November 16th, 2011
Getting a kick out of word play
Words, for me, are an aphrodisiac. Delicious. Luminous. Intoxicating.
How joyous then it is to be working in a field where language is at the very heart of what we do. This is not to say that corporate communications is always about the language of love, but there is unquestionably an irresistible rhythm that kicks in when the words flow to help clients tell their stories.
I have just come out of one of our regular creative brainstorming sessions, chalk-boarding ideas for a client’s rebrand. What a wonderful language we have, so many words with so many subtle distinctions of meaning. Words that conjure up feelings and emotion and that inspire and challenge.
And yet, how easy it is to have words misconstrued, especially the written word, in a text or an email. How critical it is to choose the right words? Ones that truly resonate with your audience.
It got me thinking about some of my favourite words that say everything you need them to, some of them well overdue for a revival.
Shemozzle. How good is that word? “It’s a bit of a shemozzle this party isn’t it?” Not a complete disaster. Not necessarily a flop, just a bit all over the shop, a shemozzle. Let’s bring back classic Australian words snazzy and frock, and while we’re at it, let’s pack ports not suitcases, take smokos, and tee up a pash.
I love the words divinity, bespoke, sublime and sundown. Munch and crunch. Bespoke and birdsong. Resilience and ambience.
And borrowed from the French, the original language of love: soiree, charade, protégé, formidable.
Frank Sinatra crooned that he “gets no kick from champagne”. For me, I get a kick out of wordplay, a clever turn of phrase, a little alliteration . And possibly a Sancerre at sundown.
September 26th, 2011
Savvy media embrace social media
I have always held that the relationship between communications professionals in the media and PR can be a symbiotic one. As much as PRs rely on media, journalists can rely on PRs to provide good angles, insights and access.
Social media, in particular twitter, is demonstrating more than ever the strength of that relationship with public relations practitioners and savvy media taking to the forum with gusto to exchange information and leads.
Now I should qualify, that what I call “warm human body” contact, as in face-to-face relationships will always remain paramount. But the speed with which news can be told and questions answered via social media, means developing connections online is more important than ever.
And the most savvy media are also demonstrating their abilities to understand the PR / marketing paradigm by using social media to promote stories they or their news organisations have published. They are also promoting other sections and programs from their own stable.
This means that the reach of any newspaper, radio program or news bulletin, goes well beyond those engaging directly in real time. Via twitter, I can be alerted to tune in to a talkback radio trend, read a particular article published or posted, and know to tune in to an evening TV news or current affairs program to see a particular piece.
As well as providing critical public relations support to their respective employers, these journalists are also positioning themselves as the ones to go to with a particular news angle, by virtue of their social media clout.
If I have a story to tell on behalf of a client, a journalist who actively engages on twitter may be the one I speak to first.
Likewise, if there is a breaking story or issue where the dissemination of regular, accurate information is paramount, those journalists who are “connected” will be the first to receive vital news updates.
If the survival of traditional news is all about encouraging conversations with readers, listeners and viewers, it looks like the journalists themselves will be the ones who save the day.
-KDPR
September 21st, 2011
Reputation management in a new “social” world order
Sceptics are becoming fewer in number, as more and more organisations recognise that social media is no longer a fad that exists on the periphery. But how do you engage in social media without risking damage to your corporate reputation?
For larger organisations, in the public and private sectors, the real and perceived risk to reputation via social media is paralysing them into not engaging via social media at all. Yet all the evidence points to the fact that it can no longer be ignored. Denial poses the greater risk.
For many years now, PR has been primarily about reputation management. And having thoughtful internal and external communications strategies to enhance and protect that reputation.
Most CEOs and Boards are now comfortable with the need for proactive communications to stakeholders, including traditional media; and how having professional issues management support can avert crises that damage organisations. But in this 24 hour media cycle, and courtesy of social media channels such as twitter, facebook and youtube, communicating in the social media space has never been more critical in proactively managing messages.
If your customers, your critics, your competitors are commenting via social media, and you are not in a position to be a part of that conversation or respond to criticism, you cannot expect to have your points of view taken into consideration.
It is no wonder that many risk-averse boardrooms are reticent about social media, and question perhaps the value of it. Is it merely giving staff an opportunity to “facebook” on company time?
Corporate social media strategies, like all communications strategies, must have clear objectives and align with business goals. And there must be strict social media protocols to allay the fears of even the most conservative Chairman of the Board.
Social media is no longer a “bolt on”, but must be a core part of all communications strategies. If you’re not a part of it, rest assured your competition, even the ones you haven’t heard of yet, are.
Kristin Devitt is Managing Director of KDPR, a Brisbane-based communications agency established in 2003. KDPR specialises in reputation management for organisations, and develops and implements integrated communications strategies for clients across all industries and professions.
September 7th, 2011
James Surowiecki: The moment when social media became news
James Surowiecki pinpoints the moment when social media became an equal player in the world of news-gathering: the 2005 tsunami, when YouTube video, blogs, IMs and txts carried the news and preserved moving personal stories from the tragedy.
-KDPR
September 5th, 2011
The Truth Hurts
From small businesses to the largest corporations, managing a consistent and reliable image to staff, clients and customers is paramount.
All of your key stakeholders need to know who you are and what you stand for, in order to maintain a relationship of trust.
And while you will often be communicating a myriad of messages at any given time, the key is ensuring there is a consistent corporate message underpinning those.
Three questions to ask are:
1/ Do you have a corporate tagline that encapsulates key messages about your organisation?
2/ Is there an established language style applied to all external communications?
3/ How robust is your brand and its application? Do you have brand protocols for how the logo can and cannot be used in printed communication and online / email communication?
Organisations that have grown quickly are often the ones that benefit from a comms audit, to bring everything into line. Sometimes the truth hurts, when you discover the inconsistencies that creep in. But it's worth it when you end up with coordinated, dynamic communications that reassures everyone why you are worth doing business with.
-KDPR
