Four blog entries down and a lot of reading and tinkering, I am proud to say I understand blogging a little better. But, do Brand Guardians and their PR Companies? The advent of blogging has changed the profile of brand-influencers.

In an article on rules for highly effective PR blogs, the blogherald suggests:

It’s no longer just about the media - But remember that customers, prospects, suppliers, industry associations and others who can influence your brand also have blogs. Converse intelligently with them as well.

I am neither a Brand Manager nor a Communications Professional: so I read a bit about this subject: I am a card-carrying brand terrorist and yearn for traction in my fight to bridge the gap between Corporations’ Brand Promise and the stark reality experienced by the lowly consumer. I recommend reading comment by Niall Cook, Steve Rubel, and Joel Cere on this subject.

You must have read about the Apple iPod battery saga – a case study that witnessed the Neistat Brothers – enviable Brand Terrorists - leverage the power of the internet to expose Apple’s “Dirty Little Secret” – its had close to 2 million visitors - Apple was quick to reform its IPOD battery replacement programme!

Or, Dow Chemical who ended up having several expensive conversations with their PR Agency about The Yes Men. Its easy to find this link if you Google “Dow Chemical”.

The latest worth following is covered by Steve Rubel entitled Kensington Lock Kryptonited-Company Silent . More interesting is Larry Borsato’s comment about the PR company’s role in all of this

I met with my Company’s PR Agency (unnamed as they’re a fantastic bunch) to talk about blogging– I was pretty convinced that they were blog cynics and hadn’t spent much time understanding the potential impact on their domain. I promised to send them some reading material- but on second thoughts, this posting is a good start! I hope they see it!