Disqus - Latest Comments for marydemingbarber

Re: The Pros and Cons (and Pros) of Virtual Organizations

Mary Deming Barber — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 15:42:55 -0000

What's this dialing and landline thing you talk about? Seriously, it was even tougher in Alaska!

Re: The Pros and Cons (and Pros) of Virtual Organizations

Mary Deming Barber — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 15:07:22 -0000

I thought I had your 6 seconds beat, but I don't! Close though. It is so nice to have a short commute, and to have such freedom to work from my home. I've been doing it nearly 19 years and the technology changes make it easier and easier every week...and more exhausting to try to figure out which ones are most important.

Re: The Spin Sucks Question: Where Does PR Belong?

Mary Deming Barber — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 13:26:57 -0000

Completely agree. That's why my answer is really that it's dependent on the corporation and its structure. It's never a one-size-fits-all but always valuable counsel.

Re: Ask These Questions to Gain Better Communications Results

Mary Deming Barber — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 13:24:30 -0000

Thank you! Comments from you mean a lot! Some days I feel like communicators start with the what instead of understanding the why let alone more about the what. And, then they wonder why their client/boss isn't happy with the result. SMH

Re: Ask These Questions to Gain Better Communications Results

Mary Deming Barber — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 16:10:23 -0000

I completely agree, Dawn. As storytellers it's our job to recommend how to tell the story so it will be read/heard by the audience. Of course, it's also the company's job to respect our brilliant recommendations.

Re: How to Avoid Pitfalls with Your Corporate Video

Mary Deming Barber — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 19:00:49 -0000

Thanks Tony, That's really good information and advice. Appreciate it.

Re: How to Avoid Pitfalls with Your Corporate Video

Mary Deming Barber — Fri, 20 Jul 2018 15:11:54 -0000

Great post, Tony. I do wonder though about the length of the videos. I've been having this discussion with my film-student-son because I agreed with you until he said they're learning it's really rare to produce a promotional video that's any longer than 1 minute that goes on a website. He did a class piece for me and I talked him up to 3 for an event video but man did it challenge our relationship! Hahah! Just curious your thoughts on length.

Re: GDPR: The European Union’s New Data Privacy Law US Companies Cannot Ignore

Mary Deming Barber — Wed, 23 May 2018 19:10:04 -0000

For those on WordPress, theres a new version of WP that includes a step by step guide to creating a privacy policy. (Huge thanks to wizard Greg Brooks for this tip). So, update your site, go to settings/privacy, and it will walk you through the basics.

Re: What You Can Learn from a PR Pro’s Fear of Failure

Mary Deming Barber — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 17:30:10 -0000

Haha! That would be a great post. Bet they can make a snappy graphic for it.

Re: What You Can Learn from a PR Pro’s Fear of Failure

Mary Deming Barber — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 19:58:03 -0000

Thanks Paula for all your comments. :-) I'm glad the post has touched people so much. I wasn't sure, but it certainly seems to have gotten people thinking. I'm interested in your response...maybe a follow-on post on SpinSucks.

Re: What You Can Learn from a PR Pro’s Fear of Failure

Mary Deming Barber — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 19:56:04 -0000

Thanks Hanna. I appreciate your comments, and your support. Check out my site...food-pr.com

Re: What You Can Learn from a PR Pro’s Fear of Failure

Mary Deming Barber — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 19:55:38 -0000

Very true, Dawn.

Re: Sexism is Alive and Well at This Year’s PRSA Conference

Mary Deming Barber — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 18:14:49 -0000

The tweet was in bad judgement. One day we won't hear this stuff anymore. Yet, it has nothing to do with his APR! Nor does it have anything to do with an update to the curriculum which, by the way, is being done by the UAB (likely already finished) of which PRSA is a member. CPRS is not part of the UB and therefor not part of the APR.

Re: Camp Ketchum: An Idea Ahead of its Time

Mary Deming Barber — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:34:27 -0000

I'm so glad to see Camp Ketchum is alive and well. I was a camper in the late '80s and still remember many of the lessons learned and the people who were there with me. Our client was someone who'd found the cure for Aids. I know Judith and Ray remember our team for sure...we were the ones who left our leavebehind in the condo and had to figure out a slick way to send someone to retrieve it in the middle of the presentation. Ahhh, the memories.

Re: The Apology Vs. The Crime

Mary Deming Barber — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 14:05:44 -0000

I can SO relate to this. We had the same thing happen several years ago. The reply was such that we got a new accountant. It was said because the accountant was an old friend but we couldn't let it get in the way of the relationship.

We always told our kids growing up that the "coverup is worse than the crime." It's a similar story line but could also be food for a good post.

Re: My Face Freaks Me Out – But I Need to Get Over It

Mary Deming Barber — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 21:03:43 -0000

I share your discomfort Kellye. I think a lot of us do. But I also think we need to balance when it's "me" and when it's "us." While I know I need to get out from behind the curtain more as well, I think some of our colleagues have gone too far the other way. When we work, even as solos, it's rarely "I" but I've noticed social media has made us more ego centered. I'm not comfortable with that. I believe it's important to share the credit. It could be my excuse for staying behind the curtain but I think we have to be careful we make sure everyone who's behind it, gets to take their bow.

Re: The #SoloPR Twitter Chat Evolves – New Schedule and Format Updates

Mary Deming Barber — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 19:59:52 -0000

I really like this. It revitalizes the chat which will keep us "oldies" engaged too. I'm really looking forward to the monthly dives.

Re: Eat Your Peas: And When To Ignore Common Advice

Mary Deming Barber — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:01:37 -0000

Interesting discussion. I wonder, though, if your client might need to eat his/her peas too? But, I think you're wise to pick your battles. I can't wait to hear more about the project.

Re: 11 Grammar Mistakes That Make You Sound Like a Pompous Jerk

Mary Deming Barber — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:01:59 -0000

That reminds me or another of mine...I've got. What's funny is that it was the headline for another list today. "25 Common Words That You've Got Wrong." It's a good list but "you have got wrong" isn't the best grammar in the headline. (http://www.lifehack.org/art...

Re: 11 Grammar Mistakes That Make You Sound Like a Pompous Jerk

Mary Deming Barber — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 15:59:47 -0000

This is a great list. I would add the misuse of me/I which was always one of the first things we seemed to learn. And, it's easily corrected (by removing the others in the list and seeing if me/I sounds better).

Re: Four Things I Learned In Crisis Mode

Mary Deming Barber — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:08:51 -0000

I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother Lisa. She is likely watching you now and continuing to guide you in your life. What a treasure you have with your memories. So glad to hear your Dad's success and hope he continues to recover.

While it may seem trite, I believe we're faced with this trials because someone thinks we can handle them. Or they think we need to learn a lesson. When my mom was ill I went through the same process of re prioritizing you did. I often have to remind myself if this little priority check as its easy for me to slip back into that stressful time. I would give anything to have more time with my mom, and I took a lot over the six months we had, and encourage others to take that time with their loved ones. You can't get it back. The work will still be there. Your clients/boss will understand.

Re: Why I’d Rather Hire a Liberal Arts Student than a PR Student

Mary Deming Barber — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 22:43:37 -0000

I, too, am a liberal arts graduate and could not agree with you more. We were required to take classes in 9 of 11 areas (at least I think that was the number). It exposed us to a wide variety of subjects, many of which professors tied together for us, and taught us critical thinking and reasoning.

Re: Special Edition: Don’t Punish Penn State, Punish People

Mary Deming Barber — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 16:56:14 -0000

I agree with you. Dropping a bomb just makes us feel better. It doesn't solve the problem. It's my hope the Trustees are "forcing" a change in culture and I think they are. But then I saw and SI article stating they changed the TV channel in the Student Center just as coverage of the Freeh report started. (http://tracking.si.com/2012... Of course, that could have been one over zealous employee too.

Re: Special Edition: Don’t Punish Penn State, Punish People

Mary Deming Barber — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 16:44:44 -0000

I agree with you...for the most part. What's missing is a wholesale change in the culture of the Penn State athletic department and its leadership that allowed this to happen. Instead of focusing on revenues and the importance of the program, their focus needs to be on people and helping them achieve their lifelong goals and dreams. Had they been focused there I doubt this would have happened. I thought I saw some of this change when they released statements after the verdict. I hope it continues. What a horrible incident. I hope everyone has learned a valuable lesson about when to call the cops!

Re: Candidates for a Modern Definition of Public Relations

Mary Deming Barber — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:11:05 -0000

I prefer version 3 because of its simplicity. It is also the one that, in my opinion would be most easily understood by the broadest group possible. The first two just seem to have been written by a committee to appease many different interests and groups.

I also believe it's important that people understand there's a definition (most formal) and then an elevator speech that's where an individual explains in his/her own words what they do. This can be highly personal and reflect one's specialty and interests.
Trying to catch all the specialities and interests in one definition will result in one that no one uses or understands. Thanks to the committee and those involved for this effort.