Monthly Archives: August 2009

Station Fire–the view from Pasadena

I find myself in a hotel in Pasadena where from the street I can see the flames from the Station Fire leaping into the sky. I’m in LA for a series of meetings with government agencies about emergency communications–so it’s … Continue reading

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California fires media coverage

I’m in a hotel in Pasadena, with fires just above us. I just heard one guest, probably one of many evacuees filling this hotel, say: ” I don’t pay attention to the media, they don’t know what is going on.” … Continue reading

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Now mainstream breaks the big stories on Twitter–first

I’m getting ready for the webinar I’m doing Sept 1 for Government Educator on Twitter in Government Communications. I just keep pace with the rapid changes in how Twitter is being used for public information and news. Here’s the latest … Continue reading

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Bike riding mom turns drive-in policy around with Twitter

First, thanks to Doug Walton for pointing me at this story. I’m sure that Burgerville employee who told the mom on a bike  that should couldn’t use up the drive-in window had no idea her story would end up in … Continue reading

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Dave Carroll back with more music for United Airlines

I just don’t get it. After getting something like 4 million visits on YouTube for his entertaining complaint music video, Canadian musician Dave Carroll apparently is still ticked off at United. I just can’t believe they aren’t bright enough over … Continue reading

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Whole Foods and the dangers/opportunities of controversial stands

This world can be a scary place for people who dare to express political opinions. I certainly found it out when I ran for state office five years ago. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods found it out as well … Continue reading

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Incorporating social media into communication drills and exercises

Drills and exercises are at the core of almost anyone’s crisis response preparations–as they should be. I’ve been involved recently in preparing communication drills and exercises (usually JIC or Joint Information Center drills). I’m finding a lot of PIOs and … Continue reading

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Dominos explains its response to the YouTube video crisis

Tim McIntyre of Dominos Pizza explains in the PRSA Strategist article how Dominos responded to the video posted by a couple of idiotic employees on YouTube. This event helped deliver the message to corporate leaders better than almost anything I … Continue reading

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No surprise here–most of Twitter is "pointless babble"

Even while Twitter among professional communicators such as those in government is all the talk and concern, I believe that it is already on its way down after a meteoric rise in attention and focus. I predicted, to the surprise … Continue reading

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Russian power plant disaster and the global village

As I write this, the world is finding out about a horrible power plant disaster in Siberia. I’m now also blogging for Emergency Management’s new website and I offered a more complete list of lessons learned on that blog. (For … Continue reading

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