Tag: public relations

Politics and PR: To Speak or Not To Speak

Date: Categories: Public Relations

Wiretapping. Conflicts of interest. Russia. Twitter. Fake news. From a public relations perspective, the events originating from and surrounding the current administration are jaw-dropping. The news pipeline is a perpetual PR case study, making for spirited conversations among media professionals. Yet when it comes to the business world – especially relating to PR initiatives – there’s an uneasiness and trepidation around discussing political developments. As with… Read more »

Tale of the Boomerang Employee: Why I left and Then Returned

Date: Categories: Company Culture

Most Millennials will agree being in today’s workforce is hard. Not for the reason of actually working – because that in and of itself is challenging – but more as it relates to the number of opportunities available to us. There is so much we can do, see, explore and offer that sometimes it’s hard to say no to new opportunities. This past Spring, I found myself… Read more »

5 Tips for Creating RFPs for PR Agencies

Date: Categories: Public Relations

Requests for proposals (RFPs) are a double-edged sword for PR agencies like Matter. Of course, it’s far better to be invited to compete than to be left on the sidelines; it’s gratifying to know your reputation for PR results earned you a shot. Who wouldn’t want that? The flip side is that – and with apologies to the marketing and procurement folks trying their level best… Read more »

5 Steps to Validating Your Campaign Concept

Date: Categories: Design + Branding, Public Relations

In a world where consumers are increasingly demanding social responsibility from their chosen brands, it’s imperative that said brands refrain from turning social movements into tropes to be exploited. The consequences, as Pepsi found out last week, can be severe. On Tuesday, the soda brand attempted to capitalize on the perceived Social Justice Warrior generation with an ad disarming a police blockade using a can of… Read more »

5 Ways to Turn Existing Content into Engaging Visuals

Date: Categories: Design + Branding, Digital Marketing

One of the most effective ways of taking existing content and turning it into a more visually engaging piece is through the creation of case studies. That successful project you put your heart, sweat and tears into for three months? Share it with your audience! Why not create a dedicated page on your website, a sales tool or a company brochure? Highlight your stats with colorful… Read more »

Should Your PR Program Sell Logic or Emotion?

Date: Categories: Public Relations

Logical:Emotional as B2B:B2C Think about the last time you bought something – maybe your morning coffee, a refill on dish soap or your favorite midday snack. If you’re like most consumers, you likely purchased out of force of habit. These habits are driven familiarity, convenience and fulfillment of a basic human emotion whether hunger, desire or status. When you reached for that item, you likely didn’t put… Read more »

Let’s Get Real About PR Measurement & ROI

Date: Categories: Public Relations

The question of how to measure the ROI of PR (and social media and influencer relations…) is as old as the industry itself. But we have collectively and consistently failed to come up with “the answer” that rings true to believers and satisfies skeptics. (Yes, both do exist!) The reason we have failed isn’t because we are lazy or stupid or unwilling to be accountable. It’s… Read more »

Do LinkedIn’s New Profile Updates Matter for Brands & B2B Marketing?

Date: Categories: Press Releases

By now, you’ve likely noticed things are changing on LinkedIn – big time. This is the largest update for the platform since its initial launch. Navigation is more streamlined, the search bar has been optimized, you’re receiving personalized suggestions to make your profile stand out, and more. These changes are designed to make the platform easier to use, and more attractive to the average user. Don’t… Read more »

13 Questions To Ask When Choosing A New PR Agency

Date: Categories: Public Relations

Picking a PR agency is a big decision, particularly for those that may have had sub-optimal experiences in the past or who have never run an agency search. Even experienced agency shoppers can find the process challenging. Let’s face it, you are making a major investment, which will immediately and directly impact your overall marketing budget – not to mention the future of your business. Having… Read more »

4 Tips For Applying For (And Landing!) Your First Job In PR

Date: Categories: Company Culture

It’s usually in those last few months before college graduation, when reality sets in and the task of finding a job looms. Goodbye, cushy college life! Hello, real world. All of that course work and preparation over the past few years have led to this moment that once seemed impossibly far away. Questions like, Which job is best for my skill set? and Where do I… Read more »

A Travel Guide to Portland Networking

Date: Categories: Company Culture

Moving to a new city offers an exciting opportunity to experience a new culture, but it also provides you with a chance to expand your professional network. When I first moved to Matter’s Portland, OR office from headquarters in Newburyport, MA I was excited about the challenge of meeting new professionals and getting to know a new corporate landscape – one that’s known for its entrepreneurial… Read more »

How Has PR Changed? See Our New Website

Date: Categories: Company Culture, Design + Branding, Public Relations

I’ve read – and written – plenty of stories and blog posts about how PR is a different gig than it was even 10 years ago. It’s obvious to me because I see what our teams at Matter create, execute and analyze every single day. But today I found an interesting visual snapshot of just how far the PR world has come since we first hung… Read more »

The Difference Between PR and Marketing

Date: Categories: Public Relations

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 »