A Practical 2016 To-Do List for Communicators

We don’t need another “2016 predictions” post, so here is a checklist showing my take on where the top communications topics stand today and what you should either be doing or experimenting with this year. Here goes: 1. Do you have a social media policy in place? One that encourages employees to amplify your organization’s […]

Practically Social Episode 9: “Talking Facebook Advertising”

We’re taking JD/PR’s Podcast Village studio on the road again. This time co-host Charlie Birney and I head to the Lanham, Md. offices of The Sutter Group. We speak with founder Karen Sutter and digital marketing “empress” Rebecca Lombardo. Topics: social advertising, including the latest from Facebook. To see all of our “Practically Social” podcasts […]

JD/PR Wins PR Award for Social Media Command Center

J. Davis Public Relations was among the award winners at the Public Relations Society of America, Maryland Chapter’s annual “Best in Maryland” awards event held Dec. 1 in Baltimore. I was honored to win in the Social Media/Viral Marketing category for the social media strategy I developed and carried out in 2014 for Star-Spangled Spectacular, […]

Practically Social Episode 8: “Lucas Morris and Managing Multiple Social Media Accounts”

In this episode, Charlie and I talk with Lucas Morris from the Brick Companies – I join via Skype. We get cut off! We reconnect! We talk social media, golf tournaments, handling multiple Twitter accounts, databases and more. To see all of our podcasts, visit the Podcast Village website.    

Talking Snapchat, Periscope and Email at the Campaigns & Marketing Summit

While communicators explore Snapchat and live-streaming video, email remains the killer app and televised moments from the presidential debates are still a major force in today’s campaigns, according to presenters at the recent Campaigns & Marketing Summit I attended at the National Press Club. “Instead of being the Snapchat election this has become the three-hour […]

Practically Social Episode 7: “From the Back Booth at Ram’s Head in Annapolis”

My co-host Charlie Birney joins me in Annapolis and we end up podcasting from a back booth at Ram’s Head. Thanks guys, for hosting the show. On this episode, we talk about the growing list of shows under the Podcast Village umbrella and podcasting in general.

JD/PR Book Review: ‘The Business of Podcasting’

I have read many books on social media, PR and other communications topics so it’s time to share my thoughts via short reviews. Here’s my first one, The Business of Podcasting by Steve Lubetkin and Donna Papacosta. I started off thinking, “OK, another how-to book on podcasting, aren’t there lots of those on Amazon already?” […]

Trying to Reach Journalists? Start with Email and Social Media

A new survey of journalists provides insights into the evolution of their use of social media. Of interest to those who are asked to “pitch” stories is the preferred method of contact: U.S. journalists’ top three methods of contact include email (84 percent), social media (33 percent) and telephone (15 percent). U.S. journalists list PR […]

Connecting with Higher Ed Media

I was fortunate to join more than 200 communicators from 163 colleges and universities in D.C. recently for the 29th annual College Media Conference organized by JD/PR client Council of Independent Colleges and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The continued rise of social media and importance of integrating its tools with traditional methods […]

Two Gold Awards for ‘Libby & Art’ Social Media Campaign

It’s always nice to be recognized for a campaign’s efforts, and a national social media program I helped to develop recently won two national Gold Awards in the Association Media & Publishing EXCEL Awards program for “Social Media Innovation and Strategy” and “Integrated Mixed-Media Campaign.” The Power of Liberal Arts campaign (featuring Twitter characters Libby […]