Perhaps one of the worst viral videos might also be one of the more successful

There's a trend, isn't there, with bad publicity actually having the desired impact on a business but in a slightly odd way? I picked up this example today on utalkmarketing, about a viral video that PaddyPower (betting shops) have produced allegedly showing Ronaldo (I understand he's a footballer, not that I would know!) running out of their shop having just placed a bet. The video is truly awful, and a clear scam, but because it's so bad it's got people (like me) talking about, linking to it, and spreading it around. Exactly the impact that they were after, regardless of how that happens. I had never heard of PaddyPower until today, so if nothing else they have achieved awareness raising of their brand. Checking out the video on YouTube, over 20,000 people have already viewed it. So, even if it is terrible, at least they can feel satisfied that people are watching it and now know just that little bit more about them.

Social media for FE college marketing and communications

Here's a little slidecast (31 mins 17 secs) that I've created for a couple of the Association of Colleges' regional PR/marketing group meetings. Thought some of my blog readers might also find it interesting:

Social media: new opportunities and challenges for FE college communications

View more documents from Tracy Playle.

Colleges: please let technology be an enabler!

Earlier today I presented to the West Midlands PR and Marketing group of the Association of Colleges about social media. As regular readers of this blog know, I often present about this subject, but usually to university or business audiences. Presenting to colleges was particularly interesting. Typically I make the point that if an organisation chooses to do nothing else with social media, then they should at least listen to/watch what is being said about their brand online. That is just basic reputation monitoring and reputation management - the core business of the PR professional. However, I was appalled today to hear just how many PR and marketing professionals can't access social media sites on their work computers because the college network blocks them.

Now, I understand all the arguements for e-safety, time-wasting, etc etc, but I really would urge anyone out there responsible for what PR and marketing officers can and can't access at work to stop and think about the reputational impact of what others might be saying about your brand online. It is essential that college staff are able to monitor this, and reputational risks could be considerable if they can't manage this because they can't access those sites. So please, college principals and IT directors, let technology be the enabler that it is and break down these barriers that are preventing people from doing their job well!