2017 - Stern PR Marketing Omaha

Sep302017 by Susan SternNo Comments

Alert: Fake Google Robocalls

[caption id="attachment_8801" align="alignleft" width="76"] Susan Stern[/caption] [heading animation_iteration="1" align="aligncenter"]Google, FTC and FCC Cracking Down on Rampant Illegal Robocalls[/heading][vc_column_text] Updated October 10, 2017 By Susan Stern, and Allison Schwartz, Contributor - Stern PR Marketing Omaha (OMAHA, Nebraska) - Small Business Owners Beware. If you receive an "extremely urgent" robocall "to update your Google business or Maps listing" asking you to press a key to speak to a live local "Google" sales rep - hang up. [audio mp3=https://sternprmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Google-Business-Listing-Scam-RoboCall.mp3"] Don't be fooled. It's not Google, it's an impostor up to no good: "many unscrupulous individuals and companies make these calls, even though they are breaking the law. Sometimes, robocalls falsely claim to be working “with Google” or “for Google” in an attempt to sell different schemes and online marketing services to unsuspecting individuals and…

Sep292017 by Susan SternNo Comments

Set Marketing/PR Goals In the New Year!

Google, Other, SEO, Small Business, Website Security

[vc_row][vc_column][heading animation_iteration="1" align="aligncenter"]Google Chrome's HTTPS Campaign Underway[/heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [caption id="attachment_8522" align="alignleft" width="125"] Susan Stern, President, Stern PR Marketing Firm Omaha Neb[/caption] By Susan Stern, Stern PR Omaha Updated Fri September 29, 2017 Originally Published October 2016 Google Chrome,'s 'HTTPS Everywhere' campaign making the web safer - is in full swing. At the end of January 2017, Chrome began labeling all websites that failed to jump on the SSL encryption bandwagon with an upside down explanation point. When pressed, users discover a warning of an insecure connection - giving the impression the site may be compromised. All websites, from mom and pop blogs to big news sites are expected to do it. As of September 29th, the NBC site, has not added SSL encryption nor have CNN, Foxnews, and ABC News. The…

Jul232017 by Susan SternNo Comments

Strict Yelp Review Policy – Don’t Ask

Online Reviews

By Susan Stern -- The social media review giant has one of the strictest terms and conditions on the internet. So, if your in-house marketer or outside public relations consultant is asking customers for Yelp reviews with a link to do so, you'll want to carefully consider what you're doing. "It's clearly unethical when a business offers incentives like a discount or contest entry to write a review. That creates bias, and a conflict of interest. But Yelp's policy banning asking your customers for online review feedback goes too far," notes Omaha marketing firm consultant Susan Stern. Here is a graphic we produced of Yelp's terms and conditions: [caption id="attachment_8489" align="aligncenter" width="603"] Click to Zoom In[/caption] Without a doubt, a business should never offer cash-for-reviews, discounts or contest entries. Doing…

Feb62017 by Susan SternNo Comments

Super Bowl 2017 Ads – Politically Charged

Branding Strategy, Opinion, Other

[vc_row][vc_column][heading animation_iteration="1" align="aligncenter"]Brands Not Shy To Take A Political Stance [/heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] By Susan Stern -- (Omaha, NEBRASKA) -- While some ads were lackluster and run-of-the-mill, many Super Bowl ads got political this year touching on controversial social justice issues, typically leaning toward the left coupled with unity and patriotic themes. Throughout history, Super Bowl ads tend to reflect the current culture, style, cinematographic and technological advances, and current national mood. The mood nowadays is indeed politically divided. Many of the 2017 Super Bowl ads reflect America’s polarization. From an advertiser’s standpoint, it is a risky move to take a political stance especially during these contentious times: brands risk alienating their demographic, including facing a brand boycott and resistance. Right now there is a social media backlash on Twitter, Youtube and…