22 February 2007

CIPR...down with the kids...

The Chartered Insitute of Public Relations (CIPR), as its most modern of monikers suggests, is an organisation at the very cutting edge of PR practice. Not much newfangled stuff gets past the CIPR without it knowing. Which is why - only years after we've all been doing it - has it today published its social media guidelines.

The guidelines have been described to TWL by various PR blogging heavyweights as "crap" and "all a bit rubbish". TWL isn't a member of the CIPR, so we don't have to adhere to them, but you might be so you'd better read them. And then forget them.

Probably the best summation I can find of the CIPR's credibility in advising on social media issues comes straight from the fingertips of its President, Lionel Zetter who today, in his blog post announcing the guidelines, says:

"So blog away like billy-o, and work those wickis. But keep it real, and keep it honest!"

Oh dear Lord.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I saw Lionel Zetter out skateboarding the other day. (please note, that comment does not comply with any of the CIPR social media guidelines).

Anonymous said...

Mr Zetter's closing summary inspired me to write a poem

So blog away like billy-o
And work those wickis,
Adhere to these guidelines
And look like PR thickies,
The CIPR is moribund
This proves without a doubt
Stay tuned for next week's top tip
How to send a press release out

Anonymous said...

Martin Lukes is advising the CIPR. Keep it authentic folks!

Anonymous said...

The poem gets my vote for being most cringe worthy. :-)

Anonymous said...

Sweet lord. Who uses the word Billyo nowadays? Talk about up-to date communications, i think he has been hanging out with the Bash St Kids. Blog away like Billy O and then home for a 'slap up feast' of mash potato with sausages sticking out of it with Pug and the boys before out scrumping for apples, but dont get caught by Parky oh no.

That quote was made up by a Tamarra, or a Patsy or some other equally keen Oxfbridge grad wearing lots of pearls. Its people like that who make me embarrased to be in PR

Anonymous said...

I think you are all being terribly beastly to the CIPR - I'm sure the advice they are giving is just what your average CIPR member wants to hear - namely that this blogging lark is terribly dangerous - and if you are going to do it, then be very, very careful - in fact, better to let those other rash fools, er, create some real PR innovation and leave us stick in the mud CIPR types to cling to the security of a photocopied press release.

Anonymous said...

The guidance is perfect for the "average" CIPR member - nuff said!

Loving Paul's work though...!

....the world's leading.... said...

Indeed...anyone who can squeeze the word "moribund" into a poem gets my vote.

Anonymous said...

maybe Lionel (surely 'Lenny' would be more appealing?) is referring to this guy..??

http://billyoblog.blogspot.com/

....the world's leading.... said...

Oh my goodness, I hope not...Billy O'Blog says:

"In no way do I intend to offend or demean any group,...with one exception. Radical Islamists. For them I have no patience or apologies."

He needs to get himself over to Friction.TV...

Anonymous said...

What the guidelines say is that the CIPR condemns anyone in PR who uses social media in disguise.

The guidelines have only just been published because it's only recently become obvious - partly thanks to you - that some PR people are doing exactly that.

....the world's leading.... said...

Hello Adrian.

We're not "in disguise". We're anonymous. I think there's a difference. We're not a fake blog...in fact, when the CIPR guidelines say...

"Members should have regard for the public interest. They should be accurate when disseminating information. They should never use social media knowingly to mislead clients, employees, employers, colleagues or fellow professionals."

...I'm very happy that TWL comes up to scratch.

I don't think the guidelines specifically condemn anonymous blogs do they? I'd be dismayed if they did...as they'd then be condemning, for instance, something like Baghdad Burning (riverbendblog.blogspot.com) the astounding anonymous blog written by a young woman in Iraq that was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction last year. Her need for anonymity might be slightly more immediate than ours, but still...

And even then, as PR Week's debate last week proved, being entirely honest doesn't need to be a central pillar of PR these days. Or are we dismissing a democratic vote as well..?

Unknown said...

Um, TWL, I don't think Adrian was having a go at you - in fact the opposite; I believe he was applauding your track record at unmasking unfair play in the world of social media.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Fiona - that's exactly right.

....the world's leading.... said...

I'll shut up then.