The Lead

Take The Lead

Posted by Tony Morse on August 23, 2010 at 8:15 AM

What is "The Lead?" Is it the first position (the leader)? Is it a new business opportunity (sales lead)? Is it the headline of a story?

Yes, and it's the name of our blog, offering our perspectives on integrated communications. Our contributors at Padilla share our varied experiences, insight and (self-proclaimed) leadership in communications with professionals who want to take the lead in your sector. We have covered (or will cover) most communication subjects, whether you're charged with developing and executing a social media program, managing a crisis, reaching prospective or current customers or just trying to figure out how to tell your story in a way that people will remember and take action.

Is there a subject you'd like us to cover? Send us an email.

Think we missed the boat? Add a comment to our post.

We won't be right for everyone, but if you're leading the marketing, communications or setting the organization's strategic direction, then subscribe (with RSS or email-on the top right of the page) and share the posts that you find useful.

Take The Lead!

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Why (not) now? or Have we got the Wright stuff?

Posted by Bob Brin on September 20, 2005 at 2:41 PM

This blog is a group effort by some gainfully employed, seriously accredited and painfully experienced public relations folks at Padilla Speer Beardsley, which has been around forty-some years. A few of us are even that old. So we thought we'd share our war stories and warts, reflections and perplexions. That being said, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent our lawyer's and are subject to change without notice or regret.

The Lead is about communication's role in propelling business, i.e., gaining the lead and keeping it, which requires leadership . . . article leads . . . and sales leads. We believe strongly in the science of communication (thanks to John Beardsley), but like the Wright brothers, who were early users of the wind tunnel, we're mindful that the real goal of communications in business is to get off the ground before the other guy. Or to fly higher, faster, lighter, etc.

Feel free to add your comments. They will be reviewed and possibly posted. If not, don't take offense (or wax offensive). Our real jobs probably got in the way. We're serious about this, but don't take us too seriously. We don't.

So why the picture of flamingos on the wing? Because flamingos can be amazing and funny. Because getting businesses off the ground and moving ahead is a lot like migration; it's about determination and coordination and sticking together. And because no one bird leads the whole journey.

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Will anybody read this stuff??

Posted by Matt Kucharski on September 20, 2005 at 11:17 AM

Okay, so, if you’ve gotten this far, I guess that answers the question. But hey, it’s still a valid point. I mean, we’re constantly bombarded with information – on TV while we get ready in the morning, on the radio on our way to work, on our cell phones, by the messages waiting for us at the office, through e-mail (oh, man, do we EVER get it through e-mail), and on and on…

So the question is, will people REALLY use blogs to seek out additional information to add to the overload? I guess the jury is still out, but hey, I guess we’ll never know unless we give it a shot.

Lots of questions came up when Bob asked us to be the initial posters on Padilla Speer Beardsley’s foray into the blogosphere (what a stupid word!). One of us wanted to know if we could mention clients (we can, but we need to disclose they’re clients). Another wanted to know if we could mention competitors (yes, feel free, if they’re doing something interesting, but be nice). I was wondering if we could drop an f-bomb here and there (apparently not).

The biggest question, thought, came when we discussed topics. Can I talk about the latest issue of “Desperate Housewives?” (Eva Longoriahhhh!)? Can I “dis” the Vikings (longtime Packer fan)? Can I describe what I had for breakfast (egg beaters and wheat toast)?

The answer, we were told, is “whatever we want,” as long as it has some relevance to the field of strategic communications.

That got the wheels spinning (it happens occasionally). I teach an introductory class in public relations at the University of Minnesota (beer money), and during the first lecture, I described how everyone is exposed to public relations and strategic communications on a daily basis (most of us dozens of times a day). In addition, regardless of whether we go into public relations as a career, or choose another path – law, human resources, marketing, accounting, etc. – there’s a need for all of us to understand what role public relations plays in literally every career in our economy. PR is, after all, a tool for management to use in effectively running an organization.

So, here’s my logic. If postings on this blog need to relate to strategic communications, and if strategic communications indeed impacts literally every aspect of society and our economy, well then shouldn’t I be able to write about pretty much anything I want? I mean, if A=B, and B=C, then A=C, right?

At least that’ll be my defense the first time I get a call from our CEO about one of my postings…

Thanks for visiting…lock the door when you leave.

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