Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Friday, May 18th, 2012
It’s plain and simple; being a Facebook fan of a brand boosts purchase, consideration, and recommendation, according to Forrester Research and North America Technographics. Obviously, many brands have experienced this phenomenon for themselves, which may be contributing to a projected increase in social media budgets in 2012 (according to eMarketer, 25% of digital marketers are increasing budgets for earned and owned digital in 2012 vs. 8% for paid digital).
So, does this mean that you should start a Facebook page and pour budget into it? We don’t think so. Remember, slow and steady wins the race, and in social media marketing that means growing your Facebook community with qualified fans through consistent engaging content – inspiring them to purchase and share with their friends organically. This is particularly relevant with high commitment categories like health care and beauty. The community becomes a hub for your most enthusiastic consumers to find inspiration and share, share, share!
Tags: Beauty PR, Facebook, healthcare social media, Marketing, OTC brand marketing, PR, Social Media, social media PR
Posted in Chit Chatter, Facebook, Social Networks, Talking PR, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, May 11th, 2012
Still need further proof that social media influences trends in traditional media? Look no further than this clip from TODAY. Our work with beauty blogger, Lilliana Vazquez, from The Cheap Chica’s Guide to Style resulted in our client, Conair, being featured in a recent celebrity beauty segment. We know how to find and influence the influencers! Around here, we call it the “Trickle-Up Theory!”
Tags: Beauty PR, Blogger Outreach, Facebook, PR, Social Media, social media PR, Traditional Media
Posted in Blog Outreach, Chit Chatter, Clients in the News, Social Networks, Talking PR, Uncategorized, Video | No Comments »
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
By Nicole Egan
On a recent trip to North Carolina, I attended a country concert. The performer was someone I had seen two prior times up North. This time I noticed a difference in the way the performer carried himself and which songs he sang. He chose songs and spoke to the audience in a way that related to their Southern lifestyle and the audience was eating it up.
It’s always important to get a little intimate with your audience, really get to know them, in order to provide them with what they want. This is crucial to success in social media marketing. Here at RL&A we always keep in mind who we’re trying to reach for every product we represent. We tailor our services around their needs and interests and are constantly researching new things that will help grab their attention. Whether it’s a concert or a Facebook page, it’s important to give the audience what they want in order to bring them into your “community.”
Tags: Blogger Outreach, Facebook, healthcare public relations, Marketing, PR, Social Media, social media PR
Posted in Chit Chatter, Facebook, Social Networks, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, April 27th, 2012
By Stephanie LaDue
As a new parent, I know I’m a marketer’s dream. Getting ready for my baby meant my wallet was wide open, ready to purchase a nursery full of new goodies. I wanted – and still want – everything that will make my child’s life better. Like other new moms, overwhelmed by decisions and new responsibilities, I look to the Internet and friends for advice on the best products for my new bundle of joy.
As a marketer, I know the importance of reaching the right people at the right time and the value of trustworthy recommendations. Word of mouth from “a person like me” is still the most trusted source of information and social media…via bloggers and social communities like Facebook…is like word of mouth on steroids. Recommendations/influence is taken from one-to-one to one-to-many (thousands or even millions).
At RL&A we have an arsenal of top bloggers at our fingertips and we work closely with them to become brand advocates for our clients. Our social media PR efforts, on behalf of the brands we represent, help to continually populate the Internet with positive brand reviews that are reinforced with strategic keywords and images which also ultimately effects search engine optimization. And when dealing with the consistent churn of new parents in the market…our continual outreach and creativity in positioning brands is critical to maintaining relevance.
Brands we work with are in the right place at the right time, providing answers and populating search with recommendations from “a person like me.” So, for example, when a new parent, like me, is wading through the barrage of baby brands…they’ll find the solutions they need in pages upon pages of positive reviews from trustworthy sources…a marketer’s and a new parent’s dream.
Tags: Blogger Outreach, Facebook, Marketing, PR, Social Media, social media PR
Posted in Blog Outreach, Chit Chatter, Facebook, Promotions in Motion, Social Networks, Talking PR, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
By Nicole Egan
It seems like just this week my Facebook newsfeed has been taken over by the latest fad meme – funny depictions of various jobs and their misconceptions, everything from scientists to librarians to coaches.
Prior to this influx, a friend – who also works in PR – posted this image on her Facebook page before I saw it featured on Mashable.com. I instantly loved it and shared it with our entire agency. Everyone here has had the challenge of trying to explain what we do to people outside of the biz – especially our parents (that’s one constant in this industry, our parent’s have no idea of what we do)!
The funny thing is there’s a little truth in all these scenarios because our industry is constantly evolving and our responsibilities can be really complex. One thing’s for sure; we’re always on our toes. Here at RL&A, each of us is responsible for a little bit of everything such as pitching editors, producers and bloggers, copywriting/content creation, planning events, directly engaging consumers and creating and maintaining client Facebook pages and Twitter handles, and the list goes on.
Although we sometimes have the days of “What I actually do,” the “What my friends think I do” days are fun when they happen…I’ll let my friends continue to think I have those days everyday!
Tags: Beauty PR, Blogger Outreach, Facebook, Marketing, PR, Social Media, social media PR, Traditional Media
Posted in Blog Outreach, Chit Chatter, Facebook, Picture of The Week, Social Networks, Talking PR, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
By Robin Russo
Don’t get me wrong – I’m a huge proponent of Facebook, but this little thing called an IPO is starting to bug me – a lot. And I doubt I’m alone in this. “Fans” of Facebook – expected to reach a billion this year – can’t possibly “Like” the Facebook IPO, rumored to happen sometime in the next few months. That’s because those of us loyal Facebook users – who helped make Facebook a success – will not have a chance to take part in what is being called the largest public offering – ever (it already is the largest Internet offering).
So who will get to take part in this record breaking IPO – which stands for “initial public offering” – a term that technically might not apply to Facebook, since it’s been heavily traded for some time in the secondary markets where “private” shares are bought and sold (by the big investment firms that push it toward their own big clients, many of which are foreigners)? In addition to these and other investors in the company, Facebook employees who’ve been anxiously awaiting a chance to sell their shares on the open market will also benefit from the IPO. The “public,” the rest of us, won’t have a prayer of getting our hands on this IPO.
Many of these people will become millionaires from this IPO and don’t get me wrong – I’m all for capitalism and I understand that this is the way it’s done. But something smells fishy to me, and it isn’t just that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg went on national TV and said to the world that he had no intentions of going public – I get it. Facebook has just gotten so big that it’s taken on a life of its own and even he can’t stop it from its true potential. And I know I shouldn’t be surprised, that it was inevitable that this multi-billion dollar innovation would become a public company.
Maybe I’m just a bit naïve, but what’s really bothering me is that this IPO was very calculated – it wasn’t just “Oops, we have more than 500 investors now” – the way it’s being reported. If Facebook goes public by the end of May – as is being reported – early shareholders will be able to sell some shares before the end of the year and, notably, before the expiration of tax cuts instituted during the George W. Bush administration. Now isn’t that a coincidence.
Tags: Facebook, Marketing, Social Media, social media PR
Posted in Chit Chatter, Facebook, Talking PR, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, November 1st, 2010
By: Nicole Egan
I find it very interesting how the gap between social and traditional media is shrinking. Each had always been two very separate entities, but over the last year or so this line has blurred. Bloggers themselves are becoming influential and crossing over into traditional media — even being featured as “experts,” and editors of mainstream media, such as Teen Vogue, for example, are blogging, with some even managing their own personal sites.
All this crossover is extending our reach – a good example being Audrey Dao, a beauty blogger, who was interviewed as a “beauty reviewer” by Woman’s World magazine. As a result, the Infiniti by Conair You Curl – a client and product we represent — was featured in the October 11th issue. Audrey had recommended the You Curl for kink-free curls as part of a “Best Curling Irons” feature. Months earlier, I had sent her the product for a review/giveaway that she had offered on her site – and this same outreach ended up in a traditional magazine. The value of social media – with its arms reaching out beyond the online world – marches on and the possibilities are endless.
Posted in Clients in the News, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, October 15th, 2010
By Brittany Oat
Around the world, people have been glued to their TV stations as all of the Chilean miners emerged safely. While most were focused on this amazing story of survival and heroism, some savvy brands were focusing on some free PR.
Did you see those cool glasses shielding tear-filled eyes of rescued miners? Oakley donated 35 pairs of their special Radar glasses with Black Iridium lenses. The sunglasses retail for about $450 a pair, while the free TV advertising time is worth about $41 million!
NASA also got some much needed good PR. They devised and helped build the rescue capsule dubbed “Phoenix”.
And, let’s not forget brand Chile. President Sebastián Piñera personally greeted each miner coming out of the rescue capsule and is now planning a global tour where, according to the Financial Times, he will sell Chile’s image as Latin America’s best-managed economy. And all this will get another boost when the movie comes out. There’s no question this miracle will be an asset to Chilean business and tourism.
Posted in Talking PR, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Saturday, October 9th, 2010
By Brittany Oat
It’s great to see brands lending a hand in the fight against breast cancer this month!
Our client Conair took the effort to a whole new level, launching a line of pink products. What’s more, Conair is going to donate a minimum of $100,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation based on the sale of products from the Power of Pink Collection!! They’ve donated more than a half a million dollars since 2003 to the cause!
Imagine what a difference we would make if every brand took a stand like this?
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, October 7th, 2010
By Nicole Egan
Recently, I’ve been working with vloggers (video bloggers) for product placement and reviews. These 2 to 10 minute videos are like mini movies that demonstrate what the products look like and how they work (ie. the various Softlips PURE 100% Natural lip glosses and lip tints). I especially like the creativity that goes into making these vlogs with the music, transitions, graphics and demonstrations that take on the personality of the vloggers, who tend to get very into what they are doing, putting a face and a voice to product reviews.
Despite some recent negative news reports about “haul” videos (videos that showcase the vloggers purchases after they’ve gone shopping), most of the vloggers that I’ve been in contact with including faniechanel and handbagbuyer82 are simply young women who are extremely passionate about all things beauty. They’re eager to try new products and give their honest opinion to inform their viewers about what to buy and not buy. Most vloggers are trying to show their followers how to shop like a pro and not waste money on products that aren’t worth it.
Personally, it’s been a great experience working with these beauty vloggers, and we’re always welcoming new vloggers to work with.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
