The Public Relations Blog

Many people assumed the rise of social media (and with it the rise of amateur journalists) would turn the newspaper (and perhaps the news media itself) into a relic. And an article by Paul Eastham proposes a valid argument as to why the newspaper will survive social media and amateur content.

Eastham explains the theory that the rise of social media and the ability for users to easily copy and circulate articles without paying for them would essentially make journalism unprofitable. And then he details why such theory is flawed.

If your business has signed with a PR firm, of course you want to get the most value for your investment. As the client, there are several ways you can contribute to the success of the PR partnership and maximize your results.

When considering hiring an external public relations firm, many struggle just to locate the starting point, and even more are unclear about what assets a firm should be able to offer to ensure a proper fit. While every business has different needs, there are several basic elements that you should demand from every firm you consider.

Use PR to achieve unity and increase profitability

You’re sitting in a meeting listening to the chief information officer and chief marketing officer going at it … again. Perhaps this time it’s budget issues or a disagreement over the direction of a major campaign, but one thing is certain: Enough is enough. These are two of the most vital roles in any organization and when they’re squabbling constantly, your whole company suffers.

Before a crisis hits your company, use PR to get your plan ready

If a hurricane or tornado were coming toward your area, you would probably know exactly what to do. You would board up the windows, gather your family and maybe discuss your escape route. However, do you know what to do if a potential disaster hits your business?

A crisis can be as devastating for your company as severe weather is on a town. As with the damage from a major storm, some don’t make it; some eventually crawl out from under the rubble; and others make it through relatively unscathed. With help from PR and a comprehensive crisis plan, your company can prepare for and increase your chances for surviving a business disaster.

Learn why PR is a key component to your profitability

You’ve got a great company with loyal customers and you’re successful. That means you don’t need PR, right?

Wrong. If your business isn’t steadily growing, then it’s standing still or, worse, falling behind. This makes you an easy mark for your competition. You need to constantly find new ways to gain customers and increase your market share, and PR is vital to your success.

By Alexandria Easland

As a public relations student at San Diego State University, I am interested in the ethical issues that arise around the profession. To that end, I recently spoke with Jason Mudd, CEO and president of the Axia Public Relation firm. Not only did Mudd reveal how he got interested in and involved with the profession, but also the standards he holds himself, his employees and his clients to in terms of ethics. Below is my interview with Mr. Mudd.

The travel/tourism industry offers numerous opportunities for businesses to gain traction. Axia Public Relations offered up a few key tips on the subject in Part I, and we’ve got even more for your consideration here:

Use all available tools – old and new – to stay ahead

One age-old tool can spark monumental, industry-wide change. If your company website isn’t mobile-friendly, you could face serious consequences. It’s time to have an honest talk about your strategy and your future.

Do you own a hotel or resort destination, or are you perhaps a member of a local chamber of commerce seeking to attract more visitors? A consistent flow of tourists and travelers can make all the difference, and travel industry veterans understand how much time, money and effort it takes to build and maintain that consistency. In fact, many travel and tourism-focused outfits earmark large marketing budgets to further establish brand or locale identity. Looking ahead to the busiest domestic travel season of the year, summer, it’s clear that to be competitive, travel and tourism-oriented businesses can achieve more with expanded marketing programs that include public relations. But what are the best tactics to deploy in such a highly competitive industry?