Category Archives: Public Relations

The Connection Between an Upcoming Fundraiser & Mom’s 1972 Brain Aneurysm

It’s one thing for a business to talk about its commitment to “community,” whatever that may mean. But people pay closer attention (and assign much more weight) to action. In 2007, when I began providing public relations support to the Burr Ridge and Northbrook locations for Five Seasons Family Sports Club, one of the core […]

My Face-to-Face With (Another) Matt Baron

A few weeks ago, my intern, Jose P. Moreno, wrote a review of Future Hits, which played at the Oak Park Public Library. A few excerpts: “Composed of a Chicago Public School teacher, a classically trained flutist, and an assistant professor of audio from Columbia College, Future Hits plays music catered to children, while remaining entertaining […]

5 Years Later, Documentary `Breaking and Entering’ Into Public Consciousness

What does ultra-endurance athlete George Hood have in common with a world-class “joggler”–someone who juggles as he jogs great distances–and a guy with an uncanny passion for catching grapes in his mouth when they are hurled from long distances? All are prominently featured in “Breaking and Entering,” a terrific tapestry that displays individual drive for stunning achievement […]

`Medill F’ For Cook County Board President’s Communications Team

Like other professional writers and editors, I can’t just “turn off” my editing hat when I’m not devoted to a work-related task. Billboards, posters, disclaimers on pharmaceutical commercials—all of those platforms, and more–are fair game. So two weeks ago, when I literally couldn’t help but notice Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s bio had a […]

A Hinsdale Foster Mom’s Heart: When a Great Story Trumps Imperfect Timing

When considering your public relations campaign, it’s obvious that timing is a crucial ingredient. Want to make a pitch about your cause or business that is tied to the Super Bowl? You’re pretty late–or extremely early, depending on which football title game you’re thinking of. Interested in raising awareness about your work at a prestigious […]

Mancini’s Shows Small Business Need Not Fall Victim to `5 Stages of Facebook Grief’

Over the past three months, Mancini’s Pizza Pasta Cafe has nearly doubled its Facebook fan following, to 130. But even more important than that statistic is the qualitative change that’s occurred on the Oak Park restaurant’s Facebook page. On that platform, the Downtown Oak Park mainstay is engaging its fans, providing visuals, running a weekly […]

Writing Biographies & Profiles: Navigating Around the Self-Modesty Mask

Deep down, most people are more than happy to talk about themselves, often at great length. But that is so blatantly self-absorbed, few are candid or courageous enough to acknowledge this common human tendency. Instead, most of the time when I begin interviewing someone for a profile piece, or perhaps a biography, they slip on […]

On the Menu (And In Any Communication): Vary Your Words, Advance Your Story

As my wife would readily attest, I have been editing menus for years. But it’s happened only in my head, as I have scanned my restaurant meal options. Along the way, among other peculiarities, I have been struck by the neck-and-neck race between the properly labeled “Belgian waffles” and the rampantly used but wrong-wrong-wrong (!!) “Belgium waffles” variation. […]

“Roadshow” Public Relations: The Five Steps to Telling, Then Re-Telling Your Story

A traveling circus and an informational presentation performed in a variety of locations over a span of time. What do they have in common? Among other things, each represents an excellent opportunity for ongoing public relations. That is largely because they lend themselves to the approach of building a general news release that you can […]

Passion’s Vital Role in Effective Public Relations

Are you passionate in your pursuit to spread the word about your company or cause? Before I bring aboard a new associate, he or she must review and buy into the Inside Edge Mission & Commission. After the Inside Edge PR Mission, the first words of the commission are “get passionate.” Of course, in order to […]