CASACOM’S WEEKLY BLOG: MEDIA RELATIONS, CONSUMERS AND BRANDS

How do you pitch to journalists during the summer season? Is Canadian consumers confidence at a low and which Toronto sports team made a splash in the media this week? You can find out in our weekly PR and communications stories of the week.

Media Relations:

Summer is almost here, which means warmer weather and long holiday weekends. That sounds great, but if you’re trying to pitch to journalists in summer it can be difficult at times with a lot of people on vacation. PR professionals have a number of opportunities to pitch and gain coverage during this sunny season. You can optimize those opportunities by mapping out a strategy now for the coming months.

Here are three guidelines for making the most of the relaxed summer news cycle.

• Plan carefully – Plan media relations strategy in advance.
• Pack light – Pitches should be short and sweet.
• Take lots of pictures – Provide high-quality photos, graphics or video with your pitch in an easy-to-use format.

“3 ways to score summertime news coverage” (PR Daily)

Consumers:

According Nielsen’s recent Consumer Confidence Report there are concerns about a volatile economy and uncertain job security, which means Canadian consumer confidence is at a three-year low. The study surveys 30,000 people in 60 countries worldwide on a number of questions and creates the Consumer Confidence Index, measuring overall confidence in the countries relative to each other. Canada’s index dropped to 96, down from 103 in the last Consumer Confidence report and puts us below the global average of 97.

To read more about the report and its findings please look at the article link below.

“Canadian consumers feel the pressure” (Strategy Magazine)

Sports:

The hiring of a new Maple Leaf head coach made huge headlines this week and may have overshadowed an announcement from another Toronto sports team. Bell Media and MLSE chairman, Larry Tanenbaum purchased the Toronto Argonauts and will relocate them to BMO Field (in Toronto). Tanenbaum says that fans deserve the right stadium, a long-term stable ownership and a winning team. Absent from the deal was Rogers Communications most likely because it has no ties to the CFL, while Bell has a vested interest in the league through its broadcast affiliate TSN. One reason for relocation is that it has become more difficult to schedule home games for the Argos, especially around the Blue Jays schedule and special events.

To read more about this deal involving Bell, see the article link below.

“Bell, MLSE chairman Tanenbaum purchase CFL’s Argonauts” (Marketing Magazine)

Thought of the week: