Oct 08

Network presents on Online PR at Search Engine Conference

Network was the only PR agency that presented at the Search Engine Room Conference in Sydney early October 2008. The conference, with more then 150 attendees, is Australia’s original search marketing and optimisation conference and covered SEO and SEM strategies as well as a range of broader marketing trends such as the increasing use of social media.

Network’s Head, Digital Consumer, Lesley White, presented on the topic of SEO PR. It was chaired by Search Engine Room Director, Martin Kelly.  There were 20 speakers and panellists from Google, FirstClick, BRW, Hitwise and a range of digital and online marketing providers.

Lesley spoke on the theme of ‘Conversations in the connected era’. Having specialised in Online PR at Network Communications for three years developing and implementing SEO PR strategies and online engagement programs for movies, travel and wine, Lesley 

• emphasised the significance of natural search
• outlined the role of the optimised and social media release
• explained the link between SEO and social media engagement

She also ran through several case studies highlighting successes and failures in the Online PR space.

“It was significant that not only was no other PR agency invited to speak or present -as far as I could tell there were no PR people registered to attend. This is a further indication that of the Australian PR industry still don’t seem to ‘get it’ when it comes to online, social media and SEO”, said Lesley.

Among the points Lesley made in her presentation was that social media and online PR is about “conversations, not campaigns”.  She also advised to avoid advertising - driven messaging.

She stressed that any online engagement must add value to the communityand that it is essential to understand and respect the community’s rules of engagement.

Download a copy of the presentation