We’ve delved into the dark side of social media on this blog before, and this will be another one of those posts. Specifically, how instantaneous information coupled with a plugged-in, sometimes paranoid, populace can create viral outrage without digging deeper for the facts. No better way was this exemplified than last week’s “Momo Challenge,” a quickly evolving, quasi internet urban legend that terrified parents and led to some drastic action.

Of course, the whole thing was a hoax.

If the “Momo Challenge” didn’t blip on your radar, you’re one of the lucky ones. But many of you reading this probably saw a post or two from concerned parents about this new online boogeyman—one who resides on messaging platforms and clandestinely in children’s YouTube videos, encouraging self-harm and suicide.

If you’re a parent or just someone concerned with what kids are viewing online, this would no doubt elicit a concerned response. But the problem with these outrage-driven reactions is that rational thinking often goes out the window in exchange for fear, and a Twitter post or obscure blog post is taken as gospel.

Such was the case with the “Momo Challenge.” It simply doesn’t exist.

But that did not stop immediate action. Schools have issued warnings to parents—some cutting access to YouTube altogether. I can see an “overabundance of caution” perspective for doing such things, but many of these responses seem borne of simple groupthink without independent research. Panic begs panic, and before you know it you’ve expanded the reach of a viral hoax.

It’s called “going viral” for a reason. Ideas, videos, memes, and posts can quickly replicate and spread online, their virulence transcending borders, communities, and demographics. It’s definitely great news that this all turned out to be nonsense, but it drills home another important point: not everything that appears in your newsfeed is true.   

On the heels of an extremely successful NSA winter conference, the PR/PR roadshow continues – and yes, we’re headed back to Vegas. You can’t keep us away from a slot machine for more than a few weeks, so we’re excited to join World Champion Public Speaker Darren LaCroix in Las Vegas for StageTime LIVE!

With two days packed full of presentations from seven of the best speaker and business coaches in the world, StageTime LIVE is one of the most memorable events that we attend each year, and we have no doubt that you’ll walk away feeling the same.

Held at the Seven Hills Conference Center in Las Vegas from March 15 – March 16, StageTime LIVE will instill the methods to leave a lasting impression, deliver a message that resonates and is remembered, and ultimately up your booking fees.

So you should absolutely join us in Vegas, and be sure to secure your seat before pricing goes up on March 1^st.

We’ll see you in Vegas!

Ed Rigsbee is a longtime friend of PR/PR, and he has made a career out of marketing to associations to garner speaking engagements. Of course, this is perfectly congruent with what PR/PR preaches—utilizing your visibility in trade, association, and industry publications to unlock new opportunities to speak. Plus we love all of the fantastic work he’s done through the Cigar PEG to benefit the National Speakers Association foundation.  

Ed hosts a series of “intensives”—a two-day, limited availability series that imparts the importance of marketing to associations, establishing the clarity of your value, and ultimately, increasing your bookings. His next intensive will take place May 29^th and May 30^th in Las Vegas (added bonus).

While we could evangelize all day about what Ed Rigsbee brings to the table—and can bring to your speaking career—why not hear directly from him and some of the people who have attended?

If you caught a glimpse of Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar’s campaign rollout on Sunday, you’ll fully understand why the National Speakers Association is holding its winter conference here in Orlando, Florida. Kudos to Klobuchar and the crowd for showing up and sticking around for her presidential announcement, but that rally looked like absolutely zero fun. As I look at my window this morning it’s a bit overcast, but we’re currently sitting in the mid-70’s and expecting sun for the remainder of the week.

And that’s just one of the reasons you should head down this way for NSA’s 2018 Winter Conference.

Weather-centric motivators aside, this year’s theme, Marketing Evolution, is geared toward enriching attendees with the skills and techniques to effectively market as a speaker in 2019. Times have changed, technology has evolved, and so should your branded outreach. That’s another reason to join PR/PR in Orlando.

As always, this three-day event (February 15 – 17) will be jam-packed with beneficial breakout sessions, general sessions with top-tier speakers, and networking opportunities to enhance your reach. Yep, one more reason.

So you’ve decided you’re heading to the Renaissance Orlando to attend NSA—need one final reason? Russell will be working the booth! Be sure to swing by and talk shop with PR/PR’s President. Or feel free to talk vintage Cadillacs—he enjoys that, too. PR/PR will be onsite Friday – Sunday, so be sure to come say hello.

Enjoy Orlando!

We’re a full day removed from what was the possibly the worst Super Bowl in history; a 60-minute defensive slog with 16 combined points—only one touchdown. The halftime show was disjointed and uninteresting, there were no real standouts among the commercials; my five-layer dip was cold. The Patriots emerged victorious to secure their sixth title, but the whole thing was bad from start to finish. The real winner from Super Bowl LIII was its host city, Atlanta, which turned years of planning into a glowing week-long feature of the city itself.

This was Atlanta’s third time hosting the Super Bowl, and from every review that I’ve read, they absolutely nailed it. Taking place in the sparkling new Mercedes-Benz Stadium (where a beer and a burger only cost $12, I might add), the lead-up to the big game served as a virtual advertisement for the City of Atlanta. There were festivities all week long that put the city’s rich and vibrant history on full display.

The historic sites, the must-eat-at restaurants, the local bar and music scene—all were elements that had their moment to shine in the countdown to kickoff.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had the following to say about Atlanta:

“The week was spectacular. Everything went as planned. We were just thrilled, truly grateful for Southern hospitality.”

The game may have been an absolute snoozer, but the city did not disappoint.

There’s rightful public criticism about hosting events such as the Super Bowl or the Olympics. It requires intensive planning, potentially a massive infrastructure overhaul, and loads of taxpayer money. When done right, however, it really can boost a city’s profile on the global stage. Atlanta appeared to do just that with their execution of the Super Bowl, and although it was only its third time hosting the game, it certainly won’t be the last.