Online Public Relations Thoughts

Friday, December 20, 2024

Reality Sets In

It's one thing to make promises on the campaign trail. It's another to govern. For Trump yesterday, reality set in.

# posted by Jim Horton : 6:45 AM

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Bad Omen

The Dow plunged yesterday and is in the longest losing streak since 1974. So much for an optimistic view of the economy. The Federal Reserve has concluded that inflation is stubborn and is not coming down to the two percent level as planned. Hence, fewer rate cuts in 2025. President Trump will have a restive citizenry on his hands when he is inaugurated and his actions and words will either improve or worsen the situation. No one knows at this point, but one thing is clear. If he starts to meddle with the Federal Reserve, he will make things worse. One hopes he is smarter than that.

# posted by Jim Horton : 6:52 AM

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Sinking

Will this keep developers from building more high rises along Florida's coastline? No. Where there is money to be made, they will continue until something major happens and the government stops them. Capitalism has little concern for the future.

# posted by Jim Horton : 7:48 AM

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Too Much?

Was there too much PR at the rededication of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris? Some think so, but it was still a coup for LVMH.

# posted by Jim Horton : 6:44 AM

Monday, December 16, 2024

Getting Ready

The mainstream media are getting ready for the Trump presidency. They anticipate a rough time from his administration and they will get it. Nevertheless, they are dedicated to reporting the facts whether the facts support Trump's views and behavior or not. It's not going to be easy and editors will insist on thorough corroboration of details as they should be doing already. Mainstream media's safety will be meticulous processes of vetting before publishing while social media vomit misinformation and lies. There are bound to be mistakes but it will be a measure of professionalism to admit them quickly and repair copy rather than fighting a losing battle. The next four years (and maybe, more) will be a test of integrity and whether the mainstream media can maintain it.

# posted by Jim Horton : 6:48 AM

Friday, December 13, 2024

Forbidden But Still Seen

Authorities can forbid people to watch or read material but on the internet, the data will come out. Such is happening in Israel with a documentary comprising police interviews of the Prime Minister and associates. Viewing the material is forbidden due to privacy concerns but Israelis are watching it anyway. It's better to be transparent from the beginning rather then hiding and to manage communications if at all possible.

# posted by Jim Horton : 6:55 AM

Thursday, December 12, 2024

PR Challenge

Here is a PR challenge for authorities in New Jersey. How do you communicate about mysterious drones when you don't know who is operating them and what their purpose is? New Jersey citizens are worried but there isn't much to say other than the authorities are taking reports of sightings and discussing how to bring them down. That is hardly enough to get to the bottom of the puzzle, but there isn't much more to say at this point. Everyone is baffled by the overflights, and they are enough to launch a thousand rumors and conspiracy theories that can't be countered until more is known. PR challenge indeed...

# posted by Jim Horton : 6:54 AM