Skora Running was founded in 2008. It manufactures high performance, minimalist running shoes. In late August 2016, Skora disappeared, which led to a lot of speculation on reddit (Skora Running – bites the dust?). On April 20, 2017, Skora announced they secured an investor and were relaunching. Here’s the CEO’s letter. The initial letter promised products would be available in October 2017 … Read More
Why you should follow your target reporters on twitter
If you’re not already, I highly suggest following your reporters on Twitter. Our goal is to personally connect with reporters and make it as easy as possible for them to cover our stories. In my PR 101 Workshops for General Assembly Los Angeles, I recommend my attendees spend 80 percent of their time researching what reporters cover. While researching past … Read More
Why reporters don’t want to speak with your CEO
Companies want to secure publicity to drive sales. Makes sense. The assumption though is everyone, including the media, wants to hear about how the company or product is changing the industry. That’s why CEOs and the PR folks that represent them push for setting up general deskside briefings with reporters. Here’s the problem – the desk side briefing/get to know … Read More
Do I need a press release?
To distribute a press release or not, that is the question. I just came across a new news distribution service primarily aimed at small businesses that will, in their words, “reshape” the PR industry. The company was started by two MBA students who spent $700 to distribute a release and only got two local stories in return. Here’s the thing … Read More
Book Review – Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business
I picked up Barbara Corcoran’s “Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business.” I can see why it’s a national bestseller. To provide some context, Barbara was one of 10 children growing up in a three flat house in New Jersey. She made her money in New York real estate (sold her company for $66 million). … Read More
Media Training Tips – The Spike Jonze/BBC Interview
It’s Academy Award season and that means the marketing machine for top movie contenders is in full gear. In case you missed it, here’s an interview between the BBC and Spike Jones courtesy of @LAist regarding Her. And while it’s pretty awkward, it provides some good media training lessons for businesses: Not everyone likes your product. That’s a tough pill … Read More
500 Small Businesses Gather at Network Hack Meetup
On Monday, January 20th, I attended Pay it Forward for Business’ (PIFbiz) Networking Hacking. Six Networking Groups – the Santa Monica Chamber, New Tech Happy hour, the LAX chamber, the Swedish American chamber, Tech in Motion and PIFbiz – came together with a focus on paying it forward. I met several interesting people, but three companies in particular jumped out … Read More
PR 101 Class for LA Small Businesses Set for 2/13/14
Want to grow your business in 2014? Want to generate more awareness of your company with your customers? Want more content for your facebook and twitter feed? This Dabble class is designed to help small businesses with limited budgets learn the ins and outs of securing stories in newspapers, e-newsletters, blogs and even television. The class is scheduled from 7:00 … Read More
Stand up & media pitching: Is this mic on?
Ever send information to reporter and feel like all you’re getting back is the sound of crickets?I recently caught a friend’s stand up performance at Flappers Yoohoo room in Burbank. After the show, I recognized some similarities between stand up comedy and media relations. Getting people to laugh and getting a reporter to write your story isn’t as easy as … Read More
Quality Time With PR Minds
On Saturday, December 9th, I participated in PRSA LA‘s Quality Time with PR Minds. The event pairs PR professionals with local non-profits with limited budgets to brainstorm ways to address their critical marketing challenges. It’s a fantastic program. I kicked around ideas with two organizations. Net Impact uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems throughout greater … Read More