News stories for advertisers? Yep.

A recent study by big PR firm Manning, Selvage & Lee and PRWeek found that 17% of senior marketers said their organizations bought advertising in return for a news story.

Excerpt from the news release:

"The survey also found that 7 percent of marketers said their organizations have had an implicit/non-verbal agreement with a reporter or editor that they expected to see favorable coverage of their company or products in exchange for advertising. And 5 percent of marketers said their companies had paid or provided a gift of value to an editor or producer in exchange for a news story about their company or its products."

For me, this falls into that very broad category of "things that make you say hmmm."

This issue is part of an ongoing debate at our firm which includes dozens of participants -- clients, journalists, family members, etc. The main question: Is editorial space "for sale" in media outlets if a company advertises?

Although we don't make advertising decisions for our clients (maybe we can claim immunity), we have definitely seen instances where companies are mentioned in magazines where they advertise; and it appears quite fishy. We also like to believe that many outlets adhere to the "Chinese Wall" between the editorial and advertising departments -- some more than others.

The study's results are rather interesting, particularly when you consider that the real figure is probably higher than 17% as many marketers would rather be hush-hush.

What do you think? Does advertising grease the wheels for editorial coverage? Please feel free to join the debate.

Click Here to read the entire news release on the study.

--John


http://www.miamipublicrelations.com
http://www.davidgarciapr.com

Blog entry about blog entries, etc.

The current Miami Herald Business Monday cover story discusses an Internet movement known as Web 2.0. In the Bridget Carey story, the relative merits of interactivity, blogs and posting video are debated. The consensus appears to be that online marketing of many sorts, when done correctly, helps build sales. Here's an interesting outtake:

“Making use of such features as blogs, podcasts and other user-generated content, more businesses are incorporating Web 2.0 elements as marketing tools. A study by GfK Roper Consulting released in late June revealed that companies are spending more money to reach online eyes. Internet advertising revenues are at an all-time high, up 26 percent from the same time last year.”

We certainly agree. Click Here to read the whole story.


--John

http://www.miamipublicrelations.com
http://www.davidgarciapr.com

Call me a Big Shot…

I’m pleased to report that I was just inducted into the Counselors Academy of the Public Relations Society of America. Details follow about this prestigious group of PR pros:

Founded more than 40 years ago, Counselors Academy is a professional interest section of the Public Relations Society of America dedicated to providing principals and senior counselors of public relations firms with the resources to grow their firms and the counseling skills of their people.

The more than 600 members of Counselors Academy are passionately committed to evolving and preserving an open and honest peer network that energizes the individual and completes the senior professional. Created through considerable talents of its members, Counselors Academy programs encourage networking, peer support and mentoring.

Membership is limited to accredited counselors (PRSA or Canadian Public Relations Society) or consultants with 10+ years experience in the profession.

Counselors Academy members are a distinctive group of senior counselors. They are committed to preserving an open, thriving peer network that energizes the individual and advances the caliber of counseling firms in North America. They are thought leaders in the profession. They are spirited leaders of successful businesses. They are entrepreneurs.

Most important, they are dedicated to promoting innovation...sharing practical knowledge and building camaraderie among leaders for the betterment of their firms, employees and clients.

Cool Stuff.
--John

www.miamipublicrelations.com
www.davidgarciapr.com

David & Garcia PR Client Hits Food Network Big Time

We can say we knew her when...

Former David & Garcia PR client, Ingrid Hoffmann has landed a show on Food Network. We take a little piece of credit for helping incubate Ingrid's rise to food tv stardom. We engineered a campaign to launch her show on Directv last year that generated significant buzz and a bunch of great clips. Links follow:

• People En Español
• Catalina
• The Miami Herald

We wish Ingrid the best of luck and hope you catch the first episode of Simply Delicioso on Food Network July 14 at 11:30 a.m.

--John


http://www.miamipublicrelations.com
http://www.davidgarciapr.com

No Denying It. Put Your News on Your Web Site

A recent article in PR Tactics from the Public Relations Society of America affirms that journalists look to company Web sites for background information, and they are reading news releases and company news on a regular basis.

A recent survey reached the conclusion, quite conclusively. Among the findings: A new statistic shows that 93 percent of journalists visit “both large and small-to-medium” sized company sites and willingness to register for entry increased 3 percent to 86 percent.

Interesting stuff. Click Here to read the article.

--John


http://www.miamipublicrelations.com
http://www.davidgarciapr.com

BusinessWeek Asks: What Price Reputation?

The current issue of BusinessWeek takes an interesting look at how some businesses are using science to analyze communications and reputation. The story states among many other interesting points that "the power of perception is starting to take hold among savvy corporations. More and more are finding that the way in which the outside world expects a company to behave and perform can be its most important asset."

The article explains how several blue-chip companies are measuring reputation and helping boost their stock prices.

How this trickles down to smaller companies remains a topic for which we have many opinions.

Click here to read the article.

--John
http://www.miamipublicrelations.com
http://www.davidgarciapr.com