Word Of Mouth Important For PR: Todd Defren Looks Back On PR Blog Week
July 31, 2009
John: What did you learn about blogging (if you learned anything about blogging) from the blog week?
Todd: I learned that “blogging” was an even bigger trend – and more truly global – than I’d ever considered up til that point. It made me realize that blogging was transformational, not just a “new media channel.”
John: How do you think the Global PR Blog week influenced you and the industry?
Todd: As excited as I was to participate and learn, I was actually disappointed by the lack of big buzz attending this event: it was probably just too new of an idea.
John: Reviewing the post(s) you wrote for the Global PR Blog week what has changed? What has not changed, since you wrote your post?
Todd: I wrote about ROI of PR – which is as frustrating an area as ever. I do think that as more of PR goes online, what can be clicked can be tracked, and that will eventually help determine ROI in a consistent way
John: Why did PR professionals take such an early lead in writing blogs and social media?
Todd: Good PR has only ever been about relationships, context and relevance. We also like to talk and write. We’re communicators. We took to Social Media like fish to water!
John: Why are PR professionals, leaders in the enterprise for the use of social media?
Todd: PR pros recognize the importance of communications in a broader context: we know the power of word of mouth – not just as a “channel” but as a means of doing business.
John: Give an update on what you've been doing in the last five years, and what you are doing now?
Todd: Just living the dream. SHIFT was 1 year old at the time. 5 years later we’ve seen our business grow from $2M to $12M so it’s been a wild, amazing, hang-on-to-your-seats kind of ride!
John: Thanks Todd, much appreciated!