Q: Hi, I came across an old article you wrote about the argument for using AP style. How in the world can I convince people in my government agency to use it?

I’m a former newspaper journalist and seeing people just distort the writing drives me crazy. They’re talking about even using Chicago style for our press releases and pamphlets.

What’s a good reason to get them on board??

–        Tony

Ah, the ongoing dilemma … when non-journalists don’t understand the importance of AP style. Read the rest of this entry »

Get “Lei’d” with San Diego PR’s Finest at This Year’s Bernays Awards
Actors have the Oscars. Musicians have the Grammys. And here in San Diego, public relations professionals have the Edward L. Bernays Mark of Excellence Awards.

Better known simply as the Bernays Awards, every year PR practitioners from all walks of professional life, from agency to in-house, new pros to seasoned practitioners, come together at the awards to honor the best and brightest work from the past year, mixed in with a whole lot of fun.

This year, the Bernays Awards are setting sail for paradise on October 5. Destination: Bali Hai Restaurant on beautiful Shelter Island. We hear from the planning committee that this year’s event is sure to be extra special and we can’t wait after getting a peek at some of the details:

It’s no secret that PR people love a good party, so the committee is making sure there’s plenty of Island spirit to go around by offering hosted signature cocktails, small bites and leis during the welcome luau, as well as an authentic ukulele show and hula performance. The aloha spirit will continue with a fantastic, three-course meal, featuring Polynesian-inspired fare such as macadamia nut-crusted mahi mahi, grilled kalbi asada steak, pineapple upside-down cake and more. As a special bonus this year, hosted beer and wine will be provided throughout dinner. And just when you think you’ve finished feasting and celebrating like a king (King Kamehameha, that is!), you’ll be sent home with your very own custom “Mahalo” cupcake, provided courtesy of Sprinkles Cupcakes.

All of this, plus the chance to network with San Diego public relations’ finest, is just $85 for PRSA chapter members ($105 for non-members), but buy your tickets soon because after September 12, prices increase to $100 and $120 respectively. Hawaiian-chic luau attire is suggested, so get your grass skirt ready.

See you in the South Pacific!

2011 Edward L. Bernays Mark of Excellence Awards
6 to 9:30 p.m. (welcome luau begins at 6 p.m., dinner/awards begins 7 p.m.)
Bali Hai Restaurant, 2230 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, 92106
To register, visit http://www.prsasdic.org/pieventsmgmtsys.asp?itemid=40&submit=getrecord&recordid=130

Q: Should I write “flyer” or “flier”?

–        AD

Well, it refers to what you are talking about, but in general, you will want to use “flier” to adhere to AP style.

According to the AP Stylebook, “Flier is the preferred term for an aviator or a handbill.”

When referencing an airplane pilot, you might write: “It is debatable whether the airplane flier fell asleep or if he was distracted while flying.”

If referring to physical handouts, usually made of paper, a correct sentence could be: “I was given 100 fliers to distribute by the end of the day.”

The only time you need to use the spelling “flyer” is if it is the proper name of something, such as a train or bus. (I suppose this spelling would also be correct for some periodicals, as well, but this seems contradictory, since these publications should be using AP style …)

The only time I believe “flyer” should be used? When talking about Radio Flyer wagons – those things are fantastic.

“The AP Stylist” is written by Sandy Young, SoCalPRBlog’s resident contributor for all things AP style. Young is a public relations account executive at J. Walcher Communications and freelance writer, as well as a board member for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) San Diego/Imperial Valley Chapter. She has been a member of several of San Diego’s top public relations and marketing communications agencies and has worked with high-profile clients in a wide variety of industries nationwide.

To submit a question for “The AP Stylist,” email Young at sandy@jwalcher.com, and put “AP Stylist Question” in the subject line, or post a comment below. Young can also be reached on Twitter: @san_dyego

With our PR industry under the microscope this week surrounding Burson-Marsteller’s handling of PR for Facebook, (Read more: “Facebook acknowledges anti-Google campaign” by Hayley Tsukayama, the Washington Post) we believe this contributed article from an esteemed colleague on the east coast may be of interest for our fellow PR friends in the west.

Guest blog post from Robert Noltenmeier, Clinical Assistant Professor of Public Relations and Corporate Communications at the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies

Isn’t it ironic that social media often is antisocial? In our ever-evolving and fast-moving social-media world, perhaps it’s good to pause and look back at history. In the 1920s, Edward L. Bernays, the first public relations counselor, called for a code of ethics to govern the emerging profession similar to codes in law and medicine. Bernays believed public relations practitioners, like lawyers, have a right to represent clients. He also felt, however, that PR practitioners should refuse dishonest, fraudulent or antisocial clients.

Given the current social media Burson-Marsteller/Facebook flap, isn’t it ironic—or prescient—that he used “antisocial” back then? How far has the profession “emerged”? In fact, it’s emerged a great deal through PRSA’s and IABC’s codes of ethics and the Arthur W. Page Society’s Page Principles, among others—all voluntary standards for evaluating an individual’s, group’s or company’s behavior that, alas, don’t carry substantive penalties. Read the rest of this entry »