CustomScoop's PR PodJots

Welcome to CustomScoop's PR PodJots, our weekly analysis of the PR and marketing podosphere. This week, we welcome back Michael Seaton of The Client Side podcast, in a discussion of what goes into the client-agency relationship in marketing.

The Client Side – Exploring the Agency—Client Relationship

This week marks the return of the Client Side podcast, and Michael Seaton explores the relationships between clients and agencies. Naturally, (as you can tell from the name of the show) Michael takes on the client side of the relationship, wondering if the responsibility for maintaining good relations is solely that of the agency. What can the client do to ensure the relationship stays strong?

A recent study shows that less than 20 percent of companies are happy with their ad agencies. So what seems to be the problem? Michael cites an article in Ad Age highlighting the longstanding relationships built between certain agencies and their best clients. He questions what the fundamentals of a long term partnership may be, comparing the relationship to a marriage. Competition has grown fierce, and the pressure to remain on the cutting edge can drive a wedge between even the best agencies and their clients.

Michael thinks that the metrics have changed, as there are dozens of choices for marketing clients; it’s not just TV/print/radio anymore. He examines how to cut through the clutter facing clients and focus on building a trusting relationship with your clients.

Around the PR Podcast Horn (in alphabetical order):

Disruptive Dialogue – CustomScoop CEO Chip Griffin interviews Brian Oberkirch this week, discussing tech startups. Brian’s recent post about starting a tech company outside of Silicon Valley inspired the chat. Chip and Brian cover the particulars of web startups, and whether Silicon Valley companies look to build companies just to sell them, while entrepreneurs are often looking to build a company that can last.

FIR #286 and #287 – On Monday’s show this week, an Internetless Neville and an international Shel (he’s in Denmark) field reports from Lee Hopkins, check in on the PRSA international conference, and the troubles of changing blogging platforms. On Thursday’s episode, they talk Facebook and Microsoft (is the platform really worth $15 billion?), a report from Dan York (whose blog recently landed him a new job), and more.

Inside PR – Terry Fallis and David Jones discuss client communications plans on Inside PR this week (one of the best elements of this very informative show is its tendency to focus on “regular” public relations issues, rather than focusing entirely on social media elements). They can be as different as the professionals putting them together, and while many shops use a template to set out their specific goals for each new client, Terry prefers plans that are custom built to meet a client’s needs. He generally puts in specific headings in his plans, including goals, strategic considerations, target audiences, strategy, key message points, timing and budget in this plans, and the pair discusses each element of the plan in-depth.

Jaffe Juice – In his newly rebranded podcast this week, Joe Jaffe discusses his book, "Join the Conversation," and his efforts to Bum Rush the charts at Amazon.com. He also gives a recap of his recent DMA workshops on blogging and podcasting, and introduces a series of conversations, beginning with going “green” as a corporate entity.

Marketing Over Coffee – Two podcasters I am looking forward to seeing and learning from at PodCamp Boston this weekend, John Wall and Chris Penn, discuss (as usual) a wide variety of topic over coffee in their episode this week. In particular, it’s a rather kid-friendly episode this week, as they cover topics from Club Penguin to Hannah Montana, and discuss how virtual communities are targeting children.

Marketing Martini – Interested in purchasing a new domain name? Marketing Martini host Bill Sweetman discusses Traffic EAST 2007, the domain name industry conference. He interviews Moniker.com CEO Monte Cahn about the world’s largest domain name auction. Cahn says that domain names can go for as little as a few hundred dollars to several hundred thousand, to other brand names that can be worth millions.

On the Record – Eric Schwartzman interviewed PR blogger Kami Huyse at the PRSA International Conference in Philadelphia this year. Kami discusses her efforts surrounding the PRSA’s official blog. The conversation covers online analytics and measurement, a topic frequently discussed on Kami’s blog and of great interest to many clients. Kami also talks about using social media to improve communications throughout an organization.

PRobecast – In the latest episode of the Topaz Partners podcast, Doug Haslam, Tim Allik and Adam Zand discuss popular marketing blogger BL Ochman’s pitching tips following some recent pitching atrocities she’s encountered. They also touch on a host of other good stuff, everything from trade shows, the Red Sox world series hopes, and politicians’ use of PR and social media.

The Rundown – In the second episode of his new podcast, Luke Armour welcomes Nettie Hartsock. Luke and Nettie discuss the particulars of being an online publicist in the literary world. Nettie uses her history as an Internet journalist to help get the most of web exposure for her PR clients. She thinks the journalists and PR pros work together to put together great stories.

Six Pixels of Separation – Mitch Joel welcomes blogger, podcaster, and crayon president Joe Jaffe to the program. They discuss Jaffe’s new book, Join the Conversation, and Jaffe’s plans to “Bum Rush the Charts,” as he encouraged his friends in the social media community to purchase copies of his book on Amazon, driving his tome to the top of the Amazon rankings. They also discuss Life After the 30-second Spot, and the recent name change of Jaffe’s popular podcast.

Comments

[John Wall]

Hey, Drinks for the Kids!

[Nettie Hartsock]

Sarah,

thanks for the plug on the Luke Armour interview. he is amazing and he even put up with my texas accent!

Nettie H.