Coronavirus continues to accelerate dramatic changes across the retail industry, and it’s hard to imagine what the sector will be like for businesses and shoppers in a post-pandemic world. According to a new report from market research company Euromonitor, U.S. retail sales could be down by an estimated 6.5% this year. For comparison, retail sales were down just 2.2% in 2009, the year the Great Recession ended…. Read more »
Given the number of attorneys in the United States (some 1.2 million practicing ones), it seems unlikely that the majority of these lawyers can become trusted resources for journalists. It is possible, and before such a union can materialize, there are rules that apply for both parties. The below focuses on a lawyer’s role in forming a mutually beneficial relationship with reporters. Rule 1. The Media… Read more »
Public relations professionals know it. Marketers know it. Beyond those folks, however, the difference between PR and marketing may well remain one of the world’s best-kept secrets… until now. While both share a common goal of attracting and retaining business, their approaches and roles differ greatly, yet are equally important to businesses of all sizes and industries. Further confusing matters is that these two functions usually… Read more »
As PR/social media/content creation pros, we’re all natural born storytellers at Matter. During these two weeks preceding the Super Bowl, there is a huge vacuum to fill on the airwaves, on sports (and now more than ever) entertainment blogs, newspapers, magazines, websites, etc. So we are here to help. Inspired perhaps by the song “88 Lines About 44 Women” here are “25 Storylines about Super Bowl… Read more »
2015 was a great year for online video – just check out the excellently crafted and entertaining #YouTubeRewind video. And there’s no signs of the momentum slowing as we enter 2016. From a communication professional’s perspective, I’d like to offer-up three trends that will likely have the greatest impact on how video will influence the industry in 2016. 1. Mobile Video 50% of video views will… Read more »
I have to admit that on the first day of my internship at Matter Communications I had some major jitters. I had no idea what to expect, and all I knew about PR, or account management in general, were the shady antics that Pete Campbell conducted on “Mad Men.” Having been a journalist with two internships under my belt, I knew I could handle the craziness… Read more »
Since the time that I was in college, people have been talking about the “death” of print journalism and the shifting media landscape. We talked about it so much in fact, that my then journalism-major girlfriend wound up becoming my lawyer fiancé. Between a PR pro and a lawyer, I’m not sure which side of our union best represents the “dark side” – but I digress…. Read more »
Full disclosure: I have never used the Uber service. Also, I am a GenX (barely) suburban guy who prefers driving own car and has no problem with mass transit in Boston or other major metros. Right there I am in in the wrong demographic for the suddenly most reviled brand – “sharing economy” or otherwise – on the planet to care about what I think. But… Read more »
In today’s media landscape, there’s no such thing as “too much content.” The amount of platforms, outlets, and opportunities for getting your message seen and heard is enormous, and it’s crucial that brands take notice and stay ahead of the game. As both the Boy Scouts of America and Scar from the Lion King advise, “Be Prepared.” It’s best to always be ready with content (especially visual… Read more »
Earlier this week I grabbed a good ole’ hard copy of USA Today here in the Matter office, thumbed through the Money section and spotted this piece speculating on the future of two of the most esteemed national print newsweeklies, Time and Newsweek. Newsweek of course made its own headlines recently when it resumed publication of its print edition. Talk about “Back to the Future.” I… Read more »
“North Korea photojournalist named ‘Instagram photographer of the year” When I read that headline a few weeks ago I was hit with so many competing thoughts it was hard to articulate even a single word in response. A photojournalist (true professional) in North Korea (incredibly harsh atmosphere) winning an…Instagram award. Wut On one hand, chief Asia photojournalist David Guttenfelder for the Associated Press has been recognized… Read more »
On Saturday night, July 13th, it was announced that George Zimmerman received a “not guilty” verdict after the much anticipated trial for a crime that had been heavily publicized from the start. If you are active on social media, you knew the verdict at least 24 hours ago, and you also probably know all about the Trayvon Martin shooting that occurred in late February. … Read more »
Even seasoned PR pros sometimes have difficulty distinguishing between different forms of media in the digital age. That’s because they all bleed into each other, blurring the lines. So, what is shared media versus earned media versus owned media versus paid media? And what exactly is shared media? The nuances can be especially challenging for junior folks cutting their teeth at PR agencies. I’ve seen more… Read more »
