Last month I wrote a post about the lack of respect public relations often receives. A few days ago I read an online story about why the industry brings some of that disrespect onto itself.
Out in Seattle a company called Phusion Projects is on the hot seat because students are over-indulging in their super cheap, super alcoholic, caffeinated beverages sold in super big cans. Hmm… time to call in the PR big guns. The Seattle Weekly describes in detail how Edelman swooped in and ordered them to change their story. It’s a cringe-fest.
Now I know what you may be thinking –that’s only one side of the story Chris! And don’t attorneys general often pounce on stories like this to promote their own reputations? That’s true, but the ridiculous combination of haughtiness and hair splitting described in the piece reminds me of some big agency staff I’ve met over the years.
When I read stuff like this, I often am thankful Strategic does b2b and b2g PR, not consumer. But there is a good reason to watch the consumer PR space, and I don’t mean for blog post fodder. The consumer market is often where new communication techniques and strategies prove their worth, and then later filter down to b2b. Or in some cases, can be crafted to suit the needs of my clients.
As an example, here’s a thought provoking post suggested that the age of SEO is ending and a new one of social media optimization (SMO) is dawning. Whether or not you agree with SEO declining in the face of “personalized discovery,” there’s no doubt the alliance of Facebook and Bing is promising. Check out the comments to this post as well — interesting, especially the ones that respond it’s not SEO or SMO, it’s both.
Thankfully there are big differences between consumer and business PR. But the field is changing fast and I always keep an eye out for techniques that could benefit my clients. And unfortunately, I also come across examples of PR that make me want to grab a Four Loko and chug.