5 Blogs Before Lunch

PR Week PR Misstake: How An "Invitation" to Speak Went Wrong

This is a cautionary tale of how not to approach bloggers, and a definition of what an "invitation to speak" really means.

I was recently asked to participate on a speaking panel at a PRWeek-hosted conference in London. The program was titled
"PR, Social Networking And Blogging In Practice."

My panel was titled "Bloggers Speak Out" and was designed to understand what it is that motivates those who blog, and how PR professionals "can successfully approach bloggers to build good relationships and how they should engage with bloggers differently to traditional forms of press."

The email I was sent was titled "PR Week personal speaker invitation for Mr Ibsen." The invitation said they "would be delighted if you would be able to join us."

I responded immediately, saying I would be honored to accept their invitation.

Several days later I received a note: "Many thanks for the reply, however we have now filled this spot on our panel."

Seems that the fine folks at PR Week sent way too many "personal invitations" out to speakers.

Now, if this was an "invitation to submit an application to be considered," I would not be writing this post. However, the fine folks at PR Week simply sent an invitation to speak. In my book, this is akin to inviting someone to a wedding, and when you RSVP, you're told "we're all filled up. Maybe next time."

Before you call me petty, consider the topic of the conference: "PR, Social Networking And Blogging In Practice." and my panel in particular on how PR professionals "can successfully approach bloggers to build good relationships and how they should engage with bloggers differently to traditional forms of press."

Perhaps someone who DID make it on to the panel can use this as an example of how PR professionals should NOT engage bloggers, and as a case study on how NOT to build good relations with bloggers.

Celebrity Endorsement Scandal: Johnston & Murphy Pulls David Ducovny Store Promo

Here's another example of the risks of celebrity endorsement.

This past July, Johnston & Murphy signed David Duchovny to appear in ads for the venerable men's shoe and leather brand. The ads began breaking in August, and are scheduled for September covers.

Unfortunately, just as the ads began appearing, it was announced that Duchovny had checked himself into a rehab center for sex addiction.

The rehab announcement was probably less of a concern for the folks over at Showtime, where Duchovny's character on the show "Californication" is a a sex-obsessed writer (art imitating life?).

But for Johnston & Murphy, this announcement was not quite on-brand. Within 48 hours, a poster of the fashion retailer's newest endorser was abruptly yanked from the Johnston & Murphy store window on Madison Avenue and 54th.

No public announcement has yet been made on the future of the endorsement deal, but you can see the dilemma that J&M has over brand association with Duchovny. Here's what a J&M spokesman said at the time that the endorsement was announced: "We are thrilled. David embodies success and confidence, along with a great sense of style, communicating the ideal image for the Johnston & Murphy brand."

D'oh.

Source: The New York Post
Ad souce: StarWorksNY

Drug Companies Using "Un-branded Product Advertising" To Get Around FDA Rules

Under Food and Drug Administration rules, branded drug ads must include a reading of possible side affects. Some ads use-up 30 or 40% of their ads with these warnings.

But, if an ad doesn't directly name the drug, it doesn't have to include the reading of possible side effects.

So, marketers have begun a practice of "un-branded product advertising."  This unbranded approach is used to promote disease awareness and build markets for treatments for those disease. The television ads promote the disease and the symptoms, then point consumers to websites that feature the marketer's drug by name.

Some companies who are adopting this form of disease-awareness advertising are Pfiser's Chantix (antismoking drug), Ely Lilly's Evista (osteoporosis), and Sanofi-Aventis' Ambien (insomnia).

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Jonas Brothers Team Up With Verizon and Samsung

Verizon Wireless and Samsung have announced they will send 40 lucky fans on vacation with the Jonas Brothers.

Customers who purchase the Samsung Glyde™ or Verizon Wireless Juke™ by Samsung, register online and download V CAST Music with Rhapsody on their PCs will have the chance to be entered into a sweepstakes to win a trip to The Bahamas to see the Jonas Brothers perform at Atlantis, Paradise Island resort

“The Jonas Brothers are clearly the hottest act in the nation, and this program makes dreams come true for some of our customers with the trip of a lifetime to Atlantis,” said Ed Ruth, director of digital music for Verizon.

Press release here

Digital Billboard Replacement Software

Digital billboard replacement (DBR) software allows marketers to place virtual versions of their ads over real stadium signs to customize their messages to specific broadcast audiences.

A Finnish startup named Supponor, is in talks with some major sports leagues in Europe about having the ads air next season, and has its sights set on 2010 for the U.S. market.

Source: Reuters via International Herald Tribune

Starting The Labor Day Weekend Off Right

The Photography.Book.Now People's Choice Competition is Now Open.

Vote Now for your favorite photography book.

Sara Lee's Got A Thing For Tweens

Sara Lee (the bakery and bread company) is using the newest installment of Disney's "High School Musical" to help promote its "Soft & Smooth" bread line.

The company is targeting Tweens, and their moms in a multimillion-dollar promotional effort that includes TV spots showcasing star Corbin Bleu and additional cast members, a dedicated Web site and packaging to plug a contest for a special screening.

Source: Crain's Chicago Business

Comcast Limiting Internet Usage, and Building Up More Negative PR

Here's an awkward customer service/PR moment.

Comcast, the largest U.S. cable operator has announced that it will cap customers' Internet usage starting October 1, a move that it says will help ensure the best service for the vast majority of its subscribers.

That's the positive spin, on a story that has two major negative components.

1). The move acknowledges, in a very public way, the primary flaw in high-speed cable: The more your neighbors use the pipe, the slower your data moves through it (think about freeway traffic).

2). Obviously, any limit on usage (even though few will be affected by this) creates a negative perception in consumer's minds. Everyone wants the OPTION to have as much access to the Internet as they want. Of course, the cap is equivalent to 50 million emails a month, but we're talking about perception--not reality here.

Tis news comes on top of a U.S. Federal Communications Commission investigation of complaints by consumer groups that it was blocking peer-to-peer applications like BitTorrent.

Source: Reuters via Yahoo! News

LL Cool J + Sears = Back-to-School

Just in time to boost back-to-school sales, Sears is introducing the LL Cool J Fall 2008 collection.

Interestingly, the target is parents who know LL Cool J, not the kids. I guess Miley Cyrus was unabailable due to her commitment to Walmart.

This will be the first line of clothing and advertising between the entertainer and Sears, which signed him to an exclusive deal in May. The campaign will be supported by a print, Internet and POP campaign starring the rapper, his wife and their four kids.

Source: Brandweek