I recently attended a “media relations summit” in NYC.
What’s that? Good question. It was marketed as good place for PR reps to interact with the media, so my main purpose was to meet and build relationships with the 100+ NYC-based reporters in attendance. However, during the course of the day, I found the conference to be an interesting forum on the current state of media/PR and a battleground in the now infamous “new vs old media” war.
Don’t believe me? Check out these juicy quotes from various attendees and panelists:
Is social media "just a modern way of convening at the campfire"?
“PR people are behind the curve and too focused on big, slow and old media outlets.” – Tina Brown, founder and editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast
“We want to be first, but we also want to be right, first.” – a rep from one of the aforementioned big, slow and old media outlets
“Learn, then earn.” – again, a rep from one of the big, slow and old media outlets
“They’re parasites, but parasites that drive traffic” –Wall Street Journal exec on blogs like The Daily Beast and Huffington Post
“Have rich parents or two husbands.” – advice to those thinking of entering journalism
“We don’t need the media to communicate with customers anymore” – panelist from a major, multinational PR firm
“You cannot know nor respond to everyone and everything being said about you and your brand online. Instead, focus on the influentials.” – Pepsi spokesperson
“Social media is the most un-revolutionary idea in the history of communications. It’s back to the future. Just a modern way of convening at the campfire.” – social media panelist
“If your content sucks, people will ignore you.” – social media panelist
So before you leave this campfire (and ignore this post?), what role does new/old media play in your life? Where is it going? Who knows but it will be a fun ride.
