These days you can’t go 24 hours without hearing the term “global marketplace”. At times, it seems as if the world is truly shrinking when everyone is just a click of the mouse or Skype call away. America has produced some of the most innovative brands, exporting them across the globe. Of the world’s 100 most valuable brands, 62 are American, according to consulting group, Interbrand. For American marketing and PR professionals, one of the dangers of the “global marketplace” is the urge to treat all regional markets as American.

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending Business Wire’s “Communicating to an International Audience both Here and Abroad” breakfast panel moderated by David Miller, Director of WW Media Relations at Applied Materials. Speakers included Andrew Ross, Foreign-National Editor, SF Chronicle, Robert McMillan, Senior Writer, IDG News, Sandy Close, Exec. Editor & Director, New America Media, Michael Fitzhugh, Technology & Biotech Reporter, East Bay Business Times.

The panelists shared advice on how to be more globally aware when pitching news for distribution to a foreign market. Some key takeaways for anyone engaging in global communications:

–Understand time zones. The newsday is 24 hours because of them - abandon your notion of the 9 to 5 business day.
–Although English is the de facto lingua franca of the business and technology communities worldwide, PR professionals and journalists need command of other languages. There is a certain inherent danger of something becoming lost in translation otherwise.
–In order to have a successful international corporate communications or public relations program, professionals must have an interest and enjoy interaction with international audiences and cultures.
–Be respectful of cultural differences.
–Don’t be afraid to target alternative contacts such as citizen journalists and international media outlets both in the US and abroad.
–When pitching a story, be mindful of reporter’s readership, even a local story can have a compelling global angle.

/AMW

Okay, one more shout out, then we’ll shut up. Maybe. Probably not.

The Holmes Report has named Voce as a finalist for the illustrious metallic idol of PR kwan - the Silver Sabre Award.

We’re finalists in two categories, actually:

First, in the technology category for our work with Network Appliance. Better insight on this via the press release.

And second, in the best practices in PR management category, for our work, well, managing. This one chokes us up, in a good, lower-quivering-lip-kinda way. Citizens of the Voce Nation work very hard to make (and keep) this place what it is. To be recognized for this effort feels goooood.

The awards will be carted out next month in NYC, we’ll see you there.

/Voce Nation

Technorati Tags: netapp, sabre+awards, voce+communications, holmes+report, pr

According to the Silicon Valley Business Journal. w00t!

/Voce Nation

Technorati Tags: bayarea, pr, silicon valley, voce communications

I have to admit — I still read a lot of print magazine. While on a recent long plane trip to Beijing, I happened to come across this Newsweek article that discussed how PR is increasingly blending with international politics. Very interesting read. I won’t editorialize the article but this quote really stood out when reading the piece:

“Ordinary people across the planet now view China more warmly than they do the United States. Polls taken by the Program on International Policy Attitudes and the BBC show that majorities of people in most countries today consider China to be a more positive influence and less of a threat to international peace than the United States is.”

/John Welton

Technorati Tags: international, newsweek, china, pr

Voce is a supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), which invests in blood cancer research and patient services. We are excited to tell you about the Second Annual Online Auction to raise money for LLS which goes live today. There are some great sports-themed packages for auction (especially if you are a Sharks fan, a cyclist or a race car enthusiast!)

The fundraiser - appropriately named “Out for Blood” - is a charity auction on eBay running from April 17 to April 27. Auction items include:
– A Penthouse Suite for up to 12 people at a Sharks home game
– Zamboni Ride + 4 Club Level tickets
– Present Seagate ‘Player of the Month’ at center ice
– Autographed memorabilia package
– A customized Specialized bike and helmet autographed by World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Paolo Bettini
– 3 Day Racing School package from Mazda USA & Skip Barber Racing

There will be a second phase of the online action, featuring lunch with eBay President Bill Cobb, which goes live on May 8.

The first online auction raised tens of thousands of dollars for LLS, and we are hoping the caliber of this year’s auction items will raise even more money for this important cause. Thank you for helping us spread the word.

/Stacy Libby

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the word’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. Founded in 1949, we are relentless in the pursuit of our mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. For more information about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Silicon Valley & Monterey Bay Area Chapter, please visit www.lls.org

Still in Asia…now in Hong Kong…thought I would share more thoughts from the road.

Observation #1

Hong Kong is a beautiful city - what a skyline! Always impressive!

Observation #2

Think imagery, photography and layouts when working with media here. If you are only supplying information to journalists (pitches, releases, etc.) then you are missing out on half the “ink” opportunity in an article. Media here use photos, captions call-outs, etc. - much more often than US media.

Observation #3

Give your business card with two hands, don’t forget even if you are jet lagged (sound familiar?)

Observation #4

Take a cab or the subway, business is business here and traffic is intense but “Hong Kong time” means that often people are a few minutes late. Also don’t let the heat fool you, a suit is still quite common at business meetings regardless of the temperature.

Observation #5

More languages means different types of press opportunities and more of them. There are Chinese speaking media, English speaking media (including some of the most influential in the region) all located in Hong Kong.

/John Welton

Also Read:

Hello From Beijing

Technorati Tags: international, pr, culture, hong+kong

I’m in Asia for a client trip and some partner meetings, so I thought I would share just a couple of observations from the road….

Observation #1

My Internet connection is faster here than my home; and my cell phone has better reception here than in my living room.

Observation #2

Business is best done in person here - you need to see faces, you need to work harder to communicate, and when needed it helps remove “roadblocks” to understanding especially for planning or creative discussions.

Observation #3

Give your business card with two hands, don’t forget even if you are jet lagged.

Observation #4

Be hungry when you go to a business lunch, you will be served a lot of food – this is a sign of “welcoming” and is common during business lunches. It is OK not to eat it all.

Observation #5

Consultant life seems very different in China. I see that hierarchical structure is very important and very respected. American clients should take this into account when planning brainstorms and face-to-face meetings. Do not get discouraged or concerned when your “junior” members speak less than team leads.

/John Welton

Technorati Tags: international, pr, beijing, culture

The Word of Mouth Marketing Association — or WOMMA as it’s known – is hosting its annual conference in New Orleans on April 17 -18. This year’s conference is designed to discuss best practices in word-of-mouth, viral, buzz and blog marketing.

Voce Nation is excited to announce that Voce client Ryan Rigoli has been invited to share best practices in WOM as he presents Yahoo!’s innovative and successful marketing campaign with Frito-Lay’s Doritos. This campaign resulted in the first-ever UGC commercials during Super Bowl XLI. (We know you remember Check Out Girl and Live the Flavor!)

Ryan is speaking on Wednesday afternoon, so if you are going to WOMMA, we look forward to seeing you there. Of course, Ryan and I will be equally excited to sip Hurricanes and nibble beignets when the conference is over!

/Stacy Libby

Technorati Tags: doritos, super bowl, womma, word of mouth, yahoo

I was talking with someone the other day about social media, and although this person works in the communications field, the concept of social media is still relatively new to her. In other words, she’s heard of the term, she’s seen it being used more and more, but still doesn’t have a clear understanding of what it is. And that’s ok. So I tried to describe for her in the broadest way possible what social media is, and explained that it’s about not sitting on the sidelines anymore (links to PDF).

/Andrea Weckerle

Technorati Tags: marketing, pr, socialmedia

Just a quick pointer to some thoughts our own Dave Black shared recently with PRWeek in an article about how companies can utilize a diversity of communication vehicles - from op-eds to blogs - in their PR programs. Enjoy!

/Voce Nation

Technorati Tags: dave+black, pr, voce+communications