Jim Clerkin

It's easy for journalists, PR people and marketers to all demonise eachother, but the reality of modern communication - especially B2B comms - is that we all need one another. Almost all news published today is sourced from a press release or proactive media relationship. Establishing respectful, mutually beneficial relationships can make all the difference - as a journalist it's such a load off your mind knowing you can get an impactful comment right when you need it. When you trust a comms professional, you're more likely to turn to them when you need expert commentary, and in turn to hear them out when they tell you about a potentially impactful story (especially relevant considering how many releases flood our inboxes). But these relationships take work - the tricky part is they might not pay off right away, but in the long term, they can pay dividends. I've written a short blog about this symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship, and why it matters to both parties ⬇ 👇 ⬇ - As a former journalist, who's also worked in marketing and PR comms (and who still freelances gaming features!), I would love your thoughts, no matter where you sit on the PR/marketing/journalism divide!

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At the Boston Book Festival Today, I heard thought-provoking commentary on AI, with implications for communications pros. During a panel on tech trends, author Andrew Smith said AI is not intelligent and later on author Jeff Jarvis noted that we should put more on the Internet so that there will be better data and a greater range of perspectives for AI tools to consider. Put together, these two comments are good news for those of us in public relations or others who work on generating content. This is because AI by itself cannot come up with quality content. It is reliant on already existing content. Therefore, there will continue to be strong demand for high-quality content that can connect with many different types of audiences for the foreseeable future. How do you envision AI affecting content generation in the years to come?

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When it comes to a crisis, a company's success lies directly in its effective communication process. One of the biggest mistakes a company can make is not having a PR team or open lines of communication. This article provides good examples of what to and what not to do during a crisis.

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COLORADO

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One thing you always hear from reporters: don't pitch them on topics they don't cover! Doing your homework and ensuring your media lists are updated is key. Tools like Cision and Muck Rack are helpful, but they can only take you so far. I loved meeting with these pros and learning how their needs are evolving as newsrooms shrink and the demand for content grows. Tailoring your pitches to align with their specific interests is how you build strong relationships and secure coverage.

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Let’s dive into this week’s Association Insights video, tackling one of the evergreen questions association communicators always have: How do I get more reporters to attend our event? 🎤 Make It Newsworthy: Highlight unique angles, exclusive access or significant industry developments that resonate with your audience. The more relevant your event, the more likely reporters will see value in attending. 📧 Personalize Your Outreach: Skip the generic press releases. Tailor your invitations to individual reporters, referencing their past work and explaining why your event is relevant to them. ⏰ Time It Right: Send out invitations well in advance, but not too early. Follow up closer to the event with additional details or exclusive opportunities. 🎁 Offer Unique Incentives: Consider one-on-one interviews with key speakers, access to exclusive content or behind-the-scenes tours. Unique offerings can make your event more appealing. 🤝 Build Relationships: Share valuable insights and be a reliable resource year-round. Strong relationships increase the likelihood that reporters will prioritize your event. By focusing on these strategies, you can boost your chances of getting reporters to attend and cover your event. 💬 How do you get reporters to attend your events? Share your tips in the comments! #AssociationInsights #EventPR #MediaRelations #OnWrdUpWrd #Communications

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Over the past five years, conference planning timelines have been all over the place. But that is changing heading into 2025. Our latest blog reveals when event organizers are planning and shares advice on how to get coveted speaking slots amidst shifts in the industry. Find out: - What conference organizers have told us about their available speaking slots - How current events like the US presidential election are impacting planning timelines - Our number one rule for suggesting a speaker candidate

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As a PR pro and former journalist, I know that a good press release is one that tells a story and also generates earned media (gets journalists to write/do the story!). It must tell news! So what is news? What makes a good press release? Mickie Kennedy of eReleases joins me on Let's Talk PR & More today to discuss best practices of news release writing. Listen live at 5pm on 88.7FM WRHU or livestream; download the podcast from Goldman Communications Group's website or your favorite podcast site. #LetsTalkPRandMore #publicrelations #mediarelations #publicity

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BOSTON

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Event marketers: Change isn't coming, it's here! So many interesting nuggets in this latest Freeman Company trends report focused on next-gen attendees (especially around networking and learning). Thank you Janet Dell for the insightful conversation. #genz #experiential #eventprofs

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The Due Diligence Phase of a business transaction can be an emotional roller coaster. The psychological aspect of selling your business is often overlooked. Trust and rapport between buyer and seller are paramount to successfully navigate due diligence.

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This upcoming webinar from The Association of Health Care Journalists promises to be informative and helpful for anyone looking to learn more about health care costs

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For those who are interested in pop culture representations of PR, here's a podcast episode where I discuss my article on PR characters in U.S. mystery novels. https://lnkd.in/ePdAcZuH

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#TheConversations is here! Geek out with us in this episode all about publishing technology including #AI. It is a career highlight to work on this series.

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