Social Networks: Where Agencies & Journalists Unite

I just finished reading an article over at MediaShift on how "Journalists Should Customize Social Networks to Maximize Experience." As someone who frequently interfaces with journalists, or shall I say "attemps to," the one thing that all PR pros struggle with is determining WHO to pitch to. I 100% understand the nuisance of having to filter through numerous irrelevant press releases and news tips a day sent to your Inbox, but if journalists were forced to spend less time acting as gatekeepers and perhaps spent more time on social networks, then maybe....just maybe.... the agencies and the journalists could develop a mutually beneficial relationship. "What!? Could it be possible?"

Going back to my original statement about determining who to pitch to in the media: the real challenge is learning what the journalist actually covers and/or is interested in. Surely some journalists write about topics they have no interest in, but naturally they'll be more inclined to pick up or even pass on a story of real interest. This is where social networks can really come in handy. Ideally, social networks would serve as a playing field of sorts where the press and the agencies could actually communicate with each other rather than have the agencies bombard journalists with their press releases. Ultimately, the idea would be for journalists to engage in real conversations with us by utilizing their social networks.

This article has some interesting insights on how to utilize social networks to your benefit. I look forward to meeting you on the battlefield.

The Death of Media Relations

Not to sound all melodramatic with the title, but let's face it: PR, or more specifically, "Media Relations," is slowly dying out. That isn't to say the entire industry is going to crash, but that it's evolving into something else. That something else is "Customer Relations" in junction with the rise of Social Media. Don't believe me? Continue reading below for an article on "The Next 50 Years of Public Relations" by "PRsquared" as proof:
When people talk about the “Death of Public Relations,” it doesn’t bother me at all. I know what they are talking about. They are talking about the death of MEDIA RELATIONS.

That’s what PR’s been all about for the past 50-odd years. After all, during that era, the only way to reach the masses in a reliable way was through mass media.

Now that that’s changing, our approach can change. PUBLIC RELATIONS can fulfill its mandate to improve RELATIONS with the PUBLIC.

Media Relations will still have a role. PR will not be subsumed by Customer Service. PR has a role as an overlay; a facilitator; we serve as both a counselor and tactician across these areas.

The next 50 years will be better than the last 50 years.