Real Life PR Lessons: Big O Tires

I love real life lessons in creating positive public perception and sentiment. Here's a real life tale from my experience at Big O tires. The Situation: For the past couple of months I've been getting into my car and seeing a "low tire pressure light." At first it would come on every couple of weeks (easily ignorable), but over the last week it was every day so off to find a tire store I go. The choice; a no brainer--The Big O Tires I see everyday driving on my way to work. Why? Convenience.

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Samsung Dials in on PR Opportunity; Takes on Apple’s iPhone 4

As my wife and I are browsing on our computers on Saturday morning for the latest news (and, yes, Friday night Facebook updates), I blurt out “did you SEE this?”

She casually takes a sip of her coffee and slowly turns in my direction, “hmm?”

“Samsung offered free mobile phones to upset iPhone 4 users who complained about the phone on Twitter!” I said rapidly, with unusual early-morning pep in my tone.

My wife takes another sip of coffee and utters, “hmm” before looking back down to her news reading.

Okay, I get it. Not everyone gets excited about a complex, global company pulling off a timely news-grabbing move using social media, but I REALLY do.

Read more on Samsungs brilliant move on Allison & Partners' blog "It's About the Work."

Social Media Crisis Comm. Presentation

Social media and crisis are a very scary combination; the thing that keeps PR people up at night. 

On Thursday, May 13th I'll be giving a presentation on this topic to the American Marketing Association's-Phoenix Chapter as part of a bigger social media presentation with my shot-caller Cathy Planchard.

Here are a few articles on the subject from AdAge (reporters Rupal Parekh and Edmund Lee) that explore a few recent cases. I suggest reading them if you have the time, especially the Pampers one, which is really good:

How Twittering Critics Brought Down Motrin Mom Campaign 

Parents Use Social Media to Sound Off on J&J Recall

How Pampers Battled Diaper Debacle

The Right Way to Make Your Social Media Mea Culpa

Don't Have Time to Read Those? A Few Takeaways:

1) Don't piss of mommies

2) Dispel false information fast

3) Move fast and keep it real

I'll have some more insight after my presentation, but I don't want to give away my key conclusions until afterwards. 

If you want to register or attend the event, register here