“This post was served to 58 people.” In Facebook’s continually evolving approach to commercial and organizational pages, that turn of phrase is among the latest twists. Previously, the line seen only by page administrators indicated how many people had “seen” the post. The new phrasing is not some subtle semantic shift. Instead, it reflects Facebook’s […]
The first newspaper stories that I wrote, 30 years ago, began as actual scrawling that I did in a notebook. After making editing changes, I would then begin typing the copy on an electric typewriter plugged into the wall of my home in the woods on Webster Street. Along the way, I would make some […]
When it comes to your business–or that of a client in the midst of launching or re-branding its business–what’s in a name? Although it’s impossible to quantify with any degree of precision, there is plenty at stake when you get down to choosing what to call your enterprise. Here are four factors to consider that […]
Because most of my media relations work is focused on Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, I often know the reporters, editors and producers that I contact with news releases, story suggestions, and on-air guest pitches. Short of making that personal connection, at the least I make it my mission to know that based on the […]
In the exclusive echelon of professional sports team owners, Donald Sterling has been regarded as notoriously inept for decades. Since his 1981 purchase of the San Diego Clippers, the franchise has made the playoffs only seven times. You may not recognize the team’s San Diego connection–Sterling relocated the team to Los Angeles in 1984, in […]
“Coming soon!” Of all the utterances in the online marketing world, few breed more false hope or ring more hollow than that all-too-common sight on websites. The “coming soon” claim–yes, sometimes the pledge is subdued without the exclamation mark–litters countless pages on the Internet. Would-be testimonials, would-be news articles and would-be communication spanning the gamut of topics […]
A traveling circus and an educational presentation that is duplicated at multiple locations over a concentrated period of time–pretty strange bedfellows. Or are they? At first blush, these might seem to have nothing to do with another, but when it comes to marketing communications, both represent excellent opportunities for ongoing public relations. At the heart […]
Thirteen years ago, while interviewing legendary entertainer Mickey Rooney for a feature in the Daily Herald, I asked him to reflect on some of his fondest memories in show business. “I never look back on anything,” he said, almost perturbed by the inquiry. “I look ahead.” That kind of determined focus on the future, not resting […]
In addition to its tasty sandwiches, one of the distinctive qualities of Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches is its colorful listing of pithy, hilarious and, yes, even borderline crude comments. For instance, who doesn’t enjoy reading those rules to live by, such as this one: “Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a […]
Two years ago, I had the honor of writing about three people who had given generously to their alma mater, Northern Illinois University. Then, two months ago, I had the added privilege of being asked to speak on camera about these individuals, Howard and Evelyn Lanan, and William Doyle, all of whom were deceased by […]