Nov 01
The strange failure of OWS on social media
The Occupy Wall Street (OWS) protesters supposedly speak for 99% of us. Some reports in the mainstream media, such as
3 min read
Paul Seaman
Analyst and PR consultant
Oct 31
Debating the future of CSR
I have just been to Italy. I went on a slow-paced Swiss train from cloudy Zurich past Zug and then
4 min read
Sep 05
In defence of the right to PR representation
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) believes that every person or organisation has the right to have its voice heard in the global marketplace of ideas. But adds PR firms shouldn't work for dictatorships. There goes China where the state owns most things! The PRSA can't have it both ways.
3 min read
Jun 20
How pat PR sells clients short in a crisis
Richard Levick, CEO of Levick Strategic Communications says that in a crisis the first 24 hours are critical. But plenty of proper crises unfold over days, weeks and even months. There is often nothing to be done in the first 24 hours bar trying to find out what's going on.
5 min read
Jun 13
Hairy Days for Journalism
On the night of Wednesday 8th June, Alastair Campbell issued a stark warning to British journalists. Speaking ‘in conversation’ with
13 min read
May 31
FIFA's Mr Blatter's PR skills are formidable...
Mr Blatter has shown how to come out fighting and win by sticking up for reality and by repelling media freeloaders from taking control of his ship. He won't be bullied no matter how big the headlines get decrying him and his organisation.
4 min read
May 14
When "friends" fallout over "dirty tricks"
The worst thing about the squabble between Burson Marsteller and Facebook was how each blamed the other for resorting to "dirty tricks". Questioning a client's integrity is not a good image for our trade. The denial from Facebook also did the firm no favours.
3 min read
May 13
My new-improved site...
Welcome to my redesigned online review. It's got one big new feature: it handles essay-length material better. These
1 min read
May 04
What is Public Relations About in the 21st Century?
Mar 17
Reset for nuclear PR
The worst case "media-generated scenario" for Fukushima goes on getting worse every day, nevertheless, we ought to be bold. Indeed, dammit, I'll risk being cocky by suggesting some robust messages and talking points in support of nuclear energy.
4 min read
Mar 13
Media suffers a Fukushima meltdown
The scenes were on a scale hardly envisaged by a Hollywood disaster movie. Yet that’s no excuse for the media’s seeming loss of nerve and perspective over the troubles at Fukushima nuclear power plant.
3 min read
Mar 12
Living and working at Chernobyl, 1995/6
I have selfishly mixed feelings about the discovery of Europe’s best-protected nature reserve surrounding Chernobyl. My joyrides in a speedboat observing the fish, birds, grazing animals and natural shoreline brushed by rushes, trees and beaches, may not be so special in future.
5 min read