Sally Falkow

A veteran of the PR industry, I've translated my knowledge and experience in marketing, PR and communication to the Internet. My interests are in the shift in media consumption and how new technology is affecting the practice of public relations. My blog is theProactive Report, and I cover new ideas and trends in public relations and social media.

I am Accredited in Public Relations Practitioner by the Public Relations Society of America and I am a Senior Fellow of the Society for New Communication Research.

I orginally launched the Social Media Club in LA in 2005 - SMC is active in promoting new media education and standards - such as the format for the social media press release. We now have a new chapter for East LA based in Pasadena.

Online newsrooms should go social

As is always the case with a rapid shift in technology, it takes awhile for everyone to get up to speed. Companies are definitely seeing the value of implementing social ideas in their marketing, PR, HR, and customer service. According to the WetPaint/Altimeter Group’s EngagmentDB.com report, those that are the most engaged in social media are also the ones doing the best financially. Yet their websites often don’t reflect their level of engagement in social media.

by Sally Falkow 22 July 2010 19:47pm 2 comments

Journalists depend on social media

An overwhelming majority of reporters and editors now depend on social media sources when researching their stories, but they turn to PR for primary research and context.

by Sally Falkow 21 January 2010 16:06pm 8 comments

Social Media Putting Marketing and PR Jobs on the Line

Social media will be an enterprise-wide mainstay by 2011, but most marketers and PR people are still trying to wrap their heads around it all. And those that don't get up to speed could find themselves without a job.

The CMO Club, polls its members on a regular basis. Just before the end of 2009 they asked this question: What would you do differently in 2010? 64% said they'd increase their spend on social media and 72% of those who are not yet doing social media said it's on their list for this year.

by Sally Falkow 12 January 2010 17:01pm 7 comments

Deep social media engagement pays dividends

A new study released today from Wetpaint and the Altimeter Group confirms that deep engagement with consumers through social media channels correlates to better financial performance.

by Sally Falkow 23 July 2009 00:09am 2 comments

Socia media wars - mommy bloggers vs PR

I was surprised to hear that one mommy blogging community (Momdot) has called for a PR blackout for a week in August.

"MomDot is challenging bloggers to participate for one week in August in a PR Blackout challenge where you do not blog ANY giveaways, ANY reviews, and Zero press releases. In fact, we don't want you to talk to PR at ALL that whole week. We want to see your blog naked, raw, and back to basics."

by Sally Falkow 17 July 2009 17:09pm 7 comments

PRSA Counselors Academy says mastering social media skills is vital this year

An online survey conducted in April and May among 450 members of the Counselors Academy, a Professional Interest Section of the Public Relations Society of America, revealed that mastering social media skills is one of the top three issues for PR professionals in 2009/2010.

by Sally Falkow 07 July 2009 04:38am 0 comments

Are brands ignoring moms?

According to M2Moms, a report from the Market to Moms Coalition, 60% of moms feel marketers are ignoring their needs, and 73% feel advertisers don't really understand what it's like to be a mom. The challenge, says the report, is sensing her distinct, timely needs and responding in a way that truly resonates.

by Sally Falkow 01 July 2009 12:52pm 1 comment

How Journalists Use Social Media

PR practitioners should pay close attention to the number of journalists using social media tools. A few years ago, people were sceptical that most journalists would use social media tools at all. Even though the social media press release format, and the desire to get news in feeds, grew out of a journalist's frustration with traditional press releases, the perception was that it would not catch on with non-tech journalists.