The African Informant

The Revolution will be Televised and Tweeted

2014-08-13T23:28:00.002-05:00

I have been following the twitter feeds of individuals who have been covering the tragic death of Mike Brown, who was killed by a Ferguson, MO police officer on August 8. What I read has been nothing short of sickening. It’s truly sad that there is an open season on the lives on Black men in America and it’s those who are to “serve and protect” us that are doing these atrocious acts. Tonight’s coverage of the situation in Ferguson by MSNBC was mind-boggling and chilling. The fact that police officers waited until nightfall to attack the peaceful protestors with tear gas and rubber bullets is beyond me. Sidenote: I commend the local and national reporters who have risked their lives to cover the story, especially Washington Post’s @WesleyLowery, who was arrested in a nearby McDonald’s while covering the story. Check out his timeline for the details. However, I’m also appalled that CNN would rather do a story about Iraq and not on Ferguson. I now know how they feel about us, but I digress.

The police response to the citizens of Ferguson are outrageous, not to mention they are violating a plethora of civil rights afforded to us by the Constitution, starting with the 1st Amendment. Who will police the police? Why is this happening in America in 2014? Additionally, I have some questions that need to be answered.

1. Why are the local and state officials silent on the matter?

2. Why did it take a tweet from Gov. Jay Nixon to inform us he was finally going to get involved on the situation?

3. Why does a small-town police force need military-grade weapons including a tank?

4. When will the Ferguson PD release the name of the officer who killed Mike Brown?

5 Will Mike Brown’s family get the justice they deserve?

I pray that justice will be served and questions will be answered for the people of Ferguson. I also urge my generation to get involved in your respected cities and demand change not only in Ferguson but across this country. We owe it to our ancestors. But for now, sign this petition: https://www.change.org/petitions/president-barack-obama-please-enact-new-federal-laws-to-protect-citizens-from-police-violence-and-misconduct

Lutheran group hosts education forum

2014-04-29T10:18:00.000-05:00

http://dallasexaminer.com/news/2014/apr/28/lutheran-group-hosts-education-forum/

Dallas Cowboys 2014 schedule a treacherous road

2014-04-24T17:08:00.003-05:00

When the 2014 NFL schedules were released on April 23, it felt like Christmas morning. NFL fans across the country were already making projections of how their teams would fare by season’s end. However, for Cowboys fans, the slate of games looked like a nightmare on Elm Street. The Dallas Cowboys will open their 2014 campaign versus NFC rival San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 7 at AT&T Stadium. The most recent matchup between these storied franchises was a Sept. 2011 overtime win by the Cowboys at Candlestick Park. QB Tony Romo rallied the troops to victory by overcoming a 24-14 fourth quarter deficit while dealing with a broken rib injury.

The season opener will set a barometer of a team who has gone 8-8 in three straight seasons. The Cowboys’ first 10 games of the season are favorable with road games at Tennessee and St. Louis and a trip across the pond to play Jacksonville in London on Nov. 9. The team will have five prime time games including a week 4 tussle with the New Orleans Saints and an Oct. 27 game versus the Washington Redskins on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. Following the week 11 bye, four of their final six games of the season are on the road with trips within the division at NY Giants (Nov. 23), at Eagles (Dec. 14) and the season finale at Redskins (Dec. 28). Speaking of the Eagles, the Cowboys will host them for the annual Thanksgiving Day game on Nov. 27. The overall view of the schedule is that while difficult, the Cowboys can find ways to win at least 11 games and win the division if they do not get in their own way. Being that Romo has turned 34, the Boys must become a run-oriented team to take the pressure off Romo so that he doesn’t make anymore game-ending turnovers. In addition, the defense must step up in 2014 and protect double-digit leads in the fourth quarter if the team will have any kind of postseason success. The Dallas Cowboys should go 11-5 and will avoid yet another “Win and In” situation.

Dallas Cowboys release defensive end DeMarcus Ware

2014-03-11T16:41:00.002-05:00

The Dallas Cowboys released defensive end DeMarcus Ware Tuesday as the NFL Free Agency kicks off the 2014 season.
The seven-time Pro Bowler was set to make $16 million against the cap and wouldn't budge to a pay cut to stay with the franchise. He is the all-time leader in sacks for the club and is second only to Jared Allen in that category since entering the NFL in 2005. The decision was a tough but inevitable one for owner Jerry Jones, who says the team is open to bringing back Ware after he tests the market. The de facto leader of the defense brought an emotional edge to the defense and was a menace on opposing quarterbacks.
However, his play has declined since 2010 as he has battled numerous injuries and Father Time. There is no doubt that suitors will line up for Ware's services but which team is willing to pay his asking price? As for the Cowboys, the move saves them $7.5 million in cap space and will continue to do team evaluations as the free agency period progresses. In addition, it puts them in the right direction to fix a defense that among the worst in the NFL last season and cost the Cowboys numerous wins because of their inability to hold double-digit leads in the fourth quarter. The Dallas Cowboys have the 16th overall pick in the May 8 NFL Draft.

Report involving Incognito and Martin investigation released

2014-02-14T10:33:00.001-06:00

Independent investigator Ted Wells released his finished report on the bullying scandal Friday that involves Miami Dolphins offensive linemen Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito. The report revealed that Incognito and two other players including offensive lineman Mike Pouncey engaged of a pattern of harassment including teasing and verbally abusing Martin with racial comments and sexually explicit comments toward his mother and sister. The Dolphins soon suspended Incognito once the allegations were made known during the middle of the 2013 season. The NFL has since made the Wells report available to all clubs and to the public. Here is a link to the report: nfldolphinsreport.com.

Broncos, Seahawks advance to Super Bowl XLVIII

2014-01-19T21:45:00.002-06:00

The Seattle Seahawks forced three second half turnovers including an interception in the end zone with 22 seconds left to defeat San Francisco 23-17 to claim the NFC title. The NFC West Champions will be making only their second Super Bowl appearance in team history with their first coming in Super Bowl XL in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Seattle proved to be the better team in the second half as their top-ranked defense held the 49ers to only seven points and limited the running game. They also made key plays on both sides of the ball including a touchdown on 4th and 7 to take a 20-17 lead. Seattle will face the Denver Broncos who claimed the AFC crown with a 26-16 win over New England. Peyton Manning threw for over 400 yards and two touchdowns while the injury-plagued defense kept Tom Brady in check and shut down their running game. The Patriots have now lost their second straight AFC Championship game and are 8-8 in their last 16 playoff games.
It's only the fifth win by Manning in the storied rivalry with Brady and also improves his playoff record to 11-11. The AFC West Champions will be making its seventh appearance in the Super Bowl, the first since 1998 and Manning will be making his third appearance in the big game looking to capture a second championship. For the first time in a while the top-seeded teams from each conference will meet in New Jersey on Feb. 2 for the right to raise the Vince Lombardi trophy.

Off the Field Accountability is Lacking in Professional Sports

2014-01-16T17:09:00.002-06:00

The trial involving former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent began this week in a Dallas, TX courtroom. The 25-year-old is accused of intoxication manslaughter after leaving a Dallas-area nightclub Privae on Dec. 8, 2012 and crashing his vehicle, which resulted in the tragic death of teammate Jerry Brown, Jr.
According to USA Today, a toxicologist testified Wednesday that Brent had a blood alcohol level of .18, which is twice the legal limit of .08. Brent originally told police following the crash that he only consumed five alcoholic beverages prior to the fateful incident. As of today, testimonies are still being heard by the jury from waitstaff of the nightclub and former Cowboys teammates.
Furthermore, Brent was indicted for manslaughter in addition to the intoxication manslaughter charge. He can be convicted of the manslaughter charge if the jury finds he was not intoxicated and faces 20 years in prison but can also be sentenced to probation.
The ordeal with Brent is simply a chapter in the lengthy book of pro athletes not holding themselves accountable for their actions when they decide to have a night out on the town. They make way too much money in their respective sports to make poor decisions that can alter their own life and the lives of others as it is being displayed right now in a Dallas courtroom. There is no excuse why athletes who make upwards of $20 million a year are somehow too poor to rent a limousine or to have designated driver if they decide to get hammered in a bar. Athletes should be more aware of their actions because they are a direct representation of the teams that keeps them gainfully employed.

Charlie Strong in Uphill Battle at Texas

2014-01-08T11:36:00.000-06:00

The University of Texas hired Louisville coach Charlie Strong on Jan. 5 to replace the outgoing Mack Brown. Strong was formally introduced as the 29th head coach at Texas the following day and is the first African-American coach in the program history. There is no doubt that Strong can lead the Longhorns back to national prominence and in line for another national championship. His 37-15 record in four seasons at Louisville including a victory in the 2013 Allstate Sugar Bowl over Florida is more than enough proof that he is the man for the job.

The hiring of Strong by athletic director Steve Patterson has received mixed reactions among the Longhorn faithful. While some agree that Strong was a great hire to move the football program forward, others such as long-time booster Red McCombs say otherwise. The co-founder of Clear Channel Communications said in a radio interview Monday with 1250 ESPN in San Antonio that the hiring process was "a bit sideways" and the hiring of Strong by Texas was a "kick in the face." He later went on to say that Strong would make a great position coach, maybe even a coordinator. It is comments like these by McCombs and other boosters like him at Texas is the battle Charlie Strong will be up against as he takes over the football program.

There will be immense pressure on him to win early and often to prove the naysayers wrong. Strong and his staff will have the daunting task of recruiting in a state that is brimming over the top with four and five star talent with other in-state schools like Baylor and Texas A&M and out of state schools such as Oklahoma State and Missouri. Moreover, Strong is the best coach by Patterson's standards to resurrect a football program that has fallen out of the national limelight since reaching the 2009 BCS National Championship Game vs Alabama.

If Strong turned around a dormant and unknown football program in Louisville into 2013 Sugar Bowl Champs and a potential No. 1 pick in Teddy Bridgewater then he can do the same at Texas. McCombs and the other high-dollar boosters must give him a chance to succeed in Austin. However, let's hope that the marriage of Strong and the University of Texas doesn't end in the same manner as Mississippi State and Sylvester Croom.

Semester in Review

2013-12-06T12:56:00.001-06:00

The Fall 2013 semester was one of many challenges and new experiences. The Seminar in Strategic PR class was by far one of the interesting classes because I was able to learn about the intricacies of public relations from a planning perspective. I also had the opportunity to soak up knowledge from PR guru @samjb and from other industry leaders.

Furthermore, I learned how to do a communications plan for non-profits and other companies and from my classmates in their various presentations this semester. My only complaint was if we had the chance to visit a PR firm in person just to see what they do on a daily basis outside of our shadowing assignment. I think public relations could be something I could look into as my future career field once I graduate in May.

Why I'm Thankful

2013-11-27T10:04:00.001-06:00

I thought about writing about something in public relations but since Thanksgiving is tomorrow I decided to dedicate this post on why I’m thankful.

Well, for starters, I’m thankful that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and have given me a second chance on this side of Heaven. I have been through a lot in my 26 years so far ranging from death in the family to my battle with depression. He really has come through for me in my time of need. I’m grateful that He has provided for me in all areas of my life and gave me the opportunity to pursue graduate school at the University of North Texas.

I have learned so much in my year and a half of study at the Frank W. & Sue Mayborn School of Journalism. I have gotten better in my writing and also have picked up certain skill sets like SPSS or writing a communications plan that will help me in my future endeavors after graduation. I’m thankful for the fellow classmates and professors who have imparted their journalistic teachings on me and shared their life experiences so that we can be ready to take on the real world. You know who you are. Finally, I’m thankful that this semester is almost over and I will be five months away from my second degree. Happy Holidays!

50 Novembers

2013-11-22T18:55:00.001-06:00

This month marked the 50^th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. President Kennedy fell victim to an assassin’s bullet while en route to a luncheon in Dallas, Texas on Nov. 22, 1963. I decided to finally visit the Sixth Floor Museum downtown to see what it was all about. The moment I began the tour I was mind blown. It was so surreal to be in the same building where Lee Harvey Oswald committed the heinous act. It was like going back in time. I was fascinated to know more about JFK and also about the social and political climate of Dallas around that time. I purchased the newspaper that ran the day following the assassination as a keepsake of history.

In addition, I also had the chance to listen to Hugh Aynesworth give his account to what happened the day JFK was shot and killed. The documentary that played before he spoke was mind-boggling. I didn’t know JFK was headed to a luncheon at the Trade Mart in the design district of Dallas until I watched the film. Although I wasn’t born in 1963, it was nice to relive that moment in time and learn about Dallas in a different light and see how much the city has changed since that infamous day. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend the memorial ceremony due to prior engagements but I do believe that Dallas has erased its image as being the so-called “City of Hate.”

Public Relations Clients to Avoid in Business

2013-11-14T12:31:00.001-06:00

A moment in time happens in the public relations industry where a new client becomes the opposite of what the firm expected---those days where the agency acquires a client’s business and those days when they part ways with said client. The honeymoon with the new client comes and goes in the blink of an eye and before you know it you’re in for the long haul.

Most lessons in life we learn through trial by fire. Making mistakes is essential self-growth and to discover our strengths and weaknesses. We try our hardest to learn from these mistakes but sometimes it’s not always the case. The following are types of public relations clients you should stay away from when doing business:

1. The know-it-all client who learned how to do PR while at a Paula Deen cooking seminar. They assume that they can do your job better than you can but doesn’t know the difference between a story written by a reporter and a press release. In the illustrious words of NFL pro Chad Johnson, “Child, please!”

2. The client who has an initial budget that is well below the firm’s normal retainer for the month. He/she promises more money for the job in two months time. Those two months come and go then another two months pass you by…You see where I’m going with this?

3. Le pire de tout (Worst of all in French): A client who hires you to do a campaign and suddenly decides to take a vacation with Casper the Friendly Ghost. He/she doesn’t check-in weekly for progress reports but has the audacity to get into a shouting match with you because they were excluded from a story. They soon learn that karma is very real.

When a PR client rejects a proposal

2013-11-08T00:19:00.001-06:00

When a public relations client scraps a proposal or simply drags their feet to respond in a timely fashion, it can be quite frustrating. The nemesis in these unfortunate events is acting on impulse to move past the feeling of rejection. Never mind the fact that you and your team slaved over the presentation for the last five days with little sleep and cups upon cups of Maxwell House. The bags under your eyes are now suitcases.

When a client says “No,” it’s could be a cry for help. It’s possible that a “no” means they don’t understand the best way to approach their problem or they are afraid of revealing otherwise unknown issues that is hindering their business outcome. The solution is to ask questions such as “What about the proposal doesn’t suit your needs?” or “Are there any outside individuals we can partner with to modify the approach?” These questions and the subsequent follow-ups should turn that “No” into a “Yes” and will have you sleeping like a baby.

Tools to Enhance Experience on Twitter

2013-11-01T10:02:00.001-05:00

Twitter has become one of the most popular social media platforms to connect and communicate. However, keeping up with the latest trends, current events and hashtags seem to be like holding down a full-time job. In recent years, there have been a plethora of third party websites and applications that can improve your experience on the micro blogging site. The following are some of those applications:

· Mobile Alerts: This handy tool is, to some, the best service Twitter offers to its users on any smart phone. It allows users to set alerts to any person or brand they’re following. When they tweet, the alert sends a text message to your phone so you can read it in real-time. To set up, go to the profile of the brand you are following, click on their picture icon and select the last option in the drop down menu.

· Tweet Reach: This device allows you to choose any link or hashtag you want to track and run a tweet reach report to measure the number of tweets, their reach and other cool analytics.

· Tchat: This Twitter tool is most useful if you regularly participate in tweet chats and are tired of having to refresh your timeline. Tchat gives you the ability to enter a hashtag on the site. Whenever you want to participate, simply compose a tweet and the hashtag automatically pops up.

State of the Cowboys: Defense falters as team falls to 4-4

2013-10-28T09:43:00.001-05:00

As Week 8 comes to an end with the Monday Night Football matchup of Seattle at St. Louis, the 2013 Dallas Cowboys find themselves in an all too familiar place: Mediocrityville. The Cowboys failed to put away Detroit on Sunday and fell to 4-4 atop the dismal NFC East. From my vantage point of watching the game at home, I recognized three key factors to the team's late-game defeat.
First, the Cowboys did not cash in on all four Detroit turnovers. Generating only 10 points from four takeaways will not get the job done. You can't go three and out on two of the four possessions following a turnover and expect to win.
Second, poor clock management and crappy play calling by the coaching staff. Head coach Jason Garrett and offensive coordinator Bill Callahan failed to realize that Detroit did not have any timeouts left prior to the third down play. Garrett should have advised Tony Romo to take a knee on third down, which would allow the clock to keep running down to about 40 seconds or so before kicking the field goal. If this scenario occurred then it would have been unlikely for Matthew Stafford to drive 80 yards for the game-winning score. Most fans hated the fact that the team didn't run their regular offense to simply get a first down, which would have essentially ended Detroit's chances at a comeback. Garrett still struggles with clock management in late game situations. It cost the team wins at Baltimore last season and at Arizona in 2011.
Finally, the implosion on defense. Monte Kiffin's Tampa 2 AKA "Tampon 2" defense held Detroit to only seven points through three quarters. In the final frame alone, the defense gave up 24 points and 265 yards. It's rather difficult to win games when the offense gives you two ten point leads in the fourth quarter and you still fail to deliver. The defense is dead last in the NFL, giving up 422.5 yards a game. As of now, this unit is complete garbage. They aren't helping the team at all. Forcing turnovers is great but it's better to not allow Calvin Johnson to accumulate 329 yards receiving and only get one sack on Matthew Stafford. No one fears this defense. They lack a formidable pass rush, which is putting their secondary at a liability. Kiffin must tweak his scheme so that defense can flourish in these final eight games. The team can become better but they must go back to basics, fix the little things and escape from Mediocrityville.
The Cowboys return home to face the 1-6 Minnesota Vikings in their week 9 matchup.

PR Costumes to avoid for Halloween

2013-10-25T17:49:00.002-05:00

The holiday season is upon us beginning with Halloween on Oct. 31. It’s one of my favorite holidays of the year because I get to binge on discounted candy and also be my favorite costume: a broke, college student. Dressing up is on everyone’s mind this time of year. However, many PR professionals make the mistake of wearing certain costumes year-round as without knowing it. Here are some of the following Halloween faux pas:

· Frankenstein: A mix of knowledge and alienating co-workers can have disastrous effects. Putting together archaic ideas and boring concepts can strain even the longest PR relationships. Be open to new ideas and creative strategies so that bridges aren’t burned that you need to cross again in the future.

· The ghost: Becoming a flimsy presence during the planning stages is not an option in public relations. Do not be the person who cannot handle criticism or who turns into Casper when it is time to dole out accolades and achievements. Be helpful and make your presence known. Someone is always watching.

· The Mummy: It is so easy to be bogged down by the daily workload and become overwhelmed since we live in the days of a 24-hour news cycle. Find some balance by taking a break from the 9 to 5 and have a personal day where you are in a state of relaxation such as picking up a new hobby or going to a concert with friends. The work/personal life balance will help you to become a more productive worker in PR.

Hopefully, you’ll heed these warnings and dress up in something festive for Halloween like Iron Man or Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub. Happy Halloween!!

Tips Brands Should Use when posting During a Natural Disaster

2013-10-18T19:36:00.000-05:00

Imagine that a natural disaster has occurred in your neck of the woods. A massive hurricane made landfall overnight and damaged about 30 percent of the city, totaling at least $500 million in damages. Your company makes the mistake of using the buzz surrounding the tragedy to market a new product but instead of receiving new customers, they get backlash from the media and consumers.

When brands do this, it comes off as artificial or offensive, to say the least. Marketing requires a nimble hand, balancing benefits of engaging with customers and doing damage control on content that is more focused with the brand than with the audience. Saying and doing nothing during these instances of crises is probably the best move. The following are some tips to avoid these mistakes.

First, make sure the content is relevant to the current natural disaster at hand. If it’s something that you wouldn’t normally post that puts the company in a positive light then it’s best to pass on it. Secondly, brands should create volunteering opportunities where consumers can contribute directly with their money or time. The company should also strive to make a generous donation to a known relief effort such as the Red Cross or United Way. Finally, disable scheduled tweets or Facebook posts. There is nothing more awkward than reading online about a tornado killing 30 people and seeing an ad that has nothing to do with it and comes off as insensitive.

Though these tips were blunt, brand managers who continue to use natural disasters as marketing opportunities should proceed with caution and not make the same mistake twice.

Senate leaders reach deal to reopen government

2013-10-16T11:24:00.001-05:00

Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) is currently on the floor announcing the deal to raise the debt limit to Feb. 7, 2014 and end the 16-day government shutdown. Below is the video courtesy of the Washington Post.

Building a PR Campaign for a Startup Company

2013-10-11T15:20:00.005-05:00

Public relations professionals are hired to do image branding or run lucrative campaigns for various clients from different industries. However, only a handful creates campaigns for startups. Startup PR could be seen as a challenging task given the client is starting a business from scratch but if you love being in PR and have a great support team in your corner then you can be successful. The following are some tips from an article on PRDaily.com that you can use to maximize your efforts to gain attention for your clients.

1. Quit being boring: Being personable and telling a story in an exciting way tends to get others excited, too. Reporters crave quirky stories that other people can relate to. If you can make people relate to you then you will get on the reporter’s radar.

2. Pick Your Media Contacts Wisely: If you want reporters to care about you then care about them first. Pick a handful of targeted outlets and learn about them. Read the stories they are writing and make sure they are relevant to your story. In addition, build relationships with the reporters by reading and promoting their coverage.

3. Raise awareness through events and crowd-funding sites: Use events, conferences or crowd-funding sites to get on a journalist’s radar. A lot of media outlets such as Tech Crunch host events that focus on startups--- a great opportunity to be introduced to the press and launch your product or service.

To view the full list, click here.

Errors when Pitching Stories in Public Relations

2013-10-05T07:47:00.000-05:00

The Internet is buzzing with bloggers and media personnel wanting the inside scoop to know the ins and outs of working in public relations. One aspect is pitching stories to the higher ups. However, there are egregious errors made when pitching a story. The first mistake is overpromising. This error reinforces unrealistic expectations, which is the primary reason that most business relationships fail. It’s a rookie mistake because the average PR profession cannot predict results without having a decent range of accuracy.

Another error is the PR pro does not knowing their client’s business. You should know the basic knowledge of how and why your client is in business and cater to their media needs accordingly. Not knowing reveals a sin of omission and it is recommended that you should no longer work with that particular client.

Finally, a PR professional should never sell themselves short. In an effort to win a pitch, most PR people will reduce their asking price in order to give away their best methods for action without being paid properly. The reason is because he/she is insecure about the value of the services they provide to potential clients. Know your worth before doing business.

Using Social Media to Land a Job in PR

2013-09-27T14:38:00.003-05:00

College graduates have mastered the use of social media to chat with friends, engage in online tweet chats and keep up with current events. However, only a handful of them, including myself, know how to use social media to land the PR or communications job of our dreams. Be mindful that social media should NOT be the only means of finding a job but it can offer plenty of job leads and tips to brush up the resume and keep a positive digital profile. The following are some tips to land a job in PR.

Establish a digital profile.

Many employers are using LinkedIn to search for potential candidates so it would be best to create a profile here that best represents you. In addition, you should update it at least twice a week and make meaningful connections with those in your future career field that could take you to the next level. I would also create a Pressfolios account and direct people to it or create and maintain a blog.

Use Twitter to network.

Twitter has become an emerging method to network with people you have never met and thus is the case when looking for job leads. One way is to actively participate in tweet chats and also tweet content that will get people’s attention and bring you new contacts/followers of whom you would want to connect with outside of social media. Connect with executives of companies you want to work for and let your personality shine in 140 characters.

Use social media to build an active network.

Twitter and LinkedIn are gateways to building contacts and could lead you to an interview for a potential job. Connect with people on Twitter who you think could put in a good word for you on a job lead or could connect you with a higher-up at the desired place of employment. Having over 1,000 followers on Twitter is nice but what good is it if they can’t help you find a PR gig?

PR Strategies for SEO Success

2013-09-20T20:39:00.002-05:00

If you are looking for new ideas to improve search engine optimization then look no further than public relations professionals. They have used time-tested methods that have enhanced the branding of their various reputable clients. Companies usually have one authority figure who want to scream their accomplishments from the rooftops whether it be the CEO, CFO or COO. Here are some outlets to effectively leverage SEO.

First, if you have great writers then arrange for your boss to guest write columns periodically for an online publication such as Salon or Forbes. Write about three articles and pitch to websites either directly or with the assistance of public relations firms. Use links sparingly to maintain the breadth of the content. Another strategy is to consider making donations a favorite charity of the company’s choice. Doing enough charitable deeds will garner enough of a human interest angle to get media attention. In addition, being creative in your efforts can help raise funds for the charity. SEO can make an impact on the organization than only changing rankings. An outreach campaign can promote the brand, create goodwill and boost sales. In short, looking at traditional PR agencies is a viable option when planning an outreach campaign.

9/11: Never Forget

2013-09-13T16:51:00.001-05:00

Wednesday marked the 12^th anniversary of the day the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists on that infamous morning of September 11, 2001. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was a high school freshman and had just got to school and was making my way to my first class of the day when all of a sudden there was a big commotion in the school cafeteria. I went downstairs to look at one of the TVs there when I saw the unthinkable. A plane has crashed into both towers within a 10-minute span and then seeing them collapse like a condemned building at a demolition. I was at a loss for words. In my mind I was like, “WTF is going on?” “Is this really happening?” “How does one process this tragedy?”

I often wondered how the media would have covered the incident if Twitter and other social media platforms were available. I honestly believed that the magnitude of the attack would have broke Twitter within one hour of it happening. There would be so many pictures of the chaos on Instagram. PR agencies that were used by the City of New York would struggle with trying to put out information that is beneficial to the public but also doesn’t offend the families who lost loved ones. Twitter would have been one of the easiest ways people could have followed the news in real-time without having to look for a TV. Social media have changed the way the media community reports, deciphers and transmits news to millions of people but it should be heavily relied on as a credible source. The misreporting following the Boston Massacre is a prime example.

The Art of Writing a Press Release

2013-09-05T12:10:00.000-05:00

Many communications experts, journalism professionals and professors will tell aspiring journalists that in order to be successful in journalism you need to be able to write in different forms. The forms they speak of are news, broadcast (TV and radio), the online news and public relations. As I see myself as a strictly news writer who does everything according to the book of AP, I often wonder how does someone as a print person transition his writing style to public relations. Dictionary.com defines it as the actions of a corporation, government, or individual promoting goodwill between itself and the public, customers, and community.

PR is needed to put the image of the company one represents in a positive light or to make amends when the company makes a mistake. I can only imagine what the aftermath of the 2010 BP oil spill could have been if they took the time to have great PR amid the tragedy but I digress. The primary method of communication in PR is a press release. I believe companies take them for granted because they don’t make it a priority to share quality content with their customers which could decide if they stay in business or not. According to Wordsmith Consulting, the best press releases allow journalists to find story leads about your company and covers the 5 W’s (who, what when, where, & why). For more information, click here. In addition, make sure that all facts and figures related to the company are correct. Double and triple check if possible. Oh and one other thing. Use Spell Check!!! That’s what it’s made for but don’t rely too much on it. It doesn’t catch everything. Once you have these things down you can be well on your way to writing press releases with no major errors and become that sought after PR professional. Maybe not like Olivia Pope but close enough. Lol.

Katrina: Eight Years Later

2013-08-29T15:53:00.003-05:00

August 29,2013 marks the eighth anniversary that Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the port city of New Orleans, LA. The category 4 storm wreaked havoc on the city and destroyed businesses, homes, displaced families and resulted in over 1,800 deaths and $103 billion in damages. The storm was one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history next to the 1900 hurricane that met the shores of Galveston, TX. A fellow classmate and Louisiana native Reggie Dominique (@iamReGGO ) tweeted how his family rode out the storm and had no running water or electricity for about two weeks. Despite the hurricane flooding 80 percent of the city, it wasn’t as disastrous as the governmental response and news coverage soon before, during and after the catastrophe. I remember discussing the coverage of the hurricane in my Intro to Reporting class while as a freshman at Texas Southern and we found it weird how the media depicted the Katrina survivors as “refugees.” I thought it to be rather crass and not in the best interest of the media outlets to refer to them in that manner. The following article from Real Clear Politics tells a vivid account of how the media let on that what actually happened. Here is the link. However, I can say that some of the coverage where reporters interviewed survivors and giving viewers a close-up account of the damage was superb. It was equally sad how the PR teams from the governor’s office in Baton Rouge handled it as well. I doubt there was a communication plan in place in case of a natural disaster of Katrina’s magnitude. The FEMA response was porous and President George W. Bush’s response to the tragedy was a defining moment in his administration aside from declaring war on Iraq. It took him four days to get to New Orleans to assess the damage but when hurricanes hit Florida a few years prior; he was there in a moment’s notice. The lesson learned here is to be prepared for all natural disasters big and small and for the media to just report the facts and not have a set agenda.