Smart Goal Setting for 2010 
This post proves that setting “SMART” goals is always timely. To ensure success and empower ourselves to achieve both our professional and personal goals, goals need to be specific, measureable, attainable, relevant, and fit within a defined time frame.
When It Comes to Brands and Content, Simplicity Matters 
The practice of using simple language to engage and connect with a target audience has always been an important part of solid communications. However, this is often easier said than done – especially for PR professionals working in specialty fields where communicating complex information is the norm. Few people have little patience for jargon and pretentious language. And this is equally true for journalists and bloggers who are often working under tight deadlines. This post reflects on several questions savvy PR professionals must ask themselves before pitching “Aunt Edna” and “Uncle Walt.”
Snooki’s Appearance at Rutgers
The New York Daily News: Walker/WireImage; Polich/Getty
Whether good PR or poor reputation management, Rutgers University’s decision to have reality-TV star, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi educate its students on the benefits of tanning, self-esteem, and partying hard had the web abuzz with speculation about the April Fool’s Day release. However, when validity of the story soon emerged, The University soon found itself in the center of a controversy, not just for inviting the reality TV star (best known for being punched in the face at a bar and being arrested for disorderly conduct) to the campus, but for paying her $2,000 more than Nobel Prize winning author Toni Morrison, who will speak at the university’s graduation ceremony in May.
The Evolution of Media Measurement 
Jim Grunig, professor emeritus of public relations for the Department of Communication at University of Maryland, shares some of the biggest changes that he’s seen in the growth of the industry and the evolution of media measurement. As PR and marketing professionals seek to move beyond mere program evaluation, there is growing interest in measuring the effects of media and client relations on marketing communications – demonstrating longer-term value of the communication function to the organization. Grunig shares how in this video interview with BurrellesLuce’s Johna Burke at the 2011 PR News Measurement Conference.
A Personal Success Story for Using Twitter to Connect with Clients 
Organizations and brands are working to not only push their messages out via channels such as Twitter and Foursquare, but also are using social media to truly connect with consumers in meaningful ways. Macy’s and Home Depot are two examples of organizations who monitor social media and encourage consumers to expand the conversation and take additional calls to actions – proving that companies and brands can do a better job of using social media tools to connect with clients, prospects, and even friends.
