n2n communications

In the past two years I’ve seen more transformation in the PR sector than I have in my entire 10 years of working in the industry.

Today, the PR toolkit is expanding faster than ever with digital, social media, event management, analyst, government and community relations now all important elements of the services we offer to clients.  Add to this the ever-changing media landscape and it’s no wonder we’re busy.  Not only are we required to help our clients keep up to speed with changes but at the same time navigate brands through an increasingly complex communications environment. Read the rest of this post

A story this week in Mumbrella incited some passionate debate in our industry about metrics in public relations.

This is an age old debate in our profession.

Whenever measurement comes up in PR – it invariably focuses on media results. How much media coverage was achieved, audience reach, key message penetration and how it was published are some of the metrics commonly discussed and used. Read the rest of this post

Debate surrounding where the PR function should sit within an organisation is a bit like debate on whether Australia should become a republic. We don’t talk about it every day, but pretty much everyone’s got an opinion.  And just like the republic debate it’s unlikely to go away anytime soon.

According to recent PRIA guest blogger Mary-Lee Sachs that’s not surprising given the rate of change and rising importance of reputation management.

But what does this mean for PR professionals?  Read the rest of this post

It’s ironic that after an incredibly busy week, and one during which I believe our business has produced lots of great results for clients, that I read this article from the CIO of a global company on organisations not having structures to operate fast.

We are a smallish company with lots to learn but here are a few ways we go fast… Read the rest of this post

Dan Kaufman, in his ebook, Dealing with grumpy editors (a media survival guide), gives some straight talking, good advice for PR practitioners. As an ex-editor of the Sydney Morning Herald and various other publications with over 17 year’s experience, he is well placed to provide some practical tips to PRs about what an editor is looking for, how to work with media and how to best represent your clients. His experience has also given him plenty of fodder to demonstrate what a PR should not do, and he doesn’t pull any punches in dishing out his views on worst practice PR.

Unsurprisingly well written and engaging, he is a little tedious at times in his negative feedback on the PR profession, but his tips about dealing with the media are hard to ignore (and may seem obvious, but are a good reminder to us all). Read the rest of this post

In an age where communicating online is the norm it’s easy to forget the value and impact of face-to-face communication. Attending a trade show in Sydney last week however reminded some of us just how powerful it can be in building relationships and communicating messages.

After a day spent staffing back-to-back media interviews for a client we were struck at how refreshing it was to spend most of the day engaging with people in the flesh as opposed to on the phone or via email. The benefits were numerous. No time lag between exchanges, no misunderstanding over responses and a rapport that you just can’t build on a call or WebEx conference. Read the rest of this post

It’s been an exciting week for the carbon debate – we now have a price and an ambitious target of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Businesses have until 1^st July 2012 to prepare for how the price is likely to impact them, and to implement plans to lower carbon emissions or even take advantage of the bourgeoning low-carbon technology and consulting industry.

For some, sustainability already has a role in the business. For others, it will be incorporated for the first time and will bring structural and behavioural change in the way the business is managed and operated. We’re already starting to see roles like ‘Head of Sustainability’ emerge at a board level, and are likely to see sustainability gain a much higher profile. Read the rest of this post

First of all, a cowardly disclaimer.  This blog post will not align itself to either side of the carbon price debate and seeks neither to evaluate the package nor provide any opinion on its pros and cons.

Instead, this post will use the carbon tax debate as a case study of how to create great, strong messaging. 

We were inspired to write this after reading the story on the front page of the Daily Telegraph on 12^th July which showed the Prime Minister sharing a cup of tea with “the only family in Monaro Place, Emu Plains, who are completely sold on the idea.” 

Most interesting are the comments from the carbon tax sceptics. Read the rest of this post

As PR consultants, we spend the majority of our time ingrained in the processes and strategies of many different brands and organisations (and some fantastic ones at that).

But if we are to continue to generate great results for clients, there has to be time for us to reflect as PR consultants. That’s why the focus for this year’s n2n offsite was…us!

The charming surroundings of the Southern Highlands and a magnificent French/Moroccan house provided the perfect backdrop for us to bunk down for a couple of nights and, as a team, reflect on our key organisational values:

• Have a go

• Go the extra mile

• Mutual respect

• Take responsibility

• Driven to succeed

• And last but not least…have fun Read the rest of this post