A little about podcasts...

(see below to find out how to spell words using flickr)

Podcasting is a way of describing the publishing of a series of regular audio or video content on the Internet.

Internet Encyclopaedia Wikipedia describes podcasting as:

… a means of distributing audio and video programs via the Internet that lets users subscribe to a number of files, also known as ‘feeds’, and then hear or view the material at the time that they choose. A feed is usually in the MP3 audio format. Podcasting became popular in late 2004 with the spread of free software that enabled automatic downloading of audio MP3 files onto computers and mobile MP3 players.

Podcasting takes its name from the popular iPod personal media players by Apple, but podcasts can be accessed and listened to by other MP3 players and most computers with an Internet connection.

Almost anyone with basic computer equipment and a microphone can start his or her own podcast. Because of the ease of producing them, tens of thousands of people and organisations have grasped the opportunity of voicing their opinions, thoughts or advice. The quality of podcasts varies almost as much as the variety of subjects covered by podcasters. It appears that many people are willing to accept lower production and sometimes content quality in favour of a greater variety of subjects. However as the new technology matures, it will be interesting to see how long listeners are willing to put up with poor production standards and poorly thought through content.

Amateur podcasts are already facing competition from commercial organisations. A growing number of professional producers, such as radio stations, now prefer the term “nanocasting” to describe their productions. Podcasters primarily produce programs to disseminate information. Nanocasters primarily produce programs to produce, or assist in producing, money.

Podcasting has shot to prominence in less than a year. In 2004 podcasting was seen as “an arcane activity” – the domain of geeks and tech-heads. By 2005 it beat words such as bird flu and Sudoku to be named the New Oxford American Dictionary’s Word of the Year.

By mid 2005 it was estimated that the number of mobile “iPodders” worldwide ranged from 6 million to 22 million, but the potential audience with the appropriate connection, hardware and software is closer to 150 million. Some individual podcasts are being downloaded by 180,000 people each week.

The pictures above spelling the word "podcasts" were produced using the Spell with flickr website. I got the tip from the Strategic Public Relations Blog.

Stealing "free" TV?

The television, movie and music industry's approach to piracy makes no sense to me. Instead of complaining and fighting piracy, why not go with the flow and embrace the new way that people seem to be downloading information?

The linked story from the LA Times relates to piracy of television programs. Viewers recording them, then file sharing them to users around the globe. Like Australia's ABC, why not embrace podcasting? Television producers could make their programs available after they have been shown on free to air. "There would be no revenue from advertising," I can almost hear them scream. Why not including the advertisements in the download...or include watermarks, or strip advertisements - so they can't be skipped over?

The PR angle? It's a miss today. A CBS Executive Producer said if YouTube.com had asked to make a segment of the news available that would have been ok, but they didn't ask, so they're demanding that it be taken off.

There, there, sounds like someone's had his feelings hurt to me!

Public Relations India Blog

The tag-line of the Public Relations India Blog made me laugh...

THE YET-TO-HAPPEN MARRIAGE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY IN INDIA. HECK, THEY ARE NOT EVEN DATING!

It hasn't been update much, but is well worth a look.

Blogging: Quality versus speed

Business Week Online's Stephen Baker has detailed the editorial difference between a magazine and a blog. I'm a former print journalist myself, however I'm amazed at the editing steps at Business Week.

He also reports that Business Week doesn't blog investigative pieces or complex financial stories because of the risk of errors. Those stories need to go through a complex editorial process.

One of the problems I've found whilst blogging is that it is difficult to produce regular posts and maintain quality, both in content and grammar. I often re-read previous posts and am horrified by some of the grammatical errors and typos I've made. As most writers know however, it is very difficult to edit your own work - so I don't feel two bad (ok, that's a joke).

The grammatical quality of blogs versus traditional media would make an interesting research project. I'll get right onto that…

A code of ethics for ALL practitioners?

Should public relations practitioners be bound by their association’s code of ethics, even if they are not a member?

That’s one of the questions Queensland University’s Dr John Harrison poses in his article on the “children overboard affair” in the Asia Pacific Public Relations Journal (Vol. 5, No. 1).

For a summary of the "affair" I've provided a range of links below.

Membership of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) is apparently one of the association’s biggest issues at the moment. Discussions about its role, and rumours about its future are a hot topic within the industry.

The PRIA’s Code of Ethics is not in question however. It’s well known throughout the industry and a pillar of the association’s strength. But should all practitioners stand by it?

(Unfortunately the PRIA doesn’t seem to have the Code of Ethics readily accessible on their website (as of 15 January 2005), however I’ve found a copy on the Corporate Communications and Counsel website)

Harrison believes the practitioners in the Defence Department should follow the PRIA Code of Ethics, regardless of membership status:

“That she may not be a member does not excuse public relations professionals from determining whether those who practice in their field are adopting the appropriate standards of ethical behaviour. Indeed, it is incumbent on any professional group that it has opinions on precisely this, that it press for the appropriate standards of behaviour to be adhered to, and that it take any shortcomings vigorously to task.”

In addition to the PRIA Code, Harrison points out that the Australian Public Service (APS) Values Statement, and the APS Code of Conduct can also measure the behaviour of public relations staff in the Defence Department.

Whilst many practitioners don’t work for the public service, many organisations and industry associations have their own codes of practice (see for example Telstra’s comprehensive "Business values, Telstra Business Principles, Code of Conduct and other company policies" webpage.).

Regardless of membership, all PR practitioners should be familiar with, and more importantly follow, the profession’s code of practice.

The actions of one practitioner can influence the perceptions of the whole sector. We should all strictly following these codes and take responsibility for counselling, and where necessary exposing, those that do not.

Harrison's article will interest those practitioners working in government, and those concerned about ethics in the profession. It is available electronically on many library websites. Alternatively you can order a back-copy of the Journal by contacting me.

Some suggested external links:

Australian Government
Select Committee for an inquiry into a certain maritime incident

Media/other sources
Truthoverboard.com
Australian News Commentary
The Age

Crossing over and "running" my own mini campaign

For the past 18 years I've almost constantly been employed by organisations to deal with the community, government or media. Well today I crossed to the other side.

For those that don't know the "new" me, I'm a regular runner. On a good week I run 20km+ along the Yarra River.

In early December 2005 Parks Victoria decided to close a bridge on the running path because of safety reasons. A sign nearby apologised, and said the track would be open by the end of December. January has arrived, and still no work. I called their information line, and they now don't expect work to be complete for another 6-8 weeks (read 4-5 months I suspect!). The path is on the Main Yarra Trail the stretches from Warrandyte to the City of Melbourne. It makes no sense to me to close the path at the busiest time of year. Why is it taking so long?

I've got my local Member of Parliament on the case. I've spoken to the local newspaper, and I'm being photographed there next week. I bet I have the PR Manager at Parks Victoria quaking in his or her boots! Well maybe not.

If you know me, ask me how it's going when you see me around! (Or I may post an update)

Innovation by PR practitioners

In their FIR podcast this week (no. 99, 2 Jan 2006), Shel Holtz and Neville Hobson mention MAKE Magazine's new MAKEbot. It uses AOL Instant Messenger to deliver instant information or regular news updates. I think it's a clever idea and agree with Shel that there are many uses for this type of service by corporate communication practitioners. However he is sceptical that many in the professional will make use of this, or other, forms of new Information Communications Technology:

…I’m pretty sure that it will take corporate communications eons to start to embrace this sort of thing…yeah it will be glacial adoption…but I think there is huge potential. Frankly I’m saddened that it’s not the communications profession that is innovating these types of things as new communication tools.

I couldn't agree more. Far too few public relation practitioners in Australia making good use of new ICT. In fact many practitioners aren't even aware of the advances in new technology. I chaired the 2005 PR and Corporate Communications Summit in Sydney a few months ago and was surprised that few present had even heard of podcasts, RSS feeds and even blogging.

If you search for Australian corporate blogs or podcasts you'll find few.

There are some blazing a trail I'm pleased to say. Telstra is making uses of both podcasts and blogs to forge better relationships with key stakeholders at its nowwearetalking website. The effort has its detractors, but I think it's a commendable effort and a move in the right direction (both for the corporate responsibility and use of new technology angles).

Why aren't practitioners embracing new technology? Or are they?