Archive for October, 2009

Strange hotels offer great PR opportunities

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

With Halloween around the corner, odd looking and strange hotels are usually the place to be when traveling.  Even on vacation, sometimes guests may opt for the something out of the ordinary to make a trip that much memorable.  As I’ve said many times, the luxury in travel is in the memories we create, and not as much in the budget we have.

I came across this neat article in Fodor’s  which lists their favorite 10 wackiest places to stay in the US and it inspired this blog post.   For example, wouldn’t it be interesting to stay in the world’s largest beagle B&B?  Too strange for you?  Dog lovers staying at Idaho’s Dog Bark Park Inn don’t seem to think so.  Or, maybe check-in at Kokopelli’s Cave B&B that offers lodging 70 feet below ground in New Mexico?   And of course there’s the Liberty Hotel in Boston that’s been converted from a jail to a luxury property.  

From a PR perspective, such hotels have very clear messages to the public.  They have whacky design, offer very niche experiences, they are truly unique, and editors love them for it.  It can make PR easier to attain because anything quirky stands out to the press.  I am not suggesting at all that every hotel should turn into a pumpkin, or a cave, or a submarine to become newsworthy, although I know I’d be interested in reading about them.   Instead, I think it is important for all hotels to learn from these ”strange” hotel themes and find the opportunity to create unique and sharp angles that do have an edge to them, to break through the media clutter.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in European Destinations, Hospitality, Integrated Marketing Communications, Media Relations, PR, Top Accommodations, social media | No Comments »

Hotels: does Facebook increase reservations?

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Let’s think about this for a minute.  Finally, hotels have stepped up their social networking efforts.  We applaud those who have taken that step.  But, with what mindset and expectations do hotel create their fan page? 

Like all things new, Facebook is still growing and evolving, albeit at a much slower pace than the past couple of years.  In 2009, more and more businesses are determining that a presence on Facebook is a “must” for their mainstream marketing.  I have to agree with that approach.  However, defining the space around the Facebook page and what it can actually do is a different story. 

It’s necessary to make your Facebook page engaging, with photos, comments, updates, fun specials, interesting facts that relate to your hotel, and make it welcoming enough for fans to participate.  I doubt that a ton of reservations will come out of Facebook just because a page has a lot of fans.  But, I do think that the viral component of Facebook is very effective and gets the hotel’s name and message out there faster, and with the credibility of the network of people who are fans.

Does the fact that a boutique hotel has a Facebook page influence my decision to book?  Not much.  Am I impressed that the boutique hotel has a Facebook page?  Absolutely!

Nourish the page.  You have nothing to lose and fans to gain.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in European Destinations, Hospitality, Integrated Marketing Communications, Media Relations, PR, Top Accommodations, social media | No Comments »

When PR is one-sided: propaganda?

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

I was at a state fair over the weekend visiting family and very much enjoyed experiencing this traditional all-American type event.  It was impossible to do everything in a few hours, and aside from riding the crowded ferris wheel, biting into a must-have corn dog, and watching people’s reactions as they waited impatiently for their fried Oreo, Snickers bar, or this year’s favorite…fried butter, I was especially looking forward to visiting the cattle establishments, to see what that’s all about. 

So, I decided to sit in and listen to this man talk about the cow milking process, as well as about the environment and nutrition.  What I heard overall astonished me.   From his too-long 15 minute speech before showing us how the cow is actually milked by machine, the small audience listened to why it’s best for the cow to be in a dairy farm vs. roaming freely, to use antibiotics on dairy, and why it’s best for the cow and the calf to be separated two days after birth, because apparently the calf would eat way too much.  I’m not a farmer, but I am mother, and I can’t imagine how a separation like that could be the best thing for anyone other than those who can potentially profit from the process.   That’s just my humble opinion.

Anyway, the point I’m making is that the farmer had a very clear message in that speech to us, which seemed very one-sided, self-serving, and probably designed to be that way.   From a PR perspective, my question is:  aside from the specific topic, is harboring and delivering your message in that way generally effective/good PR? 

Especially with sensitive topics like this one, where opinions will clearly vary, how do we distinguish the difference between PR as a communications process that influences public opinion and what could be thought of as propaganda?  Hmmm…

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Hospitality, Integrated Marketing Communications, Media Relations, PR, social media | 1 Comment »

Serendipity of social media

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

The more I understand the dynamic of social media, the more fascinating the process of connecting with people and their whereabouts.  Of course, “overfriending” and “overfollowing” is still a problem - especially for individuals.   I understand an organization’s goal should be to maximize fans and friends strategically.  Applying what social media can do effectively is challenging, but also fun and rewarding at times.

Clients I work with have learned to enjoy connecting with their fans and followers, and are especially interested in their feedback and stories.   At the same time, Facebook, specifically, offers a unique opportunity to connect with a network where sometimes serendipity comes to play.   For example, a good friend of mine from BU saw on Facebook that I work with a hotel in Belgium.  Coincidentally, her sister just moved in that same small town with a non-profit organization.  Aside from talking about getting together when I next visit out there, I also suggested that her sister visits the hotel and make a connection there.

There are so many fun stories that keep reminding us how small the world is and how we’re shrinking boundaries everyday.  Strategic or not, seen from that perspective, this serendipity of social media has effectively contributed to globalizing interactive communication.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in European Destinations, Hospitality, Integrated Marketing Communications, Media Relations, PR, Top Accommodations, social media | 2 Comments »

The value of media relationships is evergreen

Friday, October 9th, 2009

The publishing industry, along with the PR industry, are sloooowly on the rise.  Since editors and PR pros can’t succeed with one another, it’s a typical love/hate dynamic, it’s important to keep up with your network.  So what if half the reporters and editors you worked with were laid off?  Keeping in touch with media during this transition can help you immensely as things start shaping up again in the world of the press.  Remember, you can’t just think of your clients when you build relationships.  You owe it to to yourself, and the editors to be genuine and credible… otherwise you won’t make it in this business.

I was thrilled the other day to hear back from one of my favorite editors, who was laid off last year from an internationally acclaimed outlet.  She is now back and much stronger than before, and writing for super publications.  We kept in touch regardless, and now have a lot to gain from one another again. 

Forging strong, genuine, long lasting relationships that carry you as a PR pro throughout your career is the main ingredient to your individual recipe for success.  Don’t underestimate your past media relationships just because things may be a little quiet right now.   Editors don’t forget true professionals.  Embrace those relationships and trust your instinct as the industry moves into a new chapter.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in European Destinations, Hospitality, Integrated Marketing Communications, Media Relations, PR, Top Accommodations, social media | 1 Comment »

Hotels: PR should be on your executive planning committee

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

Too often, PR people find themselves in the delicate position of having to remind clients that they need to know what is happening on property.  Anything from a seasonal rate, new staff announcement, to renovation plans, and other major changes in the hotel are news, and make news.  Unfortunately, whether or not outsourced or in-house,  PR is many times not contacted first about such timely information, making the communication between departments, and the media challenging.  I mean, who wants a press release about a special monthly seasonal rate, when Reservations has been selling it to guests for half that month.  It’s not news anymore.  It’s important to keep PR informed first and foremost, and listen to their counsel since they act as the boundary spanner between your property and the public.

So, offer your PR person a chair in Exec Planning Committee meetings - you’ll be thankful you did!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in European Destinations, Hospitality, Integrated Marketing Communications, Media Relations, PR, Top Accommodations, social media | No Comments »