I have never been much of a ‘gadget guy’ – one of those people, usually male, that have to have the latest and greatest flat screen TV, computer, camera, music player or other electronic device. But just because I don’t routinely go out and buy the latest gadgets doesn’t mean I am immune to them or don’t take advantage of the benefits they provide.
Last month, on Father’s Day, my wife and sons presented me with a new iPad 2. Being the non-gadget guy that I am, this was not something I necessarily wanted – or thought I would get. Of course, I thought the iPad was a cool thing, something I wanted to get maybe someday, but was never sure what I would do with one if I had one (and, indeed, the iPad may be the first device brought to market with no specific purpose in mind). All that went out the window as soon as I turned it on.
Like many people, I had already gotten used to reading the news and sending email on my phone. But the iPad makes doing both so much nicer because the screen is so much larger. It also takes awesome pictures.
But the biggest change I have made in the few weeks I’ve had my iPad is in reading books. The thought of e-books had never appealed to me. I liked physical books, holding one, turning the pages and how paper books often retained that book store smell. Still, I bought an e-book through Apple’s iBooks app – a Christopher Hitchens title I had been wanting to read but never made it to the book store to buy – and downloaded it to my iPad (a process that was so easy I thought I heard my iPad whisper, “Resistance is futile”).
I can now say that reading an e-book is indeed different that reading a physical book. The iPad bookmarks where I stop reading so when I go back the app automatically opens to that page. I can tap a word on the screen to highlight it and then look it up on a pop-up dictionary menu. I can also adjust the brightness. Last night I downloaded three more books. I’m hooked.
But in addition to being a really cool gadget, if you will, the iPad and similar tablet devices are an example of the changing way that people consume, share and interact with information. And while we can argue about whether resisting these trends really is futile, the fact is that technology will continue to make information sharing easier, more efficient and more immediate.
As someone who works in a profession the purpose and goal of which is to share information efficiently and effectively, these technological shifts have also meant shifts in the way our agency works for our clients. Of course we still produce top-notch news releases, but now distribute them via email, Facebook, Twitter and also research key words to enhance their listing placement on social bookmarking websites. In short, we provide information through the channels that people now use to consume it.
As a PR agency, we have a new and exciting arsenal of tools to tell our clients’ stories, and companies that embrace those tools will likewise reap their benefits – increased awareness, a more positive reputation and ultimately, more business and profit.
I’ll admit I am still not much of a gadget guy – though I will also admit to being totally enamored with my newest gadget. But I am open-minded enough to see that technology can improve the way we do things and am willing to embrace those benefits. Are you?
As design director at Cookerly, Tim serves as the creative lead in the development of branding campaigns, print collateral and digital media for clients across a broad range of industries, including consumer, professional services, healthcare and technology.
As a senior vice president at Cookerly, Mike Rieman is a strategic communications leader specializing in media relations and reputation management. With a proven track record of securing high-profile placements in top-tier outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and USA Today, he excels at crafting compelling narratives that resonate across print, broadcast and digital platforms.
Mike Touhill is vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, where he helps lead traditional, social and digital media programs for B2B and B2C clients in packaging, telecommunications and technology, among other industries. As a communication leader, he develops and executes public relations strategy, provides proactive and reactive counsel to C-level executives and secures earned media coverage for client initiatives and product.
Andrew Agan is a vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, overseeing the agency’s internship program and leading media relations, content strategy and social media initiatives. He provides counsel and executes campaigns for clients across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, hospitality, technology, automotive and many others. Andrew excels at crafting compelling stories and building media relationships, resulting in clients being featured in notable outlets such as CNBC, Associated Press, Business Insider, Fox Business, HBO, Inc. Magazine, Sirius XM, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, among others.
As vice president of Cookerly, Sheryl Sellaway uses her extensive corporate communications background to lead consumer PR efforts, deliver strategy for marketing programs and share expertise about community initiatives.