Eric Anderson: The PR Whisperer

At SE2, when we lose our keys, we all know to call on Eric Anderson, our own in-house psychic. Anderson's put his unique gift (and zany party trick!) to good use in his post on Denver PR blog, predicting trends in PR for 2010:

10. CBS4 Assignment Editor Misty Montano’s Twitter followers exceed total CBS4 viewership.

9. Denver TV news station hires first anchor who hasn’t actually finished high school yet.

8. Colorado public official sends minute-by-minute tweets revealing content of closed-door executive session.

7. Westword becomes insert placed inside weekly 60-page medical marijuana advertising circular.

6. Inspired by Mad Men, communications professionals try drinking at lunch only to discover that when they sleep at their desk they drool on important papers.

5. New LinkedIn app lets bosses monitor satisfaction of employees based on how often they update their profiles or trade recommendations. (More updates/recommendations=employee is desperate to escape.)

4. Breakthrough electronic format allows men to comfortably read online news in the bathroom. Paper newspapers begin final death spiral. Women report not seeing husbands for days at a time.

3. Peter Boyles loses last shred of credibility. (Oh, wait, that already happened.)

2. Pulitzer committee admits error, retroactively gives Public Service award to Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle for two-part investigative series on cougar bars.

1. Jeremy Story figures out why Penny Parker keeps ignoring his pitches.


...meanwhile, I'll be on LinkedIn, trading recommendations.

Update (1/15/10): The Denver Post's Penny Parker - who we've always said knows a good thing when she sees it - picks up Anderson's predictions.

Mobile Social Media Tool Helps Red Cross Think Fast

When you're a relief organization like the Red Cross, there is a perpetual need to be able to reach the masses with ease and raise funds quickly. As announced on President Obama's website, Red Cross, which is conducting the bulk of U.S.-sponsored relief efforts in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, has started a mobile donation campaign to raise funds to support the relief program.

From whitehouse.gov: "For those interesting [sic] in helping [Haitian relief efforts] immediately, simply text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill."

With such a time-sensitive need to raise funds, the Red Cross's mobile organizing efforts work for three reasons:

1. It's quick - donors don't have to fill out forms of information, get out their credit cards, or even be at a computer to donate;
2. The ask is modest - at only $10, the baseline ask is hardly an amount to balk at, and because of the ease of the donation process, it's easy for donors to give multiple times;
3. There's no "sign up" - many organizations require you to create an account on their website to donate and then proceed to flood your inbox with email updates. The Red Cross mobile donation program abides by the privacy policy of the Wireless Foundation, which processes these donations through non-personally identifiable information.

With the development of wireless technology on the rise, the Red Cross is staying ahead of the curve while making donating easier and more accessible. Due to the severity of the situation in Haiti, it's a good thing.

Cheers to 2010!

It all started out so innocently – the carols, the tinsel, my adorable hat and scarf combo…is it so wrong to want to spread some freakin’ cheer? I guess, in hindsight, things started to go downhill when those cute elves convinced me to start taking holiday shots…but it’s a new year, and with some help from my friends at SE2 – along with a short stint in detox – I think I’m back on top. Happy 2010, everyone!