Brand Central Station

(from PR News)
When: Thursday, June 17, 2010
Where: The National Press Club, Washington D.C.

Please take a moment to check out the topics and speakers for PR News’ Media Relations Forum and you’ll see that one day out of the office and getting into the minds of leading brand and reputation builders will be well worth your time.

The forum will address the most critical media relations issues and new opportunities facing communications professionals. Including:

• Media Training
• Social Media
• Blogger Relations
• New tools and Technologies
• Crisis Management
• Measurement
• SEO
• Budgeting and Resource Management

We’ve programmed in ample networking time so you can make important connections. Plus, we will have our PR News editorial team on hand taking copious notes so that we can provide you with an executive summary that will include the most important take-aways from each session. Leave the note-taking to us so you can listen, learn and make the most of this one day.

With social media, nontraditional online influencers and a true 24/7 communications landscape, media relations is more complicated yet more exciting than ever. Join us on June 17 and you’ll be sure to take away a smarter, more effective media relations playbook.  Click here for more information and to register.

Questions?
If you’d like to register by phone or have questions regarding the program, please contact conference coordinator Saun Sayamongkhun at ssayamongkhun@accessintel.com; 301-354-1610.

(from min Online)
When: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 – 1:30-3:00 p.m. (ET)

Join Webinar Speakers: Sean Adams, VP, Online Communities, Moose River Media, Rachel Buchholz, Managing Editor, National Geographic Kids, Cyndi Stivers, Managing Editor, EW.com and Amy Wilkins, SVP, Publisher, Martha Stewart Weddings.

Engagement is the new holy grail of media, but what does it mean and how are the leading magazine brands defining, pursuing and achieving this elusive concept? Here’s the litmus test: If a media brand is your constant companion, if it becomes part of your everyday media habits, if it is not only there for you in print but also in the places you shop, then it has engaged you. In this one-of-a-kind Webinar, min gathers winners of its own 2010 Most Engaged Media Brands Awards to share their insights on the meaning of “engagement” and on the many ways they have successfully achieved it with their print, online and on-air audiences.

Marketers now have a wide terrain of possible touch points with which to cultivate real relationships with audiences: Web site, TV, social networks, mobile, live events and even in-store. Our webinar panel coordinates their outreach across these many channels to create a seamless, 360 degree presence for their brands in their audience’s lives. They know that engagement isn’t just a strategy-it is a new way of maintaining and even creating brands. Join our panel of experts on June 22, at 1:30 P.M. EST, as they share insights and success stories in the world of media engagement.

Questions: contact Saun Sayamongkhun at 301-354-1610; saun@accessintel.com.

Register Now

If you’re going to speak on behalf of a client or your company, you have to make sure nothing gets in the way of your message.  And that includes your fashion sense (or lack thereof).

Tami Kou, the lead media trainer at LaBreche in Minneapolis recently contributed a piece on what to wear (and what not to wear) to PRNews.  Here are a summary of her tips:

• Avoid small-checkered patterned prints. The camera has a difficult time focusing on the print, making it hard for viewers to look at.
• Don’t wear large, flashy or clunky jewelry. Oversized jewelry not only overshadow your message, the noise of it can be picked up on your microphone.
• If you’re wearing a jacket, pull it tight and sit on the back of it. This gives you a much sleeker look and more polished presence.
• Not sure what color to wear? Stay away from white, unless you’re wearing a colored jacket on top. White tends to wash you out. Instead opt for French blue. There’s a reason why it is the backdrop for nearly all presidential debates. That’s because it looks great on all. 

Tami also reminds us:

Television is a visual medium and people are listening with their eyes just as much, if not more so, than they are with their ears. [So,] remember that you’re representing your company’s brand and first impressions count. Make sure that your attire reflects that. If you have a hip and trendy message, then a traditional navy blue suit isn’t the outfit that is going to convey that message. What does your outfit say about you before you utter a word? Are you traditional and conservative or innovative and edgy?

Think this is all a bunch of nonsense?  Just remember how the press obsessed over the wardrobe of candidates Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin during the primaries and election. 

And for men – think back on the number of times some rube in a ball cap and wife beater t-shirt was interviewed on the devastating impact of a flood or hurricane.  Was his message as effective as the golf shirt-wearing state officials or uniform-clad emergency responders?  Which guy gets lampooned on Leno or Conan?

Tami is right when she says people “listen with their eyes” when it comes to television. 

And for those of you who want to be company spokesmen but can’t pull off the clean dress shirt look?  Stick to radio.