Blog
04.24
PR Really Does “Ad” Up
Will Rogers once penned, “Advertising is the art of convincing people to spend money they don’t have for something they don’t need.”
Now I may not need a G.I. Joe with a Kung-fu action grip for my little man, but if he sees enough advertisements, off to the store I go.
However, if enough spineless jellyfish parents like me see G.I. Joe purchases will be directed to the troops overseas, we see bald eagles flying overhead and hear “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” as we slide that bruised credit card.
In other words, advertisements create impulse but PR can create emotion. And that befuddles this practitioner because more brands don’t use it effectively – if, at all – to increase awareness and try to impact the bottom line.
Recently, HuffPo published an irksome story, “The 12 Brands That Will Disappear by 2010.”
How many of these brands have you seen championing a cause, feeding kids in the Sudan or even appearing like they care about their consumers lately:
1. Avis/Budget Rent-a-Car
2. Borders
3. Crocs
4. Saturn
5. Hearst Publications
6. Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic
7. Eddie Bauer
8. Palm
9. Condé Nast Publications
10. Chrysler
You think any of those giants could use a CSR campaign, grassroots outreach or media relations? Oh, before you answer, #11 on the list was the infamous AIG.
Any takers on PR yet? Call me.
Post new comment