6 ways to tell if story is a hoax, Bloggers Beware & sponsors at EP

6 ways to tell if a viral story is a hoax

This is a really useful article from the UK Independent offering suggestions on how to check if a viral story is a hoax.  It includes ‘Reverse Image Search’ which debunked the recent “ISIS posing as Syrian refugees attack police in Germany” story – that photo turned out to be 3 years old.  It also features “Jeffrey’s ExifViewer” which tells you what camera was used and the date, time and location that the photo was created – but warns that this data is removed by Facebook, Instagram and Twitter when photos are uploaded on to their platforms.  Definitely worth checking these out.

http://ind.pn/1LIqsD0

Bloggers beware of ad network contracts

My initial reaction to this Guardian story about a UK ‘mommy blogger’ having to quit her blog because of the pressure put on her by corporate sponsors was - surely she could just have refused?  After all, she’s been writing the blog for 13 years apparently and thus would have a powerful negotiating position? But it’s only in the comments I see a reference to an ‘ad network’ with whom she signed a contract and she couldn’t get out it – so she had to quit.  They wanted her to include her children in posts and sponsored events – controversial and harsh – but was this in the initial contract or was it constructed in such a clever way as to give them all the power?  A very good warning to any bloggers thinking of signing similar contracts.

http://bit.ly/1G3LSIL

Electric Ireland prove to be very current at EP

Terrible pun I know!  Electric Ireland must have been delighted with the results of this survey which was carried out by a former employer of mine PSG Sponsorship – then Slattery PR!  They interviewed 230 of the 50,000 attendees at the festival to see which brand made the most impact.  With brands investing hugely in EP, the results have no doubt been carefully examined by the various sponsors.  Unprompted, Electric Ireland scored an impressive 62% for their #90sPowerParty, Heineken were second at 54%, Three at 35% and Bacardi at 34%.  Prompted recall saw Heinken take the top spot.

http://www.independent.ie/business/media/brand-memories-stick-at-the-picnic-31533150.html

www.grainnebyrnePR.ie

Brilliant English rugby team ad, Offensive ad or a send-up & 15 hidden social media features

Offensive or send-up?

I have to say when I started reading this UK Independent article about a backlash against an Australian company’s TV commercial, my first thought was, “oh here we go again, the PC brigade on the march – it’s getting to the stage that ads will have to be completely bland just to ensure no-one is offended.”  The reason people took offense is that a larger woman was used to play the part of her other self - i.e. how a woman feels when she has her period.  And she was shown as highly emotional. But the fact is – that is how many women do feel at that time of the month – bloated and moody! However, one of the twitterati made a good point – the same woman could have been used and presumably made look less attractive and wearing baggy clothes. Only then did I actually watch the ad – it’s totally OTT – I’d take offence from that and the fact that it’s way too long and that the product they’re promoting won’t change a mood and won’t make someone feel less bloated!

http://ind.pn/1LePb5W

“Make them Giants” – a top ad

I love this regular feature in The Guardian – it’s their Top 5 ads which this time features a brilliant piece of work “Make them Giants” from O2 about the English rugby world cup team (naturally hoping they will shrink if they play us at some stage during the tournament!) and a lovely heart-warming tear-jerker “I will survive” for the Blue Cross.  The excellent Gareth Thomas ad from Guinness is also ranked here – it’s a brave ad in every sense of the word – for the brand as well as for the man.  However, the Trainline ad didn’t do it for me at all and the Nike ad just left me cold.  See what you think….

http://bit.ly/1M9i0zp

15 hidden features of social media

This is a really useful infographic from Salesforce on PR News detailing 15 things you might not know you can do on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In or Google+.  These include ‘muting’ someone on Twitter rather than unfollowing them, finding out who has unfollowed you, explaining what the ‘other’ inbox on Facebook is and messaging someone on LinkedIn that you’re not connected with.

http://bit.ly/1UT3gXI

www.grainnebyrnePR.ie

What does it take to break into US? Top 5 Ads & A great PR initiative (not mine!)

What does it take to break into the US?

This week Primark (Penneys) opens its first US store – in Boston.  It’s a massive move for the company and it must be hoping it avoids the fate of Tesco, Sainsbury and M&S who all failed to make it stateside.  The choice of Boston is considered a good one because of its big student population and younger Americans are more open to buying international brands.  Also opening just one store is considered smart as slow expansion is working for Ted Baker, Topshop and Boden in the US.  Topshop sold a 25% stake in its business to a US private equity firm so it would have US expertise on board. A state by state or focus on key cities is recommended in this article for Primark.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/what-does-it-taketo-sell-to-america-10490609.html

Top 5 Ads

This is the Guardian’s current Top 5 and a couple have dubious starts but turn out to be good ‘uns!  The 5 featured are Honda, Pot Noodle, Gatorade, Under Armour and McCoys crisps.  Synchronicity seems to be in vogue with both the Honda and Under Armour ads using impressive displays of it but I still found both ads a bit cold.  The Pot Noodle one is good – had me all riled up initially as was thinking of link between nutrition and sporting achievement – but it sends itself up very nicely.  I really like the Gatorade commercial as it features comments from a very young Serena Williams (pictured) – I won’t give a spoiler re the ending but it’s great.  The McCoys one is just simply funny!  See for yourself……

http://www.theguardian.com/media/media-blog/2015/sep/08/serena-williams-steps-back-in-time-for-gatorade-advert

A Great PR initiative

Hats off to whoever came up with this angle to promote houses for sale in Delgany – I can imagine plenty of copycat attempts!  The interior designer for these Wood Group homes, a woman called Eily Roe, imagines characters and their lifestyles living in her show homes and designs for them.  So an Irish Times journalist was invited for a sleepover in one of the homes and this article was the result.  Nice one!

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/try-it-on-for-size-could-you-live-the-showhouse-life-1.2328078

www.grainnebyrnePR.ie