Month: August 2014

When opportunity knocks…and no one answers

The entire New England region was transfixed with the Market Basket drama. Like a miniseries, there was hardly a way to avoid the news coverage, protesting part-timers or the honking MB Groupies who made their opinion known about the family debacle. This isn’t about any of them. It’s about the competition that did little to nothing to grasp the ring and take measures to try and… Read more »

PR, and the End of the summer blues?

Some people shudder at the thought of summer coming to end, but not me. I love all that is associated with the warm and sunny months, including the last week of August. However, I equally love the start of September – the busiest time at our shop and most PR and social media agencies. I love that energy and enthusiasm required by PR and creative professionals… Read more »

Getting to the Good Idea – Brainstorming 101

How many brainstormers do you attend each month? Too many? Not enough? Whatever the amount, it’s so important to get the most out of them. It’s a huge ask, lots of people in the room, billable time and sometimes there’s even food! At Matter Communications, brainstorming is an art form. Developing creative public relations campaigns means that we are always gathering together to bring fresh thinking… Read more »

Infographics Drive Media Coverage

Getting coverage in today’s media climate is always challenging. At Matter, we’ve found that one sure way to grab attention is to include a visual. Trust us, it works (We’ve got the proof.) Yesterday we put the final touches on an infographic for Making Caring Common, an organization that focuses on raising caring kids. The artwork left our hands and within hours was posted on the… Read more »

Social Awareness – #IceBucketChallenge

If you’ve been on social media in the last week (as public relations professionals that’s a given), you’re sure to have seen or even been on the challenging or receiving end of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Gaining recognition locally, as the result of Boston College alumni Pete Frates’ (diagnosed with ALS two years ago) desire to increase awareness of ALS and drive donations for research… Read more »

The public relations power of the user review

In the modern era, the consumer is king. Companies who previously walked over their customers now live in fear of the almighty user review, and rightfully so. Mobile devices, the internet and centralized user reviews now dictate whether a company survives, thrives or dies. Think I’m exaggerating? As of August 5, 2014, Yelp, the ‘online urban guide,’ has just under 29 million unique monthly visitors. Businesses… Read more »

Jon Lester’s Masterful Delivery – Right to the Final Pitch

For those of us in the PR profession, media relations, and one of its most common tactics – “pitching” – is considered to be among our most valued skills. Yet put most of us on pitcher’s mound from 60 feet, six inches with a tightly wound ball of string covered in horsehide and we’d be hopelessly lost. That’s why both the on-field and off-the-field accomplishments of… Read more »