This Week In PR

Weekly links to relevant blog posts, news articles and anything else that catches my attention. 

I like to scour the internet for content that I can learn from, even if it is just how to construct a well-written press release. This week’s focus is on branding.

• Starbucks. At the top of my list this week, the Starbucks brand has caught my attention for a few reasons. MarketWatch recently posted a press release, “Starbucks Announces Leadership Moves to Accelerate Global Growth Agenda.” They’re making some leadership changes to adjust to global growth. They’ve moved their marketing functions to the regional level. Starbucks has not always been seen favorably oversees, due to their international reputation as an “American” brand in countries where Anti-American sentiment is prominent. That is why I think it is a smart move for their marketing functions to be based within the region, allowing them to tailor their approach “to be more nimble and locally relevant.”
• 2o12 Most Trustworthy Brands (for Orange County) Announced. Read the press release here.
• How to Stand Out From the Crowd. How do you maintain customer loyalty with little advertising? Relevance, consistency, credibility and very important, differentiation. Read here.
• Three reasons why Kentucky Fried Chicken needs to work on its public relations. This blogger is feeling pretty bad for the PR staff over at KFC, or maybe he isn’t? Either way, it’s a critical look at the brands weak attempt to improve relations with PETA, Greenpeace and (perhaps) its customers.

Oh! One more unrelated (but exciting) tid-bit “P.R. Job Prospects improve in 2012.“ Always great to read promising headlines like this one. I’m lovin’ the Mad Men photo featured in the Washington Post article.  It also has great tips for job-hunting success. My favorite? Building your personal brand.

What do you want to be known for? What are your strengths and how do they make you a valuable candidate?

Follow Amanda (a.k.a. me!) on Twitter. I’ll TRY to keep things interesting for ya. @AESmith03