The best new brand since Bing

I'll admit, I don't get Bing. I don't see myself ever saying that I'm going to Bing something. I often wonder at the millions spent on branding exercises and wonder what those experts know that I don't. And indeed sometimes I am surprised that a name I thought ridiculous does work.

All of that as prelude to the name of the new Russian-Nigerian energy joint venture. I'll let you read the clip yourself.

The Goold Ol' Days

It's easy to think things were better in the past. Although I am grateful for the potential unleashed by today's tools and technologies, and wouldn't choose to return to an age of false innocence, I sometimes yearn for the simplicity of earlier days.

The New York Times recently gathered a group of old-time theatrical press agents to reminisce about their exploits. Back then, with just a few newspapers and TV stations, a well-placed story or stunt could really have some impact. We weren't overwhelmed by media. And there weren't so many celebrities either, so more of them stood large in the public's mind.

Read the story here.

Have you met these clients?

Press Agents Shining Hour

Today is the 46th Press Agents Shining Hour. If you're a P.R. professional, 3:15-4:15 p.m. is a time to settle back with an adult beverage and review your accomplishments.

While you're relaxing, read about PASH history... the White House demonstration, or the year we honored Baghdad Bob.

Is "Time" On Your Side?

It isn't to the 52-year-old recipient of this solicitation:


AARP changed its name to delete the word "retired" as it continued to seek 50-year-old members.

Denny's offers its "senior" menu to those age 55.

In 2008, making "senior" offers to those under 60 is off the mark.

Sell More So You Can Keep Having Fun

If you like your job, your company, its products or services, you need to be concerned about sales. Even if you're not in sales. Even if you sweep the floors.

I had a long run at a company where we made great products and had a pretty good time doing it.

My boss would often say "We've got to keep making sales so we can keep having fun."

It's my business mantra.

The MESSAGE is the Message

Born P.R. Practitioner?

From the February 1961 issue of Plus-Profit Publicity:

May we reprint an item from the January/61 issue of the "Advertising Club of N.Y. News"?

WORTH AN "A" PLUS

It must run in the family. We always knew Milt Riback was a loyal member of the Club, but who would have thought he had indoctrinated his young son, Eric? Here's what Eric wrote for a "theme" paper in class 2-2, PS86:-

If I Were a Printer

"I want to be a printer because I like to print and type. I would send stories to newspapers, join the Advertising Club, talk business with people."


Get out the membership cards, Charlie!

Our only defense is that Eric, not yet eight, is at too tender an age to learn that at the Advertising Club, activities lean more to standing at the bar and sleeping in the all-too-comfortable lounge than in "talking business with people"!


Note: At that time, the NY Ad Club owned a former mansion on Park Avenue including a bar and banquet room.

How to Create a P.R. Disaster: Republicans and Motherhood

Republicans in Congress have been staging a work slowdown of sorts as a tactical maneuver in response to what they view as unfair actions by Democrats. This kind of thing has been happening a lot in the last 20 years as whomever is in the minority tries to make a point.

But in this case, the result was a vote killing a bill supporting recognition of Mother's Day. Thus, news media across the land have been chirping "Republicans Vote Against Mothers." There just had to be some wincing and whingeing going on at Republican National Committee HQ when the Washington Post ran this hed yesterday:

Republicans Vote Against Moms;
No Word Yet on Puppies, Kittens

It's PASH

It's the 45th Press Agents Shining Hour. If you're a P.R. professional now is a moment to settle back with an adult beverage and review your accomplishments.

While you're relaxing, read about PASH history... the White House demonstration, or the year we honored Baghdad Bob.