New media delivers business, fun – and hope

We are all about new media here at Moxley Carmichael. I started twittering in May ’08 and got on Facebook shortly thereafter. We have this blog and are about to launch a second one. We were the first PR firm in town to hire a new media specialist. We have either met with or have a meeting set with each of our clients to discuss how they can take advantage of new media.

But you want to know the truth? New media might be great for business, but it’s also just plain fun!

Frank Murphy, Terry Morrow and Mary Constantine at "Dancing with the Knoxville Stars" last year.

Frank Murphy, Terry Morrow and Mary Constantine at "Dancing with the Knoxville Stars" in April.

There is always something going on. Folks are out and about on the town and invite you to join them. Someone expresses an opinion about a new restaurant or movie or TV show. News breaks and everyone tweets about it. I’m telling you – even in the middle of the night – there is never a dull moment.

Over the past year, of course I’ve used new media for business. I’ve posted news releases on Twitter, Facebook and this blog, as well as on our Web site. I’ve responded to media inquiries that way, too. I’ve spread the word when MEDIC desperately needed blood; I’ve passed on info about special pets up for adoption at Young-Williams. We alerted the broadcast media when the News Sentinel had press problems and all the papers were late. We’ve posted photos from Pilot Pumpers on flickr. We’ve run banner advertising for ourselves and our clients on KnoxViews.com.

But here are some of the social interactions I’ve had. I’ve used Twitter to invite folks to an impromptu cocktail party at our downtown condo. I’ve tweeted across Market Square from one restaurant patio to a friend on another. I’ve been invited to tweet-ups to meet Twitter friends I’d never met face-to-face before. And tonight, a Twitter friend and I have arranged an all-girl tweet-up ourselves. Can’t wait to see who shows!

As fun as it is, new media can also be serious and can demonstrate true emotion. A dear friend of ours, Terry Morrow, the News Sentinel’s TV critic, was recently diagnosed with what likely is cancer. He shared the information with all his friends via Facebook and Twitter. You wouldn’t believe the outpouring of prayers and support he’s received. It’s been truly moving. Terry thinks the prayers are actually helping. He’s going to fight this thing with all his might.

It gave me goosebumps the other day when I read this quote from the 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing” that he posted on his Facebook status: “Baby’s in a corner. . .and, as we all know, nobody puts Baby in a corner.”

Godspeed, friend. Thanks to this wonderful new media, you will be able to feel our support even when you are at Johns Hopkins. New media is miraculous. We are hoping it will help deliver a real life one.

Filed under: Journalism, Media, New media, Public Relations. Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to New media delivers business, fun – and hope

  1. Allyn Purvis Schwartz, on July 14th, 2009 at 11:32 pm said:

    First, I must say that I have never met Terry, but feel that he is a good friend. I have been reading … and agreeing with … his columns for years. My prayers and best thoughts are with him now. Fight the good fight, Terry, as I know you will. God Bless.

    CM, you could not be MORE on the $$! I have reconnected with Bearden High School Classmates from many years ago. We have been sharing photos and planning reunions due to this connection, truly this is social media working MAGIC, just for FUN!! New media is a wonderful thing for all of us if we use it for business or fun …

    BTW, great fun we had at the “All Girl Downtown Tweet up!!”

    Thanks so much, Cynthia, we all appreciate you!

  2. Gay Lyons, on July 15th, 2009 at 11:15 am said:

    Our thoughts & prayers are with Terry. I hope he’s feeling a lot of love right now.

    Last Friday I tweeted that I needed a floor guy. Within about 2 minutes I had a recomendation. He’s here now, ripping up carpet. Twitter rules!

  3. AlanCarmichael, on July 16th, 2009 at 1:57 pm said:

    I am praying for Tele-buddy Terry also. I applaud his courage in putting out the news on Facebook and Twitter. He is a great guy and his column is full of life and energy. Not many people can say that they have danced with Teri Hatcher of Desperate Housewives, but Terry can.

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