’t much, but it will kill a good 30-minute commute or workout on the elliptical machine at the gym. If I’ve offended anyone, it certainly wasn’t my intention, I did it because I thought it was funny. Which is why I do most things. This show was brought to you, however inadvertently, by Creative Commons and the nitwits friends who laughed when I did this the first time. It’s the absurdity that makes life fun.

SPOILER WARNING: Reading the comments before you listen MAY spoil it for you, I’ve been told.


Filed under: Frivolity, Virtual Geek Dinner | Tagged: , | 18 Comments »

RSS in Plain English – Finally

Posted on April 25, 2007 by Luke Armour

rss-in-english.jpgThis is a great video pointed out to by Donna, Neville, and others via blog and twitter. I’ve been a big fan of RSS for over a year now and I always look for ways to show people its advantages. I want people to understand how it revolutionizes how we consume information.

As PR people, we need to be in-the-know and connected, always. Why visit news sites and blogs to find out if there’s something new? Time waster. Let them tell you. Skimming headlines has never been easier. Check out the video.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

Let’s Bum Rush the Charts

Posted on March 11, 2007 by Luke Armour

The Bum Rush The Charts blog says it all. Not only is it a good idea, but Penn makes it a good cause for a different reason. Here’s a snippet from the BRTC blog:

On March 22nd, we are going to take an indie podsafe music artist to number one on the iTunes singles charts as a demonstration of our reach to Main Street and our purchasing power to Wall Street. The track we’ve chosen is “Mine Again” by the band Black Lab. A band that was dropped from not just one, but two major record labels (Geffen and Sony/Epic) and in the process forced them to fight to get their own music back. We picked them because making them number one, even for just one day, will remind the RIAA record labels of what they turned their backs on – and who they ignore at their peril.

I’m a fan of Black Lab, I fell for them back when they released Your Body Above Me in 1997. I’ve listened to a few newer tunes, but I still love that old record. I’m looking forward to getting back in touch with Black Lab. I’ve also found out they re-released Your Body Above Me with some original pre-label-touch-ups and tracks cut from the first release.

You can read more on numerous other blogs by visiting Technorati here. Again, I’ll finish up with a very succinct message from the Bum Rush The Charts blog:

If you believe in the power of new media, on March 22nd, 2007, take 99 cents and 2 minutes of your time to join the revolution and make iTunes “Mine Again”. . . Nothing would prove the power of new media more than showing corporate media that not only can we exceed their reach and match their purchasing power, but that we can also do it AND make a positive difference in the world. If we can succeed with this small example, then there’s no telling what can do next.

Filed under: Admin Notes, Future of PR, podcasting, Public Relations, Social Media | Tagged: | 4 Comments »

The Value of my BA just plummeted

Posted on March 9, 2007 by Luke Armour

My hometown paper printed what I find to be a rather depressing article this week. Not only is it depressing, but in my eyes it devalues my college education worse than a college president caught doing blow and hookers on his lunch break.

Sharon Stone was just awarded an honorary degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. A second article notes:

Sharon Stone — the flamboyant Hollywood actress, globally-recognized humanitarian, Crawford County native and former Edinboro University of Pennsylvania student — received an honorary EUP doctor of philosophy in public service degree Wednesday at the university’s eighth annual Frank G. Pogue Honors Scholarship Luncheon.

Ms. Stone grew up in a town not far from Meadville (my hometown) and some of the stories I’ve heard about her as a child and teenager make me cringe. I’m sure they’re blown out of proportion and sensationalized, but there are guaranteed to be a few that are true, especially the stupid ones. I’m certain that Ms. Stone has done great good for causes around the world and donated more money than I’ll ever even make. Still doesn’t counter the irrational judgments I have bouncing about in my head.

But that’s my opinion and I’m entitled to it. Good thing I’ve got an MA or my self-esteem would be decreasing at a 1:1 ratio with the value of my undergraduate degree.

Filed under: Admin Notes, Education | Tagged: | 6 Comments »

Friday Frivolity – Airtoons

Posted on March 9, 2007 by Luke Armour

airtoons.jpgI don’t fly a lot, but I fly enough to get a kick out of these Airtoons. Enjoy the dozens of pictures on this section of Friday Frivolity.

From the website:

    What Are “Airtoons” Anyway?
    Parodied airline safety cards! During my college days back in ’99 I was on a flight somewhere when I realized that the safety instructions in front of me had no captions. I thought to myself, “why is that guy’s life jacket dispensing red licorice?!” So I decided to add some captions to the emergency evacuation instruction placards that everyone who flies the friendly skies is familiar with. I showed them to my pals, and they suggested that I build a site housing the silly plane crash pictures. So I did!

By the way, Mitch Joel on SPOS #41 asked for crazy travel stories. Send yours in mp3 to him at mitch@twistimage.com or call +1 206-666-6056. Or visit Shel’s Road Weary blog to commiserate.

Filed under: Frivolity | Leave a comment »

New Sheriff In Town: Social Media

Posted on March 7, 2007 by Luke Armour

badge.jpgPhoto by Bill Davenport

I love this. Police departments across the country are turning to social media sites and tools like YouTube to fight crime. AP writer Eric Tucker wrote this article about just that. While the police are hesitant to give too much credit to the application of these tools to catch criminals, they are still embracing this new media. This isn’t a new idea, just a fresh approach.

As I’m fond of saying, these tools are tactics, not strategies and – while some PR people and companies can’t often figure this out – these police departments have. From Tucker’s story:

“This is just something else – an extra added feature that we can now use to get our message out there on a countrywide or worldwide basis,” [Sgt. Michael Bentolila] said.

“I kind of applaud the fact that police are using the latest tools,” said Michael Brady, a retired police chief in Charlestown, R.I. who teaches criminal law and criminal procedure at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. “We tend to get stuck in technology deficits. We tend to want to stick with the old tried-and-true.”

And like I mentioned above, it’s no replacement for doing a traditional job well done. Whether you’re talking about good media relations, strategy planning, communication channel building with an influential public or keeping the peace, knowing which tactic best suits the task at hand is crucial.

“Technology,” [Patrolman Brian] Johnson said, “will never replace the feet-on-the-street.”

Agreed. For PR, technology will never replace good relationships. But it can make them easier to create…

Filed under: One to watch, Public Relations, Social Media | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

Friday Frivolity – Galaticast, geek parodies

Posted on March 1, 2007 by Luke Armour

galacticastMet these great folks at Podcamp last weekend. So of course, I had to check out their shows. Visit Galaticast.com for hilarious parodies of the geek world. From the website:

Background: GALACTICAST is a weekly comedy show parodying all the worlds of geek-dom. From their apartment studio, Casey McKinnon and Rudy Jahchan (along with the other Galacticast players) mash-up their love of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, comics, and video-games to bring you hilarious sketches every Monday morning.

My favorites so far are Galacticut and Survivor: Dune. That last one actually makes me laugh just thinking about it. Subscribe, sponsor and enjoy. Something to take the edge of Monday…

Filed under: Frivolity, Podcast, podcasting | 1 Comment »

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