Social media and mobile technology are changing the way we communicate and share information in profound ways. Today, fewer people (especially younger generations) communicate using email and desktop tools. Instead they are increasingly likely to check in via social media sites and use smartphones for internet access. As social media platforms grow to accommodate the growing needs of their users, there are a number of skeptics that question whether or not these platforms will be able to outperform themselves year to year.

In this week’s PRSA “Friday Five” post — an analysis of the week’s biggest public relations and business news and commentary — we look at Facebook’s slow comeback after a failed IPO, new user-friendly features being offered on a number of social media platforms, and discover how small businesses are tapping into the power of social media and technology to operate more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Continue reading " Friday Five: Social Media Constantly Evolves to Solve User Needs "

The majority of us flocked to social media sites the minute they went live and now we can’t imagine our lives without them. For public relations professionals, social media envelops our personal and professionals lives. But what about the big chiefs we take directives from? How well is their social presence doing? According to a recent survey done by CEO.com and Domo, CEOs are not present on social networks nor are they eager to join. A history of social media faux pas by public figures being too social for their own good may be acting as a deterrent for CEOs whereby keeping them behind the closed doors they have operated behind for years. Social networks have, to a certain extent, become the new watchdogs, putting everyone on blast. In the new age of transparency, the more CEOs try to avoid the arrival of social media, the more anti-social they appear.

In this week’s PRSA “Friday Five” post — an analysis of the week’s biggest public relations and business news and commentary — we explore the 2012 Fortune 500 Social CEO Index report and discuss some surprising findings. We also look at some of the reasons behind why CEOs have such little social media presence and discuss the varying degree of importance that social reputations have on everyday business.

Continue reading " Friday Five: Note to C-Suite: It’s Time to Embrace Social Media "

Mobile advertising is being driven by the sheer force of consumers’ voracious appetites for all things mobile. A number of big brands are beginning to view mobile as a substantially more capable vehicle for driving a brand message and creating better engagement on social platforms that consumers are already familiar with. Mobile is continuing to grow commercially, so being able to prove its value for marketing cements its position as a key advertising channel.

In this week’s PRSA “Friday Five” post — an analysis of the week’s biggest public relations and business news and commentary — we explore how a number of social platforms are using mobile advertising to increase the value of the platform while also increasing added benefits for the number of brands tapping into the exponential growth of mobile advertising. We will also look at how some brands have increased consumer engagement with mobile advertising campaigns.

Continue reading " Friday Five: Mobile Advertising Attempts to Prove Naysayers Wrong "

People passionate about a cause and eager to bring about social change connect through social media. It is imperative that nonprofits learn how to become visible in social media by using the right medium for the task at hand. Social media are a low resource but not a “no resource” way to connect through trusted networks to new supporters of all kinds. Even social media channels are seeing benefits in creating user friendly tools for nonprofit organizations that offer beneficial outcomes for both parties.

In this week’s PRSA “Friday Five” post — an analysis of the week’s biggest public relations and business news and commentary — we explore how nonprofit organizations are using social media to increase awareness of their organizations, and which social media platforms offer the best chances to connect with the right influencers/donors. We also look at one company whose main goal is to help nonprofits find organizational and fundraising solutions to optimize their social good efforts.

Continue reading " Friday Five: Nonprofits Plan for Success With Social Media "

The FDA’s draft industry guidance for off-label responses to consumers’ health care queries is a start but could benefit from specifics to appropriately advise health care communicators.

Last week, PRSA and the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) filed joint comments with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration concerning its proposed social media guidelines. Our central points can be summed up as follows: self-regulation works, and professional communicators and marketers are responsible and ethical practitioners.

The comments are a continuation of PRSA’s recent regulatory affairs work with the Federal Trade Commission and the Senate Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight.

The feedback we provided the FDA reflects the core values of PRSA’s Code of Ethics. We made clear our belief that public relations professionals are keen to protect consumers’ rights through open and honest communications, while advocating for the brands they represent. Those goals do not have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, each can enhance the quality of information provided to the public through proactive and transparent communications practices.

Our comments are the culmination of a long-standing advocacy campaign by PRSA to obtain adequate social media guidelines from the FDA. Through a variety of commentary pieces, we have expressed our perspective that the regulatory framework that currently governs health care and pharmaceutical brands’ online communications with consumers is inadequate. Moreover, the lack of specificity in that framework has led to inaccurate and outdated information swirling around the Internet concerning health care and wellness issues.

It is crucial that the FDA presents viable guidance for how companies can utilize social media to accommodate consumers’ fact-finding needs concerning health care and wellness issues. While a start, the proposed Guidelines lack specificity and relevance that communicators and marketers require to successfully perform their jobs within FDA guidelines. (Related: Dear FDA: Your Social Media Guidance is Requested)

Continue reading " Reviewing the FDA’s Proposed Social Media Guidelines "