Public relations has drastically changed in recent years. And these changes will only continue as we move forward.On episode 18 of the FIR on Higher Education podcast, communications thought leader Deirdre Breakenridge shared insights on how professors can prepare students and professionals for these new realities. Deirdre outlined the eight practices for the PR professional and discussed best …
Podcast 17: How to Use Social Media to Achieve University Advancement Goals
How can institutions use social media to achieve some of their advancement goals? How are university presidents using social media to help in the process? The latest episode of FIR on Higher Education addresses these questions.Our main guest is Michael Stoner, President of the higher educational consultancy mStoner, Inc. Michael led the 2014 Social Media in Advancement survey, conducted together …
The Correlation between Digital Communications Efforts and Traditional Media Exposure
There is a clear link between digital media presence and traditional media exposure. Mark Anthony Neal is a professor at Duke with a prolific digital media footprint (access previous Q and A interviews on why he thinks this is important for academics and a follow-up piece on his social media strategy). This week, he shared how digital media success translates to traditional media exposure.How …
Leveraging Social Media as an Academic
Imagine writing or editing over 1,000 blog posts in a year. Or what about engaging with over 28,000 followers on Twitter. For Duke Professor Mark Anthony Neal, this is not a dream but a reality.In a previous post, Mark outlined why he considered external communications important as a professor. So if you are not sure why you should blog, revert back to that post first! In this follow-up Q and A, …
Why Professors Should Disseminate their Knowledge and Share Opinions to Public Audiences
Professors have a megaphone to the world. There are incredible opportunities for academics to communicate their knowledge with the general public through traditional and social media. While many don’t for various reasons, there are a number of professors who are doing this incredibly well. One such individual is Mark Anthony Neal, an African American studies professor at Duke University and author …
Podcast 15: Interview with Professor Karen Freberg on Social Media Influencer Personality Traits
Are there common traits that personify social media influencers? Karen Freberg, a professor at the University of Louisville, has researched this very question. She and her colleagues did a study of Brian Solis, Deidre Breakenridge, Jeremiah Owyang and Charlene Li and identified common behaviors. Karen shares the findings and implications on the latest episode of FIR on Higher Education.We also …
The media landscape in Brazil: An interview with Mariela Castro
The World Cup is over and Brazilians are depressed about their football team’s performance. But don’t let that stop you from seizing media opportunities in Brazil. I wrote about this in a recent post based on my experiences dealing with media in Brazil. I wanted to build on this, so I interviewed Mariela Castro, founder of Communications Advisors in Sao Paulo. I metMariela at a conference several …
Podcast 13: Fortune Managing Editor Andy Serwer on the Future of Business Journalism
While many are talking about the demise of traditional media, Fortune Managing Editor Andy Serwer believes that we are currently in the golden age of journalism.Andy spoke at UNC's School of Journalism earlier this month. Prior to his talk to students, he discussed the future of business journalism on the FIR on Higher Education podcast. He also offered best practice tips and tactics on how …
Podcast #12: Dealing with a University Crisis Communications Scenario
Student misbehavior, protests against university policy and violence on campus – these are among the issues that a university spokesperson must be prepared to address from a crisis communications perspective.If you are looking to hear best practice on crisis communications within a higher education environment, then you will want to listen to episode 12 of FIR on Higher Education.Michael …
Why Public Relations Practitioners Need to Be Organizational Educators
In the old days, it was simple for us communicators. Do some media training for just a few of the top spokespeople in the organization and ensure everyone is on message. Then work on coming up with a story, pitch it in the press and receive a positive clip. Finally, send it to a few people and pat yourself on the back.As we know, that’s all changed. The digital communications revolution has …
Teens, Visual Storytelling and Higher Education Communications
It is no surprise that young people are fleeing Facebook in favor of other social media sites. In fact, Facebook even announced their concern about this during an earnings announcement last year.It seems like there are new studies out on a regular basis showing the most used social media sites among particular demographics. The latest one I came across is from Piper Jaffray, an investment bank …
Academics leveraging Instagram: #FollowFriday Professor 4, Karen Freberg
Every Friday, I highlight one academic who is strategically leveraging the power of digital communications in the editorial series "#FollowFriday Professor” . The goal of this feature is that if you are an academic or thought leader looking to establish an online presence, you will be able to draw on this archive and use it as a source for inspiration in creating / refreshing your own personal …
Podcast 7 – Interview with Eric Schwartzman on How to Create Engaging Online Courses
What are the keys to creating an engaging and educational experience when producing online classes? In FIR on Higher Education episode 7, Comply Socially Founder Eric Schwartzman answers this question. …
Podcast #6 – Millenials, Workforce Needs and Higher Education
How should higher education innovate to meet hiring managers' expectations of university graduates?Dan Schawbel, an expert on workplace trends and Gen Y careers, addresses these questions on episode six of For Immediate Release on Higher Education. He also delves into a recent research study he led on the future of education. According to this study, 50% of students surveyed noted that they …
FIR on Higher Education Podcast – Episode 4: A Discussion with Jonah Berger about Why Things Catch On
Blenders – they are one of least remarkable items out there. However, a series of catchy videos produced by Blendtec generated millions of views. How does this happen? How can you get your content to go viral? Is it by chance or is there a science to it?Professor Jonah Berger, author of the best-selling book Contagious, has researched this topic and introduced a framework about why things catch …