04.30.06
Posted in General at 11:51 pm by Paloma Cruz
News University is offering a class on Freedom of Information. It’s free for registered users of the site:
What will I learn? Freedom of information is instrumental to journalism and essential for democracy. This course teaches you how to use the Freedom of Information Act, Public Records Laws and Open Meetings Laws to uphold your right to know the government’s actions. Learn not only the details of FOI laws in your state, but how to use FOI to write better stories today.
News University offers training for Journalists and is part of The Poynter Institute for Media Studies.
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04.29.06
Posted in General at 11:17 pm by Paloma Cruz
This may not impact the way we do business, but the Examiner Newspapers were recently bought out by the Houston Community Newspapers.
The Examiner newspapers, which are printed for West University, River Oaks, Bellaire and Memorial, will join the HCN network of 31 newspapers reaching more than 635,000 households.
Anyone who deals with small newspapers has worked with HCN. If you have something that goes out in West U, or the surrounding areas, you’ve also worked with the Examiner. I don’t think there’s an overlap between the two right now, but I don’t know for certain. It’ll be interesting to see if this changes things.
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04.21.06
Posted in General at 12:36 am by Paloma Cruz
I’m thinking, hard, about going back to get my master’s degree. I’m not certain that it will be in communications. I may just decide to get a degree that will give me some options if I get burned out. Or maybe not.
In the meantime, this post by Forward Blog discusses if recent graduates need to get their master’s degree immediately:
I think it would be a tremendous plus to be able to directly apply what you learn in grad school to your company. I also think it would help you remember the information better because you use it immediately. Am I saying I won’t remember the information if I don’t have something to apply it to immediately? Not necessarily. But it certainly gives the lessons another dimension.
I think the real question in the student’s mind is “Do I have to get a full-time job before I start graduate school to be successful?” I say no. I am confident that there are people out there that went immediately to grad school and are successful today. There is no doubt in my mind. But would it have been easier for them if they had a full-time job first? You’ll have to ask them.
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04.19.06
Posted in General at 12:28 am by Paloma Cruz
Is formal training necessary for a public relations professional? Forward Blog argues that it is:
Nevertheless, I raise the issue because PR students need to be aware of a significant trend in the profession: simply stated, and it does not matter whether one works in house or on the agency side, PR practitioners today are being stretched to their limits, and being asked to do far more than ever before by their clients and/or management teams. In other words, PR pros may be asked, perhaps even required, to design and execute an advertising campaign; develop an investor relations outreach program; pull together a high-level customer event; conduct media tours of sophisticated manufacturing facilities; interpret financial statements for a reporter from Investor’s Business Daily; or author an ironclad non-disclosure agreement. All of the aforementioned tasks require significant marketing and business school knowledge — information which, generally speaking, is not covered in undergraduate PR programs. In my day-to-day responsibilities, I have to cover all of this ground (my employer likes to operate lean), and there is no way I would be able to do so, or understand the subject matter, unless I had the education that made it possible.
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04.17.06
Posted in General at 11:33 pm by Paloma Cruz
The recent online blog wars have brought up the question of whether and when you should respond to online criticism. I’ve dealt with this issue from the point of editorials, but having to deal with commenting and blogging attacks is something new.
Darren Rowse, of ProBlogger, explains why he always responds, even to angry posts:
- I’m amazed how quickly some people back down when they know you’re actually reading them.
- I think it’s important in terms of reputation to give your perspective
- I’m amazed by the power of a reasoned response to a frenzied, angry and attacking post when it comes to finding new readers.
I haven’t yet decided if it’s worth it to respond to every attack, but I do think that responding when your reputation is called into question may be advisable. On occasion.
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04.12.06
Posted in General at 1:36 am by Paloma Cruz
Rumbo announces new structure, personnel for newspapers
– reported by the Houston Chronicle
The Spanish-language Rumbo newspapers in San Antonio, Houston and the Rio Grande Valley have announced new personnel and distribution changes.
The newspapers are available free to readers in all three markets effective today. Previously, the newspapers cost a quarter.
Rumbo also is doubling its number of distribution points and providing free home delivery. The company is increasing its Houston distribution to 230,000 copies weekly and its San Antonio distribution to 120,000 weekly. The Valley edition will have a distribution of 60,000.
[snip]
The PR pro in me wants to know: will this mean increased opportunities for stories?
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04.11.06
Posted in General at 6:26 am by Paloma Cruz
Calendar of Events from the Houston Chronicle for the week of April 10th:
Tuesday
After Hours Network — Meeting. 6-8 p.m., Doubletree Guest Suites, 5353 Westheimer. Speaker: Genie Hayes, Americans for Fair Taxation. Topic: It’s finally time for a fair tax. Cost: $10. Information: Jon King, 713-981-9595, or www.afterhoursnetwork.com.
Houston Networking News Women’s Group — Meeting. 5:30-8 p.m., D’Wine Restaurant, 4304 Midlane. Speaker: Houston City Councilwoman Addie Wiseman. Topic: HNN Women’s Group second anniversary celebration. Cost: $10-$15. Information: 281-778-6661 or rdyoder@houstonnetworkingnews.com.
Wednesday
American Marketing Association — Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane. Speaker: Darrel Heagar, Time Warner Cable. Topic: Marketing convergence. Cost: $18-$45. Information: www.amahouston.org or Amanda Gatell, amanda.gatell@weatherford.com.
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Posted in General at 12:15 am by Paloma Cruz
The Houston NetSquared Meetup Group
This will be the second Meetup for The Houston NetSquared group!
We’ll use this meeting time to get to know each other, discuss current online technology trends and the future of non-profit technology adoption.
This month we’ll dive into some local programs that have helped Houston residents connect with online technologies, in the hopes of advancing education, job searches and quality of life initiatives.
Jim Forrest, of the Technology for All organization, will be joining our non profit technology conversation as he discusses various Houston technology outreach programs and the potential for technological growth in the non profit sector.
From low-income community wireless Internet access projects to Community Technology Centers across the city (and in the Astrodome for hurricane evacuees), TFA has long been an active advocate of closing the digital divide for all members of society.
This will be a great meeting to dive into some of the work that has already been started in the Houston area – and a great time to brainstorm for new ideas and projects. Look forward to seeing you there!
When:
Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 7:00 PM
This is United NetSquared Meetup Day
2006-04-11 07:00:00
Where:
Stag’s Head Pub
2128 Portsmouth St.
Houston , TX 77098
(713) 533-1199
More information:
http://www.netsquared.org/
Notes:
The Stag’s Head Pub (www.stagsheadpub.com) will be a great meeting place for us with a nice back area for us to chat, great food and drink and, most importantly, WIFI!!
So feel free to bring your laptop - visualization is good!
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04.10.06
Posted in General at 11:21 pm by Paloma Cruz
New Loudmouth PR agency hopes to make high-tech noise
– reported by the Houston Business Journal
What’s the result when a couple of loudmouths with the same name get together? Houston’s newest high-tech public relations agency.
Michelle Herskowitz and Michele DeGuerin Luke have teamed up to create the Loudmouth Group.
And while the firm has a unique name, so does its model, Herskowitz says.
“You need someone loud to break through the noise,” she says.
The agency is affiliated with NetStrategy, a technology business incubator. As an incubator start-up itself, Loudmouth is able to rely on NetStrategy’s support services, such as seed funding.
At the same time, the agency provides public relations for the incubator as well as the developing dot-coms and Internet-related start-ups there.
“From day one, we had a half-dozen clients,” Herskowitz says.
Loudmouth hopes to net clients outside of NetStrategy, but will specialize in
[snip]
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04.02.06
Posted in General at 1:46 am by Paloma Cruz
I’m always intrigued when the media makes the news. Especially when they make the news for items that aren’t news-related.
The Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals has entered into a partnership with Continental Airlines that the Houston Business Journal thought was worthy of a write-up.
The Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals and Continental Airlines have formed a new business partnership.
The agreement will give the Houston-based airline “official airline” status for the association’s major events from March 2006 through March 2007.
Whenever HAHMP members attend an event in conjunction with the organization, the airline will provide tickets at a reduced rate, according to Vicente Arenas, president of HAHMP.
In addition, Continental (NYSE:CAL) will provide in-kind tickets to be auctioned off at HAHMP’s 20th annual Sylvan Rodriguez Scholarship Gala on Friday.
Interesting. Giving free stuff to journalists, even discounts, always brings up the question of whether or not this will give you some leeway the next time they cover you. I’ve never found this to be true, but it always brings up the possibility.
Anyway, just an item to share.
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