David Parmet, Brian Oberkirch and I have a few things in common. We are all recovering publicists, having spent significant portions of our professional lives practicing traditional PR for agencies both large and small. All three of us are also completely immersed in social media and all three of us try to consult for food mortgage and other sustenance.
David and Brian have begun to consult PR agencies on why they need to adopt social media and how they should go about doing it. I have agreed to join in this endeavor on an as needed basis. All three of us have done a fair amount of this sort of work over the past year. I have been in talking with companies like CNET, Wells Fargo and Hitachi data Systems to discuss blog strategy and I am eager to do more of this sort of work.
By focusing on PR and advertising agencies, I think David and Brian are choosing a prime market. The role of the PR practitioner is changing on a fundamental level and the ad agencies already know they are being challenged to find new strategies appropriate for the interactive world. I look forward to working with them and their clients.
One additional note--this is a non-monogomous relationship. I have previously announced that I will be available for clients of Hubbub, a next generation agency formed by Giovanni Rodriquez, yet another recovering publicist. Likewise, Joseph Jaffe and Shel Holtz, two more social media savvy communications professionals have formed Crayon offering similar next-generation services.
We all know and respect each other. We all see huge opportunities and expect to be joined by many other quality consultants.
While some are these days declaring an end to blogging and social media, others see new beginnings as the new, improved ways for business communications swim into the mainstream.
