Social Media For Business

Why Social Media?

A study conducted by Wetpaint and the Altimeter Group found that almost 80 percent of Inc. 500 companies used social media in 2009 – up 31 percent from 2008. The study measured engagement of the top 100 brands online and found that those companies with the deepest levels of engagement saw revenues grow by an average of 18 percent in 2008. Those brands with the lowest levels of engagement saw an average drop in revenue of 6 percent. 

read more >>

Crisis Management:  A White Paper

When The Worst Happens

When Duke University Health System discovered in December 2004 that patients at Durham Regional Hospital and Duke Health Raleigh Hospital had been exposed to instruments accidentally cleaned with used hydraulic fluid rather than detergent, the system had a classic public relations (PR) crisis on its hands. 

In a PR best practices approach, Duke should have told the truth, told it all and told it fast.  However, this is not the approach that Duke University chose to take.  Instead of reining in the runaway freight train, Duke stepped back and let the patients and the media charge ahead and tell the story themselves, and the result was not favorable to Duke. 

read more >>

The Benefits of Corporate Blogging

Blogging has come a long way during the past few years. The blogosphere no longer is considered “fringe” journalism. Instead, bloggers helped drive the news cycle during the 2008 Presidential election. They can – and in many cases will – scoop beat writers at major metro newspapers.

The result is that blogs have gained a great deal of readership and respect. It is a medium that is constantly leveling the playing field and creating powerful publishing opportunities for everyone from big-time CEOs to the college students with something to say. (Gutenberg would be proud.)

read more >>