I am now hooked on one late night television show, and it’s all because of one man – Andy Cohen.  Andy is the host of Watch What Happens LIVE! (WWHL) a live, late night talk show that airs on Bravo at 11 PM EST. WWHL started out once or twice a week, where Andy would have on different Bravo stars from their lineup of programs from Top Chef to the Real Housewives series.

Now WWHL has guests ranging from Questlove of the Roots, the regular Sandra Bernhard, all the way to the Mary J Blige.  What’s most exciting is that the show is now on five nights a week.

I understand that many readers of PRBC might be in their regular routines, but I want to urge you check out WWHL.  Andy Cohen is by no means as recognizable as the talk show kings, but he is making strides and I think he is going to be bigger than all of them. Andy not only exudes confidence and charisma, but Andy does something with his show that really makes him stand out – he interacts with his viewers every night.

Beyond the fun atmosphere of “The Clubhouse,” where the show takes place, viewers are drawn to idea that they have the chance to interact with Andy and his guests.  More than the chance to call in to the show, Andy asks his viewers to tweet, e-mail, and Facebook him.  What a better way to draw an audience? The chance to potentially be mentioned on WWHL by one of the coolest faces in television is very appealing.

The interaction between Andy and his viewers is amazing.  Everyone that calls up is always filled with joy, maybe because they got through the line, or the fact that they were able to ask a question to one of their stars – something that not many people get the chance to do.  Further, not only does Andy interact with his viewers on screen, he also very active in responding to his Twitter followers on a regular basis.  Not something other stars and hosts do.

Another reason WWHL differs is because it feels like a party (for me I hate the fact that I am in bed watching it. From mazel’s to llamas, there is not a talk show on the air that I ever wanted to be a guest on more than WWHL.  Luckily, due to one amazing woman, I was fortunate enough to experience “The Clubhouse” a few months ago, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

My night at “The Clubhouse” was quite the experience with cocktails flowing and great people and all in an audience of about twenty.  The air conditioning was broken, but that didn’t matter. The guests, Tamra and Vicki from Real Housewives of OC, were unbelievably awesome – they even invited my coworker and I out for dinner afterward (12:30 am on a Sunday night was a bit rough though so we passed, and regretted it ever since).

I was even able to participate in the online aftershow.  Check it out here, I show up at around the three minute mark (Yes, I was 25 lbs heavier). I wish I could be a guest every night, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

Overall, if you are not watching WWHL yet, you need to check it out. DVR it, HULU it, check it out. I’d be surprised if you didn’t want to be a guest on the show.  I honestly think that as time goes on, Andy will become the King of Late Night TV. I might lose some sleep staying up later, but hey it’s worth it.  If you have any questions about WWHL tweet @bravoandy – chances are, he’ll respond.

• 10 February 2012 : Doing It Right & Doing It Wrong
• 9 February 2012 : 5 Ways that Bloggers Are Like the Cool Kids in High School
• 8 February 2012 : Drop the Salesman Mentality
• 7 February 2012 : Giant PR Lessons from the Super Bowl Champions
• 6 February 2012 : Video: Job Interview Conversations That Should Be Had

How your client looks and sounds on television or comes across in a newspaper story can go a long way to showing they are credible. I entered public relations after a long career in television and radio. Taking that experience, I’ve been able to assist my clients in making sure they are well prepared for the media.

Television can make or break you and your client if they are not prepared. We’ve seen the mistakes last year (Hello, Herman Cain, Penn State, and Anthony Weiner). It’s still early in 2012, but if you would rather not see a client of yours -or even yourself- in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, these five examples could help.

Rehearse: Just like you would practice the piano before a concert, it’s important to think over answers to possible questions from a reporter. Teach your client to review his talking points prior to any interviews.

Don’t Fear the Camera/Microphone: That light on top of the camera isn’t from an interrogator. It’s there to help make you look better. Remember, most reporters don’t want to make your clients look bad. They want the facts. There’s nothing to be afraid of.

Be Concise: Don’t give rambling answers. In television, soundbites run approximately 10-20 seconds. You need to get your message across in that amount of time. If you go longer, you risk having your message cut up and possibly misunderstood.

New Media Awareness: Platforms like YouTube and blogs are obviously very prevalent now. Newspapers are also using blogs to supplement their normal coverage. Some papers even turn their print reporters into new media journalists. Make certain you make a client aware of any additional avenues a reporter may be using to tell a story.

Don’t Want to Read It? DON’T SAY IT: This seems simple enough, but there are people who feel the need to tell a reporter more than necessary. If it’s not something that needed to be revealed, damage control is necessary. Stick to the talking points!

Using these tips will not only assist your clients, they will also prove you are looking out for their well-being.

• 10 February 2012 : Doing It Right & Doing It Wrong
• 9 February 2012 : 5 Ways that Bloggers Are Like the Cool Kids in High School
• 8 February 2012 : Drop the Salesman Mentality
• 7 February 2012 : Giant PR Lessons from the Super Bowl Champions
• 6 February 2012 : Video: Job Interview Conversations That Should Be Had

Some people love the national news programs, The Early Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America…These are probably the most popular national news programs. Then of course there is Fox and Friends, Morning Joe, etc., but aren’t on the same level as the other three. (I do love Fox and Friends though. They have the best looking anchors on TV) So as I was thinking of what to write I asked around what people preferred in their morning programs. Assuming everyone would choose one of the following: The Early Show, The Today Show, or Good Morning America – Those who answered definitely all fell in the same categories though.

People who said The Early Show were typically my age. 20-25ish and they said that they prefer the CBS Early Show because it’s the first channel when they turn on the TV in the morning and they are too tired to change it. Some mentioned that they like the people, but when I asked who the people are on the show, they had no idea. Well at least CBS has that going for them, it’s the lazy person’s show. (I do like The Early Show because I love Julie Chen because she hosts Big Brother…It is my dream to be on that show and a dream to meet the lovely host).

The next on the list was The Today Show. These people were older, in their thirties, and they all knew who the anchors were. Hey I even know who the anchors are on the Today Show! That one dude that went to my college and hosts that show on Food Network, AL Roker was a very popular choice. Of course, the host of Millionaire, Meredith Viera was a very popular mention. So two people mentioned is pretty good! Someone even told me they like the Today Show because of all the people that stand outside and watch the program from the street. Not one person mentioned they watch it for the news…”The Today Show would be 100% better if Kathie Lee and Hoda did the whole three hours by themselves while drinking ‘special punch.’”

Finally Good Morning America, and the response…I Like it because I have to…

Someone told me they preferred Live! With Regis and Kelly…God help the souls that get ‘News’ from Kelly Ripa…So I open up the question to the internet…What morning news show do you prefer?

• 10 February 2012 : Doing It Right & Doing It Wrong
• 9 February 2012 : 5 Ways that Bloggers Are Like the Cool Kids in High School
• 8 February 2012 : Drop the Salesman Mentality
• 7 February 2012 : Giant PR Lessons from the Super Bowl Champions
• 6 February 2012 : Video: Job Interview Conversations That Should Be Had

We're not really sure who she is either. If you know please come to the customer service desk.

Nota Bene: Please note the date on which this post was originally posted and enjoy it with appropriate grains of salt.

Fellow readers. The time has come for the big announcement. This announcement will go down in history as we are one of the first Web sites to ever make it big like this. From our beginning stages back in October, to our current status here in April, it is only suiting that we share our amazing venture with you all.

What started out as a joke and a tid bit of fun, has become a reality and a dream come true. Every PR pro has dreamed of this day, some have made it happen, others just hope and pray each day for it to come true.  This amazing opportunity that fellow PRBC members will partake in on April 25th will benefit the PR industry as a whole, and we will be able to add more titles after our names. From comedians, experts, leaders, gurus, whatever we are referred to as, you will now be able to label us, inspiration leaders.

On April 25, 2010, four members of PRBC will be flying to Chicago for a taping of something extravagent. Will PRCog reveal his true identity? Will I be able to keep my dirty mouth shut and stay clean on camera? Will TJ be able to keep her snarky grammar tips at bay while talking to the Queen of Television? We shall see, but we will not let you all down.

You have all made this possible for us to make it this far with this Web site, and we thank you every day. As we make our way to Chicago we will think about each and every contributor who made this amazing opportunity possible. And don’t you worry, we will not forget the PR pros out there with deserving clients. We will name drop. We will push your products. We will make you proud.

Set your DVR’s people for April 29th, as we will be making our national debut on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

-C.T.

Sign up for the daily (and normally mostly serious) PRBC mailing here

• 10 February 2012 : Doing It Right & Doing It Wrong
• 9 February 2012 : 5 Ways that Bloggers Are Like the Cool Kids in High School
• 8 February 2012 : Drop the Salesman Mentality
• 7 February 2012 : Giant PR Lessons from the Super Bowl Champions
• 6 February 2012 : Video: Job Interview Conversations That Should Be Had

I was totally ready to stay in and enjoy my time, save some money, do some work, catch up on TV, but I ran into a problem. For months a movie has been being pushed on Lifetime TV, “Who is Clark Rockefeller?” It’s based on a true story, seemingly dramatic, and appeared to be a night of entertainment, I was exciting to find out that the movie was debuting when I was stranded in my house!

I’m sitting down, watching the movie, all into it, and about an hour into it, the screen goes black. Black. I switch rooms, black TV. I go to the third room in my spacious apartment, black screen. All the other channels are working, what happened? Lifetime TV was off the air! Beyond my dismay for not being able to see the movie that I have been pumped about, I wondered what could have happened.

Turns out, through inside sources, that Lifetime TV in general was disrupted. Not only in the tri-state area, but across the country. Our lovely tropical storm in New York City knocked out Lifetime TV! I never thought something could knock that station out but it happened. So to the tie in of the post…Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent by advertisers for this movie debut, but nobody got to see them…and let me tell you, the ratings for this movie were doing amazing until the catastrophe.

So what happens? It’s not really Lifetime TV’s fault that a monsoon hit the northeast, so why should they be responsible for the loss of airtime for advertisers? They are obviously never going to win that battle, but is it really ethically correct? Can’t these advertisers just find another spot? Wait till the next amazingly awesome original Lifetime TV movie and get an I.O.U?

Sorry but I think the advertisers should just suck it up and deal with it, act like it was a lotto ticket with losing numbers. Just move on kids.

• 10 February 2012 : Doing It Right & Doing It Wrong
• 9 February 2012 : 5 Ways that Bloggers Are Like the Cool Kids in High School
• 8 February 2012 : Drop the Salesman Mentality
• 7 February 2012 : Giant PR Lessons from the Super Bowl Champions
• 6 February 2012 : Video: Job Interview Conversations That Should Be Had

JIF Peanut Butter – The College Care Package…
If you haven’t seen this commercial, be glad.

This dreadful commercial depicts a concerned parent sending a care package to her daughter at college. Okay great, I loved care packages in college and I love seeing people get care packages, especially containing JIF Peanut butter. Come on, who doesn’t love peanut butter and hot sauce sandwiches?

Regardless, this commercial depicts a mother talking on the phone with her daughter about nonsense, the birds, the bees, while the daughter is eating peanut butter. A voice over starts “It’s more than the creamy peanut taste, choosing JIF shows someone how much you care.”

Blah blah blah, it’s fricken peanut butter people. Peanut butter doesn’t bring people together, it makes them fat. FAT!! Sorry advertising agency, if someone sent me JIF peanut butter in college, regardless how excited I was to make a peanut butter and hot sauce sandwich, I would not call up my family to tell them I loved them.  And who eats peanut butter out of the jar with a spoon??? Sorry, but we are in an obesity epidemic, I don’t think that should be your message.

Folgers Coffee – The Proposal
Over a cup of coffee…
“Late night last night?” say’s Pa.
“I’m not a kid anymore PA” say’s the Daughter
“I know,” says Pa.
“But you won’t have to worry about that anymore” says daughter, flaunting her new engagement ring.
“I know, that’s what I told Ted the other night when we talked.” says PA

Are you kidding me? People don’t act like that. A more realistic commercial would be the girl showing off her ring and the father throwing coffee at her boyfriend for stealing her away. That would be a great ad for Folgers, “The best part of waking up, is Folgers in his face…” with the little jingle, of course. Seriously, this commercial runs so often I seriously get nauseous every single time it comes on the screen. Who comes up with this crap? Does this scream to go out and buy Folgers? Nope. More like, “You just made me vomit, and now I’m headed to Starbucks.”

Seriously what’s the deal with television commercials these days? I understand advertisers are trying to be more creative day after day, but come on, don’t make us reach for a bucket. What other commercials get you to say “That is the dumbest commercial ever made?”

• 10 February 2012 : Doing It Right & Doing It Wrong
• 9 February 2012 : 5 Ways that Bloggers Are Like the Cool Kids in High School
• 8 February 2012 : Drop the Salesman Mentality
• 7 February 2012 : Giant PR Lessons from the Super Bowl Champions
• 6 February 2012 : Video: Job Interview Conversations That Should Be Had

Dear Jeff:

Been a rough few weeks, eh? Between your network’s colossal short-sightedness and lack of foresight (hello, Big Three automakers!), plus an inability in the past 10 years to bring NBC back to relevancy after nearly two decades of being No. 1 in primetime ratings, first with the “Cosby Show,” then “Seinfeld” and ending a magnificent run with “Friends,” we recognize it ain’t easy being at the top of America’s No. 1 media punching bag.

So it was with equal shock and somewhat awe that we watched over the past two weeks as you and your cronies somehow managed to completely destroy whatever shred of respect and dignity NBC had left by trying to undue the less-than-stellar decision to save some major money getting rid of up to 10 regular shows per week for the cheaper live comedy of Jay Leno at 10 p.m. EST each week night, as your five-year contract with Conan O’Brien, promising him the coveted “Tonight Show” hosting gig finally came up for payment.

Let’s be honest: You’re getting creamed right now—both in the media and by your own TV talent. Two of your stars use their still-highly-watched nightly shows to dismantle you and your network over and over, while competitors are absolutely loving the free jokes and comedic fodder you have given them over the past few days.

It’s definitely not pretty, but as public relations professionals, we are here to help. For one, it looks like you could use the help (and a few friends) right now; and secondly, your cronies and network handlers sure aren’t doing much to help you in the public sentiment department right now. So take a look at the four suggestions below, and at the very least, try to implement some minor parts from what each says. Your fans—and those who may still believe in you at NBC—will thank you for it.

Admit What is Obvious to Everyone (and definitely has some truth to it): NBC has made some major mistakes recently.

Just get that out of the way already. We all know it is true—as I’m sure you do, as well, somewhere in your heart. And despite what some of your handlers may be telling you, the experts and skeptics often are right. So, take some initiative and be at least a little proactive about this: Just come right out and publicly state that, “Yes, NBC has had some missteps in recent years, and things haven’t exactly gone the way we planned. But you know what? We now recognize that, and we’re doing everything within our power to change that. No more excuses, no more petty public fighting. It’s time to right this storied network and create some tremendous content for our wonderful fans. And I’m making it my sole focus over the next 12-18 months.”

People like it when you tell them the truth, and equally, when you actually show some conviction to get things done. Aspire to achieve both.

Take Responsibility for Mistakes—Even if They Aren’t Your Own

Come to reality: You are the leader of this network. You are the public face of it. And you are the one—rightly or wrongly—who gets blamed for each of NBC’s programming mistakes. Repeat this to yourself several times. Now, go out and tell that to the world and your still loyal fans. Own up to your company’s numerous failings over the past 10 years, come to grips with reality that many of those mistakes were the result of a lack of foresight by either you or those under your watch and let the public know it’s time to right those wrongs, and you’re still the man to lead this effort.

Keep Things Private That Should Remain Private

Even in the age of social media and transparency, some things should still remain private. Like tense discussions and negotiations between two of your franchise guys (Conan and Leno) about restructuring their high-profile shows for the betterment of the network. Particularly when those people work in a business that thrives on scuttlebutt and hearsay. Just keep everything private until something has been officially (and contractually) ironed out. That’s common sense, and is something any Joe or Jane could tell you.

Do What is Right

As the public face and leader of the one of the world’s most powerful and well-known media companies, you undoubtedly have a lot on your plate. But that doesn’t mean the basic human quality to do what is right for all parties needs to go out the window. Is it right to nearly ruin what is arguably the world’s most famous broadcast franchise, a 60-year-old TV stalwart that has given your network some of its best fan memories (and ratings) ever by moving it to a time in which it no longer even makes sense to call it the same name? Hell, no! So why even consider that? Why even bring up the idea? The “Tonight Show” franchise goes a lot further than you and your reputation/legacy at NBC. And so do the two guys whom you have now pitted against each other. Rather than take on all of this ill-will against you and your network, next time, start by doing what you know is right: Keeping the public’s perception of your network high.

Always here to help on the PR side,

Keith Trivitt

• 10 February 2012 : Doing It Right & Doing It Wrong
• 9 February 2012 : 5 Ways that Bloggers Are Like the Cool Kids in High School
• 8 February 2012 : Drop the Salesman Mentality
• 7 February 2012 : Giant PR Lessons from the Super Bowl Champions
• 6 February 2012 : Video: Job Interview Conversations That Should Be Had

Scene 1: Camera One pans to girls at door.  A faint voice states “thirty seconds till we air.” Final checks in place, Louboutins (check), black dress (check), clipboard (check), stern look (check.) Let’s roll, 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . air.

Camera Two pans to X celebrity arriving in the black sedan and walks up to red carpet; she stops to pose for a few photos to hear cat-calling from paparazzi in the galley.  Cut to second scene.

Scene 2: Louboutin-wearing girls hovering around a VIP table having a cocktail (yes, at their own event) and hanging out with their friends they snuck in.  Drama begins to unfold.  Cut, end scene.

Okay, how many of us have watched reality and primetime television shows where this act is played over and over again? (Pause for all PR people to verbally grunt at the computer.) Exactly.

Recent turmoil has been unleashed in response to Kim Kardashian’s announcement of a PR reality show appropriately reported on People.com.  My immediate reaction was frustration and defense of the PR industry as a whole.  Then I wrote this blog post.  While my first draft is lying nicely in my trash can, I came to a realization that I can see the glass half full on this matter.  Please hear me out.

As Lauren Fernandez eloquently pointed out in her blog post Monday, Publicity is different from PR. I concur on this matter with a footnote that publicity is still a form of public relations and has proven successful for corporate clients as well as the entertainment industry.

As I was emotionally ranting of the frustrations that PR is not just red carpets, designer duds, and celebrities, I found myself being a hypocrite.  Currently I finished a publicity/PR event that involved step and repeats while wearing a designer dress and shoes, clipboard in tow, and there was a celebrity involved.  How is this any different?  No, I am not having cocktails with J-Lo and having Versace designers knocking on my door with free gifts, but in some form I am producing the same type of a publicity event and exceeding the client’s expectations in the process. While my background primarily lies in events and launches, my day-to-day public relations duties consist of social media, writing, networking, and all the normal corporate communications.

Publicity events for corporate clients with celebrities, red carpets, and features in magazines are only the icing on the cake for this form of public relations.  Sure, the drama surrounding the on-site events holds the sex appeal to draw millions of viewers, but as PR professionals we all know where the REAL drama lies: behind the scenes.   I believe this is the sore spot with everyone in this industry.  Where are the cameras when the nuts and bolts to the campaign or event are being born?  Brainstorming sessions conducted a la Mad Men style (in no reference to Sunday’s episode), ideas being pitched to clients, hundreds of creative design ideas for invitations, step and repeats, Web sites, logos, press releases being written (and the twenty revisions), media lists compiled, talent negotiations, do I really need to keep going?  I think we understand all the hard work that happens behind the scenes that makes PR and publicity campaigns work.

So, one may ask, “Why are these scenes edited?” My guess: viewers, money, advertisement dollars, and TV executives.  Outside of the PR industry, we would lose the general public on the first draft of a press release.  The producers, and general public, want the glitz and glamor.  Is this necessarily the “right” thing to do? No, but PR isn’t the only industry in the same boat.  What about “Making the Band” and “Project Runway?” Is it really this easy to get a record label or a four-page feature in a major fashion magazine for up-and-coming artists? Are all the steps and dirty laundry revealed? No! Why? Million dollar word: viewers!

Bottom Line:

While some view publicity as Louboutin-wearing blondes with a clipboard obsession, publicity is a form of media relations that has proven successful for many clients.  Our problem lies more in the lack of education to the public on the different sectors that lie within the PR industry.  Trust me that a successful publicity event uses as much communication as a traditional press release launch, plus a few side orders of event logistics.  Now, I can’t say the individuals participating in Kim’s reality show hold these same standards, but they shouldn’t be held as the poster children to the Publicity ring either.

Therefore, PR flacks, I challenge you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the drama that someone else will be experiencing and revel in the fact you are sitting on the couch when their talent says the wrong name of the product!