Brandi Williams
corporate social responsibility should not be a ...
corporate social responsibility should not be a brand campaign
Brandi Williams
#pr is more than publicity
#pr is more than publicity
Brandi Williams
raynard jackson: quit stirring the pot!

news one recently reported a story on republican strategist raynard jackson. in the story they point out that jackson believes white women are helping black men more than black women. according to news one, jackson cites black women's faithful support of President Obama as the primary basis for his position.

while i think this is a pretty ridiculous barometer, i will have to agree with the underlying message that President Obama needs to do better and we (black women and black America) need to hold him (and all our leaders) accountable for doing better. i am doubtful that we will see him change his ways in relation to the policies that impact us before his term is out (doesn't mean we shouldn't try). our political leaders will not take a stand to help black folk alone. no one wants to be seen as an ally to black America.

Customer loyalty, WNBA, Public relations, LGBT, Marketing
Brandi Williams
no more campaigns

the wnba announced they will launch a campaign specifically targeted for the lbgt community. this news is significant to me for two main reasons:

no more campaigns
Brandi Williams
for the "LUV" of black boys

what can we do to help black men realize they are powerful beyond measure and have everything they need to provide and protect their families?

for the "LUV" of black boys

Simply PR

Customer Service 101

Everybody loves Illinois Senator Barack Obama.  He has the nation in an uproar right now, and everyone wondering, will he enter the presidential race in 2008.  I have stayed away from the Barack bandwagon, until recently.  During a recent interview with Oprah Obama stated that he didn't take private jets because he wanted to stay grounded in reality.  He said he wants to always stay connected to the needs of the people he serves because he never wants to "represent Washington to his constituents".  He wants to always "represent his constituents in Washington."  WOW!  Immediately I became an Obama fan because he proved to me that he understood the power in understanding your customer.

Customers are the center of every business in every industry.  They are the reason businesses exist...and the reason they cease to exist.  When executives fail to place priority on understanding their customers, they put their companies in precarious situations.  On the flip side, when they pay attention to customer needs they increase consumer loyalty, build trust and an emotional connection to the company brand.  In a recent Washington Post article Steve Pearlstein shares examples of how the customer-focused approach has proven successful for several companies (and he takes time to point out the simplicity and advantages of attending to internal customers as well).

The lesson.  Focus on customer needs - external and internal.  As PR professionals we must demonstrate the benefit in this simple strategy.

 

I Told You So

I told you so.  I told you that getting back to the basics was the best way to improve revenue; lower costs; manage business and industry trends and issues; and make customers happy.  Seems like I am not the only one that thinks so.  WOMMA (Word of Mouth Marketing Association...and yes, that is a real thing) thinks so too.  Check out what they have to say http://www.womma.org/pages/2006/11/womma_offers_un.htm.


The lesson.  Stop wasting time and get back to the basics.  Engage your customers face-to-face.

The Perfect Brand: Classic Simplicity with a bit of Emotion

Mercedes, Ralph Lauren and Lexus have mastered branding.  Yes, they have a long history in their perspective markets, but longevity is  not the key to their successes.  What is?  These companies have brand managers that undersatnd that the best brands are classic and simple, and they connect with customers' emotions and desires.

The lesson. Companies seeking longevity and top market share should create brands that are classic, simple and connect with customers' emotions.

Classic - Classic brands are timeless and appeal to people at all levels.  They do not follow the fads and trends of any one era. Classic brands stand the test of time, connect with generations.

Simplicity - Wikipedia defines simplicity as the property, condition, or quality of being simple or un-combined. It often connotes beauty. Simple things are usually easier to explain and understand than complex ones. Brands should be just that...easy to understand and explain...simple.

Emotional - Most successful brands create feelings of power, respect, honor, prestige or other desirable emotions in customers.  Make your brand emotional.