readings in pr and social media for february 18 2011

with family & friends in Virginia

Here is what I am reading today:

• the Taco Bell Empire strikes back!

“When it comes to high profile lawsuits, it’s often been the plaintiff’s use of social media that makes headlines and wins those ever-important battles in the Court of Public Opinion. Blogs raise awareness of issues that could lead to lucrative litigation, and smart SEO and SEM campaigns can dominate the online conversation. Social media is used recruit potential class action clients. All the while, the target of the litigation — the defender — often stands mute, from a digital perspective. Commonly, the defender will cede control of the Internet’s messaging high ground to adversaries.”

• autos and social media

“Every industry these days is trying to figure out how to employ social media, but the auto category is being especially scrutinized. The segment is known for its glitzy TV ads and deep pockets, but social media is a field where money will only drive you so far. The big gains seem to come from out-thinking opponents, not outspending them.”

• do you need a ‘content’ counselor?

“For decades, thanks mainly to the power of newspapers, the release and production of news content could be astutely crafted by a PR agency, signed off by a client, and then distributed to the media – all to a schedule, allowing ‘staged news’ to prosper.”

• kenneth cole has “IT!”

“Klout score factors in engagement (tweets, retweets, mentions, reactions) which they call “Reach. Amplification and Network” from an individual Twitter account, but fails to capture the *sentiment* of what’s being said”

• pluggin a band with QR codes

“In the old days, when a musician pushing a new album appeared on a talk show, the host would hold up the album cover, but Jimmy Fallon this week may have started a new trend by offering up a QR code instead.”

• jeopardy gone wild

“When we last left our heroes, Watson and the undefeated Jeopardy champion Brad Rutter were tied for the lead with $US5000 apiece. Ken Jennings, meanwhile, trailed with $US2000. What ever kinks or “jitters” Watson had last night were overcome for the second half of Round 1, as the IBM Supercomputer demolished its opponents so thoroughly, Jennings looked like he wanted to cry by the end. Let’s rejoin the action…”