A Chicago “Adventure” on the Eve of the Eve

A late-afternoon view of the Chicago skyline from Diversey Harbor. Without another person in sight, I had this perspective all to myself.

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)

Over the past week, the weather across metropolitan Chicago and much of the Midwest has been bleak. Cloudy skies, below-freezing temperatures, stiff winds, and some snow at times. Yes, it’s late December. Therefore, ideal conditions to hunker down and read, write, visit social media platforms, think about the year that’s passed and project on the year ahead.

But after a few days of shutting down and just hanging around, I felt it was time for an adventure of sorts. Well, certainly nothing hazardous, yet a definitive change from reading the novel I started a few weeks ago or viewing holiday messages and images on Facebook.

So, yesterday, on the Eve of New Year’s Eve, I hiked to the Logan Square Blue Line station and caught the arriving L train headed downtown. My goal: Walk around the Loop, observe people, take note of changes to retail outlets and the overall streetscape, visit Millennium Park, stop by the Chicago Cultural Center, hike up Michigan Avenue, enjoy a sandwich, then catch the CTA Sheridan 151 bus headed north. It was rather cold and blustery, but I was well dressed for the weather. 

Certainly, this was a relatively pedestrian and unstructured plan. Yet, the five or so hours I spent proved memorable, inspiring, and quite invigorating.  

Upon exiting the L at the Clark and Lake station, a fellow passenger inquired on which direction to take to get to City Hall.  I welcomed the opportunity to walk a block west with the man to LaSalle Street, directing him to head south. “Thanks,” he said, shaking my hand. “I remember being able to get to City Hall from an underground route.”  That’s from the Washington L station I noted. 

Ah, time for a sandwich. Perhaps a visit to the McDonald’s in the Chase Bank Plaza at Monroe and Clark.! Upon arrival at the Plaza, once home to the now-gone First National Bank of Chicago, I learned the restaurant space was being converted to another retail use.  Okay, maybe I’ll find a place for a sandwich on LaSalle Street one block west. 

Strolling this once-vibrant and bustling center of finance and commerce, I noted the conversion of some office towers to hotels and apartment buildings, part of a city initiative to reclaim LaSalle Street as a pocket Loop neighborhood and provide vitality, bring in tax revenue, and offer affordable housing.  LaSalle Street will be back, I thought. 

At Madison Street, I stood in front of the One North LaSalle Street tower, where I worked for a year back in 1981 for a small financial advertising firm. (Learn more from this 2014 post.)  The entrance still looks grand and definitive of business.  I then ventured back east and came upon St. Peter’s Church.  After entering, I realized a mass was underway; the church was relatively crowded for an early afternoon, so I stayed for a while to take in the eucharist prayer, the consecration, the Lord’s Prayer, the collection, the sign of peace, and the communion.  I felt calm and warm (remember, it was cold outside) as I left the church and strolled west to Michigan Avenue. 

Walking north, I encountered many visitors and locals taking in the grandeur of the avenue, with its iconic curtain wall on the west and Millennium Park to the east.  I enjoyed watching people ice stake on the outdoor rink, pose for photos in front of the city’s official Christmas tree, and become enraptured by the Cloud Gate sculpture.  (NOTE: I refuse to cite the silly nickname for the brilliant chrome work of art.)

At the Cultural Center, I intended to just find a seat and rest, but decided to explore the entire building. What a wise decision! Over its four floors, I took in various exhibits that centered on design and marveled at the overall splendor of the domes, staircases, and grand rooms. Plus, visitors get a terrific view of Millennium Park when looking east. 

Walking north, I crossed over the Chicago River and entered what’s better known as Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, the stretch of North Michigan Avenue that embodies all that’s great about the city’s retail, dining, hospitality, and entertainment offerings.  I shared the route with large groups of shoppers navigating the sidewalks, many toting purchases from nearby stores.  People clearly were out to enjoy and celebrate and spend.  There were at least 50 people waiting to enter the famous Starbucks Reserve Roastery, and nearly as many lined up outside the Harry Potter Shop.

Reaching Chicago Avenue, I marveled at the old Chicago Water Tower, a symbol of the city’s rebirth following the Great Fire.  There’s a McDonald’s at State Street I remembered; now I’ll get that sandwich.  But enroute, at Rush Street, I saw a Devil Dawgs shop, went inside and ordered a classic Chicago hot dog.  Yes, no ketchup.  As I stood in the window and enjoyed my delicious dog and a can of Pepsi, I immediately knew I made the right decision. 

In front of Water Tower Place, which looked festive and busy, I waited for the Sheridan 151 bus.  Here, crowds of visitors and shoppers emanated the holiday spirit; people were happy and engaging.  The bus arrived in a few minutes and made its journey north along Michigan Avenue, to inner Lake Shore Drive, onto Stockton Drive and into Lincoln Park. 

From my window, I could see traffic on Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan to the east and to the west historic and modern apartment buildings, parkland, and even some monuments. All are testimony to part of what makes Chicago a truly great city.  At Diversey Avenue, I exited the bus and thanked the driver, who wished me a Happy New Year. 

Before boarding the Diversey 76 bus west toward home, I walked to the edge of Diversey Harbor and gazed south for a few minutes, reveling in the Chicago skyline on that late winter afternoon.  In summer, this part of the park would be bustling with people at the nearby driving range, at the tennis courts, at the small restaurant where I sometimes visit, and of course in boats moored in the harbor. But that day, I had it all to myself. 

The end of my adventure, the 20-minute bus ride home, was uneventful. But I felt awakened, and I look forward to my next adventure, to another exploration of places that make Chicago, my home, a truly great world city.

Wishing all a Happy New Year. 

 

 

Media Relations: Perspectives on Today and Yesterday

Back in the day, a reporter might have had something else in his or her hand while on the job. What was it? Image courtesy of Freepik.

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)

First, a full disclosure statement: While I subscribe to various sources of current information and developments within the public relations profession, I don’t always stay too current on the state of the industry. Yes, I gain from interacting with selected social media posts, participating in webinars and in-person presentations, and reading publications like Strategies and Tactics from the Public Relations Society of America. 

But given the amount of industry-focus (and of course, other) print and digital options these days, I frequently skip learning about the latest news regarding public relations. Now, home on a cold and bleak afternoon two days before the end of the year, I decided to allocate an hour or two to catching up with some online sources. 

What really resonated with me was an article originally posted April 2 of this year in PR News. The piece, “When Making Your Pitch, Here’s What Journalists Value Most,” was part of a recap post of articles that address what arguably has been the foundation of public relations for decades — media relations.  Writer Matt Petteruto does an excellent job of supporting his commentary by citing results from industry surveys of journalists and recommending that communicators research online media databases to identify qualified and appropriate reporters to direct the pitch message. 

And, he reiterates the fundamental aspect of solid, effective media relations, which is make sure the reporter you are pitching “is a good fit before you make the pitch.”  This can be considered an elementary factor, but it’s one worth reiterating!

Now, let me reflect further on the practice of media relations, as experienced by yours truly. 

Back in the 1980s, well before digital communications, those of us working at agencies pitched reporters at local, regional and national newspapers, trade magazines, the major wire services, and television and radio regularly.  We wrote pitch letters on a typewriter that were sent via US Mail or in some cases hand-delivered; this initiative was followed up with a phone call; news releases were distributed the same way.

Media targeted were identified by reputation and experience on a specific beat or through the Bacon’s Publicity Checker directory.  What am I referring to? Here’s what a Google AI search found:

• A massive, physical directory (think large books) containing names, titles, and contact info for editors, reporters, and columnists across various media.
• Organized by publication type (newspapers, magazines) and industry (trade, consumer). 

The search results also noted that the Bacon’s directory was a key tool from the 1950s into the early 2000s, made obsolete by online databases.  Every PR agency worth its salt had a Bacon’s — or multiple copies — which by the end of the year looked somewhat ragged through multiple handing by various account teams.  An aside: An eBay search for a Bacon’s did not reveal any results for a copy of the vintage directory, but showed many for collectible items related to the iconic entertainer Chubby Checker.

Personal interaction with reporters comprised one other aspect of media relations four or so decades ago.  By this I refer to inviting the media member to lunch or sometimes dinner and using the time together to make the pitch. Was this practice in violation of any ethical standards? Possibly. Did it happen regularly? Most certainly. 

Let me conclude with this thought on media and media relations. Decades ago, the world did not move or change at the rate it does today; this includes the media. Often, reporters covered the same beat at the same publication or broadcast outlet for years, and possibly decades. Relationships established and nurtured with members of the media could last a very long time.  This may not exist at the same level these days, given the continued decline in print journalism and unbridled rise in digital media. 

Regardless, strategic and effective media relations continues to be — and certainly will continue to be — a very fundamental and valuable component of public relations. A question for those who continue to employ media relations today: Do you ever take an influencer to lunch? 

 

 

 

 

 

His Momentous Week of New Lows. But Figuratively, “So What?”

My search for a “figurative image of power” led me to this clenched fist. How about if we literally “unclench” the fist as a tactic to halt the actions of the person who inspired this post? Thanks to Wikipedia for use of the image.

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)

In a public career punctuated by frequent fabrications, revolting new revelations, and dastardly directives, the past week set a new low standard for the person in question. Here’s a recap.

• Posted a ghastly, basically inhuman comment about a celebrity who, along with his wife, was fatally stabbed, reportedly by their own son. 
• Delivered an unneeded nationally televised speech that, along with outright lies, added a new fracture to our increasingly-fragile, splintering democracy. 
• Ordered in what may be an illegal action that his name be added to the facade of a national complex designed to showcase and celebrate American artistic excellence.

But wait! There is still the balance of this evening and Saturday! So perhaps there will be another bullet point or two to add.

People and pundits from across this great land and in other corners of the globe have expressed disgust over the recent actions by this person, and I certainly stand on their side.  But it’s gotten to the point of being ludicrous, predictable, and even expected. 

As one elected member of Congress noted:  “He’s crazy, but not stupid.” 

One can ascertain that his statements and actions are calculatingly caustic to draw attention and remain in the spotlight, not to get rich.  Money? He’s got plenty.  To speak in a colloquial manner, “he ain’t gotta worry about payin’ the rent or puttin’ food on the table.” But power? He’ll never have enough.

A potential solution? Just try ignore this monster!  Well, still get pissed off, still find what he does revolting, still question the future impact on our world.  But temper online commentary.  Perhaps a lack of outright action is a more prudent reaction. 

Me? Speaking colloquially again, “I’m gonna go ’round the corner and have a coupla beers.”

All will be okay when I get home.