Favorite Finds

It’s a short work week for many – if not most – American workers. But the twittersphere doesn’t slow down for anyone! Here are some of my favorite finds from the penultimate week of the year!

• Mashable has created a 90-second montage of the year’s news in review. It’s not been an easy year, quite clearly, but December ends on more of a high note. Thanks, Star Wars.
• These mobile marketing statistics are supposed to move us to action. Some of the data is seemingly out-of-date, but nonetheless there are some eye-opening numbers. Case in point, according to Dynatrace, 74 percent of mobile users will only wait five seconds or less for a webpage to load!
• A new study shows that the majority of executives say PR and communications teams – not marketing departments – are best suited to handle social media channels for their companies, an increase over a similar study conducted two years ago. Collaboration and integrated messaging are key in my book!
• The musical “Hamilton” has generated more than 1 million tweets this year! We are so excited for its planned extended run in Chicago!

Happy Holidays to all! 

Favorite Finds

‘Tis the season for year-end roundups, 2016 predictions and the start of the holiday movie season (Star Wars!). Here are some of my favorite finds for the week:

• Use the Force: The Force is strong with savvy communicators. PR Daily provided five tips on how to become a Jedi—er, PR Master.
• Survey Says: More business executives want PR pros handling their brand’s social media according to a recent survey from staffing firm The Creative Group.
• Reviews Roundup: Star Wars fans will be delighted to hear that the movie is receiving critical acclaim. Mashable compiled several early reviews.
• On Trend: Staying on top of your PR game means keeping up with the practices shaping the industry. Forbes provided a list of seven major digital PR trends to watch out for in 2016.
• Top 12 List: There were many PR brand crises in 2015. Here’s a purely subjective list of some of the year’s top stories covered by PR News.

Favorite Finds

As we near 2016, the Twitterverse is already buzzing with top 2015 lists and reflections on another year gone by. Here are my favorite finds from this week!

• Mr. and Mrs. Obama’s Top Pop Culture Picks – The President and First Lady shared their favorite movies, songs and TV shows from 2015. Plus, watch POTUS eat salmon that had been chewed on by a bear!
• Readers’ Choice – The New York Times published its 50 most popular articles from this year.  Instead of counting clicks, the stories that readers spent the longest time reading made the cut as the favorite NYT articles of 2015. Leading the list are stories from the “Modern Love” column.
• Video Killed Social Reading – Facebook and Twitter users spent significantly more time than ever this year watching videos. GoPro cameras were a hot commodity, investments in video-streaming companies doubled and Periscope skyrocketed, with Apple naming it “App of the Year.”
• Chipotle Crisis Continues – For another consecutive week #Chipotle trended on Twitter as critics analyzed the company’s PR approach to crisis communications. According to a PR Daily article, several consumers think the CFO should show more compassion.
• Twitter Politics – The Wall Street Journal published Twitter’s top social media moments from 2015. Check out the trending moments from the year that were central to the U.S. political landscape.

First Alert Links Home Safety to the Smart Home Revolution

Our client First Alert is well-known for safety products like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers – it is the most trusted name in home safety, after all! The recently launched Onelink by First Alert portfolio of connected home products continues that legacy of safety and innovation, and the First Alert LCWA team is now in the throes of launching it to media – starting with the Onelink Wi-Fi Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm.

The only smoke and CO alarm that works with the easy-to-use, secure and smart home platform of Apple HomeKit, this new alarm is making a big splash with tech and home media alike, with stories in The Verge, MacWorld and more. From coordinating a multi-media news release showcasing the alarm’s key features and stylish design to scheduling deskside meetings with hand-picked NYC contacts and reaching out to priority media, the team is spreading the word about this exciting introduction from First Alert! Up next: the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas!  

Favorite Finds

As winter finally rolls into Chicago with flakes, flurries and a rush of holiday shoppers, here are my favorite finds from this week!

• Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2016 – As we prepare to deck the halls, Pantone has announced their color of the year for 2016. And this year they have chosen two: Rose Quartz and Serenity. Pantone chose Rose Quartz and Serenity as they produce a balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, creating connections as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.

• E.coli Frenzy – What was originally a recall at only few Chipotle stores in the West has launched into recalls related to celery products in 18 states. Other chains affected now include: Costco, Safeway, Starbucks, Target, Walmart and 7-Eleven. A great PR reminder that a few days can change the whole story.

• Lolla Celebrates 25 Years – In celebration of it’s 25 year anniversary as a world-renowned music festival, Lollapalooza announced an additional concert day for the 2016 edition in Chicago’s Grant Park, which in total will feature more than 170 musical performances over four days – running July 28 – 31, 2016.

• Facebook Live is out! – After letting journalists and celebrities try out Periscope’s competitor, Facebook began testing Live – it’s version of live streaming – with average iOS users on Thursday. What makes it different is that only close friends receive a notification, and videos are permanently saved. Also out now is Collages, which lets you post multiple photos and videos as tiles. Facebook is trying to stay current with Snapchat, Periscope, Meerkat and even Twitter!

• Best Restaurants in America – Open Table has released their top 100 best restaurants in America based on more than five million reviews and more than 20,000 restaurants! Of those three are in Chicago: Bavettes, Boka and Les Nomades. Definitely adding these places to the dining wish list!

Recent LCWA-penned Bylines in Medical Trades

LCWA client the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Healthcare (AAAHC) is seeking to position its leadership and staff as thought leaders in medical accreditation. To accomplish this task, LCWA has ghostwritten a number of bylined articles on topical issues in key service areas and successfully placed them in targeted medical trade publications. In the last month alone, LCWA has placed three AAAHC-bylined articles, which appeared in Modern Healthcare, Medical Economics and Review of Ophthalmology. Each article presents valuable information to readers while also furthering the mission of AAAHC. For more examples of recent LCWA media placements, visit our Pinterest board.