What Can Google Earth Teach Us About PR?

June 20, 2008 | Posted by: Jayson Schkloven

I love Google Earth because it makes it possible to instantly travel anywhere in the world from the comfort of your PC.

Lately, I've been downloading audio editions of Economist to my iPod and listening to them during my long commutes between Reston and Baltimore. The publication does an incredible job of covering socio-economic issues from every corner of the globe. A couple weeks ago, I listened to an article on the brewing conflict between Russia and Georgia over a region called the Kodori Gorge. I had no idea where this gorge was, so once I arrived home, I used Google Earth to zoom in on the area where the conflict is taking place. It added another dimension to my experience and gave me a better understanding of international news and politics.

At this point it dawned on me - to be an effective public relations professional in this day and age, we must take advantage of the vast array of tools at our disposal to keep tabs on global economic conditions and emerging markets. Blogs, podcasts, virtual globes and other resources make it easier than ever to stay on top of global markets dynamics.

This knowledge leaves us better prepared to counsel our clients and to position them as expert resources for journalists who are shifting their coverage to more globally oriented content. At the same time, this globalized view of the communications landscape leaves us more qualified to help our clients engage in discussions taking place among online communities that reach across geographic boundaries.

So, if you haven't lately, pick up a copy of the Economist or download the audio edition (the latter is free for subscribers) and start going global!