SideWiki allows members of the public to contribute information next to any webpage. You install it as a browser sidebar and once installed, you can read and write entries along the side of the page.

Having already been sidetracked by the new gizmo and a client with poor reviews, I am of the opinion that it will be another important thing for digital PRs to manage.

While there are some safeguards built in, it is essentially a licence for web-rogues to have a pop on any website they want to.

Some say it’s a good thing for the legal professional, but for PRs is it just another thing to monitor in a long list?

To be fair it probably is. But lets not get too down-beat – I’m sure it will present many ‘opportunites’ too. Besides, some clever-tech will soon design a programme were you can monitor all your important websites in one. That’s if Google has not already done so…

More info below:

BSkyB will launch its Sky Player online TV service on Microsoft’s XBox 360 tomorrow.

The Sky Player will provide video-on-demand service and access to live TV on 24 channels including movies and sports.

It will also provide a range of “unique interactive services”, including apps that allow viewers to communicate real time via XBox Live avatars while watching Sky Sports, and Twitter and Facebook apps in association with TV programmes.

For the app loving, football following, social media sort it seems a dream come true…

But there’s a catch. You’ll need an XBox Live Gold subscription for this one, and you’ll also need to be subscribed to Sky Movies and Sky Sports.

Find out more here

PRWeek revealed the results of its inaugural digital survey yesterday (here) which, surprisingly, only received 64 responses.

But rather than debate the reasons for why this could be (confidentially breaches to uncovered industry blag) I thought it would be interesting to focus on the 61 per cent of respondents that found themselves pitching against non-PR agencies in the last 12 months.

For me Porter Novelli’s, Kerry Gaffney, hits an important nail on the head when saying: “Many clients are appreciating that PR is the natural champion of an organisation’s message and reputation, regardless of the particular channel used to deliver it.”

But, while this should be the case, in my experience ‘many clients’ still invite digital, advertising, social media, marketing and search agencies to tender. And who blames them? After all, they’re paying the bills so they unquestionably deserve to find the best agency for the job.

For me, the PR industry still lags a little behind the others. Over the next year or so I envisage the PR industry changing at a speed far greater than witnessed so far and at a level comparable to the impact of the internet on the advertising industry.

As clients and consumers become even more digitally-savvy the challenge will be put upon PRs to reach online communities, e.g. online media, bloggers and social network users, ahead of traditional print media. And in many cases, there will be a need to go direct to the consumer – bringing PR and other specialist forms of marketing, closer together.

There will also be a shift in the way PRs deal with video, audio, graphics and pictures. Indeed, news organisations like the BBC, Daily Telegraph and Press Association (PA Video Wire) have already changed their models to cater for video and digital graphics. And to fulfil this growing demand for content PRs will have to provide quality, rich multimedia content more frequently than before. Again, bringing PR and other specialist forms of marketing, closer together.

While advertising and digital marketing agencies have already embraced this ‘digital marketing communications revolution’, the road ahead remains rocky for the PR industry. PR agencies that have prepared, or are preparing for an increasing ‘digital demand’ will succeed if they can convince clients that their PR agency can not only web-build, run social media campaigns, create content etc., but can also get results, add value and measure all of the above.

However, for those agencies who fail to do this, they will lose clients, stop winning new business and fall by the wayside.

So, the onus is therefore on us, as PR people, to stamp our authority on the ‘digital marketing mix’ and grab valuable market share of this emerging communications market for our industry.

There are still many clients out there who do not understand how this ‘digital revolution’ is changing the way they need to communicate. As such, there are many opportunities for digitally-savvy PR agencies to explore, many potential client hands to hold and many long-term relationships to build…

Up until yesterday I bet if you asked 100 people to name a football team from Nottingham, 90 per cent would have said Nottingham Forest first. But now? I’m not so sure…

I could be here all day analysing Sven’s move to Meadow Lane from a football point of view, but I’ll get this out of my system later at pre-season training, so I’ll just touch on the PR perspective for now.

It’s a cracking story and a fantastic reminder how to use the right celebrity to dress-up a dull news story.

Whether Sven has moved for the money, or “the biggest challenge of his life”, it doesn’t really matter.

And it may not necessarily be financially good for the game but at least the lower tier of English football is now back on the map.

I expect fans to flock en masse to the County’s first few games of the season, but even Severance-Sven will not continue to pull in the crowds or player unless they get the results on the pitch.

Football clubs can do the best PR in the world, but if they lose 5-0 every week the fans will soon turn.

In fact, I may look into the price of Sven taking over from Ian McParland before Christmas…

Ex-NOTW editor Andy Coulson came out on top of today’s Culture Select committee meeting, despite attempts from Labour spin-doctors to move the story into the political agenda and score valuable points over the Tories.

David Cameron’s recently appointed aide delivered a text-book case of reputation management by admitting guilt, welcoming an investigation, and generating some sympathy for himself – oh and humouring his audience with some clever name dropping: “I never asked for a Gordon Taylor story, I never commissioned an Gordon Taylor story, I never read a Gordon Taylor story, I never published a Gordon Taylor story,” he replied.” With all respect to Gordon Taylor, he is hardly a household name.”

The inconclusive evidence will leave many disappointed and Coulson’s careful handling will prevent a repeat of the ‘banker’s barrage’, featuring Fred the Shred et al, being played out in the media.

But for those wanting to air their disgust, I strongly recommend joining John Prescott, LabourMatters and Catherine Mayer and co on Twitter (#hackgate).

Been so busy with work and moving house lately that I forgot I even had a blog, let alone not had time to write a post!

However, where there’s a will there’s a way…

Was reading The Sunday Times at the weekend and stumbled upon an article about Facebook squatters, following its decision to offer users the opportunity to get their own personal Facebook URL.

While some consider it all too late in the day, given that Twitter et al already offer the same service, I actually think its a superb PR stunt to inject some energy into a tiring brand.

It certainly got them all over the media again. And I bet it encouraged many (myself included) fickle Facebook users back to its site, and even their blogs, ahem!

Great video to demonstrate the value of using social media as part of your marketing strategy:

Thinking back to one of my first Tweets, it was something along the lines of “trying to work out my Twitter strategy”.

And after a few months and over 100 posts later I think I’ve finally cracked it.

So for all you ‘Twirgins’ out there keen to take the plunge, here are a few pointers on how to find your feet, conduct yourself and increase your following:

• Personalise your account:

Make sure you have an image (avatar), a bio and a URL if possible, so that others can see you are a genuine Twitterer and not a ’spammer’. If you’re really keen you may also want to personalise your background too. You can do this at sites like TwitBacks and TwitterBackgrounds.

• Don’t follow too many people:

It may seem a reasonable ploy to follow as many people as possible. While you’ll feel like you’ve got all bases covered you’ll soon realise that the more people you follow the harder it is to wade through the treacle. So be selective.

• Follow Tweeps with Twitority:

Use websites such as Twellow, Twitter Search and Twitority to find influential and interesting people. And make sure you have a good blend of businesses and real people. While businesses, e.g. PRWeek, MediaGuardian and NewMediaAge will give you the latest news, they will rarely give you their take on something. People are so much more interesting…

• Get connected:

If you’re gonna Tweet then do it properly. Make sure you’ve got access to Twitter no matter where you are. Install Twitterific for iPhones, Twitterberry for BlackBerrys and TweetDeck for PC and laptops. You can now scratch that Twitch wherever you are. Oh, and you may also want to consider Twitpic, just incase you come across anything worthy of a picture, e.g. the Hudson Bay plane crash.

• Decide your voice:

Do you want to keep it professional or are you happy to reveal all? A good thing to remember is: “don’t Tweet anything you wouldn’t want your Mum to see”. Once you have made your decision then stick to it and make sure you are personal, approachable, authoritative, thoughtful and sometimes humorous.

• Tweet about topical things and name drop:

Any person or business worth their salt will have Twitter searches set up for topics relevant to them or their name. So chances are that if you mention a big-time-Twitterer or a Twitter-savvy business, they will see it and respond. You can also use #tags in a bid to increase your following. These flag the term to the Twitter community and should help you pick up a few more like-minded followers.

• Go the extra mile for your following:

While it’s good to give your insight on things and keep others up to date with your movements, avid Twitter users like useful Tweets – so shop around. If you find something that interests you on the web then Tweet it. Whether it’s a new Twitter application, breaking-news or a hilarious viral, people will be interested. Note: you may want to use TinyUrl to reduce the size of the link. This will give you the chance to add your own comment and will also enable people to Re-Tweet your post.

• Direct message:

While having a mass-following is good for the ego it will not guarantee that you are a well connected Twitterer. There’s an unwritten rule on Twitter that if someone replies or RTs one of your Tweets you should direct message them. This allows you to continue the conversation away from the other followers and it’s a great opportunity to build up a good dialogue and Twitter relationship.

• Monitter:

Keep your eyes and ears open. Use sites like Monitter, Twttrlist and even the search option within TweetDeck. This way you can keep up to date with Tweets you’re interested in and respond as soon as they happen.

• Ask and respond to questions:

If you’ve not heard of something or someone before then ask? Chances are that someone else has and they may just give you the information you’re looking for. But it is a two way process and you’ll be sure to make a friend if you help someone out. You may also want to consider surveying your audience which is another great way to keep them on their toes.

• Don’t stop:

It’s a fact that 60% of Twitter users give up after the first month. If you can stick at it long enough you will soon see the benefits. Whether it’s getting some information about a company or being considered for a Twitch, they are there. But if you are flagging behind or snowed under with work you can always consider automatic feeds from third parties with the same interests, e.g. Mashable. This will quench your following’s thirst in your absence but be warned: stay away for too long and they will leave you for someone more interesting than a parrot!

• Twitter marketing:

Just because you are on Twitter don’t just assume that people will find you. Go out there and tell them. You may want to consider adding your Twitter profile to your business card, email signature or website.

So, if anyone says that you don’t need a Twitter strategy just a sense of adventure, they’re not entirely true. Common sense suggests that you don’t jump into something new without a plan, so why do it with Twitter? One thing I’ve learnt though is be prepared to put in some serious Twitter hours…

Its not been around since the nineties and with all between now and then, for many, today is the launch of the Sony What, man?

Yes, the Walkman is an iconic brand but for those younger than 20, few will appreciate what it symbolises.

Granted, its had a massive revamp and with features like: OLED touchscreen, Wi-Fi and built-in noise cancellation it does have a chance of competing.

But for me the Apple brand is far too powerful. And its not only established amongst today’s ‘trendies’ its also part of the lives of the then, ‘early adaptors’. Most of whom are now too stuck in their ways to change.

So apart from an: “Oh, Doris they have bought the Sony Walkman back, do you remember that when cassettes were around”? Or a: “Bruv, that Danielle Bux is fit man, init”? I doubt many Apple fans will be motivated to change – especially with price tag of £200+.

Let’s be honest, even Sony themselves admit: “We hope it will rival the iPod“. Not a convincing enough statement for me. If they don’t have much faith, then why should we?

I’ve just read an interesting article in Management Today called “Ten Top Tips: Blogging for Business”, which was taken from Antony Mayfield’s eBook, “How to Start Blogging: A Guide for Business Bloggers”.

And I find it fascinating that Twitter was not included. For me, Twitter is the perfect way to improve your blogging. It not only opens doors to a whole host of content you never knew about, but, if you use it like I do, it enables you to drop your thoughts down online while you are on the move.

Then, if you’re lucky, by the time you get around to writing the blog post, one of your followers might have offered their opinion on the Tweet or provided a link to further information so that you can write a more informed blog post.

But, if nobody took the bait it is by no means the end of the world. At least your Twiter following was made aware of your thoughts. You can then return to this topic once you have written your blog post and use Twitter as a medium to direct people to a more indepth conversation your blog.

So, if I may, Mr. Mayfield?

11. Use Twitter
Micro-blogging is a great way to jot your thoughts down on the move. It lets your Twitter following know what you are thinking and prepares them for a more indepth deabte once you have written your blog post.

Furthermore, you’ll find that the more your Tweet, the more you blog and vice-versa!!!