Online video and the future of PR

Jeremy Peppers of POP! PR fame nicely summarizes online video’s impact on communication in the social mediasphere. It’s a breathless, optimistic view of the future, with links galore. But Peppers cautions marketers about using video wisely.

Rule No. 1: keep it away from the ad people.

How should video be used? First, most importantly, it should be used when appropriate. In this social media rush, firms and corporations rush out to put everything together in one campaign. It does not make sense, though. Video is a great way to get your message across, but companies need to remember to have an honest voice, not messaging [emphasis mine]. It’s one of my lines about social media – hand it over to PR rather than advertising, because PR is used to talking TO people, not like advertising that just talks AT people.

Well put. Also this: “[O]nly use video if it makes sense. New demo to showcase? Video it and post it in the newsroom and on YouTube. Just don’t try too hard, and it should be fine.”

Panning press releases

Another sign that the press release as we know it may be an endangered species: tech blogger Stephen O’Grady (tecosystems) explains why he doesn’t like them:

Got a query about a week ago as to why I don’t link to press releases describing new news or announcements, and the reasoning is simple: I find them more or less unreadable. Between the stilted tone and the canned quotes, I find them of significantly less value than blog or news entries on the same subject. [Emphasis mine.]

I understand that not everyone feels that way, which is why we contribute to releases on behalf of customers, but I personally find them of little value. Apologies in advance, marketers and PR reps.

Apology accepted. But I have a feeling a lot of people feel the same way as you, Stephen.