It’s no secret that I’m a big advocate for social media. I think social media sites, like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or blogs, can act as outlets to help spread messages, compliment traditional marketing communications and public relations efforts, communicate directly with target audiences, or even serve as a quick way to get information to a large number of people. 

Recently, however, through watching the news and reading up on the current events and happenings in Egypt, I realized that social media can be and definitely is much bigger. Social media can play a role in organizing protests, uniting groups of people toward a common goal, or even organizing a revolution. More than that however, social media is giving the rest of the world a 24/7, real-time report of the exact, to-the-minute happenings in Egypt.

Not long ago social media was barely making its way into discussions involving communications and public relations. Now, it’s making headlines for sparking change.

In fact, when Wael Ghonim, a 30-year-old Google executive, was asked about what’s next for Egypt, he replied by saying, “Ask Facebook.” That’s a pretty strong message, and one that indicates social media sites are delivering content faster than traditional news mediums.

So, what does this mean for the love fest between marketing communications, public relations and social media?

I think that social media will continue to play an increasingly important role in communications—particularly marketing communications—and public relations. It’s important that companies utilize social media outlets and incorporate social media strategies into overall marketing plans, when appropriate. Because, whether you like it or not, social media is here to stay,  it’s growing every day and people are continually turning to social media sites to get their daily news and information.

It’s been nearly one year since I blogged about Tiger Woods and his car crash, which was followed by his immediate silence and refusal to talk with media (and local police, among others). Those events eventually ended up costing Tiger the thing he values most—his reputation.

Now, one year later, Tiger can’t get enough of the media spotlight. He has embarked on a PR campaign in an attempt to save his reputation, and over the past few weeks he’s done numerous radio and print interviews and even sent out a couple of Tweets to his 255,000 followers—including one thanking his fans for the love.

So what gives? Has Tiger really changed? Is he truly trying to reconnect with his fans or is this PR stunt designed to clean up his tarnished image?

There’s a bigger question here—is Tiger’s reputation even salvageable? Is there anything Tiger can do to fix his tarnished reputation, or will he forever be looked at differently?

My advice to Tiger is quit trying to force a PR campaign; people can see through the phony (come on, that’s PR 101). Be genuine and get back to winning golf tournaments. I’m certainly not a fan of Tiger but, in my opinion, if Michael Vick can make a comeback, so can Tiger.

I came across an article titled, “9 Ways Companies Completely Blow Press Opportunities” in Business Insider. The PR person in me couldn’t wait to click through the list and discover the nine ways, according to this author, that companies blow it when creating and distributing news and working with reporters and editors.

As predicted, one of my biggest pet peeves made the list. Check out number two, begin your release with “the leading provider of,” “next generation” or “best of breed.” Yuck! I cringe when I see these words on a release—and you can throw award-winning on there also.

These buzzwords have no place in press releases. In fact, they have become so overused that they’ve lost their meaning. It’s impossible for every company to be the leading provider of its product or service, so find something new that truly sets your company apart from the rest. And if you don’t believe me, check out this study to see just how often these words are used when distributing news.

Check out the rest of the “9 Ways Companies Completely Blow Press Opportunities” list here.

Lesson learned? Distribute news only when you have something truly newsworthy to share. And, when those rare and precious press opportunities surface, don’t blow it by making a simple mistake. If you’re looking for someone to partner with on your public relations efforts, give me a call. At Canyon, you’ll never see our actions on this list.

photo courtesy: www.flickr.com/photos/danielmall

As a PR coordinator, I spend a lot of time monitoring coverage for clients in online publications, social media outlets, such as blogs and Twitter, and let’s not forget print publications. I often wonder why I’m still looking in print pubs for information when I can likely find it online. With the media changing ever so quickly, this got me thinking about which outlets are most important for PR professionals’ current media relations efforts.

Online publications and social media outlets are increasingly becoming PR pros’ primary outlets for information. According to the 2010 Top Tech Publications study, 92 percent of tech PR pros say that blogs are important to their current PR efforts. Eighty-six percent list online publications as extremely important to their current media relations efforts—compared to 75 percent in 2009. So, as PR pros, why should we continue to get information from print publications—especially since most of them have an online presence?

It’s to continue BUILDING strong PR/journalist relationships!

I found a great article that explains why PR and print journalism will continue to work hand in hand despite this shift to the online world and how this relationship can help maximize return on investment as the media continues to change.

I want your opinion. Do you think the end is near for print journalism or do you think it’s here to stay?