By Yvonne Lenton (Special to Deraney PR)

When it was first developed, social media was jumped on by any company with a little bit of marketing savvy. It is not that often that an entirely new marketing medium comes along, and so the opportunity to use these entirely new channels of communication. Social media began as something that young people used to chat to each other during lunch-break, and then it became something that marketers wanted to get in on, as quickly as possible.

Where marketing people go, everyone else who wants to get noticed follows. And so now, social media is used by every celebrity, every politician and every company (right down to the local grocery store) when they want use to know something. It can be used for marketing and for reputation management by anyone who people want to listen to. It can also be used to unwittingly damage reputations, either of the user or the company they work for, in a way that few other media forms can. Customers and others can also quickly cause damage using social media channels.

Damaged Reputations

There have been many cases of employees – sometimes accidentally and sometimes maliciously – damaging their employers’ reputations through their use of social media. Most people who name their employer on their personal Twitter account will put a disclaimer on there for exactly this reason: nobody wants to be the one who gets sacked because of a careless comment. People often forget when they write a tweet that they are not just speaking to a few friends, but to the whole world.

Even entirely innocent actions have the potential to cause some damage or anger. Volunteers who will be working at the London 2012 Olympic Games have been asked by bosses not to show share details or pictures of their experiences online while they are working at the games. The concern is that athletes’ privacy could be breached. This demonstrates the inter-connected nature of social media, and the way that one action can lead to a much bigger chain reaction.

This can create a situation where paranoia and distrust are rife. While the Olympic organisers’ worries may be well have good foundations, John Flexman would never have thought that he might suffer due to his use of social media. All he did was upload his CV to LinkedIn, and tick the box marked looking for ‘career opportunities’. Pretty much every LinkedIn user does the same. However, Flexman ended up being fired for his efforts. It seems as if the joke may be on his employers, energy firm BG, as Flexman is disputing the dismissal and the case is now, inevitably, being discussed on social media. So perhaps it is BG who will come out of this the more damaged?

Online Arguments

Social media lends itself to quite ugly and very public arguments at times. Very public spats can end up taking place between celebrities, sportspeople and politicians. Sometimes deliberately provocative commments are made by one party, starting the row, but sometimes they seem to develop out of nothing. Either way, they can be highly entertaining. Take this example of a spat between Kim Kardashian and Demi Moore over the use of a word.

These celebrity spats might be funny, but for companies, social media can be a very dangerous tool in the wrong hands. Its marketing power can cause marketing disasters. Because social media works fast, it can be really hard to control problems if they arise. As detailed in this article, one person can quite easily cause a huge social media storm that it is often difficult for companies to deal with.

So, if a disgruntled customer causes your company’s reputation damage online, how do you deal with it? Well, ideally you’d avoid it in the first place, of course, by making sure you don’t give them anything to complain about. If the worst does happen, the key is to be open, honest and credible. Exactly as you would if you were dealing with a complaint in person, though of course the stakes are a higher as everything is public. Don’t allow yourself to get defensive, show that you are genuinely listening and that you are doing something concrete to fix the problem. You can’t fix problems with a tweet, but you can let people know about how else you’ve fixed them.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 16, 2011

10:00AM – 10:15 AM (ET)

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM (ET)

GALAXY 16-TRANSPONDER 14C (C-BAND ANALOG)

D/L FREQUENCY: 3980 V

TROUBLE: 202 641 9840

(HD QUALITY VERSION AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD, PER REQUEST)

WHAT: On Saturday, October 15^th, the annual EMA Awards will take place to honor film and television personalities, productions, musicians and musical tours that convey environmental messages in the most creative and influential ways. This year, the EMA’s are honoring Justin Timberlake who will receive the EMA Futures Award. Other nominees for awards include The Good Wife, Real Time with Bill Maher, DisneyNature African Cats, Hot in Cleveland, Futurama, Nurse Jackie, The Biggest Loser and The Bubble Guppies.

The footage will contain:

• Soundbites from Justin Timberlake
• Performance footage and Red Carpet Arrivals
• Awards ceremony

WHO: Honorees Justin Timberlake and Marc Nathanson; Hosts Emmanuelle Chriqui, Perrey Reevesand Constance Zimmer; Additional talent includes Emily VanCamp, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden,Madeleine Stowe, Amy Smart, Aubrey Plaza, Kim Raver, Daryl Hannah, Matthew Rhys, MehcadBrooks, Nick Offerman, Carter Oosterhouse, Wendie Malick, Jane Leeves, Valerie Bertinelli, Ed Begley Jr., Frances Fisher and more.

WHAT:      2011 Environmental Media Awards

WHERE:   Warner Bros. Studios  in Burbank, CA

ABOUT THE 2011 ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA AWARDS: Since their inception in 1991, the Environmental Media Awards have evolved into a prestigious event, honoring individuals and organizations, as well as films, television productions and their creative teams that increase public awareness of environmental issues. The October 15th event will also showcase film and television programs that have carried a positive, environmentally friendly message in the past season.  A full list of EMA Award Nominees is available at www.ema-online.org. The 2011 EMA Awards are presented by Toyota and Lexus. Additional sponsors include: Brita FilterForGood, Earthbound Farm, entwine, KB Home, Mike Sullivan’s LAcarGUY Family of Dealers, Monterey Bay Aquarium, The Patron Spirits Co., Plant With Purpose, Scripps Networks, SodaStream, Southern California Edison, Star Waggons, Stila, Tiffany & Co., Ultimat Vodka, VeeV Açaí Spirit.

For more information, please contact Danny Deraney at danny@dannyderaney.com

The SMT times are from 9AM to 12:00 PM Eastern on October 13th. Synopsis of the movie is below. LA in-studio interviews are welcome.

“BUTTERFINGER® the 13th,” the first comedy-horror film created and produced by one of America’s iconic candy brands, premieres today on Facebook for more than one million members of the Butterfinger fan page. In a new development with NCM Fathom Events, “Butterfinger the 13th” also will run on 500 movie screens nationwide as part of a limited engagement through Halloween, including the Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, which today hosted a special premiere screening.

Opening for the “Jack the Ripper” documentary feature on select screens, “Butterfinger the 13th” will shock fans, leaving them screaming for more horror, laughs, thrills – and more Butterfinger – from a new villain, the Butterfinger Butcher. The film’s director Rob Lowe, actor, producer, and New York Times best-selling author, peaked fans’ interest earlier this summer at San Diego’s popular comic book convention, where he promoted the movie and directed scenes for the film starring real Butterfinger fans.

“The tremendous response from fans wanting to be a part of ‘Butterfinger the 13th’ has been wonderful,” said Lowe, who returns this fall in the next season of NBC’s hit show Parks and Recreation.”

In addition to today’s film premiere on Facebook and in theaters, “Butterfinger the 13^th” also will appear on Crackle, the multi-platform video entertainment network by Sony Pictures Television, and FEARnet, the world’s premiere destination for horror, thriller and suspense. Combined with the frightfully fun direction by Rob Lowe and a mix of fan-created, horrifyingly funny content, “Butterfinger the 13^th” brings to life the film’s tagline, “You can’t scream with your mouth full.”

Now movie-goers and comedy-horror aficionados will have the opportunity to watch the frightening demise of the film’s characters unfold, and discover what really happened at the once-cheerful Camp Honey Badger. Viewers will embark on a perilous journey with the film’s hero, whose paranoia leads him to believe that someone wants to lay a deadly finger on him… in more ways than one.

“Not only does ‘Butterfinger the 13th’ continue to draw big buzz and interest from major studios and theater chains, but we are thrilled to have so many fans directly engage with Butterfinger through this truly one-of-a-kind, crowd sourcing project,” said Butterfinger spokesperson Tricia Bowles, Nestlé USA Confections & Snacks. “Fans can finally see today what Rob Lowe and Butterfinger have created in a terrifyingly thrilling silver screen experience.”

More information about “Butterfinger the 13th” is available at Facebook.com/Butterfinger.

SAMHSA TO HONOR GIFFORDS’ AIDE AND
TUCSON MAYOR AT THE 2011 VOICE AWARDS

National award program will recognize Ron Barber, Mayor Robert Walkup, TV and film screenwriters and producers, and community leaders for raising awareness and understanding of trauma recovery and mental and substance use disorders

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will honor Ron Barber, district director for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and survivor of the January 8 Tucson shooting, with a Special Recognition Award at the 2011 Voice Awards on August 24 for his work to promote mental health awareness and understanding. In addition to Barber, SAMHSA will recognize Tucson Mayor Robert E. Walkup and his wife Beth for their ongoing efforts to help Tucson and the nation heal from the traumatic events of the shooting.

Since 2005, this event has brought together representatives from the entertainment industry and the behavioral health community for an evening of awareness-raising about the contributions people living with mental and substance use disorders make to their schools, workplaces, and communities.

The award program honors writers and producers who have given a voice to people with mental and substance use disorders by incorporating dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals of these individuals into film and television productions. This year, SAMHSA will spotlight programming that highlights stories of mental illness, substance use, and trauma resiliency and recovery. Finalists include “The Fighter,” “The King’s Speech,” FOX’s “Glee,” NBC’s “Harry’s Law,” ABC’s “Private Practice,” and HBO’s “Treme.”

The Voice Awards also will celebrate the achievements of consumer/peer leaders who are working to promote social inclusion of their peers and offer hope that people can and do recover from mental and substance use disorders.

For more information go to: www.voiceawards.samshsa.gov

AVAILABLE INTERVIEWS:

About Roger Wolfson:  Roger Wolfson exemplifies the best of the entertainment industry in both his professional and personal life. One of the most sought after TV writers and producers in Hollywood, he is currently working on the USA TV Series “Fairly Legal,” having previously written for “Law and Order: SVU,” “Saving Grace,” and “The Closer,” where one of his episodes earned Kyra Sedgwick an Emmy Nomination. Prior to working in Hollywood he worked tirelessly for Senators Joe Lieberman, John Kerry, Paul Wellstone and Edward Kennedy to support mental health and substance abuse legislation to benefit underserved populations like children.

About Paolo Del Vecchio: A self-described  consumer of mental health services and survivor, Paolo Del Vecchio serves as associate director of consumer affairs at the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He has shared his inspirational story about growing up in a home with a mother who was once placed in a state hospital and forced to endure electroshock therapy and insulin injections and a father who was an undiagnosed alcoholic.He has a unique perspective on SAMHSA’s mission to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

TO BOOK THIS LIVE INTERVIEW, PLEASE CONTACT: Danny at Danny@dannyderaney.com

GATORADE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS IN HOLLYWOOD

Prep Stars Honored Among Pros on Sports’ Biggest Awards Day;

Matt Stafford, Kevin Love, Lisa Leslie, Jessica Mendoza and Allyson Felix

Present 9th Annual Award

For more information on the Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year Awards, or the Gatorade Player of the Year program in general, visit www.playeroftheyear.gatorade.com. To request a hard copy or for more information, please contact Danny Deraney at danny@dannyderaney.com

]]> http://www.dannyderaney.com/uncategorized/gatorade-set-to-announce-the-high-school-athlete-of-the-year/feed/ 0 http://www.dannyderaney.com/uncategorized/the-duke-and-duchess-of-cambridge-come-to-santa-barbara/ http://www.dannyderaney.com/uncategorized/the-duke-and-duchess-of-cambridge-come-to-santa-barbara/#comments Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:16:55 +0000 admin http://www.dannyderaney.com/?p=453

A ROYAL SALUTE!

PRINCE WILLIAM AND THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE INVADE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AS WILLIAM LEADS THE ROYAL SALUTE TEAM IN CHARITY POLO MATCH

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2011 10:00PM – 10:15 PM (ET) and SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2011 10:00 AM – 10:15 AM (ET)

Satellite Coordinates to Download Footage:

Galaxy 16 (C-Band Analog)
Transponder 23C
D/L:  4160 MHz (H)
Trouble: 202-641-9840

WHAT: The World has its eyes set on the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club on Saturday July 9^th, as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge continue their tour of the US at the Foundation Polo Challenge.

The event is sponsored by Royal Salute British luxury Scotch whisky and also happens to be the name of the team The Duke of Cambridge will play for that day.

The Foundation Polo Challenge will be attended by distinguished guests from all over the world including, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke of Argyll, celebrities  and fans alike.

Recently, both The Duke and his brother Prince Harry played on opposing teams in a closely fought contest at The Sentebale Polo Cup Sponsored by Royal Salute on 12 June 2011. The Duke’s team claimed the trophy in front of a VIP audience that included Ellie Goulding and Dougray Scott.

Following the match, guests will be hosted by Royal Salute at the exclusive VIP bar where they will serve an exclusive bejeweled bottle of Whisky called Tribute of Honour.  Only 21 bottles of this whisky were made and carries a price tag of $200,000 per bottle.

The video will contain:

• Red Carpet Arrival Of The Royal Couple And Celebrities
• Foundation Polo Challenge Match Featuring The Duke Of Cambridge.
• Celebrity Soundbites and After-Party Celebration

For more information or b-roll needs and high res links, please email Danny at danny@dannyderaney.com

One bad pitch can ruin your rep with a producer and damage your credibility with not only the station, but in the long run, your client.

Case in point. A TV producer friend of mine likes to share bad pitches she receives on an on going basis. This is one she received this morning for a Valentines Day related segment. So you would assume the segment would be:

Creating a romantic atmosphere in the kitchen?

How to create a fancy dinner at home for cheap?

How to avoid conflict on Valentine’s Day if your loved one and who has Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Yes, Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Names have been changed to protect the innocent. The actual pitch is as follows:

Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year, but if you’re not careful, it can also be one of the most challenging. If you are a new couple, how do you express your feelings without going overboard? If you are an established couple with work and family responsibilities, how can you find a few hours in the day to enjoy a romantic evening that includes having a candlelight dinner or taking a romantic walk? If your significant other has a chronic disease, how can you be supportive of your partner and still find time for love?

Available for interviews is psychiatrist, columnist and author, Dr. Jane Doe. She will discuss the impact chronic illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have on relationships and how couples can still continue to maintain healthy bonds.

I assume future stories from this agency will include:

Christmas and Cancer

A.I.D.S. and Arbor Day

Hanukkah and Halitosis

It is one thing to have a bottom line, but in this industry, when you sometimes have only one shot to position yourself,  creativity and brainstorming ideas with the client are key.

8 years ago, while working at On the Scene Productions, I had the privileged and honor to work with Thea Williams who was the Executive Producer at KVUE, the ABC in Austin, Texas. I just found out yesterday that Thea passed away after a long courageous battle with Breast Cancer.

Thea was the ultimate professional and journalist. She always asked questions about story ideas to keep you thinking, which in turn, made my job better. Every year, we would do many wonderful segments together such as the National Education Association Convention and our Toys R Us 4 camera satellite remote from Times Square. I was calling to pitch her about the latter yesterday when I heard the news.

Here is to you Thea. Thank you for all of the lives you touched and making us all better people.

KVUE Remembers Thea

the $8.94 million dollar World Series of Poker Winner Jonathan Duhamel.

The young poker wiz conquered Vegas Monday night beating 7,319 poker players in the biggest live tournament ever! He’s the first Canadian to win the World Series of Poker Main Event – and one of the youngest ever!

John will explain how was able to beat over 7,300 others and talk about secrets behind his success.

The SMT is this Friday from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM Eastern. If you would like to book a window, please email Danny@dannyderaney.com.

MICROSOFT’S BEN RUDOLPH UNVEILS THE MUST GETS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2010 7:00 AM TO 12:30 PM EASTERN

SPOKESPERSON:

Ben Rudolph

Senior Manager in Microsoft’s Windows Group

WHAT: It’s looking to be a jolly gadget filled holiday season for geeks and gamers this year!  But for those who need to buy that gadget for their favorite technophile, trying to find the right device and shopping for it can be a bit overwhelming.  New phones, cool new laptops, revolutionary new gaming systems and some really sleek stocking stuffers are now flooding stores.

To make sense of it all and help your viewers to ask the right questions, we wanted to give you the opportunity to interview a technology expert from Microsoft.  Ben Rudolph is like a kid in a toy store during the holidays; his job at Microsoft is to play with new PCs, phones, software and games – often before these products are even in stores – so he can help match customers with the technology that’s perfect for them.

Ben is available to share his experiences & expertise with your viewers along with his favorite gadgets and PCs for any budget. Ben will offer tips on what to look for when shopping for technology gifts and how to find the best deals.  He’ll also be able to show off the hottest new Windows Phones just coming onto the market and give you a demo of the revolutionary new Xbox Kinect gaming system.  No controllers needed, your body’s movements control the game!

Some of the technology gadgets he’ll be showing off:

• Sony VAIO J: This is a 21” multi-touch all-in-one.  Perfect as the center of your digital life, it’s ideal for filling the house with  music, sharing photos, or watching TV/movies in full 1080p HD. And you can get it starting under $1000

• Toshiba Portege r705:  Lightest full-feature laptop ever built, perfect for people on the road.  Why compromise performance and fun for size?  This PC has it all, and has killer options like a Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, Blu-Ray, SSD, etc…and it starts way under $1000

• Samsung QX410:  Super sleek all-aluminum case, less than an inch thick and about 5lbs.  It’s a fashion statement, a workhorse, and an entertainment PC all in one gorgeous package.

• Xbox Kinect: New gaming system from Microsoft just released for the holidays that eliminates the need for controllers and let’s body movements control the action.

ABOUT: Ben Rudolph, a.k.a. “Ben the PC Guy”, is a Senior Manager in Microsoft’s Windows Group.  As the Windows Team’s PC Evangelist, he might just have the best job in the tech world – testing hundreds of desktops, laptops and gadgets so he’s able to help helping customers from all over the world find the perfect computer.  Prior to Microsoft, he spent nearly a decade in high-technology, working first in biotechnology and later building software for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.  Ben also is a certified Krav Maga instructor and holds a black belt in classical Japanese jiu-jitsu, and has trained military and law enforcement personnel from all over the world.  You can keep with him on his blog (www.windowsteamblog.com) and on Twitter @BenThePCGuy.

For more information, please contact Danny at Danny@dannyderaney.com