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Rating: 
Summary: NO NEW THINKING HERE
Review: I just can't figure out who this book is written for. It was highly disappointing - instead of finding fresh thoughtful new insights and innovative suggestions for how to build on what's already tried and true and been done to death in Marketing PR from an industry "thought leader", or so Mr. Harris positions himself, I found tired old industry award case study submission retreads GALORE (fyi - these case studies are submitted by PR agencies and spun like no one else can spin 'em to advantage so they can win the award to get new clients). What that means to the reader is the facts presented in these "case studies" are highly slanted, and for starters, give no "fair and balanced" counsel in terms of explaining reality (the very same one we have to market in every day), such as, OVER HYPING with PR isn't any better than blowing your wad on ineffective national TV commercials that don't cut the marketing mustard anymore. Essentially, the case studies are PR themselves.<...Regardless of the date this book was published (1998), doing what worked yesterday was dated as soon as the campaign was implemented, which was long before Mr. Harris repackaged these case studies for a book publisher (no wonder self-publishers are flourishing). MY KEY LEARNING TO YOU: If your strategy is to focus on how "they did it yesterday" and what worked yesterday, this book is for you. However, if you're a little more forward-thinking, concerned about constantly improving to stay ahead of the competition, and prefer seeking inspiration for creative new strategies, ways of thinking, and of identifying connections between seemingly unrelated concepts to get your marketing in high gear, do some real work: start digging for inspiration, it's everywhere, unlike what's in this book.
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Summary: Not an Internet Book
Review: I suppose this book is valuable if you are in Public Relations, or want to learn more about that field. However, I was looking for something more related to the Internet and CRM, and this is not it.
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Summary: Great Book Without B.S. ! Read It Now!
Review: Probably the best and most practical book on PR, from a strategic marketing perspective. There is no non-sense,no unnecessary words--no B.S.! The author is a real practitioner in Marketing Public Relations with impressive real world and academic credentials. If other marketing or management gurus can write like him, there will probably be more practical business books for the readers -- the knowledge end-users to enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book Without B.S. ! Read It Now!
Review: Probably the best and most practical book on PR, from a strategic marketing perspective. There is no non-sense,no unnecessary words--no B.S.! The author is a real practitioner in Marketing Public Relations with impressive real world and academic credentials. If other marketing or management gurus can write like him, there will probably be more practical business books for the readers -- the knowledge end-users to enjoy.
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Summary: Kotler journal writings are more interesting
Review: The book was just okay. Kotler's business industry and journal writings are much more insightful and interesting. Too basic for marketing practicioners.
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Summary: ..a catalyst and paradigm for success
Review: This book is an insightful reminder, powerful tool, and eye-opener for all professionals who are either entering the field or have many years of experience in marketing or communication, which includes public relations. It opens a whole world of opportunities for success in today's competitive environment. Communications or marketing by itself cannot achieve success for a product, service or idea. The much advocated "systems approach" is even more true today than before. For those who have read Theodore Levitt's "Marketing Myopia," this book poses Levitt's famous question to the marketing profession-what business are you in? An interdisciplinary and integrated approach can help companies gain a competitive advantage in an ever increasingly competitive environment. It answers many questions we have today about the reasons for a successful marketing program. In today's world, where the consumer constantly faces information overload, this book provides ways of turning that information into knowledge by closing the marketing credibility gap as defined by Harris. The book addresses marketers of consumer, business, and high-technology products and services. An internally integrated communication effort will help consumers synthesize their world views in forming favorable perceptions of a company's products. Controlling consumer behavior has been far more difficult than shaping the few impressions that consumers receive. Isn't this what marketers and communicators strive for? The book refers to relevant and valuable examples followed by lessons for today's marketers.
Rating:
Summary: not very useful
Review: This book is one of an increasingly common genre: the marketing book in PR clothing. Essentially, the author claims that to "add value" to public relations, the latter should be turned into marcomm. I found the author's condescending tone to be extremely grating, and his suggestions superficial.
It's a matter of outlook, I suppose, but if you are interested in a relational approach to PR, this book is a huge disappointment. If you are interested in the field of marketing communication, you probably won't hate this book nearly as much as I did.
Rating:
Summary: Dry
Review: This book should have been required reading in my PR class! Not only does it have comprehensive case studies of PR programs with all sorts of objectives (launching a new product, making old products look hip, etc.), it has a story for every PR tool I learned about in class. There is also a second part that shows how to plan a Marketing-PR program. What I really like about this book is how it is so full of ideas. They are excellent mental triggers. I can open the book to almost any page, read about one company's PR program or tactic, and suddenly be filled with all sorts of ideas related to whatever I'm working on.
Rating:
Summary: Valuable, But Not Up-To-Date
Review: Value-Added Public Relations argues that public relations are key to any successful marketing campaign. The book predominantly rests its premise on the belief that public relations adds credibility, and, thus, "value" to the marketing campaign. While I know plenty of marketing executives are unhappy about admitting it, I'm not sure I would call it a secret weapon. The book is loaded with several case history examples. While it's well-written, overall, it fails to convey its message while taking into account the Internet. For that, I suggest Michael Levine's Guerrilla PR: Wired, which accepts the Internet's uses in a public relations and marketing campaign. Overall, Value-Added Public Relations is a strong, if outdated, piece of work. While its suggestions are still useful, and it is a thorough piece of work, it would be worth considering to wait and see if an updated edition is released.
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