Category Archives: Public Relations

Medill Name Change Inspires Mischief-Making

Me in my succinctly stated sweatshirt. The journalism school where I studied at Northwestern University used to be known simply as the Medill School of Journalism. Often it has been referred to even more simply as “Medill.” With only a period after it. Or so my increasingly tattered sweatshirt declares. That piece of punctuation proclaimed, […]

Spreading the PR Wealth: Be Alert to Media’s Need and Be Willing to Share the Spotlight

The laurels keep coming for J.C. Restoration, which last week learned that it had received the Blue Ribbon Small Business Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.In the last year, the Rolling Meadows-based company and its president, Warner Cruz, have won at least four significant industry, regional and even national awards, including Cruz’s selection as […]

What To Do When Oprah (Or Anyone Else) Calls

More than 90 percent of my clients say Oprah’s name when discussing their PR goals. Typically, the words “want” and “get on” are in close proximity to the wildly successful talk show host’s name. While Oprah’s talk show is nearing the end, shows like hers are an enduring part of the media landscape. Susan Harrow […]

Reflections of 1991: A Valentine’s Greeting to My Former Colleagues at The Courier-News

From the front page of the Feb. 15, 1991 edition of The Courier-News in Elgin, Ill. This past Sunday was the 20th anniversary of my start with The Courier-News of Elgin, Ill. When Mike Bailey hired a 22-year-old guy who had trouble navigating his way to the newsroom all the way from Chicago, it was […]

Resist Tunnel Vision About Your Value, Heed Market Feedback & Turn Failure into Success

In today’s rapidly shifting strategic marketing and public relations landscape, being willing to change is only one part of the equation. You’ve also got to be continually alert to those ways in which you must embrace change–or invite extinction. That truth comes to mind as 2010 draws to a close and I reflect on what was […]

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ Flashback: My Chicago Trib Story on Karolyn Grimes, aka ZuZu Bailey

Karolyn Grimes, as a 6-year-old ZuZu, in Jimmy Stewart’s arms A P.S. here to my post last week about Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest and It’s A Wonderful Life. Exactly four years ago, to the day, I had the privilege of writing a story for the Chicago Tribune about Karolyn Grimes, the actress […]