Cohn and Wolfe Blog Posts

No ordinary agency

Jill Tannenbaum — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:00:01 +0000

Let me tell you a story. Sometime in the not-too-distant past, we set out to tackle what seemed an impossible task: differentiate our “large, global PR agency” from dozens of other PR, marketing and digital agencies all claiming to be different. “We have passionate people,” they cried. “We use cutting-edge digital tools,” they boasted. “We offer breakthrough creative concepts,” they bellowed. But so do we, we reasoned.

Brain Blink: the 90-9-1 rule

Jeremy Baka — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:44:17 +0000

Brand Science Institute (BSI), a German think tank specializing in brand management, conducted a study to find out why most corporate social media projects fail. As part of its analysis, BSI surveyed 560+ marketers representing more than 50 brands. One prominent finding: 68% of the respondents had never heard of the 90-9-1 principle.

BlogHer '10: I came, I saw, I ate

Theresa Bertrand — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:00:11 +0000

As an attendee and sponsor representative at BlogHer Food ’09, the she-blogger conference series’ sophisticated gourmet sister, I thought I was prepared for what to expect at BlogHer ’10.

So what's BlogHer all about?

Katie Greene — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:49:32 +0000

If that’s a question that’s crossed your lips, then you’ve got a lot to learn about BlogHer and the ladies (and gentlemen!) who came out en masse for the two-day event in New York this year.

Brain Blink: motivation vs. money

Jeremy Baka — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:39:29 +0000

Professors Dan Ariely and James Heyman conducted a simple experiment to determine the difference between financial motivation and human motivation.

4 things your brand needs to know about online video

Francesco Paciocco — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:01:00 +0000

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then perhaps a video is worth a thousand times more. There’s no doubt that online video has become an essential tool for marketers. From website intros to product tutorials, and from live streaming events to episodic entertainment, brands have made video a central part of their digital marketing strategy.

Brain Blink: "annual report" meets "Madame Butterfly"

Jeremy Baka — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:16:47 +0000

As part of Bang & Olufsen’s renewed effort to highlight the brand’s quality, innovation and design characteristics, the company turned its annual report into an operatic extravaganza.

Brain Blink: book smart

Jeremy Baka — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:03:26 +0000

Seth Godin is the author of 11 books, including such hits as “Purple Cow” and “The Dip.” In a recent publishing challenge, Godin asked 70 innovative thinkers to come up with a 10- to 200-word essay or picture about “a big idea that matters now.” Godin turned the submissions into a free downloadable e-book packed with quick thoughts, fresh ideas and intriguing perspectives.

Brain Blink: the ugly secret about brainstorms

Jeremy Baka — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:10:09 +0000

A study at the Wharton School, considered one of the world's preeminent business schools, reveals that group brainstorms may not be the best way to come up with ideas. Instead, researchers say, a hybrid brainstorm where people are first given time to think on their own before sharing ideas with a group resulted in more, and better, ideas.

Pointing a finger--at a solution

Eric Litchfield — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:12:51 +0000

Much of the conversation in the communications industry around BP and the disaster in the Gulf has been fixed on the PR missteps the company, and its CEO, has made to make a tragic situation even worse. And while the list is long, and the response one that will be studied for decades to come, I’m sure everyone in the business would much prefer discussing a solution to the crisis. So with that in mind, I bring to you entrepreneurial mycologist, Paul Stamets.

Sustainability means many things to many people

Tony Obregon — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 22:48:32 +0000

It’s amazing how one’s perspective can change in just a few days. For me, it happened last week at the Sustainable Brands 2010 conference. The four-day conference attracted more than 700 business leaders, innovators, and mavericks committed to learning, developing, refining and implementing sustainable strategies in one way or another. Hearing about the many ways people are approaching sustainability expanded my view and validated its value as a business objective for companies.

What's so funny about sustainability?

Eric Litchfield — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:24:53 +0000

At the end of a networking event last night at the Sustainable Brands conference, Annie Longsworth, Head of Cohn & Wolfe’s Sustainability Practice, held up a Flip camera and with a wry smile asked: “What’s funny about sustainability?” I wasn’t sure if it was the pressure of being filmed or if there just isn’t anything funny about it, but for a few uncomfortable seconds, I was stumped.

Social media in a regulated environment--panel insights

Chad Latz — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 20:51:59 +0000

Last month I had the pleasure of moderating a panel called “Something Regulated” hosted by Digital Somethings, Business Development Institute, and Pfizer. The panel consisted of a dynamic group of communicators responsible for driving social media in their organizations.

Social media in a regulated environment--a meeting of the minds

Chad Latz — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:18:11 +0000

Whether on the agency or client side we all endeavor to honor best practices in social media… to offer something of value to our online stakeholders that encourages sharing, doesn't intrude on the community, and ultimately, helps build our [client’s] brands.

Social behavior vs. social media

Chad Latz — Tue, 04 May 2010 11:54:56 +0000

It’s easy to forget that the term “social” is as much intended to describe behavior as it is a reference to the media or platform. In the May issue of PRWeek, I had the pleasure of sharing my perspective on the best way to incorporate offline experiences into a social media strategy to encourage engagement. As I was thinking it over, perhaps the real question was “How can social media create engagement in a way that produces offline behavior?”

Promoted tweets--essential for marketers?

Chad Latz — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:30:48 +0000

Much has been written about the roll-out of ‘Promoted Tweets,’ Twitter’s new advertising feature. Many are discussing the business model and debating if/how advertising will impact the platform’s user experience. I had the pleasure attending the debut of Promoted Tweets by Dick Costolo, COO of Twitter at the AdAge Digital Confereance 2010.

Americans get hockey fever; unfortunately, it likely won't last through Spring

Steve Bonsignore — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:17:23 +0000

It’s hard to argue that, for the better part of a week, America got its worst case of hockey fever in…well, maybe forever. While the relative influence the blogosphere and social media played in the rampant spread of hockey fever is difficult to definitively gauge, those channels undoubtedly served as testament to the afflicted. ‘USA! USA!’ bellowed out across blog comments sections, ‘gold medal game’ and ‘USA Hockey’ hash tags torched Twitter and TV sets tuned in at record numbers.

As social media expands, don't forget where the audience is

Mike Manning — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:00:10 +0000

It’s getting difficult to stay on top of all the new social networking and digital communications platforms available today: Google Buzz, Foursquare, Posterous and Google Wave are seeking to match the more established communities like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. It wasn’t always like this; new media channels didn’t just sprout up every week. To say it’s changed the daily activities of PR professionals over the past ten years is a drastic understatement.

Thinking about value

Annie Longsworth — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:34:42 +0000

Last Friday, during my first weekend residency at the Presidio Graduate School’s executive MBA program, I went for a walk with Peter Warshall. We walked in a small group through the Presidio, stopping every few minutes to look at the land, the trees, the animals. We started in a spot I have passed literally hundreds of times – an intersection near my former gym, down from my (green) dry cleaner and on the way to the swimming pool where my kids have lessons every Saturday afternoon.

Can new FTC regs protect PR’s stake in digital media?

James J. Wells — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:54:15 +0000

My colleague Katherine Axt and I attended last week’s PRSA New York seminar, "Regulatory Scrutiny of Social Media: The Impact on PR Communicators in 2010 and Beyond" where New York Attorney Michael Lasky walked us through the FTC’s updated guidelines concerning online Endorsements and Testimonials.

The power of a 'thank you' note

Steve Bonsignore — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:19:35 +0000

Sadly, extended middle fingers, temper tantrums and mindless Twitter taunts are becoming more and more “par for the course” with today’s professional athletes. It’s against this dreary backdrop that last week’s communication from Roy Halladay to the fans of Toronto stands in blinding contrast.

Catching up with The Consumerist

Francesco Paciocco — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:32:17 +0000

This past Wednesday, myself along with my Cohn & Wolfe Digital peers Jim Wells and Katie Greene, had the chance to attend The Consumerist’s first meetup at Botanica Bar. For those not familiar with The Consumerist, it’s a highly influential blog with more than half a million unique monthly visitors known for its witty and brutally honest commentary on consumer issues and activism.

Growing brands in the green market

Eric Litchfield — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:33:29 +0000

Despite all the attention being paid to economic concerns, healthcare reform, diplomatic stand-offs and everything else going on in the world, the environmental movement and efforts to combat climate change remain a priority with governments and people around the world. And sustainability remains a driving force in business, too, as many consumers remain devoted to green products and brands that commit to sustainable business practices.

Stream 09 discussion: crowdsourcing creativity

Andrew Foote — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:02:35 +0000

I just wrapped up a trip to Greece for Stream 09. If you haven’t heard of Stream, it is WPP’s annual unconference focused on technology, innovation, and the future of digital marketing. The level of digital knowledge among attendees was one of the most impressive aspects of the event. Stream gathered 300 marketers, agency reps, technologists and venture capitalists from across the globe, all of whom contributed fascinating perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of marketing in the digital age.

How pharma can overcome FDA's social media challenge

James J. Wells — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:08:43 +0000

Speaking at last week’s Social Communications & Healthcare Conference (#BDI), Pfizer VP/Worldwide Comunications Ray Kerins said that Pfizer wants to have online conversations with its consumers. However, he thinks it is unfair to ask company employees to risk their job implementing a social media program that the FDA might later deem a violation, despite its refusal to issue guidance in this area. Nevertheless, the company just two weeks ago launched its corporate Twitter page (@Pfizer_News) and is starting to proactively communicate with its audience in real-time.

"Starbury TV": a PR slam dunk

Steve Bonsignore — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:01:10 +0000

I sat at my desk this past Friday and marveled as Stephon “Starbury” Marbury approached the double-digit mark. I’m not talking about points, rebounds or assists. I’m talking about hours. As in hours of all-access, unedited, filter-free Starbury coming to hundreds of thousands via live streaming video. Welcome to the “new world,” non-digital believers exit stage right. A soon-to-be-retired NBA point guard was giving a lesson in modern-day publicity, and everyone I know was tuning in to bear witness.

Book review: The Truth about Green Business, by Gil Friend

Annie Longsworth — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:56:29 +0000

With his new book "The Truth about Green Business," Gil Friend, CEO of Natural Logic, has given us an invaluable gift – mainline access to his brain, which has been processing and storing sustainability and green business strategies for the last three decades or so.

Applying "porch rules" to marketing

Andrew Foote — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:13:22 +0000

If you live in NYC, you may have heard that Southwest Airlines recently opened Southwest Porch – a pop-up outdoor lounge located on the southwest corner of Bryant Park.

I stopped by after work yesterday and was impressed. The theme is clearly relaxation and the layout includes porch swings, Adirondack chairs and a selection of great food and Southwest Summer ale.

What's the right social media channel for specific patient groups?

James J. Wells — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:33:10 +0000

Nothing has had a greater impact on my view of social media more than the book Groundswell, specifically its Social Technographic Profile, a research tool helping brands to identify how its customers use social media technologies. So I became intrigued when I heard that imc² adapted Forrester’s technographic profile tool for healthcare.

Shaq to Cleveland opens up marketing playbook for Cavs

Steve Bonsignore — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:26:08 +0000

The Phoenix Suns never achieved what they’d envisioned when the franchise traded for Shaquille O’Neal two seasons ago. They accomplished so much more. Sure, the Suns never made it to the NBA Finals (or the conference finals for that matter) during Shaq’s brief two-year stint in Phoenix, but that doesn’t mean his absence won’t be immensely felt within the organization. Shaq was an undeniable force in the valley of the Sun – a 300-plus pound marketing machine.

Reaching consumers online before they get in line at the grocery store

Theresa Bertrand — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:01:17 +0000

The recession affects every aspect of our lives, and in response consumers are cutting back, doing away with, and trading down across the board. Although consumers are eating at home more, CPG manufacturers can’t afford to sit idle. Food prices are increasing at their fastest rate in 17 years, and private and store label products are tempting consumers with lower prices and flashier packaging.

Bing vs. Google--a comparison for PR professionals

Francesco Paciocco — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:05:48 +0000

After reading a New York Post article on the emerging rivalry between Google and Bing, I’m glad to say my interest in Bing has certainly grown. The two have been fiercely pitted against one another to determine which engine is the most sophisticated, the most user-friendly, and most viable in today’s ever-changing sea of online content. In addition, bloggers have taken to comparing Google, Bing, and Yahoo search results using Blind Search, a nifty tool that allows you to gauge the effectiveness of each search engine’s results, asking you to choose the results you prefer, then revealing the search engine used.

Good employee communications will make the EFCA a non-issue for companies

Jim Martinez — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:19:37 +0000

The impending passage of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) means companies have just a few months left to make the case against union organization. If EFCA becomes law, companies will likely lose their ability to campaign against union organizing efforts – something that’s now possible in the weeks leading up to a formal union vote. Such votes would effectively be optional under EFCA.

Digital Exploratorium in Geneva

Andrew Foote — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:07:44 +0000

On Wednesday, June 24th, my colleague Rachelle Spero will be presenting a “Digital Exploratorium” in Geneva. The focus is on conversational marketing and how brands can: effectively build a listening infrastructure; identify market influencers and join the conversation; create engaging content and experiences, and much more.

Warm and fuzzy ads won't work for banks; dialogue will

Jim Martinez — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:50:17 +0000

A June 9 article in The New York Times suggests that banks and other financial institutions are betting they can reconnect with consumers by launching warm and fuzzy advertising campaigns. Their theory is that consumers are ready to “move on.”

Still plenty of hope for green brands (despite recession)

Eric Litchfield — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:56:42 +0000

I’ve been in Monterey, California this week at the Sustainable Brands ’09 conference, a fascinating and inspiring event that showcases the many people and companies pointing the way towards a greener, more sustainable, way of life for humanity.

Does it feel like the world is fraught with crises?

Jim Martinez — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:51:57 +0000

Swine Flu. Financial meltdown. Bankruptcy. Banks failing the government’s stress test. Excessive executive compensation. The nature of crisis hasn’t changed, but the way crises emerge has. And the way we counsel clients has, too. Bottom line: companies must aggressively anticipate problems before they draw public attention.

Technology for the Turnaround

Katie Greene — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:44:28 +0000

A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending Technology for the Turnaround at my alma mater which brought together more than 170 digital media professionals and enthusiasts from around the country to discuss the future of the industry in education and beyond. The day-long event was put together by The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and the New Media Institute. The goal of the event was to generate new ideas and insights for students, educators and professionals about this evolving industry we call Digital Media.

Turning the arc to an arrow

Rachelle Spero — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:57:53 +0000

Because of recent FDA and FTC rulings, now more than ever, understanding of the legal landscape is the overriding paradigm in digital communications. It’s where every program in every discipline must begin. Innovation will remain within reach, but simply (and perhaps bluntly) put, advertisers and marketers may have to start earning media the way public relations has earned it for years.

Glass half full: a sustainability lesson from Saul the waiter

Annie Longsworth — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:30:23 +0000

One of the highlights from last week’s Fortune Brainstorm Green was during a morning breakout session titled “The Business of Water,” which was led by Jib Ellison of Blu Skye Consulting. While the panel participants were qualified and interesting, it’s almost impossible to have that big of a conversation in just an hour unless it has a defined focus.

Commenting communities: welcome to the playground

Lindsey Boyle — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:03:18 +0000

In a digital world where blogs are proliferating with a speed matched only by the growth of social networks, it should come as no surprise that the two entities are breeding a hybrid beast of interpersonal communication.

Staying ahead of the game: athletes showing sports marketers the way?

Brandan Orsatti — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:12:50 +0000

The world of sports, sports media and sports marketing are bigger now than they’ve ever been. The range and reach of digital media, branded play-by-play updates available directly on your cell phone and the recent emergence of Twitter have allowed brands – especially sports entities – and media to connect with consumers through new channels. And as the industry continues to grow (and sponsors continue spending millions in athlete endorsements), companies can utilize new mediums to maximize their marketing investments and further build brand affinity.

Five reasons to try CoTweet - a Twitter tool for business

Brooke Hovey — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:58:16 +0000

Over the past few months, we’ve spent a lot of time talking to companies about Twitter. Even our most skeptical clients find it tough to ignore given its phenomenal growth – a 1,382% year-over-year increase in unique visitors from February 2008 to February 2009, according to Nielsen Online and a significant spike after Oprah’s first tweet last Friday. How do we manage it all? Who is the right person to twitter? Enter CoTweet.

Creative detour

Jeremy Baka — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:30:28 +0000

During a detour around a traffic accident this weekend I discovered the problem with creativity. The guy in front of me decided that rather than crawling along on the main thoroughfare, he would zip down a side street. I watched as his car disappeared down the winding road. In an instant, I was faced with a quandary: to follow or not to follow.

Domino's online crisis report card

Andrew Foote — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:14:57 +0000

Much has been written about the Domino’s Pizza PR fiasco that erupted earlier this week.

Given the hideousness of the videos and velocity with which they spread, Domino’s Corporate Communications team deserves a B+ for how they handled it.

Worship at the temple of ideas

Steve Bonsignore — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:58:00 +0000

At times, we use the terms “media agnosticism,” “cross-channel creative” or “non-traditional” to convey the notion that ideas brought to the table by public relations need not be “standard” PR tactics. The concept is a good one and warrants repeating – particularly today. These catch phrases serve to articulate an even simpler truth – ideas rule.

Cloud proficiency: a new standard of workforce literacy

Bryan Pope — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:57:34 +0000

How often do you see this category on periodic performance reviews: “Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel?” Many organizations still cite the MS Office triumvirate as the pillars of proficiency, but as cloud computing continues to grow, shouldn’t we start expanding the ways we measure tech literacy?

Who is responsible for content protection? A digital bill of rights for head-bangers, geniuses and spring breakers

Greg Dvorken — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:15:31 +0000

There is a concern among content creators that the Internet does not have a safety net to protect their assets. By content creators, I’m talking about artists of all flavors - from Metallica protecting their extensive library of head-banging genius, to Bill Gates protecting his latest version of Windows, to a college kid’s first keg stand photos.

Diagnosing digital

Rachelle Spero — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:33:05 +0000

There are many point-of-views (POV) on how pharmaceutical companies are engaging in digital and social media activities. One topic that is not discussed as frequently is how and where pharmaceutical companies should start when it comes to implementing a company-wide digital strategy that includes standard operating procedures and policies.

Big bill for a green revolution

Geoff Beattie — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:17:21 +0000

Reducing greenhouse gases and tackling global warming is a massive problem for society at large, and there a will be a big societal price tag for fixing it. Achieving that in a severe recession must be one of the thorniest issues on the government agenda for the rest of this decade and beyond.

Digital PR trends & hot topics in 2009

Andrew Foote — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:51:09 +0000

It was a breakout year for digital PR in 2008. Marketers, politicians, publishers and agencies delivered strong integrated communications programs with a heavy social media focus. The digital transformation of PR continues to accelerate as more audiences use the web as their primary news source. Here’s a quick look at the developments, trends, and the types of programs we are discussing with our clients this year.

Social media for a cause: charity: water

Katie Greene — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:41:46 +0000

It's pretty incredible how social media has the power to inspire social change by uniting and mobilizing people all over the world. Without tools like Facebook and Twitter, events just simply aren't as successful, and frequently these tools help generate enough buzz to make the evening news. Case in point – Twestival.

White House blog marks huge shift in presidential communications

Tony Obregon — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:51:50 +0000

Coming off the heels of the most successful digital campaign in political history, President Barack Obama and his team are continuing their online communications with the launch of the official White House Blog. Macon Phillips, Director of New Media for the Obama administration, wrote the inaugural post on January 20 that emphasized communication, transparency and participation as the three guiding principles and priorities for all online media efforts from the team moving forward.

Future of corporate web video is live

Andrew Foote — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:31:45 +0000

Have you noticed that the web is looking a lot like TV lately? Networks, portals, and the major content sites are all serving up high-quality, full screen video of news, episodic content, and sporting events. CNN.com's broadcast of the inauguration was the best example I've seen of where web video is heading – live, interactive (featured Facebook integration), and flawless.

How social media-friendly are the major health sites?

Mike Presson — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:52:19 +0000

Being social media friendly is not simply about creating content that will interest a user, but rather using the content as a catalyst for user interaction. Sites like WebMD and MayoClinic will continue to draw users because of their credibility. However, will they continue to evolve as top health destinations that are social media friendly?

The PR battle over 'local jobs'

Geoff Beattie — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:25:16 +0000

It’s been widely reported that the UK is being hit by a series of unofficial strikes over the issue of employers using ‘foreign’ workers from other parts of the European Union, rather than from Britain itself. As the recession deepens, we are likely to see more of this kind of thing.

Hmmm... What to buy for $825 billion?

Jeremy Baka — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:57:26 +0000

Eight-hundred and twenty-five billion dollars ... (Place your right pinky finger to the side of your lip when you say that.) Lay 825 billion one-dollar bills end-to-end and they would stretch to the moon and back … and to the moon again … and halfway back. Forget black holes, these babies are green, complements of the U.S. Treasury.

When in doubt, rock out!

Chris Knight — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:42:12 +0000

As the old saying goes, “Rock ‘n’ Roll will save you.” In a somewhat commoditized market such as flash memory, it’s important to stand out from the crowd and build programs that drive brand loyalty based on human emotions – to connect a company’s branded products to a positive consumer experience.

Climate change issue not going away in recession

Geoff Beattie — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:16:56 +0000

President Obama’s announcement yesterday is the clearest indication yet that climate change will have more influence than ever before on national and international public policy in 2009. There was speculation, much of it around the European Summit in December, that tackling global warming would have to take a back seat to pulling the world out of a deep recession. Instead, Obama has presented the issue and the need for a ‘new energy economy’ as a massive opportunity for the United States, rather than a cost.

ProfNet vs. HARO….vs. Twitter?

Mike Manning — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 03:18:59 +0000

For as long as many PR professionals can remember, ProfNet was their sole source of journalist requests for interviews and other information for their stories. No PR workday was complete without scanning several ProfNet emails each day, searching for requests relevant to their client. Things have changed.

Welcome to Wolfe tracking

Geoff Beattie — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:16:12 +0000

Welcome to Wolfe Tracking, Cohn & Wolfe’s single, all-agency blog featuring observations, insights and ideas from a team of communications professionals across each practice and region in our global network. Like the wolf, the truth is elusive. But every one of our more than 25 bloggers is in dogged pursuit—and we are eager to share our experiences surveying this new media wilderness.