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The Business of WordPress

Last week I attended a conference at the Georgia Tech Research Institute regarding the business of WordPress. Now I, along with many interested in the blogging arena, am familiar with WordPress. It immediately pops into our heads as an option for a free blog platform, comparable to Google’s Blogger. Well, I left the conference a changed person, shame on me for thinking all WordPress offered was a basic starter template.  

Recently WordPress released version 3.0 and has transformed into, as some would say, a defacto-standard platform for business, government, education and nonprofit websites throughout the world. To throw out a few numbers, did you know that WordPress has 45 million installs, 70 million plug-in downloads and 35 billion page views? In addition WordPress hosts a number of big name sites including, CNN’s Political Ticker; Dow Jones’ AllThingsD; NFL; Time Inc’s The Page; People Magazine’s Style Watch; famous bloggers like Mark Cuban, John Scalzi, and Joy Behar; corporate blogs for Flickr and KROQ; and many more. The open source CMS is unlike any other platforms and combines ease-of-use for end users, ease-of-styling for designers and ease-of-extension for developers. No longer are we looking at a simple blog platform - WordPress is now aiming to meet a number of business web presence needs.

Ok, enough with my commercial, please know I simply find it interesting and wanted to share. While I encourage you to check out 3.0, I would also like to encourage you to keep an eye on the events and conferences coming out of the technology community throughout Atlanta. I learned about this conference through Trevelino/Keller’s involvement with Start-Up Council as well as through my membership to the Startup Atlanta MeetUp group. Our local technology and start-up community offers an endless amount of opportunities for entrepreneurs, students and business professionals to learn more about programs, strategies, trends and tools to help them further their success from what’s going on in Atlanta’s backyard to interacting and collaborating with international companies.

A few groups to keep an eye on include:

·            Advanced Technology Development Center

·            Startup Atlanta

·            Start-Up Council

·            Atlanta Tech Angels

·            StartupLounge

By Carrie Crabill

Happy 10th Anniversary, GPS!

I was recently flipping through the latest issue of Fast Company when I noticed the short write-up from Erica Westly (find her on Twitter, @westlyer) about the 10^th anniversary of GPS’s nonmilitary expansion. It’s hard to believe that May 2 marked a decade since the military-designed satellite network was massively opened up, allowing civilians to use GPS technologies and companies like TomTom and Garmin to turn into billion-dollar empires.

And while the time may go by fast, I’m fascinated with how quickly our society can adapt and harness the power of new technologies. Just think in the past 10 years not only have we utilized GPS technology to get us from one place to the next but now we are using it to find restaurants, the cheapest gas stations, map trails, connect in social media via millions of mobile and desktop applications, the article even states that you can use GPS technology to track lost pets, and have you seen that Verizon Wireless commercial about the mom mapping where her daughter is in the mall? Not only do I now have the capability to know where I am, I also have the power to find out where my friends, family members and pet cat, fluffy are! Is it sad that I can’t remember the last time I looked at a traditional paper map?

Tying GPS technologies into social media, this week there was an article in the New York Times about Foursquare, a location-based social network, and how brands are using this tool to further connect with customers to provide them with information and deals they want. As the article states, through smartphones that signal someone’s location, stores and brands are getting live information about when and where people are shopping.  Allowing companies to turn  Foursquare into a virtual loyalty marketing program or create a location based application that offers customers discounts or other rewards for shopping.

It is amazing how a technology like GPS can be taken a step further and allow businesses to directly connect with and open communication with customers, no matter where they are located.

If you’re interested in reading either of these articles, find Erica’s Fast Company write-up here, http://bit.ly/aCmS2T and the New York Times article here, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/business/media/29adco.html?ref=media.

Have you used Foursquare or any other location based social media applications? What are your thoughts?

By Carrie Crabill

It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye…

On April 16, 2010, Reed Elsevier, parent company to publications Restaurants & Institutions and Chain Leader, announced that they were closing down both magazines for good.  In addition on April 20, Foodservice Equipment and Supplies also announced they were shutting its doors.  As a public relations practitioner with several clients in the food and beverage sector, I was saddened and surprised at the sudden closing of three of my favorite trade publications.

When these three pubs closed, I couldn’t help but to think about all the food and beverage trade publications I outreach to everyday.  Not only did these three publications close, Nation’s Restaurant News went from once a week to bi-weekly and other magazines have significantly downgraded their amount of staff members and even circulation.  Does this indicate the restaurant industry is suffering and there is no need for these publications?  Not according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2010 Restaurant Industry Forecast released earlier this year.  In the report, restaurant industry sales are projected to reach $580 billion this year, a 2.5 percent increase in current dollars over 2009 sales. 

As a member of the PR Realm, I have seen that restaurants continue to be strong contributors to the recovery of the nation’s economy.  Although amidst these closings, I am hopeful for the addition of many food and beverage publications in the future, especially as the economy continues to improve.  Still booming Fast Casual Magazine, QSR Magazine and even Nation’s Restaurant News continue to be a great source of industry news with great features on the most popular and fastest growing concepts in the United States.

So, although it’s hard to say goodbye, I am thankful to those publications that are remaining active through the down economy and bringing restaurant concepts to life through the written word.

By Kelly Ronna

Happy Birthday to Earth Day

This week marks the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day. Originally founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970, Earth Day is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment.

The first Earth Day was created as a nationwide teach-in day to educate students on the rising concern about the environmental crisis. According to the Earth Day Wikipedia page, approximately 20 million Americans participated and thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment.

Today, with sustainable practices being encouraged year-round including regular lesson plans in schools to teach students of all ages the importance of recycling and the impact emissions has on our environment, Earth Day has taken on a more commercial meaning, creating a premier marketing platform for selling a variety of goods and services that are “better” for the planet. 

It’s undeniable that over the past 40 years, companies and marketers have risen to Senator Nelson’s challenge and incorporated more sustainable products and messaging into their portfolio. But, what influence has this had on the consumer, what changes have they made since the inception of Earth Day? A cover article on this week’s Advertising Age, titled “Earth Day is 40 Years Old. What Headway Have We Made’” takes a look at consumers waste and recycling habits over the past four decades and highlights data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealing the changes consumers have made over the years that have a positive impact on Earth. Here are just a few of the encouraging statistics from the article:  

• Between 1994 and 2008, the total amount of waste from containers and packaging barely rose, while a 33% increase in recycling actually drove net waste down 13%.
• For non-durable goods, such as baby wipes, diapers, magazines, newspapers and direct mail, from 1994 to 2008, such waste increased a mere 4%, but a 66% increase in recycling resulted in a 12% reduction in net total waste.
• With the growing number of energy efficient appliances, products that have earned the EPA’s Energy Star Program seal of approval, have decreased energy use by the equivalent of 30 million vehicles on the road – equaling around 164 million metric tons of greenhouse gases or a 3% reduction in the country’s total emissions as of 2008.

Overall, from the article I gained that consumers are still purchasing harmful products at an immense rate, but there has been a significant improvement on how consumers are disposing their purchases which means they understand that we all need to pitch in if we want to live on a safe planet in the furtue, but there’s still a long ways to go. As the article says, “we’re not doing very well still, but the forward outlook is very sunny.”

In addition to our green practice, that lets us work on green clients, here at TK we do our part in reducing our impact on the environment by being carbon neutral, incorporated a recycling program in the office, purchased a water cooler to reduce the consumption of bottled water, ensure that everyone’s computers, lights and other electronics are turned off when not in use, pay more and more attention to organic and sustainable food, and most recently we invested in a new air conditioner that conserves energy use while still being able to keep us cool in the summer. What type of environmentally conscious practices do you do at work and at home to help preserve our planet?

By Colleen Murphy

Is there any social media etiquette?

As David Armano points out in a recent article from the Harvard Business Review, in 2009 we saw exponential growth of social media. According to Nielsen Online, Twitter alone grew 1,382% year-over-year in February, registering a total of just more than 7 million unique visitors in the US for the month. Meanwhile, Facebook continued to outpace MySpace. There is no question that we will continue to adapt and mold with the world of social media and eat-up new technologies and more efficient applications that are introduced to our daily lives.

While I’m a true fan of social media and you can find me on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Ning, commenting on videos on YouTube, uploading pictures to Ohio States O-H-I-O page (can I get a “go Bucks”?), sometimes I’m taken back by how many conversations I can juggle at one time. But is that a good thing? It’s not just tasks we’re juggling anymore, folks, it’s conversations . . . all those balls in the air, they have now officially multiplied. Did you respond to the most recent RT on Twitter? What about that person who commented on your status on Facebook a few days ago?

Those of you who know me well know how much I value communication. I am a talker and I love to be in conversation with others whether that’s via phone, social media outlets or in person. But now, as I’m hashing all of these things out in my head maybe the real question is -- what is the “PC” way to handle communication via social media?

It’s a known fact that if someone calls you and leaves a voicemail message, the courteous thing to do is to return the call. If someone sends you an urgent email, you respond. But what is the appropriate response to a RT or a status comment? Do they require a response? If so, in what time frame am I required to respond before it’s considered “too late”? And what topics are taboo? Some people are posting topics they would never bring up at a cocktail party such as religion, politics, personal hygiene and health issues.  Is this OK? Or can I politely “unfollow” someone whose views disturb me in any way? Miss Manners hasn’t written the book on online conversation etiquette. I write this to start the discussion. I’m curious, what are your thoughts? Are there any set standards for social media etiquette?

By Carrie Crabill

 

Olympic Dreamin'

I’m obsessed with the Olympics. Ever since I was a kid (and there were only 3 channels) I become a fan of every sport in the Olympics, wanting to watch nothing but that. Even today, when I have 500 channels and a DVR, the only thing on TV for me during these two weeks is the Olympics.  I had the privilege of being in Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympics and, being young and without children at the time, I took great advantage of them.  I can attest that particularly the Jamaicans and Irish absolutely know how to celebrate.
 
In 1996, too, I had many friends in Public Relations working different aspects of the Olympics. Some of it was “grunt work” of handing out flags or client-branded pencils to passerby, but what a great professional experience nevertheless. The atmosphere in the Olympic venues was wonderful.  
 
Here are my favorite Winter Olympic events to watch on TV:

Snowboarding/Half-pipe: OK, so I admit I have a completely age-inappropriate crush on Shaun White ever since that Fast Company cover story last year. But that’s not the only reason I love the sport. It’s just cool. Something I never was. So maybe watching it makes me just a fraction cooler? I watch the X-Games for the same reason. I can’t wait for its Freestyle Snowmobiling to make it to the Olympics!  
 
Biathalon: This sport is simply primal. Shooting at a target, racing through the snow, then shooting at another target. You can just see that the origins of this sport obviously spurred from necessity vs. the want for a game. I can imagine cave men with spears trudging through the snow and tossing spears at the animals for food. But you had to be the fastest and the sharpest shooter to feed your family or the spoils went to someone else.
 
Freestyle Arial: These are the high jump skiers who then flip themselves around in the air and land like they are just getting out of bed, nice and easy. I wish I had the moxie to try a sport like this. But the closest I’ll ever come is the big slide at the playground, I think.
 
Short Track (Speed Skating): This is fun to watch because it’s rock and roll on skates. Roller derby on ice. The bumping, the elbows, the crashes and the occasional bloody gash all make for constant entertainment.
 
The Fashion: I LOVE all the uniforms designed by Ralph Lauren, etc.  The snowboarder pants on the U.S. team this year win, however, for coolest uniform.

What's your favorite winter Olympic sport?

By Kira Perdue

A Decade Shaped by Technology

When I stop and think about it - it startles me to realize how much of my life revolves around technology. From my Verizon Wireless Blackberry to online music database managed by LaLa.com, technology follows me everywhere I go. And I love it. As a creature of habit, influenced by a technologically advanced society, I don’t know how I made it through the day ten years ago when I couldn’t easily access Google on my mobile phone.

Recently eWeek listed out the top 25 technologies that they believe changed the past decade, while admittedly there are some things on the list that 1. I don’t know what they are and 2. I have never heard of before -- there are others that I thank the IT geeks for creating because I don’t want to know life with out them. Some of the more familiar items on the list include:

·            3G Broadband -- allowing me to travel pretty much anywhere and still be able to find out how long it takes to boil an egg or what time it is in China (yes, I’ve done both, thank you again, Google mobile browser)

·            Blackberry -- I think there should be a sonnet called “Ode to Blackberry”

·            Gmail/Google Apps -- as if I haven’t already expressed my love for Google

·            Social Networks -- you make life easier. I now know what my roommate from college who lives 5 states away had for dinner last night. What more could you ask for? But in all seriousness, social networks keep us connected no matter where we are or what we’re doing. Whether it’s a common hobby, working in the same industry or graduating from the same high school -- these social networks allow us to easily keep in touch with all of our different communities.  

·            Twitter -- please see my previous post for my thoughts on Twitter. http://www.pr-speak.com/my_weblog/2009/06/win-them-over-with-a-smile-or-a-tweet-.html

To read eWeek’s complete list of the top 25 technologies that changed the decade check out the article here, http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Enterprise-Applications/25-Technologies-that-Changed-the-Decade-363376/.

So now, what couldn’t you live without?

By Carrie Crabill

February = Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Girl meets crown prince of some mythical kingdom; they share love’s first kiss and live happily ever after….or so claims the Disney propaganda that’s passed down to children as lessons in love. Unfortunately, they soon learn life’s not a fairytale. Cellar maids don’t become royalty, the world doesn’t spontaneously break out into song and dance, and the prince and princess in stories aren’t always charming.

In real life, one in three teens experience dating violence; and 80% of parents are unaware there’s a problem. Teen dating abuse has become such a large-scale national issue that 10 states (including our own) have passed laws against this type of violence and 14 others are bring up similar legislation. Congress also has taken both notice and action by recently proclaiming February 2010 as “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.”

Locally, a new awareness campaign – Letter To My Child – is adding fuel to the nationwide movement to increase public awareness by issuing a ‘call to action’ to Georgia parents, asking they play an active role in keeping their dating preteens/teens safe through communication.

Created as an extension of Verizon Wireless’ domestic violence awareness philanthropic platform (HopeLine), Letter To My Child encourages Georgia parents to open up the conversation regarding healthy relationships and defining unhealthy behaviors by sending a letter to their child. To help parents and family members get started, the campaign’s site, lettertomychild.org provides sample letters, statistics and links to other resources where to find more info and assistance.

Have you talked to your child yet about dating abuse?

Consider observing the first National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month by writing your own letter to your child to let them know you’re there for when they need you. Write a letter, share it with other parents through lettertomychild.org and help keep youths safe from dating violence.

By Brenda Becker

Will “Become a Fan” for Food

On January 25, Einstein Bros. Bagels announced the launch of its “Free Bagel Bonanza”.  Beginning yesterday, consumers who become fans of the Einstein Bros. Bagels Facebook page (www.facebook.com/einsteinbros) will receive a digital coupon valid for a free bagel and shmear. 

By using this social media promotion, in just 24 hours, Einstein has gained thousands of new Facebook fans.  Talk about the power of social media!

Social media has proved successful (at least to date) as a great new way to for a company to market its offerings. With most companies designing Facebook pages to look more like interactive websites, they are quickly learning the importance of creating a place to build relationships with current and future customers.

As I looked through my Facebook pages, I started to think about why I joined most of my pages.  The answer became clear as I scrolled down and realized I am a “fan” of over twenty restaurant concepts.  You may ask why I would become of fan of so many pages and the answer is simple - all of these pages offered me free food.

Free food has proven to be a successful way to gain new Facebook fans over the past several years.  Shane’s Rib Shack hosted a four-month long series of Facebook and Twitter promotions that offered free food in exchange for becoming a fan of its page.  This promotion gained new followers and gave customers a way to try many different items from Shane’s menu.  Another concept, Stevi B’s Pizza used free pizza as a way to gain its first 1,000 fans.  By offering a coupon for a free pizza buffet in exchange for becoming a fan, in less than 72 hours, Stevi B’s hit its 1,000 mark and continued to grow.

Besides the allure of yummy treats, there’s another reason that these campaigns tend to take off. For whatever reason, restaurant pages are some of the most popular pages on Facebook in the first place. As I found in The Big Money Facebook 50, people like to be affiliated with their favorite pizza, candy, and soda companies. So, when these companies kick off a promotion, it tends to make an even bigger splash.

All I know is all these pages are making me hungry.  Today, I am eating my free four-cheese bagel with my lunch, and tomorrow the search begins for the next fan page to join.

By Kelly Ronna

2010 PR Predictions

In a recent submission to Media Bistro, Trevelino/Keller responded with its agency and industry predictions for 2010.

1) In 2010, I expect my business to be up/down/flat, and here's why.

We expect our business to be up considerably in 2010 ... along with many agencies who experienced a decline in 2009.  With that said, we believe those firms with the strongest reputations as specialists, be it skill (vs generalist firms) or industry, will see the biggest rebounds.

For Trevelino/Keller, we are receiving a great response for our ability to integrate social media and public relations strategies into a cohesive brand and sales-driven platform.  Practice specialists in those industries that saw declines in 2009 -- food/beverage/restaurants in particular -- will see stronger lifts.  We are already anticipating a strong January start with new food/beverage clients.  Pure green business or green-related business will be strong in 2010 in part as a result of stimulus dollars and incentives.  And technology, particularly early stage companies, will deliver increased revenue opportunities.  We hit the ground running in January with two new tech clients.

2) In 2010, I expect there to be more/less acquisitions in the PR industry, and here's why.

We expect to see more acquisitions.  The country is scattered with once strong small firms who have been weakened by the economic fallout.  Many will remain weak and vulnerable into 2010 and rather than go under or become freelancers again, we see an increased openness to selling.
Larger agencies will see it as an opportunity to increase their numbers, geographies, skill sets and talent.

3) The biggest PR story of 2010 will be...

I'm afraid the biggest "PR" story as it relates to media coverage will be the return of Tiger Woods ... the good, bad and ugly of it.  Who ever steps into the role of PR consultant or agency to manage that story will at least fall into the top 10 of most covered stories.

More important, the biggest business story in the industry isn't a new story but continues to be the integration of social media and public relations into the business mainstream.  There remains a debate as to who owns social media.  We believe PR owns it and that will become increasingly clearer in 2010.

By Dean Trevelino