Way back in my health care days we worked with a consultant who taught me about being a fire starter. It is a concept I’ve kept in the back of my mind since learning about it. I’d like to share it with you now in the hope it speaks to you, too.
A Fire Starter is [...]

Thought for the day
Thought for the day: When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.” ~Author Unknown

Today’s Top 5
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PCWorld Business Center: Three Ways Business Can Take Advantage of Facebook Places – Yesterday CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed Facebook’s latest creation — Facebook Places. This location-based check-in [...]

Sevans Strategy receives an incredible amount of requests from people looking for public relations (PR) representation. Thank you for thinking of us as a trusted resource. While we would love to be able to work with everyone, at times we realize we are not a right fit. Why? Typically for one of [...]

With more than 2,000 SXSW interactive entries to vote for this year, the competition is FIERCE! After reviewing the majority of entries, the Sevans Strategy team came up with a list of 15 panels we think are a MUST HAVE for this year. We were a bit biased in our selections as we know all [...]

The most recent edition of #journchat took place live via the web from from NBC News (@NBCnews) headquarters.
We talked about how NBC’s news division operates and provided PR pros with tips on how to better pitch and interact with the network. The panel consisted of:
* Alexandra Wallace, SVP, NBC News
* Ryan Osborn (@rozzy), Director of [...]

A new study released by ExactTarget and CoTweet shares recent results and insight into consumers’ expectations for interacting with brands online. The study specifically focuses on consumers’ who use Twitter and their online habits (see below).
Upon reading the results I decided to conduct an informal poll of my own. I spend so much [...]

Congratulations to Jayne Levy (@jaynelevy) of Fishman PR (@fish_franchiz) who will join me in NYC next Monday for #journchat LIVE at NBC News’ headquarters at “30 Rock.”
Levy and her Fishman team submitted the winning entry for the recent “Win a Trip to NYC With Me” contest hosted by #journchat sponsor, Cision.
The special edition of #journchat [...]

Facebook customer satisfaction is in the bottom 5% of all private sector along w/ IRS tax e-filing, airlines and cable companies.  (Source)

More than 60% of moms said they would provide info about themselves to a trusted brand if it meant more personalized content. (Source)

The 5 “most valuable” types of online influencers [...]

I believe we live and die by the team. Call me crazy, but I know I can’t do it all by myself. The public relations industry is full of days which are fast-paced, tiresome and long hours. It’s not always glamorous, but when the work is done right can be extremely rewarding.
I’ve learned [...]

A few weeks ago I asked current public relations interns to share their “tales from the workplace” with the expectation they would remain anonymous. I asked for them to share good, the bad and the ugly.
I was flooded with responses.
There were many stories of good experiences and even more with “the bad” and “the ugly.” [...]

While it’s not the sunnier side of public relations, it’s something the majority of us have experienced. The dreaded moment when you realize you may not meet a client’s expectations. I know, I know. It’s not something we typically talk about. But, it happens. Why does it happen? From short turnaround time to poor planning, [...]

Calling all #journchat participants. This time you can join me for a LIVE edition with a major news network.
The special edition of #journchat LIVE takes place on Monday, August 9, 2010, from 8 to 10 p.m. EDT at NBC News’ headquarters at “30 Rock,” NBC’s historic studio and broadcast complex at Rockefeller Plaza.
So, [...]

My reflections from the past two weeks on lessons I learned (or re-learned) during a very hectic (and rewarding) work schedule. Here they are in all their tweet-ready glory:

Those who work the hardest (and the longest) end up with more opportunities.
Always under promise and over deliver.
A good team makes all the [...]