A futurologist's 2014 predictions, Facebook costs you your privacy & inspiring start-ups in 2013

I always thought this would be my dream job – a futurologist – where you get paid to read, read, read to ensure you can spot forthcoming trends – but maybe not….the pressure! Not so sure I agree with this lady’s talk of a ‘Tech Backlash’ as evidenced by the success of shows such as “The Great British Bake Off” – the Show has over 140,000 followers on Twitter (including moi!) but perhaps many of its viewers are not tech savvy – maybe they just, like me, enjoy the temporary escapism?! http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/opinion/ian-burrell-snake-oil-or-precious-insight-as-the-year-gets-ready-to-turn-what-does-one-of-americas-most-celebrated-trend-spotters-see-ahead-9029659.html

Further to the survey showing that teens are deserting Facebook for Snapchat, WhatsApp and Twitter – here’s an interesting editorial from The Observer yesterday.  “You think Facebook is free?  Well, it will only cost you your private life.” http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/29/observer-editorial-digital-privacy

I always find it very motivating and inspiring to read about successful start-ups – and always hope to find some idea I can ‘borrow’ – anyway, here are some 2013 start-ups that were profiled in yesterday’s Sunday Business Post

http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Small+Business/People+In+Business/The+start-up+successes+of+2013/id/cf8f3a51-0e1a-4f00-9d72-604a1f37efae

correcting some PR advice, tips for devising a sponsorship agreement and A-Z of media 2013

There’s some good advice in the article below, entitled, "The PR Game - Simple Tactics to Raise your Profile" – but also some misleading comments.   For example it states that PR is about selling unlike other professions which are concerned with building relationships.  PR is very much focused on building long term relationships and understanding between an enterprise and its publics – and between a business and relevant media.  Most importantly, press releases have to be newsworthy – don’t earn yourself a bad reputation by sending out banal press releases just to ‘hone your skills’.  Finally, you can’t ‘pick and choose when you want to be in the media’!  Certainly you can pick and choose a time you would like to be in the media – but there’s no guarantees! http://www.ifaonline.co.uk/ifaonline/feature/2319840/the-pr-game-simple-tactics-to-raise-your-profile/page/2

This is a good article – worth keeping – for if and when you are devising a sponsorship agreement.  As the author says, the reputations of both parties have to be protected. http://www.independent.ie/business/media/sponsorship-contracts-have-to-protect-reputations-of-both-parties-29850622.html

And as 2013 draws to a close, here’s the Irish Times’ Laura Slattery’s A-Z of what happened in the Irish media this year.. http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/media-and-marketing/the-a-to-z-of-media-matters-in-2013-1.1632094

Over-sensitive PR person, Instagram's new DM option and the over 50s can help business!

 So, PR people aren’t awake at 6.28am – unlike most journalists?!  Maybe I’m just over-sensitive?!!   And hasn’t this journalist heard of scheduling email press releases?!!  Either way, fair play to Beyonce, she took everyone by surprise!  However, her PR company should have checked their facts before saying this was ‘unprecedented’ when David Bowie had already done it.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/weird-web-news-beyonces-secret-online-album-release-9005234.html

Instagram introduces option to send photos or videos directly to up to 15 people – previously if you wanted to share them, you had to share with everyone.

http://www.independent.ie/business/instagram-launches-direct-individual-messages-29835114.html

This is a very interesting initiative – Senior Enterprise – set up to challenge perceptions of the part people aged over 50 have to play in business – whether as an entrepreneur, investor, mentor or whatever!   Businesses and communities in Ireland can benefit from all that expertise and experience!

http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Small+Business/Out+On+Your+Own/Award+for+Irish+project+to+encourage+older+entrepreneurs/id/193739d1-c19c-4853-95b9-a0fddfbf0ee4

Comic Relief invests in Arms, Mortgage with your Coffee and Tesco Price promise...

Comic Relief invests in Arms Companies

It’s not only here in Ireland that charities are in trouble – news that the BBC Panorama programme is revealing that Comic Relief has funds invested in arms, alcohol and tobacco companies saw a huge reaction on Twitter.  Comic Relief claims that they have no more than 5% invested in any of these areas.  But what I find amazing is the comment in the Guardian by Kevin Cahill, Chief Exec of Comic Relief that they would invest in ethical funds “if they could match or better the returns offered by other investments.”  Come on, Kevin – put your money where your ethics are – or should be?

www.theguardian.com/media/2013/dec/10/comic-relief-review-investments-bbc-panorama

Mortgage with your Coffee? Only if you have 20-20 vision!

While enjoying a cappuccino from Café Sol one morning at a meeting last week, I noticed that the holder was sponsored.  Innovative, I thought.  But boy did I have to search hard to find out who the sponsor was!  It was obviously promoting mortgages or savings – but the logo was miniscule – I could barely see it!  Was that the point though?  They’re targeting a younger demographic - with 20-20 vision maybe?!

Tesco Price Promise

Aggressively fought price battles between the multiples and convenience stores are nothing new and I had noted - but not paid too much attention to - the “Tesco Price Promise” – until I was handed a voucher at the Till saying I am getting €2.32 off my next shop as it would have been cheaper elsewhere!  I don’t often praise Tesco but I have to say that really is effective through the line marketing – delivering on what they promise. 

Brilliant 'Sarah Lund' campaign & what is Nigella's crisis managment strategy?

This is brilliant! ‘Sarah Lund’ helps Save the Children make ‘The Killing’ with a Christmas jumper!  Definitely my favourite Christmas campaign to date!

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/nov/28/the-killing-christmas-jumper-day-ad

Nigella’s unusual crisis management strategy – she’s tweeting recipes and thanking ‘TeamNigella’ for their support – but otherwise saying nothing.  Is she saving it all for her court appearance this Wednesday?  Rumours that she is going on ‘Oprah’ don’t bode well – as has been said elsewhere is it the usual strategy – tearful confession on chat show/stint in Rehab/reputation restored?  I’m a Nigella fan so watching with professional and personal interest…..!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/selling-like-holiday-hotcakes-nigella-lawsons-unusual-social-media-strategy-pays-off-8973669.html