Category Archives: Television

Social Media Home Runs for Press Conferences

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Press Tip of the Day - Use Flickr as your Consumer Photo Press Room

The Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour is in session and as such, major media corporations are presenting their new mid-season programming and providing re-caps of their performances by their top executives.

As of this writing, two corporations have been in house – PBS and NBC.  And with those two, I have found a couple of highlights regarding great press conference tools that I thought were brilliantly used.

FLICKR – PBS utilized Flickr as its Official Photo Press Room. They posted photos immediately after each session and because it was on the Flickr platform, bloggers could easily share these photos on their Facebook walls and twitter feeds. I LOVED THIS FEATURE and highly recommend other agencies consider using it when organizing press conferences. AWESOMENESS. Kudos to great PR work PBS.

Tag logos with Facebook calls to action and Twitter Account Names

LOGOS/GRAPHICS - I absolutely love how NBC is tagging each on-screen graphic of its shows with the respective twitter handle as well as  a call to action to “Like” the show on Facebook. Great social branding! Hat’s off to NBC for remembering these touches which aren’t small and have a large impact.

 

A New You In 2012

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                                                      Lot’s to Celebrate About

I’m Super Excited about 2012. Why? Because of one word “New.”  Throw out everything old and usher in everything New.

Who doesn’t love new things right? Is there anything better than a new car or new house. Or a new dress or a new love or a new baby! New is awesome, don’t you agree. With that, I’ve been spending time looking at what “newness” I can bring to my life and I highly recommend this practice for you too. These aren’t necessarily resolutions, but certainly can be, the choice is up to you.

My “New” Plan includes the following To Do Items.

(1) New Online Branding – With so many social platforms that have my image attached, I’ve been updating each one with a current image of who I am. When I worked in TV, the networks always re-freshed their logos once a year to energize the viewers. Well, the same principle applies here in regards to social photos.

(2) About Me – Several “Blogworld” Conference sessions pointed out that the most overlooked section of our online branding dealt with the “About Us” section of our profiles. Have you read how you are describing yourself on LinkedIn, twitter and Google lately? If not, go back in and do some updating. Let us know about some of your recent hobbies and other such news.

(3) New Job – I’m going to actively pursue a new fulltime corporate job, but, this time I’ve opened my options to include areas that are “new” and will be stretching. I’m so excited to see what transpires as I walk down new paths.

(4) A “New” Attitude – Instead of automatically waiting for the other shoe to drop, I’m going to drink from my half full glass. Yep, I’ve read enough studies lately that prove that individuals who have life-altering events handle them so much better with a positive outlook. Pessimism was so 2011…Optimism is what’s in store for me in 2012.  Here’s what I mean.

  • I will land a new job.
  • I will lose weight.
  • I will continue to exercise.
  • I will continue to take the high road.
  • I will ask for forgiveness and forgive others.
  • I will find love and exude it to others.
  • I will continue to stretch myself and continue to learn new things.

Being Nice To Yourself

(5). I will look for opportunities to “Be Good To Myself.” We are always so hard on ourselves and well, this year, I’m going to be more mindful of what my body and mind are really saying to me and heed that advice. What does this look like? Below are some samples of what I mean.

  • I’ve consolidated my blogs down from four to two now. It was just too hard for me to keep up producing content for each one – so I’m making it easier for myself. And it still is just as effective.
  • I’m reaching out to friends/family whom I cherish and being proactive in staying in touch.
  • I’m looking at groups and clubs in my life and assessing which ones I enjoy and learn from and then spending less time with the others.
  • I’m realizing that life is short and thus, I am not procrastinating on planning things that I want to do.
  • I’m trusting God and putting all worry in His hands. And as such, I’m freeing myself up to enjoy more moments and be the person He wants me to be.

That’s just a quick glance at what “newness” I hope to achieve. I do hope that I’m able to live up to at least half of them…for it sure would be great to enjoy life to its fullest.

I’d love to hear what new things you’re bringing into the “New” Year.

Happy New Year,

Cindy

 

 

 

 

 

Automotive TV Programming

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Audi gets Modern -- ABC/Richard Foreman

What the heck! I thought I was watching television programs, however, as of late, I’ve been mistaken. What I thought were TV shows actually were full-sized car commercials.  And this practice is driving me crazy!

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve learned about Ford’s Lommel Proving Ground in Belgium by watching CBS’ “The Amazing Race.” I saw works of art created from Fiat 500 parts on Bravo TV’s “Work of Art.” I watched Bravo’s “Top Chef: Texas” contestants get to know each other better on a car trip in Toyota Siennas and on ABC’s “Modern Family,” the Audi A8 is the car that patriarch, Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill) drives.

Are car manufacturers getting smarter about advertising and/or television companies getting dumber about integrated content?

My answer to that question is car makers and TV companies both win in this new form of content integration. Consumers, as usual, are on the losing end.

Ford and "The Amazing Race" Segment of Fun

Do you think that those of us who watched Ford’s Mustang challenge on “The Amazing Race,” didn’t for one minute not realize what a great commercial that was? I have to admit it was an entertaining segment and it was interesting to see this exclusive test track…but the whole time I watched it I knew it was also a commercial message. A very clever and I suppose an expensive one too. Here’s a clip of it so you can see for yourself.

Two years ago the state of the American Auto Industry was dire. Now, it appears that the Industy has full wallets again and is rebounding nicely, so much so that they now own the TV airwaves! Talk about a 360 degree flip. It’s the media companies now who can’t bring in the dough that they used to due to new distribution platforms. They now NEED advertisers like car manufacturers to help them pay their bills.

Will it pay off? I guess the proof is at the dealerships.  Are more people buying Audi’s because they want the car Jay drives? Are people buying Fiat’s because they liked the car parts in “Work of Art?”

At the end of the day, it is all about eyeballs. And by a Toyota Sienna being seen on “Top Chef” episode is probably a larger audience that would see a regular commercial that gets played over and over and over that our minds just tune them out. For me personally, I am over that Prius holiday commerical-I’ve seen it too many times for my own good and I’m a Prius driver.

At the end of the day – WE’RE ON TO YOU TV COMPANIES AND CAR MAKERS! Let’s hope that this trend doesn’t continue for it will wreck great shows like BBC’s “Top Gear,” a true car show. I mean, after a while, they all will start to look the same.

I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve noticed the uptick in TV car integration and what you think about it all.

Off to watch more Car TV Programming. How about you?

Cindy

YouTube Will Soon Give Cable a Run for its Money

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Will TV Sets Be Put Out To The Pasture? Flickr Credit: Jonny Baker

“Honey, what’s on YouTube tonight?”

It’s hard to believe that question will soon be asked nightly in homes across the globe, isn’t it? Never in my day did I think another content platform would be born that allowed newcomers with the accessibility of something that normally only was available to those with extensive film pedigrees. But, now Google Inc’s. YouTube video service is taking on Hollywood and people are getting the chance to become mainstream or um webstream producers.

Should it Now be Called HollyTube?

In case you didn’t get a chance to read yesterday’s Wall St. Journal article on this matter, YouTube is investing more than $100 million in cash advances (glad someone has that kind of cash!) to have content produced exclusively for the video service.  One of the first content producers who has signed on is Tony Hawk, the skateboarding wunderkind. According to the article, deals are also being worked out with Warner Bros. and News Corp.’s ShineReveille Studio.

The goal for Google is to go after substancial advertising dollars for this fare. Advertisers in the past had been hesitant to sponsor YouTube videos due to the fact of how low quality they were produced and the content.  By YouTube producing “quality” content and building its own channels, the company hopes to take on the cable and broadcast TV industry.

That Darn Lag

No matter how many channels YouTube implements, the one thing that will absolutely keep me from watching is that darn lag time that I experience almost every time I watch something on YouTube via my computers.  You know what I mean? I can’t stand how it stops and starts as it renders. Ugh!

Now, if they invent something to get that fixed..then I might be in.  And soon may checking my local YouTube listings.

How about you? Will you watch YouTube’s soon to be released channels?

 

CW’s HART OF DIXIE Brings Comfort to Monday Nights

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On behalf of Klout Perks, I was offered the opportunity to review “Hart of Dixie,” a new The CW series starring Rachel Bilson formerly of “The OC.” This is the first time in my career that I have been eligible to review a television program and I’m thrilled to finally be able to do so.  I am an entertainment publicist by trade and as such, I usually represent networks, program, producers, journalists and talent. This role normally precludes me from having an objective voice. However, now through Klout Perks and The CW, they are providing certain bloggers with the chance to critique and spread the news about their programming.  (Full Disclosure: I am not affiliated with anyone associated with this program and/or anyone or an organization where it would be considered a conflict of interest. This review represents my own opinion for cindyronzoni.com.)

Now with that out of the way -let’s get on to to the review.

  • TV Show: Hart of Dixie
  • Network: The CW
  • Premiere Date: September 26 at 9 PM ET/PT
  • Ronzoni Rating: 2.5 out of a 5 Star Rating (Meh)

If you closed your eyes and heard the audio dialogue from the Hart of Dixie, you would definitely be able to identify its formula for it is not new. Sadly, Hart of Dixie is a drama series derivative of so many others like One Tree Hill, Hellcats, Life Unexpected and The OC. It’s a formula that works and entertains a female audience by providing a sweet story of an underdog female heroine who’s thrust into facing the challenges of moving to a small home town.

In this case, the fish is Rachel Bilson, formerly of Fox’s The OC, who stars as the series main character Dr. Zoe Hart, a fast-talking, fashion-minded, in shape New Yorker. Dr. Hart had her “heart” set on a earning a prestigious New York hospital fellowship, but, when that dream fell through, she heeded her professor’s advice to work on her bedside manner. As a desperate measure to get out of town and work on her patient etiquette, she latches onto a request from Dr. Harley Wilkes (guest star Nicholas Pryor), to join his small time medical practice in Bluebell, Alabama.

In the pilot episode, Executive Producer Josh Schwartz sets the stage for the new show by introducing all key members of the cast and explaining the storyline. Although, there is nothing new under the sun with the story telling, the show is well acted and the pilot is sweet to watch despite its predictability.

"Gumbo & Glory"-- Pictured (L-R) Rachel Bilson as Dr. Zoe Hart and Scott Porter as George Tucker in HART OF DIXIE on THE CW. Photo Credit: Michael Yarish /The CW&©2011 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved

One of best surprises of the show was the casting of Scott Porter as the local love interest for Dr. Hart. Porter was an original cast member on Friday Night Lights and his fans will be pleased that he is a part of weekly television once again. He, as George Tucker, and Bilson, as Dr. Hart, are definitely the strong points of the show and both hook you quickly into feeling the love sparks between them.

If you happen to enjoy watching soap operas or reading romance novels, then Hart of Dixie is definitely your cup of tea on Monday nights this fall.

In case you are curious about the show, here’s a preview clip for your enjoyment.

What do you think? Are you going to watch its premiere? Do tell.

Best,

Cindy

 

Can Charlie Get Back His Sheen?

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Charlie is Still Driving His Messaging, But Now in a Good Way Credit: Ian White

Can you “win” too much?

In the case of Charlie Sheen, he’s gulping a tall glass of mea culpa and eating humble pie right now for he’s done just that – except his winning wasn’t that, it was the opposite…losing. And now after not being able to handle being fired from a $1.2 million dollar a week paycheck on CBS’ “Two and a Half Men,” he is trying to mop up after himself and doing a PR about-face.

Do you think Charlie will be able to rebound after his unstable recent past?

I know I don’t need to explain Charlie Sheen’s predicament and what led him to start his own crisis management. You all are too well aware of his podcasts, tweets, live shows and contentious battles with his former employers, Warner Bros. TV.

However, all of a sudden Sheen has apparently seen the light. I don’t know where and when the light bulb went off and he started realizing that he was a tornado that was destroying everything and everyone in his path. But, I’m glad he did and I’m happy that he’s trying to make amends wherever and whenever possible.

As a PR practitioner, Charlie Sheen has been an amazing case study to follow. From being a train wreck taking his own PR into his own hands last March, to now, publicly pleading for forgiveness, we all can learn from his mistakes. Sheen is on the Good Ship Lollipop PR train doing whatever he can to be self-deprecating about his past and trying to move forward so he can be perceived as a stable employee, father, son and well, human being. But is that enough?

From firing his longtime publicist early last year, he’s now employed one once again.  And although, he was allowed to be a presenter at the Emmys for ratings, you have admit that it was smart strategy to use that platform to publicly apologize and try to save your face. Can you think of another venue that would allow you to be in front of over 12 million viewers in one swoop?

PR WHIRLWIND

The PR profession is alive and well and in full operation with the triad surrounding Sheen. Not only is Sheen trying to stay in the message, publicists for “Two and a Half Men” are trying to keep their message in the trend whirlwind as well. For no matter how you slice it, when Sheen speaks, the media and public listen. When someone from “Two and A Half Men” speaks…they have to speak loader to get noticed if Sheen is not recognized. He is a news magnet.

With that, have you noticed Ashton Kutcher making the rounds to talk shows? Did you see Jon Cryer get a star on the Walk of Fame? CBS’ PR team is on high alert to succeed this year without Sheen.

Who will get the last laugh? Well, if you tuned into Comedy Central’s Roast of Charlie Sheen Monday night  (another perfectly timed appearance), Charlie would tell you he’s already won.

And who could argue that! He’s now allegedly getting a $25 million settlement and doesn’t have a financial worry in the world. However, with this new Charlie we are seeing, he has a conscious and an awareness that his behavior was in poor judgement. I just hope he starts the healing process toward finding that peace that passes all understanding.

Time does heal all wounds…and the viewing public will come around once he consistently proves that he on the stable train to wellness. That’s the best PR he can buy.

Don’t take my word for it. Here’s Charlie’s view from his recent roast.

Roast of Charlie Sheen Mon, Sept 19 10/9c
Charlie Sheen – Charlie on Mars
www.comedycentral.com
Comedy Central Funny TV Shows Roast of Charlie Sheen

 

 

September 11th Will Never Be Forgotten

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Sunday is a Fitting Day for the 10th Anniversary

I’ll never forget the occurrences of 9-11, and I know you won’t either. What an unreal day.  At 8:46 a.m. ET/5:46 a.m. PT the first plane crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center and 17 minutes later it happened again to the south tower. And, it wasn’t over – at 9:37 a.m., Flight 77 rammed into the west wing of the Pentagon building and later at 10:03 a.m. Flight 93 crashed near Pittsburgh, PA. The horrors and nightmare of September 11, 2001.

The human race lost nearly 3,000 people with these four combined incidents. The skies turned into a war zone and New York City a triage area. America and the world was never the same.

Even though it occurred ten years ago, to me it still feels like yesterday. As I watch the TV specials and documentaries about this day, old feelings and memories are flooding my mind.

I remember how scared I felt about not being able to control what was happening to my country. I felt vulnerable because as a nation we were vulnerable. I’ve never known that in my lifetime, before or since.

ENEMY ATTACKS

I remember how the news reporters said that anyone currently in flight had reason to worry. If there were four planes hijacked, could there be more? I remember canceling my plans for the day and staying home where I thought it would be the safest. The only thing that I do on that day was fall on my knees in prayer.

The impact of the September 11 shocked the nation for days. I remember being transfixed for about four days to my TV set. You couldn’t take your eyes off of it….you yearned for stories of hope, of families being reunited and fire personnel being found.

NEVER FORGET

And now as I ready to the 10th Anniversary tomorrow, I’m in the same position. On my knees praying that the potential new terrorist threats are not true. For the life of me, why do people on this earth think mayhem by violence is the best way to get attention or control.

My heart is heavy to all those family members who lost a loved one on this day. The pain that they constantly feel is one that they carry with them the rest of their lives.

September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten and the victims will not be forgotten. They are modern-day heroes and as such, deserve honor. They died at the hands of an enemy – and – God forbid may we never experience such a catastrophe on our soil ever again.

 

 

How Not Improving Can Help Your Business

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Why Mess With a Greatness

Did you happen to catch today’s Wall Street Journal front page feature on paper clips? Yes, I just wrote paper clips.

At first I thought this was an odd, boring choice for a story selection, and I pondered why this premier publication would devote prime real estate to such an ordinary product.  It didn’t take me long, a couple of sentences, to get its point.  I learned that a paper clip is rare because it has withstood its classic design for over 100 years. How many things can you say that about?

This thought led me to further thought about whether we should keep certain things that work well alone and stop slapping “new improved” stickers on just about everything that gets sold or consumed.

DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE NEW AND IMPROVED?

I mean we’ve all heard this statement before, if it ain’t broken don’t fix it.

I don’t like that statement – but, in this case it certainly applies. Paper clips are still as relevant today as they were the day they were introduced into the marketplace in 1903. Sure, you can add colors to them or designs or coat them in plastic. But at the end of the day is there any better tool to fix papers without leaving a mark, to un-clog glue bottles or clean under your finger nails in a pinch?

With that being said, are there things about your business or the work that you do that you shouldn’t improve upon because they work well?

A CLASSIC BUSINESS PLAN

Here’s what I would say about my PR business. No matter what new whiz-bang social media tool that comes out, I don’t want to lose personal connection and phone calls. My business success lies in having connections with real people, journalists, and I’ve built up those relationships through the years by having conversations with them over the phone or in-person. That’s really my business secret, my paper clip, if you will and one that I hope to never change.

 

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TCA Trending Topics and Other PR Observations

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Re-tweeting from The TCA Press Row

As a observer of things associated with The Television Critics Association,  I have noticed a few similar themes and trends attached to upcoming cable programs in just a mere four days into the Summer Press Tour. The first theme that I noticed,  which of course is a given,  are the number of tributes planned for the 10-year anniversary of 9-11. Pretty much if you plan on turning on your TV a month before the event,  you will be messaged about some special take on that dreadful day in America. Nick News will be presenting a special that talks to kids about the event.  Nat Geo is presenting a documentary where former President George W. Bush recounts his actions on that day.  Nat Geo has a slew of other programming about that horrific and life changing catastrophe.

After that, we’re going to be seeing more men.  Not mad men. But,  men who do “manly” things like chase cougars and build stuff in garages and take adventurous rides.  In fact, not only will there be individual programs, but a whole new Discovery Channel devoted to men, called Velocity.  It’s for affluent men and the clip I watched showed fancy cars and awe-some motorcycles.  TV Land also presented a new sitcom written by divorced men about divorced men who live together.  So, it’s raining Men on Cable.  But, we all know the true #1 man on cable is MAD MEN’s Don Draper character.

Another trending topic was “weed.”  Not weeds in your lawn,  but yes,  you guessed it “marijuana.”  Nat Geo’s BORDER WARS will show you what happens to the drug after its seized by law enforcement officials and then there’s Discovery’s “Weed Wars,“  a new reality series that features the daily work associated with Oakland’s Harborside Health Center, the nation’s largest medicinal cannabis dispensary.

A Wonderful and Heartfelt TCA Moment, Meeting Patrick and Sammy.

 Other Things Overhead and Observed

  • A Personal Highlight – One of the most inspirational moments actually surprised me.  I’ve known about Gloria Steinem, but I’ve never really known her.  In HBO’s session about the documentary “Gloria: In Her Own Words,“  Ms. Steinem was extremely likeable, warm, real and full of wisdom.  She is one class act who changed the world and helped give us gals a leg up in the corporate boardrooms.  So far, my favorite personal highlight.
  • Funny Promo Clip – MTV is bringing back Mike Judge’s cartoon duo “Beavis and Butthead.”  I had no idea,  and I’ve loved this franchise from its start,  so to be able to enjoy new versions of this animated classic is well classic.  New episodes start rolling Oct. 27 and let me tell you,  it’s even better now than its original.  And yes, Cornholio is back!
  • Warm Hearted Session- When Discovery’s “Animal Planet” began its session I wasn’t that interested, but its clip for “Saved,”  about dogs who have intervened to save people’s lives was a tearjerker.  One panelist,  Patrick Major,  told us how his dachshund Sammy Davis brought him through a deep depression. It was a priceless session.
  • Show To Catch – By far,  Rosie O’Donnell knows how to entertain and be real in front of any audience.  She was the most comfortable star I’ve ever witnessed in my 20 plus years of TCA experience in front of this critical audience.  Rosie will be returning to television with a show on OWN and it definitely is one to watch.

I could go on and on about every show presented at the Tour and may tell you about more them in later posts, because each panel had newsworthy content and was organized well.  As a PR pro, who has planned hundreds of TCA panels, I could certainly notice how many hours went in to the planning of each from satellite hookups to press kit materials to travel and attendance. A PR job well done.

A wonderful four days in the hands of CTAM. Kudos to all. Now its all about PBS.

Best,

Cindy

 

 

 

Cindy Ronzoni Authors Informational Brief on The Social Aspects of Communication

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    Contact: Steve Jones
July 27, 2011
(202) 222-2373 sjones@cablecommunicators.org

ACC Releases Informational Brief “The Social Aspects of Communication”
An Overview of Social Media Practices in Corporate Public Relations for Cable

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Association of Cable Communicators (ACC) released the July 2011 issue of ACCbriefs, “The Social Aspects of Communication” and posted the paper on the association’s Web site. The thrust of the publication is to provide a current overview of Social Media tools and techniques cable communicators are utilizing to enhance their overall communication effectiveness and meet their business objectives.

“The value of the July issue is that it lays out specific examples regarding how both cable operators and programming networks are utilizing the power of these social media tools,” said Steve Jones, executive director of ACC. “It goes on to site how these new technologies are used for customer engagement, media relations, issuing official statements, and responding to the always-on news cycle.”

The paper is authored by Cindy Ronzoni, founder and CEO of Social Spread Media, a digital public relations agency specializing in social and traditional media. She has over 20 years of public relations and corporate communications experience with senior positions at Fox Entertainment, Fox Cable, Game Show Network and Lifetime Networks.

The brief is available online at http://www.cablecommunicators.org/resources_briefs.php and is being distributed to ACC members via e-mail. ACCbriefs provide clarity on complex industry and communications issues and are designed for communications, public affairs, government relations, executive office and other staff members who need a clear, concise, subject-oriented guide from the cable perspective on industry topics.

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The Association of Cable Communicators (ACC) is the only national, professional organization specifically addressing the issues, needs and interests of the cable industry’s communications and public affairs professionals. The association’s mission is to develop and promote cable communications excellence through professional development to help achieve industry and corporate goals. ACC works to enhance each member’s status and influence through skill building and professional development. For more information on ACC, go to www.cablecommunicators.org.