The articles in this issue of Cutting Edge PR e-News focus on various aspects of social media. Over time, communicators are becoming more aware of the value of social media in engaging audiences
Millennials may read more print media than we think
Most comments on the reading habits of millennials give the impression that young people never read newspapers. However, survey evidence insists that they do.
For instance, a recent Pew State of the News Media study notes that 23% of people aged 18-24 reported reading a newspaper yesterday. And the New York Times reports that 10% of its hard copy subscribers are aged 18-24, which compares well with the 9% of this age group who subscribe digitally.
The implications for communicators: don’t yet write off newspapers as a way to reach a significant proportion of young people.
In other words
Some hilarious circumlocutions (unnecessary wordiness) quoted in PR Daily Extra caught my eye the other day. Thought I would share them with you:
Box = cubic containment system
Eraser = misapplication elimination device
Comb = follicle redistribution mechanism
Fly swatter = vermin de-infestation apparatus
Bed = horizontal tranquility terminal
Smartphones dominate
For the first time, a majority (50.4%) of US mobile subscribers owned smartphones as at March 2012. Apple was the top manufacturer of smartphone handsets while Android was the top smartphone operating system. Around 48% of smartphone owners had a device that runs on the Android operating system while 32% of owners’ devices ran on Apple's iOS. The implications: PR material needs to take into account the technical requirements of mobile applications when developing communication material because, for instance, smartphones can be used to download a wide amount of content.
Source: Neilsen Research, May 2012
PR is defiantly the way to go!
Beware of the predictive text on smartphones! When you are keying in the initial letters of a word in a text message, the ‘helpful’ predictive text function completes the word for you if that function is switched on. I’ve been caught when I have keyed in a hurry, only to find later when reviewing the message that some totally inappropriate words have appeared in the message. What’s worse - the user manual on my horrible Samsung Galaxy gives no instructions on how to turn off the predictive function. Can hardly wait for the iPhone 5 to hit the market. :)
Was reminded of all this recently when I received a memorable message from a student:
“Hi, I'm considering doing public predations as a minor within my business degree…”
Hmm…that’s an original angle. Had never thought of our profession as predators! (Notice the courtesy of addressing me by name was beyond her.)
And this one from the same person:
“Thankyou for the quick response, you have defiantly answered all of my questions!”
She’s very perceptive! (And notice “thankyou” written as one word. Sigh…)
What are some of your favourite predictive word mangles?? Would be keen to know!
Some bumps along the way
My saga continues. As noted in the previous issue of this newsletter, I am undergoing chemotherapy following a successful bowel cancer operation a couple of months ago.
That’s fine, but last month I fainted after going for a walk. Diagnosed as irregular heart rhythm - and so I spent 6 days in hospital for a cardiac pacemaker to be installed to smooth out my heartbeat. My misspent youth catching up ...
But that’s not all. The latest news is that my left arm became red and swollen. It was a blood clot in the vein that carries the lead from my pacemaker to my heart. Another 2 days in hospital. Chemo has probably thickened my blood, so I’m on blood thinners etc. Turning into a medical junkie! Never mind, I’m still aiming at restoring a normal life once all this stuff is over.
Until next time
Kim Harrison
PS. Found my signature from this newsletter on Google Images the other day. No more sig on my newsletter from here on ... |
