Social Media Takeaways from August

by September 05, 2017

Feeling overwhelmed with the latest social media trends? Stay on top of news and updates with our NEW social media takeaway blog. We’ve compiled a list of updates, big and small, so you stay up to date with platform changes. The latest on social media for Instagram Happy Birthday Instagram Stories The beloved Instagram Stories…

One in five organic Stories earns a direct message from a potential customer, so happy storytelling Instagrammers!

 

Instagram added conversation threads to comments

The conversation threads update, available with Instagram version 24 or above, makes it easy to connect and respond to a specific conversation. When users hit ‘reply’, the comment now appears in a ‘nested thread’ similar to Facebook.

 

Instagram gets savvy with a choice of image orientations

As of last week (August 30), Instagram has given users the ability to share multiple images and videos in portrait and landscape orientations. Content must be consistent as there’s still restrictions on different formats (square, portrait and landscape) when sharing multiple visuals.

 

The latest on social media for Twitter

Twitter celebrates 10 years of the hashtag

A decade ago, Twitter user Chris Messina pitched the idea of ‘the hashtag’ and changed our online conversations forever.

His idea? Simple! The ‘#’ symbol could make for a better user experience by grouping tweets together. Now, the hashtag has evolved from being an unused symbol on our computer keyboards to becoming the heart of every PR and social media campaign created today.

Happy birthday ‘#’!

 

The latest on social media for Facebook

Facebook adds functions for 360-degree images

Facebook now lets you shoot 360-degree images directly on the Facebook app. The coolest thing? You can now use those images as your cover image – look for the new ‘360 photo’ option in your status bar.

The function is soon to come for video.

 

Facebook adds new controls for influencer and brand collaboration

With influencer marketing spend on the rise, Facebook is technically ‘making it easy’ by enabling brands to boost content as it appears on the influencers Facebook page.

 

The latest on social media for LinkedIn

LinkedIn adds an in-app video creation tool

Although a bit late to the video content party, LinkedIn has added the capability for users to shoot and upload native video. The feature enables users to spark engagement and build relationships/connect with professional networks by increasing productivity through ‘work hack’ videos or sharing your front row seats at a national conference.

Have we missed anything? Get in touch.

 

Read More

Is Public Relations Still Relevant?

by August 09, 2017

Public relations has never been more relevant. In today’s 365/24/7 news cycle, public relations has never been more relevant. The PR landscape has changed, but so has the focus of traditional agencies and in-house PR departments. Everything you (a business or brand) say and do as a business is PR, whether it’s through traditional media…

We’re living in an ever-changing world of cross-channel integration, blending PR and media relations, social media and digital to successfully deliver campaigns across multiple channels. We’re engaging with our chosen audiences at the right time to inspire consumers to take notice, and take action.

A world of ‘new’ editorial opportunities

We firmly believe the traditional media release still has an important role to play for newsworthy content to reach editors of newspapers, magazines, online channels and bloggers. In fact, it’s one of the most beneficial tools if accompanied with creative visuals or video.

In this day and age, it’s imperative for companies and brands to produce shareworthy visuals to help increase exposure. Media are hungry for newsworthy content and they’re disseminating those visuals or the latest news (and remember the definition of news is ‘new’) through print, online and social media channels to engage their readers in conversation.

We live in a social media-obsessed culture so as part of your campaign strategy it’s essential to think about how your content can be reused or repurposed for different platforms to reach your audience. It’s a bit of an art form, but hey, that’s where PR companies come in!

Social Media Prism-Public relations-Southern PR

[Image: Conversation Prism]

Social media channels provide amazing opportunities to chat daily to customers, share stories and learn about each other, adding that human face to your company. Whether you’re collaborating with today’s public figures, thought leaders, bloggers and influencers or targeting your audience through traditional media channels, there are now more opportunities than ever to successfully tell your story.

The integrated public relations approach – top tip

As an agency, we help our clients get their ‘ducks in a row’ to develop content for each channel that accurately delivers key messages and is consistent with brand vision and values. We often align our campaigns with a ‘four C’s’ approach to ensure every piece of content is best placed to generate the results it deserves.

Coherence – different communications are logically connected

Consistency – multiple messages support and reinforce, and are not contradictory

Continuity – communications are connected and consistent through time

Complementary – synergistic (sum of the parts is greater than the whole)

Have you got a story to tell? We can help develop a PR and marketing strategy that delivers on your business goals, or help your marketing team deliver your next PR campaign. Get in touch today. We’re listening.

Read More

And the Winner for Southern Public Relations’ New Social Media Role is…

by May 02, 2017

Sarah Vujcich is our newest creative recruit here at the Southern Public Relations embassy and we’re super excited to welcome Sarah to the ever-expanding Southern PR team! Sarah hails from the land of adventure tourism and joins us to help with public relations and social and digital media communications. She’s actually writing this blog post…

Her sass, pragmaticism and ‘can-do’ attitude is why we asked her to start creating with us in the Southern PR realm.

In true PR-style, we cornered Sarah and asked her a few questions in an interview…

1. Who are you and what’s your role at Southern PR?

Sarah Vujcich, PR Account Manager with a focus on social and digital communications and strategy.

2. What did you do previously?

Sales and marketing coordinator for adventure tourism businesses Thunder Jet and Queenstown Water Taxis, and before that I was in a similar role for world-renowned tourism leader AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand.

3. What are you most excited about here at Southern PR?

Having followed Southern PR’s journey closely, I’m now super excited to join the creative team and be part of turning our clients’ digital ideas into living, breathing, world-class communication assets.

I am also keen to continue expanding my knowledge of emerging technologies and contribute to Southern PR’s future successes in the digital space.

4. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Would you use it for good or evil?

I’d have telekinesis, most definitely – the kind you can choose when to use it, though, as it would be great for all aspects of life, not just work! Good will always prevail over evil – watch this space.

5. What can we find you up to when you’re not working on a client masterpiece?

I pair my love of good food (including chocolate, of course) with an active lifestyle and can be found dreaming about my next adventure – Queenstown is such a wonderful place to be exploring!

Read More

TESTIMONIALS

what our clients say

“Southern PR were great to work with, and they got some great results during the launch of our Cardrona Cabin. We’ve found using local representatives very successful, and Southern PR are one of the best.”

Founder Daniel Gudsell – Abodo Wood Ltd 

“The team at Southern PR is absolutely top notch. For general PR, social media expertise or crisis management, you want Fiona and her professional team in your corner.  Working with them is always a pleasure and I cannot recommend them highly enough.”

Director Gavin Taylor – GFORCE Paragliding

what our clients say

“I am very proud to have worked with Southern PR for nearly a decade. I love working with them, not only for their creative and thorough briefs and clear communication on shot requirements but also their enthusiasm on the shoot days.  If you want a positive, focused and creative team to get your brand out to your target market – Southern PR are your team!”

Photographer & Director Jackie Gay – Still Vision Photography