PR Edge Blog

Citizen journalism challenges us to consider where it belongs amongst the barrage of media.

I am intrigued by citizen journalists. The pioneers who carry a one-man band of recording and transmitting devices or opine from dim rooms behind computer screens. They open their world and offer an invitation to share their view. Because of these pioneers, we are transported throughout the world ahead of traditional sources and armed with information to form opinion before anyone else. Read the rest of this entry »

Interesting stories in the Vancouver Sun, March 18/09: http://www.vancouversun.com/

·         How the maze of social websites reveals ourselves online

·         The average Canadian has seven online profiles, according to Microsoft Canada research

·         Facebook could surpass Google in terms of total worldwide unique visitors to their Web sites by late-2011 or early 2012

Right now, the big thing is self- branding. We’re told we should have our own website, write our own blog, comment on other people’s blogs, start our own e-newsletter, join as many social networking sites as possible, start our own group on LinkedIn or become a top expert by answering questions asked by group members on LinkedIn to name a few branding tips.

How am I supposed to get any paying work done if I am doing all this work to brand myself? Read the rest of this entry »

Keeping my Twitter feeds uncluttered requires digital diplomacy. More often than not, I’ll remove someone I’m following if more than half of their tweets are personal, rather than insightful. When I’m skimming hundreds of tweets a day for my clients there isn’t enough time to read variations of “I’m going to get a cappuccino now, have a great day.” Read the rest of this entry »

I’m a member of our national PR association by choice. Why? Because I look to it (and its members) to understand and appreciate—and be targeted and focused—on both the historical and evolving aspects about practising public relations, globally and locally.

To quote internationally recognized and accomplished Italian PR practitioner, Toni Muzi Falconi, this is in reference to the “adoption of generic PR principles, [ones that are] valid globally only if and where accompanied by specific applications” [i.e., in Canada]. Translation: the success of your local PR program should be “tested” against PR principles accepted and developed around the world.

For the purposes of this post, are the Canadian Public Relations Society’s educational programs (particularly its flagship event, the annual conference) reflecting its PR practitioners’ needs, wants and gaps? Read the rest of this entry »