The Ultimate Digital PR Technology Wish List?

Reading the FT this weekend, I came across an article about a hi-tech treasure hunt (geocaching) as part of a feature on ‘pursuits – the things we long to do’.

It got me thinking about the technology we long to use and those bits of kit that we can no longer do without.

The list of potential gadgets I’d like to have access to is endless – from a 3D home cinema to interactive computer screens in the office. However, as a digital PR professional, I know that realistically most of the technology I crave is linked to enhanced communication.

Like many people, I can’t be too far away from my Blackberry. Not only is it my link to email and phone, but also Twitter, Video, Web and much, much more. What better way to capture an important moment and be able to share it with others while on the move? While your PDA of choice may differ, the desire to keep in touch via multimedia remains fairly consistent for most people – just look at the ongoing demand for the Apple iPhone and the forthcoming Palm Pre.

This week, the Guardian carried an article by Charles Arthur on how technology journalists seem able to spot the latest tech that is likely to succeed and still be used in five, ten, twenty years. It was an interesting insight into how leading journalists such as Rory-Cellan Jones work, but also reminded me why following the tech media is vital as the findings truly do impact our daily lives.

At the start of my career in PR (some fourteen years ago!) the communication tools available were landline phones, fax machines and the Royal Mail. Even working at the forefront of technology it was some time before we had the excitement of a dial up Internet connection for the entire team to share.

Now being contactable 24x7 is the norm and patience for information to be sent or retrieved is limited to a few seconds. Forgotten are the labour intensive research tasks we used to undertake using telephone directories and encyclopaedias.

I believe technology advances are an essential way of enhancing our lives – don’t forget the same tech that keeps us in touch with the office keeps us in touch with our friends, family and leisure pursuits. The possibilities are endless - we can all become farmers via a Facebook application or learn cutting edge new skills via virtual training sessions on SecondLife.

So, what would communications technology would you find essential for your ultimate weekend pursuit? I’m still working on my technology wish list –at least there’s still 90 days to go before Christmas…

PR vs. SEO: the great debate

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) agencies have been extremely vocal about how the PR (Public Relations) industry apparently does not understand digital. Let's just knock that myth on the head - we do.

In this month's Communicate magazine's regular @loggerheads slot, I was given the opportunity to debate with Andrew Girdwood of Bigmouthmedia. Neil Gibbons, the editor, asked: "Who is better placed to assist a company in its social media strategy - a specialist PR firm or a SEO consultancy?"

The @loggerheads debate format doesn't really allow either side to win, and when two opposing sides are arguing from thought-out (dare I say, entrenched) sides it would be unlikely for either side to concede ground in such a public forum. However I stand by my principle that I have argued before and with Andrew during the debate: PR and online PR, and SEO are different but hugely complimentary skills.

The argument that SEO agencies such as Bigmouthmedia keep on recycling - that PR agencies just don't get digital - is null and void. We do. The standard of best practice and knowledge that I see coming out of the PRCA and its Digital Committee, as well as the industry in general, is amazing. Genius practitioners such as Mat Morrison at Porter Novelli, have deep and clear knowledge of both PR and the web (its technologies, its algorithms and its psychologies).

As an industry, PRs should stand up and be proud of our digital knowledge, our multi-channel experience and our online skills. SEO is extremely important in any social media strategy, however just one part of an online / off-line delivery specific to each client and their objectives. It's vital that both sectors understand and value each others' benefits, and work together in a way that delivers meaningful results.

PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait... wait... Rank: wait... Traffic: wait... Price: wait... W: wait... BL: wait... C: wait...

Maths and the media - a lively debate at the British Science Festival

Last night, some of thebluedoor team went along to the British Science Festival talk on ‘Why journalists love stupid equations’. Having worked in the PR industry for many years, we were intrigued by the topic.

This extremely interesting talk was led by Simon Singh, accomplished author and journalist specialising in science and mathematics.

The seminar was packed full of people from a range of backgrounds – journalists, academics and members of the general public with an interest in the topic.

‘Why journalists love stupid equations’ focused on the use of formula by companies to promote their product or service. Humorous examples given included: the perfect goal, the perfect day to shop before Christmas, and my particular favourite - the perfect way to pour gravy. Some of these were also highlighted by Mr Singh recently in The Guardian.

Simon Singh gave a comprehensive insight into his concerns about some mathematicians who provide formulae that are only developed for promotional purposes and are not based on actual mathematics. As these types of stories tend to gain a lot of media coverage, they could cause confusion for readers over what is real and what is fantasy – potentially giving scientists and mathematicians a bad name.

The talk was informative as well as hugely enjoyable. Based on the number of questions at the end, it seems that the debate over the use of such formulae by the media and companies to promote their products is likely to go on for some time!

Having enjoyed this event so much, I’m looking forward to tomorrow night’s talk on ‘The House That Twitters’. And of course, I’ll be Tweeting about it!

Cloud Computing: cutting through the hype

Last night I attended First Tuesday's networking seminar - 'The Future of Cloud Computing'. With an impressive line-up of speakers including Mat Clayton from Mixcloud, Stuart Hibbert from icomplete and Mike Wright from Striata, it provided a reality check to the current hype-cycle media clamour associated with all-things 'Cloud'.

Issues associated with the 'Cloud' were raised by most of the speakers, as well as the audience, time and time again. As Stuart succinctly put, these are: "Interoperability, security, reliability, performance, legal, portability, availability and management." And the costs associated with latency - by the micro-second - can be enormous: for example, a delay of half a second on search returns, Google loses 20% of potential advertising revenue.

A key point was also raised, that the 'Cloud' is certainly good for start-ups and projects due to its cost-saving benefits, however until standards such as the Cloud Manifesto (which looks at issues such as standards, security, evolution, access and discrimination, transparency, and interoperability) ensure that the sector matures, it is not a viable solution for larger global enterprises.

Striata's Mike Wright presented some fascinating case-studies that his company has worked on involving highly complex legal and technical issues associated with data transfers between the EU, America and China. He also highlighted the very real problems associated with the US Patriot Act. His obvious experience of having 'done it' was impressive.

And the closing words from Dell's Alastair Mcfadzean was that the cloud is an enabler. He said "Cloud is not about technology, it is about making IT efficient and more responsive to the business" - in other words, it is about businesses looking at their business models and adapting.

Ironically, one of the most well known Clouds that touches many of our lives - Googlemail - failed spectacularly, last night. There were thousands of tweets per minute of disgruntled, irate and upset users unable to access their Gmail accounts. This demonstrates how reliant we are on the 'Cloud' already - and even with a free-service there are massive expectations that it should be available and reliable.