As 2012 comes to an end and 2013 waits in the wings, here are a few quick thoughts on what the new year will bring in the world of Public Relations.
PR will become the primary keeper of social media for many organizations. Smarter organizations will set up systems to involve various functions including marketing, sales, legal and the C-level offices, but PR will be responsible for fast, day-to-day content, monitoring and responses.
It's all about content, as more organizations create their own channels via social media, websites and e-zines. Since PR people are (supposedly) trained to create content that is interesting, relevant and supportive of an organization's goals, they will take the lead in content creation. The trick is to make it good, but not overly commercial.
Pitching stories and ideas will still be a big part of what we do, but more will be done via email and, to a lesser degree, social media. LinkedIn is gaining in popularity and uselfulness as a public relations tool, but that can change in an instant.
In my own small corner of the PR world, Reich Communications has just moved to new offices. Like the old "Jeffersons" TV theme, we're movin' on up. Up one block, from East 44th Street to East 45th Street. And up a few floors, from 9 to 11, in a beautiful building at 228 East 45th St.
The old 11-story building we just left is slated for demolition soon, as the new owner plans to put up a high-rise once new zoning is put into place. The 100+ year-old building once housed printing companies, but more recently had the Screen Gems studios where "One Life to Live" was taped for decades and, for the past five years, "The Rachel Ray Show."
The new space is still the same neighborhood ... two blocks from Grand Central and a block from the United Nations. I'll still be able to stop on the way in at Sam's coffee cart at 44th and 3rd, and I'm even closer now to The Comfort Diner, where you can get a fantastic belly-filling omelette with home fries and toasted bagel for less than ten bucks. And my favorite sushi place, East, is across the street.
The move went smoothly, although we're still awaiting phones and internet to be connected. Hopefully, that will happen Monday morning. But if not, I guess I'll have extra time to get cartons unpacked and pictures hung so it feels like home.
To all, best wishes for a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
Congratulations and good luck on the new offices, David!
Look forward to seeing the 'new digs' in 2013
Posted by: Sherry Goldman | December 30, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Leave it to the phone company... no phones and internet, although it had been promised on Dec. 26... and then again on Dec. 31. Now they're telling us Jan. 8th.
Gotta love 'em.
Anyone who needs to reach me can use email or try my cell at 914 325-9997.
Posted by: David Reich | January 03, 2013 at 01:51 PM