Your PR Architect

When I'm on the road, I buy hot coffee at McDonald's. Until now. McDonald's Corp. is valued at $93 billion, but sales are declining. I'm part of the decline, and by the end of this tale, I hope you'll join me in dining elsewhere. By Ramon FVelasquez, via Wikimedia Commons Last week, the company -- still profitable, by any measure -- invited a band to play at their South by Southwest showcase. Without pay. In turn, the band Ex-Cops used social media to expose McDonald's cheapness. Rolling Stone and other online media picked up the story. This gave McDonald's unwanted PR exposure it doesn't need, with the SXSW-age audience it so desperately needs to reach. Worse? McDonald's media relations drone responded by essentially saying, "We're just paying artists the way other sponsors do." Except they aren't paying. Other SXSW sponsors pay their performers, says Ex Cops. And not with Happy Meals. If SXSW were a countr...

I coach and advise students about careers in public relations. So I see my share of online job postings for PR positions. Too often, they read like this: By Esra / Esra (http://www.sxc.hu/photo/230083)  [see page for license], via Wikimedia Commons [Headline:] Entry-Level Public Relations/Sales/Marketing In Your Eye  Marketing Inc   is currently offering entry level sales and marketing positions that include comprehensive training. No prior sales or marketing experience is necessary, and we will train you at the entry level to learn a variety of skills from sales and marketing to management and mentor-ship. (sic -- mentorship is seldom hyphenated) Responsibilities in Entry Level Include: Assisting in the daily growth and development of our company Assisting with efforts of new business acquisition Expertly managing the needs of external customers Developing strong leadership and interpersonal skills Face to face sales of services to new busi...