Alan Weinkrantz PR Web Log

2009 Predictions and Recommendations to AT&T....

As we approach the new year, you're going to start seeing all sort of "expert" predictions and pontifications from analysts and consultants in the telecom world about what is to come in 2009 with AT&T.  

Because of my other life on a blog known as 3Screens.net here's my take, based on the point of view from a real live consumer.  Read all about it here in my column appearing in the San Antonio Express News.

My 2009 predictions and recommendations to AT&T, including a proposed milk shake meeting at the Olmos Soda Fountain in San Antonio or the Mecca Cafe in Dallas with Chairman & CEO, Randall Stephenson.

Read all about it here in my column appearing in the San Antonio Express News.

iPhone vs. BlackBerry Bold?

The nice folks at AT&T got me a sneak preview of the new BlackBerry Bold for my 3Screens blog.  It's  available on Tuesday at AT&T stores nationwide. 

Rather than doing a traditional "review," I video interviewed friends and colleagues about their first impressions on this device. 

Some are AT&T customers.  Some use a BlackBerry. Some use an iPhone.  Some are with Verizon or Sprint.

It's a small sampling, but does show a variety of opinions.

See the review here.

President Bush Visits The Editorial Offices of My Other Blogs, 3Screens.net and SAtechBlog.com

This is not a joke.

   

President George W. Bush stopped today to what serves as the editorial offices for my other blogs, 3Screens.net and SAtechBlog.com. 

Read the story from the San Antonio "Express News" here.

My Robot Creative pal, Lara August, called me this morning to have breakfast, but I couldn't do it because of another meeting. 

Then, I hopped over to see PodCast Ready's Dean McCall for another meeting. 

Then, my stomach starts growling and  I decide to hop over to Olmos Pharmacy for lunch.

En route down US 281, I am driving by the airport, and see Air Force One taking off. 

Arriving to the Pharmacy 20 minutes later, proprietor, Betty Garza, informs me that our fearless leader of the free world, Secret Service in tow, stopped by and had a chocolate malt with First Lady, Laura Bush.

I guess when you are the President of the U.S., you can pretty much order up anything you want. 

So it really says quite a bit about Betty's place, where she's run a tight ship for 35 years.

Over the last 3 years, I've been doing lots of breakfast meetings, lots of interviews, and lots of posts at the Pharmacy. 

It's my office away from my office and serves as the "official" office of my two other blogs.

Sorry I missed you, Mr. President. 

And thumbs up to Betty for having Mr. Bush pick her place as the place in town (or the world) for a real home made malt.

photo (c)  San Antonio Express News

How I Combine Blogging, PR and Social Media To Get Results

Here's a good example of combining Blogging, Media Coverage and Social Media in order to promote a story on my 3Screens blog

1.  Blogging:  I did a post, including a YouTube video, which is a review of AT&T's new WholeHome Manager telephony platform on my other blog, 3Screens.net

2. Sent pitches to appropriate Media Oulets pointing them to my blog.

This resulted in coverage in leading blogs and news sites such as: DSL Reports, Electronic House, Engadget, TeleCompetitor.  Telephony Magazine, FierceTelecom, Zatsnotsofunny did some extensive quotes both from my blog and my video.

3.  Social Media:  It's on Digg, Delicious, Twitter, FaceBook, etc.

When I see a news story on the subject, I leave a comment like the one here in the LA Business Journal, inviting readers to come and see my post and video.

Yup, this really works.

iPhone 3G Mania

OK-- I am joining in on the iPhone 3G mania and blogging, linking to other sites, and giving my own personal views over at my other blog, 3Screens.

Blogging Over at 3Screens

Getting caught up in the hoopla of the new iPhone 3G, I am blogging over at 3Screens, my other site which focuses on AT&T's three screen strategy.

Streaming News from Twitter: AT&T Innovates with "News Tweets"

Because of my 3Screens blog, I follow AT&T news by subscribing to their email service.

They've just killed that and are now promoting their news feeds through Twitter.  To follow them, you just go to: http://twitter.com/attnews.  (You can follow me here on Twitter as well.)

You still get access to regular stream of tweets announcing breaking headlines and linking to just-posted videos, photos and podcasts.

Today's Column in the San Antonio "Express-News" Examines AT&T's Departure from San Antonio

As a monthly contributing columnist to the San Antonio Express News I have the opportunity to cover AT&T and other subjects relating to PR and Social Media.

Last Friday, AT&T announced that they will be re-locating their corporate headquarters to Dallas. 

The story appears here with my perspective on the company's decision.

Using or Getting a .Mac Account? Get a Good Name That Goes Well With .Me

I've been a long time .Mac user.  And now with introduction of MobileMe and the new @me.com naming convention, here's your chance to get in early on having a great email address name.

For me, .Mac has been great place to store content and have an alternative email address (or an alias) when needed.

Now with the changeover to the .Me platform, if you are a .Mac user, don't forget that you get an additional 5 alias addresses. 

If you want to get a new alias address, think about what might go well with yourname@me.com.

Me?  I now have....or what will soon be:

• alanweinkrantz at me dot com
• weinkrantz at me dot com
• uverse at me dot com
• itsyouandme at me dot com
• seeits at me dot com
   

And if you are not a .Mac user and want to become one soon, sign up now, and create a great name for yourself!