Friday, September 25, 2009

What's Up with China and PR?

If you're like us, you're hearing more every day about the increasingly important role Asia generally -- and China specifically -- is playing for companies of all stripes, sizes and markets.

And also if you're like us, you're hearing from fellow PR pros, client execs and others that trying to get -- and keep -- a handle on the rapidly morphing landscape of media outlets, onlines and bloggers is vexing. And we agree.

One way we stay abreast is through our Asian PR partner -- Techworks Asia. On the ground in Beijing and Hong Kong, and working the region generally, Claire Walker and her team have been managing PR programs there since long before it got white-hot like it is today. We've teamed with them quite successfully for clients ranging from Fairchild Semi to Boston-Power.

We have the great treat of having Claire and her colleague, Karrie Lee, visiting us next week. Part of that time will be spent getting an update on dynamics in the region and how they are or will likely affect companies doing business there.

And what PR execs should know about how best to leverage the opportunities and avoid the missteps.

We figured we'd share the wealth. So, we've invited some of our friends to join in that informal, interactive conversation. We're hosting it next Wednesday, September 30, from 8:30 - 10 a.m.

We've maxed out the conference room in CHEN PR's office space, so we're meeting in the Padanaram Conference Room, Building C, here in our office complex to accommodate folks. That gives us the ability to add a few more friends.

So, if you'd like to participate, drop us a note (ccarleton@chenpr.com) and we'll count you in!

After all, the more insightful people comparing notes on such an important topic the better, right?

Monday, September 21, 2009

WebInno and Bootstrapping PR

The Web Innovators Group events are always fun and eye opening. If you still need affirmation that innovation is alive and kickin' in the greater Boston area, stop by the Cambridge Royal Sonesta on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m.

Chef David Beisel has whipped up another interesting menu featuring the following companies as main dishes:

Book of Odds - When we're watching the Sox, we often marvel at how Remy and Orsillo have all those arcane stats at their fingertips. It sounds like this new website will come in handy, answering questions like, "What are the odds that a major league team will hit four homers in a single game?
Epernicus - Looks like LinkedIn - for scientists!
BatchBlue Software (BatchBook) - CRM for small business. Looks useful.

This meeting also features a a special breakout session at 8 p.m. -- "An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Bootstrapping PR.” Mike Troiano will host a discussion with a media panel including Scott Kirsner of the Boston Globe, Wade Roush from Xconomy, Peter Kafka from AllThingsD, and Bob Brown of Network World.

You can check out the side dishes at the WebInno site.

Labels: ,

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Enjoyable Meeting with PR Peers

Having the opportunity to meet with one’s peers and discuss challenges and opportunities in the PR industry is always interesting and a pleasure to reconnect. Earlier this week I attended a meeting hosted by the Council of Public Relations Firms that included representatives of consumer and technology firms. The commonality and agreement among us was very evident. We’re all seeing “signs of life” in the economy, some beginning to hire again (including CHEN PR), but all also still dealing with the realities of the recession in terms of expectations paired with budgets.

We spent a fair amount of time discussing social and digital media challenges and opportunities. CHEN PR is seeing the impact for all of our clients, regardless of industry. As an example, we announced our client SpaceClaim’s support of Windows multi-touch with a very clever video, created by SpaceClaim. On YouTube, the video now has over 20,000 hits, and has led to broad coverage, spontaneous response and interest from non-engineering media including, the NY Times, CNET, Wired, Gizmodo and Popular Science.