High Road Communications

Well, the Writers Guild of America strike has been resolved, and we can soon return to our regularly scheduled programming. With the clatter of keyboards starting up again south of the border, I can’t help but think about the power play behind those weeks of withheld words.

At some level, every writer hopes the words he or she types  or scratches onto a piece of paper, mean something to somebody, and that they will affect change—whether it’s a scathing political article in a newspaper, a pulpy romance novel or a straight-ahead press release. But few are in a position to witness their impact in the way that the WGA has over the last few months. So imagine for a moment what would happen if the world’s writers put down their pens, closed their laptops and refrained from writing for a day. The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that the world as we know it would grind to a halt. News broadcasts would be done on the fly, business proposals would be stymied, university students would run amok and Jeff Probst and Howie Mandel would rule the airwaves.

So, to celebrate the strike’s end, and avoid the dystopian world I’ve described, give the writers in your life an extra little pat on the back. It might leave them speechless, but in a good way.

Silicon Valley buzz maker Tom Foremski (formerly of Financial Times, now prominent SV blogger) made some news of his own today with this post in which he states that he will only receive PR pitches through FaceBook.

The switch up is really an experiment to try and ensure pitches are more customized, personalized and fit with what Foremski normally covers. But it isn’t all virtual, all the time. He says that face-to-face communications still trumps all other channels.

Something tells me he might be receiving a few friend requests this afternoon.

What was once a dream is now reality.

The ability to push tailored content and market relevant products and services to interested individuals, all happening on screens they take with them everywhere, has finally arrived. The true mobile generation.

Marketing to all of those handsets has advanced some big steps with the introduction of new smartphones and networks upgrading towards 3G. That was 2007.

2008 should see enormous momentum (R word or not) and competition for share of mobile marketing dollars. With a bevy of new devices, software and services to make it all sing, the future looks quite bright for MM.

A future replete with new tools, (and terms) for would be mobile marketers to add to their ever expanding toolboxes.

Disclaimer: LG and Microsoft are clients.

Having been a part of the High Road team for almost nine years (the company is eleven years old), it’s gratifying to see High Road be named to top 25 SMB places to work. From day one, we wanted to be a workplace based on great people – the most passionate, innovative and results-oriented professionals in the business. And despite our growth (we had a dozen employees when I joined in 1999 – today we are 85 strong), our entrepreneurial spirit has never wavered. Everyone in the company, regardless of seniority or title, can make a difference. The Globe and Mail article highlights five key attributes that all 25 companies listed share: employee input; career opportunities; proactive employee communications; talent development; and a responsive leadership team. Such an environment creates a strong culture of empowerment, allowing employees to take chances, accomplish great things and achieve real personal satisfaction in their work. This is no easy feat and employers that make this level of commitment to their employees should certainly be recognized for their efforts. Now, bring out the cake.

A team of 8 intrepid High Roaders supporting different clients departed for Vegas last Saturday to join other tech pilgrims in attendance at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Like others who have an insatiable desire for new gadgetry, our team is definitely getting their tech on. Big announcements, big changes, and even big Bill (who is enjoying his last CES as Chairman at Microsoft) are all part of the “greatest (consumer tech) show on earth.” There is even a 24-carat gold Omen from Voodoo PC on display for a little extra bling.

It was auctioned off for charity in Dubai and went for a cool $45,000 (U.S.) to an anonymous bidder.