Disqus - Latest Comments for Ljacobson

Re: Discussing the APR requirement for #PRSA national service

Ljacobson — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:25:14 -0000

Richie,
Thanks for continuing the discussion, which I think is an important one.

I agree that the discussion is wrongly centered. Instead of defining APRs as a small minority who want to "control" PRSA(which, quite frankly, I took as a backhanded insult), the better question is how does PRSA involve the majority of the membership?

The group that gathered the petition made a sweeping generalization that the assembly's vote last year was "shortsighted and not consistent of what the vast majority of PRSA members want." That vote was, I believe 175 - 103, and represents (at least now), the "voice" of the membership. Unless the group has polled the PRSA membership individually and can quantify that statement, I think that argument is specious - which makes a separate statement in and of itself.

Call me naive, but I haven't heard of PRSA turning away anyone interested in leadership positions. I'd like to better understand - and hear from - members who want to serve at a higher level and have been "deprived of the opportunity to serve."

The issue is a complex one. Stripping away the APR requirement from leadership positions of the organization that endorses APR as a best practice seems to me to be a losing proposition for all stakeholders. And I don't believe the answer lies in asking an organization to abandon professional standards.

My personal preference would be to see a membership advisory council, made up of proportionate percentages from the total membership, that could act as an effective sounding board on any and all PRSA issues. That is one solution that would be inclusive of the entire membership without exluding those who've earned the APR.

Re: Nestle: A Social Media Destruction Case Study in 6 Lessons

Ljacobson — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 10:15:20 -0000

You have great points. I would add that before an organization engages in social media, they should have a clear social media policy in place that incorporates best practices for crisis communications. Corporations are finding out the hard way that leaving their social media efforts to inexperienced moderators is a mistake. They definitely need to hire someone with extensive public relations experience. As far as Lesson #6, companies should perform due diligence and have a solid strategic communication plan in place. THAT will help avert economic loss. Scott Monty (@ScottMonty) at Ford is an example of how underlying research and planning can help assuage negative social media.

Re: By Jove, I think they get this transparency thing

Ljacobson — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:47:50 -0000

I can hear you smiling! Nice affirmation of the job you're doing. Congratulations!

Re: The jobless grad and a stroke of PR genius

Ljacobson — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:49:41 -0000

I think in the short term, the company has generated a lot of positive PR by positioning themselves as a company that cares and is willing to hire a new college graduate in this economy.

In the long term, though, I have to ask if they've just hired someone who is litigious? Corporate HR and legal experts are probably cringing at the hire, knowing that they're going to have to dot the i's on her paperwork. Even eliminating her position will have to be done carefully, so as not to provoke Ms. Thompson. I'd sure like to know the back story and whether CEO Steve Bellamy included specific grounds for job dismissal or elimination.

As for the company branding, I'm not sure hiring someone who threatened a lawsuit is the right image. Bellamy calls it cunning, but others may view it as a temper tantrum. Time will tell.

Re: The jobless grad and a stroke of PR genius

Ljacobson — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:49:17 -0000

I think in the short term, the company has generated a lot of positive PR by positioning themselves as a company that cares and is willing to hire a new college graduate in this economy.

As for the company branding, I'm not sure hiring someone who threatened a lawsuit is the right image. Bellamy calls it cunning, but others may view it as a temper tantrum. Time will tell.

Re: Why faking your network is worse than #twitterspam

Ljacobson — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:03:55 -0000

Not harsh enough! I'd like to see tighter control of spamming. The issue is making it harder to "sell" social media to the C-suite.

Re: Lady Justice is blind, thankfully jurors are not

Ljacobson — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:02:34 -0000

Richie,
Those handling crisis comms or media press conferences should review nonverbal communication "ques." Thanks for the reminder!

I once served on a grand jury (a three-month duty) and learned quite a bit about communication mores. It was enlightening (and yes, I would do it again).

Re: The Giant meets an unfair Headline

Ljacobson — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:05:11 -0000

Richie,
You point out a really good example of a spokesperson ensuring that he or she does not disseminate bad information or speculative information. In the words of the DMN reporter, "That's our job. We don't need to put out faulty information."

In fact, that's also the ethical thing to do. There are numerous PR case studies that show examples of organizations that rushed to put out information to squelch perceived flames, only to retract that information hours later. This only serves to further stoke a fire than to serve any public good. I would argue that organizations that respond and react in that manner do the community a disservice. That practice only serves to undermine the organization's credibility and lead to questions of whether the organization is ethically honest.

I also applaud the way the spokeswoman handled the situation. It's unfortunate that the DMN reporter sensationalized the story. That really calls into question whether the DMN's priority is to sell newspapers rather than serve the community.

Re: Some PR people are like star-belly Sneetches

Ljacobson — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:20:40 -0000

Richie,
Ah, the APR discussion. Good for you on two counts:
1. Furthering the APR discussion
2. Making the decision to learn best practices for the PR profession

I must disagree with Todd on the value and importance of the APR (and agree with Kami Huyse on this one!). I find it interesting that folks who have not undergone the process look upon it as a ball and chain for the profession when, in fact, the process is to ensure that a PR professional first understands best practices for our profession and can then translate that into practice. There is nothing threatening in this process. It ensures that the client receives very real practical value, as Dan noted above. At the least, the APR process offers those who are interested in a worthwhile learning opportunity. The gain to be gotten rests entirely upon the individual who undertakes this challenge.

I completed my master's degree and then decided to undergo the APR process. I found value in both journeys and also found that they were very different animals. As a PR professional, I want to ensure that I can bring the best to what I do on a daily basis. In this regard, my experience echoed Dan's; I did learn some new things that I still use and reviewed things that I already knew but don't use on a daily basis.

As to whether the PR profession needs APR, let me put it this way: I would question whether a profession was a profession if it did not offer attainment to excellence, either through accreditation or certification.

Thanks for the opportunity to discuss, Richie!