Okay, I know the word “PRublishing” is little hokey, but after some recent client efforts, conversations and new business meetings, one thing is becoming very clear: marketers are ALL OVER the idea of creating content that can be targeted to specific audiences to drive their business. The marriage of PR and online publishing (PRublishing?) will continue to dominate our industry as it matures over the next year or so. THP has just launched its first digital magazine on behalf of a client. Right now if…
Read MoreThings you probably didn’t know (or care to know) about me. I love Richmond native D’Angelo. I also love—to a lesser degree—Grantland.com writer Rembert Browne, who in my opinion is one of the funniest music/pop culture writers out there. So you can imagine my excitement last week when this happened. (Browne wrote about D’Angelo. I know, right?!?) I was expecting to read about how amazing D’Angelo’s newest album, Black Messiah, is live. What I got was a lesson in corporate branding. Stay with me. The…
Read MoreOne of the first things we do here at Hodges during our onboarding process with a new client is to sit down with them to learn their story — usually a personal narrative that naturally progresses into and reflects the brand’s story. For those of us in media relations, storytelling is essential to what we do. After all, once you get the attention of the media, what’s next? It’s telling the story — one that is compelling enough for the media to share with their…
Read MoreLast week, CVS made a bold move in deciding to no longer sell cigarettes in its 7,600 stores nationwide. The decision garnered CVS beaucoup earned media, including much praise and perhaps a little criticism. But some of that praise, including from CVS vendor and global PR powerhouse Edelman, blew right past hyperbolic, calling the decision courageous. In a guest column this week on The Future Buzz, our own Caroline Platt explains why this is a smart business move, not a courageous act of civil disobedience….
Read MoreAlthough I’m only 30, I’m an aspiring curmudgeon. Nothing brings me more joy than getting on a soapbox and ranting about the absurdity of things. My coworkers love it. (Read: I regularly interrupt my coworkers with rants they couldn't care less about.) Well, I recently was perturbed by something that was too important to share with only the select folks at THP. So without further ado… Conversations around public relations can quickly devolve into esoteric nonsense. Go to enough PR workshops, luncheons or conferences and…
Read MoreWatching your son or daughter spill their drink at dinner is frustrating. Watching them spill an $8.95 gimmick drink at a theme restaurant is even more so. Watching your server witness spilled drink and not offer to refill it? Frustrating enough to dampen the whole night out – in addition to some 50-odd napkins. I’m the type of person who stays quiet but has a long memory when it comes to customer service, which for me continues to be among the most crucial elements of…
Read MoreWe at The Hodges Partnership have been developing a luxury practice over the last couple years. As with most things, the perception of luxury depends on the lens used. I wanted to take a moment and discuss what luxury means to us and why we are so passionate for this sector. If you turn to the dictionary, you will find definitions of abundance, extravagance and the enjoyment of pleasures or comforts that are not absolutely necessary. Some equate luxury with items bearing exorbitant price tags. Others…
Read MoreIf you are a Facebook marketer like me, today is like Christmas (or for me Chanukah) in February. Because Facebook Timeline for Brands is here and we have a month before it kicks in for good, whether we're ready or not. At first blush (here's the THP page) it is pretty much what we expected with: The new cover photo offering great promotional opportunities The ability to highlight stories for greater impact The ability to minimize or totally edit past posts to tell your story…
Read MoreIt's been awhile since the last post but things have been busy at work and with spring break (Hogwarts was very fun). I welcome you all back with news of two fun events on the horizon. The first is an honor to be a part of, as we're sponsoring the event. She may not know this but there are few people who have influenced me and in turn the direction of our business, than Amber Naslund (@ambernaslund). Almost three years ago when I dove into the…
Read MoreOne of the most viewed posts in this blog's two-plus year history was one I wrote on Richmond and the concept of creativity. Posted early last March, I made the case that Richmond's "brand" should not rely on its history but on its future and that future should highlight the strong creative community that exists here. The reaction and comments I received from that post were stunning to me with most in favor of the idea and making suggestions as to how we could harness…
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