80% of the world’s largest companies now have a Corporate Responsibility Report per a recent article in the Moscow Times. In previous entries we have discussed that Green PR is a subset of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Now CSR is being shortened to a term I like quite a bit more, Corporate Responsibility (CR). I think CR is a better umbrella term which encompasses the triple bottom line of CSR: Planet, People, Profits.

In tough economic times some companies find themselves trying to justify budget for going Green or socially responsible programs. As often as customers will listen,  I share the PilmerPR philisophy that CSR should be woven into the very fabric of who we are as a company.  This article I read today in the Financial Times does a great job of exploring the issues around commitment to CSR in today’s economic environment.

PilmerPR CR mantra: “First be good, then talk about being good.” In that order.

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I’ve worked a bunch in the technology field, so I’m used to seeing acronyms thrown around like toy footballs from cheerleaders in a college stadium at the season opener. Other industries use them as well. The military has a ton of them. As a Public Relations firm, we constantly remind clients to talk in “people talk” without the use of acronyms, unless they are ubiquitous like “TV” or “FBI” or “DVD.”

So, here’s a test. I make assumptions about the acronym “CSR.” What does it stand for? I think the majority of people have the same definition as I, but do you really?

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Allan Grafman of All Media Ventures was the featured speaker at today’s joint event sponsored by Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum (UVEF); Wayne Brown Institute; Utah Technology Council (UTC), and Mountain West Capital Network (MWCN). Held in the Garden Room at Thanksgiving Point, 200+ entrepreneurs and business leaders paid close attention as our skilled presenter spoke on the elusive subject of “Exits, Monetizations & New Media.”

In preface to Allan’s remarks I was able to put in a plug for UVEF to the group. I mentioned that despite our economy, it’s a great time for entrepreneurs. I referenced Hewlett Packard, Howard Johnson, and Boeing as entrepreneurial startups during the Great Depression. I expressed my enthusiasm for today’s speaker as our Public Relations business and all services carrying the “message” to target markets must master social media as yet another terrrific tool for getting the word out and engaging with target audiences.

Allan spoke candidly about the negative ROI being experienced by most investors in 2010. He also pointed to Online Gaming, Virtual Goods, Advertising, and Content providers as near term winners in monetization of social media. He cautioned startups against slowing their time to market to “get it perfect,” saying that an early beta launch can build viral support while gleaning invaluable feedback from which to improve the offering.

One key point that resonated with PilmerPR’s client counsel in the new “PR 2010″ is that EVERY company is now a media company. Those companies which offer the best and fastest content stack the deck in their favor.

“I’ve had it” were the parting words of Steven Slater as he exited the JetBlue flight via an emergency chute at Kennedy Airport. The media is all over the story, but what is the unstated message here?

Thousands of fans are flocking to Facebook to swear allegiance. Are they expresssing collective disgust with the decline of the “friendly skies” over the past decade? Or, are they saying something bigger about their collective disgust with the workplace?

There is no doubt that the airline industry has become a tougher way to travel over the past few years. I’ve blogged on that before (United ; US Air). My own experience includes lost luggage, late or cancelled flights, rude attendants, and cramp seating (that last one may be more my fault).

The ongoing economic slowdown is stressing most people out, especially the underemployed, businesses…well, everyone. Customer service in this environment has never been more important if you want to stay in business. And, if you work for “da man” you recognize your dependence on your current job, even if it stinks.

JetBlue is the poster child for the bad PR ripple effects of a decade of declining customer service, but they are just one among many.

What do you think?

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Independence Day is a great holiday – parades, BBQ, sun, games, family, chillin’.  Yet, it has roots in something so much more fundamental to our way of life. The intended message of this celebration included the Founding Fathers’ vision for a country that was set apart from every other. They wanted us to remember that freedom is not free and that we all have a responsibility to do our part to keep this country free. The Pledge of Allegiance helps remind us of this.

I make my living sending messages for companies publicizing their product or service.  These messages can be both intended and unintended. We have written at length about “unintended consequences” from messages we send.  Now, on our country’s birthday, we see ominous messages sent by those who may have forgotten the value of what July 4th represents.

When I read the Fox News story on Arlington High School’s refusal to promote the reciting of the Pledge in the classroom, my heart dropped. Why? Because of unintended ripple effects of unstated messages sent by the school’s teachers, administration, and parents who tolerate this unpatriotic behavior.

What message is this school sending to generations of schoolchildren? Government doesn’t matter? Laws are optional? Respect for our history should be ignored? Freedom is free?

If we won’t pledge allegiance to the flag of the USA, then perhaps we should spend some time in another country where dictators or anarchy rule. Then come home and remember that the best blood of EVERY generation of US citizens, and immigrants, has been spilled for the freedom we enjoy.

As my father who served as a USN pilot with John McCain, I love America.

I Pledge Allegiance the Flag… Long may it wave.  Happy Birthday America!!!!!

If President Obama had wanted to keep McChrystal in charge in Afghanistan, as a PR advisor I would write his speech as follows:

“Good morning, ladies and gentleman. Much has been said about recent comments and the ripple effects stemming from comments to the press by General McChrystal, who stands now by my side. The General and I have had frank and direct conversation regarding the issues at hand, which include the support of our Constitutional chain of command. The General has offered his resignation and sincere apology over the matter. I have rejected that resignation.

While the General comments were unacceptable and inappropriate by his own admission, I do not want ‘yes-men’ working for me and the American people. I expect, given our passion for freedom of speech, that there will frequently be disagreements over policy and strategy. I encourage the vetting of these differences in the right venue. We have all been reminded by this situation that the ‘right venue’ is key here.

Therefore, General McChrystal enjoys my continued support and we remind all those serving in the cause of Freedom that though emotions may run high at times, we will respect the rule of law and the chain of command vital to our success.”

Many think Obama looks like Ceasar feeding the gladiator to the lions – an unspoken message of don’t tell me what you think, just make me look good in public.

What do you think?

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Many revolutionary ideas come into the market, and then die from “lack of demand.” The problem is not a bad idea, nor that demand does not exist. Too often, the problem is a failure to reach the audience that demands it.

The Internet is making it easier than ever to find your market, but harder to compete. When consumers are flooded with many companies vying for their attention, repetition is key. A good company must reach those customers through web development, search engine optimization, a strong social media presence, news articles, and more.

In Part 5 of 10 of PilmerPR’s “PR 101″ webinar, John Pilmer discusses how small businesses can find the lucrative “watering holes” and reach their target markets on multiple fronts.

To learn how PilmerPR can help your business reach audiences and increase sales, visit our contact page.

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If a bomb went off in your backyard, would you know it? How about if that bomb was an explosion that took place on the internet and the wider it spread the more damage it did to your business and your brand. When would you hear about it?

Organizations of all types and sizes are finding they have to monitor their online reputation closer than ever before. If you don’t manage your brand and listen to your customers, you could be inadvertently losing leads, revenue and destroying your brand.

United Airlines learned the hard way about monitoring their brand and the difference that one person can make. You might remember Dave Carroll, a talented musician, on a flight to Chicago who, from his window seat, watched his guitars get thrown and broken. Carroll wrote a song about United breaking his guitars and within a few days, the video was featured on CNN, the LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Rolling Stone Magazine & the BBC to name a few. Although United apologized, they cannot replace the now 8.5+ million views of the YouTube video that humorously demeans United’s reputation.

Read more at Utah Business Magazine

You’ve spent time and money planning a public relations campaign, with press releases and social media involvement, and now you need a way to measure its effectiveness. The problem is compounded when you notice there’s little money left for high-budget tools like surveys and ad-equivalency evaluations.

Does this sound familiar?

In Part 4 of 10 of PilmerPR’s “PR 101″ webinar, John Pilmer lists the simple (often free) ways budget-conscious small businesses can evaluate their PR results. To learn how PilmerPR can help achieve cost-effective campaigns with measurable results, visit our contact page.

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Image from E-Commerce News

You heard it as a child: “Actions speak louder than words.” The same is true in public relations. Crafted statements and press releases can be effective communication tools only as far as they match reality.

Facebook is a recent example. Despite their continual claims that user privacy was important, they gradually loosened the privacy restrictions, making status updates publicly visible and sharing likes/dislikes with third-party sites by default. Only when users revolted would they temporarily step back, as they are doing now. The unspoken message: user privacy is secondary to company growth.

BP officially says it will pay “all legitimate claims” resulting from the gulf coast oil spill. Those were good words for the coastal states to hear. Since then, BP has fought Congress against raising its $75 million legal liability cap, and will not clarify what is or is not “legitimate.” The unspoken message: BP will not be pressured to do more than it feels necessary.

BP has been forced to battle an aggressive US government as the administration sends the unspoken message that it is seeking to avoid blame being placed on the President. To sound presidential, President Obama has placed a moratorium on offshore drilling for six months so we can properly study the situation and avoid a repeat. However, because the President gave a positive message for new offshore drilling just weeks before the gulf oil disaster, the unstated message is “I am a waffler, willing to follow the polls. And, I don’t really know what I was doing endorsing oil exploration just a few weeks ago.”

John Pilmer, president of PilmerPR, commented on this issue when asked by E-Commerce News about a recent change in Microsoft’s leadership. Robbie Bach, president of the company’s entertainment and devices division (responsible for the Xbox, Zune and other gadgets) is stepping down along with J Allard, a senior vice president in the division. Microsft’s CEO, Steve Ballmer, is stepping in and taking charge.

According to Ballmer (officially quoted in PC Magazine) Bach’s resignation is only possible due to his success:

“Robbie’s an amazing business person and close personal friend, which makes his departure a point of sadness for me,” Ballmer said. “However, given the strong leadership team he has built, the business performance of E&D this year and the launches of Windows Phone 7 and ‘Project Natal’ this fall, we are set up well for success as we continue to drive our mobile and entertainment businesses forward.”

John points out what the shake-up really says about Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division:

The shakeup is as much about sending a message as it is about internal operations, according to John Pilmer, president of Pilmer PR, who has worked with Microsoft and its partners for more than a decade.

Redmond wants to assure the market that it is on top of its problems and will compete in — and dominate — the space, Pilmer told the E-Commerce Times.

The market is also hearing an unspoken message, he said — that Microsoft is not getting the job done, and the competition is “kicking our trash.”

Read the full article at E-Commerce News.

PilmerPR works closely with clients to develop positive messaging that highlights successes and opportunities, and matches the good work the company is doing. You can also learn more about how PilmerPR can help with crisis management.

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