Streetcar Publicity (and Politics)

The Idaho Statesman is reporting that Cronin & Associates has been selected by the City of Boise to conduct a publicity campaign for the city’s streetcar plan.

The campaign is budgeted at $90,000 and is expected to be approved at the City Council’s regularly scheduled meeting, according to the paper.

Interestingly, although not surprisingly, the Idaho Statesman is also quick to take a political slant with this news, noting that founder Brian Cronin is a State Representative (D), and has been involved in Democratic politics, working on campaign staffs for Mayor Bieter and Jerry Brady.

The Art that is Storytelling

Recently I came across an article on MediaPost by Vanessa Horwell, titled Storytelling is an Art.  It was written from a PR perspective, but the author touched on “the art of communicating and storytelling, whether it’s oral, aural, visual or in words,” and it’s a theme that extends far beyond just the PR realm:

Good storytelling can incite emotions, can make us buy triple-stack hamburgers when we’re not hungry or cause our minds to create fantastic what-if scenarios. Good stories can make us cry, laugh or feel sick. Even better, good stories can make journalists pick up the phone or hit the reply button to our emails, saying, “Tell me more, I want to know.” They are the reactions that good storytelling can invoke, and I don’t think that’s something we can do with a micro-tweet or pushing a one-size-fits-all template that’s been approved by corporate because it’s safe and sounds good to the CEO.

Our clients demand more results from us than ever before. As consumers, we’ve become more demanding and less forgiving. So as communicators, we really should know better. We don’t want to be sold to or have stuff pushed in our faces. We want stories that make us “feel,” which is exactly what our communications to media should also do.

Take some time to read the entire article.  Then, ask yourself this question: How good is the story that you are telling for your clients?

PRSA Idaho Event: Social Media Marketing and Integrated Campaign Planning

UPDATE: The event location is now confirmed (see below), and we got word this morning that this is now SOLD OUT.

Among other things, the transition from summer to fall means that it’s once again time for the local professional organizations to ramp up their events and activities.

Case in point:

PRSA Idaho is holding their first fall meeting on Tuesday, October 6th from 11:45 – 1:15: Social Media Marketing and Integrated Campaign Planning.

During this discussion-based program, we will address varying degrees of roles for social media in an integrated PR/communications campaign. Topics to be explored include:

  • Social media strategy—How to keep it consistent with the umbrella strategy
  • How to use social media to achieve campaign goals
  • Traditional vs. 2.0—when is one methodology more effective than the other?
  • When is too much too much?
  • Social media measurement—Tools and tips

Also included will be a review of the “What’s the Real Cost” campaign from Regence, the “Stay on Trails” campaign from Idaho Forest Service, BLM and Idaho Parks & Recreation, and the “Cruising the Loop” family trip from Idaho Department of Tourism.

Details are as follows:

Date:  Tuesday, October 6th
Time:  11:45am – 1:15pm
Cost (including lunch):
– Members: $8
– Non-Members: $10
– Students: $6
LocationTBD, depending on the number of responses The WaterCooler, 1401 W. Idaho St, Boise.

If you’re interested in attending, be sure to RSVP to Robbie Johnson by phone at 208-387-6228, or by email.