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Generation Blog

Over the last week or so, two of my clients solicited my opinion on how to leverage blogs within their Public Relations campaigns…a timely question that as PR professionals we are increasingly asked about and must be able to answer. Had my clients asked me this question a just few years ago, I wouldn’t know where to begin. Although I’ve concentrated my entire ten+ year career in marketing communications and public relations, I’m still a member Generation X and can remember writing term papers based on research collected via the Dewey Decimal System, obtaining my first email address well after obtaining my first drivers license and communicating with colleagues via printed memos sent via Inter-office courier. I’m not ashamed if these facts date me; I’m proud that I’m part of a generation quickly adapting new capabilities to remain current with the technology trends that influence business communications.

Early last year, I began a thorough self education on the blogosphere, specifically researching its corporate implications , as I quickly realized blogs had a presence to be reckoned with in this industry. Successful business entrepreneurs and forward-thinking decision makers who embrace remote collaboration are exercising wikis, text messages and blogs to communicate their messages. Some conservative companies and executives – as well as conventional industries – are slow to adopt. But in the technology space, it matters not what generation in which we were born. To be a successful business communicator today, at the very minimum, blogging must be a component, if not at the minimum a consideration, in a corporate visibility strategy.


Julie Buckley
Account Director

Hello From Chomsky

This is Editor-in-Chief of Plugged-In Gnomar Chomsky (Chomsky to my friends) checking in.

I am SheaHedges’ resident office Gnome. From time to time I will be rambling about the goings on here at SHG. What can you expect from me?

For one thing, you can expect me to let you in on the behind-the-scenes happenings at SHG. For instance, we recently brought aboard Charles, our full-time intern. He is fantastic. His first week here he put together the most exquisite report about virtualization management I have ever read. Also, my buddy John was promoted to Media Specialist for his fantastic work. I’m glad John was promoted but I think it’s gone to his head a little bit. Today he asked me if he could get a corporate helicopter for his one (1) mile commute.

That’s what you can expect to hear from me. Every so often I might leave a little something to pontificate. Such as - If ATM stands for Automatic Teller Machine, why do we call it an ATM machine? Along those lines - if PIN stands for Personal Identification Number, why do we call it a PIN number? What’s with the repetition?

Unfortunately, I have to check out for now. But I do want to leave on a good note.

I’ve just received the good word: Plugged-In has received four (4) pink bananas from the Blog Rating Society of America (BRSoA). This is fantastic news as this is the first blog to ever receive such high remarks in its first week of syndication. Let the good times roll!

Peace Out Cub Scout - Chomsky

What's That Blinking Thing?

In the post 9/11 era, you gotta be careful. Things that blink, tick, make noise, or generally look suspicious can escalate a marketing gimmick to a matter of security.

Sometimes, things like this can go wrong.

In a nutshell: A marketing company placed blinking light boards throughout Boston to promote the Cartoon Network's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force." These light boards inspired panic when officials worried they might be a bomb threat.

Is this a PT Barnum case of "good publicity?" The stunt certainly got its fair share of the headlines, though mostly negative. Turner Broadcasting, which owns Cartoon Network, has some splainin' to do.

And with that, I've met my quota of one "I Love Lucy" reference a week.

Mike Sacks