11: Sam Whitmore’s Media Survey

Paul and David have both known Sam Whitmore since all three of them worked at PC Week (now eWeek) in the go-go early days of the PC revolution, and he graces this week’s program. Sam talks about new trends in online PR, the results of his trip last fall to China and the differences in PR practices there, and some non-traditional tech publishers that PR folks should be on the lookout for. While this podcast is longer than our usual, it is chock full of interesting tidbits. Be sure to check out Sam’s Media Survey site and Sam Whitmore Sampler blog for lots of additional great and insightful analysis.

Download the podcast now (22:00)

10: New rules of marketing and PR part 2

Paul Gillin and David Strom continue our conversation with David Meerman Scott about his new book with the above title. We talk about how marketing folks have to reach out to ordinary people (and potential customers) for their “press” sections of their Web sites. These pages get the most traffic and show how everyone is now a publisher and can go directly to their audiences. There is also value to communicate with buyers about valuable information about their problems rather than pushing the products of the company.

You can download the podcast here (12:40). 

9: The New Rules of Marketing and PR

In the first of a two-part podcast series, David and Paul talk with David Meerman-Scott, who has authored three books about marketing in the age of Web 2.0 and social media, including his forthcoming book, The New Rules of Marketing and PR which you can pre-order from Amazon. In this segment, David Meerman Scott tells how he has applied the principles he espouses in his books to win election to MarketingSherpa’s Viral Hall of Fame two years running. They also discuss the importance of search engine strategies to public relations and wonder why more PR professionals don’t consider the techniques that buyers use to find products and services when they create their press releases. PR isn’t just media relations any more, Scott argues. It’s all about taking the message directly to the customer. Why would you want to pass up such an opportunity?

Download the podcast here (14:40)

The end of reporting as we know it

My friend Steve Boriss, a journalism professor over at Washington University and owner of this blog, always has something to say on the future of news gathering, newspapers and reporting. This is his latest post:

For virtually every news story, there have been sources willing to provide information for free (e.g. newsmakers, whistleblowers, witnesses, think tanks, litigants), and many sources even willing to pay to have their story told (e.g. think of the not-insignificant size of the Public Relations industry).

In fact, the stories that most journalists believe represent the best of their profession, like Watergate and Enron, were almost entirely whistleblower-driven.

Unfortunately for journalists, the Internet is revealing that there is little reason for news outlets to spend money on reporters if all they do is seek what news sources are already willing to give them, rewrite what news sources are already willing to write, and distribute what news sources are already able to distribute.

8: What does “off the record” really mean?

This week, David and Paul go on the record about “off-the-record.” The term has become increasingly ambiguous due to poor understanding on the part of vendors and PR people, they believe. This can lead to miscommunication and mistakes. PR people need to do a better job of educating their clients and executives about the precise meaning of “off the record,” “not for attribution” and “on background.” And stop it with those silly unilateral embargoes!

In Quick Takes, David and Paul give their one minute analyses of the departure of a veteran PC World editor, allegedly over ethics issues (who has since been reinstated); the revival of a long-simmering debate over advertising tied to editorial keywords; and a lawsuit filed by three CNet journalists over HP’s alleged invasion of their privacy.

Download the podcast here (11:20)

7: The changing nature of press interviews

The blogosphere was lit up with the latest scuffle over who is in charge of the interviewing process, with posts firing back and forth over how Wired magazine editors wanted to control how they interviewed its subjects. Should a source have a right to dictate how s/he will be interviewed (phone, f2f, email, or IM)? In our episode this week, Paul and David discuss the changing nature of press interviews and what PR people can do to stay on top of the situation with all these alternatives to face-to-face contact now in play.

Cheers to a very detailed commentary by Jeff Jarvis on Buzz Machine with plenty of links to the exchange of the various parties involved. Fascinating reading. Jeers this week to the computer trade press overall, where Paul find their eternal fascination with the latest bug-o-the-week not very productive.

Download the podcast here.