Archive for the ‘Public Relations & Wine’ Category
Every now and then I use “big words” both on this blog, on my other media endeavors, and in my work as a publicist. There is and always has been a debate among marketing professionals as to what level of vocabulary ought to be employed in order to properly deliver a marketing or promotional or sales message. It’s an interesting debate. I fall on the “use-the-word-that best fits-regardless-of-its-obscurity” side of the debate, rather than the “keep-it-simple-stupid” approach. There’s a middle…
What is the value of courting the media if you are a wine industry participant? To whom in the media ought wine or product samples be sent? Should winery owners express and publicize their political positions? What constitutes “news” in an industry built around producing a beverage that will get you drunk? When should you offer a member of the media an exclusive story? Is there ever a good reason to ask a wine reviewer to re-taste a wine after…
We still have very little idea just how much of wine media consuming public get information through blogs, versus professional, business publications. Comparing my own readership with the various forms of web monitoring services, I remain unconvinced that any of the services are very accurate. As a wine publicist interested in the readership of various media outlets, the readership of individual blogs interests me. And it interests other publicists, advertisers, and wine companies who look to media to help spread…
Successful wine public and media relations almost always revolves around a well thought out plan. The messaging is understood and can be easily articulated. The avenues and channels through which the brand message will be funneled is laid out. Each messaging channel demands a somewhat different story telling device. Planning is essential. Planning is good. Planning leads to success. It’s not unlike unleashing a new human on the world. You need a plan. My beautiful wife Kathy and I have…
Steve Heimoff’s recent announcement that after 22 years as a wine critic, he will be leaving his post as West Coast Editor for the Wine Enthusiast and joining the communications (PR) team at Jackson Family Wines is a vivid and instructive reminder of the intimate and long association between the public relations field and the journalism trade. Steve brings to Jackson Family Wines the two most important qualities a PR person must possess: knowledge of the industry and the ability…
