As August comes to a close we’re one step closer to saying goodbye to summer and hello to Q4! August brought with it some big news in the world of social media and public relations, catch up on everything you missed in this month’s roundup.
Learning from Passion: My Intern Experience at lotus823
Last month we shared Summer’s reflection on her internship. Now we’re happy to share the second blog in our summer intern series, as Alissa shares how her lotus823 internship differed from the traditional intern experience.
Marketing Approach for Peerless-AV: Q&A with Strategist Beth Gard
In our new “Client Spotlight” blog series we put the focus on our client campaigns and the dedicated teams behind them. This informative interview with Account Supervisor Beth Gard delves deep into the award-winning PR campaigns she has worked on for Peerless-AV.
What is Affiliate Marketing?: Q&A with Digital Advertising Strategist, Anthony Berardo
Never heard of affiliate marketing? Chances are you’ve encountered affiliate campaigns online without ever realizing it! Our interview with Digital Advertising Strategist, Anthony Berardo explores affiliate marketing and gives insight for brands looking to get into performance marketing.
The U.S. Digital Service: Where Tech Nerds Go To Save the World
The tech world’s brightest minds have abandoned Silicon Valley and headed across the country to work in the White House! Now in it’s second year the U.S. Digital Service serves as the “White House’s first tech startup.” Learn more about the USDS in this insightful profile by Christine Rochelle.
Find Your Match: Hiring the Right Public Relations Agency
Hiring a PR firm for your business can seem like a daunting task. There’s a lot to consider and the choice needs to feel right for everyone involved. Account Executive, Erin Cunningham explains the six most important factors to consider when vetting potential public relations agencies.
Before we move onto the month’s biggest industry news we have some exciting news. August marks a milestone for our integrated marketing agency – it’s our 6th anniversary!
Exploring August’s Biggest News Stories
Ryan Lochte’s Gold Medal PR Crisis
Swimmer Ryan Lochte was enjoying another successful Summer Olympics when his celebrating went a little too far. In the midst of a late night celebration with his teammates, Lochte vandalized a Brazilian gas station. That story would be bad enough for his image alone, however Lochte complicated matters by concocting a false narrative involving being robbed at gunpoint.
The truth quickly came to light, leaving Lochte disgraced and in the middle of an international incident. The lie would prove to be costly, as all four of Lochte’s major sponsorships cut ties with the athlete. One has to wonder if this PR crisis will be forgotten in time for Lochte to participate in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Instagram Takes Aim at Snapchat
In early August Instagram introduced their latest feature – Instagram Stories. The concept should be familiar to anyone who has used Snapchat, sharing photos in videos in a slideshow format with a 24-hour lifespan.
This provides brands with the ability to promote themselves the way they have been on Snapchat without the trouble of acquiring new followers. Instagram Stories are also viewable by everyone, not just an account’s existing followers. Brands like J.Crew and Taco Bell quickly adapted to the new platform, finding creative ways to share their message. It will be interesting to see if Snapchat users abandon the platform in order to minimize how many accounts they actively manage.