Have a safe and happy Christmas from the Centel Media team.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
NSA Spying Controversy Reaches Boiling Point
Spying
has been a regular part of government work for centuries. But, due to the
advances in technology, spying is no longer limited to informants and
undercover agents. Love him or hate him, Edward Snowden has opened up the
discussion on the morality of how far a government should go to spy on its own
people for the sake of protecting them. While he is in essence a whistleblower
and a thief, he's also done what he's seen as “the right thing to do.” This has
led to widespread coverage of what the FBI, CIA, and NSA do at home and abroad.
The latest blow to the program came from a federal court judge, ruling the
NSA's spying program to be unconstitutional. He supported his case by saying
that the NSA's data collection has yet to stop an attack. This negative coverage is the last thing
the NSA wants, but we as a society must take a serious look at the
repercussions of such strain on the Fourth Amendment.
In
response to major terrorist incidents like 9/11, most governments have opted to
keep an eye on their own citizens for threats that may exist. But the major
question is if the government actually has to collect data on every single
person who has a phone or access to internet service. With the NSA's current
system, they have the ability to find an individual's phone and track internet
usage if they happen to be persons of interest. This seemingly unchecked power
has left many angry at the fact that the government has the ability to disregard
privacy laws for the “greater good.” This coverage has been so negative that
other countries have been looking into their own spy agencies to confirm that
they aren't doing the same.
So much
negative coverage is literally going to drive this program into the ground if
the NSA doesn't agree to make some changes. In fact, there is so much negative
coverage I find myself wondering whether the NSA has been criticized too much.
There are ways to alter the program so it doesn't record everything but continues
to maintain some semblance of security. This would probably include making all
cases, excluding ones with obvious terrorist ties, temporary and deleted after
a certain time. This problem can be fixed.
While the
NSA has been rightly put under scrutiny, it's overreach is not unsolvable. If
your company is being unfairly prosecuted online by competitors or even the
public, Centel Media™ can help you get your head
out of the ditch. We can supply your company with professional negative
suppression services that cover articles, images, videos, and reviews. We'll even counter the
negativity with press releases exposing
the benefits of your program. The NSA may have a lot to fix and answer to
before it gains any respect again, but if your company is facing a similar
problem, you shouldn't have to go it alone.
Jonathan
Wong,
Creative
Writer,
Matthew
Shaffer,
Editor-in-Chief,
Thursday, December 19, 2013
An Unholy Alliance Threatens the Reputations of Two Countries
It looks
like bailouts aren't applied only to private companies. Ukraine has decided to
take a bailout offer from Russia, which has stirred up dissension between the
European Union and Ukraine's political leaders. Western authorities were
offering an olive branch to Ukraine to join the European Union. But what's most
interesting is how this decision affects Ukraine’s image in the eyes of the world. Russia, of course,
approves of Ukraine’s actions, but the West now views the country with growing
mistrust.
Ukraine
was part of Russia's Iron Curtain back in the days of the Cold War, and many in
the country have not forgotten that era. Numerous Ukrainians protested
the bailout, seeing it as a return of Russia's sphere of influence in the
region. Their concern is warranted given the substantial evidence that Russia's
de facto leader Vladimir Putin is seeking to create a coalition government of
his own to challenge the economic and political might of the European Union and
the United States. Ukrainian citizens want to join with the European Union for
the sake of trying to fix their economy and their political system. They view
their government as largely corrupt and feel Russia may have pressured the
Ukrainian government into accepting the bailout.
But the
situation with Ukraine is part of a bigger undesirable picture: Russia versus
the world. Many countries view Russia negatively thanks largely to Putin's
attempts to control his people through methods that harken back to the militant
and dehumanizing practices of the Soviet Union. Putin insists Russia is just
trying to maintain its influence and create a buffer zone between their country
and potential 'enemies.’ In the process, they have destroyed their image
abroad.
Neither
the Ukraine nor Russia have stellar reputations in the West right now, but with
reformation in policy and proper media coverage, they still have a chance of
gaining the respect they so desperately want. If you or your organization is
being seen in an overbearingly negative light, you may want to look to Centel Media™ for assistance. We are the
leading online reputation management firm today and one of our many areas of
specialization deals with negative imagery. We have products which are designed
to suppress negative criticism from articles, images, reviews, and video. We believe that every business and individual
who has a presence online should have control over the way they are perceived
by others. We will give you the best options available to maintain the way you
are viewed by the rest of the world.
Jonathan
Wong,
Creative
Writer,
Chris
MacEachern,
Editor,
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
GM Fights to Regain its Good Name
General
Motors used to be known as one of the most unreliable car companies in the
American market despite its massive size. But they seemed to have learned from
their humiliation during the start of the recent recession. Their renewed focus
has led them to make important changes. They just achieved yet another historic
milestone by naming Marry Barra as CEO, the first woman to run a global
automobile company. She also happens to be an engineer, the first engineer to
hold the leadership position in about twenty years. This is not to say that the
outgoing CEO Dan Akerson did a bad job either: he's overseen the design of
several great cars that have revitalized the brand, but there remain more
challenges ahead. GM needs to fix their image
perception. Being the leader in online reputation management, Centel Media™ understands
exactly what that means and how challenging it can be without professional
help.
At some
point in its past, GM became too big and had more growth problems than they
could handle. But they examined their practices closely and had the courage to
make large-scale changes. The latest decisions have included
restructuring attempts in Europe, Asia, and Australia. They have even gone so
far as to pull out entirely from some of these areas, ending the billions in
losses they have suffered over the years from those locations. Rival
company Ford Motors actually did the same in its return to success not long
ago.
As a
consequence of being too big, GM's quality decreased. It wasn't until
2009 when the US government bailed them out did they probably realize how
serious their manufacturing and image problems had become. The people noticed
too: they quickly turned towards companies like Toyota and Ford as
alternatives. This negative public perception contributed greatly to their
downfall. Now with the US government exiting as a shareholder, GM has a great
opportunity to recreate themselves in the eyes of the world.
It is not
often that companies can recover from bankruptcy, and GM should be grateful. If
your company needs to improve people’s perception of it, Centel Media™ is here to help. Our top
of the line online reputation management services can help you build a
positive, trustworthy image. We supply a negative criticism suppression service
covering articles, images, videos, and reviews. To promote the good your
company has done, we also publish press releases and
write Wikipedia articles for you. If
you're committed to maintaining a quality company, we are only too happy to
help you achieve your goals.
Jonathan
Wong,
Creative
Writer,
Chris
MacEachern,
Editor,
Friday, December 13, 2013
Is the Sound of Music the Sound of Money?
NBC has
been in a hole for a few years now. They have had modest hits with several
different shows that appeal to niche audiences, but they have not been able to
secure a solid identity and viewership. Their latest attempt at breaking out of
their rut has worked. Using a famous movie and a lot of advertising, the
excellent Sound of Music, they broadcasted a live performance using new
actors but retaining all of the classic songs. Audiences responded
enthusiastically and beat skeptical expectations, scoring high ratings and
almost 20 million viewers, a feat NBC has not managed to achieve on Thursday
nights in four years. They even beat Big Bang Theory for the top
network show. Clearly, an identifiable brand and a stellar performance were the
winners that night. At Centel Media™, we
understand how strategic marketing and careful reputation management can lead to phenomenal
success.
Before
the show, critics derided it as nothing more than a desperate publicity stunt.
They viewed Sound of Music as one of those American classics that should
not be touched because there is no way to improve on it. While that point is
debatable, nonetheless the film is a masterpiece of delightful artistry that
stands on its own even today. So when NBC wanted to remake it, it was only
expected that loyal film fans would react negatively before the new program had
even aired.
However,
the warm reception to the live musical performance on TV has proven the critics
wrong. People do want to see a great performance of a classic, even if it isn't
exactly the same as the movie. In fact, rebranding may have been a key reason
why the show gained such an astounding audience. While some people only want
the original, a creative remake usually motivates many viewers to go out and
see the 'improved' version. While people may debate if NBC’s version tops the
original, it still manages to stand on its own merits.
Proper
advertising of their known brand is what gave NBC the success it needed. If you
or your organization needs a professional hand in proper marketing, onlinereputation management firm Centel Media™ has the
know-how to get you on the right track. In addition to our classic service of press releases, we also offer products
which increase traffic to your website such as Google AdWords optimization, social media optimization, website design, and domain name registration. Be sure
to take ample opportunity of all of the possibilities online branding gives in
order to increase your sales and profitability.
Jonathan
Wong,
Creative
Writer,
Chris
MacEachern,
Editor,
Thursday, December 12, 2013
To Hire Or Not To Hire A Web Design Professional
It has
been proven time and time again that a well-designed website has many
benefits for small businesses, but how many small business owners really have
the knowledge to build one? Rarely can someone with little or no experience can
put together an excellent website, even with the overpriced packaged template
fill-in-the-blank options. A company page is a remarkably useful tool to
have in your arsenal. Websites give entrepreneurs the chance to tell their
brands’ story, engage current and potential customers, and experience growth.
Having a professionally built website makes a difference and Centel Media™ can make
that difference count. Here are just a few reasons why entrepreneurs should
hire a pro to build their company website.
1.
Outsourcing
saves you time.
Your time
can be allocated to something else while the professionals handle your design
needs. You can now focus on ensuring customer satisfaction, managing employees,
or training staff.
2.
Great
design draws the eye to key information.
A
professionally created site will catch the customer’s eye. Designers are
trained to know exactly what elements to place on a page and where to place
them in order to maximize attention and encourage viewers to spend more time on
your site. Images, charts, graphs, and superbly written content increase
your sales.
3.
Increased
visibility on search engines.
Professionals
know how to apply SEO and have the expertise to effectively increase visibility
of your site. Centel Media™ professionals can use Google AdWords and other strategies to
improve your ranking in search engines so customers see you first.
4.
Polished
content.
What you
say and how you say it on your website affects your image and your reputation. Centel Media™ provides
professional writers who know how to perfectly word your copy so your business,
brand, and reputation are exactly what you want them to be.
5.
Wow them
right away.
Amazing design
can impress a potential client immediately by reflecting the level of
professional service that a company provides. You will not look like an
amateur.
If a
brand new site isn’t in the works for you, improving upon a current website
will give your company that professional edge it needs. Centel Media™ website
experts can evaluate your current design and recommend changes to increase your
visibility or engage your customers more. Centel Media™ also offers comprehensive reputation management services.
Your online presence and brand image are important. Centel Media™ website design helps your business become
all you want it to be.
Nastassia
Auguiste,
Creative
Writer,
Chris
MacEachern,
Editor,
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Strategies Mean Success for Ebook
With
the availability of e-readers and tablets increasing steadily over the past few
years, it is no surprise that the world of print is making the leap to
electronic books. Though readers may be disappointed to see businesses like
Borders Books and Music disappear, the reality is that Borders did not embrace
the web and ebook readers the way its competitor Barnes & Noble did.
Tablets are becoming more easily accessible today as well because rivals of the
Apple Ipad have released inexpensive alternatives that function about the same
way.
An author with a newly published ebook must have a plan of attack if he intends to make a profit and grow his brand. An effective and well planned ebook campaign will lead to increased exposure for the author, building his credibility and increasing his sales. That’s where Centel Media comes in. Creating a buzz online is essential to driving book
sales.
Centel Media provides comprehensive online reputation management services. Our team of professionals can provide services to enhance your ebook campaign such as press
releases, Facebook and Twitter page design, unique and targeted social media optimization, wikipedia submissions, website design and more.
But why publish an ebook over a printed text? Some authors are drawn to ebooks because they are green. No pages means no trees used. Some ebook publishers brand themselves around the concept of being environmentally sound.
Ebooks are cheaper to produce. Some sites offer self-publishing options for ebooks in a variety of price points. It is also possible to find short online instructional
courses to help format your own book.
Ebooks are widely accepted. Colleges have embraced digital books, offering textbooks for digital readers at drastically reduced prices. Even some public libraries now offer digital
books for readers to borrow. Ebooks can be sold across various retail websites
such as Amazon.com , Apple iBookstore or even on the authors website or blog.
A press release announcing the publication date, a top notch Facebook and Twitter page, a new website are all tools that can create the online presence that will make
your ebook a success. Let Centel Media help you on your e-publishing journey.
Nastassia Auguiste,
Creative Writer,
Chris MacEachern,
Editor,
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