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Tag: Don Baer

  • International organisations have devoted followers on Twitter

    International organisations have devoted followers on Twitter

    MUMBAI: If you thought only the people in the showbiz are active Twitteratis and have got fan following, think again. Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, released the latest edition of its “Twiplomacy” (http://twiplomacy.com) study that reveals that international organisations and their leaders have a good fan following on the social networking site too.

     

    The study shows that all leading international organisations have a Twitter account, and half of their leaders have active personal accounts on the social network.

     

    Some of the surprising revelations were: United Nations Children’s Fund (@UNICEF) is the most followed international organisation with more than two million followers. @UNICEF is also the second most effective organisation after the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (@CERN) because both organisations’ tweets are retweeted on average more than 100 times.

     

    The heads of the Arab League, the IMF and NATO are the most followed heads of international organisations on Twitter.

     

    Those international organisations who signed up to Twitter in 2007 and early 2008 are also among the most followed today. Five of them have more than a million followers each, namely @UNICEF, the @UN, the World Economic Forum (@Davos), the UN Refugee agency (@Refugees) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (@WWF). All international organisations combined have a total of 18,325,589 followers.

     

    “Understanding the use and application of social media is now essential to effective strategic communications efforts,” said Burson-Marsteller’s Worldwide Chair and CEO Don Baer. “Our Twiplomacy study has become the industry standard for advancing that understanding and is a prime example of what we mean by Burson-Marsteller, Being More.”

     

    “This study illustrates how organisations can use Twitter in a novel way with the innovative use of hashtags, Twitter Q&As and direct message campaigns that can make a big impact regardless of the number of their followers,” said Jeremy Galbraith, CEO of Burson-Marsteller Europe, Middle East and Africa. “It is interesting to see that while half of the heads of international organisations have personal Twitter accounts, few tweet themselves.”

     

    The World Economic Forum (@Davos) and the @GlobalFund have recently run direct message campaigns, reaching out directly to their most influential followers on Twitter to push their reports and campaigns. They are also among a handful of accounts which allow any follower to send them direct messages, effectively opening up a new two-way channel of communication.

     

    “Credit goes to the social media managers in each organisation who are often alone to manage an organisation’s Twitter account and other social media platforms on top of their day job. Organisations that put more resources into their digital communications are the ones who will be most effective over the coming years,” remarks Burson-Marsteller’s Digital Practice Leader EMEA and author of the report Matthias Lüfkens.
    The complete analysis of these findings can be accessed at: http://twiplomacy.com

  • Burson-Marsteller Celebrates 60 Year Anniversary By Launching New Positioning: Burson-Marsteller, Being More

    Burson-Marsteller Celebrates 60 Year Anniversary By Launching New Positioning: Burson-Marsteller, Being More

    Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, today announced it is taking the opportunity of its 60th anniversary to launch a new global positioning under the title of Burson-Marsteller, Being More. Burson-Marsteller, Being More is an expression of the firm’s ambition to be the leading ideas-driven, results-oriented communications firm in the world alongside its long-standing commitment to evidence-based communications.

     

    To support the new positioning, Burson-Marsteller announced the launch of a new website at www.Burson-Marsteller.com. A newly produced video presentation (http://bur.sn/pH7fx) on the new website provides more detail on Burson-Marsteller, Being More.

     

    Around the world, companies, organizations and individuals are pressed every day, in their own way, to succeed at Being More in highly demanding environments. Burson-Marsteller, Being More is a commitment to help clients meet their challenges and seize their opportunities by harnessing the power of the increasingly dynamic and highly-connected world of communications. It is both about Burson-Marsteller being more for clients as their trusted advisers, as well as a recognition that today’s communications environment demands more of everybody who operates in it. Burson-Marsteller, Being More is based on the belief that the most successful organizations are guided by a clear sense of purpose – a distinct and powerful world view that shapes their business, guides their actions and ultimately determines their reputation and success.

     

    “Our 60th anniversary provides the perfect catalyst to ensure Burson-Marsteller is being more in the service we provide our clients in a fast-changing communications environment,” said Burson-Marsteller’s Worldwide Chair and CEO Don Baer. “Our purpose is to help our clients define and communicate their purpose of Being More and to inspire our people to make Burson-Marsteller the best ideas-driven, results-oriented communications firm in the world.” Baer continued: “For us, this is about being more focused on integrating a wide array of communications, marketing and reputation-building activities. It is about being more focused on creativity, on strategic thinking, on evidence-based communications and on more digital and social outreach.”

     

    “Being More is part of the Burson-Marsteller DNA,” said Harold Burson, Founding Chairman of the firm. ”While Being More has just recently been adopted as our number one priority, it is both recognition of our past and a directional beam for what we know will be a shining future.”

     

    “Genesis Burson-Marsteller in India, is realising the global vision of Being More by focusing on integrated communication to deliver real measureable impact to clients. At Genesis Burson-Marsteller, Being More is a promise to provide clients with strategic counsel, ideas and results across the spectrum of public relations, public affairs, corporate responsibility, digital, content and crisis communications services, thereby addressing the need companies have today for an integrated communication campaign for different audiences,” said Prema Sagar, Principal and Founder, Genesis Burson-Marsteller.

     

    In support of the new Burson-Marsteller, Being More positioning, the firm is rolling out a series of new initiatives over the next several months, including:

     

    • The Burson-Marsteller Conversations: A global thought leadership series of gatherings that will bring together many of the best minds in business, public policy and media to address important issues facing the world and our clients.

     

    • Burson-Marsteller, Being More Global Employee Training: This new training program is designed to ensure that Burson-Marsteller teams around the world learn the essential skills necessary to be more in today’s communications sector, including being more creative, savvy about digital and social media and growth-focused. For the first time, the firm has appointed a Managing Director of Global Talent Development to drive this global initiative.

     

    • Worldwide Strategic Leadership Team: The firm is creating a worldwide strategic leadership team to bring top strategic and creative leaders from different fields and regions to advise Burson-Marsteller’s clients. The firm announced the first member of this team is Jennifer Maguire Isham, a former President of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Isham previously worked for CNN as Senior Vice President of Programming. She joined CNN from ABC News, where she was an award-winning producer at Primetime Live. Other members of the team will be announced in coming months.

  • Discovery US launches a consumer mobile site

    Discovery US launches a consumer mobile site

    MUMBAI: US media firm Discovery Communications has launched its US direct-to-consumer mobile website.

    This allows consumers to download wallpapers, ring tones, podcasts and other special features directly to their cell phones through the mobile URL at www.discoverymobile.com.

    Discovery’s fans can now personalise their cell phones with a wide assortment of ring tones including nearly 30 different animal sounds and Animal Planet’s Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin saying “G’Day Mate.” Additionally, consumers can choose from wallpapers ranging from over a dozen kinds of sharks to tattoos from TLC’s hit series Miami Ink.

    Highlighting both current hit shows as well as programming genres that viewers have come to know and love from Discovery such as nature, science, exploration and animals, the mobile website also offers previews, scheduling information and short-form video clips.

    Discovery executive VP strategy and development Don Baer says, “Our new mobile portal is the latest example of our strategy to expand the Discovery universe and provide consumers with informative and entertaining content and useful features when and where it fits their lifestyles”.

    Designed to complement its television networks by strengthening viewers’ loyalty as well as attracting new audiences to Discovery’s brands, the mobile portal offers programming extensions that consumers can use while on-the-go. The features range from recipes and corresponding grocery lists from TLC’s new series Take Home Chef to fashion tips from the hosts of What Not To Wear. Pregnancy calendars, health tips and smoking cessation guides related to Discovery Health will also be added in the near future.

    Discovery senior VP, new media Clint Stinchcomb, says, “Whether it’s a busy parent trying to feed the kids or a teenager looking to put a personal touch on their cell phone, our mobile portal is a way for consumers to simplify, enhance and enjoy their lives with Discovery features at their fingertips.”

    Features on Discovery’s new mobile portal also include:

    • Downloadable ring tones, wallpaper and podcasts from Discovery favorites such as Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, TLC’s Miami Ink and Animal Planet’s The Crocodile Hunter, as well as over two dozen animal sounds and a variety of breathtaking nature scenes from around the globe, among others. The cost per download is $1.99.

    • Discovery News text reports offering information in the areas of science, nature, health, travel, all things about planet earth and current affairs. Updated daily, Discovery News offers perspective and commentary from multiple sources including the company’s in-house development and editorial team and Associated Press Television News.

    • Fan sites where consumers can view exclusive video clips, learn more about on-air personalities and access program schedules.

    • Short-form spotlights of shows from Discovery’s entire family of U.S. networks offering program descriptions and scheduling information.

    Discovery’s mobile portal can be accessed from any US network through the mobile URL at discoverymobile.com. The company will also introduce Discovery Mobile, a dedicated, 24-hour mobile programming network designed specifically for portable platforms available through mobile carriers this quarter. Updated weekly, Discovery Mobile will push content to consumers such as original made-for-mobile series, abbreviated versions of Discovery’s most popular programs, never before seen footage, one-of-a-kind extras and user-generated content.

    The launch of the US mobile portal builds on Discovery’s strong foundation of success in the international mobile marketplace where it has already launched a direct-to-consumer mobile portal in the UK. Discovery Mobile is available in nine countries. The company also has a global partnership with Nokia, which carries customized Discovery content on its newest and most sophisticated devices.

    This announcement follows a series of new media initiatives Discovery has recently unveiled. Discovery has been launching new services and working with strategic partners to bring its high-quality, informative and entertaining content to consumers wherever they are and whenever they want it.

    Discovery says that it is the first media company to provide its world-class video content on Google Earth, the revolutionary satellite imagery-based mapping product, and the first nonfiction programmer to offer video content through the iTunes music store. Discovery also launched the first of its U.S. broadband channels: Discovery Channel Beyond, TLC Beyond, Travel Channel Beyond and Animal Planet Beyond, as well as the new TURBO broadband channel.

  • Discovery US enhances its online news service

    Discovery US enhances its online news service

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Discovery has enhanced its Discovery News service to include daily video webcasts, featuring breaking news in areas of increasing concern for consumers

    As the first major feature of these video webcasts, Discovery News has broken a story from Montana, where Jack Horner, renowned paleontologist and chief curator of the Museum of the Rockies discovered the fossil of a baby triceratops skull, only the sixth ever found. 

    Horner says, “Over the years people have been out here in the Hell Creek formation collecting dinosaurs and almost all that’s been collected are adults. The best thing about this little triceratops is that it is actually a baby. This is probably one of the best baby triceratops skulls
    ever found.” Horner says that the baby triceratops discovery is significant as younger
    fossils can answer many questions about the growth and development of triceratops

    The broadcaster says that the discovery reflects the type of subjects to be explored on the new
    Discovery News webcast. The news service will provide consumers fast, in-depth and relevant information in the areas of science, nature, health, travel, all things about planet earth and current affairs.

    Discovery senior executive VP for strategy and development Don Baer says, “Expanding Discovery News into broadband video taps into the public’s confidence in our ability to bring them trusted and timely factual information about some of the most important topics in the world.

    “To have landed an exclusive story of the magnitude of Jack Horner’s find, and right in the sweet spot of our core DNA of content
    strength demonstrates Discovery’s ability to cover breaking real-world news
    while expanding ways consumers count on Discovery to bring them the whole
    world.”

    Discovery News Broadband and Narrowband Features Updated daily with original short-form video that is searchable for consumers at any time, Discovery News says that it offers cutting-edge perspective and commentary from multiple video sources. The company is tapping an in-house development and editorial team.

    It has also announced an agreement for video
    content from Associated Press Television News. Other news organisation partnerships, as well as the cultivation of new journalists and
    personalities, will be announced in the coming weeks. Stories running on the video player include a segment on the recent flooding of the
    National Archives and the road to reopening its doors.

    In conjunction with the launch of the daily video news webcast, Discovery says that it has has more than doubled the amount of coverage of text-based news on its narrowband site discoverychannelnews.com, which now features 10 genre-specific subject pages across the company’s core content areas.

    Stories currently on the Discovery News text website that reflect topics of particular interest to Discovery viewers include a report on a new study related to global warming and a piece about a species of shark in danger of
    extinction, among many others.

  • Discovery US, Google Earth in content alliance

    Discovery US, Google Earth in content alliance

    MUMBAI: Discovery US has announced the availability of its video content on Google Earth.

    This is a satellite imagery-based mapping product that combines 3D buildings and terrain with mapping capability and Google search.

    For the first time, Discovery will provide streaming video on Google Earth for locations around the world including popular destinations, historic sites and natural wonders, among others.

    Discovery will offer video content showcasing 10 of America’s most popular national parks, including Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and Dinosaur National Park. By clicking on Discovery’s globe icon shown at destination sites at which Discovery video content is available, Google Earth users will launch an interactive broadband player hosted by Discovery that will enable them to select from several two-to four-minute videos from Discovery’s rich archive at each target destination.

    Discovery senior executive VP for strategy and development Don Baer says, “By combining Discovery’s wealth of knowledge-based content with Google Earth’s innovative platform and technology, consumers have an unparalleled opportunity to explore our world as never before. With the worldwide appeal and utility of Discovery’s programming, the possibilities for exploration are endless.”

    Google Maps/Local/Earth director John Hanke says, “Google Earth users worldwide can now access enriching and educational videos that capture the breadth and detail of popular destinations and national landmarks. Discovery’s video content complements the immersive experience of Google Earth and aligns well with our company mission to deliver the world’s information directly to users.”

    Among Discovery’s core content genres of History, Science, the Natural World, Travel and Adventure and Animals, users will find:

    – Video content for 10 destinations available beginning today: Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, The Everglades, Point Reyes National Seashore, Mt. Rushmore, Alaska National Parks, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Santa Monica Mountains National Park, Carlsbad Caverns and Dinosaur National Park.

    – Ongoing content updates and additions, including videos for nearly 50 new locations spanning the globe in the coming months.

    – Special features on Discovery’s specials such as the upcoming global series Discovery Atlas, an ambitious HD project, offering both video and companion content for 30 countries included in a multi-year programming franchise beginning with China, Brazil, Italy and Australia later this year.