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Read the news

Posted on by Brian Lee
Image courtesy of adamr at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I read news from at least seven media outlets every day. I cannot tell you how many times it has helped me with clients and prospective clients to be up-to-speed on what’s going on in a cross-section of industries.

Still, I’m stunned how many PR practitioners don’t read the news. It doesn’t count to “read the news” based on what you see in your social media feed, as your connections may only be alerting you to trending topics, not necessarily important topics (push vs. pull).

Plus, anyone who practices media relations should get to know reporters’ names and beats, learn what direction the editorial board leans and get a sense of what types of stories the media outlet is willing to cover.

Don’t have time? That’s an excuse. You can always have the TV or radio on in the morning while you’re getting ready and/or during your commute, and it doesn’t take long to scan headlines while eating your breakfast.

Facebook adds scrapbook feature

Posted on by Brian Lee

Children under the age of 13 can now have a presence on Facebook, sort of. Facebook recently announced its latest feature, which allows parents to tag photos of their children (or pet) to create a scrapbook.

To start a scrapbook for your child, go to your profile, click on “About” and click on “Family and Relationships.” There, you’ll see an invitation to create a scrapbook; click “Get Started.” If you’ve already added a child to your profile, you can click “Add Scrapbook” next to his or her name.

Facebook is looking into a way to give parents the option to hand off their child’s account when they turn 13 and can legally have an account.

The company is planning to launch a way for friends and family to ‘subscribe’  to scrapbooks so you can be notified whenever a photo is added.

Scrapbook will first roll out in the United States on iOS, Android and desktop.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Dennis Dodd

Posted on by Brian Lee

I’ve worked in sports PR for several years, and I’ve seen firsthand how petty, incompetent and lazy sports writers can be, not to mention their sense of entitlement and their ability to raid the media buffet as if they’ve never eaten in their lives.

That’s why I found it extra amusing that CBS’ Dennis Dodd got put in his place by Aaron Rodgers this past weekend. Dodd went on a Twitter rant about how Rodgers wouldn’t do interviews following the Badgers’ win over Arizona, plus Dodd was mad about Rodgers being on the court after the game.

Turns out Rodgers had a pass to be on the court. He declined doing the interviews because he didn’t want to take away from the Badgers’ victory.

The comments on the Bleacher Report story are nearly 100 percent against Dodd. My favorites:

  • Rodgers was a guest of UW BB. He had locker room access as well. This self absorbed reporter was angry because he didn’t have access to the court during net cutting and at Rodgers because he didn’t want to draw attention away from the players and what had just done. Sometimes the press needs to realize that it’s not at about them and their story.
  • This is so typical of the media. He didn’t have a problem with Rodgers being there until he refused his interview. Now he wants to act like a grade school kid.
  • Nice job, Dennis Dodd – in just one evening, aided by your two thumbs and a smart phone, you systematically unraveled your entire career and let the world know what a colossal crybaby you are. You might want to occasionally remind yourself that the industry you are in will sometimes result in a celebrity not wanting to talk to you – particularly during a sporting event that has absolutely nothing to do with him (it isn’t even the same sport for cryin’ out loud!). But because you are the poster child for the “Participation Trophy” generation, you couldn’t resist the temptation to “call him out” which – as evidenced by the 9 million comments on this issue – has severely backfired. I honestly won’t be surprised when I learn of your employment termination later this week.
  • Hey Dennis Dodd. Least you can do is get some world class Wisconsin cheddar cheese to go with that whine. Good Lord man, grow some and accept no for an answer occasionally.

Other media also made fun of Dodd. Here’s a tweet from Rich Eisen: