On November 7, Google+, Google’s own social media channel, launched brand pages. This feature allows organizations businesses, organizations and all other non-individual entities to create a page on Google+. While this may seem like yet another channel that requires your attention, this move has been interpreted as a game-changer. Why? As of last week, Google+ brand pages began showing up in search results. In an effort to play fair with other search engines, Google is downplaying the news. But in an environment in which search results are still vital, this is big news.

In early December, Twitter launched a major redesign which includes a number of new features designed to increase user engagement. Primarily, Twitter’s new @Connect and #Discover navigation options give users a greater opportunity to publish and consume content in a more streamlined manner. The inclusion of brand pages is also worth noting. You can learn more about the new Twitter here.

The following week, Facebook rolled out its Timeline feature to its entire user base. As you’d expect, Timeline places all of your Facebook content – status updates, photos and other materials – in a vertically linear format. While this feature hasn’t been expanded to Facebook pages for brands and organizations, its implementation is intended to increase user engagement.

What’s the takeaway here? Social media channels will continue to evolve in order to keep us tuned in – and rightfully so. Channels such as MySpace, which failed to evolve over time, have fallen by the wayside. While social media channels wouldn’t be in existence for another 200- plus years, Benjamin Franklin must have seen this evolution coming when he said, “When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.”

Andrew Gregory is the director of multimedia at Corning Place Communications, an Albany-based firm specializing in media relations, strategic communications, public affairs and social media and emerging digital opportunities.

Two recent surveys demonstrate that online video watching continues to grow in popularity, which has strategic communicators, and those in need of their services, tuning in.

According to a survey conducted by TVGuide.com, 15 percent of respondents said they watch six or more hours of online video every week, up from four percent last year. Frequently, users watch online videos while they concurrently watch television. Call it multimedia-tasking. A Burst Media survey calculates that figure up 30 percent.  These surveys are available by visiting www.gigaom.com.

The trend, which started out as curiosity visits to YouTube and other video-rich sites, has become a preferred way to send and receive information. And, this has value to marketers, communicators and those who want to avoid the news filter and take their message directly to targeted audiences.

Earlier this year, Corning Place Communications worked with the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York, to develop several short, information videos highlighting the economic and energy benefits associated with natural gas development. The “Fuel For Thought” series considers the public’s right to know, a growing desire for online video content, and delivers it in ready to serve format.

If you’d like to learn more about harnessing the power and efficiency of a multilayered communications strategy, contact our team today.

Jim Smith is a vice president at Corning Place Communications, an Albany-based firm specializing in media relations, strategic communications, public affairs and social media and emerging digital opportunities.

Albany, NY – On Oct. 27, Corning Place Communications, an Albany-based strategic communications firm specializing   in government-oriented communications, media relations, public affairs, web design and social media services, was honored with an Empire Award at the Capital Region’s Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) awards presentation.

Corning Place received the Integrated Campaign Award for: Finding a Solution to $98 Million Problem – a campaign that succeeded in helping 11 schools for blind, deaf and severely physically disabled children continue to provide the essential tools and confidence to lead independent, fulfilling and meaningful lives.

“The campaign was designed to activate every affected student, family and advocate. Rather than remaining idle, blind, deaf and severely disabled, students took action and were committed to being seen, heard and taking a stand,”  Paul Larrabee, managing director of Corning Place Communications, said. “There is no question that their message resonated with decision-makers in Albany.”

The viability of the “4201 Schools” – so known because of the specific provision of the Education Law that authorized their creation and mission – was threatened as a result of the elimination of direct state funding cuts during the 2011-12 state budget crisis.

“By blending complimentary communications and government relations strategies you are unleashing a powerful combination of forces to effect public policy and legislative change,” Larrabee said. “Our success on behalf of New York’s most vulnerable children would not have been achieved without the partnership of the 4201 Schools Association and our colleagues at Hinman Straub Advisors.”

This is the second straight year Corning Place Communications has received an Empire Award.

Albany, NY – Paul Larrabee will participate in a panel discussion at the Business Council of New York State’s Annual Industry-Environment Conference in Saratoga Springs.

Larrabee, managing director of Corning Place Communications (www.corningplace.com), will be a featured panelist during a session: “Public Relations a Key to Project Success” at 3:45 p.m., Oct. 27, at the Holiday Inn on Broadway.

Corning Place Communications is a strategic communications firm offering an integrated portfolio, including media relations, public affairs, web design and social media strategies.

The two-day conference brings together private- and public-sector experts to discuss environmental issues important to New York’s business community and residents.

Larrabee will address “Politically Strategic Communications.” His session partner, Matthew Maguire, senior counselor for public affairs, at Eric Mower and Associates in Albany, will discuss “Communications and the Environment.” During the session, the two top communications professionals will lead attendees through a hypothetical case study focusing on a manufacturer’s plans for expansion and the community’s reaction and scrutiny. 

“Changes in a community can earn praise or raise concern,” Larrabee said. “During this session it is our intention to provoke a dialogue that recognizes the merits of a proactive, affirmative, thoughtful and credible communications strategy.”

The new site features a variety of new elements and includes a series of  case studies highlighting the firm’s 2011 strategic achievements and examples of its work in various communications domains such as: Integrated Advocacy, Public Awareness, Issue-Oriented Education and Organizational Development.

“The introduction of Corning Place Communications underscores what has been a keystone to our practice for many years,” said Paul Larrabee, the firm’s managing director.  “Integrated communications and public affairs strategies are extraordinarily powerful. When executed properly they drive important messages from the periphery to a position of prominence.”

Corning Place provides expert strategic and crisis communications services, as well as the development and delivery of creative government-oriented advocacy campaigns.

“In order to meet a client’s public affairs objective, we must elevate an issue over the noise, static and

day-to-day clutter that is common in state and local government,” Larrabee said.  “While our name may have changed, we remain committed to a fundamental principle: being seen and heard requires clarity of message and a credible voice.”

Corning Place, based in Albany, New York, was created in 2002. The firm is affiliated with Hinman Straub P.C. (www.hinmanstraub.com), a full-service law firm based in Albany, New York.  Hinman Straub provides individual, institutional and corporate clients with comprehensive legal and government relations services.

To learn more about how Corning Place Communications can help your organization realize its objectives, please contact Paul Larrabee at 518.689.7246, or via email at plarrabee@corningplace.com.

If remade in 2011, the poolside whisper would likely reference  – social media channels.  Social media (SM) that is – Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and many more.

However, before diving into the world of tweets, friends and followers, users must be properly briefed.  When thoughtfully applied as a trigger to broader communications messaging, SM can positively motivate the passive, influence consumers and shape political agendas.

It should also be noted that SM can also be to communications messaging what rolling thunderstorms are to a summer afternoon: immediate, torrential and potentially devastating.

I offer the New York Times of June 6, 2011, and two stories appearing on section covers that can be directly tied to the reward and risk of social media.

The Business section featured the story of a man who for nearly a generation has been committed to the idea that technology should be viewed as any other household appliance.  Social media channels were buzzing when he stood in his trademark mock turtleneck to introduce a new service that would ease the problem of synching the storage systems of various electronic devices.

Apple Unveils ‘Cloud’ Music and Storage Service

Just below the most recognizable masthead in publishing, was the story and photograph of another social-media user.  An individual previously characterized as a sophisticated and worldly communicator.  Social media put him on the front page…

Weiner Admits He Sent Lewd Photos; Says He Won’t Resign

Beware social media devotees.  Both sides of the sword can be sharp.

* * *

Paul Larrabee leads Corning Place Communications, an Albany-based firm specializing in media relations, strategic communications, public affairs and social media and emerging digital opportunities.

Based in Albany, the firms will work closely with the law offices of Gleason, Dunn, Walsh & O’Shea to provide an experienced and respected professional team with a reputation for integrity, achievement and effective client service.

Corning Place Consulting, an Albany-based public affairs and communications firm, today announced that Paul W. Larrabee has become the firm’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director.

Larrabee joins Corning Place Consulting after a 22-year career in state government, during which he served three Governors, an Attorney General and the state Assembly leadership as a senior communications strategist, spokesman and most recently as the First Deputy Commissioner of the Office of General Services (OGS). Larrabee will lead Corning Place Consulting’s team of communications professionals.

“Paul Larrabee brings a unique combination of strategic planning, government experience and creative communications skills that will enhance Corning Place Consulting’s ability to better serve their clients. His skills and background, along with his straight forward, thoughtful and results-driven style will be a tremendous asset to both existing and future clients and further strengthen Corning Place Consulting’s position as a premier government relations-oriented communications firm,” said Hinman Straub Partner Sean Doolan. “We are pleased to welcome Paul to our team.”

Corning Place Consulting, Hinman Straub’s public affairs and communications partner, serves clients in a variety of industries, including health and long-term care; energy; higher and special education; business and economic development. The firm was founded in 2002 to develop successful communications strategies and advocacy campaigns to complement Hinman Straub’s government relations function.

Larrabee will work with the Corning Place Consulting team to offer a full range of value-added services, including the development of focused strategic plans, media training, achievement-oriented counsel and risk mitigation strategies.

“Corning Place Consulting and Hinman Straub are connected by the strength of three powerful bonds: performance, creativity and integrity,” Larrabee said. “I look forward to being part of their leadership and action-oriented teams.”

From 1995 to 1999, Larrabee served on the legislative staff of U.S. Representative Paul D. Tonko who, at the time, was a member of the state Assembly and Chairman of the Assembly Energy Committee. From 1999 to 2006, Larrabee served in the Office of the Attorney General, first as a Press Officer, and later as its Deputy Press Secretary. He continued in that role as Deputy Press Secretary to the Governor prior to leaving the Executive Chamber and joining OGS. Starting in 2007, Larrabee served as OGS’s First Deputy Commissioner under its longtime Commissioner John C. Egan.

Larrabee lives in Albany with his wife and daughter.