Comments on: Agencies Should Require Publicists to Attend a Social Media ‘Hell Week’

By: worob

worob — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:48:44 +0000

Thanks for the comments!

The theme of the post centered around 'hell week' so I thought using the scene from “Old School” around pledging/fraternity would be fun

By: worob

worob — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:47:25 +0000

We'll agree to disagree

Appreciate the comments!

By: Jeremy Pepper

Jeremy Pepper — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:11:35 +0000

Not necessarily – it goes back to what type of PR you practice. And the
education brush you're using is too wide. I know of enough agencies that
have education programs. And I know of others that don't for political
and/or business reasons.

By: @paolabrussels

@paolabrussels — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:28:25 +0000

100% with you on this blog post.
But if the van video is an intelligence test, looks like I failed. WT? Or did you just insert it to make sure we were paying attention ? (We are)
Please explain, thanks

By: worob

worob — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:26:28 +0000

Thank you, Rochelle! I follow your tweets and definitely appreciate hearing from you!

@Worob
PR at Sunrise blog - worob.com

By: Rochelle Veturis

Rochelle Veturis — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:39:12 +0000

I think your ideas are great Andrew. It's sad to me that there are PR people out there that don't 'get' that social media mastery is a part of them doing their job well. And it's not an 'age' thing. Far from it. I've met 70 and 80 year olds who have a better grasp on social outreach than others; I agree with you that it's a mindset. Closed mind = missed opportunities.

By: worob

worob — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:38:47 +0000

I realize they aren't PR blogs, but don't they discuss SM issues that ARE relevant to PR folks?

Agencies are instituting educational programs, yes, but far and wide they are not mandatory. I'm saying they should be.

By: Jeremy Pepper

Jeremy Pepper — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:28:57 +0000

Neither Brogan nor Scoble are PR blogs, though. Scoble is a technology
blogger, and Brogan writes about the tools in social media.

And if you want PR blogs, there are plenty out there that talk more than
just about the tools, but actually using the tools in real world PR
situations.

Large agencies ARE instituting education programs, though. And smaller
agencies are as well. But reading the stuff does not help much with the real
strategies and tactics needed. It's reading in a vacuum.

By: worob

worob — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:24:44 +0000

Let me first say that I'm loving this conversation - nothing better than discussing a topic with someone that is just as passionate as I am.

I just used Brogan/Scoble as examples, but my point is that many PR professionals can't even name one PR blog, and that's a problem even if you aren't looking to get ahead.

I'd like to think that large agencies still have the financial flexibility to institute such a program (one week, two days, even just a one-day orientation) that can better prepare staff and educate them. I think we both agree that it's all about education.

Appreciate your comments

By: Jeremy Pepper

Jeremy Pepper — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:04:35 +0000

Several answers:

Scoble is very tech oriented, and Brogan writes about the tools. So, no, not every PR professional, as I stated originally. For Publicists, not sure what the value would be. I love Scoble, known him for years, but I'm talking verticals instead of broad brush strokes over PR and publicity.

At large agencies, yes, it is about billability. You have percentages you need to meet. But that is also why large agencies have education programs that go into development, and are OK as non-billable. Your last statement is my point, though. Internal education rather than an SM Hell Week. Continuing education is key in any industry.

Doing the stuff on your own during work hours, though, tends not to be billable. And, those that want to get ahead will do such things on their own time.