In this tricky media landscape we live in, the intersection of business and politics can be a thorny place. Nicole Gagnon, senior advisor at Stern Strategy Group lays out what…
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Stern Strategy Group was recognized for its work with IEEE Signal Processing Society (IEEE SPS) and the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA®) at the 2017 PRSA NJ Pyramid Awards, an…
Stern Strategy Group, The Gate New York and IMA win 2017 “Big Apple” award from the Public Relations Society of America for CMA “You’ve Got to Earn It” campaign in…
Trust is the most important component of modern communication, and how we communicate matters as much as what we’re communicating, writes Nicole Gagnon. She lists 10 word and syntax options…
Anticipating the next big thing is important for all of us – in any industry.
How we create, consume and share information is changing constantly. And so are the opportunities available to help us achieve our goals.
The world of marketing and communications is constantly moving – reacting to and evolving alongside advances in technology and shifts in behavior. As the landscape continues to morph, and as…
In the late 1980s, when Susan Stern was learning what it’s like to run a company, one of her first employees delivered some unsettling news: An important client thought Stern…
Everyone takes a different path in their career journey. Whether you become an associate, VP, director, manager or CEO, what matters most is how you got to your position and…
Susan Stern is president of the newly rebranded Stern Strategy Group, (previously Stern + Associates) which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. She and I spoke about leadership and the lessons…
Earlier this summer, Stern Strategy Group celebrated its 30th anniversary with a heart-felt toast from our President Susan Stern, accompanied by Managing Partner – and husband – Danny Stern. The…
Stern + Associates and Stern Speakers recently united under one umbrella to form Stern Strategy Group, combining some of our greatest assets – our public relations, advisory and speakers services…
Since Stern + Associates (1985) and Stern Speakers (2006) were founded, the public relations and lecture firms have grown in every way – in office square footage, regional presence, headcount,...
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Today we reach a major milestone: a transformation of our business strategy, bringing Stern + Associates and Stern Speakers under one umbrella. We are now Stern Strategy Group! Listen to…
In 2015, Stern Strategy Group moved to its new headquarters in Iselin, N.J., opening the door to a bold, bright 30th anniversary year and exciting new chapter in our company’s…
More than ever, customers buy into the people behind a company or product. Your story, expertise, experiences and vision help provide the connection and credibility they crave. This thought leadership is…
We’re just a few months into 2015 and some are already dubbing it the year of the story. The concept of “story” is nothing new, of course. The earliest cave…
Public relations and communications is not about tactics, big wins or expensive ideas. It’s about impact — on client’s businesses, the industries they serve and the people they reach. Susan…
Social media may be ubiquitous within marketers’ personal circles, but as my fellow PR and marketing professionals well know, clients aren’t always as eager to engage with their audiences online…
When I talk to clients about speaking engagements, they invariably bring up TED. It’s natural: TED’s reputation is that it’s a hip, highly stylized and talked-about conference that attracts star…
In our increasingly digital and cost-free world, I frequently get this question from clients when they produce online content: “How can I compete with free?” I tell them they can’t…
The B2B marketplace continues to change — rapidly and radically. In today’s commoditized economy, features and benefits are no longer the differentiators they once were. In their place, thought leadership…
Awareness is dead. Kaput. Extinct. No longer relevant. Toast. Finished. And we should not shed a single tear for its passing. For far too long, the marketing communications profession has…
It’s a time for reflecting on the past, rejoicing in the present and looking forward to the future. But how much do we really know about New Year’s? We decided to…
A recent Gallup poll revealed that two out of three American employees are not fully engaged at work. Are you one of them? Pool parties, barbeques, long weekends… summer fun…
Jobs didn’t just brand his organization: He branded himself to align with the core values of the business, generate excitement around upcoming products and personalize the digital world. He built…
Part of the recent Montclair Film Festival’s “In Conversation” series, New York Times columnist David Carr and documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney revealed their strategies for convincing people to tell their…
While sitting in MetLife Stadium’s upper deck for WrestleMania 29, staring down at the ring – one reporter accurately likened it to a postage stamp of a white square –…
In today’s “new normal” – where businesses are challenged to do more with less, and innovation is increasingly tied to growth – organizations and their teams need to think…
The tab for Super Bowl advertisements went up again this year, which should not be a surprise. A 30-second spot came in at $4 million – up from $3.5 million…
In a 1973 Christian Science Monitor interview, legendary director John Huston (The Maltese Falcon, Key Largo) stated, “Film is like thought…it’s the closest to thought process of any art.” And…
We recently asked ourselves, with childlike wonder, “What’s with all the gobbledygook that slows down progress and understanding? Why does anyone ever use business jargon?” Then we asked kids to…
As my daughter’s second birthday approaches on December 5, on the top of my shopping list written a few weeks ago is a well-known, furry, lovable character – Elmo. In…
All CEOs lead their companies: that’s line No. 1 in the job description. But only a small subset also lead their industries and the wider world toward new visions and…
Over the last month, we’ve watched two men interview for the job of a lifetime – president of the U.S. Both candidates continue to subject their backgrounds to meticulous review,…
The 2012 presidential election has become notorious for its incredibly close race and, perhaps consequently, the volume and severity of negative advertisements. With the election tracking polls showing extremely close…
Brandon Harris shares his experience of ghost encounters while working at Stern + Associates.
Businesses today aren’t looking for products alone; they want information, insight, and guidance to help them make decisions and solve problems. Thought leaders are best positioned to respond to these…
Some time ago, I wrote a blog post about lessons corporate videographers could glean from Stanley Kubrick’s “The Seafarers” – an industrial film Kubrick made for the Seafarers International Union…
“Did you see the latest tweet from President Obama?” “Mitt Romney just liked my comment on his Facebook post!” How about lunch with the President? Part of a Twitter campaign,…
1. Advanced Planning: While their wedding took place a mere two months following a whirlwind romance that included public announcements of affection from Oprah’s set, their divorce was well orchestrated….
“At a company’s worst moment, the best thing it can do – and the first thing it should do – is apologize.” Of all the college lectures I attended, this…
As the mercury soared above 90 degrees, Stern + Associates recently headed poolside for our annual summer outing. The event marked the first agency-wide following the unveiling of our new…
Stern + Associates recently unveiled a powerful new mission statement: “Giving voice to ideas, people & organizations impacting the world.” It’s a mission we’ve lived by for the last 26…
Converging forces are at work, changing the way we address challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and seek and retain customers. Today, growth is no longer singularly tied to promoting brands, products…
The results are in: Stern + Associates has been named one of the Best Places to Work in New Jersey, an award program that identifies and honors the top places of…
Spring has sprung our creative juices. To celebrate the season of renewal, we offer fresh definitions (and designs) of what creativity means to some of us. Ashley G. – Creativity is…
Direct engagement is essential to building rapport – and your business. Together, our conference specialists and affiliated lecture agency, Stern Speakers, leverage our firms’ relationships with the most impactful speaking…
Since public relations was first introduced, there has always been the question of how to evaluate its success. With no perfect solution in place, it is best for practitioners to…
Corporate videos should borrow heavily from the work and techniques of Hollywood filmmakers. If you think there’s no room or budget for creativity in [more]
Pinterest, the image-sharing social bookmarking thingamajig, is growing quite rapidly. According to NPR, four percent of online shares are now a result of a Pinterest share. Most popular within the…
Office workers participate in fire drills a few times a year. They’re typically routine and prepare organizations for a fairly improbable scenario: a fire during the day when everyone’s there….
Prior to the recent Giants/ Patriots showdown, a Super Bowl ad for the Honda CRV featuring Matthew Broderick reprising his role as Ferris Bueller appeared online. It quickly spread, and…
This year’s Super Bowl will not only be a showdown between two football powerhouses; it will also be a battle between the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) and Hershey’s (HSY)…
Without fail, the last few days of December are always filled with endless debate over the biggest or most compelling story of the year. 2011 was unique, however, in…
Struggling to find the right gift for the PR professional in your life? Or are you a PR professional who would like to gift yourself with something fabulous and “work…
Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Philip Morris International CEO Louis Camilleri and MetroPCS CEO Roger Linquist made it to December’s most valuable CEOs list. But there’s something blatantly missing from…
At Stern + Associates, we’re proud to connect with the communities where we live and work. Whether it’s helping a neighbor in need, donating to charities or volunteering for a…
Basketball fans worldwide are jumping for joy: the National Basketball Association (NBA) has reached an agreement to end the lockout that only a few weeks earlier was threatening to end…
We’ve seen how Snooki, Chad Ochocinco, and most recently how the Winklevoss twins do it. And while the Wonderful® Pistachios’ use of clever celebrity endorsements is certainly entertaining, it’s not…
Recently I enjoyed a night of comedy at the Stress Factory featuring smart and provocative material that kept me completely captivated. [more]
Stern’s Cambridge team tests their teamwork abilities up high on the Grand Circle Leadership ropes course. [more]
Earlier this week, the chief executives of Sprint Nextel, AT&T and T-Mobile brought out their boxing gloves onstage at the CTIA convention in San Diego.
What do Facebook users want from brands? It isn’t customer service – at least not according to a poll I conducted via Qriously. Qriously is a wonderfully addictive application that is…
Recently I’ve realized a strong disconnect during face-to-face interactions with peers and professionals just a few years younger than I am. While texts, emails and social media keep us connected,…
I love QR codes. I was an early adopter of them, having created a QR code generator and tracking system in 2009. I developed a process where renters in Philadelphia…
A recent article in Ragan’s PR Daily points out seven reasons PR professionals should drop the word “pitch” from their lingo. Among other reasons, the author argues that pitching is…
In the past Stern + Associates has generously come to the aid of people in need all around the world. This time, it’s much closer to home.
Over the last few weeks, most Americans on the East Coast felt the effects of an earthquake (if not, I’m positive they heard mention of it) and experienced Hurricane Irene,…
In the public relations field, I am fortunate to be surrounded by strong, powerful women every day. However, I was recently reminded how indebted I am to the many women…
One of the more recent Toyota commercials shows a 20-something girl behind a computer screen, complaining about how “lame” her parents are because they don’t have more than 19 Facebook…
With the ever-increasing use of online mediums, business transparency seems inevitable. Now more than ever, companies must be open and honest with customers – ensuring not to over promise and…
From the T-Mobile Liverpool Flash Mob Dance to GE’s recently unveiled Carousolar – the first solar powered carousel in the world – it’s evident that shocking stunts can be the…
When our digital team set out to rebuild our website, the decision to use WordPress as a CMS was a no-brainer. 1. Ease of Use From the technically savvy teenage…
The engagement felt like something out of a story book – and we reveled in the delightful moment of being an engaged couple (though it did take a few tries…
In a previous day and age the women’s bible on beauty was Cosmopolitan magazine. Each month, femme fatales would anxiously anticipate that glossy guide on makeup and men for the…
If you are reading this, you’ve seen our recently re-launched website. To the user, it appears pretty and organized with a lot of content. What you don’t see are the…
It’s happened to the best of spokespeople. Feeling the pressure of the hot studio lights and the quick-fire style of aggressive reporters triggers a fierce rush of adrenaline and decision…
Despite his televised tantrums and battery allegations, singer Chris Brown continues to keep his fans. In fact, more than 18,000 of them were present for his performance on NBC’s “TODAY”…
Before Stanley Kubrick directed the classic films “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “A Clockwork Orange,” he was commissioned by the Seafarers International Union (SIU) to direct an industrial film. “The…
“And the winner is…Chris Brown! I’m sorry…Rihanna!” That’s how BET announced – or didn’t announce – its Coca-Cola Viewer’s Choice Award on Sunday night. For anyone who watched it, it was an episode
You’ve all heard the phrase “confidence is key,” usually in reference to personal aspects of your life. But did you ever consider how self-confidence might impact your performance and success…
I’ve been reading – and talking – a lot about how typos and punctuation errors have taken their toll in a variety of instances. Recently, a slew of grammatical errors…
Late last week I learned of the latest magazine demise. One of my favorite DIY publications, ReadyMade Magazine, closed its doors after 10 years. In the editorial team’s final note…
The major news out of ICANN is that brands can now purchase their own custom domain extension. [more]
In an industry as technologically savvy as the lighting industry it was surprising to see that at its largest annual tradeshow – LIGHTFAIR – companies continue to utilize paper media…
After 25 years, Oprah said goodbye to cable television. We’ve all been impacted by her show in some way, whether it was sitting down to watch it religiously every day,…
Are you one of those people who can’t stop checking your BlackBerry or iPhone work e-mails – even beyond work hours? Fear not, you’re not the only one. According to…
My first task upon coming on board at Stern was to develop the agency’s in-house production capabilities. I drew upon the resources and knowledge I had gained from my studies…
“According to most studies, people’s number-one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two! Now, this means to the average person, if you have to go…
Acceptance of social media, especially Facebook, runs similar to the political spectrum. There are extremists on both sides: those who live on Facebook and those who want nothing to do…
A recent Forbes piece offers ten tips for better business writing, with commentary from “Grammar Girl” herself who warns of the danger of using “$10 words” or as my colleague…
PR, in the traditional sense, is dead. This kind of statement makes many people, especially practitioners, very nervous. It shouldn’t. Most people who have been keeping up with the trends…
When a business leader promotes the company’s website in a media interview, and it ultimately drives the journalist’s readers to visit the website, those readers better see something worthwhile [more]
CEOs could take a lesson on what not to do from celebs these days. From Gilbert Gottfried’s Tsunami jokes on Twitter to Charlie Sheen’s tiger blood, it is clear that…
Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad. In the past, this note might have come in the form of a heartfelt greeting card, hand-written note or phone call. But more and more,…
Learn how using metaphors or imagery that can be easily visualized in a person’s mind can increase the chance that someone remembers a message. [more]
I wish I could put my finger on what needs to be done to improve healthcare. Not unlike the great debaters on Capitol Hill, I’m having a difficult time deciding…
Last week, all were a-buzz about the new quota system implemented by the WEF urging companies to tote more women to the elite event. Dr. Sasha Galbraith [more]
The FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health announced 25 steps it intends to take in 2011 [more]
Did you hear the latest rumor on Facebook? Thousands of users did – and panicked after believing that Facebook would shut down in March of this year. For me, what’s…
I focus a lot on the importance of messaging. If your message isn’t remembered, then what is the point? Despite the fact that humans have been communicating since the dawn…
This year, I braved the crowds and headed out bright and early to shop during a rainy, but busy Black Friday. Believe it or not, this was my first shopping…
Media conglomerate News Corporation let it leak that executives were fast-tracking an iPad only “newspaper.” There are several questions that come to mind, but after working in news for over…
Forrester Research forecasts that eBook sales will continue to thrive this year, but after 2011 – these devices may be put to bed. Why? They’re predicting more people will turn…
A new study by Vitrue reveals what times and days Facebook users are most active. The research concluded that weekdays, Wednesday especially, are when brand page interaction is at its…
Did you catch the play when Cowboys QB Tony Romo broke his collar bone during Monday’s game? How about the Texas Rangers’ win over the New York Yankees? Did you…
With all this talk of childhood obesity it is no surprise that organic food manufacturers are leveraging the much anticipated “candy holiday” to sell the idea of a healthier Halloween, according…
Every leader – new and seasoned alike – asks this question at some point. That’s why academics have dedicated their careers to exploring effective leadership techniques and functions; motivational speakers…
Here you have the rare face-to-face negative nelly – the heckler. The heckler is a reason why many companies don’t want their employees or executives to engage the public for…
As inundated as we are with facts and figures surrounding global warming, and its current and future impact on our planet, it is surprising to me that there are still…
In January 1985, I set out to achieve a dual personal goal: end my daily Manhattan-New Jersey commuting grind to spend more time with my newborn daughter and create a…
Design may prove to be just as effective as diet in its ability to help maintain a healthy and sustainable lifestyle according to a recent Architectural Record.com article focused on…
Facebook has just upped their game regarding their relevance to SEO by partnering with Microsoft’s Bing search engine. Since launching their “Like” service for “outside-of-Facebook” material such as news articles,…
Could you have imagined how “new coke” would have fared in our new social media world? We got a glimpse at that possibility courtesy of the Gap, whose latest logo…
“The Social Network” premiered last week and has since received rave reviews and tons of attention. In the true fashion of Facebook, the film – and the controversial themes depicted…
Pepsi owned Frito-Lay scored a fantastic marketing coup several months ago when their earth-friendly Sun Chips brand went to fully biodegradable packaging. After just 18 months the company announced they…
A supporter of environment issues, President Obama continues to educate constituents on the importance of environmental responsibility as he sets the ball in motion for solar panels to be installed…
Often it’s not what you say that is important…it is what the other person hears. McDonalds got themselves into some hot water (or should we say hot coffee) when the…
It sounds like something out of an Edgar Allen Poe story, with each brick a construction worker sealed up the entrance to the bank that would not respond to his…
It has often been said that New York is the loneliest crowded city in the world. In fact, I’ve always found it interesting the lengths we’ll go to avoid making…
Every digital strategy we recommend focuses on ROI. We don’t simply recommend Twitter or Facebook because it is “cool” or the current trend. We only recommend those tools that we…
As a long-time member of our nation’s newsrooms, I can honestly say there is an obsession with medical news and weather, particularly as it relates to a potential “crisis.” The…
Healthcare is a sensitive topic. Nobody likes to feel sick and everyone want to feel better fast at minimal cost and with zero side effects. Anything to do with healthcare,…
Another one bites the dust, or rather, the dust-jacket. The good people responsible for the Oxford Dictionary are talking about eliminating the printed edition of the reference staple. This comes…
The announcement of a major reorganization at USA Today is more evidence that the media landscape is continuing to shift dramatically. In a last-ditch effort to survive a steep drop…
Rather than taking the usual approach to the summer season – like George Gershwin’s song “Summer Time and the Living is Easy” – this year I decided to tackle a…
When I first became involved in social media, mostly through Facebook and MySpace, it was primarily as a means of keeping connected with friends and rediscovering people from my past….
With healthcare turned on its head at the moment, more and more people have been asking – how will I be affected? While several different priorities have been thrust into…
Inspiration to Save a Life As I shared in a previous blog post, I was recently inspired by an event that took place at S+A client B. Braun Medical Inc.’s…
Here at Stern + Associates, we are passionate about public relations, but we are also “Lost” junkies – devotees to the hit television drama about plane crash survivors trapped on…
As an avid New York Giants fan, it was quite painful to watch the last few games and see the demise of a team with so much great talent. To…
As we greet 2010, we are giving thought to the promise and hope of a new year. While 2009 was challenging for most, we are grateful for our colleagues, clients,…
With the new year upon us, it’s time for PR practitioners to take a hard and fast look at their current relationships with their clients and evaluate what worked, what…
Part of the everyday student culture at Rutgers University, where I’m currently studying communications, is taking shuttle buses across the 2,600 acre New Brunswick campus. One recent morning, I hopped…
Writing is a significant and essential function of the daily work of public relations, whether we’re creating news releases, key messages, marketing collateral, Web copy, employee communications, blog posts or…
I recently read a Huffington Post piece by our client, Dr. Sasha Galbraith of Galbraith Management Consultants, and was floored by some reactions posted to her article on the topic…
Summer is the time when I have a chance to enjoy not only the beach and warm weather, but also one of my favorite activities – going to flea markets….
An old friend from my days in television broadcasting (let’s call him Bob) recently told me he had been “promoted” to videojournalist. “What is that?” I asked. “It’s a fancy…
As Bob Dylan once said, “The times they are a changin’” and this couldn’t be more true than for the PR profession with the growing importance of social media. No…
I had the opportunity to volunteer at the recent Lake Placid Ironman Triathlon – an amazing display of physical and mental preparation and endurance during which athletes swim 2.4 miles,…
No tool has more power to influence modern society than the World Wide Web, which enables the rapid exchange of information so vital to its healthy function. But as Spiderman…
The late comedian George Carlin had a great routine about his hate for euphemisms, which are always coined to spare people’s feelings (both the describer’s and among the described) but…
When I was a journalist covering local and state government, the term “pay to play” conjured thoughts of greedy politicians and land developers working behind the scenes to line each…
There is no rule forcing companies to advertise with media outlets that treat them harshly, but leaders should think through decisions to change advertising strategy based on the content of…
Mark Twain’s adage about the power the media has over those who would criticize it may be more true of citizens with Internet connections than actual media these days. However,…
From the “green room” next to the studio, I watched a live feed of Charlie Rose interviewing Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter; the segment, “A Conversation with Michael Porter,”…
