Provident Partners news

Provident Partners’ Albert Maruggi, who, once upon a time, served as the press secretary for the Republican National Committee, has written an article for Media Bullseye about how the McCain and Obama campaigns are using social media in the run-up to the November election. Media Bullseye provides media, public relations, and marketing professionals with news and commentary about the modern communications landscape.

A taste of the article:

Republicans have always prided themselves on organization, game plan and execution, similar to a well-run football team. There are set plays, and everyone knows where they are supposed to be - improvisation accepted only if the play breaks down. The Democratic Party brand includes activism and individualism, more like a basketball team. In general there is a plan, but for the most part, basketball is a reaction to the flow of the individual with the ball.

Today, in many respects, the pace and format of how Republicans and Democrats use social media tools is a reflection of their organizational cultures. You can see this in the general presentation of the candidates’ and political parties’ home pages.

You can read the full article here. Also, if you want to chat about how your organization can use social media to mobilize a community and reach new people — or if you just want to talk politics — give us a call. 651-695-0174.

This past spring, Provident Partners’ PR manager Mike Keliher reported on a couple of key sessions from the Society for New Communications Research’s New Communication Forum: a panel presentation called “Exploring the ROI of online press releases” and a debate/discussion with Todd Defren and Maggie Fox called “Perspectives on the social media press release.”

The report was initially published by Media Bullseye in April, and today the Summer 2008 print edition of Media Bullseye magazine arrived in the mail. Mike’s article is on page 12. It’s a good read for anyone looking to start exploring the concept of distributing news and information online or for folks interested in significant trends in the space.

You can read the full article here.

In a Sunday article on how businesses can tap into social media, the York Daily Record talks to Albert Maruggi, president of Provident Partners and senior fellow at the Society for New Communications Research.

From the article’s intro:

If a few years ago someone had asked me what a “tweet” was, I would have told them it was the sound a bird makes.

Only more recently would I have said a tweet is a posting on Twitter.

Twitter?

What the heck is that?

Unless you are really tapped into the newest methods of social media and technology, Twitter is most likely something new to you.

So consider this your Twitter tutorial.

The article goes on to offer just that — a good tutorial for Twitter beginners. Maruggi’s contibutions include some insights on which types of businesses “absolutley” should look into Twitter and how they can get started.

Read the full article here.

Pioneer Press technology reporter Julio Ojeda-Zapata writes in a recent article that we’re in the midst of a “’social media’ revolution that has begun to change how civic and political groups — like the St. Paul-based team responsible for Republican convention planning — are using the Internet to publicize their causes.”

In the article, Provident Partners’ founder and president Albert Maruggi — also a former RNC press secretary — shares some of his insights on the convention organizers’ use of new Web communication methods. From the article:

“There has been a heated debate within Republican circles about social media,” [Maruggi] said. “I don’t think they jumped on it soon enough. What has worked in Republican politics has been more of a hierarchical structure.

“But little by little they’re starting to realize that this is about your own volunteers embracing your own brand,” he added. “You don’t worry too much that someone will get the talking points wrong. You want to see energy.”

Read the full article here.

Albert Maruggi, founder and president of Provident Partners and a senior fellow at the Society for New Communications Research, shares some social media insight with 1to1 Magazine for its article “Tapping the wisdom of online crowds” (subscription required).

A quick excerpt:

Most important for companies to remember, Maruggi says, is that social media today doesn’t come with identifiable revenue because it’s rooted in building and strengthening relationships.

“Marriages take time, work and flexibility,” he says, “and so does this.”

Read the full story on 1to1’s Web site.

BusinessWeek’s Steven Baker has thrown himself head-first into social media, doing all sorts of research and writing on topics like blogging, Twitter and social media strategy. A recent post highlights a comment from Albert Maruggi that Steve found interesting.

The Society for New Communications Research (SNCR) has announced its 2008 Research Fellows. Among them is Provident Partners’ Albert Maruggi. More info in the report from Media Bullseye.