Thank a vet

Make sure you thank at least one veteran today. No matter your feelings about the two wars we are in, or past wars, the men and women who currently serve and who have served deserve our gratitude for their sacrifice.

Chances are that you know someone. A widow who lost a husband or wife. A wheel-chair bound Vietnam vet. A grandfather who lost a lot of friends in WWII or the Korean War.

And, my fellow public relations pros, please avoid using this holiday to promote something. Today, I received the worst email from a real estate agent who asked us to remember vets, and then reminded folks he can help you with mortgage and real estate needs. Yuck. This person certainly won't get my business.

By the way, if you really want to get an idea of sacrifice, watch the HBO special "Section 13."

PRSA's invasion of Motown

I'll soon be off to the annual PRSA international conference. This year, it's in Detroit.

This location raised a few eyebrows, but I'm told the registration level will be at or beyond previous conference attendance marks. This comes in a down market in a city that is really down in the dumps.

The expected high turnout may be a self-fulfilling statement. As we say in this business, the best time for public relations can be in a down market. It's our opportunity to shine by providing the kind of advice and critical strategies that help a marginal company from going under, and a normally strong company prepare for when the good times return. The companies that eliminate or reduce public relations activities in a down economy routinely find they must spend twice as much in these services to gain back reputation and market share.

I have a client who understands this. They could easily tell me that budget cuts will force them to cancel my contract. And, they may do that. Certainly, the warning sighs are there. But for now, they understand the importance of brand loyalty. They need to remain a positive, steady force in the communities they serve and not give current and future customers any reason to doubt their commitment, loyalty or strength. We like to buy products and services, and invest in companies that we trust, and we know will always be around.

So, I can't wait to hear the seminars, and talk with my fellow professionals in a city that expects snow while we're there. I'll file some observations as the conference runs its course.

Cost effective PR for Palin

The Washington Post today reveals that a relatively inexpensive public relations campaign may be credited as a leading reason why Gov. Sarah Palin rose to the national spotlight and may have caught McCain's attention. Just look what a good media relations campaign can do.

This makes it so much easier to tell my kids what I do for a living.

I'm particularly intrigued that it was an East Coast PR firm that conducted the effort.

Footnote: The Post reporter, Kim Kindy, is a former colleague at the LA Daily News when I was once with the 4th estate.

Bloggers wined and dined

Kevin Roderick, a former LA Times staffer who now has a highly read blog on local journalism and events, comments on LAObserved about a recent invite for bloggers only.

This certainly underscores the importance of bloggers to our communications profession.