The North Carolina Museum of Art (@ncartmuseum) has been in the local news a lot lately because of its recently opened $73 million expansion. Architect Thomas Phifer and Partners designed the building that, according to reporter Julie Iovine from The Wall Street Journal, looks like “a nondescript storage hangar sitting across a tarmac piazza.”  The beauty lies inside though, where Phifer’s goal was to blend the building into nature while placing all attention on the art. The new building has an array of gardens and high-tech skylights that help to bring the outside in. The new structure “requires attention and time for the beholder to engage with its pleasures,” says Iovine. ”But they are plenty and easy to savor.”

Though the building itself is remarkable, public relations must be thanked for the large role it’s played in generating the museum’s positive press and successful outcomes. So far the expansion has been featured in media across the country, including The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Record, Newsweek, The Early Show on CBS, The Boston Globe and World Architecture News.  Imagine if these publications had not run stories on the museum. I doubt that the museum would have seen the more than 9,000 visitors on opening day.

Also impressive is the art museum’s website and use of social media. The museum runs a Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Vimeo and Blog. Events are even planned to incorporate the use of social media. As part of the grand opening celebration, visitors had an option of participating in the “digital guru grand opening adventure” that was geared toward those who are early adopters, tech-savvy, social media obsessed and into contemporary art and design.

The use of PR by the museum shows how important the field really is. PR makes it possible for visitors to easily stay updated with events and new exhibits through social media networks. Visitors are also encouraged to support the museum through all of the positive press it receives.  The NC Museum of Art is truly an amazing place for art lovers to visit and is a perfect example of how to use PR to constantly connect to visitors and keep them coming back for years.

photo credit: The North Carolina Museum of Art

I became a newcomer to the whole Twitter realm a few months ago, but I have become a fanatic ever since. I promised myself I would never give in, but eventually did for business reasons (or so I told myself). Now it has become the 3rd website I visit every time I turn on my computer, following Facebook and e-mail. I started out following just my friends, and have since moved on to become a full blown Twitter-er . I now follow the likes of Barack Obama, Dane Cook and The Script, just to name a few.

Twitter has also become a useful tool for large and small businesses, and people of all walks of life to promote their products or services through the social media outlet. But is there a point where great PR becomes unsafe? Take Justin Bieber for example. He has become one of the most influential pop artists of the year with millions of fans that live off of his every word.

On May 3, 2010 Kim Kardashian started tweeting about having “Bieber Fever.”  Bieber referred to Kim as his “girlfriend” at a White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, and they tweeted pictures together. It didn’t take long for Bieber’s fans to not take kindly to this. Kardashian started getting death threats from Bieber’s fans to the point where she had to ask Justin Bieber to make them stop via his Twitter account.

Other celebrities have also spoken out against problems with Twitter as well. Twilight star Kristen Stewart had her own choice words about this new Internet craze in her interview with Flaunt magazine:
“Twitter [Edited for content, this is a PG blog!] me over every day of my life. Because people go, ‘I’m sitting next to Kristen Stewart right now’ and then they show up. I see people on their phones and I just want to take these cookies and throw them. It’s like ‘Get off your [Edited for content] phone and get a life!’ I get so mad. It’s like you’re trampling on someone’s life without any regard. And it’s rampant. Everyone can do it now. Buy a camera and you’re paparazzi; get a Twitter account and you’re an informant. It’s so annoying,” said Kristen Stewart, in Flaunt magazine.

So when does Twitter stop becoming a great PR tool for people and become a harmful tool that can lead to problems with privacy and one’s own personal safety? My suggestion is just like anything these days: keep it professional and make sure you understand how to use the privacy settings. Celebrities lead lives with little to no privacy, but that’s not an excuse. Everyone can make a strictly business account to promote their newest business ventures and a separate personal account for you and your friends. Always be on guard with what you are releasing into the World Wide Web so you don’t end up being attacked by crazed Bieber fans for getting too close to him.

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

Initially I was nervous. The store actually scared me. Do people really buy “organic old world sprouted wheat bread?” Does it matter where the honey in my honey bear comes from? Why are people paying $17 for a bag of pistachios? And, most of all, why does everyone seem incredibly proud to be shopping here?

Well,  a few years later I can proudly say that I have converted and am a devoted follower of  Whole Foods Market. And I am not alone. According to their twitter account Whole Foods has over 1,770,00  followers (@WholeFoods). In fact, Whole Foods’ fan base has helped them to rank number four in Famecount’s “Top Social Network Stars.”  I did some research to see why this is and was very impressed with what I found. I began on Whole Foods’ Facebook page where I first noticed their fan base of over 260,000 fans. This page quickly led me to their Twitter account, Youtube account, Flickr account, blog and newsletter. So that is why they are a social network star! It did not stop there though, on the Whole Foods website I found a list of local stores that operate their own Twitter accounts. My Raleigh store even has their own Twitter (@WholeFoods_Ral) with over 1,800 followers.

Whole Foods’ use of social media is an amazing example of the possibilities within Public Relations. There are so many diverse ways of reaching out to people and showing them what you are all about. In the end, however, it all comes down to the brand itself.

When I first began shopping at Whole Foods I noticed this spirit among the shoppers. Now I know that they genuinely do have store spirit, they are proud to be shopping at and supporting this brand. Whole Foods customers stay loyal to this brand because of its mission, values and standards. They relate to it and are able to actively participate within the brand.  Many are truly in love with this brand.

So how did Whole Foods rank as the number four social networking star? They gave their customers what they wanted and enabled them to fully interact with the brand. They created every possible outlet to stay connected with their devoted fans, and in return, the fans began participating more and recommending Whole Foods to their friends and family, which contributed to the expansion of the fan base.

Whole Foods should be an example to every company. In order to get a good grasp on social networking, the brand must first give their customers exactly what they want. The followers will then search for ways to get involved and stay updated on-line.

Photo Credit: That Other Paper

by Amy Gretenstein

Normally this blog acknowledges the good and the bad of the local PR scene. We occasionally make note of some national PR movements, but mostly we’re pretty self-centered (in a positive way!).  But today I want to highlight the awesome PR efforts the social media world, especially Twitter, are doing in relief efforts for the Nashville flooding.

Not only have charities started trending topics (Sofias Heart Foundation has been trending on Facebook and Twitter), but many have taken to spreading ways to assist the relief efforts.

Twitter has also offered to be a place to voice harsh criticism that the mainstream media are not doing enough to cover the flooding. Anderson Cooper made note (@andersoncooper From ac: been getting a lot of emails saying “where is the media” in TN covering the flooding. They are right. We haven’t done enough on it) and offered a live chat about the situation.

What has impressed me the most has been the outpouring of celebrity activism that appears to be for the good of Nasvhille and not just an opportunity to get more spotlight time. Nashville’s sweetheart, Taylor Swift, has noted how devastating the flood’s destruction has been on the landmark Grand Ole Opry  (@taylorswift13 Please keep Nashville in your heart. Seeing a picture of the Grande Ole Opry (sic) halfway underwater was a kind of heartbreak I can’t describe.)

Moreso, Kenny Chesney took to the airwaves to talk about the flood and how to help out. (@CNN Kenny Chesney talks to CNN about the Nashville flood, his own riverside property being flooded and appeals for help… http://ht.ly/1HP5Z)

Others, such as Michelle Branch, have been expressive of their concerns and offered to help in different ways. (@michellebranch May or may not be playing a top secret show to raise money for flood victims tomorrow. You didn’t hear it from me;) who else wants to play?)

Even national brands have taken to Twitter to show their efforts. (@Verizon: We deployed mobile comm stores in Nashville to support those affected by flood connect w/family http://bit.ly/daBBXY)

In my search of the Twitter trends, I even found news outlets in other countries reporting on the devestation. @PubliMetroMundo, of recently rocked Chile, “Residentes hallan desolación al regresar a sus casas en Nashville http://bit.ly/9u6Vtt” (Translation: Residents find desolation when returning to their homes in Nashville)

This is just another powerful example of the impact that social media can have on news, natural disasters and how our ever growing community responds.

Photo: mherzber

The recent suicide of Phoebe Prince, a 15-year-old girl from western Massachusetts, has sparked an overwhelming amount of conversation and debate about the responsibilities of schools in bullying situations.

The controversy all started when it was determined that Prince hanged herself this past January after enduring months of bullying and torment from her peers. The six students that were involved in the situation are now faced with felony charges including statutory rape, assault, violation of civil rights resulting in injury, criminal harassment, disturbance of a school assembly and stalking.

The main controversy is not revolving around the students and their actions however, parents from across the country are questioning the involvement of the high school and the measures the staff could have taken to stop the situation before it ever resulted in suicide. While there was a certain amount of “cyber-bullying” that occurred, the majority of the taunting took place “on school grounds during school hours.” What could the school have been thinking to let such harassment go on for so long? Regardless of their inaction, experts say the adults at the school will not be held accountable because they didn’t break any laws, but the incident has encouraged Massachusetts to join the other 41 states that have anti-bullying laws.

Public relations has played a substantial role throughout this entire event. First, the suicide portrays the negative effect social media can have when used with malicious intent. While the majority of the bullying occurred at school, the students reportedly posted mean comments to Prince’s Facebook even after she committed suicide. Light is shed on both the powers and dangers of social media and the written word through this “cyber-bullying” phenomenon. Also, when word began spreading of the incident and parents demanded change, social media provided an outlet for people to voice their concerns. Videos and blogs were posted, and Facebook fan pages were created that provided angry parents and teens the platforms they needed to voice their concerns and rally for change.

It just goes to show how, when used correctly, social media can have an inspiring effect. It can bring people together and be utilized to make a difference. Unfortunately, social media also has a darker side which people like Phoebe Prince have experienced firsthand. Good or bad, there is no denying the power that lies behind the use of social media.

Photo Source: Doktory

It’s almost as if Google is having communities do their marketing for them. With localized campaigns and attention-grabbing publicity stunts, cities around the nation are competing for the chance to be Google Fiber’s community of choice.

Google Fiber is the Internet giant’s latest venture to the frontiers of the computing and the Internet. By building and testing a fiber-optic network in trial location(s) across the country, Google is promising to deliver Internet connection at unimaginable speeds (1 gigabyte per second! which is more than 100x faster than the average American has access to, and 20x faster than the highest speed available from Verizon).

Durham emerges from the bullpen

Among the most enthusiastic candidates nationwide is one of our very own: Durham, N.C. Within 24 hours of Google’s announcement in early February, the Bull City’s citizens started work putting together a submission and brainstorming creative ways to put Durham at the top of Google’s list. With no time wasted, a Facebook page was launched, “Bring Google Fiber to Durham, NC.” Shortly after, HiFiber Durham was launched – a website aggregating all of the city’s campaign efforts—and began tweeting, blogging, and posting videos on YouTube.

The response from individuals was equally timely and robust, with dedicated blogger Bull City Rising making an extensive argument for why Durham would be a great match (Google’s gigabit fiber gambit… and why Durham would be up for the challenge), and campaigners joining Frank Stasio at the American Tobacco District downtown for an interview on NPR’s The State of Things (“Give Us Google!”). A few weeks and some large-scale planning later, some 700+ residents gathered in the American Tobacco District on March 18, this time at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, in brightly colored shirts to spell out Google on the field for an aerial photo.

Both teams with a great pitch

In the midst of the hype, both sides are demonstrating great public relations. Durham has undoubtedly flexed its marketing muscles with a strong presence online (perhaps the only thing missing would be some Google Buzz-ing?) and community gathering events.

Google is no marketing dummy either. By offering to service an entire community with reliable, high-speed internet, Google is positioning itself as the provider and generous sponsor of a project that could revolutionize education, research, business and medicine. The experiment is at once both a major innovation in technology, as well as a great step forward for development and advocacy. A partnership between Durham and Google would prove to be very strategic… Batter up, HiFiber Durham!

Photo source: Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau

by: Mallory Pfeffer

Animal rights have always stirred up some sort of controversy (think PETA and its avant garde campaigns). The killer whale who just recently killed a trainer at Sea World has certainly ignited debate regarding the captivity of animals, so organizations such as PETA and Friends of Animals have  been given something current to talk about. Well, to add to the recent drama in regards to animal protection, an animal shelter in Robeson County, N.C. is receiving national attention and a multitude of negative publicity.

ABC11 Eyewitness News reported on the situation surrounding the Robeson County Animal Shelter and its treatment of animals. The situation all started when a video was found on YouTube which showed animals being “brutally euthanized” by shelter workers. The catch is the video was recorded 13 years ago and, according to current shelter director Jeff Bass, the facility has undergone drastic changes since then to ensure humane sedation methods.

The public isn’t buying it. Animal rights activists and organizations alike are lashing out against Bass. One group, MJ’s Animal Sanctuary, is even calling for an investigation on the grounds that they have evidence proving the shelter’s continued wrongdoings. Individual animal advocates are the ones who seem to be lashing out the most however, Governor Beverly Perdue’s Facebook wall has been taken over by complaints.

Thousands of people have posted comments about the situation and are urging her to take action against the shelter. Some have written extensive paragraphs regarding animal cruelty and actions the state should take to prevent such incidents, and others are simply asking Perdue to “please do something.” The governor responded to the outcry by assuring the public that her office has contacted the Commissioner of Agriculture’s office and the Robeson County Sheriff.

It seems like a huge mess at first, but there is actually a lot of good public relations at work. It is empowering to know that current trends in social media allow the public to voice their opinions directly to the people they think should hear. Concerned animal advocates were able to flood the governor’s office with  their grievances via Facebook and actually receive a response, however minimal it may have been.

On the other side of the issue, Bass has done well to maintain his composure and respond to the situation. He has calmly stated to reporters that “he keeps detailed records…and will gladly share them with animal rights advocates if they ask him and not accuse him,” but he refuses to have his face shown on camera because he has already received countless threats. Even though he is remaining somewhat anonymous, he is not keeping quiet. He is not pointing any fingers or trying to duel with the opposition, he is simply telling the facts as he knows them.

It’s certainly refreshing to see public relations tactics used appropriately.

Photo Source: garrardhumanesociety

Today’s generation is often criticized for having a short attention span.  According to some psychologists and neuroscientists, the explosion of social networking sites like Facebook, instant messaging, and blogging (especially compacted micro-blogging tools, like Twitter), is a detriment to society. The conventional complaint goes: with more and more people at their computers or in front of the television, we are quickly losing the ability to have real life conversations, and certainly not conversations about anything of substance. But wait.

Tonight in downtown, an event called Ignite Raleigh might just prove the experts wrong. Ignite is a sort of variety show—an evening of inspiring, creative, interesting talks and presentations—from members of the very generation accused. The idea is a bit like TED, another online draw that provides streaming videos (often around 20-30 minutes) of “riveting talks by remarkable people” (TED’s motto). The difference is that Ignite is local—attended, presented at, and lead by people interested in hosting and participating at one in their city or town. More importantly, the talks only last five minutes.

Individuals are allowed to share their passions at an Ignite event informed by the motto, “Enlighten us, but make it quick.” Presenters are given five minutes to talk, with 20 slides up for 15 seconds each. Talk about a short attention span!

This will be Raleigh’s second Ignite event, with a total of 15 presentations given within 2 hours (from 7-9pm) by community speakers and featured speakers alike (including a WRAL meteorologist and Miss NC USA 2010). The topics range from “20 Rules for Start-Ups”  to “Why the Triangle is America’s Hotspot for Way Cool Houses” to “NerdGirls Unite! Fact: Women Don’t Have to Be Lame.”

For those interested in opinions from the social media savvy, a few of these talks might catch your attention:

“What happens to your digital identity after you die?”; “All media is social. You are no expert. Go read McLuhan”; and “Anti-Social Media: Breaking Connections for Fun and Profit.”

… even if only for five minutes. The @Ignite Raleigh event is also all over Twitter (#igniteraleigh), if you just can’t focus for that long.

Photo source: Ted Leung

Following the footsteps of social media giants Facebook and Twitter, Google has just released a social media tool of their own:  Google Buzz.  So what’s the hype about?

Much like Twitter and Facebook, Google Buzz allows space for the expression of thought.  Twitter, however, places a limit on length, allowing a mere 140 characters at most.  And while Facebook is wildly popular among all ages groups, its interface is confusing to many new users.

Google has taken social media a step further and created the perfect mixture of the two.  The most obvious advantage of Google Buzz is its ease of access.  What better way to gain users than to automatically connect it to their Gmail accounts?  I know that as soon as I saw that colorful little circle appear under my inbox, I clicked to learn more.  And here’s what I found:

1. Instant friends - Google Buzz suggests following the people that you most often connect with on Gmail, making it easier to find people that you already know.

2. Easy linkage – Though you can’t link to Facebook to Buzz, other sites are widely accepted, including Twitter and Flickr.

3. Buzz for mobile – The Buzz mobile app uses GPS to find your exact location, enabling you to connect with other Buzz users in the area to find out what’s going on.

4. Simple design – Unlike the confusing looks of Facebook and Twitter, Google Buzz uses a clean design, allowing for conversations to begin that feed directly into your Gmail.

With all of these capabilities and more, Google Buzz has opened a new door in the realm of public relations possibilities.  Practitioners have already begun a working list of PR tactics using Google Buzz, ranging from mobile abilities to search engine tags to easy sharing.

Mashable claims that this buzz-worthy site has already changed the name of the game, warning companies that ignoring it could be a “costly mistake.”

Of course I love my Facebook and Twitter pages, but with all the recent hype after only two weeks, I can’t help but think Google Buzz might be something worth looking into.  As Google continues to correct privacy issues and add newer and better features, Buzz has real growth potential in the PR world.

One question remains: how will Facebook and Twitter respond?  (read: PC World)

Photo Source:  Matt Hamm

Let’s face it, Facebook is practically unavoidable nowadays. People are using it to stay connected to friends and family, play games or form groups. Companies are using it to advertise, raise awareness or network. I personally use it to peruse through albums my old friends from high school have posted to see how much they’ve changed. One thing is certain–it’s a fabulous PR tool and almost everyone is either using it or talking about it.

As we all are beginning to see more and more, Facebook has a darker side. You’ve heard the warnings, be careful what you do, say or put on Facebook because somebody somewhere is watching. Even President Obama has warned our nation’s youth to be weary of Facebook. Well, for one Apex teacher that “somebody” just happened to be a disgruntled parent, and what she said on the Web site has her in a bit of trouble.

The situation started after Melissa Hussain’s lesson on the theory of evolution to her eight-graders at West Lake Middle School. After the lesson a student allegedly placed a Bible and note that said Merry Christmas, with “Christ” underlined, on Hussain’s desk. She wrote of the incident on her Facebook page, also including how she considered the performance a “hate crime.”

The parent who was interviewed for the story by WRAL stated that Hussain also said that she has “a meeting with the (possible) Bible boy on Monday…Heaven help him, [she is] still so mad at that child!”

Hussain is now suspended with pay while Wake County Investigates the situation, and she is left with no one to thank but Facebook. While she had every right to be upset about the note and Bible, perhaps she should have been more careful about posting her feelings. Unfortunately, it seems as if the absurdity surrounding political correctness has filtered into social media. Hussain was just a person, on her own personal page, commenting on something that happened during her day.

Is it possible that Facebook has become so widespread that regulations need to be established within organizations to ensure employees are using it appropriately? Could it be that our freedom of speech is about to be met with even more limits? Well I certainly hope not. While Facebook is credited with the power to connect us all, it seems that it also has the power to disconnect us and rupture our communication.

Students, professionals, employers beware, somebody somewhere is watching you so be careful with what you do, say or post.

Photo Source: jelene