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    Suggestions for Researchers on Dealing with News Media

    by  • December 2, 2011 • On News Media and Media Relations

    Don Cardinal, a professor at Chapman College, drew some big-time national attention years back when his research on facilitated communication, a controversial technique used to help people with autism or mental retardation communicate more effectively, got ripped in the media. Programs such as “Frontline” on the Public Broadcasting Service and “60 Minutes” on CBS produced […]

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    On the Conflict Between Writers and Designers

    by  • December 2, 2011 • On Communications Tools and Tactics

    This from Designer, the publication of the University and College Designers Association, on the tension between designers and writers. What writers think about designers Designers don’t (can’t?) read. Designers see copy as potential gray blocks (that if not kept gray can mess up a design). Designers have ego problems. Designers aren’t detail oriented. Designers only […]

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    Why God Never Got Tenure

    by  • December 2, 2011 • On Culture

    Here’s why God never received tenure at any university, thanks to Bob Guthrie, who was the PR guy at Creighton University when he mounted this on the Internet. He had only one major publication. It was in Hebrew It had no references. It wasn’t published in a refereed journal. Some even doubt he wrote it […]

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    Can We Learn from Geese Flying in Formation?

    by  • December 2, 2011 • On Culture

    You’ve probably heard this old geese chestnut of unknown origin, but it does make the point about teamwork and collaboration, and besides, we got this from our father-in-law so it had to make the cut. This fall when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying along in a “V” formation, you might be […]

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    A Real Estate Agent You Can Trust

    by  • December 2, 2011 • On Culture

    When we were in the housing market some years back we got a direct mail piece from a local agent. Most direct mail goes immediately in the trash, but this one was too good. Hi friend, Yes I want to call you freind (sic), and I hope you will consider me one. Everyone needs a […]

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    Twenty-Three Rules of Effective Writing to Consider

    by  • December 2, 2011 • On Communications Tools and Tactics

    We have always liked (but not always agreed with) these 23 rules of good writing by Frank Visco in “How To Write Good”: Avoid alliteration. Always. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with. Avoid clichés like the plague. (They’re old hat.) Employ the vernacular. Eschew obfuscation. Don’t use ampersands & abbreviations, etc. Parenthetical remarks […]

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    Top 10 for Public Relations Writing Excellence

    by  • December 2, 2011 • On Communications Tools and Tactics

    We always respected the work of veteran public relations pro John Budd Jr., so we’ve kept his top 10 list of criteria for excellence in public relations writing. Writing—is it professional or pedestrian? Grammatical accuracy—self-explanatory. Relevance—of legitimate interest to whomever it is directed? Substance—does it say anything? Creativity—dull or interesting? Proactive or reactive—defensive writing is […]

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    Faculty Productivity a Long-Time Issue

    by  • December 2, 2011 • On News Media and Media Relations

    Faculty productivity has become a major issue these days, fueled by arch-conservative politicians such as Texas Gov. Rick Perry, but this topic has been around for a long, long time. It is extremely difficult for the public to comprehend or relate to the realities of a typical faculty member’s workday, his or her responsibilities and […]

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    Survey Shows Public Mistrust in Crises

    by  • December 2, 2011 • On Culture

    In a survey conducted by the New York-based public relations firm Porter-Novelli, 65 percent of respondents said when an organization declines to comment in a crisis it is implying guilt. Only 19 percent of those surveyed felt companies are totally truthful in crisis situations and 75 percent said companies refuse to take responsibility for crises. […]

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    Survey Says CEOs Get Best Ideas on the Toilet

    by  • December 2, 2011 • On Culture

    The results of a survey of 2,500 corporate executives conducted by Charles Thompson to determine where they get their best ideas. While sitting on the toilet. While showering or shaving. While commuting to work. While falling asleep or waking up. During a boring meeting. During leisure reading. While exercising. On waking up in the middle […]

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