PR firm Reverb Communications has been under fire by MobileCrunch for allegedly gaming, aka astroturfing, the iTunes app store. In the article, MobileCrunch criticizes Reverb for what it deems as unethical practices).
Here’s the short version: Reverb supposedly has interns to write positive reviews of games (just after launching) to garner additional sales in the iTunes app store. When MobileCrunch (MC) researched several reviews and the users who posted them, they found that the users had also posted positive reviews for other apps who were also represented by Reverb. In fact, the users had only reviewed products that Reverb represented. Additionally, …read more

Lately, I’ve been shocked at the number of people who claim they can do public relations – and charge people for it.
I’m not talking about skilled PR professionals who have studied and honed their craft. I’m talking about writers, online marketers and virtual assistants who basically say anyone can help get someone publicity.
It’s just not true.
Most of these people chargge a very low fee to write a press release – and claim you get get meida coverage by posting on the various press release sites on the Internet.
You can’t. Media are really hanging out at those sites – and frankly, …read more

Fineman PR just released it’s annual list of the top public relations mistakes of 2008. While I am sure (or at least, I hope) that you aren’t on the list, there are some lessons to be learned.

Accountability is important. No matter if it was the AIG party scandal or McCain dumping Letterman for a ‘better’ gig. Being open and accountable for ones actions is always the way to go. In today’s 24/7, media driven world, it’s too easy to find out the truth when you’re not.
We are always watching. As alluded to above, the spotlight is always on, always waiting …read more

Jason Falls is a great new media public relations person. And recently, I read his blog post “Is The Future of Advertising Public Relations?”
Jason makes some great points about the future influence of bloggers on the media landscape, but right at the beginning I squirmed:
(I say new-fashioned because old-fashioned is sending blast emails to hundreds of media outlets or bloggers and calling it a day. New-fashioned is reaching out personally to individuals to build a relationship and working with them to meet their needs and yours in symbiotic fashion.)

Ummm… I didn’t know that the new-fashioned wasn’t always the case, Jason.
Good …read more

George Bush tried to get some good press when he ’surprised’ the troops with a visit in Iraq. But once again, ‘mission (not)  accomplished… when an Iraqi journalist throw not one, but both his shoes at the outgoing US president.
(The journalist had a pretty good arm, but Bush must be used to ducking, becuase he was just as quick! Sorry. I couldn’t help myself there! *)
I was actually surprised at the quick and humorous response from the President.  “All I can report is a size 10,” he said. “I don’t think you can take one guy throwing shoes and say …read more