One of the many skills required of PR professionals is the ability to quickly switch gears from manager and taskmaster to creator and innovator.  The challenge soon becomes how to become motivated and inspired within a matter of mere minutes?  And how do you create and foster an environment of creativity while balancing seemingly never-ending client deadlines and status meetings?

For anyone who has ever needed a solid recommendation for a local dermatologist, sushi joint, manicurist, or florist, chances are yelp.com has been consulted. That’s why I was eager to attend a recent luncheon hosted by the folks at the San Francisco PR Round Table, where the guest speaker was Vince Sollitto, Communications VP at Yelp, Inc., who spoke about the evolution of Yelp and the power of user-generated content.

Despite all the attention being paid to economic concerns, healthcare reform, diplomatic stand-offs and everything else going on in the world, the environmental movement and efforts to combat climate change remain a priority with governments and people around the world. And sustainability remains a driving force in business, too, as many consumers remain devoted to green products and brands that commit to sustainable business practices. 

The recession affects every aspect of our lives, and in response consumers are cutting back, doing away with, and trading down across the board.  Although consumers are eating at home more, CPG manufacturers can’t afford to sit idle.  Food prices are increasing at their fastest rate in 17 years, and private and store label products are tempting consumers with lower prices and flashier packaging.

In a digital world where blogs are proliferating with a speed matched only by the growth of social networks, it should come as no surprise that the two entities are breeding a hybrid beast of interpersonal communication.