Wednesday, September 01. 2010
10 Yetis Examples of Good and Bad Public Relations - Wednesday 1st September 2010
Hey everyone, I hope you had a good bank holiday weekend.
Here are my Good and Bad PR choices for today,
Charlo
Good PR:
Good PR today goes to Phillips; they commissioned a study with over 3000 parents to reveal what are the top 10 most common fibs parents tell their children to make sure they eat up all of their vegetables. Common lies include ‘Eating carrots helps you see in the dark’, ‘Eating crusts will make your hair curl’ and ‘Spinach will give you muscles like Popeye’.
Now I know what you are thinking, pretty obvious fibs and nothing too shocking. I would agree with you, but this research made its way on to a lot of relevant websites, including the Mail and Express, many with live links too. Considering the study was commissioned by AVENT Phillips, a leader in parenting and baby products, I think that it is great PR!
Bad PR:
It is a sad day in Top Gear's head office today, so to help put a smile on their face I am giving the bad PR award of shame to HarperCollins. As the BBC lost their court case today, on September 16th Ben Collins will release his autobiography and reveal that for many years he was the legend that is The Stig, on Top Gear...mystery over.
Now, HarperCollins communications manager is claiming that Ben should be entitled to his ‘freedom of speech’ and that consumers will enjoy the read. Well, while they are at it, why don’t they force Iggle Piggle into releasing an autobiography telling kids that not only is he just a giant puppet, but Father Christmas isn’t real and the Easter Bunny is a fake! What is wrong with a little bit of imagination, huh!!!
Here are my Good and Bad PR choices for today,
Charlo
Good PR:
Good PR today goes to Phillips; they commissioned a study with over 3000 parents to reveal what are the top 10 most common fibs parents tell their children to make sure they eat up all of their vegetables. Common lies include ‘Eating carrots helps you see in the dark’, ‘Eating crusts will make your hair curl’ and ‘Spinach will give you muscles like Popeye’.
Now I know what you are thinking, pretty obvious fibs and nothing too shocking. I would agree with you, but this research made its way on to a lot of relevant websites, including the Mail and Express, many with live links too. Considering the study was commissioned by AVENT Phillips, a leader in parenting and baby products, I think that it is great PR!
Bad PR:
It is a sad day in Top Gear's head office today, so to help put a smile on their face I am giving the bad PR award of shame to HarperCollins. As the BBC lost their court case today, on September 16th Ben Collins will release his autobiography and reveal that for many years he was the legend that is The Stig, on Top Gear...mystery over.
Now, HarperCollins communications manager is claiming that Ben should be entitled to his ‘freedom of speech’ and that consumers will enjoy the read. Well, while they are at it, why don’t they force Iggle Piggle into releasing an autobiography telling kids that not only is he just a giant puppet, but Father Christmas isn’t real and the Easter Bunny is a fake! What is wrong with a little bit of imagination, huh!!!
Tuesday, August 31. 2010
10 Yetis Examples of Good and Bad Public Relations - Tuesday 31st August
Friday, August 27. 2010
10 Yetis Good and Bad PR - Friday 27th August 2010
Thursday, August 26. 2010
10 Yetis Examples of Good and Bad Public Relations – Thursday 26th August 2010
Wednesday, August 25. 2010
10 Yetis Examples of Good and Bad PR - Wednesday 25th August 2010
Tuesday, August 24. 2010
10 Yetis Good and Bad PR - Tuesday 24th August 2010
Monday, August 23. 2010
10 Yetis Examples of Good and Bad Public Relations - Monday 23rd August 2010
Good afternoon all, it's me Gabrielle in the Good and Bad PR hot seat today. I'm hoping that the weather is better there than it is here in the Shire where the words torrential and downpour seem to be an understatement. 
Good PR
Tesco is continuing its attempts of World domination by opening up a drive thru store. Customers will now be able to place orders online and pick up their order in stores at an allotted time.
The trial launches at Tesco's Baldock Extra store in Hertfordshire today. If it is successful it may be rolled out to additional areas.
Customers order their shopping as usual on the Tesco.com website, choosing the "Click and Collect" option and booking a two-hour collection slot. Customers will be able to collect at anytime inside this two-hour window.
Seems like a bit of a farce to me, but it is a great idea that separates Tesco from all the others.
Bad PR
Today I was a little torn between whether I think this is in fact good or bad PR. I am in fact talking about the X Factor which stormed its way back onto our screens on Saturday night, sounding a bit more in-tune than normal. This is because editors on the show auto tuned many of the contestants during the post production process thus making all the acts sound better than they actually were.
Chiefs on the show have admitted that they had used technology to auto tune the voices of the acts but put it purely down to the fact that there were so many mics used on the show. What I don't understand is how all of a sudden they need to do this when the format is exactly the same as last year where the technology wasn’t needed.
A spokesperson for the X Factor said that "The judges make their decisions at the auditions stage based on what they hear on the day, live in the arena." Err...what about the viewing public?! I thought this was a show for us?! No...ah well, provided them with blanket coverage so all publicity...
Good PR
Tesco is continuing its attempts of World domination by opening up a drive thru store. Customers will now be able to place orders online and pick up their order in stores at an allotted time.
The trial launches at Tesco's Baldock Extra store in Hertfordshire today. If it is successful it may be rolled out to additional areas.
Customers order their shopping as usual on the Tesco.com website, choosing the "Click and Collect" option and booking a two-hour collection slot. Customers will be able to collect at anytime inside this two-hour window.
Seems like a bit of a farce to me, but it is a great idea that separates Tesco from all the others.
Bad PR
Today I was a little torn between whether I think this is in fact good or bad PR. I am in fact talking about the X Factor which stormed its way back onto our screens on Saturday night, sounding a bit more in-tune than normal. This is because editors on the show auto tuned many of the contestants during the post production process thus making all the acts sound better than they actually were.
Chiefs on the show have admitted that they had used technology to auto tune the voices of the acts but put it purely down to the fact that there were so many mics used on the show. What I don't understand is how all of a sudden they need to do this when the format is exactly the same as last year where the technology wasn’t needed.
A spokesperson for the X Factor said that "The judges make their decisions at the auditions stage based on what they hear on the day, live in the arena." Err...what about the viewing public?! I thought this was a show for us?! No...ah well, provided them with blanket coverage so all publicity...
Friday, August 20. 2010
10 Yetis MD Andy Barr Gives Snake Wrangling A Go
Andy Barr, our Managing Director, can be found on the back page of this week's issue of PRWeek. Whilst some may think his knowledge of PR and the media may have landed him in such a publication, he’s actually being commended for his bravery.
After strolling out in his garden last Friday, Andy found himself in the face of danger when he came across an unknown species of snake. After documenting his discovery on Twitter and posting images of the beast, it became clear that Andy should have called in outside help, such as that of the RSPCA, to come and remove said snake.
Not fazed by the warnings of colleagues, friends and family, Andy decided to take the matter into his own hands. Literally.
Hugo the office Dog looked on in awe as Andy made a grab for the intruder, not before gasps of ‘Crikey!’ and ‘Isn’t she a beauty’, and before long had it safely contained in a nearby Tupperware box. He then ventured into the wilderness and set it free, away from any residential areas, in order to protect the public.
Some say the spirit of Steve Irwin joined Andy on that fateful Friday 13th, but whatever happened something is now very clear. 10 Yetis don’t just do PR, we do PR and wrangle snakes.
If you find a snake in your garden that needs removing, don’t hesitate to dial the following number; 0800-ijustfoundasnakeandneed10yetishelp
Andy Barr in PRWeek
After strolling out in his garden last Friday, Andy found himself in the face of danger when he came across an unknown species of snake. After documenting his discovery on Twitter and posting images of the beast, it became clear that Andy should have called in outside help, such as that of the RSPCA, to come and remove said snake.
Not fazed by the warnings of colleagues, friends and family, Andy decided to take the matter into his own hands. Literally.
Hugo the office Dog looked on in awe as Andy made a grab for the intruder, not before gasps of ‘Crikey!’ and ‘Isn’t she a beauty’, and before long had it safely contained in a nearby Tupperware box. He then ventured into the wilderness and set it free, away from any residential areas, in order to protect the public.
Some say the spirit of Steve Irwin joined Andy on that fateful Friday 13th, but whatever happened something is now very clear. 10 Yetis don’t just do PR, we do PR and wrangle snakes.
If you find a snake in your garden that needs removing, don’t hesitate to dial the following number; 0800-ijustfoundasnakeandneed10yetishelp
Andy Barr in PRWeek
10 Yetis Examples of Good and Bad Public Relations - Friday 20th August 2010
Emma's picks of today's Good and Bad PR...
Good PR
Technology super-powers Dell and Hewlett Packard have hit back at claims that the technology sector would see a fall in demand by announcing impressive profit increases in the past quarter.
Whilst HP reported a net profit increase of 6% to £1.14bn, Dell experienced an impressive 16% increase, making its second quarter net profit £351m. The profits are particularly good PR for the companies, considering the comments made by Cisco boss John Chambers who had recently warned of the “unusual uncertainty” in the recovery of spending in the technology sector.
Bad PR
Today’s Bad PR goes to the Hollywood lady of the moment, Cameron Diaz; who has been unfortunately named the "most dangerous celebrity on the internet."
Internet users searching for Cam-Daz, as I like to call her, apparently stand a one in ten chance of pulling up dodgy websites in their search results. Wallpapers and photos of the star are likely to carry the risk of viruses; as, according to research, when searching the words “Diaz” and “screensavers”, 19% of the website results contained malicious downloads. Other ‘dangerous’ celebs included Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Gisele Bundchen; with internet spammers using the names of popular celebrities to lure innocent users into downloading malicious software.
Unlucky Cam, you’re obviously the celeb of choice for dangerous computer viruses the world over. At least you’ve got your looks, though.
Good PR
Technology super-powers Dell and Hewlett Packard have hit back at claims that the technology sector would see a fall in demand by announcing impressive profit increases in the past quarter.
Whilst HP reported a net profit increase of 6% to £1.14bn, Dell experienced an impressive 16% increase, making its second quarter net profit £351m. The profits are particularly good PR for the companies, considering the comments made by Cisco boss John Chambers who had recently warned of the “unusual uncertainty” in the recovery of spending in the technology sector.
Bad PR
Today’s Bad PR goes to the Hollywood lady of the moment, Cameron Diaz; who has been unfortunately named the "most dangerous celebrity on the internet."
Internet users searching for Cam-Daz, as I like to call her, apparently stand a one in ten chance of pulling up dodgy websites in their search results. Wallpapers and photos of the star are likely to carry the risk of viruses; as, according to research, when searching the words “Diaz” and “screensavers”, 19% of the website results contained malicious downloads. Other ‘dangerous’ celebs included Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Gisele Bundchen; with internet spammers using the names of popular celebrities to lure innocent users into downloading malicious software.
Unlucky Cam, you’re obviously the celeb of choice for dangerous computer viruses the world over. At least you’ve got your looks, though.
Thursday, August 19. 2010
10 Yetis Examples of Good and Bad Public Relations – Thursday 19th August 2010
Wednesday, August 18. 2010
10 Yetis Examples of Good and Bad PR - Wednesday, August 18th 2010
Tuesday, August 17. 2010
10 Yetis Good and Bad PR - Tuesday 17th August 2010
10 Yetis - why Tony Blair's donation is brilliant PR
No modern political figures have evoked such public emotion as Tony Blair and his seemingly lesser-minded former Special Relationship partner, George W. Bush.
So when the man the media dubbed ‘Bliar’ announced he was to be donating the proceeds from his upcoming memoirs ‘A Journey’ to the British Legion’s to-be-built Battle Back Challenge Centre, it was no doubt going to cause a stir.
Just to give readers a bit of background, as my English teacher told me any writer should do, ; the Royal British Legion looks after the welfare and interests of current and former servicemen and women, including support of injured troops.
Given that Blair’s leadership was tainted by the so-called War on Terror, including the much-maligned occupation of Iraq by the Armed Forces, news that Blair’s donation will reach soldiers that may have been injured in the conflict has sparked a furore that Tony and his PRs no doubt expected.
On the face of it, it looks like Blair is using the one major talking point of his administration to ensure the shine is taken away from former colleague Peter Mandelson, who served on the cabinet as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under Blair’s government. Mandelson released his memoirs: ‘The Third Man: Life at the Heart of New Labour’ in July, and is said to have angered Blair by talking about his relationship with Gordon Brown.
I don’t want this blog to become a place to discuss the right or wrong actions of Blair during his tenure as Prime Minister, so I’ll talk from a purely media-biased point of view.
His donation is PR gold.
Sure, Mandelson may have had gossipy tongues wagging for a few weeks by apparently telling all about Brown and Blair, but Blair’s decision, or rather more likely, his PR team’s decision, to donate all of the proceeds to The British Legion will dominate the front pages in a way Mandelson couldn’t have hoped to. Blair’s tittle-tattle relationship with Brown was already well documented, but the donation stunt, which is exactly what it is, does what Blair is good at. It separates camps.
Generally, The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian are set forward as the voices of the opposing camps – and the front pages today prove this. The Telegraph quite openly questions the donation amount the British Legion will receive, whilst the Guardian play a safer hand, posing the question: ‘Generous gesture or guilty conscience?’ – insinuating something the Telegraph didn’t, asking whether Blair’s donation is simply a generous gesture.
Either way, as I said, there’s very little room for apathy here. You’re either convinced it’s a nice thing to do, or believe that he’s clearing his conscience.
The Telegraph quotes an unnamed ‘PR expert’ as saying that the move is the ‘best PR stunt of the year’, and I have to agree. Charity donations are nothing new in PR, but this is different, for obvious reasons. Twitter is abuzz with opinions not dissimilar to those below, and other PR outlets are getting involved, with Wolfstar founder and CEO Stuart Bruce claiming that 'Blair would be damned if he did and damned if he didn’t’ in comments to PR Week.
The question is; will this equate to more book sales, and thus a bigger possible donation? I personally believe it will.
Is this a bad thing?
So when the man the media dubbed ‘Bliar’ announced he was to be donating the proceeds from his upcoming memoirs ‘A Journey’ to the British Legion’s to-be-built Battle Back Challenge Centre, it was no doubt going to cause a stir.
Just to give readers a bit of background, as my English teacher told me any writer should do, ; the Royal British Legion looks after the welfare and interests of current and former servicemen and women, including support of injured troops.
Given that Blair’s leadership was tainted by the so-called War on Terror, including the much-maligned occupation of Iraq by the Armed Forces, news that Blair’s donation will reach soldiers that may have been injured in the conflict has sparked a furore that Tony and his PRs no doubt expected.
On the face of it, it looks like Blair is using the one major talking point of his administration to ensure the shine is taken away from former colleague Peter Mandelson, who served on the cabinet as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under Blair’s government. Mandelson released his memoirs: ‘The Third Man: Life at the Heart of New Labour’ in July, and is said to have angered Blair by talking about his relationship with Gordon Brown.
I don’t want this blog to become a place to discuss the right or wrong actions of Blair during his tenure as Prime Minister, so I’ll talk from a purely media-biased point of view.
His donation is PR gold.
Sure, Mandelson may have had gossipy tongues wagging for a few weeks by apparently telling all about Brown and Blair, but Blair’s decision, or rather more likely, his PR team’s decision, to donate all of the proceeds to The British Legion will dominate the front pages in a way Mandelson couldn’t have hoped to. Blair’s tittle-tattle relationship with Brown was already well documented, but the donation stunt, which is exactly what it is, does what Blair is good at. It separates camps.
Generally, The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian are set forward as the voices of the opposing camps – and the front pages today prove this. The Telegraph quite openly questions the donation amount the British Legion will receive, whilst the Guardian play a safer hand, posing the question: ‘Generous gesture or guilty conscience?’ – insinuating something the Telegraph didn’t, asking whether Blair’s donation is simply a generous gesture.
Either way, as I said, there’s very little room for apathy here. You’re either convinced it’s a nice thing to do, or believe that he’s clearing his conscience.
The Telegraph quotes an unnamed ‘PR expert’ as saying that the move is the ‘best PR stunt of the year’, and I have to agree. Charity donations are nothing new in PR, but this is different, for obvious reasons. Twitter is abuzz with opinions not dissimilar to those below, and other PR outlets are getting involved, with Wolfstar founder and CEO Stuart Bruce claiming that 'Blair would be damned if he did and damned if he didn’t’ in comments to PR Week.
The question is; will this equate to more book sales, and thus a bigger possible donation? I personally believe it will.
Is this a bad thing?
