Priceless:

Thanks, Philippe!

Tom Foremski compares PR industry to Wily E Coyote running on thin air. True, there is much money sloshing around PR due to influx of advertising money and the ‘digital’ offering that most PR firms bolted onto their services. They obviously haven’t yet looked down…

PR today reminds me of the Roadrunner cartoons. The times when Wily E. Coyote is chasing the Road Runner and notices he is running on thin air, at which point he plummets thousands of feet to a distant canyon floor. That’s how I envisage the PR industry today–about to plummet from a great height.

Tom concludes that no change happened despite much blathering about transparency, ethics and new ways. My experience confirms that and I do not hold much hope of PR firms changing their ways without some serious pain in their business models.

Change in the PR industry will happen because the old ways won’t be as good, or as cost effective as using new media technologies to publish and engage customers. Traditional PR doesn’t provide the same bang for the buck.

It is when the PR industry feels the same pain that mainstream media is feeling right now, a kick in the pants to its core revenues, is when change will happen. But without pain, no change.

My prediction of PR business model demise is based on other reasons. Paying for PR is like sending a proxy to a party. Instead of going yourself you send someone all dressed up, well spoken and polished. It is fake but when everyone does it, it’s sort of accepted. But now when people start going to parties themselves, such proxies stand out. And not in a good way.

I keep running across Silicon Valley companies that have spent no money on PR or marketing. Zero dollars.

Slide.com, for example, has managed to attract millions of users for its online apps on Faceback and MySpace for no dollars.

There are many smaller startups who have done the same: zero dollars spent on PR and marketing. They have gotten incredible results from the viral nature of their products, services, and their personal abilities to establish though leadership through blogging and other online engagements.

Theoretically, PR firms could have taught people within companies how to do that but they are not really best qualified to do that. It is like an old dance master, with a repertoire and polished routines trying to teach his own generation how to break-dance or do rap so they can hang out with the youth. Yes, it’s still dancing, just different era, different vibe. An excellent dance-master could manage such a feat but it is a rare individual who can do that successfully. Most will just look ridiculous – out of step and out of date.

But no pain, no change. And given that PR is awash with money right now, I don’t think we’ll be seeing any soon.

via Teblog

Bonus link: PR is a solo voice, a blog is a choir

David Tebbutt finds out at Creative Coffee Club meeting in London why social networks are no place for control freaks:

Inside organisations, we are all trained to prepare for meetings, to have agendas, objectives, checklists and actions. The theory is to conduct the proceedings as efficiently as possible and have a means of control if things get out of hand.

Accordingly, my thoughts about the CCC were to let people mingle for a while, then tap a glass to attract their attention and make an objectives-type announcement. My colleagues were much too polite to call me mad. They just said: “Hmmm. Not quite what we had in mind.”

Agendas and objectives for meetings are for people who don’t want to be there. If you have things you want to talk about or share, care about a project or want to connecting with others, you will have plenty to say. The crucial thing is to have the right people there – they are those who choose to be there. And we are back to autonomy…

In such gatherings a structure will emerge. There is no need to impose objectives or agendas that often represent a thinly disguised command & control attitude. The result may not be what you are used to, or imagined or would like others to conform to but something will happen alright. And most likely it will be a lot better than anything you could come up with. [Insert a respectful nod to Johnnie Moore who both preaches and practices this.]

The funny thing is that David and I used to meet in Dana Centre cafe for discussions that lasted several hours at a time and never seem to come to a natural halt. There was no structure or even an objective other than enjoyment of talking about stuff we both found interesting.

I also have a confession to make – it was the internet that has driven the futility of control freakery home for me too. Once you start blogging, interacting and communicating, there is no point in trying to make people pay attention to you, let alone force or manipulate them to do what you consider right or appropriate. And anyone, whether an individual or business will struggle with the web until realise that they should control what they can, not what they wish they could.

And not a moment too soon! Well, more like wasted years.

I’m here to tell you today that I for one am no longer going to fall into this trap. If the licensing labels offer their content to Yahoo! put more barriers in front of the users, I’m not interested. Do what you feel you need to do for your business, I’ll be polite, say thank you, and decline to sign. I won’t let Yahoo! invest any more money in consumer inconvenience. I will tell Yahoo! to give the money they were going to give me to build awesome media applications to Yahoo! Mail or Answers or some other deserving endeavor. I personally don’t have any more time to give and can’t bear to see any more money spent on pathetic attempts for control instead of building consumer value. Life’s too short. I want to delight consumers, not bum them out.

via Simon Phipps

LOLcatz Bible translation:

In teh beginnin Ceiling Cat was invisible, and he maded the skiez and da earths, but he did not eated it.

It was bound to happen, sooner or later.

The headline says it all. Alec’s father was a character that loomed large in people’s lives and this obituary explains why. Not many a man’s name becomes part of a saying in an African language:

He spent 16 years in colonial administration in Nigeria, from 1947 to 1963, and proudly laid claim to being one of only two Britons, ever, whose surname passed into the native Hausa language. “Aka yi masa mafed” (literal translation “One did to him Muffett”) coming to mean “Justice caught up with him”.

I had the privilege of meeting the man himself. We talked of international relations, Ethiopia, WWII, history and African languages. Even in his weakened state he brought terror to the carers around him.

They don’t make them like this any more… Sorry, Alec.

Sympathy and best wishes to Alec and family.

The triumvirate of phone manufacturers, mobile carriers, and entertainment companies are the world’s reigning champions at shifting blame and pointing fingers. Ask Apple why it won’t let you use any song in your iTunes library as an iPhone ringtone and it will tell you it’s the fault of the greedy record companies.

It starts to feel like a Mexican standoff, three tough guys, each pointing a gun at the others’ heads, deadlocked and unwilling to risk anything to break the standoff. These kinds of hostage situations make for gripping cinematic moments, but only when we care about one or more of the hostages. But if there’s no one on the screen that we particularly like, there’s an easy narrative solution to the problem: shoot one or more of the hostages. The equilibrium falls apart, and so does the deadlock.
- Cory Doctorow in The Solution To Mobile Phone Deadlock? Somebody Has To Die

One of the best explanations of the internet ever:

Here’s the thing: the Net’s killer app has always been other people. There are side benefits, like access to all the world’s information. But the links that matter aren’t between pages but people, and they’re strong and rich and subtle. Multiply the infinite flavors in human relationships by a thickening bundle of means-to-connect; that product is what’s new and what’s good and what’s exciting. People who are looking for the Next Big Thing are mostly looking in the wrong places. And anyway, you don’t need to look, it’ll find you.

Read the whole thing. I agree with Tim Bray about Facebook.

What about Facebook? I don’t know; clearly, it’s just the thing for getting your college dorm or high-tech mixer set up. But for me, the value is in promoting intimacy, seeing what my friends are doing. And Twitter hits that 80/20 point, bringing me that news without all the Facebook bullshit and lame groups and dorky apps and stupid ads and data lock-in. So recently I don’t Facebook much.

And Techmeme…

I dunno, I go there and see the same stories about the RIAA and Paul Graham’s latest essay and what Apple might be doing, the same stories that are on Slashdot and Ars Technica and boring old ZDnet too. Plus a smattering of whatever Scoble & Winer & Arrington & Calcanis and their posses are up to. Plus all these vendors trying to convince everyone that they need “Rich” Internet Applications. (I think rich interaction is about people not animated vector graphics, but what do I know?) There’s nothing wrong with it. But also nothing I’m not getting already.

The real thing happens elsewhere. If what Techmeme and TechCrunch covers is the real thing for you, then you are part of the happenings and know what’s going on already. If you are not, then you have your own network and a sphere of influence, which is the real thing for you. The more you get involved in a project or network of your own, the less time you have to stay on top of the ever-growing stream of information. It is marvellous and you need it, of course, but it is not the beginning and end of all. Especially given that…

…when the next big thing comes along (and I love this business, because I know it will) you won’t have to rely on the professional noticers to tell you because it’ll touch your life directly.

Amen to that.

The main reason I’m posting this is to pass along what the kid said after we did a scan from one end of the “dial” to the other.

“There’s nothing on”, he said. And walked away.

What would “something” be?

“Oh, you know. Like on YouTube”.

- Doc on his experience with TV

via Doc

As promised, here are types of people within organisations. From the perspective of inducing change and building a network of allies. This is meant to be only half-funny.

The Professional – built a career on being good at what he does, can’t throw it all away, difficult to convince, especially if close to retirement and enjoying running the show (subset – professional executive). In times of change a follower, not the innovator or even an early adopter.

The Old Skool – had his moment of innovation in the past, introduced technology or associated with some other success. Resting on laurels a real temptation. However, can sometimes spot the same pattern in new changes and be a solid ally.

The Visionary – excited about new stuff, has far reaching ideas about how things will be (or should be!). Older visionary verges on obsession with the one idea that they have been pondering elaborating for years. Seemingly best ally but often lets down on execution (predictably) but also (surprisingly) on flexibility and curiosity. If still young, the zeal can be harnessed and help to get others on board.

The Maverick – holed up somewhere where he can do things his way, created a bubble where his ways are accepted/tolerated. Depending on power available to him can be either a grouchy sceptic watching from the sidelines (little or no power) or a true ally doing what he can (executive position). Obviously, the latter is a rare breed as not many companies have true mavericks in executive positions.

The Process Worshipper – the Agent Smiths of the system. Dangerous, if often well meaning. Focus on working the system and making everyone do the same. His approach to change is finding (or creating) a pipeline that could deliver it. Often relies on external third parties (agencies) for innovation and delivery. Draw strength and self-worth from following and imposing rules. Efficiency, metrics, objectives, deliverables is the mantra. Comes in several varieties e.g. the Language Abuser – uses buzzwords, phrases, charts without much meaning to create an air of importance. The Deliverer – applies himself to efficient implementation without much understanding of the big picture and what is needed. Competent and potentially helpful if the process-magic can be dispelled in his mind.

The Tech Whizzkid – early adopter of all things ‘digital’. Often understands original versions of the internet and hardware and software but equally often suffers from the not-made-here syndrome. Occasionally has Microsoft religion, in which stay away for he’ll want to standardise and impose uniform apps, platforms and whatnot! Can turn into a deadly enemy of change as he doesn’t want to lose his techie status.

The Geek – wants to know how things work, has no delusions about his ability to operate within the system and play power games. When in the office gets on what he knows best (and is paid for), then spends his free time learning and experimenting. Once convinced that his ‘outside the job’ skills and knowledge relevant, can be an enthusiastic and very competent ally.

The Technophobe - easily spotted thanks to apologetic statements “I am not really good at this technological stuff” combined with proud obsolescence. Usually have a good mind, with insistence on understanding things. Technophobia a result of bad experience or bad luck with technology that has no meaning for them. Once shown what technology can do for them, they become enthusiastic and very helpful allies indeed. Worth ‘converting’ but focus on usefulness and their capabilities essential.

The Disillusioned – spent years, if not decades in the job. Shed ambitions and dreams, but hasn’t been completely assimilated as the dissatisfaction nibbles away at his self-esteem. Feels hollow and worthless, scared of the future for he knows what it looks like. Secretly but passionately hates the system, the organisation, the meetings, presentations, business speak, away-days, socialising with colleagues etc. Can go two ways, either, hide it, trying to fit in, or turn into a maverick and the system-basher. Without much hope, of course,. His lack of confidence comes from the contrast of what could have been and what is. Sense of helplessness pervasive. Once understands the potential that change can bring, the best possible ally. This will become his hope for a better future and will participate ceaselessly. Anything to do with transformation can only be pried away from his dead cold hands.

The Biz or Sales Fiend – successful, hard and fast money-making machine. loves status and the accoutrements of business life, which he finds glamorous. works hard, plays hard. expects everyone to be pushed beyond endurance, including himself. thrives on deadlines, whether meeting them or setting them for others. no time for introspection, let alone the big picture. the meaning comes from a) richer and even more successful boss b) business school c) his ability to make more money and bully others. So why change? only worth engaging towards his twilight years when the buzz might have worn off and other things may be appearing on his radar. Or not.

There is more and this is work in progress. Feel free to add your versions!

This would be hysterical, if it were not so benighted.

Pariser [the head of litigation for Sony BMG] has a very broad definition of “stealing.” When questioned by Richard Gabriel, lead counsel for the record labels, Pariser suggested that what millions of music fans do is actually theft. The dirty deed? Ripping your own CDs or downloading songs you already own.

Gabriel [lead counsel for the record labels] asked if it was wrong for consumers to make copies of music which they have purchased, even just one copy. Pariser replied, “When an individual makes a copy of a song for himself, I suppose we can say he stole a song.” Making “a copy” of a purchased song is just “a nice way of saying ’steals just one copy’,” she said.

The poor (and I use this term very loosely here) lawyers are actually following a certain logic. It is the logic of physical property rights that have been translated into ideas and intellectual property. This was done at the time when technology was lined up behind those who controlled production and distribution of the goods based on those ideas. Supply chains and business models followed. But technology (and behaviour based on it) has changed that and the current understanding of copyright seems a rather crude application of property rights to the realm of ideas and innovation.

So the lawyers are not being ‘evil’ in following the letter of law but in their inability to look beyond it. I know, I know, they are not paid to do that by those who want to protect the status quo of copyright. However, this is going to be a legal battle. The users-pirates can bring on the pressure to shift the debate but ultimately, it will be lawyers who will have to create a legal framework that reflects reality.

via Simon Phipps