Forcing the Flu Shot -- Was it all for Wall Street?

I've been closely watching the response to Health Commissioner Daine's mandated flu vaccinations for State healthcare workers. Since it was first announced there's been a lot of controversy, and a lot of protest.  My brother even went up and protested the mandated vaccinations on the steps of the State Capital building a few weeks ago in Albany.  Kudos to him (he's not a healthcare worker) and the other 300 plus people who set out that day to send a message to the Governor and the Commissioner.  A message that was heard across the nation.  What's important here is that a small group of people set out that day to be heard; and they were. 

Now, it seems as though the tide has changed.  After Daine's abrupt interview with Ali Skinner on WGY out of Albany, just one of many instances where he, the Governor, and local legislators have been put on the hot seat to answer questions about the mandate, it seems the Governor has now suspended the vaccinations.

In the Skinner interview the Commissioner cut the interview right in the middle of Skinner's question regarding Daine's wife's work for Goldman Sachs and the apparent conflict of interest that it might present.  Does Daine's have a conflict of interest here?  That's all Skinner was trying to ask.  I think Daine's should have answered the question and that would have avoided some of this controversy.  If you're wondering if Goldman Sach's could have an interest in the mandate -- check out this story Reuter's ran in 2007 that showed that investment firms like Goldman Sachs  do have vested interest in pharmacueticals [read here].

 Lo-and-behold the Governor now has suspended the vaccinations.  All-be-it because he deems it's in short supply and should be given to those who need it most first.  That's true and that has been most important from the start for Americans, but has it been that way for the Governor and the Commissioner?  As altruistic as the explanation might seem on the part of the Governor, does he think the American public can't read between the lines?  Who really benefits from the mandated half-million vaccines for New York State healthcare workers?   Yes, vaccines are important, but the line between making money and what's best for an individual is becoming more blurred every day.

Check out Al Roney (weekdays 9 am to noon 810am) and the WGY website to find more information on this interesting ongoing controversy [click here].  Then weigh in.  Middle class Americans need to be heard whether it's on the steps of the Capital, calling into a radio show like Al Roney's, writing a letter to your Congressmen, or just writing to your fellow American's on the Internet.  Start here by telling me what you think.  It's time to start asking the tough questions and if our legislators can't answer them, then let's vote them out and find people who can!

Accuracy Needs to be a Priority When Reporting the News

The news is an ongoing issue for me.  I was taught in college journalism class (many years ago) that the press was to report the news, and that it was not their job to set the agenda in this country, but to reflect it.  Certainly, 24-7 news has changed all that.  You'd think at a time when the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press is reporting that 63 percent of Americans believe news stories are often inaccurate — the worst report card it has ever seen, that the press would take notice. 

I urge you to read the story out this evening by David Bauder with the Associated Press -- "Season of false start for news organizations." Check it out http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33472698/ns/entertainment-television/

Do you think your news is accurate?  I'd love to hear it.

Public Relations in the Hudson Valley

Times are a changin' fast, and so are the options for sending press releases in the Hudson Valley region. This past spring a lot of newspapers in the region either downsized or closed all together leaving many businesses and non-profits wondering how to get their message out. Well, on the upside new media has popped up including the Northern Dutchess News and the Hudson Valley News. For these to be successful in our area you need to send them your news tips and your press releases. So, if you don't already have their emails here they are:

Hudson Valley News: jimlangan@thehudsonvalleynews.com or weekend@thehudsonvalleynews.com

The Northern Dutchess News: Kate Goldsmith northerndutchess@sdutchessnews.com or creativeliving@sdutchessnews.com

For all you parents out there who are wondering about the impact the game World of Warcraft (WOW) has on your children, read below. WOW is highly addictive. The game is created that way, and parents need to be aware of how the game impacts the lives of their middle school, high school and college students. After looking at this email me your thoughts!

Some interesting links on the game:

Scroll to the bullet section of this link:

http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060222/sirlin_01.shtml

This is about ten minutes, but very interesting to watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB5cSLdOr8U&feature=related

Here's an excerpt from a blog (http://soulkerfuffle.blogspot.com/2006/10/view-from-top.html) that explains the essence of how the game is designed:

".......These changes are miniscule, however, compared to what has happened in quite a few other people's lives. Some background... Blizzard created a game that you simply can not win. Not only that, the only way to "get better" is to play more and more. In order to progress, you have to farm your little heart out in one way or another: either weeks at a time PvPing to make your rank or weeks at a time getting materials for and "conquering" raid instances, or dungeons where you get "epic loot" (pixilated things that increase your abilities, therefore making you "better"). And what do you do after these mighty dungeons fall before you and your friend's wrath? Go back the next week (not sooner, Blizzard made sure you can only raid the best instances once a week) and do it again (imagine if Alexander the Great had to push across the Middle East every damn week)....."

FAQ's Answered by Blizzard on their website (the company that makes World of Warcraft):

Blizzard, the company that makes World of Warcraft, answers some of the most popular questions about the game below:

What is World of Warcraft?
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). In World of Warcraft, thousands of players adventure together in an enormous, persistent game world, forming friendships, slaying monsters, and engaging in epic quests that can span days or weeks.

What is an MMORPG?
MMORPG stands for "massively multiplayer online role-playing game." In an MMORPG, thousands of players exist in the same game world at the same time. This creates an incredibly rich and active environment in which interesting things are constantly taking place. MMORPGs provide thousands of hours of game play, with a nearly infinite variety of goals to achieve across a vast world covering miles of land and sea. For World of Warcraft, we also add new content on a regular basis, thus ensuring that there will always be new adventures, new locations, new creatures, and new items to discover.

How does World of Warcraft differ from other MMORPGs?
World of Warcraft differs from other MMORPGs in many ways. Players complete quests and experience the world at their own pace, whether it be a few hours here and there or entire weeks at a time. Additionally, our quest system provides an enormous variety of captivating quests with story elements, dynamic events, and flexible reward systems. World of Warcraft also features a faster style of play, with less downtime and an emphasis on combat and tactics against multiple opponents.

Is there a monthly fee to play the game?
Yes. After the end of the free month included with the game, you need a subscription in order to continue playing the game. There are three subscription options: a month-to-month package at $14.99 per month, a three-month plan at $13.99 per month, and a six-month plan at $12.99 per month. The subscription fees for the three-month plan and the six-month plan must be paid in full.

Why isn't World of Warcraft free?
The fee is used to support the costs associated with the high-quality levels of service, support, and ongoing content creation that go into World of Warcraft.

Are there multiple methods of payment?
Yes, customers can pay their subscription fees using credit cards, PayPal, and pre-paid game cards, which can be purchased in many game and electronics stores. Other payment types may be added in the future.

Is there a version of World of Warcraft for the Mac?
Yes.

Can I use my World of Warcraft discs on my Mac and PC?
Yes, the discs are compatible with both Mac and PC.

Here's a link to the World of Warcraft online guide. It gives you an overview of the game and how it works: http: //www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/basics/guide.html

This sums it up:

Yea, I've been playing WoW since it came out and I can never stop playing it. The problem is I am only 15 and just left school, now waiting for my exam results I fear that because I was playing WoW alot between my exams that it would have a major effect on my results. I know it's a problem and that I need to stop playing but its just so dam hard to quit.

What's It Take in PR These Days?

Wondering what you're going to have to do to get your business noticed? Well, the best thing is to analyze who you're trying to reach, what you're trying to sell them, and how best to reach them. Sounds simple? It's not. Today many businesses are faced with having to reach a population through traditional marketing, as well as, a population through new media marketing. What do I mean? Well, think about the senior population and how they get their information. This is a loyal, but aging customer group. For this market, online marketing isn't going to work. People in this age group have heard a lot about online marketing, but a good number haven't tried it themselves. As recently as July of 2008, the Associated Press summed up the use of the Internet by Senior Citizens. In a story triggered by presidential candidate John McCain's claim that he doesn't use the Internet, they said that's a trend that's changing. According to the article and the research data from April and May compiled by the Pew Internet Project at the Pew Research Center, only 35 percent of Americans over age 65 are online, but when you account for factors like race, wealth and education, the picture changes dramatically, and about three-quarters of the white, college-educated men over age 65 use the Internet. That's a great trend, but it still means that most of this population get's their information from traditional marketing including ads in local publications.

Now, the 50 Something Baby Boomers and the Generation Y, well there a group that's happy to do things online. They'll buy online, research online, and never have to meet you in person. Marketing to this group is a whole different game. Now, you have to think about how to budget for two separate forms of adverstising without blowing the budget. So, let's think about the Internet.

Why do most of use the Internet(73 percent of Americans use the Internet)? The top three reasons are, in order, email, informational searches, and finding a map or driving directions. There are also dozens of other conveniences: online banking, shopping, travel or restaurant reservations, job searches, real estate listings, and of course, the news.

Okay, so what's this all about? It's about identifying who you're trying to reach as your customer and the best way of reaching them. So many businesses decide to run print ads, or send out a mailer, but they really don't evaluate if they're reaching their target. You need to think viral marketing and how best to use the information you have for reaching your current clients and potential clients. Marketing is all about planning, and when you're faced with so many options for marketing you really have to fine-tune your plan so that you have a reasonable budget to work with, and you can give the marketing initiatives a chance to work. It's all about getting the best bang for your buck.

At Rebillard Public Relations we'd be glad to help you identify your budget and come-up with a plan that works. For more discussion on marketing for your business. Email me jeanne@rebillardpr.com