PR is used to build brand recognition and visibility. It boosts an organisation’s credibility and achieves defined business goals. Simply sending out a few press releases or hiring a PR agency won’t guarantee those important things. Businesses need to ensure that their communications are consistent, targeted and impactful.
As consumers, we all have high expectations of the products and services we use and pay for, and rightly so. Previously, when those standards weren’t met, we would likely phone a helpline or write a letter of complaint. But those days are gone. Today we head straight for social media.
I was in a Vodafone store, about to purchase my first proper smart phone a few years ago. Android or iPhone? It was a big call as I was likely to stay with whatever platform I chose for many years. I called a few tech journalist pals in-the-know and the gurus offered a resounding answer: it’s got to be Android. Armed with this clear instruction, I call over the sales assistant, “Hi,” I say, “I would like to purchase an… an… iPhone please.” I had unwittingly become a victim of Apple’s incredible brand that seemingly overwrites all logic.
We recently discussed our top books for nailing all aspects of PR. However, digital media is moving at such a rapid pace that books can’t always keep up. If you really want to stay on top of everything that’s happening in the PR world, then it’s a good idea to bookmark (no pun intended) some helpful blogs in your browser. PR and digital media blogs are an ideal accompaniment to books for staying up-to-date with industry news, learning more about the latest social media tools and trends and fathoming the latest PR disaster and success stories.
There are fundamentals of PR that don’t change. However, the rapid pace of social media has altered how individuals and companies communicate, manage their reputations and build their brand both on and offline.
Nobody wants to be in a crisis but in reality, it can and does happen. And if prevention efforts have failed, the next best thing you can do is deal with the crisis in the most effective way possible. Regardless of the incident, if you have a crisis communications plan it will help you to deal with the crisis quickly and efficiently, therefore limiting the damage to your company’s good name, your customers and your shareholders.
As a small nation, we’ve created a wonderful brand for Ireland worldwide. Just look at the great PR St. Patrick’s Day does for Ireland, and the large numbers of iconic buildings and landmarks worldwide that ‘turn green’ on the day. State agencies such as Tourism Ireland, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland carry out fantastic work on behalf of Irish businesses to ensure that we punch above our weight in terms of brand recognition and goodwill globally.
If you had a broken arm you won’t go to an optometrist; you’d go straight to A&E. The same logic applies to technology companies looking to raise their profiles: the best way to get the service you need is through a specialist tech PR agency.
Tech themes of 2017: Our PR clients offer their predictions
Comit’s 2016: A Year in Review
Here at Comit, we’re in slight disbelief that the year has come to a close already. It seems like only yesterday that we were flicking through our 2016 year planner, thinking how far-off even February seemed, let alone December. But with so much happening in the technology world, it’s not surprising that 2016 was a busy – and great – one for us. In fact, it has been our most successful business year date. To give you an idea of what we have been up to (and to jog our own memories), here is a little taste of what the Comit team was up to in 2016.
