2010 Denver PR Predictions – Pete Webb

By Pete Webb
Founder, Webb Public Relations

• A major “name” firm will close its doors, burdened by overhead and a shaky corporate client base.
• A long-time TV anchor will leave the set.
• “Social media,” “New media,” whatever it’s called in the current blogs, will grow as a pitching strategy.  We’ll never have to pick up the phone again; just Twitter the 22-year old on the desk, and if she’s not busy arranging her evening out, we’ll get a call back with interest in the story.
• Media-rich news release strategies will be more in demand as TV struggles to get video and print struggles to get details.
• At least one Denver TV station will abandon the “Denver pool” and decide it should be deciding where to devote its crews and photojournalists.
• Fox31 will trim its photo staff and use Skype for live interviews.
• “Green” will continue to be the elusive “next trend” for PR firms chasing the rainbow.
• The Denver Business Journal will reinforce its 3pm newscast to become even more of a threat to the Post business page.
• The McInnis-Ritter campaign will try to elevate the tone of political debate in Colorado, but obscure 527s and the nasty progressives and right-wing fringe will continue to roll grenades down the aisle.